Begin Again (2024)

Healing drama of 2024

Having walked out of a toxic job and figuring life in 2024, I resonated so well with the story, and am so grateful to hear assurance from this show. <3

I would recommend this drama for anyone lost in life, figuring out life, a drama suitable for start of the year. It has a slow, dreamy vibe with soft filter effects that makes it like a film, plus the soundtrack is so suitable for the story. Each character has their own story developed nicely till the end. Some mentioned that main character's story was cut short, but I felt the multiple character introduction makes a good break to develop the story as a whole!

It's not heavy in romance yet some parts makes your heart race - the dialogues, the acting - it makes me want to fall in love again. The life lessons learnt there is a 10/10.

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Actress that EATS!

Niche drama similar vibe to "Make it till you fake it." It's a Modern mature romance focusing on couples pass their 30s. Not that many can relate to this drama, but it's got its charming points:

1. Macau - a specific unique vibe. The drama explored plenty of the city's charm.
2. The Food scenes. If you are a foodie, you'll like this part. I actually appreciate the actress chowing down in the eating scenes. (You know after seeing C-Drama actors fake eating apple, pastries.) Food culture is the way to bring people together.
3. Warmth of a family without toxic parents and the small community that everyone knows everyone. Unrelatable but totally charming.

The relationships in focus:
1. Race car driver & artist gallery girl. Complete hotness overload couple but I didn't find their story all that interesting. This is what I call unrelatable hot boredom.
2. Smart Marketing Manager and the local know everyone guy. By far this is the most charming pair. She's working her life away (Most people have felt that sometime in their lives) and he's the enjoy life is short. Their relationship is the classic opposites attract type.
3. Less in focus, the Hotel employee with the piano child prodigy.

Supporting cast:
1. Parents that own the restaurant. Love this family!
2. Divorce parents of the young daughter that's getting married to the older brother. Dad is totally skippable. Mom is funny.

Last 2 ep felt draggy.

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A Heartfelt Ode to Macau

Begin Again is a charming drama aired during the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Macau's return to China after over 400 years of Portuguese rule. Beyond being a simple drama, it serves as a love letter to Macau, showcasing the city’s idyllic lifestyle, unique culinary heritage, and cultural blend of East and West. Macau is also a unique confluence of Mandarin and Cantonese, and the drama beautifully highlights this linguistic duality, adding depth and authenticity to its portrayal of the city.

Set against Macau’s slower-paced lifestyle—a stark contrast to the hustle of nearby metropolises like Hong Kong and Shenzhen—the series weaves its story through vibrant visuals of local delicacies, historic landmarks, and contemporary attractions. Its promotional intent is clear, and it delivers beautifully on this front.

Storyline
The narrative takes its time to introduce the four main characters, whose chance meetings evolve into meaningful connections. While the overarching plot takes a backseat to Macau’s scenic and cultural showcase, the character interactions provide a gentle framework for the drama’s progression.

֍ Mai You Ge (Amy Chen): An advertising executive in Macau to oversee a promotional video project for an international hotel. Lost in a foreign city where she doesn’t speak the language, she meets Xu Jun Le (Sunny Sun), a charismatic local who doubles as her informal guide and companion.
֍ Chen Jia Hui (Zhong Chu Xi): An art director and artist representing Macau’s glamorous and artistic side. She crosses paths with Han Jun Hao (Elvis Han), a professional race car driver in town for the thrilling Macau Grand Prix. Their first encounter—a spontaneous and adrenaline-fueled motorcycle race—sets the stage for a story brimming with speed and passion.
֍ The third and quirkier subplot involves a hotel manager who finds herself babysitting an 8-year-old Eurasian boy—a piano prodigy preparing for a recital.

Each storyline feels secondary to Macau itself, which remains the true star of the show.

What Worked
The drama shines in its portrayal of Macau as a city of contrasts—new and old, glamorous and traditional, East and West. The slow-paced, idyllic lifestyle is a refreshing escape, and the sumptuous local cuisine is almost a character of its own.

֍ Cultural Representation: Through Mai You Ge’s wide-eyed exploration, viewers are treated to a culinary and cultural feast. Her onscreen enthusiasm for food is contagious.
֍ Character Diversity: Each character offers a different lens on Macau. Chen Jia Hui embodies sophistication and high society, Han Jun Hao captures the adrenaline-pumping excitement of the Macau Grand Prix and the city’s thrill-seeking side, and Mai You Ge represents those yearning to escape the chaos of modern life. However, the standout is Xu Jun Le (Sunny Sun), whose carefree, carpe diem attitude is infectious. His simple yet rich life philosophy resonates deeply.
֍ Language Differences: Though both Mandarin and Cantonese are considered Chinese, their spoken forms are vastly different—almost like separate languages. The drama cleverly highlights the nuances of these differences, often using them as a source of humor. Misunderstandings due to language barriers and differing terminology provide moments of levity and authenticity, giving viewers insight into the cultural and linguistic richness of Macau.
֍ Cinematography: The city is beautifully shot, with an emphasis on its blend of historic charm and modern vibrancy. The Grand Prix scenes, in particular, are brimming with energy, capturing the electrifying rush of high-speed racing and the iconic atmosphere of the event.

What Could Be Improved
While the child actor playing the young Eurasian boy performs admirably, his babysitter Casey suffers from awkward and stilted dialogue. Additionally, Isabella (Lisa-Marie Tse) feels overly exaggerated, making her scenes slightly uncomfortable to watch.

Final Thoughts
Don’t expect a gripping or intricate plot from Begin Again—its primary goal is to promote Macau, and it excels in this role. The lighthearted stories of the characters serve as a vehicle to explore the city, its cuisine, and its culture. The Grand Prix scenes add a much-needed dose of adrenaline, and the language differences inject humor and authenticity.

More than just a drama, Begin Again serves as an invitation to visitors and expatriates alike to take a break from their exhausting "996" work lifestyle. It even subtly encourages the idea of moving to Macau for a life inspired by carpe diem—a slower pace filled with rich experiences and simple joys.

At its heart, Begin Again delivers a powerful reminder: the most important part of life is not about results, and it’s not just about the journey—it’s about the company we keep. The last two episodes are especially moving, as they highlight the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and making changes when life isn’t fulfilling. As Einstein put it, “If you keep doing the same thing over and over again, it will not give you a different outcome.”

For anyone curious about Macau or simply looking for a cozy, picturesque watch with a touch of high-speed excitement, Begin Again is worth your time.

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Great for Macau Tourism, but drama lost its focus on the leads in the last quarter of the drama.

As a Macau native myself, I was really excited to see that a drama was set in Macau and starring the sexy Elvis Han. Of course, I’ve got to check it out. I believe this drama was made in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Macau’s Handover back to mainland China from Portugal.

If the drama’s main goal is to celebrate and promote Macau to attract tourists, “Begin Again” scores a 10/10. It showcases the beautiful sceneries of Macau, both the modern Las Vegas of the East full of world class hotels and resorts, but also Macau’s Chinese and Portuguese cultures and influences. There are many food scenes of delicious and expensive-looking food, and local delicacies with neighborly and familial love. After watching this drama, you would definitely want to visit Macau.

However, if I judge “Begin Again’ strictly as a drama, then I am giving this an 8 out of 10. Despite excellent chemistry and acting performances from the four main leads, their romantic stories were not executed perfectly. This is due to the drama’s lack of focus on the main leads especially in the last few episodes. The drama wasted time on characters such as Casey, her family drama and the piano boy. Their friendship is unique and could have been fun if they had their own drama. But in “Begin Again”, their storyline feels out of place and takes away time from the leads. Additionally, too much time was spent on Howard and Jia Jia, and Jia Jia’s parents’ relationships. I fast-forwarded some of their scenes.

On a positive note, I really enjoy the collaboration of Chinese and Hong Kong actors. I was so glad the Cantonese wasn’t dubbed over into Mandarin. It’s just not the same as the Cantonese jokes and slang would be lost in translation. As a Cantonese speaker myself, I enjoy the Xu family scenes immensely - their banter, argument and nosiness. The Xu family brings out the warmth in a slice-of-life drama. I just need them, I don’t need the other side characters.

But as for the main reason for my watch, of course it’s for my big crush on Elvis Han, especially after seeing him in “Fake It Till You Make It”. I was glad to see Elvis in a different role. He’s a little shy and not the confident playboy that he was in the other drama. He’s actually quite adorable in his cute flirting and pursuit of Josephine/Chen Jia Hui. Elvis and Zhong Chu Xi have great chemistry together, though their romance peaks too early. I thought the flirting and the push-and-pull will last longer but I guess since they are mature and know what they want, they went for it. Nevertheless, they are a visually beautiful pair.

The other romantic pair is the more adorable couple of Mai You Ge and Xu Jun Le. Their opposite attracts romance develops a little more slowly from friends-to-lovers. They also have great chemistry, but not the sizzling version as the other pair. And like most viewers, I am more invested in them. Unfortunately, they seem to have disappeared in the last quarter of the drama. After the confession, I was expecting a little more of them as they navigate through these emotions and reality. Instead, they gave way to the other minor characters who took up way too much time in the last few episodes.

The leads careers also play a big part in the drama, especially when romance seems to have helped each of them grow and impact them in some of their life decisions. I enjoy scenes of their professions. I may not be a fan of car racing, but watching Elvis race (he’s actually a race car driver and has a license) is a pleasure. I was glad the drama did not gloss over the Grand Prix scenes as those were actually quite exciting. The Grand Prix is a big deal in Macau, so I actually doubt they would cut those scenes. Afterall, the drama wants to promote Macau.

I would recommend this drama if you are interested in learning more about Macau and are thinking of it as a future vacation destination. It’s also a good drama to watch if you are fans of the leads and are looking for something quite light-hearted. However, I would not say this is a must-watch.


Completed: 4/14/2025 - Review #566

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What a pleasant surprise!

Born Again is a sweet, slow romance with absolutely spectacular cinematography and an OST filled with music that perfectly matches the mood of each scene. There are no great plots twists. It's pretty obvious from the outset where the story is headed, but it is a leisurely, enjoyable journey. The actors all have charming chemistry, and the big family at the heart of the story is wonderfully heartwarming.

I can't say enough about the cinematography. It is stunning. Every scene is beautifully framed and the wide shots of Macau are straight out of National Geographic. Despite this, two things struck me as a bit odd. In the most densely populated region of the world, there were no crowds to be seen until the big car race towards the end. The streets were mostly deserted at night, as were the historic parts of the city. And for an economy based almost entirely on gambling, there was not a casino to be seen.

The OST was oddly fascinating too. All of the music had a decidedly western feel. The instrumentation was mostly acoustic and ranged from nightclub jazz, to piano or guitar duo ballads, with a sprinkling of old school r&b and at least one throw-back rocker. Absent were songs featuring traditional Chinese instruments and the synth-driven pop music in most kdramas. There were several gorgeous ballads sung in Chinese, but a lot of the songs sung in English sounded vaguely familiar, but with unfamiliar lyrics--almost like they were AI generated. All-in-all it was a strange mix, but it perfectly matched the mood of each scene.

There is a lot to recommend here, but it is not a hard-hitting melodrama. It is simply what it is. A sweet, slow, healing romance.

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Life through different experiences.

To be honest i really liked this drama,
1. It really gave the literal meaning of life. Especially at this point where all are so busy and pressurised in their lives and work.
2. It gave the meaning of real practical love. Not something impossible or "it only happens in dramas" type, but practical one.
3. It also showed how to love and care ourselves, how to enjoy the very little things in our lives which we all have forgotten.
4. The songs, scenery, foods, actors, acting, emotions, everything was balanced.
5. It showed how to love and mend our mistakes in a relationship. How to love the ones near to us without taking them for granted.
6. It also showed how not to give up and if we trust ourselves we should take even 1% chance available to reach our goal.
7. At last i really liked Hao and Jiajia wedding speech, their love was so perfect, practical and beautiful. I liked how they demonstrated their love to mend other's feelings too. And
how everything was so connected.
Ofcourse these are just my views and my opinions. I know there are many who have different perspectives and opinions.
Thank you.

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A beautiful summer drama

Such beautiful summer drama which has its own spark . Such a beautiful summer drama . I loved all the aspects of the drama but there were some drawbacks too .
Story :
I loved the story completely until like ep 10 i think. After ep 10 they introduced some other side characters that took too much of the screen time tbh and I would be more than glad if they took some screen time of them .
Elvis × Joe : Damn this couple pairing is top notch . One of the best visually complementing couples in cdrama world imo . They were the hottest couple of the drama and they were the couple that I was most invested in the whole time . Elvis, a racer , casual guy , not in his prime time but not that serious , fell in love with Joe at first site . Joe , a carefree curator, living her life but wanting to break her own boundaries. A very mature love story with mature characters who complement each other very well.

Mai × Le : a very casual couple tryna live their lives . Mai , a corporate worker , who focuses more on her job than anything else . Le , a carefree guy who quit his job and helps his parents run the restaurant. The opposites meet and fall in love . I loved this couple too and wish they had more screen time . They were robbed . They deserve more screen time than the side characters that they introduced from ep 10. A nice realistic approach of their relationship too . I was satisfied with their ending too.

Casey × frank : This was a fresh approach to the story . I loved how their story progressed . While she was with Frank she saw herself in him and she was healing her own inner child by spending time with Frank. The friend/ mother and friend/ son relationship was really heat warming to see.

I liked le's brother and his girlfriend's relationship. What I didn't like was the gfs parents part. They could've removed a whole lot of that and made some screen time for le and mai . The proff was really annoying and skippable .

Acting / casting :
the casting couldn't get any better , everyone were beautiful and upto their characters point . i personally love Elvis han and sunny sun . they suited their characters so well.

music:
music was a plus point to this drama . each scene had a music which was suitable with the scene and environment. the ost's are definitely going on my Spotify list

And last but not least the scenery. A beautiful scenery does not mean a green glass field or a sunflower field and mountains. A busy city with light can be a beautiful scenery too. The scenery matches so well with the music at the back which made the drama more likeable.

overall it was a nice short drama to watch on a free day . Enjoyed it.

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What I like-
1. The whole Macau vibe and the OST were just perfect. I think one of the best I have heard.
2. The beauty of this drama is on another level. The sunsets, night views, the scenic views are just perfect. It felt like I was really in Macau while watching this drama.
3. All the stories were developed separately. Not focusing on a single individual at a time but focusing on every character simultaneously was a great idea. I really enjoyed the first 8 episodes.
4. A little sneak peek of their childhood and careers through photos was such a good idea. They did not waste time to explain all that just the things which were beneficial for the plot.
5. Oh, I love Sunny Sun’s character in this. He was such a soft-spoken man. I was literally smiling all the way through 8 episodes.
6. One of my favorite characters would be Le’s Mom. I mean the unity she holds in the family. The advice she gives. She was just perfect.
7. The purest relationship would be Casey’s and Mark’s. They were healing each other throughout the series. She became a friend, a supporter, and a mother figure which he never had and he became the inner child that she never got to heal.

What I don’t like-
1. It fell flat after episode 8. Too many side characters got introduced and they took the other half of the series. It was like the main leads became side characters in the later parts. I didn't mind seeing other characters getting introduced but I wanted to see the main leads as well.
2. I never got to see Le and Ariel as a couple. I wanted to see their chemistry.
3. I didn't like the abrupt ending. I wanted to know if she really came for him this time and was ready for a relationship or not

All in all, this was a very light and heartwarming drama with deep conversations about life and a reality check for a lot of people.

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Like Eavesdropping on Real Life—But with a Great Soundtrack

This is a breath of fresh air in the world of Chinese dramas. It strips away the usual over-the-top melodrama and instead offers a naturalistic, almost documentary-like experience. The series feels as if the creators simply placed a camera in the midst of interconnected people and let their lives unfold, accompanied by a beautifully curated soundtrack that enhances the realism.

One of the standout aspects of the drama is its mature and authentic dialogue. Conversations flow naturally, avoiding the exaggerated emotions and forced conflicts often found in mainstream dramas. The decision not to censor brand names and locations adds another layer of realism, making the world of Begin Again feel lived-in and genuine. The way the show presents each character’s childhood or background through fast photo animations is particularly effective, providing depth and context in a visually engaging way.

A unique aspect of Begin Again is its approach to storytelling. Rather than focusing on a single protagonist or a central romance, the drama treats every character as the lead of their own life. While some viewers have criticized the introduction of new characters towards the end—arguing that it detracts from the original cast—I see it differently. Life is constantly evolving, and people come and go. The show captures this beautifully, even if some storylines are more compelling than others.

Ultimately, This is a calm, relaxing watch, free from the usual overused drama tropes. It’s a slice-of-life series that embraces the beauty of everyday interactions, making it a truly pleasant and refreshing experience. If you’re looking for something grounded, thoughtful, and effortlessly real, this drama is well worth your time.

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Love, Music, and Macau

Begin Again is the story of the various people living/ temporarily staying in Macau. They are all in some way or the other, interconnected with one another, but that's not what the drama is about. It follows various pairs of people as they navigate a point of their life in the beautiful and peaceful city of Macau.
First of all, the cast. I absolutely loved the whole cast. They perfectly fit in their roles and brought a certain charm to them. The acting is brilliant.
Second, the music. PHENOMENAL. If you want to listen to some great summer tracks, then slice-of-life dramas are what you need to go for. Every song, every melody fit into the series perfectly. I liked how they were mostly jazz or ballad, which helps convey the emotions of the characters to the audience. The music went well with the backdrop of Macau.
Third, the production. REFRESHING. There was something about the drama that was aesthetically pleasing. I loved how the drama used colors. Most of them were summer tones or neutral, which suited the summer theme of the story. I especially liked how the different pairs (especially the two main couples) always wore matching or complementary colors, showing their compatibility.
And finally, the plot and the characters. The plots was nice and manages to be very engaging. However, it does mess up as it nears the ending. It becomes rushing, and the ending was (for me personally) not very satisfying.
The characters are great and I especially loved the chemistry of Mai and Le. They were very relaxing and refreshing to watch. It wasn't a new dynamic that I've seen in dramas, but they still had good chemistry.
I won't write anything more because I'm trying to not spoil it.
I would recommend watching this drama if you're tired or just need to lay back. It's a great summer watch.

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Unexpected

Story:
First, stumbling upon this drama that only had two episodes, I did not expect that this show would be this good. This drama was not like your cliche, the cast was delightful, with no frustrating dubbings that could make your head explode, especially with the female characters since they're annoying and act like their age, unlike many Chinese actresses who have their voices dubbed in childlike voices and act like literal toddlers. Furthermore, the male actors weren't your typical Chinese standard, which made it more realistic. The three different storylines were done well as they were entirely different, which catered to more viewers and made the show less boring. The first storyline with the thot racer and the art curator was hot and new; this was a new storyline for a drama which made it interesting, and the high emotions they had for each other made it intense in a good way, somewhat addicting... The second story with Mai and Junie was my favorite; it was a slow burn but a good what if you know what I mean. Jun le was patient towards Mai, and their scene with another was a chef's kiss ( although I was at the end, they had more screen time). Their situation was maybe one of the healthiest relationships I've ever seen in a Cdrama. The third story with Casey and the piano Prodigy was not my favorite, but it was very interesting since I did skip their scenes I was more interested in the other characters as I was watching this for the romance; it is still a great story if you needed the break from the romance.


Cast:
All actors and actresses suited this role perfectly, and I can't nitpick them since they all did so well! But even though Elvis Han is not my favourite actor as I don't see him as great as an actor but he pulled through

Music:
I didn't care for the music, but the variety was great.

Rewatch value:
I wouldn't rewatch it any time soon, but It's a new comfort show and background TV series whenever I'm bored or studying and need something on the TV.

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