It was better than expected...
The first time I saw the materials when the drama had just finished filming, I honestly thought the project would do bad. Especially because I wasn't a fan of the set and couldn't envision what the production team were planning to do with it, and also because the few costumes that were seen from the reuters where too extravagant for my taste. Also wasn't sure how well the male lead will do or if the female lead Bai Lu could really lead this Xianxia project.I love watching Bai Lu's dramas as I find them entertaining, even when I watch them hoping to scrutinise everything, I still enjoyed them. But for this project, I wasn't sure I would enjoy it, I was actually very skeptical to give it a chance. But just like her other dramas, I went in hoping to find something I could scrutinize, as her dramas always attract negative comments. But interestingly, from the first episode to the last episode, I enjoyed every bit of it. Definitely better than I had expected.
However, even if I definitely enjoyed the play and honestly thought it was done well, from the plot, storyline, costume, dialogues, line delivery down to sets (I hated the first time), I think there were still some things that needed improving. So here are some points that I thought were weakness and strengths of the drama;
Weakness:
1. BaiLu: Although her lines have improved tremendously, she still needs to work on her lines, especially her intonation (Which it seems she's fully aware of). And I do hope I get to see her in dramas where she doesn't always have to cry, She's a good actress and has the potential to be better than this, but if she has to cry for every project or if every project has to have some angst or sad scenes, it will be natural for audiences to say she's always doing the same thing (although she necessarily isn't always doing the same thing).
2. As for the male lead, the second leads and the other casts, I believe they all did excellent. But the male lead and the second leads had an issue with focusing their eyes. Sometimes they mistakenly looked at the camera when they shouldn't and sometimes because the camera wasn't necessarily on them, it seemed they went off character.
3. The CGI, I don't know if it's because there were so many people involved, it was quite visible that some special effects didn't come out well. For the sets and props, although not bad, but wasn't necessarily the best either (even if I liked them), most of the props clearly were fake, especially the flowers, and the head peices, which automatically gives the audiences the impression that it was a cheap production.
4. The way the original soundtracks were used in some scenes were off. Even if I enjoyed all the soundtracks, I felt the overuse of them in scenes that didn't require them may have weakened the audiences viewership.
Strengths:
1. All the actors were good at expressing complex emotions making it more enjoyable for viewing. When it was a sad scene, the all acted very well with their eyes and facial expressions. When it was a confrontation scene or a happy scene or a romantic scene, even without a dialogue, it was easy to understand and that made it very enjoyable for me.
2. The dialogues were written so well. They put some serious thoughts into every words said by the actors. And I love how there was a message in every dialogue.
3. The action scenes were superb. It wasn't awkward, not one bit. The fight choreography if you've watched the drama you'd notice were a bit tricky, but every actor (even the supporting actors) did exceptionally well. I was extremely impressed.
4. The costumes: I don't think I need to elaborate on this point, as we can all tell how visually pleasing all the costumes looked. The most impressive thing about the costumes for me is the details put into the costumes of every clan and sect.
5. The sets and probs: although I mentioned it as a weakness, I also think it is a strength of the drama. Every set and probs seems to have been carefully prepared. I especially love the fact that it didn't give the typical feeling of Chinese Xianxia sets, and the fact that it helps the audiences understand that it is purely fictional. Which I believe was what they were going for.
6. The music: If you haven't listened to playlist of the soundtracks, I think you should go and check it out. Everyone of them is perfect, just perfect. And the instrumental soundtracks used to highlight the mood of each scenes were also used well. I think it made the scenes more enjoyable.
7. The Plot and Storyline: Usually when watching dramas, it is quite typical for the plot to slow down or the story to go off track, which sometimes goes completely off track, but that definitely wasn't the case with this drama. If you watch the drama you'd understand my point better. There were some complaints about the plot not solely being about the female lead, or about her no longer pursuing her cultivation, but I feel genuine viewers will understand that the journey of trying to acquire each thought was basically the female lead's character's journey of cultivation. The plot twists were particularly satisfying. I also loved that in every journey to acquire a thought, each stories were told beautifully and carefully. I also loved how they explain every process and actions taken by any of the characters.
In conclusion, Moonlight Mystique is a well produced drama. It sure has it's weaknesses, but it is not a bad, boring drama or would it be a waste of your time. You are bound to find something you like, If you're genuinely just looking for entertainment and not to spread hate or scrutinize or find faults. It's production definitely may not be big as the other dramas it competed with, and may lack somethings that those dramas had, but it definitely isn't a flop project not was it a failure.
Thank You
P.s (It is a very long paragraph, but if you've read it to the end, you did well)
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An Extraordinary Piece
I already knew I was going to like this drama after watching the first trailer released for it, and the more materials that were released the more my conviction strengthened. I had said this was going to be a great watch, a well made drama, and I'm glad I wasn't disappointed. The drama met and exceeded my expectations. As someone who hardly watches ‘Slice of Life’ dramas, I'm very glad I tuned in to Northward. There's a lot I'd want to say, but too many words will only diminish the true value of this drama, so I'll keep it short.Now let's discuss the strengths and weaknesses I think this drama had:
Strengths:
1. Plot & Screenwriting: I particularly think the plot was excellent. Teacher Zhao Dongling definitely left a deep impression on me, and she has officially become the first screenwriter that I have named a favourite. I loved how she wrote every character, even down to the characters that seem insignificant. The point of the characters having opinions, seemed new to a few people, which I find shocking as it is quite normal for characters to have opinions, but anyway, I loved how she made the audiences understand the differences between the opinions of a character, and the actual plot. The plot, right from the first scene of the drama to the last scene was intricate. The relation of the Grand Canal and the Six families and how its changes affected the lives of each member in the courtyard; the losses, the gains, the celebration and the mourning. Every detail, every event was perfectly written.
2. Direction: Director Yao Xiao Feng excellently delivered the best cinematography I've seen in a modern Chinese drama. From the lightning, the framing, the angles and movements, the directing of every scene was just splendid. The use of different colour grading for different scenes and different eras, every single scene left me in awe. And I can only say, I'm deeply grateful that he was chosen to direct this play.
3. Performance: Every actor came to work. No one was slacking. Every performance felt alive, every character in this play were all living through the performances of every actor. And this isn't only limited to the main casts, but also the supporting cast and the extras. At some point, I forgot I was watching a play. I thought it was a documentary, because of how realistic and live like each character felt.
4. Music/Sound: The use of the original soundtracks was nicely done, it wasn't overused, but was used appropriately. I especially loved the use of background noise to highlight the liveliness and realism of the play. Using the sound to depict the hustle and bustle of the big city of Beijing and the warmth of home of Flower Street.
I couldn't find a weakness, I tried so hard to find one, but if I pushed too hard, that would just be me nitpicking. Even the blooper of the camera man appearing on screen, I wouldn't consider a weakness because of how smartly they cut that scene.
In conclusion, Northward is an excellent drama piece that I wish more people would watch. And I want to thank everyone in the making of Northward, from the director, screenwriter, novel writer, producer, cameraman, actors to every crew member who was involved in this project, they all worked hard, and it definitely paid off. I hope to see more of such excellent projects in the Chinese entertainment industry.
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