So good and so sad
This drama made my list of "dramas that traumatizes you". It broke my heart but I can't stop thinking about it! I finished watching this a week ago and my heart still feels so empty thinking about this drama and the leads! 😭I loved the cast and the chemistry between the leads. I was already a fan of the donghua so I knew the storyline before watching this drama. With that being said, the leads did such a great job bringing these characters to life on screen! It's a very beautiful, heart wrenching story displayed beautifully by Liu Shishi and Zhang YunLong.
There is romance, there is bromance, there is comraderies--I love the portrayal of the relationships between all the characters. Even the side couples were worth rooting for and fun to watch. Mu Qing and Zheng Zhang were so cute together--their story also made me sad.
Overall if you like dramas that stir your emotions and make you cry, this one is for you!! It's so good though. Just prepare tissues!
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Empowering. Great story
This show is unique. I'm normally not into sport-shows at all, but I took a leap with this one because I am a big fan of Janice Wu. (Also, I have never seen Steven's Zhang's work before this, but was pleasantly surprised with his acting!) Despite it being a genre that I don't normally go for, it is actually very good and more than just about sport (ice skating & skating). It has its serious moment but also fun-lighthearted moments. I love the gradual relationship build-up between FL and ML. It was very sweet and the chemistry was 100% perfect. The storyline is very motivational, empowering, and has a good theme about believing in yourself and staying true to yourself in reaching your dreams.I love especially love the interactions between FL and ML. It started as a typical bickering relationship that flowers into a beautiful, strong ship. The character development is very smooth and makes you love the characters more each episode.
I want to give props to the main leads who put a lot of effort in playing their roles. Both Janice and Steven took lessons and learned ice skating for this role. Their dedication to their part for this show really shows in each of their schemes. I love their professionalism and talent! The cast chosen for this drama is perfect.
If you love a good story with a nice, gradual (not too slow) relationship build between leads, and not too heavy on the angst, this is a great drama to try.
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No villains, just life
Honestly, this is the drama of the year for me! What a heartbreaking yet beautiful story from start to finish. I am a daughter, a wife, and now also a mother--this drama really resonated with me. This whole drama illustrated the of each of these roles so well; life as a child looking at our parents, life as a parents with our children, and then life with our spouse. This drama has no villains--just life. Life happens. This drama did a great job depicting the story of life through two generations. I feel like words alone cannot do this drama justice. Such a masterpiece. Each episodes tugs at your heart and really makes you reflect on your own life. The pace is slow at first but if you can give a bit of patience, this drama will be worth your time.Was this review helpful to you?
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Cute Love Story
The story is actually quite interesting and can get pretty deep at times. Some shows are all humor and light drama, but this one actually has nice, deep and serious moments which I like. It does have melodramatic moments as well as comedy. If you enjoy shows that is funny, but also delves into the story and the character development, you might like this one. There are funny moments, but also moments that make you tear up and feel for the characters.The main leads did a great job, especially the lead actress. She's very good with her facial expression and demeaner, which is probably extra hard as she has to play two different personalities (twins sisters): one with a cold, strong personality and one with a warm, soft personality. I think she did a great job portraying two very different characters!
The story itself revolves the entertainment industry and its drama behind the scenes. The story was a little predictable, but still very enjoyable. If you enjoy the "rich guy, beautiful girl love story" stories, give this a try.
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Intriguing Storyline, Great Fight Scenes
Usually C-Dramas especially with wuxia and even xianxia dramas the fight scenes are so cringey to me and almost hard to watch. However, the fight scenes in this drama is very executed--great CGI and exciting to watch! Very good fight scenes, I'm impressed.To premise I did not watch Dashing Youth nor did I watch The Blood of Youth, so I watched Blood River without any prior knowledge of this worlds/past characters. I came for my favorite Peng Xiao Ran and ended up staying for the storyline. Seriously, if you are looking for a storyline that's not draggy but is actually interested and will keep your interest the whole way this is the one. I will admit it is a little bit confusing when they reference other characters from DY but it did not negatively impact the storyline and I feel it is still understandable even if you haven't watched the other two dramas.
The romance is there although more subtle so keep that in mind as you're watching this drama. The focus is more on the bromance and the actually story so less of a focus on romance. With that being said the romance scenes are sweet and enough to satiate a romance lover. I knew this ahead of time before watching so I wasn't disappointed at all with the romance levels. I actually felt like it was nice that the romance wasn't too overly done. The story line felt more serious and I really enjoyed watching the companionship between the Blood River members--love them all so much! Their characters really grow on you.
I will say the ONLY disappointment I have with this drama was I was expecting my girl Peng Xiao Ran to be FL (the whole reason I started watching this drama). She didn't have as much screentime as I would've liked and I wish we could've watched more of her relationship with Tang Lian Yue (Zhang Shi An). Still worth a watch in my opinion!
Great drama, great script, great character development, and great ending! High potential for rewatch as well. ❤️
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Best Drama of The Year!!
Rarely do I get a drama where I do not fast forward or skip any scenes. This drama was so good and kept me engaged in every scene, every episode. I watched everything so intensely and did not find the need to skip through at all because the pace, the story, the characters, and the way the plot unfolds was perfect--*chef's kiss*. Similar to what other have said, I started this drama not expecting much and the lead actors are also new to me so I wasn't sure how their skills were, but the drama and the leads both reached and exceeded beyond my expectations!Usually most long costume dramas (30+episodes) have at least one or two plot holes where something just does not make sense, but I feel like with this drama they did a great job not leaving any plot holes--they also did a great job adding twists to the story that made sense. I loved how each arch was thoroughly laid out and transitioned so that it's interesting, but not confusing to the viewers.
The ML and FL surprised me with how well they acted their roles! They are fresh faces to me and I have to say I am now a big fan of both. Their on-screen chemistry was SO good. Their on-screen romance with each scene was so sweet and full of emotions; they really brought their characters to life. I love the character of FL; she is very smart, resourceful, quick-thinking, and is the type of character that can protect herself well on her own--my favorite type of FL! Makes you feel satisfied watching her lay out her plans.
All in all, this drama is so good that I found myself binge-watching all the episodes within 3-4 days. 100% would re-watch again and again. Definitely my top drama of this year!
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Beautiful Story
This was a beautiful drama with great emphasis on storytelling in a way that makes you feel all the emotions. Such a great emotional, uplifting story about loving yourself and having courage despite the fear. It is romantic but also comedic, had moments that made you laugh but also parts where you find yourself tearing up.I love the story--the 2 main leads did such a great job! It's a fantasy but a little different then the typical xianxia drama (in a good way)!
The plot removes around FL in the modern world getting transferred into her favorite auhtor's novel as the plot of a "game". She has to navigate the novel's plot while trying to change the ending for the better. I love the gradual romance between the leads. What started as FL trying to win ML's affection for points to her actually falling in love with him. It's very sweet, fun and endearing. ML started out as a cold, untrusting character but slowly warms himself up to FL and eventually falling in love with her. The way this drama played out their love story really touches your heart--so wholesome. I love seeing the gradual character development for the main casts as they progress through the story. If you enjoy a sweet romance, comedy, a good amount of action, and a story with a good life lesson then give his a try!
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