This review may contain spoilers
Too less and Too much
Too less of angst, and too much slow-paced. Starting of the story actually made me feel so much confusion especially that it didn't explain much about how they actually knew each other from the start, it felt complicated. And so, it made me feel pause-stop-rewatch situation during the first few episodes of the show. However, ending it also made me feel like it lacked something - more moments of them together.
Story-wise, it is quite boring at the first few episodes, and it only got me hooked by around the 5th one. Ever since then, I slowly kept up with the story - until the separation arc. To be honest, it felt quite good that there's a part of the show that they inserted it, but then, it also didn't move me much. As for Sang Yan, I can see how his character yearned so much. Yi Fan, however, it made me felt too cold since there is not much really showing how she yearned for him during their separation, or how much she tried to check him out or something - unlike Sang Yan who would literally scavenge the whole world for her. I believe that it's one of the downsides of the story, and it made me feel that the scriptwriter only added that for the sake of the viewers to miss them being together. Yi Fan clearly has an avoidant attachment issue, but they also missed out of her actually reassuring Sang Yan that she won't do it again. She did tell Sang Yan to never disappear again when they dated, but it happened for the second time, what's the possibility of actually her not doing it for the third time? I hope they would've added a scene where another issue arise and she did not leave again, that at least would be a very good reassurance. I felt kind of bad for Sang Yan at that point, 'cause it honestly felt that he is only there whenever it's convenient for Yi Fan, and I don't think anyone is as patient as Sang Yan regarding that. Yi Fan may have been some traumas regarding her past, but her realization during the separation, did not once even come to her mind how she can show a strong reassurance towards Sang Yan to never ever leave again, especially that he is her only family other than her best friend? Which is why, it felt off for me on this part. Another lacking part of the story is the less justice towards women like Yi Fan, I think they deserve more limelight, like at least a little revenge for what generally happen, so it gives the viewers a little satisfaction too. For instance, how that uncle suffered after, and such.
Character-wise, Sang Yan is not a very complicated one, he loves Yi Fan - that is very straightforward right at the beginning. He has some moment where he felt confused and a bit impatient of his feelings towards her, but it somehow is understandable knowing he has always felt that way ever since before. However, I see Sang Yan as somewhat of a static character, other than knowing Yi Fan's past, I don't really see no major changes about him. He has always been caring towards her, soft, gentle, and a lover boy - which what everybody wants as a male lead, but it would have been nice to see him being vulnerable too (except for the separation arc ofc). But then, it is also understandable if there's not really showing off much story about him as a person since the show is basically not his to tell, but Yi Fan's - as the show's title is the meaning of her name. It would have been much better if we can see a different side of Sang Yan though, other than his good ones. On the other hand, Yi Fan as a character is actually very well rounded and dynamic, she slowly changed from being a silent one who loves to keep her feelings to herself, into someone who is brave enough to make changes for her future. And I think, this is part of the reason why both Sang Yan and Yi Fan worked good together, since one person is changing the other one for goodness.
As per the acting, both actors do actually have the chemistry, and are pretty good at showing empathetic emotion, especially Zhang Rou Nan. This is the first drama of her that I've ever watched, and this is convincing me to try her other dramas in the future as well. As per the OSTs, it did not really give much impression towards me, so I can't really say that it's good or bad, it just depends on the preference of who listens to it.
Overall, this drama is pretty good if you are into light dark romances. It too less angst, since I think the villains could've gotten more karma for what they did, but also too much of a slow-paced that there's some plot holes that could've added more to the story. Both the actor's chemistry is undeniable, and the supporting characters story are pretty much interesting as well and didn't bore me out unlike the other dramas. This drama is not generally one of my top modern ones, but it could work out for some.
Story-wise, it is quite boring at the first few episodes, and it only got me hooked by around the 5th one. Ever since then, I slowly kept up with the story - until the separation arc. To be honest, it felt quite good that there's a part of the show that they inserted it, but then, it also didn't move me much. As for Sang Yan, I can see how his character yearned so much. Yi Fan, however, it made me felt too cold since there is not much really showing how she yearned for him during their separation, or how much she tried to check him out or something - unlike Sang Yan who would literally scavenge the whole world for her. I believe that it's one of the downsides of the story, and it made me feel that the scriptwriter only added that for the sake of the viewers to miss them being together. Yi Fan clearly has an avoidant attachment issue, but they also missed out of her actually reassuring Sang Yan that she won't do it again. She did tell Sang Yan to never disappear again when they dated, but it happened for the second time, what's the possibility of actually her not doing it for the third time? I hope they would've added a scene where another issue arise and she did not leave again, that at least would be a very good reassurance. I felt kind of bad for Sang Yan at that point, 'cause it honestly felt that he is only there whenever it's convenient for Yi Fan, and I don't think anyone is as patient as Sang Yan regarding that. Yi Fan may have been some traumas regarding her past, but her realization during the separation, did not once even come to her mind how she can show a strong reassurance towards Sang Yan to never ever leave again, especially that he is her only family other than her best friend? Which is why, it felt off for me on this part. Another lacking part of the story is the less justice towards women like Yi Fan, I think they deserve more limelight, like at least a little revenge for what generally happen, so it gives the viewers a little satisfaction too. For instance, how that uncle suffered after, and such.
Character-wise, Sang Yan is not a very complicated one, he loves Yi Fan - that is very straightforward right at the beginning. He has some moment where he felt confused and a bit impatient of his feelings towards her, but it somehow is understandable knowing he has always felt that way ever since before. However, I see Sang Yan as somewhat of a static character, other than knowing Yi Fan's past, I don't really see no major changes about him. He has always been caring towards her, soft, gentle, and a lover boy - which what everybody wants as a male lead, but it would have been nice to see him being vulnerable too (except for the separation arc ofc). But then, it is also understandable if there's not really showing off much story about him as a person since the show is basically not his to tell, but Yi Fan's - as the show's title is the meaning of her name. It would have been much better if we can see a different side of Sang Yan though, other than his good ones. On the other hand, Yi Fan as a character is actually very well rounded and dynamic, she slowly changed from being a silent one who loves to keep her feelings to herself, into someone who is brave enough to make changes for her future. And I think, this is part of the reason why both Sang Yan and Yi Fan worked good together, since one person is changing the other one for goodness.
As per the acting, both actors do actually have the chemistry, and are pretty good at showing empathetic emotion, especially Zhang Rou Nan. This is the first drama of her that I've ever watched, and this is convincing me to try her other dramas in the future as well. As per the OSTs, it did not really give much impression towards me, so I can't really say that it's good or bad, it just depends on the preference of who listens to it.
Overall, this drama is pretty good if you are into light dark romances. It too less angst, since I think the villains could've gotten more karma for what they did, but also too much of a slow-paced that there's some plot holes that could've added more to the story. Both the actor's chemistry is undeniable, and the supporting characters story are pretty much interesting as well and didn't bore me out unlike the other dramas. This drama is not generally one of my top modern ones, but it could work out for some.
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