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This review may contain spoilers
Love the drama aesthetics and the homage to Hong Kong 90s films
I watched this drama last night after seeing cuts on Youtube. Two thoughts that appeared when watching the cuts: (i) I recognised the main actor Cheng Cheng and (ii) oh, another mob boss story . I didn't realise FL was Deng Ling Shu until I checked the MDL page. Anyway I enjoyed this drama so much!
What I liked:
1. ML characterisation - I noticed the faint similarity between this drama, Captive Love from the Mob Boss (starring Zhang Chu Xuan and Ma Xiao Yu) and No One but You (starring Liu Lan Bo & Zheng Chen Yu). All three MLs were mob bosses and they were aggressive in the pursuit of FL. Out of the three, I liked Liang Tai Sheng the most because he thought of FL's perspectives unlike the other two MLs. This is the second time Cheng Cheng portrayed a mob boss but in this role, he was more ruthless towards anyone who threatens him & his lady love. I enjoyed Cheng Cheng's acting as he was able to portray different emotions of his character.
2. Setting - This story was set in the mid-90s and I love the aesthetics! There was a nice homage to Hong Kong 90s films from a cinema date watching A Chinese Odyssey to colour grading and shots similar to Wong Kar Wai's Fallen Angels and In the Mood for Love.
3. FL characterisation - I loved that she was a working class girl who remained modest and humble even after marriage. She was kind but responded accordingly whenever she was treated badly. I liked Deng Ling Shu's acting in this drama so much more than 'Wild as Hell: The Prince’s Saga , He Is Too Wild'.
4. Supporting characters - ML's right hand man was delightful on screen. I also liked FL's mother.
5. Romance - Slow burn romance. I enjoyed watching ML woo FL. There were many sweet moments with one or two nice kisses. I wish there were hot kisses because both ML & FL were passionate for each other once romance bloomed.
6. Music - I detected familiar tunes in this drama from 'Magic melody' by befour to instrumentals such as 'See the light' by Lim Hyunsik (from Korean tv series 'When the Phone Rings') and 'La valse d'Amelie' by Yann Tiersen (from French film 'Amelie').
7. Styling - FL's outfits were fabulous that I want to wear them. My favourite is the emerald green jacket and midi skirt. ML also looked handsome in the outfits and that hairstyle.
What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - As usual there are always love rival. ML's admirer & self-proclaimed fiancée was delusional. FL's ex was pitiful at first but later on proved to be a scumbag.
Favourite scene
When ML bonded with his mother-in-law
What I liked:
1. ML characterisation - I noticed the faint similarity between this drama, Captive Love from the Mob Boss (starring Zhang Chu Xuan and Ma Xiao Yu) and No One but You (starring Liu Lan Bo & Zheng Chen Yu). All three MLs were mob bosses and they were aggressive in the pursuit of FL. Out of the three, I liked Liang Tai Sheng the most because he thought of FL's perspectives unlike the other two MLs. This is the second time Cheng Cheng portrayed a mob boss but in this role, he was more ruthless towards anyone who threatens him & his lady love. I enjoyed Cheng Cheng's acting as he was able to portray different emotions of his character.
2. Setting - This story was set in the mid-90s and I love the aesthetics! There was a nice homage to Hong Kong 90s films from a cinema date watching A Chinese Odyssey to colour grading and shots similar to Wong Kar Wai's Fallen Angels and In the Mood for Love.
3. FL characterisation - I loved that she was a working class girl who remained modest and humble even after marriage. She was kind but responded accordingly whenever she was treated badly. I liked Deng Ling Shu's acting in this drama so much more than 'Wild as Hell: The Prince’s Saga , He Is Too Wild'.
4. Supporting characters - ML's right hand man was delightful on screen. I also liked FL's mother.
5. Romance - Slow burn romance. I enjoyed watching ML woo FL. There were many sweet moments with one or two nice kisses. I wish there were hot kisses because both ML & FL were passionate for each other once romance bloomed.
6. Music - I detected familiar tunes in this drama from 'Magic melody' by befour to instrumentals such as 'See the light' by Lim Hyunsik (from Korean tv series 'When the Phone Rings') and 'La valse d'Amelie' by Yann Tiersen (from French film 'Amelie').
7. Styling - FL's outfits were fabulous that I want to wear them. My favourite is the emerald green jacket and midi skirt. ML also looked handsome in the outfits and that hairstyle.
What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - As usual there are always love rival. ML's admirer & self-proclaimed fiancée was delusional. FL's ex was pitiful at first but later on proved to be a scumbag.
Favourite scene
When ML bonded with his mother-in-law
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