Korean Drama : The Village: Achiara's Secret

Year Released

2015

Genre

Mystery

No. of Episodes

16 - running time of 65 minutes per episode

Starring

Shin Eun-kyung, Jang Hee-jin, Moon Geun-young, Yook Sung-jae

Storyline

Han So-yoon (Moon Geun-young) has been staying with her grandmother in Canada. After her grandmother passes away, So-yoon discovers a letter sent from her hometown Achiara's village in South Korea. The content is about an old newspaper article of her family's car accident during her childhood days.

This letter prompts So-yoon to return to Korea in search of her relative. So-yoon is hired as an English teacher of a middle school. During an outing, she accidentally falls down a slope and finds a corpse. While So-yoon works with police officer Park Woo-jae (Yook Sung-jae) on clues of the corpse's identity, it turns out to be her older sister. So-yoon's late sister has changed her name to Kim Hye-jin (Jang Hee-jin). 

So-yoon uncovers more secrets about Hye-jin's death which are entangled with Assemblyman Seo Chang-gwon's (Jung Sung-mo) wife, Yoon Ji-sook (Shin Eun-kyung).

My View

This drama has quite a number of twists which I like. As it is amazing, I have decided not to write any spoiler here. All I could say is every character plays a part with secrets to hide. Things are not what it seems to be.

Special mention about Shin Eun-kyung because of her superb acting in this show. I did not really like her when she is in The Last Empress but she shines very brightly here. *Applause*

Rating

4/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : The Player 指尖少年

Year Released

2021

Genre

Esports, Fantasy

No. of Episodes

20 - running time of 40 minutes per episode

Starring

Gong Jun, Chen Yao

Storyline

Gu Ling (Chen Yao), Ren Yixia (Gong Jun) and Long Ziche (Chen Bairong) are university mates. They meet up online while playing game as well. Ziche has been trying to hack into the game which can control each of the characters.

During a battle, Gu Ling, Yixia and several other players suddenly inherit super powers from their game characters. 

My View

This drama is really boring and I just stopped at episode 3-4 I think. Sorry Gong Jun's fans.. but I just cannot.. I was very excited as I thought this is another esports drama which may be as good as Falling into Your Smile 你微笑时很美 .

Rating 

1/5 stars

Chinese Drama : Twisted Fate of Love 今夕何夕

Year Released

2020

Genre

Historical fiction, Romance, Fantasy

No. of Episodes

43 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Jin Han, Sun Yi

Storyline

Wen Xin (Sun Yi) was killed in a battle in Ding Yuan rebellion. Er Yu brings back her life using the power of his flute. Er Yu then sends Wen Xin back to eight years ago in order to stop the battle.

The first time when Wen Xin gets back, she meets Feng Xi (Jin Han). As she loses her memories, Feng Xi names her Dong Yue. When Dong Yue gradually remembers the past, she knows that Feng Xi is also involved in Ding Yuan rebellion.

Dong Yue vows to get rid of Lu Yuan Tong (Zhang Zhi Jian) and Feng Xi before that happens. Both Feng Xi and Dong Yue are attracted to each other. Dong Yue detests the manipulative Feng Xi but cannot help and fall in love with him. 

Due to Dong Yue’s mistrust towards Feng Xi, he died while trying to protect her. With the help of Er Yu's flute, Dong Yue decides to time travel back again to the time before Feng Xi was killed. Her price to pay is that Feng Xi slowly forgets about their relationship.

Another occurrence leads to Feng Xi's death and Dong Yue time travels back to save his life for the second time. This time, it costs Dong Yue's life.

My View

I have not watched such a good historical drama in a long time. Plot is well written and scenes are not draggy. Everything is on point. 

Rating

5/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : Oh! My Emperor 1 & 2 哦! 我的皇帝陛下 1 & 2

Year Released 

2018

Genre

Fantasy, Historical fiction

No. of Episodes 

42 - running time of 25 minutes per episode

Starring

Zhao Lusi, Gu Jiacheng

Storyline

Luo Feifei (Zhao Lusi) is a doctor from the modern world but time travels back to ancient time. She gets involved with masters of twelve zodiacs in Huang Dao country. Feifei happens to be the thirteenth zodiac, Ophiuchus. 

Ophiuchus clan is being avoided and marked as criminals when the former master killed Huang Dao country's King. This is actually a scam set up by people from Orion Land to sow discord among the zodiac masters.

The current King Beitang Yi (Gu Jiacheng) falls in love with Feifei as they go through thick and thin together. On their wedding night, all the citizens in Huang Dao country are being poisoned by Orions. Most of the zodiac masters are killed.

Ophiuchus being the only zodiac to heal others, sacrifice themselves to save the lives of everyone. Feifei then vanishes into thin air and returns back to modern world. In the end, she meets Beitang Yi again.

My View

Being a web-drama, the plot is not too bad. Just that I think the show does not have much budget so some parts feel kind of weird.

Most of the scenes are funnily lame that I have to roll my eyes. Have a good laugh though. This is the second drama where I see Xiao Zhan as the second male lead. The other one is The Wolf 狼殿下. 

The Untamed 陈情令 made him so popular and one would think why The Wolf, a much later drama still has him playing as second lead. Reason being The Wolf was filmed much earlier than The Untamed.

Also, as long as Zhao Lusi is in historical drama, it is usually from modern to ancient kind of concept. Like The Romance of Tiger and Rose 传闻中的陈芊芊 and Love Better than Immortality 天雷一部之春花秋月.

Rating

3/5 Stars 

Chinese Drama : Falling into Your Smile 你微笑时很美

Year Released

2021

Genre

Esports

No. of Episodes

31 - running time of 45 minutes per episode 

Starring

Xu Kai, Cheng Xiao

Storyline

The story revolves around OPL (Onmyoji PRC League) where Tong Yao (Cheng Xiao) who is the number one player of character Tamamo no Mae 玉藻前 in whole of Chinese server. She joins ZGDX Gaming as a professional player and she plays as a mid solo.

Her team members - Xiao Pang (Sun Kai) as support, Lao K (Gao Han) as jungler, Lao Mao (Xiao Kai Zhong) as top solo and Captain Chessman (Xu Kai). With great rapport, ZGDX team members work together through their journey in getting the National Championship.

My View

Esports Chinese dramas are on the rise now and I find it pretty interesting. I was expecting only on-screen gaming but I'm actually quite surpised when they show some parts of characters fighting in animation which is very engaging for me. I hope to see more of such esports dramas.

The way Chessman handles the reporters and fans like how he reasons and rebuts them are quite cool. Esports gamers are also professional players and not doing nothing all day. They sacrifice their youth training and trying to get a champion title before it is too late as time waits for no one.

When ZGDX won in the finals, I totally teared for them. It's like I'm their little fan now.

Rating

5/5 stars

 

Chinese Drama : Love Better than Immortality 天雷一部之春花秋月

Year Released 

2019

Genre

Historical fiction

No. of Episodes

40 - running time of 36 minutes per episode

Starring

Zhao Lusi, Li Hongyi, Wu Junyu

Storyline

Chun Hua (Zhao Lusi) believes in love more than being an immortal. She enters a game in year 2196 looking for true love. When she wakes up in a historical era, she takes on the name Chun Hua. However, her former self was Hua Xiaolei, Xiao Bai's (Wu Junyu) fiancee.

The game rule is that the first male Chun Hua sees when she wakes up is her rightful man. Chun Hua thought Xiao Bai is the one for her but in actual fact, it is Shangguan Qiuyue (Li Hongyi).

Shangguan Qiuyue and Hua Xiaolei were once lovers. Chun Hua is constantly stuck between Xiao Bai and Shangguan Qiuyue. She is being manipulated by both so as to take over the world.

In the end, Shangguan Qiuyue sacrifices himself to save Chun Hua's life.

My View

The plot is just keep on repeating the same thing over and over again. Like Shangguan Qiuyue appearing out of nowhere and threatens Chun Hua.

Then Chun Hua being kidnapped and Xiao Bai and gang looking for her everywhere. It's exhausting.

The only reason why this drama is rated a 2 and not 1 is due to the true love of this couple Fu Lou (Hu Jian) and You Si (Lin Jing) in Chuanqi Valley. Though the leader belonged to evil sect, his love for his wife touches my heart.

Rating

2/5 stars

Chinese Drama : The Blooms at Ruyi Pavilion 如意芳霏

Year Released 

2020

Genre

Historical fiction

No. of Episodes 

40 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Zhang Zhehan, Ju Jingyi, Liu Yichang

Storyline

Xu Jin (Zhang Zhehan) has been guarding the border since young and only comes back to Hengjing recently. On his way back, he is met with multiple assasinations. Fu Rong (Ju Jingyi) happens to save Xu Jin's life at Ju Shui Place.

The owner in charge is Ju Shui Farmer (Liu Yichang) who is also Xu Jin's imperial uncle, Xu Ping. Due to a misunderstanding, Xu Ping assumes that Xu Jin is the one who killed her mother ten years ago in a temple fire breakout.

He manipulates Ru Yi Pavilion's owner Liu Ruyi (Gong Beibi) who is a jeweler on the surface but actually the leader of real Ru Yi Pavilion which sells and trades information. Fu Rong is Liu Ruyi's disciple who manages Ru Yi Pavilion after Liu Ruyi's death.

Xu Jin is made believe to be Liu Ruyi's murderer. Fu Rong then marries Xu Jin in order to avenge for her master. The couple face numerous obstacles and near-death together.

My View

Overall, TBARP is still acceptable. The reason I give a 4 star is because of the ups and downs of its plot. Just that the main leads face too many near-death already. Like Xu Jin is always being attacked and injured. Lol..

All the male and female first second leads are extremely good-looking I must say. Even the bodyguards look cool!

Rating

4/5 Stars

 

Chinese Drama : Our Glamorous Time 你和我的倾城时光

Year Released 

2018

Genre 

Romance, Business

No. of Episodes

50 - running time of 45 minutes per episode

Starring

Jin Han, Zhao Liying

Storyline

Lin Qian (Zhao Liying) meets Li Zhicheng (Jin Han) while she travels to Yunnan. Lin Qian is kidnapped by some gangsters and Li Zhicheng happens to save her life when he has his last mission there as a soldier.

The pair reunite again when Li Zhicheng is looking for a clothing designer for his Co. Aida. Aida is a subsidiary of parent Co. Wenda which is the Li's family business. The three major well known fashion brands of Lin Hai are Wenda, Xin Bao Rui and Si Mei Qi.

These three labels turn from competitors to partners to deal with a foreign Co. DP Group.

My View

I don't know much about fashion but OGT keeps me entertained looking at those beautiful designers' clothes. I like the wits of each male leads when they try to outsmart one another.  

Overall, a worth-watching drama.

Rating

4/5 Stars

Chinese Drama : Eternal Love Rain 倾世锦鳞谷雨来

Year Released

2020

Genre

Fantasy, Romance

No. of Episodes

24 - running time of 32 minutes per episode

Starring

Wang Runze, He Hua

Storyline

Ning Xiurui (Wang Runze) is the second prince of Dragon King. He accidentally loses his dragon scale and is unable to return back to the sea. The Dragon King uses up all his powers to create a barrier between ocean and land in order to protect Xiurui from the evil first prince Ning Xiuren (Liao Yanlong).

Su Yinyin (He Hua) happens to be bornt with dragon scale as her heart. Xiurui gets to know Yinyin when he moves in next door as her neighbour. As time goes by, the couple develop feelings for each other. 

When Yinyin finds out the truth about dragon scale, she decides to sacrifice her life for Xiurui. Xiurui in turn gives Yinyin his heart to revive her while he dies without a dragon heart.

My View

For a web drama, the storyline is not too bad. Like the short episodes as well. I'm kind of touched at the part when Jin'er ends her own life to protect the dragon scale.

Rating

3/5 Stars

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