One expects a certain degree of melodrama and cheesiness with any formulaic romance /action/bl/whatever. But this goes overboard without a life preserver. Yes the actors are handsome and the teasing genuine, the fight scenes thrilling, the costuming adequate as are the sets, but if you're looking for a three dimensional character, forget it. After 20 episodes I thought finally we had something interesting. Could we finally touch on the human condition in the character of Wang Zhi Shui, whose background story was full of pathos? Kudos to the director. There are vignettes focusing on his relationship with the wealthy playboy Da Yu, delivered at times remarkably gently with an almost ethereal sensitivity to other uproariously hilarious moments worthy of an entirely separate production. Have you ever woken with your partner in bed covered in chicken feathers? No, neither have I, yet this director delivers this shaggy dog tale within a tale, like a seasoned stand up comic delivering his hilarious punchline. These two characters could have been spun into a Chinese Tom Sawyer and Huck Fin, or The Prince and the Pauper, to the leading actors' Batman and Robin. A BL Pygmalion subplot practically screams for attention here. But no sooner had I fallen under the charming story of the rich kid taking the poor street kid into his home and heart, than we see the latter wretch throwing eggs at the co-stars sister in a silly motivation that came off more like misogyny . In fact the way the sister character is treated throughout the entire production simply screams, "China!? Get into the 20th century at least on women's issues!" The characters are one dimensional and at times border on the offensive. Save for the aforementioned secondary "ship", you'll find more depth in a swimming pool.
Was this review helpful to you?
