Drama Review: Filter

Synopsis and Information

• Chinese title: 滤镜 / Lv Jing
• Genre: Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
• Episodes: 32
• Episodes Length: 45 minutes
• Where to watch: WeTV (en), Viki (en)

Synopsis: When Su Cheng Cheng (Landy Li), an ordinary woman, acquires a high-tech “filter bracelet” that allows her to change her appearance, her life changes completely. She begins to use the bracelet to adopt different identities, using her newfound abilities to help others. Unaware of her secret, Tang Qi (Tan Jian Ci), a man with gradually worsening eyesight, happens to fall for each and every one of her personas, only to lose them time and time and again. To protect her identity, Cheng Cheng weaves an increasingly tangled web of lies, deepening Tang Qi’s heartbreak and her own guilt. Will Cheng Cheng ever reveal the truth to Tang Qi, and could they find true happiness together – with no lies or disguises? (Source: Viki)

Character Breakdown

Tan Jian Ci [檀健次] as Tang Qi … grew up with sensitive eyes, which allowed him to see the world differently, such as noticing subtle color variations and detecting when filters are used on photos. He works in the beauty industry and is in the process of developing a beauty-related product. Li Lan Di [李兰迪] as Su Cheng Cheng … an ordinary-looking woman known for her tough persona and average appearance, she had a crush on Tang Qi in high school. However, after being humiliated by him at their high school reunion, she decided to treat him with indifference, especially after landing a job at his company, where she focused on proving her worth as an employee.

Drama Review

★★★☆☆ Rating: 3.5/5

A Fresh Take on Sci-Fi and Beauty Standards

Filter is a 2025 Chinese sci-fi romantic comedy that follows the story of Tang Qi, a beauty industry professional, and Su Chengcheng, a timid and self-conscious woman whose life changes after a magical bracelet allows her to change into different physical appearances. The drama blends fantasy with heartfelt character development and social commentary on today’s beauty standards.

Filter felt like a breath of fresh air in the Chinese drama realm and it hasn’t been done in years, or at least not done well enough to be memorable for me. In many Chinese sci-fi/fantasy dramas I’ve seen, the fantasy parts are used just to push the story along, but they don’t show how those parts impact the characters on a deeper level or why they matter personally to them. The writer for Filter clearly knew what they were doing by using it as a means of connecting the theme of inner beauty, Tang Qi working in the beauty industry, and Su Chengcheng, who has always felt inferior to those around her.

Smart Use of Fantasy and Strong Character Work

Not only was the bracelet device cleverly used to bring in comedic moments, but it also created space for Tang Qi and Su Chengcheng to grow and understand each other in meaningful ways. What impressed me was that, despite having two different actresses and an actor portray Su Chengcheng in various forms, none of it felt disjointed or overly performed. Each portrayal came across as an authentic version of her, and at no point did it feel like anyone was overacting or trying too hard to mimic a particular personality.

Li Landi grounds the series with warmth and nuance in her portrayal of Su Chengcheng, bringing quiet strength to a character who could’ve easily become a stereotype. The actors portraying the alternate versions deserve recognition, too, for maintaining emotional continuity across such a narratively tricky setup.

Tian Jianci deserves credit for his comedic timing, especially in the way his character, Tang Qi, interacts with all of Su Chengcheng’s identities. The writing does a great job of weaving in his intelligence, reminding us that he’s a high-IQ character, while showing that, even with his logical mind, he’s willing to consider alternate explanations when things don’t make sense. Instead of brushing them off, he pivots to psychological reasoning, combining it with his sharp perception. His mental state is also explored thoughtfully, as some of the experiences he goes through are genuinely traumatic, and the drama doesn’t shy away from portraying how they impact him.

Supporting Stories and What Worked (and Didn’t)

The story avoids unnecessary distractions – no over-the-top villains in the industry or secondary leads getting in the way. While the subplot involving the second couple felt a bit flat to me, it didn’t interfere with the main narrative. Their relationship still progressed in a way that complemented the lead storyline.

The unexpected pregnancy arc was another well-handled element. Both characters voiced their emotions about it honestly as it would be how their characters would react based on that character’s upbringing. Thus I appreciated how the show resisted taking a predictable or overly cheerful turn to the pregnancy plot because it’s a drama. This made it pleasant to see it not used as a device to rush into a happy marriage.

Romance That Could’ve Gone Deeper

While I enjoyed the comedy, storyline, and themes, I do wish the romance or the leads’ chemistry had been stronger to make it even more memorable. There were many moments where Tang Qi was falling in love with each new version of Su Chengcheng, but the writing didn’t fully tie that back to him loving Su Chengcheng herself (even though, technically, he did). Seeing more of that connection in the form of Li Landi’s Su Chengcheng, rather than a variation of her, would have been appreciated more. That might have added more depth to the romance, especially since each variation had Tang Qi pining for that version of her for 5–7 episodes.

Themes of Identity, Self-Worth, and Vulnerability

Beyond the romance and comedy, Filter stands out for how it tackles the concept of self-worth and identity in a society obsessed with external appearances. The show doesn’t just use its fantasy elements for laughs, it uses them to explore what it truly means to see and be seen. It also highlights the importance of learning to truly love and accept yourself for who you are, and how being open and honest with your loved ones allows them to love the real you, not an identity you created for their approval. I think this theme was really well conveyed through the storytelling.

Final Thoughts: A Refreshing Watch

Despite some minor pacing issues with the second couple and a romance that could have used a bit more spark, Filter is a refreshing, thoughtful, and often funny drama that left a lasting impression. I’d rate the acting a 5/5, the storytelling and thematic cohesion a solid 4/5, the comedy a 4/5, and the romance a 3/5. If you’re looking for a Chinese rom-com that dares to be a little different, Filter is well worth your time.

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