A downward spiral

Honestly, this drama started out amazing, and maintained it's streak until the 40th odd episode. Then it was a downward spiral. I've read the reviews from other viewers and this is probably unpopular opinion, but to each their own.

I understand that it was adapted from a novel, but the last twenty episodes were honestly a hot mess to me. That final debacle on that floating platform, deciding whether or not to overturn some giant floating teapot to destroy the three realms was just too sudden. Then there was the split personality gender-switcharoo period that just made things a little strange, an undying cockroach of a villain who gets killed like 3x but survives to push the teacup off, another villain who instantly realizes his guilt after the heavenly emperor points out a few semblent points that everyone else has been telling him since day 1. Then bam, suddenly everything is resolved.

Also, the ML was stabbed like a porcupine throughout the entire 59 eps and there is not a moment where he isn't putting himself between blades. Counting the 9 lifetimes his reincarnations went through, I'm pretty sure he was stabbed at least 20 times. It builds his character, but it also takes away the angst. With him getting stabbed every 5 episodes or so, you can more or less predict what's going to happen next.

That aside, I loved the interactions between the ML and the FL. All that fluff made the countless misunderstandings much less frustrating. The side characters all have depth as well, I was especially fond of Tengshe and Zihu, though I was much less invested in the side couple. The acting was not bad, the ML (Chengyi) really did quite well considering the amount of dying scenes he had.

Overall, will not rewatch and will recommend Ashes of Love over this. But if you have time to spare (59eps worth) and want to be emotionally invested into something, this drama would be a good choice.

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Go in with low expectations and you'll be pleasantly surprised

I started with low expectations and came out pleasantly surprised.

It's a relatively low budget drama, so there wasn't much to expect in the first place, but this show is consistent.

The random injection of humour here and there makes the almost absurd plot easier to stomach, and everyone stays in character. The premise of the plot is the typical time travel/rebirth troupe, but with its own unique spin towards it. One great thing about this drama is that it was wrapped up nicely and neatly, unlike some other dramas that throw some bat-crazy sh*t at you near the end!

Overall, not great, but not terrible. At least this isn't a drama that'll you'll be itching to drop after a certain point. Watch this if want to watch a light but decent drama.

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Watered-down rendition of a classic

Ever watched full house?

This show is essentially a diluted and bland version of the original, with a few questionable tweaks to the plot.

The relationship between the ML and FL was so forced, and there was barely any development in their relationship worth noting. The original version gave reasons as to how and why their contractual marriage proceeded as it did, while this version simply rams it into your face and forces you to accept it.

Every single one of the characters lack depth. The FL's friends were supposed to evoke immense hatred and wrath from the viewer, but this chinese version merely sprinkles confetti over their socially unacceptable deeds. Also, this version of the ML reminds me of a toothless lion cub - adorable but unrealistic and too harmless for its own good. (Strange analogy I know, I'm still scratching my head over it)

Overall, watch the original, and only watch this if you are desperate for another drama with the same premise.

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Great until melodrama ensues

Overall, a great drama with high production value, but after a certain point, it becomes so melodramatic that it reminds me of those old family dramas that runs episodes by the thousands.

This drama begins with an extremely unique conception - a group of young children coming from incomplete and dysfunctional families band together. They face various adversities together, and I must admit that I went through half a box of tissues watching them soldier through their hardships.

Alas, that's where all the fun and games ends. The last third of the drama ticked all the right boxes a soap opera should have. You'll find yourself rolling your eyes more often than not, and I can almost envision the familiar scene of my grandmother watching her daily dose of with a box of sour plums at her side.

I jacked up the speed to 3x just finish the rest of the show.

Overall, watch it for the eye-candy (SWL and SZ are <3), and the unique premise. Feel free to drop it after ep 30, trust me, you're not missing out on much.

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The kind of story you won't remember

Definitely not terrible, but it's cliche, in a sense that everything is rather predictable. (Maybe I've just watched too many dramas at this point).

The premise of the show was interesting - She's a walking sleep beauty that can only be awakened in the arms of her 'destiny'. But apart from that, you can't escape the typical troupes, and honestly, nothing much from the show was memorable to me.

However, I loved the occasional goose cameo, and its a pity our feathery friend didn't get much screentime.

Overall, it's not terrible, but it's worth a shot ONLY IF you have a good amount of time to spare.

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To give some context, I was SUPER HYPED for this drama since Nam Joo Hyuk was announced as the lead and the manhwa storyline seemed promising. I literally had to force myself to finish this drama on 2x speed. I really wished they had made the water god a bit more powerful and a little less flimsy and useless. AND HIS HAIR.... I really wished I could reach through my screen and snip off that extra tuft of hair with a pair of scissors, it just... did not suit him. The storyline itself was a huge letdown, with nothing much to look forward to. (other then gong myung and krystal's characters. who had so much more depth and chemistry than the leads.

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"Love is made up of one half sweetness and one half pain"

One thing that irks me is that the English title only translates half of the original Chinese title, leaving out the part about pain. (toughies)

The essence of the drama is about love comes with both hurt and fluff, and I think the actors did great in portraying such complex emotions. A sheep and a wolf, a bully and a protector - The whole journey was about coming to terms with how people may express their love to each other differently. Bailu and Leo played their roles splendidly and I especially loved Bailu's rendition of Jiang Jun.

However, I do feel like the plot could have expanded more on Jiang Jun's tear allergy, especially since nothing was mentioned about it near the finale.

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I think the value of this series lies in the perfection embodied in the main characters. Xiao Nai is portrayed as a perfect, all-rounded boyfriend with almost no flaws. He builds his own empire and does not start off as a rich, entitled heir as typical of other dramas of the same genre.

The female lead is also perfect, which the right combination of looks, wits and intelligence, and the ability to maintain her relationship with her close friends and family.

Their relationship - is obviously perfect. No jealousy, no cheating and no uncertainty. It's a refreshing watch.

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This drama is honestly so underrated, I really wish the viewership did more justice to how good a drama it actually was. While not exactly the best of it's kind, it was enjoyable and pleasant to watch, with good cliffhangers at the end of every episode that would make you come back for more. The whole concept of the show is interesting, with several levels of evil and politics that is just enough to make it dramatic. I do wish Lee Da Hae was coupled with someone else though, the male lead didn't really sit well with me although this may all boil down to my personal preference.

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School 2015 is the kind of drama that will keep you on your toes as the story unravels itself slowly episode after episode. I watched it while it was still airing and honestly the one week wait for the new episode was almost unbearable. The whole basis of the drama (orphaned twins) sets the stage for a whole rollercoaster of twists and turns. The casting was honestly amazing and really made me keep an eye out for NJH. KSH also did fabulous job acting out her 2 contrasting personas! AND THE MUSIC! Reset was literally my jam for the longest time, I listened to it on the plane for 8 hours straight before I finally decided to protect my sanity and turn it down. The rest of the songs are really good too.

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Ok, I started this for Kim Soo Hyun and Cha Tae Hyun, but even my love for them cannot bring me to complete this series. I would admit that i am quite a picky watcher, but nothing in this drama satisfies. Treat this like a documentary to learn about how variety shows are run in Korea (Though I'm not sure how accurate of a depiction this is). THE CAMEOS though were hilarious and I loved the little nuances that were brought in here and there throughout the drama. (Kim Jong Kook's kiss scene was uncalled for but super super hilarious albeit a little hard to watch). Don't remember much of the OSTs so I'd say they're subpar.

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The series itself has a fascinating and atypical plot that really keeps you watching. I enjoyed watching the female lead's character develop in the drama, while keeping her conscience clear. Chang An's character, on the other hand, didn't change much from the start to the end, and was rather underdeveloped in my opinion.

This series needs a second season, solely because the ending of this drama was extremely anticlimactic and failed to tie up all the loose ends. Many questions are left unanswered, and the fate of certain characters are uncertain.

The show reuses a certain ost a lot, but one of the side tracks is actually really good ("ONE") !

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