ivybis

Heavy on the CGI but light on the story

Watched this last week after I caught a trailer on YouTube. I love Mark Chao and I appreciate his talents, but the material he chooses to participate in is hit or miss. This latest project is no different. The trailer was very heavy on the CGI and that gave me some trepidation, as I had caught him in a Detective Dee movie and was underwhelmed by the lack of story. This one has some great martial arts scenes but, again, the plot is light but the special effects are dazzling.

The non-existent plot is the classic good vs. evil one with a little bromance thrown in. The artistic visuals were really something you would find in a high graphic video game. Cool visuals, gorgeous costumes but light in the story. Heck, it was a video game on screen.

Mark himself proved once again the strongest character in terms of performance. I just wish I could see him in more noteworthy projects. I enjoyed his work in Love and I am hoping to find more films of that caliber to watch. This one puts food on the table, nothing more. I sense this was an expensive film to make and, for the price tag, they could have afforded better writers.

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Needed Better Writing

I think, for the most part, this show was entertaining with a strong cast of capable performers. Unfortunately the writing could have used a more capable storyteller. It was often sloppy with too many loose ends and implausibilities present. I like fantasy romance dramas, but they have to make sense to me---and this one contradicts itself time and again. I dislike stories that tell you one thing and then do the opposite. Without spoiling, if you can get rid of something by killing it, then you would think it would be gone. But things manage to survive without explanation for the sake of conflict and, in order to be somewhat entertained, you have to suspend your common sense. A more talented writer can convince me to do that if they have something worthwhile. If they can't, then it's just sloppy writing. Here, the writer makes up whatever they want without thinking much whether the audience will buy it. This drama was part, ghost, part horror, part fantasy, with some fairy tales thrown in. It was a strange piece of fiction which I couldn't, as much as wanted to, enjoy it.

I loved the performances. Our main leads are both very talented and have an equally talented supporting cast. The romance was on point and there were some very sweet moments between our leads, but, oh, the poor writing is what sinks this drama.

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I just finished the last episode. This series is aesthetically pleasing to the eye in terms of good looking actors, scenery and costume, but the acting was so-so and the script silly and unoriginal. Our ML just really needs more acting classes. I had seen him in Meteor Garden, another stinker, and didn't think much of his work as his part was so small. Here he is given the entire drama to carry, but it just wasn't as good as it could have been due to the sloppy writing, and depthless characters. The FL was much more fun to watch. She was very cute and playful, and seemed more at ease in her part. Whereas our ML takes himself much too seriously, our FL is his perfect foil. She makes utter fun of him.

It started well enough. I was invested and my heart truly ached for them when their foolishness caused each other pain. But as the story went along, it seemed to lose its direction and trotted to a quickly wrapped up ending. I got the feeling the script writers had no idea how to finish this story so it meandered to a less than stellar end. The last scene set in the present made no sense whatsoever. It should have been cut.

This is one I would not watch again. If I had to choose between this and Maiden Holmes, MH would win out. I found the actors more talented and the story better written.

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Meh!

I watched this movie a few months ago and I what sticks out, to this day, is how strange that Daniel Henney stars in a Korean film without speaking a word of Korean? He speaks to the FL in English and she answers in Korean. WTH??? The film has some funny moments, but there was nothing memorable about it except the unconventional way the producers tried to work around the fact that our ML is a Korean American actor who can't speak a word of Korean. He certainly provides the eye candy, but darned if anyone can believe they can bring this guy home to meet the parents and communicate!

The cliched plot of rich, handsome CEO starting an office romance with an underling is tiresome. Nothing noteworthy or memorable that makes it stick out.

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The problem with having so many big names in one film is that you have to give everyone an equal amount of time onscreen and that just makes for a storyline that scratches the surface rather than something you can sink your teeth into.

Love is just that: A celebration of love among a group of people loosely connected with each other. We don’t know how things are going to work out among our main leads, but we try our best to keep up with the numerous situations within the movie. It seems however that the plot involving the college student who finds herself in trouble to be the most engaging of all.

I found the music forgetful but that might not be a bad thing. I was too busy focusing on the story. It is the Asian version of Love Actually. It’s cute but not memorable.

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I just finished the last episode of Strong Girl Bong Soon and was entertained all the way through. Kudos to the screenwriter for making this zany comedy funny, without being corny, romantic without being syrupy sweet, and scary enough without being overtly horrifying. On top of it all, it doesn't take itself too seriously with several laugh-out-loud moments to to reflect that.

What I love about Bong Soon is that she is a down to earth super hero who, rather than flaunt her strength, tries her very best to hide it, preferring to be more of a guardian angel than donning a ridiculously tight spandex suit with the letter "B" affixed to her chest. She cares deeply for her friends and family and isn't afraid to take risks to save them. She is cute with a quirky sense of style, and can easily pass for the girl next door. No drop dead, gorgeous vixen here. Even so, she manages to catch the eye of two very handsome young men, who try their best to be her number one.

The supporting cast was equally strong, making her look even better. All cast members felt fleshed out and human, and you cared about them all. It was a well put together cast of very talented people. I was very pleased with this production. I like a comedy that can be funny without being ridiculous.

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Just watched the last episode, and, goodness!!...I feel as if I have been put through the wringer! This gorgeous 24 episode series is full of wonderful acting, beautiful cinematography and heartfelt music. It is a historical fiction of a young man who is forced to flee Korea because his life is in danger. He comes back years later as an American soldier and ready to take revenge on those who hurt his family. The drama that surrounds him sets the course in the path he takes, whether it ends in happiness or tragedy.

I love films that make me care for the characters, even the not-so-good ones because the writers have taken the time to flesh them out and not make them one dimensional villains. The female characters are very strong. No Mary Janes here. The acting is out of this world, pleased that they were able to cast a very talented ensemble. This is a show that doesn't not leave you. The historical situations were fascinating. It has been a real pleasure waiting for new episodes to come out weekly. Watch this. You will not be disappointed

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Just finished watching this and I have to say that it could have been way better. Our main characters first meet when he accidentally douses her with water and she is wary of him because he is rich. Long story short, they wind up having the type of high school romance anyone would consider forgettable in real life.

This film tries to make us believe that theirs is a great love story worth fighting for, but it's not. Our hero is cold and looks stiff during those kissing scenes and our heroine really doesn't like him at all. He just doesn't get it. There was very little buildup to the romance. The added side plots don't really help the story. Both of them behave immaturely and the ambiguous ending was frustrating. I had to search for deleted scenes on YouTube that should have wrapped up the ending.

Disappointing.

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Repetitive Boring Plot

I am really getting tired of romantic fluff and this one is no exception. I really wanted to like this show and it started out very cute and light hearted, but the writing and the acting is so poor that I can't give it a pass. It is full of cliche plots that have been done elsewhere, and rife with brand pushing. How many times can the actors drink Rio without puking out their insides? Their refrigerators are completely stocked with Rio beverages, and NOTHING else. Is it any wonder they have to eat out?

There doesn't seem to be any normal women in this show and, I am sad to say, they aren't depicted in a favorable light here. The women are either gullible, starry eyed, Mary-Sue types who are constantly being told they need to be protected, or are crazy, lunatics. When the guys aren't telling them what to do, the ladies are chasing down men or beating them up. If a woman is actually tough, she is depicted as having no feelings. Of course, the men don't fare any better. They are either plotting behind each others' backs, or throwing around their toxic masculinity. I just wanted for our FL to have at least one person who wanted what was best for her with no ulterior motive. Sadly, everyone wanted to run her life for her. It's disheartening.

I only watched this because I was fresh off The Long Ballad and was delighted there was another show with Lusi Zhao. She is a fine actress and so adorable. Unfortunately, this romance is so poorly written that I felt her talent was wasted. In fact, the plot is so sloppy that actors disappear, make choices that don't really fit their personality, and loose ends are not tied up. There is no wrap up of important plot details and, once again, the villains are given an arc of redemption instead of the well-deserved punishment for their depraved behavior. Plot is implausible, as is the norm in these types of fluffy romances and the acting is cringeworthy. I would rate this better than Meteor Garden but not by much.

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I didn’t think I would see a C-drama that could top TLTWTMPB but I was wrong. I was absolutely convinced by the stellar performances of the cast, and in the chemistry of our two leads. I love a good romance, but I also need some action as well as a good plot. This delivered. Those gravity defying martial arts were just fun to watch. It was a beautiful production, well-written adaptation from book to screen, even if it did veer off early on. I loved that Fuyao defended herself well and didn’t let anyone step all over her. At the same time, she allowed herself to be saved by Wuji even though she held her own very well. That balance of being strong but leaning on the one you love at the same time, sold me on their romance because she recognized the importance of putting her loved one first. Ethan Ruan has a smile to die for! I call him the Chinese Tom Cruise. The camera absolutely loves Ethan. He cannot take a bad shot. Will definitely recommend this title.

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This is the most intensely romantic TV series I have ever watched. I love a drama where the chemistry works between the leads making it a joy to watch them. Mark Chao and Yang Mi were amazing. Two beautiful people who got lost in their characters and made them come alive was a true joy to watch, The performances are first rate, the sets are gorgeous and the costumes breathtaking, with an equally beautiful soundtrack. Because I love epic love stories between people who experience love and loss, I knew this would be something I would enjoy. The fact that it spans lifetimes makes it all the more intriguing. I bought into the drama and have now watched it twice. It's hard to let go.

Though many people want to pan the series because it comes from plagiarized works, I don't think that is fair to the production. The script writers made something wonderful out of a mediocre novel, and that should be appreciated for its own merits. This was a beautiful piece of work and I appreciate the time, talents, and hard work of the production team.

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I have already seen 24 episodes of this show and I am disappointed. Its a romantic comedy which is a genre I love, but this one is silly because the ML is immature and makes you feel as if the drama cannot decide if it appeals to teenagers or to an older audience.

The show reminds me of Meteor Garden but with better acting. Cliches, shallow parents, bullying coworkers, stupid choices. It's all here. Because the first 20 episodes consisted of the ML treating our ingenue in such mean ways, I couldn't like him and didn't care if he met a horrible end. Though, I couldn't muster much sympathy for the girl either. She seems to make several idiotic choices, whines, acts like she is fifteen years old, has the IQ of a beetle, and eats like a pig. The music is horrific, repetitive bubble gum stuff that belongs in a preteen Disney show. Just what am I watching here?

The supporting characters are much more interesting and, because of that, I am wondering if that alone outweighs dropping the series all together? When I read that the end is hastily wrapped up and some characters do not get closure , I feel frustrated with the sloppiness of the writing. The viewers deserve better. This is what I get for watching a modern day C-drama. I guess I have to keep looking for something else or stick to the historical dramas.

Can someone take pity on me and just tell me what happens to Mo Nan?

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One of the Better Romances

I have to say I really enjoyed this one. As always, I am impressed with Zhang Wan Yi's earnest performances and this did not disappoint. He has the most expressive eyes I have ever seen and handsome to boot. He is the perfect leading man and I am looking forward to seeing him in future roles.

This romance was different from most romances where two people meet, like or dislike each other, until the romance grows. Here we have deception, a better written amnesia plot and an interesting, albeit simple plot line that does not meander and is easy to follow. The secondary characters don't overtake the leads and everyone gets a satisfying wrap up to their story.

Our FL is the breathtakingly beautiful Wang Chu Ran. I first saw her in The Longest Promise and knew she would one day shine as a main lead. She is very talented and was so natural in her part as Liu Mian Tang. This was a fun watch and there was no character I found annoying or inept. There was chemistry between our two MLs and watching them together was a joy. I want to try Crab Roe rice!

My favorite secondary characters were Yuan Yu Xuan as the Empress and Xu Mei Ling as Nanny Li. I first saw Yuan Yu Xuan in Novoland: Pearl Eclipse and loved her from the beginning. She is just so cute and a fine actress. I enjoyed her character in this one, though similar to her part in Pearl Eclipse. Huan Can Can returns as yet another evil rival similar to her role in Lost You Forever. It's unfortunate when the supporting actors get type-cast.

I was impressed with the depiction of the struggles of women working to make a name for themselves, while enduring the lack of esteem by their families. Although this is unrealistic for its time period, I appreciate the effort in appealing to modern audiences.

I recommend this drama for romance lovers who want an uncomplicated plot with a happy ending.

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Messy, muddled plot

I really wanted to like this drama, but it was 40 episodes of case after case with little emphasis on the relationships between the main leads. I always like older woman, younger man dramas as long as the writing is engaging. This drama, however was too muddled with the minutiae of cases rather than develop a natural path between the main leads and their supporting characters. I should have dropped this early on, but I wanted to see it through because I respect the main leads and their talents. Unfortunately, the writing did not do them justice.

Qin Shi (Yang Mi) is an ambitious young lawyer gunning for a promotion to partner in a competitive law firm. She is tough, smart and capable and has the respect of all her colleagues. The one thing she doesn't have to make it to the next level is a husband. She decides to foolishly make one up and steals a picture from the internet from a dating site. When she is required to attend an important work event with the spouse, she is forced to "hire" one for the role.

Yang Hua (Xu Kai) is the young man in question--a hermit with a past. He decides to accept Qin Shi's business proposition to get his overbearing mother off his back. Both parties feel this is a great solution to their mutual problems, but neither count on the possibility of falling in love with each other. Add an ex-fiance that never got closure, and his jealous new girlfriend, and we have an interesting plot for a good drama or rom-com. Alas, the opportunity was wasted in favor of in-depth cases that took the attention away from the romance building of the leads.

One would think that the plot would find a funny and romantic way to focus on these two individuals and their slow gravitation towards one another, and to an extent we do. However, it's boringly written and one has a difficult time believing in the plausibility of this odd couple's relationship. You wonder what such an overachieving young woman would see in such a hermit of a kid six years her junior. There are some sweet moments, but the kissing scenes are so poorly rehearsed, that it makes you uncomfortable.

I enjoyed the relationship between Qin Shi and her professional work rival, Li Dai, more than any other in this entire drama. They had really good chemistry and they brought out the best in each other professionally. I even liked Qin Shi's ex because he wasn't a jerk, but a victim of his own unwillingness to stand up to the women in his life. I imagined different ways his story could have gone, but again, the writers missed a great opportunity. He definitely didn't deserve the ending he got. I think the last episode was used to quickly wrap up the storylines they had abandoned earlier on. Characters central to the drama in the beginning tended to disappear by the end and some supporting cast were just nuisances.

The acting was good among the lead and seasoned cast. I liked Xu Kai's performance as the hermetic, oddball nerd and Yang Mi as the high-powered lawyer. The one dynamic that really worked among them was the house-husband/working woman roles. The themes of inequality and harassment are also taken on here.

To wrap up, I think this drama falls into the trap of not being able to decide what it is wants to be. I think one should first decide what kind of a story is central and write along those lines rather than have so many side plots and characters that don't do anything to further the drama's main theme. Otherwise a drama with a messy, muddled plot is the result.

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