This review may contain spoilers
Not easy review
It is never easy to do a review on one of your favorite actors' dramas, in this case Kido Ma without biases but I will do my best.... I will be unpopular for some, however i like to think I am a minority, so my opinion is mine only and carries little overall weight.... Ok, I still gave it a high score based that I finished the drama, these days trust me, I dropped just as many as I finish so if I finish the drama deserves a higher score.What worked in this drama? I think the second lead pairing of the mother and the younger guy worked perfectly. I think the acting by the entire cast worked well..... i think the settings being simple helped!
What lost minimal marks - I think the overall engagement the leads had with the viewers i felt lost marks. This is a just a blue lagoon type romance, but to some degree i felt it watching those movies. I didn't feel it with these leads. Usually, a drama leaves me wanting to see more from actors/actresses, wasn't feeling it.... I have seen plenty of Jerry Yan anyway....
Kido Ma, tough one. Obviously, he didn't win the girl. Did it matter for me as I am a fan of his? Not really....
Was she the girl worth fighting for? My answer is for Jerry Yan 'YES', for Kido Ma 'NO'..... Many people don't know this however these dramas are designed to have no conclusion, to open up the door for more dramas, this drama is perfect example of an incomplete ending which I find 90% of dramas fall into....
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Flawed but Interesting May-to- December Trip thru Female Fantasyland!
I have to thank someone somewhere (here? Reddit?) for referring this show to me. It's a completely new experience for C-Drama fans. This isn't a show about a smirky guy who falls for a dish of a beautiful girl. It's the complete opposite.Imprisoned by her helicopter Mom and fears of a sickness relapse, He Ran (Xu Ruo Han) breaks out of captivity and loses it for a super-himbo who washes her hair with the grace of Adonis. Sir Hunkalot's job is to stand around, look pretty, show muscle -- and keep his mouth shut. So that love/lust at crazed He Ran can pursue him without hesitancy or apology.
(No, I'm not spoiling. This is all minutes within Episode 1!!!)
This young actress is an inspiration to all young women who find their first beau. Don't wait for him to discover you. Grab him by the ear and drag him where you like. It's like this series has never heard of patriarchy.
I skip the summaries of shows these days because they're less accurate and more marketing. That was a mistake for this series because there's one thing you have to know for the show to make sense: the hunk and beau and fantasy inspired Xiao Han (Jerry Yan) is significantly older than He Ran. (I wish she was called She Ran, but because did she ever run towards Xiao Han.)
This is not only a May to December Love Story, but it's a theme that gets repeated in the secondary couple. My problem is the second plot line is rather sloppy and bumpy. It's not clear what the man in the second couple sees in the woman, who comes off as too much of mess to be attractive. At one point the woman asks what the boy sees in her, and the show never answers.
I attribute the unconvincing second couple to hurried poor writing. They didn't have to make her such a mess (the fried chicken and cognac scenes). That was quick and lazy. She could have simply played a sad song on that piano and wiped away tears, revealing to her subordinate his boss's hidden pain.
Also disappointing with the secondary couple was that they completely abandoned the show's delightful coastal palette. We went directly into the ordinary office romance aesthetic, which dumped a bucket of ordinary visual on top of extraordinary vistas.
The more I think about it, this writer struggled with supporting characters. Fattie came off as too generic a character, there was the little daughter who we loved but then vaporized and was replaced by an older daughter. The sister/thief who came and went like filler, and the worst of the worst was the persistent like a summer cold Han Yu (Kido Ma) whose relentless pursuit of our female lead was as repetitive as it was obnoxious as it was boring.
Frankly, and this a shame here, the writing was as inspired as it was insipid. It would alternate. Typically the dialog was fine if not great, but the plot choices and twists -- especially towards the end -- were both pointless and maddening. Like how a main character simply vanishes, which is impossible in the days of cellphones and texts. If you want to find someone, find them. And there was also the annoying secrets which were kept absurdly long.
If you love someone, you tell them your secrets -- unless you are a four year old child. With sincere apologies I fear the writer is as immature as her characters. This show at times felt like a brilliant series... written by a twelve year old girl.
The main couple are really the only reason to watch this show, and they are extraordinary because as the lyrics keep whispering -- is this love a reality or a fantasy. Everyone's first real love floods our brains with dopamine and other chemicals and FORBIDDEN FLOWER is literally the staging of such feelings.
This isn't the reality of a girl falling in love with a man. It's the rainbow underwater mermaid sunset fantasy of idealistic love.
There's a hospital situation regarding He Ran, but to me it only adds to the fantasy level of first love. "Why I'll just die if I don't get my man!" is what I really hear. In fact the entire series reminds me of poignant lyric from 'London' by the Pet Shop Boys, "I want to live... before I die."
The music is really solid. A lot of songs, none repeated to often or used as blatant filler. (I'm talking to you, MEET YOURSELF.)
Oh, and speaking of that series, fans of that show rave about the cinematography. They shouldn't. There's a difference between filming extraordinary outdoor shots in an average way VS. filming average things in an extraordinary way. This show is REAL photography at its finest.
One odd note here is that the two lead women are not as attractive as the two lead men. This further supports the notion of pure female fantasy, because it implies you don't need to be a knockout to land a knockout.
(Please ladies, both of these women are beautiful, I know. What I'm saying is that on impossible Chinese standards, they're not the prettiest Chinese actresses out there.)
So do I recommend this series? Kind of. The writing is so uneven it's hard to say yes, but there are elements of this show so unique I didn't hate watching it. Luckily the series is over in 24 instead of 40 episodes like most shows, and so the main love story gets you to the finale.
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Sweet. Romantic. Steamy.
Given the steamy trailers, this drama is surprisingly sweet and full of warmth and charm. The gorgeous coastal scenery and the laidback beach vibe are like a vacation getaway for us the audience. The OSTs are great—some slow and sultry, others fun and upbeat. The actors are all knocking it out of the park. The visuals are top-tier. It’s a pretty drama to watch with its stunning cinematography, stunning native costumes, and stunning people. Jerry Yan’s undeniable sex appeal has us swooning, but his character Xiao Han’s calm demeanor, sincerity and gentleness are what moves our heart. Actress Xu Ruohan’s unwavering confidence in the face of such a seasoned, handsome man and her mastery of the playful character, He Ran, are truly admirable. She’s young, but she’s holding her own well. She unabashedly pursues that gorgeous man. And, the sensible, responsible ML tries to push her away, but he finds himself smiling constantly, involuntarily, at her antics as if he just can’t help succumbing to her charms. We, the audience, can’t either! Their chemistry is both adorable and smoking hot. Really enjoying this! Just disappointed the drama’s final edit deleted some of the hottest and best scenes (ep 9 for example). You can find them if you search hard though.Was this review helpful to you?
One of the Amazing Dramas i watched till now !!
I found out Those who had bad reviews on this Drama .... On the main Leads Age gap i don't think its necessary ... Because the Male lead looks quite young ..... Usually he doesn't seem like 40's .... Actually he looks so young .... Nd quite looks handsome frm his previous dramas ... This drama is actually quite unique and very intersting frm the begining when i started watching it.... Both are compatible actually ....His side looks are damn gorgeous in this drama.... ❤❤ Really love it .... In My P.O.V we don't focus on their real age but pay attention to the work they done .... Nd i don't think its a quite big deal about age etc ... He is suitable and worthy on this character... ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Was this review helpful to you?
Beautiful Drama
This was a beautiful Drama, Nice story with a spectacular leading male and lovely female lead. The settings were stunning. Absolutely loved the wedding and the traditional clothing. Sad at times and frustrating too at the beginning when she lied so much. Not sure how it ended though . I Would like to think she recovered and came back to him. He had the gentlest, most loving nature. Her home life was sad and her cousin was a nuisance. I am so glad she found her ideal man . He is aging gloriously.Was this review helpful to you?
Beautiful
Bueautiful, sensual, passionate and innocent all at once.I randomly find this chinese drama and wasn't expecting much: the plot seems simple and a bit of "deja-vu" but I was mistaken.
It takes my breath away.
The OST is wonderful, both male and femal leader are glowing, the direction is a fine balance between poetry and reality and it succeds in never being corny.
A journey in tenderness and delicacy that will melt your soul.
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The best thing about the drama is no doubt the chemistry between the two leads. They absolutely sell the “forbidden” love really well. Like most forbidden love stories, it is usually all-consuming flames and you see that with how Jerry Yan and Xu RuoHan interpreted their roles. Whenever they look at each other, tease each other, small touches and especially intimate scenes, there was no awkwardness at all and you definitely would believe you are seeing Xiao Han and He Ran.
All the casts delivered their acts perfectly - most notable is He Ran mom/Qiu JiaRong - Huang Yi. In the drama, I think she had to give the most range of emotions - protective mother and anxiety-driven widow to a woman who is on the verge of finding a new dreamy love.
As for the cons, editing has its goofs but the most obvious flaws are its lack of characterization and underdeveloped storylines. Han Yu and Xiao Han suffered here the most. Han Yu was sidelined as nothing as comic relief until the very last episode while you will keep waiting for Xiao Han to get this big background story but nothing was ever explained properly. Instead we get side characters from him that came in and out without real impact like QuanQuan and QinZao. I should not compare drama with the book but if they did not plan for QuanQuan storyline to be same as her(his in book) then maybe they should have done away with her suddenly appearing and disappearing in the story. As for Qin Zao - maybe they were tried of ex-lovers appearing to bring complications so they chose to make her sister to Xiao Han’s ex instead but her appearance was again a problem as it did not add any depth to Xiao Han’s character. I prefer drama Xiao Han(obviously kinder and more responsible than book) but at least book Xiao Han, I knew him more and I know by the end, he had grown as a character and as a man.
Overall it is a great and definitely memorable drama. Directors deserved kudos for art and feelings translated to film medium. Music scoring a top tier. Lastly, a big salute to all actors!
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This review may contain spoilers
One of my biggest disappointments, I should have not gone into it with expectations
I think I may be in the minority here, but I think this drama is super overrated. I started watching it with a lot of expectations, but other than a couple of episodes, the rest i was pretty disappointed about.The first 10 eps was a struggle to push through: I found their relationship at the beginning very awkward and I was just embarrassed for her for most of it.
After they got together it was OK, but I really did not feel that much of a chemistry between the two.
The couple of break ups and getting back together was just annoying. like girl, he is in his 40s...if you explain the situation he can make his own decision.
And then the finale, I was expecting it. What I was not expecting was that i did not even shed a tear, I just did not care. I don't know if I wasn't vibing with the actress or something, I just didn't care.
Also, the mother romance storyline...I couldn't care less. Wasted time that could have been spent on the leads relationship.
There were two scenes I liked that I will mention:
-The wedding was shot beautifully, I loved how the scene looked.
-The scene were the 2ML finds her crying in the street and they have a convo and cry together. That was the only scene where I almost teared up. Honestly, the only emotions I got out of this drama was pity and sadness for the 2ML.
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This review may contain spoilers
Wonderful! I just don't give it a 10 because of the ending. ( lt's not exactly a sad ending... )
Despite some nonsensical parts...
lt has a very beautiful story around gardening and an ML with an unimaginable character and personality.
ML is one of the most wonderful personality MLs that ever appeared in dramas. Kind, patient, compassionate, loyal, faithful, sweet, passionate, warm ( and hot), SUPER responsible, gentle, humble, noble, committed and generous...
A personality quite similar to ML from hotel del luna
FL despite having some flaws was also had a wonderful and courageous personality...
I believe that this is one of the few dramas where there were two main protagonists with the most indescribably passionate and wonderful personalities.
Really a shame the ending was sooooo dry...
The drama makes us really want to be a better person!!!!
The music is also beautiful...
[ SPOlLER ]
The only flaw is the ending where she comes back was so short.
It took away almost all the emotion it should have.
[SPOlLER END]
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Usual story but the songs are awesome
It is a love story totally love story and has some emotional scene. They were the songs of the drama and the acting of Jerry yan which hold the story .I really not understand the female character part as she knew that she was ill then why she forced him to love . I didn't know that she was already ill before meet him or after .
If she was already ill before meet him so it would be better to have one sided love . And if she was ill after meet him so she should tell him but she just left him because she didn't want him to be sad but then why she came to him and spend some days with him and asked for his forgiveness and then after spending a night she left him . Then after one year she came to him and said him that she didn't like if some other woman said his name and she tried to stay beside him , actually what she wants that not clear she wants him or it is better to leave him .
At the end he knew about her illness and accepted her .
Yes ,story has sad ending . Story could be better. I watched this drama because of the male lead and the songs.
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This review may contain spoilers
Beautifully shot, incredibly stupid
This is what people who've never been outside think romance is.Of course it's inappropriate to pair a child with a middle aged man, but the even bigger problem is that their story is BORING. she's chasing him all the way to his village, when all he wants is to be alone and have that beer. she's stalking his work, she gets jealous and possesive in an incredibly immature manner, and this somehow is romantic. wow, sign me up
The only interesting part (hence the 4 stars, otherwise it would be 1 star), is the journey of the mother character. we get to see her protective but overbearing side while dealing with a sick child and the toll it takes on her. how strong she should be to support her daughter and hide all of this from her career. the relationship with the guy is so cute, they meet when she's at her lowest, shamefully shoving chicken in the storage room and he falls in love. cute as hell
TL;DR: the whole show looks stunning, yet it's laughably empty
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