Romance in the Alley | Review

A 1970s family saga that's generally free of angst.

Notable Actors/Actresses

Yan Ni: Huang Ling

Li Guang Jie: Lin Wu Feng

Jiang Xin: Song Ying

Fan Cheng Cheng: Zhuang Tu Nan

Guan Xiao Tong: Zhuang Xiao Ting

Wang An Yu: Lin Dong Zhe

Lu Yu Xiao: Li Jia

Director

Zhang Kai Zhou, Wang Guang

Chinese Title

小巷人家

Small Households in the Alley

Genres: Era, Romance, Family, Era Romance

Network: MangoTV

Year: 2024
Episodes: 40

Melody of the Golden Age | Review

A general of hell marries a coroner who isn't afraid of hell.

Notable Actors/Actresses

Ding Yu Xi: Shen Du

Deng En Xi: Yan Xing

Director

Wang Wei

Chinese Title

長樂曲

Melody of Lasting Happiness

Genres: Period, Romance, Mystery, Period Romance

Network: MangoTV

Year: 2024
Episodes: 40

You Are My Secret | Recap and Review

An office couple "marries" first and loves second first.

Notable Actors/Actresses

Wei Zhe Ming: Ji Yu Heng

Zhang Jia Ning: Tu Xiao Ning

Screenwriter

Xin Xiao Yang, Hao Ru, Sun Meng Jie

Chinese Title

私藏浪漫

Hidden Romance

Genres: Contemporary, Romcom, "CEO", Contemporary Romcom

Network: MangoTV

Year: 2024
Episodes: 32 + Extra

Recap Grade: C/D
First Impression: 3.35/5

Nancheng Banquet | Recap and Review

A general falls in love with a eunuch who is his (female) assassin.

Notable Actors/Actresses

Wang You Shuo: Yan Zhang Yun

Zhao Zhao Yi: Fu Xiao / Xiao Qiang Zi

Director:

Xu Chi

Chinese Title

南城宴

Genres: Period, Romcom, Palace, Period Romcom

Network: MangoTV

Year: 2024
Episodes: 24

Recap Grade: C
First Impression: 3/5

We Shall Meet Again | Review

A step-brother falls in love with his  murder-suspect-step-sister. 

Notable Actors/Actresses

Jing Yan Jun: Shi Yao

Shi Hang Lu: Lu Miao

Director

Xiu Xiao Nan

Chinese Title

那个重逢的夜晚

That Night (We) Reunited

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense, Contemporary Romance

Network: MangoTV

Year: 2024
Episodes: 12 (20mins/ep)

The Rational Life | Recap and Review

An OWYM set in a law office. 
Notable Actors/Actresses

Qin Lan: Shen Ruo Xin

Wang He Di: Qi Xiao 

Chinese Title
理智派生活

The Life of the Rationals 

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, OWYM, Contemporary Romance

Network: MangoTV

Year: 2021
Episodes: 35

Recapper: Tyi

Recap Grade: A/B
First Impression: 3/5

Our Interpreter | Recap and Review

An ex (IT geek) is back for revenge, and here's how he's doing it: automating FL's profession. 

Notable Actors/Actresses

Chen Xing Xu: Xiao Yi Cheng

Song Qian: Lin Xi

Director

Zhang Tong

Screenwriter

Fei Hui Jun

Chinese Title

我們的翻譯官

Our Interpreter

Genres: Contemporary, Romcom, CEO, Contemporary Romcom

Network: MangoTV

Year: 2024

Episodes: 23/36

Recap Grade: C
First Impression: 3/5

[Dropped (Ep23)]

[2023] Heat Index Summary | MangoTV

Ready for the 🔥🔥🔥🔥?

The Last Immortal | Open Thread

A weak-weak couple in a xianxia littered with fowls. 

Notable Actors/Actresses

Wang An Yu: Gu Jin / Yuan Qi

Zhao Lu Si: A Yin / Feng Yin

Director

Chen Jia Lin, Li Cai

Scriptwriter: 

Liu Fang (Author: Xing Ling)

Chinese Title

神隱

The Hidden God

Genres: Xianxia, Romance

Network: Tencent Video (MangoTV)

Year: 2023
Episodes: 40

I May Love You | Open Thread

A CEO/producer domineeringly pursues and grovels to the scriptwriter he rejected.

Notable Actors/Actresses

Wei Zhe Ming: Tang Yu

Huang Ri Ying: Tang Xin

Director

Liu Dong

Scriptwriter: 

Hao Ru, Xin Xiao Yang. Sun Meng Jie

Chinese Title

對你不止是喜歡

Towards You, It's Not Just Love

Genres: Contemporary, Romcom, CEO, Contemporary Romcom

Network: MangoTV (Tencent Video)

Year: 2023
Episodes: 24

Fantastic Doctors | Open Thread + Reviews

A trio of residents learn how to heal people and hearts.

Notable Actors/Actresses

Zhang Wan Yi: Chen Hui

Jiang Pei Yao: Yuan Ye

Chinese Title

非凡醫者

Extraordinary Doctor

Genres: Contemporary, No Romance, Team

Network:  MangoTV

Year: 2023
Episodes: 16

Only for Love | Open Thread

A reporter seduces a CEO for revenge because of a niece error. 

Notable Actors/Actresses

Wang He Di: Shi Yan

Bai Lu: Zheng Shu Yi

Director: 

Guo Hu

Screenwriter

Yang Qian Zi

Chinese Title

以愛為營

Genres: Contemporary, Romcom, CEO, Contemporary Romcom

Network: MangoTV

Year: 2023
Episodes: 36

We Go Fast on Trust | Recap and Review

A race car driver in fast pursuit of a slow and nerdy engineer jiejie. 

Notable Actors/Actresses

Alice Ko: Shen Xi

Zhai Zi Lu: Chen Mo Bai

Director

Huang Ying Xiang, Wang Yi Wei

Chinese Title

極速悖論

Speed Paradox

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, OWYM, Contemporary Romance

Network: MangoTV

Year: 2023
Episodes: 22

Recap Grade: C → A
First Impression: 3.5/5

Stand by Me | Open Thread + Reviews

A stubborn girl in pursuit of education (over boys?). 

Notable Actors/Actresses

Zhao Jin Mai: Luo Qi Qi

Bai Yu Fan: Xu Xiao Bo

Director: 

Wang Zhi Yong

Scriptwriter: 

Wu Tong (Author: Tong Hua)

Chinese Title

那些回不去的年少時光

The Youth That I Cannot Return To

Genres: Contemporary, Sismance, Family, Slight Romance,

Network: MangoTV

Year: 2023
Episodes: 30

Be With You | Recap and Review

A triple-threat-wuxia-trio (no power, no money, and no brain) takes revenge!

Notable Actors/Actresses

Xie Xing Yang: Meng San Xi

Wang Han Wei: Yan Si Fang

Su Meng Di: Ye Wu Zhi

Director: 

Bi Xing Ye

Scriptwriter: 

Bi Xing Ye

Chinese Title

我有一個朋友

I Have This Friend

Genres: Period, Wuxia, Slight Romance, Team, Comedy

Network: MangoTV

Year: 2023
Episodes: 25

Recap Grade: B/C
First Impression: 3.6/5

A Familiar Stranger | Recap and Review

A face-swapped painter and a general get married and soon realize they're already deeply in love.

Notable Actors/Actresses

Ke Ying: Shi Qi

Cheng Lei: Xiao Han Sheng

Song Zhao Yi: Shen Qin

Wang Ze Xuan: Prince Ning

Director: 

Zeng Qing Jie, Du Hao

Screenwriter

Zhao Lin

Chinese Title
虛顏

The Evil Face

Genres: Period, Romance, Fantasy, Period Romance

Network: MangoTV

Year: 2022
Episodes: 18 (Mini)

Recapper: FanFanX

Recap Grade: A
First Impression: -

Fake It Till You Make It | Open Thread

A courtship between masters of flirts.

Notable Actors/Actresses

Han Dong Jun: Xu Zi Quan

Cai Wen Jing: Tang Ying

Director: 

Li Mo

Screenwriter: 

(Author: Liu Cui Hu)

Chinese Title

裝腔啟示錄 

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Contemporary Romance

Network: MangoTV

Year: 2023
Episodes: 14

You Are Desire | Open Thread

A bad boy attracts a girl from a broken family. 

Notable Actors/Actresses

Zhou Yi Ran: Shen Juan

Zhuang Da Fei: Lin Yu Jing

Director: 

Deng Ke

Scriptwriter: 

(Author: Qi Jian)

Chinese Title

白日夢我 

Daydream Me

Genres: Contemporary, Romcom, School, Contemporary Romcom

Network: MangoTV

Year: 2023
Episodes: 30 

Young Blood | Open Thread

A gang of six spies outsmarting everyone. 

Notable Actors/Actresses

Zhang Xin Cheng: Yuan Zhong Xin

Zhou Yu Tong: Zhao Jian

Wang You Shuo: Wang Kuan

Su Xiao Tong: Pei Jing

Director: 

Yi Zheng, Wang Fei, Peng Xue Jun, Luo Zhi Gang, Liu Chong Jie

Scriptwriter: 

Wang Juan, Li Jie

Chinese Title
大宋少年志

Genres: Period, Romance, Bromance, Sismance, Team, Comedy, Mystery, Period Romance

Network: MangoTV, iQIYI

Year: 2019
Episodes: 42

Young Blood 2 | Review

A gang of six spies outsmarting everyone (except their fathers). 

Notable Actors/Actresses

Zhang Xin Cheng: Yuan Zhong Xin

Zhou Yu Tong: Zhao Jian

Wang You Shuo: Wang Kuan

Su Xiao Tong: Pei Jing

Director: 

Wang Fei, Zhou Nan

Scriptwriter: 

Wang Juan

Chinese Title
大宋少年志 2

Genres: Period, Romance, Team, Comedy, Mystery, Period Romance

Network: MangoTV

Year: 2023
Episodes: 27