✅ COMPLETED SHOWS IN 2022

2-1

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OST

Closing theme Xian Zi "Light" 光 

Ayanga "A Big Dream" 大梦一场

1-29 to 1-31 (3 days)

Wallace Chung as the adult He Yi Cheng is sexy and the first kisses are on-fire, but bruh, the romance is exhausting. There is lack if not no communication from both parties. It seems the story is prolonged, milking on misunderstanding or no understanding. Not sure why they made Tiffany Tang as Zhao Mo Sheng wearing that horrible wig if her younger's character version had a long hair and later she has long hair. Most of the time her older one doesn't depict as someone with a 'sunny disposition' and 'always positive'. I'm rooting more of the younger couple who played by two different actors Luo Yun Xi as young He Yi Cheng and Janice Wu as young Zhao Mo Sheng, considering they reunited in Light Chaser Rescue. Even the second couple becomes more endearing.

This drama is an adaptation from Gu Man novel, whose other novels have been adapted into popular Cdramas like Boss & Me (2014), Love O2O (2016), and You Are My Glory (2021). So far, it's not impressive.

OST full album

Note: recap cyn-lynn

1-28

STORY. Nothing original, don't expect like Indiana Jones with full fledge action and thrill. A lot of auction scenes. If you like Chinese history is fun to see, the antique item they're looking for is a Buddha head from Empress Wu Ze Tian's era. Adapted from mystery novel written by Ma Bo Yong.

ACTING. Lei Jia Yin as the lazy but talented antique expert is amazing. Li Xian acting is so-so, but his kinda antagonistic role against the main protagonist is funny.

PRODUCTION. Movie level, better than drama production. A lot of beautiful antique items to see and learn about.

VISUAL. Amazing cinematography, especially the flashback scenes in the past, in black-white so stunning

OST

Liu Yu Ning "Read" Nian (念) in ending credit.

1-28

This is part 2 of the Dekinai Futari and the ML's side of story. See the plot at the description of Part 1. Although I don't understand why they made in two specials, instead of one special of 2 episodes, I like how they explain the story from both ML and FL perspectives. For example in Part 1, it seems ML gives her difficult times at work that cause them to fight, but that are not the case. 

At the time I watched this part, it's not subbed. However, I already know the story by watched Part 1 that is subbed. If Part 2 is subbed too, probably I will give 0.5 more rating.

1-28

This is part 1 of the Dekinai Futari and the FL's side of story. Nao (Yamamoto Maika) and Takahito (Itagaki Mizuki) were high school friends turn lovers in the past. When they had sex at the first time, incidentally they hurt each other with their words and broke up at the spot. Several years later they meet again, working at the same place in the same sales department. They unresolved anger make them fight at work in every turn. Later they're assigned a big project that made them have to work together. The end of the story, they resolves the 7 years issue. 

The actors have a good chemistry and they look good together. I don't really like their office fights, because it's childish. I wonder if the manga creator doesn't know how workers have to be professional at the office setting?

1-26 to 1-28 (3 days)

This is a unique drama of a friendship between a ghost and a human. Arnon (Ter), the ghost, tries to reach his wife Nong (Prang) and daughter Tangmo because of an unfinished business. He meets Mu (Diana Flipo) who can see him. Mu herself has a relationship issue with her boyfriend, Khet (Pariit), in which Arnon tries to help. Their friendship is hilarious and heartwarming, and I couldn't help shedding tears in the end when Arnon has to say goodbye to Mu, since his business in the earth is done.

Not liking the usual tropes common in lakorn: disapproving parent, crazy woman trying to get the guy, etc. Without the tropes, the unique ghost-human relationship and other ghostly stories are interesting enough. Without those tropes I would've give higher than 8.0

OST full album

1-25

STORY. Original story line/unique topic, it has a good premise unfortunately the execution is so-so.

ACTING. The FL (played by Erica Chan) is cute. ML (played by Hubert Wu) is not good looking but perfect for his role as an unfortunate guy. Some stiffness in acting and facial expression. The chemistry is okay.

PRODUCTION. It's okay. It seems a low budget drama. The sub is horrible. A lot of monologue/dialogue subbed but not proper timing so mostly we don't understand what they're saying.

VISUAL. Bad CGI for the afterlife world. The setting of Hong Kong and its life style is nice to see for me who don't watch HK dramas.

OST

Vivian Koo "I Want to be with You"

1-21 to 1-24 (4 days)

STORY. Witty dialogue and unique characterization written by Wang Juan. The political part/power part is a bit draggy. No need to be a romance, or even slight romance, the adventure story of ML should be enough.

ACTING. Great acting by Zhang Ruo Yun, as the ML Xu Feng Nian, and his father Hu Jun, as thXu Xiao. XFN goes to a great length of character growth of ML. Some supporting characters, although played well by veteran actors, are unnecessary.

PRODUCTION. Top notch but for the fighting actions, the slo-mo is a bit too much, it seems trying to escape the real quick wuxia movements and chose the safe way to keep the actors intact.

VISUAL. Great cinematography.

OST.

Full album

Zhang Ruo Yun sang "Walking in the Snow"

Note: recap cyn-lynn

1-17 to 1-20 (4 days)

Unless I'm a fan of Xiao Zhan, I would never watched war/military and Chinese propaganda drama. Therefore, I could finish this drama solely for him. This was filmed during the AO3 incident. He really did a marvelous job with his acting as Gu Yi Ye, full of emotions thru his eyes and facial expressions. Having watched him in every drama, I think this is his best performance so far.

Regarding the drama itself, the story is great if you like war/military, but it's not my cup of tea. I also dislike the ML and FL, doesn't care about SFL (the supporting character whom Gu Yi Ye (Xiao Zhan's character) marries. I wish he marries his childhood friend (not spoiler!). The friendship/brotherhood/comraderies between the soldiers are amazing and the war setting/cinematography is good. 

OST

Full album Playlist

Duet Xiao Zhan and Tan Wei Wei "We Were Once Together"

1-16

This is a cute romcom movie, I watched it to prep myself with the upcoming A Tale of Ylang Ylang. Both this movie and the upcoming drama have the same main couple played by Baifern and Nine. The story is okay but a bit drag, following the romance of the couple from being besties in high school until married. It's told as flashbacks. The outstanding part is the film settings of different Asian countries where the leads go. Also feature singers from different countries.

1-16

Very touching short film. The acting of Wang Sen and Zhang Zhe Han as brothers are superb!

subbed by ZZHellyfish.

1-16

3 part short film: one on a martial art actor and his director, two on olympic speed skaters with their trainer, and three on astronauts. I watched it because of Xiao Zhan (the olympic speed skaters) but ended up liking the first one, behind-the-scene of film making. Xiao Zhan learned skating is so cute, though!

Part of Xiao Zhan subbed in English in Twitter.

1-16

A special edition with interview with director O Patha Thongpan and the five main actors Tu, Bright, Dew, Win, and Nani; the making of, and behind-the-scene. Good to watch before the drama to understand the pressure and the anticipation of them making and acting in this popular remake; also understand how the story should differ than other versions and the characters.

1-12 to 1-15 (4 days)

STORY. Starts nicely with FL's survival tricks before and starts at school. Draggy later in political part.

ACTING. It's like fans service. Lots of eye candies, stars who are popular now but newcomers way back then. Jing Tian is adorable.

PRODUCTION. Nothing stands out.

VISUAL. Pretty clothes. Too much makeup.

OST. 

Zhang Zhe Han "A Glimpse of You"

1-11

STORY. Expecting a griping scifi, but boring. No depth.

ACTING. Watch it for Yamazaki Kento and Kiyohara Kaya, but ended up liking the cat.

PRODUCTION. Nothing stands out.

VISUAL. Nothing stands out.

OST. Nothing stands out.

1-11

STORY. Dark romance. Twisted. Unexpected. Sad. Don't like the ending (hence my low rating)

ACTING. Amazing acting of Ou Hao, Chen Du Ling, Ma Si Chun, and Yang Yang. Yang Yang looks so young there!

PRODUCTION. Great directing. This movie won several awards in 2015 and 2016.

VISUAL. Nothing stands out.

OST. 

Zhao Wei "Left Ear"

Ou Hao, Yang Yang, and Hu Xia "Feel Free to Fly"

1-9 to 1-11 (2.5 days)

Read review.

OST: 

Opening theme: Bowkylion "Night Love" 

Ending theme: Tono and the Dust "On a Thread"

Insert: Tono and the Dust "Beast"

1-6 to 1-8 (3 days)

STORY. Dedicated to Beijing Winter Olympics, this drama is heavy on the attempt to promote winter sports, mainly speed skating and figure skating to Chinese young adults, so more content in sport than romance. A bit draggy if you're looking for more romance, and if you're not interested in sports drama but looking for motivational story, probably school or work drama is a better choice. I prefer Skate Into Love (2020) that also on winter sport, but more in-depth on main lead's characterization and their story.

ACTING. Great acting and chemistry of Song Zu Er and Wang An Yu pairing. Their characters are such goofballs.

PRODUCTION. Dynamic works of Directors Sha Wei Qi for his funny and witty romcom/youth dramas, and Li Cai for his beautifully correograph historical dramas.  

VISUAL. Great cinematography as if the actors actually skate, not doubles.

OST. full album

Note: recap globalgranary and cyn lynn.

1-4 to 1-5 (2 days)

STORY. Nothing new as it's a remake of the original Taiwanese drama Fated to Love You. The best adaptation (personal opinion).

ACTING. Good chemistry between Bie and Esther.

PRODUCTION. Nothing stands out.

VISUAL. Nothing stands out.

OST. Bie sang mostly the OST, but particularly loved "Smile" that was sung in English. His English is very good!

11-9-21, 1-3-22 (≈ 2 days)

Read CW article.

Links to OST.

Favorite OST: "Last Second" (最後一秒鐘) by 九澤CP

Note: Love the ending!

1-2

STORY. A heart-warming holiday movie, a type of Hallmark holiday movie. Each character has his/her own life problem which escalates during the movie. Each sub story ends well.

ACTING. Star-studded, each with great acting skill.

PRODUCTION. Superb editing intertwines each sub story.

VISUAL. Great cinematography of holiday/winter background in Seoul.

OST. Can't find any on YouTube.

Note: Watch the ending credit for additional closure.

1-1 to 1-2 (2 days)

Read review.

Listen to full album.

Memorable scenes: 

• Xie Bin Bin with dimples
• Li Ze Nan gives cotton candy to distressed Ye Zuan
• director Sha Wei Qi as fake director (Ep 11)
• marriage proposal prank