4
This review may contain spoilers
A two speed drama that is . . Ok
Oh woe is me. This is my third attempt at writing this review. I normally have a good idea about what to write before I start. In this case, I just can't seem to nail this down. To be fair, this show is not bad. It has its moments. I just sense this disquiet at times. It is like a splinter under your skin.
As a whole, the show is watchable and relatively angst lite. The romance took forever to develop though. It also has a lot of business and chaebol style shenanigans which may not appeal to everyone.
If I'm honest, the chemistry of our leads is only lukewarm for the longest time. Considering their romance is the only show in town, it can test your patience. It finally picks up in the last few eps. The classic case of From Zero to Hero. ;)
How I wish the romance would develops organically. There is no doubt they are the OTP. The stars are aligned. That is why I find it odd that the writer seems to swim against the tide. At one stage, the FL was frantically searching for the ML because she thought he was in an accident. The show cuts to her running towards him in slow-mo as soon as she spots him. In most romance dramas, this would be the cue for a heartfelt embrace and maybe even a kiss to seal the deal. In this case, she drops anchor, pulled up sharply a few feet away. Once she ascertains he is ok, she turned around and marched away. Eh?
This happened several times. The setup is there, yet the payoff is not. Sure, our leads are novice in love, but the whole point is to give in to your feelings. C'est l'amour! This feels stilted and drags out their romantic journey.
With 36 eps to fill, the show pads out the runtime with fillers of all kind. Mostly about developments in the photovoltaics industry and scheming rich families.
While business subplots are nothing new in c-dramas, this feels a little pedestrian. Solar energy generation is already a mass consumer product by the early 2010's. China is a key player. They tried to make it exciting, but we know how it all turns out.
Then we have the Chinese "chaebols". There are excessive displays of wealth and people behaving badly just because they can. I really don't know how comfortable this sits with the recent Common Prosperity doctrine. Maybe they are going for historical accuracy . .
On the flip side, our leads do look good together. Their young lovers act is quite cute. Their immediate family are supportive and nice. Shame about their extended family. Most of them are spoil brats or relatives fighting dirty in the name of money and power.
Another splinter for me is the focus on the SML. The FL has a crush on him in college, but he rejected her at first. He has been conflicted ever since. Just when the FL decide to let go and find true love with the ML, he made his move.
Such trope is a reliable angst generator if handled wisely. Our writers decided to drag this out. The SML keeps popping up and interrupt the show's qi. I can accept this if the acting is good. Unfortunately, the young actor leaves me cold. He is a walking wet blanket and he lost his mojo. He looks glum and depressed. He sucks the life out of most scenes. We don't share his pain. Yet we still suffered. There is no growth in his character.
Speaking of acting abilities, the FL is in her element. It is hardly a breakout role though. On the other hand, the ML is handsome, but lacks depth in his acting. They tried to paint him as a tortured soul. What we got is more like a textbook good guy. He did try.
Maybe it is the whole "sunshine" theme, but many scenes appear to be over bright and has an yellow/orange cast. Our lead literally glows, night and day. It is a questionable aesthetic choice in my book.
On top of that, the flag waving is a bit egregious. The whole PV industry's growth and Brain-to-Computer interface are jingoistic. Sometimes it felt like I'm watching a tourism promo or being sold shares in some private/government enterprise. I'm sure it will appeal to mainland audience. Maybe less so for international viewers.
The writers delivered the goods in the end. If anything, it was sugar overload. You could bottle the last 6 eps and call it a day. If I ever rewatch this series, it would be those 6 eps.
In the end, this drama is decent. I'm sure they will do well by the normal matrix. It just doesn't quite scratch the itch for me. We are presented with a draggy A-plot with extra fillers. The fan service is sweet, but took forever to materialise. It is a box of chocolates . . just not quite a top shelve one. Peace.
As a whole, the show is watchable and relatively angst lite. The romance took forever to develop though. It also has a lot of business and chaebol style shenanigans which may not appeal to everyone.
If I'm honest, the chemistry of our leads is only lukewarm for the longest time. Considering their romance is the only show in town, it can test your patience. It finally picks up in the last few eps. The classic case of From Zero to Hero. ;)
How I wish the romance would develops organically. There is no doubt they are the OTP. The stars are aligned. That is why I find it odd that the writer seems to swim against the tide. At one stage, the FL was frantically searching for the ML because she thought he was in an accident. The show cuts to her running towards him in slow-mo as soon as she spots him. In most romance dramas, this would be the cue for a heartfelt embrace and maybe even a kiss to seal the deal. In this case, she drops anchor, pulled up sharply a few feet away. Once she ascertains he is ok, she turned around and marched away. Eh?
This happened several times. The setup is there, yet the payoff is not. Sure, our leads are novice in love, but the whole point is to give in to your feelings. C'est l'amour! This feels stilted and drags out their romantic journey.
With 36 eps to fill, the show pads out the runtime with fillers of all kind. Mostly about developments in the photovoltaics industry and scheming rich families.
While business subplots are nothing new in c-dramas, this feels a little pedestrian. Solar energy generation is already a mass consumer product by the early 2010's. China is a key player. They tried to make it exciting, but we know how it all turns out.
Then we have the Chinese "chaebols". There are excessive displays of wealth and people behaving badly just because they can. I really don't know how comfortable this sits with the recent Common Prosperity doctrine. Maybe they are going for historical accuracy . .
On the flip side, our leads do look good together. Their young lovers act is quite cute. Their immediate family are supportive and nice. Shame about their extended family. Most of them are spoil brats or relatives fighting dirty in the name of money and power.
Another splinter for me is the focus on the SML. The FL has a crush on him in college, but he rejected her at first. He has been conflicted ever since. Just when the FL decide to let go and find true love with the ML, he made his move.
Such trope is a reliable angst generator if handled wisely. Our writers decided to drag this out. The SML keeps popping up and interrupt the show's qi. I can accept this if the acting is good. Unfortunately, the young actor leaves me cold. He is a walking wet blanket and he lost his mojo. He looks glum and depressed. He sucks the life out of most scenes. We don't share his pain. Yet we still suffered. There is no growth in his character.
Speaking of acting abilities, the FL is in her element. It is hardly a breakout role though. On the other hand, the ML is handsome, but lacks depth in his acting. They tried to paint him as a tortured soul. What we got is more like a textbook good guy. He did try.
Maybe it is the whole "sunshine" theme, but many scenes appear to be over bright and has an yellow/orange cast. Our lead literally glows, night and day. It is a questionable aesthetic choice in my book.
On top of that, the flag waving is a bit egregious. The whole PV industry's growth and Brain-to-Computer interface are jingoistic. Sometimes it felt like I'm watching a tourism promo or being sold shares in some private/government enterprise. I'm sure it will appeal to mainland audience. Maybe less so for international viewers.
The writers delivered the goods in the end. If anything, it was sugar overload. You could bottle the last 6 eps and call it a day. If I ever rewatch this series, it would be those 6 eps.
In the end, this drama is decent. I'm sure they will do well by the normal matrix. It just doesn't quite scratch the itch for me. We are presented with a draggy A-plot with extra fillers. The fan service is sweet, but took forever to materialise. It is a box of chocolates . . just not quite a top shelve one. Peace.
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