This drama is an excellent production. It is a saeguk about three individuals that are thrown into chaos with the painful and heartbreaking history of a life changing revolution in Korea in the late 1800’s. Although there is continuous reference and chronological sequence of the Donghak Peasant Movement revolt of 1894, this drama is all about the people and the reasons that drive these individuals to make life changing decisions that will forever alter their path through life. The three main characters (Baek Yi Kang played by Jo Jung Suk, Baek Yi Hyun played by Yoon Shi Yoon, and Song Ja In played by Han Ye Ri) are caught up into the tumultuous, tragic, heartbreaking, and life changing events of the revolt of the Korean peasants and followers of the Donghak religion and its pantheistic ideology that instill a profound desire to change the inhumane treatment of the lower class by the noblemen and royalty, and eventually, fight the Japanese takeover of Joseon. That is the setting behind our main characters that, although they are fictional, their story could’ve well been one of the many real life stories during that period in Korean history. This is the story of three individuals that went through a radical change effected by these poignant and tragic developments in an effort to create an egalitarian society in Korean. This drama has a stellar cast and every character was brilliantly portrayed by actors that brought about a wide range of emotions, from profound love and great camaraderie down to their most vicious and horrendous nature and disposition. The drama depicts many historical events with accuracy which truly leaves the viewer deeply emotionally invested. Even if the viewer is not a fan of the many tragic events and loss of life that happens when a country is engulfed in war, the characters are a real force of nature that will leave deep impressions on one’s mind. Enjoy it!

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Lovely Swords Girl is a light period wuxia drama that, although the actors shine on their dramatic moments, the leading lady, Yu Shengyou, is insufferable for most of the drama’s duration. She is headstrong and stubborn, loud and unruly, and, with the excuse that she’s young and doesn’t know what love is, she drags two male leads that, for 24 episodes, do nothing more than show her love, protection, and understanding. Although the drama depicts a love triangle, there’s no consistent chemistry among the leading males and Yu Shengyou. This drama is good to watch without high expectations while the viewers wait for a better one to come! There are some aspects of the drama that are worth watching: the great dynamics and unwavering love and support among the Gong family, Yu Shengyou and her faithful maid strong friendship and reciprocal support, the younger Gong brother and their love interest, Yu Shengyou’s father and the Gong’s parents. Must mention that Yang Shi Ze, as Gong Yuan Xiu, delivered a great performance as both the reserved and steadfast male lead and the fool Yuan Xiu.

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This is a great crime fantasy drama! Although there are many negative comments, too many are really unjustified. The drama is very entertaining and the actors did a great job bringing these characters to life. The leading couple has great chemistry and rapport, although there were not many romantic scenes, the ones that they had were nicely done. The antagonists also did a tremendous job delivering spine-chilling scenes. It is true that there are some things about the Abyss, a soul-reviving marble, that were not explained and it could be bothersome to some viewers. Also, the end is really nice but it felt a little bit rushed, but overall speaking, the drama is really entertaining. Enjoy it!

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Blossoms in Adversity is not a love story but is a magnificent story about love, endurance, and above all, human resilience and growth within continuous adversity. The drama has a strong, intelligent, and quick-witted main couple that exudes a soulful and loving chemistry, even when they are not together. In this drama, even when the leading couple is the axle that holds the other characters together, each supporting character is vital to the flow of the story and, since the drama is female centric, one must say that the female cast did a great job bringing their characters to life. With that been said, all male characters, especially the patriarch of the Hua family, Hua Yi Zheng, played by seasoned actor Eddy Ko, had an important role in the drama that, whether there was a positive or negative influence, led this fantastic group of woman to blossom in adversity. The leading male, Gu Yan Xi, brilliantly played by Hu Yi Tian, is a constant source of trouble and support to the remarkable leading lady Hua Zhi, masterfully played by Zhang Jing Yi. There are extensive reviews about this drama and yes, there are some scenes that might have seemed unnecessary but they pass quickly with the fast pace of the drama. What makes this drama a 9.5 instead of a perfect 10 is the unnecessary breakup for the leading couple that could have used their wits to fool the Emperor and save their friends anyway and the nice but bland ending for the leading couple. That would have been the icing on the cake. Two characters that are worthy of been mentioned are the precious, peculiar, and lovable Shao Yao exceptionally played by Lu Yu Xiao and the tyrannical and selfish emperor that one loves to hate excellently played by Hai Yi Tian. All in all, this drama is a must watch and an excellent example of how “divided we fall united we stand”. Enjoy it!

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I Want To Resign Every Day is a nice time loop miniseries. With each time loop, there is great character development for the leading couple, some comedy, and a nice slow burning romance. The transition from one episode to the other is nicely done and there is a logical flow to the story. Although the drama has an overbearing and narcissistic boss and an overworked secretary tired of her dominant and arrogant boss that she wants to resign as in the Korean drama “What's Wrong with Secretary Kim”, this drama has a well written time loop plot line. The leading couple has great chemistry that gets better as their story evolves and she discovers the real person behind the haughty boss and the reasons behind his attitude. This is a drama that could’ve been great if their intimate scenes were done better but, even as it is, the drama is very good and entertaining. Enjoy it!

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First time watching: Feb, 2019 Rewatch: Jan. 2024 Still fantastic!!!!

This is an amazingly well told story about a girl named Ming Lan. Don’t expect a torrid romance; the lead couple’s relationship takes time to develop but, once it does, it gives way to a great fusion of mind and soul. Understanding, and remembering throughout the drama, that Ming Lan grew up holding back her real emotions while cultivating her intellect, will be less frustrating. This drama has everything, from an excellent cast to cinematography, choreography... but what makes this drama great is the way the story evolves and how Ming Lan and Gu TingYe become a powerful force of love and brilliant minds working together, and sometimes, apart. Take your time and be patient because, although the drama can be considered slow paced, every episode really brings out all sorts of emotions. Enjoy it!

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This is my third rewatch since I saw this drama in 2015 and I decided to write a review now. This is a very good romance drama that, although not perfect, it has a beautiful romantic story that started in college, suffers a 7 year hiatus, but remains strong and steadfast in the hearts and souls of the leading couple. The cast did a great job bringing their characters to life and the leading couple has great chemistry. I must say that the leading young couple [Luo Yun Xi (as He Yi Chen) and Janice Wu (as Zhao Mo Sheng)] at the beginning of the drama did a phenomenal job playing the leading characters and beautifully paved the path for Wallace Chung (as He Yi Chen) and Tiffany Tang (as Zhao Mo Sheng) to continue the wonderfully played love story. The supporting cast did well also and Viola Mi (as Xiao Xiao) and Eric Le Yang (as Lu Yuan Feng) were fun and refreshing to watch. The OST is great! Overall, although there are some annoying and not so well develop issues in the drama, mostly the invalid divorce and English “speaking” characters, the drama excel in the romance plot execution. Enjoy it!

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This mainland China version is also a great rendition of the original “Fated To Love You” drama. Even though the drama has some minor differences that make the story a little bit distinctive, the main plot remains the same. This adaptation doesn’t have the farce characterization with absurd type comedy. The actors did a great job bringing their characters to life and the leading couple has very good and credible chemistry. The leading couple brought about a good range of emotions and really tugged at the heartstrings with their melodramatic rendition of a couple that went through immense loss and suffering. Overall, this drama is very entertaining. Enjoy it!

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By far, the best "Fated to Love You" remake version out there! Although this drama keeps the farce comedic genre, it is toned down compared to the original Taiwanese version making the drama better balanced between the comedy and romance. This version also has a unique storyline for the male lead but the overall plot follows the original story. The tear jerking moments are heart tugging and memorable. There is a fantastic gradual and consistent character growth for the leading couple who has great chemistry and did a phenomenal job bringing their characters to life. Although Lee Gun's laugh is annoying sometimes, I really like how he performed his character on this version. Jang Na Ra was perfect as Kim Mi Young. Enjoy it!

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This is a super fun drama to watch. The plot of the drama is centered on a group of four friends, their struggles and achievements within the setting of the high fashion industry. The drama is a romantic comedy as much as it is about the friendship and the steadfast love and support among the four friends as they put their utmost efforts to succeed in their chosen careers in the competitive and, many at times, cruel manipulations of the people in power within the industry. The drama touches these aspects but it is kept a lighthearted drama about this group of magnificent friends and how they pull together, also with the help of other friends and family, on their way to find success. There is also a very nice romance story between Ji-eun (Chae Soo Bin) and Woo-min (Choi Min Ho) who display some heartbreaking moments, some heart lighted moments, and a beautiful romantic chemistry as they try to love and understand each other. This drama, as a comedy has some over the top flaunt of erratic emotions but it is so well done that it doesn’t lose the essence and solemnity of love and friendship. Overall, a great and very entertaining drama, enjoy it!

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This is a drama labeled as romance. It is more a romantic comedy that failed in the romance department. First of all, although there is a great character development for the leading characters, it takes forever! The leading male, Li Tang (Jerry Yang), portrays a man with “Peter Pan syndrome”, an adult who is socially immature, and supposedly unreliable. Jerry Yang does a great job delivering this character but his childish demeanor is overloaded with weird facial expressions and tiring playful attitudes which diminish his high level intelligence and problem solving ability. On the other hand, the leading lady, Fu Fang Si (Maggie Jiang), is a fashion designer with low emotional intelligence who mostly cares for her fashion label because of its attachment to her deceased father. For most of the drama, she is constantly bickering with Li Tang and blaming everything on him. Granted that he keeps a lot of things from her, but she is impulsive and quick to condemn him while she is very understanding and forgiving of everyone else that has stab her on the back. By the very end of the drama, and having been through thick and thin together, they grow to understand, love, and appreciate each other; but the journey only gives the viewer great playful interactions between the lead couple, masterminded business antics with conniving antagonists, and a flat romantic chemistry between Jerry Yang and Maggie Jiang. Although, most of the time, the leading couple’s story is full of banter and misunderstandings, they get their happy and successful ending. The rest of the cast did very well bringing their characters to life. Ron Ng (as Yin Hao Ran) and Viola Mi (as Cheng Xiang Nan) were also excellent portraying their heavy laden and complicated antagonistic characters. Overall, with patience and tolerance of some over-theatrical acting, the drama is entertaining enough while waiting for a great one to come!

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