CristyRawks

I will start by grouching about the directing. It really stunk in many places as though it was a high school production. Except that nowadays, they are even better. However, I loved the acting when the directing wasn't in the way. I have never seen such emotion and execution of CZYs character and what he needed to portray as Li Zan's illness in any drama. The PTSD and survivor's guilt acting was breathtaking and had me crying many times with how his tears flowed as though he was really experiencing the nightmare. CZY should be up for an award for this part. Liang Jie was no slouch either with the emotions she portrayed with CZY and the different scenes of what the war was making both of them go through. The support actors were just as amazing in their portrayals, and I'll say it again, except where directing got in the way.
Disappointed that there wasn't more interaction with Ben and Dr. Pei. It could have made for a great 2nd leads story. I wasn't a fan of Sa Xin who acted like a lovesick schoolboy around Ben, whereas Ben was just a teasing big brother. Don't know what that boy's story was about. I also can't figure out why SB left before the unveiling of the name and the photo with the kids. If she had to leave, she should have been seen loving on the kids before going. Then contemplating her time in Eastern Country and how she changed for the better. I cried hard when Ben died. He was such a great character and I love the actor who played him
I'm perplexed by the amateurish directing with the messed-up dialogue with weird pauses. The actors all made up for it though.
The ending was apropos as Ran said in the note to the parents, Li Zan will never get better, and instead of affecting those that they loved, they will go off on their journey of simple life. For those fans who want a S2. Why? After this heart wrenching depiction of the horrors of war, destruction of local people, especially the children, the effects of mental illness and showing that the victims aren't always the sick ones. The loved ones are affected too. Who wants to see that all again? Besides, Zan is suffering and only Ran can be his miracle. But not in that he will overcome it, just that she is the only one for him and so thus we must leave A Zan and Ran alone to continue their venture and elopement, inseparable.

One final aspect of this drama is the OST. My gosh, I absolutely loved Chen Xueran, he sings 3 songs, all of them fantastic, especially what scene it was played to. Other songs were noteworthy such as Te Amo, Beach Castle, Find My Way Back to Life, and The Wish Under the Olive Tree. My gosh the OSTs were spellbinding and made me cry rehearing them. This is a MUST WATCH, just get past the bad parts, it's worth it.