home.social

#cdrama — Public Fediverse posts

Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #cdrama, aggregated by home.social.

  1. The Epoch of Miyu (CDrama review)

    Miyu was once the picture-perfect rich man’s ewife—devoted, loyal and utterly consumed by her marriage. Then, she finds out about her husband’s affair.

    But the betrayal didn’t stop there. She divorces him after finding out the mistress, Lu Zhen Zhen, is pregnant, but Nie Yucheng hid his money from her so that she gets nothing after the divorce. Broke, heavily in debt and utterly humiliated, Miyu is forced to take a job as a housekeeper at a luxury hotel just to keep her head above water.

    When working in Purong hotel, she discovers that Ji Feng, the hotel manager who had initially hid evidence of her husband’s affair from her, is an important hotel guest there. And to twist the knife even deeper, Lu Zhen Zhen—now Nie’s new wife—is also working at the same hotel as a manager.

    Miyu had to endure cleaning rooms and serving her ex’s social circle, putting up with the gossip from her new colleagues, who saw her as nothing more than a fallen socialite.

    But here’s the thing about Miyu: after a lifetime of putting others first to her own detriment, she wasn’t about to let pride or the past stop her. She was determined to rebuild her life, even if it meant facing Ji Feng and her husband’s new wife every single day.

    Characters

    The Characters (from left): Qiao Qi, Duan Jr, Lu Zhen Zhen, Ji Feng, Miyu, Nie Yucheng and Tan Ji Zhou.

    Xu Mi Yu (played by Zhu Zhu): A former wife housewife to a wealthy man, she loses everything after her husband’s betrayal. She is determined to rebuild her life and become a skilled hotel manager.

    Ji Feng (played by Wallace Chung): The capable and stern general manager of Purong Hotel who becomes a central figure in Miyu’s professional and personal life.

    Nie Yu Cheng (played by Jing Chao): Miyu’s ex-husband and a wealthy businessman. He had an affair, got his mistress pregnant and left Miyu penniless.

    Lu Zhen Zhen (played by Li Meng): Nie Yucheng’s mistress-turned-new-wife. She is an ambitious corporate and social climber.

    Li Qiao Qi (played by Cristy Guo): Miyu’s best friend and the acting head chef at the hotel.

    Xue Rui (played by Na Jia Wei): Ji Feng’s assistant who often interacts with Miyu.

    Duan Jr. (played by Xu Hai Qiao): A troublesome figure who causes chaos, he’s the son of a wealthy investor and rival of Purong hotel.

    Tan Ji Zhou (played by Ren Bin): A wealthy and persistent admirer of Miyu.

    What I liked

    That barely restrained look of contempt… ;P

    The acting: This may be a soap, but Wallace Chung and Zhu Zhu’s acting was top tier, and the character development was rich.

    The makjang factor: I keep telling people this – if we wanted realism, we’d watch a documentary! The Epoch of Miyu is like those K-dramas with ridiculous plots but we watch because the actors carry the crazy emotional twists so well.

    I enjoyed Miyu’s pursuit for independence and her dream of becoming a skilled hotel manager. She didn’t turn into a tough boss lady; she retained her kindness while enforcing clear boundaries. I like her refreshing leadership style; how she leads with heart.

    I love the brutally honest communication style between Miyu and Ji Feng. It would seem that they are so comfortable with each other that they’re able to really say what’s on their mind to each other or be at their “ugliest” emotionally.

    Ji Feng’s character: I appreciated Ji Feng’s harshness and the fact that he didn’t always rescue Miyu. He acted more like a tough manager than a simp.

    The hotel’s political drama was fun—like a palace drama, but in suits! I loved watching Ji Feng take down the Nepotistic Quartet (the lousy managers that were running down the hotel).

    Our couple’s slow-burn romance? Delicious. Wallace Chung and Zhu Zhu brought a maturity to their scenes that made it feel real. And when Ji Feng finally got vulnerable and half-mad because of her, it was hot.

    What I didn’t like

    I know a soap doesn’t have to be realistic, but there are limits: Some plot developments were just too over-the-top; Miyu’s ascendance in a year was godlike, and her development can be Mary Sue-ish.

    One-dimensional villains: Lu Zhen Zhen was just so one-dimensional and villainous. I get that she’s the antagonist, but a little depth wouldn’t hurt.

    Thoughts about the ending

    CLICK TO REVEAL

    When I first watched the last episode, I wasn’t very satisfied. I thought, “What? After all that, Ji Feng gets left alone for one and a half years?”

    But after a second, more focused rewatch I appreciated it a lot more, especially the endings each character got.

    Miyu’s biggest dream was to become a skilled hotel manager, and getting into a premier school in Switzerland will make her ultimate goal come true.

    Traditionally, dramas like this would end with her pregnant and married. Instead, they chose a different and braver route: celebrating her independence and her dreams. I appreciated the writers for honouring her journey and not derailing it for “love” (as they often do).

    I celebrate the fact that she prioritized herself over Ji Feng, even though my heart breaks for him. The last shot of him staring at the Shanghai skyline and the fact that he often does this when he’s melancholic, was a bit heartbreaking. But hey, maybe seeing that he’s looking at it during the day time means that at least this time, while sad, he’s looking on with hope?

    One and a half years is a short time. He can fly over to visit her anytime he wants; he’s rich, right? They can have Zoom calls and all. It will be hard, but as he promised, if she doesn’t come back, he’ll be there as the “velcro boyfriend.”

    I loved how the drama celebrated themes of independence, ambition, and justice. Miyu’s journey was all about reclaiming her life and proving her worth, not just about a man that will her one true love.

    The way the story tied up the loose ends for the other characters was so satisfying. Lu Zhen Zhen finally got what she deserved—fired and arrested, pitifully carrying her box out of the building. Poetic justice for all the pain she caused.

    And Nie? Riddled with cancer, divorced, cuckolded. His downfall was pitiful and I almost feel sorry for him.

    And I enjoyed the contrast between Miyu and Lu Zhen Zhen—two women shaped by difficult pasts, but who chose completely different paths.

    Miyu’s mom and Lu Zhen Zhen’s mom both thought men were their salvation and Miyu and Lu Zhen Zhen grew up neglected as a result. However, Miyu chose kindness, while Lu Zhen Zhen became vicious, believing life was a survival game where you don’t win by being nice.

    Conclusion

    The Epoch of Miyu was a true dark horse, defying expectations and climbing the ratings charts to hit its peak at 35% on Yunhe.

    Who would have thought a drama about hotel management could be this addictive? (Okay, fine, it’s also about CEO-like character falling in love with a housekeeper.)

    Women on XiaoHongShu were posting photos of their boyfriends and husbands glued to the screen, with one poster sharing how her boyfriend insisted there was no romance—only hotel business. Turns out, even the most unlikely viewers couldn’t resist the soapy, high-stakes world of Purong Hotel.

    Final rating: 3.5 out of 5

    Not the most logical of dramas, but hey we’re not watching this one for realism!

    #35Stars #CDrama #CDramas #China #ChineseDrama #ModernCdrama #TheEpochOfMiyu #TV #WallaceChung #ZhuZhu
  2. *Zhan Zhao Adventures* premiered today with the first 3 of 37 episodes posted.

    It’s screen adaptation of a popular and innovative 19th century novel series (set in the 11th century Song Dynasty) that combined the traditional judge/detective genre with wuxia. While there have been many screen adaptations this one has been much anticipated.

    I’ve watched the first episode (and even got my partner to watch with me). The show seems to jump right in with lots of martial arts action. I expect that the details of the first case and the principle character’s band of supporters will be revealed in the coming ones. There does seem to be a highly skilled runaway bride as the female lead from the start.

    There’s been some evident confusion about international licensing. While Youko had been expected to carry this cdrama internationally, and reportedly even posted the premiere early this morning before taking it down, it’s up on Rakuten Viki with English subtitles available.

    Description in translation via MDL:

    “Zhan Zhao, now a fourth-rank imperial guard, receives evidence from an old friend about an unsolved case and sets out on a quest to uncover the truth. He encounters attacks from various factions, and along the way, he meets Huo Ling Long, the talented and unyielding daughter of Linglong Villa, and Bai Yu Tang, the passionate and ruthless "Golden-Haired Rat." These like-minded individuals pursue clues, fight for justice, apprehend criminals, and tear apart the web of influence Prince Xiang Yang has woven across the court and the underworld.”

    mydramalist.com/749951-zhan-zh

    #cDrama #ZhanZhaoAdventures #MartialArts #Television #AsianDrama

  3. When Destiny Meets a Demon review (Dropped)

    Let me start by saying this: I do not like transmigration dramas. It’s one genre I avoid like the plague. Alongside youth dramas, they sit firmly on my personal “I can’t watch this” list.

    That said, I did give another transmigration drama by Wang Yilu a try once: Yummy, Yummy, Yummy.

    It had potential because the idea of a comedy about a transmigrated family appealed to me, but things went sideways and I ended up dropping it, just like so many transmigration dramas before it.

    So, when I decided to try When Destiny Brings the Demon for this month’s challenge, my expectations were not high. I told myself I’d watch two episodes, write a quick report, and move on with my life.

    I’ve always found Wang Yilu, really funny. I first discovered her in I Am Nobody, so I already knew she had great comedic timing. Even though her previous transmigration drama lost me midway, the comedic moments before that were genuinely enjoyable and this show leans into that. At least in the first four episodes I watched.

    Now, Arthur Chen: I knew nothing about him before this, but consider me educated. I have to admit this man is magnetic. I can absolutely see why people tune in just for him.

    The first two episodes were pretty typical for the genre. What kept me going was Wang Yilu’s performance as a self-proclaimed salted fish (a lazy slacker). Watching her try to slack off but only to end up working hard for a scary Grandmaster anyway was comedy gold.

    And the modernisms she brings to the ancient world was hilarious, calling Sima Jiao “boss,” asking about employee benefits, even mentioning KPIs. (Girl, I relate to your pain.)

    I have to say, besides Arthur Chen being, er, hot, I found his character interesting. Maybe I just like powerful characters who are sealed for hundreds of years away by evil sect leaders (Yuan Zhong, is that you??)

    I’ll admit this one goes down easier because of the pairing of Arthur Chen and Wang Yilu, and I mostly find it cute. Also, special mention to Sima Jiao’s black snake ! The most adorable aide ever.

    When I started the drama, my interest level was about 60%; not a full-blown obsession, maybe slightly below “kinda interested” but enough to keep me watching.

    However, life got busy, I got distracted by other dramas … and I just never went back.

    I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the show per se. Fans of the drama said that the hugs and kisses between our leads were really sweet to watch, but I honestly wasn’t terribly invested in their relationship. They had chemistry, I suppose, but the show’s predictable xianxia transmigration plot didn’t have that extra spark that would make look forward to it at the end of a work day, let alone binge it.

    Maybe I’ll watch it between intense shows, but the motivation is super low.

    I think Destiny is a great pick when you’re in the mood for something light, funny, and easy to watch without overthinking.

    #ArthurChen #CDrama #CDramas #China #ChineseDrama #CostumedDrama #Dropped #Fantasy #WangYilu #WhenDestinyBringsTheDemon #Xianxia
  4. I needed to make a fanvid for the #cdrama Glory. I could have made it better, but I just wanted to watch it tonight, so enjoy.
    #fanvideo #Glory

    vimeo.com/1188755904

  5. I needed to make a fanvid for the #cdrama Glory. I could have made it better, but I just wanted to watch it tonight, so enjoy.
    #fanvideo #Glory

    vimeo.com/1188755904