Shadow Love | Review

A romantasy about two rival generals torn between duty, desire, and an awful lot of bare chests.

Notable Actors/Actresses

Song Yi: Li Shuang

Cheng Lei: Jin An / Duan Ao Deng / Xuan Yi Ke

Bi Wen Jun: Sumu Yang

Director

Deng Ke, Gao Cong Kai

Screenwriter

(Author: Jiu Lu Fei Xian)

Chinese Title

與晉長安

With Jin Chang'an

Genres: Costume Qihuan, Romance, Palace

Network: iQIYI

Year: 2025
Episodes: 38

The Legend of Heroes | Open Thread

An anthology of Jin Yong's wuxia series.

Notable Actors/Actresses

Ci Sha: Guo Jing

Bao Shang En: Huang Rong

Wang Hong Yi: Yang Kang

Huang Yi: Mu Nian Ci

Director

Xu Bing, Deng Ke, Cao Dun, Zang Xi Chuan, Yang Lei

Screenwriter

Luo Yi Wei, Xu Bing

Chinese Title

金庸武俠世界

Jin Yong's Martial Arts Universe

Genres: Wuxia, Romance, Palace, Team

Network: Tencent Video

Year: 2024 & 2025

Episodes: 60

The Prisoner of Beauty | Open Thread

An arranged marriage between enemies.

Notable Actors/Actresses

Song Zu Er: Xiao Qiao

Liu Yu Ning: Wei Shao

Director

Deng Ke, Gao Cong Kai

Screenwriter

Nan Zhen

Chinese Title

折腰

To Bend at the Waist

(i.e. submission)

Genres: Period, Romance, Palace, Period Romance

Network: Tencent Video

Year: 2025
Episodes: 36

Guardians of the Dafeng | Open Thread

A crafty salesman lives his power fantasy.

Notable Actors/Actresses

Wang He Di: Xu Qi An

Tian Xi Wei: Lin An

Director

Deng Ke

Chinese Title

大奉打更人

The Night-Watchers Guardians of Da Feng

Genres: Costume Qihuan, Romance

Network: Tencent Video

Year: 2024
Episodes: 40

The Legend of ShenLi | Recap and Review

A phoenix warrior domesticated into a frail man's chicken. 

Notable Actors/Actresses

Lin Geng Xin: Xing Zhi / Xing Yun

Zhao Li Ying: Shen Li

Director

Deng Ke

Screenwriter

Jiu Lu Fei Xiang (Author)

Chinese Title

與鳳行

Along the Tailwind of the Phoenix

Genres: Xianxia, Romance

Network: Tencent Video (MangoTV)

Year: 2024
37isodes: 39

Recap Grade: C
First Impression: 2.9/5

Miss S | Recap and Review

An eccentric detective crosses path with a strait-laced officer. 

Notable Actors/Actresses

Ma Yi Li: Su Wen Li

Gao Wei Guang: Luo Qiu Heng

Bu Guan Jin: Xiao Tao Zi

Wu Hao Chen: Shen Xiao An

Xu Shao Ying: Lao Song

Director

Deng Ke

Chinese Title
旗袍美探

Genres: Era, Romance, Mystery, Era Romance

Network: Tencent Video

Year: 2020
Episodes: 10/34

Recap Grade: D
First Impression: 3/5

[Dropped]

The Sleepless Princess | Recap and Review

A princess who doesn't sleep during the day meets a general who is to marry her and perhaps be the prince she needs. 

Notable Actors/Actresses

Zheng Ye Cheng: Xue Yao

Hu Yi Xuan: Xu Chu Yue

Director: 

Gao Cong Kai, Shen Jin Fei

Producer: 

Deng Ke

Chinese Title
離人心上

Genres: Period, Romcom, Fantasy, Period Romcom

Network: MangoTV

Year: 2020

Episodes: 35 (+ Epilogue)

Recap Grade: A
First Impression: 4/5

My Amazing Boyfriend Review

Chinese Title: 我的奇妙男友

Episodes: 28

Ehhhh. This is better than decent! I would have shoved this in a dark, dark corner if not for Janice Wu (or Wu Qian). She had played the younger Mo Sheng in My Sunshine and I had actually preferred her Mo Sheng over Tiffany Tang’s. Anyway, this drama is better known for being the remake of inspired by You From Another Star which just screams terrible to me. Normally, these remakes are cringingly embarrassing but this drama aims to be more than a frivolous attempt to attract the mass.

[Edit] Updated with ending remarks at the bottom
Note: Spoilers in comment section. Scroll with care.