LaurieMcCurry

Only for fans of Tan Jian Ci

Tan Jianci is the only reason to watch this show. You can listen to the OST on music streaming services. Wang Chu Ran is a mediocre actress. She has zero chemistry with any of her leading men, including Tan Jian Ci. She cannot perform at his level and is the same as in her other shows. But the issue with this show is over all - the Story. The secondary romance is very, very cringe. The 2ML stalks the 2FL for most of the show. His mother is also stalkerish. So the romance comes off as very creepy and one wonders why on earth the 2FL would fall for him at all. But magic resolutions are the halmark of this production. The primary romance takes 30 of 32 episodes to resolve and once the pair are together, all plot lines are also magically resolved. There are some very, very sexist and gender biased plots and commentary in the show which are disturbing. Tan Jian Ci tries to soften the presentation of some his more cringe dialogue, but he can't save the over all plot.

Read More

Complex Storytelling and Rich Visuals

This is excellent storytelling from all elements. Powerful visual, cinematography, costuming and well matched musical soundtrack. The show has strong storytelling arc with rich layers of intrigue, and tension balanced with just the right amount of comic relief. The complex characters are enhanced by strong acting. The actors are so on point they are able to convey subtext via nuanced facial expressions and body language. The narrative grabs you and keeps you engaged episode by episode so the viewer is desperate to know what happens next and how the story will resolve. Multiple viewings are encouraged to get all the small details and layers of development.

Read More

What this show does well is production value. It has beautiful sets, action choreography, costume design. The make-up for the men is a bit off, often smeared lipstick or foundation too light so they seem pale. There is an investment in quality actors. However, the plot slogs badly in the middle and then becomes stale. The characters are all one dimensional, but the plot is too. So the actors, who do a great job with what they have to work with, have no substance to pull really exceptional performances or fulfill their own potential. The romance becomes tedious and smarmy. It's disappointing ultimately because it has a lot of potential that it cannot execute.

Read More