2025 was a great year for me. Here's what I considered awesome, and what I considered duds.
A short, yummy revenge drama that totally owns the fact that it's a bodice ripper on film. It is unexpectedly well-made and wildly entertaining. Gemini is deliciously trashy, smoothly edited, and proof that sometimes 15-minute episodes can outshine full-length shows.
A unique, well-written supernatural tale of a mysterious light shop that is more than what it is.
The dramas that I attempted in November: Whispers of Fate, Blood River, Love in the Clouds, Blemish Flaw, Why Is He Still Single and more. Who made the grade?
A polarizing CDrama where you may end up loving it to bits or be completely confused why anyone would like it.
Finally, an enemies-to-lovers story that has teeth, and an actress who could embody a deadly female general. That was already fantastic, but Fated Hearts also has a coherent storyline and wonderfully written characters - such a rarity in CDramaland these days.
IQIYI is calling it "Rose Finch", WETV is calling it "Rosefinch". That side of me that demands uniformity is annoyed. Short dramas have long been the domain for lesser-known talent to make their mark. And this is where the director of Blossom, Zeng Qing Jie, made his name with short dramas such as Provoke, A Familiar… Continue reading Rose Finch (short CDrama review)
A xianxia/xuanhuan drama with all the right ingredients except the most important one: An engaging and logical plot.
A prince is turned into a "shadow puppet" who will bond with the first person who gives him blood. That turns out to be the female general from an enemy kingdom. Sometimes, a drama can be bad, yet highly enjoyable at the same time. Shadow Love is such a drama; it's not a great drama, but it's a fun thirst trap carried by Cheng Lei's shirtless scenes.
The inaugural issue of a monthly newsletter where I talk about what I have been watching, reveal what dramas will be coming soon, Chinese entertainment gossip and what Cdramas look interesting. This month: Fated Hearts, The Hope, Gemini, Shadow Love, Love's Ambition, Blood River, Love in the Clouds and more.
Drama Tea 