Nothing Wrong, Could Be More Right

I. Introduction
This is a solid rebirth-themed short-length drama, with few plot holes. The drama follows the FL in her rebirth life, as she seeks revenge on the people who did her wrong. Each revenge scene has a convenient flashback to explain what went wrong in her previous life, before bringing the audience back to the current timeline whereupon the FL promptly dispenses justice. The drama tiptoes around the plot hole where the villains have not actually done the FL wrong yet by hinting that they would have, if it weren't for the FL going on defensive offense. I was hooked throughout the 3.5 hours, and I have rewatched this twice. And yes, it has a satisfying ending.

II. Storyline/ Plot
Episode 1 opens with the FL, a decorated war general, in labour, whereupon she is betrayed by her husband the 2nd prince (the main villain), her sister (who is also sister wife), and her closest personal maid. They murder her child, then her. She awakens to find herself on the night of her marriage to the 7th prince (ML). She proposes to the disbelieving ML to work together to defeat the villain. After the FL proves herself, the ML cautiously agrees to cooperate. In the beginning, the FL takes action on her own, based on her recollection of past events and the ML astutely steps up to support the FL in her play. The FL is willing to hurt herself, just to seek retribution; her plan being to lure the main villain into destroying himself. Witnessing her resolve, the ML begins to fall in love with the FL and refuses to let her leave him. Every time the ML enquires how the villains had hurt her, the FL refuses to answer. Halfway through the drama, the ML expresses his frustrations at how the FL does not trust the ML enough to include him in her plans. The FL appears oblivious to the ML's feelings, but the ML persistently expresses his feelings. Finally, the FL trusts the ML enough to disclose that her premonitions were her experiences from her past life. At the end, all villains face their just desserts: her evil stepmother is forced to commit suicide for her crimes, her sister is driven mad, her ex-husband the 2nd prince is killed (by the ML no less!). The final scene is of the ML supporting the FL in returning to the frontlines when the country faces a crisis, because she is first Murong Qiuyu the person, then the General Pingxiang as appointed, before she is the 7th prince's wife (which I thought was bloody romantic).

The overall plot is solid, with few plot holes that you'd only notice if you really thought about it. The retribution plan is not particularly ingenious and merely required the FL's previous experience as background knowledge, but the plan was plausible and did not require full suspension of disbelief and outrageous miraculous resources. Nothing in the storyline jumps out to slap you in the face with a smelly tuna or leaves you hanging at the end as everything is tied up neatly.

III. Characters
I enjoyed the chemistry between WMJ (FL) and CB (ML). They didn't have the fiery passion of a young romance, but the companionship of an old couple or mature people who've been through the worst in life and found solace and comfort in each other. The romance between the two developed at a good, believable pace, and WMJ and CB performed their roles remarkably well. I'd like to see both together or individually in more dramas. LSY (main villain) and MLE (villain sister) surprisingly did really well as villains; LSY had me believing he's truly obnoxious and vile and MLE, as a spoilt, conniving woman.

IV. Production Aspects
I watched the drama as a full-length movie, so most of the theme songs were cut out. But if you search YouTube, you will find that there were 4 and all 4 are fantastic and would have definitely augmented the drama to full-length drama quality. The costumes and set weren't bad but nothing particularly stood out to me; both were designed to reflect a more sombre drama (think LLTG) than happy bright themes (e.g., AB).

V. Conclusion
This is worth watching, especially if you have a predilection for clever leads, satisfying comeuppance for evildoers, and complete endings.

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Nothing Wrong, Yet Nothing Right

I. Introduction
This is yet another transmigration-themed short-length drama. The FL was originally an 18th tier actress who landed a supporting role in a drama, which the FL complained had a terrible script, slow storyline, cheesy (dog-blood) plot, and strange personalities. The FL is sucked into the script, with the option to either portray the supporting role as written to its dead end or revise the storyline for a 'perfect ending' to return to her world. The FL starts by choosing the easy way out, i.e., playing the supporting role as a white lotus (pure outward appearances, muddy depths hidden underneath), before choosing to change the plot.

The drama relies heavily on tried transmigration tropes, e.g., the FL plagiarises famous works when she is forced to recite poetry, the FL utilises modern knowledge to perform artistic skill, the FL having to save the ML after they fall off a cliff. However, the scriptwriters managed to insert new twists, e.g., the FL pushes the ML into a pond despite knowing full-well he cannot swim, the bodyguard yeeting the ML and FL off the cliff, the ML being dressed as a maid while he recuperates secretly in the FL's home. The clever humour elevated the score to a 7, but there was not enough novelty to raise it higher.

II. Storyline/ Plot
The storyline isn't particularly original. The FL intended to play the white lotus role, inciting her older sister to kill her and thereby return her to her world quickly. However, her older sister refuses to play ball and commends the FL for her good taste. Because the elder sister treated her so well, the FL decides to forge a new storyline and tries matchmaking her sister with the Prince of Lin, whom the sister is in love with. The FL informs her sister that she would be joining the ML's camp, to which her sister is horrified as the Su family are the Prince of Lin's supporters. The FL begins to obliviously gather a collection of men, the way ripening fruit collects fruit flies. The FL's interactions with the ML appear to be completely misguided on the ML's part and accidental on the FL's part. Meanwhile, a secondary palace intrigue plot unfolds, and the FL is suddenly replaced by a doppelgänger. The FL is rescued and a body substitute is burned to death in her place. The FL's rescuers turned out to be beneficiaries of the FL's mother's grace, and surprise, surprise, the rescuers are all special cookies who assists the FL to return under a different identity to disrupt the plans of the villain (who is a really weak villain). The FL's sister randomly and unnecessarily dies at the hands of the villain and the FL quickly develops a plan to drive the villain insane. After the villain gets her comeuppance, the FL is suddenly kidnapped by the 8th prince to be gifted to the ML for his birthday. While escaping, the FL remembers that the ML is about to be poisoned by mushrooms and so she returns to meet him.

This synopsis is disjointed and incomplete, precisely how the drama is. It is as if someone sewed a garment and while the garment is technically fit for its purpose, there are many loose threads hanging on to the garment that have not been neatly incorporated or snipped off. The production theme decided to leave this with an open ending that cannot even be completed with fan fiction or fan edits.

III. Characters
XXN acts well as the spunky, witty FL. Admittedly, HL is playing a stone-cold ML but he singularly held on to a placid expression for all 26 episodes, even when he purports to miss her and when he finally sees her again. PQ once again plays a 'prince on a white steed' role, but I'm not exactly sure what purpose his character serves as it could easily be replaced by an unnamed male. The supporting cast either overacted or underacted, but that is to be expected in a lower-budget short-length drama. However, honourable mention should be given to GWX who plays the 8th prince Zhao Yinghe. Although he had very limited screen time, he definitely made the most of it and would have been interesting to watch if his character had more screen time in season 2.

IV. Production Aspects
This must have been one of the lower-budget dramas as the costumes and set are undeniably of cheaper quality. None of the FL or ML's outfits stood out for me. The music (what little we hear of it) was also a cheap jingle that highlighted this drama is not to be taken seriously.

V. Conclusion
It's an easy watch, if you just want something playing in the background while you are occupied with menial tasks. However, if you pay full attention to this, it may not hold your attention for very long.

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10/10 Rewatch if You Enjoy Dog-blood Melodrama

I. Introduction

Brace yourself for delicious angst with Circle of Love, a short-length drama packed with every melodramatic cliche trope you have ever read about. This is pwp for those who secretly consume bodice ripper novels or shoujo manga, and who have a secret kink for 'alpha males' and 'damsels in distress', conveniently ignoring the modern society warnings about idolising toxic, manipulative, abusive, and possessive characters.

II. Story and Plot

Let's be honest- We are not watching this for any story or plot. The cliches utilised in the story weren't just beaten to a pulp, they were pulverised into subatomic particles. The supporting female lead is predictably stupid in her vindictive mischief, and the glowering male lead's responses served as the inspiration for Katy Perry's 'Hot n Cold'. The female lead catches amnesia the way people caught Covid-19 in 2020. Abortion soup is served like dessert. I'm not even sure when did the female lead get pregnant- or did the male lead impregnate her by shooting lusty gazes at her all while keeping his trousers on?

The plot tropes get wilder and more incredulous with each episode, that by the last episode you're left spinning like a drunk top on crack. The male lead suffers multiple gunshot wounds in places that generally mean quick death even with a single shot, and yet still managed to remain standing, speak for 10 minutes, crawl multiple times, be hurled six feet away (not once but twice!), be trampled on, wrestle with the villain, shoot the villain, and not die. The female lead similarly has some kind of hero's halo, as she shoots herself in the head, but in the last 2 minutes of the episode, can be seen reuniting with the male lead on some battlefield 'two years later'.

III. Characters

We watch this- as PeachBlossomGoddess puts it- for LJL's (ML) smouldering gaze, taut chest, and steamy manhandling of GC (FL). LJL and GC's chemistry is so palpable here, you will beg for them to collaborate on a longer-length drama. LJL delivers a powerhouse performance as a possessive, abusive, amorous, and delicious snack. GC has a quick-witted face, which supports her character as someone trying to outwit the male lead and she manages to restrain herself from overacting in a melodramatic role (falling in love with her abuser in every instance of amnesia). The same can't be said for YZM (2ML) who emotes like he is a GIF or sticker for even the smallest of scenes. Meanwhile WLH (2FL) must have been slapped frozen by the FL's audacity to exist. She steadfastly held the same petulant expression throughout the entire drama, be it happily receiving an expensive gift, viciously planning someone's rape, or being jilted at the eleventh hour.

IV. Production Aspects

Set in the Chinese Republican Era, the set showcased luxurious Western influences, e.g., use of ornate wooden furniture, plush bedding, and art deco architecture. The cinematography repeatedly utilised muted tones and dim lighting to drag audiences into visually seductive scenes. Some of LJL's suits were inaccurately modern for the era, but LJL bore the uniform so well, any young damsel or damned sir would develop a uniform kink. GC's gorgeous OOTDs had her oscillating between sweet-daisy-next-door in one scene and poisonous-rose-assassin in the next. Notably, the song 克萊因與鯨 (some translated it as 'Klein and the Whale'-- who's Klein??) is a poignant song which heightened the emotional impact of the angsty scenes.

V. Conclusion

Circle of Love is not for the progressives. It demands suspension of disbelief and preference for indulging in luscious angst and melodrama (you know who you are). LJL and GC's stellar love-hate performances, the compelling agony, and effective soundtrack elevates this to a 10/10 rewatch value, but its general storyline is so ludicrous, the overall score is brought down to 8/10.

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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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The Imperial Concubine Needs Better Notes (Major spoilers ahead!)

I. The Ugly
This does not have a happy ending. The edits tried to suggest an open ending to appease viewers, but the two minutes before that leads one to the logical conclusion that there is no happy ending. The last episode is just pretty takes of people waiting fruitlessly for their loved ones.

II. The Good
This seemed like someone's cinematography degree final year project, filled with beautiful shots and a flair for the dramatic. Some frames showcased a blend of bold colours and dynamic angles (e.g., the sword dance scene in episode 1 and the bamboo forest fight scene in episode 12). However, these were done at the literal expense of storytelling, edits, and acting, which is such a shame because it had a deliciously seductive premise. There were some comedic relief plots thrown in (e.g., when the FL accidentally becomes the lamppost in the 2ML and 2FL's angsty dialogue, when the ML's male servant became a horse, or when the FL misunderstood the ML, his manservant, and his female servant were in a threesome). There was so much more that could have been done with the plots and storylines.

III. The Bad
The storytelling is chaotic and choppy; scenes were pieced together without concern for continuity.
If you've ever attempted to clean a mirror with the wrong type of cleaner, you know how frustrating it can be. You keep buffing in circles, going round and round with foggy streaks. That's what the storytelling is like in this drama.

Episode 1 opens with the male lead's (ML) sword held against the female lead's (FL) neck, purportedly because he was paid a thousand gold taels to assassinate her. The FL's special skill (truth-seeking) and disease (truth-blurting) activates and she calls him out on his lie. We suddenly cut to a background introduction of the ML, a beautiful sword dance scene ruined by an assassination attempt, which is ruined by the fact that the assassin could not even stab the man sitting still next to him. As it turns out, the FL is betrothed to the ML, but the FL's father has broken off the betrothal and married his daughter off to the ML's brother, the emperor (2ML). We jump to the ten-second introduction of the vivacious and youthful FL who isn't having it easy in the palace. We are then gifted a confusing five seconds introducing the 2ML and his beloved, the 2FL. We then come back to how the ML and FL meet at the start of episode 1. FL shares the existence of her special skill, and the ML tests it. They are interrupted by a eunuch informing the FL that someone had attempted to assassinate the emperor, and the FL quickly assumed it was the ML. In episode 2. fearing for her life, she tells the ML (not knowing that he is Prince Ning) that she was betrothed to her childhood sweetheart Prince Ning and she would be happy if the emperor was dead. The ML then blackmails the FL into agreeing to cooperate with him. Meanwhile the 2ML is in love with the woman who purportedly save him, not knowing that the 2FL was sent to his side by the ML. The dowager empress is then introduced, and she appears to be conspiring with the head eunuch serving the 2ML. In episode 3, we see that the ML is supposed to be a cruel, cold-blooded killer, who grew up as an abandoned prince. The 2ML emperor is supposedly a naive, trusting fool. The dowager empress seeks to drive a wedge between the ML and 2ML to maintain power. In episode 4, we are served multiple flashbacks to when the ML and FL met, and their deal for the FL to help the ML assassinate the emperor so that the FL may marry her beloved Prince Ning. We find out that the FL is able to determine the truth only when a lie is told, but her skill does not activate if it is not a statement.

This storytelling style is repeated in all 24 episodes, as if the director and screenwriters had a collection of ideas that didn't find their narrative anchor and so lacks any form of cohesion. The FL inexplicably thinks the ML is a 'good person' despite the fact that he's only blackmailed her and instructed her to assassinate the emperor every time they meet. The ML supposedly falls in love with the FL from the time she vehemently defends her artwork. The FL supposedly falls in love at some point, but we do not know which point. The ML. 2ML, and the FL's father were secretly working together to defeat the dowager empress' plans. The 2ML is an idiot in love. The 2FL is also an idiot in love. The 2FL is killed for no reasonable plot device. The head eunuch turned out to be a spy serving another master. The dowager empress is a weak villain. All of these plot devices could have been expanded further for a more captivating story, but they burnt the opportunities to ashes instead.

I was confused about the lack of chemistry and kissing scenes between the ML and FL, given that the 2ML and 2FL had one scene, until I found out that HTT was 16 when she acted as the FL. That explained how the FL's acting is unpolished and immature; she is able to cry at the drop of a hat, but her performance lacks the in-depth angst and drama we expect from older actresses. ZJY was also a frozen stick in his scenes with HTT. which is understandable if all he can think of at that time is that she was 16. Good to know he's not a secret pedo.

IV. Conclusion
It's not an absolute do not watch, but you should not have high expectations for it.

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Crack Humour, Perfect Marks for the Commitment!

I. Introduction
This drama is proof that if the production team commits to the theme, no matter how ludicrous the storyline is or how substandard the costume looks, the drama can still score almost perfect marks. Everything, from the characters' names to the plot to the costumes and makeup to the music, was eccentric crack. Zhangsun Wuhen (the FL, whose name is literally 'eldest grandson no hatred') is granted the title Commandery Princess and sent to Xiangxiong (literally, Elephant Bear) for a political marriage. After 3 years, she arrives in Xiangxiong alone as her entourage has been beaten and eaten by monsters during the journey. There, she finds out that Xiangxiong practises polyandry in addition to polygyny, and thus, she is to marry all 5 brothers of the Kun family: Prime Minister Nima Yixi, Defence General Heima Renzeng (literally, 'black horse, increasing benevolence'), businessman Duojin Zhandui (literally, 'lots of gold, to possess heaps'), top idol Baima Jiacuo (literally, 'white horse, excellent measures'), and child prodigy Gaerben Dalongwajiong (literally, 'karma you fool, attain (and) gather distant roof tiles'). The FL tries to strategise a way out of the polygamous marriage, but in the meantime she must comply with Xiangxiong's laws.

I enjoyed this drama so much because of its constant subversion of expectations. The writing team took every single costume, political-marriage-themed drama and inverted the plot points, resulting in a highly entertaining work product. Because they fully committed to the crack humour theme, every scene is judge by that standard and no mistake could be found.

II. Story and Plot
The drama mostly focusses on the FL's daily life being married to the 5 brothers. There really isn't a single plot thread connecting the episodes, and each episode could be watched in isolation of the others without much mental gymnastics. Some episodes are pure crack (subverting common palace romance/ palace intrigue tropes) while others are sardonic about modern day politics and society. In the first few episodes, it would appear that the 5 brothers are not too pleased about having the FL as their wife but this is later negated. In episode 5 they sweetly cheer her up after realising she may be homesick, and episode 9 hints that there was a reason the FL is chosen as the political marriage victim. In episode 11, the truth is revealed. Episode 12 leaves an opening for season 2, but considering this was aired in 2021, I hold zero hopes for a second season.

III. Characters
ZXB is a FL who is trying to navigate life being essentially a political hostage in a foreign nation, while LBY, WHX, YHM, LMJ, and PJQ are parodies of the male leads in costume/ palace romance dramas.
Here's the thing: ZXB, LBY, WHX, YHM, LMJ are all very good looking people in real life/ other dramas. Due to the concept of this drama, certain aspects of their facial features were magnified to create cartoonish images. The only one who looks normal in this drama is PJQ as Gaerben Dalongwajiong. In terms of acting chops, kudos must be given to the cast; they fully committed to the theme and delivered not just cracked pots but pots smashed to smithereens.

IV. Production Aspects
Production oscillates between seriously good quality investments, e.g., the FL's costumes, the Xiangxiong queen's costumes, and the animated parts, and seriously cheap quality trash, e.g., Heima Renzeng's costume, the Xiangxiong king's costume, the Xiangxiong imperial greeting room. The theme song plays up the crack pot humour.

V. Conclusion
If you need something light-hearted, easy to watch, this is the drama for you. However, do not expect any intelligence from it, as the production team was clearly taking the mickey out of everything and everyone, and in some episodes, highly un-PC-ed (unpolitically-corrected).

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Model Student for Short-length Dramas

I. Introduction
This is what all short-length/ web dramas should aspire to. The synopsis above is incorrect as this isn't a transmigration story, but a rebirth one. In the first life, the FL married the ML and they were affectionate but not deeply in love (as alluded to in later episodes). However, the ML plotted a rebellion and the couple was granted a peaceful death by poisoned wine. The FL drinks the poisoned wine, but finds herself waking up on the morning the rebellion is scheduled to take place. She manages to knock the ML out, but they are again granted death by poisoned wine when the ML's accomplices proceed with the rebellion in his absence. So the FL drinks the poisoned wine again, and finds herself waking up the day the emperor granted an engagement between the FL and the ML. This time, by hook or by crook, she plans to avoid the ML and all palace intrigues to save her life and her sanity.

The plot device is allowed to flourish at an adequate pace, without random scenes or continuity issues. The performance, while not perfect, still draws you in to believe the characters' feelings and perception. The setting, staging, music, and clean happy ending all come together to create a worthwhile ~4-hour diversion.

II. Storyline/ Plot
I absolutely loved the storyline. Let me count the whys: (1) The FL showed deep character development. She starts off as a 胆小怕死 blasé twit, intent at avoiding the ML at all costs, but grows braver once she understands her feelings for him. (2) There are hints sprinkled throughout the episodes that the ML remembers his first two lives, and the grand reveal in the final episode compelled me to rewatch the series from the start to review the hints. (3) There is subversion of expectations--I expected the ML to be an overbearing twat, but in episode 12 he vehemently argued that even if he was interested in the FL, the FL had to be willing to accept his interests (before he pursued her). Even the timely comedic scenes subverted expectations, e.g., when the FL trusses the ML up like a turkey in episode 1, when the second prince only wants the ML to lose his crown prince position but not his life or his reputation, when the betrothal gifts were pushed back and forth, when they argued in episode 13 and the ML pauses in storming out when he realised he was storming out of his own palace, when the FL's parents leave her at the mercy of the ML, etc. (4) The romance was not forced, and the development of the characters' feelings were paced well. (5) The ending wrapped up loose ends really well, even if there were some openings to keep viewers guessing, just none that were too frustrating.

Points are deducted for the use of modern gaming slang (e.g., 老六, 猪队友), causing confusion that this is a transmigration story instead of a rebirth story, and for the mess that is episode 23. I mean, if he could fling the sword like that, why didn't he do so from the start?

III. Characters
ZJM is a beautiful, mischievous FL trying to get out of the clutches of the ML. LF is better at expressing obstinacy, care, mischief, and cunning here, than he was in My Villain Husband. The chemistry between ZJM and LF is adorable, leaving me gushing and squealing at times. The ML's rivalry and brotherly affection with his brother (the second prince) is humorous and touching-- they are allowed to kick their brother in the nuts but nobody else is allowed to insult (or make use of) their sibling. This drama definitely made good use of the ~4 hours to showcase good character development for the FL and ML, and explore facets of the second prince rather than taking the easy path of making him a one-dimensional villain. The supporting cast did so well in their roles--even the geese in the betrothal gifts were paid actors!

IV. Production Aspects
The drama boasts impressive production value with a well-designed, visually-appealing set. My word, the costumes are gorgeous-- the delicate details that went into the FL's and ML's costumes and makeup! The production team also invested in two songs that elevate the drama to almost full-length drama quality, and are complete ear worms.

V. Conclusion
A must watch and a must rewatch for the times when you need something simple and simply gratifying.

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Light-hearted Comedy, Satisfying Ending

I. Introduction

This is an easy breezy short-length drama with minimal angst and misunderstandings, and a satisfying ending. TYY (FL) meets ZYB (ML) when she tries to brain her ex-fiance for cheating on her with her ex-bestie and her ex-fiance uses ML as a meat shield. ML suffers from a (hand-wavey) chemical reaction that causes him to assume the physical appearances of the person who touches him longer than 5 seconds, but the antidote is found when the FL accidentally face plants on his lips. ML then seeks to keep FL by his side through various ways and means, supposedly because she is his curative. Its simple narrative and opportunistic humour earned it a solid overall 9/10 stars.

II. Story and Plot

Given the whimsical nature of the plot, you must suspend disbelief if you choose to watch this. Don't bother trying to figure out the 'whys'. This also extends to why the FL attempts multiple times to betray the ML's secret transformation disease to her pop idol played by JYT (2ML) since she wasn't being held hostage or blackmailed into remaining by ML's side. There were some other fudging of plot points (the 2ML suddenly being less annoying and the 2FL suddenly being less spiteful), which I deducted points for. But generally the story progressed at a good pace, there were good chuckles to be had, and there was an interesting plot reveal (albeit somewhat expected) towards the end.

III. Characters

TYY and ZYB portrayed their roles well, and I couldn't help but still maintain a liking for the FL even when she attempts to betray the ML. They had an 'older couple' chemistry-- not the hot, steamy chemistry of a young couple in the passionate throes of an early relationship, but more of the comfortable, affectionate chemistry of an older couple who have a deep friendship. Kudos must be given to JYT for being able to distinguish when he was playing himself as the 2ML and when he was playing the ML who had transformed into the 2ML. He had nailed the ML's speech patterns and body language admirably.

IV. Production Aspects

Given that this is a modern day drama, the costumes and set aren't anything to shout about. The soundtrack is predictably sweet to match the tone of the drama.

V. Conclusion

This drama offers a light and breezy escape into a Cinderella-esque world of mistaken identities and sweet romance. It is a worthwhile watch for those seeking a quick and fun romantic escape.

VI. Bonus

1) There is some hilarious BL and GL mischief due to the ML's condition, which will tickle the more deviant of audiences.
2) The 'morning after' scene is word-for-word is exactly the same as the 'morning after' scene in Circle of Love.

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