Short and Sweet
Summary:Nominated for the 7th Cannes Series Festival in 2024, To the Wonder follows Li Wen Xiu, an aspiring writer who moves back to her mom's provision store after experiencing obstacles in the city. There, she meets Batay and experiences the beauty of the breathtaking landscapes of Xinjiang as she bonds with Kazakh nomads.
Pros:
The cinematography is one of the most compelling parts of the drama; it features lots of long shots to showcase the vast sceneries in Xinjiang in all kinds of seasons as well as the lifestyle, traditions, and culture of the ethnic people. Words alone cannot capture the drama’s essence, and it’s one of the works where every frame is worthy of being a wallpaper. In terms of story, it's definitely not the strongest in comparison with “typical” dramas, its unhurried pacing is fitting for its length and leaves a lasting emotional impact. Furthermore, all types of character dynamics and relationships were explored (my favourite was definitely the friendship between Wen Xiu, Tuo Ken, and Ku Lan), which invokes a powerful sense of warmth, community, and belonging.
Cons:
There is a minor plot hole: although Li Wen Xiu only moved away at 19 for a few months, when she came back it seemed as if she was unfamiliar with the place despite the fact that she supposedly grew up there. Fortunately, this doesn’t significantly impact your viewing experience.
Overall Thoughts:
I started watching To the Wonder after seeing edits made by @_moonlitframes on Tiktok, and it quickly drew me in. The drama feels deeply authentic and reflecting, making me appreciate both the setting and its people more. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a short, thoughtfully crafted drama!
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This review may contain spoilers
One of the Best Psychological-Thriller Dramas
This is the very first review I’m putting out so I’m not expecting anyone to read this but if there’s a chance, please bear with me since I’m practicing on further developing my critical analysis and writing skills!Summary:
The Bad Kids follow three children from Ningzhou who unintentionally film a murder scene while going out on a climbing trip. What initially begins as blackmail for money spirals into a complicated web of lies, manipulation, and schemes, creating a butterfly effect that impacts several families.
Pros:
The drama does an outstanding job at depicting the fractured realities of all types of relationships (e.g. family, friendships, romance). I also appreciated how nuanced the characters were; everyone had circumstances that pushed them towards the choices they made. For example, Zhang Dong Sheng being betrayed by his wife and in-laws, Pupu and Yan Liang needing to raise money for medical treatment for Pupu’s brother, etc. Every character was 3-dimensional as everyone had flaws and there were no mary sues, which makes it easier for the audience to sympathize and feel emotionally attached. I also liked the references to Descartes, particularly the good ending vs bad ending, and how the drama ultimately leaves the ending up to the interpretation of the audience. Initially I didn’t pick up on this, but after reading Cyn Lynn’s review and watching the videos AvenueX posted, I was mindblown by all the little details that I missed. Lastly, I was thoroughly impressed by the compelling acting delivered by the kids. The actors were quite young when they took on such complex roles but portrayed their characters with remarkable death and maturity.
Cons:
Although the drama was largely a masterpiece, I feel like there were some aspects of the plot that could’ve been handled more clearly. For example, I feel like the drama did not focus much on the original incident, leaving me to wonder what the conclusion was as there was no closure. Additionally, after the building burnt down, did the police not investigate what happened to Wang Yao and Wang Li. Do the police know that they were burned alongside the building?
Overall thoughts:
I experienced cognitive dissonance because I found it difficult to come to terms with how manipulative and calculating Zhu Chanyang was, especially given his role in Jingjing's death and the implied deaths of Pupu and Yan Liang. Since he’s the main character, I truly wanted to believe that he was innocent but the easter eggs and the title definitely tells a different tale. Despite this, I couldn’t put down the drama once I started watching. All in all, The Bad Kids stands out as a drama deeply layered in moral ambiguity and psychological tension. It is definitely worth a watch!
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