I'm so glad you enjoyed this. The drama impacted me far more than some higher rated ones. The visuals were spectacular: Mi Lan's red coat, her shiny black hair, and the snowfall—mesmerizing. The actress did such an amazing job. I was entranced by her performance.
I agree the last episode was rushed and unsatisfying. Mi Lan's mother changing from a murderous shrew also rang false. Violent abusers don't change like that.
The OST complemented the drama. It's my favorite vampire music at the moment!
I've wondered how Mi Lan would fare after Shen Zhi Heng's departure. She'd no longer have his tempering guidance. Neither would Situ Wei Lian have that humanizing influence. Those two could be major trouble together without the proper structure. I can see them wreaking havoc.
Don't you love it when fictional characters make such an impression that you worry about their fictional future?
I had to watch Forever and Ever to recover from One and Only! That red dress fall was magnificent in OaO. I was…
I gave Perfect Match a 7.5, which is my lukewarm rating. WXY's relationship in the drama was the one I wanted to watch (the only interesting one), but all the side characters intervened.
Travel is always an experience. It broadens one's outlook on life. It destroys misconceptions and often leads to gratefulness. I think every human should work in food service, a stint in retail, and travel extensively. We'd be better humans, and we'd be more understanding and kinder to one another.
I don't know if you'd consider me MAGA. I'm a Christian, but I'm too much a rebel to fit in with most. Too dirty to hang with the saints and too clean to hang with the sinners. Something like that. I don't like labels, so I'm not much of a joiner, but please realize that every group contains good and bad people. I hope you keep me as a friend, but if you choose not to, go happily and enjoy your dramas.
In episode 23 Mei Xing tells to Shi Yi " ...about the tune name and she says she knows "What are they…
Zhou Wen Xing had asked Mei Xing what kind of woman he was looking for to marry. He told her that puzzle (or tune), saying whatever woman could solve it was the one for him, and Shi Yi had been the one to figure it out. Zhou Wen Xing had let it slip to Shi Yi that she'd solved the puzzle, so she was forewarned about Mei Xing's feelings. At the hospital, as they are sitting waiting on word about Wen Xing (I think; there were so many hospitalizations!), Shi Yi and Mei Xing discuss this, and he told her that he has taken care of his feelings. She basically was shutting him down, and he told her not to worry, in essence.
Shi Yi didn't tell Zhou Sheng Chen because he was dealing with so much at the time, that he was at his breaking point. He was losing his sister, his brother was a thief and potential murderer, his family was fracturing and hurting, and his business plans were unresolved. Mei Xing was his best friend and the main coordinator for his business plans. It served no purpose to plant another spear in Zhou Sheng Chen's heart. Remember Zhou Sheng Chen in the bathtub, when he asked Shi Yi for a hug? She was protecting him. She was strong enough to handle Mei Xing on her own; however, if there had been more than a feeling involved, she would have confided in Zhou Sheng Chen when he was strong enough emotionally to handle the news. As it worked out, they moved far away, and her interactions with Mei Xing would be minimized. For what it's worth, I do believe Mei Xing's sorrow over Wen Xing's death meant that he had moved on from Shi Yi.
yep/ I gave it 10 and started following WXY since. And had to watch Forever and Ever in the span of a few days…
I had to watch Forever and Ever to recover from One and Only! That red dress fall was magnificent in OaO. I was hoping Shi Yi would catch the red drapery on the catwalk during her fall in the theater and let it flutter down with her, but the director missed that trick in FaE! I was disappointed. :)
WXY is an amazing actor. And to think he was only 18/19 during OaO. I "discovered" him in The Double, and he was so good. He has a new drama with Bai Lu: https://kisskh.at/767481-tang-gong-qi-an
You've traveled to Xi'an? Tell me more! What a wonderful site. So much history. I'd love to visit there. Also, Shanghai, after seeing it in every other Chinese drama.
Mei Xing never actively pursued Shi Yi. He fell in love at first sight, but I believe that was because he was potentially the reincarnation of Liu Zi Xing, who had loved Shi Yi from youth. To his credit, he valued his friendship over his romantic obsession and kept himself in check with alcohol and making himself absent. He couldn't help his attraction, but he wouldn't allow himself to act on it, and he tried to keep it secret.
Shi Yi was very committed to her husband. She was sitting at the hospital because a family member was dying (if I remember correctly), and Mei Xing was there for the same reason.
Zhou Sheng Chen had one good friend, and that was Mei Xing. Why would Shi Yi want to destroy that relationship when the situation didn't warrant it? Mei Xing told Shi Yi that he had dealt with his feelings, and she trusted him. She'd never given him any encouragement, and he'd set aside his attraction, so that was the end of it. Shi Yi was more considerate and faithful to Zhou Sheng Chen by not blowing up the connection to his childhood friend and business partner.
Hikaru no Go—a drama hard to pigeonhole but satisfying. Who thought watching people play Go would be interesting? https://kisskh.at/45437-qi-hun
The Story of Ming Lan—a story about a girl hiding her brilliance in a household where she is unfavored. It's a slice of life tale, and we get to watch Ming Lan come into her own. https://kisskh.at/23911-the-story-of-ming-lan
Snowfall—something very different in Chinese dramas: a vampire. I wasn't as enthralled with the story (the author should have edited out some of the villains and cut back the presence of the main one), but the leads were charismatic, and the visuals were stunning. https://kisskh.at/707003-ru-yue
If you've just started Taiwanese dramas, check out Lost Romance: https://kisskh.at/59701-lost-romance I enjoyed the gentle satire poking fun at writers and drama tropes. Writers would be more thoughtful if they had to endure the lazy plots they come up with! They'd definitely be kinder to their characters.
Bromance is romance with a woman raised as a male. It's one of the few depictions that is believable, and I relished her journey: https://kisskh.at/15664-bromance
49 Days with a Merman is only rated 7.7 on MDL, but I appreciated it far more. If you like a little nonsense from time to time, you might find a grouchy merman with dimples worth a watch. For me, the scene of the merman anticipating and enjoying each bite of his meal in the bathtub was worth a higher rating.
Your reviews are always so beautifully written. I loved this May/December romance; it was natural and sweet. Zhao Lu Si was delightful.
It's a shame so many dramas are ruined by manufactured, artificial drama. It's also irksome that all the bad players in this were forgiven, even when they didn't repent or redeem themselves.
Fan Zhi Xin is mesmerizing in the role. I first noticed him in Dear Liar, a low budget 10 minute/27 episodes series. The drama was nothing special, but FZX made up for the mediocrity of the script. I thoroughly enjoyed his acting in Present, Is Present, too. I hope to see him as the lead in more quality productions.
Zhao Lu Si is stunning in every single frame! Her outfits and makeup are top-tier.
Don't forget her hair. She was exquisite. It was a nice change of pace to have the female lead dressed immaculately. So often, they're in baggy jeans, T-shirt, and a jacket that would fit a linebacker.
This drama is undeniably entertaining, but it’s the kind of entertaining that constantly tests how much narrative…
I complain, but I enjoyed it, too. Zhao Lu Si had me anxious for her in the scenes where she was trying to get the approval of her mother-in-law-to-be. Nice sharing insights with you.
This drama is undeniably entertaining, but it’s the kind of entertaining that constantly tests how much narrative…
Your assessment of Hao Ming and Xu Yan was interesting to read and fits with my view of them. Not only did Hao Ming suffer the trauma of the death of a girlfriend while he was still young and less capable of shielding himself emotionally, but he lived with his "monumental error" being a constant in his life, as his father, from that moment, held him in contempt and was critical of his every action. He learned to be guarded and in survival mode, because he didn't have the support of his father.
I will disagree with wanting to keep Hao Chen's parentage a secret indefinitely. The overriding narrative of the drama was that no secret can be held forever, and there is always a price to pay for a lie. Hao Chen suffered greatly, and he needs time to heal, but, at some point in the near future, he needs to be told the truth in a softened, gentle way with the love and support of the family who raised him. DNA tests are all too prevalent today to maintain such a secret. In my personal family, we've discovered, through DNA, not all the siblings had the biological father we were told. It's much better to know in a supportive atmosphere than to have a shocking revelation when least expected. With all the gossip concerning Hao Chen's heritage, how long before some corporate enemy or journalistic scab would try to verify his DNA? I agree that the Shens are his family, but he should have the ability to reach out to the Fangs at a later date. I have a cousin whose adopted parents died young, but they had given their blessing for her to contact her biological parents. She spends holidays with them now, and they have become her second family. She would be missing so much if she hadn't been told who they were.
A good drama makes one think, and this did that if we're still discussing the characters and trying to give them good outcomes!
Hao Chen's true parentage should have been eliminated from the drama. How many over-the-top conflicts did the writer insert needlessly? We had the evil board member; that was sufficient. We didn't need a kidnapping, shocking DNA reversal, life-threatening blood hemorrhage, a crazy ex trying to force a marriage, etc. It was too much.
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I agree the last episode was rushed and unsatisfying. Mi Lan's mother changing from a murderous shrew also rang false. Violent abusers don't change like that.
The OST complemented the drama. It's my favorite vampire music at the moment!
I've wondered how Mi Lan would fare after Shen Zhi Heng's departure. She'd no longer have his tempering guidance. Neither would Situ Wei Lian have that humanizing influence. Those two could be major trouble together without the proper structure. I can see them wreaking havoc.
Don't you love it when fictional characters make such an impression that you worry about their fictional future?
Tracks of My Tears is a list of dramas that made me cry or had the tag "tearjerker": https://kisskh.at/list/1gnO8x24
I appreciate lists like yours, because I dislike separations and time skips. Thanks!
Travel is always an experience. It broadens one's outlook on life. It destroys misconceptions and often leads to gratefulness. I think every human should work in food service, a stint in retail, and travel extensively. We'd be better humans, and we'd be more understanding and kinder to one another.
I don't know if you'd consider me MAGA. I'm a Christian, but I'm too much a rebel to fit in with most. Too dirty to hang with the saints and too clean to hang with the sinners. Something like that. I don't like labels, so I'm not much of a joiner, but please realize that every group contains good and bad people. I hope you keep me as a friend, but if you choose not to, go happily and enjoy your dramas.
Shi Yi didn't tell Zhou Sheng Chen because he was dealing with so much at the time, that he was at his breaking point. He was losing his sister, his brother was a thief and potential murderer, his family was fracturing and hurting, and his business plans were unresolved. Mei Xing was his best friend and the main coordinator for his business plans. It served no purpose to plant another spear in Zhou Sheng Chen's heart. Remember Zhou Sheng Chen in the bathtub, when he asked Shi Yi for a hug? She was protecting him. She was strong enough to handle Mei Xing on her own; however, if there had been more than a feeling involved, she would have confided in Zhou Sheng Chen when he was strong enough emotionally to handle the news. As it worked out, they moved far away, and her interactions with Mei Xing would be minimized. For what it's worth, I do believe Mei Xing's sorrow over Wen Xing's death meant that he had moved on from Shi Yi.
WXY is an amazing actor. And to think he was only 18/19 during OaO. I "discovered" him in The Double, and he was so good. He has a new drama with Bai Lu: https://kisskh.at/767481-tang-gong-qi-an
You've traveled to Xi'an? Tell me more! What a wonderful site. So much history. I'd love to visit there. Also, Shanghai, after seeing it in every other Chinese drama.
Shi Yi was very committed to her husband. She was sitting at the hospital because a family member was dying (if I remember correctly), and Mei Xing was there for the same reason.
Zhou Sheng Chen had one good friend, and that was Mei Xing. Why would Shi Yi want to destroy that relationship when the situation didn't warrant it? Mei Xing told Shi Yi that he had dealt with his feelings, and she trusted him. She'd never given him any encouragement, and he'd set aside his attraction, so that was the end of it. Shi Yi was more considerate and faithful to Zhou Sheng Chen by not blowing up the connection to his childhood friend and business partner.
Hikaru no Go—a drama hard to pigeonhole but satisfying. Who thought watching people play Go would be interesting?
https://kisskh.at/45437-qi-hun
The Story of Ming Lan—a story about a girl hiding her brilliance in a household where she is unfavored. It's a slice of life tale, and we get to watch Ming Lan come into her own.
https://kisskh.at/23911-the-story-of-ming-lan
Snowfall—something very different in Chinese dramas: a vampire. I wasn't as enthralled with the story (the author should have edited out some of the villains and cut back the presence of the main one), but the leads were charismatic, and the visuals were stunning.
https://kisskh.at/707003-ru-yue
I enjoyed the gentle satire poking fun at writers and drama tropes. Writers would be more thoughtful if they had to endure the lazy plots they come up with! They'd definitely be kinder to their characters.
Bromance is romance with a woman raised as a male. It's one of the few depictions that is believable, and I relished her journey: https://kisskh.at/15664-bromance
49 Days with a Merman is only rated 7.7 on MDL, but I appreciated it far more. If you like a little nonsense from time to time, you might find a grouchy merman with dimples worth a watch. For me, the scene of the merman anticipating and enjoying each bite of his meal in the bathtub was worth a higher rating.
It's a shame so many dramas are ruined by manufactured, artificial drama. It's also irksome that all the bad players in this were forgiven, even when they didn't repent or redeem themselves.
I will disagree with wanting to keep Hao Chen's parentage a secret indefinitely. The overriding narrative of the drama was that no secret can be held forever, and there is always a price to pay for a lie. Hao Chen suffered greatly, and he needs time to heal, but, at some point in the near future, he needs to be told the truth in a softened, gentle way with the love and support of the family who raised him. DNA tests are all too prevalent today to maintain such a secret. In my personal family, we've discovered, through DNA, not all the siblings had the biological father we were told. It's much better to know in a supportive atmosphere than to have a shocking revelation when least expected. With all the gossip concerning Hao Chen's heritage, how long before some corporate enemy or journalistic scab would try to verify his DNA? I agree that the Shens are his family, but he should have the ability to reach out to the Fangs at a later date. I have a cousin whose adopted parents died young, but they had given their blessing for her to contact her biological parents. She spends holidays with them now, and they have become her second family. She would be missing so much if she hadn't been told who they were.
A good drama makes one think, and this did that if we're still discussing the characters and trying to give them good outcomes!
Hao Chen's true parentage should have been eliminated from the drama. How many over-the-top conflicts did the writer insert needlessly? We had the evil board member; that was sufficient. We didn't need a kidnapping, shocking DNA reversal, life-threatening blood hemorrhage, a crazy ex trying to force a marriage, etc. It was too much.