Falling before Fireworks

Not a Typical CEO / Cinderella Love Story

The drama title was at first intriguing me, now I get it why, the " fireworks" means" sparks" not literally. Main Couple started on fast marriage proposal before falling in love, no chemistry in the beginning. As the story progresses, it all changed, misunderstanding, jealousy, assumptions and listening to other's opinions that I truly dislike. Just finished watching.
Loved this modern drama with a cultural and moral values. Showcasing craftmanship, local art talents, embracing and learning from them, and respect for the elderly and most vulnerable ones, realizing that no one really protects the disadvantaged laborers. I am very pleased with the ending - It's a 10 for me. I wish I can see more positive story plot dramas like this. No annoying SML and SFL characters. The most thing I liked was the reversal of role where the female lead is portrayed as strong support to her man not just a wife but an equal partner. I respect both of them and their love for each other.

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Menikah dulu, pacaran belakangan

Drama ini cukup berbeda dengan drama 'tiba-tiba menikah' lainnya. Pemilihan lokasi drama dan sinematografinya sangat bagus. Pemilihan outfit serta penggunaan properti di taman Jing juga cocok, sehingga menambah kesan healing.

Kemudian, saya suka akting FL dan ML. ML mampu menampilkan perasaan emosi dengan baik, dan saya juga suka perkembangan karakter dari FL. Interaksi mereka lucu dan menyenangkan untuk dilihat. Saya merasa tidak ada masalah dengan penggambaran karakter FL dan ML di dalam cerita.

Di awal hingga pertengahan episode, saya menikmati konflik di antara FL, ML, dan mantan ML. Mantan ML memang nampak menyebalkan, namun perkataan yang diucapkannya terdengar realistis dan menarik perhatian saya. Kemudian, saat cerita beralih ke konflik di mana kakak ML dan direktur Xiao muncul untuk mengganggu FL-ML, saya merasa ini terlalu dipaksakan terjadi. Direktur Xiao hanya disajikan sebagai antagonis yang dimanfaatkan oleh kakak ML. Setelah tidak diperlukan lagi, direktur Xiao langsung menghilang. Selain itu, saya pikir perubahan hubungan antara ML dan kakak ML justru terlihat canggung, karena cerita saat mereka masih kecil terlalu kuat.

Di beberapa episode terakhir, love line pemeran pendukung terkesan dipaksakan untuk ikut dimuat dalam cerita. Love line ini terlihat seperti ingin membuat pemeran pendukung juga mendapatkan pasangan masing-masing, agar tidak kesepian dan iri melihat pasangan utama. Menurut saya, mungkin lebih baik jika pemeran pendukung tidak diberikan love line sama sekali, atau berikan beberapa episode tambahan untuk menampilkan sedikit proses pendekatan sebelum resmi berpacaran.

Terakhir, penjelasan semua konflik di drama ini terlalu lama, namun penyelesaiannya terlalu singkat dan terkesan ingin cepat berpindah ke konflik lain.

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A Warm Story

What I like about this drama is the story. This one tells about Si Qing, who neglected by her family since young, and her only need is a warm family, a house where she belongs to.

I understand Si Qing's feelings, because as someone who's from a broken family, what they wanted aren't a big house, just a small ones, when their loved ones accompany them through their days.

Although I didn't really like Jing Chen's personality, he's such a person who always put himself on a pedestal. I dislike his action through the series, how he got his revenge for Si Qing to Xiao guy. I thought he was just adding a problem for her, and he really can't do anything for her other than cooked warm food and gave her a warm house. He did have his own aspirations, and make through it in the end.

Anyway this one is a short, warm story. I loved how they are always for each other, how Jing Chen gave Si Qing a really warm house, warm food, and a love she deserved.

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Really wanted to like this drama :(

Most of the other reviews are very good. Sorry to be the rotten apple, but this didn’t make the cut for me. I truly wanted to like this drama. It had a lot of promise in the first half, then it just got annoying and boring.

The chemistry of both leads were quite evident from the beginning. And I liked their visuals and characters. FL is a successful corporate working in the bank, he is the strong silent artistic type who prefers to work with wood carvings and Chinese relics and antiques. The story unfolds with them meeting by chance (but we later find out that he met her 6 yrs ago) and five days later they are getting married! Lol… nothing new with Chinese dramas I guess. Their romance was progressing pretty nicely and even though the love rival came back (his first love) they managed to sort it out, although I was quite annoyed during those episodes with their lack of communication and wondering how the FL can be friends with the love rival and still hang out w her?? Also, the kissing scenes were terrible! ;) Just closed lips pressed together, haha! Oh, and after two years, the puppies are still the same puppies?? Akakaka!!

But yeah, then the long lost older brother returns and there’s another weird vibe to it. Is he a good guy or bad guy… I was so confused. It was just too strange. After that I started fast forwarding wayyy too much and didn’t really relate to the storyline anymore. Just didn’t hold my interest.

I did like the setting, the Jing Garden and the cinematography. It was quaint and beautiful. To watch or not to watch? Depends on your taste I guess..

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Iqiyi on a roll… beautiful sweet drama

Beautiful beautiful and beautiful. This drama is full with aesthetically appealing actors and actresses in their own way . The main leads chemistry is so cute . This is a beneficial marriage that developed in to something genuine and pure the love , the cuteness , the intimacy the shyness it’s all there. This is a cute melodrama that just warms your heart and makes you smile . Do not hesitate to watch it . The background music blends so well with the drama , everything about it makes you smile . The second leads are just as amazing . There is no evil or annoying characters just people who come together in the end for people the love and care about and I love it

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A romance between two very different people.

I went into this drama with no expectations as I didn’t really know the leads. However knowing that the male lead, Chen Xin Hai was basically debuting I was a little skeptical about it. Specially since I was at the time simultaneously watching “The Love You Give Me,” in which he played one of the secondary male leads, and I was not really liking his story line. However he demonstrated that despite being relatively new to the romance drama stage he was extremely versatile and could play really well a mature craftsman and in TLYGM a young swimming coach. The female lead I had seen once before in “Gank Your Heart,” and she was such an unimportant character that I didn’t even remember. Their love story was so beautiful to see, two people who were alone get together and join forces and despite it starting out as a sort of contractual marriage becoming a real thing pretty early on, I would say. The other leads stories were also pretty interesting to the point where I found myself invested in the entire cast not just the leads for once. The drama is smart and yes it has ex girlfriends that come back and “try” to break them off, but the main couple prevails and they don’t break up despite the distance towards the end. Something which I didn’t think the story needed to add at all. Anyways to finalize my random thoughts I personally really enjoyed this drama and highly recommend it. There is a healthy amount of drama but no unnecessary break ups, etc…

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It's such a lovely healing drama. I like how the male lead is so unusual. He doesn't possess any fancy materialistic things, yet emits a very charming charisma. He doesn't even have a bigger-than-life purpose at the beginning either. He also loses his ownership of the village in the end. I like it that way as it doesn't give false hope. As a non-Chinese, I don't like how all mainland Chinese dramas portrayed all foreigners as villain but oh well, it's a different topic.
And the female lead is very realistic with her materialistic list but in an honest and hardworking way. I find the idea of the male lead thinking that his second half of life belongs to the female lead when she bought his winter solstice house model super cute.
To me, this drama is healing with its soothing and sweet daily lessons.

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light drama that is fun to watch

tbh at first I didn't like the attitude of the FL like the way she just went to someone's house and even disturb his work...as a person who likes to make miniatures I do really hate to be disturb because by doing this you need focus that's why I do understand the situation he's in but I'm Also surprised that he did not reacted much then later I found out that he's emotionless.....but as the time goes by the FL improves so as him.....he is slowly opening his vault locked heart because of her I just love this drama.... after watching intense dramas watching this like makes my stress go away.....from the start till the end I only smiled it's so light that you just need to ready your snacks and your blanket and watch it in bet while it's raining outside........idk why this drama is not popular.....but for me this drama deserves more recognition..........

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I was surprised by the plot.

Well, what to say about this drama? I would say that it is a well-constructed drama, it has romance but the plot is not based on it, I would say that this plot is based on friendship, loyalty, opening up to others, fear, forgiveness, it is that drama of self-knowledge. I started it thinking it would just be a romance with an arranged marriage plot, but it goes way beyond that, if you are expecting a steamy romance this drama is not for you, the romance is just a background. I thought the story was well done, impeccable acting and good production, I liked it but I didn't love it.

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Seem like typical, but it is not

First of all, before i watched the drama, i assumed that the drama gonna be typical contract marriage drama like...
"Let's get married, this is the contract, I'll pay you this and this amount, dont fall in love with me, bla bla bla and then eventually falling in love with each other"
This drama given me the vibe...
"Let's get married. You have no money, no problem , i can afford to make a living for both of us, let give each other chance, we will work on this marriage together, I'll be your home, and you will be my home."
Both of ml and fl are trying to responsible with the marriage. They dont love each other at first, but willing to tried to work with their relationship. They got married and apply for divorce on the same day because of their ego. But I love how the fl asked for a second chance because it is her first marriage at the end of the day, It show that she really wanted to protect their marriage. During cooling off period, they keep trying to understand each other, protect each other and then eventually falling in love with each other. I love how they portray the ml, not like other typical rich ceo. Just ordinary man with no money but love his wife so much as he willing to do anything including giving up to his own principle and dream. And the wife, despite really love money, she willing to give all of it to her husband. I admit approcing the ending, the flow of drama kinda drop, with all the craftsmanship matter, it almost seen like a documentary, but still we can get the main couple relationship going stronger. The most important thing, there are no extremely annoying character, it just enough to make the story interesting. The cinemagraphy are the best. I love all the jing graden thing. Such a beautiful and peaceful place to live in. And the ost!! I keep listen to it up until now. Overall the drama is great, eventhough ut seem boring, but it always gonna be my comfort drama. I'll keep coming back to watched this drama again int the future.

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Cute, healling romance with an exceptionnal aesthetic aspect

Drama remarkable for the beauty of its images, landscapes, the enhancement of traditional craftsmanship.
The architecture is magnificent!! => this drama was filmed in Wuyi County in Zhejiang, at the Jingyuan Ancient Houses Museum . Now, I just want to visit !!

Plot: "impulsive" marriage between 1 career banker FL (craving a family live and home) and 1 ML, handsome, very introverted, architect/craftsman, who restored an old village (that of his adoptive grandfather) for help local artisans. In this unlikely couple, each one will gain the trust of the other, heal the wounds of the past and gradually build a solid bond.

PROS:
+ people who like art, crafts, history,... will appreciate the images, the scenery, EVERYTHING is exceptional.
+ the actors are good, especially the ML who speaks little, but his eyes express so many emotions!
+ no big twist or "great evil", the story is simple enough to be realistic.
+ the production is effective: slow on certain emotional passages, more often dynamic. There are no lengths.
+ The song lyrics just fit the drama so well.

CONS
- the animals (puppies, kittens) are all babies who don't grow during the 3 years that the series is supposed to last :) ;)
- Some story arcs are hasty and give the impression that the difficulties were solved too easily.
- the brother's character is ambiguous, it is difficult to define him for a long time.

=> a short series (23 ep. of 35 minutes) comforting and very aesthetically pleasing.
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Drama remarquable par la beauté de ses images, des paysages, la mise en valeur de l'artisanat traditionnel.
L'architecture est magnifique !! => this drama was filmed in Wuyi County in Zhejiang, at the Jingyuan Ancient Houses Museum .
Plot : mariage "impulsif" entre 1 banquière carriériste (en manque de famille et d'1 maison) et 1 ML, beau, très introverti, architecte/artisan, qui a restauré un ancien village (celui de son gd-père adoptif) pour aider les artisans locaux. Dans ce couple improbable, chacun va gagner la confiance de l'autre, soigner les blessures du passé et construire peu à peu un lien solide.
PROS :
+ les personnes qui aiment l'art, l'artisanat, l'histoire,... apprécierontles images, les décors, TOUT est exceptionnel.
+ les acteurs sont bons, surtout le ML qui parle peu, mais ses yeux expriment tant d'émotions !
+ pas de gros twist ni de "great evil", la story est assez simple pour être réaliste.
+ la réalisation est efficace : lente sur certains passages émotionnels, dynamique le plus souvent. Il n'y a pas de longueurs.
+ The lyrics just fit the drama so so well.
CONS
- les animaux (chiots, chatons) sont tous des bébés qui ne grandissent pas durant les 3 ans que la série est censée durer :) ;)
- Certains arcs narratifs sont même hâtifs et donnent l'impression que les difficultés ont été résolues trop facilement.
- le personnage du frère est ambigu, on a longtemps du mal à le cerner.

=> une série courte (23 ép. de 35 minutes) réconfortante et très esthétique.

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