Reviews

Alluring siren song

Thats why i will never trust mdl ratings 😅. Cos i genuinely love the show. Yes it has flaws (like any series) but i enjoyed it. Ive watched shows that are highly rated here in mdl but ended up disappointed.
I watched this solely for the casts esp park minyoung. They all delivered. Chemistry is good too.

I blame the writing on this one. Yes some are predictable but maybe thats what the writer/director is aiming for ✌️

Good story, Stony Acting

The love stories in this series bored me to death. It had potential ofcourse, but there was just something dry and drab about it.
There wasn't any consistency in character, sometimes the ML is fiercer than anyone, other times he comes off as weak.

There's a lot of hiccups in the flow of the story.

Away from the detailed plot, i barely survived the acting.
P.S: watching the FL in this and seeing her in 'a hundred memories'. You can clearly see the growth and the amount of work she has done for herself. Such beautiful progress. I could also say the same for the ML and his appearance in 'Weak Hero Class 2'. So much progress.

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omg so I just finished watching it...

omg so I just finished watching it and I'm so full of emotions To be precise this was MA FIRST EVER JAPANESE DRAMA and I'm glad that I chose this one. Firstly bout the music as I ain't a native person i don't really deserve to rate the OST but ig it felt connecting so yeah. and I swear if anyone dare say anything bout the cast cuz the casting team is actually the cherry on the top for this drama even the side characters. I don't actually like ml having first love already as I used to watch c-dramas but this was actually a very crucial part to the script and I loved everything bout the script tbh. omg I love it and most importantly the 2nd ml and that person who had a crush on fl were also good and they didn't gave me second lead syndrome as well haha. I am not a person who prefers re-watching a drama as I feel we can't feel the same way so I rated it less but if I was the person who prefers re-watching I would fs rate it 10. and overall it's jus so awesome Omgg I didn't know I needed this. Ahhh so gooddd.

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When Technique Is Used to Hide a Hollow Story

It's long, so I'll just get straight to the point.

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🍅 Director

It’s unbelievable to see that the director of Rebirth is the same person behind "The Double", "Moonlit Reunion" and "Generation to Generation". I actually like those three dramas, but this one just doesn’t work.

On a second look, I can still see traces of his style, especially from "The Double". But honestly, it feels like he got the wrong material to work with this time and is trying to cover it up with excessive camera work. His camera technique just becomes something convenient for him to reuse, but he doesn’t bother to align his visual approach with the story itself. There’s a lot of panning, zooming in and out, swirling, tilting, extreme close-ups, and different camera angles thrown in, but none of it really serves the story. At this point, it’s not really about technique anymore, it just feels like they have too many cameras on set. The story itself has nothing meaningful to convey, so all those camera choices end up feeling exaggerated rather than impactful.

Like I said, this feels like a cover-up. The director doesn't seem to care much about this project. Compared to "Generation to Generation", which just finished airing, it’s clear he put much more care into that one.

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🍅 Plot

The bigger issue is the plotting. They took many wrong steps with the story. There are unnecessary plot points as well as a few cheating moves, which I hate.

In ep 1, they make it clear that the ML is absolutely dead, but they still go against all logic to bring him back just so the drama’s English title can be Rebirth. This feels like a cheap reason. (I don’t know if that’s actually the reason, but at this point, I don’t see any other solid justification.)

Then there’s the 'memory loss' plot. This dementia thing, whether real or fake, has become an old trick that’s been overused in dramas. When it’s used, it often just becomes an excuse to make characters act stupid, misunderstand things, and push the story into forced, soap-opera territory, only for everything to reset once the memory comes back - which it always does. This kind of convenient memory loss breaks the tone for me and makes the whole thing feel like child’s play.

(Note: Meanwhile, I’m watching "Veil of Shadows", which also has a memory loss plot, but it’s an example of how this plot can be done well. There’s a solid origin for that and it’s a core part of the story that needs to be resolved. They take it seriously and deal with it head-on, instead of using it as a meaningless trick or a cheap excuse.)

Then there’s also the 'being blind' plot… another overused plot device. I’ll just stop here before my rant starts to sound as repetitive as the drama itself.

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🍅 Acting

As for the acting, it’s not there yet. The FL is clearly lacking.

In ep. 1, when she holds the ML in his last moments, the weakness in her acting is obvious. Her wide, bulging stare doesn’t support the emotion at all. It feels off and I can’t feel that the scene or the emotion is real.

Then, when she tries to be serious and solemn while interacting with other characters, it also feels off, like an imposter forcing herself to be something she isn’t. She’s so stiff that I can’t feel these are truly her character’s traits. It shows that she’s not fully one with her character.

Outside the story, I came across some discussions comparing this FL with Ai Mi in terms of their study choice and career path, saying something like this FL made a better choice and her career looks promising. When that info passed my eyes, I didn’t pay much attention. But now that I’ve come to know her for the 1st time through this drama, it comes back to mind. I get why people compare them since they’re almost the same age. However, when it comes to acting, she’s nowhere near Ai Mi yet. Her performance feels unnatural. Anyway, since she started young, maybe in 5 years she might grow into a great actress.

Another actress I want to mention is the 2nd FL. I first saw her in "Fated Heart", where her character and storyline were actually quite interesting, but not so much here. She takes the rebellious, frustrated side from her role in "Fated Heart" into this one, but the writing just doesn’t support her this time. The character ends up feeling flat and one-dimensional.

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It’s honestly a shame. I like the ML and I like the director’s previous works. I can see potential in the FL, even though she’s not there yet. I also want to root for the 2nd FL, but the way her character is written makes it hard. And the plot is too conventional and relies on the same old cliches, which makes the excessive camera work in this drama just another cliche as well.

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A Missed Opportunity: When Poor Pacing and Dark Clichés Overshadow Potential

I’ll be honest—I watched this series to broaden my horizons and form my own opinion.

After seeing some promos, especially featuring the actors who seemed likable, I got curious—especially about a series that touches on a sensitive topic and is ripe for debate (what better way to unwind than to debate?): the OMEGAVERSE.

Far be it from me to enjoy the Omegaverse for obvious reasons: rape culture, fetishism, the glorification of Alphas who think they can walk all over everyone and claim Omegas for themselves, and so on.

Of course, it all depends on the author and how the characters are written, but this is the pattern we see regularly...
So there are sometimes exceptions (like the Pitbabe series, which manages to shake up the clichés a bit or avoid featuring the detestable, immoral characters we often see in these types of stories), I even suspect that sometimes the Omegaverse is added to a story solely as a “fantasy” element to provide the opportunity for same-sex couples to have children (just a guess, since I don’t have much experience with this genre).

Some alternatives sometimes incorporate the “Enigma” type, which introduces a different turning point, particularly in the “hierarchy.”
Based on the synopsis provided by ABO Desire, I wondered if this series would be one of the exceptions (I must admit I was amused by the idea that, for once, an Alpha wouldn’t be the “predator”).

The final verdict is rather mixed.

In and of itself, the series had potential, but we’re left with a very bitter taste because of a CA-TA-STRO-PHIC final episode (rushed, incoherent, and clearly sloppy) that literally ruins everything. Ending on such a note is never good for the overall impression. The result: viewers are left frustrated. That’s how I feel.

Honestly, overall, this series isn’t bad at all: there are plenty of positives, but unfortunately, there are also many negatives that weigh heavily in the balance. The most surprising thing: it’s not even just because of the “omegaverse” aspect. In fact, if you take out a few scenes (some unnecessary because they drag things out, others just shocking and unfounded...), the series is really interesting and the four characters are even endearing (IN THEIR OWN WAY): neither all black nor all white.

- The actors did a great job and deserve applause for their performances (especially Huang Xing as Hua Yong).


- The OSTs were really nice, and I really liked how the lyrics perfectly matched the characters on screen at that moment.


- The cinematography was nice: like most Chinese dramas, it’s very polished and aesthetically pleasing, whether in terms of the visuals, sets, costumes, or makeup, etc.


- The plot started off pretty well, offering two interesting initial storylines based on two “double crosses”: an Enigma pretending to be an Omega to please his obsessive crush, and an Omega pretending to be a Beta to save his own skin (and not “bother” his childhood friend/crush/boss).

But while the first “double game” was well-developed in and of itself (thankfully, since it’s kind of the main point), this is unfortunately not the case for the second one, which the script completely butchered at the end (even though the potential of the second couple was clearly equal to or even greater than the first).
You want to keep watching to find out how all these secrets and misunderstandings will be resolved. The problem: the plot is too tightly wound, and the resolution is poorly executed (or non-existent).

- Fortunately, then, we could count on the first couple:

Sheng Shao You’s character is my biggest surprise: a gentle, kind Alpha who’s certainly very proud and has a bit of a “Casanova” side, but is generally a “Green Flag.” He’s a far cry from the typical rapist archetype often associated with dominant Alphas. Very cute.

Hua Yong is, of course, the most interesting and complex character in the series: he captures the viewer’s full attention with his mysterious air, his double-dealing, his “acting,” his schemes, his power...
Of course, his obsession—which is certainly open to criticism—was sometimes taken to extremes. His behavior is clearly not normal (not to be replicated at home), but one can be somewhat moved by his unprecedented devotion.

I admit I was afraid that the “making the Alpha his Omega” aspect would condemn the series to remain forever in that relational imbalance typical of the omegaverse—based on enslavement, domination, and submission—(whereas for me, the whole point of this series was to “turn the omegaverse on its head”). Fortunately, in the end, we don’t end up with that imbalance. One of the series’ rare successes in terms of storytelling!

“Obsessive” characters are always intriguing in their own way, but also detestable. Here, the series managed to make us warm up to the character by the end (despite certain aspects...) because he manages to transcend the dynamic of submission.
Spoiler:
The scene where Hua Yong literally “rapes” Sheng Shao You for no reason in episode 9 at Hotel X was clearly unnecessary. We could have clearly done without it; it adds nothing to the story, except to darken and tarnish the character of Hua Yong, who had so much potential... sure, he makes amends, apologizes, etc., but why perpetuate the clichés of the omegaverse?

His unwavering devotion and unconditional love shouldn’t be overlooked: we’re talking about seduction taken to the extreme here. Okay, it’s clearly not the best example of romance, but in the end it was still a bit touching, especially when Hua Yong explains all his motives to Sheng Shao You and the latter calls him a crazy fanboy—it’s funny, and it really captures his personality.

I’ll admit that Shen Wen Lang and Sheng Shao You’s remarks about Hua Yong are pretty funny and retain a certain realism: it’s as if the series itself ironically condemns this kind of behavior!

- Unfortunately, we can’t ignore what I consider the series’ biggest flaw (which leads to all the others): its pacing.
I don't understand what the writers were thinking: the story got off to a quick start but took forever to develop, especially the second plotline. There are significant lulls and repetitions around the middle and in the second half, and a final episode where everything is crammed in—revelations, attempts at reconciliation, reunions—just to wrap up the series. Such a shame. It’s clear that the series was more focused on the first couple/plot, which was very poorly combined with the second (even though there was a clear desire to give scenes to this second couple).

At the same time, there are a lot of unnecessary missteps, quite a few inconsistencies or contradictions in the dialogue or certain scenes, and problematic situations.
Gao Tu is very endearing, but of course, like all omegas, he is unfortunately the victim of the entire series. Financially exploited by his father (and consequently his friend), he constantly endures Shen Wen Lang’s (the man he technically loves) clumsy reprimands and gratuitous indirect insults toward Omegas, not to mention the health issues he suffers precisely to hide his nature as an Omega. It’s a real shame he’s the type to bottle everything up and retreat into stubborn silence: the scenes where Shen Wen Lang FINALLY tried to do something to “help” him were all pointless because he rejected them. How many times did I wish he’d finally spit out the words that were choking him...

Shen Wen Lang is the most frustrating character, and it’s not at all because of his Alpha nature (a solitary Alpha who doesn’t care about Omegas or anything romantic/sexual: no rapists in sight, great!).
At first he’s funny: clumsy with his words, though capricious, he has no malicious intent and is a good subordinate/friend/boss.
But the fact that he remains so out of touch, paranoid, and blind (toward Gao Tu) right up until the end ruins his potential.
By the end, his character is completely destroyed by his denial and stupidity, and the final episode ruins everything.
Why, when he’d maintained an image of a “good alpha” throughout the series, does he start to completely lose control and discredit himself?

Of course, the distressing lack of communication surely plays a role here (where would the drama be, you might ask). The problem is that when you stretch a rubber band too far, it snaps: we lose all interest in the second couple because after 15 episodes, there’s still no progress (literally nothing happens).
In my opinion, the second couple was ruined by all the things left unsaid—things that could have saved us... 15 episodes?
Spoiler:
because yes, the “secret” of the second couple isn’t revealed until that moment. It’s all a bit over the top.

It’s really a shame because I’m convinced this couple had enormous potential.

In short: well, a series with a lot of potential that could have redeemed the dreadful image of the omegaverse by giving it a better dimension, shoots itself in the foot several times with terrible pacing and the repetition of dark clichés.

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Made for Pursuit of Jade fans :)

This feels like watching... Pursuit of Jade or something like that....

Totally looks like a cdrama. A gaunt girl-like idol-face ML, idol hype, and basically - two arrogant psychos getting together to rule the world.

I am out of here, this is disgustingly content-free. It is a cdrama in Korean lol

Farewell :)

Fated to Meet Again

I just finished the last episode of Pursuit of Jade, and honestly, I’m still a bit confused about the ending. I couldn’t tell if it was showing a continuation of the story, an alternate version of events, or something more symbolic - like a “what if” scenario or a different possible outcome. That uncertainty stayed with me after finishing it.

Overall, the story is about war, secrets, manipulation, but also a strong romantic line running through it. What caught my attention the most was the female lead. I really liked her because she felt different - strong, but still very feminine at the same time. She didn’t feel like a typical “strong female character,” she felt more layered and real.

The male lead also surprised me. At the beginning, he seemed a bit lost, and I honestly had no idea what to expect from him. But slowly, I started realizing how important his role actually was in the whole empire and story. His character growth made more sense as the drama progressed.

Both main characters were definitely the most interesting to me. I also really liked his friend/companion - he brought a bit of humor and lightness into an otherwise heavy story. On the other hand, there were characters I genuinely found annoying, especially the two “brothers”. One of them felt completely unstable and the other was even more chaotic, which made some parts frustrating to watch (but fun!).

There was emotional development in several characters, especially the main leads. The romance was believable in my opinion, and there was definitely chemistry between them.

One of the most memorable scenes for me was the "tub" scene - the way they moved together felt symbolic, almost like yin and yang, representing balance and connection.

In terms of acting, I thought there were some very strong performances throughout the drama. Nothing really felt bad performance-wise. Visually, the drama is also really well done, with strong cinematography and atmosphere that fit the story perfectly.

The strongest point for me was definitely the storytelling and world-building. Even though there were some slower and slightly boring parts, the foundation of the story is solid. I’d rate the development around a 7 to 8 overall.

As for weaknesses, I wouldn’t say there are “bad” points, but more repetitive or dragging moments. Especially in the relationship between the leads - there were times where they would get close, then fight, then distance themselves again, and it became a bit repetitive.

Overall, I would recommend this drama to people who enjoy slow-burn romance with emotional tension and gradual development. It’s not a fast or easy romance, but that’s part of its structure.

One detail I really liked was the idea of fate between the leads. It feels like they were connected from the very beginning, even before everything started, which is reinforced by the conversation between their mothers during pregnancy. It gives the sense that their story was already written in some way.

Still, I’m left unsure about the ending. I don’t know if it was an alternate reality, a symbolic conclusion, or just another layer showing that their connection exists no matter what path the story takes.

In the end, Pursuit of Jade is not a perfect drama, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a well-made story with strong moments, emotional tension, and a slightly confusing but thought-provoking ending - and overall, a solid 8/10.

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Lovely

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this coming-of-age story. Unlike many other dramas in this genre, the teenage leads are written with a level of maturity and depth that is rare to see. There are no "childish" or grating characters here; instead, we get a grounded look at youth.
​The highlight for me was the genuine friendship between the group—it felt authentic and supportive rather than filled with unnecessary angst. To top it off, the romance between the main leads was absolutely adorable and built on a solid foundation. A well-deserved 10/10 for a drama that respects its characters and its audience!

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Here we go again!??

Geon Woo and Woo Jin are back! I binge-watched the second season in just 2 days, I literally couldn’t tear myself away from this series. Incredibly suspenseful, with no moment to breathe. Of course there were some humorous elements, but this season was definitely darker than season 1. I kind of missed the brightness and humor here, Lee Sang Yi is made for that kind of role.

A beautiful relationship between the boys, very brother-like, which is also visible in how Geon Woo’s mother treats his friend like her own adopted son. The fight choreography is excellent — I don’t really know much about boxing, but as an amateur it all looked very convincing to me. Especially the highway fight scene with Yun Tae Geom — absolute banger!

The main characters are amazing. I can only imagine how much work they had to put in to build that physique and learn all those movements — impressive. I keep wondering how long the training must have taken to achieve something like that. The actor playing the gang leader was terrifying 😀 Honestly, I really wanted them to take him down in the end, he was awful 😀 but performed phenomenally.
Now the negatives: 😳

First of all — why pull a guy out of prison and then do absolutely nothing with him for several episodes? So much effort to extract a dangerous person just to actually use him at the very end of the series? 🤔

Second thing, more of a personal preference: too much gore. Some scenes I had to skip — ears, bathtub, torture… I get that it amps up the thriller vibe, but for me it was too much. I’m here for action and fight scenes, gore is just too much.

Another issue — not enough light and humorous breaks. The balance in season 1 was better. Here I was constantly stressed out 😀 maybe that was the intention of the writers though.

And one more thing: is the life of professional boxers really like that? That they constantly have to run from people, being chased by organizers of illegal fights? Geon Woo is a world champion, so I understand raising the stakes around him, but there are plenty of other fighters who would agree for money… why are they so fixated on him? And all that trouble just to get one fighter. Just a small digression — I get that the story needs a trigger for everything to happen.

Overall: highly recommend, but for sensitive viewers — sometimes hand on the mouse ready to skip 😄

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A Breath of Fresh Air

Finally writing my review!
At first I was not particularly into the drama, but I found it very funny and light, and it ended up being a pleasant surprise.

A rare and healthy romance

I am not a fan of friends-to-lovers romance developments, but here I really loved it. Because I like intense romance, I was not especially obsessed with the couple at the beginning, but when they started showing softness and attraction toward each other it was so cute. And it feels really good to see a healthy relationship like theirs, I think this is so RARE and it feels quite refreshing. Especially in cdramas, where we often see misunderstandings come out of nowhere (like characters are perfectly rational all along, and then out of nowhere they fail to grasp something that would obviously make sense to them), so it was nice that there were none of that here.

The beauty of diverse relationships

What I loved the most is the diversity of relationships shown in this drama: friendship, romantic love, an almost filial bond between Mr. Bei and the little girl, fellowship, respect for an enemy, caring for the people and their opposites. All the characters have a precise role, either as individuals or as a group (like the concubines), and I enjoyed most of them.

Light but not shallow

I liked the fact that it gets heavier at times and then lightens back up. Overall, this is still more of a comedy than anything else. Unlike Yu Wanyin, I also kept in mind throughout that this was all a story and did not get too attached, but I think the fact that the drama shows us this is even more of a testament to what a great story it is, especially when we know the original plot and see how everything ultimately unfolds with the two main characters and Xie Yonger's actions.

A plot that serves its purpose

The plot may be the least interesting element here, I had no particular expectations and was only moderately captivated by the overall story and schemes. But I think this is precisely the intention of the producers, or at least the effect they would naturally provoke in viewers. This is well illustrated through the character of Yu Wanyin, who at first just wants to save the emperor and herself, but whose heart gradually softens through the wonderful people she meets. I also liked the fact that when it comes to her father from the book, she always refuses to see him so that he can remain just a character in a story. I was already a little protective of him because he was so sweet and was being targeted by the court.

Props to the on-screen team

The costumes and makeup, especially Yu Wanyin's and the concubines', were SO beautiful! The acting is very nice too.

Conclusion

Most of all, there was not really anything that upset me. I think most of the drama was smooth and well done. A drama that does not make you absolutely passionate can feel refreshing in its own way, and this one managed to be exactly that.
There is one thing I have been thinking about that I don't think we ever got an answer for: which period of time was Xie Yonger from? Is it an alternative future? I did some research and Beijing has always been fairly well known, so I'm not sure what to make of it.

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Good story + horrible directing = mediocre series

I honestly don't understand what most reviewers are praising the series for. I haven't read the book, but from what I see the story is good and since it's the only thing that is good, the book must have been great.

Acting is subpar at best. Overwhelming majority of actors in this drama don't know how actual people behave, cry or laugh, expressions are wooden. Even looking at a wall would have been a more emotional experience. Don't get me wrong, some actors in this drama do know how to act, but they are clearly in the minority. This was my first c-drama and if I hadn't watched Joy of Life series right after, I would have concluded Chinese dramas are just not worth the time.

The decorations and CG look as fake as my old neighbor eyelashes, they could have just skipped them altogether, but this at least can be explained by low budget. Although some parts of it looked cringey, then don't really detract from the show.

Direction. AWFUL. He allowed lousy acting pass. Didn't manage pacing well. Introduced characters that have zero influence on the story and serve no purpose whatsoever. Director should probably look for another job.

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So how did you all manage to get back to your normal daily lives?

It is not just the good looking actors.
But they are good looking.

It's not just good acting.
But they were all really good.

It's not just the music.
But the OST is fantastic.

The scenery, the outfits, the sets, directing,... Everything has been woven together into one of the best dramas to come out in the last couple of years (and it's been quite a slump). This is coming from someone who has never been too big a fan of cdramas, mostly because they are too long for my attention span.

If there is one flaw I could name, it's that the background story gets explained a little too late in the show, so at times it got difficult to follow who is who, and who did what, if you haven't read the book before that. Not too big of a flaw though because the story itself flows pretty naturally, there aren't any time jumps, traveling back and forth etc.

Just sit back and enjoy. And after it's all done, watch it again.

Seriously though, how does one get away from nostalgia for a show you just finished a few hours ago and already miss?

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I know This drama is really v.good one because I keep watching it without feeling bored although I wasn't in a drama mood at all

This drama to whom who loves slow burn pure love
I found it amazing with solid story and great plot with many conspiracies
I liked many things about it
Between the three sisters I loved the middle and the little one so much
I found the Ml servant was so funny
The Fl's brother was amazing I loved his character soooooo
The relationship between both leads was really cute
The romance was smooth and funny

What I dislike was
The Fl's mother in-law was a real Scorpion to be alone at the end wasn't fair punishment for me but to be in jail till the end of her life was v.fair one
I dislike that the youngest sister story was too short I wish they give it more space
I dislike that the FL suggested to be in an open Afair instead of marriage although this wasn't acceptable at this era and sounds weird at the same time after what they got through to be together
her act annoys me as hell
I dislike also the elder sister story
And what bothers me soooo also that the Fl's sister in law and her husband said they are going to stay to help the Fl but they suddenly vanished leaving her to her mother in-law

And I didn't get much the scene the FL should suicide in

But really this drama didn't take a fair evaluation it should be more than 8.5

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Predictable

It was very predictable.
Seola was kind of a shallow character. They made her look almost cartoonishly evil in the first few episodes and then showed us her traumatic backstory only to end episodes in cliffhangers where she looks evil again (this got boring real quick). It does not feel like she has anything to her other than her trauma. They didn't give her past relationships a solid story too, did she love her last fiancé? Why was he this cheater if he was concerned for her?
The investigation part of this could have been interesting but the police were incompetent and biased for no reason. Why is an outsider giving you all the evidence you need? It was like they had an hatred for Seola way before they met her.
Guessing the killer was so easy. Make our victim a person who has like 3 people close to her and make 2 of them the bad guys in her life, are we surprised?
Kind of expected more but meh

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Stuck on Repeat

Promising at first for the plot, but you need to bear with the repetitiveness and editing.

Repetitiveness of the plot

The plot keeps repeating itself in every aspect, and the pacing feels quite off. There are no major events that truly shift the direction of the story, instead, it's a series of small problems that feel artificially inserted just to keep the viewer going until the finale, which itself turns out to be not particularly thrilling. A bad guy appears, there's a forced kiss, the FL accuses the ML of deception and tries to kill him. Then they reconcile, a new bad guy appears, a new forced kiss or hug, and the FL accuses the ML again. The intrigue doesn't help either, since they need to find three different objects to cultivate the Ziwei Method, which creates the same cycle of plot twists over and over.
Another issue: Cai Zhao seems to be living out the same storyline as her aunt. First, it becomes tedious to watch a Cai Zhao scene only for it to be immediately followed by a flashback of her aunt doing essentially the same thing. Second, I would have appreciated more diversity in their respective developments and experiences.
In their defense, I think the writers focused less on making the overall plot compelling and more on showing how the characters were growing, which would make sense given the title of the drama. I liked the idea of an elder generation that faced many of the same challenges the younger generation is now encountering, and how the younger generation tries to avoid repeating the same mistakes. It's a genuinely nice concept, and I enjoyed all the flashbacks to the previous generation, which made for interesting comparisons. Overall, though, I think this is a case of wasted potential. It's like having a great idea for a book but being unable to write it well, or envisioning a beautiful drawing that ends up looking terrible in execution.

Production Issues

Setting aside the repetitive plot, the production itself is quite questionable. On the positive side, the costumes and some of the sets are nice. However, the editing is poorly done, the makeup on Cai Zhao is baffling (why is she so pale?), and the acting sometimes feels excessive, though that may partly be due to the strange editing choices (e.g., shots of Mu Qingyan making odd faces). Some scenes don't flow well together, and certain shots feel out of place. At times, we hear Mu Qingyan shouting something to Cai Zhao while the camera shows a wide shot of a mansion and garden filled with fighting characters. I found this very disorienting, as your eyes instinctively search for the people involved in the dialogue.

Romance and relationships

The romance, though, was completely wasted by Mu Qingyan's repeated unsettling behavior and Cai Zhao's constant rejection. Frustrating at first, then simply boring. I was hoping he would let go sooner, and that she would start chasing him a little. Their dynamic at the beginning was actually quite good: she was flirty and he showed nothing more than simple affection. Then came several awkward kiss attempts. Why not let her fall so deeply in love that she's the one trying to kiss him? Instead, they kept the obsessed-pursuer-and-rejecting dynamic all the way through, what a waste. I would have preferred the introduction of a woman he could have grown close to, to shake things up. As for Yuzhi, he should have either been simply her friend or someone she had some romantic interest in. What did his unrequited love actually bring to the plot?
That question, honestly, could be asked about many elements of this drama.
For example, I think they could have done something really compelling with Mu Qingyan's mother. He has so many repeated creepy scenes and moments of coughing up blood, they could have used that screen time to explore his mother issues, showing her trying to manipulate him and him resisting. That would have been far more interesting. His mother brought nothing to the plot tbh.

Good points

On the other hand, I particularly enjoyed the scenes between Lingbo and her mother, especially the one where Lingbo pushes back against her mother's advice, pointing out that her guidance didn't exactly lead to the best outcome given how her mother's own story ended. I also really liked Cai Zhao and Mu Qingyan's first meeting when she encounters him as himself. The enemies-to-lovers energy there was genuinely great. It was so promising and I actually loved the few episodes after this moment.

Conclusion

The repetitive plot combined with the production flaws makes the drama genuinely uninteresting at a certain point. They could have ended it after 20 episodes and it would have been tighter. I think it gets better toward the end, but I honestly couldn't watch at normal playback speed. It feels like the producers had a clear vision of the broad strokes and the ending, but didn't really know what to fill in between, which, for me, is the most important part.

Also, Rebirth has been in my watchlist for a while, but now that I've found out it's from the same director, I'm seriously reconsidering.

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