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One of the best Xianxia to date
I finished watching it last night and 'The Starry Love' left me so many feels :'( So I will be brief:What I love about it (and you will too):
- Couples: The chemistry is just right for all couples. You will have to resist watching them over and over again. All of the loving scenes are so cute (but not cheesy).
- Character development: All four leads has grown throughout the series. I love the storyline of You Qin who was cold and distant at first. He has grown into a loving and caring husband for Ye Tan. Qing Kui has many heroin characteristics but she's not boring at all. She learns how to lie and everyone blames Chao Feng as the bad influence ?
- Sisterhood: The sisters are very different from one to another but they're always there to support each other. Not to mention Man Man, Li Wu, etc.
The only thing that I don't like is the ending. It's okay but i feel like something missing. There should be one more episode, just for the fans to look at how all of them live happily ever after.
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Simple, short & sweet
If you're looking for something light and funny, this series is for you. I don't expect much since it's low budget. The storyline makes sense and is easy to follow (even if you don't look at the subtitle all the time). There is a clear character development for both FL and ML (i.e. ML becomes more loving. FL becomes more independent). The main couple is cute and you can see the chemistry between them. All supporting characters are funny too. They have their own personalities and don't blend together.The minus point is it does get quite cheese sometimes. The series tries to get as many kissing scenes as possible, to the point that feels quite forced. Also, I hope the 2nd couple gets more screen time :)
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A rare detective rom-com that works
I watched this right after 'Starry Love' which I love very much. However, 'Warm on a cold night' is a pleasant surprise.As a detective series, it does a great job. The plot is logical from the start to the end. All the cases make sense and they are down to a bigger motive. As a rom-com, it is fluffy and cute. Even though it takes quite a bit for the ML FL being officially together, I don't mind it at all. It suits their characters. They are still very cute and have good chemistry throughout the series. I like how Han Zheng easily get jealous ?. All the cute scenes are not forced or cheesy at all.
ML and FL are made for these roles. I usually like the ML more but Li Yi Tong left a lasting impression on me. Some may say Li Yi Tong tries too hard but I think she is cute and natural. I like the fact they use her real voice. I'm surprised to learn that she was in 'Love between fairy and devil' where she was totally different!!! For me, it is good acting when she is able to wear different hats. Other characters are very likable. Together, they also builds a great story on friendship.
I feel like there will be a season 2. Hopefully, they bring all characters back.
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Cute and fluffy rom-com
The 1st thing that catches my attention is the 2FL (Zhao Yue). She is beautiful both as male and female that makes total sense when she can play the role of the 5th young master for years. I wish she could have more screen time, especially with Gao Mo - the 2nd ML - More cute scene for them please!!!! I love how Gao Mo always annoys our 2FL even when he doesn't know she's a girl ?The ML and FL are also very cute. I'm not a big fan of Xie Bin Bin but think he does a good job. Wu Jia Yi's character is cute yet still smart and scheming enough to deal with difficult situations.
What I like about the series is the all main characters are depicted distinctively. Even their loves grow in a different way. The story focuses on both couples without letting one story line sabotaging the other. The main couple, of course, gets more screen time. But I'm always excited to see Zhao Yue and Gao Mo on screen.
The story is very straightforward and logical. It does have some twists here and there but not too dramatic. This is how a series should be. It doesn't need to be too complicated to get loves from the audience.
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Pleasantly surprised!
I didn't expect much watching this series as it looks low-budget. I must say the series surprises me. Unlike other low-budget shows, it's just right with 10 mins per episode. And in just 10 mins, it's funny with all twists and turns. I can't wait to see more of it. The story is easy to follow (I found other low budget ones try to scram too much into the 1st episode to explain the background, making it hard to digest).The two main characters are adorable together. I love how they are equally smart and scheming. All the mind-reading is funny as well. I feel bad that I can't understand them all as the English translation cannot convey the meaning.
I'm looking forward to season 2 already.
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A light-hearted comedy
I gave it a 7.5 because I quite like Ryan Cheng's work. He can play a very serious guy (Evil Face) and this role - a bit goofy and silly guy. Also, I don't expect much for a low budget. At least, the story line makes sense. The whole cast work well together. It reminds me of Butterfly lovers - Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, but is much much more light-hearted.It starts off quite funny and gives me hope but I feel quite bored in the middle. There is no real drama. The climax of the series pass quite quick. But if you're looking for something light to watch, I would recommend this.
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One of the best chinese drama I have ever seen!
I won't talk about Ban Hua's anymore as everyone adores her already. I like her too, but not as much as I like Rong Xia. I didn't like him at first since he gave out mixed signal to Ban Hua. I was a bit confused when he got jealous and decided to express his feeling. To me, it was a bit rushed. But his acting and storyline gets better with time. He's not one of the best actors out there but good enough for this series.How they depicted the main couple's love was adorable. I keep re-watching all cute moments (thanks youtube!). The best thing about them is that they never have to explain themselves to each other. They just knew why their significant half did what they did.
The dynamic in the Ban family was awesome. It is quite rare to see a great family in the drama. They made me feel I want to be part of the family.
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So much potential but get meh at some points
I had such high hope for this series after reading many great reviews. The first two episode gets me hooked. The first case moves very fast. I like the FL who is strong & independent. I also like her family dynamic. The bromance between Han Wuwei and Kang Zheng Yuan is another strong point making this series unique. However, there are certain points that don't really make sense to me:- Ye Cha barely appear in the first 10 episodes. I almost think the ML is Han Wuwei. I feel like there are many scenes that got cut between the ML & FL. Their romance seems to progress fast. I don't see enough reasons why they fall for each other. Both Kang Zheng Yuan & Han Wuwei get way more time with her and also helps her so much but nothing?
- I don't get why Chun Da Shan doesn't treat his wife well. Yes, she is annoying. But he always prioritises his daughter anyway. She only tries to get her husband by her side. She also tries to defend the ML in front of her mother. Why does he marry her at the first place then?
- The 'dark justice' - It doesn't seem to go with FL who puts the law above all.
I feel like the subtitle doesn't translate the series well enough. Some parts get lost in translation. Maybe I would like it more if I can understand Chinese *crai*
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Not an old cliche
I love The Autumn Ballad more than I thought. It's very different from other series I watched.Qiu Yan is very special. I love how she's not that typical. She's smart, strong and often scheming yet vulnerable enough in front of her mom, her sister and the one she loves. She's a perfect match with Liang Yi who are the same. He's quite grey and cold but secretly holds a soft spot for Qiu Yan. Their romance progresses quite naturally. It's just realistic and how love should be depicted (i.e. unlike some other series, ML/FL suddenly likes each other for ridiculous reasons...).
The side characters are however lame. Qin Xuan is useless for most of the series. But I cannot blame him because Liang Yi outshines him at all levels. Qiu Min's character development also doesn't make sense, especially in the last few episodes when she suddenly changes (for no reasons).
The ending is obviously weak. They introduce a new villain quite late and the ending for Liang Yi's mom is unnecessary. Why not a wedding instead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, I still love the series, thanks to all the cute scenes between Liang Yi and Qiu Yan.
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OK if you're bored
I like this series because of Dylan Wang who did a great job as Dongfang Qing Cang. The chemistry between him and Orchid is there. I like their lovey-dovey scene and rewatch a couple on youtube. There is character development for both main characters - Dongfang Qing Cang: learn how to love, Orchid: learn how to be strong.The story line is mediocre and very typical (i.e. you can find this plot in any movie). There is no surprise and not much dramatic - to me, it's a good thing since I only want some light hearted rom-com. Orchid is a bit annoying and overly cutesy but she's strong in her own way. The 2nd ML is rather boring. The 2nd couple should have more screen time as they're adorable.
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I'M IN LOVE!!
At first, I was hesitated to watch. I knew that the series was adapted from a danmei novel but was censored. What would the series be without lovey dovey scene?? After watching a couple of short clips on youtube, I decided to go with it anyway. I'm so glad that I did.What I love about the series:
Acting: A round of applause for Yibo and Xiao Zhan who were quite young when they filmed this series.
I always have a soft spot for Xiao Zhan who always brings out different vibes for any character he played. Yibo is also awesome as Wangji.
The chemistry: Due to censor, the series leaves out all BL scenes. But I can clearly see how much love and chemistry there is between the two main characters. They don't need to hug, kiss or to have any romantic scene. They deeply care for each other, all expressed via action. I love everytime Wangji says "Wei Ying" and Wu Xian says "Lan Zhan". If you love the series as much as me, please also read the manhua which explains more on how they fall in love with each other.
The side characters: The story of Yi City deserves its own spin-off series/movie. Xiao Xingchen, Xue Yang and Ah Qing almost makes me cry. I feel for Xue Yang when he cannot change.
What I don't like about the series: There are some plot holes with the storyline. I'm not that convinced with the ending. For instance, the one who masterminds the plan to bring Wu Xian back - it feels very random and doesn't fit that one's characteristic. Guangyao's character is confusing too (is he good, is he bad?).
Overall, it's a great series - one of the best I watched so far (Chinese TV series category). I'm excited to see more projects from Yibo and Xiao Zhan :D
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A hidden gem!!!
This series deserve so much more than a 7.6 rating. The story line is not totally new but I love its twist: a physically strong FL and a street-smart ML (the opposite of Warm on a cold night, one of my fav series). The story progresses quite fast. Both FL and ML realise how they feel about each other quite early in the series. Mixed with some investigation and comedy here and there, it's a whole package!! The side characters are also funny, especially the two guys working in FL's house.If you like season 1, please watch season 2 also. A bit more serious but it brings something different.
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Ok-ish
I read many good reviews on fake princess so I decided to give it a go. I feel like it was oversold.I'm all for light-hearted comedy rom-com. Fake Princess has so many potential. The first few episodes are quite good and funny. The kidnapping scene is quite creative. It has a good twist at the end (i.e. Chang Le's background) which makes sense. All female characters are very independent and keep support each other.
I dislike all the scenes of Zhu Yan and Li Heng. I finds them too cheesy. Their story was quite unnecessary which contributes to nothing. In the middle, the story takes an unexpected turn. I dislike the "character development" for Li Heng. He somehow turns into a completely different person which I find annoying and silly.
Ah Li Ai Ti also has a weird story line. She is portrayed as childish and supposed to love our ML very dearly. However, she somehow helps him, risks her reputation as a princess without expecting anything in return. She understands the love between ML and FL and just leave???????????????????????
Anyway, I still give it a 7,5. OK to watch, easy to digest. If you're bored and have nothing else, this is fine.
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One of the best mini dramas out there
I have just finished it and i loveeee ittt!!! This is no regular mini drama.A round of applause for the plot: I will let go the fact that they can swap face without any harm. Other than that, the story is logical and consistent. The love between the main couple is natural and convincing. I love how the ML is so smart he figured it out what is happening on his own. How he recognises the FL is also logical with him stitching all the clues together.
I'm not a big fan of a weak FL. But with this drama, I'm ok with Shi Qi. It makes sense for her when other main characters already have strong personality. Han Sheng is my favorite and together they have great chemistry throughout the series. The 2nd couple is depicted quite clearly without being overshadowed by the main couples. I secretly hope for the 2nd couple to be together.
Another great character is Yuan Bao. I rarely see a good child character. Most of the times, the kid in a movie or series is quite annoying and is there to piss off the main characters. Yuan Bao is just adorable and a great addition to build the love story between her mom and dad.
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