Rich, layered, beautiful tapestry of a production
I am smitten by the landscapes, direction and cinematography with such subtle angles that there is a movie like quality which only Chinese cinema can deliver. When you get the right acting talent who are not only both gorgeous to look at, but also pack a solid punch both as actors and as characters in the story, there is no doubt the drama is off to a fantastic start!! I am personally disturbed by the butchering parts of it but grin and bear it by covering my eyes as it is a significant part of FL's character design and lends heavily to her extraordinary skills, as one may discover in the first 7 episodes. Xi Wei has a strong presence. Meanwhile, ML is all demure and mysterious, yes please we have been waiting to see ZLH on screen again for a very long time so Hell yeah!!!! Both are well matched, so hats off to the casting as well! Highly recommend.Drama aesthetics and actor face cards 💯
Use of the colour White - snow, falcon, robes 🤍🪟❄️
Landscape wide shots, close ups, ethereal transitions ✨🏔️
Fight choreography 🗡️⚔️🗡️
I was not satisfied with ZLH's limited screen time and one dimensional portrayal of the character in the script, what with him being more of a supportive role than a lead. I for one started watching POJ only because Zhang Ling He is in it, everything else that is good was a bonus like the FL is written so well, there are some new talents like Deng Kai and Lin Muran to watch out for, there are some really cool aesthetic shots and a cinematic softness that the director brings. But at the end, it can be disappointing if you are only here for Zhang Ling He! I think last 10 episodes have tried to make up for it but it was not enough for me personally.
P.S I don't think it would have been THAT much of a joy ride had I not read the novel , but it certainly dimmed the golden halo the Director built in the first 6 episodes. Ah, the pre novel aura!!
*******
Early post leak bad subs check-in***
After the initial high, POJ has been dwindling on a stretched storyline and editing going slightly off-key. I prefer to see consistent momentum in a drama like this which has really good source material in its novel. Overall, production quality remains above average but story telling has been faltering and not quite building creatively either the political aspects nor able to keep the romance progressively flourishing.
A little disappointed by the way the story is unfolding, scenes are almost standalone with little transition fluidity.
9.2 is too high, it should sit comfortably between 8.5 to 8.8, no more.
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Bland pairing!
Boring story and no chemistry, thought it would get better after a few episodes but it only got worse! I blame the director and the script.The ml and fl characters could have been written in a better way by giving them interesting complimentary on screen personalities, but even the actors are not able to deliver! It's a shame, Song Wei Long and JinMai are individually quite capable, but together they are proving to be quite bland!
Also, too much unnecessary time spent on 2nd male lead in the first half, who is equally tepid by the way! Overall very disappointing!
Chemistry is not defined by physical touch, it is in how the CP is able to connect with each other and their ability as actors to convey this connection on screen ( since this is a visual medium) , and honestly Shine On Me is not successful in bringing the emotions to the viewers. It is lacking a lot by a mile. Amidst a Snowstorm of Love for example is amazing in that regard, that's a drama slow burn done right! Korean dramas do this rather well as well, I highly recommend "My Liberation Notes". "The Best Thing" is an excellent modern drama with similar aesthetics but simply a thousand times better in every possible way.
**Update**
I never review a drama without watching it completely, so well now it is over and I will have to stick to my original rating.I want Song Wei Long to get a really good script, he deserves another opportunity because this purposeless story combined with poor screen writing and Direction has been a solid dampener for him! Jinmai has been luckier in the past,she doesn't need our good wishes on that front!
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Sublime
Love, warmth, and everything in between.TFT is an intense experience walking us through dark nights, holding us close in its warmth in the cold, making space for silences and allowing trust to find its way back.
Bai Jing Ting and Zhang Ruonan are hauntingly captivating in their slow dance - Sang Yan being gentle and careful and wenfei hesitating but willing. A million lights light up when they get together, hope bubbling with every new day.
Excellent acting. Superb direction/ screen play. Music could have been even better but still great overall. Highly recommended for deep romance fans.
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Black tank tops and you are gone girl! Speed and Love is intoxicating!
C-Drama fandom has rightfully been reeled into the pair like a lovelock, owing to the intoxicating performance of He Yu as Jin Zhao. He has got the charm, the intensity, the looks, the fierce racing drive, watching him is like falling into an inescapable trance. THANK YOU #HeYu! My heart is full with yearning & nostalgia.Overall, I completely enjoyed the pace and the vibe of the series and love the pull it has on our hearts as the audience who want to cheer for Love and adoration LP show towards each other, that implausible first love is not so hopeless after all!!
Story wise we have an average offering, however the execution itself is impressively elevated. Cinematography is magically captivating with its dark, moody color palette and angles. The scenes from the garage with the large rotating fan always get to me, spellbinding work with shadow and light ! Something similar with how the rain scenes play out. This is Director's nod to the Sun & The Moon interplay in the series, bravo! Would have preferred the full series with only this type of light work but they eventually had to give in to the Sun, the light, and the happy ending!
The portion specific to the Racing is wonderfully done as well, at par or even better in many ways from many international productions. Director has given memorable shots of the lead pair with their palpable chemistry sizzling off the screen. However, Esther Yu was lacking immensely in first 10 or so episodes with her flat face or her extra bubbly persona, flip flopping with the range, it did not come off very well. She's been great though episode 20 onwards. I also enjoyed the bromance of the extended male cast, He Yu's friend SanLai, and the unexpected friendship with LinSui (Mike Angelo). The criminal elements of the racing world were done away with just a narration, it would have been meatier to have shown more , even 10 minutes, on how and what happened.
Jin Zhao & Mumu are the kind of love pair we all want to have, the longing, the strong silent bond, the care and respect, it is all there even with the 4+year age gap, the connection is adorable and steamy at the same time !!
He Yu's Performance 10/10
Esther Yu's Performance after episode 20 9,5/10
Drama Rewatch value 10/10
Cinematography & Action 10/10
**watching it for the 4th time and updating the rating to 10 because it is truly well deserved.
Coming back here in March to emphasize on the fact that Speed and Love has the most beautiful OST and BGM ever done for any drama. Music director and composer and everyone involved deserve an award for infusing this story with so many heartfelt feelings. Keep listening, keep loving good music 🖤🩷🩶
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Pleasantly Surprising!
This is a pleasantly surprising drama and exactly what is needed to cool down from passionate and dramatic hangovers from high intensity or emotionally triggering series like SAL or TFF.I started watching with zero expectations, but there it was offering a bit of family, a bit of neighbourly "lane" living in a quaint little house with an attic, and two architects making it their home together for a brief while, there that's how the drama pulls you in!! Republican era virtual game played a big role in setting up the intrigue and attachment between the CP in the initially episodes, quite successfully too! Some elements became repetitive later on but we can give it a pass for the sake of ml's mysterious stares and fl's audacious challenges in return - the push and pull in the game itself to one up each other is quite entertaining!
FL's home is a character of its own, quite in contrast to ML's sparse , spacious apartment. In a way , capturing the bright cosy unencumbered personality of the fl versus the stoic, controlled, sharp subterfuge of the FL. It works really well, but without stirring too many feathers, they are comfortable to watch, having a natural agreeableness without getting overshadowed by overt passion or eagerness. They are just naturally, beautifully existing in each other's lives.
Second ml proved to be quite predictable and felt like a forced villain, He looks uncannily too much like Kang Ha Neul to form any major hatred towards frankly! Senior Peng on the other hand , the entire "bring to justice" story line is a bit forced in the second half and is definitely a weak point in the drama.
It would not be fair if we don't talk about the amazing female friendship depicted in this series. Not only are fl and 2nd fl unconditionally available for each other, but they also don't have impractical expectations from each other. I am here for the women supporting women in any and all choices made, in how independent and responsible both of them are, and how dependable their friendship is. Pure and solid foundation of love and acceptance! A wonderful part of the drama is watching them both being trustworthy friends!
It is hard to watch the cheating angle of the 2nd pair but i must appreciate how realistically it was depicted. Thank you writers, no waaaa waaaan crying, one person realising what a big mistake it was and accepting the consequences like an adult and the other facing her reality and moving on ! the Space they give each other, a tragic ending to otherwise what was a good marriage!
Lu Yu Xiao comes off as extra charismatic in contemporary setting, hope she will do some more modern dramas.
This is my first drama of Chen Xingyu. He can pull off the serious coded actor vibe, not too sure about the romance aspect. I find him to be a bit limited in range, but if anyone can suggest more of his dramas I'll be happy to explore.
Highly recommended for anyone looking to avoid heartaches, heartbreaks, or having attachment issues. Go for it!
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Welcome back to K-drama land sisters!
After getting lost in Chinese dramas for the last 2 years, "Can This Love be Translated" has managed to redirect my attention back to k-dramas again.This is an appreciation review for my15 year obsession with Korean dramas and commend this drama for pulling us hallyu viewership back to finding something worth watching again.
I was not aware that Hong sisters had so many anti-fans. I am a follower since Master's Sun, they do quirky-funny very well , DoRaMi is their signature style for heroines - over expressive, a bit neurotic, a bit excited hinging on anxiety.,. of course FML (Go youn Jung)doesn't compare to Gong Hyo Jin however this is a good attempt by her specially as Dorami.
ML and 2nd ML (Kim so Hyun and fukushi sota) are both amazing, both softly endearing, both speaking so much with their eyes. I already like KSH, however Fukushi Sota left a lasting impression and has gained a new fan.
I loved the multilingual writing covering both Japanese and Italian. I read a few reviews about Japanese dialogues not being written in the right context and I think this is an important critique for future dramas. Like I want something that has the trifecta of Korean, Japanese and Chinese being used fluidly (writers are you listening??!!) .
Overall, beautiful landscapes, lovely chemistry bw FML, ml and ml2., some good music. Some bad editing in between but salvaged towards the end. This love was translated rather well!
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Entertaining supporting Cast and a mild law office romance! Easygoing Binge-watch!
Unlike most dramas, this one actually picks up and gets better in the second half.The best part of the drama is the support cast, although not fleshed out enough, FML's three colleagues are simply unique and adorable in their own personalities. Same for Attorney Wu, wow what an impeccably calm and tempered guy, he totally deserves to be a board member in a law firm!! CP's parents are also funny as well. I just love that they are all written with just the right amount of humorous elements!!
ML has many gotcha endearing moments, he plays the serious professional well, I prefer this version of him over the sappy in love character he becomes after confessing love towards the FML. Put him in a power suit and let all the dapper oozing do the talking :D !! FML seems so delicate but her character is strong & talented., first half her acting was not very strong (watch her in The First Frost for her improved acting chops!)
Overall not a lot of depth in the CP and low chemistry, but it was decent enough for us to get invested in the relationship and appreciate how their storyline and the supporting cast is able to bolster the overall office drama setting and keep it moving forward. The focus on law and significance of the responsibility of being an ethical lawyer is well depicted.
Due to all these bonus reasons, I am adding +0.5 to make it a perfect 8.
Don't expect fireworks but be ready to find yourself cruising through episodes after a while.
It was okay at get go but i was able to watch it without getting bored most of the time, easygoing binge!
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Where is the the intrigue and charm?
This series is missing something as a viewer. Neither is it able to build intrigue and mystery nor does it have endearing loveable characters to root for. It is not very successful either as a story or in its protagonists. I am struggling to feel anything for the leads and the cases they are chasing. It could have been so much better with evocative ambient music and more developed interpersonal connection. Master - Protegee , King- daughter, King- Minister, Detective duo, ...there is nothing specifically charming enough in any of these relationships, nor in the mysteries these pairings are trying to uncover/cover. What great talent, Bai Lu and Wang Xingyue could have been great even as siblings in this series, only if the screenplay was good enough, but it is not! It tries so hard to be smart that it forgets to be entertaining! Sorry guys, it is a skippable drama.Was this review helpful to you?
Take me to your heart....
Heartbreak is the beginning of the healing process. Finding Love is a chance event that happens only a few times in one lifetime. Boyfriend on demand offers a temptation, selling an artificial dream, a maybe perhaps a ladder to discover oneself when you have lost meaning in attachment, forgotten what love and desire feels like in a healthy relationship.At a time when women have to constantly stay vigilant , consider personal and collective safety before needs, worry about privacy and trust, I understand why the prospect of dating in a virtual world can be so tempting - you don't have to worry about being judged, harassed or assaulted, the algorithm is there to serve you and your happiness. You are not hurting anyone, and no one is dehumanizing you! It is an escape from our high cortisol realities. And once you are in a safe space, you can finally think and feel more clearly, the clouds lift and you can finally accept the care and admiration that has been directed at you which you could never notice before because you have been in a self preserving daze!
Keeping this deeper story in mind, I am very generous with the rating despite the dystopian unethical addictive nature of the dating software trope, especially considering AI's inherently destructive tendency against humanity.
This drama dives into FL's state of mind and her journey towards accepting and loving herself more intentionally, after a breakup lay heavy on her insecurities causing her to bundle her emotions into a box. This makes her gullible and prone to falling for the virtual boyfriend offering. She fails to notice subtle signs from the ML (seo in guk) when we all know he has deeply fallen for her but keeps a respectful distance taking slow hesitant steps forward.
Every virtual boyfriend she meets helps her understand what she appreciates in a partner, her emotions open up and she can finally express what the ideal type is for her, it is a Seo in guk lookalike of course!
I think this is where the story gets tricky for the fl and the viewers. We now have two endearing avatars of the ML. One hot perfection, the other a comforting warmth. The office ML, Seo in Guk, really was so comforting to watch, his loving in silence and waiting for her to acknowledge him, his taking that chance eventually to let her know how he feels, all of it is so cathartic to watch. On the other hand fl's doubts about love keep holding her back so much so that she keeps escaping into the VR to talk to the virtual version of seo in guk.
Towards the end it was a matter of finding the courage and building that trust in reality to let go of the safety of an algorithm which promises only happiness and consistency when life is not like that at all. I liked that the drama manages to refocus on accepting Life as a forever changing journey and where true love can really exist despite strifes.
My favourite scene - They are standing on the snowy pavement, fl gently holds ml's face with her hand, tears start falling from his eyes.
I love seo in guk in this drama, he's a worthy romance lead I would like to see him again in a similar role. I kept thinking fl was Hye Ri initially and wondered why she was looking so different lol! Ji Soo brought a casual lightness to the drama. Overall, I felt the story itself was larger than the characters and was fed to us in a palatable mild dose instead of going full on black mirror. Love needs to win - Every. Single. Time.
Felt the Love 💟
Seo In Guk's deep eyes 🩷
Impressive guest cast 🌶️
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Thanks for handling our hearts with so much care
This drama was like a warm balm healing a bad cold , cure to a hearbroken fever, one day at a time. First of all, lead pair are beautiful together, both playful, both adorable, both hardworking and focused, both pretty clear-headed and both supported with just the right little nudge by their immediate families (her parents/ his grand pa!) to help keep them going on their paths.Secondly, The Best Thing is visually quite an aesthetic production, prettiness decorating every scene; there are flowers and pastel hues and smiling faces even during adversity, it's all so comforting! It leaves you with a calm countenance, a pleasant awareness of the drama and of yourself, a soothing happiness, a subtle smile. I would like to be at peace like this often quite frankly! This is the lasting impression of the drama even months later!
Thirdly, overall it's a really good cast, the main couple are gorgeous, they have a palpable emotional connection, the parents/ grandpa are simply adorable, showing some rare dynamics like only the husband knows how to cook! The friends on both sides, at the hotel and the restaurant, are well written as well, they have their own arcs without imposing too much on the main storyline.
Lastly comes the story ! Traditional Chinese Medicine is a winning theme, it surprises me that many people still don't realise how our body stores emotions in ways that it may eventually start manifesting as an illness. I really appreciate how the drama focuses on healing, the research put on natural medicinal decoctions as well as foods that can support the healing process! It is also commendable that unlike portraying blind bias for only one medical approach, western medicine is used as an intervention during a complication. It is not a fight, but a respect given to both traditional and modern medicine, recognising their unique importance.
My only complaint is that Music could have been better. TBT deserves all the love it gets for handling our hearts so gently.
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