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I started again because I needed something lighthearted inbetween the angst-fests I'm currently watching (Scarlet Ryeo, W and a couple of others). I'm so glad I picked it back up, this drama is one of my new favorites. It's a gender-bender and it has all the tropes that such a story involves - accidental near-misses with towels and showers, the gender-bending character frequently winding up in uncomfortable close proximity to the other lead, accidental kisses, second-hand-embarrassment, etc. But it's SO much fun to watch I had a hard time finding a place to stop because the end of each episode left me wanting to know what was going to happen next.
*Reasons I loved it:*
The main lead is not a jerk. Far from it. Xi Feng is adorable as he struggles with his growing feelings for his "sworn brother." Also, Xi Feng/Baron Chen is damn sexy a lot of the time, especially when he is teasing Ya Nuo by being "thisclose" to her face and then psyching her out or whispering in her ear. (the motorcycle scene comes to mind).
There was no "second lead syndrome." There is a second lead, and while he's likeable, there isn't a case of "dang the first lead is a jerk why doesn't the female lead pick this guy instead."
I genuinely liked just about every character in the drama. Even the mom and sister I figured I would end up hating wind up being fleshed-out characters who come to love Ya Nuo and treat her as part of the family as she is Xi Feng's sworn brother. Ya Nuo's cousin is a hoot and steals every scene she's in, which winds up being not quite enough in my opinion.
There are several romance subplots in addition to the main one, all of which I found enjoyable.
THE KISSING. OMG THE KISSING. It takes a long while to happen but when it does, it was totally worth the wait.
You must watch at least the last 15 or 20 minutes of the special for the behind the scenes look.
There is an actual plot besides the "will they/won't they" romance, including some intrigue and gangsters. The plot is not just "what catastrophe will the gender-bending-character/female lead find herself in this week," either. This is why I gave the story a 9. Because there IS one.
Lastly, make sure you watch the last 3 minutes of the final episode. DO NOT MISS IT JUST BECAUSE THE CREDITS ROLL.
Things I did not love:
The fight scenes are pretty hokey.
Ya Nuo does her fair share of crying/being hysterical when catastrophes ensue. On the other hand, she also does her share of ass kicking, which was refreshing.
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