Formerly Slow (2024)

Very likeable FL living in rural area with sickly ML & 2 children

I am on a mission to watch as many Huang Bo as I can because I am writing an article about his dramas. This caught my attention because it seemed family oriented and yesterday was Father's Day. I enjoyed this drama immensely!

What I liked:
1. FL characterisation - Xu Man is the bomb. She was an overworked doctor who transmigrated to 1980s and her new self was forced to marry a sickly man with 2 children. I liked that she prioritised her family's welfare than her own career - which is unlike other transmigration into 1980s vertical dramas. Xu Man was smart to keep up with her hubby's aunt's scheming.
2. Romance - Gosh I liked how forthcoming FL is when it comes to romance. She desired ML right from the start, always complimenting him on his looks and teasing him about their relationship. I was pleasantly surprised that there is a spicy intimate scene 🔥because vertical dramas with live-in kids rarely have spicy scenes.
3. ML characterisation - Despite his disability, he was a smart entrepreneur. ML was kind and compassionate. I loved that he expressed his thoughts about his aunt directly with FL. I also liked his protectiveness over FL and the kids.
4. Acting - Hou Cheng Yue impressed me with her acting in this drama as she managed to convey different emotions and made Xu Man very likeable. It was awesome to watch Huang Bo as Mr Nice Guy as I always like his soft facial expressions. Both Hou Cheng Yue and Huang Bo have great acting and visual chemistry.
5. Supporting characters - The kids, the director of hospital and FL's grandpa are wonderful additions to this drama.
6. Antagonist - I loved to hate ML's aunt. Putting that aside, it is great to see a formidable antagonist because I am tired of green tea / white moonlight as main antagonist in a vertical drama.
7. Setting - Kudos to writer for choosing countryside as opposed to city for FL & ML's reisdence & livelihood. I liked that the issue of shortages of doctors in rural areas was brought up in this drama.
8. Styling - I really liked FL's clothes especially she wears yellow flowery dress. Huang Bo looked a simple bloke with that hairstyle - different from his usual suave hairstyle.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist - FL's family is despicable. I was shocked by their decision in the third act - after all, they forced FL to move to countryside & marry sickly man. I also disliked snooty behaviour of FL's sister and ex-boyfriend.
2. Surgery - It's funny that FL could operate on a patient even though she wasn't a registered doctor. The director had so much trust in her.

Favourite scene
When FL & ML were intimate with each other for the first time

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