Li Bie Shi Ba Zai, Ai Yi Zhong Lai Chi (2025)

Tearjerker tragedy with couple separated for decades due to family dispute and imprisonment

I was in the mood for Sa Gang Yun dramas. So last night I chose this drama from his youtube playlist because of the running time (just slightly over 2 hours) and the amount of views. Wow, I was moved by the performances that I cried twice! This drama exceeded my expectation - I enjoyed this drama immensely. Sa Gang Yun's best work to date - he is more than just a hot daddy/uncle!

What I liked:
1. Plot - Refreshing. I thought it was going to be similar to other Sa Gang Yun's dramas in which he played a rich ML while his FLs were poor / in need of money. I was wrong! Brilliantly written drama with complex characters. The third act was unpredictable with shocking twists.
2. Acting - Sublime performances by the cast (Qian Chan, Sa Gang Yun, the actresses who played ML's mother, main antagonist & FL's daughter). There were two heartbreaking scenes in the final 30 minutes of the drama that really touched my heart - I cried hard.
3. FL characterisation - Flawed but likeable. She faced a tough choice when she was barely an adult - I could forgive her for taking that decision. She strived to be a better person and oh boy, that last 10 minutes was shocking to me.
4. ML characterisation - He was wrongfully imprisoned so I understood why he had cold demeanour. Even though I disagreed with his revenge on FL, the betrayal was hard to take in.
5. Supporting characters - The doctor who was in charge of FL's daughter's case. He was a good guy but FL friendzoned him - I think because she thought she did not deserve to fall in love again. I also really liked ML's mother and FL's daughter.
6. Styling - Good outfits and makeup for the characters, emphasising the different life stages (for FL & ML) and health levels (for those hospitalised and injured).
7. Duration - At 2 hours 6 minutes, this drama was well-paced and had a good length. I was never bored.
8. Romance - It was mostly in flashback scenes. They were sweet and very much in love. The final 10 minutes demonstrated everlasting love between the couple.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - The green tea was bad $#it crazy! Spoilt brat enabled by her father. FL's father and brother were vicious - they prioritised money over family members. I just couldn't believe how FL's mother was treated.
2. Abuse - Hated when the poor was abused and treated worse than animals.

Favourite scene
When ML's mother told ML about FL's good deeds

Lire davantage