0th3rwise

I decided to watch this series because of the hype it has. After the first episode I was reluctant to finish it and I dropped it. One month or more passed and I chose to continue it and see how it was. I don’t regret it but I didn’t find it flawless. I want to analyse this together with you, because I haven’t read the novel and in this case it seems crucial.

𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 𝓘 𝓭𝓸𝓷'𝓽 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮/𝓘'𝓶 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝓼𝓾𝓻𝓮 𝓪𝓫𝓸𝓾𝓽
- 🇫​🇮​🇷​🇸​🇹​ 🇵​🇴​🇮​🇳​🇹​. I don’t know what happened to the author in the second half of the project: everything starts to make zero sense. From the extreme, enormous miscommunication to how can Seo Wei direct a company and the main (completely nonsense) events in the last four episodes. It's like the author/director wanted to keep milking the story instead of letting it end. The final episode is the cherry on the top: it’s shorter and feeble, not comparable with the fierce, charm and energy seen at the beginning of the series. The plot is interesting at first, it feels like a real ‘enemies to lovers’…
- 🇸​🇪​🇨​🇴​🇳​🇩​ 🇵​🇴​🇮​🇳​🇹​. The very first episode, as I said, made me initially stop. The impression it passes down is one of the most toxic and childish I have ever gotten of a project. However, watching the whole work, I believe its purpose is to highlight the characters’ growth (Chi Cheng and Wu Seo Wei’s). Also, it well explains the initial situation, it clarifies all the facts.
- 🇹​🇭​🇮​🇷​🇩​ 🇵​🇴​🇮​🇳​🇹​. Wu Seo Wei claims to be straight. The comprehension of his sexual orientation never happens and the viewer feels confused. A conversation between friends is missing here, an official realization from the main character instead of the usual ‘I’m straight but I like him’.
- 🇫​🇴​🇺​🇷​🇹​🇭​ 🇵​🇴​🇮​🇳​🇹​. There is a significant dispute over the sexual interactions. This is a huge and sensitive topic, because ‘consent’ should be the most vital part of a couple’s intimate life, especially if we’re talking about something that runs on television. I read some other reviews regarding the main couple and, although it seems SA, people who read the novel claim that is BDSM. In my opinion, it isn’t clear: there are no clues about the alleged BDSM, if not one frame in the second half or another one where Wu Seo Wei is blindfolded. Due to this missing scene or conversation, people think is SA. It is true that Chi Cheng mentions several times ‘I cannot bring myself to force onto him’ when consulting Guo about it. And it is true that Wu Seo Wei clearly expressed his displeasure towards some of Chi Cheng’s actions. Furthermore, in a shoot during the second half, Chi Cheng backed off after seeing Wu Seo Wei didn't want anything. Finally, BDSM actually works that way (with the pain and ‘saying no’ stuff) and there is a specific word to use when you can’t bear with it anymore (that is not just ‘please stop’). What went wrong for me is the communication with the viewers who didn’t read the novel: initially I believed it was SA as well but, now that I have this new prospective, I’m starting to see the project under a different light. Indeed, considering my taste, I would have liked to see even more (if you’re into this you can watch ‘The Next Prince’ ep 8).
Anyway, these reflections lead to appreciate the director’s work about these exchanges. The sexual interactions, the kisses, the hands on the neck, the catches, the force all assume another form, other colours. Nevertheless, I still have doubts about the start (meaning I’m unsure about the rating as well): Chi Cheng’s approach is physical indeed, but he does nothing until is Wu Seo Wei to say ‘yes’ (except for one specific occasion, which Wu Seo Wei considers a proper SA).
However, few occurrences aren’t included in this analysis. For example, the reason why both couples have proper, complete sex. As I see it, the way they are led to it is one of the most unsafe I have ever seen. I'll let you be the judge. Despite this, both first time scenes is romantic and well acted; I, also, really appreciate the whole candle setting.
- 🇫​🇮​🇫​🇹​🇭​ 🇵​🇴​🇮​🇳​🇹​. Xiao Shuai and Wu Seo Wei’s friendship is difficult to frame. Should we appreciate the mutual back up even when the decisions are insane? I’d like to mention the very beginning (when Seo Wei came up with the idea of pursuing Chi Cheng) as an example. And isn’t it shocking that the same friend who sustains you is the one making you do things you don’t want to? I’ll choose the last part of the previous point as an example (‘For example, the reason why both couples have proper, complete sex’). Furthermore, they forget everything one another. From my prospective, this friendship is undefined (maybe because they have known each other for so long), limitless but also bilateral, therefore balanced. In the end, it seems a good thing: they both worry and care so much for each other.

𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓘 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮
I find the whole ‘snakes thing’ extremely fascinating. From what I’ve read, they symbolise Chi Cheng’s obsession, his link with the past and, through them, we can track the character’s growth. This evolution can, also, be see through locations: Chi Cheng’s first house is my second favourite setting (dark, deep, mysterious – just like him), but then he moves to a lighter place (guess why). Moreover, I find the snake a very sensual and charming animal, it perfectly represents its owner and his soul. But they can kill too; this is the discomfort, the anger, the grudge of this character. Despite the ‘sexual topic’ we just discussed, Chi Cheng’s character has an aura that enchants me (and his taste in bad is exciting). I believe he changes for Seo Wei and really cares for him. All the miscommunication in the second half is a huge shame.
Additionally, the support of Chi Cheng’s older sister is moving. It seems like they don’t see each other that much but she always looks out for him. In the beginning with Yue Yue, then with their father. Like her, Seo Wei’s mother has a crucial role in the story. She’s another lovely sustaining character that ‘understands the two of them’.
Lastly, there is a take I’m crazy about: the ‘firework scene’. It’s absolutely my favourite of the whole show. There is a stunning kiss in my opinion and everything feels so natural, calm and comfortable. The characters are smiling happily, fearlessly. The kiss is what charms me and catches me the most, it’s just so well shot and directed. Furthermore, its setting is my number-one location between all the places: Wu Seo Wei’s home, the house where his mother lives.

𝓵𝓮𝓽'𝓼 𝓭𝓮𝓮𝓹 𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓽𝓮𝓬𝓱𝓷𝓲𝓬𝓪𝓵 𝓹𝓪𝓻𝓽
- 🇩​🇮​🇷​🇪​🇨​🇹​🇮​🇴​🇳​ 🇦​🇳​🇩​ 🇸​🇪​🇹​🇹​🇮​🇳​🇬​🇸​. I read that the director and the author are the same person. I think I can see that in the final result. The way the scenes are shot, it’s like I can identify her ‘touch’ somehow. For example, in the symbolism of few locations (Chi Cheng’s apt) or in the characters’ interactions. This is an important detail that the director took seriously into consideration since she’s also the writer (I talked about this before in this review).
- 🇻​🇮​🇸​🇺​🇦​🇱​🇸​ 🇦​🇳​🇩​ 🇲​🇺​🇸​🇮​🇨​. The photography and colours aren’t exciting. Most of the tones seem flat except, for example, that blue tone you see in the cover (that is from a specific scene in the show) or the pastel colours you see at Seo Wei’s home (idyllic environment). Except for two locations (Wu Seo Wei’s home, Chi Cheng’s first apt), the other settings are, again, nothing exciting, just normal. I fell in love with the opening and that moving guitar theme. Overall, I like the songs, and the sound is also good.
- 🇦​🇨​🇹​🇮​🇳​🇬​ 🇦​🇳​🇩​ 🇨​🇱​🇴​🇹​🇭​🇪​🇸​. The actors’ performances are generally good; I see enough chemistry between the two couples. One thing I don’t like is the crying scenes. Personally, I find it so difficult to act naturally and seem realistic. Not everyone can do it. In particular, Zi Yu’s acting (in crying scenes) doesn’t impress me much, and he cries a lot. Liu Xuan Cheng’s representation also doesn’t amaze me. I slightly prefer Zhan Xuan and Tian Xu Ning’s interpretations. The casting is great: aesthetically, the main couple is perfect. Tian Xu Ning and Zi Yu look extremely nice together. I can't really explain how, but both their faces and bodies are somehow an impeccable and ideal match. Especially, their visages. In particular, their moles (on the face). Although, as I said, I don’t really like the colours, the clothes are marvellous. Specifically, I’m addicted to Chi Cheng’s white shirt with black flowers. I'm literally so obsessed I wanted to buy it.

𝓡𝓮𝔀𝓪𝓽𝓬𝓱 𝓥𝓪𝓵𝓾𝓮
I think I’m going to watch again just one or two scenes. I’d recommend the show but just the first half? The second one makes so no sense that I don’t know what to say. It’s such a shame. It is indeed interesting at first…
This is one of those times when I really am sad about it.

𝕋𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕜 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 <𝟛