An entertaining action-romance drama with interesting plot.

I started this series because of Sandra Ma, but I ended up liking William Chan as well. The story is focused on action, romance, family and friendships but also has some humor thrown in.

What I like:
• Excellent acting of William Chan (as Liu Zi Guang) and Sandra Ma (as Hu Rong) – They have a good grasp of their characters and were able to bring them to life.
• Great chemistry between the leads! Love their banter and how their characters and relationship developed. Of the dramas of Sandra Ma that I’ve watched, she is able to have good chemistry with her co-star.
• Supporting cast that gave good performances – They helped make the drama well-rounded.
• Interesting storyline – There were surprises up until towards the end of the drama.
• There is a balanced focus on action, romance, family relationship and friendship.
• Exciting and well-executed action scenes – William Chan knows how to fight! He's a good action star, and is also very good in the emotional scenes.
• Interesting opening theme – Instead of someone singing, there’s background music and some key dialogue from the characters inserted into it.
• Overall good OST – aside from the opening theme, the ending theme song is quite catchy; in fact, I often had LSS after watching a number of episodes.

Other Comments:
• There were a few scenes that I find unrealistic, but I know these add dramatic flair, so I'm willing to overlook them and not take them too seriously.
• There was a part towards the end that is somewhat unbelievable, bordering on negligence of protocol (not wearing a bulletproof vest on a critical operation?). It felt forced.
• Though he was not a major character, it would be good to have more info on Ah Se. He appeared suddenly and followed Liu Zi Guang around as his apprentice, seeming to live in his own wuxia world.

Final verdict: I would gladly recommend this series, especially if you like police action with romance.

Leggi di Più

An impressive and very well-made military drama.

I finished watching Glory of Special Forces more than a month ago. I was initially hesitant to watch it, because I thought 45 episodes was a bit long for a military drama, but I'm glad that I dived into it. After I've completed this drama, I was actually hoping there would be more episodes!

Things that I like, which kept me engaged throughout the series:
• It has a very engaging and well-paced storyline that made me excited to know what's going to happen next.
• Interesting characters with great character development, especially Yan Po Yue.
• I'm very impressed with Yang Yang's acting here. He's one of the reasons (or the major reason) why I picked up this drama. He was able to convey all emotions - sadness, joy, confusion, anger, fear, resoluteness - he nailed them all! I can't imagine someone else playing Yan Po Yue.
• The rest of the cast also gave good performances. Kudos to the entire cast and crew for a job well done!
• The drama showed the challenges and hardships that the soldiers had to go through in their training, as well their teamwork and the victories they gained in the process. There are also glimpses of their past, events that shaped them to become who they are.
• Opening and ending themes songs that fit the drama so well.

Other Comments:
• This drama has little to no romance - there are hints of potentially something developing between the main characters (like they could be more than friends), but that’s just about it, that angle is not developed further. It would be good to expound on that.
• It would be nice to have more stories about the next stage in their military careers.

Overall, I really enjoyed this drama, so I highly recommend it.

Leggi di Più

A story of first love…with a twist.

Ok I admit, I regret a bit that I put off watching Love O2O for so long (there are just so many good dramas to watch), but it’s better late than never!
Things that I like:
• I’m not a gamer, but I like the idea that the ML Xiao Nai (Yang Yang) and FL Bei Wei Wei (Zheng Shuang) started as a couple in the game “A Chinese Ghost Story”, where Xiao Nai first “pursued” her, then eventually in real life (They being Computer Science students is a plus!). Their in-game interactions and experiences together laid the groundwork for their eventual meet-up and relationship in the real world.
• Casting the same actors to portray their in-game characters, which made me more invested in their scenes inside the game. I enjoyed watching their interactions and action scenes in the game, which were well executed.
• Fluid transition of the story from online to offline scenarios.
• Smart, interesting and attractive ML and FL. Especially the ML, he’s so well-rounded, almost perfect, too good to be true at times!
• Amazing chemistry between Yang Yang and Zheng Shuang. They look so good together! They have many light-hearted, sweet and romantic moments, and Yang Yang is a good kisser! He mostly carried their romantic scenes ?.
• There is mutual love, trust and respect between our main couple, and I like that there is not so much drama and misunderstanding between them.
• Great circle of friends for both Xiao Nai and Bei Wei Wei, and healthy family relationships.
• The drama showed Xiao Nai and his friends navigating the gaming industry through their start-up tech business, the challenges they faced and how they overcame them.
• Love the OST! The songs just fit the drama so well. So glad they’re available in Spotify and Youtube.

Other comments:
• Zheng Shuang is pretty, but I find her a bit too skinny. Her acting in some of the kissing scenes could be better, as most of the time, she was a passive receiver of Yang Yang’s passionate kisses. To be fair, there were some kissing scenes where she did better than in others. I read that her character is written that way in the book.
• There were a number of annoying characters, who seemed to spend most of their time gossiping and trying to pull others down. But hey, they made the story more interesting, so they’re a “necessary evil”.
• This drama has a high rewatch value for me. After I finished it, I rewatched the last 3 episodes the next day. Then in the following days, I rewatched my other favorite episodes, before starting from episode 1 and rewatching the whole drama (albeit with some skips the 2nd time). So I watched the entire series twice in a little over 2 weeks.

Overall, this is a fun, feel-good, and enjoyable drama for me. I highly recommend it!

Leggi di Più

A fun, light and entertaining romantic comedy.

I finished this drama more than a month ago. This is a romantic comedy that is fun, light and entertaining to watch. There is great chemistry between Vin Zhang and Janice Wu (they have many kissing scenes and romantic moments), and they were able to bring their characters, Xu Yan Shi and Xiang Yuan, respectively, to life. There were some push and pull in their relationship due to misunderstandings, which can be frustrating at times. But the good thing is, these did not last long. I did not feel much chemistry between the 2nd ML (Gao Leng, played by Huang De Yi) and 2nd FL (Chen Shu, played by Nita Xia). However, on their own, I like both characters, despite their flaws (there are no perfect characters anyway). I like that there were back stories related to the main leads’ families, but I wish more could be said of the ML’s mother.

Aside from family, the drama showed relationship dynamics and happenings in the workplace, both the good and bad, the realistic and unrealistic ones. I find the industry that the drama focused on, i.e., satellite navigation technology, quite interesting, so I did not get bored in the scenes where they talked about it. The opening and ending theme songs are good, they’re quite catchy! Overall, this is a good drama for me.

Leggi di Più

Marry first, fall in love later and achieve great things together

“Destined” is a Chinese costume drama that tells the journey of two people, Gu Jiu Si and Liu Yi Ru, who were married by chance, fell in love as they achieve victories and went through hardships together, and grew as individuals and as a couple.

This drama has romance, familial love, friendship, love for the people, burden to help the country, and loyalty - themes that would appeal to you if you're looking for a story that transcends beyond the characters' personal ambitions.  I laughed at the funny and light-hearted moments, cried at the emotional and heart-tugging scenes, and celebrated with them in their victories. There is also some political intrigue, strategizing and battle scenes, since there are forces bent on wreaking havoc in the country.

Liu Yu Ru (FL) is responsible, smart and business-savvy.  Despite being the only legitimate daughter of a cloth merchant, she and her mother were mistreated because her father favored the second wife.  To forge a better life, she initially had set her sight in marrying into the influential and scholarly Ye family.  Gu Jiu Si (ML) is the only son of Yangzhou’s wealthiest family. He is witty, has excellent martial arts skills, and despite his infamous reputation, is actually kind-hearted; he once fooled around but gradually changed and became a serious learner, a good husband and responsible leader, partly due to the FL’s influence, who gave him the needed push and encouragement.  I like how their relationship developed and their love for each other blossomed throughout the drama.  They have a healthy relationship, they complement each other, and there are no silly misunderstandings between them.  Together, they are a power couple.

Bai Jing Ting’s portrayal of Gu Jiu Si is spot on! His comedic timing is gold, and he can also carry the heavy scenes.  He is really a versatile actor, and one of my favorites.  Song Yi also gave a good performance as Liu Yu Ru.  Her LYR is gentle yet tough, savvy yet kind, loving yet firm. Their chemistry is natural and doesn’t feel forced; hence, the growth of their characters and their relationship flow organically. 

The supporting cast is commendable too, and those that stand out to me are Ray Chang as Zhou Ye, a dependable and loyal friend; Zhang Hao Wei as Ye Shi An, the idealistic scholar; and Li Xin Ze as Shen Ming, who's loyal and street smart, and the funniest of the three. Together, they are like the three musketeers.  I also like Zhao Yuan Yuan as Qin Wan Zhi, the badass female warrior and a good friend to LYR.

One thing that I don't quite understand is how Luo Zi Shang (played by Liu Xue Yi) survived and eventually became a powerful figure. It's not well explained in the drama. 

Final Verdict: Despite a few unanswered questions, I like this drama and enjoyed watching it. The story is balanced and well-paced, and the characters are generally well-written, so I would gladly recommend it!

Leggi di Più

A love that grows stronger the 2nd time around.

I don’t often watch a drama when it just started airing, because it’s a waiting game and I can only binge-watch a few episodes at a time, but “Fireworks of My Heart” is one of the exceptions. I saw some trailers and was immediately intrigued, so I watched it when the first 6 episodes dropped. From the very first episode, I was already drawn into the story.

This drama is about a second chance romance that gradually builds up, such that I’m anticipating and excited for the character development and progress of the story. As I expected, there are some side stories related to Song Yan (ML) and Xu Qin’s (FL) professions, but the drama does not digress from the main story. Here are other thoughts that I have about the plot and story:
• Although this is slow burn, there are different turning points in the drama that tell us a new page in the story is about to be told and there will be progress in the character development and relationships (e.g., episodes 10, 16, 21, 24, etc.). When Song Yan and Xu Qin finally became a couple, things were not always smooth sailing for them, since both their professions were demanding to a certain degree, more so on Song Yan, since his job is high-risk. But the important thing is how they're facing these challenges together and became stronger as a result, both individually and as couple.
• I think it’s good that they showed the challenges, sacrifices, heartaches, victories and sense of fulfillment that the characters experienced as doctors and firefighters. Their rescue scenes were well planned and executed.
• There are many poignant, touching, heartwarming and swoon-worthy moments throughout the drama (I cried in some scenes). This is generally a serious drama, but they manage to inject humor in some scenes.
• I love the camaraderie, brotherhood, and banter among the firefighters. Even the developing friendships among the doctors and nurses are a joy to watch.
• The family dynamics: I like that they showed the contrast between Song Yan and Xu Qin’s family relationships – one is warm, relaxed and loving, while the other is colder, more reserved and tense.
• And of course, I love the chemistry, passion, and sweet/romantic moments between Song Yan and Xu Qin :)! Their scenes as a couple are so natural and believable.
• As shown in the BTS, there were some scenes from their high school days that did not make the final cut. Also, some scenes were deleted, and there is one kissing scene in particular that I was looking forward to because I’ve seen it in a trailer, but it was cut!

As for the cast of characters, I think the production team chose the right people to play the roles. My comments on some of them:
• Yang Yang as Song Yan – I think he fits the role of SY. Although their high school scenes are not many, I was able to see the carefree and mischievous side of SY in those scenes. Then after 10 years, I saw the more serious, somber and mature side of him. He was withholding many of his emotions, and Yang Yang showed it through his micro-expressions and subtle body movements. And in the more heart-breaking scenes, he was able to show his emotions. I think he gave a good performance.
• Wang Chu Ran as Xu Qin – Wang Chu Ran proves that she’s not just a pretty face. She was very good in the emotional scenes – she was able to convey the angst, frustrations, pain and even the joys of XQ. She was timid and fearful at first, but as her character grows, she eventually fought for her relationship and defied her parents (especially her controlling adoptive mother).
• On the OTP: Yang Yang and Wang Chu Ran make a great pair; their chemistry is amazing. Even small actions such as how they look at each other, their smile, an embrace, are enough for me to feel their chemistry.
• Yang Chao Yue as Zhai Miao – Love her character! She’s one of my favorites in this drama. I love how she’s loyal, brave, perceptive, and funny. And her brother-sister interactions with SY are so endearing and fun to watch.
• Vin Zhang as Suo Jun – I had just finished “Here We Meet Again” when I started watching FOMH, so when I saw him here, I can’t help but think of Xu Yan Shi (his character in HWMA) :D. Although he only had few scenes, Vin Zhang nailed his role as Suo Jun. His friendship with SY is one of the good things in this series.
• Wang Yan Ling as Jiang Yu – At first, I thought his character was on the gray side, but he turned out to be one of the best and most endearing characters in this drama. He became a real friend to both SY and XQ.

The other supporting actors also gave solid performances, which helped me to enjoy the drama more. So overall, I’m happy with the performance of the cast.

The OST is good! The songs fit the different moods of the drama. The opening theme is more upbeat, while the ending theme is more serious and a bit melancholy.

As a whole, I'm satisfied with how they concluded the drama. There are no loose ends; everything tied up nicely. I do have a wish or two, but it's Ok, they don't affect how much I liked and enjoyed this drama. So I highly recommend this!

Leggi di Più

A unique fantasy-romance drama worth checking out

Rattan is a fantasy and romance drama about a plant-alien hybrid (Yi Zu) named Si Teng, who was resurrected by Qin Fang, a young and rich architect in present-day Shanghai. The premise is interesting and I like the mystery, so I was drawn from the first episode, and finished it 2 weeks ago.

What I like:
1) Unique/uncommon story line, good development of the plot, characters, and their relationships. Since this is a fantasy drama, some suspension of disbelief is required, and to better appreciate the mystery, it is best not to read spoilers. Kudos to the one who wrote the summary here in MyDramaList, the writer managed to keep the mystery intact.

2) Very good portrayal by Jing Tian and Vin Zhang. Jing Tian as Si Teng is charming, cool, beautiful, and sometimes aloof (even deadly), but she also has a kind and compassionate side. She looked, acted and dressed the part, like this role was made for her. Vin Zhang was able to convey the funny, serious, intelligent, emotional and devoted sides of Qin Fang. I like their chemistry; they actually make a good pair.

3) The solid supporting cast added to my enjoyment of the drama. A special mention to Zhang Yi Chi as Yan Fu Rui, the funny, loyal, kind and wise disciple of Qiu Shan and friend of Si Teng and Qin Fang. He is wise because he distinguishes between good and bad, and does not to let others’ resentment and grudges influence his actions. His character played an important part in the story.

4) The cinematography is amazing! I’m very much impressed with the on-location shoots, the outdoor sceneries and just how the scenes were shot in general.

5) Lovely costume design! I love almost all of Jing Tian's clothes here. She embodies the classic, refined and elegant look, especially in qi pao (旗袍).

Other Comments:
1) There is inconsistency in one of the timelines, i.e., there is a time gap that was supposed to be 7 years, but in some scenes, they said 9 years.

2) There were some unanswered questions, and the back stories for some of the characters were not clearly explained.

3) I was not as fully immersed in the last 5 or 6 episodes as compared to the first three-fourths of the drama, where most of the untangling of the mysteries happened. Even so, it’s still a pretty good and enjoyable watch for me.

4) This drama has an alternate ending in episode 31, giving us viewers the chance to choose which ending we prefer. This feels like a “choose your own adventure” approach, which we see in a few other dramas. Personally, I’m amenable to both endings since each has its pros and cons, but if I were to choose, I would probably go with the alternate ending.

Final Verdict: If you like fantasy with a touch of romance and are looking for something different, then go watch this drama.

Leggi di Più

A slow burn, second chance romance with business maneuverings as backdrop.

So I finished Here to Heart more than a week ago. This drama had been in my watchlist for some time already, but I finally gave it a go because I just needed more of Zhang Han and Janine Chang after The Four. It's good overall, there were many heart-touching scenes – between lovers, sisters, parent-child, and friends. It also showed aspects of the corporate world, such as the business competition, maneuvering and strategizing. However, there were really frustrating moments, some parts dragged on more than they should, and there were some annoying characters, but I expected these after reading some reviews (I guess I have prepared myself).

What really shines for me is the cast, especially Zhang Han as Zhan Nan Xian and Janine Chang as Wen Nuan, who brought their characters to life, not to mention they have great chemistry! They have sweet and passionate moments together, but I can also feel the push and pull, and the tension between them. They showed a certain depth in their acting, and they're very good in the emotional and crying scenes.

My other favorite characters are: Zhu Lin Lu (Jing Chao), a friend who truly cares and is there for Wen Nuan during some of the lowest points in her life; Wen Rou (Zhou Qi Qi), a loving and supportive sister, loyal to Wen Nuan and one who would defend her and speak her mind; and Gao Fang (Ji Xiao Bing), Zhan Nan Xian's confidante, one who truly understands him and gives the right advice at the right time.

One character that I dislike is Yi Xin (Jenny Zhang), who is scheming, manipulative, and insecure (in terms of her background and relationship with Nan Xian) even though she is successful and famous. But I must admit, she is not all bad, and she has some moving scenes in the drama, such as those with her father.

The soundtrack is good! While watching this, there were days that I had last song syndrome of the opening and ending songs.

Final Verdict: You need patience to watch this drama, but if you like melodrama and slow burn, second chance romance, with business maneuverings as backdrop, then go watch this.

Leggi di Più