Could Have Been Excellent But Went Nowhere Due To The Writer's Attempt To Overcomplicate Things
Positive points
1. Good Cinematography, Direction, and Music.
2. Zhao Lusi was great in her portrayal of Xu Yan. A grey-shaded character suited her well. Those in charge of her makeup and costume need a raise. She was looking so classy and beautiful.
3. I really loved the portrayal of the healthy relationship between Xu Yan and her in-laws. Though Xu Yan's relationship is toxic with her parents and with her sister, she has a good relationship. I appreciate that the writer avoided showing a toxic relationship between the sisters.
Negative Points
1. The first half was so good, and I was totally engrossed in the story and was very interested to know about Xu Yan's journey of self-independence. That phase started really well and my god Zhao Lusi was really good in those scenes. But, then the writer suddenly decided to change the focus of the drama from romance to half-baked, unrealistic, poorly developed so-called women empowerment plot filled with potholes and multiple subplots without adding any value to the main story. Within all this the main focus of the story lost focus. Where is the character growth for Shen Haoming, honestly? Why is not Shen Haoming's mental state during the separation period was not explored in depth? If you don't show his perception at all, how will viewers relate to the couple's love story. Who wants to see Xu Yan's and Shen Haoming's business problem in so much detail? It's a romance drama mainly. Why is the focus not on their relationship and communication that much? Due to this, I can hardly relate to Shen Haoming's character. So, his sudden possessiveness and jealousy over Xu Yan's investor feels a bit off and turns his character childish instead. Moreover, during the 2nd half the writer has turned the ML, specifically the medium of comic relief that completely contradicts his personality shown in the first half. Instead of focusing on unrealistic subplots if the writer had invested time in the proper story development for the reconciliation of the leads, it would have been much better. The methods the ML used were honestly extremely childish and irritating.
2. Even when the writer chooses to focus on the startup and a completely unrelated career (unrealistic) for the FL should it not have any logic, honestly. It just downplays her character development. Within the 30days cooling off period, Xu Yan is doing livestream for selling clothes, groceries, chicken feets. Then she quits her job and launches a startup, makes sample, does video shorts, tries to convince tons of investors for funds, goes on a vacation with Shen Haoming for a charade. Comes back and launches a physical outlet and still 1 month is not finished. How many days are there in a month?
Xue Yan calls Shen Haoming to remind him about the divorce tomorrow. But he pretends to be out of the country for a few days. But a few days later its the next day 8th. Did the writer not notice the time line at all before writing it. This just spoils the viewing experience. Also, even if I can ignore it, Shen Haoming's out of character behavior without any proper buildup feels empty to me honestly. They also spent so many time on Qiao Lan's ex. This is just idiotic. Too many subplot and lost main focus.
In order to add comic relief and jelousy angel between ML and Jiang Liang the writer downplayed the character of the FL. It seemed she really didnot have much idea about a startup. It lowkey felt to me a decision taken on impulse. They could have added element that showed her competence. This jalousy angel between the ML and the investor really downplays the FL's capability. It felt like that she got the investment for her startup more likely due to Jiang Liang's personal interest on her instead of the potential of the business. It is dissappointing honestly. No effort from the ML to actually know the real Xu Yan, her past and her childhood that actually shaped her choices. It would have been nice to see that. Also, Xu Yan is hardly solving her startup problems on her own. I know its a team effort why is the ML is solving problems for her? This support without any finances could have been shown in a better way.
3. How did the FL not get suspicious that her in-laws did not run a background check on her? Her husband literally ran a background check on her down to the point that he knew that she loved her grandma's jam, when she had pretended to apply for a job at his shop just to get an interview. So, such a suspicious person would not run a background check on her for a big event like marriage. Moreover, only 4 people attended the wedding from her side, and the in-laws did not question her at all after the marriage about her family.
4. How did the Shen family blindly trust the DNA report so easily? It does not matter that the people in question were their family friends. It was a life-changing event for their only son. How did they accept a false report so easily? Did they not double-check it? Also, how come Fang Lei changed the DNA report? Is it really easy to forge one? Why did she tell Xu Yan that her father does not know about his other daughter giving birth to Haochen? It does not make any sense. Shen Haoming runs a background check on everyone, but didnot cross check if he was the baby's father.
5. It is also odd how Zhou Zeyuan seems to know so much about Xu Yan's family situation, as they were not from the same village and met in Jingzhou. Also, I don't think knowing Xu Yan's character, she would voluntarily tell a stranger about her family's situation in detail.
6. What is happening in Episode 19? Why both are roaming in strange clothes and get up (I know it is to impress that russian couple) But it looked like a stunt for comic relief and I don't think it suited either of their characters, and rather it looked forced. They did such charades together before to convince investors, but it did not look this odd.
7. Why waste time on Lin Tao so much? Also wasn't Qiao Lin's parents biased towards her always? How come they did not even contact her when she is starting a startup, facing so many challenges? How about they have explored the dynamics between the parents and Xu Yan?
8. It was very irresponsible of Xu Yan. Was the startup a breakup project for her? As soon as her relationship improved with her husband, she forgot about her business, leaving everything on Qiao Lin. I understand it is okay to take a break and focus on her relationship, but the business is in the initial phase. Is it that easy to establish a startup? What are you on, writer? If you can't write properly about the problem and tie all loose ends to make it consistent, why bother to introduce this angle in the first place? Was there not any other way to make Xu Yan independent?
Overall, a great 1st half but completely loses its' way due to a very poorly written second half. Now, the only thing I remember is that Zhao Lusi had absolutely gorgeous outfits in this drama.
1. Good Cinematography, Direction, and Music.
2. Zhao Lusi was great in her portrayal of Xu Yan. A grey-shaded character suited her well. Those in charge of her makeup and costume need a raise. She was looking so classy and beautiful.
3. I really loved the portrayal of the healthy relationship between Xu Yan and her in-laws. Though Xu Yan's relationship is toxic with her parents and with her sister, she has a good relationship. I appreciate that the writer avoided showing a toxic relationship between the sisters.
Negative Points
1. The first half was so good, and I was totally engrossed in the story and was very interested to know about Xu Yan's journey of self-independence. That phase started really well and my god Zhao Lusi was really good in those scenes. But, then the writer suddenly decided to change the focus of the drama from romance to half-baked, unrealistic, poorly developed so-called women empowerment plot filled with potholes and multiple subplots without adding any value to the main story. Within all this the main focus of the story lost focus. Where is the character growth for Shen Haoming, honestly? Why is not Shen Haoming's mental state during the separation period was not explored in depth? If you don't show his perception at all, how will viewers relate to the couple's love story. Who wants to see Xu Yan's and Shen Haoming's business problem in so much detail? It's a romance drama mainly. Why is the focus not on their relationship and communication that much? Due to this, I can hardly relate to Shen Haoming's character. So, his sudden possessiveness and jealousy over Xu Yan's investor feels a bit off and turns his character childish instead. Moreover, during the 2nd half the writer has turned the ML, specifically the medium of comic relief that completely contradicts his personality shown in the first half. Instead of focusing on unrealistic subplots if the writer had invested time in the proper story development for the reconciliation of the leads, it would have been much better. The methods the ML used were honestly extremely childish and irritating.
2. Even when the writer chooses to focus on the startup and a completely unrelated career (unrealistic) for the FL should it not have any logic, honestly. It just downplays her character development. Within the 30days cooling off period, Xu Yan is doing livestream for selling clothes, groceries, chicken feets. Then she quits her job and launches a startup, makes sample, does video shorts, tries to convince tons of investors for funds, goes on a vacation with Shen Haoming for a charade. Comes back and launches a physical outlet and still 1 month is not finished. How many days are there in a month?
Xue Yan calls Shen Haoming to remind him about the divorce tomorrow. But he pretends to be out of the country for a few days. But a few days later its the next day 8th. Did the writer not notice the time line at all before writing it. This just spoils the viewing experience. Also, even if I can ignore it, Shen Haoming's out of character behavior without any proper buildup feels empty to me honestly. They also spent so many time on Qiao Lan's ex. This is just idiotic. Too many subplot and lost main focus.
In order to add comic relief and jelousy angel between ML and Jiang Liang the writer downplayed the character of the FL. It seemed she really didnot have much idea about a startup. It lowkey felt to me a decision taken on impulse. They could have added element that showed her competence. This jalousy angel between the ML and the investor really downplays the FL's capability. It felt like that she got the investment for her startup more likely due to Jiang Liang's personal interest on her instead of the potential of the business. It is dissappointing honestly. No effort from the ML to actually know the real Xu Yan, her past and her childhood that actually shaped her choices. It would have been nice to see that. Also, Xu Yan is hardly solving her startup problems on her own. I know its a team effort why is the ML is solving problems for her? This support without any finances could have been shown in a better way.
3. How did the FL not get suspicious that her in-laws did not run a background check on her? Her husband literally ran a background check on her down to the point that he knew that she loved her grandma's jam, when she had pretended to apply for a job at his shop just to get an interview. So, such a suspicious person would not run a background check on her for a big event like marriage. Moreover, only 4 people attended the wedding from her side, and the in-laws did not question her at all after the marriage about her family.
4. How did the Shen family blindly trust the DNA report so easily? It does not matter that the people in question were their family friends. It was a life-changing event for their only son. How did they accept a false report so easily? Did they not double-check it? Also, how come Fang Lei changed the DNA report? Is it really easy to forge one? Why did she tell Xu Yan that her father does not know about his other daughter giving birth to Haochen? It does not make any sense. Shen Haoming runs a background check on everyone, but didnot cross check if he was the baby's father.
5. It is also odd how Zhou Zeyuan seems to know so much about Xu Yan's family situation, as they were not from the same village and met in Jingzhou. Also, I don't think knowing Xu Yan's character, she would voluntarily tell a stranger about her family's situation in detail.
6. What is happening in Episode 19? Why both are roaming in strange clothes and get up (I know it is to impress that russian couple) But it looked like a stunt for comic relief and I don't think it suited either of their characters, and rather it looked forced. They did such charades together before to convince investors, but it did not look this odd.
7. Why waste time on Lin Tao so much? Also wasn't Qiao Lin's parents biased towards her always? How come they did not even contact her when she is starting a startup, facing so many challenges? How about they have explored the dynamics between the parents and Xu Yan?
8. It was very irresponsible of Xu Yan. Was the startup a breakup project for her? As soon as her relationship improved with her husband, she forgot about her business, leaving everything on Qiao Lin. I understand it is okay to take a break and focus on her relationship, but the business is in the initial phase. Is it that easy to establish a startup? What are you on, writer? If you can't write properly about the problem and tie all loose ends to make it consistent, why bother to introduce this angle in the first place? Was there not any other way to make Xu Yan independent?
Overall, a great 1st half but completely loses its' way due to a very poorly written second half. Now, the only thing I remember is that Zhao Lusi had absolutely gorgeous outfits in this drama.
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