Love and danger, pristine snow and downy willows in spring, triumph of persistence
Ep30 was a sweet coda to this very wholesome composition, which deserves full marks for acting, choice of shooting locations, no nonsense or over-sugary dialogues and plot. I also liked the realism and the messages of hope, endurance, faithfulness and mature understanding and support to partners. I actually liked the slow pace which showed how intuition and almost telepathic getting vibes and staying "in tune"without need for long conversation is one form of beautiful love.For those who don't get or get impatient with first episodes, it could be viewed first, since it is the chronological reason for what happens in first episode, and an explanation of the "baffling" reply by ML to FL in the beginning.
The two separated "because they were too young", because Gui Xiao thought she needed comforting words to overcome the pain of her family turmoil, but these could not be conveyed over the phone, and because her great love was prevented from rushing back to hug and comfort her. Both felt hurt and regret but years went by and, not wanting to be intrusive, neither of them managed to make the needed step forward to get back in tune. Until they did, and this is the sweet and realistic story that unfolds in the drama. The radiance of their love not only make them stand out, but also touches those around them: their friends and "complicated families", and the little boy that Gui Xiao spontaneously agrees to foster to allow him get a more stable environment with trusted people and better schooling. Unconsciously or not, this first act of kindness and love brings her friend (and other foster "aunt" for the boy) together with Lu Chen's friend and Qin Xiaonan's dad.
LuChen and Xiao Nan are quickly aware of Captain Qin and Duan Rou's compatibility, which culminates in Ep22 where both couples radiantly and almost literally "walk on air". For once, we would not have minded seeing more about this secondary couple!
It also helps that Jing Boran has a special type of northern handsomeness, impervious to the cold weather, maybe due to his part-Russian ancestry. Sichuanese Seven Tan Songyun is delightfully petite and with an infectious warm smile that brought perfect balance to this "fire and ice" story where the apparently cold and detached ML was just yearning for spring to be back and enough fulfillment in a life half or more devoted to dangerous missions.
As for OST, it is nice, although as I mentioned in an earlier comment, what stood out for me was the old Zheng Jun Cinderella song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xVtrob8Rto). Lyrics here : https://www.chinese-tools.com/songs/song/12/cinderella.html
I watched quite a few of Seven Tan's dramas before; always very satisfied. I had not watched much of Jing Boran's filmography, he seems to have been mostly involved with light movies, when I was following more heavyweight directors' filmography. Perhaps, if I have time, I will go back to check more of Jing Boran's filmography now, and perhaps even re-watch Road Home which despite its slow pace, was as enjoyable as a famous director's movie. Ah, spotting 2018 "Us And Them" in JB's filmography, which I think I must watch since I love Rene Liu's music and her acting in "A World Without Thieves".
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I have 3 big problem with this drama
Seven Tan & Jing Bo Ran... Of course here I come...I have 3 big problem with this drama. Haha....
1) The duration.... OMG this is one f*cking long drama, without so much problem to solved. Make me quite bored watching this. For me this drama don't need to be this f*cking long duration or ep, maybe around 20s ep is actually enough.
But yeah like ChineseDramaFan wrote: "This is a lovely series which can be boring for some for its slow, everyday life story, but lovely for many for its quiet romance, a romance many can relate to - no fanfare, just love and devotion (if such elements still exist)." If that's what you looking for, this drama actually quite good. Drama filled with a little flashback, every day boring life with a little interruption about SWAT team mission.
2) I really have hard time to differentiate between the past & present time.... There's no much diff in the appearance of Lu Chen (LC) & Gui Xiao (GX) past & present, no diff color to differentiate the timeline, nothing to make us easier to differentiate past & present time. Maybe just the dialogue they said or little background. But hell I'm still sometimes have hard time to differentiate the timeline. Gonna be better if they choose diff actor to play the past, at least then we know for sure it's the past time...
3) After I read shiro review it make think, about the children, aka Qin Xiao Nan (XN). Yeah how pitty he is. He just moving from 1 house to another acting like it's a usual thing for him. But my problem it's not that... Haha.... The biggest question is where the h*ll is his mom.... Qin Ming Yu & his wife divorce, and at the beginning they tell us XN's mom always want to care for him. But she's really missing from the picture, not even care that her son is transfer to Beijing & his living condition. She can go to court to get custody, even at first the court side with the dad doesn't mean the circumstance can't change. But yeah of course they're not the main couple, so I think they don't need to think too much of this situation.
What I like about this drama:
+ The chemistry between Seven Tan & Jing Bo Ran. I love it... I can feel the attraction between them.
+ The solidarity between the SWAT team & friends
+ The adorable Qin Ming Yu & how he tries to chase Duan Rou.
Overall this quite good drama that you could watch.
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May we all find the happiness that belongs to us.
Last episode today! It's going to be tough to get out of this drama. The director and scriptwriter did a fantastic job. The cinematography was fantastic. The scenery was fantastic. Tan Songyun and Jing Boran did a fantastic job of portraying the characters. I love that they paired both of them together. Casting Jing Boran as Lu Chen was a fantastic choice. He has that rugged, tough, very attractive face. Casting Tan Songyun as Chen Xiao was an equally fantastic choice She has such a soft, squishy baby face. It's like the yin and yang coming together. Ladylike and ruggedness.I love their chemistry in the bts and in the drama. Watching them during their interview was so cute. They kept looking at one another, affirming what the other said and teasing one another. The fact that they reconnected before filming Road Home was really sweet. You can watch them on He Jiong's Welcome Back to Sound Season 2 (ep 9-10). I think that helped to break the ice before filming. They are both such great actors. I love Tan Songyun's voice....I never get sick of it. Watching her in her dramas give me a sense of calm and healing. I know that there are other great dramas out there but somehow the FL's voices will turn me off and that stops me from starting or dropping those dramas. Thank you, director, scriptwriter, actors, actresses. Thank you for making my heart sing. In the meantime, I will wait impatiently and languish around until Tan Songyun's new movie & drama. May she find the happiness that belongs to her. May we find a Lu Chen who will love us as unconditionally & deeply. And may all the Lu Chen find their Gui Xiao.
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Second chance romance with mature characters!
This is definitely a feel good drama. The pace is slow but the plot advances quickly. Everything about it just feels warm and calm. I love how in the earlier episodes, they pictured so much tension, so much longing, and so much unsaid words. It keeps you on your toes to see how the relationship advances. I also love how both leads act maturely resolving their problems and how this drama has no filler annoying episode. All are in the good portion. Jing Boran and Tang Soyun have so much chemistry and have done well with the acting. One thing that I will nitpick is how they put the climax on last few episodes. It's just feel anticlimatic to me. Otherwise, ll is fine.Was this review helpful to you?
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SECOND CHANCE AT ITS Best! BRILLIANTLY DONE!
At first, I am hesitant to watch this drama since I am not into second chance love romances. But I was totally moved by it.JIN BO RAN was SUPERB in this drama. He really pull it through and he is so Hot in uniform. Though I already like him on other drama but this once thoroughly fits.
SEVEN TAN is a surprised for me,this drama is more mature and a lot of kissing scenes, some of her dramas doesn't. But she's good at it. I really like some of her dramas. Despite the agr difference in real life, for me it doesnt matter coz they make it through and they give justice to it.
For me, this is a brilliantly done drama. A slice of life and a real tear jerker esp the scene where JIN BO RAN was crying in the snow after break up. Wow! Really moved by it.
Side characters are good but not much highlighted which is for me is better since the story itself is more about the couples up and downs and how they faced it and became mature in their relationship.
Can't forget the cinematography. Truly wonderful!
I highly recommended this drama esp if your are into more mature audience.
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Underrated
The first time I have read the plot of this drama, I immediately know I would like it but later got doubtful because of the reviews I have read while watching but it turns out my first impression was right. I am a fan of first and only love, hardworking male characters, and old lovers or acquaintances meeting again just like in Le Coup De Foudre, Lighter and Princess, You Are My Hero, Forever Love and etc. but what was different in this drama was how it involved the people around them in the development of their love story the second time around. All the issues that caused their relationship to fail in the first time got resolved. For some, it may be slow because the drama did not just rotate in the main characters' issues but also in each of their family's issues which have affected them and their relationship directly. I was really happy how each of the characters developed into better versions of themselves especially the mains' parents because some dramas would start and end with unsupportive and close minded parents. I also like how in most of the episodes, the characters' are together . They are already certain of the feelings they have for each other and I was happy that there were no episodes wasted where the mains will try hard to be together. Instead, the drama developed with the mains' being there for each other. I really like this drama and if you are someone that do not like dramas where it would take a long time for the characters to be together then I think you would like this too.Was this review helpful to you?
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Pure Unconditional Love Story
I love that the story is about everyday people portrayed realistically. Some other romantic dramas I've seen this one is different. Especially when it comes to divorce and separation from your family. Once you become an independent mature adult you will relate. Having a controlling parent or two parents is just sad experience. But in this series, it tells you that you can cope with it just like Lu Chen and Gui Xiao. I kind of relate to them. Thís touched me the most. In addition to my admiration that they foster a child of a divorced friend. This really is a series that I will admire the most like touching my heart and is about public servants and real-life heroes like police SWAT officers giving their lives for the sake of their duty and what they are signed up for. Kudos to script writers. Soundtrack is the only thing that I did not like but will re-watch in the future.Highly recommended!
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A perfect angsty, protective hero romance . . . until the propaganda ruined itOn one hand we have an angsty, forbidden secret childhood romance, and a silent, gruff protective hero who thinks the world of the heroine:everything I like in romance in one place. If you like the Jane Austen novel Persuasion, you will love the first 20 episodes of this.
On the other hand, this is a propaganda pitch for dangerous frontline work to men, and the propaganda wins out for 10 slow dragging episodes.
Our main male character 100% will always pick his job first. The female lead is just so grateful to be in a relationship with him, and she will never make the mistake of putting herself first again! Even his alcoholic waste of a father, and his snobby father in law come around to accepting he is a hero whose needs and priorities come first, and they need to stop making trouble.
So there you have it. A great premise, excellent chemistry and acting all ruined by its simplistic propaganda theme: become a hero of the state, and you'll get the girl and the home and the life you always wanted. Everyone will just be so grateful.
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A Completely Beautiful Love Story Of ..... "The First Love Is My Last Love" .... My Forever Love
I was still swooning from the aftermath of Seven Tan and Ren Jialun romance in Under The Power, when I clicked into another Seven Tan's drama "Road Home". Being a hopeless romantic, I immediately got hooked into this drama, curious to watch the really mesmerizing male lead Jing Boran. His manly, cool and man of few words Lu Chen character who only has eyes for Seven Tan's - Gui Xiao will simply take one's breath away.The story itself is nothing new and yes, the pace was really slow. Therefore, the two leads had an immense responsibility to make their chemistry work on screen. Their un-said words, their internal struggles, their facial expression, their body language, yearning, happiness and love were all felt throughout the drama. The director's request for this love story to be played out in such pure and raw emotions amidst the beautiful backdrop of Xinjiang Autonomous Region allowed me to soak into the characters so comfortably. 30 episodes went by too fast for me.
Till now, I am still replaying many memorable moments between Lu Chen and Gui Xiao in my head. The love at first sight at school. 8 years later, bumping to her again after breaking up. Another 2 years later to meet again. Him singing his song for her whilst cuddling on the ground in the snow. Both of them watching the sunrise they name "Chen Xiao" and many many more. Everything that a die-hard romantic like me will find endearing is found in the Chen Xiao love story.
The drama however, is not perfect. The many repeated throwback scenes were a slight off to me. But, everything else made up for it. Two second couple love stories, Ming Yu's delightful son Xiao Nan, Gui Xiao and Lu Chen's parents drama and on top of this, an appreciation for military police S.W.A.T work which I did not know much about, until I watched this drama.
Road Home is a slow paced emotional drama for die hard romantics. If you are not into hugging, kissing and natural love interactions, you can give this drama a miss. As for me, this drama will be one of the classics, in my books. I will be re-watching this drama again whenever I feel like having a dose of positivity in my life. Scoring 10, for an overall entertaining drama.
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Yawn.
I tend to love conflict free cdrama romcoms. This show however is not a comedy at all, but as it happens I also like slow-burn melodramatic shows, as long as they are low on the makjang & that certainly applies to this one. So why is it that my rating stopped at 5.5? Well, in my opinion this is a fairly boring show overall, I fell asleep multiple times watching it. The romance is basically a Hallmark tier love story. Yes the actors had pretty good chemistry & looked great together in the second half of the show, though I do think they took their sweet time to get comfortable around each other, thus the early episodes were far worse than the later episodes because of that reason. I've been told repeatedly that me finding the romance boring in this one is because I wanted more conflicts & love triangles and whatnot. I assure you all that is not the case, this drama is just really mediocre compared to some of the better recent and similarly conflict free cdrama romance stories. (for example "Meet Yourself" or "Hi Venus")If I look at things outside of the OTP romance, the drama is really really annoying on multiple levels. It feels like it was funded by the police/government to help find partners for officers and perhaps just to aid with recruitment, as such there is all kinds of social engineering in the show.
Also the amount of patriotism presented is on another level. My tolerance is very high in this regard, because American shows tend to have a lot as well and I grew up watching those, but good grief, there is really an immense amount here..
One other thing I hated how the writers dealt with the -toxic- fathers. Basically both of them decided to just suddenly stop being toxic & that's it. (this makes literally 0 sense based on the plot up to that point)
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So sweet and romantic
When 2 great actors come together with good writing and directing you get “RoadHome”. A story about reuniting lost love. Story slowly tells 2 people found love at a young age, lost it due to long distance relationship, and found each other again. Solid acting with gorgeous cinematography. A must watch if you are into romance. The female lead Seven Tan’s acting is so natural and effortless. Can’t help but laugh and cry with her.So glad to see a Chinese drama with a career minded, strong, independent female lead, who is happy on her own and choose to be in a relationship because she know he is what she wants.
This is about two people that love each other and overcome obstacles to be together.
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Worth a re-watch for the two leads and the child stars
The two main leads carried this drama on their shoulders alone. The script was draggy and poor, the endless recaps were dumb, none of the other storylines were followed through properly, the two kids were fantastic but only used as props.If it wasn't for the main leads acting chops and charisma, this drama would have tanked.
I watched it solely for TSY, Jing Boran and the 2 kids. Luckily, the main leads are present in almost all the scenes.
The original story was great, but the script/edits/direction of this drama, not so great at all. I read the English translation of the original and it was a fast-paced very interesting read.
Thanks to TSY and Jing Boran the drama has a very high watch and re-watch value.
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