Chinese Drama : The Moon Brightens for You 明月曾照江东寒

Year Released

2020

Genre

Historical fiction

No. of Episodes

36 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Yu Menglong, Xing Fei

Storyline

Lin Fang (Yu Menglong) is the son of former Wulin director, Lin Xiaotian (Collin Chou). Director Lin was killed due to Seven-Star Swordsmanship and Lin Fang vows to search for his father's murderer.

Zhan Qinghong (Xing Fei) is the daughter of Zhan Podi (Huang Haibing). Zhan Podi has been staying at Zhan's villa up on a mountain away from Wulin. He sends Qinghong to Jun'an to take part of Wulin competition in fighting to be the next director.

From then on, Qinghong meets a number of Wulin martial arts masters and becomes Lin Fang's right handman. The pair go through life and death together. They manage to expose the evil deeds of Prime Minister Wang Dun (Kent Tong).

My View

TMBFY is better than The Love Lasts Two Minds 两世欢. Probably because I'm a Wuxia fan and Yu Menglong just melts my heart with his coldness and smiles.. everything.

One touching part is when the villians Zhong Buming (Chunyu Shanshan) and Feng Bufei (Yan Su) trying to save each other from being killed by Wang Dun.

Also Princess Huayao (Ma Yue) who dies along with her husband Wen You (Yalkun Merxat) when she finds out about his death.

Rating

4/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : Mr Honesty 不说谎恋人

Year Released

2020

Genre

Romance

No. of Episodes

31 - running time of 42 minutes per episode

Starring

Xin Yunlai, Liang Jie, Liu Haikuan

Storyline

Fang Zhiyou (Xin Yunlai) detests liars but his new personal assistant Xu Yiren (Liang Jie) happens to lie most of the time. Zhiyou gradually understands on the reasons why one lies and falls in love with Yiren unknowingly.

Zhiyou used to have a childhood best friend Li Zhe (Liu Haikuan). But, their relationship turns into hatred when Zhiyou's father (who is a lawyer) lies about helping Li Zhe's father in a lawsuit.

Due to this, Li Zhe's mother commits suicide and his father becomes mentally ill. Zhiyou is filled with guilt all these years and trying to make up to Li Zhe for his loss. Li Zhe is determined to destroy Zhiyou's career and snatch away Yiren.

Litle did Li Zhe know, Yiren is also the little girl whom he has been looking for over the years. They both once saved each other on Qing mountain.

My View

A light-hearted drama filled with laughter especially the noob Zhiyou when he is jealous of Yiren. I ship for second leads as well.

Rating 

4/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : The Love Lasts Two Minds 两世欢

Year Released

2020

Genre

Romance, Historical fiction

No. of Episodes

36 - running time of 45 minutes per episode 

Starring

Yu Menglong, Chen Yuqi

Storyline

Jing Ci (Yu Menglong) is Yong country's prince who has been raised by King of Zhao country. Feng Mianwan (Chen Yuqi) is Ci's personal maid since young. 

Both Ci and Mianwan are fond of each other but face multiple obstacles between them. An incident brings Mianwan back to Yong as another identity under Yuan Qingli. 

She loses her memory in the midst and gets to know Jing Zhiwan (who is actually Jing Ci). The pair work together in cracking numerous murder cases. They also eventually expose the evil deed of Prince Ye who usurps the throne.

My View

I kinda like short and sweet dramas as too many additional episodes make me lose my patience. TLLTM is my cup of tea though I heard lots of reviews that Yu Menglong seems cold with not much expressions. 

But that is what makes him looks good and cool. I love him especially as Bai Zhen from Eternal Love.

Rating

4/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : Sweet Dreams 一千零一夜

Year Released

2018

Genre

Fantasy, Romance, Business

No. of Episodes

48 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Deng Lun, Dilraba Dilmurat

Storyline

Ling Lingqi (Dilraba Dilmurat) has a one-sided love on Bo Hai (Deng Lun), the boss of FlowerPlus floral company. The pair unknowingly happen to wear a magical bracelet which enable them to meet each other in their dreams.

Only Ling Lingqi is aware she is in the dream while Bo Hai has no recollection of it at all. Bo Hai has a trauma since young when he experienced a fire breakout. Hence, whenever he sees any fire, he will have temporary colour blindness.

Ling Lingqi manages to join FlowerPlus as a salesperson, moves on to Bo Hai's personal assistant and later to her dream job as a florist. The pair gradually fall in love and Lingqi helps Bo Hai to overcome his trauma.

My View

The drama is way too lengthy with so many extra episodes. Bo Hai has been framed time and again. I lost interest around 15 episodes onwards I guess. Skipped lots of scenes and ended up there were revenge, manipulation and misunderstanding. 

Should have rated a 1 star but the first 10+ episodes were not too bad, so I give a 2.

Rating

2/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : The Legend of Xiao Chuo 燕云台

Year Released 

2020

Genre

Historical fiction

No. of Episodes

48 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Tang Yan, Dou Xiao, Charmaine Sheh, Jing Chao, Lu Shan

Storyline

A story revolves around three sisters of Xiao family from the Empress clan in country of Liao. All three of them marry into each branch of Emperor Taizu's descendants of Yelu clan. 

The Xiao sisters are being entangled into political struggle and manipulation when their husbands (Yelu royals) plot against each other in order to seize the throne.

My View

The drama starts off pretty intense and I enjoy watching every single scene. I guess once after Yansage (Tan Kai) King of Tai Ping passed away, the rest of the episodes are just okay with not much ups and downs.

I actually cried for Xiyin (Ji Chen) King of Zhao when he was killed together with his son. Though he should have been dead long ago due to multiple attempts of rebellion, it was still heart-wrenching to watch it.

I guess there is no right or wrong when one desires to become an Emperor. Who doesn't want to rule the world if given a chance?

Special mention of Xiao Siwen King of Wei (Liu Yijun) who is the leader of Xiao Empress clan. He is a remarkable actor and I do like his villian roles in Nirvana in Fire and Legend of Fuyao. 

For the first time, when he finally gets to be a good character, he dies just like that. Oh my tian..

Rating 

4/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : My Girlfriend is an Alien 外星女生柴小七

Year Released

2019

Genre

RomCom, Fantasy

No. of Episodes

28 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Bie Thassapak Hsu, Wan Peng

Storyline

Fang Leng (Bie Thassapak Hsu) is met with a car accident on a stormy night. Xiao Qi (Wan Peng), an alien who happens to be on earth, saves Fang Leng. Xiao Qi loses her annunciator in the midst and is unable to return to her planet.

Her only clue is Fang Leng and she tries all ways and means to get close to him. However, Fang Leng suffers from amnesia (only on rainy days) whereby he only forgets any girls he dated. 

My View

An interesting romcom plot which keeps me entertained throughout the serial. This is a must watch!

Rating

5/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : Jiu Liu Overlord 九流霸主

Year Released

2020

Genre

Historical fiction

No. of Episodes

36 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Lai Yi, Bai Lu

Storyline

Li Qingliu (Lai Yi) is an upper class businessman of Jiu Liu at Silver City while Long Aoyi (Bai Lu) is the leader of Longzhu gang at lower class of Jiu Liu.

The pair work together in investigating the stolen golden threads at Xinsilu. They gradually fall love but are meet with multiple obstacles when Qingliu's real identity of the fourth prince is revealed. 

My View

The entire plot is pretty average. It feels like I'm watching dramas from yesteryear similar to those HK TVB days.

Rating

2/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : Here to Heart 温暖的弦

Year Released

2018

Genre

Romance

No. of Episodes

48 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Zhang Han, Chang Chun-ning

Storyline

Zhan Nanxian (Zhang Han) and Wen Nuan (Chang Chun-ning) used to go out together during school days. However, Wen Nuan suddenly asks for a break-up and disappears.

Fast forward seven years later, Nanxian is already CEO of Qianyu. Wen Nuan also returns from England and works as executive assistant to Nanxian.

They try to rekindle their love but are meet with multiple obstacles due to past hurts and also third party Bo Yixin (Zhang Jiani). Yixin is Wen Nuan's best friend back in school and has a one-sided crush on Nanxian.

My View

The plot is not too bad at first but starts to get draggy after a while. Many redundant episodes making me lose interest in it.

The only part which I like is the love relationship between Yixin and Pan Weining (Liang Dawei). I actually ship for them than the first leads.

Rating 

2/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : General's Lady 将军家的小娘子

Year Released

2020

Genre

Historical fiction

No. of Episodes

30 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Tang Min, Wu Xize

Storyline

General Chu Xiuming (Wu Xize) is known as a cold-blooded demon general who never loses a battle. Shen Jin (Tang Min) is the third daughter of Prince Rui. 

The Emperor decrees an arranged marriage between General Chu and second daughter of Prince Rui. Shen Jin reluctantly accepts to marry the General in exchange for her mother's better life at home.

After some time, the pair gradually fall in love. Though they bicker most of the time, Xiuming and Jin are willing to go through thick and thin together.

My View

I guess my standards are set so much higher after watching awesome historical fiction dramas like Princess Agents, The Wolf, Goodbye My Princess, Nirvana in Fire etc..

The plot is just fine. The villians do not last too long and their plans are being exposed easily. After the main leads return to Capital, things start to slow down quite a bit.

The only part which I like most is during last episode when Emperor decides to return his throne to the rightful heir. That is pretty funny.

Rating

3/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : Go Go Squid 亲爱的, 热爱的

Year Released   

2019

Genre

Esports

No. of Episodes

41 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Yang Zi, Li Xian

Storyline

Gun God (Li Xian) was once the top player of Solo team representing China in cybersecurity CTF competition. He retires from esports during his peak period due to two of the members Solo (Li Zefeng) and Appledog (Wang Zhen'er) leaving the team. 

Tong Nian (Yang Zi) is a university student who falls in love with Gun at first sight. Tong Nian is helping her cousin mending the counter when Gun visits their internet cafe.

My View

I guess a lot of people are still skeptical about esports whether it could be treated as a future career. GGS depicts the dreams of youngsters and brotherhood.

The part where Solo and Appledog apologised to Gun made me teared up. The pain, regrets which had been bottled up in them for the past ten years were all being released at once.

Rating

4/5 Stars