modern cdrama 🌷

Watched: 03.10.25 This is the sweetest drama I have ever watched. Their wedding day was so beautiful that I could not help but cry. The dialogue in Episode 38 really touched me. "Loving you is the best thing I have ever done." Wow. They actually said the title, and now everything makes sense. The writing was amazing. This was the most breathtaking wedding I have ever seen. Shen Xifan looked so elegant and stunning. She completely embodied the role. And He Suye? He is a total green flag. Another male lead added to my list. I loved when he said, "Love yourself more, and leave the rest to me." That line hit me so hard. Their relationship felt so mature and calming, the kind of love that feels safe and reassuring. Also, I suddenly want to try Chinese medicine, especially the one He Suye recommended. BWHAHAHAHAHAH. And let us talk about Xifan’s breakup with her toxic ex, Yan Heng. I would not want to be in her position. He was so toxic and frustrating, ugh. Thankfully, she met He Suye. One thing I found really interesting was how the female lead rejected the male lead at first. But then, she was the one who made the first move, asking if he could be her boyfriend and even saying they should get married. That was refreshing to see. Even though the male lead still asked, "Will you marry me?" in the end, I love how they made it feel natural and fitting for today’s generation. And that ending message? Wow. It was something new to me. "Hope everyone with a good heart can find long-lasting love in the gaps of life. It is okay. Learn to love yourself first, more than anyone else in the world. If you cannot find that person yet, or you have lost the courage to search, someone will appear in the light shining through the cracks." That was so beautiful. This drama was not just romantic. It was healing, comforting, and just everything I needed. What a masterpiece.

Watched: 01.08.26 Usually, I get bored with ongoing dramas and end up dropping them midway—but Shine On Me completely hooked me. I found myself waiting for every episode with so much excitement, counting down to 6 PM like it was a holiday. Every minute was worth it. The vibe is just amazing, and I’m absolutely in love with the leads. The drama has such a warm and calm atmosphere in —like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket, I can't explain how much I feel about this. The small, simple interactions between the characters and the slowly growing relationship between the leads kept a smile on my face throughout. I know some people complain it’s slow, but I personally love slow-burn romance. The story unfolds naturally and respects everyone’s pace—especially Xiguang’s. People have different speeds when it comes to love, and this drama understands that beautifully. One thing I really enjoyed is that both leads are equally rich. No poor ML/wealthy FL trope or vice versa. They even sometimes argue over who pays the bill. Watching them interact feels genuine, and I loved seeing them as equals. Lin Yusen is everything I want in a green-flag male lead. He’s practical but deeply caring. He shows love through quiet support and steady affection. He doesn’t rush or demand; he grows love slowly and carefully, making life feel easier and more secure. He respects Xiguang’s choices, gives her space, and never pressures her. Watching him do all of this made me think, “What a gentleman you are, Lin Yusen.” Nie Xiguang is brave, mature, and refreshing. She doesn’t cling to rumors or misunderstandings. She communicates directly, faces situations head-on, and stands up for herself when needed. She protects her friends and family without hesitation, and she handles everything with strength, grace, and fairness. She’s strong yet humble, grounded, and very human. She grows naturally throughout the story, and I loved watching her blossom. The supporting characters are amazing too. Jiang Rui is my favorite—he’s protective, caring, and quietly attentive. The bond between him and Xiguang is pure and wholesome. Yin Jie is sweet, kind, and supportive, and I loved seeing her help Xiguang without forcing anything. Dr. Fang is hilarious, firm, and helped Lin Yusen without coddling him. Aunt Shen is adorable and funny, and Jiang Yun is an independent, strong woman who also supports Xiguang. Sheng Wei Ai is loving and supportive toward her son and husband, adding so much warmth to the story. The romance in this drama is so satisfying. The pacing allows us to see the love between Lin Yusen and Xiguang grow naturally. Their relationship feels like a true partnership. Some of my favorite moments include Lin Yusen’s letter after disappearing, their train station meeting, the CNY trip, and the plum blossom scene where Xiguang says, “We’re together now.” The way they love each other is gentle, calm, and real. The glimpses of their family life after marriage, including moments with their daughter, were heartwarming. It’s rare to see dramas show life after marriage, and this one did it beautifully. On the other hand, Zhuang Xu was frustrating and annoying. He hesitated, stayed silent when Xiguang needed him, and caused misunderstandings that hurt her. He never fully owned his feelings or took accountability. Watching him act like a victim when he caused the problem made me so mad. Even so, the actor did a great job portraying him, and by the end, he finally started to let go, which was satisfying. Still, he will never deserve Xiguang. And don’t get me started on her college friends—they were toxic too. Glad she fins good friends in her workplace or company. Her father too is such a scumbag. Overall, Shine On Me was such a sweet and enjoyable drama. There was no rushed ending, no unnecessary stress, and no unresolved feelings. The story showed two people moving from attraction to love slowly and thoughtfully, with trust and respect built along the way. The ending was perfect, and I couldn’t have asked for more. Seeing Lin Yusen and Xiguang finally happy together as a family was so rewarding. Thank you to Song Weilong, Zhao Jinmai, and everyone who brought this drama to life. Until next time. 🥺💛🌳☀️✨

Watched: 07.10.24 I just finished watching this after forgetting about it with just three episodes left! It's the perfect watch if you're looking to relax—it’s super light and not stressful at all. The whole vibe is dreamy and sweet, like a bunch of candies. The plot isn't anything intense, just a slow-paced romance with a slice of life feel. The romance is slow, but it’s steady and without any major obstacles, which made it really enjoyable. I didn’t expect so many kissing scenes, but they felt natural for a couple. The actors did a great job, and you can really see how in love the characters are. The relationship felt so healthy and positive—definitely a green flag! The side couple was also super cute, and I loved how much music was incorporated into the drama. Their voices were amazing! Plus, there’s a cooking show aspect that adds a fun twist—there’s so much food, and it made me want to learn how to cook. All in all, a very sweet and enjoyable drama! I watch this mainly because of Zhou Ye. Also, I love it talks about foods and it has great music/songs. I love hearing their voices!

Watched: around April 2024 This is such a good watch! The typical "She fell first, but he fell harder" storyline. I love the plot of this one. Both the actor and actress have such great visuals 🤌, and they perfectly suit each other. Their chemistry is amazing! What I especially love about this drama is that it also talks about business, which really interested me. I never realized how risky business can be, especially when you have a company. The shareholders can change their minds anytime, and then you have rivals popping up. The drama also has a bit of humor, which made it enjoyable to watch. Lin Yi and Zhou Ye are pretty actors with undeniable chemistry—they really carried the whole show. Gu Xun turned out to be a green flag in the end. No matter how confused he was about Dough Twist’s other form, I get why he acted the way he did. The actress for Qianling did a great job, as did Lin Yi and the other actors. I also loved the ninth business team, and I thought Yi Shi was funny. There’s no unnecessary breakup, so I’d definitely recommend it, even if it’s not your usual genre. It’s cute and has a good flow. The plot didn’t drag on with unnecessary scenes, maintaining a nice balance. This is a silly and light-hearted rom-com with cute bickering between the main leads. It’s perfect for those who want to watch a fun and entertaining drama after a long day to unwind.

Watched: 03.07.25 I really love the slow-burn romance in this drama! The tension?! The chemistry between the characters are so satisfying, especially when they slowly realize their feelings for each other. I also appreciate how the story shows their journey from strangers to friends and then to lovers. It is not rushed, and we really get to see how they fall in love step by step. Even after they get into a relationship, the drama does not just end there. It shows what happens next, how they argue, face challenges, and overcome problems together. It is so realistic! It is not just about romance either. It also focuses on their families and dreams, which makes the story even more meaningful. Some dreams do not turn out the way we expect them to, and that really hit me. I once heard someone say that dreams are called dreams because only a few people get the chance to truly fulfill them. This drama really shows that. The way it portrays loss, especially losing a family member, is heartbreaking. It made me cry so much. I also love all the characters. They are so funny, and their friendships feel real. But friendship is not always perfect. The drama shows how painful it is when a friendship breaks. It is not always about love alone. Sometimes, love is not enough to keep two people together. Like Song Cong and Qi Qi, their love could not last because they had different worlds and different goals. Love alone cannot fix everything. Huang Lu also had a one-sided love for Qi Chi, which was sad. Then there is Ling Tian, who only focuses on studying, showing how some parents pressure their children too much and always compare them to others who are “better.” That kind of pressure can be really hard. Watching this also made me wonder, how did our parents love each other back then? I feel jealous of how close some of the characters are to their parents, especially Huan’er. She is so sweet to them, and they are very open with each other. Meanwhile, I feel awkward doing that with my own parents. In our household, we are not used to being sweet like that. I want to hug them, but I am afraid they might find it strange. It is weird because even though they are near, I feel like they are far away. Our family used to feel so perfect, but now, I do not know what happened. Maybe we just grew up. The acting in this drama is so natural. It does not even feel like they are acting! It is like they were born for their roles. I got so immersed that I forgot they were just characters. I especially love Qi Chi! He is such a green flag. My standards for men keep getting higher because of him! I am so whipped for his character. Also, this is my first time watching a C-drama where the male lead is a soccer or football player! Huan’er, on the other hand, has so many admirers. Both of them are handsome and intelligent, but she rejected them because she liked Jing Qi Chi. Honestly, if I were her, I would do the same! I also love how the drama makes it realistic. Before falling for each other, they had different crushes, which is so normal in real life. The love square in this drama is crazy! I really love this show! It is exactly the kind of story I love to watch!

Watched: 06.29.23 I really, really love it. This series deserves an award! I still can’t move on from it. It changed my whole summer. Wifty kind of made me realize how boring and imperfect my life is, but I loved it so much. It made me want to document my own life. They made me wish I could have what they have, huhu. I just wish I could watch this drama for the first time again. But I’m thinking about rewatching it soon. 😭

Watched: 04. 21. 24 What a beautiful cdrama! Their chemistry is chemistrying. The tension whenever they are together—OMG! My heart always beats so fast. It's been a while since I felt so kilig watching a couple. I didn’t feel cringe in their scenes at all. The plot, the cinematography of Finland, their OST, and the characters are just perfect. This is the love-at-first-sight cdrama I’ve been waiting for. I love the way they both play billiards! I didn’t even know billiards had competitions. It’s not really a popular sport like others—so underrated. I always thought billiards was just a hobby. I love the first episode where Yin Guo doesn’t trust Lin Yiyang at first, and the way she takes a picture of the taxi plate is very realistic. This cdrama is so comforting and feels so natural, like they’re not even acting. It’s more realistic. They’re perfect for each other. Aside from Lusi and Anyu, this couple—Maimai and Wulei—has me rooting for them to be together in real life. They give me butterflies just by being in the same space. I absolutely adore the organic evolution of their relationship, from the initial awkward, blind-date-like tension to them being utterly smitten with each other. What’s even better is how natural and genuine their connection feels. Lin Yiyang’s eyes… bro, I feel like if I were Yin Guo, I would definitely fall in love. His eyes are captivating and expressive. He’s hot, and such a green flag. Lin Yiyang has ruined other men for me! 😂 My standards are high because of him 💚. He’s added to my list of Chinese boyfriends. Haha. Yin Guo is so pretty and cute. Her character is also such a green flag, which is why they really suit each other. The casting is perfect, both for the main couple and the supporting actors. This cdrama wasn’t hard to watch at all—I enjoyed it so much and didn’t feel stressed out. It was truly a relaxing watch. This is the romance of the year! Watching this drama made me feel like I fell in love too. Time flew by without me realizing it. The show hit all the right notes. What I love most is the main couple’s chemistry, the foreign locations (which were new to me), and the absence of clichés that made it stand out. No ex-girlfriends, no love triangles, no annoying side characters—just a relaxing show for romance lovers. This will remain close to my heart for a long time, and the main lead pair has secured a spot in my top 3 Chinese pairs of all time. I hope they work together again on another cdrama.

Watched: 01.01.25 I finally watched The Promise of Growing Up Together, and I’m so happy I did! Once I started, I couldn’t stop—it was that good. This drama had been sitting on my watchlist for a while, and honestly, I didn’t expect much from it. Now, I wish I had watched it sooner! I picked it because I was planning to write a story and needed some inspiration. This sweet high school Chinese drama took me by surprise, and I didn’t realize how much I missed shows like this. At first, I thought it would just be light and fun, but it surprised me and even made me cry! The female lead reminded me of my favorite actress, Zhao Lusi, and a bit of Zhang Maoyi when she smiles. As for the male lead, he totally reminded me of BTS V! He matches my ideal type—sporty, funny, and full of energy. His personality makes you laugh and keeps you in a good mood. He’s much taller than me, but he doesn’t make me feel like a kid when standing next to him, which I really like! What I loved most was the friendship between the leads. Their high school days were so fun and full of laughter. Watching them made me miss my own school days, which I couldn’t enjoy fully because of the pandemic. This drama brought both happiness and a little sadness. The story was great, but I do have one complaint. Fan Yuan, the mentor/president, deserved a better ending! He was so kind and caring, and I really wanted him to end up with Yu Han. Instead, the writers paired him with Ruo Lei, who didn’t even grow as a character. It made me realize that I’m not as forgiving as the female lead! Overall, this drama was amazing. It was fun, emotional, and much better than I expected.

my most rewatch!

Watched: 03.25.25 What a cute drama! Esther Yu is just naturally adorable. I have never seen anyone pull off cuteness so effortlessly without it feeling cringe or over-the-top. God, I love this girl! 🩷 Her baby voice, which might have annoyed me years ago when I was new to C-dramas, now just feels right for her. It suits her so well, especially in this drama. I just want to pinch her cheeks! Shan Cong and Wei Zhi’s love story is the sweetest. Their chemistry is so heartwarming. Dai Duo and Shan Shan are such a cute couple too, but I wish they had more screentime. Also, the way they edited Shan Shan’s legs, it looked so real. One thing I did not like was the breakup. It felt unnecessary. They could have overcome that challenge together instead of taking the typical breakup route. And let’s talk about the second lead. He was annoying at first, but I still felt bad for him when his feelings were not returned. At least he was mature enough not to push himself onto her. Wei Zhi’s mom… whew. At first, I really did not like her. She was the over-controlling type, deciding everything for her daughter including her career without considering her dreams. But in the later episodes, I started to understand her a little. She was just worried about Wei Zhi’s future. Still, if she truly wanted her daughter to be happy, she should have supported her dreams from the start. Wei Zhi was right. Life is about experiencing things, even mistakes and failures. If she just followed what her parents wanted, her life would feel meaningless. The drama started off as a solid 10 out of 10, but it kind of fell off toward the end. The last few episodes felt so rushed and underwhelming. I still do not get what was up with Yan and Nanfeng throughout the entire series. Guess we will never know. Honestly, I will never sleep peacefully knowing this drama could have had 10 more episodes. I wish we had gotten more romance, more scenes from the novel, and a proper happily-ever-after like in the book. But I understand that since they had to shorten the show, they only kept the crucial moments. Overall, this was such a feel-good drama with a strong message. Never give up on what you truly want, no matter what others say. Work hard for your dreams!

Watched: 10.20.24 I love the friends-to-lovers trope, and this drama did it so well! The main leads are childhood friends in the story, and they're real-life friends too, which makes their acting feel so natural. They look amazing together, but it's their connection that really stands out. The drama shows how strong and special their friendship is. It's not just simple friendship-it feels deeper-but it takes time before it turns into love. I really liked how the story showed their struggles as they started to realize their feelings for each other. They didn't rush anything, and the slow burn made their love story feel real and meaningful. The characters were scared to ruin their friendship, and you could feel that. But when they finally accepted their feelings, it was so rewarding. They're the perfect couple-understanding, respectful, and good for each other. What made me a little sad was the second couple. They had great chemistry, but their story wasn't given enough attention, which felt like a missed opportunity.

Watched: 02.04.25 I finally finished this drama! The last few episodes were great, especially the final three. This has been on my watchlist for a while, and two days ago, I had nothing to watch, so I decided to start it. I'm usually picky with modern dramas, but this was such a cute romance! I originally watched this for the main leads, whom I know mostly from fantasy and historical dramas. Yu Shuxin was naturally adorable, and her acting made the drama even more enjoyable. As for Zhang Binbin, I wasn't too familiar with him at first, but after watching his recent drama this year (2025), I can say he's both handsome and a great actor! He had amazing chemistry with Xinxin. What I loved most was the leads' chemistry and character growth. Zhuang Yu was always reassuring Yu Meiren-telling her she's beautiful as she is, caring for her well-being, and supporting her. In return, Yu Meiren helped Zhuang Yu become more lively. He even started saying romantic things-sometimes cheesy, but still sweet! I also loved all of Yu Meiren's outfits. Her fashion was stunning! The nature scenery was another highlight-the rural setting, full of trees and greenery, made the romance even more refreshing. Now, onto the things I didn't like. The second couple got way too much screen time, to the point that they felt like the main leads in the middle episodes. Their story didn't interest me at all, so I skipped their scenes. The second male lead was actually a good character, but sometimes he annoyed me too. One of the best moments in the drama was how they handled the issue with Yu Meiren's high school pictures being leaked. As a famous beauty blogger, she faced a lot of criticism, but the way the drama resolved this was really well done. Zhuang Yu's words to her in Episode 33, as well as her speech at the charity event and the KTV scene, were all powerful moments that made the situation feel meaningful. Overall, A Romance of the Little Forest was a sweet and enjoyable romance with a beautiful setting and great main leads. I just wish the second couple had less screen time and the story focused more on the leads with a better plot. That would have made it even better! Now that my school break is over, this might be the last drama I finish for a while since I'll be focusing on my studies. But it was worth the sleepless nights! This drama gave me energy and inspiration, and now I feel more motivated to study!