I want to start by saying that I was looking forward to this series. The amazing cast and the hype around this series were the two things that made me add the series to my watchlist. From the OST clips I’ve seen, I thought the series was a full-on romance with a little bit of politics with the royal family. I was extremely disappointed to find out it was the exact opposite – more politics and very light on the romance.

What I like about the series:

Liu Yu Ning’s character of Hao Du, I was rooting for him the entire time. I couldn't help but notice the way he looked at the Princess the first time. I am so glad there was one thing from the series that did not disappoint me.

The storyline was very well thought out, there were a lot of side characters that were added each time FL faced a trial that developed her character growth.

The OST. Lately, I have this tendency to listen to OST before watching the series. I love fan-made clips of the series, sneak peeks always get me excited and I look forward to these scenes. I also love how Sa Dinding’s If you come back was used in a lot of “dramatic” scenes. It was probably one of the songs I had to look up right away.

Did I mention Hao Du? My favorite scene of his was when Hao Du jumped in fighting off the She Er to win the princess's hand in marriage.

The cinematography did not disappoint, the one thing I really enjoyed was how some scenes transition from live-action to manga. I found this to be very refreshing. I prefer having this transition rather than an overload of CG.
The cast, I am familiar with some of these actors and actresses so I was super excited to watch this. The last I’ve seen any of Dilraba work was in Ten Miles of Peach Blossom and the spin-off Eternal Love of Dream. Zhao Lu Si has been one of the actresses I’ve been following this past year. A lot of her series was light and romantic, thus I was looking forward to seeing her in this role. Other familiar cast played minor roles but it was enjoyable to see them.

The bad:

This is more personal, and I think most folks will either hate or like this. I skipped a lot mainly because I’m not into politics and the military strategy and the scheme. I was bored out of my mind as I kept skipping these sections, which was a good chunk of the series. I probably grasped onto enough to understand what was happening and didn’t care for the minute details.

They're probably more that I didn’t like but I am not going to list them all. I don’t have a long list to make a case and to justify that it made the series bad, it was more of my personal preference.

Personally, my rating is 6.5/10. I think the second lead made the series enjoyable, I looked forward to seeing how Hao Du slowly changed from this cold heartless man to someone dear and loving. But they only play a small role, the entire series was on Sun and Chang ge, and simply I just didn’t like the politics. As much as I love the second leads, I know I won’t re-watch this series.

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Go Ahead in Kdrama land

This review is an ongoing reflection, likely influenced by my personal bias against remakes, particularly K-drama adaptations. I’ve never been a fan of remakes, and I hold a special place in my heart for Go Ahead, which makes me cautious about this remake. However, I decided to give it a chance, especially after seeing the cast, particularly Hwang In Youp as the lead.

As of episode four, here are my thoughts:

What I Appreciate:
• The similarities to the original Chinese drama, like the noodle shop, the store's placement, and the open rooftop.
• The female lead's character is more upbeat and cheerful a bit more feminine, a difference from the Chinese drama. I love that she also knows what she wants.

Challenges I’m Facing:
• The shift in genre: This remake leans more toward fun and comedy, aiming for a rom-com vibe. I read an article indicating that it will focus more on romance than family, which disappoints me. Given the title "Family by Choice," I hoped for a stronger emphasis on familial bonds, but it doesn’t feel like a family dynamic so far.
• In the original, Tan had a more tomboyish personality and treated the boys like brothers, which added to the family feel.
• The foreshadowing of Tan’s love for hard candies and the male lead’s eventual career choice.
• The opening song: As I mentioned in my brief review of Go Ahead, the opening song was a highlight for me, something I looked forward to in each episode.
• The length of the K-drama: Condensing the depth of 40 episodes into 16 inevitably leaves out many beloved details, resulting in a loss of emotional build-up and relationship development.

I’m trying to approach this series with an open mind, but I know I’ll likely compare it to the original. So far, I’m not loving it, leading me to rate it 5/10. There are many elements working against it, and I'm struggling to find aspects I enjoy in this remake.

Update 12/6:

Here’s my final review after watching the series. The first half was really disappointing. It felt like a copy without the emotional depth. I actually made a whole list of what they did wrong as I watched each episode as it aired. I was crying, feeling sad, and seriously considering dropping the show before it ended. I was going through a whirlwind of emotions and didn’t want to continue. However, I pushed through because I wanted to see the ‘romance.’

Shockingly, the second half felt like they rewrote the show to give it a more K-drama feel, with the romance twist. Honestly, I think they should have gone in this direction from the start, but I understand that they were trying to establish a backdrop and create familiarity for fans of Go Ahead, hoping they would either enjoy or learn to appreciate this remake.

Here are some points I genuinely enjoyed about the series:

• The FL defending the ML during the mother visit. She stated to the mother, she only ‘loaned’ him back to his mother for ten years because they were family, but now he belongs with her; a flashback to when they were young and he was given away. I’m glad they cleared up this misunderstanding much faster than in the Chinese drama. With only 16 episodes, the pacing felt nice.

• I appreciated how they made it clear that the second lead brother wasn’t trying to marry FL out of romantic interest, but because he wanted her to have the family name – what she always wanted! In the C-drama, this misunderstanding wasn’t cleared up until later. Plus, FL friend never switched over to liking the ML, which I’m grateful for. I’ve always had a soft spot for the second lead, and it felt like they really played into that here. I was genuinely affected during the episodes when they unraveled his thoughts. My favorite line from him: "Why does everyone abandon me?" Honestly, I think the writers were listening to my thoughts because that scene made me follow Steven Zhang as an actor.

To conclude, for the first time, this is a remake that’s not bad. It’s still not the best, but it served its purpose. This is how Go Ahead might look in the “K-dramas world”

Rating: 7.5. It’s a series I probably won’t rewatch because it doesn’t give me the same emotional satisfaction or sense of family and slice of life that the original did.

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Dragging suspense

Personally, one thing about kdrama they do right is they want us to keep guessing, but there is also a downside to that because how long do you drag on the suspense to make the audiences want more? I am so glad I watched this with friends because I would have never finished it. I stayed because of the amazing cast, I love their acting and their characters but the way how the story unfolded, the dragging suspense, and adding unnecessary problems one after another was a typical kdrama move that I absolutely find dull and boring. Nothing made sense and some of the issues just didn't seem real enough to convince me.

I recommend it for the cast and if this is your type of suspense but forget about it if you're there for the storyline.

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Happy ending only exist in dreams

I’ve been stuck in a rut lately, I wanted to watch a historical Chinese series but lately, all the ones I wanted to watch the paces were too slow. I’m glad I found this series, but I shouldn’t be surprised as the director and the screenwriter wrote a lot of the short series I like. The series is simple with no weird editing, It has a beautiful storyline, and the characters are just fun to watch!

Still a great short series even though it's not my favorite, I still prefer A Familiar Stranger. That series kept me thinking about it for days. But don’t get me wrong, I still love this series, it's just one that I probably won't think about for days.
I also love the cast, zhao yi qin I’ve been watching his stuff for years so I’m glad to see him getting a lot more main roles. I remember watching Rain Lu in Qing Qing Zi Jin and she left a good impression so I’m glad to see more of her works here!

The only downside was the ending. I get that it was supposed to be an open ending but honestly, I was expecting a happy ending. The last two episode was a bit confusing, maybe it was the subtitled I found but I had no idea what happened to Marquis/Princess's husband. To see everyone happy at the end felt like a dream. I guess this is their way of showing that happy endings only exist in dreams.

This is going to be another director and screenwriter I will be following. I can't wait for more short series from the director and the screenwriter!

Overall an 8/10

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"Captivating the King" took me by surprise from the get-go. As someone not particularly drawn to political struggles for the throne, I entered with cautious expectations. Yet, from the very first episode, it managed to ensnare my attention in a way I hadn't anticipated.

This series is about our FL disguising herself as a boy, fighting for a noble cause while navigating the twist and turn of love. Meanwhile, our ML is in a power struggle fighting for the throne. They bond through an Asian chess game called go.

Initially skeptical, I found myself drawn to the performances, particularly that of SSK. Her portrayal of the lead character's inner turmoil with teary eyes, captive my heart each time. I mean who wouldn’t be in the exact same position in front of the man they love but they cannot reveal their identity? Witnessing her growth from her previous roles, especially post-"Run On," was a delight in itself. The chemistry between the leads, which was intense and emotional, had me on the edge of my seat, emotions swirling as her gender was exposed and their relationship unfolded.

While the series excelled in many aspects, there were minor imperfections that caught my attention. Some scenes felt slightly stiff and awkward, especially the part where he grabs and hugs her, the angle just felt off. Also, the abundance of side characters like the senior court maid felt unnecessary and could have been streamlined for a tighter focus.
On a personal rating scale, "Captivating the King" lands at a solid 7.5 for me. It's been a while since a K-drama has captured my interest so thoroughly, and SSK's performance only adds to its allure. However, deductions were made for the repetitive nature of palace politics and hidden love between a female disguised as a male.

In conclusion, I'm eagerly rooting for SSK's continued growth and eagerly anticipate what future projects hold for her. "Captivating the King" may have its flaws, but its ability to keep audiences invested and chemistry between the leads is undeniable.

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I genuinely want to like this series. I found myself forcing myself to keep watching, hoping it would improve and hopefully explain some of the questions that still lingered. However, the ending left many of those questions unresolved, and I'm still trying to understand my feelings.

First, I believe this series is more symbolic than it initially appears. For someone who hasn’t read the book, this could lead to confusion and even frustration, making it hard to enjoy the series as much as I had hoped. The storyline is captivating, but I struggled to understand why the FL was holding back in her relationship with the ML.

What I Liked:

• The Cast: I adore the cast! I was pleasantly surprised by the FL’s performance, as I haven’t seen much of her work before. And who doesn’t love Junho?

• Symbolic Scenes: One scene that stood out was when the FL said goodbye to her free spirit upon becoming a concubine. Given her nature, losing that freedom was deeply emotional for me and made me teared up a bit.

What I Found Uncertain:

I was told their chemistry was off the charts, but I felt more like he was chasing her while she was a tease and “played hard to get,” despite clearly adoring him. Did I miss something about her personality in the early episodes? It wasn’t until the end that her friend mentioned she likes to bluff, which helped me understand her behavior better. I appreciate the sexual tension Junho brought, but the FL seemed to keep everything in check.

The Open Ending:

The open ending. Was it a dream? A nightmare he woke up from? Did he pass away? Was this him and her in their afterlife? The ending really upset me because of the buildup I felt along the way. I felt there was not enough information as time passed or the transition of how things went. For example, when three years passed after the death of the former king, we are suddenly switching to the marketplace. Why did their friend leave the court maid life? Was there really a marriage alliance with ML right man’s younger sister? Again, I think there were some symbolic things that happened that probably weren’t properly explained in the series or the director just couldn’t transition those scenes as smoothly for viewers like me to understand.

The ending felt rushed. I didn’t like how FL and ML suddenly came together after such a rapid sequence of happy moments in the last few episodes, especially given the weird transition surrounding the crown prince’s death. I longed for a smoother transition and a deeper emotional connection between the ML and FL.

As I’m writing this, one thing I do appreciate about the symbolic ending is all the hints and everything that happened in the “nightmare”. FL knew that ML loves his people as a king, he would be a great king just not a great husband because of the duties he has to shoulder. She even hinted that she wishes they were commoner and she often imagined it. He didn’t get the hint and just stated you’re a good court maid and he can’t imagine not being where he is at. This doubt weighed on her, yet she accepted that this was the path she chose. This is why when she visits her friend in prison, you can see the connection and the understanding she feels when her friend states she doesn’t regret making the decision for the man she loves.

The direction and potential of this film were strong, but I wish the execution had been smoother. Certain scenes and transitions created confusion, leading to my lower rating. I reiterate my initial sentiment: I truly want to like or even love this series, but the unanswered questions and editing left me feeling dissatisfied.

Rating: 4/10

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Hidden gem

You know it is a good series when you stayed up all night watching it! That is what I did. I was looking for my next fluff and well I thought an idol drama with holo love might sound interesting, plus my Zhang Ling He was starring in this series. Boy, I did not know what was in store for me!

What I love:

The fluff, the cuteness, the chemistry between the lead and second-leading couple. I also like the female lead. I usually find female lead annoying and stupid but this one she just full of life and super funny. I very much so enjoyed the chemistry she had with grandma. I think that is what made me continue watching the series to begin with. I like how the female lead did not play one of those I’m going to drive you crazy with my innocent yet smart tactile. I couldn’t stop comparing what other female leads would have done with the scene where Grandma tries to call her hustler that will kill anyone for her. In here you can tell FL has was common sense making her smarter and wittier compared to those female leads who would have fallen for it and begged for forgiveness. Because of this, she was able to get all four men in the house to let her stay and continue cleaning in place of Grandma.

The second leading couple, although I was slightly disappointed with the cliché of a strong independent female with an understanding comforting male couple, I think they actually made their relationship so realistic, with issues that partners do face that I actually like their pairing. Plus, did I mention I love Zhang Ling He??? 😊

Let's not forget the main leading couple. With a lot of series nowadays, I seem to only have one favorite couple. But in this series, I’m in love with both couples. They're so adorable. I love how this wasn't a typical teen love; they don’t have this extremely annoying “I’m jealous” so I’m going to drive you crazy and hurt your feelings phase. I often find that childish and unbearable to watch. Let us not forget the amount of kissing scenes we get in this series!

What I often thought about:

How nice it would be to have a virtual world. I think these series tackle an issue that is pretty prevalent, although we don’t have our holo lover, a lot of us do hop online to live in this virtual world to escape so that we can continue living in this reality. We often forget to appreciate the small little things that virtual life can’t give.

The second lead couple and how cute they were! Yes, I’m a bit obsessed with Zhang Ling He!

The twist in the story, I didn’t expect that after getting caught in Bayhouse they were stuck into a virtual game. Everything felt so real and I’m sure many of us thought so too. The one thing that stuck out was how mean the NPC characters are and how they kept trying to make everything wrong. I also love the reference to inception totem and how at the end they all brought it out to make sure it was real and not a game.

I also didn’t expect the chase to be so long towards the end of the last episode but I am satisfied with the ending. Some relationships like Lu Wen Xuan came a bit too fast for and there wasn’t much development like Su Ming Lie where he had to overcome his fear of red lips and befriend a girl.

Some of the side characters that I love: grandma, Qi Chuan, and Xu Guan Han. I mean who doesn’t love grandma on a motorbike. You already know this grandma has personality and she means business! I thoroughly love her character in here. I also love how serious Xu Guan Han is in here, I mean he plays the bad guy who loves up these beautiful boys. He's serious, and if he doesn’t like you for any reasonable reason you’ll be kicked out and fired. He tries to create this perfect virtual world in place of this world he thinks is imperfect. I don’t realize how old he is until he played his character as a father. I look forward to more of his work! This was fun!

What I didn’t like:

It was hard to find anything in the series that I didn’t like besides this one poor editing, like when she fell in the pool. You can see that it was only waist-high and she standing up in that quick second.

I think this is a hidden gem and everyone should watch it! Super cute couples, you'll fall in love with everyone's character in here!

Re-watch value: 9/10

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Something missing

Honestly, I expected a lot from this series. I am stuck between do I like this series or is mediocre? I love that the Hong sisters wrote this. I always enjoy their work. Just like every Hong sister series, the hype of wanting to continue each episode, how everything was execute perfectly between being serious and comical, it has a great storyline, awesome cast, and memorable music. BUT something was always missing for me, even from the beginning. For this series, I felt the chemistry between the leads missing. More so from the FL. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy her character. I think the actress makes it work but to be in love with ML with all that breaking heartache...I didn't feel it. I was disappointed because I was told this was a love story. I was expecting a bit too much from the series and was disappointed. I've seen snippets of the second season, so I am hopeful that I might get the heartwrenching love line I was looking for.

The other downside to this was that the story started out slow, a lot happened within each episode but I skipped a lot. And the ending and the discovery of how things unfold in the last few episodes were fast. There were so many unexpected events that did not feel like the cliffhanger was necessary nor was it something that should have been put there. I felt disappointed even though I knew a second season was in place. I still felt it could have been handled a bit differently.

6.5/10 for me
Rewatch value: 1/10. I really wanted it to be higher. I really thought that my low rating might have been due to skipping a lot of content but I still got the storyline and the main points. I might go back if someone can point out pieces of information I may have missed.

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The unexpected

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this series. I initially thought it would be just another drinking, mukbang, and comedy show. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of its symbolic meaning and how the title "Work Later, Drink Now" encapsulates a message about living in the moment.

I love that most episodes don’t directly link to one another. Instead, each episode tells a story about a different aspect of the characters' lives. They navigate everyday experiences that many of us go through—school, falling in love, breaking up, college, entering the workforce, starting friendships, fighting with friends, reconciling, aging, and dealing with the loss of loved ones. Through it all, alcohol and their friendship were there for each and every event. They stated it very well in the series they drink when they are happy, sad, something to celebrate, something to be sad about. They basically drink all the time.

For once, I found a series I could truly relate to. It felt like a slice-of-life drama, and I’m a big fan of this genre. I was surprised to find myself binge-watching late into the night, crying my eyes out, and genuinely disappointed that season 2 wasn’t available yet! I gave it a high rating because it exceeded my expectations. I recommend staying for the ride, you’ll have to get over the excessive drinking, and you’ll discover the charm in this series.

Rating: 9/10
Rewatch: 8/10

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Something missing..

I really want to like this series, it has this interesting storyline, great acting and the chemistry between the leads and the side character are super adorable but something just felt missing for me.

I kept looking for something to like. The OST wasn't that impressive, the storyline did pique my interest for a while but the misunderstanding to carry on the "great love" between the leads was getting rather annoying. At one point I felt that FL understood ML but that didn't last long. Sure enough, more problems were thrown their way leading the small issues to bigger misunderstandings right after another that got tiring really quickly.

I probably stayed and watch the series because the side characters were super adorable. Stay for the cuteness if you like that. I know I probably won't be rewatching any time soon. But I do look forward to more work from ML and FL.

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This has a promising storyline, a classic really. Famous celebrity teacher falls in love with a normal working "mom". I really wanted to watch the story because of the backstory of FL and how she decided to raise her niece. I expected a long backstory but everything was explained in one episode, maybe in five minutes of the show. Kind of disappointed, personally I was looking for a build-up of their storyline. This was the main reason why I decided to give this show a chance.

ML has his charm and FL I didn't know how old she was until an article came out about her in her 50's as she plays a mom. I assume they were thinking of someone in her 30's? She was able to pull it off for someone in her 50's so I give her props for that. They were a cute couple and their love line was expected to happen, I just felt the pace was a bit off for me.

I love the side stories of the uncle and the daughter. I think they were adorable. But just like every other kdrama there has to be a bad guy with some mental or psychological issue that is related to one of the leading couples. I personally do not like having these weird side stories added on because it was predictable and I already knew who was behind it.

It was entertaining but I skipped through a lot, I personally wouldn't want to watch it again. Giving it at 4/10

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Sorry to disappoint but if you’re expecting a I love this series review this is probably not it. I was disappointed with a few things so I’m going to start out with them first:

The random character growth for FL. The way how this was directed at first it seem like she was described as someone weak, an artist type who can’t fight back and now she randomly has a great memory and remembers things when she deals with the business issue. Being brave for the man you love is a given so I’ll let that one slide, but I can’t get over her thinking it was a brave and smart idea to chase the man in black. Thus, in turn, gets locked up in a food truck and wimpy cries for help when she was just so brave all sudden. I don’t know if it was the actress's fault or the way how it was directed.

The sudden cliffhangers or should I say the exposure of ML mystery past or the random agreement to decide to get married to mean girl.

FL random drunken episode and acted cute. Sorry, it was a great scene for ML to kick ass but why did she need to be drunk?

Probably the only thing I like was the ML, his character seems to be steady and well-defined. Of course, he is hot but that not saving the series. I think this series has potential, it really does but the way how the plots and twists were played out was just so random and weird, at least for me. FL didn’t have a well-defined character making it hard to follow at times. I think she does a good job at acting, but they just need to define her character a bit more. If anyone has any recommended movies or series she has done that way better let me know. I am willing to check them out.

Rating 4/10, probably won’t rewatch since I forward through a lot. There are a lot of cute scenes that you can just find on youtube but watching the entire series, is not worth it. There's not much chemistry so you’re not really losing out.

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HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

I stayed because of the plot twist, only to discover that the beginning was a twist within another twist. I debated writing a spoiler-filled review, but I’ve decided to keep it short because this series deserves a chance.

I recommend trying the first episode; if it doesn't grab you, feel free to drop it. However, I’m confident you’ll want to continue with the next few episodes. This drama has a certain charm that pulls you in, making it hard to stop until the end.

Things I love about this series:

It is a short series. At roughly three hours total, it’s perfect for binge-watching over a weekend or even in a single day like I did.

With shorter series, it’s often hard to like the cast or characters, but I found myself falling in love with both.

Along with short series, sometimes the costumes or editing are off. But I appreciate the aesthetic, and the edit…especially the colors they choose for the historical theme.

Even without the plot twists, I would have enjoyed the story of the time-traveling princess.

For the first time, I don't have anything bad to say about a short series. I truly appreciate how the story unfolds and how well each character fits into the drama.

I highly recommend giving this series a try—you won’t be disappointed!

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Do not be tricked, it is not labeled as comedy, but it is. Back from the Brink is so comical I don’t remember how many times I laughed and cried and went back to laughing again. I truly think in this series Zhou Ye as the lead won me over. I last saw her in Word of Honor. I remembered her character because of the sad ending of her love story and her bratty attitude. I really wasn’t expecting much from her in this series but she proved me wrong. Let's not forget Riley Wang, man I adore his character in here. I bet the both of them had a ball behind the scenes seeing how funny they were.

Back from the Brinks opens with a betrayal on a couple’s wedding night. Because of this, it captivated my attention at the beginning, and I had to continue with the series. His body parts and heart are torn and sealed away in different places. ML and FL later meet, with ML finding out FL has his heart. Their journey starts as they try to find the rest of his body parts leading to meeting funny, loving individuals and losing individuals they love.

What I love about this series:
The cinematography and the beautiful cgs.
The side characters. You can’t help but grow to love some of them. I still can’t believe Zuo Ye is in here!!!!
The storyline.
FL acting and her character
Riley’s character
Lot of scenes that will make you laugh and cry all within the same episode.

What I didn’t like:
Felt super long, I just finished Love you Seven time so I was expecting a pace similar to that but this one felt long and I skipped a lot.
Let's be honest, how many of us were ready to go head-to-head with Su Ying's character. Just had to put it out there :D

Neo acting. There were just some moments where I felt he could have done more but he kept himself in check a lot and thought about appearance more than acting. But that is just my personal thoughts.

Recommended if you are looking for the next wuxia to watch. Also, recommended if you are a fan of Neo and Zhou Ye or Riley. I think they come a long way

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Sweet and cute series

I’m writing this review as I’m thinking about another series. Literally just finished Back from the Brink after Love You Seven Times. I couldn’t contain my excitement to see Yang Chao Yue because she has come such a long way. I saw her and Neo in a variety show a while back and it was super cute. I was super happy to see both him and her having a new series out the same year.

Love you seven times had a lot of chemistry. For sure, Ding Yu Xi won my heart in this series. The last time I saw his work was from Romance of Tiger and Rose. I wasn’t very impressed with that series but this one…he won my heart over!!!!

Here are some things I love about this series:
I love the outfits, the attention to the details was just spot on.
The length of the episodes, I’m glad it was a short series.
The flow and the pace of the story. I ended up binge-watching this entire series because it was so easy to watch.
The opening theme. I automatically recognize the singer.
The cast.
The different lifetimes they had. I’m glad they were not painfully long and they were just perfect!!

The only con I had was these carefree happy FL leads we tend to get in Wuxia.
I recommend it to anyone looking to watch a short, sweet, and romantic wuxia series.

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