This review may contain spoilers
Engaging in a refreshing manner
There will be comparisons made between Zhong Mo Yuan and "The Heir". This is an absolutely captivating drama by itself, and a must watch if one enjoyed "The Heir".Different times, different challenges, different perspectives and yet there is an immediate sense of familiarity to the intangible aspect of a thousand year lineage of craftsmanship and culture. In "The Heir", there was pride in their "bǎi nián" (hundred years) heritage. Today it is in 35 generations spanning a thousand years. Its not merely pride but a definite sense of fragility in maintaining craftsmanship with the challenge of modern economics of scale amidst the availability of machinery.
In The Heir, it was all about ink and the challenges of a young woman in ancient China's feudal society dominated by the Imperial court. The script had somewhat liberal leanings in very conservative times where a wrong decision can mean the end of a clan. In this Paper Dreams, its all about paper in the modern socialist, communist republic of China. Just as in the intimately entwined relationship between ink and paper in Chinese culture for art and calligraphy, there is much similarities between Paper Dreams and The Heir.
Xuan paper culture has lasted a thousand years. Will it still be relevant for another thousand years? This is the gauntlet thrown at Lin Yiran as she navigates the politics of both party and civil administration as a newby in town. The xuan paper industry itself faces the prospect of economic extinction versus the challenge of adapting to another millennia in digital times. The script is written very well as the opposing forces dances around each other, at times in sync and other times brutally at each other's throat. The interaction of characters are masterfully acted out in their daily life as they coexist in their beloved Peach Blossom Town, TaoHua, finding new angles to culture and economic existence.
Though the scenery is modern, there's much that is breathtaking and much that lend itself to nostalgia. The ancient arched bridge over the flowing river and the various modern expressways and scenes with rivers adds the link of today to a thousand years ago. The smokiness of the mountain clouds and greens adds an ethereal air and one can easily be transported through the ages.
Ma Shou Hua as Xuan Yong Nian nailed the character. Principled, unyielding and ferociously defending the thousand years old legacy at the expense of family, he is kind, stubborn and patriarchal to all who work for him. He is the revered Master to many, but struggles to be the Father of his own son because he becomes the inheritor of the xuan legacy. In more ways than one he outshine the ML though he is listed as supporting role. He is the living legacy yet he may also be the last link.
The life of Zhang Du was nicely played as a devoted apprentice who grew into the detestable comeuppance usurper. He puts a new meaning to villainy.
Taozi is literally the best BFF one can have. She is loyal. And she will be there. She is literally the most dependable friend one can have, with the best shoulder to cry on.
The evolution of Director Liao as the stick in the mud HOD to Ambassador Liao, as mentor and fatherly figure is great piece of script writing nicely played out by Yin Xiao Tian.
*will be updated*
Was this review helpful to you?
