This review may contain spoilers
The acting was the saving grace of the show.
*TWOT* was one of the most highly anticipated shows of 2025 and had such potential, especially with its strong novel foundation, but it’s hard to believe how the adaptation turned out. The blame falls squarely on the director and producer for mishandling it.Che Zheyuan - one of the main leads, was nothing short of extraordinary as Lizan. His performance truly melted my heart, his portrayal was so raw and emotionally charged, it was impossible not to feel every moment with him. His ability to convey the depth of his character through his expressions, body language, and even the smallest micro-expressions was top-notch, and it’s this level of acting that kept the show from being completely ruined by poor writing and direction. It's a shame that the director and producer couldn’t capture that essence of the show & show LiZan as he should. To be honest many scenes were altered and at some parts i felt like LiZan's character was given less importance. His little screentime in the first half of the show was the first letdown.
Anyways the show made the right choice by focusing on PTSD and the impact of trauma, and I appreciate how real and raw they kept that aspect throughout. Watching Lizan struggle with opening up to SongRn about his mental state, constantly bottling things up so as not to drag her into his mess, was heartbreaking. Che Zheyuan nailed every part of that emotional journey , from his work as a volunteer to the slow-burn romance and his personal battles. His performance was flawless and showed just how much he’s grown as an actor. The direction and production failed to do justice to the novel, but Che Zheyuan’s performance shines through it all. He deserves more quality projects!
Liang Jie - she was nothing short of phenomenal throughout the show. Words can hardly capture how outstanding her performance was, especially considering her character wasn’t given justice in terms of script and storytelling.. Like Lizan, her character went through so much pain, family issues and struggled with her own battles, yet she remained strong and stood by Lizan through it all, staying with him until the very end. Im hapoy they portrayed her as a strong headed person who had an uwavering care for people.. Yet SongRan's determination and her decision to quit her job as a journalist to pursue writing a book—a journey that ultimately brought her closer to Lizan—was portrayed so well. I truly hope Liang Jie finally gets the recognition she deserves as an actor. She poured so much depth and emotion so naturally into this role, and her talent shouldn’t go unnoticed.
Romance - The romance between ZanRan was the heart of the show for me. Watching her fall for him at first sight, the shyness and eventual confession, followed by their mutual desire to protect each other from further troubles, was beautifully done.. Though i feel there were so many unimportant scenes in the 1st half of the show that could have been dedicated towards the development of ZangRan's relationship. The breakup scene completely shattered me, but it was their chemistry and the way they supported each other in their vulnerabilities that really tugged at my heart. LiZan's confession scene after the hospital scene broke my heart into pieces. But the epilogue was the final string!! There were so many memorable yet heartwrenching moments, from the kidnapping scene and the dance in the ruins to taking care of him after his mental state deteriorated. Their dynamic together made them one of the best on-screen couples I’ve seen in a while. This is one of the most beautiful but heartwreching story i have seen of a couple!!
Other plots- Honestly, it’s rare to see a cast that fits the story so perfectly, and this one really nailed it. The entire cast was fantastic, with great additions like Benjamin & Saxin, though I couldn’t help but feel that Benjamin’s death was a bit extreme. He survived brutal wars, but ultimately, he was taken out by a single bullet to his back? Even LiZan, who endured so much trauma and suffered to the point of near-death, managed to survive, so it felt unfair that Benjamin didn’t get the chance to live. He deserved better, and Saxin needed him. Ben leading the Army was one if the highlight of the show.. Enjoyed how he would tease others & his mischievous side was such a treat to watch. Saxin, being a grumpy bear in front of Ben but deep down he truly cared for him. Their dynamics with Rina actually made everything sadder.
Aside that it was also clear that the Director wanted to ramp up the tension between Ben & Saxin, particularly in the latest episodes. While I understand they were trying to add drama, I didn’t feel it was necessary for the main plot. That storyline, unfortunately, ended up overshadowing the central themes of the adaptation. For those who’ve read the novel, you’ll understand what I mean, those side plots took focus away from what should have been the heart of the story.
Finally, i truly wish the Director/Producer had invested more heart and soul into the script, especially considering the incredible cast they had. I was hoping for more action/fighting scenes and character development for LiZan. There was so much potential for growth in his role. The actors really delivered and they literally poured their heart into this drama. CZY has left no stones unturned hyping/promoting the show for a year now! He exceeded my expectations till the end of the drama. Playing such a sensitive issue like PTSD is no easy feat; it's emotionally draining to portray such characters authentically. I truly hope the cast gets the recognition they deserve and the actors receive the accolades they deserve.. Overall it isnt the worst!
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