A Female Student arrives at the Imperial College (2021) - Final Review

Final review/rating: A Female Student arrives at the Imperial College (2021) - Hilarious, light-hearted, and lightweight 

This is a 7/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan 🐼

Overall rating:         7 Stars Plot:                       7 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      6 Stars Enjoyment factor:   8 Stars

A Female Student arrives at the Imperial College (2021) is hilarious, light hearted, but undoubtedly lightweight.  If you are expecting a serious drama on female empowerment, you will be disappointed because there is only a tokenistic nod to this despite the promising premise.  

But if you want laugh-out-loud if somewhat cliched romcom hilarity, you're in the right place. The first half delivers this in spades - after all, it is the Queen of Romcom, Zhao Lu Si at the helm!  

The second half takes a marked turn for melodrama and angst, wrapping up with an entirely predictable ending.  But overall, an enjoyable and very funny watch for fans of Zhao Lu Si. I'm also now a decided fan of Ao Rui Peng, who played Yan Yan with commendable comic flair.   

  

SPOILERS AHEAD

  

A Female Student arrives at the Imperial College (2021) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  A Female Student arrives at the Imperial College

Chinese title: 國子監來了個女弟子

Episodes:  30

Genre: Romcom, historical, school, mystery

Original network: Youku

Release date:      22 Sept 2021

Airing schedule:  22 Sept 2021 - 14 Oct 2021

Synopsis:

Sang Qi wants to become the first female student at the male only Imperial College to fulfil her older brother's final wish.  As the only daughter of the Grand Marshal, she manages to wrangle her father into seeking leave from the Emperor for her to enroll at the Imperial College.  

However, prior to classes beginning, she makes a bet with the arrogant Lady Song Jia Yin that she will be able to get Yan Yun Zhi, the aloof no 1 young master of the capital, to accept her embroidered purse by the time of the Lantern Festival or be forced to perform on stage during the festivities.  

Sang Qi only realises after the bet that the gifting of an embroidered purse is considered a love token and Yan Yun Zhi is steadfast in refusing her purse despite the many hilarious antics Sang Qi tries to get him to do so.  When she arrives at the Imperial College, she finds, to her dismay that Yan Yun Zhi is the Dean (司業).  Opposites attract, sparks fly, and love blossoms, but Sang Qi's fellow student and childhood friend Zhou Wen Yuan is also determined to win her affections.  

  

My Dear Brothers (2021) - Final Review

Final review/rating: My Dear Brothers (2021) - Cotton candy sweet Xianxia drama with a modern twist 

This is 7.5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         7.5 Stars Plot:                       7 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   8 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      7 Stars Enjoyment factor:   7.5 Stars

My Dear Brothers (2021) is cotton candy sweet and after watching it, you will probably never think of cotton candy in quite the same way😆  

A fluffy romcom that has some truly hilarious moments and a sprinkling of angst, it is a cute twist on the time-travel/inter-dimensional and xianxia genres.  It will have you wishing for a big brother Hou Chi and Shi Dong of your own, or a little sister Shi Xia to protect and love. While the drama has its flaws, it's so darn cute that you will forgive the occasional cheesiness, plot flaws, or ridiculousness. 

A very enjoyable 7.5 stars 💕     

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

My Dear Brothers (2021) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  My Dear Brothers 

Chinese title: 亲爱的吾兄 / 親愛的吾兄

Episodes:  35 + extra episode

Genre: Xianxia, romance, historical, fantasy

Original network: Mango TV

Release date:      15 Sept 2021

Airing schedule:  15 Sept 2021 - 22 Oct 2021

Synopsis:

Shi Xia and her older brother Shi Dong have depended on each other since the deaths of their parents while they were young.  When Shi Dong mysteriously disappears without a trace, Shi Xia becomes worried and searches for him.  

In doing so, Shi Xia teleports to a strange Xianxia world, where she meets the handsome immortal Hou Chi.  Having been tricked by the leader of the demonic sect into believing that his cultivation has not improved because he does not understand the concept of guarding/protecting (“守護”), Hou Chi adopts the reluctant Shi Xia as his little sister.  

But when Shi Xia finds her older brother Shi Dong, she discovers that he is the leader of the demonic sect in this Xianxia universe to which they have teleported. As both Shi Dong and Hou Chi vie with each other to guard and protect their little sister, hilarity ensues.  

Especially because the clueless Hou Chi's feelings for Shi Xia are anything but brotherly... 

  

Your Sensibility, My Destiny (2021) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Your Sensibility, My Destiny (2021) - A sweet and satisfying drama that engages the senses  

This is 7/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         7 Stars Plot:                       7 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   8 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      6 Stars Enjoyment factor:   7 Stars

Your Sensibility, My Destiny has a bit of everything (romance, comedy, mystery, palace intrigue, revenge etc) and balances sweetness with angst particularly well. Not too heavy, not too light - just right for a 24 episode drama in my view.  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Your Sensibility My Destiny (2021) - Synopsis

 

Drama info:

Title:  Your Sensibility, My Destiny 

Chinese title: 公子倾城 (Translation: "A Prince who topples cities")

Episodes:  24

Genre: Romcom, historical, mystery, palace 

Original network: iQiyi

Release date:      16 Sept 2021

Airing schedule:  16 Sept - 2 Oct 2021

Synopsis:

A prophecy began circulating in the palace that a demon with the ability to destroy the kingdom will be born to the Emperor.  When Prince Ji Ding Lan is born, the Empress discovers that her son is unable to taste, smell, or feel. To protect his life and to keep his secret, she sends him far away from the palace. Prince Ji Ding Lan adopts the name Mo Qing Chen, and grows up in a lonely manor, far away from the palace and its intrigues.   

When quirky trickster Lin Chi accidentally gets into the wrong getaway carriage, she meets Mo Qing Chen.  Destiny has clearly brought them together, because when Mo Qing Chen touches Lin Chi, he can feel everything she feels.  Intrigued by the possibility of being able to perceive the world through her senses, Mo Qing Chen contracts to keep Lin Chi by his side.  

  

Miss the Dragon (2021) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Miss the Dragon (2021) - Xianxia lite, which does not quite hit the right emotional notes 

This is 6.5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         6.5 Stars Plot:                       6 Stars Acting/cast:            6.5 Stars Couple chemistry:   6 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      5 Stars Enjoyment factor:   6 Stars

Miss the Dragon (2021) is what I would call Xianxia lite in that it does not quite hit the right emotional notes.  There are some gorgeous set piece scenes and the usual themes (eg undying love through many lifetimes) that you would expect in the Xianxia genre. But because Miss the Dragon seems to have just copied and pasted iconic moments from other notable Xianxia dramas in a mishmash fashion and ambitiously tried to give us four lifetimes worth of the romance of the main leads in a 36 episode drama, it is difficult to get emotionally invested in the story.  

That said, there are moments of genuine humour, and the outstanding chemistry between the loveable second lead couple is delightful. If you are in the mood for Xianxia lite, then give Miss the Dragon a go. A solid 6.5 stars from Pandafan🐼  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Miss the Dragon (2021) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Miss the Dragon

Chinese title: 遇龍 / 遇龙 (Translation: "Meeting a Dragon")

Episodes:  36

Genre: Xianxia, Fantasy, Romance

Original network: Tencent 

Release date:      10 May 2021

Airing schedule:  10 May 2021 - 31 May 2021

Synopsis:

When the immortal Dragon King Yuchi Lonyan is saved by a young mortal maidservant Liu Ying, he falls deeply in love and promises to marry her.  However, when a wolf demon endangers the life of Liu Ying's mistress, Yuchi Lonyan saves her at Liu Ying's request and at the cost of their happiness in the first lifetime and the next three lifetimes...    

  

Love like White Jade (2021) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Love like White Jade (2021) - Cute romcom that needed to be about 10 episodes shorter 

This is 6.0/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         6 Stars Plot:                       6 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      4 Stars Enjoyment factor:   6 Stars

Love like White Jade (2021) is a bit of a mixed bag - there are some hilarious romcom moments that will have you laughing out loud, but the drama also drags out too long with some not terribly memorable middle episodes and a mystery so obvious that the final denouncement is anti-climatic at best.  That said, it is easy on the eye and and one of those frothy dramas that can be fun to watch when you want some mindless eye candy. 

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Love like White Jade (2021) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Love like White Jade

Chinese title:  白玉思无瑕 (Translation: "White Jade thinks of Flawless")

Episodes:  32

Genre: Romcom, historical, mystery

Original network: MangoTV

Release date:      11 April 2021

Airing schedule:  11 April 2021 - 11 May 2021

Synopsis:

When Shui Wu Xia, a prestigious maid from Langya Pavilion, is hired by the Jiang Manor to assist young master Jiang Bai Yu with his studies and martial arts training, sparks fly (and not the good kind).  She despises his lazy good for nothing attitude, while he finds her an inconvenient addition to his life. 

Both harbour secrets - Wu Xia is trying to find her long lost older brother, while Bai Yu is investigating his father's murder under cover of being a wastrel by day, and as the masked vigilante Shen Qing Li by night.  

  

Qing Luo (2021) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Qing Luo (2021) - An average romcom that's a bit hit and miss 

This is 6/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         6 Stars Plot:                       5 Stars Acting/cast:            6.5 Stars Couple chemistry:   6 stars Music:                    6 Stars Re-watch value:      4 Stars Enjoyment factor:   5 Stars

Qing Luo (2021) looked promising. An original set up not usually seen in Chinese historical drama land (a single mom heroine!) with a very cute, precocious kiddo in tow.  That and Liu Xiu Ye in his first starring role, ready to flex some comic muscles (and real muscles) had me giving this one a go.  

Alas, the script and the comedy is largely hit and miss, and the eye candy that is Liu Xiu Ye (and the rather adorable father and son dynamic he had with Nan Nan) were the only reasons I managed to finish this one. It's not a complete train wreck but don't watch Qing Luo with too many expectations.  

SPOILERS AHEAD

  

Qing Luo (2021) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Qing Luo

Chinese title: 清落

Episodes:  24

Genre: Romcom, historical, wuxia, mystery

Original network: Youku

Release date:      19 May 2021

Airing schedule:  19 May 2021 - 3 June 2021

Synopsis:

Yu Qing Luo is a skilled "ghost" doctor, who uses poisons to heal.  She is also an amnesiac single mother, who wants to find her missing memories and a father for her precocious 7 year old son Nan Nan, who decidedly does not want any father but his real one.       

On her journey, Qing Luo meets Prince Ye Xiu Du, and sparks fly (not all the right kinds). She mistakes him for a notorious Casanova, while he is both annoyed and intrigued by the feisty doctor who may be able to cure his brother. Nan Nan, takes a liking to Ye Xiu Du though, and takes him on as a 'disciple' in exchange for endless supplies of fried chicken.

Despite their bumpy beginning, Qing Luo and Ye Xiu Du fall in love. But when there is amnesia involved and enemies left and right from the past and also the present, the path to happiness is not exactly smooth...

  

A translation of Su Shi's "Prelude to Water Melody" (theme song in My Heroic Husband (2021))

A translation of Su Shi's 蘇軾 "Prelude to Water Melody" 水調歌頭 

One of my favourite theme songs in My Heroic Husband (2021) was the ending theme - Prelude to Water Melody 水調歌頭, which sets the famous Song dynasty poem of Su Shi 蘇軾 aka Su Dong Po 蘇東坡 (1037-1101) to music. It is sung by Zheng Yun Long in My Heroic Husband - you can listen to the song here. 

Ep7: A show stopping rendition

As well as being the ending theme song, Prelude to Water Melody is used to great effect in episode 7, when Ning Yi saves the day by pulling off a stunning performance of this song, directed with modern day special effects (wire work, lighting, petal machines, fireworks etc) and alongside a secret weapon break out star.  See here for a short clip💛

I think Prelude to Water Melody is a great choice of song for the drama - it captures all the wistful longing for reunion with loved ones who are far away and who may be wishing on the same moon...  

  

Final review - My Heroic Husband (2021)

Final review/rating: My Heroic Husband (2021) - An enjoyable game of two halves with a hilarious and sweet power couple

This is 8.5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         8.5 Stars Plot:                       8.5 Stars Acting/cast:            8.5 Stars Couple chemistry:   9 stars Music:                    8 Stars Re-watch value:      8 Stars Enjoyment factor:   8 Stars

The first arc of My Heroic Husband is laugh out loud comedy at its absolute best, with a hilarious and witty cast ably led by Guo Qi Lin's Ning Yi as the titular matrilocal husband (zhui xu/赘婿).  He and Song Yi's Su Tan Er are an unstoppable comedic duo and very cute OTP, running rings around their commercial rivals.  Definite shades of Joy of Life!

Unfortunately the second half is no where near as perfect as the first and the drama spends too long on the rather tedious bandit arc in an abrupt change of pace and tone, from about episode 18 onwards, no doubt to provide the set up for Season 2.  But overall, My Heroic Husband is still a very enjoyable watch. A solid 8.5 stars.    

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Final Review - Be my Cat (2021)

Final review/rating: Be my Cat (2021) - Fluffy, short, Cat-centric romcom

This is 6/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         6 Stars Plot:                       5.5 Stars Acting/cast:            6.5 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    6 Stars Re-watch value:      5 Stars Enjoyment factor:   7 Stars

There's nothing to write home about in terms of plot or acting with Be my Cat, but this short 16 episode cat-centric fantasy romcom is a nice way to unwind if you need a break from more serious angsty dramas. 

I think you have to be in the mood for light fluffy nonsense to enjoy Be my Cat.  There's plot holes and inconsistencies aplenty and no real attempt to tell a coherent story.  But cat lovers (and those with a sense of the ridiculous) may warm to this one.  It's one of those a dime a dozen, low budget, fluffy and short fantasy romance dramas with tropes a plenty.  

SPOILERS AHEAD

  

Be my Cat (2021) - Synopsis

 

Drama info:

Title:  Be my Cat

Chinese title: 我的宠物少将军 (Translation: "My pet, the young General")

Episodes:  16

Genre: Historical, Fantasy, Romance

Original network: Sohu TV

Release date:      8 Feb 2021

Airing schedule:  8 Feb 2021 - 1 March 2021

Synopsis:

Pet store owner Su Xiao He (whose name is literally "Peppermint") goes on a quest to find her missing older brother.  In the process, she comes into possession of the Blue Soul Orb - a magical artefact that also accidentally awakens a Cat Prince, Mo Xiu Ren from the faraway Cat planet.  

Mo Xiu Ren finds himself trapped in the body of a General and is contractually bound by the Blue Soul Orb to have Peppermint as his owner and master, much to his dismay.  But as the two embark on a sometimes dangerous quest to find other Orbs and to send Mo Xiu Ren home, Mo Xiu Ren finds that perhaps he doesn't want to go home after all.  

  

The Long Ballad (2021) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  The Long Ballad

Chinese title: 長歌行 (Translation: "Chang Ge's journey")

Episodes:  49

Genre: Historical, Action, Romance

Original network: Tencent 

Release date:      31 March 2021

Airing schedule:  31 March 2021 - 3 May 2021

Synopsis:

The Tang Dynasty, in the year 626 AD...  Princess Li Chang Ge's entire family is slaughtered after the infamous Xuanwu Gate Incident - a palace coup in which her mentor and uncle Prince Li Shi Min successfully wrests control of power and becomes the Crown Prince, and later, Emperor Tai Zong.     

Vowing vengeance, Chang Ge flees Chang'an city to muster an army powerful enough to overthrow the new emperor.  

  

My Heroic Husband (2021) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  My Heroic Husband

Chinese title: 赘婿 (Translation: "Matrilocal Son-in-Law")

Episodes:  36

Genre: Historical, Comedy, Romance, Time travel

Original network: iQiyi 

Release date:      14 February 2021

Airing schedule:  14 February 2021 - 3 March 2021

Synopsis:

Ning Yi, a modern day financial businessman, is double crossed by a commercial rival and left for dead...  His story is "rewritten" and he is transported back in time to the Wu dynasty and into the body of a man who is about to be married into the prosperous Su family as a matrilocal husband of lowly status.  

Using modern day business methodology and his own special brand of acumen, Ning Yi helps his wife Su Tan Er prosper in her business, cornering the cloth market for her and his friends, and successfully battling corrupt local businesses.  Love blossoms between Ning Yi and Tan Er, as their marriage of convenience becomes a marriage of equals.  

  

Final review: A Love so Romantic (2020)

Final review/rating: A Love so Romantic (2020) - An enjoyable, laugh out loud funny first part followed by last third cliché

This is 7/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         7 Stars Plot:                       5 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      7 Stars Enjoyment factor:   7.5 Stars

This was fun to watch! Light hearted romcom, that doesn't take itself too seriously.  After a very promising first 20 or so episodes, the drama unfortunately descends into drama land cliché, but all in all, still a very enjoyable watch😊

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Final review - The Winner is Love (2020)

Final review/ rating: And the Winner is Love (2020) - Aesthetically beautiful but too much talk and not enough action

This is 6.5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         6.5 Stars Plot:                       4 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      3 Stars Enjoyment factor:   5 Stars

Smiling Leo! Bring it on! 💓

Full disclosure: I came for Luo Yun Xi and stayed for Luo Yun Xi... 

I was so excited when And the Winner is Love was in the works - finally, a historical wuxia drama in which Luo Yun Xi is the main male lead?  No more going through the tortures of the damned as Luo Yun Xi suffers endlessly in heartbreaking scene after heartbreaking scene as the second male lead? (Don't get me wrong, Luo Yun Xi does heartbreak and tragedy gut wrenchingly well.  It's just that I want to see a drama where he gets to smile, and flirt, and get the girl for a change).  And the Winner is Love ticks all those boxes, so that's a win, but... 

SPOILERS AHEAD

  

And the Winner is Love (2020) - Synopsis

 

Drama info:

Title:  And the Winner is Love 

Chinese title: 月上重火 (Translation: "Moon above the Fire")

Episodes:  48

Genre: Historical, Wuxia, Romance 

Original network: iQiyi 

Release date:      28 May 2020 

Airing schedule:  28 May 2020 - 5 July 2020 

Synopsis:

Chong Xue Zhi, the beautiful young leader of the Hall of Flames, ventures into wulin 武林 (the martial arts world) for the first time.  Her legacy is her father's invention of a martial arts named the Lotus God Nine Stance technique (莲神九式), which makes men mad if practiced incorrectly, but is coveted by the so called righteous sects and evil sects of wulin alike.

When Chong Xue Zhi is ambushed, she is rescued by Shangguan Tou, the intriguing young master of Moon Valley.  The two join hands to investigate the theft of the Lotus God Nine Stance technique manuals and fall in love.  At the same time, a mysterious villain begins to kill prominent members of wulin with the distinctive Lotus God Nine Stance technique...  

  

Dr Cutie (2020) - Synopsis

 

Drama info:

Title: Dr Cutie 

Chinese title:  萌医甜妻(Translation: "Doctor sweet wife ") 

Episodes: 28

Genre: Historical, Romcom, Cross-dressing, Revenge

Original network: Youku

Release date:  18 January 2020 

Airing schedule: 18 January - 12 February 2020

Synopsis

Shen Zhao Er (aka Tian Qi) masquerades as a male physician to enter the Ji mansion, home of General Ji Heng, to act as the personal physician to General Ji Heng's fiancée.  Tian Qi does so in the hopes of investigating who murdered her parents - she has reason to suspect that the perpetrator is related to the Ji mansion.  

  

Final Review - Dr Cutie (2020)

Final review/rating - Dr Cutie(2020): Fluffy fun with a Heroine who outshines the Hero

This is 5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         5 Stars Plot:                       5 Stars Acting/cast:            6 Stars Couple chemistry:   5 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      4 Stars Enjoyment factor:   6 Stars

Dr Cutie is a fluffy, fun romcom with a satisfying happily ever after.  It's not overly ambitious in terms of plot and the "will he find out she's actually a girl" trope gets drawn out for far too long, but Sun Qian is absolutely delightful as the titular Dr Cutie. She outshines her male co-star, Huang Hun Jie, whose acting is unfortunately not as good as his male lead looks.  

  

Final Review - General’s Lady (2020)

Final review/rating - General's Lady (2020): Cute Couple and many happily ever afters 

This is 6/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         6 Stars Plot:                       5 Stars Acting/cast:            6 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      5 Stars Enjoyment factor:   6 Stars

General's Lady is a fairly enjoyable watch, full of well worn tropes and sweet moments between the leads as well as between almost every single other conceivable pair in the drama. It's not overly ambitious in terms of plot (and some of the middle episodes are rather draggy) but the ending is all one big happily ever after. 

  

General's Lady (2020) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title: General's Lady 

Chinese title: 将军家的小娘子 (Translation: "The Bride of the General's home") 

Episodes:  30

Genre: Historical, Romcom

Original network: Youku

Release date:  9 October 2020 

Airing schedule: 9 October - 27 November 2020

Synopsis 

Shen Jin, the unfavoured daughter of a concubine of the royal family, is married off, sight unseen, to the notorious "demon" General Chu Xiu Ming in her older sister's place when her older sister refuses to honour the imperial marriage decree.