Obsession and Possession

Enthralling. Intriguing. Mind-blowing

It is probably the perfect three words to describe this drama.

The whole drama narrates the story of Lou Qianyi and Hou Youze's relationship after an avalanche that renders Qianyi amnesic and how Qianyi tries to figure out her identity.

Initially, the plot of this drama is not straightforward and kinda complicated, which may leave your mind and train of thought all over the place. However, as the plot progresses, you will be able to gradually grasp the background and motivations of the various characters and understand the past incidents that shape current events.

The show is not draggy, you might get hooked unconsciously after watching a few episodes!! If I'm not mistaken, this drama was initially planned to have 40 episodes, and I am glad that they cut it down to 29 episodes. 29 episodes are the right number, it is not draggy and it is well-paced too. The pacing is well-paced and the drama also transitions seamlessly between suspense, tragedy and thriller with a few twists and reveals mixed in.

What makes this show spectacular is of course the male lead's acting. Ou Hao acted as Hou Youze, an obsessive yet pitiful person. His acting is spectacular!! He managed to bring Hou Youze role to life through his gaze and nuanced micro-expressions. I can't help but feel a bit scared while watching his acting. I watched a few of Ou Hao's dramas before, and he is really versatile, a quality which hopefully garners him more varied roles in his future projects!! Victoria Song's acting has also improved much!! She managed to play 2 different roles so well, she is getting better and better in each drama she stares in.

The background music and sound of this drama fits in perfectly with the whole ambience. The background music makes you feel the suspense and your adrenaline rushing. Though I feel like the background music was excessively used in some parts to the point that the background music is dictating you what you should feel. As for this scene, suspensive background music is used, therefore, you should feel suspense. But regardless of it, they still managed to make me feel the suspense and be on the edge of my seat while watching the drama.

As for the flaws, there are some scenes where it lacks logic and coherence. For instance, how can someone who just suffers a heavy accident and need to go through cosmetic surgery look so normal in just a month?! But if you don't really care about all the small details, you will love the drama!!

Another flaw is the CGI used during the avalanche, the CG looked so fake that I can't help but laugh a little, the cuts and CG used in the avalanche scene does not do justice to the quality of the storyline. But it is only a small part of it so don't mind too much!!

You might like or hate the ending. But for me personally, I think that ending is a perfect ending for this drama!!

Lover or Stranger is probably one of my favourite dramas of 2021!! It is rare to see a Chinese drama that takes on this genre, and in the future, I hope to see more kinds of Chinese dramas with this genre!! Give it a try, you might love it!!

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Scheming For The World

Who Rules The World is adapted from the novel of the same name, 且试天下 (Who Rules The World) by 倾泠月. But the novel author did not take part in the scriptwriting thus there have been changes to the drama. Though promoted as a wuxia drama, Who Rules The World is not 100% a wuxia drama as it also has a combination of romance, court, and political intrigue (heavier on the romance and court side). The drama has a lot of elements, but the drama manages to blend them all seamlessly, it doesn’t confuse you.

As a Tencent S+ project, the drama has a big budget and high-quality production, and the high production values are reflected in the overall production. Who Rules The World features outstanding fight scenes, authentic sets, lavish costumes, beautifully shot landscape, and remarkable CGI. In addition, the drama is also helmed by Yin Tao, the same director who directed Love and Redemption and Ancient Love Poetry, you can expect a good watch!

The drama opens with Bai Fengxi and Hei Fengxi's adventure in Jianghu, but also shows the interconnection between the court and jianghu. The story narrative unfolds at a fast but also leisure pace, it gives viewers enough time to understand the character’s relationship and their connections. The plot and character points are planned well in advance and the story unfolds in a way that pulls us into various plot threads and the partial reveals.

To me, what makes the drama stand out the most is the two main lead characters and great choreographed fighting scenes. I love how both leads are equally strong, and they understand each other well. There is no damsel in distress, it is always them fighting side by side against the enemy together and protecting each other when one of them is in danger. It is also entertaining to see them argue with each other, and their push and pull relationship! Hei Fengxi (Feng Lanxi) is a smart and strong character, he is a formidable foe. He’s always ahead of each other, know what others are planning, has a backup plan, and more. But you’ll understand why he did all that because it is the survival of the fittest. In order for him to be safe from all the schemes, he needs to schemes, outwit others and think ahead. On the other hand, Bai Fengxi (Feng Xiyun) is a dauntless and free-spirited character. She has a genuine heart, she cares for the world but at the same time, she does not let those bad guys off easily. Bai Fengxi uses white silk as her weapon because she believes in the world of martial arts, the highest level is not to kill.

Who Rules The World also has immaculate fighting scenes. It has a brilliantly choreographed fighting scene with engaging shots and thankfully no slow motion. The drama has adequate cinematography with bright also appropriate levels of color grading along with close-ups, immersive, and tracking shots.

Anchored by Yang Yang and Zhao Lusi, you can expect eye candy in the drama! Both of them are gorgeous actors whose emotions and facial expressions transform and make them compelling in their appeal. Moreover, the drama also features a large ensemble cast with many familiar faces. Zhao Lusi has once again surprised us with her new role. Her acting as Bai Fengxi has really shown her great improvement compared to her previous drama. From her articulation, bearing, posture, and acting, everything about her is perfect! On the other hand, Yang Yang imbues his character with elegance, grace, and wittiness at the same time. Zhao Lusi and Yang Yang have great rapport and chemistry, especially if you watch their behind the scenes. I also absolutely adore scenes where they bicker and fight side by side. I personally feel those scenes have more “sugar” rather than the actual romance slo-mo part. Though indeed, in some parts of the drama, Zhao Lusi and Yang Yang have an awkward interaction and bearing.

Who Rules The World is not flawless by any means. Who Rules The World has choppy editing, a rushed storyline, and some bad CGI towards the end. The drama was supposed to be a 45-episode drama, but they cut it down to 40 episodes, hence the choppy editing. Some scenes are not coherent with the others, you can still understand what's going on, but it's not pleasant to see. Another drawback because of the choppy editing is a rushed storyline towards the line. The drama spent too much time on the political side, it is too draggy. It would be better if the political plot was actually intriguing, but I personally feel like the political plot was like a child's play, I didn't feel there's a need to spend so much time on it. The drama spends too much time on the political part making the jianghu plot unattended and left out eventually. The rush to closure also makes some parts of the drama anti-climatic, for instance, the part where Feng Lanxi discovers that Bai Fengxi is Feng Xiyun. Furthermore, I feel towards the ending, the CGI gets bad. The CGI during the beginning (their adventure in jianghu) is very remarkable, especially the CGI of their fighting scenes and Bai Fengxi's white silk. But towards the end, the CGI looks cheap and fake, especially the fight scene ending.

Overall. Who Rules The World is a good watch if you are looking for a light historical drama (also a good watch for those who are new to cdrama).

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A Riveting Werewolf Game

My Journey to You is a 24-episode original script drama written and directed by Guo Jingming. It narrates the story of Yun Weishan, who infiltrates the Gong family for a mission. Amidst the mission, she encounter love, friendship and gradually discovers herself, what her heart wants. Each episode is around 1 hour long, although it might seems a little bit too long for a drama, but the drama manages to masterfully blends elements of espionage, intrigue, martial arts with romance as the sub-plot.

Set against the backdrop of the jianghu (martial arts world) with Gong Family and Wu Feng as the prominent player, My Journey to You mainly revolves around conspiracies, hidden agendas, and a game of wits that will keep you guessing until the very end. However, these suspenseful moments are perfectly balanced with comedic heart-warming interactions and thought-provoking dialogues, making it a series that is as emotionally engaging as it is intellectually stimulating.

? Introduction to My Journey To You character summary: https://twitter.com/afterrnoont/status/1698267612042641644?s=20

What My Journey to You apart is it’s intricate and fast well-paced storytelling (initially). In the beginning, each episode unfolds like a carefully orchestrated symphony, revealing layers of deception. Each episode also packs a punch, leaving viewers on the edge of the seat from the beginning till the end!! Every character in the drama is also very intriguing. Each character feels like a fully fleshed-out individual with their own unique personality, motivations, and backstory. The drama have skilfully crafted a tapestry of lives that intersect and collide in compelling ways!! Yun Weishan and Shangguan Qian are morally grey, smart and calculating. their dynamic is so interesting to watch because on one hand they have this protective camaraderie between them, but it also feels tense, just like you’re waiting for the impending betrayal. Meanwhile each Gong siblings are also very unique, each of them has their own motive, but overall it's still for Gong's family interest and good!

Another aspect that sets My Journey to You apart is its high-quality production. This is a big budget and high-quality production that features exemplary cinematography, elaborately authentic sets, exquisite costumes, well-executed action choreography, as well as beautifully shot natural landscapes. In addition, the editing, scene transitions and sequencing of the narrative progression appear cohesive and relatively seamless. The colour palette of this drama is also beautiful and eye pleasing!! The colour palette is sparse and dark toned with a dash of white, gold, and red sometimes.

At the heart of this drama is an ensemble cast that delivers remarkable performances. My Journey to You has a stellar cast, that delivers a profoundly compelling performance from the main role to the supporting role. Each actor nuanced portrayal of their characters adds depth and authenticity to the story. Yu Shuxin and Lu Yuxiao performance in the drama are really commendable! Yu Shuxin manages to show a different side of her, she provides us with further glimpses of her versatility and range with a vastly different and never-seen-before side – she can not only play a cheerful innocent character, like Xiao Lanhua, but she can also pull off a serious character with many layers. Lu Yuxiao also delivers a strong performance; her micro expressions and eye glances makes her character more fleshed out and rich! Another commendable actor is Tian Jiarui, although this is his first drama, but he has managed to show how good of an actor he is!! We can definitely look forward to his future works!!

However, there are also some aspects that made the drama fall short. Personally, I find that the drama becomes a little bit dull midway. The drama still progresses, it seems like it's moving but to nowhere. The drama make you keep on guessing and guessing but little answer is revealed. Another aspect that mainly turns me off the the male lead weak characterization (not to the actor), which is a speciality of Guo Jingming's drama whereas he tend to make the second leads of his drama stand out more than the main leads. Also another huge disappointment of the drama is that it has a dissatisfactory ending with unanswered questions. Although there are some answers, but the main answer remains to be a question. It feels disappointing and frustrating - you spend almost 24 hours watching the drama only to be left with more questions.

Drawbacks aside, All in all, My Journey to You is a is a remarkable drama with an engrossing plot, impressive cinematography, and art direction. If you love mystery suspense with a blend of wuxia drama, this is a good watch!

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Mermaids Only Listen to The Heart's Voice, It Says You are Worth It

The Blue Whisper: Part 1 (与君初相识) is a 22 episode drama adapted from the novel 驭鲛记, The Blue Whiper by 九鹭非香. The Blue Whisper is set in a universe where there are magical races (demon) and spiritual masters (human with longer lifespan). The narrative revolves around Ji Yunhe, a spiritual master but also a nine-tailed demon fox and Chang Yi, a mermaid and the lord of north.

Helmed by Zhu Ruibin, the director from Ashes of Love, The Long Ballad, Noble Aspirations and more; you can have a high expectation for this drama! The Blue Whisper has a high-quality production that features a splendid set, lavish costumes, remarkable cinematography, brilliantly choreographed scenes, an enchanting music score, and more.

The Blue Whisper sets, props, scenery and people are simply eye-catching, which keeps one visually interested all the way through. Unlike most historical dramas lately, The Blue Whisper has a vibrant and bold colour palette and outfit which makes it refreshing to see! The drama also has exemplary cinematography, the use of soft filters and vibrant colour at the same time provides a pleasant and vivid viewing experience. Every shot is also beautifully angled creating a feast for the eyes. Moreover, The Blue Whisper also has a beautifully done and well-rendered CGI and special effects. The use of authentic set designs and props also further enhance the realism of the whole universe.

The Blue Whisper narrative is brilliant and captivating, even if you don’t read the book beforehand, you would understand the drama as the overall narrative is easy to follow and well-paced. The drama storytelling is progressively paced and satisfyingly engaging with hardly a dull moment or substantial fillers. There are some light-hearted scenes with pure comedy, and some of the drama’s dialogue is also witty and sprinkled with light humor. Although some may find the troupe of lying to each other in order to save them is kinda cliché but this one doesn’t bore you.

What I adore from this drama is that every character in the drama is extremely well-written, each has its own distinctive personalities and qualities; they are multi-faceted and complex. Each character is properly dimensioned and balanced, even the “bad” characters have shades of grey, no one is black or white. They have their own background story and obsession, which leads to their action; thus, you might even feel their actions are justifiable. Although the main couple is the focus of the story, other characters and their relationships are not cheated out of a good storyline too! In addition, I also love how the side characters build up and enrich the whole story, instead of being just there for the necessary of the drama plot. You care for the characters and even if you don’t like some of the characters, others will most certainly capture your interest and heart.

Ji Yunhe and Chang Yi is stellarly portrayed by Dilireba and Ren Jialun. Both actor’s facial expressions and emotions are compelling. Their acting can make us relate and feel the character’s happiness, anger, pain that you can’t help but shed tears for them. Both of the actors can also convey their love, heartbreak and everything through their eyes and micro-expressions. It is unimaginable that anyone can pull off Ji Yunhe and Chang Yi in such compelling way other than Dilireba and Ren Jialun. Furthermore, Dilireba and Ren Jialun also have explosive chemistry; there is a great rapport between them and the romance are very good. They look fitting together and there are many squel-worthy moments.

Ren Jialun’s portrayal of an innocent tailed fish to an overbearing North lord is excellent! But what I find really commendable from his acting here is his acting of an innocent and pure tailed fish, it is unlike something he has shown before, he has acted as a cute and innocent 8 year old kid before in Under The Power, but here he is totally different he evokes a different charm. Ren Jialun character didn’t speak a word on the early episodes (until eps 3) but he still managed to convey his emotions with his eyes (sorrow, happy, anger and more). That’s what I find really amazing from Ren Jialun, he can simply convey his emotions with his eyes, and here with his pouty lips.

Dilireba also did a very commendable job! Dilireba has the ability to blend into every role, and in my opinion, Dilireba’s performance as Ji Yunhe here is several notches above all her works so far. The way she conveys her emotions through nuanced micro-expression and articulating every scene is beyond words. Especially on those scenes where she was laughing and crying at the same, when she turned into the nine-tailed demon fox. Every single Dilireba performance here is really praise-worthy.

Also, special mention to Hu Yixuan, she is adorable. Luoluo is loyal, bubbly, and clueless and Hu Yixuan manages to portray her and her lovable quirks so precisely. I bet she’ll steal your heart! Her scenes with Dilireba is also heart-warming and cute to see!

The Blue Whisper music scoring is also incredible. Sa Dingding is the music director for The Blue Whisper and she did a really great job! Every single OST and background sound is hauntingly beautiful, it’ll give you goosebumps. Each song also encapsulates a deep, beautiful and meaningful story. The poignant classical instrumental piece that accompanies the scene also sets a dramatic and emotional tone.

Overall, The Blue Whisper keeps you engaged and engrossed, you’ll find yourself wanting more new episodes!

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Sisterhood. Love. Delicious delicacies

卿卿日常 (New Life Begins) narrates the story the life in Xin Chuan, how different women from nine regions come together and live their life there, also centering around the main couple (the sixth prince of Xin Chuan and a girl from Jin Chuan.)

Helmed by director Zhao Qichen, who also directed My Heroic Husband. You can expect a good laugh from the drama! There are a lot of elements in the drama that is intertwined together flawlessly, such as comedy, feminism, love, friendship, family, and a tad of (child’s play) politics and rivalry. There are so many plot devices and themes that worked together harmoniously, there isn’t any dull moment for me. It is well-paced, the storyline develops at a brisk and engaging pace.

What makes this drama different from other dramas is (at least for now) that the drama avoids going on the mainstream road. There is no rivalry and scheming between women, unlike other historical dramas. The drama has a very heavy element of feminism - how women in this drama showcase their abilities, support, protect, and have each other backs, and more. Other than it, the drama also focuses on what women experience: postpartum depression, domestic violence, marriage, and more. All the women characters in the drama are interesting, well-conceived, and realistically written - each of them comes from different regions with different mindsets and beliefs, thus making their struggles and actions understandable. The colorful and depths of the ensemble characters make the drama even more compelling.

In addition, almost every couple in the drama is very also lovely! Every couple’s romance is developed equally. It is nice to see how each couple grows fond of each other over time and also grow as an individual. Each character possesses their own distinctive qualities that when combined together make the overall development of the story interesting and fun. Each character is also multidimensional, each having its own interesting story arc. You will find yourself immersed and invested in each character’s growth through the experiences they went through. I especially love how Hao Jia (the second prince’s concubine) has an inner monologue whenever the second prince is near him!

New Life Begin’s cinematography is generally adequate. But some of their shots of food are beautiful, which will make you salivate. The color palette of the drama is light and bright-toned with a soft filter and vibrant color palette, which is pleasing to the eyes. Another thing I loved about New Life Begins is their elaborately authentic sets and exquisite costumes. Where each character has their own styling. Lastly, though not seamless, the editing and scene transition is cohesive. There are a lot of scene transitions in between however it’s understandable as the narrative not only narrates the character in a certain period of time but over a long period of time.

The characters of the drama are brought to life by an outstanding cast, who delivers compelling interpretations of their character. Both Bai Jingting and Tian Xiwei did an exceptional job in the drama, embodying the character! Tian Xiwei imbues her character as Li Wei with cuteness, nuance, and also elegance! Though she looks very cute and sweet. But she is not one of those sweet-looking girls that are easily manipulated. She manages to infuse her character with kindness, righteousness, knowledge, and standing by what she believes; which makes her character very interesting. It is unimaginable that anyone else can pull off such a character other than Tian Xiwei.

Bai Jingting also elevated his character with his micro-expressions. As the sixth prince who grows up to be sickly and secluded, he still managed to show us different sides of the character - how he grows throughout the relationship and more. Not only Bai Jinting and Tian Xiwei but each character in the drama were immensely elevated by all the cast’s excellent acting. The depth and richness of each character and their development were commendable. In addition, all the character’s interactions and chemistry are also realistically and convincingly portrayed.

Personally, I think this is a really great drama to watch when you're looking for something light-hearted! This drama is like a serotonin boost!

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A Background Story Review

P.s. this review focuses more on the background story, hope that others can grasp what's going on better.

Mirror: A Tale of Twin Cities (镜双城) is a xuanhuan drama, adapted from the novel with the same title, 镜·双城by 沧月 (Cang Yue). The novel is broken down into 6 series: Su Mo, Bai Ying, Zhen Lan, Na Sheng, Yan Xi, and Yun Huan. But their stories are all correlated. Mirror Twin Cities drama adaptation focuses more on the story of Su Mo and Bai Ying.

A little background story for those who didn’t read the novel nor watched the donghua yet, the story takes place in the Yunhuang continent. In Yunhuang continent, there are 6 countries (Kongsang, Cangliu, and more). 7000 years earlier, Kongsang destroyed the sea kingdom. The previous sea emperor made a pearl to preserve his power and bloodline; and 7000 years later, a mermaid unaccidentally swallowed the pearl. Thus, Su Mo was born.

In Yunhuang, the mermaids were tortured and enslaved. A mermaid’s tears will turn into pearls, the mermaids were forced to cry; and if they cannot try, their eyes will be gouged out. Mermaids were tortured, forced to break their tails, and sold as a commodity and slaves. Both Su Mo and his mother are also very miserable. His mother has her hand and leg amputated and turned into a human swine. Su Mo was also tortured, and in order for others not to have his eyes, he gouged his own eyes. So Su Mo itself is a very dark character and he hates Kongsang people.

Mirror Twin Cities drama narrative centers around Su Mo and Bai Ying. Su Mo is a merman who also bears the identity of a sea emperor, he has the responsibility to bring the mermaids back to the sea. Meanwhile, Bai Ying is the eldest daughter of the Bai clan who has the responsibility to marry the Kongsang’s crown prince. The drama story timeline takes place when Kongsang was invaded by Cangliu, and after the sea emperor resurfaces again and wants to bring the mermaids back to the sea.

The first few episodes of the drama tell the flashback of what had happened 100 years ago. It has very weird and fast pacing, everything is thrown at you so sudden that you might need some time to process what’s going on. And you also won’t feel their chemistry yet. But stay and keep watching, it gets better! It has a pretty average script, but it has gorgeous landscape shots and CGI! But the editing and set are lacking, there is a lot of choppy editing especially during their fight scenes. The fight scenes are beautifully choreographed, but the shots and choppy editing makes it hard for people to understand whats actually going on. In addition, the set is also poor, this is a S+ project but the set looks like its a low-budget project. The "real" locations such as forest, houses, mirror tower were still okay but some like the sea kingdom, underwater scenes are poorly executed

Mirror Twin Cities is led by Li Yifeng (Su Mo), Chen Yuqi (Bai Ying), Zheng Yecheng (Zhen Lan), and more. This drama is Li Yifeng’s comeback historical drama after almost six years. Li Yifeng's portrayal as Su Mo is right on the point. A lot of people may say, “his expression stays the same”. But that’s what Su Mo was like, he is a cold and emotionless man. And also Li Yifeng looks REALLY GOOD in a historical drama. Meanwhile, Chen Yuqi's portrayal as Bai Ying was fine, she did improve a lot from her previous projects. But I can’t help but to notice that she has almost the same expression throughout the whole drama (except when she’s crying). Last but not least, Zheng Ye Cheng acting in a historical drama never disappoints, from his fighting scene, articulation, looks, everything is superb. Zheng Yecheng is also really commendable for being able to portray two totally different characters

In addition, Mirror Twin Cities also has an amazing OST lineup with star studded singers! And I love how there’s a specific OST designed for each character and situation that’s happening. The line up for Mirror Twin Cities OST includes:
1. 念归去 - 周深
2. 无惧 - 阿YueYue
3. 爱若无声 - 毛不易
4. 不为喜欢 - 张碧晨
5. 我是你的雨 - 银临
6. 相思不相忘 - 利胜
7. 风月唱 - 锦零
8. 问酒 - 姚晓棠
Sung by Zhou Shen, Mao Buyi, and Zhang Bichen, you can expect how much angst this drama has.

As someone who has read the novel, I’d say the drama has changed around 80% from the novel, especially character-wise. In the novel and donghua, Su Mo is a very cold and ruthless character. In the novel, Su Mo has no real feeling for Bai Ying at all. All he did was use Bai Ying to overturn Kongsang and try to rebuild the sea kingdom. It was only after Bai Ying jumped the tower, did he realized he was long fallen for her. However, in the drama, he is someone whose more emotional and compassionate (not that it is a terrible thing). For instance, during episode 1, you can see Su Mo as a bright young man helping other mermaids passionately, but that was not the case in the novel. Going through torture and betrayal when he was small, he was a dark and cold character. But in the drama, Su Mo has a straightforward attitude towards his love for Bai Ying. All in all, the drama focuses more on the romantic side of the story. If you have read the novel or watched the donghua, you may find the whole Mirror Twin Cities character deviate from the novel or donghua, except Zhen Lan. But when you are watching the drama, just try to forget the novel and donghua.

If this drama premieres after The Longest Promise (Xiao Zhan and Ren Min), the audience would probably grasp better whats going on.

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Under "Your" Skin

Under The Skin is a 20 episodes crime drama produced by Linmon Pictures . The narrative revolves around a forensic criminal profiler and a detective who meets again after 7 years and proceeds to work together to solve cases while uncovering what happened 7 years ago. Under The Skin is compelling, thrilling, and emotional. It has an engrossing plot, impressive cinematography, and art direction.

As a crime drama, Under The Skin is not groundbreaking, but in my opinion, it is one of the best out there. What makes Under The Skin different from any other crime dramas is how they solve the cases. Instead of just going through the tracks and pieces of evidence like any other crime drama, this drama focuses on another aspect, forensic art, which is rarely seen in other dramas.

The drama has simple yet interesting cases, it is compelling, easy to follow, and has good moral messages behind every case. The process of case solving is also relatively simple, but still engaging. Each of the story arcs manages to be complex and intriguing while still showing the very real human emotions being experienced by the characters. I love how there is always a human element in each case, the culprit is not labeled as a "black" character, but more to grey. The drama shows you their own fascinating background story and makes you understand why they took down "THE" path.

Under The Skin script shed a light on social issues, there’s a human element and empathy in every episode. For instance, in the first case, you can see women’s prejudice in the workplace and what women need to go through to break the glass ceiling. The cases are realistic, it may resonate with the audience. My personal favorite case is in episodes 11 and 12, “girls help girls - woman can understand woman, woman protect woman”

Under The Skin is written by 6 scriptwriters, 5 of them are females which is why you might find that a lot of the cases and plot mostly revolves around women. The drama also manages to showcase the diversity in the police force, there’s a female detective, police officer, forensic doctor, and more (also there’s a lot of pretty ladies in the drama).

Other than a compelling script, the script is also immensely elevated by the excellent acting of every actor and actress in Under The Skin. The actors and supporting actors and actresses acting are phenomenal, they add so much emotional nuance that brings the characters to life. Both of the male leads, Tan Jianci and Jin Shijia portray their character very well. Tan Jianci as a natural and gentleman, and Jin Shijia as a charming yet rough character.

Despite all its hits, it also has it’s miss. For me, the only miss from the drama is the plot holes in the cases and some of the cases are not wrapped clearly and perfectly. But other than that, the whole drama is a hit!

Under The Skin keeps you at the edge of your seat with the thrills and suspense at the end of every episode. I believe this drama is worth the binge, those who watch this will feel addictive to consume the whole drama in one sitting.

Fun fact: yes the whole criminal profiling profession is indeed that amazing and 神奇. In 2017, the murder of Zhang Yingying in the United States. The police was not able to identify who was the culprit, and they asked help from a Chinese forensic profiler, Lin Yuhui. And he managed to draw out the culprit just from a blurry CCTV and helped solved the case!

P.S. Season 2 is coming! on one of the scriptwriter weibo post, she mentioned she went to gather some materials for Under The Skin season 2 and she also mentioned the drama should've have some more art aspect but was omitted due to the limited number of episodes, and she hopes that she can put those ideas in season 2 and the extra episodes!
Weibo post: https://m.weibo.cn/1461807075/4673683987108245

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The Cutest Meow!!

This is probably one of the best cat/ animal and human dramas!! I ran here after finished watching the drama. Most dramas with this type of genre tend to screw it up with its nonsensical script and cringe-y acting, however, I feel like this drama has got it right in almost all aspects!! Watching this drama definitely makes me smile from ear to ear.

The drama script is very well written and detailed, the drama focuses on small things such as how a cat acts and behaves, such as forehead stroke, nose and hair rubs, how a cat bosses its owner and so on. These types of details are often forgotten in other similar genre dramas. This drama is also REALLY ADORABLE AND FUNNY AS WELL!!

When it comes to acting, both leads are really good and natural in their role. Both of them have very natural and comfortable chemistry. Almost all of the casts in this drama acted really well, the female lead portrayal of a cat is just so realistic, I can literally imagine her as a cat. The female lead is also naive and innocent but not the point where she is annoying. The male lead acts so so so naturally. And of course, we have the mom who acts so well that makes all of us wanna slap her hahaha. Even though the relationship progress is kind of a slow burn, but it is still so cute and fluffy!!

The cinematography aspect is average, just like any other sweet idol romance drama with average shots and a bright colour palette. However, the OSTs of this drama is really cute!! it's really fitting with the overall ambience.

Overall, definitely give this one a try!! You might enjoy it more than you thought~

P.s. This drama has a clear ending so no worries ^^

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Wonderful story, chemistry- wonderful drama

So at first, I watched the trailer and didn't really expect much, except for the Hikaru No Go crossover. At first I thought that this will be just like another adult drama with draggy storyline and annoying characters, however to my surprise, this drama is excellent.

The series revolves around the 2 best friends work and love life. Throughout the series, you can see how each character develop to become a better person. In this series, each person plays an important role, not only Li Yi Tong and Chen Jin as the main lead, but I feel like every one is the main lead in the drama. At first, I kinda grumbled seeing how the third couple (Ye Zhou and Guan Ye) has so many screen time, thinking that it was unnecessary and boringg. But after finishing the drama, I realised that every one of the character in the drama is the main role (even though their world revolves around Lu Ke and Shen Si Yi) . Each of the characters have their own story shown, even though not much of the screen time of them is shown. Every person that appears in the drama and the problems encountered help every one of the character in the drama grow, they grow alongside with the main lead (which is very unoften to see in dramas). Insignificant characters and their own story makes me very attached to this drama, it is their presence and each of their story that makes the drama a 很了不起的 drama.

And another important thing is this drama doesn’t have draggy problems and storyline. The problems encountered in the drama is very realistic and they don’t drag the problem solving. Also, (THANK GOD) there is no annoying male or female lead.

And of course, li yi tong and chen jin chemistry is impeccable!! Their acting skills and chemistry made me really though that I am watch a documentary series about them. Last but not least, the cinematography and music is also perfect. The camera angles, editing, and everything it is like watching a movie production. The slow-tempo and jazz music is the perfect combination for the cinematography. With both of them, you really feel the ambience of the series. You can feel that you are “IN” the series, watching alongside each of the characters and their growth.

In conclusion, if you are watching for a light hearted drama which makes you smile, laugh, cry this is the perfect drama!! My review can't really sum up how amazing this drama is, but I do recommend every one of you to watch this drama!!
And I don't know if they dubbed for this series, but god.. I am in love with Zhang Meng's voice and accent!!!

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A Serenade of Love and Delicious Foods

In a landscape where dramas are often dominated by convoluted plots and intense conflicts, Love Me, Love My Voice（很想很想你） stands out as a breath of fresh air.

Love Me, Love My Voice narrates the story of Mo Qingcheng and Gu Sheng, who encounter each other online accidentally and gradually get to know and fell in love with each other. The beauty of the drama lies in its simplicity. The drama refrains from bombarding the audience with exaggerated conflicts or confusing plotlines, opting instead for a narrative that revolves around the genuine connection between two individuals and delicious foods!!

What sets this drama apart is its realism - the drama narrative focuses on the gradual deepening of the relationship and connection between the main leads: love, career and family. There is no antagonist in the drama, instead the characters has a normal life, celebrate each other's successes, and navigate the complexities of their lives with a sense of unity and togetherness that is both heartening and rare in the drama realm.

The side characters in the drama are also all very lovely! The interactions between the main character and side characters are also woven together beautifully, each individual character arcs into the broader tapestry of the story, allowing each side character to contribute uniquely to the overall narrative. Not to forget, the drama also showcases a lot of delicious food and cooking. The inclusion of delicious food and cooking scenes adds a sensory delight to the storytelling, viewers are treated to a visual feast of mouthwatering dishes! (you definitely cannot watch in an empty stomach!)

Tan Jianci and Zhou Ye is the perfect choice for Mo Qingcheng and Gu Sheng. They have a great rapport and they look gorgeous and fitting together and deliver many squeal-worthy moments. They manages to portray a couple deeply in love through their micro expressions. Although some might complain that the romance is a slow-burn, but it is justified, as it is just the beginning of their relationship, they are still getting to know each other.

The cinematography of Love Me, Love My Voice also deserves special mention. The visual aesthetics are both vibrant and soothing, mirroring the overall tone of the drama. The scenic shots of the bustling city juxtaposed with the serene moments between the main leads create a visually pleasing experience that complements the narrative beautifully. In addition, Love Me, Love My Voice also has a very exquisite and beautiful outfit. Gu Sheng’s outfit are 新中式穿搭, a modern-chinese traditional style. The outfits are not only beautiful, but it also accentuates Gu Sheng’s love towards the Chinese culture.

Another notable mention the OSTs. The drama has an array of OSTs that complements the narrative perfectly. Each OSTs are carefully created with heartfelt lyrics and also thoughtfully placed, to enhance the mood of every scene! The OSTs resonate with the themes of love, passion, and more, creating an immersive experience that transcends the screen and lingers in the hearts of the viewers. Not to mention, Tan Jianci’s voice are so soothing and fitting to every song he sings.

Overall, Love Me Love My Voice delivers a heartwarming and soothing narrative, offering audiences a respite from the typical dramatic rollercoaster genre. A must watch if you love a simple but heartwarming drama!!

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You Are My Most Favourite Surprise

Make My Heart Smile tells the story of Ye Wei Mian who disguises as her twin, Ye Zheng Han due to some circumstances. Through disguising as Ye Zheng Han, she met Gu Yan Luo and embark on a romantic journey. The plot is straightforward and not complicated. However tho, the storyline is very cliche, you can literally predict everything that is going to happen, it is your typical story of an average woman who meets a "god-like" man. And also I can lowkey feel a hint of the Korean drama, School 2015. As the title name goes, this drama makes you smile from time to time, you can feel the sweetness between the leads. The plenty of sweet kiss scenes in this drama definitely made up for the lack of storyline and plot holes. Such as, there is no explanation about the twin's parents, Yan Luo's dad, and so on.

Luo Zheng's character in this drama is someone who is cold yet warm to the one he loves. And I can say that Luo Zheng did a pretty good job since most of the characters he portrayed are similar. The actress, Ji Mei Han also did a pretty good job. I've watched some of the dramas she featured in before, but she did not leave any deep impression, so I can't really comment on her acting. However, I gotta say, some of her scenes were really cringey and greasy. Another thing that does not sit in right with me is her costume, why does the wardrobe and design team dress her like she is a 7-year-old kid. The wardrobe team could've definitely done better.

This drama was under a lot of backlashes due to a racist comment in the drama, "you look like a Filipino maid". I know it is wrong for the actors and production team not to clarify it, however, I personally feel that one shouldn't literally criticize the whole drama over a line of the scriptwriter's mistake. There is still a group of actors, directors, and so on hard work poured into this drama.

All in all, if you are looking for a fluffy romance that will make you smile this is the one! (if you don't mind the racist comment tho)

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A Jade Drama with a Dent

Love Like White Jade (白玉思无瑕) is a drama produced by MangoTV. Love Like White Jade is a historical romcom drama mixed with some elements of mystery. The story narrative mainly revolves around Jiang Baiyu (played by 张耀 – Zhang Yao ) who puts on a façade of being a playboy, however behind he disguises himself as the hero Shen Qingli to find the murderer of his father 7 years ago. The female lead is Shui Wuxia (played by万鹏 – Wan Peng), Shui Wuxia is a maid from Langya Hall, Wuxia is an excellent maid in every aspect. “Maids” from Langya Hall tasks is to help young childe to excel in their studies, basically being a secretary/ assistant, instead of being a “maid” who cleans and cook. From then one the narrative unfolds, with them falling in love, developing friendship, and finding the truth behind 7 years ago.

Plot: The drama plot is straightforward and uncomplicated which makes viewers understand it easily; it does not have frequent flashbacks. The pacing of this drama is excellent at the beginning ¾ of the drama. On the ¾ of the drama, the story unfolds casually and not rushed. The element of romance, comedy, friendship is blended seamlessly, even though the mystery genre is weak. There is not enough building and logic on the mystery/ criminal cases, the mystery story filler also has plenty of plot holes; which resulted in a weak ending. The ending lacked climax and intensity, as the truth was uncovered in the most ridiculous manner and the antagonist was finished so easily.

There are 3 couples in this drama, and I like how all couples supported each other no matter what. And there is tremendous character growth in each person and couple, they grow together to become a better person. Moreover, there are no excessive misunderstandings between the couples. Misunderstandings are solved in a mature way, and the other 2 couple's love and chemistry are also very strong. Also, what I like about this drama, is that the Jiang brothers did not scheme each other, instead, they had each other backs. The friendship part in this drama is not really that deep, but when one of them is in trouble, all of them had their backs. That is probably what I liked; it was realistic. Every one of them had their own life and routine rather than sticking with each other 24/7, but when any critical moment comes, they are there. And I can also sense a little feminism in this drama, which I LOVE!!

Cinematography and CGI: This drama cinematography is just like another idol drama cinematography, with excessive lighting, close-up shots, quick transitions, and a bright color scheme. There is nothing particularly commendable about the cinematography. The martial arts scene in the drama is decent for a low-budget drama, it is not too sloppy but it is not commendable too. There are some fighting scenes and qinggong (light skills) in the drama that I find kinda funny (where Qingli and Wuxia fly after throwing money on the streets). For the fighting scenes, it was okay, the choreographed actions are mediocre. Moving on, the CGI in this drama is bad but okay at the same time. As this is a low-budget drama, you shouldn’t expect grandiose CGI, choreographed sequence, etc. The CGI was bad, like for example the scene where Qingli and Wuxia met at the roof, the CGI was like from an animation movie. But with the combination of Qingli and Wuxia outfit color scheme, it did not become bad, it becomes bearable yet funny at the same time.

Acting: Zhang Yao and Wan Peng’s acting is commendable!! Zhang Yao manages to show the 2 sides of Jiang Baiyu, the playboy and Shen Qingli, the marvelous hero. Wan Peng also did a good job in portraying her role. The secondary actor and actresses also did a good job, even though some of their actings were awkward, it was still bearable. Not so bad, to the point that you cannot continue to watch.

There is nothing particular to be remembered about the music, the music fits in the scenario well, but it is not memorable. The only unique thing about the music is the opening music. The opening music is really upbeat and modern, unlike other historical dramas. Probably by hearing the opening music, you can guess what the genre of the drama is and where it is going to.

In conclusion, Love Like White Jade is a good drama to watch when you are looking for something light-hearted that makes you smile from time to time. Watching this drama does not require 100% concentration, you can watch this drama while doing other activities. As for the setbacks, the setbacks in the drama are not really visible and give off a big impact on the drama if you do not pay attention to it. Overall, it is a GOOD WATCH!!

P.s. Jiang Baiyu/ Shen Qingli's voice dubber in this drama feels so similar to Zhang Yao’s character in Love in Between, which is another plus point for me!!

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Mint Drama!!

Dear Diary (我的巴比伦恋人 - My Babylonian Lover), is a 24 eps rom-com drama that narrates the story of how a diary that was once written by a 12-year-old girl come to life. The 12-year-old girl (Chen Meiru) once fantasizes and wrote a diary about herself as the woman whom the Babylonian prince single-heartedly love and would die for. However, her "diary" became known by everyone in her hometown. Thus, the 12-year-old girl was traumatized and she grew up to become a very closed and serious woman.

This drama is not like any other rom-com drama, it is original and unique. Dear Diary has so many plot devices and themes used harmoniously together. The drama is well-paced and there is not a single dull moment. Dear Diary has many exciting, interesting, and heart-warming plots along the way. Moreover, the drama also ​transitions seamlessly between comedy, romance, action, and suspense. All in all, the element of fiction and reality are seamlessly interwoven and executed.

The quality of storytelling is very well done, this drama grips you every single episode, it makes you want to watch more and binge the whole drama. Some people might find this drama bizarre and weird (because yes, it is), but when you're watching this, just turn off your brain and enjoy the drama. The drama isn't all about romance and comedy, there is a deep message hidden in it. The drama has some really meaningful dialogues, and the drama also displays tremendous character growth in all characters. In addition, even though there are 3 characters who were technically "fictional characters", but they didn't feel fake or generic, they felt like real people. All the characters are well-dimensioned, it is very well-written. Though there might be some plot holes, the plot holes are forgive-able.

All of the main cast did a very exceptional job. The actors are really commendable for acting delivering their lines without laughing, as there are a lot of scenes that are really hilarious; e.g. drinking from a fishbowl. Moreover, the interactions and chemistry between everyone are also realistically and convincingly portrayed.

The production of Dear Diary is also executed immaculately, the writing, direction, and production team pays close attention to the whole drama that making it a perfect drama!! The ​production team went to Iraq, Morocco, and Paris to shoot some of the scenes and to accumulate Babylonian artifacts and resources. In addition, the drama also spent 2 years on post-production, with its dubbing and editing. Therefore, believe me, it won't disappoint you. The technical execution of this drama might not be top-notch, but it is interesting and beautiful. It has immersive camerawork for certain scenes and appropriate levels of color grading. Moreover, the high production value is also reflected in the set design, costume, everything is fantastic.

All in all, Dear Diary is a wonderfully produced drama, it has an engrossing plot, impressive cinematography, beautiful writing. Dear Diary will keep you on the edge of your chair, with its comedy, thrills, and suspense playing out at a compelling pace. With it, it deserves more attention and it is definitely one of this year's dark horse.

Plus, I love how each episode ending ends with this statement, "MeiRu, I’m marrying you. We’ll be in a monogamous relationship and I’ll never leave you."

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Beware of Diabetes

If you are looking for a light-hearted. sweet drama with cute couples, To Fly With You is the one for you!!

To Fly With You main premise revolves around ice sports (figure skating, short track speed skating) and romance. But, it is indeed more to the romance and growing with each other. So, it is not a must for you to understand the ice sports industry, because while watching it, the drama itself also touch on it a little bit.

Produced by Linmon Pictures, I expect every production aspect of this drama to be amazing because Linmon Pictures had produced dramas with amazing production aspects, especially cinematography, such as Ancient Love Poetry, Nothing but Thirty, and more. But to my surprise, the whole production of To Fly With You from the cinematography, colour grading, sound effects differs from their usual style, and I am torn between of liking it or disliking it.

To Fly With You has the same exact cinematography as any other rom-com drama. But what probably makes To Fly With You stand out from other rom-com dramas is its comedic shots. The drama has some shots purposely intended for comedic elements, for instance, the shot where Shao Beisheng shoe was torn. In addition, the drama also adds other comedic elements such as witty lines and particularly sound effects. The sound effect used in the drama is.. difficult to comprehend. The sound effect does indeed go well with the whole drama and its comedic element but the sound effect alone is making me feel like I am watching a sitcom, particularly there's this one sound effect that sounds like a SpongeBob sound effect (not that I hate it).

Wang Anyu acted as Shao Beisheng, a talented and genius ice figure skater. Meanwhile, Song Zuer acted as Shen Zhengyi, a newbie to the world of professional short track speed skating. Both leads have an affable charm, cute and natural chemistry. If there's an award for the couple with the best chemistry this year, it would definitely go to Wang Anyu and Song Zuer. Their chemistry on and off-screen is just impeccable. You can just see the sparks they have in their eyes while looking at each other (please be together and get married).

What I especially love about the drama is that their chemistry and how their relationship progress, it is very realistic. The scriptwriter doesn't make Zhengyi fall in love with Beisheng right away just because he is a handsome guy. But there is a process in between them falling in love - both of them listens to each other, understand each other and gradually fall in love. In addition, the characters in the drama are also very realistic. Unlike other drama male lead, Shao Beisheng is a rather more realistic character to me. For instance, you can see how happy he is when he received his shoes and how sad he is when his shoes was torn.

Overall, To Fly With You may not be groundbreaking, but the drama will totally make you blush and gush and want for more.

P.s. do watch the drama's behind the scene, there are a lot more sugar on it!!

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A Train is Coming ......

The Devil Punisher is a 2020 romance fantasy supernatural drama co-produced by Sanli and Netflix. This drama includes some elements of mythology. I was originally really pumped waiting for this drama to finish airing since the synopsis looks pretty interesting. I ran here after finished watching the drama, and all I can say is it is a train wreck.

In Chinese mythology, Zhong Kui is a demon fighter (you might have seen pictures of him posted on doors). According to legends, when he was a mortal, he lived during the Tang dynasty era. He participated in the palace examination, however, due to jealousy, the prime minister framed him and he took his own life. Meanwhile, Meng Po is known as the goddess/ grandma who cooks forgetfulness soup so that souls who reincarnate will have no memories of their past life, thus there is no grievances nor resentfulness. This drama narrative revolves around Zhong Kui and Meng Po as lovers that transcend over time.

It all started after a hateful spirit burned a bridge in the underworld realm and dragged Meng Po to the human realm. Upon arriving at the human realm, Meng Po memory was erased and her heavenly aura was sealed, making Zhong Kui unable to find her for a period of time. Shortly after finding Meng Po, Zhong Kui and Meng Po crack stranger supernatural cases together, and in the process of it, Meng Po falls for Zhong Kui once again. However, not long after problems start to brew bigger. The problems they were solving were like dominos that lead to one another, which ultimately lead to the big plan and the villain. The villain in the drama is really predictable, after watching a few episodes, I am pretty sure that most of the viewers are able to guess who is the big bad boss.

This drama was funny and interesting in the first few episodes, I laughed quite a few times watching the earlier episodes. However, it got really draggy and it has a lot of nonsensical plot and plotholes in the middle of the drama. The climax lacks intensity, and the ending of this drama was really rushed and full of nonsense. Why go all around circles, ups and down when the problem/ trial could be solved easily. For real, the problem-solving in this drama was really funny and nonsense. In addition, one episode of this drama is around 1 hour long, which will probably make some fall asleep or really sleepy while watching this.

The characters in this drama are straight so bland, they have no personality or whatsoever. I don't know if the characters were written in that way. And I'd like to give a slap to En Xi, she acted so bratty and took everything for granted. The actors and actresses' acting was emmm, it was like a child's play. I watched one of Mike He's dramas, Cambrian Period, but his acting does not give me any impression, meanwhile, this is the first Ivy Shao drama I watched. Their acting was downright bland, I am sorry to say this but I feel like all of the actors in this drama were just reciting lines. I mean yea the male lead looks hot and the female lead looks cute but they have no chemistry at all. I always laughed at their kiss scenes, I feel like watching 2 fishes kissing every time they kissed...

This drama got a pretty huge subsidy from the government, however, I wonder where all those budgets went. The production, the cinematography is so terrible it looks like a high school kid production drama. I don't know if because it is shot during Corona or what but it is terrible. I have no words on how to describe it, I The CGI was average, not too bad but not good also, even though there were some terrible CGIs. And even if the cinematography is terrible, I am still kinda looking forward to the actor's outfit but again, their outfit is soo bland.. And the historical/ period costume, makeup, the hairstyle was horrendous; I am sure even a small production period drama did it better. As for the BGM and OSTs, there is nothing catchy in particular.

I thought I'd give this 4.5, because there are some cases that were pretty touching (but still not well-developed), and for their comedy element in the early episodes, and lastly for the character development. The only character development I see throughout this series is Zhong Kui and Ouyang Kai. Their character develops as the story arc progresses- Zhong Kui became more "sympathetic and more humane", Ouyang Kai became more "mature".

I thought of dropping it halfway, but I kept on watching since I was curious if the story takes a better turn but It does not. Overall, if you are a fan of the actors or genre, go ahead and watch but for me who is not a fan of the actor nor genres, it is a waste of time and energy.

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