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First Impression of Fall Reverse Harem dramas Eps 1-3 : A Female Student Arrives in the Imperial College, Peng, Jin Jiu Ling, and Love in Black Hole + Can I Step In?


Check out the first impression of the Fall Reverse Harem 2021 dramas. Plus one Winter 2021 show. 


A Female Student Arrives in the Imperial College cdrama eps 1-3

Sang Qi is the first female student to enter the imperial college. She encounters three out of the four bachelors of Bianjing: Yan Yun Zhi, deputy of the imperial college; Yan Xiao Ling, eldest son of grand preceptor and Zhuo Wen Yuan, her friend who's always looking out for her.  

We may never have to meet the fourth bachelor Qing Xuan since he's not on the cast list but in the photo above the fourth guy is Song Luo Tian. I'm not 100% if this is reverse harem I was simply operating on the fact of only girl in an all-boy school. So far we have the lead guy, the second lead, and the third one who might be crushing on her after saving his life. A lot can still happen since it's a total of 30 episodes.  

Out of all the fall dramas, this is my favorite so far. It's light and comic without feeling corny. The heroine is like a little devil. You think she will be bullied for being a girl. Think again. It's the other way around. I am enjoying the chemistry between the girl and the lead guy but not in a romantic way. I don't see them yet as a couple. And I can't help give lingering glances on the second and thirds leads. The main guy is also from another reverse harem cdrama, Young and Beautiful.  

Everything is so pleasing to the eyes, from the girl to the men, the clothes, and the set. The opening credit is the most beautiful trailer I've seen in a while. I have so high hopes now please don't disappoint. 

Peng kdrama eps 1-3

Go Sa Ri is feeling the pressure of turning thirty. Her friend reads her fortune that there's going to be a lot of men around her this year. Four in fact. 

I'm going to forego the usual descriptions of the guys. What keeps it interesting is that not everything is what it looks like. This is my second favorite drama for fall. I'm not sure if I like Go Sa Ri since her character is passive-aggressive about everything but you can't help get smitten with her. I am rooting for the guy she'll meet in the club and the guy she'll bump into while jogging. The first one is... sigh... so dreamy while the second one I think instantly got me with his acting on the second time they meet. That just gets me. My only issues are her male colleagues who are such a @*#! and the red flags all throughout the drama.

Jin Jiu Ling cdrama eps 1 -3 

Princess Jin Jiu Ling flees from the capital after trying to kill her uncle, the new emperor.  She takes on a new identity and a face in the countryside. Her fiance Lu Yun Qi and childhood friend Zhu Zan thinks she's dead. Meanwhile, her new identity as Jun Zhezhen is also betrothed to rich heir, Ning Yun Zhao.

The synopsis only mentions three guys but the photo above shows the fourth guy who is Zhezhen's cousin, Fang Cheng Yu. As of episode three, she has yet to meet the third guy, Ning Yun Zhao. The series starts in a serious tone and the opening credit is generous in highlighting that it will be a heavy drama with action and medical themes. Not buying the face swap though but okay fine. There are so many scenes and so much going on and to think we still have 37 episodes to go.  Normally, I do not have patience for this type of pacing but it's still drawing me in to continue watching it. And it's partly due to Jin Jiu Ling. She's a strong and smart woman and a bonus for the actress playing it. Her beauty stands out so much but her no-nonsense acting balances it out. Well, for the guys, I'm not gravitating to anyone yet and the third guy has just entered the picture. I'm just here just for the heroine. But having said all that I have a sinking feeling that  I might not watch it until the end. 


Love in Black Hole kdrama eps 1-3

Eun Ha receives an anonymous love letter from a white hole. The suspects are the guy members in the clubroom: her bestfriend, Tae Yang; cold guy, Sung Woon, and the friendly younger guy, Hae Myung.  

There's a fourth guy-- the ex-boyfriend but we can forget about him. As of third episode, we have yet to see the love letter. But fret not it's short with only 12 episodes and 10 minutes run time. Just like in Peng, I'm not sure if I like the heroine. Yeah, she's pretty. She's not the typical nice girl but then again who says that should be the standard. It's also too short to root for someone but I'm feeling the childhood friend when you know he's thinking something meaningful. Even though he's not showing it but you are overthinking it... yep... I'm overthinking it. The aerial shot of their island was breathtaking, I hope we get more of these in the future episodes. It's a waste to not build up this mood. 

What do we call this type of trope? We have similarly themed dramas: No Going Back Romance kdrama (who kissed her?), Kiss Scene in Yeonnamdong kdrama (who also kissed her?), and Let Me Stay Over Tonight webtoon (who asked her out?) 'Mystery trope' seems too vague. Maybe Who-is-the-secret-admirer-among the-guys? Any ideas? Help! Another variation is who among the guys is the husband like in Reply 1994 drama or who among the guys is the father of the child like in Was It Love kdrama. And before I forget, this type of trope does not guarantee that it will be a reverse harem as the suspects are crossed off one by one. 

+++++++++

The fall reverse harem 2021 dramas are like yin and yang to one another. The two long cdramas: Jin Jiu Ling, a heavy drama, against A Female Student, a comedy. The two short kdramas: Love in Black Hole is pretty straightforward while Peng with its complications. But one thing's for sure for this season, all the heroines are really stunning with strong colorful personalities. What's your favorite so far for fall? And here is an additional first impression from Winter 2021: 

Can I Step In? kdrama eps 1-3

Ji Baek Ho's family goes to America leaving him all alone in their house. His friends crashed at his place in no time. He's also expecting another guest named Alex...who's actually a girl and they're not happy at all with the intrusion.

I just have this feeling that this is not going to be a reverse harem since it's like the other promotional dramas that showcase idol groups and in this case, ONF. And to name other shows/groups we had: Dream Knight (GOT7), Exo Next Door (Exo), To be Continued (Astro), and Click Your heart (SF9). Sure they all have one lucky girl in the drama but they're not necessarily all reverse harem. What do we call this trope? Obligatory drama for idol groups? 

In Can I Step In, only one or maybe two guys like her. I can't make myself pick it up again but I can still change my mind since it's short. What do you think? 

Purchase titles/ related to the titles mentioned: (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases):

Was it Love (Korean Drama, English Sub, All Region DVD) https://amzn.to/3np0pwR

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