This review may contain spoilers
Shockingly good and well worth the time-link
I first wrote the review after watching 13 translated episodes (many thanks to SOONSETRA for delivering!!!) of this short drama (max 20 minutes long each) and here was my original impression:incredible plot with the "gotcha" villain
amazing characters
awesome dialogues
fantastic acting of leads and secondary
skillful directing
flawless editing
beautiful and fitting OST incl. bgm but in YT version, unfortunately I recognized music from other minidramas (incl. Li Fei's The Tale of Love and Loyalty jig) which dropped the rating half a point.
tacky decor
eye candy outfits
grateful for tactful combining of serious with comedy, thought provoking with slow burn romance and consistent characterization of FL (thanks heavens).
And after finishing al episodes I am sticking to the 9/10 because the story (of poisoned babies, their moms and people dear to the leads) gives depth to this slow romance and tale of friendships and blood ties. Plus we get to see a rare sadness that comes with watching what happens when you live knowing that life is ending before you even started enjoying it. I loved the romance: the actors were very well paired and delivered excellent performance. Majority of production was cohesive and even if there were goofy parts of the script/story that could have been better developed/delivered, this was almost on par with my favorite mini drama A Familiar Stranger.
Who should not watch this: lovers of simplistic plot and usual tropes (I honestly did not see that much of troping here). People who cannot take ambivalence in the ending (don't worry it's good, but not "juicy kiss followed by carrying her princess style to the alcove"-very fitting for what we had seen in 24 episodes). Anybody who needs a villain all throughout the drama.
Is it spectacular? No. But it has nice visuals, even though a bit tacky for my taste.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orJVihzImyk&list=PLZHWNFciVYEN4-BtQFe_TJC2wj9TwnSPb
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A Different Flavor of Mini Drama Magic
The mini drama pantry has been serving up some surprisingly delightful treats lately.This drama offers a refreshing and intriguing plot that stands out from the sea of overly familiar tropes, and its execution is nothing short of captivating.
Visually, it’s a feast. The angled shots, blurred edges, and surreal dreamlike visuals perfectly match its English title ''Half Awake in a Fleeting Life'', immersing the viewer in a hazy atmosphere where reality and memory intertwine. The flashbacks, in particular, are beautifully crafted—testament to thoughtful editing and inspired directing.
The performances elevate the story even further. The entire cast shines, but I especially enjoyed the bonds the female lead shared with both the ML and the SML. The chemistry was undeniable, though my heart leaned toward the FL and SML dynamic. Perhaps I’m biased because Lin Ze Hui has always been a favorite of mine, but his character radiated such purity that he easily stole the spotlight for me.
That said, the drama isn’t flawless. The background music, while featuring some familiar yet enjoyable tracks, occasionally overwhelmed the scenes with its volume and intensity. Coupled with the absence of strong subtitles, it made watching more challenging than it needed to be.
Still, these drawbacks don’t eclipse the overall experience. Half Awake in a Fleeting Life is atmospheric, original, and quietly impactful. If you’re craving something different—something that feels more like a fleeting dream than a typical romance—this is a drama I’d wholeheartedly recommend.
I only wish it were more widely available on streaming platforms, as tracking it down felt like a treasure hunt across various sites. But perhaps that’s fitting: sometimes the most unusual stories are the ones worth chasing.
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REBORN THEME IN DIFFERENT ANGLE
usually the reborn themed drama will have the leading character reborn from death. not this one. this one the main leading characters is not reborn, but they are around the people who are reborn from past life. so this is intersting.bravo to the novel write who could come up with such plot twist.
even the actors didnt dissapoint. they acted very good.
i never thought i'd actually like huang riying in this drama. i first saw her in other drama (i forgot the name) she was paired with cheng lei and she was a dissapointment for me. sexond time i watched her in Voyage to Haihun, and she began to capture my attention with her acting. and now this, i kinda like her. she looks very pretty in this drama and she acts really well.
the costumes and make ups are very beautiful. i love the hair dos of crown prince and yin zheng.
the opening theme is good. just perfect duration.
overall this drama deserves more views and the actors deserves more recognition.
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