fuzzybearagain

Five Go Wuxia

Just one of the best dramas I've seen. I don't normally watch dramas with a lot of martial arts, as I get too stressed (I have PTSD) but in this drama, the fighting is manga-fied to the point where it's beautiful, acrobatic, a joy to watch, but not too violent. The characters are really engaging, and there's something exhilirating about watching the Wuxia genre played to the max, and beyond, without falling off the edge into ridiculous. I think this is a wondefully skillful production, with really sustained attention to detail. Love it. Perfect. I'm really hoping they can sustain the pace of the story. I'll come back and edit this if it looses momentum, and ends up in the badlands of all those other long c-dramas which lose their way. ... I've made it to episode 26 now, and no sign of flagging. I've increased my rating in fact. Totally hooked. Wuxin is my favourite.

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I'll keep this brief

Don't be put off by the low MDL rating. This drama has one of the highest ratings I've seen on Douban - an opening 8 - which reflects its subtle and sophisticated humour. Personally, I love Lawrence Wang/Wang Xiao, and he delivers a wonderfully understated performance in this likeable comedy. In what could have been over the top slapstick, he offers something much more alluring - genuine vulnerability and not-knowing ness. He demonstrates a deep grasp of the principle of "non-doing", and while being clueless about how to solve the cases, somehow allows circumstances and colleagues to nevertheless deliver winning results. As is often the case with c-drama, there are much deeper currents and explorations in something which looks simple at a surface level. I loved all the characters, who were individual and quirky enough to carry the satirical take on stock crime drama characters (the unhinged big shot CEO and the dumb thugs for e.g.). The soundtrack is also amazing! If you want something fun. light, engaging with great acting, I really encourage you to have a look at this drama.

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