[CHinese BL novel] 快穿之来啊，来作死啊 by 巳辞 / Quick transmigration, come out to die

The novel is from 2017 and it shows.

I don't have a cover except default and this novel managed to spoil things so I'm vengeful.

Summary: Tong Daojun, resentful at the fate of his life he is bound by the system V587, his task is to not let Children of Destiny absord the fortune of the worlds. He is doinf these tasks to buy a reverse pill just to get back home, but on the journey he falls in love with a person and finds that his life and his fate hold a deeper secret.

I'll move it out of the way, I liked some of the details as a background plan that was shown in the final reveal. If some of the things in this one did not exist I'd say it is a very light-hearted and fast-paced book, when you know things are going to be fine anyway and the tasks are being completed with fast speed.

Oh yeah many of the chapters are locked because there is a lot included and author does not use the current "drive" or the "boat being hit by waves" metaphor.

Child of Destiny that absorbs the fortune of the plane is not new concept. And they harbor malice towards the MC. But the ease of him doing tasks is mainly because he prevents some crucial points from happening. And sometimes task is completed just somewhere in the background. The stories are pretty shallow, just for the sake of making things turn fast.

The rest of the story is just mentioning how after the completion he and his lover are having their peaceful life together.

I'm not spoiling what happens but want to mention why this novel basically slid down for me.

Exhibit A. In the arc with the "ultimate bottom" who is MC's brother in the plot, MC to preent his brother from attracting three designated MLs pairs him with an uncle who took over after their parents passed, so he is at least 10 years older, but he also said some phrase like he noticed this brother as a kid and saw his grow up...nope from me dawg.

Exhibit B. MC returns to his own plane and he is a child star, he meets ML who is also a child star and honestly they start to act intimately, while both of them are only 5. Big nope.

RATE: 1,5/5. For everything before you spoiled it.

[Chinese BG novel] 觉醒后创死所有恋爱脑 by 芷柚 / After awakening, all those with love brains will be crushed by me

I have a feeling like I added at least two webnovels with similar premise and I have them mixed up. Or not, who knows?

Summary: Ji Qiuwan was awakened from her love-brained persona and then she realized that her entire family is like this, they're basically a cannon fodder family who lose themselves to love one after another and have a really bad ending.

She herself always chased after her fiance with words of love and subservient attitude.

Her brother will be part of domineering CEO and innocent assistant plot.

Her sister will fall for a Phoenix man

While her second brother will be a paranoid person.

All takes root in the previous generation where her mother is now a widow, but her father is said to die because of another woman. But the son of that woman with a heroine halo is actually her fiance who dislikes her, it was a pay back moment for the sacrifice.

When the veil falls everyone stars to slowly waking up.

This is the type of story where people stop being influenced by protag halo and start seeing things as they are.

I personally overall did not like this novel, since it was rather plain. For a novel released in '24, it did not discover anything new and actually used pretty common methods to deal with love brains (will explains in spoilers). And although it is short (50ch) to me it felt dragged. But that's solely my opinion.

So the story takes place when Ji Qiuwan awakens. Because the beginning was so cliche I admit I skipped a lot while reading.

She of course will slowly start to change and the first step is to take away the power of her brother who already started to make contact with a new assistant who is the part of the innocent girl who attracts domineering CEO plot. He acted like a brainless fool for her and she of course disregarded the overall situation and cause a lot of problems for everyone around them.

Thanks to her connection to her fiance she took away the project as a payment for the previous engagement, annulled it and took helm of her family.

To make her brother prove himself she sent him to a branch office, where he eventually saw his "true love" for what she is, a troublemaker who needs constant validation and support, no questions asked.

He was the first one to wake up.

Although rumors circled aruond their family she did not care, her next plan - her sister and the Phoenix man. Again old trick of cutting her from family volunteerly allowed the girl to see the true face of the man who made sweet promises.

The third and last is her second brother who liked a girl, but did not know how to convey his feelings, which led to a difficult situation where he takes her to a villa, basically the black room plot. But Qiuwan arrived in time and slapped the dude. It is not described in a funny way, but actually she explains to he where the root of the problem was.

Now it's all about their family, the secret surfaces early on. Both her mother and father did nt do those things because they wanted to, but they had a system, they prayed that one day all those tasks will be over, but the heroine - Song Yun - always called their father over when she had troubled love life. In one of those cases their father passed away (mind you, they were grown kids by then).

To make up Song Yun promised the engagement between two families.

What I liked overall is how we see the consequences of the veil falling off and ppl started seeing how willful and unreasonable Song Yun is, she got too used to being pampered and things done her way. They were always in love, but they were awful parents. I'm actually happy about one part, when their family business failed (since both parents started distancing and seeing other people on the side, and his father meddled in the business because of his new lover), Qiuwan's ex-fiance did not suffer much, since he was also the victim of this relationship and had his own shadows (why he treated Qiuwan poorly). The same influence that the Ji kids all had, their family suffered because of the system and they all grew up with a wrong perception of love and wanting love, so this is why some fell for sweet talks (like the sister) or like eldest brother (who saw kindness in the innocent assistant).

This part of the novel was to my liking.

What I particularly disliked was actually how Qiuwan's fate was laid out at the end. At first it feels like a career novel (with a cheap feel), but she did things only to make others wake up. She herself at the end suddenly said - oh, I'm not against marriage and got together with Lu family. Explanation, though I still don't get it a little. As I se it, Lu family had two sons, because of Song Yun's interference and the words of a master she forced the second son's family to leave they indeed lived abroad. Lu Xian grew up with his family and of course became successful like all protags, so yeah. He is connected to that Lu family. And Qiuwan chose him.

I don't know the romance if there were any felt really cheap and spontaneously we have such an ending, liek she got it all, brought her family to success, now she can retire and do her thing.

Although sounds nice, but I honestly felt the execution of it all felt off.

So yeah the overall it's a mid for me.

PS: Only after finishing I noticed that I had another novel from them I tried to start, now it's in DNF pile with the caps comment - SO MELODRAMA

RATE: 3/5.

[MOVIE] Wake Up Dead Man (Knives Out 3) (2025)

The director got me for the second time.

I think it's a decent continuation to the series. Although I consider Knives Out mysteries a very peculiar type of movies, since they're the rare ones that can be watched as stand-alones and in no particular order, since they're not dependent on each other.

Before watching I had all type of theories what this movie will be and the director is such an unreliable narrator at times that he gets me every time, because I'm a bit lulled to sleep and my vigilance isn't high when suddenly you get a platter with a card, the words on the card - oh sorry, it's not really what happened.

It's interesting how he manages to play with perception. Just give you a little bit which is open for interpretation, but how are you sure if it's what happened? Even with close-up shots. Oh got, he got me there too! From previous movies I knew that close-up shots matter, but at the moment of you seeing them you don't really realize which part is important or as in my case my imagination did not feed back any good ideas. Only when I reached the end it was like - damn it, he got me again.

Same for the mystery. Damn, he's good at it. I liked it, honestly.

I don't think that any of the characters outside of few main actually get much time, but I find it interesting that each of them can be discussed and interpreted. Same as topics, it doesn't take some solid stance, but actually brings in multiple povs, just like real life would be. I like that some bits and pieces can create a picture. Not the one that creates the mystery, but the characters.

It was a really good watch. If one feels it's too simple, maybe it is, maybe it's not, but what is certain is that Rian Johnson is good at his job.

RATE: 8/10.

The devil is in the details~

the devil Elvis lol

Shalom y'all. What is that in the back~

Haven't noticed the man in the background on the first watch.

It's just part of interesting details in the movie. Even for the simple characters they all have something around them. But that's exactly why I think it's crucial in the final revelation. These movies are great on the re-watch when you look at the picture with a purpose.

[Chinese BG novel] 穿成阴郁大佬的戏精妻 by 七夕是大头喵 / Transmigrating into a drama queen of a gloomy boss

Summary: Nan Yan had an accident during filming and suddenly became another Nan Yan, the one in a melodramatic story. Her character is currently in a predicament, the aunt she cares about the most and who brought her up is in dire need of medical help, while she herself was left without a job as means to make her yield and marry a notorious gloomy boss who recently had an accident in her half-sister's stead.

Chu Wenzhou is currently recuperating and seeks a relationship close to partnership, as a heir to the Chu Group and the youngest in the family, no one from his half-brothers wants to let this chance slip and vie to get a piece. Not to let his family elders make decisions for himself he stuck to the promise made to the Nan family. But due to his recent accident the Nan heiress who grew pampered doesn't want to tie her life with a disabled person. But who knew that Nan Yan will appear and offer to marry in her stead but with few conditions.

#don't read if topics such as disability and recovery upset you

I don't like the official summary, though my own isn't better, but I just describe what happens as a fact, while the one on JJ basically sounds like any other summary to attract readers.

I must say, I liked this one. I was so bored while reading the previous webnovel and suddenly saw this in recommended by the author, I saw the summary and started reading it and was capivated by the story and the relationship.

The story is more of a journey about relationship development. Note: Chu Wenzhou's disability is not some empty sound that will be dealt with somewhere in the background. Instead it becomes a crucial part of the storytelling. I even felt glad for this ML, because usually main characters don't get as profound background as female leads do, instead we get some crumbled version that eventually resembles other stories of tragic background of a rich boy. Thus his health situation is crucial to the story.

Plot follows Nan Yan, of course she is not like original Nan Yan, btu she does not berate her (like many novels do), she is very assertive person and lived enough to become mentally strong, but becuase she saw a lot it was hard for her to show her true self and be herself.

Her current situation is not all sunshine, because she found how similar this aunt is similar to her own aunt. She and OG have similar situations as they grew up under the care of their aunt who took care of them but had health issues.

Being overwhelmed with emotions she decided to do everything to achieve her goal, she needs resources and the best candidate is Chu Wenzhou. Currently he is in talks with the Nan family and she decided to take action. Unlike her sister who would make this marriage and Chu Wenzhou miserable she openly said that Wenzhou needs someone with brains.

He also knew the story that was covered up eventually to save face. Nan Yan's mother married her husband but becoming prosperous her husband cheated on her, not to mention that Nan Yan's half-sister is actually older than her. Her mother took Nan Yan away after divorce, but was never able to recover from emotional trauma, her life only became worse. This is why Nan Yan was brought up by her aunt and had such a deep connection. So for many years the now prosperous Nan family long forgot about Nan Yan, but now that the mistress' daughter doesn't want to marry Wenzhou they instantly thought of her. This is how she came in contact with him.

Although their marriage was hasty and their relationship was different, but what followed is what made them appreciate and fall for each other.

No matter how it may sound but Nan Yan is a pretty lively individual with inner strength. She, unlike others in the book is not afraid of Wenzhou and treats him no different from normal person. But with him she also felt what it's like to be yourself and not play a role.

They slowly opened up, even if they had a lot of bickering. No one changed in a second and no one had the insta-love effect.

What I liked is the fact that their relationship was dynamic, it had ups and downs, clash of temperaments and opinions, fights and making ups. No one was that unchanging yes-person for their partner. They never truly lost each other for the other person or changed drastically. It was more like a discovery that they fell in love. I thought it was handled well.

Another interesting point that is rare for these novels, both characters explored their past relationships. No one shied aways that they had them. In case of Nan Yan this is the sole reason why she became so averse to relationships in general, because of those in her past life.

Wenzhou had several past girlfriends, while each was excellet he knew something was missing and both he and Nan Yan strived for the same thing. A home, a person who will be there for them, the feeling of comfort.

Despite the novel circling around entertainment industry as well, I find the central piece is still the relationship between the two.

There is also no big conflict outside what happens to them, you know the usual wealthy family fights, it doesn't happen here, no matter how many times it was mentioned it happened somewhere very in the background.

Now the parts that might come as not so good. It had few parts that were a bit drama. Another thing is I think it left a lot of characters in the wind and never gave answer or closure. Like the Nan family were not in the picture after the wedding was completed. Her aunt also left the picture because she was sent abroad for a cure, kinda logical but still kinda empty. The final thing about the Chu family, explanation was never given on who did it.

But overall it was great, so I was very satisfied while reading it.

RATE: 4,5/5.

[Chinese BG novel] 大佬们也跟着穿回来了[娱乐圈] by 青梅酱 / Big shots traveled back with me

Summary: Lin Jingran returned to her original world after a bissful decade in a novel. Why blissful? Because despite difficulties navigating the palace life she was a pampered princess among four loving brothers, but she knew that one day it might all end and it did. Now she returned to being an 18th-line actress who has been dumped by ambitious boyfriend. Her pampered life made her different from her past weak self. Now she is confident she can make a name for herself in entertainment industry, but suddenly meets someone who shouldn't be here. Her brothers.

It's the ultimate fantasy of a group pet trope and being pampered with no end where FMC reaches pinnacle of life and love.

Note: this is author with a load of e-sports BL novels, but they also write romance. This novel comes from 2019 and it shows?

The best part is at least she is not a willful and coquettish type which I dislike.

I can't say that FMC has any personality though. I just look back and think to myself - was there anything else besides her pretty standard attitude? The only prominent part was that while recording a variety show with horror elements she wasn't afraid at all.

She is said to be a great actress, but author never bothered to show it outside of one initial scene during autdition and it was so averagely presented, the very standard copy-paste how everyone instantly took a notice of her, how she changed personality (bad side is, she played a Princess, meaning she basically required to play herself). Then there was nothing. Even the final win of international award is always a fantasy in such novels.

Outside of it she was more prominent as a varuety show star thanks to author's writing.

As her attitude towards her brothers, of course it was pretty standard "brother, I missed you" and honestly there is nothing outside of good feelings.

As her attitude towards ML, since all of the four brothers returned who knew ML was also part of that cast, he was a big person of power and the only thing he did was to ask for Princess' hand. Why he fell for her was explained in few sentences, nothing more but becoming a light for him.

Their relationship is nothing more than boiling frog in warm water. His attitude was never too close but never distant and cold. Ambiguity allowed him to probe the boundries and eventually let Jingran fall for him too.

I'd say the plot is quite underwhelming, it is perfect for those who prefer no toublep plot, but for those who wish for some thrill will find it quite flat. She has no difficulty finding her brothers since they find her first. He Qin, ML, always is present around her with his tactic of slowly getting along. She took part in filming few dramas, which we basically know nothing of outside of basic genre/direction. Also had few variety shows that made her popular. And that's it.

Outside the main cast, which also was one-dimensional, there were few secondary characters that appeared several times and were quite annoying, but the resolve was underwhelming. One actress that cause quite a stir for me was simply forgotten to exist. Jingran's mother who never cared for her daughter but forced an engagement on her was never mentioned again outside of her husband's business being acquired by the eldest brother.

The depth of this is as shallow and flat as your floor. Honestly, you never need to create a fullblown drama to give depth, but these characters were just tools. It lacked sincerity and feelings.

The romance also happened because it just.. happened all of a sudden, with several scenes of prior thumping of the heart.

Ngl when it comes to relationships and feelings, there is no need to be complicated, but somehow some authors manage to make you feel for two characters, while others have all the fame in the world and they produce something underwhelming like this.

And I'm saying this because their e-sports books are all published ones, not simply a webnovel.

RATE: 3/5.

[CDrama] 永夜星河 / Love Game in Eastern Fantasy (2024)

After watching I could understand why it was considered a hit drama.

Even if the plot can be considered cliche, has some of tropes that I don't like, but maybe because it's a visual it's totally different.

It tells a story of Ling MiaoMiao who traveled to the book of her favorite author, which she did not really like to find herself being a vicious supporting role. Not to mention the system asks her to fulfill some of the obligatory tasks (the trope I actually hate).

But ten the story completely forgets about it and moves on in a different direction when MiaoMiao joins the three Demon Catchers who are the main protagonists of this story, she wants to change the fate of everyone.

The journey revolves around the long-lasting grudge of the Mu family and the Demon who destroyed almost everyone in their family - Resentful Woman. As the sole survivors, Mu Yao and her brother Mu Sheng try to find ways to track Resentful Woman and put an end to a feud, avenging her entire family. But the closer they get to the truth the more the truth has blurred edges.

What I eventually liked is the simplicity of connecting the dots. That everything that was told to us about our characters is actually connected into a bigger plot. It's not that complicated, but it perfectly depicts how actions lead to unexpected consequences. So it was pretty engaging and I couldn't stop watching.

At least they didn't make MiaoMiao into a silly, because this trait I like least in main characters who are depicted cute and a small sunshine. Though I'll be honest I couldn't always connect to her acting. But overall chemistry with other actors was great.

Ding YuXi to me has the face of the male lead, you know when you look at someone and think - that's a central position. Also to me his acting was decent.

As for overall impression of visuals I can say that cgi at time is very.. specific, like ones it looks decent at other times more like "we're broke". I know it's hard to create a fantasy worls out fo nothing. But I have no idea why especially computer model are kinda.. meh? Like creatures etc.

But the makeup and costuming were great, very pretty.

As for the plot, it was interesting to follow, once again will say I found it strange like MiaoMiao had to do few obligatory tasks (and we had few iconic scenes from the first episodes) and then never did them again except the main - capture Mu Sheng's heart. 

My only complain is that I still think 32 episodes is too long. I know it's a norm for China to have larger number of episodes, but tbh a lot of it does not play out well and feels like it's dragging its' feet.

Now I can see the difference between unscrupulous vertical dramas that would shoot even questionable stuff, short-form which is better but doesn't have the budget and big-budget that can have a good cast and good quality and they don't need anything spicy for you to root for the romance.

RATE: 8,5/10.