This review may contain spoilers
A Republican drama that isn't for everyone
Wow, this was a fantastic Republican drama!
It had everything that is vital to a good Republican drama. A fantastic ML (who doesn't have to be good looking but it doesn't hurt), a story so gripping that you can't help but feel for the character, morally gray characters, evil characters, romance filled with angst, danger, revenge, death, war, etc...
It was a hard, difficult watch at times especially the horrible abuse Murong Qing Yi had to live through. The fact that he survived it was in itself amazing but that he didn't lose his mind or become some person hellbent on revenge because of it was simply a miracle. Not only was he hurt, tortured, treated cruelly by his enemies but by his family (and it started when he was a child!), the very people who were supposed to protect him. But honestly, when the FL came along she was no better, blaming him for things he had no control over, some of her scenes were rage inducing.
After watching Overdo, I am astounded at the amount of hate this drama has gotten. I believe a lot of watchers came in after Pursuit of Jade expecting the same kind of story. Gorgeous hero, gets the feisty girl, they win against all odds and get to live happily ever after. But Overdo is a Republican drama. It's not sunshine, roses and happy endings. Its bread and butter is angst, couples/families tore apart from the ravages of war, drugs, revenge, etc..
I've read a good portion of the hate was partly because of the AI intro... ummm... there are some dramas with cartoony intros or even some with the battles that are cartoony/drawn, etc.. because they're cheaper to make apparently. The intro isn't the drama... so skip it. I don't watch the intro, complete waste of time. I'd rather get to the drama.
Another reason, if not the main reason is because of the ending. Zhang Ling He has spoiled his fans. Unlike other actors (I'm looking at you Ren Jia Lun) he's never taken a script where he dies or that doesn't end well. In almost everyone of his dramas it's a happy ending and he usually gets the girl.
Overdo is the exception. And I think he must have taken this role to prove he is something more than just a gorgeous face. He doesn't need to be what the haters called the 'foundation general', or even the pretty boy that always has to have a happy ending.
Overdo proved one thing beyond a shadow of a doubt and that is Zhang Ling He isn’t just a pretty face; he genuinely has the acting chops to back it up. Any argument to the contrary is purely academic.
Would I recommend watching Overdo? You bet I would. If you love Republican dramas, if you like watching an actor prove that he is more than just his visuals, if violence, blood and death doesn't bother you, if you can handle cruelty, if angst is right in your wheelhouse then give this one a try.
But there is a caveat. If you don't like Republican dramas, if you absolutely must have a happy ending, if you can't watch abuse, death, cruelty, angst, war, etc... you might want to skip it. This isn't the drama for you.
It had everything that is vital to a good Republican drama. A fantastic ML (who doesn't have to be good looking but it doesn't hurt), a story so gripping that you can't help but feel for the character, morally gray characters, evil characters, romance filled with angst, danger, revenge, death, war, etc...
It was a hard, difficult watch at times especially the horrible abuse Murong Qing Yi had to live through. The fact that he survived it was in itself amazing but that he didn't lose his mind or become some person hellbent on revenge because of it was simply a miracle. Not only was he hurt, tortured, treated cruelly by his enemies but by his family (and it started when he was a child!), the very people who were supposed to protect him. But honestly, when the FL came along she was no better, blaming him for things he had no control over, some of her scenes were rage inducing.
After watching Overdo, I am astounded at the amount of hate this drama has gotten. I believe a lot of watchers came in after Pursuit of Jade expecting the same kind of story. Gorgeous hero, gets the feisty girl, they win against all odds and get to live happily ever after. But Overdo is a Republican drama. It's not sunshine, roses and happy endings. Its bread and butter is angst, couples/families tore apart from the ravages of war, drugs, revenge, etc..
I've read a good portion of the hate was partly because of the AI intro... ummm... there are some dramas with cartoony intros or even some with the battles that are cartoony/drawn, etc.. because they're cheaper to make apparently. The intro isn't the drama... so skip it. I don't watch the intro, complete waste of time. I'd rather get to the drama.
Another reason, if not the main reason is because of the ending. Zhang Ling He has spoiled his fans. Unlike other actors (I'm looking at you Ren Jia Lun) he's never taken a script where he dies or that doesn't end well. In almost everyone of his dramas it's a happy ending and he usually gets the girl.
Overdo is the exception. And I think he must have taken this role to prove he is something more than just a gorgeous face. He doesn't need to be what the haters called the 'foundation general', or even the pretty boy that always has to have a happy ending.
Overdo proved one thing beyond a shadow of a doubt and that is Zhang Ling He isn’t just a pretty face; he genuinely has the acting chops to back it up. Any argument to the contrary is purely academic.
Would I recommend watching Overdo? You bet I would. If you love Republican dramas, if you like watching an actor prove that he is more than just his visuals, if violence, blood and death doesn't bother you, if you can handle cruelty, if angst is right in your wheelhouse then give this one a try.
But there is a caveat. If you don't like Republican dramas, if you absolutely must have a happy ending, if you can't watch abuse, death, cruelty, angst, war, etc... you might want to skip it. This isn't the drama for you.
Was this review helpful to you?
