Completed
Paula
0 people found this review helpful
8 days ago
30 of 30 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 6.0
This review may contain spoilers

Ending ruined it all

Good things first before bashing.

The female lead was well written. I would say almost the best female lead I have seen for a while. Many dramas have either too childish fl or one that doesn't care about anything. I loved how the fl stood up for herself but was also vulnerable. This was one of the best things about this drama.

The plot was certainly interesting, and I was not bored throughout the series. I don't think it was special, but it was entertaining.

Then to the not so good stuff; the ending. In the last episode they decided to change the course of the whole story they built and pull the ''all of this was just a dream'', which is criminal. The ending made all of the episodes you watched pointless. And they left the ''plot twist'' to the last episode, so when the series ended it felt like there was no proper ending.

Well what can you say. I think this is worth watching, but be prepared that the ending is going to disappoint you.

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Completed
fancy
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 25, 2023
30 of 30 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 9.5
This review may contain spoilers

Ending could have been better

I really loved this drama and I feel like more people will like it if they go into it focusing more on the female lead and her journey to coming to terms with her situation. It's less enjoyable if you are solely watching for romance as she really doesn't end up having much skinship with either the ML or 2ML. Secondly, the way the story is written...she technically ends up with both of them...sort of...but you mostly see her spend the most time with the 2ML. Also, for this review, in my opinion, the 2ML is the guard, not the man she is married to.

The only additional thing I wish was added to this drama was either a part 2 or a special episode where we got to see what happened after she accepted reality. That short cartoon wasn't enough for me. I would have liked to see what led to her building up her relationship with the ML in reality as well as his reaction to her pregnancy. Other than that, it's a fun drama. It's full of angst though so this isn't a relaxing low-stress romance. It's mainly about the female lead pursuing a potential redemption arc.

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Completed
Crazy about Asian dramas
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 1, 2023
30 of 30 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers

Not happy with the ending

Don't go for the poster of the serial ,it may give you hope . Yes, very less chemistry between the leads . I ship the love stories. I didn't find any love between the leads , actually unrequited love was seen . And even story was not match with synopsis. What i saw in the drama that a girl killed and pray to god to give her chance to do amendments , she thought she went to the past and changed her past but unfortunately she went in coma for 2 years . Rest i will not tell . I don't want to be spoilers and the drama end . Yes, she woke up called the male lead name and the drama was over . It was different story . But they should show some chemistry between lead beside she liked some other character in the drama only this the reasons i don't like the drama. I hope for season 2.

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Completed
DancingDragon
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 5, 2023
30 of 30 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers

Soo good but that ending...

I got sucked up right into this. I couldn't put it down.
I wasn't sure I'd like Hua Qian at the beginning, but Zhou Ye's acting was great and i really believed she was her character. She was clever but not in an overpowered way and very funny and cute. Definitely a big part of why i enjoyed the drama was her.
As for the male leads, I'm not sure i hardcore shipped her with anyone. Was not a fan of Zhong Yelan, was glad she didn't end up stuck with him.
Zhong Xiwu was interesting to watch, i think i have a thing for watching a man pine after one woman. I did swoon at him a few times but he was also an asshole at others. As far as a male lead goes he wasn't the worst. Wish we could've gotten more romantic interactions with the main two, a kiss would've been lovely but even just more connection would've been enough.
I didn't dislike Hua Rongzhou but i didn't ship him as much as i thought i might. It was sweet how he just wanted to protect her but it felt like a good friendship on her side at least.
Now i was ready to rate this even higher then a 8.5 but the last episode threw me right off.
I mean WTF???!!!
If they wanted to to do this dream twist i wish they'd done it a bit earlier, it felt so jarring and shit to realise basically all of what happened didn't happen.
If they'd revealed it with maybe two or three episodes to spare we could've gotten more of a resolution. They played it off as a forgiveness and second chance lesson but we don't actually get much of the reality.
The romance too, we could've gotten more of a satisfying ending, especially since the end means near all of their interactions were in a dream and not real.
It just felt like a real let down. After a great drama it ends like that? "It was all a dream" wow
Really mixed up about this now but i still enjoyed the most of it.
Just wish they'd given more time in reality if they were going to basically invalidate the majority of the drama.

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Ongoing 28/30
Lizzie Peng
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 1, 2023
28 of 30 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.5

The anti-hero female lead who we all love

It is a story about the stereotypical evil second female lead whose life is ruined but is given a second chance to redeem herself or more like save her family. Her second life revolves three male leads. However, there is also a big plot twist which I’m not gonna spoil as it’s the most important part of the story.

Our female lead, Hua Qian, is definitely the best part of this drama. She’s become smart, strong, cool, calm and badass due to the pain she suffered in her first life. She’s not the crybaby female lead who needs a prince in shining amour to save her. As her second journey goes, we can’t help but guess which of the three main leads is in her heart.

Zhong Xi Wu who’s in this life falls in love with her due to her changed personality (in previous life he fell for Mu Yao, the 2nd females lead there are more story to this but I won’t spoil). He’s the lord with controlling personality and willing to protecting female lead at all cost especially without her consent sometimes but he’s sincere and willing to look pass everything. Wheareas, Zhong Ye Lan, who she stole from Mu Yao, is now married with her. He is quite a coward and it’s hard to say whether he loves our female lead or not; however, he actually did something right for her near the end. Hua Rong Zhou is our female lead’s guard who has been loving her since he first saw her. He’s quite stubborn, cross the line sometimes but is willing to sacrifice his life for her. Each male leads have huge flaws which I cannot ship her with anyone.

The bond between female lead and her family is also worth mentioning. All of them started as the selfish family to sacrifice her lives for each other. Made me cry a lot.

All the actors and actresses did a fantastic job there. But I have to applaud Zhou Ye specifically. This drama really shows her range of acting and I was really impressed by her. And I love Ai Mi, she’s great as always. I’m glad to see the sly character of Li Yun Rui again.

I love the closing song 来(Come) by 陆虎(Lu Hu). It made me imagine and look forward the happy life that our Hua Qian deserves after those hardships at the end of every episodes.

I will definitely watch an again for the details that I miss during the early episodes. The twist was foreshadow in many episodes and in the title too. Whiling watching this. all I want is our female lead to be happy and I’m sure you’ll too as she suffers so much.

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Ongoing 14/30
MatildediShabran
3 people found this review helpful
Oct 16, 2023
14 of 30 episodes seen
Ongoing 7
Overall 7.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 6.5
Rewatch Value 1.5

Plain Piece of Toast

Life do-over very similar to "Till the End of the Moon", minus the crazy magical element. This is a very plain piece of toast drama.

The ML.... who is the SML up till now (ep. 9), is wonderful, as he always is. Actually, all the actors are well-cast in this. No weak players here. But there is no plot to be found yet.... at ep. 9... and that's pretty late to be looking for a plot. This could have easily been a really good "slice of life" drama.... except.... it wants to become a melodrama, which would give it some flavour, but I personally don't like melodrama. It kind of wanted to be another "A Dream of Splendor" drama, but fails in the story department.

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Completed
mayalev
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 22, 2023
30 of 30 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 10

Awesome FL - Meaningful Reverse Harem - Great Character Arcs - Morals and Values exploration

Of all the shows that had the reverse harem tags that I have watched, this was the first time watching a meaningful character arc and chemistry between the FL and various ML for me. It wasn't forced, each of them had a role to plan and each of them contributed to the FL's character growth. This show had a good exploration of right and wrong, and how humans tend to be both good and evil. You rarely see a show where the characterization is not polarized. Nobody is perfect (not even the ML) and nobody is without a flaw.

I personally loved the ending - thought it was both fitting and sweet. (2nd ML felt always a little too good to be true, so maybe that signalled my brain to not expect too much.)

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Completed
iminjin
0 people found this review helpful
2 days ago
30 of 30 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.5
This review may contain spoilers

A treasure in c-dramaland - Beautiful Heartbreaking Full of Life Lessons Story

Oh where to begin.

The FL wakes up to redo her mistakes only to learn you cant turn back time. Its heartbreaking but beautiful story. The romance is on another level with FL bent on undoing what can't be undone. And the ML was the epitome of a rich boy who was selfish and embroiled in his own love. And when he realizes his folly, the pride doesn't leave him. What a perfect characterization. I simply loved the ML character.

A part of me wished the drama had ended where Xiwu leaves the food Hua Qian makes for him. Alas the reality kicks in.


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Completed
Sia K. R.
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 12, 2023
30 of 30 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Timeless masterpiece

I seriously loved this.
I'm usually prone to scene skipping if I find a drama predictable or boring, but this drama OMG! I loved every bit of it! I was completely hooked.
I LOVED the "old" drama vibes I got from it so much. Adored how the director paid attention to the little details (like the makeup and the girl's painted nails). I really liked the filters that were used that made it look like a 2015 historical drama, seriously it was really suitable and I honestly really liked it.
The Fl's makeup should have a whole fandom on its own. It was simply magnificent. It looked soft, feminine and I really appreciate how it could easily be straight out of a reimagined period painting.
I personally really liked the plot and the ending. I consider it to be very fitting and the whole ordeal seems very poetic to me
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To me HRZ existed bc of the Fl's need to have someone whom she can completely trust, someone who will always do what she wants and who won't threaten her comfort zone, who'll never make her challenge herself and face her fears. So she created him in her head bc with him she can run away from everything she's really scared of, which is sincerely loving someone else , bc then she'll feel vulnerable as he'll be able to hurt her ( e.g. by betraying her or something). At the end she chose the real world and so she chose to bravely face evey challenge, which to me is the ultimate character development and I applaud it.
The cast's chemistry was amazing. Especially between the Fl and the ml. At numerous scenes I wanted to shout JUST KISS ALREADY. Just my personal opinion here but a kiss would make certain scenes shine even more. In many scenes you could literally see the poor ml fight for his life so as not to kiss her. Would love to see them in another drama together.
The chemistry between Fl and HRZ was really great as well. You could feel how comfortable she was around him. I kinda shipped them together but I prefer the FL-ML pairing more. I would love to see them in another drama together as well.

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Completed
boink
0 people found this review helpful
Apr 3, 2024
30 of 30 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

jaw dropped

It’s 6am I’m so sleep deprived cause of binging this drama, i was HOOKED the way I didn’t expect much when starting it due to the plain looking poster but look what i got myself into, I won’t go into the plot summary cause you can quite literally see it everywhere but I love it! I’ve never seen anything like this actually where one tries to change their past but it ends up being a dream that’s the most logical way but didn’t expect that in dramas. The hints with the fragrances instantly made me realise what the plot twist was but when it happened i was still shocked their acting just makes me feel everything. A lot of tissues were used when watching this but everything added up so perfectly. Although I’m still quite bittersweet about the romance between the ML and FL but it makes sense this easily became one of my favourites, one of the only dramas I’d actually rewatch. All the characters portrayed their characters so well there wasn’t a single flaw in my eyes, I absolutely adored the family moments and bawled my eyes out when it was all shattered ? definitely recommend it, Zhou ye showed it all here.

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Completed
achil
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 2, 2023
30 of 30 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers

scent of time is the most exciting yet calming drama of this year

Hua Qian, who is a spoiled brat get a second chance. to do everything she did wrong in the past that led to her and her family’s demise. therefore she changes her ways and starts anew, making good friends and relationships with the people she originally cast aside .
I truly enjoyed her character and how she changed completely to a good loving human. It was touching to see her growth. personally I feel Zhang Xiwu was the one for her from the beginning and I don’t see why they couldn’t just be together.
The ending a little frustrating but befitting in a way. I would’ve love to see them together atleast for a few minutes. However, atleast she left her dream so I guess that was an acceptable ending.
Zhang Xiwu was probably the best character in the show then second is Hua Qian. The fact that he loved despite her immaturity and cruelty was just astounding. I hope they’re story is beautiful even out of viewers eyes?
overall this is a touching drama with all the right elements needed to make you satisfied with the entire show

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Completed
vief
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 14, 2023
30 of 30 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

Is in my top 4 of best drama's in 2023..

Let me start with a big compliment for the cast of this drama!! Almost everything was perfect.
I didn’t think I would love this so much but starting with episode 1 I was already hooked to this drama. Made some long nights ?
Zhou Ye, I liked her acting here much so more than Back from the brink, my heart and emotions went sometimes all over the place, you could feel the hurt and the disappointments. the last episode, omg, her acting, that was really amazing and I have rewatched that part, a few times. Hope to see many more drama’s of her.

Wang Xing Yue, this guy can act, the first time i saw him in a drama it was the one and only. And I was already amazed by his acting, and he is still so young (21 years). In this drama, he didn’t disappoint me, he was even much better than expected. the parts that he let her know how he feels about her and the rejections, the jealous scenes. I will definitely keep track of him with the coming dramas.
I liked the chemistry between the leads, every scene they had to together was a gift to watch them…

Zhang Yi Jie, never seen him in one the drama’s that I have watched before. But I liked his acting in this drama and will check his other ones.

The story, I liked.... the end?? If it would have had 10 extra minutes, I think that the end would have been perfect… it is not a sad ending, but it would have been nice, if you could have seen her face at the end when she said his name…
Will rewatch this for sure! I highly recommend.

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Scent of Time (2023) poster

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  • Score: 8.3 (scored by 3,679 users)
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