S. Yue Michaelis

Xiao Yan is a genius child who suddenly loses all his powers.
In a world governed by strength and power, Xiao Yan’s lack of talent is an embarrassment to his family. At the age of 15, Xiao Yan accidentally summons Yao Lao (Baron Chen) from his mother’s ring. With the elder’s help, Xiao Yan’s skills improve by leaps and bounds.
After his entire family is assassinated, Xiao Yan embarks on a journey to find his family’s killer and return peace to the Jianghu (martial world). ~~ Adapted from the xianxia novel Battle Through the Heavens written by Tian Can Tu Dou (MDL-2018)


BOORIIING.

I watched for real 15 episodes or so, which is the 1st part and the part where Xiao Zhan has the "most" scenes". I say "most" because his role is super tiny... his X-NINE members, which are 3, have a lot more of scenes than him, and his character was a lot cooler, but sadly, very misused.

There were 2 reasons I watched this: one is of course, Xiao Zhan; and the other, some reviews/comments were saying this was the Chinese Harry Potter. Well, let me tell you that is bulls**t. Nothing far from the truth. The Academy... what was the reason for that? They barely had classes, the "teachers" didn't teach anything and didn't even care for the students; and there wasn't any scholar interaction or anything.

The MC, Xiao Yan, was one of the most unlikable MC I've ever watched in such a long show... there wasn't any character development, and in spite of my complaining of weak shounen characters at the beginning of their stories, at least there was something to look forward, unlike this Xiao Yan who was the best from almost the very beginning. He had everything served to him, from his Master to some powers. He was the Best of the Best, could fight, could heal, could fly, etc, etc. BORING.

Also, this is a harem... there are 3 girls who are more or less romantically linked with him. The possible wife, the almost wife, and the should-be-the-wife. Eye-rolling. Can't believe Li Qing was one of the most annoying characters in this drama... I couldn't stand her loud character.

There are many characters, but the bad thing is that, many characters seem they would have a stronger role, only to disappear like nothing. Like the Snake Queen. The guy in the blond, stiff wig. Like Lin Xiu Ya. Speaking of wigs, there were the worst I've ever seen in my life... the cheapest and most lifeless wigs. There were many awful hairdos, and don't let me start with the make-up. Low budget for sure.

Of course I finished it using cheating ways, like fast-forwarding many scenes and using the +10-secs-forward like crazy. I calmed down once Xiao Zhan appeared again which was for like, 2 episodes, for 3 minutes each **facepalm**. Was it worth it? For him? Maybe... he was very good and super good-looking.... Yes, I would watch any crappy show for him, again **sighs**

30-year-old Rinko Kamata (Yuriko Yoshitaka) works as an unpopular screenwriter. She doesn't have a boyfriend, but she has two female friends Kaori and Koyuki. They meet regularly at a bar. There, they complain about their situations and go through what if scenarios. One day, Rinko Kamata decides to go for happiness at love and work. (asiawiki-2017)


Not the worst dorama I ever watched, but it comes close. How many times I wanted to drop it! But I persisted. Besides the cast, the other reason was because I like "Kuragehime" which is a manga written by the same author from this drama. Alas, this one is sooo frustrating.

I realize that many rom-com dramas have kinda the same plot, which is: marriage. Dramas that I loved, like Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu (Married as a Job) or Kazoku no Katachi, or the classic Kekkon Dekinai Otoko. But this one was so exhausting! The girls think and talk about men only, and they have the worst taste in them. Not only one of them, Kaori (Eikura Nana) is the Other Woman of her ex-boyfriend (who proclaims he loves both of them) but also Koyuki (Oshima Yuko) is the mistress of a married man. I thought Koyuki would have been the most sensible one in the trio, but this tells you that you can judge by the cover.

The most bearable one of the trio was Rinko, played by Yoshitaka Yuriko. At least she has different boyfriends to find out what she really wants. But the final episode made me hate her, grrrr. What a stupid girl, but I guess this kind of decision is expected in a tv show. Good, goofy guys never win :((

I liked Sakaguchi Kento (KEY-san or Kinpatsu), I really do, and I've read so many reviews where people has the 2nd-lead syndrome, who is always him. Poor guy is always the support character, and being a talented, ikemen actor, he deserved more. Unfortunately, in this drama, his character was insufferable. Why did he have to be so meddlesome? Why did he have to be patronizing the girls, who just wanted to have fun? Why was he always judging the girls? He was also a "what-if" guy, and I didn't care about his past and his wife, he was the worst and I hated him. And his stupid hair.

I can't believe that with such a colorful cast, the drama was so mediocre. The girls were likeable as friends (as women, they were the worst, and the most childish. Make up your mind, girls! And stop acting so immaturely! ). There was a good chemistry between them. I liked Oshima Yuko, first time I see her acting. Eikura Nana was ok, I guess, always dull, poor girl. She is so pretty though, and after reading she was pregnant in real life, I couldn't help noticing her bump (and in the final episodes, she has the habit to touch her belly). Yoshitaka... i never liked her, to be honest. As an actress, she is ok, but in real life she is insufferable, thinking she is sooo open-minded and fun. BLEH.

The guys, though... Why in the world Suzuki Ryohei and Sakaguchi Kento were in this messy drama! Although it was cute to see them reunited, after Ore Monogatari (My Love Story!)... but that's another story... How in the world Tanaka Kei agreed to played the role of a married man who has an affair! while his wife was about to deliver their 2nd baby (doesn't matter they were separated, they were still married! and his wife was pregnant!).

The final episode... omg, so bad. Awful. Kaori didn't learn her lesson, and Rinko makes the stupidest decision ever. I think the first part was a bit good, since any 30-year-old single woman can relate to the girls (being invited to weddings and still being single, etc). Oh, and another con: at first it was cute, but then it got on my nerves: the stupids talking-vegetable. So lame!

What redeems this crappy show? The setting: beautiful, gorgeous Tokyo. The clothes: very Japanese-like. The fashion: I paid extra attention to the nails (and currently, I am painting my own nails more or less like Kaori and Rinko did). The ending song: a catchy song by Perfume. The opening song: cute and fun.

All the other: terrible. I don't have any doubt to remove this file from my computer, for good!