(2022 - 2024) Costumed cdramas that are done and dusted

• MAIN LEADS ARE CHENG YI, ZENG SHUNXI AND XIAO SHUN YAO TELL ME WHO ISN'T EXCITED?! (*ﾟ◯ﾟ*)
• They finally gave my bub Shunxi the pretty high ponytail hair I’m dancing my way into the sunset ｡ﾟ(ﾟ´Д｀ﾟ)ﾟ｡
• Filming starts on 6th June and wrapped up on 17th October 2022

Well, where do I start with this? A wonderfully crafted wuxia with the perfect casting, Mysterious Lotus Casebook is the title which you'll be recommending to others. Cheng Yi IS the epitome of Li Lianhua. The episodic cases will get you thinking, the comedy will get you laughing, and the bromance will get you crave for such friendship. It's been a while since a good drama rolls my way (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)

A special episode which acts as a closure for the drama... or is it not? That's for us viewers to decide ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Lost You Forever isn't in my "radar" of anticipated dramas to watch coz of the harem theme, hence I am a clown for not knowing how amazing this is! Although this drama is a xuanhuan with immortals, demons and nine-tailed foxes, the storyline is very relatable that I sometimes forget I'm watching a fantasy and not historical. Yang Zi's performance is outstanding here; Zhang Wanyi is superb and Tan Jianci makes me feel like my heart's being stabbed over and over again. I'm on the fence on watching part 2 as I know a certain character's death is inevitable and I'm really going to bawl my eyes out at that upcoming scene ( ;´ - `;)

Another title that's not in my "radar", but ended up loving it so much that I'm brain rotting very hard on Zhang Linghe now! ♡〜٩( ˃▿˂)۶〜♡  As per with other Guo Jingming's works, the aesthetics are top notch and the fight scenes are choreographed beautifully. The actors and actresses are pretty much pleasing to the eyes. However, storyline is just so-so and that ending could have been handled better. But I'm irrevocably in love with this drama so crap ending and plot holes be damned ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

• While I'm not a fan of either leads, the hype for this drama got me curious. Also, many said the ML character is much, much more cruel and vicious, it made Dongfang Qing Cang look like a baby (if compared to Tantai Jin)
• The costumes for this drama looks impeccably beautiful; Bailu and Luo Yunxi rocking them all! But damn, LYX in that devil god attire is ( ๑ ˃̵ᴗ˂̵)و ♡

I walked in like a blind person who doesn't know what the hype's about, and walked out emotionally invested, I AM IN SHAMBLES. Luo Yunxi is up there together with Cheng Yi, when it comes to tragic roles. I'm floored with his acting, he definitely is a xianxia god and nothing can change my mind. His chemistry with Bailu is undeniably amazing and wonderful, those steamy scenes are out of this world! ( ˘ ³˘)♥︎ The only downfall for me is that this drama is cut short to fit in the 40-episode requirement, hence some of the editing becomes choppy and storyline doesn't make much sense. 

Story of Kunning Palace aired right after Tiger and Crane, so I had my Linghe fix for a straight three months back to back ( ๑ ˃̵ᴗ˂̵)و  Gotta say that Xie Wei is probably the best, morally grey character Linghe has played. I hated Xie Wei; he's a major red flag. Cunning and possessive, he has his reasons for being that way, and I feel that Jiang Xue Ning is the only person who can "tame" him. In a way, Xuening is a match for the insane Xie Wei; she's his equal when it comes to being cunning.

Picked this up coz beginning of 2024 is a dry spell for cdramas. A low budget drama with high quality storytelling that rivals even some S/S+ dramas. The aesthetics are on point (beautiful!) and the sensual scenes are indeed spicy *coughs*

So basically, I decided to watch this drama because of Xiao Bai. My Cheng Yi withdrawal is back and there isn't any interesting costumed dramas which caught my interest after CXRX ended. To my surprise and pleasure, NLB is a delightful, lighthearted, slice-of-life drama, which got me hooked. I love this drama so much, it earns a perfect 10 for me ( ˊᵕˋ )♡ 

Picked this up on a whim coz I have a thing for interspecies romance ( ๑‾̀◡‾́)  Wouldn't have thought that I would actually enjoyed it, despite the lazy scriptwriting. Li Yitong is starring opposite Cheng Yi in Hero Legends, I'm already excited to see them both!

• Because it's Cheng Yi ( ˘ ³˘)♥︎ 
• Because it's Yang Zi. They were paired up before in Noble Aspirations, hence I'm eager to see their chemistry as lovers this time around
• I'm a sucker for tragedies and who else is best at delivering tragedies?

1st edit: After many setbacks and postponements, this drama finally aired on 20th July 2022. No promotions, no news, no interviews, Youku just dropped five episodes on its airing date wth?? ಠ_ಠ

2nd edit: The love I have for QiQi is, idk how to put it eloquently, overflowing ( ˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈♡) His micro expressions is simply *chefs kiss* and he makes suffering so aesthetically beautiful I’m in tears! And Yang Zi is that perfect costar for him coz they’re both oozing with chemistry, I have no words to describe it~

Part 1 ended on 17th August 2022 with a bittersweet cliffhanger. I need Part 2 pronto! (╥﹏╥)

Part 2 started immediately after Part 1 ends. There's no gap in between the two parts. I'm Team Tangzhou all the way!

The end was actually what I've expected of Cheng Yi dramas  (´ ᯅ `)  However, there are two special episodes afterwards to soothe the achy feelings so I'd guess it's all good~ Completed Part 2 on 2nd September 2022 and the special on 7th September 2022.

This special is basically like an extra to soothe the hearts of viewers ( ˊᵕˋ ; ) To be honest, I don't understand why Youku likes to separate endings. They did this for a couple other dramas as well... 

• Gotta admit that I'm watching this solely for Xiao Bai and his uncanny resemblance to Cheng Yi („• ֊ •„)
• He's acting with his real life girlfriend, Song Yi, this is definitely gonna be a blast

This drama started out as a light hearted family drama, which then turns out to be heavy when the second arc comes in. I honestly thought this will be another New Life Begins, but it isn't. Nonetheless, it's pretty enjoyable despite the shortcomings of some plot holes.

This drama isn't in my anticipated list at all, but it somehow crawled its way into my heart. Despite Song Weilong's stiffness, I did enjoy the mysteries and how the crime solving duo work together to close several cases. Initially marketed as a BL (despite the original work NOT being a BL *facepalm*), A League of Nobleman had been in the backburner of Tencent's dungeon of BL works due to the strict censorship. Hence, this drama had gone through many cuts, thus some edits are extremely choppy.

• Because I'm on my Zhang Linghe brain rot, I'm basically adding all of his costumed dramas in this list~ Which unfortunately, this is the last one as he's migrated from Hengdian after The Princess Royal started airing

• This title is a surprise for me as it doesn't star any of my eye candies, but I do like Jiang Long's acting. And the trailer looks pretty lit~
• Oh, 2ML is Zhang Ling He! Believe it or not, I haven't watched anything from him yet (^^)"

• ANOTHER SWEET, SWEET CHILD OF MINE, DING YUXI (*ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ꕤ*.ﾟ
• Have you seen the hairstyle on him?! I think I screamed

• Ding Yuxi has two upcoming costumed dramas and while I prefer the styling in Love You Seven Times more, this style reminds me of Han Shuo from TROTAR
• Can’t wait to see He Chang Xi here! Am smitten for him in Wuliang and Painted Skin asdfghjkl o(^o^)o

After waiting and waiting, it has finally aired and ended  on 13th April 2023 (•́︿•̀)  It has some repetitive plots, but I still like this drama. There's sisterhood love as well; savvy businesswomen who enrich and support each other. And don't mention about the chemistry between the leads. I'm positive Xiao Ding is a 'chemistry magnet'. Not once have I seen a drama of his, in which he doesn't have chemistry with his co-star. His bromance with He Changxi is also pleasing to the eyes  (˶ᵔᗜ ᵔ˶)

• HOU MINGHAO MY SWEET, SWEET CHILD ( ⸝⸝´꒳`⸝⸝)
• I'm sorry, I have a soft spot for Minghao 

After several postponement, Hu Xin finally aired right after TTEOTM ended. To be very honest, I didn't feel that much excitement when I watched the first few episodes. Probably it's because I was too emotionally invested with the predecessor drama, which affected me from enjoying Hu Xin. However, that's not saying that Hu Xin isn't a good drama because it is. It's a light hearted xianxia with comedic elements. The story of friendship and adventure is one to look out for, but the best part for me is how the main couple sticks together and fights together.  

• Watching this for Zhao Lu Si coz I like her in TROTAR and TLB
• Hopefully, I'll get 'round to liking Yang Yang coz I’ve always seen him as a ‘cold’ guy

1st edit: Currently watching WRTW and I’m obsessed with this drama! ZLS and YY’s chemistry is amazingly lovely, and YY is in fact, an adorable dork irl~ Both him and ZLS are children I’m in tears (˃̶͈̀ロ˂̶͈́)੭ꠥ⁾⁾

2nd edit: Completed on 17th May 2022 and I don't know how to move on (つ﹏⊂) Gotta say Heifeng Baixi is now my most favourite power couple in costumed cdrama.

• Hello Zhao Lusi, you’re fast becoming my favourite girl~
• This gonna be my third Wu Lei drama, this child seems to “appear” in the dramas that I wanna watch… Maybe a new favourite? Hahaha, too many to fit in my qiankun pouch already ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

1st edit: Started watching this in September (2022) and I do like it. However, there's quite a lot of bitchy female characters which gives me headaches urgh.

Continued with the second part in October. While Part 1 focus more on family relationships, Part 2 is more heavy in the revenge aspect. Also, the bitchy females kept coming one after the other omg...

• I've officially named Zeng Shunxi and Tian Xiwei CP, Big Eyed Couple coz of their pretty, big eyes! (❛ ֊ ❛)

Do not be fooled with the title because the family issues take up almost the entire drama length ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)  The romance is subtle, but because both leads have amazing chemistry, I find them adorable together. This drama got my blood pressure rising coz the family members are mostly toxic! 

• My Ultimate Note babies reunite in this! ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗᕕ( ᐕ )ᕗ
• The whole cast is just stunning I'm in tears

Completed on 27th June 2022. Not surprised at the ending. I did enjoy the drama despite the shortcomings. Looking forward to Shunxi and Yuning’s next projects~

• Hello? VAMPIRES (~‾⌣‾)~
• Yeah, yeah, I know. Vampire dramas are usually trashy but who cares, lol

• Ren Jia Lun! And Dilireba! Although I'm not a fan of both, I love seeing them act (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤
• MERMAN! NINE TAILED FOXES!

1st edit: The major hiccup to this drama is the unavailability of subs when it was released. So I waited. And waited. Thanks to fansubbers, international viewers are able to complete part 1. There’s still no subs from the official channel as of yet (9th May 2022). Truth be told, I’m disappointed. Oh well  ʅ(◞‿◟)ʃ

2nd edit: Completed on 8th May 2022

3rd edit: Croton Media finally uploaded subs for both parts 1 and 2 on 26th May 2022

Completed on 3rd June 2022. I got frustrated at the unnecessary deaths and dead people not staying… well, dead.

I did have this title in my radar when I saw the promotional photos released some time ago, but I didn't know who was the ML back then. The makeup got me intrigued (I have a soft spot for interspecies relationships heh...) hence why I decided to watch this when it's finally being aired. A drama with a twist of modern elements, it's fun and light hearted. I do like the cute moments between Chen Zheyuan and Wu Xuanyi, but there's a major drag in how the ML keeps the secret from the FL. It takes forever for the FL to find out the truth (๑ᵕ⌓ᵕ̤)  

Completely unrelated to the drama plot, I'm honestly smitten for Chen Zheyuan's cuteness! And this child's eyes can carry off emotions, he's one to look out for as a rising actor.

Another title which I pick up on a whim, coz there was a dry spell of uninteresting cdramas airing in the beginning of the year (2023). The only thing which is etched in my mind, is the character of He Na. I'd guess he's the only thing which kept me going heh heh~ 

Watched this with Mango TV subs and it's horrible! Maybe this is why I rated this drama on the lower end  (҂`з´) Picked this coz of Wang Youshuo (I fell for him in Song of the Moon) and find some other familiar faces like Sun Zhenni and Rain Lu in it as well. The last few episodes are extremely rushed. Would love to rewatch it again with better subbing. Mango TV, do better c'mon!

• Watching this solely for Xuan Lu and Wang Zhoucheng. Yunmeng Jiang siblings reunited! （＾∇＾）

1st edit: This dropped on 2/07/2023, same with Xiao Zhan’s The Longest Promise. My mind keep thinking that the Yunmeng Jiang siblings are connected somehow ٩( ᐛ )و  (let me put on my clown paint)

2nd edit: Gotta admit that this title is a wrong choice and as a NDD watcher, I do find myself struggling to complete this. Thank goodness it's not an absolute bore, but I don't think I'll rewatch this ever again, lol. Also, this is the first time I'm irritated with Xuan Lu's character.   

To be honest, I wasn’t interested in this chapter of Fox Spirit Matchmaker at all. Picked it up coz I got to know my bub Linghe is in it as a guest role (he only appears in the last few episodes *facepalm*) The cgi is good but I feel it’s overused in the sense there isn’t a proper sword fight; just actors swinging their hands in intricate ways (¬_¬)  And I feel that the story bores me. I’ve watched my fair share of boring cdramas before but there’s something about Yuehong which makes me wanna fall asleep. If not for my NDD, I would have dropped this title.

I was anticipating this mainly for Wang Zhoucheng but goodness me, the entire drama turned out to be absolutely terrible (-_- #)  Not even the massive number of eye candies (yes, this drama has plenty of good looking males) can help salvage the atrocity of this piece. I've never rated a xianxia so low, and this is the first.