Slow burn melodrama about love between imperfect adults
I am older and I can relate to the melodrama between the ML & FL. Their early 20’s and late 20’s and that decade is something I lived through and I can understand the thinking and their reactions. I don’t think you can judge the story in today’s atmosphere and culture. The story is very real to the times of when they were younger.Many commenters say that ML is a pushover and is of low self-esteem and that the FL is an irresponsible b*tch who comes and goes as she pleases. While this may be true, it is still a good story and a good drama for me.
I will judge the final rating after the whole drama completes. For now, the on-going story; and the revelations and resolutions in every episode is satisfying.
In my view, it has irony, humor, frustration, elation, love, support, empathy, sacrifice… Many of the real life human emotions and situations.
I was looking for something a little slower after all the trendy, fast paced dramas of late.
This drama is like an oasis.
If you get frustrated easily, just wait until the drama completes and binge it all at once.
I think this is much better than some of PSJ’s recent dramas. I also like the production. I recommend it for its mature dramatic storyline.
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Overall, very enjoyable—BUT…
Overall, I really enjoyed the story and the characters but I felt fatigued towards the last 10 episodes. Too many unnecessary twists and turns and prolonged storyline.From episode 33 to episode 38, I had to force myself to watch. I kept thinking I wish this would be over already.
The ML & FL did a good job and their chemistry worked. Their competitive banter and fighting scenes were entertaining in the beginning. But, I also felt a bit fatigued with the FL being so self-centered and the main villain being so tenacious. He did a good job being so creepy and obsessive. However, it was not enjoyable to see his antics towards the end. It was just too much and too long.
The fight scenes were beautifully choreographed and cinematic. Overall, really enjoyed the cinematography and the CG.
The side characters, especially Old Bao, were really well acted and fun. All the “service” characters did feel a little annoying, single-minded and too obtuse. The men were all shown to be a little too dumb—I guess to highlight ML and FL’s ingenuity and perceptiveness. It was frustrating after a while. The ML’s father was too much as well.
All the actors did a great job but the overall story was not great. It was the production (script writer and producers) who failed. The actors and directors did a fantastic job with the material given.
I still recommend a watch. It was not a waste of time. Especially the first half of the drama was really enjoyable. The only downside was that you can’t really skip or fast forward the latter half of the dragging story because there are so many twists and turns. You will have to endure through it.
I guess the ending was good but a bit too short and simple after enduring through 39 episodes. I didn’t feel great or emotionally satisfied but was happy that it was finally done.
Xu Cai did a wonderful job overall and I will watch his other works after this.
PS: I loved the OST (especially Li Yuning) and the special cameo.
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We need season 2 right away!
The story is really good and I can’t wait for season 2. There’s a S2, right?? There has to be. Producers, get on that right away! Even if the original novel continues the story or not (I don’t know), find a good screenwriter to write the script!! 🙏🏼I really enjoyed the ML & FL’s chemistry although it was really slow at first. Although I enjoyed ML Chen Fei Yu’s performance, his emotional expressions are somewhat limited so I think he needs to work on that in future projects. I understand the ML’s character is pained and cynical but he always has the same expression. His smile sometimes looks very forced as well. I felt the same in Lighter & Princess. I agree that he has a great voice.
My first drama with Wang Ying Lu as FL. She was a little annoying at first but definitely grew on me. I feel like she’s always gulping before she says her lines. I guess she’s still young and new. But, I got over it. I enjoyed her performance and was invested in the story and their characters.
The storyline was full of tropes but well executed. The supporting characters were all really good—with their faults and all. As others mentioned, many of the supporting male characters are foolish and dense. It was frustrating at times but I guess the writers could not find a better solution to progress the story.
I felt like the latter half was a little slower but hoping for a season 2 to extend their “lifetimes”. Otherwise, the ending was such a tease and not satisfying.
As others mentioned, there was a LOT of kissing. In the beginning, it was really awkward but they definitely got better at it. 😂 I guess practice makes perfect. I felt this was more risqué than the other (non-soapy) c-dramas I’ve seen thus far without being explicit.
The name Sima Jiao is emblazoned in my mind like spirit fire. It keeps ringing in my head.
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