Starts slow then awesome

I’ll edit this review once I complete the entire series. I just want to share something to those 📖reading📚 a review to decide if they’ll watch this or not.
Granted it starts pretty slow and doesn’t grab your attention right away but by episode 5 you’ll be anticipating the next episode.
The story is far fetch but artistically entertaining. Most cast were pretty good with their acting and convincing.
I’m on episode 8 and the attachment between the leads is just starting so don’t expect any amazing fireworks right away. Story is being told in a slow manner and I didn’t mind it on this series.
The period costumes used is also interesting.
So far, by episode 8, it’s showed clearly that attachment even not bonded by label, is blind of gender distinction.
I can’t wait to watch all episodes. By episode 8 it’s still not clear how the relationship will progress. It’s one of those drama series that’s unpredictable

Read More

Learned, endeared, and appreciated

This series isn't the type of series I would have queued to watched. I started watching this because of Zhao Lusi. It dragged for me in the beginning and i found it to be different from a typical series I have watched. Regardless of the story or theme, seies usually flowed showing relevant scenes. If once in a while I come across a "so-so" series, it'll have irrelevant scenes thats added as a filler & didnt make sense to be added...like it was a waste of time. This series has a lot of scenes like conversations within family, colleagues or friends that we can say not necessary but actually helped carry the series.
I found some comments here regarding romance in this series immature.
This series is not about romance. It is there but itll be slow and tho you know it is coming, it came towards the end - to me, it was placed perfectly.
It will be slow for viewers as they start watching it and you'll feel you are trying to hold on for something good but eventually you'll stick to it because you anticipate the next banter between husband and wife, talks between grandson and grandpa, naughty exchange of TouTou with her master, learning about Meng Mengs condition, techniques to help live, learn TCM, etc.
This series will guide viewers with open mind how to live better, and healthier. It is educational at the same time entertaining.
It is not a perfect series, but it is one that if you give it a chance, you will stay til the end.
The characters in this series evolved flawlessly and artists all did an exemplary job in each their roles. The casts meshed well with each other. Casting director deserved his paycheck for his work here.
Production was just awesome 👌 Location chosen were all 👏 that I cant help imagine the hardships production encountered.
Overall, it is a series I will highly recommend. Don't get impatient watching because by episode 10, you will pick up things you would try to help you live a better life even in a small way.

Read More

Harem Drama

*The time I am giving this review, the series is still ongoing so I might edit this after the series ends.*
Nothing typical with this series

This is a story of a lady who is carefree and vibrant, who has a doctor beau and then got entered by her mother in selection for a concubine for the Prince. Now, it is not typical young prince. He is an older prince with many adult sons who are mostly married and have numerous concubines.

The FL looks so much like the consort of this prince who died 30 years ago giving birth to the now heir and the selection is for a consort who looks like this dead consort for this aging prince.

This is where the drama starts that changed a carefree and vibrant lady into a woman trying to get out of a mess consistently.

There is not a lot of martial arts here, only one doing any is Huang You Ming who played the part of Lu Bei Yi (the doctor ex-beau of FL). Its very minimal martial arts.

As so the casts, I have seen ML Peter Ho in a lot of period series, and most times, he played a role of a carefree support character. I find his roles quite fitting for him. He seems to be a natural when it comes to those kind of roles. It closely resembles his role here but not to the full extent. I am actually confuse sometimes as to why his character was written to be a man who plays dumb but sometimes smart, and emotionally responds to certain situation in a way one would not expect or confusing. One sample is his son with his first wife being killed and he went berserk towards FL Lou Qing Lian but when his son with FL was miscarried at 8 months, he didnt investigate nor did he react anywhere like he did with 1st son (when this happens he was already in love with FL). When he found out his brother, the heir has something to do with it, he didn’t react towards his brother and was more focused that the 4th brother setting up this heir brother. Mind you, this heir brother did a lot of nasty things towards him. This made me confuse as to the way this chatacter was written. He even spent and risked a lot to keep this brother as the heir.

The rest of the story revolves around the harem, plots, tricks, friendship, enemies etc.

The rest of the characters and story is alright. It is interesting enough for me to keep watching. I love the first wife of ML. I think her character is the best in this series.



As to the artists playing the roles, I find nothing wrong with it. Most viewers are so used to seeing beautiful, young actors in a drama that when someone like Peter Ho plays the part, theres criticism bound to come up. I think he is a good actor and played his character well. Chemistry wise, its not exploding in chemistry but it is good enough.

The production part as in wardrobe and sets, all I have are positive words and compliments. One thing tho personally, I am not digging the FL's hairstyle by episode 15 (hehee its just my own taste). Don't expect grand palaces and sprawling mansions. But all the same, you can tell the sets in each scenes were done very creatively and efficiently.
One other odd thingbis the appearance of Madam De - the mother of ML who never appeared nor had a say before when FL was jnitially brought in the mansion then midway of the series was the hating on FL for lookingnlike thebold consort who she blames for the prince not visiting her anymore.

The background scene music is not that great for me. The credit music is alright but could have been better.

It is worth the watch I think. At least try 6 episodes and you can decide if it is for you.

Read More

Good Concept, Poor execution

I am not being fair for dropping this before watching the entire series so my review may not hold water.
my POV: if there is no distinction between human and AI, what made the protagonist accept this AI when he is a recluse and introvert? The set setting is not matching the concept. AI is supposed to be aiding emotionally but so far, what I have seen was the AI being a physical help. The AI doesn't seem to be set with boundaries and has overflowing emotions - more than the human. The concept hooked me but lost me when I didn't see the execution matching the idea. I might have a preconceived notion of an AI that is clouding my judgment, so I may not be being fair.

Read More

Refreshing Twist for a Historical Series

Bravo! This series conquered 2024 for Period/Comedy/Mystery/Fantasy drama series for me so far.
Ding Yu Xi truly can shed tears tears with no qualms. Feng Man, WA Er, Zhang Yi Cong carried the comedic part well. Ding Jia Wen, Zhou Qi, Wei Zhe Ming, Ren Min, ang He Feng Tian eloquently played their characters. The rest of support actors did their parts well contributing to an adorable fantasy, period drama.
Most period drama seems to include romance to hike up ratings so I get more enthusiastic with series that did well without it. I am biased to mystery, period and fantasy series so having them all minus romance made ecstatic.

My only disappointment is not adding VM Shengguan (Ren Min) back towards the end.

Entire production did well with the scene sets, wardrobes, and props. Fight choreographies were done and executed well.

I watched this in iQIYI as a paid subscriber.
I highly recommend this series.

Read More

Typical Teenage Japanese BL

Review:
Don't include story summaries as users have already read the plot summary.

{{$t('Write why you liked or disliked.')}}
Actors - fine looking young lads

Acting - can be improved

A bit quirky acting

Do not post major spoilers as you'll just ruin the show for the readers who are thinking about watching the show.

'Do not add spoilers to the headline!

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Read More

Emotion stirring gem.

This got my emotions all worked up.
Started comedic and fun but as the story unfolds, it tugged on my heart. There is already a lot of spoilers for the ending but I wouldn't dare because so many missed watching this gem due to the spoiled ending. However, the ending completed the story being told. It is of friendship, trust, and love. The struggle for the love that wasn't accepted during the period of time in this story and another love that is unrequited. This movie will make you dig up a lot of emotion you have tucked away. You will chuckle, giggle, be amazed, feel pity, feel dejected, feel sad, and realize that words that should be said shouldn't wait to be regretted. Love this movie. it is a hidden gem.

Read More

Balanced & a good watch

I stayed watching after 3 episodes because I got mystified by the story that is being introduced. The females artist chosen for the lead role felt like she didn't fit the role. She seem to act well but the character didn't fit her. The male lead seems to be alright, and did well playing the character.
The production was done well, props matching the scene, wardrobes very nicely chosen, and ambiance for most scenes reached the ambiance being portrayed in the story.
Thou the story is a typical revenge and avenge with romance riding along with it, I enjoyed how it was relayed in this series. it didn't feel typical and regular. I got fascinated with how they weaved in a little bit of fantasy in the story. Not too much, just enough to add flavor to it.
❗️This review is based on my personal taste, choices and thoughts for this series only❗️

Read More

Medium for societal awareness

I was initially lost watching this series, but rewatching it again incorporating the idea that it is from a society that still learning to openly understand and accept mental health issue gave me a better understanding.
Death provided a medium to see life in another aspect that is worth living. For a society who is still not culturally accepting of mental health, this show subtly brought up the struggles leading to high rate of depression and suicide.
These young artists played their character well enough to manipulate me, as a viewer to think this is a light, fun series but in reality, it addressed the dark side of life.
If only everyone who suffers from depression can have an awakening then a second chance like the protagonists in this story, there will be less suicide.

Read More

Time restriction playing dirty

The concept is great for this movie, plus the excellent artists in it could have made this an interesting watch but I think with this kind of concept, it should have been a mini series to be able to tell the story clearly. It started right in the core and went on halfway without me understanding how the system works for these family. Then there is a character that until the end, I wasn't sure who he was until after reading some articles online about this movie. Even then, am still not sure because it didn't make sense to me still. (talking about the guy appearing beside Bai Li supposedly her dead husband but how come during the emergency computer problem, woosik and that girl called out to him for help?) Maybe someone can enlighten me.
I plan to watch again hoping I will catch parts I missed that might explain this movie better.

Read More

Well choreographed fight scenes

In some scenes, I felt like I was watching through the eyes of the charcoal 😁 you have to watch to understand what I mean.

If not for the story, stay to watch the fight scenes that were excellently choreographed. The very end scene with the sword pointed at Prince Qi's neck was awesome.

The story is good too. It has a nice ending and it didn't disappoint. Production's hard work is evident in this movie from scene sets, props, lighting, and wardrobes. Everything were done well to help tell a vivid story.

One beautiful scene was the dancer performing beautifully during a siege and not stopping complete with a smile kn her face.

The synopsis made it sound simple and boring but it is far from it.

I recommend for costume and period viewers.

Read More

Gory, bloody, no character evolution

I am not a fan of gory films but I gave this a watch hoping it has a good story that can balance out the gory scenes.
What's common in this movie is "no explanation" leaving viewers questioning why:
●C. Ping is the way he is
●100 coins no more no less to kill
●the science project on the women
●What's with the flag marker
●Relevance of the cockfight
●And so many, many more

Production such as scene set, costume and props were aptly mastered here.

Acting was convincing.
Characters written are chaotic.

I can't recommend this movie unless you love gore movies that makes no sense.

Read More

Amazingly Entertaining

I regret ignoring all seasons and series of Ossan's Love. I have never laughed this much watching a series. Episode 5 hot spring scenes was the most hilarious of all for me.
Some viewers will find some characters irritating. However, I find the writer a genius for meshing a hotpodge of characters together and making them work harmoniously, producing a very entertaining series. This has a little bit of everything and nothing excessive except for Chief's screaming and Haruta's reactions but I think they were necessary to complete the comedic aspect of the series.
I truly hope they do another sequel.

I enjoyed all Ossan's Love sequels but this is my most favorite one.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED VIEWING

Read More

More than a BL Fantasy series

Honestly, I dropped this series after 2 episodes 2 years ago. I felt exhausted with Adachi character. Rewatching it this time taught me a huge lesson: It will not always be fireworks at first but given the opportunity and time, it may not just be fireworks but dancing beautiful colors along with it.
Best part I love about this series is how it didn't end in just their romance story but it included dealing with their filial responsibilities. I love the bravenes of Adachi of wanting their parents' blessings and fighting for it.
The animation for this is slightly different in few areas but I like it the same. Still turned out satisfying to watch. I did flinch a bit couple of times for the overreaction in some scenes that is typical of Japanese series.
Overall, I will recommend this series and don't stop there. Watch the movie because it has a lot more to offer.

Read More

Simple and Edible

A simple story portraying life of 2 friends starting their college life together. No heavy drama to be seen but lots of simple recipes that viewers will be able to try. I am a foodie so I love this aspect of the movie.
There is underdeveloped relationship between the 2 friends. They are very close but no clear statement of anything beyond special friendship. Viewers can decipher the emotions of the characters for each other based on their actions, words, and gazes for each other. However, the movie will end with no clear statement other than strong and special friendship.
Production did well with scene set up and props. I am big on recycled/reused wardrobes so I am a bit disappointed with scenes having used wardrobes for characters. (I am aware diff scenes were shot on same day explaining the wardrobes but good director and production will know that this impact the storytelling).
There is a season 2 slotted for July per MDL which may show evolvement of their relationship. There is also a cute short segment after the credit so don't be quick to end watching when end credits comes on.
Saw someone sharing a link for Season 2 trailer which I will definitely watch after submitting this review.

Read More