dramateaque

You summed it up so well! I really love how morally grey both characters were made to be. I don't know if you watch Western shows but this reminds me of The Americans (roughly, in terms of the elements like cases to solve (undercover) and the couple dynamics; obviously it's a different premise and all that).

I initially started this expecting some biopic-style drama centred on one person only but instead I got two interesting & quite manipulative leads, who also make for a fascinating case study of a rush marriage (and its pitfalls), while they're sleuthing around some mysteries & trying to revamp the banking industry. Quite the bargain I'd say!

I mean the synopsis said that the father was his inspiration but I'd prefer them to have introduced that relationship (that seems pretty close) from the get-go because right now it feels chunky the way it is told, with us viewers in the dark and just having to assume he did everything for the widow & the daughter out of pure kindness (sure, that too, but I assume mostly because he had a - to us "unknown" - close relationship with the father). And from an unknowing viewer's point of view, even if he's a super kind clerk who returns valuable things that don't belong to him, you'd assume first that the father has TONS of other people in his life to entrust such a secret film roll with... tl;dr I'm just not too satisfied with the way the story's been set up, I'd prefer them to go about it quite chronologically!

So you didn’t see it as well, right? I’m a bit confused why he’d go out of his way to take care of the wife (well except out of kindness) but it’s surely bc he & Wu Ru Fu had some close connection (as in the synopsis) and we just don’t know yet what it was?

Okay am I stupid, did I sleep through it or have they simply not shown yet how CYZ met Wu Ru Fu? (I mean besides a.) that moment when he entrusted CYZ with that secret thing and b.) that very brief flashback of him & his wife shopping at CYZ's old shop when the wife asked if CYZ knows her from somewhere)

They both simply have the same name. But this Wang Zi Xuan mostly goes by the name CiCi Wang :) (Edit: same as in the pinyin names are the same. If you look at the Chinese characters it's two different names)

Does anyone know WHERE this will be airing?

The found (or chosen) family trope is definitely my favourite one! I generally like crew / gangs / ensemble type of dramas so any drama with strong friendships really are likely to end up among my favourites. A recommendation for those who like historical c-dramas and the found family trope: Young Blood! :)

I've finished episode 6 now. If the other 6 episodes are just as good, or even almost as good, this drama will definitely be one of my top favourite (if not the top favourite...) dramas of 2021! I'm in awe with how good the script is but also with how generous the director likely was behind the camera. So many scenes seem like they are either improvised or feature a lot of adlibs. There must have been a lot of trust between the cast and crew to create them!

Yes, we are really on the same page! It was a really nice summer watch. Perfect for the season and perfect to relax. It was never over-dramatic too which I always appreciate!

Just seen the stills they released yesterday, and wow, the cinematography will probably be amazing judging from those photos.

Definitely. So many things I recognised from my own social circle… I got goosebumps sometimes.

Yes me too. I feel like this show emotionally sucks me dry, haha

Is it normal to cry already during the first episode... how did you guys fare? (I basically watched the second half of ep. 1 with tears running down my eyes, ha)

Watched the first episode today and I’m really liking it! The cinematography is great and I think the characters will be super interesting. Though it might take me a while to unsee the Ji Jin in Wang Yizhe haha…

Also does anyone know how often they will update on YouTube? Pretty sure it’s region-blocked for me on Youku…

Given that and the fact that you've wrote a positive review above (which I haven't read yet because I don't want to accidentally spoil myself even a little bit), I'm crossing my fingers that the ending left you on a positive note! Can't wait for Tuesday to come... but also, I'd loathe to leave this drama behind. :(

Given that and the fact that you've wrote a positive review above (which I haven't read yet because I don't want to accidentally spoil myself even a little bit), I'm crossing my fingers that the ending left you on a positive note! Can't wait for Tuesday to come... but also, I'd loathe to leave this drama behind. :(

I also watched their interview together on iQiyi and they seem to be quite close or at least good friends? In any case, even off-screen they were cute and comfortable with each other. So I agree with you, it'd be a shame to not recast them in another project one day. Fingers crossed!

I don't even like high school dramas but this one here is a real gem. Just a really relaxing and soothing watch with gorgeous colouring and cinematography and likeable / relatable characters. It encapsulates that period of youth really well. And the leads have a very cute chemistry! (Every time Lin Nan Yi stares at Tong Xi I feel like I should be blushing, he's so smitten with her.)

Got it, thanks for the info! I guess it depends on the execution then, how I'd judge it. And I'm looking forward to reading your article!