Campus Ace (2022)

Thankfully short

Cute but packed full of typical C-drama tropes/clichés. I really don’t know why the Chinese viewing audience wants to see the same ole plot (and tropes/clichés) over and over again. Isn't there anything else that's romantic other than accidental kisses and slipping females who need to be caught? Come on – FL has TWO rich guys (heirs, of course) pursuing her? What makes her so special as to attract two rich guys? (oh, oh, now I sound like a female love rival!) And how many average girls attend college and run into two heirs? It’s amazing how these dramas insult capitalism over and over but yet ML is almost always from a rich family, and mom/dad always wants their prospective son in law to be successful, i.e. wealthy. And can I just say I’m sick and tired of all this feminine bullying? Just because ML likes FL, the bitchy love rival and her minions have to harass and torment FL…like that’s going to change his mind about who he likes? You’re in college – it’s time to grow up. What’s worse is that the teacher (supposedly the adult) just let’s this kind of behavior slide or believes what the crazy love rival and her minions claim. So, ML has to come to the rescue when the adults in the college ought to crack down on this kind of behavior in their classrooms. And in this case, the perpetrators receive no punishment for their acts (destroying everyone’s project). They show crocodile tears and teacher says ‘ok, there's nothing more to see'. I'm not going to bother watching the rest even though it's short because I can probably guess what the other 16 episodes contain - nothing new, just more tropes/clichés and love rival bullying that goes unpunished. I'm sure at some point the love rival bitch will say to ML - 'I've loved you forever (translation: so I deserve your love because I'm like dog poop stuck to your shoe - you'll never get rid of me. And never mind that I'm a spoiled brat and have the personality of a viper- force yourself to love me, damn it!). Why her and not me? I'm so much better than her (translation: my ego is to the point of being delusional, and I ought to be in a straight jacket but this drama needs, well, drama, so I'm free to torment both you and your love interest until I suddenly come to my senses and then, hey, we're all good, right?)' Been there, done that, I'm not interested in listening to it again...and again...and again. Oh, and another thing that's typical - the costuming of the females. FL designs and wears some really ugly outfits. Can't believe that thing she designs and dresses ML in at the end actually won 1st place! Honestly, he looked like a male figure skater getting ready to compete in that get-up and the tennis shoes really finished the look {eye roll}. And let's not forget the perquisite control freak rich parent that refuses to accept ML's choice because they've got his partner already picked out - the bitchy love rival, of course. Yep, this drama has that too. At least, ML tells Mom to shove it and continues living as a pauper rather than give into his parent's plans for his life. If you can stand all these tropes/drama devices/clichés, it's one of the better template romances - probably because it's thankfully short.

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Short and sweet

I liked this drama more than I expected to. The premise of the story is a little nonsensical as you cannot be denied a job based on a disability (where I live at least). Thankfully the drama shifts focus a few times and that kept it fresh and enjoyable to watch. I liked how resourceful and outspoken the female lead was. The friend group was supportive of one another, and it felt really good watching them overcome obstacles together. Other than that, the story is pretty standard and formulaic (not necessarily a bad thing if that's what you're looking for). The production value was quite good which surprised me. The actors all seem new to the drama world, but I think they did a good job! I can't say much about the music as I watched on Youtube and most of it was edited out. If you're bored and want to watch a feel-good drama or want something to play in the background, this is a good choice.

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