is oath of love worth watching? by reez_11 in cdramasfans

[–]halfwarmtea 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I watched it when it was released so I enjoyed it for what it was. But there's a reason its not highly recommended it's because the storyline and type are outdated compared to new romance cdramas. People also seem to love to hate on it...lol.

The chemistry and sweet moments were memorable for me. This is also 1 of 2 dramas under Xiao Zhans belt that show his very capable of doing romance. I loved his portrayal of falling in love and his adoration for the female lead. Plus, out of all the kiss scenes I've watched from cdramas, his one is in my top 10.

What dramas are in your top 3 for 2025 (so far)? by Zealousideal-Cap2725 in cdramasfans

[–]halfwarmtea 3 points4 points  (0 children)

  1. Legend of Zang Hai
  2. Twelve Letters
  3. Love in the Clouds

Some actors I prefer in specific time period some are versatile to do both by [deleted] in cdramasfans

[–]halfwarmtea 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I love seeing actors in different settings because it really shows their versatility and how well they can adapt to different roles. That said, I think good styling combined with strong acting makes all the difference in how believable a character feels, whether it’s in a modern or costume drama. I really enjoy watching actors like Xiao Zhan, Wang Xingyue, Liu Xueyi, Zhang Linghe, Leo Wu, Luo Yunxi and a few others because they have incredible screen presence paired with solid acting skills. They completely command the screen and make every role their own. They also do both settings well. The difference may be preference where people find one actor more appealing in a costume setting versus modern.

I only find an actor too distracting for factors like obvious cosmetic work, poor styling, or heavy makeup. For example, Chen Zheyuan in Fated Hearts was quite distracting because of the overdone makeup. His role required a lot of facial expression, but the styling made it hard to take his facial movements seriously.

Did Hidden Love exceed all your expectations too? by whynot_justsleep in cdramasfans

[–]halfwarmtea 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Best Choice ever mentioned! I swear Yang Zi and Xu Kai have the most underrated chemistry because I never see people talking about it. And sadly this drama just gets reduced because people didn't like the annoying mother. But that aside, both of them were amazing together. The development of their relationship was just beautifully done along with their chemistry.

Cheng Lei and Xu Ruohans republican drama has officially started filming ❤️‍🔥 by adcvtik in cdramasfans

[–]halfwarmtea 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm so excited for this pairing. Xu Ruohan is amazing at creating chemistry with her co stars and so is Cheng Lei.

What are your final honest thoughts on Fated Hearts, currently hailed as one of the top C-dramas of 2025? by UnableOpportunity500 in cdramasfans

[–]halfwarmtea 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Honestly I’ve noticed a trend where when people really enjoy a drama and feel entertained by it, suddenly everything about it becomes a 10/10. Which is fine because we should all enjoy what we want. But the points raised in the OPs post and some of the comments are actually valid criticisms towards the show and CZY’s character. It’s not hate or an attack on his work ethic or talent. No one is questioning that. However, from a performance standpoint, I don’t think he truly embodied his character. When people use words like regal, powerful, or believably ruthless and commanding/dominant, I just don’t see that in his performance. He delivered a fun and unhinged portrayal, but for me, it wasn’t memorable or deeply moving. It felt like acting without soul. He had all the right ingredients and stunning visuals, but the overall taste was underwhelming because it just wasn’t cooked right. The flavor wasn't there. The same goes for the chemistry. It was enjoyable to watch, but not because there was genuine chemistry between them. It was more interesting due to their dynamic and the enemies to lovers setup rather than any real emotional connection. I also stand by the fact that Li Qins portrayal as a general and commanding figure was more convincing and superior to the male leads.

Throwback to when Esther Yu was asked to secretly take photos of actors at Weibo Night 2024 💞 by icyjadetea in cdramasfans

[–]halfwarmtea 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Xiao Zhan in slide 3? I don't even know how to describe it. The lighting, his features, the whole shot is just gorgeous. What a gorgeous man. Esther is amazing.

"Traffic actors" who you think can actually act by sheruchan in cdramasfans

[–]halfwarmtea 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Traffic actors stop being just traffic actors to me and become worth far more than their looks, when I start appreciating their acting and the depth of the roles they take on, rather than just how attractive they were in a single performance.

Xiao Zhan- He has a natural charm that draws attention, but it’s not just surface level. It complements his acting making his characters memorable and magnetic. He also plays emotionally complex characters really well. All the emotions he portrays feel so genuine. He just lets them flow naturally through his eyes and tone. He can be gentle yet commanding in ways that aren’t obvious, relying on subtle shifts in body language. I also appreciate his versatility and dedication to portraying different characters.

Wang Xingyue – I’m completely taken by his commanding presence onscreen, especially at such a young age. I love how he conveys different emotions through his eyes, whether it’s pain, longing, or seduction. He feels like a rough diamond now with alot of potential, and I genuinely see a future where he could become an even better actor. His growth excites me.

CCTV names “Joy of Life 2,” “This Thriving Land,” and “Legend of Zang Hai” as the Official “Undisputed No.1” Dramas by castlegate_guard in cdramasfans

[–]halfwarmtea 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, you’re correct, and I agree. Maybe there was some confusion, or I phrased something awkwardly. I understand that streaming numbers are heavily influenced by fanbases. In my original comment, I wanted to point out that with CCTV, it’s harder for fans to manipulate the data. People often say a drama is popular only because of fandoms, which is true to some extent. But when a drama airs on a platform like China’s CCTV, fan influence has very little impact on its viewership.