Secret to a Good Short Length Drama: Steal, Cheat, & Lie

I. The Good
I'm surprised that this drama is hovering at 7.8 stars at the time of review, but I'm more surprised by the ease at which I am rating this a 9 out of 10 stars. There are a plethora of good things to rave about.

The storyline is short, sweet, and compelling, told with a dash of titillating scenes. The FL is introduced as an unconcerned equal-opportunity hussy, who allows only good-looking toy boys to remain at her manor. Meanwhile, the ML graduated first class honours from bodyguard-cum-assassin training school. Quite early on, the audience are given hints that the ML is not who he says he is, but for his purposes, he introduces himself to the FL as one sibling of the pair that she'd save a decade ago. The FL is intrigued by his good looks and allows him to remain, and the first few episodes play with the question of where his loyalties lay. He ultimately proves himself loyal to the FL, whereupon she promptly devours him like a delicious snack (who wouldn't?). After the FL defeats who she thinks is the main villain, the real villains rise from the embers to steal her happiness and reveal who has been cheating and lying to her (spoiler alert: everyone). The drama does close with happy ending, so rejoice you faithless creatures.

The acting was surprisingly good. HYY (FL) was luxuriously seductive when playing the coquette, but could subtly shift her expressions and gestures to play the restrained daughter and weary human. LZH (ML) played his role as an outraged virgin, serious bodyguard-assassin, mortified ex-virgin, and shy simp with equal skill-- but I was so distracted by how he looked like Wang Hedi for most of his scenes. WTH (FL's brother) effortlessly portrayed a mild-mannered obsessive antagonist.

The makeup, costumes, and set are exquisitely gorgeous-- so much so, I'm wondering what was the budget for this drama. They were full-length-drama worthy. The theme songs were equally poignant and liable to give you stuck song syndrome.

II. The Bad (Major spoiler alert!)
The drama doesn't tie up all loose ends neatly. We never find out why the ML was so intent on killing the assassin he chased down in episode 1 (although one assumes that is who murdered Bai Chen), who is Ling Rong's father, when or why did Ya Shu join the FL's camp, or when did Zhan Yue Chi meet the FL and why is he so obsessed with her. The scenes also had minor struggles with continuity issues. For example, during their date night, the FL had run off with the lube and the ML was left holding the mask. But in the next scene, the FL is holding the mask in her left hand and dragging the ML along with her right. Cut to the next scene, and the mask is back in the ML's hand.

All these are minor issues that don't really mess with the audience's viewing pleasure. I still would have ignored these pesky details and rated this drama higher if it weren't for the ugly.

III. The Ugly
Episode 23 is quite literally ugly, and episode 24 is storytelling ugly. We've been given beautiful scenes and seamless choreography all the way up to Episode 23, when suddenly at the last minute, utterly awful CGI rises and smashes you across the face like a sperm whale. Episode 24 doesn't explain why the ML runs off, or why he is so adamant to not return with the FL. Although he supplies a weak answer about visiting his sister, the explanation doesn't justify his strong reaction. It is as if we're missing crucial 5 minutes that the production team ultimately decided to cut out, but failed to consider how the episode appears without those scenes. They tried to fix it with the FL's response and offer, but even one line from the ML along the lines of "You know me so well" would have smoothed out the incongruous scene.

IV. Final Words
Ultimately, this drama is captivating and unputdownable. Except for the few irksome flaws, you will blast through the ~240 minutes directly and go back for seconds.

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Trotting Me into Boredom (Major spoilers ahead!)

I. The Ugly
This drama is all about Lin Ze Hui's sexy clavicles and nothing else. It successfully took a bunch of good-looking people, a plot with some potential, and an expensive set, and set the whole lot on fire and watched as it razed all my expectations to the ground. I was so bored, and my boredom was not alleviated despite the ridiculously good-looking men: Lin Ze Hui as the ML seventh prince, Zhu Min Xin as the villain crown prince, and Zhang Zhexu as the FL's younger brother. Despite being linguistically challenged, I could use my limited Chinese skills to fill in the comprehension gaps and follow 95% of the drama. That tells you how cliched the script was.

In episode 1, we find out that the FL was originally meant to marry the villain crown prince, but he kills her father and brother on their wedding, supposedly because they were treasonous. Episode 1 opens with the FL unsuccessful in assassinating the villain. She then holds the ML seventh prince hostage before her vampiric disease is triggered by the scent of musk incense and she latches onto his clavicle like a baby calf to a cow's teats. The FL then poisons the ML to threaten him into helping her to investigate the allegations against her father. Their investigation leads them into many cringeworthy situations between episodes 2 and 5 which somehow ignites the sparks of attraction between them, and by the end of episode 6, the FL gives the antidote to the ML as she realises the poison is no longer necessary to secure his assistance and the ML confesses he is in love with the FL. At the end of episode 9, the FL meets her (supposedly dead) brother's doppelgänger but he tries to assassinate the FL and ML at the end of episode 10, and the duo only survive because the FL activates her violent martial artist vampire side with a sniff of her portable musk incense (they've basically written her as a crack whore). In episode 11, they find out that the villain crown prince had colluded with ministers to counterfeit currency, and he had likely murdered the FL's father and brother because they had discovered his crimes. By episode 14, the villain is determined to murder his own brother, the ML.

Here comes the absolute clanker: The assassination attempt in episode 14 fails, but the ML has been poisoned. So in episode 15, the FL confronts the villain. After she feeds the antidote to the ML, the FL is knocked out by the villain's subordinate and fed a memory-altering substance. The FL forgets her own identity and her family's deaths, but remembers that she is to marry the crown prince in a few days. The ML desperately tries to shock her memory back in episode 16, by bringing her to her abandoned childhood home (the scene of her father's and brother's murders). This fails but lo' and behold, in episode 17, the FL's brother returns healthy and whole, only this time he has his memory but she does not have hers. She regains her memory by episode 18, but continues to feign memory loss. The end of episode 18 and beginning of episode 19 spotted random comedy, and we get to see two beautiful men and one beautiful woman all squeeze into one bed. As it turns out, the villain is aware that the FL has regained her memory and they were plotting to find evidence against him in his palace. They are finally able to present evidence of the villain's misdeeds to the emperor in episode 21, with the (random) assistance of the villain's subordinate. The villain makes a last ditch effort to escape, fatally injuring the FL in the process. Hua Chanjuan's sister, Hua Mengchu (both portrayed by Zhu Xinyuan) is able to save the FL, on the condition that the ML marries her, to which the ML agrees. The FL is saved and Hua Mengchu insists that the ML marries her, but in episode 23, while the ML is ranting about how much he loves the FL, he discovers that his bride is the FL. Finally, in episode 24, they are able to confront the villain who goes on a lunatic's spiel and the FL gives him a less than tight slap. They ultimately discover that the ML was in the running for the crown prince position and was originally meant to be the one the FL marries, and they live happily ever after.

I have just summarised all 240 minutes in these two paragraphs. You no longer need to watch the drama.

II. The Bad
This is not Xu Zhenzhen's first collaboration with Lin Ze Hui, and yet there was absolutely zero chemistry. It felt more like a jiějiě 姐姐 appeasing her dìdì 弟弟. XZZ's acting also left a lot to be desired here. It was like she was playing a watered-down version of her role in Palace Shadows: Between Two Princes.

There were multiple inconsistencies and unexplained plot points. For example, in some scenes, the ML is quite skilled in fighting, but in other scenes, he requires the FL to rescue him. Another example, why would the villain want to force the FL to forget his misdeeds and try to marry her again, when the marriage would not benefit him anymore (her father being dead and all) and he was not in love with her? Also, why does the villain's subordinate have a sudden change of heart?

III. The Good
LZH is a beautiful man who also makes a beautiful woman in episode 7. The only reason I continued watching the drama was because he is truly good-looking and not a bad actor. You get to appreciate some sexy clavicles throughout this drama, sexy abs in episode 7, and some man-on-man action in episode 19.

IV. Verdict
Painfully boring. Skip unless you have nothing else to watch.

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Palatial Mediocrity

I. The Good
First up, let's appreciate the elaborate costume designs. The costume team outdid themselves, for both the ML and FL's costumes (except for that decision to add two shoulder handles on the imperial robe). It's been awhile since I've looked at male costumes and thought, 'That's a gorgeous piece of work'.

Another gorgeous piece of work is LZH (ML). I agree with the comments that LZH's nuanced and compelling acting chops has what it takes to promote him to full-length drama cast. One could see the physical changes as he assumes the demeanour of the crown prince or discarding it like a robe to embody the persona of the second prince. He singlehandedly carried all 3 hours. That's not to say that XZZ's (FL) acting was bad; LZH so brightly outshined everyone else that it left searing afterimages preventing us from observing anyone else. I did love LZH's sizzling chemistry with XZZ, especially when he was flirting with her as the second prince. Special mention should also be given to HEY (ML's sidekick, Du Bin), for his expressive comedy and chemistry with LZH, reminiscent of Gao Hanyu in Legend of Fu Yao.

The choreography for the fight scenes were so graceful and well-executed, it was like watching a dance. In the first episode itself we are treated to beautiful, fluid sword work by the ML and the seamless performance as the FL whirls around to assassinate her own assassins.

It has an open-but-leaning-towards-happy ending, which appears to be the concept of this drama. At the end of 24 episodes, you realise that the drama comprises shadowy wisps of storylines held together by elaborate costumes, ornate sets, dynamic chemistry, and whimsical humour.

II. The Bad
The plot is boring. The premise starts out strong: The solemn crown prince ML has a flamboyant twin brother who seems determined to aid Shattered Star Valley in undermining the royal family. The ruthless Shattered Star Valley assassin FL is assigned the task of assassinating the crown prince. Taking on the identity of the Duke of Yin's daughter, who is destined to wed the ML as his crown princess, she plans her murderous plot during the day. In a twist of circumstances, she is compelled to obtain royal sperm from the second prince, only to find out that the second prince is a Shattered Star Valley covert operative who has no qualms flirting with his sister-in-law. However, the storylines were predictable and uninspired. You're left watching it only for the sporadic comedy and gorgeous views.

III. The Ugly
There were some scenes that were so excessively unbelievable that it cut through the mood and slapped me like a giant flapping tuna. For instance, in episode 6, when the FL prevents the assassin from killing the real Duke of Yin's daughter, she's shot so hard, she's pushed 2 kilometres out from the forest, into the open, and over a cliff.

There were also scenes that dragged out for absolutely no reason such as when the ML is rescuing the FL from her homicidal aunt or the moments before the imperial physician is about to stab the ML's acupoints.

IV. The Verdict
This is a visually magnificent, easy-to-watch drama, if you are able to ignore the banal plot. I would have rated it an 8 or even a 9 but for the storyline.

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Fortune Favours The Bold: Subverting All Expectations

I. The Good
There's an unequivocal happy ending.

The plot is fantabulous. It's a refreshing take on the 'cannon fodder realises they're merely fictional characters; hugs big thigh to survive' trope. The FL refuses to succumb to her role as the evil cannon fodder, and stubbornly pits her wits against the Fortune Author once she discovers that she can push the storyline so long as the ink is not dry yet. The plot doesn't whitewash the FL as a misunderstood 'good' person. She is no meek, timid, mealy-mouthed damsel in distress. She is pragmatic, conniving, and arrogant, and will lie, cheat, and steal as means to an end. The FL commits all kinds of evilry to get the Big Thigh ML on her side and to ensure her own survival. Mr Big Thigh ML falls in love with the FL, sins and all, recognising that everyone has their good side and their bad, and she's just more honest about hers. The storyline constantly subverts expectations (e.g., the FL really isn't a 'good' person, the 2FL isn't really a 'bad' person, the various pot shots at cliche tropes).

I really, really loved the swipes taken at cliche tropes. In episode 9, the FL questions the need for people to hide in bathtubs. In episode 11, the doctor complains "Don't you think accidents happen to you too often? Two days ago she was poisoned, and today she's been shot!". In episode 13, when they were unable to feed the passed out ML medicine, and the 2FL is about to feed the medicine via mouth-to-mouth, the FL says "You couldn't get it in using your hand, but you can using you mouth? Do you think he has a special mouth-opening switch that turns on with a kiss?"

The costumes are gorgeous and intricate, even when the FL is dressed like Minnie Mouse in a few scenes. The details in the sets are superb, e.g., the delicate painting of cherry blossoms behind the ML and the exquisite lamp designs. The production team committed their entire music budget to one song, and it produced a beautiful, poignant melody with melancholic tailored lyrics that really elevated the scenes to full-length drama level.

LMC's acting as the FL has improved significantly, although she struggled in some scenes to emote sufficiently. Surprisingly, YSJ made a believable ML, which is a credit to his acting chops because his babyface was really difficult to get past, which leads me to the bad.

II. The Bad
YSJ's babyface had me struggling to believe he was supposed to be the merciless and ruthless ML. However, the combination of his acting skills and the strategic camera angles helped to glaze over this, especially during the steamy scenes (otherwise the audience would uncomfortably feel the need to sit in jail).

ZMY's acting as the 2FL was hard to watch. I get that she's supposed to play the ingénue role, but all she did was stand there widening her eyes and pouting her lips for every scene. The only time she came to life was in the last episode, when she and the FL are huffing at each other.

III. The Ugly
This drama is not for the liberals and for those who are triggered by some events due to some plot devices. The FL fakes a rape attack to trick the ML into taking her home with him. The FL physically harms herself and threatens suicide more than once.

There are also missing plot points, e.g., why or how did the Fate Book fall into the FL's hands, how did the ML break out of the Fortune Author's hold, when or why did the ML regain his memories.

IV. Verdict
I really enjoyed the constant subversion of expectations and will definitely rewatch this. For this drama to be pleasurable, you must not think too hard. It does make you examine why you think that only 'good' people deserve happy endings when really, most of us have our deep, dark thoughts that we never share because we're afraid of being marginalised and in all actuality, we would do the same as the FL.

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Unfulfilled Promise, Identity Crisis, Disappearing Orgasm

I. Introduction:

This short-length drama opens with the palace being besieged by usurpers of the throne, and Empress Su Yan (FL) having asked her ex, Prince of Nanchuan Yuwen Yuan (ML), for backup. Emperor Yuwen Yingren (2ML) who is of ill health suggests that no assistance would be forthcoming, but lo and behold, the Nanchuan army arrives to save the day. The first few episodes promised dog-blood melodrama but this is ultimately undelivered. There were some scenes suggesting a more light-hearted comedy, which were quickly buried in angst, suspense, and conflict scenes before you could even bark a quick laugh.

The drama suffered from an identity crisis, as if the production team could not decide whether to deliver angst, romance, comedy, or otherwise. While the drama has some beautiful visuals and the storyline held much promise, its lacklustre delivery and continuity gaps leave it feeling ultimately underwhelming, like a disappearing orgasm. By the way, no happy ending.

II. Story and Plot:

The drama started with a tight, logical structure as to why the FL abandoned the ML to marry the 2ML. There were curious twists to the usual palace drama storyline, e.g., the 2ML's early scenes left me wondering if he was concerned for the FL in a brotherly manner or did he develop feelings for her, or if he was most concerned for the throne and everyone be damned.

But the latter half of the drama was dragged down by lazy scriptwriting and editing, e.g., a random scene of the FL crying over a dying ML appearing out of nowhere, the FL taking a full episode to chat and then murder the 2ML, the theoretical-physics-level mental gymnastics required to understand why the 2FL would do what she did knowing what she knew or whether the FL and ML ultimately resolved their misunderstandings, and the random comedy that is episode 19 stuffed at the end because it wasn't just the black sheep of the 20-episode family, it wasn't even in the bovine family!

III. Characters

MJJ as the FL singlehandedly carried this drama. She was a beautiful, weepy, tired woman who just wanted to gently honour her late sister's memory. RL required MJJ's acting to deliver the melodramatic scenes between them. RL has too boyish a face to carry the ML role--he was unable to express the necessary cruelty his scenes required. But if you enjoy his abs, you will have the opportunity to view them. PQ delivered his scenes as a weak emperor better than his scenes as a lunatic. It was missing just a tiny bit of OTT to truly express how mad he had become.

IV. Production Aspects

The soundtrack is commendable, truly enhancing the melodramatic scenes to the appropriate level of angst and tragedy. There were beautiful quality costumes and set, but if I had one complaint, it would be the scene where the FL is rolled out on a makeshift battering ram. The tragedy was ruined as it made me laugh out loud.

V. Conclusion:

This is a visually beautiful but narratively predictable and weak drama. While it offers fleeting moments of entertainment and showcases impressive scenes that raised its overall score, its uneven development of plot points, continuity gaps, reliance on beautiful people to fudge bad writing, leave it feeling ultimately forgettable. If you're looking for an easy-to-watch drama with beautiful visuals, this might suffice. But for those seeking more complex storyline or even more romance between the two leads, look elsewhere.

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The Boss' Pawn Opera (Major spoilers ahead!)

I. The Good
It's a happy ending, albeit rushed. MXY plays his role as the yandere male lead (ML) with enough crazy in his eyes and ZCX is, as always, a beautiful, strong female lead (FL). I picked this up because I was lured by tantalising cuts on YouTube, each promising dog-blood melodrama and palpable sexual tension . Unlike Benny Benassi's song, this pushed me but did not touch me, and so I got no satisfaction.

II. The Bad
The drama teases an interesting premise, but fails in developing the story in any believable manner. The episodes require your mind to execute Simone Biles' level of gymnastics skills, because even dog-blood melodrama needs a slow burn and not an immediate Australian summer bush fire. The scenes are disjointed, and sometimes leave you to create stories in your mind to fill in the blanks.

We meet the ML, the son of a deceased mob boss, albeit the famiglia is no longer in the business. He is running from an ex-business associate when he sees the FL, a poor innocent nurse leaving work, and uses her as his cover. The ML promptly falls in love with the FL because of her nursing skills. We then find out that the FL's father is a policeman, and so was her deceased brother. So how can her family accept a shady son-of-mob-boss as a son-in-law, especially when he arrives at their modest residence with such cringey fanfare and arrogantly announces that he will be marrying the FL? To top it off, the FL is dating a puppy-dog childhood sweetheart, who agrees to expedite their marriage plans to thwart the ML's plans.

Not taking no for an answer, the ML proceeds to buy her time by donating large sums of money to the hospital employing the FL. He surprises the FL with a wall full of her social media photos, and tells her that he has plenty of resources to hunt her down if she runs away. Of course, the FL continues to reject him, telling him that he can't buy true love. Meanwhile, the ML's stepmother is trying to force him into an arranged marriage and the puppy-dog fiance's mother is aghast that her son plans to offend the ML by marrying the FL. The ML throws money at the FL, trying to make her fall in love with his deep pockets. Then he interrupts the childhood sweethearts' wedding and throws money at the fiance, to get him to walk away. The next day, the ML arrives at the FL's residence to throw money at her parents as bride price. He then finds out that the FL (somehow within the endless time of 72 hours) donated the money, resigned from her position at the hospital, and moved away. The ML tracks her father down at the police station he works at and having thrown money at the police chief, has the father arrested for corruption and bribery charges.

The FL runs to the ML to have her father released, and he agrees on the condition she marries him. Out of nowhere, the ML's stepsister runs to the FL's home to cause trouble, which is summarily resolved by the FL (what was the point of this scene even?). The heretofore unknown bridal makeup artist also gives the FL grief for unknown reasons, before being dragged out and punished (cruelly, one assumes). On the way to the wedding venue, the bridal sedan is involved in an accident arranged by the ML's stepmother, and the ML fails to rescue the FL from the burning wreck when he arrives at the scene. The FL's parents discover that the ex-fiance had somehow saved the FL after the accident, and that she was alive and well. However, the ex-fiance's mother demands that she leaves her son as the FL will cause trouble for her son. The FL must be cursed by a red string, because as soon as she leaves, the ML finds her while driving down some random road. He drags her kicking and crying back to the wedding altar, and blackmails her by strapping a bomb to one of the wedding guests. The ML finally marries the FL and brings her home, where she tearfully strips. Instead of pawing at her like a wildebeest, he gently covers her up.

One assumes that the marriage is not consummated. In the next scene, the ML's stepmother and stepsister are complaining about the expensive jewellery he had bought for the FL. He informs them that the FL is now the mistress of the household and household funds. Going for gold, the ML does not take advantage when the FL is in the bath and the next day, the FL's colleagues are praising her philanthropic husband for his good deeds. These 6 minutes are sufficient to brainwash the FL, and she rejects her ex-fiance when he comes to 'rescue' the FL. Their meeting is of course seen by the ML, courtesy of the ML's stepsister, and in a fit of jealousy, he breaks the ex-fiance's arms so that he can never paint again. Still jealous, the ML is about to force himself on the FL when she scrapes her hand on broken glassware, and he rushes her to the hospital, where she has the opportunity to find out that the ML had crippled her ex-fiance's arms. They argue, and the FL goes on a hunger strike. When the ML attempts to coax the FL, she demands that he apologises to the ex-fiance. The ML grudgingly goes to the hospital to apologise, and allows the ex-fiance to smash him over the head. This scene is (of course!) seen by the FL's father, who just happened to be walking by. The FL's father is so impressed with this one scene, that he teaches the ML how to make his daughter's favourite soup and persuades his daughter to forgive the ML.

The FL softens and visits the ML at night. She grows lusty after seeing his wounded forehead, and we finally get to see the ML topless. The FL spends a hot and heavy night with the ML. The next morning, the ML's stepmother and stepsister somehow catches the ex-fiance trying to sneak into their residence, and promises to help him 'rescue' the FL. While the FL is rejecting the ex-fiance, the stepmother fabricates a story of how the FL hates the ML so much that she refuses to have his child and is about to elope with the ex-fiance. Of course, the ML has never heard of planned pregnancies and communication, and rushes off to beat the ex-fiance. The FL does not want to visit her husband in jail, and tries to stop him, which is (of course!) misinterpreted by the ML. After 4 minutes of threatening to kill herself and then kill him, the FL walks off. The stepsister then sends some heretofore unknown slut to seduce the ML, who is violently rejected when the ML realises he only ever wants to have children with the FL. After the ML sinks into alcoholism, the stepmother and stepsister must have been deafened and blinded by the amount of Chanel they were wearing, because they proceed to expose their own crimes while the ML is crouched behind the very sofa they are sitting on. The ML awakens from his drunken stupor and has them tortured before tossed into the sea like a proper mob boss.

In another part of the world, the FL's father is apologising to his deceased son for accepting the ML. He later sees the ex-fiance visiting the grave and overhears the ex-fiance confessing to being the cause of his son's death. The FL's father furiously beats up the ex-fiance, but is tricked into turning his back and letting the ex-fiance smash him over the head with a giant rock conveniently placed nearby. The FL discovers her father's death and the ex-fiance convinces her it's the ML who killed her father. Abruptly, in the next scene, the FL is tied up and gagged, and the ex-fiance demands the ML to appear alone at some abandoned building. The ML turns up, and is surprised that the FL is unbound and well, holding a gun to him. The ex-fiance eggs the FL on to kill the ML, while the ML swears he did not harm her father. The FL is unable to shoot the ML, so the ex-fiance takes a pole to beat the daylights out of the ML. The FL tries to stop the ex-fiance, because she is so deeply in love with the ML, and while vomiting blood the ML has the breath to repeat that he did not kill her father. For some reason, the ex-fiance takes this opportunity to confess that he was the one who murdered her father, leading to the FL trying to shoot him at close range because apparently a gun cannot work further than 1 meter. The FL promptly loses control of the gun, and the ex-fiance threatens the ML with her life. Just as he is about to shoot, the ML ambushes the ex-fiance and satisfyingly punches him 5 times. The ML stops short of killing the ex-fiance, just before the police arrive and arrest the ex-fiance. The ex-fiance somehow manages to slip from the police's grasp (they should really hold people tighter) and grabs one of their guns. A 'bang' is heard, but neither the FL nor the ML was shot. Another policeman had shot the ex-fiance from behind. The end.

As you can see, a story is told in 96 minutes but what it delivers feels more like a series of disconnected scenes. It’s as if the director handed you a jigsaw puzzle full of favourite dog-blood scenes, but left out the mundane story-building pieces, forcing you to fill in the blanks with nothing but your imagination and a lot of wishful thinking.

III. The Ugly
Trigger warnings for: Violence and attempted sexual assault.

IV. The Verdict
Disappointing. I'm not even sure I can recommend this for a one-time watch.

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When Royal Progeny Determines Succession (Major spoilers ahead!)

I. The Ugly
There must be a dearth of scripts in the vertically-filmed mini drama circle recently. The few I've picked up in recent weeks have been miserably flatter than my chest. I'm a fan of Meng Na and even her part in this did not save it. The 4.0 rating here is pegged against my gold standard vertically-filmed mini drama 去有你的地方 Go Where You Are starring Wang Dao Tie and Zhao Jia which gets a solid 9.5.

II. The Bad
The script is bad. Where's the love? Where's the romance? This isn't even a bad romance, it's a bleeping terrible one. The entire drama is only 55 minutes, so it's missing crucial story building pieces.

The first episode starts with a decadent scene of the female lead (FL) in the bath. Her maid asks why does she shove a pink pill up her vajayjay daily when she has a naturally fertile body. The pill is somehow a pheromone and MFGM in one; to diminish adult men's brain cells and to augment fetal brain cells at the same time. The FL prepares to visit the palace for the princes' concubine selection and we get a flashback. In her previous life, Prince Xuan (the villain) selected her but sliced her like sashimi after she gave birth to a child with congenital defect (which she somehow thinks is attributable to him).

At the palace, the Imperial Preceptor predicts that either the FL or the daughter of an official, Meng Qingyi (villainess) will birth a blessed child to continue the royal lineage. The villain informs the emperor that the villainess is pregnant with his child and he wishes to marry her. This leads the FL to suspect that the villain has also been reborn. The emperor is furious, but ultimately grants the marriage between the villain and 2FL. Here is where the absurdity starts. The FL requests for a marriage to Prince Jin (ML), whose ding dong supposedly does not king kong for women. The emperor agrees, but warns her that if she fails to carry ML's get within 3 months, her family will be charged with the crime of deceiving the emperor.

During her wedding night, the FL calls out the villain's name after dreaming about him, leading the ML to misunderstand and leave. We then see the ML gazing besottedly at a painting of the FL because he apparently fell in love with her demure facade sometime ago. But apparently, it's been half a month and he hasn't consummated the marriage because he believes the FL is in love with the villain. The FL sobs that here family will be punished if she does not bear his babies The ML agrees to have dinner with her, but later catches the FL drugging his dinner. Just as he's about to eat it, the ML gets called away. He returns to find the FL's seductive silhouette reflected on the bath screen. He clears his throat to bring attention to his presence before he turns to leave (why not just leave without making a sound?). The FL then employs all the tactics in her arsenal (short of falling backwards with her legs open) to stay him, and he ends up half-dressed in bed with her. He wakes up to a morning wood and immediately calls for an ice bath.

Sometime later, a quack declares that the villainess' baby is the blessed baby. The FL recalled that in her past life, the quack's master had said her fertile womb could carry the blessed child, but the villain's weak sperm had ruined it. The dowager empress is happy about the quack's news but quickly turns around to berate the FL for the ML's refusal to bang her.

In the next scene, the FL and the villainess argue and the villainess goes into premature labour. The villain accuses the FL of trying to murder his child. The emperor declares that if the villainess births a blessed child, the villain will be appointed crown prince (because something as important as inheritance is based on who has more fruitful loins) and the FL would then be charged with attempted murder. In the birthing room, the villainess' child is born looking like a pig (no, really, that was the scene) but she quickly switches it out with another baby before the dowager empress and FL barge in. The FL is punished with copying sutras for 3 days, because that's apparently sufficient punishment for attempted murder of royal progeny. The FL falls ill while copying sutras, and the brilliant ML feeds her an aphrodisiac instead of an antipyretic. The imperial doctor warns the ML that only bumping uglies will cure the aphrodisiac reaction, and if not treated within two hours, the FL might die horny. Thus, the ML concedes to losing his well-protected virginity, but wakes up terribly grumpy the next day because he felt used and abused.

The dowager empress is finding fault with the FL again and summons the imperial doctor to inspect the FL's health. The FL is found pregnant, and the villainess panics at the thought that the FL may birth the blessed child and uncover her lies. The FL takes the opportunity to coax the ML, and he very quickly relents. Meanwhile, a doctor informs the villainess she is suffering from secondary infertility, and so the villainess plots to harm the FL's fetus. In return, the FL plots to slip the villainess medication that increases the chances of pregnancy, but at the cost of the mother’s fertility and the child’s wellbeing. While the villainess seduces her husband, the FL misunderstands and believes her own husband holds a white moonlight in his heart.

Later, the villainess is determined to be pregnant with twins. The villain finds an opportunity to confront and aggravate the FL (for absolutely no reason since the confrontation would not have granted him any advantage). The ML swings from sweetly protective to insanely jealous in a split second (what the) before storming off.

News that the villain has appropriated the midwife is apparently stressful enough that the FL goes into labour. Apparently the villain thinks his wife needs tens of people staring at her stretched hoo-ha as he allocates every single imperial doctor and midwife to her, and no one is left to attend to the FL. As the ML threatens to strangle his selfish brother, a golden dragon appears in the sky. Both men marvel at the good omen, neither of them bothered about their respective wives anymore. The dragon is seen flashing into the FL's birthing chamber, and a baby's wail is heard. The FL has birthed a pair of dragon phoenix (boy girl) twins, who carry the markings of blessed children. A maid carries the children out, but the ML is only concerned with his wife's wellbeing and rushes off to see her. Meanwhile, the villainess has birthed Chucky and Valentine, and the villain strangles her. Once the dowager empress and emperor sees the children, the villain and now-crazy villainess are abolished as Crown Prince and Crown Prince Consort. The FL of course rushes to rub salt into the villain's wounds, and the villain tries to strangle her. She is saved by the ML appearing out of nowhere. The FL and ML finally resolve their misunderstandings, and live happily ever after. The end.

I have no idea what I've watched for 55 minutes.

III. The Good
There's a happy ending for the 'good people'. I can't even say that the chemistry or the acting was good--both were non-existent.

IV. Verdict
Skip. Don't even bother unless you have nothing else to watch.

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Surprisingly Enjoyable, Abrupt Ending

I. Introduction
I expected this to be a budget short-length costume drama, but I surprisingly enjoyed it overall. This drama enacts all the times we read a novel and felt the urge to write fan fiction to right the wrongs in the novel. In Episode 1, we find out that the FL had written a horrid ending to her web novel for shock value, as her earlier 'logical' works did not garner much readers' interest (or generate money). FL is sucked into her web novel to, well, write (get it?) the wrongs.

It was difficult to determine the mood the drama intended to invoke. The drama oscillated between comedy and explicit gore and torture, ending in sudden tragedy for the third couple but a happy ending for the main couple. Romance also wasn't really the main theme of this drama, but if it was aiming for palace intrigue, well, the real villain is practically tap dancing naked across the screen. This identity crisis, together with some poor production choices and editing, lands it a solid 8 instead of a higher score.

II. Story & Plot
The larger part of the drama fleshes out the motives and desires of the novel characters, giving flesh to what was the FL's skeletal web novel. While you can spy the real villain from a mile away, the overall pace was engaging and consistent.

The one thing this drama fumbled is the romance aspects. The romance between the FL and ML doesn't spark until episode 18-- in fact, the ML is actively trying to murder the FL in episode 1 and thus, the FL assumes the ML is masterminding a horrible death for her every time he tries to romance her. The FL discovers some hidden skills in her character (but these skills are never mentioned again when the drama needed the ML to show his heroic side) and successfully escapes. The FL scurries around like a busy hamster solving cases and causing the 2ML (who is the ML in her novel-- oh the inception!) to inadvertently fall for her brains instead of the 2FL (the FL in her novel). The ML is constantly testing the FL, with no real intention to kill her after episode 1, but suddenly develops a life-sacrificing affection for the FL when he realises she had saved him from assassins. What I did enjoy was the general lack of misunderstandings between the FL and ML-- any misunderstanding is quickly resolved, because both actively choose to trust each other. Meanwhile, the 2FL bravely confesses to the 2ML, and the latter in a moment of serendipity, agrees to marry her. Their relationship never develops beyond friendship, and they abruptly retire to the countryside to live an idyllic couple life at the end of the drama. The 3ML and 3FL fall in love with each other at first sight, and like Romeo and Juliet, failed to consider the ramifications of their actions and lack of communication, despite both supposedly possessing intelligent characters.

The story ends on a rather abrupt note. People are offing themselves and dropping like flies, although not unexpected. The storyline was designed so that you wouldn't be shocked by the decisions made, but at the same time, the last episode felt like they had too many loose ends to wrap and so they took a giant pair of scissors and snapped off all the threads in one go.

III. Characters
The casting team did a good job casting the right actors for the right roles, even for the supporting and guest roles. None of them are familiar to me, but each took to their role adequately. At times, the script appears to completely forget the quirks and idiosyncrasies that had been written in for the characters, just so that the writing/ editing team could fallback to common tropes, but none of this is the fault of the actors. IS as the FL is a wide-eyed, bushy-tailed hamster who is busy trying to piece a proper story together so that she can return home quickly, completely ignorant of the ML and 2ML's amorous intentions. DZR is a twisted ML, traumatised by his past and now has no qualms returning like for like. I won't delve into the supporting characters as there is a really long list, but suffice to say, I have no complaints about their characters or acting.

IV. Production Aspects
This is where I will question the taste and style of the production team. There were very odd hairstyle choices, e.g., the FL during the ancient era, the ML during his villain arc, the ML in the modern era, the 3FL's formal hairdo, and odd costume choices, e.g., the FL's cold shoulder dress, the ML's cold shoulder dress (yes, you read that right), and the ML's silver rooster comb. Any complaints that the casting team casted the wrong actors should really be a critique of the costume and hair team for the awful choices. Otherwise, there were some beautiful costumes, beautiful sets, beautiful takes, and beautiful melodies.

V. Conclusion
I was pleasantly surprised-- but this could be because I had very low expectations for it in the first place as I had erroneously assumed this would be 10-minute episodes. It is a remix of (yet another) transmigration-themed drama, but it had sufficient number of novel plot points that I wasn't bored with any part of it. Due to the abrupt ending, this may not be for everyone. Only watch if you will not get invested in the side pairings.

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Lost in a Dream of Crack (Major spoilers ahead!)

I. The Good
If Love & Bid Farewell is about how many times YZX is stabbed like pork rind, Unspeakable Longing is about how many times YZX is soaking in a water tub like chicken soup.

This is a fairly straightforward short-length transmigration drama, with stereotypical storyline and plot devices. It's enjoyable if you're coming off something heavy (like YZX's Love & Bid Farewell) as it's easy to follow and doesn't stir up much thought or emotions. The OST 误入君梦 is an ear worm worthy of full-length drama series.

YZX's acting range is apparent here. From the crazy-eyes-unhinged-prince role in Love & Bid Farewell to the addled-single-minded-bastard-son role in Fate of Beauty to this, the adorable-yet-stoic-prince male lead role, YZX has excellently played his roles with skilful shifts in his expressions and body language. LXY plays the witty ingenue female lead adequately (albeit her scripted role was flatter than my chest), and LBY is a beautiful but braindead second male lead (whose role was unfortunately not fleshed out enough).

II. The Bad
There was so much they could have done with the storyline. Nothing had been fleshed out to its full potential, rendering the characters one-dimensional. There were also several random, unexplained plot devices that were used with zero recognition for story continuity (e.g., how did the ML hurt the FL causing her to faint, when or why did the FL and ML get married the first time, how did the FL return to the comic).

The female lead (FL) is a modern-day comic artist who isn't performing so well at work. Her supervisor criticises her latest work, unironically taking a potshot at the drama's own theme ("Who would still be interested in transmigration love stories in this day and age!"). Her supervisor threatens to fire her if she fails to change the storyline by the end of the day. Frustrated, the FL proceeds to write crack: the comic's female lead suddenly develops a strange health bar on her arm and requires a kiss from the comic's male lead to survive. Meanwhile, the comic's male lead (ML) is deathly allergic to females; he vomits blood or loses consciousness upon coming into contact with a female, even a female child. The FL is suddenly transported into the comic she'd just rewritten and warned that she must receive the ML's kiss by her 20th birthday in 3 months' time, or she will disappear from both worlds. They discover early on that the FL does not trigger the ML's disease.

The ML is the (seemingly) sickly fourth prince, tasked with keeping the nation's defence map safe. The ML assumes that the FL is approaching him to steal the defence map, when she is only trying to steal a kiss to return to her reality. After successfully stealing a kiss in a bath tub (because of course, why not), the FL is informed that it will only work if the ML is in love with her. Out of nowhere, the storyline expounds that the FL and ML are married, albeit the ceremony is incomplete. The ML shares his plan to annul the marriage and return the FL to her father's residence, and the FL shamelessly professes her 'love' for the ML.

The FL contrives to meet the ML again, meeting the sixth prince (2ML) in the process. The 2ML appears besotted with the FL at first sight. As it turns out, they had met as children and he has been in love with the FL ever since. The FL begs her father to participate in the ML's concubine selection, and he reluctantly (or perhaps not so) agrees. One of the selection candidates (2FL), who bears the face of FL's supervisor, is a governor's daughter skilled in the four arts. The ML shortlists the FL and 2FL, suspecting that one of them is a Xirong spy after the defence map. The 2FL is the spy, who is controlled by the mastermind using Gu poison. She nearly falls into the ML's trap, but realises the trap and plants evidence on the FL at the last minute. The ML and FL put on a show for the 2FL, to try and lure the mastermind out. The FL discovers the 2FL's identity and rescues the latter when the mastermind attempts to murder her.

The FL is bitten by a snake (which must have been the animal form of some vampire because why the hell would a snake bite the jugular), and the ML rescues her by sucking the venom into himself... in a tub. Bear in mind that the doctor only suggested sucking the venom out and never said anything about having to do it in a tub. Of course he's successful, at the cost of his own life. The FL is about to kiss the ML when she is warned that kissing him will end his storyline (i.e., his life) and return her to her reality. She chooses to not kiss him, thus dooming herself.

The 2ML is used as a plot device to foster feelings between the ML and FL, and as a foil to misdirect the audience regarding who the true masked villain is for the majority of the drama. The FL uses the 2ML to break the ML's heart so that the ML's health bar would refill. The ML falls into despair but still has the presence of mind to plot a trap for the Xirong spy. The masked villain, who had killed and replaced the FL's father when she was three years old, finally seeks the 2ML out to collaborate. The FL overhears their plans, and rushes to save the ML. Her first attempt fails, and the 2ML catches the FL and ML escaping during the second attempt. An assassin appears and the 2ML dies protecting the FL, revealing that although he was a fool, he was no villain.

The FL reluctantly agrees to remain by the ML's side, as she would soon perish anyway. She privately reveals the truth to the 2FL, but this is overheard by the ML. They share a romantic date during the Qixi Festival, before the Xirong spy kidnaps her. He threatens the FL with the life of the FL's maidservant, demanding her cooperation to steal the defence map. The FL returns to marry the ML, and the Xirong spies launch an attack during the ceremony. The FL is stabbed while protecting the ML and the 2FL successfully kills the Xirong spy in a surprise attack. As the FL lays dying, the ML kisses her to allow her to return to her reality and presumably dies after coughing up blood.

The FL returns to her reality and realises that the ML had sacrificed himself. She is reminded that there is no way to save the ML as the story had ended. She awakens to see her supervisor's boss, who resembles the ML, holding her comic panels. He walks away from her without any hint of recognition, and the FL starts sobbing. This would have been the end but the team added 10 more minutes because they were afraid the audience might murder them in their sleep. Some time later, the superior congratulates the FL for the popularity of her latest comic. The boss expresses that the readers are looking forward to a second season, inspiring the FL to continue the story so that she can save the ML. The FL returns to the comic, and the ML is playing sleeping beauty awaiting true love's kiss. She kisses him and the ML slowly wakes up like a beautiful princess and they lived happily ever after.

III. The Ugly
There is no trigger warning necessary, although the ML does try to force a kiss on the FL at one point; however, in the grand scheme of Chinese dramas, that is mild.

IV. The Verdict
Good for a single watch, not necessarily good enough for repeat watches.

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Could Have Been Good; Ruined by Bad Acting and Worse Editing

I. Introduction
I have watched quite a few short-length dramas by now, but this is the first time I found myself fast-forwarding through certain episodes. That is saying something considering each episode is only approximately 10 minutes long. I was intrigued by the premise: A reader (the FL) transmigrates into the cannon fodder character who is set to divorce the novel's villain (the ML) which brings about her subsequent tragic death at his hands when the novel's lead (the drama villain) uses her as a meat shield. She sets out to change her fate by refusing to divorce him and seducing him instead. Meanwhile, the ML is supposedly bewitched by his childhood sweetheart (the drama villainess) and an unknown voice instructing him to stick to the novel's original plot, but somehow falls for the FL instead. The execution of this premise was so underwhelming, I am more interested in watching my pothos grow.

II. Storyline/ Plot
Let me begin by summarising the story: After realising her predicament, the FL attempts to hug the ML's big thigh. The ML is understandably suspicious, but suddenly in episode 7, the ML is ready to sacrifice his childhood sweetheart to save the FL, without any relationship growth between episodes 1 and 7. There is some melodrama: the ML is forced by the unknown voice to proceed according to the novel's original plot and when the FL drags her battered and bruised self back to their residence, she witnesses the ML leading the perfectly dry and unharmed childhood sweetheart down from the carriage. However, they sweetly reunite over a horse ride (of all things) which is promptly interrupted by the childhood sweetheart requesting for the horse as a gift. Despite that, when the ML has to go off to war, the FL follows him "because she likes him that much". In episode 13, the FL discovers that the ML is aware of his ending according to the novel's original plot and they plan to break free. Before they've even sufficiently explored this plot line, in episode 19, the FL discovers her blood is a magical elixir, and the unknown voice tries to drive her out of existence in episode 20 when everyone literally demands for her blood to save themselves and loved ones. This, of course, drives the ML to become the villain he was originally written as. In the finale, the FL attempts to save the ML from hanging by throwing herself off of the parapet (I'm not sure I follow the logic here), and the story is ended quickly with a single PowerPoint slide explaining how the ML is saved in the chaos of people watching the FL fall to her death and how the emperor's last edict was to appoint the ML as regent to assist the third prince as the next emperor and a final scene of the ML wistfully saying he'll wait for the FL forever. If you've seen the extra, the ML somehow copulated with the FL's zombified body to produce offspring and they all live happily ever after. The underdeveloped plot twists are akin to pre-pubescent teens stuffing tissue paper into selected areas.

III. Characters
Overall, poor acting quality all around. SSS is not an actress and her talents do not lie in acting. This is also clearly one of LF's earlier works, as his acting here compared to his acting in My Decoy Bride, The Deliberations of Love, or even A Tale of Love and Loyalty is stilted and lacklustre. The supporting actors were equally bad at their jobs. Was everyone not paid well enough?

IV. Production Aspects
Never mind the actors, the production team was also clearly not paid well enough either. For example, in the penultimate and final episode, the FL is supposed to scar her own face, but the makeup looked like she drew cat's whiskers on her face instead. The editing team couldn't be bothered to piece the ending of the previous episode and the beginning of the next episode. Perhaps the only team that was paid was the costume team.

V. Conclusion
This drama fails to live up to its interesting premise. While the lighthearted tone might offer fleeting entertainment for die-hard fans of the genre, there's simply not enough substance here to recommend this drama. If you're looking for something worth watching while you unwind, look elsewhere.

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Good Premise But Cheap Comedy

I. Introduction
This short-length drama held promise with its interesting premise: In the heavenly realm, the FL and ML work together to defeat the villainous nine-tailed fox demon. The FL suffers spiritual damage and the ML expends all his immortal cultivation to preserve her life, resulting in the FL being reincarnated as a spirit matchmaker and the ML, a human. The FL is tasked with matchmaking the ML, who as an adult human, developed a severe allergy to females in general (except the FL, of course). Inevitably, the FL and ML fall in love with each other while the villain fox demon tries to keep them separated because together, they're strong like Bandai's Power Rangers.

The production then completely failed to deliver the promise, and instead delivered slapstick comedy with cheap tricks and cheaper CGI. The entire drama appeared as if the production team just wanted to take potshots at these kind of themes and costume dramas, but never fully committing to the satire, which earns it a lukewarm 5 out of 10 stars.

II. Storyline/ Plot
The premise is simple and straightforward. Yue Lao is tasked by The Big Boss (presumably the Jade Emperor, who is never seen onscreen, only heard) to reunite the FL and the ML. Yue Lao (the FL's boss) then tasks the FL to head to the mortal realm and matchmake the ML who has been unmatchable so far, with the promise of a guaranteed job promotion and pay raise if the FL succeeds. The ML inadvertently discovers the FL's touch does not trigger an allergic reaction, leading the ML to only ever view the FL as a potential love interest. At some point, they even figured out that a sachet containing her DNA is sufficient to act as a prophylactic agent. While on earth, the FL is unable to use her spirit powers, but she is sufficiently witty to outsmart the villainess in her own games.

What fails this drama is the complete lack of commitment to any one theme. The opening scenes take a shot at satire with the heavenly realm's cheap CGI and gold-coloured Bluetooth headset. The following scenes try comedy, tragedy, and melancholy in turns. It then ends with suspense bordering on absurdity because the open ending leaves us wondering if they both die at the end of the final battle or if the entire thing was merely a production skit. Any one of the themes could have been successful, if they would only commit to it.

III. Characters
LYY is an adorable, witty FL, who does the best she can at her job. JCQ is a socially-inept but intellectually outstanding ML who is learning the ins and outs of romantic relationships. SXJ is a comedic failure of a villainess. Given the mess of a plot and the mess of scenes, I'd say that the actors did the best they could with what they were given.

IV. Production Aspects
I nearly dropped the drama 30 seconds into Episode 1, as the CGI was really, really cheap. There is no excuse for how cheap it looked, given that this is a 2024 production. I persisted, and then nearly dropped it again 2 minutes later because the hair and costumes were awful. Again, why the cheap production quality when this is a 2024 production and we have been given so much better? The production aspects improve when the story focusses on the mortal realm, and the costumes and set do not appear as cheap-- but this is relative to the initial 4 minutes and not in comparison to other short-length or web drama quality. The only reason I could see why they'd have used such quality is to portray satire (like in a crosstalk skit) but again, the storyline failed to commit to the satire so we are left with a cheap, poor quality drama.

V. Conclusion
I've watched a series of budget productions recently, and I am not even sure whether this can be a 'Watch Just to Get It Off Your Watch List' drama. It might be worth watching if you go into it as an analytical review to see how many cheap production aspects you can identify or how many cheap trope tricks they're pulling out of the hat. But if you're watching it because you'd like a story, I don't think this drama is for you.

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Wasted Potential: All the Promise, None of the Delivery

I. Introduction
I am no stranger to angsty dog-blood melodrama, and in fact I have been known to secretly indulge (hello, Circle of Love!). This short-length drama promised all of that and more, but delivered none of it. It's better described as a collection of scenes rather than a short-length drama, as viewers are tasked with Olympic-level mental gymnastics to fill in the blanks between scenes. It requires viewers to have a long history of watching/ reading angsty dog-blood melodrama to even consider this a 5 out of 10 stars, because our extensive experience and imagination would bridge the gaps where the scenes failed to deliver. It is as if someone wrote a collection of one-shot fics for a full-length drama and had them acted out, including the forced happy ending.

II. Storyline/ Plot
What storyline? To call it a line is a stretch; it'd be better defined as a series of story dashes or basic running stitches. The first few episodes contain some backstitches, with the objective of making the angsty Romeo-and-Juliet theme believable because otherwise, even if you are a Cirque-du-Soleil acrobat, it is tough for you to believe the FL could ever fall in love with the ML. Episode 1 opens with the ML insisting the FL watch him bed the villainess on the ML and FL's wedding night and closes with the ML setting the FL's dead brother on fire. In Episode 2, the ML shoots the FL's entourage dead around her, to satisfy the villains that he remains in their camp. A random backstitch comes, explaining how the FL had previously saved the ML's life and they had fallen in love then, and the ML promises to return to marry the FL, only for them to next meet on their wedding day in a politically-arranged marriage. The ML purports to have done his cruel acts to save the FL's life (and not her mental state) as the villains were watching his every move, but if that is the case, he should have let her remain as Qin Ruo Yao for her safety since no one else would have recognised her anyway. The last episode suggests that the FL could not forgive and forget just because the ML finally kills off the villains, but does a complete U-turn two minutes later.

Halfway through the drama, a randomly gapped running stitch reveals a secondary plot. The 2ML had subconsciously changed the FL's face to that of his dead wife's. This plot thread had a lot of potential, but was never developed further as to whether the 2ML had fallen for the FL or he remains enamoured of his dead wife's face.

III. Characters
The characters were as confused as the storyline. LMC is a beautiful FL, DK is a beautiful ML, JW is a beautiful 2ML, and that is all I can say about the characters. Again, it was as if someone wrote one-shot fan fiction and threw it at a bunch of actors to enact the scenes. It's difficult to comment on the characters when they are more underdeveloped than the average 15-year-old's brains and the actors haven't had a chance to showcase strengths (or weaknesses).

IV. Production Aspects
Other than the writing and editing, the production team did a good job creating a show that I wanted to watch. It had beautiful, detailed costumes, melodramatic cinematography, haunting theme songs, and extravagant sets and scenes. Unfortunately, because the storyline was so poor, none of these aspects could elevate the score for the drama.

V. Conclusion
If you have nothing else to watch or if you just want to tick this off your 'To Watch List', sure, go ahead. But I have never felt so strongly about not wanting to rewatch something before. There weren't even any scenes that I wanted to go back to to rewatch over and over again (you know, like THAT scene in episode 13 of Love Between Fairy and Devil).

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Solid 8/10

I. Introduction

I came across a teaser clip on Facebook Watch and was sufficiently intrigued to seek out the full drama. This drama delivers the usual xianxia tropes with a well-paced plot, charming main characters, and better production value compared to many other xianxia short dramas/ web dramas/ mini series. However, its few weaknesses relegate this to a mere 8/10 stars.

II. Story and Plot

The story comes with a twist: The female demon realm ruler (FL) kidnaps the male immortal realm lord (ML) after defeating him to force him and his people to submit to her rule. However, in episode 1 itself, we find the FL getting on her knees and begging the ML to return to his realm and the ML turning deaf, blind, and dumb to her pleas. The narrative progressed at a satisfying pace, dropping trope twists here and there for refreshing effect.

However, from episode 11 onwards, the writing and editing teams got lazy and resorted to cliche tropes (mistresses, miscarriage, misunderstandings) and banal script. The resolution effectively concludes the central conflict (albeit abruptly). Most importantly, there is a happy ending for the FL and ML, leaving viewers with closure rather than requiring Olympic-level mental gymnastics to draw a conclusion.

III. Characters

TZY and YXC are convincing in their roles as the FL and ML respectively. The two main characters are intelligent and skilful-- at least until episode 11 when suddenly they dropped brain cells on the way to reincarnation. The same cannot be said for K and SYE, because they must have been told to hold a certain expression for their villain roles and they clutched those expressions harder than dames clutch their pearls. Their characters regretfully did not get the same clever twists, and were mere hateful cannon fodder throughout the drama.

IV. Production Aspects

I was surprised by the quality of the CGI effects, costumes, and sets, which were full-length-drama worthy. The soundtrack is also ear-worm worthy. You are free to immerse yourself in the storyline without being abruptly jarred by something out of place.

V. Conclusion

It's heartwarming and satisfying if you're looking for something short, no loose ends, clever comedy, bad people getting their comeuppance, and the leads living happily ever after. It's not perfect, but it's rewatch-able.

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Stabs of Love-ly Red Flags (Major spoilers ahead!)

I. The Ugly
There is no happy ending. There isn't even an open ending for you to squint your fantasies through. It is, however, a fitting ending. There is also no way of repackaging this: The male lead (ML) is toxic AF and the female lead (FL) is a confusing mix of strong and stupid. Consider yourself warned that this contains emotional and psychological abuse, as well as physical and sexual assault. This drama is about a beautiful woman’s stab-happy antics and a handsome man's (less than creative) methods of abuse.

II. The Good
The drama explores a twist in an overused storyline. There is no sugar coating or random back story which miraculously sanitises the ML's actions-- the actions are toxic through and through. Episode 1 opens with the FL masquerading as the Yueying Princess Yingge, who is gifted to the old emperor to be his concubine in an alliance marriage. We get a glimpse of the ML's background as a sidelined seventh prince, whose mother was also from Yueying. The FL infiltrated the palace to avenge her Gu clan members who were executed for alleged treason. By episode 8 of this 24-episode drama, the ML is appointed Crown Prince and FL successfully cleared the Gu clan's name, defeating the villainous empress and third prince. This, of course, does not bode well because what story will they tell for another 16 episodes? Episode 12 reveals that the Gu clan was collateral damage in the ML's meticulous plan to eliminate his brothers as rivals for the Crown Prince position, with the FL's quest for revenge being part of the plan. The next 12 episodes are filled with dog-blood melodrama, as the FL repeatedly stabs the ML like a pincushion (somehow never managing to end him) and repeatedly failing to escape. The ML grows increasingly obsessed including retarding her kung-fu skills in episode 15, slipping her an enchanted amnesia elixir in episode 16, and executing the 2ML before the FL and sexually assaulting her in episode 19. Finally in episode 24, the ML willingly dies in the FL's arms on their wedding night before the FL sets fire to everything including herself.

The drama dazzles with its visually appealing costumes and the story's rich backdrop. The intricate designs elevate the overall aesthetic. YZX is also easy on the eyes, playing the obsessed ML with the crazy look in his eyes really well. HXL's visuals totally fit the role of the strong, imprisoned FL. Credit should also be given to the soundtrack, which enhanced the emotional depth of the story and perfectly complements the visuals, elevating it from short drama series quality to almost full-length quality.

III. The Bad
Parts of the storyline were unnecessarily repetitive and protracted, e.g., the number of times the FL unsuccessfully stabs the ML (how does she miss!), the repeated and lazy use of the 2FL's role to thwart the ML's plans or complicate the leads' relationship (at least be more creative), and the over extensive use of soliloquy and monologues (no matter how beautiful they are, please, get to the point!). I got bored around episode 18 and started speed-watching the remainder of the drama till the end.

IV. The Verdict
The bosom-heaving, steel-muscled '90s Western romance novels and Chinese costume/period dramas have one thing in common: the romanticisation of abuse. The persistent use of these tropes indicates that they strike a chord with many viewers, secretly evoking a tantalising response. If you can ignore the realities of abuse, then this drama is worth a one-time viewing (though not for repeat watches).

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Be Careful of What You Wish For (Major spoilers ahead!)

I. The Ugly
Nothing stands out particularly, but trigger warning that this drama explores physical and mental abuse in relationships.

II. The Good
There's an open ending that you can stick a happy ending on. The drama explores an interesting perspective. What happens if your trashy romance novel/ drama male lead actually comes to life? Do your lady bits quiver for the 霸道总裁 bàdào zǒngcái (domineering CEO)? Do you get the warm fuzzies from 奶狗弟弟 nǎi gǒu dìdì (milk dog younger brother)? Do you get a thrill of excitement from the toxicity of a 病娇男主 bìng jiāo nán zhǔ (yandere male protagonist)? While we gush and dream of such characters (don't lie--it is why we marathon short-length dramas), the plots explore the pros and cons of each type of partner.

The female lead (FL) is an intern designer working in a toxic workplace (of course), where a pretty coworker has targeted the FL for bullying and the manager is useless. The FL meets a hobo wizard, who sells her a magical bead bracelet that will turn her lies to truth. To end the spell, the FL and the male lead (ML) must fall in love with each other and say 'I love you'. Later, she lies and a six-feet, eight-pack-bearing, rich, domineering CEO magically appears to save the day (and the FL's career), ousting the two underperforming employees. Episodes 1 to 6 pokes fun at all trashy melodramatic short-length dramas using the same overused plot devices, with the FL realising that it's all shits and giggles until somebody giggles and shits. The domineering CEO with the EQ of a 5-year-old starts ignoring the female lead's wants and needs, including getting rid of her phone (which contained mementos) to stop her from contacting another man.

The FL tells another lie in episode 6, and the ML turns into a milk dog brother whose world revolves around the FL and has never gone against her wishes. Somehow this means that the ML throws out all of his domineering CEO suits and starts dressing like a college kid. The two enjoy a sweet, cutesy romance until the FL realises the ML's childish behaviours are impacting her professional life and does not give her a sense of security. By episode 9, she snaps at the ML for being embarrassing.

In episode 10, the villain baits the FL into lying about a yandere protagonist boyfriend (the execution here was poor, but let's ignore it). His plan to exploit this fails, as it turns out a yandere personality does not make a person stupid. However, the ML's toxicity is very quickly exposed as he controls every aspect of the FL's life, including how she poses for photos in episode 11. In episode 12, he goes batshit crazy, almost physically hurting the FL before the FL lies that her boyfriend would never hurt her and the ML promptly passes out. When the ML wakes up, he has forgotten the FL and why he was in love with her in the first place.

Kudos to LPE who played each persona brilliantly.

III. The Bad
Episode 13 onwards loses the original charm of the drama, becoming draggy and dreary.. It starts out with the FL exploring why she was unable to fall in love with the ML's various persona, but develops an attraction to this 'normal' ML (who basically had his brains blown out by the lie in episode 12). Meanwhile, the ML has moved on and starts dating a more 'suitable' candidate, who purports to be his equal. This hurts the FL and she attempts to put distance between them. Of course, the ML realises he does not have feelings for the more equally yoked candidate, and finds himself paying more attention to the FL. Out of nowhere, in episode 20, the ML expresses his feelings for the FL, and the FL promptly faints. The FL repeatedly faints every time they share romantic scenes (hello, damsel, don't faint during such 'important' relationship development!). The ML suddenly turns cold towards the FL, which is only explained in episode 23. The FL's. bestie had informed the ML that if the FL does not complete the mission, she dies but if she dies, he dies. Of course, in episode 24, they complete the mission and the ML disappears, leaving the FL to live her life with memories of him. In the last 5 minutes of the drama, she wins an award and sees the ML. She calls out his name, and he asks "do we know each other?", to which she replies "of course!". He responds, "you're really a liar", with a smile.

LPE and JMC performed their roles well, but the chemistry is lacking. There was more chemistry between the second leads, in the few minutes of screen time they had with each other.

IV. The Verdict
If you've been to a legitimate perfumery, you'd have noticed they provided coffee beans to cleanse your scent palate in between smelling so many perfumes, otherwise it all blends into one after awhile and you might as well be smelling trash left out in the sun. This drama is a necessary palate cleanser, in between all your trashy melodramatic dramas, but isn't really worth a rewatch.

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