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A beautiful second chance romance.
Second chance romances are my weakness (see: Persuasion) but they are so tricky because the audience has to be invested in their past, understand the reason for their separation, and have the proper buildup of angst and the satisfying conclusion of them getting back together, and hopefully get some moments of happiness of them post reunion. This drama delivers on all counts.I loved the chemistry between Song Qian and Chen Xing Xu, both believable in their carefree younger selves, and then their matured personalities eight years later, though with many lingering feelings. The worries and pressures from Xixi's side to leave Yicheng the first time and her hesitation for that second chance was so understandable. It is too easy for the male lead to stay bitter and make it difficult for the reunion to be believable, and Yicheng was, for a time, but early on, it was obvious how he had never moved on (i.e. taking out the spice for the soup in their very first dinner), and he did not take very long to ask Xixi to take him back. This one could be classified as a slow burn but there were so many things they did for each other behind the scenes (e.g. Xixi looking for another source of investment for Yuyi), and moments of sweetness that reminded them of their past. The buildup to them getting back together was perfect, and it was a thrill to see them succeed as highly ambitious professionals, together, as a team. Bonus points for how much Chen Xing Xu could communicate with his gazes - he really had the softness down whenever he looked at Song Qian.
What elevates the drama to another level is the act of translation being the centre point of the story. I have always been fascinated by languages and the abilities of some to speak and communicate in many different tongues. Xixi's drive to be become the best interpreter she could be, her discipline, dedication, and passion to her work are all so admirable. A lot of this was driven by her insecurities growing up in the shadows of her cousin and her expectations of her grandfather, a legend in the translation world. Usually the family drama never interests me much, but I was riveted and could relate so much to how much it affected her, and on a personal note, the way it all resolved is so much nicer than in real life. Yicheng's dream of creating an AI interpreter that could rival and best humans is also all too relevant in this day and age. I'm still on Xixi's romantic side (and Cheng Yao's!) about the humans doing the better job, no matter how efficiently machine may do it. The dialogue, the texts and idioms used, even the difference in the Chinese and the English subtitles if you're able to understand both (I kept pausing to compare the two), was a real treat for a viewer who enjoys the finer details like me. If my Chinese was good enough to appreciate the poetry more, I could love it even more.
This drama was a quietly beautiful surprise. It's been ages since I finished a Chinese drama, and this one was the hopeful one I needed to get back into watching more, and mostly importantly, inspiration to be more diligent in my language learning.
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Lost me
This story lost me. Started out pretty decent with the translation vs translation app battle but it went down hill fairly quickly.First off, this show being about top notch translations was odd. The quotes that were read at the beginning of each episode was very laughable. There were lots of grammar errors and it was poorly spoken English. I study Mandarin Chinese so I can understand that learning a language completely opposite your own is a challenge. I know my pronunciation isn’t perfect but I also don’t market myself to be the best either. Wish they could have found stronger speakers to make it more believable.
I left this show for a couple of weeks thinking I would eventually come back to it but that definitely did not happen.
Honestly, the characters in this show were forgettable and rather dull. The main conflict between the couples seemed like child’s play. It was also unnecessarily drawn out and came off very shallow. I’d like to think that most adult relationships have deeper rooted problems that keep them apart and don’t drag out over so many years but maybe that’s in my bubble. Their issue didn’t seem like it was enough for a 36 episode show. This show could’ve been wrapped up in 20 or less episodes.
Basic production value, forgettable OST, and mediocre acting. Make your own judgement and watch for yourself.
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Top Award for a C/Drama with the MOST number of unlikeable characters
I just recently discovered this C Drama and looking at the excellent casting, I was truly excited to watch this series. Until,..I wasn't. I think, the reason for the low ratings and poor reviews are (myself included) is because of the lack of likeable characters that the audience can lock onto, like and root for, otherwise, viewers lose interest very quickly and become annoyed having wasted their time on unsavory characters. Also, there was a lot of abusive characters and episodes being physical, mental or otherwise. Most people don't care for abusive behavior that was acceptable to the director and the screen writer. Apparently, the script writer/director don't understand the 101 of film making, namely.. create characters that/whom are engaging and likeable to hook and engage the audience,. (villains are fine too as long as they don't overtake the likeable characters)1. I am a huge fan of Yang Mi, her character in this movie was deplorable. Even in the beginning, with her "cheerful", nosy, know it all, intrusive, no boundaries behavior was truly annoying and dislikeable. And later, her character evolved into a dishonest, lying, stubborn, still intruding into other people's business, character that was even worse and unrealistic.
2. The very unreasonable character of the ML's best friend, behaving like a toddler with temper tantrums and abusive, bullying behavior. An yet, you want us to believe that her boyfriend not only tolerated the abuse but supported it. Seriously?? What idiot would put up with such awful behavior in real life? Is this a wishful thinking of the script writer?
3. Brother of ML. is a completely unhinged character which is pretty dangerous for a supposed Neuro surgeon not to mention for a dr who is supposedly a trained psychologist. He is not only a liar and a narcissist but also an ungrateful individual toward the parents who adopted and raised him. They should have left him in the gutter.
4. The Mother of the ML, what mother would intentionally cause harm to their child in the name of helping them. What a vile, hateful person.
I am going to stop here because there is a whole longer list of dislikeable characters and it would be too long to list it
Honestly, the only likes likeable character was the FL best friend's boyfriend and the ML despite of his unrealistic obsession that was again, due to ridiculous writing.
Bottom line, I don't like the fact that this drama tolerates so much abuse ( mental and otherwise) and demeans men in general by creating male characters that are not only tolerating but applauding such bullying and abusive behavior. It's insulting and I am saying this being a woman. It was painful to watch.
Again, creating such tolerant/unrealistic male characters must have been a female script writer's wishful thinking.
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An average
The drama unfolds an average storyline where couples navigate through ups and downs, ultimately parting ways. Reuniting after seven years, residual annoyance lingers, yet the boy's persistent pursuit reignites their romance. Despite occasional rifts, they reconcile. Notably, the drama explores the clash between traditional and modern interpretation of language, highlighting the role of traditional interpreters amidst AI advancements. Surprisingly, the chemistry of the second lead couple steals the spotlight, despite their limited screen time.Was this review helpful to you?
From Hope to Boredom: 36 Episodes I Regret Watching
I rarely write reviews, but with this series I was incredibly bored. Around episode 25, I stopped watching, and in the end, after persuading myself, I managed to watch all 36 episodes. And I keep wondering—was it really necessary to stretch the story out like this? Not much was happening, and the story of the main characters could have easily been told in about 16 episodes. For me, it was a waste of time!Was this review helpful to you?
great premise that felt flat and repetitive
the first few episodes hooked me and it seemed like it was going to be a fun one with lots of tension but in the end, I feel like the plot felt flat and too dragged out.I initially started watching because of the ML (loved him in Love Between Lines), this is the first time I see the FL but I don’t think like they had the chemistry to pull this plot off.
as the drama continued it felt too dragged and there are whole episodes where literally NOTHING happened.
I did find the concept of AI vs humans probably explained and talked about in the most realistic way so far, that part I liked.
but in the end it felt too dragging and I think because they didn’t have that much chemistry it was tricky to stay connected.
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female lead too stone cold male lead melting her heart?
The reviews gave me false hope! I hated this drama so boring! Not sure if its because the leads have no chemistry what so ever or the storyline. The storyline is the least interesting about in person translation verses AI translation.The female lead had such a harsh childhood which makes her character pretty stone cold, logical and strive to perform her best. She is definitely not a super lovable character but she will get the work done. Male lead just seems to be not over the female lead, they broke up 8 years ago. The male lead is the CEO of a company thats working on AI translating devices.
This type of drama is hard to make interesting.... The character's story was all pretty boring. The background music is pretty good but the rest is skip. I dont ship the leads at all , just no chemistry or passion. I'm not sure if its the actress itself. I've seen her so many times just looking cold.
I would love to see Victoria look more feminine of even with a different hairstyle or make up . In her recent drama she looks pretty much the same.
Not to mention I couldnt stand the male lead side burns they are way too long
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There is a hidden beauty in the symbolism of this drama and the nature of relationships.
The StorySome people are missing the point of this drama, big time. This drama is about interpersonal relationships between men and women and how they communicate with each other differently.
When one interprets, be it foreign language or sign language, the interpreter has to break up the conversation into short segments and release the information they just heard into the language of choice. The interpreter in this drama could listen for three minutes of conversation and repeat back the whole conversation in the language for which she is interpreting. Her record is interpreting 10-12 minute segments of spoken words. That is remarkable. Most people can interpret only 30 seconds of conversation accurately.
What gets lost first with long segments of interpreted conversation, is emotions and intent. I have studied why the mother tongue is the language of the heart and why love and attachment is best perceived when listening in one’s mother tongue. To be able to transfer emotions and intent to another language, after listening to long segments of conversation, is close to impossible. I am intrigue by this subject material. The Chinese Drama ‘Our Interpreter’ sure makes this occupation of International Interpreter look very glamorous. The drama pits a high tech CEO launching a new interpreting application against a real live interpreter. Machine against Human. Who will win? The two were once lovers and they have not seen each other for eight years. Can love be reinterpreted?
What some may fail to grasp with this drama is how normal communication between men and women can get lost in translation. We blame it on the “Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus” syndrome. However, the base root of the issue is how emotions and intent are conveyed. Are matters made even worse over time? There is a hidden beauty in the symbolism of this drama and the nature of male and female relationships.
Quote: As a philosophy, it’s impossible for (emotions and intent) to be completely expressed and conveyed with words (When Interpreting). It requires one to feel, understand, and think about it with the heart.” From Our Interpreter.
There is an interesting side note to the Chinese drama ‘Our Interpreter’. There is a lot of English spoken in this drama, as foreign language is rendered into English. For fun, the viewer can listen to the Interpreter interpret the Chinese into English and compare it with the interpreted material in the subtitles. The human interpreter does a way better job, since she is touted to have the ability to interpret from the heart of the language she is interpreting. Someone should have been alert to make sure that the subtitled text was as good as the Interpreter.
‘Our Interpreter’ had me with their opening quote by George Gordon Byron. My mind realized that it would be stimulated. It is an intelligent drama which may not be everyone’s taste. However, this is my kind of drama, pitting two overachievers against each other and giving each a chance to make their best corrections.
Quote: “If I should meet thee after long years, how should I greet thee? With silence and tears”, George Gordon Byron.
Actors Corner
Victoria Song—I have compared her to the Korean Actress Jun Ji Hyun in the past. Her acting skills are most spontaneous and creative. I loved her in Find Yourself.
Chen Xing Xu—Acting since age three, Chen Xing Xu is a veteran actor. He also starred in The Starry Love.
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Ignore as críticas e assista esse drama ?
Realmente não entendi o porque esse drama tem uma avaliação tão baixa, ainda bem que decidi assistir apesar da avaliação.Se você quiser um drama clichê realmente esse drama não é para você, é um drama que trás uma casal principal mais maduro, vemos a evolução deles no decorrer do drama, ML logo no início sabe o quer e vai atrás de FL, quando decidiram ficar juntos foi pra valer, tiveram poucas brigas e elas não me incomodaram porque os dois eram bem compreensíveis e poiavam um ao outro.
Os outros doia casais também foram bons, tiveram algumas pontas soltas mais ainda sim foi bom.
A história de reconciliação da família de FL também foi boa, gostaria que tivessem desenvolvido um pouco mais, porém foi satisfatória.
Enfim, só assistam por vale a pena.
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