Chiaro di luna (2021)

Ironically the story is weak even though it is about writers

I made it to 26 and just couldn't fathom how there were still 10 episodes. They drug out some things too long or added more problems where they could have used the time to wrap up existing issues and been done in 24 episodes.

Main CP is fine but could have had some better communication. Not the best kisses but they are cute.

2 CP were both gorgeous and had steamier kisses but their relationship was very weak.

Overall, it is cute just didn't hit the right spot for me. More slice of life for many different people than romance and I was hoping for a bit more romance. If you want slow but warm feelings with Esther Yu then I would recommend A Romance of The Little Forest over Moonlight.

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I have a very big place in my heart for dramas like this. No misunderstadings, no stupid decisions, just growing love, respect and [fun] enemies to lovers. All of this combined with nice second lead couples, very well developed story for supporting characters and nice workplace routine... I couldn't wish for more.

I don't know if you, like me, are looking for something soft and cute and full of accidental kisses and cringe (but good cringe), but this is definetly a worth watching drama.

I must warn you tho (no spoilers) about a few things that may be bad. The female lead is a very childish, even tho she's mature to handle a lot of situations, sometimes I got uncomfortable because of how infantilized she is. But if you can get past this, and if you enjoy the genre, I'm sure you'll fall for every single character (I even cried near the end because one of the supporting characters that appers in 6 or 7 episodes got a farewell).

I hope y'all enjoy this as much as I did.

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A cute, somewhat realistic look into the world of editing, publishing, and writing.

This drama has a cute little charm to it that kept my attention through all 36 eps.
What I liked:
1. The acting was surprising good. I have seen Ryan Ding in a few dramas before, but he plays the role of Zhou Chuan really well. Also, Esther Yu fits Chu Li really well too. I haven't seen Esther in any dramas before, so this was a good first impression. The other actors and actresses played their role really well, and there wasn't too many over exaggerated scenes.
2. The lessons the drama talks about are really realistic. Many people look at the editing, publishing, and writing industry and think it's easy, but this drama paints it under a somewhat realistic light. The lessons of perseverance, belief, hard work, and many others are well-incorporated into the story.
3. The chemistry is super cute!
4. The OST is so catchy, I had it stuck in my head for so long :)
5. The story was pretty good. I was really glad that the Song Xi situation was dealt with quickly and the leads didn't break up for some petty reason. Most of the relationships were well written.
What I wasn't a fan of:
1. The pacing of the story was a little slow in the middle, and many eps felt like filler eps. Luckily, the story picked up in the last third.
2. I wasn't really digging the second leads relationship, mainly because they glossed over the reason they broke up in the first place. It kind of felt like "drama magic" where someone dies and they magically forgive each other and everything is back to normal again.
Overall, this is a good drama to watch! It's pretty light-hearted and mostly realistic.

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sweet rom com

I’m kinda sad I finished love this drama gonna miss it especially the leads.
If your are into a more complex story line this might not be for you. I wouldn’t say the romance went by super fast but the problems that may have effected the relationship were solved rather quickly and wasn’t dragged too long. What’s different about this from the typical romcom was the female lead was able to solve almost all her difficulties on her own or with little assistance, they went straight to the point and didn’t hesitate to say whatever.
Overall their romance and chemistry was super cute and lovely
Nice warm drama, did get a little slow here and there but totally worth finishing
Acting: Chu li who was portrayed by Esther Yu is pretty similar to Esther herself which I enjoyed about this Drama.
Zhou chuan portrayed by Ryan Ding also love him in Intense love. I think he did a good job portraying his role of being a childish but cold to others ml

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A type of drama that you don't see in a while!

This is a short review!

( there are some spoiler )

This is truly an amazing drama, where it follows a somewhat realistic path. There are moments where you think this will actually happen in real life. But also moments that are like "What?!" / "This can never happen" / too fake" This drama has a balance of workplace life and its romance. The main leads get along really well when they are in their relationship and there is no misunderstanding, in contrast to the other drama you see. Where they get in a fight and break up... As for the second lead couple. Their relationship was more complex than the leads, which was really nice to watch. Since I would be frustrated when watching. The mains leads/second leads acting was great. The OST in this drama was so good. Some of the songs were sung by FL and SFL.

That is my comment on this drama! I love it!

WANT TO KNOW THE ENDING!!











HAPPY ENDING

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Funny and delightful

I generally don't like it when the FL has a high annoying voice. HOWEVER, Yu Shu Xin does a great job in this drama and is so funny! She's got some sass to her. Ultimately, the actress is perfect for her role. Her bubbly demeanor suits the character well. Her bantering comes natural and I think she brings out the contrast between the ML and FL well.

Ding Yu Xi is a great actor. Some parts felt a bit over the top, but then again, that's kind of his character.

I think the relationship between Zhou and his father is painful to witness. However, it is very honest. I had a similar mother/daughter relationship. I like how the drama resolves their issues.

Overall, the drama was well paced, well developed, and a joy to watch.

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This is How Chinese Modern Dramas Should be Made! Amazing Chemistry from Esther Yu and Ding Yu Xi

I regret that I just know about this drama now. If only I had watched it while it was airing, I would have jumped on the same fun boat with the other watchers of this drama on MyDramaList sooner.
In short, I really adore this drama to pieces. These are the reasons:
- The Story
The story is pretty simple, but it doesn’t mean that the story can not keep you entertained for the whole 36 episodes. The premise of the story is about Chu Li, a fresh graduate from Finance Major but decides to pursue her passion in editing. She applies a job as an editor in a publishing company. Though initially she is rejected because she doesn’t have any background in editing field, but because of her deep knowledge in novels and authors, she’s accepted. In order to pass the probation period, she has to make Zhou Chuan, a best-selling author who is known as not only handsome, but a gentleman, to sign his upcoming book with her publishing company. Unbeknownst to her, Zhou Chuan is also her online friend who has been chatting with her for quite a long time. She finally can persuade Zhou Chuan to sign with her publishing company and she becomes his editor. After living under the same roof, they become closer and closer and then voila, they fall in love with each other. It’s a slow burn romance for sure, but each episode provides you the progress of their relationship bit by bit. From strangers to editor-author relationship to friends to lovers. Ding Yu Xi and Esther's chemistry is great in showing the dynamic of their relationship from the beginning. Thank God that this drama does not provide any cringey and cheesy scenes unlike other usual Chinese dramas which sometimes tend to be over-exaggerated in a way that makes me stop watching them.
- The Acting
Moonlight is the 1st collaboration between Esther Yu and Ding Yu Xi (luckily, we’ll be having them hopefully next year with their new drama, Yong Ye Xing He). I already knew about Esther since I loved Love Between Fairy and Devil and I must say she's a good actress. As for Ding Yu Xi, I was attracted by his acting in Love You 7 Times. Many people feel bothered by Esther’s high-pitched voice. But, I’m not that bothered because at least, she can act. When she’s needed to act seriously, she definitely can act those scenes without any exaggerations. Though I have to admit Ding Yu Xi is better in terms of showing various micro-expressions. He’s a really good actor who can act in love very convincingly and act in funny scenes without fail. Most of the main actors here can deliver funny lines very well and sound very natural. Be it Esther Yu, Ding Yu Xi, and the actor who plays the role Jiang Yu Cheng. So, as for me, not cringey though not all the funny scenes and dialogues can make me laugh. However, I do find their dialogues to be witty. I really like witty banters. In serious and emotional scenes, I find Ding Yu Xi is the best among them. His eyes can emote very well. Esther Yu is best in scenes which require her to show her earnest side.
- The Music
Unfortunately, the OSTs are not memorable. At least, they’re all well-matched with the scenes.
- Rewatch Value
I will watch my favorite scenes on IQiyi Youtube Channel. It provides all the highlights from Moonlight.
To sum up, Moonlight is my current favorite Chinese Drama.

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not much feels from this drama

after finishing this show, i really don’t feel anything from it, i don’t dislike it, but i don’t like it either, which is rare. while watching, i stopped for a month after watching ep 14, and decided to give it another try and continue it.

the acting of the casts are good, but the plot feels very bland. there isn’t much ups and down, even the part where she found out that he lied to her doesn’t make me feel much, i couldn’t really get into the situation…

throughout the drama i kind of just want it to quickly finish, and i cringed at many scenes. the only interesting part is where the female character’s personality is refreshing. she stands up for herself, has good perseverance, and gags when her partner tries to be romantic. i quite like her as it feels new to the many weak female characters.

overall, i did not enjoy the show as much as others, but if you like a cute and fluff drama, you can give it a try!

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just another chinese rom-com with better characters & actors

I was really excited for this drama to air, mainly because of the actors. I have been a huge fan of Ryan Ding and Esther Yu. When I heard about pairing, I was excited and they didn't disappoint. The chemistry between the leads, and the second leads was spot on. The characters, in itself, were well thought-out and weren't superficialized for the drama's sake. I felt home with the Zhou Chuan's character, as i could relate with all his emotions and actions. Chu Li was an adorable softie, but she knows how to stand up for herself and the people she cares about.

The story and the direction had few flaws. For example, when chu li's parent just walked in to the house while they were making out? Doesn't make sense, how could they access the door? how did they find where she lives? and many more like that. Moreover, the story felt a bit dull for the second leads, as i find myself skipping scenes as I was bored out. I, however, liked the entire publishing company set up, it was something that i found interesting and could understand.

The reason i said that it's like other rom-com cdramas, because it has just the similar typical elements and the flow of the story isn't anything unique .

Overall, a nice fun watch for rom-com, but don't go looking for more.

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A beautiful love story set in the publishing industry.

Personal review:
I loved this show. I absolutely adored it. The message was simple, chase your dreams and fight for what you want, but very sweetly portrayed. One of my pet peeves with Chinese shows is that they don't know how to wrap up the show. The beginning and middle are good but the end just falls apart; not this show. The last few episodes are one of the best. I loved the ending. The relationship between the two main leads was so good and honest. It felt like I was being given a peak into their lives, rather than just them telling a story. There is no extra drama, so it might not be for everyone , but I loved its understated story telling. No character was wasted, and everyone felt like real three dimensional people with their own motivation, dreams and way of doing things. Just a wonderfully told, simple story.

If I think about it, the story shows different relationship between different people and in different time in their life's, and how they got there. Our main couple were just starting their journey into their lives, professionally and personally. The second couple were people who had already broken up once, because of circumstances, and got a second chance. There were relationships between editors and writers, bosses and employees etc. So, this show is very different from your usual run of the mill Chinese dramas. I could actually empathize these these people and there lives. It felt real.

Pros:

The main leads had amazing chemistry. The acting of everyone was top notch. Many people did find the females' leads voice a little annoying, and her way of talking did bother me in the beginning, but her character is so different from her voice; she is so headstrong, that it became an interesting dichotomy for me; analyzing how she used her voice to throw people off and then get them to do as she wants. She was manipulative, but so earnest and good, pushing forward despite all obstacles, that it was amazing to watch. She never gave up on her writers and used every tool in her arsenal to help them.

The male leads character was also one that could have been very off putting, but this actor knows how to make him seem endearing rather than annoying. It amazed me how two people that could have become so unappealing, both the leads, were wonderfully handled by the actors. They felt like real people, who are actually people you could root for and not caricatures of the traits we like in our drama hero or heroin.

It was wonderfully balanced, especially the main male leads scenes with the second male lead. Their friendship is goals. They sometimes felt like two gossipy ladies, constantly fighting each other, but still the first person the other went to for help. They made me laugh at their antics and I enjoyed every minute they were on screen.

The music was very subtle and beautiful, quite fitting of the story they were trying to tell.

Cons:
The biggest issue I had with the show was that the story of the second couple felt underdeveloped. The only time I was bored during the show, was actually when the second couple was on screen. Their story had so much potential. I understood what they were trying to show, but I had to make leaps of conclusion, which annoyed me (I am not giving more details to avoid spoilers). I could logically deduce what was going in the characters head, but their story needed a little bit of oomph, some details; something just felt missing. I still liked their input to the show, and the second female lead was also a badass, she just felt like two or three people, throughout the show, without me as a watcher being shown the transition between those three personas. Same with the second male lead. He changed his mind and opinions, and they were unable to make me follow his logic.

Other than that, the show is a unique piece of storytelling that might not be for everyone, but one that I loved. What I would suggest is that you definitely give this a try. It is show that deserves being watched.

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A story of two halves

This is one of few Dramas I've dropped that I have given a score greater than zero. That's because there was a lot to like about it, or at least one half of it.

That half is the half that focused on the FL's work. The FL was shown as competent, mature and realistic in her work environment and VERY god at what she did, while also realistic about the challenges and limitations she faced in her working life. The excellence of that part of the storyline, and especially its focus on capable, competent independent female professionals. was why I endured to episode 24 of 36.

The reason I had to drop was the indefensible behaviour and attitude of the ML. Yet another in the seemingly endless line of man-child MLs that China's romance Dramas keep churning out, his petulant self-absorption was very hard to handle at the best of times. But coupled with his penchant for physical violence, dragging the FL by the wrist, and hitting or slapping his "best friend" whenever that friend told him unpleasant truths, was just inexcusable. The ML lied to and deceived the FL for more than half the entire Drama's length, but instead of genuinely realising how wrong that was and sincerely apologising, he turned up, said "I'm sorry" and LITERALLY dragged her back to his house. THAT scene was my breaking point, when I knew I had to let go.

The message conveyed by Dramas like this one and My Fated Boy is VERY toxic - it's OK for men to act like selfish children, women need to accept and adjust. No, it's not ok.

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My favorite C-Drama! <3

This was a show with the most bestest of all best endings: just a sweet happily ever after with our main characters being successful (girl)bosses. I loved everything about this show: the fun, the vibes, the music, the cinematography, the characters and their relationships. It was just such a fun show. Chu Li is such a great female lead: strong-willed, funny and sweet, you just have to root for her. I really loved the actor playing our male lead; he almost felt like an animated character at times, he made so many scenes sososo funny and I loved the bromance with his bestie. The second lead's second chance romance was so good too! I was very invested in their relationship!! Generally, all the side characters were interesting enough for me to care, I didn't skip a single second because I was overall so invested in the show. Shed some tears in the last episodes because it was either really sad or really sweet and happy. Overall, my favorite CDrama together with "A Romance of the Little Forest" (I knew I could trust Esther Yu! love her so much after these two dramas) - literally zero complaints: the perfect sentimental, fun romcom<333.

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