Narrative compression really affected this show
I love both Dilraba and Xingxu, but I feel this work fell short, mostly because of the production and direction. The focus was on key events, but it felt like I was watching highlights of a show rather than the actual show. There is so much context missing that I fail to connect to or root for any of the characters. I am supposed to hate the Dixao, but I can't see why they need to be eliminated. Except for using human beings as blood bags, there's no more harm I see them cause. They probably should have shown how the Nanshan Hunters came to exist and the actual harm the Dixaos caused long ago then I could root for them otherwise I could not feel it. It almost fell unnecessary to fight the Dixao. The English name also suggests it would be leaning more towards romance but it did notWas this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A fantastic watch
What a show! I loved this show so much. I equally loved both leads and thought they were really a perfect match. I hate shows where the male lead has nothing going on in his life except coming from a rich family and not being able to control his emotions. Thankfully, this is nothing close to that. I feared since a very big plot of the show was based on a misunderstanding, that the show would drag and dwell on this or worse, we would have a cruel ML who goes out of his way to make the FL suffer. He did have a few petty moments where he was trying to make the FL 'remember him'- but they are few and not unnecessarily cruel. He quits as soon as he sees that plan is going nowhere and is instead hurting the FL. And, beside himself, even when he sees her in such a poor light, he starts pursuing her. Pursuing her sincerely. It was hard not to swoon, even for me as a watcher. The FL is a ray of sunshine- given she has been raised spoiled and rich, she is surprusingly level-headed and even when she goes thru a year or so of emotional turmoil in Campus, she is able to steady herself, realize quickly what was happening and realign. I think the most important character portrayal was when her classmate thought she had stolen her internship spot and she threatened to call and have the company rescind the offer. While she knows she is actually in a position that she could do that, she cannot bring herself to make the call. She understands her privilege but never takes advantage of it. Despite her saga with Zhuang Xu, she remains sure of herself and just removes herself from his life despite her lingering feelings. Class act all thru. Besides the leads, Jiang Rui is definitely my favourite character, he is so well written and his delivery at such a young age is on point. Worth the watch and definitely has a high rewatch value. Gu Man really is the bombWas this review helpful to you?
