Is this any good? And for those of you who know me - will I like this? Trying to decide between this and Sharp…
If you liked The Lost Identity, The Message and The Infiltrator. You will likely enjoy this one too. I have only watched 5 episodes so far, yet chose to pause until all episodes are released, sensing that frustration might build midway.
I must say, it is refreshing for me, to see FSF inhabiting this kind of character. Having grown accustomed to his portrayals of strong and commanding figures, it is striking to watch him appear powerless, though clearly feigning it. This is the first time I have seen him in such a role, and it reveals the maturity and depth of an experienced actor.
Equally, it is the first time Gulnezer has struck me as more human. In her previous roles (which I dropped) she often seemed somewhat “plastic”, for lack of a better word. Here, however, she feels natural and convincing. I find her well-suited to this character and hope she continues to explore more republican era roles.
Your opening paragraph left me genuinely puzzled and I fail to see its relevance to my original question or my subsequent replies to others. That said, since you've written such an extensive monologue, I'll briefly address the glaring flaws in your reasoning before moving on.
You claim everyone is "tired" of Republican-era spy dramas because they're formulaic and overly focused on spying and the Japanese. Yet you turn around and vigorously defend The Awake, which is, by your own description, exactly that: a Republican-era spy drama about a beautiful prostitute spy who sacrifices herself for her country against the Japanese. You cannot dismiss an entire genre while carving out a special exemption for your favourite show. If the genre is inherently tired, The Awake isn't magically immune, you've simply chosen which formula you personally prefer.
Claiming that a "highly-trained" traditional writer automatically produces superior depth while dismissing others as mere "web writers" is an unsubstantiated appeal to authority. Being traditionally published does not guarantee multi-dimensional characters, just as being a web writer doesn't preclude thoughtful storytelling. You provide no concrete examples of nuanced dialogue, unique character arcs, or standout plot developments from The Awake, you merely assert superiority. Meanwhile, you label rival dramas as "one-dimensional" without offering a single scene specific to critique. That's not analysis; it's just empty labeling.
Nevertheless, your real agenda is pretty obvious; the most telling line in your entire comment is your frustration that “rival fans” (created in your head without reason or perhaps because you might be an imbecile idol worshipper) are recommending other dramas on Nazha's platforms (are you even thinking straight?).
Your lengthy post isn't an objective critique of China's television industry, it's a defensive, territorial fan war manifesto aimed at silencing people who you assume are competitors (particularly Johnny Huang's fans). Your criticisms about episode length, pacing, and character development are generic buzzwords that could apply to almost any 40-episode period drama.Including, frankly, the one you're promoting.
Finally, none of this addresses my original question or the conversation I was having with others. You've parachuted into a discussion to deliver a fandom defense dressed up as cultural criticism, and it simply doesn't land.
In short: if you're going to call an entire genre tired, don't turn around and champion a show that ticks every single box of that genre. That's not intellectual critique, it's simply a stan behaviour. And I have no interest in engaging with it further. Go to Nazha to get a hug, she might care about you worshipping her as your idol.
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I have only watched 5 episodes so far, yet chose to pause until all episodes are released, sensing that frustration might build midway.
I must say, it is refreshing for me, to see FSF inhabiting this kind of character. Having grown accustomed to his portrayals of strong and commanding figures, it is striking to watch him appear powerless, though clearly feigning it. This is the first time I have seen him in such a role, and it reveals the maturity and depth of an experienced actor.
Equally, it is the first time Gulnezer has struck me as more human. In her previous roles (which I dropped) she often seemed somewhat “plastic”, for lack of a better word. Here, however, she feels natural and convincing. I find her well-suited to this character and hope she continues to explore more republican era roles.
Wonder if the story is good?
There’s no real person with a job and life that would behave like this bot’s behavior.
It’s an energy sucker looking for victims to feed it.
You claim everyone is "tired" of Republican-era spy dramas because they're formulaic and overly focused on spying and the Japanese. Yet you turn around and vigorously defend The Awake, which is, by your own description, exactly that: a Republican-era spy drama about a beautiful prostitute spy who sacrifices herself for her country against the Japanese. You cannot dismiss an entire genre while carving out a special exemption for your favourite show. If the genre is inherently tired, The Awake isn't magically immune, you've simply chosen which formula you personally prefer.
Claiming that a "highly-trained" traditional writer automatically produces superior depth while dismissing others as mere "web writers" is an unsubstantiated appeal to authority. Being traditionally published does not guarantee multi-dimensional characters, just as being a web writer doesn't preclude thoughtful storytelling. You provide no concrete examples of nuanced dialogue, unique character arcs, or standout plot developments from The Awake, you merely assert superiority. Meanwhile, you label rival dramas as "one-dimensional" without offering a single scene specific to critique. That's not analysis; it's just empty labeling.
Nevertheless, your real agenda is pretty obvious; the most telling line in your entire comment is your frustration that “rival fans” (created in your head without reason or perhaps because you might be an imbecile idol worshipper) are recommending other dramas on Nazha's platforms (are you even thinking straight?).
Your lengthy post isn't an objective critique of China's television industry, it's a defensive, territorial fan war manifesto aimed at silencing people who you assume are competitors (particularly Johnny Huang's fans). Your criticisms about episode length, pacing, and character development are generic buzzwords that could apply to almost any 40-episode period drama.Including, frankly, the one you're promoting.
Finally, none of this addresses my original question or the conversation I was having with others. You've parachuted into a discussion to deliver a fandom defense dressed up as cultural criticism, and it simply doesn't land.
In short: if you're going to call an entire genre tired, don't turn around and champion a show that ticks every single box of that genre. That's not intellectual critique, it's simply a stan behaviour. And I have no interest in engaging with it further.
Go to Nazha to get a hug, she might care about you worshipping her as your idol.
After the watching the first episode, i think this is in the same level and quality script.
In that state of mind, it appears you have concluded that something is wrong with me.
Do you need a hug?
To those who’ve been watching, is it good?
A few kisses and skinship here and there gets the hype.