Another generic & forgetable artificial netflix made kdrama ... interesting plot but production, directing, aesthetic and especially editing are nothing natural but indeed very generic.
This is definitely the best cdrama currently airing. It's not outstanding by any means, but the drama is very charming and it gets you interested, you don't get bored of it. I'm quite suprised by how the storyline is keeping its endurance, few dragging scenes ... but they know how to bring up the neccesary tension to keep you entertain with the action, the comedy, the chemistry etc
I finished watching ep9 and I'm suprised about how much I'm enjoying this drama. It's fun and fresh. The drama doesn't have that arrogance of trying to be seen as more than what it actually is, and I have a huge respect for that work ethic. The directing is very nice, I'm loving the settings, costumes and makeup. Yu Shu Xin aka Ester Lu & Ding Yu Xi have a lovely chemistry ! I'm not fan of their acting skills, but here I'm enjoying their perfs, of course I'm not gonna seek from them any subtility nor range, but there is some sort of a sincere will to portray their characters that I like. I also enjoy how both know the limits of their acting skills in comparison of some others who are still trying to force on the audience a belief that they have range, when clearly they don't ... I must say I was quite disappointed with Ding Yu Xi lastest performances, but in this drama, he clearly has improved which I'm glad to see. And his style here looks so good on him ! Esther is doing what she does the best, and that's why it's working too. I won't be suprised if the writers ruin this drama tho (hopefully not), but so far I like how the plot is actually solid.
I enjoyed reading your summary. I agree regarding the ml’s acting. There was a “romantic” scene when he…
Right? that's why I really think the writers were too lazy ...
"the leads had such a good potential" Exactly my thought, they had a lovely chemistry and I feel like the team behind the drama didn't even use it as they should ...
I enjoyed reading your summary. I agree regarding the ml’s acting. There was a “romantic” scene when he…
Thank you for reading me ! I agree, the romance felt forced, I don't know if it's because of the writing or the acting, but the romance didn't feel genuine to me, there was love imo, but in a platonic way.
And it's funny how platonic they love feel when in fact I do believe the two leads have a nice chemistry together ... But they were more convincing as brother and sister ... and precisely that's why I feel the transition was badly done ... The non platonic part felt indeed artificial.
Lol I can't believe I read all of this from beginning to end😭... it was a good summary. I agree with mostly…
Thank you for taking the time to read me ! "I had given up any romantic plot and just accepted them as brother and sister" Honestly, that's exactly my feeling. So I went to find and watch the bts of their scenes and I was satisfied with them lol ...
I definitely get what you mean by the fact that their "bro/sis" arc took a long time because it was necessary and I agree, but I think if we got 20 eps of them being brother and sister, the transition should've had the same amount of episodes for me to find it realistic.
Ok I just finished the last episode, and here my unsolicited opinion :
The story : - Average to lazy writing, nothing truly inspiring or unique : no introspections, no actual psychology, no actual real character growth or subtility just events after events that follow one another throughout the drama. - No transition when it comes to the lovestory, which made the whole thing weird. They dragged the hell of that revelation (the fl's real identity) and again, simply because the writers were lazy and with no actual real screen writing talents ... The romance was really poorly told, almost no intensity in the romance, the chemistry between the leads did the job but failed to restore what the writing and direction had done wrong. We saw them having a bro/sis relationship for more than 20 eps and it was too much ... - The fl is honestly the only character that was well written, but even the writing of her charcter was kinda deteriorating through the last part of the drama ... - The pacing was very bad. - The obsession of the 2nd ml took too much screentime just for the sake of having filler scenes since the writers are so lazy to write something more interesting. The fact that they use the misbehaving & his creepy tendency and obssession as a "storytelling tool" is very questionable. The 2nd ml brought something interesting during the first 20ish eps, because of the tension around the mystery surrounding his past relationship with the fl. After that they dragged his obssessivity for too long. The writers just turned him into a cruel villain in the middle of the drama without even adding more substance to his story, we never actually saw any scene of the fl questionning why or how he turned cruel to decide to let her d'e, that's not realistic at all ... - I'm sorry but to me the 2nd characters were so boring to watch, yeah it was kinda cute sometimes but honestly I started to skip their scenes because they were boring me way too much. - The true angst and intensity of the story happened only around ep 35 & 36 which is way tooo long, and that angst was very very short lol - The ending felt flat as expected.
The acting : - Zhang Wan Yi, the ml's acting wasn't that great, his mannerism was in the way, he was ok but many of his expressions were kinda creepy without the intempt to be creepy (when he was smiling trying to be romantic... it was weird.) He was better at intense scenes, especially with his eyes (confronation scenes for exemple) but also in more easy going scenes with the fl. - Ren Min did a good job, I had no (and will never have any issue) with her voice nor the quality of her eloquence. Her acting skills have always been solid, but the poor girl had to deal with hateful comments because of her former co-leads' creepy fans, and they tried to say she was a bad actress, pathetic liars. Anyway, I'm glad this drama was successful for her to redeem her reputation as an actress that can bring traffic. But I have to say in some scenes I feel like she didn't deliver the intensity some scenes needed ... I could say she maybe isn't mature enough but I don't think it's exactly true, for exemple her acting in "Serenade of Peaceful Joy" was incredible, and there was a lot of maturity in her delivery back then, so I'm not sure why she insisted in making her character here always so ... maybe resilient. I needed more texture in her portrayal. - Ci Sha definitely shone the most in this drama imo, he did great, his energy was constant, is acting always on point. At no time, he was overacting or underacting. His charisma was definitely on another level. And above all, I think he was the only one (along with the older actresses and actors) to add with his acting skills what was missing in the writing of his character. - The older cast was also on point. I have no complain, I really think they added a lot of seriousness in the drama.
When it comes to the directing, all I can say is that it was classic, very academic, nothing really artistic but it does the job.
The chemistry between the leads but also between the whole cast was the main reason I finished the drama. The Rise of Ning was definitely the best cdrama airing during that time but not because it was great but because the competition was inexistant.
It's once again a drama that started well and got lost, very disappointing writing, without depth or real ambition to honor the existence of its characters!
the bts between zwy and rm are so sweet and fun to watch. I'm gonna need them to do another drama again, but maybe a modern romantic comedy, their interactions are hilarious !
I have been holding back commenting on this drama because I do agree with almost everything you stated to a certain…
We simply don't have the same perceptions on his work, and work ethic. I agree with some things you wrote and I disagree on others things you also wrote.
Care to explain, how's her acting is giving you ick?
It's ok, I don't find your reply rude at all. You're simply stating your own view on the matter. But I try my best to always base my perception and opinion on skills and not on how I like an actor or an actress, I'm not really someone who fangirl over a celebrity to be honest or even hate one .. I'm quite detached. I watched this actress's other dramas before, and sometimes I don't get that "fake" acting ... but here I definitely do. And that's just my opinion.
I have been holding back commenting on this drama because I do agree with almost everything you stated to a certain…
Thank you for sharing your sentiment, I can definitely agree on the fact that the drama isn't aiming to be more than what it is. My point was precisely about how the drama was typically in the style of "Guo Jing Min". And I think a Guo Jing Ming is refusing to challenge himself, he's getting lazy. I think a director should always aim to better she/him/them-self, to aim to portray human beings as who they truly can be and not only through the prism of idealism or a certain form of fetishism...
Care to explain, how's her acting is giving you ick?
There is a huge lack of incarnation, she doesn't embody her character. Here her acting feels to me very fake, she gives me the feeling of faking the personnality of her character, she isn't her character but is cosplaying a certain way of being seen ...
i watched two ep and stopped the story seems intresting but as you said the acting is not...the parents are good…
Read the whole conversation again. We were saying the acting wasn't our taste. Then you inserted yourself. That's factual. Maybe mdl has some dysfonctionnal bug and I received your reply on my comment, and therefore I replied to you. I wasn't rude but you called me rude. Why? Because I thanked you for your invitation of maybe trying more episodes. And I wrote I already watched them all. In my reply, I wasn't disrespectful nor rude. What you think is rude is me stating I don't like the acting, and this is why I think you're delusional.
i watched two ep and stopped the story seems intresting but as you said the acting is not...the parents are good…
We're gonna write our opinion no matter how you feel, this site hasn't been made by your parents, get over it. You're so insecure and childish, you can't even intellectually comprehend the importance of criticism. I write my comment about my opinion and I leave, I do not insert myself when soemone is having a different opinion just to prove something. I'm not insecure. Stop your fakery, your behavior isn't respectful at all. I gave you the same energy you gave me.
"Move on", but it's you who is inserting yourself you weirdo ...
I just finished the 7 first eps. A drama typically in the style of Guo Jing Min. In term of directing, gorgeous picture but overall very superficial. Extremely long scenes just for the sake of aesthetics. In term of writing, the same exact flaws in all his work, no depth, no actual real psychology, simply a storyline that wants to be seen adventurous, glamorous and with some comedy ... In term of acting, quite boring, nothing outstanding or special, the fl's acting is turning me off a lot ...
i watched two ep and stopped the story seems intresting but as you said the acting is not...the parents are good…
Weirdo, you don't know how to reply on this site or what? I got a notification of your reply which means you replied to me, DUH.
You're the one who is rude and deranged, trying to force people to enjoy something they clearly stated they don't ... nobody asked you anything. You thinking the acting in this drama is incredible is enough for me to understand you're delusional. "Your taste doesn't align", you're so dumb, you don't even know what you're saying, stop being so insecure about what people like or not. "objectively" lmaooo what a joke ... BYE.
2 
1 
I'm quite suprised by how the storyline is keeping its endurance, few dragging scenes ... but they know how to bring up the neccesary tension to keep you entertain with the action, the comedy, the chemistry etc
The drama doesn't have that arrogance of trying to be seen as more than what it actually is, and I have a huge respect for that work ethic.
The directing is very nice, I'm loving the settings, costumes and makeup.
Yu Shu Xin aka Ester Lu & Ding Yu Xi have a lovely chemistry !
I'm not fan of their acting skills, but here I'm enjoying their perfs, of course I'm not gonna seek from them any subtility nor range, but there is some sort of a sincere will to portray their characters that I like.
I also enjoy how both know the limits of their acting skills in comparison of some others who are still trying to force on the audience a belief that they have range, when clearly they don't ...
I must say I was quite disappointed with Ding Yu Xi lastest performances, but in this drama, he clearly has improved which I'm glad to see. And his style here looks so good on him !
Esther is doing what she does the best, and that's why it's working too.
I won't be suprised if the writers ruin this drama tho (hopefully not), but so far I like how the plot is actually solid.
"the leads had such a good potential"
Exactly my thought, they had a lovely chemistry and I feel like the team behind the drama didn't even use it as they should ...
I agree, the romance felt forced, I don't know if it's because of the writing or the acting, but the romance didn't feel genuine to me, there was love imo, but in a platonic way.
And it's funny how platonic they love feel when in fact I do believe the two leads have a nice chemistry together ... But they were more convincing as brother and sister ... and precisely that's why I feel the transition was badly done ... The non platonic part felt indeed artificial.
"I had given up any romantic plot and just accepted them as brother and sister"
Honestly, that's exactly my feeling. So I went to find and watch the bts of their scenes and I was satisfied with them lol ...
I definitely get what you mean by the fact that their "bro/sis" arc took a long time because it was necessary and I agree, but I think if we got 20 eps of them being brother and sister, the transition should've had the same amount of episodes for me to find it realistic.
The story :
- Average to lazy writing, nothing truly inspiring or unique : no introspections, no actual psychology, no actual real character growth or subtility just events after events that follow one another throughout the drama.
- No transition when it comes to the lovestory, which made the whole thing weird. They dragged the hell of that revelation (the fl's real identity) and again, simply because the writers were lazy and with no actual real screen writing talents ...
The romance was really poorly told, almost no intensity in the romance, the chemistry between the leads did the job but failed to restore what the writing and direction had done wrong.
We saw them having a bro/sis relationship for more than 20 eps and it was too much ...
- The fl is honestly the only character that was well written, but even the writing of her charcter was kinda deteriorating through the last part of the drama ...
- The pacing was very bad.
- The obsession of the 2nd ml took too much screentime just for the sake of having filler scenes since the writers are so lazy to write something more interesting. The fact that they use the misbehaving & his creepy tendency and obssession as a "storytelling tool" is very questionable.
The 2nd ml brought something interesting during the first 20ish eps, because of the tension around the mystery surrounding his past relationship with the fl. After that they dragged his obssessivity for too long. The writers just turned him into a cruel villain in the middle of the drama without even adding more substance to his story, we never actually saw any scene of the fl questionning why or how he turned cruel to decide to let her d'e, that's not realistic at all ...
- I'm sorry but to me the 2nd characters were so boring to watch, yeah it was kinda cute sometimes but honestly I started to skip their scenes because they were boring me way too much.
- The true angst and intensity of the story happened only around ep 35 & 36 which is way tooo long, and that angst was very very short lol
- The ending felt flat as expected.
The acting :
- Zhang Wan Yi, the ml's acting wasn't that great, his mannerism was in the way, he was ok but many of his expressions were kinda creepy without the intempt to be creepy (when he was smiling trying to be romantic... it was weird.) He was better at intense scenes, especially with his eyes (confronation scenes for exemple) but also in more easy going scenes with the fl.
- Ren Min did a good job, I had no (and will never have any issue) with her voice nor the quality of her eloquence. Her acting skills have always been solid, but the poor girl had to deal with hateful comments because of her former co-leads' creepy fans, and they tried to say she was a bad actress, pathetic liars. Anyway, I'm glad this drama was successful for her to redeem her reputation as an actress that can bring traffic.
But I have to say in some scenes I feel like she didn't deliver the intensity some scenes needed ... I could say she maybe isn't mature enough but I don't think it's exactly true, for exemple her acting in "Serenade of Peaceful Joy" was incredible, and there was a lot of maturity in her delivery back then, so I'm not sure why she insisted in making her character here always so ... maybe resilient. I needed more texture in her portrayal.
- Ci Sha definitely shone the most in this drama imo, he did great, his energy was constant, is acting always on point. At no time, he was overacting or underacting. His charisma was definitely on another level. And above all, I think he was the only one (along with the older actresses and actors) to add with his acting skills what was missing in the writing of his character.
- The older cast was also on point. I have no complain, I really think they added a lot of seriousness in the drama.
When it comes to the directing, all I can say is that it was classic, very academic, nothing really artistic but it does the job.
The chemistry between the leads but also between the whole cast was the main reason I finished the drama.
The Rise of Ning was definitely the best cdrama airing during that time but not because it was great but because the competition was inexistant.
It's once again a drama that started well and got lost, very disappointing writing, without depth or real ambition to honor the existence of its characters!
I agree with some things you wrote and I disagree on others things you also wrote.
But I try my best to always base my perception and opinion on skills and not on how I like an actor or an actress, I'm not really someone who fangirl over a celebrity to be honest or even hate one .. I'm quite detached.
I watched this actress's other dramas before, and sometimes I don't get that "fake" acting ... but here I definitely do. And that's just my opinion.
My point was precisely about how the drama was typically in the style of "Guo Jing Min". And I think a Guo Jing Ming is refusing to challenge himself, he's getting lazy.
I think a director should always aim to better she/him/them-self, to aim to portray human beings as who they truly can be and not only through the prism of idealism or a certain form of fetishism...
Here her acting feels to me very fake, she gives me the feeling of faking the personnality of her character, she isn't her character but is cosplaying a certain way of being seen ...
Then you inserted yourself. That's factual.
Maybe mdl has some dysfonctionnal bug and I received your reply on my comment, and therefore I replied to you. I wasn't rude but you called me rude. Why? Because I thanked you for your invitation of maybe trying more episodes. And I wrote I already watched them all.
In my reply, I wasn't disrespectful nor rude. What you think is rude is me stating I don't like the acting, and this is why I think you're delusional.
You're so insecure and childish, you can't even intellectually comprehend the importance of criticism.
I write my comment about my opinion and I leave, I do not insert myself when soemone is having a different opinion just to prove something.
I'm not insecure. Stop your fakery, your behavior isn't respectful at all.
I gave you the same energy you gave me.
"Move on", but it's you who is inserting yourself you weirdo ...
A drama typically in the style of Guo Jing Min.
In term of directing, gorgeous picture but overall very superficial. Extremely long scenes just for the sake of aesthetics.
In term of writing, the same exact flaws in all his work, no depth, no actual real psychology, simply a storyline that wants to be seen adventurous, glamorous and with some comedy ...
In term of acting, quite boring, nothing outstanding or special, the fl's acting is turning me off a lot ...
You're the one who is rude and deranged, trying to force people to enjoy something they clearly stated they don't ... nobody asked you anything.
You thinking the acting in this drama is incredible is enough for me to understand you're delusional.
"Your taste doesn't align", you're so dumb, you don't even know what you're saying, stop being so insecure about what people like or not.
"objectively" lmaooo what a joke ... BYE.