Mature and engrossing
No glossy fairy-tale sentimentality here. This series starts as a multifaceted examination of love–showcasing its promise, its challenges, its various manifestations, insecurities, and difficulties.
An amazing group of actors show us the pressures, problems, and power games experienced by a group of friends, all young adults, caught up in the ups and downs of romance – and its many complications.
The ML and the FL are both dedicated to discriminating what’s real from what’s bogus–but in different domains. The ML (played by Liu Yuning) specializes in sussing out authentic designer handbags from copies, whereas the FL tests various men to see if their romantic intentions are sincere–or not.
While the ML’s profession is considered reputable, the FL’s methods are a bit sleazy--veering off, at times, into techniques that could reasonably be called entrapment.
As for genuine, long-lasting love–is there any such thing? Or does love eventually deteriorate because of the many unavoidable pitfalls, problems, and contradictions? The drama asks the question, but never really provides an answer.
Edgy and quirky, a variety of experimental techniques mirror the ambiguity of the story telling. For example, indoor scenes are sometimes filmed with a gauzy filter, making it look as if they’re encased in fog
Gao Wei Guang, who plays Old Gong, adds humor and flair. He’s a reckless, creative, and toxic presence in the drama. As it turns out, he’s also someone who has a surprising moral sensitivity and capacity for friendship.
Unfortunately, the last few episodes really drag. For example, one couple’s divorce seem to go on forever. Other couples cycle in and out of their problems a few more times–I stopped caring about who was going to end up with whom.
Also the director completely changes the tone of the last episode–giving the whole drama a weird send off. I much prefer it when the writers choose the ending of the series themselves instead of asking the viewers to figure out what happens.
But altogether a surprising and innovative series.
An amazing group of actors show us the pressures, problems, and power games experienced by a group of friends, all young adults, caught up in the ups and downs of romance – and its many complications.
The ML and the FL are both dedicated to discriminating what’s real from what’s bogus–but in different domains. The ML (played by Liu Yuning) specializes in sussing out authentic designer handbags from copies, whereas the FL tests various men to see if their romantic intentions are sincere–or not.
While the ML’s profession is considered reputable, the FL’s methods are a bit sleazy--veering off, at times, into techniques that could reasonably be called entrapment.
As for genuine, long-lasting love–is there any such thing? Or does love eventually deteriorate because of the many unavoidable pitfalls, problems, and contradictions? The drama asks the question, but never really provides an answer.
Edgy and quirky, a variety of experimental techniques mirror the ambiguity of the story telling. For example, indoor scenes are sometimes filmed with a gauzy filter, making it look as if they’re encased in fog
Gao Wei Guang, who plays Old Gong, adds humor and flair. He’s a reckless, creative, and toxic presence in the drama. As it turns out, he’s also someone who has a surprising moral sensitivity and capacity for friendship.
Unfortunately, the last few episodes really drag. For example, one couple’s divorce seem to go on forever. Other couples cycle in and out of their problems a few more times–I stopped caring about who was going to end up with whom.
Also the director completely changes the tone of the last episode–giving the whole drama a weird send off. I much prefer it when the writers choose the ending of the series themselves instead of asking the viewers to figure out what happens.
But altogether a surprising and innovative series.
Was this review helpful to you?
