The Many Loves of Dr. Qin Medicine Woman (9.3 out of 10)
1. I'm absolutely stunned by the green screen visuals. I mean I know it's 'fake' but it doesn't scream it. And since it's a fable it's okay if it looks storybook-ish. Obviously they're using some ginormous green screen action but sometimes I'm wondering if they're using that wall of TVs tech too. I normally don't care about visuals over story, but in this case it's worth mentioning.2. I also normally don't comment on the fight scenes either, since they can come off as so generic. There were not a lot of fights in this series but I really enjoyed each and every one of them. If I ever rewatched this series I'd look forward to them.
3. This is my fourth Li Qin drama. She was fantastic as the Han woman in RUYI, forgettable as chicken leg girl in JOY OF LIFE (Season 1), wonderful in YOUTH MEMORIES, but s-t-e-l-la-r here. Her always understated performances come to life here when extreme situations finally push out her emotions.
4. Our FL has a 'cold disease' and must stay out of the cold, yet her entire life is spent in cold, kneeling on the ice -- you name it. I'm amazed they don't show her eating ice cream inside a fridge. Viewers must ignore this extremely confusing element or risk losing their mind.
5. SNOWY NIGHTS is the definition of LESS IS MORE. It doesn't need 100 characters and as many plot twists. It's a clean perfect narrative with no clutter. It is aimed directly at people who cherish the journey instead of the destination. If you've ever once fast forwarded thru any C-Drama, feel free to skip this one and especially avoid reviewing it. That said --
6. -- in the last third of the series the show becomes obsessed with it's own songs. They're nice songs, don't get me wrong, but they plays them way too often towards the series finale, rendering minutes of each episode as 'music videos' filler.
Not to mention (but I will) it's INSANELY distracting/annoying to have vocalists singing while characters are speaking. I've seen many Broadway musicals and not once do they have characters speaking WHILE the chorus is singing. This one element took two tenths off of my review score alone. But I have to admit --
-- I loved the closing credits song. And like REBEL PRINCESS, I was once again stunned by who was actually singing this song.
7. So although the show slows down a little in the last third, at least this show doesn't commit the dreaded Chinese Drama Cliche: another ending. Most C-Dramas seem to end the story, and then -- end it a second time. I honestly can't figure out what so many of these series end twice, but SNOWY NIGHTS does what every drama should do and simply end ONCE.
8. The first shortcoming I can really name is our ML, Joseph Zeng. There's nothing really wrong with him, but he's just a little too boyish 'perfect' to resonate as real. I picture a warrior like this rougher around the edges, more like a cleaned up 'Eye'.
I don't hate our male lead, but I don't hang on his words like a Wallace Huo or Huang Xuan. I'd have loved a reunion with Xiao Zhan if they wanted such a boyish face. I will say Zeng ripens after the halfway mark. Perhaps he was trying to show that 8 years had passed on his journey from young man to man? I'll say this ladies: my wife thought he was super cute.
9. I'm hearing people here trash the villains. Hmm. I guess you could say they're not as villainous as you'd expect, but I kinda like that their leader looks like a college art teacher (lol), and one of his disciples is always eeriely smiling.
The weakest villain is the Lady in Red is not much more than... a stylish Lady in Red. (Her character rounds itself out towards the series end, but it's kinda late. We needed better hints about her past.)
Weak too is the comic relief fat dude doesn't seem like a believably evil member of this clan. It would only make sense if the gang resented him but kept him around because they loved his cooking. (Well they have to eat!)
Eye seems to be the only monster in the clan besides the leader. Every drama has a lesser known actor who steals the show. Eye is this character and I can't wait for the right lead role to come his way. I'm concerned that I recently learned his voice was dubbed, suggesting a pretty boy lacking proper vocal talent? I hope that dubbing goes away in time.
10. This is not a story set in realism, and so understand it's really a parable on the topic of sacrifice. If you don't accept this, our ML's heroic quest becomes impossible to understand. (Would you keep risking your life as he does for the reason he does?) The theme of sacrifice echoes in Li Qin as well, which produces not one -- not two -- but three examples of selfless love.
Cliche love is about marriage and children. Not everyone goes down that path, sorry. If your heart and soul need to be reminded of humanity now and again -- this series does it ---
SPOILERS below SPOILERS below SPOILERS
-- without one kiss.
And now some comments on some sloppiness by this series --
1. One reason I dislike fantasy stories (vs. science fiction) is that it can be license for LAAAAZZZZZYYYY writing. In Ep 26 our ML's bird flies into the valley and Granny needs to ask it a question. Up to this point it hasn't been established that our ML can truly converse with his bird, never mind a stranger that says 'chirp once' if you like potato chips and 'chirp twice' if you don't. WRONG, UNACCEPTABLE, I'm docking the series a tenth of a point just for this one moment.
2.. I gather the ML's Master was recast unless I missed something. Or written out. A bit awkward in such a short series.
3. . In the battle between Eye and his master, three golden needles are popped out. But certainly we just watched Dr. Qin Medicine Woman pull those same needles out some episodes back. WTH?
4. What happened to the bird?
5. Are you the type of reader who skips thru stories and skim's long reviews like this. If you are, you missed the hidden scene after the final credits in the final episode. If you've read these words and missed it, this is your reward for reading this far.
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This review may contain spoilers
Sad and frustrating.
This drama was an exercise in frustration. While I am not inherently opposed to sad endings, the absence of a single kiss or a heartfelt declaration between the main leads felt profoundly unjust. The narrative seemed to revel in the cruelty of ill-timed moments. He arrived too late to save the child, and the aurora borealis graced the sky only after they chose not to wait any longer. The scene where she is brought home, still clinging to life, and they cross paths without recognizing each other was a masterstroke of poignant despair. The performances were stellar, and the visual artistry was breathtaking. Yet, to deny them even a final moment to bid farewell was nothing short of heartbreaking.Was this review helpful to you?
A Letter To Zang Bai (ML) From ZiYe (FL) ?
Dear ZANG BAI!Hope you are okay, being busy with the Sword sect works. You know It's snowing again, another mid autumn festival had passed, another new year eve just gone. I was missing the red sweets this year. You said you will arrange the village party again, so I'm really counting on it.
I have kept 2 big jar of your favourite wine, buried under the tree. And for me I'm waiting for our next wine session.
I'am waiting for the night to see the aurora, you promised me to take me to the top of the mountain when you will come next.
I think i have found good prescription to heal myself from my cold sickness. So next time it will not be impossible for me to travel far away as i haven’t done this due to my cold weakness since childhood.
All the girls and Old Aunt, from Mountain Valley are doing fine. They said they also missed you. They might be get used to you fooling around, living and eating free in the Valley for the last 8 years. They always asked if you are doing any other dangerous missions, risking your life.
People of the valley always pray for your health. You know it had always been a hassel for my people to treat your sever injuries. You kept them busy all along.
The wooden hairpin fits perfectly - everyone said.
Till we met again, keep yourself warm and void risking your life, and I'll be grateful if you come uninjured next time.
Yours, XUE ZIYE 🌿
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A classic tale of emotions in the majestic SNOW!!
This is probably the first time I am really impressed with the snow backdrop in which the drama is presented to us.Plot-The show is all about Huo Zhanbai,a martial artist from the Sword sect and Xue Ziye,who fall in love after Zhanbai insists the chief of Apothecary valley to treat his martial brother son who suffers from an incurable disease.Their relationship grows stronger over the eight years ,which Zhanbai spend to gather 5 rare herbs for the treatment.
Pros-I would really give a thumbs up to the snow scenery and background.It was serene,calm,impressive,classical,in my opinion.
Probably,if not for the snow backdrop as the main premise,this drama would be a regular watchable one.But,the ice theme has definitely elevated the mood and made it much more beautiful.I really loved the sceneries.They were perfect.I must say the snow scenery is the biggest asset of this drama.Never knew snow could be so beautiful!!!
Action-All the actors were good.Li Qin,Joseph Zeng,Wang Hongyi,Jenny Zeng,Edward Chen and Kim Jin were perfect in their characters.All.the other cast were also good.A special mention of Kim Jin and his acting ability.He was the perfect villain in this beautiful snow.His action was top notch.
Music, costumes, sets, locations,plot, screenplay,pace,everything were good.There were no deviations from the main plot.
I suggest to watch this timeless, emotional,classical love set in a snowy valley and a snowy night!!
A must watch drama if you like dramas withba classical touch!!
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Beautiful drama! Amazing cinematography and acting
This was beautiful, I could watch it just for the cinematography, it blow me away.The actors are great, every feeling and emotions greatly represented. It was a joy to watch.
The story is pretty interesting and consistent. I know it can be repetitive (his search and constantly being healed by her), but it was enough for me, much better than those confusing dramas with messy plots. The beginning of the story is more active, but the rest of it have such interesting pace, is lovely to what their feelings deepen, their live obsessions change, the importance of very little moment together. If you appreciate a poetic life of honor and commitment, this drama is for you.
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This review may contain spoilers
Got better towards the end
This drama took a long time to warm up and I could only sit through the first 15 episodes while multitasking on my iPad.The first 5 episodes left me unsatisfied:
Night and day.
After finishing a K period drama that was on point with the story telling, dialogue, cinematography and acting (despite the usual unbelievable storyline), I am struggling to connect with this drama that is lacking in all this aspects.
While both the K drama and this drama have far fetched storylines, the K drama wrote convincing plots with smart dialogue and actions. This drama is lacking so much logic and common sense that even switching off part of my brain doesn’t enough.
Flighting sequences so far are only so so. Acting is also a bit lacking and stiff - perhaps due to direction and camera work? I’ve seen the actors perform better in other dramas. Thankfully, it improved towards the last few episodes.
I enjoyed the episodes after the SML managed to convince the FL to go with him to cure the villian. The chemistry between them picked up faster than when the FL was with the ML in the beginning episodes. The storyline then was a bit more entertaining and I enjoyed how the villian was dealt with. This pulled up my rating from 5.5 to 7.
If you need a sweet closure between the ML and FL, make sure you watch the end credits as there is a short sweet scene right at the end. I am thankful there wasn’t an unrealistic miracle cure. Though sad, it was fitting.
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The farwell of snow (Snowy Night Timeless Love)
I start to watch this drama, In ep 1, in my opinion, Huo Zhan Bai is too pushy and disrespectful of the Medicine Valley's rules. Therefore, he has no respect for himself, as such, would be unable to earn the respect of Ziye (Owner of the Medicine Valley). In my opinion, the love story between them is unsustainable.Was this review helpful to you?
Ver hasta el final de los creditos del capitulo 32
Una serie trágica sin desencuentros, excepto en los capítulos finales. Eso si, se me hizo un poco lenta y pesada, en ciertas partes aburrida porque la sentía repetitiva. Me llamo mucho la atención que excepto por la primera vez y no recuerdo si segunda o tercera, que jamas nunca se mostró como, donde y a que se enfrento el ML para encontrar los ingredientes de la receta para Mo, quizás por eso no hubo tantas escenas de acción.... Ya de camino con el ingrediente siempre sucedía lo mismo.... si se entendió que le llevo casi 8 años...Este tipo de series no es de mi favoritas porque luego termino con un nudo en la garganta en los episodios finales y tampoco me agradan mucho los personajes que se muestran débiles muy seguido. Así y todo por costumbre veo las cosas hasta el final, sino, no puedo tener una conclusión...
Sin embargo, me gustaron mucho los ideales y la manera de transmitir enseñanzas o conocimiento de FL usando la ironía y las mentiras piadosas, a pesar de esto era un personaje que sentí que si bien era obstinado con respectos algunos puntos, también era muy racional y maduro en cuanto al tema de los rencores perdidas y el pasado para encontrar la paz simplemente en la búsqueda de la verdad sanear las perdidas y reconciliarse con el presente. También me gusto que para planificar no era impulsiva, excepto cuando le caía algún paciente, ahí si que no podía con ella misma, es decir con su genio....
En cuanto a escenografía, producción, tomas y efectos no me pareció muy buena la serie, solo vi dedicación en todo lo que sucedía en el Valle de los Boticarios y la mayoría de las cosas transcurren allí, pero el resto estuvo bastante descuidado como cuando corre el caballo con la avalancha detrás, hubo un problemas de proporciones que hizo que se viera para nada real la escena.... también la escenografía de varios lugares estuvo bastante floja.... Y así vi varias cosas bastante descuidadas....
El vestuario modesto, pero lindo.
La música a mi personalmente no me gusto y hasta aveces me pareció muy repetitiva....
No volvería a verla
Sobre el final de los créditos en la capitulo 32, no me quedo muy clara la intención.... quizás para a los espectadores....
En resumen, creo que el punto mas fuerte esta serie es el reparto de los actores, su actuación y lo que pretende dejar la historia al publico, pero aun así me sigo preguntando como se hubiera visto si no flaqueara en otros aspectos. Porque me lleva a pensar que si tenia un libro que no estaba mal y buenos actores, se trabajo con el Valle de los boticarios, pero que paso con el resto... es como si no se le hubiera puesto atención o dado importancia...
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