This review may contain spoilers
Another of ZZD's classics, Grovelling Arc made fresh
Absolute cinema. Everything was top notch from the clever execution of a very particular trope (I'll get to it), to the acting (down to the child actor), the styling, direction, even the (ripped-off) music was good, and the chemistry between the leads was effortless. Level-headed Zhang Shan was an amazing foil to ZZD's crazed lover character, they were a perfect match acting wise.
Okay so if you're like me and have consumed an ungodly amount of so called trashy romances, you know there is one particular story arc that occurs a lot : the Grovelling Arc™, that comes after the ML mistreats the FL for various reasons (shotgun or arranged marriage, misunderstandings or lies, sometimes he has controlling tendencies like here, sometimes he's a straight up villain). She escapes, oftenly pregnant, finds refuge in another gentler man's care (or finds more troubles) and he chases her relentlessly. This trope is very common but I'm not the biggest fan of it, especially when there is a secret baby in tow, so I was not thrilled to know that the drama was going to be all about that.
Lo and behold, this drama managed to be creative, sexy and fun about it, juicing the best aspects of this kind of fantasy. I was a bit sad that we don't get to see their "captive by the boss" era because hello, it's Zhao Zhen Dong, who doesn't want to be locked in his *uguu* cage of love, but I totally underestimated how hot his grovelling era would be. First, the drama doesn't let us entirely down on the captive front with the use of masks, ties and cuffs, second the kid was not a mood killer as I feared, he was actually quite cute and natural, and there was always some convenient nanny to take care of him while mommy and daddy needed to have a little "talk", and third ZZD was not exactly repentant, he was more bent on shamelessly seducing her while making some amends. I also loved their version of the trope : she did do something terrible to him in return of what he did, thankfully not to the point of actively pretending the SML is her kid's father (I have a deep distate for this particular lie in romance), and they took the time to explain why the ML is like that without giving him absolution. I'm also a sucker for a good redemption and I loved how it was done here : he made amends but didn't undergo a personnality transplant either, he stayed messy, troubled, and possessive. Finally I was surprised at how much I enjoyed his relationship with his kid, the way he was sooo happy to have finally found his family was so moving (ZZD is so good at pulling those emotions), and I love that his family was unique and messed up but still loving, again the drama never tried to write its heroes as perfect human beings.
Okay so if you're like me and have consumed an ungodly amount of so called trashy romances, you know there is one particular story arc that occurs a lot : the Grovelling Arc™, that comes after the ML mistreats the FL for various reasons (shotgun or arranged marriage, misunderstandings or lies, sometimes he has controlling tendencies like here, sometimes he's a straight up villain). She escapes, oftenly pregnant, finds refuge in another gentler man's care (or finds more troubles) and he chases her relentlessly. This trope is very common but I'm not the biggest fan of it, especially when there is a secret baby in tow, so I was not thrilled to know that the drama was going to be all about that.
Lo and behold, this drama managed to be creative, sexy and fun about it, juicing the best aspects of this kind of fantasy. I was a bit sad that we don't get to see their "captive by the boss" era because hello, it's Zhao Zhen Dong, who doesn't want to be locked in his *uguu* cage of love, but I totally underestimated how hot his grovelling era would be. First, the drama doesn't let us entirely down on the captive front with the use of masks, ties and cuffs, second the kid was not a mood killer as I feared, he was actually quite cute and natural, and there was always some convenient nanny to take care of him while mommy and daddy needed to have a little "talk", and third ZZD was not exactly repentant, he was more bent on shamelessly seducing her while making some amends. I also loved their version of the trope : she did do something terrible to him in return of what he did, thankfully not to the point of actively pretending the SML is her kid's father (I have a deep distate for this particular lie in romance), and they took the time to explain why the ML is like that without giving him absolution. I'm also a sucker for a good redemption and I loved how it was done here : he made amends but didn't undergo a personnality transplant either, he stayed messy, troubled, and possessive. Finally I was surprised at how much I enjoyed his relationship with his kid, the way he was sooo happy to have finally found his family was so moving (ZZD is so good at pulling those emotions), and I love that his family was unique and messed up but still loving, again the drama never tried to write its heroes as perfect human beings.
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