This review may contain spoilers
A Splendid Story; Fire the Editors
Overview:
Compared to how much I have ranted and raved about this drama, my rating is harsh; it aligns with my brain not my heart – let me explain. From the start, the audience can immediately tell that this drama is of a different standard, whether it is the cast, the story, or the camerawork. The first few episodes are entirely to build up the plot, making it relatively easier to understand. After that, the romance progresses slowly but steadily, leaving you on the edge of your seat, wondering what's next. But by around episode 30, it feels like the editors gave up and just started doing whatever. A mess, honestly. Now, the plot is still understandable, but it becomes slow, boring, and almost redundant. The scenes are sloppily placed around as if the editor threw a die to determine what they would edit next. If not for the outstanding acting of ALL of the cast, it could have gone much worse. 'A Splendid Match' is most definitely not a bad watch, but it will not meet the same expectations it created from episode one. If you don't want to end up disappointed or unfulfilled, you can stop watching at around episode 30 or just a bit after GJZ and CYY's wedding.
Context:
Originally, this drama had 36 episodes, but the editors got bored and let their imagination fly to the Vegas casinos. They really gambled and did anything yet also everything. So happy to be a mess. By editing the drama to become 40 episodes, they cut a lot of CYY's scenes, especially the ones with GJZ. In particular, there is a line where he says 'I don't care about anything except for my wife.' They had the NERVE to cut that out.
Some people have mentioned that this was done in favour of Winwin, as he has strong backing in the industry. Before anyone throws a fit, this isn't hate towards him; the industry is fraudulent and we need to admit it. It would make sense considering the amount of 'highlighted' scenes YX has, but to replace CYY's scenes with his is ridiculous.
Story:
The story in itself is wonderful, mostly. From the start, there is a clear understanding of what each character wants, but it doesn't categorise them into the good v. the bad. These characters are genuinely three-dimensional; they have fears, joys, angers, motives, plots, etc. You really want to see what happens next because this drama feels real. The characters have become alive, and don't act for the sake of the plot, but 'for themselves'. The politics is well-written, and it's noteworthy to mention FHL who embodied nuance. He really represents the fact that if you do something to such an extreme, you often end up on the other end of the scale. Even if he gambled on innocent lives, he believed that he did this for the good of Yan and its people. For once, the politic-centric plot is watchable and not the same 'good' v. 'evil' debate repackaged (though barely) with overly-confident leads.
It's a shame that the editors started playing Russian roulette 3/4s in. The final arch wasn't difficult to understand, but confusing in terms of progression and motive. It felt like the characters were just wandering with no sense of direction. Again, as I have barely mentioned, this is due to the editors cutting and adding scenes randomly. It's amazing how much editing affects the entire plot, because after losing a sense of direction, the audience then loses a will to watch it. Not to mention the ending is beyond underwhelming. It cuts with CYY carrying GJZ out of a burning mansion to the voiceover of a eunuch reading the Emperor's edict. You expect that there's another scene, literally anything, to give you some closure about what happens next, but no, that's the end. 'The end!' the editors happily say, probably.
While the editing may have been ridiculous, it must be mentioned that the filmmaking did not disappoint. In particular, the battle scenes in the last three episodes were amazing. They encapsulate the terror of war, and for once, the leads in a C-Drama are visibly, actively fighting their enemies. In particular, I liked how CYY made sure his enemies were completely dead but slicing their throats, even if they had already been stabbed. The need for detail was perfect.
(Take this with a grain of salt.)
Many readers of the original novel have also mentioned that the setting has greatly changed. For example, in the novel CYY had two children with his first wife: a son and a daughter. The son is CXQ and falls for GJZ, but she ended up becoming his step-mother.
Characters:
CYY – I think San Ye might be one of my favourite characters ever written. Granted, it may be thanks to Ci Sha's immaculate acting, but wow, he is just so likeable. Whether it's his intellect or his mannerisms, everything is just likeable. He proves to the audience that he IS a splendid match with GJZ, because he genuinely respects her. Instead of wanting to control her in the name of 'love,' he fulfils his promise of letting her remain free, even after marriage. A lot of MLs in dramas say that on the surface, but at the end of the day, they all end up controlling the FL, one way or another. But CYY isn't like the others. CYY thinks through all matters seriously and rationally, yet remaining enough emotion to balance out his rationality so that his decisions represent the best answer possible. He is a wise man, and that alone makes his likeable.
GJZ – For one, Zhao Jie's character development is perfect. While she may act irrationally and stubbornly at the beginning, you literally cannot blame her, considering she is still a child. But after the death of her mother, she is forced to become more mature, no longer letting her emotions get the best of her. She learns to take care of things in a more sophisticated and well-rounded manner, and her tasks have far extended business and family matters. The change between these two time periods is evident (must mention that Ren Min portrayed it very well). At the end of the drama, her growth is immeasurable and GJZ shows that she is indeed a splendid match with CYY. They quite literally complement each other.
YX – There is a lot of debate of this character, and I can see why. Similar to GJZ, he also goes through a strong character development arc, but he is forced through it slightly later than her. At the start, his irrationality really gets under your skin. Especially in the scene where he whipped GJZ, I didn't think that anything the writers did could ever make his character redeemable. Yet somehow, he IS likeable by the end of the story. Personally, I believe it has to do with the contrast between an emotionally unstable YX v.s. a YX who is forced to shoulder responsibilities as the head of his family after his father's death. Once he starts realising that his actions have consequences, he acts more clear-headedly. Some people may criticise his hot-headed behaviour in comparison with CYY, but it must be mentioned that YX is around 10 years younger than him.
CYY & FHL – Personally, CYY and FHL reminded me of two different ends of the trolley problem. CYY would rather sacrifice one person he knows to save the trolley full of people, while FHL would sacrifice the 5 innocent people he doesn't know. Technically speaking, CYY would want no one to be sacrificed, but he is still not written to be a character of 'goodness,' making him so much more likeable. FHL in general is just a character of nuance. He has humane sides to him (e.g., his love for his wife, the reforms for the country, etc.), but they're convoluted by his ever-increasing need for control. Simply put, you can't deem him as entirely 'good,' nor entirely 'evil.'
CXQ & GL – Their roles seriously reversed. At the start of the drama, I thought it wouldn't be bad if GJZ ended up with CXQ, because their love really was just puppy love. It was cute, it was simple. With GL, everything she did was infuriating. The schemes she would get into along with her mother to argue with GJZ's mother were beyond redundant. But somewhere along the line, CXQ revealed his true colours as a narcissistic, self-obsessed, maniac. I couldn't help but roll my eyes whenever I saw him preach about his so-called 'love' for GJZ. On the other hand, GL really matured after her mother was sent away to the monastery, and she was forced to recognise her situation in the Gu family. It's nice to see how she moved on from believing that marriage is the only way out for her, to rejecting the proposal of a respected family because she wanted to live for herself.
Cast:
Can you believe that not a single person in this cast let me down? I can't, and I'm overjoyed.
Ci Sha as CYY – Ci Sha's acting has never failed me. No matter what scene it is, he is always able to perfect it. Especially in scenes which require great detail, this man always delivers. He really makes you believe that CYY walked straight out of the novel. Acting involving his eyes seem to be a strong point for this man. After the first battle when they carry YX's body back to the military base, Ci Sha acts out CYY's multiple layers of emotions SO WELL. Words cannot describe what CYY was feeling, yet Ci Sha's acting can. I know I'm really putting him on a pedestal here, but I am beyond impressed.
Ren Min as GJZ – Again, Ren Min did spectacularly. At first, I wasn't sure about this drama because I have not watched her dramas before, and I didn't think her demeanour suited it so strongly. But I was proved to be terribly mistaken by how well she portrayed GJZ.
Dong Sichen (Winwin) as YX – Winwin really outdid himself here. I have watched a bit of his acting in 'Perfect Match,' but never properly finished as I didn't like the storyline, so I wasn't sure about what to expect from him. Often, when an idol starts pursuing acting, they are rightfully criticised; the industry provides them with so many resources, yet these rookies can barely act. However, this is most definitely NOT the case for Winwin. While I have mentioned that the industry may be biased towards him, he lives up to his name of acting well. YX's character cannot be an easy character to portray considering how many different emotions he must show. Whether it's the innate frustration he has for his weak body, his anger and helplessness towards the world, his love for GJZ, etc., Winwin grasped the situation well. Compared to the impression I have of him based on previous memories (NCT, variety shows, etc.), he completely changed in his portrayal of YX – which is a good thing because it shows he can act! I am genuinely and pleasantly surprised by him, and I look forward to his future projects.
Compared to how much I have ranted and raved about this drama, my rating is harsh; it aligns with my brain not my heart – let me explain. From the start, the audience can immediately tell that this drama is of a different standard, whether it is the cast, the story, or the camerawork. The first few episodes are entirely to build up the plot, making it relatively easier to understand. After that, the romance progresses slowly but steadily, leaving you on the edge of your seat, wondering what's next. But by around episode 30, it feels like the editors gave up and just started doing whatever. A mess, honestly. Now, the plot is still understandable, but it becomes slow, boring, and almost redundant. The scenes are sloppily placed around as if the editor threw a die to determine what they would edit next. If not for the outstanding acting of ALL of the cast, it could have gone much worse. 'A Splendid Match' is most definitely not a bad watch, but it will not meet the same expectations it created from episode one. If you don't want to end up disappointed or unfulfilled, you can stop watching at around episode 30 or just a bit after GJZ and CYY's wedding.
Context:
Originally, this drama had 36 episodes, but the editors got bored and let their imagination fly to the Vegas casinos. They really gambled and did anything yet also everything. So happy to be a mess. By editing the drama to become 40 episodes, they cut a lot of CYY's scenes, especially the ones with GJZ. In particular, there is a line where he says 'I don't care about anything except for my wife.' They had the NERVE to cut that out.
Some people have mentioned that this was done in favour of Winwin, as he has strong backing in the industry. Before anyone throws a fit, this isn't hate towards him; the industry is fraudulent and we need to admit it. It would make sense considering the amount of 'highlighted' scenes YX has, but to replace CYY's scenes with his is ridiculous.
Story:
The story in itself is wonderful, mostly. From the start, there is a clear understanding of what each character wants, but it doesn't categorise them into the good v. the bad. These characters are genuinely three-dimensional; they have fears, joys, angers, motives, plots, etc. You really want to see what happens next because this drama feels real. The characters have become alive, and don't act for the sake of the plot, but 'for themselves'. The politics is well-written, and it's noteworthy to mention FHL who embodied nuance. He really represents the fact that if you do something to such an extreme, you often end up on the other end of the scale. Even if he gambled on innocent lives, he believed that he did this for the good of Yan and its people. For once, the politic-centric plot is watchable and not the same 'good' v. 'evil' debate repackaged (though barely) with overly-confident leads.
It's a shame that the editors started playing Russian roulette 3/4s in. The final arch wasn't difficult to understand, but confusing in terms of progression and motive. It felt like the characters were just wandering with no sense of direction. Again, as I have barely mentioned, this is due to the editors cutting and adding scenes randomly. It's amazing how much editing affects the entire plot, because after losing a sense of direction, the audience then loses a will to watch it. Not to mention the ending is beyond underwhelming. It cuts with CYY carrying GJZ out of a burning mansion to the voiceover of a eunuch reading the Emperor's edict. You expect that there's another scene, literally anything, to give you some closure about what happens next, but no, that's the end. 'The end!' the editors happily say, probably.
While the editing may have been ridiculous, it must be mentioned that the filmmaking did not disappoint. In particular, the battle scenes in the last three episodes were amazing. They encapsulate the terror of war, and for once, the leads in a C-Drama are visibly, actively fighting their enemies. In particular, I liked how CYY made sure his enemies were completely dead but slicing their throats, even if they had already been stabbed. The need for detail was perfect.
(Take this with a grain of salt.)
Many readers of the original novel have also mentioned that the setting has greatly changed. For example, in the novel CYY had two children with his first wife: a son and a daughter. The son is CXQ and falls for GJZ, but she ended up becoming his step-mother.
Characters:
CYY – I think San Ye might be one of my favourite characters ever written. Granted, it may be thanks to Ci Sha's immaculate acting, but wow, he is just so likeable. Whether it's his intellect or his mannerisms, everything is just likeable. He proves to the audience that he IS a splendid match with GJZ, because he genuinely respects her. Instead of wanting to control her in the name of 'love,' he fulfils his promise of letting her remain free, even after marriage. A lot of MLs in dramas say that on the surface, but at the end of the day, they all end up controlling the FL, one way or another. But CYY isn't like the others. CYY thinks through all matters seriously and rationally, yet remaining enough emotion to balance out his rationality so that his decisions represent the best answer possible. He is a wise man, and that alone makes his likeable.
GJZ – For one, Zhao Jie's character development is perfect. While she may act irrationally and stubbornly at the beginning, you literally cannot blame her, considering she is still a child. But after the death of her mother, she is forced to become more mature, no longer letting her emotions get the best of her. She learns to take care of things in a more sophisticated and well-rounded manner, and her tasks have far extended business and family matters. The change between these two time periods is evident (must mention that Ren Min portrayed it very well). At the end of the drama, her growth is immeasurable and GJZ shows that she is indeed a splendid match with CYY. They quite literally complement each other.
YX – There is a lot of debate of this character, and I can see why. Similar to GJZ, he also goes through a strong character development arc, but he is forced through it slightly later than her. At the start, his irrationality really gets under your skin. Especially in the scene where he whipped GJZ, I didn't think that anything the writers did could ever make his character redeemable. Yet somehow, he IS likeable by the end of the story. Personally, I believe it has to do with the contrast between an emotionally unstable YX v.s. a YX who is forced to shoulder responsibilities as the head of his family after his father's death. Once he starts realising that his actions have consequences, he acts more clear-headedly. Some people may criticise his hot-headed behaviour in comparison with CYY, but it must be mentioned that YX is around 10 years younger than him.
CYY & FHL – Personally, CYY and FHL reminded me of two different ends of the trolley problem. CYY would rather sacrifice one person he knows to save the trolley full of people, while FHL would sacrifice the 5 innocent people he doesn't know. Technically speaking, CYY would want no one to be sacrificed, but he is still not written to be a character of 'goodness,' making him so much more likeable. FHL in general is just a character of nuance. He has humane sides to him (e.g., his love for his wife, the reforms for the country, etc.), but they're convoluted by his ever-increasing need for control. Simply put, you can't deem him as entirely 'good,' nor entirely 'evil.'
CXQ & GL – Their roles seriously reversed. At the start of the drama, I thought it wouldn't be bad if GJZ ended up with CXQ, because their love really was just puppy love. It was cute, it was simple. With GL, everything she did was infuriating. The schemes she would get into along with her mother to argue with GJZ's mother were beyond redundant. But somewhere along the line, CXQ revealed his true colours as a narcissistic, self-obsessed, maniac. I couldn't help but roll my eyes whenever I saw him preach about his so-called 'love' for GJZ. On the other hand, GL really matured after her mother was sent away to the monastery, and she was forced to recognise her situation in the Gu family. It's nice to see how she moved on from believing that marriage is the only way out for her, to rejecting the proposal of a respected family because she wanted to live for herself.
Cast:
Can you believe that not a single person in this cast let me down? I can't, and I'm overjoyed.
Ci Sha as CYY – Ci Sha's acting has never failed me. No matter what scene it is, he is always able to perfect it. Especially in scenes which require great detail, this man always delivers. He really makes you believe that CYY walked straight out of the novel. Acting involving his eyes seem to be a strong point for this man. After the first battle when they carry YX's body back to the military base, Ci Sha acts out CYY's multiple layers of emotions SO WELL. Words cannot describe what CYY was feeling, yet Ci Sha's acting can. I know I'm really putting him on a pedestal here, but I am beyond impressed.
Ren Min as GJZ – Again, Ren Min did spectacularly. At first, I wasn't sure about this drama because I have not watched her dramas before, and I didn't think her demeanour suited it so strongly. But I was proved to be terribly mistaken by how well she portrayed GJZ.
Dong Sichen (Winwin) as YX – Winwin really outdid himself here. I have watched a bit of his acting in 'Perfect Match,' but never properly finished as I didn't like the storyline, so I wasn't sure about what to expect from him. Often, when an idol starts pursuing acting, they are rightfully criticised; the industry provides them with so many resources, yet these rookies can barely act. However, this is most definitely NOT the case for Winwin. While I have mentioned that the industry may be biased towards him, he lives up to his name of acting well. YX's character cannot be an easy character to portray considering how many different emotions he must show. Whether it's the innate frustration he has for his weak body, his anger and helplessness towards the world, his love for GJZ, etc., Winwin grasped the situation well. Compared to the impression I have of him based on previous memories (NCT, variety shows, etc.), he completely changed in his portrayal of YX – which is a good thing because it shows he can act! I am genuinely and pleasantly surprised by him, and I look forward to his future projects.
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