This review may contain spoilers
Harlequin Romance Meets Chinese Drama
I remember when I first saw this drama on this site I read comments that likened it to a trashy romance/Wattpad story. Two episodes in, I felt myself thinking "IT'S SO TRUE." Mysterious Love had all the tropes and components of an action/romance Harlequin novel (they're well-known for being light/quick/romantic reads) and a stereotypical Chinese drama. If you're the type to enjoy romance for the sake of romance and not think too deeply about the action plot going on in the background, this one's for you.SIMILARITIES:
❀ Bubbly, outgoing and artistic FL x possessive, cold and strong ML | Another trope: he saved her in the past. I think if American romance novels and Chinese dramas have a Venn diagram, this combo would be in the middle. The FL is a hard worker but is thinking of Lee, the guy that saved her years ago. When she meets him again, she's shook because he's acting so cold and impersonal (he even has a different name!). What she doesn't know, is that he's been thinking of HER these past 5 years too, but has been staying away "for her own protection." We love our emotionless noble idiot MLs, I guess.
I wasn't a fan of the ML in the beginning (especially when he was pushing her away "for her own sake" (ugh) (barf)), but he grows from such Neanderthal behavior. The FL is smart and holds no prisoners, so he learns to communicate quick, lol. Beforehand, he was the type to be reticent and make up for not speaking with aggressive actions but later on he can't deny his feelings and ends up opening up to her. He definitely has the makings of a CEO/security officer/Alpha wolf/cold celebrity + brooding MC that we see in Chinese dramas and Harlequin novels.
✕ Action/suspense in the background of the main couple's relationship | This suspense was not too bad and definitely added to the plot - but to a certain level. In each episode we see a bit of flashback with what happened between the couple 5 years ago when they were hanging with a gang (she was accidentally kidnapped, he was undercover). If you asked me about the criminal syndicate/gang subplot, I could not - for the LIFE of me - explain. They were just bad people??? His team was just getting rid of them even though they're supposed to be just bodyguards (they were on a mission)?? They came back to life after their leader died 5 years ago and are taking revenge? Like... these things happened, but I feel like the writing gave the bare backbones of a plot that was loosely held together (I know I watched this show in the background of doing other stuff but I usually get the general gist of subplots). The show tries to be intense/edgy in some scenes but I learned to not take it seriously. Also other scenes had me watching between fingers LMAO they were so cliche (non-derogatory tone).
❀ Everything is romance-driven | Whether it's the characters' actions, the villains' machinations, or the plot, everything serves one purpose: le racy romance(s). If you like in-depth plots and characterizations with logical consistencies, it's time to look away from this drama. What it DOES serve is a nice dose of jealousy and possessiveness from both the protagonist and villains' standpoints. The action is straight up there to highlight such emotions. Background logic for kidnapping/killing people? They just want to end up with the ML or FL, after all!! There's literally nothing deeper than that.
✕ Acting/characterization were fine but not deep | In terms of acting, I think the actors did the best they could do given the limits of the script. The FL did a good job in being a spunky girl with a brain in her head and the ML's coldness was exactly in-tune with his character. There was also a secondary couple (spoiled, rich princess x stoic, single dad bodyguard) that I have the same lukewarm feelings about - the 2FL was cute and preppy, I really liked her character, and the 2ML was emotionless and stayed that way throughout the drama. He also had a cute but sometimes annoying child that softened up to the 2FL (I think she acted pretty well!). Just like a Harlequin novel though, their characterizations were pretty basic, cliche, and predictable, with not much novelty going on. But, that's also common in Chinese dramas as well, so nothing surprising on that front.
❀ Happy ending for everyone | Well, except the psycho baddies. But, since this follows the plot of a Harlequin novel, we been knowing. >:)
DIFFERENCES:
❀ The FL is smarter than usual | In both trashy romances and Chinese dramas, the FL either succumbs to misunderstandings, instigates them, or in general is very naive and ignorant. The FL in Mysterious Love, Nian Chu, is not like that at all. She's the type to think things over (especially when they seem suspicious) and choose common sense/logic over hysteria. NC isn't a Mary Sue and good at everything though - she literally just uses her brain, which is refreshing. (Since it's 2021, I only want these kinds of FLs in Chinese dramas going forward.)
OTHER NOTES:
❀ I'm a big fan of the music | For a drama that doesn't look too pricey in production, they really utilized the background music to a surprising level. I don't think the drama itself has original soundtracks (not sure though), but the songs they used were really catchy and added depth to the scenes. Intro music is a mysterious/suspenseful instrumental track, and outro music is a song release in 2018 I think that's pretty popular. Although I'm not a fan of ballads (which sucks, because Chinese people love sad music lol), I really enjoyed the ending song. Fighting scene tracks are good too - I remember in this one scene they matched the action with the instrumental music, which was a classy detail.
✕ Misunderstanding level: 0/10 | The ML purposefully hides things from the FL in the vein of an (idiotic) noble savior but she pries the truth out of him. Other than that, FL was written with common sense and doesn't fall for cheap misunderstanding tricks that potential villains go for. We stan a smart female lead.
OVERALL
Quick, romantic, and to-the-point, Mysterious Love is definitely a romance/suspense to watch at face value. (Note: high in romance, low in suspense.) I truly never understood the whole background of the gangs and island history, but who cares because you get to see the characters look hot in the jungle. *shrug emoji* The actors did their part, and overall it was interesting enough for me to watch in the background while doing other things. Recommended for a light watch (it's quick too, at 16 30-min episodes!)
(Note: My rewatch value is set to 5.0 always as a default as I'm not the type to rewatch dramas EVER. Thus, I do not take it into account when calculating overall score.)
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Good script and fast phase - love it
The first time I came across ML trailer I was wondering whether should I watch it or not. I only recognised the faces of the parents and the 2nd lead male in another CDRAMA. But some how watching from some clips made me wanting to check it out. My mandarin is so-so coz I was non chinese speaker but to really enjoyed it I have to wait for the english translation and I must say it is worth it. Truly enjoyed the drama. Well written script, good actors and actresses. Nothing silly and very direct, action packed series. Is like you kept wanting more and wondering what would happen next. Some plot have the elements of surprises. I really enjoyed ML and FL interactions and surprisingly the 2ML and 2FL and not to mentioned Xing Xing acted so well. I was asking is 16 episodes enough? Honestly I am not too sure… but honestly I enjoyed the ride…Was this review helpful to you?
Sizzling hot
Firstly, I could watch Tsao Yuning all day, every day. He is a fascinating, physically attractive, charismatic male, honestly, the screen lights up every time he is on it. His character is self confident, full of integrity, big hearted, smart and loyal although not without faults such as jealousy and possessiveness. The story keeps our interest going, with short flashbacks that will tie the history all together and give the audience understanding and reason behind many situations. It’s refreshing that despite the plotting from others, the FML trusts the ML and all misunderstandings come to conclusion very quickly. It’s probably down to the fact that the show is only 16 episodes long. I adored the ML’s Wolfpack of live together, die together brothers, cheering for the SML/SFL relationship as well. The soundtrack is great, but the acting could be improved on by nearly all actors. The best actor is XingXing, what a fabulous budding actress she is. I will definitely indulge on rewatching this, just for Tsao Yuning's fighting, boxing and shower scenes alone. Yes, I know it’s very superficial of me and on this occasion, I don’t care at all.Was this review helpful to you?
Unexpected diamond
This serie has blown my mind. I didn’t expect i would like it so much! A. Must watch drama.Actually I was sad it only has 16 episodes, but it is perfect for the story.
The couple has really strong chemistry with eachother. And the second lead couple are also vert cute! Als on every beginning of the episode it starts with a kind off throwback,but not like that it is annoying. Just 1 minute or less where you can understand what happend and it goes back to the story from the time now. Really useful! Not confusing of dragging at all.
It also give this drama a different vibe. Not the beginning end story like most drama.
There is action, love, drama, tension a litlle bit of everything! There is no misunderstanding between a triangle love or something.
I really like this drama!
P.s: you are gonna get addicted to the drama. I finished it in 2 days^^
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the love is definitely not mysterious!
The show is great, the acting is great. I just felt a little confused about what the whole "accident" was about... i get the general gist but i wish they sat down and actually explained a to z what happened. maybe thats just because im slow lol.i really liked this. it was refreshing from all the cliche bs ive been watching to fill up time. It felt more like a romance than a suspense/thriller, but there was a good mix of both. second couple is super adorable :D
it has a happy ending all around, which always is a plus for me :)
some things felt a little rushed, but nothing's perfect and thats okay!
also they do have a compilation of extra chapters which you can find on youtube. those are just cute fluffy shorts they made that are irrelevant to the plot. theyre funny though so i say theyre worth watching.
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Interesting drama
Helloo..Here i want to review about this drama. I got recommend it by Insta then i search for it.. ?
I feel 16 episode (30 min per episode) is not enough for mee.. But i applause the director & writer for this drama. Eventho the drama is short but all the storyline is not too draggy like some c-drama.. I finish watch it for 1 day.. I like how the cast potray their characters. Even there some sad part in the drama..
So for whoever want to find short drama & love romance & action can try to watch this..
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This needs more episodes
At the moment you start to watch this drama you have to have your full focus on the screen. There is a lot happening, a lot of people come and go, the side stories are only shortly summarized. Personally I really had to focus hard on what was happening because is was easy to get lost. But the this short drama managed to be a rather interesting and steamy romance.Nian Chu & Li Teng are strong and independent couple, they are there for each other and no-one else. She makes a valid point that relationship must have trust & truth but it happends to be a kind of funny situation because it takes Li Teng several days (an episode) to understand it and explain to Nian Chu what in what the hell she got into 5 years ago ?? I must admit that "Mysterious Love" has an unique background and the unexpected discoveries on the way.
The pace of revealing the story was quite fast and it didn't always cover everything we wanted or needed to know to understand the plot. It made me mad because plot holes are the worst of worst. I was constantly hungry for more and if the drama would be longer I would be fully satisfied ? However it cuts in unexpected moment..... In taking it back, this is THE WORST. They made the same mistake here as in "Triad Princess", they cut down the drama at the cliff handeg and let you go... HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO GO NOW?! I wish there were additional 5-6 episodes, so that the boss was defeated, leads get married and were all have a Happy Ever After ending. Because looking at how much has happened between them and in general in their world, they deserve living at ease! And we too! ????
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This review may contain spoilers
Wow
Most C-dramas I've watched are really nice to watch in the beginning but by the middle of it, no matter how much you like it, you just have had enough of it and skip, skip, skip until the very end. That's not the case with this one. 16 episodes was perfect. Usually I find myself skipping minutes at a time, I didn't do it at all here. This is definitely not your usual C-drama. The female is not stupid or immature, there is no love triangle, no repetitive scenes orscenarios., and she doesn't let him walk all over her. I usually don't care for flashbacks but in this drama they were a perfect way to know their past history without adding on another 30 episodes. The best part was there was a lot of tender moments between the leads. No fake kissing. Something you won't find very often in a C-drama. They had amazing chemistry. Sure the ML comes off as cold, possessive, jealous, but the way he warms up to the FL and the way he looks at her...it makes you melt. Even the second couple was enjoyable to watch. It's been a while since I have enjoyed a C-drama like I did this one. Be prepared to binge watch it.Was this review helpful to you?
A bit cliche but worth watching
This isn’t really a romcom so if you’re looking for lots of laughs then you’ll be disappointed. But if you’re looking for a drama with an interesting storyline and a sizzling romance and don’t mind a few cliches thrown in along the way then you’ve come to the right place.The storyline is pretty original with a few twists and turns to keep it interesting. I liked that there were several villains throughout the drama which kept it from getting predictable and boring. I also liked that both main leads are tough and can hold their own. If it weren’t for the cliche guy obsessed with the female lead and the cliche girl obsessed with the male lead it would have been much better. I’m so tired of seeing that scenario in almost every drama I watch nowadays. But the second male lead and his romance with the female leads best friend made up for that. I enjoyed watching their little romance. The side characters were well fleshed out and thankfully there weren’t any love triangles which was so refreshing.
The romance was the best part of this drama. Not only are both leads gorgeous, but they had great chemistry. The kisses were pretty steamy and there were plenty of them. The romance wasn’t cliche at all either. In fact it was pretty original. There weren’t any accidental falls into the male leads arms or second leads sabotaging the main leads by creating misunderstandings between them. Instead we see the male lead make some original moves like smoothly maneuvering the female lead into his lap on a bus. It was also nice seeing them together fairly early on and getting to enjoy their romance for a good deal of the drama. Overall the romance was done really well.
The male lead is a smooth confident and very charming guy. Even though he was orphaned at a young age he’s brilliant and was able to create a lucrative security company that provides protection to the elite upperclass. His charismatic personality along with his superb fighting skills reminded me of James Bond. He’s a bit high handed and aggressive with the female lead sometimes but I’ve always been a sucker for strong alpha males as long as they are respectful of women. And the male lead was a complete gentleman throughout the drama.
The female lead is smart, confident, talented, and capable of taking care of herself. On numerous occasions she got away from those trying to harm her all by herself. Yes the male lead does rescue her a few times but she helps him out too. I like how she saw through the women that tried to make her jealous or misunderstand things. She’s definitely not one of those annoying female leads. I found her character very likable.
In conclusion I would say this is definitely a drama I’d recommend watching. The storyline is great, the acting is great, the romance sizzles, and you can tell it was a high budget drama. I did deduct a full star for both main leads having someone obsessed with them without much of a reason for the obsession other than to move the story along. And to make matters worse they were so obsessed that they were willing to kill to be with them. I also deducted half a star because of the numerous flashbacks. There were multiple flashbacks every episode. It got tiresome and confusing at times. But it’s still a great drama that doesn’t get too melodramatic and is pretty balanced. Most misunderstandings get resolved fairly quickly and it’s well paced. This is a drama that shouldn’t be skipped. I really enjoyed watching it.
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