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Good script, acting and story
I like this drama for its plot and story. It was very good, suspenseful, and engaging. I never got bored, and the ML is eye candy :). I like everything about the story, except for the revealing. I thought it was taking too long. Overall, it was a quick and good watch. The FL did a good job of showcasing her emotions. She finally got her revenge in the end. I like how the ML supports the FL and they work together as a team. I also like how the madam wasn't too annoying, and I like how the characters in this story stay true to their character, and are loyal to their bosses. In the end, the old man got what he deserved and he died.Was this review helpful to you?
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Revenge based drama
Main leads were connected since childhood. Due to a tragedy they separated and separately had grown up with the same objective .They faced lot of problems in order to take revenge . I liked the starting of the drama and some more episodes where they had shown how they got separated ,how they had grown up and how their moto beame one .finally the had taken the revenge but.....I don't want to be spoiler . Still I will only say this that I really didn't like the ending because the characters of the drama didn't get the poper ending story.
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Revenge plus some romance
Revenge is the main plot for this storyline. It’s done in a sophisticated and well crafted manner. Nothing too complicated or elaborate, but a simple storyline.It’s only 25 episodes, and each Ep about 13 mins only ;) so it’s short and sweet. What I liked was the costumes and setting. Based in Shanghai in the 1920s, they ladies are wearing beautiful cheongsams and I love their hair dos!! What I disliked was the voices being dubbed. It’s so obvious the kids voices are being dubbed by an adult male trying to sound like a kid :(
The first episode has a steamy kiss scene;) then it throws back to one month ago. However, there are no more in the following episodes ;);) All in all it wasn’t too bad. The FL is beautiful and the ML looks quite dashing.
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"a revenge plot and a reunion with my childhood sweetheart"
That's really all you need to know about this drama. With each episode spanning 13-15 minutes, the entire run of 25 episodes is about the length of a full movie.The show starts with mysterious girl - the main actress - waiting at the platform of the train station. It seems she has done Young Master Du - the main actor - a favour of some kind. He thanked her, and gave her a reward, which she brushed off. Instead, she wanted him to take her to a party he would be participating that night. He agreed.
The story started to unfold steadily from that point onwards, and while I found many questionable points throughout this story, I was lulled into my fangirl mode as a result of a script that constantly fueled the passion of the main leads with breathtaking incidental music and flying silk organza fabric in between kisses. Invisible sparks between them were apparent even if you put a brick partition between them.
Somehow, somewhere during the midpoint, the pacing loses its momentum and steam, and you start to notice implausibilities and errors in the writing and shooting. Master Du, the Young Master's old man, was keen to take a second wife even though he had lost function of his manhood years ago. And how did the young lady know this before throwing herself into this is forever a mystery. There was also an episode where the Big Bang Theory explaining the expansion of the universe was briefly mentioned, but considering that this drama was set in the 1910s-1920s, the writers had gotten ahead of themselves. Because while there had been studies and observations to find out the origins of the universe, but the term "Big Bang" itself actually didn't come into existence until decades later. We fast forward. When faced with a life-and-death situation, the leads were given sufficiently ample time to profess their undying love for each other while everything was burning around them - although if you look closely, the flames around there were as safe as a boyscout campfire. But of course, this scenario is not unique to this drama alone.
"Provoke" indeed lives up to its name - by the end of the final episode, I was struck with the thought that maybe the title was meant to "provoke" the watcher. Because, we all love some delightful clichés in our romance stories, and this drama delivered quite a few of them. Yet it's also one of those dramas that makes you straddle a sofa pillow to your chest as you wish for a passionate kiss - only to be trolled not once, not twice, but three times.
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Love & Revenge
A nicely-played drama about love and revenge. The chemistry between the lead couple carried this whole drama. The secondary characters were well played by the supporting actors, and the story came together well (for a mini episode drama). I enjoyed the players so much that I would have loved to see this as a regular length series so that the writers/director could develop the characters a little more.Best to watch all episodes together, so as not to lose continuity. It was hard to break up the episodes (they are so short), but if you are looking for something short and sweet, this one is surely a contender. I wish they had invested a little more time and depth for the ending and explained some of the relationships a little more, but all's well that end happily - and this one did.
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It's not bad, however not great. Still watchable....
If you are looking for a short drama but I would say 3 hour film then this is definately for you....I am a big Zhao Yiqin fan, when this guy started out he was a revelation however as a fan I know he has hit limitations to be in that top 10 which gets the best scripts, gets big name female leads.... He will have to compromise for lessor scripts and not high profile female leads ....
I got excited because I have seen Daisy Li in many dramas in the past, mostly as a second Lead rather that first, she to me actually not bad actress and good pairing for ZYQ....
This is a low budget drama/film, good story line but not great, limited film locations but hey story held out....
You will feel the connection between the male and female lead. For something that is about 3 hours long I say give it a try....
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It is worth it. I recommend. Deserves 10.
Perfect. It escapes the usual stereotypes in Chinese dramas. It keeps us in permanent suspense. There are no repairs to be made. I am very happy that the Chinese production can make a different work, beautiful, well represented and attractive. It has maximum marks in all questions.Perfeito. Ele foge dos estereótipos usuais nos dramas chineses. Isso nos mantém em permanente suspense. Não há reparos a serem feitos. Fico muito feliz que a produção chinesa possa fazer um trabalho diferente, bonito, bem representado e atraente. Tem nota máxima em todas as questões.
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Good quality, chemistry and acting for a low-budget web drama
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25“Provoke” is another well-produced low budget web drama directed by Zeng Qin Jie of “A Familiar Stranger” and “The Killer is Also Romantic“. The production quality is pretty good and I like it just as much as I like the other two dramas. Following a similar format, in twenty-five episodes, 12-16 minutes long, the drama tells the story of revenge, hidden identity and love. I can’t help but compare this drama to another popular web drama “Maid’s Revenge”.
Although I enjoy Dai Gao Zheng’s frequent flashes of his muscular torso and abs in “Maid’s Revenge” more than Zhao Yi Qin’s abs in “Provoke”, I have to say “Provoke” is a much better drama. The story is more coherent with fewer WTH moments. The acting and costumes are better and is also a lot less cringey and trashy.
Actress Daisy Li is beautiful as the sexy Jiang Ying. She is absolutely gorgeous in her various costumes and sexy when she is on stage singing and trying to seduce all the men. Male lead Zhao Yi Qin is handsome, but he is so skinny that when he’s wearing a long coat, it seems like he’s being swallowed. I enjoyed his body-building toned abs but a little too lean for my taste. LOL. Both leads have pretty good chemistry and the acting is pretty good as well.
However, my first reaction to the drama within the first episode is that there are too many slow motion scenes. Why are they walking so slowly? Why are they slowing things down when it’s not necessarily a ‘romantic’ scene? This got better throughout the drama, but I can’t help but also notice everyone speaks very slowly as well. Moreover, whoever dubs the male lead sounds like he’s whispering instead of speaking (a very airy voice). I like the first half of the drama more than the second half. The writing is weaker in the last few episodes.
Overall, if you are looking for a simple and short web drama in the Republican era, I will recommend this. It’s rare to find a pretty well-rounded low budget drama that doesn’t look cheap. Oh, and it has a pretty good OST as well.
Completed: 4/20/2023
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LOVE
I don't know how to express myself at this point, this was far beyond my imagination it was so good that i couldn't even skip a second of it, the emotions it gave me the visuals the acting the music the sets everything got me squealing. I am so satisfied with the ending i need to see these two in another drama cause their chemistry is just perfect that i can't even tell if it's acting or not, this whole plot is just so good i'm not even exaggerating right now i swear i absolutely loved it, i'm never the type to rewatch dramas i only give stars for it for other people to rewatch it but this is the ONLY drama i'd rewatch. Every single part of it is perfect and i'm gonna cry happy tears. Please watch this you won't even regret it the goosebumps cause of the tension is crazy. I'm typing this with excitement 😭Was this review helpful to you?
A Riveting and Well-Balanced Drama: Suspense and Stellar Performances Shine
In the world of dramatic storytelling, Provoke (2023) emerges as a very charming and suspenseful gem. With a finely crafted narrative that expertly weaves its web of intrigue, this drama managed to deliver both nail-biting tension and heartwarming moments.One of its strongest attributes lies in the careful orchestration of drama throughout the series. While some parts did feature an excessive dose of emotional turmoil, it's precisely this buildup that made the climax so much more satisfying. The drama took its time in setting the stage, allowing viewers to become deeply invested in the characters' lives and secrets. When the moment of truth finally arrived, it was a cathartic experience, revealing answers to questions that had been expertly concealed.
The actors in Provoke (2023) delivered performances that were nothing short of amazing. Their chemistry on screen was palpable, creating a sense of authenticity in their relationships that drew viewers in. What truly stood out was the balance they struck—never overacting nor underperforming. Their portrayals felt genuine, breathing life into characters who were multi-dimensional and relatable.
The story itself was a testament to thoughtful storytelling. It didn't overwhelm with too many subplots or twists but provided just the right amount of suspense to keep viewers engaged throughout. Every revelation and plot development felt earned, making the drama all the more captivating.
And then there's the ending—a crucial element in any drama. Provoke (2023) delivered a conclusion that felt both satisfying and fitting. It didn't resort to excessive melodrama or abrupt twists but rather provided a resolution that tied up loose ends in a convincing and convenient manner.
In summary, Provoke (2023) strikes a balance that's often hard to find in the world of drama. It weaves suspense and charm together seamlessly, with standout performances and a well-considered storyline. While it had its moments of heightened drama, they only served to make the payoff that much more rewarding. This drama is a compelling and highly recommended watch for anyone seeking a riveting, character-driven story.
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Sizzlingly Suspenseful
This drama is an excellent watch indeed. Although each episode is quite short at about 12-15 minutes long, each episode packs a punch and ends on a cliffhanger each time. The editing of the drama is excellent. The scenes/ shots are quite breath-taking.What I liked about this drama:
- Excitement from the get-go. I had to move on to the next episode and then, the next! Intriguing plot.
- The ML and FL had sizzling chemistry and looked good together. It was delightful to see their growing attraction to each other.
- There was a suspenseful story to unravel. I liked the use of clothes/ thread to symbolise "hooking" the other party in. The cinematography was nicely done. Quite artistic and beautiful.
- The acting from the cast was brilliant throughout. Actually, the first wife, Wan Yi, was just all bark and no bite. Despite being a minor role, she played her role very well. Thumbs-up.
- I liked that everything wrapped up in the end. The villains were caught and justice was served.
- I liked that the ending was happy enough. :)
What I didn't like so much:
- Some parts of the plot skipped a bit too much and were not very credible or well-linked but... I was willing to close an eye. Overall, this drama was nicely done!
My verdict: Please watch this excellent drama. :) It is Sizzlingly Suspenseful! It is a great drama. Join the exciting ride! :)
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so du xunyu and jiang ling meet at a train and through this and that they become acquaintances. now xunyu's father takes a liking to jiang ying and marries her. now xunyu and jiqang ying both have their fair share of secrets which start unveiling one by one.
the plot was a good one for revenge drama. even the budget was high. however this being a short drama, the moment i was getting into it ended. imo it couldve been longer and we coulve gotten more information on both the main characters. i understood jiang ying's past and her reason for revenge but im really confused about xunyu's past. this was quite rushed and as much as i was excited to watch this (i waited a whole week to watch it in one sitting lmao) this was very mediocre
THE FACT I CAME FOR ROMANCE BUT THERE WAS BARELY ANY ROMANCE IMMA CRY
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