Probably one of the best 2021 drama...

Si Teng (Rattan) combines good story-telling, wonderful acting especially from Jing Tian, and great guidance from the director to produce a story of fantasy and sci-fiction.

The story tells of Si Teng, a monster that grew from a rattan (Teng) plant into a little girl, trained to hunt and kill other monsters. She wanted to have human life like other kids, her master wouldn't allow this as monsters and humans cannot mix. Without giving away the story too much, she escaped from her prison existence but was murdered, by whom? However, she was resurrected by the blood of Qin Fang, a fashion designer, who agreed to be her servant (who wouldn't.. :-) ). As they set out to find what happened and Si Teng's history. Through the trials and difficulties, they fell in love. But love is a fragile thing... Let the story begin.

What I like:
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The beauty of the drama is the scene that is stunning. I heard the director traveled to remote places of Yunnan to film the scenes. The other beauty is Si Teng, she really has this otherworld beauty in this drama - beautiful, cold and elegant played perfectly by Jing Tian. In this drama, Jing Tian proves that she isn't just a pretty face as everyone titled her with. Her acting is spot on; from the elegant way she moves to the little facial expressions to the subtleness of her demeanor, she nailed it especially when she had to play duel roles of Si Teng and Bai Ying. One of my favorite scenes is when Si Teng splits into two different people and Jing Tian this scene using just mirrors and changes in facial expressions. Blew me away.

For me, Jing Tian made this drama work under some great guidance from the director, Li Mu Ge. Jing Tian shows the wonderful and beautiful actress she really is; playing a dual role of Si Teng and Bai Ying, she demonstrates her ability to get into the inner thoughts of the characters, distinguish the character through facial expressions that cross from the cold and unfeeling queen to a child-like nature.

I also think that the director, Li Mu Ge did a brilliant job. Some of "behind the scene" videos show how detailed and careful he is. He knew exactly what he wanted and how to get it out of the actors. He even did Jing Tian's makeup for a scene because he didn't think the makeup artist got it right. He combined good old fashion storytelling with filming, not just relying on CGI which many of the new directors tend to lend towards.

Overall I would give this drama a watch. I think I must have rewatched this show several times now. Still as good as the first time.

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Light fast-moving action making this very enjoyable movie

This is the second installment from the Demon-Subduing Division series, fitting nicely into the Chinese Fantasy genre. Though it is part of a mini-series setup, it can be watched as a standalone movie, but watching the first movie may help to clarify some of the finer points of the movie.
This is one of those movies you watched for enjoyment value; it is fast-moving combined with CGI, humour, and a good storyline, making it quite enjoyable to sit back with popcorn and your favourite drink. It is helped along with good acting from all the cast, which has pretty good on-screen chemistry.
The CGIs in this movie are okay, I have seen movies with worse CGI, though it is not easy to conjure up monsters and magic barriers from thin air, so it works for me. Thankfully the CGI is not overused in this movie, making it a good supporting role unlike some of the other movies in this genre.
Overall definitely worth a watch, especially if you are a fan of the Chinese Fantasy genre.

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Resetting this drama again and again...

Have you ever woken up and thought; yesterday was great, wish I can have that all over again. But what if you are caught in a day loop where you die in the bus explosion? Only to wake up on the same day and have it happen all over again and again. So, it is for a young college student, Li Shi Qing. What happened? Can she break out of the repetitive cycle?
After hearing so much about this drama, I finally managed to watch it though admittedly a tad late. It is relatively short for a C-Drama, only 15 episodes which I felt it is the right pacing for this drama. They did away with any gap fillers or any attempt to drag the show longer for the sake of it. It was straight to the point.
It is easy to think this is another "Groundhog Day" drama but it is so much better. There is a slight bit of comedy and attraction but it delivers a great drama that had me guessing, what I would try next if I was in her shoes.
The drama also manages to avoid taking this drama down the scientific route, but the drama stays true to its course - suspense/thriller. It focuses on the human element, the confusion, the panic, and the different twist. It opened up the background of each person on the bus - to at times heart-warming and other times, tear-jerking moments. All the while producing a wonderful journey that is worth the ride.
The drama was different worth the hype. The lead actress Zhao Jin Mai is gorgeous and brilliant and the chemistry she shares with Bai Jing Ting is great as their relationship evolves throughout the drama. The other cast members are also excellent, notably Liu Yi Jun who plays Zhang Cheng.
The scores of the C-Dramas can be interesting, it can do or kill a show, especially when it is out of the era of the show – such as using English songs for costume drama. But the music for this drama is good, setting the right tempo.
Overall, really enjoyed this drama, I did it in one sitting over a couple of days. It was so good that it keep me glued to the sofa with the exception of the occasional toilet break and opening the door for Uber.

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A hidden gem

Three Lady Bosses, three kids, and one nanny man - what can possibly go wrong?
The story starts somewhat sombrely. Fang Yuan, a divorcee, heads to Shanghai to look for his ex-brother-in-law in the hope to locate his ex-wife who took their daughter away 2 years ago. On the way, he witnesses a car accident and rescues the lady but, in the process, loses all his belonging in the explosion.

Now in the big city without any belongings, how is he going to survive? What skills does he have after being out of the workforce for 5 years to be a house husband? Nanny Man is born; a father for rental. A kind and hard-working man, but do good guys always finish last? You need to watch this drama to find out.

I have to admit I loved this drama. There aren’t the crazy fighting action scenes or the suspense, which I normally loved. Or the boring, love story that seemingly drags on forever. It is a good old story of a man struggling to find his way, a way to reach his daughter who lives on the other side of the world. This will make you laugh, cry, laugh, and cry again but all the while brings warmth to your heart. I was rooting for all three ladies to get the guy (but admittedly, two more over the other).

The casting in this drama is spot on, which actors and actresses bringing the unique characters each role requires. I loved each of the characters but really dislike one of the characters, just gets on my nerves. I won’t say each one, you are free to guess it. The acting is spot on as well as the pace of the drama. The OST is the only okay bit of this drama. The OST isn’t great, the theme and ending songs are alright but there is a nice mix blended through the drama.

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One of the best ancient drama

Can Zhao Liying do anything wrong? The queen of C-Drama is brilliant in this drama as well as Lin Gengxin as ML. The acting is top-notch with the likes of Li Qin and Shawn Dou together with Zhao Liying and Lin Gengxin.

The story follows a slave girl as she developed, catching the eyes of some of the most powerful men in the country. Zhao Liying, whose determination and perseverance in character shine, makes this drama worth watching. The story has the twist and turns in places you don't expect and at times it is infuriating with the decisions they make but it fits their character. The dynamics and relationships between the three main characters are complex, to say the least, but it is one of the main drivers of the drama. The relationship of each character throughout the series is something of interest.

The OST is good, fitting the scenes, and building the atmosphere of each scene. The production is equally as wonderful.

This series is definitely worth watching - the story, character, OST, and acting all come together well in this production.

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Slow to start but it will draw you into world of Republic China beautifully...

Set in the beautiful background of the Republic period of China, comes this drama of drama, power, and love. An old formula but one that has carried many dramas and it works well here as well.

Admittedly I wanted to watch this drama because of Jing Tian, a bit different from her role in Si Teng but still, the beautiful, intelligent, and strong-will female character. I have read that some people were disappointed watching this, comparing it to Si Teng. But for me, each role has its own merit. And I think she is brilliant as Feng Shi Zhen here. Her beauty and intelligence shine, and one of her biggest acting assess – her facial expressions are one the mark again here. Those little looks, stares, and mischievous smiles really express her thoughts brilliantly as they did in Si Teng.

Timmy Xu is also well cast here as the handsome and proud young man coming of age, Rong Jia Shang who is being lured along by Feng Shi Zhen. The chemistry between the two leads is worth watching. As the emotions developed between the two “Romeo and Juliet” lovers, the leads carried the transition from tutor/student to lovers well. Each of the support cast members is well placed in the drama, helping to carry the storyline along nicely. There aren’t too many flashbacks that plague many of the C-dramas and the story flows fairly quickly, especially when you realize that the novel is a fairly long novel, squeezed into the 40 episodes.

The direction and editing of the drama are fairly good though it is a bit choppy. There are scenes that contain errors and the transition between scenes isn’t smooth. Or maybe I am paying too close attention to each scene because of Jing Tian. Haha.. Don’t get me wrong, the editing and music are good in this drama.

There are parts of the storyline which are a bit confusing and not a clear explanation is provided. It takes a little thinking to work out what is going on. It was only after I read the novel that I understood why certain things happen the way they did. There are obvious differences between the novel and TV drama, as the novel is containing more abusive behaviour as well as more sexual content. Some elements in the novel have been shuffled around in the drama a bit, but overall, it still makes great viewing.

In saying all this, the drama is worth watching. The storyline is good though, it is an old formula and the depth of the story isn’t as good as other ones I have seen. The chemistry between the leads and support cast is great, the interaction natural and in the right frame. And there are scenes that would just take your breath away.

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A light romantic drama with comedy spread over it.

This drama left me in two minds. I really don’t know how to score it. It started wonderfully. The storyline is an interesting one, unique in that sense. The acting was good but it felt like the characters didn’t really develop until the last 10 episodes or so. But at that time, it felt like the producers were trying to milk and drag the drama out. There was a fair bit of “filled in” moments where the focus was on things totally not important to the storyline. The OST, I felt, was okay but there were times the music didn’t add much to the production, especially the English song. The lyric just didn’t match the mood. Though loved the song from Jade Cheng.
In saying all that, Jade Cheng was great. Love her performance; entertaining to watch. The relationship between Ji Xiao and Bing and Estelle Chen’s characters was gorgeous and humorous to watch as it bloomed. Xuan Lu is divine to watch, she seriously steals the scene every time she appears. I have said it before and will say it again, she is an underrated actress; that smile and the cheeky looks are priceless.
The last scene pulled all the emotional strings. If you didn’t feel anything after watching it, please check if you still have a pulse. Love it.
Overall, it was too bad, especially for some light entertainment watching.

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The mystery and action is why the Tomb raider series is so popular

This is an older movie, but it is one that is worth a watch for the day you don't need to think too much. Mystery combined with action and a bit of comedy is always a winning formula in my eyes.
The story follows 2 teams of tomb raiders as they complete to find the tomb and treasure.
The acting in this movie is good, I like it. It is nice to see Jiang Meng Xuan in a non-costume, fantasy show, but I think she is great, to be honest after seeing her in several movies now. Hopefully, she will continue to grow in the future.
There isn't much of an OST to this production but the story is light and quick to catch on.

Definitely a movie for one of those light, relaxing evening and popcorn.

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Sometimes life is hard but it is easier with friends...

I really like this movie. The 5 main characters are the ladies and how their lives intertwined – their lives, loves, and future. You may be called it a “chick flick” but it is a heart-warming story of the power of friendship and the determination to succeed. Wang Luo Dan is great in this role as with the rest of the ladies cast. It feels like the male characters are the supporting cast in the movie, but they definitely play their part to the "T".

The movie is warm and touching, as you see the determination of the ladies to push difficulties and find their place in this world. The growth of each character as they push through the mistakes, and confront the challenges to find their happiness. Definitely, a movie that is worth watching.

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Beautiful, light romantic drama

Many reviews seem to say the same, this is a glorious drama - light, funny, romantic drama with a tintish of action.
The acting in this by the leads and supporting cast was excellent. Yuan Bing Yan's character is very well played, a spoiled and strong-willed princess who is just determined to get the man she wants. I am a fan of Yuan Bing Yan, she has played in a wide range of character roles and she just seems to excel in them. The supporting cast here isn't just sideline, they deliver some great little moments in the show and will get you giggling.
The storyline isn't overly complicated but it is enough to keep the story flowing. This isn't a very long drama in comparison to the other C-Dramas so it does move at a decent speed for those who do not like draggy C-Dramas.
Overall, I like this drama. You can sit down and watch this without over thinking and trying to work things out. Nice feel-good drama.

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Power struggle with twist

The star power in this drama was worth the hype, both Zhao Lusi and Yang Yang are great. The supporting cast in this drama is also really good, especially Xuan Lu, whom I think is underrated as an actress with the likes of "The Untamed" and several big dramas under her name.
The production is excellent as well and the storyline is good. But somehow, I didn't find myself totally immersed into this world. I am not sure why, maybe I need to give it another go but there was something that didn't feel right. Maybe it is some parts dragged and lingered for too long and other parts are rushed. Either way, I wasn't totally wrapped into this.
The acting is excellent and Zhao Lusi plays a character she does so well; the confident, determined and cheeky lady. Yang Yang is that dashing and handsome male lead who is just superior in every way. But in somehow, the character comes across as cold, even when it was a warm and touching scene.
My favorite character for me is Xuan Lu's Feng Qi Wu, who is played perfectly. Her character evolves in the drama but she never loses the core person of who she is - loyalty and intelligence.
The story is good with the normal twist and turns, but as the story developed, you sort of knew where it was going.
The overall production was excellent, as you expect with such a cast.
Overall this is still a good drama to watch. It will entertain and put a smile on your face as the story pops along.

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A light shines in Ever Night

It has taken me a while to get to this series and admittedly, it was Yuan Bing Yan that attracted me to the series.
The development and growth of both the ML and FL roles were well thought out. The chemistry between ML and FL is good. The transition from brotherly love to one of husband/wife is good though somehow I still feel that the marriage relationship between ML and Fl is still... mm a bit lacking.

The chemistry between ML and Yuan Bing Yan is spot on. YBY is well cast as the Book Manic. As is Zoey Meng as Dao Manic, both playing the role to point.

The story pops along fairly well but there are parts where the story drags along a bit too much and it bits too monogamous and draggy. But the final battle, I must say, was worth the FINAL BATTLE. The two pulled out every trick in their arsenal to get the up-hand.

The music is good and matches the storyline, with the occasional flashbacks, explaining the little gaps in the storyline.

Overall, it is worth watching. Definitely worth a rewatch.

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Modern romantic story with drones...

A modern romantic story using drones... Definitely a twist to the idea of a modern love story.

Good Things
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The main actors are on the spot. Bai Bai He is her normal brilliant actress. Her portrayal of the unfeeling Nan Qiao that has fallen for William Chen's Shi Yue, the little moment of cuties and innocence. Spot on. The supporting cast is also wonderful to watch. A lady to watch for is Wang Rou Shan (from An Ancient Detective), which is her first show I think.

The moments of humour in the show are well time. Adding moments of light-heartedness to the show.

The Storyline of the drama is good and bad. It is very simple which isn't a bad thing, and the actors are able to play pretty well. The formula is nothing new but the use of technology as the message channel of the relationship is different, making viewing different. Still, it is good viewing.

Things I don't Like
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My biggest gripe about this show is its constant use of flash-backs. It is not just once or twice but a lot, a lot of times. And the length of the flash-backs is long. Honestly, after a while, the flashbacks become boring and annoying as they felt like it is gap-filled.

Final Thoughts
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It is worth a watch. Interesting story with hidden twists, but the story of three-legged love and power struggles, firstly female lead then male lead.

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