I think this drama is very good in term of cinematography and CGI, it can't compare to xanxia genre, but it's…
The CGI and cinematography are not bad. I just think it could have been much better. Because I liked the story a lot, I couldn't help but wish its delivery was enhanced by more captivating computer graphics and smoother cuts and transitions.
Nevertheless, as I said in another comment, story, storytelling, characterization, character development, and acting matter more to me. And SAF was strong in those aspects. :)
I read that SAF6 had financial issues so it couldn't create the big expensive special effect types of scenes.…
I figured they didn't have a big budget, which is surprising given that it's a Tencent production with popular headliners. But I also noticed that the CGI for some scenes, like the dragon-like kun in the first episode and the swimming pink kun, was done sophisticatedly. So maybe that's where the budget went.
Nevertheless, because the story was good and the acting was great, I didn't really mind the average CGI and the occasional questionable cinematographic choices. They affect my rating of the show, of course. But story, storytelling, characterization, character development, and acting matter more to me. Other things I consider are mise-en-scene, sound, and editing. :)
Compared to other xianxias and dramas of a similar genre, SAF is not the best in terms of cinematography and CGI. However, it has a good story and a solid cast.
Xu Kai and Yu Shuxin were great, and Fu Xinbo, Wan Peng, Bai Bingke, and Zhou Zhan were effective. For me, though, Xue Baiyi (Luo Maiming) and Chen Zhiyan (Xiao Yuan) were the scene stealers. Every scene they were in was compelling and executed well. They understood and delivered their roles superbly.
Editing might have played a big role, but I felt that Seokjin’s “alliance” was more sincere and loyal to…
I was rooting for Seokjin, because I believed he deserved to win. He might not have been the ace, but to me, he was the all-rounder. He was smart, strategic, composed, arguably neutral despite being in an “alliance” with Siwon and Dongjae, AND lucky. He knew when and how to play his cards during the game and their leisure time. I also feel like my moral and political compasses align with his the most (based only on what I’ve seen on the show). I’m super glad that he ended up winning.
Editing might have played a big role, but I felt that Seokjin’s “alliance” was more sincere and loyal to each other. Yes, they were competitive. And yes, they obviously wanted to be the final winner. But I don’t recall any of them betraying or abandoning another whenever they teamed up. Even during the games they weren’t in a team together, they respected each other’s choices. They also stayed true to their promises.
agreeable?? Acceptable?? Nah man! See rant above👆🏽
Hello! 🙂
Apologies if my choice of words triggered something in you or confused you. What I meant by "agreeable/acceptable ending" is that, story-wise, the subplots and supporting characters at least had an explainable ending. Some might dislike it, some might find it ridiculous... but at least they had an ending. There were no major loose ends.
I studied film, and while I'm no expert, one thing I think a lot of movies and dramas fail to do is wrap subplots. They just ignore them and keep them hanging.
Maybe I should've used "justifiable" or "explainable" instead of "agreeable/acceptable." 😅
It's nothing spectacular or game-changing (and CGI wasn't really the best in this one), but what I appreciated is that everything—including subplots and supporting characters—had an agreeable/acceptable ending.
I actually think that more than the story being a mess, it's the characters who are messed up... in a strangely realistic way. I also think that the delivery of those messed up characters was effective, thus the influx of negative reactions and comments. (Kudos to Joong because he's commendable in this series.)
That's why I still like the show and find episode 6 "forgivable."
I do think, however, that they are dragging the miscommunication issue a little too long. The story started out extremely well... its success/downfall greatly depends on how they will tie everything up in the last 2 episodes.
To be honest, the story was meh. I think that's the biggest flaw of the series.
However, I genuinely enjoyed it because cinematography and mise en scène were on point, Nong NuNew's acting (for a rookie) was commendable, main CP have undeniable chemistry, and OST was good. Stuck with it for those things and I don't regret it. :)
Did I miss something? There were a lot of scenes in the end credits that I don't remember seeing in the actual episodes. Were they just really deleted or did I watch a cut version on iQiyi?
Nevertheless, as I said in another comment, story, storytelling, characterization, character development, and acting matter more to me. And SAF was strong in those aspects. :)
Nevertheless, because the story was good and the acting was great, I didn't really mind the average CGI and the occasional questionable cinematographic choices. They affect my rating of the show, of course. But story, storytelling, characterization, character development, and acting matter more to me. Other things I consider are mise-en-scene, sound, and editing. :)
Xu Kai and Yu Shuxin were great, and Fu Xinbo, Wan Peng, Bai Bingke, and Zhou Zhan were effective. For me, though, Xue Baiyi (Luo Maiming) and Chen Zhiyan (Xiao Yuan) were the scene stealers. Every scene they were in was compelling and executed well. They understood and delivered their roles superbly.
Apologies if my choice of words triggered something in you or confused you. What I meant by "agreeable/acceptable ending" is that, story-wise, the subplots and supporting characters at least had an explainable ending. Some might dislike it, some might find it ridiculous... but at least they had an ending. There were no major loose ends.
I studied film, and while I'm no expert, one thing I think a lot of movies and dramas fail to do is wrap subplots. They just ignore them and keep them hanging.
Maybe I should've used "justifiable" or "explainable" instead of "agreeable/acceptable." 😅
It's nothing spectacular or game-changing (and CGI wasn't really the best in this one), but what I appreciated is that everything—including subplots and supporting characters—had an agreeable/acceptable ending.
But I don't think Nut deserved Tofu. (Excuse the immaturity and bitterness.)
I actually think that more than the story being a mess, it's the characters who are messed up... in a strangely realistic way. I also think that the delivery of those messed up characters was effective, thus the influx of negative reactions and comments. (Kudos to Joong because he's commendable in this series.)
That's why I still like the show and find episode 6 "forgivable."
I do think, however, that they are dragging the miscommunication issue a little too long. The story started out extremely well... its success/downfall greatly depends on how they will tie everything up in the last 2 episodes.
However, I genuinely enjoyed it because cinematography and mise en scène were on point, Nong NuNew's acting (for a rookie) was commendable, main CP have undeniable chemistry, and OST was good. Stuck with it for those things and I don't regret it. :)
Am I the only one who dislikes Kenji? Even after he explained his actions?
He may have wanted to sound like a caring and noble brother, but he just comes off as selfish, insensitive, and insincere to me.
Thank you for your reply! :)