Complex Fantasy Romance
This is my favorite type of story. It's definitely fantastic - no way are you going to think this is real by the end, but in the beginning it LOOKS real. There's cars and shadow puppets and desert sandstorms - understandable real world things. You sink into the complex magic and history of the worlds, see beasts that do amazing things, and think how is this happening? This makes no sense. Does the plot need something? There's a magic beast for that. The characters and their interactions pull you through this part. Excellent acting all around. The villains are not one sided. The female lead is amazing. I love strong women. The male lead is smart and puts things together - l like smart men. Then the plot hits a crescendo and all the things start coming into place, and suddenly all the stuff that didn't make sense sort of does. For this part, you have to pay attention. You have to have held on to all the pieces in order to piece them together. You might need to re-watch it to see what you missed. It's that complicated. If you like straightforward stories that don't deviate from the real world much you will not like this. If your blood sugar is low, or you're pulling an all-nighter and you're tired, you probably will be too confused to like this. If you want mindless entertainment, watch something else. The love story is beautiful and heartbreaking and wonderful in all the right places. One can argue that the end of certain characters was not ideal - in the same way that second lead syndrome can make one dislike a straight romance, but that's you, not the story. Not everyone will make the same choices you will. Even in a fantasy. The only thing I didn't like (and it was minor) was that the ending was poorly fleshed out. They showed you where it was going and then didn't show it. I would have liked to see it. I felt like it needed maybe 1-2 more episodes of denouement. Not enough to detract from the show.Was this review helpful to you?
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“The Doctor’s Best Kept Secret to Cure Insomnia”
DISCLAIMER: I watched this as a part of a recommendation challenge which is why I didn't drop it.What did I just watch? Or better yet, what did I just sleep through? Instead of Parallel World, it should be titled “The Doctor’s Best Kept Secret to Cure Insomnia”. No sleeping pill works as well as this. I also remember calling it a “crack dream” at some point. The beginning was extremely slow. So slow, I kept falling asleep. When I didn’t go into a deep slumber, it was because I was multitasking, so I might as well have been asleep. I tried to keep up with the story, but by episode 10 I gave up on all pretenses and just kept the episodes running, occasionally looking up from my phone. I did try to pay attention a few times afterwards, but the result was just me falling asleep. The drama had sand zombies, pew pew, parasitic flora, golden snakes, and so much other stuff and it still bored me…to a narcoleptic-like sleep. I did enjoy some of the chicken parts though. There were also parts, probably due to censorship and trying to remind people not to look for the Jade Gate, that seemed like they were popped there randomly. Yes, the CDL and older man scenes. I was like “Girl, why are you here too?”
I felt, at the beginning when I was actually trying to pay attention, that NiNi’s character was extremely childish and I did not enjoy that. None of the characters moved me and I did not care about their struggles. I was right about one thing I remember thinking before passing out “these guys are probably manipulating her”. I only remembered one OST https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Upvt_ac5IY and it’s because it’s sung by Liu Yu Ning, and even then it’s not really his best OST. But after searching for the rest, these did match the dull atmosphere of the drama.
I am grateful to this drama for one thing though. I tried watching the final episodes after finishing another extremely tragic show, but I fell asleep. Something I thought I wouldn’t be able to do after that other drama. And trying to recall parts of the drama while writing this made me want to take a nap. So, I will stop here.
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Sometimes gripping, Sometimes not
OVERALLIf you're looking for some adventure, even if it's rough around the edges, and a bit of romance, but fun and worthwhile romance, watch. If you're looking for a deep and well-written plot, or convincing CGI, or both, skip.
THE STORY
I started watching this drama when I had nothing else of interest to watch. I binged a couple of episodes when it got good, skipped parts in other episodes when it got boring. Before I knew it, it was over. My verdict is, it served its purpose. It's a good filler, but nothing more.
On the good side:
- There are enough twists to surprise you in the adventure plot, and you start out with enough mysteries to unfold to hook you
- The romance is surprisingly fun, with some comedy and some melodrama towards the end (but good drama, you know, the kind you want to happen to spice up a love story)
- FL is how I like them (strong, smart, but kind), ML is also how I like them (a bit aloof but nice)
- Most secondary characters are endearing and you won't feel the need to skip their parts
- The setting is fresh and interesting (no more Shanghai, yay! I LOVE that most of it happens in the desert)
On the bad side:
- Special effects are horrid in this drama, like REALLY bad
- You can get lost and confused in the fantasy elements and the way the plot is nonlinear (ie. the characters have a goal, but they keep going on side quests or tangents or wtv). It also makes the drama feel draggy at times.
That's it! haha But careful, the bad weighs nearly as much as the good (maybe even a bit more)!
THE ACTING
Good stuff! There are a couple of emotional scenes and the actors delivered!
THE MUSIC
Quite okay!
REWATCH VALUE
Uff...not high haha I might rewatch the romance parts. I liked those! The rest was a bit too much of a wild ride. I think experiencing it once is enough! :)
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Writer brought us 'Something Different' with an exciting 'new world'.
A very good Fantasy series. Really enjoyed it. Writer brought us Something Different with an exciting 'new world'.Loved the characters and actors did a great job at portraying their respective characters. Liked Ye Liuxi's character and Ni Ni did really well portraying her character as well as Bai Yu as Chang Dong. Ni Ni and Bai Yu did great together and Chemistry was awesome and their love believable. Also enjoyed Fei Tang, Ding Liu, Gao Shen and He's characters as well as Lin Jin Ao .
Visual effects and Production were also very good. Liked the desert setting as well as the cities within the parallel world. The Inns and Gateways were also great.
Ost: loved it, especially 'As as Mirage' by Jane Zhang as well as Fierce Wind Raid by Liu Yuning.
Rewatch value : 8
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Great Adventure with strong casts!
One of the interesting desert sands drama with strong casts. Ni Ni is effortlessly sexy & cool, Bai Yu impressed me a lot with his performance, Meng Ziyi is very eye catching and rest of the crews are amazing. Chemistry between Ni Ni and Bai Yu was awesome. Music and CG are also impressive. The drama is quite slow start but afterwhile it's very interesting until I had watched 10ep in a roll!Was this review helpful to you?
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Good story
this is a good drama. strong actors, decent plotline. the paranormal part is also very intriguing and vfx is quite well done ( apart from the fact that many night scenes are shot during the day and then turned to night.. I mean, you can just look at it and say, 'this was a day shot'.)although I do feel that the Sand Eye was just a forced existence. disappearing after a cameo.
Ni Ni has done a fab job with portraying Ye LiuXi. you will straightaway get the vibe of a smart, badass woman who's practical and fearless and yet sensitive to those close to her.
Bai Yu's Chang Dong is such a sweet character. (my heart literally melted everytime he smiled.... so cute)
He portrays the silent strength of an ordinary man. even when facing trouble, he will think of his people first.
deductive, intelligent and patient.
I loved Xia Meng portraying Ding Liu (Xiao Liu). that is such an adorable character. if I rewatch the show, it'll be only for Xiao Liu
and Meng ZiYi felt a bit disappointing. the entire screen time, it felt like she has facial paralysis. the only time I liked her was when she is acting the scene where the Geminus becomes her character.
overall, a decent drama, although I think it has a lot of romance for an adventure story. but, maybe that's how the plot is I guess.
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Loved it more than expected
At first I found it a bit boring, but I got invested. The plot and story was intriguing me as the episodes came. I also think it was a unique kind of drama, I love the plot in general, the desert setting and everything, the 2 worlds. Never watched a drama like that.I also really loved the romance, it was present more than expected. The leads have amazing chemistry, good kissing scenes and they are literally perfect for each other. No break up and I love their relationship. I also like the second couples, even if we didn’t see a lot of them.
I like the plot twist and the ending was good, a happy ending always make me happy. Even if some deserved a better ending 😭 and was a bit short, but okay
I love the reunion of the leads in the last ep, you can feel the emotions, the way they hug and kiss was perfect. That’s a good reunion in a drama
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good story, though the ending was a bit of a letdown
it was an amazing series... there were some details that could've been done better as well as the end was a bit meh... but the overall series was strong, the main leads were consistent in their actions and I loved that the fmc was strong from start to finish....the secondary characters were fleshed out and had growth...
the antagonists could have had a different ending, considering what they've done.
at the end I think that it had a mysterious but slow beginning, a good strong development and a weak ending that had some loose ends.
But I have to admit that I enjoyed watching this series, the main leads were my favorite.
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What on Earth(s)?!
After 12 episodes I'm dropping this.The two leads have decent chemistry and are doing ok acting-wise, but this drama is just meandering nonsense.
I'm not sure if it's because of censorship and that the paranormal elements were cut and written around, or if it's meant to be like this. But paranormal or scifi, this show is extremely unclear about where anything is going and why.
Characters travel to places and do things, and act like it's perfectly understandable and logical. But it really feels like one of those dreams where things seemingly happen, but when you wake up you realize it didn't really have a coherent plot or a story you could recognize behind things just...happening.
I just find it tiresome. Which is a shame, because the leads really are easy on the eyes and work well together.
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POETRY, INTELLIGENCE, LOVE AND HUMOR : J'adoooooore !
I loved so much this drama.What a beautiful story, full of poetry, intelligence, love and humor. Thank you for this wonderful achievement and, of course, thank you to Ni Ni for her radiant interpretation and to the entire team of actors.
All the actors are excellent. They are often in the 2nd degree, which gives a lot of dynamism to the story.
Of course, Ni Ni is perfect for this role. She dominates the story, the fight scenes and the sense of seduction of this woman from a parallel world.
I discovered Bae Yu... and I inevitably fell in love with him. What an actor !
All is very strong !
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Hollywood - The Mummy, Indiana Jones?
It’s Hollywood like drama!!Love this series as it’s kind of different from all those romantic love story and it has a fantastic storyline, just enjoyed it so much. Highly recommended drama..
Main leads are great, really a right Female/Male leads they’d chosen. Love the FL, superb acting and she’s sooo cool with her face expression + her figure. Admired !! (Another good FL for this drama can be Zhao Liying will be fine too)
ML, not bad. His silence smile is so charming, attractive. Both their chemistry matched, love it!
Others supporting actors are great too.
Conclusion of the story acceptable although it’s still have a space that made you feel - you fix the ending! 😊
Overall, no regret at all to watch this drama.
WATCH IT yourself…. Enjoooy!!
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Engrossing, captivating and intriguing!!
Parallel world is all about a woman named Ye Liuxi, suffering from amnesia,setting off on a journey to find out her past and identity,along with Chang Dong,a guide,who has suffered severe criticism for the camellia incident.He sets off with her to find the missing team members and his girlfriend.The plot is really interesting.The first few episodes are focussed on relationship development between the main leads and also Fatty Tang,a friend of Chang Dong.These episodes also deal with providing us a few clues which help us to join dots in the second part of the story.
Ni Ni as Ye Liuxi,is phenomenal.She just slayed the role.She is ruthless, careless domineering,persistent,stubborn,smart and decisive,but has a soft side of her.She cares for the people who she loves and makes friends with.Her portrayal is outstanding.
Bai Yu as Chang Dong is a smart,cool,decisive,male lead.His performance is very good.
Fatty Tang,Xiao Liu,Gao Shen,Li Jin'ao,A'He all were very good in their performances.
Jin Han as Jiang Zhan and Meng Ziyi as Long Zhi also were good.All the actors were excellent in their roles.
The plot itself is very well written with worth mentioning twists and turns.The mysteries and conspiracies involved are unfolded in a very interesting manner and each twist is really phenomenal.
The screenplay and pace are excellent!! 👌
The friendship among the whole group is worth mentioning and is beautiful with all of them always thinking about their friends wherever they are ,though they are together or separated.
A mysterious plot with the intention of finding an identity interlaced with friendship,love,emotions, jealousy,hatred,schemes, conspiracies,betrayal,angst and tragedy,together make this drama A MUST WATCH drama!!
Truly a masterpiece in its own genre!!
A HIGHLY HIGHLY APPRECIATED AND RECOMMENDED DRAMA 👌👍
Thank you Parallel world drama for this beautiful drama.
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