I'm up to episode 18, and I'm really enjoying the drama, but I'm going to have a whinge. If it turns out I'm wrong,…
OK - Five episodes later, Jiang Jiao Jiao did significantly help out Liang Tao. This decision actually cost him financially, but he didn't know that he would suffer until AFTER he helped her. I suspect that his motive for helping her now is simply because he wants to get into her pants. If he knew that helping her would cost himself financially, OR if he wasn't now interested in her romantically, I suspect he wouldn't have helped her, based on his previous behaviour. If I'm correct, then I'm not sure he should get much credit for helping her now, as his motivation is probably entirely selfish. But I'll keep an open mind and see if his character experiences sufficient growth to redeem his initial misogynistic behaviour. He loses some points for the non-concensual kiss in episode 27. Consent in Asia seems to be less of an issue that it is in the West.
I quite enjoyed this drama, even though it sometimes frustrated and confused me. It had the potential to be amazing, but unfortuantely suffered from some poor writing, including contrived misunderstandings which only existed to generate conflict to drive the narrative forward. I understand they were emphasising unrequited love, but I think they may have overdone it. By my count, there were four love triangles, although two or maybe even three of them that could be described as love quadrangles (or love squares?). It required a fair bit of concentration to keep up with who loves who. Its best to not think too much when watching this drama. Just turn your brain off and enjoy the story for what it is. 8/10.
A really well made drama, with an interesting story, excellent acting (Song Ha Yoon was supurb) and very nice cinematography. The pacing was good and the twists were believable. I also appreciate the effort the writers put into wrapping up all the little subplots in the final episode. The drama just felt complete and satisfying, which is something I don't always get after finishing a drama. One of the best Korean dramas I've watched this year. 9/10.
I hate nobel idiocy so much in dramas. It's usually the result of lazy or unimaginative writing. No sane person would ever think "I love you so much, I'm going to rip your heart out of your chest and stomp it into the dirt". Having said that, I can sort of nearly almost believe it in this drama, because ... [see spoiler]
I'm up to episode 18, and I'm really enjoying the drama, but I'm going to have a whinge. If it turns out I'm wrong, I'll edit or delete this comment. It seems pretty clear that Liang Tao is going to end up with Jiang Jiao Jiao, and this annoys me. From what we've seen so far, Jiang Jiao Jiao is an arrogant, entitled, immature, misogynistic dick who has actively worked to humiliate Liang Tao and to damage her career. This isn't an eight year old boy pulling the hair of a girl he likes. This is an adult, choosing to damage a woman professionally for his own gratification. For a woman to choose to have a relationship with such a man reflects very poorly on her in my opinion.
Several comments below saying this is a great pair. In the movie "Mother", Chun Woo Hee showed us her great pair. Giggity. But that seems to be the way many young Korean actresses got noticed.
I'm enjoying the drama, but I wasn't a fan of Chen Mai Dong physically overpowering Zhuang Jie so he could kiss her. It was non-concensual, as evidence by her attempted resistance (biting him the first time he tried it, and then hitting and pushing him the second time). It was by definition sexual assault, and I have to admit I was surprised to see that in a Chinese drama.
Started this bc its leaving netflix. So far i love the main girl. I am ver annoyed by all the misunderstanding..
Me too. I'm quite enjoying it even though it has some poor writing. I find myself often talking to my screen, especially to Sheng Huai Nan telling him to open his mouth and speak the one sentence necessary to solve the latest misunderstanding. But alas, he chooses to either remain mute or say something unhelpfully ambigious. I had to laugh when he said to Ye Zhan Yan, "I've made myself very clear, havent I?", when he in fact has been anything but clear. And then he immediately declines her movie invitation because he was "busy" and "tired", rather than because he wasn't interested in her. He thrives on ambiguity. But provided I turn my brain off and ignore the plot holes, I can enjoy the show for what it is.
It's available on YouTube, but without subs. The dubbing of Park Min Young's dialogue by a voice actor is really bad ... almost comical. Park Min Young must have been paid a shit load of cash to star in the drama, because I can't think why else she would accept such a role.
It's a very well made show, interesting concept and well acted, but its just not for me. I just don't enjoy watching characters suffer. Even though I'm dropping it, I still encourage people to give it a watch if the plot interests you. Based on the MDL score, chances are you'll love it.
ok that you liked it but its not a well written drama LOL, sorry. People have dissected the poor writing below…
I don't think I've ever watched a drama that didn't have some plot holes in it. Highly improbably coincidences are very common in dramas or all types. Apparently inconsistent behaviour from a character assumes that the viewer has perfect knowledge of that character AND that character always acts in a manner entirely consistent with their previous behaviour. No human in reality is always entirely consistent with how they act. Even a careful and intelligent person can be tricked. I though the last episode was reasonable. I've never argued that this drama is PERFECTLY written (because no drama is), but by no reasonable standard can you conclude the writing is VERY poor. I've seen VERY poor writing before, and this most definitely isn't it. So, once again, I am happy to agree to disagree with you. Even with its flaws, it is a well written drama in my opinion. The fact that this drama has an MDL rating of 9.1 from nearly 62,000 viewers means a hell of a lot more people agree with me that agree with you. Also, when I look at your drama list, you've rated two-thirds of the dramas you've watched as perfect 10s (which includes some very average dramas and plenty with the same issues you criticise in FOE), and then you've rated some excellent dramas with absurdly low scores. If your score is 8 points lower than the average score from tens of thousands of viewers, then it is pretty clear to me that the problem is with you, and not with the tens of thousands of other viewers.
I understand they were emphasising unrequited love, but I think they may have overdone it. By my count, there were four love triangles, although two or maybe even three of them that could be described as love quadrangles (or love squares?). It required a fair bit of concentration to keep up with who loves who. Its best to not think too much when watching this drama. Just turn your brain off and enjoy the story for what it is.
8/10.
9/10.
Having said that, I can sort of nearly almost believe it in this drama, because ... [see spoiler]
It seems pretty clear that Liang Tao is going to end up with Jiang Jiao Jiao, and this annoys me. From what we've seen so far, Jiang Jiao Jiao is an arrogant, entitled, immature, misogynistic dick who has actively worked to humiliate Liang Tao and to damage her career. This isn't an eight year old boy pulling the hair of a girl he likes. This is an adult, choosing to damage a woman professionally for his own gratification. For a woman to choose to have a relationship with such a man reflects very poorly on her in my opinion.
But provided I turn my brain off and ignore the plot holes, I can enjoy the show for what it is.
I've never argued that this drama is PERFECTLY written (because no drama is), but by no reasonable standard can you conclude the writing is VERY poor. I've seen VERY poor writing before, and this most definitely isn't it.
So, once again, I am happy to agree to disagree with you. Even with its flaws, it is a well written drama in my opinion. The fact that this drama has an MDL rating of 9.1 from nearly 62,000 viewers means a hell of a lot more people agree with me that agree with you. Also, when I look at your drama list, you've rated two-thirds of the dramas you've watched as perfect 10s (which includes some very average dramas and plenty with the same issues you criticise in FOE), and then you've rated some excellent dramas with absurdly low scores. If your score is 8 points lower than the average score from tens of thousands of viewers, then it is pretty clear to me that the problem is with you, and not with the tens of thousands of other viewers.