Honest Review of - Love Me, Love My Voice

Here’s my honest review, with no sugar coating!

Firstly, I went into this drama with zero expectations. It popped up as a recommendation when I was searching for something new to watch, mainly to kill some boredom… haha

Initial Impressions: The first 5 episodes were quite enjoyable. I loved the sweet interactions between (ML) and (FL). However, I was a bit confused by the (ML) being a voice actor and suddenly starting to talk about food recipes with the FL within the spam of the first episode. Some of you might find it charming, especially his voice, but for me, I felt indifferent.

The Romance: I can't remember exactly when the (ML) and (FL) officially got together ( probably somewhere around episodes 8 to 10), but those moments were super cute! HOWEVER, from that point on, the show focused wayyyy too much on the main couple. Normally, I’d enjoy that, but considering it's a 33 episode series, it just felt like the romance dragged on for longer than it should. They took things reallyyy slow…and I mean painfully slow. They didn’t share their first kiss until almost 10 episodes later…

I get that it was their first relationship and all, and that they wanted to take it slow, but it was slow to the point that I couldn’t handle it anymore. Each 45-minute episode felt repetitive, with the FL acting shy and innocent every time she was around her boyfriend. After a while, it wasn’t even cute or cringey anymore; it was just plain boring. I ended up skipping a lot of the scenes and even full episodes to find interactions with the other couples because I needed a break from the main pair.

Missed Opportunities with Other Couples: **Spoiler Alert!** There were several episodes where the main couple and their friends went on a semi-long vacation together. I thought this would finally be the moment where we’d see the other couples develop, but I was wrong. Instead, we got 42 minutes of the main couple doing the same repetitive things, and only about 3 minutes of the other couples…. Like…seriously???? At times, it felt like scenes with other couples could have been expanded, but the show would cut them short and jump back to the main couple, dragging their scenes longer than necessary.

For example, there’s a scene where Juemei and XiaoXing are at a bookstore/date. We got at most 3 minutes of them there, then the scene cuts to them waiting for the bus to arrive to go back to the dormitory, and then it immediately switches back to the main couple. It felt so rushed, and frustratingly so. To make matters worse, all the other couples only officially got together in the very last episode of the show….

Character Issues: The characters themselves felt a bit unrealistic. The ML was literally good at everything: he’s a doctor, yet somehow finds the time to do dubbing, cook, and take care of the FL. Meanwhile, the FL was overly naive, like a teenager giddy with first love. I felt like she didn’t put as much effort into the relationship compared to the ML, and as a result, there was a lack of chemistry between them (IN my personal opinion…).

Overall Verdict: My biggest issue with the show is that it was unnecessarily stretched out to 33 episodes… (I’ve seen so many good shows do this, and it’s so disappointing…) If it had been condensed to around 15-20 episodes, I think I would’ve had far fewer complaints. That said, this is just my personal take. I’ve seen plenty of comments and reviews from others who enjoyed the simplicity, the no drama vibe (in addition to the cultural aspect of the drama, sharing knowledge of ancient Chinese music, costume, etc), and the kindhearted, sweet and loving male lead. If that’s your thing, you might find it more appealing than I did.

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Overall Good, however not one of my Top Favourites.

Just finished the series! Overall, it's alright, with potential to appeal strongly to some viewers, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me, especially after 20 episodes in. The comedic elements, particularly with Furong and his sister, were a highlight for me. However, I struggled to connect with the main female and male leads, possibly due to the pacing, and the story being a bit drawn out. My emotional investment leaned more towards characters like Mofang and the backstory of the female lead's parents, as well as the development of some minor characters. While it didn't entirely captivate me, I'd still encourage anyone intrigued to give it a chance, as individual experiences with the show may vary.

Side note: Despite some scenes where the music randomly played, the overall impact of the music in this series evoked emotions and set the tone for various scenes adding depth to the storytelling - some parts got very emotional haha!

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Good Drama, but hated the mother...

Before watching this drama, you have to decide whether you're intending to watch for the romance or the family drama.

If you're seeking a romance-heavy plot, this drama might not be your cup of tea. "Best Choice Ever" is heavily centred around family - specifically revolving around the female lead's mother.

The female lead's mother is depicted as nosy and overbearing, embodying typical Asian family pressures/expectations placed on their child. Such as the emphasis on marrying a wealthy husband, raising children, gender roles in marriage and maintaining a good reputation among relatives and friends. This show offers valuable life lessons and includes moments of romance and heartwarming interactions between family members - a bit touching.

That being said, as the series progressed, I found myself increasingly irritated and frustrated with the female lead's mother. I couldn't fathom how the female lead managed to stay calm and comply with her mother; if I were in her shoes, I would've left due to the constant nagging and pestering. Her overbearing nature made me consider dropping the drama altogether. However, I pushed through, and by the final episodes, she had redeemed herself (Sightly...) I began to understand the mother a bit more, but still... (she said she would change, but barely did. I understand that mothers wish for their kids to live better lives and to give them what is best, but at some point, it seemed more like the mother wanted her kids to fulfill the dreams she never managed to achieve herself... never considering the consequences of her actions, or what her children want.)

I think all characters had some form of character development, but some are more significant than others.

While I don't consider it a must-watch, especially given its 37 episodes, each around 40+ minutes long, it does have its unique appeal. There are many other good dramas out there, but if you decide to watch this one, be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotions, especially regarding the female lead's mother. I hope I'm not the only one who feels this way!

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An easy watch, would recommend!

Although "Hello, My Noisy MP3" is labeled as a comedy, romance, youth, and fantasy drama, it primarily serves as a coming-of-age story with slight hints of romance sprinkled throughout.

If you're expecting a romance-heavy show, you might be disappointed. While there's some romance, the focus is more on youth, high school experiences, friendship, and other aspects of adolescence. The romance only comes into play towards the end, but by that point, I was just enjoying the show for its coming of age themes.

The main plot revolves around 30 year old star Zhao Man Er (FL), who communicates with her 11 year old self through an MP3 player. This form of communication allows Zhao Man Er to fix and alleviate regrets from her past, thereby changing her present and future. This proves particularly useful when she uses it to remove a threat to her acting career, which has been her lifelong dream.

The story is quite intriguing. While I've seen many time travel dramas, this is the first time I've seen a concept involving the use of a communication device to alter the future. I loved the cast, especially actors Chen Ye Sheng and Zhang Kai Tai. The acting by all the cast members was impressive, and the soundtrack complements the narrative well!

However, there are some confusing aspects, such as the constant switches between past and present selves, which muddle the storyline. But this doesn't affect the overall enjoyment of the drama too much. The identity of the male lead (ML) is also ambiguous, especially during the beginning of the show, as the story presents two males who are interested in the (FL) throughout high school to present. This is possibly intentionally done by the writer/director, but it definitely made me wonder who the (FL) would end up with!

Overall, "Hello, My Noisy MP3" is a delightful watch, especially for those interested in themes of youth and growing up.

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Great actors and storyline!

"The Bad Kids" (2020) delves into the intricate web of hidden secrets and complex relationships among a group of students. The storyline centres around a mysterious incident that intertwines their lives together, each grappling with personal secrets and struggles.

I was initially drawn to this drama by its captivating trailer and the idea of contrasting fairy tale narratives vs. harsh realities. I had no specific expectations when I decided to watch this drama - unaware of what it may encapsulate… Typically, I don't gravitate towards shows featuring younger actors, but this group of actors delivered exceptional performances, portraying raw emotions and adding depth and authenticity to their roles. The genuine chemistry between the characters made their relationships compelling and engaging to watch.

The storyline was particularly enjoyable; while some might find it predictable, I personally found it well written and unpredictable. Just when I thought I had a handle on the plot, it took unexpected turns!! Nonetheless, the series isn't perfect. I particularly felt that the pacing was uneven at times, especially in the last two episodes, where events seemed rushed compared to the rest of the series, with certain character arcs receiving more attention than others.

Overall, it’s a good drama, and I recommend those who enjoy psychological dramas with a focus on character development and moral complexity to give it a watch! Just a little warning… there may be a rollercoaster ride of emotions and revelations (cause I did end up a little emotional).

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