Cutest Dark Lord Ever, Amazing Intense Love

Love Between Fairy and Devil has probably given the viewers the cutest and most desirable Dark Lord of the three realms, not to mention a gorgeous God of War of the Heavenly clan as well. Between them, a love triangle ensues. The vivacious little orchid fairy who is kind and optimistic, living with the Heavenly clan, chooses the Dark Lord instead, a love that is forbidden, almost like a Romeo and Juliet romance. Within the first episode, I fall immediately in love with the story, the characters and the acting.

He wants to protect her with all the power he has; she wants to be treated as equal, sharing joy and pain with him. What follows is a beautiful love story of a ruthless dark lord with a gentle and loving fairy who eventually melts the heart of the devil who has no emotions.

This drama is adapted from the novel "Cang Lan Jue" which was also made into an anime. According to many readers, the drama version is more enjoyable and the Dong Fang Qing Cang character is better written and developed. For me, I'm totally sold by this character. Here we have a Dark Lord that tries to save and protect his people, a heavenly realm that swears to kill all those it considers as evil, and a a fairy who heals and wants peace for all realms.

Void of feelings, the Dark Lord Dong Fang Qing Cang (played by Wang Hedi aka Dylan Wang) is such an amazing character. Being the strongest and most powerful of all the characters with his deadly hell fire, he is overbearing and atrocious. Wang Hedi’s acting is so good and convincing here. He has the rare charisma of being cold and authoritative, but not being stiff like a robot that is usually portrayed by many other actors. His facial expression is simply amazing with a hint of evilness (妖气) and yet at times, viewers can feel his resignation and turmoil within. The actor is very good looking. He can look very serious and arrogant, with large eyes that can look devilish, so he looks very frightening when Dong Fang Qing Cang is in a rage. But at a flip of the switch, he can look totally silly and harmless like a hush puppy. At only 23, Wang Hedi's acting is very mature. I really love his portrayal of the Dong Fang Qing Cang character and he has aced his role hands down; no others can match him. Together with an incredible CGI team, the result is a perfect Dark Lord that everyone fears and loves. I don't have enough of his scenes and for once, I wish the drama had been longer.

Xiao Lan Hua, literally means Little Orchid, played by Yu Shuxin, is equally believable. Yu Shuxin has a very girly, pure and innocent look, and with her ethereal beauty, she is perfect for the role as a little fairy. Her acting is natural and convincing, but when it comes to becoming the Dark Lord as he possesses her body, she is lacking a bit; she looks more like a half-sleep dream walker. Luckily there are not that many of such scenes and she hasn't brought the story down. Xiao Lan Hua later transforms into a goddess who has a totally different personality, and Yu Shuxin manages that role very well; she is very convincing. Many viewers also commented on her voice which she self-dubbed. I find her voice suits the role very well as a little girl who is so pure and innocent.

This drama also gives us a gorgeous second male lead, Chang Heng played by Zhang Linghe. The actor made his debut in 2020 in Maiden Holmes and has since made several well-rated dramas. As with Wang Hedi, Zhang Linghe also plays two characters in this drama: the cold, aloof ethereal God of War, Chang Heng, and the warm and flamboyant human character, Xiao Run. Both roles are being executed convincingly and flawlessly.

Everything about this drama is well thought out for most parts – the script writing, the directing, the camera work, the CGI, the costumes, and most of all, the selection of actors and their respective acting. The storytelling is cohesive and intelligent, and the costumes are so well designed that by themselves, tell the story of our characters visually. The dialogues are funny and cute especially those that uttered by the Dark Lord. The music is beautiful, in particular, the instrumental tune blown by the grey character Ron Hao (played by Xu Haiqiao) on the flute. The music brings out the melancholy and yearning for a loved one, with a love story that is sad and beautiful. The plot is easy to understand, and yet, there are twists and turns that sit the viewers up. I really love the conceptual architecture of Xiao Lan Hua's abode which is surreal and aesthetic.

Re-watch? Absolutely! I would never have enough of Wang Hedi's scenes here. The story is dark and serious, and yet it is also tear-jerking and full of humors and very funny. It captures the viewers' hearts and emotions. After the final showdown and climax, the ending seems a bit lackluster and disappointing. Proper justice has not been done for Dong Fang Qing Cang to vindicate him from some of the killings he hasn't done, and another character escapes with impunity. As with most Chinese dramas, the writing of the final two episodes weakens with a lack of imagination, and is not as compelling as the beginning. I wish the production team had been more creative with the final scene, instead of a mere banal line of, "I'm back". Nonetheless, it hasn't reduced my enjoyment. Overall, this is a great watch and strongly recommended. MUST WATCH!

TWO THUMBS UP! BRAVO!

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Great Acting, Boring Story, Not Really a Sequel

Though anticipated, the ending of “One and Only” gives the viewers tears and broken hearts. Most have been waiting anxiously for its sequel “Forever and Ever” which is believed to have a happily-ever-after ending that is needed for closure. This drama (“Forever and Ever”) is originally a story about karma and reincarnation but as the Chinese government bans the reincarnation subject in all drama productions, this essential element becomes subdued, if not totally eliminated, rendering a great shift of the story away from its original work.

From the beginning, our main couple from “One and Only” meets and gets married, almost instantly in their modern lifetime. For three quarters of the drama, viewers are shown a chronicle of daily life of the newlyweds, with a hint of something nefarious lurking beneath what seemingly a blissful life. As much as I love watching the love development of the couple, I find the over extension of love play rather boring had it not for the exquisite ancestral home and antiques hidden in a tranquil city. The daily life of the inhabitants of such a traditional home with complicated extended family members, is a reminder of how some large Chinese families still live today - with a lot of useless protocols and mindless burdens. The plot thickens slightly from episode 23 on, but still takes a leisurely slow pace till the end.

Many characters in the drama are said to have reincarnated from its prequel “One and Only” which is supposed to have taken place some 2,000 years ago. However due to the censorship, all the character links are downplayed or totally non-existent, except for some weak inklings for the main couple Zhou Sheng Chen (Ren Jialun aka Allen Ren) and Shi Yi (Bai Lu); they retain the same names in both dramas. Had it not been the repeated mention of the Xiao Nancheng Wang (Prince Nancheng Junior) in the FL’s voiceover project, there is really nothing linking the two dramas until the last episode when Shi Yi describes her dream which is also the story of “One and Only”. Not totally brilliant, but at least it manages to tie the 2 stories at the end (well, kind of).

Zhou Sheng Chen is a prodigy and a chemistry researcher working in a university in Germany. He returns to China to try salvage his family’s declining traditional businesses that are being run to the ground by his younger brother. His mission is to promote traditional crafts and to ensure their sustainability in modern times. As the oldest son in the family, he is entrusted the family inheritance and all the baggage that comes with it, with a caveat that he has to first get married, as stipulated in his father’s will. As a hermit, Zhou Sheng Chen doesn’t date nor know any eligible girls for marriage. Comes Shi Yi. He figures he could make do with her. Little did he expect himself to fall in love with her so deeply, and for her, she has known the name Zhou Sheng Chen from her work and falls in love with him when she hears his name mentioned, which to me, is a rather weak explanation.

Zhou Sheng Chen is passive, bashful, unromantic and uneasy with public intimacy. You can say he makes a very boring boyfriend as he doesn’t really know how to reciprocate a kiss, a hug, or any romantic play. But then again, romance, like beauty, is in the minds of the beholders. Many readers are angry over the adapted character as they claim the original Zhou Sheng Chen has a much more forceful and proactive personality in the novel. Many even lash out on the actor for changing the character or for not portraying it right or even for poor acting. I have not read the book but from my understanding of the adaptation, I find Ren Jialun delivers 100% of the Zhou Sheng Chen character in the drama. He captures every nuance in his every hesitation, embarrassment, bewilderment which is so real and so authentic, and very appropriate for the adapted character traits.

Bai Lu is natural and beautiful. Her portrayal of Shi Yi is commendable. As for her chemistry with Ren Jialun here, I find it not as great as in the prequel “One and Only” despite there is hardly any intimacy in the earlier drama as compared to the more kissing and touching scenes in this one. Understandably, as “Forever and Ever” was made before “One and Only”, this may explain the slight missing spark.

My Verdict

Not having read the novel, my expectation is quite different from what is delivered here. Perhaps I had expected a more arduous journey for our characters to find each other, and to overcome multiple challenges and tests - the usual drama stuff which may be less realistic. Here, the story is very realistically portraying life of very traditional big and complicated Chinese families with undesirable feelings and occasionally unfortunate events taken place.

The two dramas, “Forever and Ever” and “One and Only”, don't really connect to each other except for the repeated references to the historical one by Shi Yi in her work and finally in her dream. Initially there seems to have no plot and no story, merely a chronicle of the daily life of a couple. The overall plot is rather subtle and only in the last 8 episodes, it becomes more apparent, making the story realistically ordinary.

I love how artistic and poetic the whole drama is, from the poems to the antiques, to the traditional crafts passed down for generations, encapsulating the overall Chinese culture and treasure we want to preserve.

A drama well made and deserved to be loved.

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Depressing

"Faithful" serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by women throughout history, from ancient times to the present day. In eras past, when a woman faced violation, the blame often fell squarely on her shoulders, while the perpetrators went unpunished. Though progress has been made in the modern world, women still bear the burden of proof, while powerful individuals can wield influence and wealth to evade accountability, even in the face of multiple accusations. This injustice persists in our society, regardless of cultural or temporal context.

Following the loss of her best friend, Lin Rulan (Hu Yixuan), Meng Wan (Janice Wu) seeks retribution for the wrongs committed by Wu Lian (Qiao Zhenyu) against Lin Rulan, herself, and numerous other girls at the Embroidery Academy. Meng Wan patiently awaits seven years to attain the status necessary to infiltrate the influential circle of individuals crucial to her plan to bring down Wu Lian.

Meng Wan assembles a group of six like-minded individuals, all of whom have crossed paths with Wu Lian and are determined to settle their scores with him. Their collective goal is to ensure that Wu Lian faces justice and to prevent him from causing further harm to young girls. Despite his history of abhorrent behavior, Wu Lian has thus far evaded punishment. Meng Wan is resolute in her mission to hold him accountable, so that he can no longer inflict harm on anyone else.

The story unfolds in a captivating back-and-forth timeline, blending present-day events with pertinent pieces of the past for added depth and context. This approach not only maintains clarity but also infuses an extra layer of intrigue compared to conventional storytelling formats. As the drama approaches its climactic confrontation with the villain, the narrative attempts to provide a rationale for his actions based on his traumatic childhood experiences. While his eventual fate is anticipated, this attempt at justification seems unnecessary to me and, for some viewers, could even be deemed offensive as this is an obvious case of whitewashing.

The Chinese title, "The Nine Virtuous Ones," encompasses the first seven individuals, while the additional two remain less evident, having not initially stood alongside the others. The acting is generally commendable, though certain scenes suffer from lackluster execution. Notably, during a pivotal moment involving a burning of one of the “seven”, the urgency to save her is blatantly missing. Some logical inconsistencies and plot holes are apparent.

The primary story concludes at episode 24, with episode 25 presenting an alternate tale centered on the same characters, exploring a what-if scenario. Everything in this alternate reality hinges on Wu Lian, speculating how events might have unfolded differently had he not experienced a troubled upbringing. The notion that predatory behavior may be attributed to a traumatic childhood is a subject of ongoing debate. Personally, I find such a narrative unconvincing and, at times, chauvinistic.

My Verdict

The story mirrors a present-day "Me Too" scenario, wherein a predator of young women enjoys impunity through collusion with corrupt officials. The powerful evade justice, while the victims are left voiceless, shattered, and even deceased. Sadly, this system still persists in our lives today, where wrongdoers often evade consequences and show no remorse. Due to potentially distressing content, viewer discretion is advised.

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A Ventriloquist in an Isekai

“Catch Up My Prince” is an isekai story in which the main characters enter into a game world and experience various events including falling in love. The ventriloquist here refers to Liu Yichang’s way of speaking. As this is not a serious historical palace story, the tone here lacks the usual palace decorum. The female lead behaves and speaks just like a modern-day youth, and a Cinderella story whereby a lowly maid becomes a prince consort. It’s quite an enjoyable watch which I had not expected.

Lu Ranran (Xu Ruohan) is a young doctor. One day while playing a virtue game in an ancient world, she is somehow trapped in the game world and unable to return to the real world until she completes the task of marrying one of the male characters. In the ancient world, she meets 4 princes. While searching for the one whom she likes the most to marry, she finds herself falling in love with the 4th Prince, Zhao Chenyi (Liu Yichang). Having spent a lot of time with Lu Renjia (Xu Ruohan), Lu Ranran’s character name in the game, Zhao Chenyi finds her different from other girls and begins to fall for her too. However, when Lu Renjia checks her dashboard for the princes’ fondness of her, she finds, while all princes are very fond of her, Zhao Chenyi’s fondness score remains at zero. No matter what Lu Renjia does, his score continues to stay at zero. Out of desperation, she agrees to marry any prince so that she can get out of the game, which she comes to regret and replay the game.

Though not a breath-taking beauty like other more popular actors, Xu Ruohan exudes an aura of modern-day youthfulness and optimism. Watching her feels natural and soothing, and her portrayal of Lu Renjia is lovable and convincing.

Looking cold and indifferent, Zhao Chenyi is actually a romantic and affectionate person. He puts up a front as a playboy so that he can be considered as useless by his enemies and stay away from palace politics. Hidden, he is waiting and planning to avenge his slain teacher together with the teacher’s surviving daughter whom he had rescued. Constantly he faces assassinations from his enemy. To safeguard Lu Renjia and to prevent her from being embroiled in his scheme, he repeatedly rejects Lu Renjia and sends her away to live in his brothers’ palaces so that she can be protected.

Visually, Liu Yichang’s portrayal is very good. Unfortunately, he lacks the appropriate facial expressions especially when he speaks; he is like a ventriloquist, speaking without moving his lips. Having said, I do like the Zhao Chenyi character though Liu Yichang’s performance is lacking.

There are multiple very interesting characters in the story, such as the Crown Prince and his beloved wife, the second prince who is cold and nasty but devoted to the Crown Prince, the eleventh prince who is inventive, playful, pure and innocent, the villain who is in love with Lu Renjia’s best friend, etc. The actors give an impressive performance with their respective roles.

My Verdict
As the story mainly revolves around a game, whatever plot holes there might be, they can be taken as deliberate, just as stop-start and replay in a game. Though not shown for some, most characters face their consequences at the end. Some plots remain open as the game continues even after the drama has ended. Whenever Lu Renjia makes a mistake or gets a result she doesn’t like, such as the death of a character, she presses replay and returns to the point where she could change her choice or the scenario, hence an alternative outcome. In the real world, we don’t have such luxury; when a choice is made, good or bad, we’ll have to face up to the consequence.

A fun and non-serious watch. Recommended for the fun.

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Worst Wuxia Drama of The Year

The production team has gravely assaulted the intelligence of the viewers and I’m a sucker for completing this lowly rated drama; all I had wanted was to find out who the super villain was. This drama has the same vibes and settings of a wuxia drama in the old days: bad plot, bad script, bad acting, bad screen play, bad camerawork, bad special effects, bad props, etc. I suspect that it was made years ago, only to be released now. Plot holes are everywhere making the whole drama leaking like a sieve. The beautiful posters of the main characters are really misleading, directly telling us don’t judge a book by its cover.

What I Like:
• A strong male lead character Chu Yun Xiao (Cai Jun Tao) who is strong and intelligent. He can fight with his fan and hit his opponents’ accupoints rendering them unable to move. These are very typical technics in a wuxia story.
• A genius doctor Leng Xing Chen (Zhang Nan) who can cure all ills.

What I Don’t Like:
• Super bad plot and bad writing. In trying to make the plot more fascinating, instead the poor script and screen writings have made the twists and turns even more frustrating to watch. The writers don’t even bother to cover the plotholes, and simply brush them over hoping viewers won’t notice. What looks like a mystery in the beginning with all the killings turns out to be inconsequential. The logic is bad and the actions are simplistic. The characters keep repeating their lines, saying the same words. At times, they're dumb like hell, at times they can see the future.
• Bad acting. The facial expressions of the actors are totally incoherent. The actors are unnatural, stiff, and overact. Most characters are not developed properly and are inconsistent, making them frustrating to watch.
• They use the same actor to play mother and daughter, they don’t even bother to make the mother look slightly older than the daughter.
• Camerawork is everywhere and haphazard.
• Fighting scenes are inconsistent. Sometimes Chu Yun Xiao can fight against hundreds of people and disarm them all; other times he can’t even fight a lowly servant even he’s not hurt himself. This inconsistency applies to many supposedly skilled martial art heroes who vow to fight and to protect, later end up dead or captured.
• The carelessness in dubbing is glaring – viewers can hear background voices of workers, script flipping sounds, some dialogues are inaudible, the mouth/voice not synching.

My Verdict
Watch at your own peril. Not recommended. Multiple times I had wanted to kill my TV. Don’t let your TVs or computers suffer the same fate as mine (my TV still survives).

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Racism Stems from Ignorance

This drama is touching a chord of our current society on the racial issue that has been propelled to the forefront of our lives and is compelling all to come to its reckoning. As we can see gradually from the drama, racism stems from ignorance. This is the story about the human race and the Kunwu race, and their hatred for each other. As always, the human race is the destructive race, killing as many of the Kunwu as possible because humans feel that Kunwus are atrocious and bad.

After the killings, many Kunwus are left scattered, scared and hopeless. Their only hope is to raise their king, who has been sealed by the human race for 10 years, from his slumber so that the Kunwu race can be freed again. Of course, the human race fights tooth and nail to stop this from happening. At the end of the story, the human race realizes their flawed perception of the Kunwu race. Indeed we can all live harmoniously together in peace if we treat each other more kindly.

Su You Lian (Wu Jia Yi), a holy girl from the Kunwu race, comes to live among the human race in the Moyun Academy where the Dragon King is kept sealed. Her mission is to wake the Kunwu King. There at the Academy, she meets Li Xuan (Xu Kai) who is the protector of the human race. Unbeknownst to both, Li Xuan is half human and half Kunwu. They both fall head-over-toe in love with each other, and their conflict renders them in emotional turmoil.

The whole drama almost revolves around life in the Academy. It starts off with a lot of comedies as Li Xuan is an untamed kid and Xu Kai’s acting is fabulous. However, as the story progresses, the later episodes become more somber, and Li Xuan becomes serious as he grows.

Wu Jia Yi is a fantastic dancer. Her dancing scenes in the beginning episode are mesmerizing. As Su You Lian, she is tormented as she knows she’s not supposed to fall in love with the enemy. I love Wu Jia Yi’s acting. She depicts a Kunwu character so well as she exudes that unspoken charisma.

There are multiple love triangles here, but both Su You Lian’s and Li Xuan’s love for each other is unwavering despite their conflicts. A lot of time is spent on the emotional turmoil undergone by Su You Lian and heart brokenness by Li Xuan.

Once Li Xuan discovers his own true identify and Su You Lian completes her mission, the story comes to a conclusion very quickly. Like many other Chinese historical dramas where endings are shoddy with characters being written off in death, this drama follows that path. But to my surprise and perhaps to placate the viewers, the dead characters are somehow, miraculously resurrected.

Overall, this drama is not exceptional but watchable as it’s a mixture of being light and humorous to occasional heart wrenching. The CGI is like what you see in a computer game; in fights, people simply jump up and off the roofs and everywhere on the screen. The plot is pretty straightforward and easy to follow. Though not perfect, I have rather enjoyed it.

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Struggle and Life of an Entertainment Artist

As always, Deng Lun's performance is top notch. And for that matter, Ma Si Chun is amazing. She is so natural and herself. I love Ni Hong Jie's and Han Tong Sheng's performances too. They are just like your everyday neighbors going about their everyday life. There's no pretense; everything is as it is.

All of us can relate to the story. Everything and everybody is realistic. There are no super wealthy and powerful people. There are no super nasty antagonists. It is just a story about normal people living a normal life. It is also the story of the arduous journey of an aspiring actor. Deng Lun has acted as if that's his own story, the struggle he has gone through himself before he achieves what he is today. It makes me wonder, what has Deng Lun lost himself, if any, over the years in his quest for success?

The story dwells deep into our own soul searching. What are we willing to sacrifice in order to realize our dreams? What do we really want in life? The road to success is usually laced with temptations. What is the price are we willing to pay to get it ( success)? Many people do feel lost and unhappy when success comes to them eventually. By then, many also realize they have lost what they love the most in their life - their family. Many have their regrets, but usually it's already too late.

The morale of the story is to know where to draw the line to safeguard what one values the most. Choosing and giving up a dream is very hard to do but maybe necessary.

As the saying goes, "Flowers can bloom again, but people cannot return to their youth ever". Hao Ze Yu (played by Deng Lun) initially interprets this as, "Don't waste time during your youth, go achieve your dreams". Not until he loses a loved one that he finally realizes the phrase actually means, "Treasure the people around you". What a valuable life lesson for us all.

Great drama! Great watch!

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Part 1 of a Wuxia Thriller with Romance & Comedy

I love this drama. This is such a great watch. But obviously it is only a very small part of a long story. Accordingly, Li Mo Bai would have to compose 300 poems and solve 300 crimes. So far in this drama, he has solved probably fewer than 10 cases. There is no indication when the following seasons will be released, if at all. As such, though not ending with a cliff hanger, the main antagonist is still at large and the massive conspiracy is still not uncovered.

Li Mo Bai (portrayed by Fu Jia aka Fingal Fu) is a genius poet. His attention to the tiniest details has also made him a first-class investigator second to none. He is able to look at things beyond the surface and from all angles. All these qualities have made him the best investigator and forensic expert around. For years, he's been trying to find out the truth behind the killings of his whole family. When murders begin to surface around him linking to his poems, he is implicated. To prove his own innocence, he takes up the cases and vows to find the truth. In his journey, he meets the love of his life and a wonderful friend in another.

Fu Jia is amazingly good looking. As Li Mo Bai, he exudes the air of a no-nonsense scholar and yet he is also an incredible martial artist. I really love watching him as a romantic poet who loves wine and yet, is deep as an ocean. Fu Jia's portrayal is so good that has made me love the character so much.

Dong Nan has a mission: to get into the palace with whatever means so that she can get the rare medicines she needs to save her granny. During her quest, she meets Li Mo Bai who falls in love with her and would help her in every way he can. Li Bai Rong's portrayal is very believable, as a strong, hot headed and unpretentious Dong Nan who is fond of using poison on her adversaries and even friends. Countless times, Li Mo Bai and Yan Dan Qiu (Wei Ran) have been harmlessly poisoned by her. The encounters are hilarious.

Nian Nu (Wei Chen Liang) is Li Mo Bai maidservant who has survived the massacre and grown up together with him. They are very close to each other. Nian Nu is in love with Li Mo Bai, but to him, she's a family. She's heart broken when Li Mo Bai falls in love with another girl. Yet, she stays by his side, helping him whole heartedly without asking for any returns. Wei Chen Liang's Nian Nu is the kindest 3rd person in a love triangle I've ever seen and her portrayal is perfect.

Yan Dan Qiu (Wei Ran) is the clown in the group. He is funny and cute, and lightens up the grueling story of the horrendous murders and crimes. He is an indispensable character that helps Li Mo Bai solve all the crimes. I really love this adorable character and Wei Ran's portrayal is simply amazing and believable. Together, they form the squad. They work seamlessly together, one complementing the other.


My Verdict
This is a great wuxia story with great intelligent characters and plot. I really love the use of poems that are made into riddles that our protagonists try to solve in order to solve the crimes or mysteries. The antagonists are cunning and murderous which make the whole story exciting as both protagonists and antagonists try to outwit each other. Dark jokes are brilliantly written with the murderers being murdered themselves. This drama would have been a solid 9.5, if not a 10, from me had it not been this short and incomplete with too few solved crimes. I’m patiently waiting for the next seasons to see more crimes and mysteries being unfolded by the squad with the play of poems.

A must-watch!

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Cutest CEO in Love

This is a sweet, sweet, sweet romance comedy. It also has a love triangle, or love square rather. Basically it’s a story of a want-to-be female actor meets cold, wealthy, young, good looking CEO and both fall in love rather quickly. The storyline is cliché and tropey. However, I have to say I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the whole drama because of its wonderful actors. If you have watched My Girlfriend is an Alien, this drama has the same vibes.

Ye Fei Mo (Lawrence Wong) is perhaps the funniest cold CEO I’ve ever seen. Lawrence Wong the actor is not that tall compared with contemporary Chinese actors, but he is extremely good looking with a crazy physique. He definitely has the charisma of a successful CEO who doesn’t come under the control of his family. I really enjoy watching Ye Fei Mo’s hilarious and silly meanness and bossiness, and his unreasonable demands which can be changed as according to his whims. As much as we hate an authoritarian government, being bossy in a jealous boyfriend can be cute to watch, though not tolerable in real life. Ye Fei Mo rehearses his lines, or his expressions repeatedly to find the perfect one, and the process is simply hilarious to see such accomplished CEO overthinking such trivial matters because he’s head over heels in love. Lawrence Wong delivers every time with his little hidden smirks here and there. His tenderness mixes with bossiness is really a joy to watch, and I laugh out loud each time. Lawrence Wong’s crying scene is epic; he’s so convincing, perhaps the best crying from a male actor. Great acting.

Ye Fei Mo’s love, Wen Xiao Nuan (Xu Hao) is a pragmatic, down-to-earth, hardworking girl trying to save the legacy of her parents’ theater arts. Xu Hao is a wonderful actor. Her portrayal of Wen Xiao Nuan is authentic, lovable and convincing. Perhaps an accomplished ballet dancer in real life, Wen Xiao Nuan’s intensive training is executed beautifully with actual dance movements by the actor herself; she has great poise and she is simply amazing.

For once, I love a powerful wealthy CEO’s mom, Big Princess (played by Li Ying) as nicknamed by her son Fei Mo. She’s shrewd and knows her son inside out. There are a couple of side couples with rather deep character development. I really enjoy watching the Gu Yun Zhou character (Wu Hao Ze) though the acting part is not top notched. Having said that, we can tell the actor is working hard to bring out his best performance, and I commend him for that.

This drama also reminds us the power of social media. It can create as well as destroy, especially in the entertainment industry which is the setting of this drama. One of the main flaws for me, apart from some of the logic, is perhaps the outfits of the actors. It appears that they wear the same outfits for days and for various different events (I understand that they may have shot the scenes on the same days, but still, these are the little details Chinese dramas tend not to take care of). I also find the complexion of the actors almost totally whitewashed. Though looking beautiful without blemishes, they look very unrealistic.

The last scene of the last episode reveals the identify of the mysterious girl with the “birthmark” who has also rescued Ye Fei Mo from drowning years ago. This is a great ending with all loose ends closed, rewards awarded and justice served.

If you want a good laugh and don’t mind the repeated storyline, this is a good drama to put on your to-watch list.

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When You Live, I Live

This is a long awaited drama of Ren Jialun after Under The Power. Ren Jialun’s characters have normally been cold, few words, serious and somber. In this drama, Ren Jialun plays a totally different character from what he normally does. Nalan Yue (Ren Jialun aka Allen Ren) is chatty, silly, and playful. It’s really fun to watch the other side of the actor and I have enjoyed this face of him.

The story is about two young people from two very powerful but opposition sect families falling in love. Her family has annihilated his whole family and he wants revenge, but they’re so in love with each other and they’re in a dilemma. As the events unfold, we begin to see how much the two leads’ love for each other, making the title Love A Lifetime very appropriate.

At the beginning episodes, I was totally flummoxed. I wasn’t sure if I were watching a rom-com or a serious wuxia/xianxia story; I had expected a more somber drama. Things, including deaths, are taken lightly. There are a lot of comedic scenes. As the story progresses, plot holes surface everywhere with low level logic. The plot is in fact quite shallow and predictable, made worse by the poor editing which is disjointed and confusing. I’m utterly confused by the characters. Their actions do not match how the characters have been developed. When the situation calls for seriousness, the people act funny and silly; when it's supposed to be light-hearted, they talk as if they are in mourning. Most of the comic relieves are mis-timed. Their dialogues are shallow and simplistic, lacking common sense and not matching up to the situations. By the end of the drama, I still can’t bring myself to hate the supposedly most vile character – Mo Huan. In fact, she’s my most favorite character. To me, she’s a badass, despite how fearful everyone are feeling towards her and how despicable she is from their mouths. She’s supposed to be evil and atrocious, however her actions on screen contradict that. Even though she has her ulterior motive, she has rescued almost everyone. I would rather she kills or dismembers those who betray her to fit into her fearsome title, instead, we get her telling them to go and whack themselves 20 times.

Until the end of the drama, I still cannot say I love the 2 main leads. Their personalities are simply confusing. I do enjoy watching Nalan Yue – at least he’s everywhere rescuing everyone (everyone seems to have the ability to teleport). But I can’t say the same for Rong Hua (Zhang Hui Wen). Her acting is lacking. Her facial expression is plainly blank, and she’s stiff; she’s so unnatural that her body language is all wrong. Despite they’re lovers, I don’t feel any romance between them. There's no passion and the relationship feels platonic.

I do enjoy a lot of the sword fighting scenes by Ren Jia Lun and Lin Yuan. Their wirefu scenes are very good especially for Lin Yuan, descending from above like an ominous devil in red. I have also enjoyed some of the dark humors.

All in all, I have not relished this drama as much as I would like to have. Though I love the underlying message – power blinds – which applies appropriately even to today’s politics, the plot is all over the place. Poor screen play, poor script writing, poor logic, this drama has failed to capture my emotions, hence, a disappointment for me.

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The Surest Thing is Being Unsure

In contemplating this drama, one is struck by its intrinsic uncertainty; every attempt to foretell an outcome based on personal theories is swiftly invalidated. Amid fervent discussions within the MDL community, the narrative unravels like a colossal jigsaw puzzle, with assumptions and theories constantly evolving, only to be refuted in due course. The plot remains shrouded in secrecy, devoid of any prior references, leaving viewers to speculate and generate their own theories.

Performances are commendable, with fight choreography leaving a lasting impression. Tian Jiarui's portrayal of Gong Yuanzhi stands out, his wicked smile sending shivers down one's spine. Zhang Linghe's Gong Ziyu exudes an endearing, love-struck quality akin to a teenager in the throes of first love. Lu Yuxiao's Shangguan Qian strikes a delicate balance between reality and deception, leaving the audience perpetually guessing. Cheng Lei's Gong Shangjue subtly conveys secret satisfaction with a telltale quirk at the corner of his lips. Even Omid's portrayal of the ostensible antagonist, Hanya Si, brims with emotional depth and inner turmoil. The costumes are meticulously crafted, and the makeup work is remarkably convincing. The drama also boasts a collection of poignant ballads, expertly timed to heighten the emotional resonance of each scene.

Although the undertones are somber and shadowed, the narrative interjects moments of levity through humor, wordplay, and irony. An instance arises when Yun Weishan addresses Gong Ziyu as "Yu Gongzi," prompting him to retort, "Call me Gong Ziyu," a clever homophonic quip laden with layered meaning. Above all, the story revolves around the romances of various couples. While the first couple commands ample screen time, the second couple receives comparable attention, their relationship characterized by well-defined characters and an air of suspense and suspicion. Just as the audience anticipates a continuation of playfulness, the mood shifts abruptly, veering into darker, more grave territory as the characters confront their would-be assassins, their lives imperiled by unseen poisons.

"My Journey to You" also serves as a cautionary tale on how not to construct a drama. The beginning is amazingly good. It commences with a dark air of mystery, introducing enigmatic characters each with their own strengths, flaws, and hidden agendas. Discussions abound, speculating on the intricacies of the plot and the ultimate antagonist, as every character harbors ulterior motives. By Episode 22, the grand reveal occurs, divulging the whole plot and the mastermind's identity. However, this revelation falls flat as the element of surprise of who the mastermind is has disappeared; the audience has already figured this out in the prior episodes. On top, the supposedly multi-layered scheme by the protagonists becomes not so perplex anymore as the characters settle into their defined roles of virtue or vice, the earlier allure and intrigue fade.

At the end of the story, Gong Ziyu, though growing stronger and less naïve, retains moments of folly. Perhaps most notably, the once wicked Gong Yuanzhi transforms into an endearing figure, affectionately addressing most of his older comrades as "ge ge." The drama concludes with numerous unresolved mysteries, chief among them being the true leader of Wu Feng and the fate of Yun Weishang. These loose ends leave the narrative feeling somewhat deflated, ending with a sense of anticlimax. While a potential sequel is hinted at, it remains unconfirmed.

My Verdict
Despite the drama’s less-than-stellar development, it is redeemed by a cast of strikingly handsome men, from Zhang Linghe to Zuo Ye. Even the juvenile Lester Lin is amazingly good looking. Each one possesses a distinct charm. It is regrettable that Zeng Shunxi makes only a belated appearance with limited screen time.

Though a missed opportunity for a more compelling conclusion, this drama comes highly recommended for its rich entertainment value and the presence of exceptionally charismatic actors.

Bravo! Strongly recommended! Don't miss it!

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Light-hearted with Laughter and Tears

Watching The Starry Love in the context of today’s discord world of hegemony, I couldn’t help but relate it as a satire of the current world’s geo-politics: everyone wants to be the hegemon. The heavenly and the demonic realms are the two superpowers here in the story, trying to take on each other to dominate. The heavenly emperor is selfish, corrupt, and atrocious (sounds familiar?) while the demonic king is the equivalent but with a different ending (you may ask why).

Despite its heavy undertone of geo-politics, this drama is light-hearted. Along with its main plot, it also depicts the issues faced by many parents today: even the god, demon and beast people have parenting problems. Shao Dian You Qin (Chen Xingxu) falls in love with Princess Li Guang Ye Tan (Li Landi aka Landy Li) whom he couldn’t wed because of a bridal switch; he defies his father and runs away (kind of). The Third Prince of the demonic realm, Chao Feng (Chen Hailiang aka Luke Chen), falls in love with Princess Li Guang Qing Kui (He Xuanlin) who is meant for the regent, and they elope. Even the crown prince of the animal realm, Di Lan Jue (Qin Tianyu), constantly defies his father and leaves home. (Therefore parents, you are not alone.)

The ideas of bridal switches and cross racial marriages (in this case, cross realms) are not new. How all these are being put together with heaven switching into hell, or mortal switching into animal realm, takes some imagination, brilliant storytelling, acting and cinematography. As the story develops its characters, jokes almost take over to show the audience the individuals' personalities. It captures various human relationships, such as the kind and loving mothers as in the heavenly queen and the demonic concubine (Chao Feng’s mom) with their sons, contrasting the atrocious fathers as in the heavenly emperor and demonic king, the bonded sisterly relationship, the friendship and platonic love between the main characters etc. The drama is full of funny dialogs (the dialogs between Chao Feng and his side kick are some of the funniest and loveliest) and paradoxes, and yet it also comes with heart-felt wrenching pains in separation and deaths.

In terms of acting, a big applause for the whole cast for putting up a brilliant performance, from the main leads to the supporting. I fell in love with Chen Xingxu (Shao Dian You Qin, Mei You Qin, La Mu, Wen Ren) in “Goodbye My Princess” and here, he lives up to his expectation. He has matured a lot since then (Goodbye My Princess). Playing five distinctive characters, Chen Xingxu aces them all, with the final character an embodiment of all the previous four. As always, he is totally immersed in his roles. Though not listed on the Top 10 most popular Chinese actors, Chen Xingxu is one of the best young Chinese actors.

Li Landi’s acting is convincing and she has an adorable badass charisma which viewers love. As Ye Tan, Li Landi makes the viewers empathize with all her misfortunes and cheer for her courage. She has delivered a very lovable Ye Tan and has an undeniable chemistry with Chen Xingxu.

The second couple’s story is well developed and beautiful. As the ever-loving sister, Qing Kui is graceful and beautiful. I really love He Xuanlin’s portrayal of the character whose love and sacrifice are very convincing. Last but not least, I want to commend Chen Hailiang’s portrayal as Chao Feng. This is his first role as a main lead. He exudes the charisma as a kind, but at times, not so nice, dark prince (like a bad boy), and I love it. This is a complex character stuck in a tormenting environment for survival and Chen Hailiang nails it, with a lot of ironies and humors. Bravo!

My Verdict
The Starry Love is a very enjoyable drama that captures laughter and tears. Most of the characters are lovable and the selection of actors for the roles is appropriate. The costumes are beautiful - ethereal looking for the heavenly realm, dark and gothic for the demon sect, animalistic for the animal kingdom. The use of CGI is heavy but done realistically and appropriately.

Overall, a drama well done for all to enjoy.

Don't miss it. Bravo!

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Navigating a Betrayed Relationship: Empowering Steps for Women

While I typically steer clear of dramas centered around betrayed relationships, as I find them to be emotionally taxing, showcasing the turmoil of a straying husband and a beleaguered wife, this drama paints betrayal with a stark realism that hits close to home for many around us. Too often, the wife finds herself adrift, battling depression, and tragically, some even contemplate self-harm. However, tears and self-destruction need not be the path. The author offers a more empowering approach.

It's entirely natural for most women to desire knowledge about the other woman in such situations. This inclination is quite understandable. Therefore, the author suggests locating the other woman. This isn't to coerce her to sever ties with the husband, for continuing such a relationship with a cheating spouse is futile; divorce is inevitable. Before initiating divorce proceedings, there are precautionary measures a woman can take to safeguard her interests and secure the best outcome possible. Lin Shuang (Zhang Xiaofei) takes the initiative to identify her husband's lover, Jiang Xi (Jenny Zhang). She establishes a camaraderie, imparting the realization that their mutual adversary is the unfaithful husband, not each other. This bond blossoms into a genuine friendship, with both extending a helping hand in times of need.

Next, it's crucial to reevaluate one's life goals. Revisit those initial aspirations. Lin Shuang recalls her days as a top-tier student, even outperforming the best of her peers. Nurtured by supportive parents who instilled invaluable values, she possessed a resolute strength of character. Recognizing the need to rediscover herself becomes paramount.

Returning to the workforce after several years devoted to family is undeniably challenging, but far from insurmountable. Lin Shuang confronts rejection in her job interviews, grappling with either being deemed too mature for entry-level positions or lacking the experience for mid-tier roles. Starting with a modest role and progressing upward is a viable strategy. Lin Shuang opts to become a ride-hailing driver, meticulously selecting routes that afford her insights into the job market and potential employers.

Furthering one's education is pivotal. The pursuit of knowledge and honing of skills should be a perpetual endeavor. Lin Shuang embarks on this journey, juggling responsibilities as a mother, daughter-in-law, and caretaker of the household. Through tenacity and diligence, she attains the qualifications and skills requisite for employment. This marks the initial stride towards financial independence, a pivotal factor in securing custody of her child post-divorce.

Securing the services of a proficient divorce lawyer is essential. Lin Shuang's legal counsel imparts crucial advice on uncovering her husband's concealed assets, ensuring she receives her rightful share.

Initially beset by low self-esteem due to her circumstances, Lin Shuang receives a wake-up call from Gu Xu (Huang Xiaoming), a childhood acquaintance and academic rival. He admonishes her for failing to appreciate her privileged family background (her father being a professor) and her innate talents, which consequently led to a lack of respect. This revelation prompts Lin Shuang to understand that self-love precedes garnering respect.

Throughout her preparation for divorce, Lin Shuang grasps a fundamental truth: reliance on oneself, rather than others, is the linchpin to attaining one's desires. Placing hope in external sources is futile; true agency resides within one's own hands. There are no shortcuts in this world; success hinges on self-reliance. True security emanates from within; it's a gift one grants oneself. Once you've bestowed this sense of security upon yourself, none can wrest it away. Marriage isn't a sanctuary; it's imperative to first cultivate independence. Marriage isn't a panacea for life's troubles either; it, too, presents its own set of challenges. The onus to resolve these challenges invariably falls on us. Life mirrors the act of washing dishes: one washes, the other dries, achieving synchronicity.

My Verdict

This story weaves a tapestry of marriage, family, friendship, and work, resonating deeply with many women who've grappled with sacrificing their careers and ideals for the sake of family. Life, much like a game of cards, doesn't guarantee a winning hand every time. Yet, possessing the courage to play even the weakest cards can transform adversity into opportunity.

This drama serves as a guide for women facing similar circumstances, offering insights on protecting oneself from a cheating spouse, strategizing for divorce, and navigating the process.

As for the performances, the entire cast delivers commendable portrayals, with Zhang Xiaofei standing out for her portrayal of turmoil, struggle, shame, heartbreak, and vulnerability. Jenny Zhang's transformation from a clandestine lover to a soulmate is equally convincing. While Li Zefeng's portrayal of Wei Ming falls somewhat short, as he tends to maintain the same expressions regardless of circumstance, a touch of variety in his emotional range would have enhanced the portrayal. Huang Xiaoming playing Gu Xu, makes his first appearance on screen a few episodes later. Remarkably, he maintains a background presence even after Lin Shuang's divorce. I take pleasure in observing the authentic dynamic between Gu Xu and Lin Shuang. They share a genuine rapport, even though she becomes somewhat authoritative with him at times and he complains she bullies him. The overall performance is commendable.

This is a compelling watch, resonating with viewers who can empathize with the characters.

Great watch! Recommended!

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How to date the mother of your son, again

Children can bring stress to some couples’ relationships, but they can also mend relationships. In this story, it is the child that brings a pair of estranged lovers back together again and rekindles their love for each other. The storyline is not new, but the acting of the whole cast, and the chemistry of the couple and child are amazingly wholesome and endearing. The love for a child can motivate any parents to seek courage and perseverance.

Min Hui (Wang Yuwen) is a single mom with a child who has a congenital heart disease. She is also a talented artificial intelligence developer, leading a team in the development of software for use in hospitals for heart disease patients, a project that is very close to her heart. Her company is seeking finance to bring the product to market. As a foreign venture capitalist, Xin Qi (Wang Ziqi) returns to his hometown to seek for worthy ventures to invest in, and they meet.

Turns out, Min Hui and Xin Qi were lovers five years ago. They separated because Min Hui had lied to Xin Qi about her identity, and when she confessed, Xin Qi could not forgive her and left. After they meet again in present day, Xin Qi is still bitter with Min Hui. When he sees her with other men, he is even more bitter, thinking she is a slut. Somehow, he cannot let go of her because he is still in love with her, and she him. Like Min Hui’s son, Xin Qi also suffers from a congenital heart disease. When he finds out that he is her child’s biological father, he is elated, and moves into her apartment with an excuse of making up lost time with his son.

Their son, Min Quan Quan (Cui Yixin), is the most adorable child. Intelligent and cooperative, he has been longing for a father, and now that he has one, he loses no time in bringing the parents together; he is always there to defuse any rows between the adults.

Everyone has acted very convincingly here. The child actor Cui Yixin produces some amazing acting for a kid of such a young age. His Quan Quan character is so cute that viewers just fall in love with the child. I love how he interacts with his screen father Wang Ziqi as if they are real father and son. They hug each other like a sandwich in bed, doing everything just like real father and son do. I wish in real life, all fathers get to be so intimate with their sons.

Wang Ziqi’s Xin Qi is funny and very lovable. In the initial episodes, Xin Qi is bitter and cold, then later, he becomes relaxed, funny, playful and protective. Wang Ziqi’s portrayal is perfect. Likewise with Wang Yuwen’s portrayal of Min Hui – strong and levelheaded but can be vulnerable when her child’s wellbeing is being threatened. She is believable with good acting.

This drama produces 2 very sweet side couples and a pair of egregious antagonists. The backstory runs in the last few minutes of each episode, giving viewers the background story of Xin Qi’s and Min Hui’s relationship five years ago. The official soundtracks are beautiful and memorable.

My Verdict

This is a wholesome and sweet rom-com revolving around a very cute and delightful child, adding more love and fun to the story. A wonderful watch for the whole family. Don’t miss it. Recommended!

Bravo!

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Back To The Future

This drama is similar to Michael Fox's Back to the Future movie in the 80s whereby he returns to his parents' teenage years and tries to fix his parents' meeting of each other. In this drama, Li Jinbu (Sabrina Zhuang) is also trying to fix her mother's choices so that she (her mother) could turn out to be a more achievement oriented person, and eventually chooses the right partner who doesn't abandon her when she has a child (Li Jinbu).

Li Jinbu's mother, Li Qingtong (Amy Chen), is a single parent. As a 17 year old high school girl, Li Jinbu (Sabrina Zhuang) is angry at her mother for messing up her own life by not working hard enough while at school and for going out with an irresponsible man who impregnates and abandons her. For unexplained reason, Li Jinbu returns to the time when her mother was also a 17 year old teenager in high school. She determines to fix her mother's life which she figures will eventually translate to the betterment of her own life in future.

However, things are not what she thinks and don't work out how she plans. Through spending time with her teenage mother, Li Jinbu comes to understand the experiences her mother has gone through that has made her what she is today. In the end, she learns to appreciate her mother for her determination to provide a better life for her.

The story is heart-warming and delightful. It depicts school days and youth, family and dreams, friendship and puppy love, growing up and, overall, life. The acting by the whole cast is fabulous, especially Amy Chen, and the cinematography is excellent. The character building is one of the best I've seen. The story telling is simply marvelous. This is a wonderful drama that makes one feel good and helps us to look deeper into ourselves. It deserves our time. Don't miss it.

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