Not So Serendipitous/ Not So Contended, But Still Kinda Watchable - Combined Final Review [CC]

Thank you for the review ❤

I liked the drama Serendipity but I think the ending was kind of rushed. I also agree about the lack of acting of the second male lead in comparison of the male lead. But overall the drama was kind of watchable.Thank You for the recommendation 😊♥️

Have you checked out Justice in the Dark? The drama starring Steven Zhang that aired 8 episodes on Youku and is now airing in Japan. Would love to hear your thoughts on it

Wang Ziqi and Yang Xuwen.. i'll watch these dramas for their faces and ignore the plot probably LOL

The biggest problem for Serendipity is that there are too many characters and the director tried to have FL solve so many “cases” that are not related and yet the females in these cases all became FL’s friends. The fact that these cases are not related except for the FL became repetitive.

Another off putting point is that the obsessive SML kept pestering FL to be his wife. FL already told him in no uncertain terms she does not love him as man/woman, just as friends, YET he won’t stop.

The last problem is that the brother/sister thing carried on until the last few episodes. Compared to Rise of Ning or Are You The One, it is inferior.

Thank you for the 2 drama review in 1 video. I was wondering if you are still watching prisoner of beauty as it's getting to the end part of drama run. And I have been enjoying watching legend of zhang hai- what are you thoughts on it? Wishing you a happy spring season Avenue X🍹

I gave up on Serendipity because the situation between 'brother' and 'sister' became intolarable and goes on forever. The drama kept teasing the CP between the leads but the ML is such a stiffy. The SML was made to look like such a patsy for adoring the FL. I do agree the interactions between the female characters relationships is enjoyable. The only thing that really held my attention and gave me those romantic vibes that I appreciate in Cdramas is the relationship between Prince Rui and his intended. Yand ShiZe really needs to star as a romantic lead.
I would recommend The Prisoner of Beauty where the leads are smart, combative but ultimately on the same page in a politically fraught situation. An even better drama to get into if you like revenge dramas is The Legend of Zang Hai. The ratings on these three dramas give a pretty accurate comparison of their watchability.

avenuex i just finished prisoner of beauty and i fully agreed with your halfway review, but i thought the ending was BEYOND my expectation for idol tv- what do you think?

One can watch the first and the last episode of Serendipity and understand 99% of the plot XD

Zang Hai is sooooo boring😢😢😢 am really really disappointed 😢

Please take a chance to watch Dear Enemy it is so real and authentic. Also the chemistry between some of the characters is one of the best I had seen in CDrama that I had to google if one or both of the actors were married. It does help that it is portrayed by adults.

I agree with everything mentioned about the Contenders. Will I watch S2 if it’s ever made & released? Heck yeah! It’s so entertainingly bad that I couldn’t stop watching 😂

I thought Serendipity was more watchable than the awful Prisoner of Beauty. The lead actress was prettier than that chinless girl in TPOB as well.

Serendipity got a lot of deleted scenes between main CP potential romance 🥲

When are you going to review XIAO zhan new period drama

I was really not convinced by Serendipity. The incest storyline was carried out for way too long for no good reason, ML is lying to the FL for 3/4th of the story, and at the very beginning it's to protect her life, but afterwards the lying actually puts her in danger (she is living carefree, while assassins are after her), and almost dies. Even after the truth is revealed, they still call each other like siblings, I don't know it grossed me out. Maybe it's the sibling set up by I also think they lacked chemistry, the ML was too stiff.

Another thing is the morality of the storyline, that I find very fraught. They unnecessarily tried to set up the daughter of the fallen master as a villain, and her character did not get as much generosity as the other "grey" characters in the show or in cdrama in general. She never does anything actually that extreme morally, we've seen much worse for a revenge type of story, but she is judged so harshly by FL and ML alike, with no empathy at all for the extreme duress she's endured (death of her entire family, reduced to slave status with probably sexual violence, etc. etc.).

Nothing directly related to drama Serendipity. I watched Love game in eastern fantasy when it aired and later went back to watch Moonlight again. And watching it this time I realised Wang HongYi played Yang Shize's employee in the bookstore. Now when I watched Serendipity, these two actors again here, playing cousins this time.

Serendipity brought out the latina in me 😂Maybe I watched too many telenovelas, but I honestly was expecting WAY more romantic angst and tension around Male Lead making Female Lead his sister. There was barely anything at all! It was so disappointing haha Same thing regarding the revenge plots and the political intrigue. It's not a terrible drama by any means, but it's just too bland, imo. Doesn't make you feel any strong emotions.

Would like more dramas that are story first, character first! A lot of dramas these days are such crap—either littered with idols that can’t act or have stories that fall apart 10 episodes in! Fandoms are out of control! Ratings are no longer reliable! It’s like nobody cares about actual quality anymore!

I quite enjoyed watching the first half of he Contenders, but things became a bit chaotic after Liu Zhendong was hospitalized, I think... Also the subplot involving 新茶 and how the scriptwriter “tried” to coupled her with Zhendong 😅 seemed out of place to me. Tbh I don’t think it’s a complete waste of time, but I did have higher expectations given the talented cast 😢

How do drama series make money? Up to 40 eps, sometimes airing 1 ep per day up to 4.

I love really "all men story".. enough with stupid or sugarlike plot... I miss so much this kind of drama , as the Bl drama too...... so thank you to have driven my attention to this drama Combined... as always, you are such a good guide to flow in the modest flow of Chinese drama production in these times... I agree with linhchu4406... after a while Contenders becomes " a bit chaotic"...

Serendepity is garbage tbh, i watched almost half of it because of lu yuxiao but it feels so shallow and fake cant believe i watched so many episodes

Even those of us who live in the tropics hate the hot weather😭😭😭

I agree with your assessment on Serendipity. It’s watchable and everyone was normal which was nice to see but what got me was the sibling storyline being dragged out until the end. By then, I could care less if they ended up together. I wished more focused was placed on the Male Lead clearing his Master’s name but it took a backseat for a good chunk of the show.

bro Serendipity is so bad i dropped it sooo fast

I liked the real calligraphy from Wang Ziqi, his emotional and political scenes. More scenes with Prince Rui would be better. Lu Yu Xiao was cute. But this story was too watered down but also somehow it removed the romance buildup of the main CP.

Weird how you haven't talked about zang hai.

Just wanted to say "thankyou". I have loved your posts. In an age of superficial reactions it is refreshing to get your perspective. 🥂✌️

What would I do without you?! Thanks again.

I have also just finished watching Serendipity. Bcos of casts like Lu Yuxiao, Wang Hongyi and Yang Shize.

Honestly i fast forward most of the episodes, only see those parts which are important. Too many excessive details and cases before the plot goes back to its main point. Since the story is about finding out who caused the death of so and so, I really expect a little bit more of suspense and thriller from scenes with characters who play detectives this drama. Unfortunately it’s pretty flat.

And the romance between so-called brother-sister, it’s really dreadful how their love story is carried out. All i can remember is how Lu Mingshu calling Lu Chang, “Brother! Brother!” all the time!! Kinda annoying TBH.

Also in reality, with a character like Mr Song played by WHY, who wouldn’t be swayed and swooned if not deeply touched to reciprocate his feelings? Hahaha. So pathetic to only keep her heart for the man with an unknown face in her dreams 😆 In reality, who wouldn’t be freaked out if a man haunts you in your dreams?

I have to drag myself to finish up all 40 episodes because I dont like to watch halfway. The beginning and first few episodes are interesting and then repetitive later on.

Love your sweater!! (And you look great!)

I am still watching Serendipity. It's an okay drama but I'm not really that invested into it. Merely a filler until the release of Zang Hai. It's a really good drama & I'm into Ep. 10 now. Xiao Zhan and Zhang Jinyi are rocking it!

You need to watch "Legend Of Zang Hai" OMG!!! It's absurdly wonderful, spectacular. Xiao Zhan's acting is through the roof. It's the best drama of the year 10/10. Addictive!

You look like you suffer so much under this never endind wave of bad dramas or mediocre at best. I feel your pain. We suffer right along with you. I haven’t really enjoyed a C drama since Love between fairy… and Dream of splendor. And I’ve not been obsessed with a drama since The story of Ming Lan. Drepressing times for C dramas lovers

i like the fact you dont care about idol fans who praise any of their idol dramas too much

this was one of ur best reviews i think!

Serendipity flopped so badly in China it's actually funny. The Douban score is dismal so I'm genuinely shocked at this review.

I love Lu Yu Xiao but her posture in this drama really bothers me. Her styling is not outstanding as well