Appealing and entertaining
I recently watched a Korean series that had some of the same problems that ROOFTOP PRINCE has–overused cliches, lack of logic, unbelievable plot. But I didn’t dislike ROOFTOP PRINCE as much as I disliked that first series. In fact, I quite liked it. What’s the difference?1. First, ROOFTOP PRINCE was made in 2012. Some hokey stuff (going to an amusement park, watching fireworks, riding bikes) that have since been done to death--were still fresh back then.
2. The ML and FL were so playful and likable that they added something new to every trope.
3. Big chunks of this drama were zany and madcap and not supposed to be taken seriously. Yes, the actors also overacted in places when they should have been playing it straight. And the plot didn’t always make sense. None of this bothered me, although I’m guessing it will bother other viewers.
It was such a joy watching the uptight, authoritarian prince get his due from an enlightened, modern Korean girl. It was hard not to fall in love with both of them. Both leads played off of each other with ease and affection.
I’ve never enjoyed secondary characters as much as I have the prince’s Korean sidekicks. In most series, the secondary characters are annoying or poorly written or fillers that add nothing to the plot. Not here. Each of the guys was hilarious and irresistible.
One of the things that DID have a weird vibe was the way the ML talked to the FL. He called her “stupid,” “vulgar,” and said he wanted to “rip her mouth out” among other things. He did this with kind of, sort of, a twinkle in his eye–so you could convince yourself, if you wanted to, (and I wanted to) that he was just teasing because he actually liked her so much. It didn’t seem to bother the FL that he was saying these things. She even gave it back to him in spades. So why did it bother me?
Here’s why. Because some men start out by making inappropriate remarks in a teasing way–and later, when the relationship is under stress, they’ll say it again – only this time, no one’s laughing.
Still, there was plenty of evidence that our ML was a decent guy who would take good care of the FL, if given the chance. So I put my reservations aside.
In the second half, the story became more plot driven. The writers gave us a lot of half-baked, nefarious scheming by the villains–schemes that our ML and the FL (especially) should have been able to anticipate. But they didn’t-- which frustrated me and made both leads seem a bit doltish.
Nevertheless, overall this is an entertaining series. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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No deeper meaning
The first three episodes of THE IMMORTAL ASCENSION were promising – they take place in a gorgeous setting and show a warm relationship between the two boys. Both boys are under the care of a menacing antagonist, in the guise of an old “master.” Yang Yang’s acting was superb in these episodes.Then the series fell apart.
The rest of the drama seemed to be slapped together without much effort or forethought. This version of taoism seems too materialistic to me. Shouldn't the “masters” who represent the epitome of sagacity be looking for truth and enlightenment? Instead they seem to be bereft of any real wisdom and to have no real moral compass.
Han Li was a constant puzzle. Where was the meaning in his life? His goal seemed to be to acquire magical artifacts, to rise in status, and eventually achieve immortality. He's not interested in creating any meaningful connections with anyone--male or female, human or immortal. He did have a few tender moments with an animated mouse. Even his affection for his family seemed almost non-existent.
A number of mostly forgettable women pursue him. Does he have a capacity for intimacy? For love? If he did, I sure couldn’t detect it.
Generic demons and bad guys show up, fight Han Li, and are destroyed. We know they’re evil because, they scream at their underlings, smirk and laugh diabolically, and try to kill the good guys. Monsters include lizards with glowing eyes, a serpent, and a mantis demon or two, each, in turn, dispatched to the great beyond. Lots of spiky golden wheels turn in the sky.
I DID like the ending, and I’ll probably watch Season 2.
As for Yang Yang the actor, I understand he studied dance and plays the piano. I’m glad he’s got other interests. Hope there’s someone around him encouraging him to build a life on something other than his youthful good looks (which are mentioned by reviewers incessantly) so that he’s not totally devastated when they’re gone.
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Lots to like
Our hero, the feckless ML, feels that he can’t win in the game of life–that he’s been dealt a hand of deuces and treys. So life (well actually I should say Death) puts him in a TRULY no-win situation.Did I say “no-win”? This is the King of no-wins. He can’t even solve this particular dilemma by dying.
DEATH’S GAME starts out as a male-oriented thriller, with non-stop action, and plenty of violence and gore. Keep watching, though, because this series isn’t easily categorized. One episode has horror film vibes; another fills in the details of the romance introduced at the beginning. Whatever. I guarantee that you won’t complain that it drags–more like a cage-full of squirrels on speed.
What really sets this series apart from others are the excellent special effects, along with some amazing camera work. One shot (pun intended) lets the viewer look at a certain character through a bullet hole that’s just penetrated another character’s head.
If you prefer a narrative with more sophisticated characters and a nuanced view of reality, you might think DEATH’S GAME isn’t your cup of tea. The minor characters are mostly sterotypes, especially the villains. But the ML grows and changes–and the focus is mostly on him.
If you look at the plot too closely, you’ll notice some inconsistencies. For example, it’s not clear what happened to the original inhabitant of each of the bodies the ML took over. Some of the rules of the game seem to change over the course of the series. And I personally didn’t appreciate the demonization of people who commit suicide. Some, no doubt, are selfish, like the ML. Others are sick. And still others have an intolerable life situation.
A crow is blown to pieces in one episode. I see anti-crow scenes like this in a lot of dramas these days. Please, guys, stop setting a bad example by encouraging people to torture and kill these amazingly intelligent birds (look up the research).
You may notice some familiar faces in the minor roles. Kim Mi-Kyung as the mother and Oh Jung-se, whose versatility always amazes me, are just two I recognized.
The pluses totally outweigh the minuses in this series. Nine stars.
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Extraordinary Drama
This amazing Chinese drama---one of the best of 2025---stars Hu Jun in the role of a platoon leader in the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army during the 14-year Second Sino-Japanese War.After his team is scattered, Hu Jun, as Lu Chang Shan, searches for each of them–-bringing them back together, one by one to continue their mission to defeat the Japanese and reclaim their land.
I’m usually not a fan of war movies, but this drama is exceptional. It’s never boring, and never repetitive---showing how individual human beings dealt with the challenges of food shortages, prison camps, cruelty, deprivation, and loss.
While there’s plenty of suffering, this drama is not a downer. It’s human, entertaining, and sprinkled throughout with good-natured banter. In fact, it’s mostly uplifting, depicting the best of human nature, as well as the worst. The camera work, the OST, and especially the acting is immensely moving and poignant.
Americans, as a whole, unfortunately, have almost no knowledge of the degree to which China suffered, but ultimately prevailed, in World War II. Even this drama barely scratches the surface. (For a more granular and depressing account of the unmitigated horrors of this conflict read The Rape Of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust Of World War II by Iris Chang.)
I can’t say enough good things about Hu Jun, who plays the heroic, but extremely kind and compassionate, Lu Chang Shan, a man who nurtures each member of his team as needed, and is also wiley and shrewd when necessary. Other actors who deserve respect for their portrayals are too numerous to mention–really, almost all of them.
I don’t often give praise like this. But this series is a triumph of Chinese cinema. Don’t miss it.
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