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Heartbreak drama
Here to Heart was my Go-To Drama for May 2018. It started out very favorable, owing to the participation of Hans Zhang and Janine Chang, who are engaging actors. As the drama progressed, with the characters remaining in a rut, I began to notice the bipolar, depressed, weepy and/or deluded characteristics of several characters. Midstream, the weepiness began to wear on me. By the end, I was too worn out, to cry during the lovers' emotional reunion.Story: 6.5
A credible romance plot with too much weepiness, depression, delusion. By the middle of the story, I had no empathy and sympathy for the two lovers, Wen Nuan and Zhan Nanxian. Their persistent weepiness and inadequate communication skill made me indifferent to the lovers' plight. While the supporting characters were beautiful to behold, their mini stories also seemed to drag on forever.
Acting/Cast: 8
Credible acting by the main and supporting casts! Janine Chang's range of emotions was impressive, but she was wept her way through this drama, and that was depressing. Hans Zhang exuded charm and elegance on screen, but his weepiness was depressing. My favorite character was Gao Fang (… actor Ji Xiao Bing), who was the only rational, normal person.
Music: 9.5
The incidental music was beautiful. I wondered if the Winter Sonata composer composed the music. The theme song was overplayed too much; two or three times in the episodes. Once is enough, during the opening credits.
Rewatch value: 1
I was too depressed, watching the depressed, bipolar, deluded characters. Never again!
Overall rating: 6.5
If the drama had been trimmed to 30 episodes, with a tighter plot, less drivel, less weepiness, less depression, it would have been awarded the title of Ultimate Romance Drama to challenge the K-drama, Winter Sonata, sitting at the top of the Romance Drama chart. The Writer, Director and Actors put too much emphasis on the MELODRAMA, versus DRAMA.
Wardrobe notes:
Janine and Hans wore the most beautiful fashions, but some of their wardrobe should have been rejected. Nanxian wore checkered pajama pants and a tailored black tuxedo jacket and bowtie, and loafer shoes that looked like bedroom slippers, at his wedding in episode 45. Wen Nuan's red dress in the final London scene looked ill-fitting. It was loose and ready to fall off her. Yixin was an extreme fashionista, wearing elegant or tacky outfits. In general, all the actors were subjected to the whims of the wardrobe department.
Observation:
I felt that HTH had the tone of Winter Sonata, in story, characters and music. Lost love, love rivals, lost memory, interfering deluded parent, lack of communication, dream house, weepiness, depression, delusion! There were similarities between the four main characters of HTH and WS. Wen Nuan (=Yu Jin), Nanxian (=Joon Sang), Linlu (=Sang Hyuk) and Yixin (=Chaelin)! The HTH characters had more depth of character and job responsibilities.
The final montage of the couple in their State of Happiness was unnecessary. The drama should have ended at their final reunion by the River Thames.
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Handsome Prince falls in love
This was an epic drama, in storyline and length. All the actors gave memorable acting performances. The costume designs were beautiful.Poor Wei Young was targeted by every villain, who underestimated her survival skills. The Touba Jun/Wei Young romance was charming, until Tuoba Jun married Wei Young's arch-enemy #1, Changle. Arch-enemy #2, Changru, was even more dangerous and mad. Midway, the plot slowed down, and it was a great effort to keep watching Wei Young constantly being ridiculed, harrassed or tortured. My primary motivation was to see the end of the drama.
What made this epic drama effective, was the fact that 54 episodes were broadcast over a span of four weeks.
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This review may contain spoilers
I was very curious about this drama, because it referenced Wuthering Heights. I read the English Literature novel in school, and also watched a British drama and two British movies. I found the C-drama to be executed well. The director and screenwriter adapted the Literature novel into a Chinese melodrama, and did a very good job with the planning and execution. The production values are very good. The subtle use of flashbacks did not interrupt the flow of the story, and there was no blatant singing and overpowering BGM to stifle the characters' dialog. I give the film editor high marks for this drama, as well. The female director knew how to make good drama.The casting was not impressive, except for the actor Wang Jin Song who played the Uncle. The actor, who has appeared in many series, including Nirvana in Fire, looked ageless. He filmed this drama while he was in the early 40s, and he looked like a teenager. He was the best looking actor in the entire cast. The ML and FL did a good acting job, but they were not the most photogenic or charismatic actors. Neither was the male SLS, or the "villain" Young Master. The ML's wardrobe, as an adult, was impeccable. His western suits and coats were tailored to his size, to perfection. Also, the male SLS dressed like he shopped on Saville Row.
The MDL cast list is very sparse. It shows less than 40% of the drama cast. The ML is missing from the list. Wang Yi is Wei Tianxi.
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Yet another Tomb installment
I started this drama on a whim last week, and did a marathon watch over five days. At the home stretch, I suspected that Ultimate Note would end at a dead end. The pacing was neither slow, nor fast. Some of the dialog was silly and unnecessary. I am disappointed that they did not finish the drama in thirty-six episodes. They should have added six episodes, and cut out the frills, to wrap up the Ultimate Note mystery. If the production company supports the project, they should start Season 2, and complete the story. They should keep the same cast for continuity.I watched Mystic Nine, Tomb of the Sea and Time Raiders, so I was familiar with Nine Gates and a few of the characters. My favorite actors were Pacy Wan (Pan Zi), Liu Yu Han (Xie Yu Chen) and Joseph Zeng (Wu Xie).
The reason I picked the drama was because of Liu Yu Ning, who I have been watching in Long Ballad. His character is mysterious, but annoying.
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Tombitis
Mystic Nine was my first longform C-drama. William Chan, Zhao Liying, Zhang Yixing, Ying Haoming and Zhang Mingen were perfectly cast in their roles. William's and Mingen's fight scenes/stunts were very impressive (their characters were highly skilled members of the mysterious Zhang family tree).There were holes in the plot that was not clearly defined. There was some awkward editing, too much tomb filler or repetitive flashbacks. Sometimes two scenes were intercut, causing fidgets or short attention span, to get to the end of the episode. Some plotlines seemed interminable; time stood still in the tombs. Some deleted scenes should have been kept intact, that would have filled in the blanks.
If the drama had been edited properly with the existing film footage, the drama could have looked stellar. Instead of 48 episodes, they could have re-engineered it down to 40 episodes.
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Idol historical costume drama
I had great difficulty keeping up with the plot, and sympathizing with the superficial characters and the storyline. It is more of a contemporary historical drama, with the K-POP fans as the target audience. This was touted as a pre-produced drama, but the planning and execution of a poor script, emotionless acting with excessive crying and average directing, shows in the end-result.The scene stealers were Park Ban-ryu and Kim Soo-yeon (Do Ji-Han and Lee Da-in). The weakest link was Kim Ah-Ro(Go Ara). If they had strengthened her back-bone, and deleted 90% of the crying, she would have shined among the young cast. The two characters that I rank last, are the Queen of Shilla and Park Yeong-Shil. Queen Jiso sat on the throne to protect her son, but at some point, it seemed like she was on a power trip. Park was a sleazy villain, who wanted to rule Shilla.
This is a drama where I was impressed with the incidental music, more than with the cast, characters and story.
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Excellent desert adventure
Parallel World is one of the best desert sands drama, with very good production values in directing, casting, acting, editing, music, cinematography, special effects. Ni Ni's acting performance is exceptional. This is the second drama I seen her in. She and Bai Yu lit up the screen. The other actors did a very good job. Jin Han is one of the best character actors.Ths Old Man and the Painter's random scenes disrupted the story flow. It might have been better if they were identified as writer and creator of the plot. Long Zhi looked pretty, but she didn't spark as the villain.
Final rating: 8.5
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This review may contain spoilers
Romance of Li Ge and Yi Kang
SOG was one of the few romance costume dramas with an actual love and romance story and chemistry between the ML and FL actors. The ML and FL started off, not on the same page, but the romance kicked in quickly, and maintained the momentum.
The writer and director should have kept the number of villains at two, and cut the drama length by 20%. Grand Consort stayed too long in the story line, backstabbing and front-stabbing Yi Kang, and stabbing herself in the process. Given the attention to detail and filler throughout the drama, the writer and director should have done a better job wrapping up the story. Instead, they gave us yet another ambiguous costume drama ending.
Cons: Too many villains, fillers and flashbacks, MV scenes, disruptive singing, editing, drama length
Pros: Acting and costumes
Favorite characters:
Shen Li Ge
Peng Cheng Yi Kang
San Bao
Shen Ting Zhang
Shen Zhi
Shen Feng
Xie Yun Zhi
Huo Yun
Wang Zi Jin
Chen Shao Xun
Least favorite characters:
Grand Consort Sun - villain
Wan Er - villain
Xiao Xin - Li Ge's maid
Madam Shen
Xue Qiu - villain
Lu Yuan - villain
Shen Le Qing - villain
Wang Mi An - villain
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I was surprised to see Zhao Li Ying as the female villain; a two-faced, manipulative servant who rises above her station. Her character's fate was also not surprising. The ending was happy, but one wonders if it was the FL's wishing thinking. Her hallucinations or visions might equate to daydreaming. I thought the female lead actress was weak. Her character was weak, so it was perfect casting. I liked the actor who played Thirteenth Prince, and recognized his name.
The music and editing were well done. The story flowed from beginning to end, with some unnecessary flashback filler. The historical costume C-drama production teams should use this as a benchmark for drama time management.
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Novoland adventure with the Winged Tribe
I watched Novoland Castle in the Sky #1 for Zhang Ruo Yun and Guan Xiao Tong.Story:
Emperor Feng Tian Yi started out as megalomaniacal and arrogant, but he revealed his motives for acting like a young despot. Fuling was the nucleus of the story. Fuling was stiff, but her temperament seemed to be the perfect yang(bright) to Tian Yi's yin(dark). SLS Prince Bai Ting Jun was lackluster, but his temperament was most compatible with Fuling's personality.
Acting/Cast
Zhang Ruo Yun carried the show with his superb acting and his regal stature. He is one of the outstanding young actors in China. Guan Xiao Tong's acting was adequate, but still charming on screen.
Music:
Music moved the drama along adequately.
Overall:
The maniacal Queen and Fuling's father's side story was tedious, and a detriment to the plot. The wingkind tribe seemed to function in a small space. CGI and props were cheesy,and reminiscent of the early Doctor Who days. The M-POP artist in the end credits seems disjointed with the drama setting.
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Story 8.5
The love story between a rich egocentric charming heir of a conglomerate and apoor but kind-hearted school-teacher. Jae In's grandfather acted as matchmaker/fairy godfather, to bring the two seemly mismatched characters together.
Acting/Cast 8.5
Ha Suk Jin and Jeon So Min were perfectly cast as the lead characters.
Music 8.0
Music moved the drama toward the conclusion.
Rewatch value 9
I watched this drama twice.
Overall 8.5
The weekly scripts and the leading actors' performances kept my attention, as the romance continued on the incline. I cringed at Jae In's fashion choices 90% of the time. Ha Suk Jin/Jae In looked perfect, otherwise.
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This review may contain spoilers
Dreaming Back to the Wan Dynasty (LOL)
Spoiler alert:I started this pilgrimage to Wan Village for Zhao Liying and Luo Jin. Watching the first episode, I was aggravated by the backward thinking and lackadaisical viewpoints of the Wan Village People. "Wedding hazing has been a tradition for generations, and the young people were just having fun", they said. WTF? Wan Village was rife with sycophants, including He Xingfu's MIL Mr. Wang, FIL Mrs. Lin (...Wang), Husband Qinglai, BIL Qingzhi and SIL Xiuyu.
The Wang and the Wans' fate lines were intertwined. The prosperous Wans were poison ivy vines that stifled the Wangs at every twist and turn, so the latter could not catch a break. Emperor Wan Shantang, Crown Prince Wan Chuanjia and Princess Wan Chuanmei abused their privileged status, undermining the Wang family at will. Luckily the middle child Wang Qingzhi had escaped the clutches of the Wans, when he moved to the city to pursue a university education and a subsequent civil service job. The outsider, He Xingfu, became the avenger for the Wang family, demanding justice for wrongdoings, while battling the usual apathy and sycophancy from Mr. and Mrs. Wang, who vacillated in every scene: sometimes sounding intelligent, sometimes sounding stupid. Mr. and Mrs. Wang win Most Sycophantic Stupid Bad Parents Award. He Xingfu wins the Best Daughter-in-Law Award.
Money comes at a price. The Wan business motto was “Rule by Intimidation and Reward the Peasant”. Chuanjia, the golden son, seized the lands that Qinglai and Xingfu were farming, and refused to compensate them for their financial losses. After kicking Qinglai in the balls, Mr Wan agreed to pay him the requested compensation. There were many incidents between the Wangs and the Wans, but the next damning might be Chuanmei's identity theft of her childhood friend Xiuyu. Chuanmei stole Xiuyu's university spot, and continued the masquerade throughout her professional career. Why did Karma take ten years for payback and redemption?
He Xingfu was the justice fighter, taking on new challenges, while her tunnel vision husband, Qinglai, remained stagnant. He was a clone of his parents, who had taken him out of school at a young age, to work on the farm. Uneducated most of his thirty-something years, he would admit to Xingfu that he did not choose this life, and he had no ambition. He never liked farming, but it was the only thing he knew. Mr. and Mrs. Wang slighted him for the prettier second son, Qingzhi, and supported Qingszhi's academic dreams. They looked down on their third child, Xiuyu, and would not support her when she was wronged by Princess Chuanmei. Mr. and Mrs. Wang win Most Callous Stupid Bad Parents Award.
This melodrama drama had family conflicts, social issues and environmental issues. The rich and powerful Wans were regarded as godlike benefactors by the Village People. The Wan's family sheen would tarnish at the end. Chuanjia was sent off to jail for polluting the well water with lead discharged from his wastewater treatment plant. Chuanmei revealed her duplicity in robbing Xiuyu of her academic education and her identity, and made a public apology. Wan Shantang resigned in shame, from his position of Village Leader. Thank you, Karma and Retribution, for finally visiting the Wans, even if it took you forty episodes.
As I predicted, He Xingfu was appointed the new Village Leader. She deserved the job because she was a champion of the people, and her ethics were outstanding. Long live Empress He Xingfu! Qinglai stepped out of his box, and implemented the Village Farm Cooperative.
It is not very often that I feel compelled to write a review of a drama I just watched. I usually retain 20% of the plot, by the time the drama comes to an end. Story of Xingfu was different. I might remember 70% of the plot, because of the realism aspect. Life in a far eastern village is not the same level as life in a small western town.
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This review may contain spoilers
Mystery, suspense and a madman's revenge
This was my first time watching both Huo and Ma, and I found their acting to be tepid, and I am not entirely convinced that it was the character's traits. Huo's character was aloof, withdrawn, conflicted, dispassionate, anti-social, unemotional, and methodical. His acting was essentially reading the dialog, and having close-ups to show his EQ. Ma's character was intelligent, diligent, semi-curious, amenable, and willing to follow the leader. I felt that her acting was essentially reading the dialog, and having close-ups to show her EQ. The romance between the lead characters was bland, but it was necessary to reinforce the title of the drama. I did not expect grand passion because of the censorship police, but they could have conveyed their emotions with their eyes and facial expressions.I was confused once the drama switched continents. The whole team, including the non-sister and her boyfriend traveled on some mission. The hospital location also did not look like New York City, but a neighboring borough or city in New Jersey. (I lived in NYC for thirteen years.) I had no idea that the ultimate destination was California, since I was losing the drama momentum. My favorite characters were Wang Kai's character and Andy the Car. The Chinese police teams were very efficient. I despised the main psychotic villain, and my BP rises whenever I see this actor in a drama or movie, even if he is very handsome. The female FBI Director/actor spoke "American" English badly, her acting was bad, and she needed a new hairstyle. The drama production style has some British and American drama elements. Huo's character is similar to the lead characters of Sherlock, Touching Evil and Wire in the Blood.
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"Crime does not pay".
I ignored the drama when it was first broadcast in April 2025 even though I like the two leads, Ren Su Xi and Gao Wei Guang. I decided to watch it last week out of the blue, and binge watched it in four or five days. It was so riveting that I had to finish it promptly. It was a pleasant surprise to see the high production values in the acting, directing, writing, film editing, set design, costume (aka wardrobe) design, and music departments. An outstanding job done by the cast and crew. The minor actors did a realistic job. The younger children had no idea of the scope of the plot.The only criticism is the zealous BGM that was not necessary to tell the story. The music in this drama should have been relegated to the opening credits and closing credits. The main purpose of the drama was to educate the Chinese drama viewing public of a pervasive crime in society. It is very unlikely that they would drop the drama, due to lack of music. In real life, we do not listen to music nonstop. Music is for entertainment purposes. While dramas are for entertainment purposes, the storyline is the driving force. C-drama directors need to wake up and smell the coffee, and put a reign on the music supervisor/editor.
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