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Must Watch One and Only First
To fully appreciate Forever and Ever, it's recommended to watch One and Only first: https://kisskh.at/63781-love-your-bones-forever-2. The prequel drama contained the tragic love affair of Zhou Shen Chen and Shi Yi; their story was continued as a possible reincarnation of the lovers (or a dream, according to Chinese censors) in Forever and Ever. There are numerous references to the prequel: original Shi Yi lost her voice, present Shi Yi was a voice actress; present Shi Yi is afraid of heights and has an aversion to red (which viewers of OaO will understand!); both wore red sequins for a wedding; and both liked light blue clothing.
One and Only was filled with angst, but Forever and Ever started so sweetly that I thought I'd get to add it to my Fluffy or Low Angst list. Later episodes got darker and became more melodramatic, so it lost its standing as lighter fare.
I find it regrettable when a drama changes its tone midway. The beginning of Forever and Ever was perfect for romance lovers and those who don't like sadness or angst. The latter part changed significantly, and the viewer was forced to sit through numerous sad songs with tears running down people's faces. About the only tragedy that the drama avoided, although I'm sure the writers seriously contemplated it, was the affliction of amnesia. My pleas of, "please, please, please, no amnesia!" were answered. Those who love a sweet slow-burn romance may not like the latter part, and those who enjoy melodrama may find the beginning boring.
In the prequel, Zhou Sheng Chen was noble general, with regal bearing and a quiet, commanding presence. In FaE, Zou Sheng Chen was a nerdy dweeb (or dweeby nerd) as a chemistry professor. Shi Yi's character stayed more true to the original as an elegant, sweet low-key woman with all the talents and attributes of her former self (art, literature, and music).
The relationship of the ML and FL was tender and sweet, although initially extremely awkward. Actually, the awkwardness was cute and endearing. Their daily interactions were some of the most mature and realistic I've seen in a drama. I'd love to see a similar romance that doesn't turn melodramatic, if anyone has suggestions. Give me two people who believe in one another, don't allow outsiders to wedge between them, and work out their issues together like Zhou Sheng Chen and Shi Yi.
I generally don't rate a rewatch high, but there was depth and purpose in much of what happened in FaE. There were so many Easter eggs connected to the prequel, that I'm sure I missed many. A rewatch would help solidify which characters related to the past, too.
One and Only was filled with angst, but Forever and Ever started so sweetly that I thought I'd get to add it to my Fluffy or Low Angst list. Later episodes got darker and became more melodramatic, so it lost its standing as lighter fare.
I find it regrettable when a drama changes its tone midway. The beginning of Forever and Ever was perfect for romance lovers and those who don't like sadness or angst. The latter part changed significantly, and the viewer was forced to sit through numerous sad songs with tears running down people's faces. About the only tragedy that the drama avoided, although I'm sure the writers seriously contemplated it, was the affliction of amnesia. My pleas of, "please, please, please, no amnesia!" were answered. Those who love a sweet slow-burn romance may not like the latter part, and those who enjoy melodrama may find the beginning boring.
In the prequel, Zhou Sheng Chen was noble general, with regal bearing and a quiet, commanding presence. In FaE, Zou Sheng Chen was a nerdy dweeb (or dweeby nerd) as a chemistry professor. Shi Yi's character stayed more true to the original as an elegant, sweet low-key woman with all the talents and attributes of her former self (art, literature, and music).
The relationship of the ML and FL was tender and sweet, although initially extremely awkward. Actually, the awkwardness was cute and endearing. Their daily interactions were some of the most mature and realistic I've seen in a drama. I'd love to see a similar romance that doesn't turn melodramatic, if anyone has suggestions. Give me two people who believe in one another, don't allow outsiders to wedge between them, and work out their issues together like Zhou Sheng Chen and Shi Yi.
I generally don't rate a rewatch high, but there was depth and purpose in much of what happened in FaE. There were so many Easter eggs connected to the prequel, that I'm sure I missed many. A rewatch would help solidify which characters related to the past, too.
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