Stayed till the end for Wang Chu Ran
Decided to watch this show solely because of Wang Chu Ran. I fell in love with her acting (and her beautyyy) in Fireworks of My Heart and I thought to give this show a shot.Down to the storyline: Well, it was refreshing to see the banters of the main leads especially at the start when they kept bumping into each other. There was also no old unrequited love plot in this show.
I would say acting wise, the best actors of this show had to be the main leads. Other than that, the other characters didn't really stand out to me. I really didn't like the AI character.. it was way too obvious. I am sure that this was not an easy feat., but there were several if not all scenes where the dude was having zero eye contact with the other cast members. Aside from that, he was also quite emotionless most of the time and his lips were NOT in sync with the dubbings either.
Regarding the relationship development of the main leads, when they did finally get together, I didn't feel a sense of satisfaction - unlike how I feel in some other shows. Somehow their get-together didn't feel as impactful. Maybe because of the indecisiveness of the female lead. I do like her don't get me wrong, but her character here especially the way she handled her relationship with the ML wasn't it for me. I understand that she had previously experienced a failed relationship, but her avoidance was getting on my nerves. And also even after they got together she was not wanting others to find out about her relationship. I was confused at one point if they were actually officially together or not. One moment they're kissing passionately, and the next they act like strangers. I wished the couple was better in communicating their feelings and thoughts and I'm sure that would have reduced the misunderstandings ten-fold.
Business wise, of course, these two main leads have strong personalities and capabilities. What I admired most about these characters was their ability to separate work and personal life. For instance when they were having love trouble, they continued to do what they had to do at work - and performed.
The most touching scene for me in this series was the hug that was shared between the FL and her supervisor/manager. Even though the relationship is of a subordinate-superior dynamic, I appreciated how the FL gradually became unafraid to speak up and be that beacon of light in the superior's life.
"In life and especially in the business world, there isn't always a clear black and white to things, but deep in your heart, you know what's right."
After her final words to the manager, those words continued to linger on in the manager's mind. Although those words still fell upon deaf ears, at the end of the day... she realized her folly. She said something along the lines of 'Although taking the path of righteousness might not be smooth, it's what eventually leads you to happiness.'
Overall, a relatively light-hearted show ~ watch if you have the time and if you like the main leads! There's a decent amount of screen time for them.
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Finding a home in the least expected place ?
I was hooked right from the first episode and completed this 30-episode drama in 3 days. I personally haven't seen or heard of these two main leads before. The only familiar face was the guy who acted as Gu Ran in WIFTY and also the girl from Lighter and Princess. That said, I really enjoyed the acting and casting throughout. No supporting casts felt redundant or extra.I loved that the show also had many life lessons that we could take away. It was not just a feel good drama or one that gives butterflies. The balance of joys, setbacks, pain, and grief made the show so relatable.
The grandma (nai nai) was definitely the heart of the show for me. Her timely wisdom and comfort to her grandchildren always made me tear up. That scene where the FL almost got sexually assaulted and the nai nai embraces her... "You're home now, you're home," she comforts. That meant so much for someone who had lost her mother to illness and had just been abandoned in a place that felt nothing like home. Yet it was in that moment that she experienced love, warmth, and protection.
Even though the FL was initially portrayed as a spoilt brat/princess, and was getting on the ML's nerves, he continued to do his part as a distant relative and care for her. Coming from very different backgrounds and holding different views on money, they initially have a lot of misunderstandings and conflicts. At the end of the day, while money is important, the show also taught how there are things that cannot be resolved with money.
"Will you think if others are hungry if you are starving?" the FL asked her Dad when he made his way into the Xuan Town determined to take her back to Bei Jing to resume back to her normal life. By then, the FL had resolved to stay in this town to get through her high school and apply for university thereafter. She had grown to love the people in this little town. She saw how these people who didn't have much, shared the little they had with her - making sure she always had her fill, and had a shelter over her head.
Having grown mutual affection for each other, I never really understood why they needed to cut off contact completely after the FL departed for BeiJing. But my guess is that if that separation never happened, both of them wouldn't have become the better people they became five years later. The FL encourages the ML by telling him that if he really wanted to see her again, he would find a hundred ways to get there. Fuelled by her belief in him, he also promises the FL, "Keep going forward, don't look back, I'll eventually catch up to you."
This show really captured the reality of growing up pains, figuring out their life's purpose and what happens when you don't give up and keep fighting. Despite several setbacks and loss the varied characters face, there was always hope - light that shone through the cracks, sunshine after the storm. Even for the 'villain', there was also a redemptive arc, to own your mistakes and take charge of your own future.
The writers really wrote the script and directed the show really well. One of my favourite metaphor in the show was: Life is like a box of chocolates - you may have just eaten a bitter one, but the next could be sweet. Truly captured the beautiful perspective on the unpredictability of life.
With its heartfelt storytelling, memorable characters, meaningful life lessons, and stunning cinematography, this is a drama that stays with you long after the final episode. A must-watch!
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