Kind of boring (as nothing exciting happens)

My friend recommended that I watch this drama. She said that it was a sweet show and I doubt her not.

I started on it but eventually, I decided to drop it. I do not detest this show. I do not detest any of the actors/ actresses. The reason why I decided to throw in the towel for this one was because nothing much was happening at all. Another plausible reason could be that I had just watched "Lost Track of Time" which I liked and enjoyed tremendously and so, I could not appreciate the fairly green acting and unexciting plot. I'd say that "LTOT" was like eating Ma La. It was spicy and yet, strangely addictive. I'd say that "Let's Meet Now" is like plain porridge - kind of comforting and easy to have but really quite bland.

Other notes:
I think that the FL lead is quite cute - she reminds me of Sandy Lam.
I think that the little girl, the second ML's sister, is adorable - she reminds me of young Ariel Lin.
I think that the ML is quite handsome.

However, I'm looking for a more exciting and engaging plot!

Although I can probably sit through this drama and I am pretty sure that it'll be a decent watch, I decided not to waste my time on plain porridge but to seek savoury instead! I like my dramas with more taste and meat! :)

[I respect other reviewers and their individual choices. There are plenty of dramas out there to suit every taste. Direct your support or lack of to the drama itself. If you support this drama, good for you and please continue to. Please write your own good reviews. If you do not support this drama, please also write your own review. We are reviewers. Not personal attackers. We review. We do not attack. Reserve your opinions for your reviews and not for the reviewer who is responding to the drama itself and not to other external aspects. I am responding to this drama that I have watched and I am not personally attacking any actor or actress in real life. It is all based on this particular drama only/ this particular reel life only.]

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Formidable ML & Feisty FL

I am a (small) fan of both the ML and FL after seeing their outstanding performances in other dramas. Thus, I was more than happy to give this drama a go and boy, it did not disappoint and I am truly delighted about this!

What I Loved:
- ML was so tall, so handsome, so cute, so goddamn powerful and strong. I loved that he wielded such authority and yet, he did not abuse his power (in general). The fight scene where he walloped the previous Commander of the Security Bureau was extremely cathartic as well as both jaw-dropping and mind-blowing. Wow! That punch punch punch punch punch!!! Loved it!
- I loved that ML was also devoted and sincere to his lady love.
- Good chemistry between ML and FL. I loved seeing ML as well as both of the love birds on screen.
- I always love a feisty and intelligent FL and FL in this drama did not disappoint. (Of course, I suggest gently to suspend all disbelief and just enjoy the drama and the powers of what a FL can do.) She was supremely capable and plucky. She was highly intelligent and modern in her thinking. She was confident and yet, human.
- Acting was great from everyone in the drama. The supporting cast of four women acted by veterans was awesome. They definitely understood their assignment and was beyond great. Everyone else in the show like the lackeys from the Security Bureau, FL's grandmother, Shen Huan, Shen Qi, the maids, the children and so on delivered great performances. Thumbs-up!
- I liked that everything was paced very well. There was nothing draggy and there was nothing that was too quick that it was, to me, considered not properly explained or accounted for.
- Riveting and intriguing plot which made me want to watch on and on. So many interesting and suspenseful things were happening. There were elements of cute too. Great plot! Well directed!
- The music sounded very modern and catchy. I liked the tunes.
- Happy ending!

What I Didn't Like:
- The king was all sorts of crazy and had his own selfish agenda. He was also so paranoid about losing his throne and was so very bloodthirsty.
- Hua Jing was absolute nutcase number 1. She should have leveraged on herself and not constantly blamed others and desire for things out of her control.
- All the bad people such as all the abusive husbands.
(I mean I get the memo from the script writer. I'm just saying.)

Overall, Blossoms in Adversity is a superbly wonderful drama and I highly recommend it! <3
It is well-made and the cast is all great! There is also a bit of a moral in place too that we should all blossom in adversity. Adversities abound in life. How we respond/ react to adversities and how we overcome them are more important. Problem-solve and continue to blossom and grow in adversity and despite adversity. <3

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Savoury at first and then, like chewing plain hard bread.

As a fan of the FL, I decided to watch Legend of An Le when I found out about this show. I have also watched other dramas starring the ML and he is quite handsome and quite decent as an actor. I had pretty high hopes. At first, the drama started off roaringly. There were shenanigans and the FL was feisty as well as funny. As the drama progressed, things started to water down...

What I Liked:
- The FL and the ML. I think they could have done a better job because I have seen their other dramas which were great. However, I think it's not their fault but more the fault of the scriptwriters.
- The cast was earnest. I could see their efforts in acting out their roles as well as they could.
- Lin Lang turned out to be endearing. She respected and adored Luo Ming Xi but never crossed the line. She was an honorable and dignified woman from start to end. I was sad when she was killed.
- Luo Ming Xi stole my heart in this drama. I saw him in Chang Ge Xing but he did not leave a very strong impression on me. He was good then as Hao Du, but not great IMO. In this drama, the actor who portrayed Luo Ming Xi was awesome. He stole the show and I watched for him. He loved Di Zi Yuan deeply and sincerely but he would not do anything that would hurt or harm her in the name of his love for her. What a charming and devoted man he was!

What I Didn't Like:
- I really couldn't like Princess An Ning. She didn't have much expression through out the drama. She was just anal and exasperating to watch.
- Leng Bei was a traitor and I hate traitors to the core.
- The drama was as exciting as chewing plain hard bread half-way through. I wanted to drop the drama but my partner wanted to complete it and so, we did. The ending was a happy one (more or less), but it wasn't exciting or amazing in anyway. I felt relieved that it was all over.

I'd still rate this as a 7/10 but my partner thinks that 6.5/10 is more appropriate. However, if you have better options out there, you may want to go for those before embarking on this fairly painful and dry journey.

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Sizzlingly Suspenseful

This drama is an excellent watch indeed. Although each episode is quite short at about 12-15 minutes long, each episode packs a punch and ends on a cliffhanger each time. The editing of the drama is excellent. The scenes/ shots are quite breath-taking.

What I liked about this drama:
- Excitement from the get-go. I had to move on to the next episode and then, the next! Intriguing plot.
- The ML and FL had sizzling chemistry and looked good together. It was delightful to see their growing attraction to each other.
- There was a suspenseful story to unravel. I liked the use of clothes/ thread to symbolise "hooking" the other party in. The cinematography was nicely done. Quite artistic and beautiful.
- The acting from the cast was brilliant throughout. Actually, the first wife, Wan Yi, was just all bark and no bite. Despite being a minor role, she played her role very well. Thumbs-up.
- I liked that everything wrapped up in the end. The villains were caught and justice was served.
- I liked that the ending was happy enough. :)

What I didn't like so much:
- Some parts of the plot skipped a bit too much and were not very credible or well-linked but... I was willing to close an eye. Overall, this drama was nicely done!

My verdict: Please watch this excellent drama. :) It is Sizzlingly Suspenseful! It is a great drama. Join the exciting ride! :)

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She carried the show.

I watched this drama because I like both leads although I have not watched anything from Yang Mi. I have a rather positive impression of her. The synopsis sounded interesting and so, I gave the show a go! I quite enjoyed it but there are other dramas which, to me, are more engaging and more interesting than this one. Nonetheless, this drama is truly, to me, good enough to watch and to chase. I wanted to go from episode to episode as the drama was generally fast-paced enough and generally engaging enough.

What I liked:
- I liked Yang Mi in the show. Her character had a lot of sass and was intelligent. She was ambitious and strove hard to get her wants. She looked very charming in most of her clothes. I must say that she's a pretty sight.
- The ML, Xu Kai, was rather "meh" in this drama though. I expected much more from him. He had so much potential from what I saw from his other productions. The chemistry between the leads was okay but not hot and sizzling.
- The acting from most of the cast was stellar. The plot was okay.
- FL had more chemistry with her ex-bf.

What I didn't like:
- I can't stand FL's mentor, Hui Jie. To me, she's a pretentious bitch. So fake in the way that she speaks.
- I can't stand Wu Fei. She spoke haltingly like a retard and I constantly wondered how she suited being a lawyer who is supposed to have the gift of the gab. Everyone else spoke normally but she spoke as though she was somewhat mentally challenged.
- I can't stand Wenyu and Meimei. Their relationship is hard to watch and hard to stomach. They should have split up. It was annoying whenever they appeared on the screen.
- Noble idiocy was somewhat present. I didn't like that as the ML was supposed to be very smart.

Overall, this drama was OKAY and I enjoyed it because in "She and Her Perfect Husband", She carried the show and made it all work. I'd say: Can still watch! Quite good!

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Fantasy-based Magic Martial Arts

I was encouraged to watch this drama because it received good ratings and was supposed to be good. However, I hesitated for a long while as I am not a fan of "wu xia". I finally decided to watch it because I had run out of good shows to watch and because the lead is Yang Yang. I am glad that I embarked on this "journey". It has been a ride.

What I liked:
- The leads have good chemistry. Even though I am not a big fan of the female lead, she pairs well with Yang Yang. Her acting has also improved a lot IMO.
- Yang Yang. He is a handsome lad and he looks good on my TV screen.
- Both leads are powerful in their martial arts and I especially love the fact that the female lead does not require saving by others. She is very powerful and is capable of saving herself and other people. I really love the fact that she is not a stereotypical silly damsel in distress. I like that she is smart and badass.
- The plot is intriguing enough despite the "omg are you sure" moments which border on illogical (but bear in mind that this is a "wu xia" drama.
- The acting throughout is good.

What I didn't like:
- Yang Yang's father in the drama was all sorts of insecure. I mean: Why would you cripple your son by giving him a drink to weaken him? I would only wish for my son to be a stronger person and not a weaker person. His motives were insane and inhumane.
- Yu Wu Yuan was a super villain. I didn't like him from the start because of his face. He looked fussy and hard to please. It was painful to watch him and his evil stratagems.
- Feng Ju's mother and Feng Ju were not pleasant either. Feng Ju's mother was a witch. She was positively evil. She wanted to kill her own husband to put her son as the king. I mean: Which wife does this? Also, she refused to acknowledge her firstborn son. Heartless mother and self-absorbed human being.

Overall, this drama is worth watching! :) I enjoyed the ride although I feel that the ending can be made much happier. I love happy endings (that's why).

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A bit of fluff which was nothing much

The reviews for this drama was generally positive and so, I decided to give it a go since it was just 12 episodes.

I don’t regret it watching this because it doesn’t give viewers heartache and headache. There aren’t villains in the drama who make one’s blood boil.

The drama can be compared to a simmering pot of soup. It just simmers but it doesn’t come to a rapid boil. There is hardly any exciting climax or revelation. The plot is predictable and the acting is mediocre. Nothing very exciting happens although the love between the two couples in the drama is rather sweet. I prefer the second male lead (Ding Man) and the second female lead (Ge Yao) to the first male lead (who is rather ‘meh’) and the first female lead (who is quite okay as she grows on viewers).

This drama is a fairly nice filler when you are looking for another great one to watch.

Overall, this drama is ‘nothing much’ despite the fluff.

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For Hyun Bin

This is a very belated review. I watched it once it was aired and I have since rewatched it a few times. It was on my list because of Hyun Bin. When I knew that he was the male lead, I knew that I had to watch it and of course, I did!

This drama has received tons of positive reviews and I want to add mine! Hyun Bin is an absolute delight to watch! The scene where he was being transformed into a Seoul man was drop dead gorgeous!! OMG!! So very hot and sexy.

This drama has funny elements, touching elements as well as intriguing moments, suspenseful moments! The cast was excellent but my highlight was and still is Hyun Bin.

Pls watch for this very fine actor. I loved him since Secret Garden. These two are, to me, his best best best dramas thus far and I look forward to more of his brilliant work.

Watch - for the love for Hyun Bin.

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Glad the show is pushing boundaries and challenging stereotypes

I decided to watch this drama after reading others’ reviews and because of Xu Kai. I watched the male lead in Arsenal Military Academy and found him pretty great. (I think he’s better in AMA than in this drama though.)

Watch this drama because:
- I like that the female lead is feisty enough and that she is able to hold her own fort. She’s a force to be reckoned with without taking away her femininity. I think there’s no need to be a man to play e-sports and she shows that a woman can do the job as well as or perhaps, even better than a man.
- I like that boundaries are being pushed and stereotypes are being overturned and challenged. The person who can do the job is the best candidate for that position regardless of the person’s gender.
- The cast is quite good on the whole. Watchable.
- Makes viewers understand e-sports a bit more.
- Plot is fairly interesting.
- There is sweetness and fluff.
- I like a strong female lead and a faithful male lead.
- Happy ending.
- The second female lead is cute.

What I didn’t like:
- Some parts were frustrating (as with almost all dramas).
- Some actors took a while to get okay like Old K.
- About 3-4 episodes after ep 20 were confusing and painful to watch because the male lead was not communicative.

Overall, a good enough watch. I would not give it more than an 8/10 though.
A ‘can-watch’ drama.

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Secret Garden is my not so secret pleasure

I watched this when it was released back in 2011 and even though ten freaking years have passed, I still go back to rewatch this gem whenever I miss Hyun Bin (and Ha Ji Won).

This drama is a must watch because:
- Hyun Bin - enough said. He’s a dream!
- Ha Ji Won - she’s a great female lead / actress.
- the sizzling chemistry that feels so good and feels so real
- swoony Hyun Bin - in the drama, he is so cute and handsome and funny - love!
- the story is fantastical and yet believable
- the supporting cast is great
- the music is so well composed and lovely to listen to
- rewatchable and one of the best ‘classic’ k dramas out there

The part that I didn’t like:
- male lead’s mother is crazy


This drama is wonderful! I love it. I love the leads! I love Hyun Bin!

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Feisty Female Lead + Manly Male Lead

Chanced upon this show and decided to give it a go after reading the positive reviews written by other viewers.

Show didn’t disappoint. Of course, there will be *annoying moments* (my pet phrase already) but the good moments outweigh those irritating moments.

Watch because:
- female lead is spunky and cute in her own way.
- female lead is capable and as the show develops, fondness for her grows.
- male lead is the manly sort - soldier. Strong. Manly. Dependable. My kind of man.
- plot moves fairly fast.
- acting is generally good.

Overall, a very watchable show!! Recommend!

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Became Unbearable

I read reviews before I embark on any drama.

With this drama, I did the same. The reviews were good and the drama seemed promising. However, I ended up very disappointed. The drama didn’t live up to its expectations and I didn’t know why the other viewers enjoyed it because I really could not bear it anymore. (To each his or her own.)

What I didn’t like:
- the leads weren’t that good-looking and their looks didn’t become better the more I looked at them - rather, the opposite happened
- the leads didn’t have good chemistry IMO
- the female lead really became annoying as the episodes continued - I could not stand looking at her act
- the female lead’s sister was even worse as her acting was stiff and she behaved irrationally IMO
- the storyline was fairly intriguing at the start but it became draggy and went on and on about nothing IMO and it became a tiring watch as nothing was moving

Overall, there’s nothing really great about this drama. Nothing shines. I could not stand watching it anymore after reaching mid-point.

My verdict: Please don’t waste your precious time. There are much better dramas out there! Skip this!

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Draggy... Angsty... Mediocre acting...

This drama was on my list for a long time - years, in fact, considering that it was released in 2017. I wanted to watch it but just never got down to it because other dramas got in the way... After watching the epic "Love like Galaxy Parts 1 and 2" which I loved dearly, I wanted to find something lovely to indulge in once more. I decided to go back to this "old" drama on my KIV list.

At first, I thought that the drama was quite "healing" because of the slow-ish pacing. The actors and actresses were all new faces to me and I thought they were fairly refreshing. However, as the episodes continued, I found the acting rather mediocre and stilted. Later, I read FGV (iykyk) and I agreed with the C+ review for this drama. The points mentioned in FGV's review were the thoughts that I had too.

What I liked:
- Started off quite okay...
- The cinematography is (erm) pleasant.
- The songs are actually nice.

What I didn't like:
- The green actors and actresses in that the acting was mediocre and stilted.
- The lack of nuanced expressions of the actors and actresses. e.g.: The female lead just looked sullen.
- I could not understand the way the female lead behaved. Did she like him? Did she want him? Why did she keep on playing push-pull? I understand that the male lead also appeared like a playboy but he sincerely confessed to her and showed that he wanted to be with her but there was still this push-pull from the female lead which I found rather odd.
- The angst really got to me. I was patiently waiting for the "big revelation" as to why male lead disappeared from female lead's life and why, as adults, she was searching for him. I got to episode 7, going on 8, and realised that drama was "getting nowhere" despite building up so much angst. I could not take it anymore.
- The second male lead just did not have guts to confess until episode 7 and it was, again, very angsty for me.
- The transition from 2007 to 2017 (past to present day) was very abrupt and often, I did not know that they had changed time frame until they started speaking and such. It would have been better if there was "fading in and fading out" or just a small date to indicate the time frame clearly for viewers.

As an impatient viewer, I wanted things to hurry along just a bit more. I guess this drama did not work out for me.

[I respect other reviewers and their individual choices. There are plenty of dramas out there to suit every taste. Direct your support or lack of to the drama itself. If you support this drama, good for you and please continue to. Please write your own good reviews. If you do not support this drama, please also write your own review. We are reviewers. Not personal attackers. We review. We do not attack. Reserve your opinions for your reviews and not for the reviewer who is responding to the drama itself and not to other external aspects. I am responding to this drama that I have watched and I am not personally attacking any actor or actress in real life. It is all based on this particular drama only/ this particular reel life only.]

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On and on about nothing.

I had pretty high expectations of this drama because of the 8.6 rating (at time of post). Also, the reviews were positive and so, I thought that it would be quite excellent. I also think that Liu Tao is a pretty good actress. I’m not a fan of hers but I do think that she’s a talented actress.

At first, it seemed very slice of life and relatable. As the plot continued, it became draggy fast. The issues were the same from episode 1 to episode 10. There was no growth or interesting change in the characters or plot.

Jiang Si Yuan was a spoilt brat. His maternal grandparents were crazily unreasonable and spoilt him rotten. Xi Wang had a voice like a duck and even though I know he’s a child, he was superbly annoying in the drama. Xi Wang’s parents seems very incompetent. The father kept on going against the very anxious mother. It was hard to watch their interaction. Fei Fan’s father was a complete ass. Xin Yue’s father was crazy because of his unrealistically high expectations that he had of his daughter.

After watching 1/4 of this drama, I couldn’t continue. I wanted too but I felt like I was wasting my time and my life on issues that kept on repeating without positive changes and growth.

To each his or her own. For me, I give up on watching their struggles that aren’t going anywhere!

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First half - great. Second half - just ok.

The rating was 8.7 and I thought it’d be awesome possum.

The first half of this drama was full of cute shenanigans and was really pretty funny. I laughed quite a bit and enjoyed myself a lot. The drama was very cute when the two leads first got to know each other and before they became a couple. The misunderstandings were not agonizing. Rather, their misunderstandings were kind of cute and engaging. I really had a fun ride for the first half of this drama.

The second half of this drama was not quite as enjoyable and funny as the first half though. There were parts that were rather ‘meh’ and ‘hmm’. The love between the couple was sweet and sincere but it wasn’t sizzling hot and ‘wow-whee’. After the leads got together, they were rather ‘meh’ as a couple.

Overall, this drama is watchable. I just do not think that it’s worth 8.7 / 10. I’d think that it’s more 7.5 / 10 :)

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