This drama is heartbreaking. Some heavy things happened. The friendship between the four of them is like a glimmer of light in all of the darkness they experience. This is not an easy watch. But it is also often cheerful and fun.
I really liked Wang Yan Hui as the kind and righteous detective and father. Ou Hao shines bright as the unlucky Qin Li. The acting overal is excellent. The music is beautiful too.
A little something about privilege and some insight I obtained from watching this drama: I’m someone who feels very privileged to have wonderful parents and to have had a cheerful youth with no trauma’s. I have actually only known prosperity and health. I am privileged because when I took my first breath I was already three steps ‘ahead’ in life because of the circumstances in which I was born. This drama is a good reminder that life treats some people very unkind. People who are like Qin Li and Huang Shu. Kids who started three steps behind in life. I am grateful for the privilege I enjoy and this becomes clearer every day. I think it is the obligation of people like me to not close our eyes or look away from the suffering they have to endure.
“If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain.”
Voor iedereen die moeite heeft met Engelse ondertiteling: Op Viki is de ondertiteling nu volledig in het Nederlands beschikbaar! Je kunt het gratis bekijken. Veel kijk plezier!
Subs now fully translated in Dutch on Viki! It's free to watch. Have Fun!
I love how the songs the choir sings are songs about their village hometown, the nature around them, the birds around them, family etc. It's a stark contrast to all the suffering and the pain caused by pointless wars. The songs contain a longing to the former normal, as it used to be, when they lived in peace. Even though this movie is based upon the Korean War in de fifties, the theme and message are as current as ever, unfortunately.
NL: Hierbij wil ik even laten weten dat deze film op Viki.com gratis te bekijken is met Nederlandse ondertiteling! Dus aarzel niet deze mooie aangrijpende film te kijken. Echt een aanrader.
EN: I just wanted to say that this is a wonderful movie and this wonderful movie is now available with Dutch subtitles on Viki.com! So for all my fellow Dutchies out there, do not hesitate to watch this :)
Such a joy watching this series! Suda Masaki is marvelous as the eccentric, good-hearted genius Totono. His acting lifts this whole series to a higher level. The story is engaging and consists of smaller 'cases' that need some mystery solving and an overarching main story. The focus is mainly on Totono, his personality and how he tries to solve the mysteries. But there are also some great supporting characters like Garou and Raika. It all made me wish I could stay longer in this whole Totono Holmes universe. Rooting for a season 2!
I really liked the movie. It's about the life of three kids from a mountain village in Taiwan. Slowly we get to know the boys, their homes and family situations. All three of them have a broken background. Mostly because of their parents or the lack thereof. Yet they are really enthusiastic and full of life and dreams. Just like boys from that age are. I loved it when they converse with eachother when there are no adults. It reminded me of being that age and their way of thinking. Their acting isn't super polished or top notch but it actually feels quite realistic because of that.
In the movie we get to see some sad moments but its also filled with happy and joyfull moments. Like the succes they have with illegally selling food for allowance money or when they go adventuring up the mountain (running from home). Especially their beautiful and kind physically disabled teacher Miss Lawa who they really love and is so loving to all the children who attend her afterschool care. It's like an escape from home for them.
The importance of making music is also a recurring theme in the movie. The boys are quite surprised when they find out Miss Lawa is a wonderful singer. It adds to the cute teacher 'crush' one of the boys has.
The makers of the movie also tried to show us a little about the customs and the way of living the inhabitants of the village have. Also about the tough life some of them live and the impact poverty has on the youth. All of this makes this movie a very entertaining watch and leaves you wanting to see more of the kids and the people around them.
It's quite spectacular that the 13 y/o delinquent boy in the first two episodes is played by actress Lee Yeon. Only figured that one out after finishing episode 10 and went curiously scrolling through the cast on MDL. I guess those 2 years juvenile detention didn't do him much good judging from the last scene... poor psycho
You should do what you think is best for you. Maybe some time in the future you'll be able to watch it. Or you can try and stop watching when you reach the later episodes when the mothers health begins to deteriorate. Whatever you decide, it's fine. Good luck!
Yes, I'm afraid she does. She's diagnosed with cancer. The drama is part her in her younger years caring for her son as a single mother and part him caring for his mother until they have to say goodbye in the end. Quite sad but there are a lot of beautiful and heartwarming moments in this drama so it's not overly sad.
I just love episode 26! Joy and sadness collide in this wonderful story. This really is life, isn't it? The car scene with the three of them listening and singing together is just happiness. Don't we all want to just stay in those moments?
This just takes my breath away. I decided to watch this movie because I really wanted to see it not even knowing all of this. I wasn't even aware it was based on a true story right.. So I watched it this evening and afterwards before going to bed I go and check some local news on my phone and one of the news items was a video with the title 'Chinese couple reunited with abducted son after 14-year' I kid you not. Right after watching this movie. And it's about them! [mind is blow at this point] Such a coincidence. I'm so happy for the reunited family. :)
Wonderful series so far! (15 episodes in) Good acting of both Dong Jie as the patient, strong and loving mother and Yin Fang as the kind, just and loyal son. They are very likeable characters. The overal vibe of the series is lovely. Calm pacing, touching and compelling. The storylines of both mother and son are followed with some back and forth time jumping. Despite the suggestive title, it's not too dramatic thus far but some sad things happen, but also a lot of happy times. Its overal focus is on the close relationship between mother and son and how they both individually try to find their way in life but always keeping the other in mind. I hope the next 15 episodes will be even better. Enjoy watching this guys!
I really liked Wang Yan Hui as the kind and righteous detective and father. Ou Hao shines bright as the unlucky Qin Li. The acting overal is excellent. The music is beautiful too.
A little something about privilege and some insight I obtained from watching this drama:
I’m someone who feels very privileged to have wonderful parents and to have had a cheerful youth with no trauma’s. I have actually only known prosperity and health. I am privileged because when I took my first breath I was already three steps ‘ahead’ in life because of the circumstances in which I was born. This drama is a good reminder that life treats some people very unkind. People who are like Qin Li and Huang Shu. Kids who started three steps behind in life. I am grateful for the privilege I enjoy and this becomes clearer every day. I think it is the obligation of people like me to not close our eyes or look away from the suffering they have to endure.
“If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.”
Subs now fully translated in Dutch on Viki! It's free to watch. Have Fun!
Can't wait for the movie to come out!!
EN: I just wanted to say that this is a wonderful movie and this wonderful movie is now available with Dutch subtitles on Viki.com! So for all my fellow Dutchies out there, do not hesitate to watch this :)
In the movie we get to see some sad moments but its also filled with happy and joyfull moments. Like the succes they have with illegally selling food for allowance money or when they go adventuring up the mountain (running from home). Especially their beautiful and kind physically disabled teacher Miss Lawa who they really love and is so loving to all the children who attend her afterschool care. It's like an escape from home for them.
The importance of making music is also a recurring theme in the movie. The boys are quite surprised when they find out Miss Lawa is a wonderful singer. It adds to the cute teacher 'crush' one of the boys has.
The makers of the movie also tried to show us a little about the customs and the way of living the inhabitants of the village have. Also about the tough life some of them live and the impact poverty has on the youth. All of this makes this movie a very entertaining watch and leaves you wanting to see more of the kids and the people around them.
The couple who lead the 'Missing Child Support Group' in the movie, the real 'Han De Zhong' and his wife (Sun Haiyang and Peng Siying) have found their son, Sun Zhuo, after fourteen years!! It's all over the news!
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/china/chinese-parents-reunited-abducted-son-14-year-search-inspired-hit-movi-rcna8385
I really don't know if I should put a spoiler tag on this but I guess not right? ;)
This just takes my breath away. I decided to watch this movie because I really wanted to see it not even knowing all of this. I wasn't even aware it was based on a true story right.. So I watched it this evening and afterwards before going to bed I go and check some local news on my phone and one of the news items was a video with the title 'Chinese couple reunited with abducted son after 14-year' I kid you not. Right after watching this movie. And it's about them! [mind is blow at this point] Such a coincidence. I'm so happy for the reunited family. :)