I Am Nobody: The Showdown Between Yin & Yang
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Outsiders, assemble
I am part of the minority that like this second adaptation. The story theme of this story is tighter with only 13 episodes.This entire adaptation revolves around Chen Duo - her origin, her upbringing, her intention, and her wants. At first, I thought it’s another character arc of a possible ally. Turns out Chen Duo’s role has greater meaning and is the necessary stepping stone to progress the story for future adaptations, if they continue with it.
This story arc also has the working together camaraderie that I feel was lacking in Season 1. The NDT Express Operatives were all one of its kind - benefitting of the arrogance and pride of a solo “Xia Ke” (martial artist / superhero). Getting them to work together needs a big enough common threat that makes them feel working together is one plus one bigger than two; and a reason that touched with their guarded cold heart because Chen Duo’s story reminded them of themselves. This is my kind of story.
The greater mystery surrounding the eight supreme skill and greater villain behind the curtain remain a mystery. The story is also getting more complex, seeming to involve worlds outside of Earth. However, for the story of Chen Duo, it got an appropriate resolution in this second season adaptation. The philosophical stance between the main villain of this season, Ma Xian Hong of wanting “equality” and the NDT Express Operatives who believed that power needs to be rightfully earned are also good food for thought.
If season 1 has the main duo, Peng Yu Chang and Wang Ying Lu, well casted, we have great addition in season 2. Vicki Chen and Yan Yi Kuan are great as Chen Duo and Yan Yi Kuan. I like the other NDT Express Operatives too.
Comparatively, season 2 is a more somber story, and thus, lack the slapstick comedy that others probably like more in season 1, given Chen Duo has a sad and pitiful origin story. In fact, season 2 feels like it can be a standalone story on its own. While we are still unsure what’s install in the upcoming season, I like how season 2 delves deeper into the motivation of why and what Outsiders are fighting for from another lens, through another character. And they possibly found allies after fighting solo for a long while.
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Modern wuxia adaptation
I love superhero movies and wuxia stories. Hence, it’s fascinating to see superhero movies imbued with Chinese culture, values and history on screen.Like a modern wuxia series, I am Nobody is the typical origin story of a nobody with great power and responsibility that might change the world. Zhang Chulan got wrapped up into the world of Outsiders after his grandfather passed. While his grandfather didn’t utter any legacy quote during his passing, Zhang Chulan quickly found out that more people wants his inherited power for their own use. Fortunately, he met Feng Bao Bao and NDT. Even if they aren’t friends, they at least aren’t foes.
As Zhang Chulan and us understand the world of Outsiders more, more questions arise about the origin of his inherited powers and other equally powerful Supreme Skills, as well as Feng Bao Bao’s origin, someone who seem to be above the Supreme Skills.
The humor is slapstick and over-the-top kind, while not my favorite, it’s something that I can grow fond of as I get more immersed into the world.
However, the story pace seem to “ran out of gas” somewhere in the middle part. Maybe it was a mismatched expectation on my part - I was expecting a story where Chulan slowly gained camaraderie and ally as we get to know more Outsiders. Like the Avengers, they come together to fight the greater evil despite their differences. While there are moments like these, I don’t feel that the camaraderie fits well into the plot and finale. Alas, it’s a story centered on Zhang Chulan and Feng Baobao. If that’s the case, some arc of the stories seem to be like filters, though it gets us to understand the side characters a little more. And since it’s clear the comic is still ongoing, it feels slightly disappointing that the greater mystery still remains a mystery.
Overall, this is an adaptation done well. Peng Yu Chang and Wang Ying Lu are well casted as the main characters. With its action packed story plot, solid characters, and stunning CGI, this is an enjoyable ride.
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Life is an adventure on our respective path
狂野 和 轨道;Wilderness and Track; or better translated as
Adventure and Defined Path.
Which one would you choose?
It’s a lifelong question. Some made it their quest to find an answer. Some leaves the answer to their own development. I enjoyed this season’s wonderland exploration and how they structured the activities to elicit the discussions.
Discussions are only as interesting as the people discussing them. Having the few key persons who are the heart and soul of Wonderland made for another pleasant and heartwarming season. Xu Zhi Sheng, Li Xue Qin, Wang Su Loong, Meng Zi Yi, (and to some extent, Li Jia Qi and Tan Ma) are lovely people with solid friendship and lovely chemistry. The addition of new citizen to this township was a good choice too - they imbued some fresh blood that’s unique but not too out of place for Wonderland.
If one is confused at their own tracks and yearn for some wilderness, or vice versa, tune in to Wonderland S4. Perhaps some of the discussions may give you the necessary insights.
May your path and adventure be with you.
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Quote Li Xue Qin
如果你不在轨道上，
你对那所谓的旷野是没有渴望和期待的。
If you aren’t on “the track”, you won’t have desire for the wilderness.
如果你没有在旷野里， 你对那条不知道到底存不存在的轨道也是没有预知的。
If you have never explored in the wild, you won’t know how stability that’s brought by the path feels.
你只有选择了轨道，你才会期待旷野。
Only when you chose a path [track], you will yearn for wilderness.
你只有选择了旷野，你才会想念轨道。
Only when you chose freedom [wilderness], you will miss the track.
看似对立的东西, 本身就是相辅相成和相互融合的。
What seems like opposing choices are actually complementary and interconnected with each other.
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Don’t judge a show by its trailers
When the trailer for this show was first released, I wasn't particularly intrigued. My reasons were threefold: (1) Xianxia isn't my preferred genre unless it's heavy on comedy; (2) there weren't any favorite actors of mine in the cast; and (3) the general early perception of the show wasn't very positive.However, my interest was piqued when critic AvenueX gave it a "3-star gold mine" review on her personal scale, noting that the show was deeper and funnier than it appeared.
So, here I am.
I've found myself genuinely appreciating the show's thematic depth. What I like most is its exploration of how the perception of truth and righteousness depends entirely on one's perspective. The narrative convincingly shows that two seemingly opposing viewpoints can be true simultaneously. I deeply respect how the female lead, Ji Tanyin (Goddess Wu Shuang), holds firmly to her own stance while still respecting others' viewpoints. She is kind but not an annoying Mary Sue. Her thought process is linear, naive, and simple, yet it is also logical, well-intentioned, and refreshingly…simple.
On the other side of the coin is Yuan Zhong, the High Priest. He is guarded, deep, and complex—a man with many layers who doesn't let people get close, shaped by his difficult past. By all rights, he should be revered as a hero for saving his clan, but he is equally feared for the immense power he wields.
If Tanyin’s simplicity has its dual interpretation, Yuan Zhong is the story's embodiment of duality itself.
Of course, compelling main characters are only one part of a good story. I was delighted to find that the supporting characters have their own solid, self-contained arcs; they don't exist merely to push the main plot forward.
Mei Shan is a favorite of mine—who doesn't love a happy-go-lucky character with a wise core? Having him around is a delight, noisy as he is. I admire his philosophy of life: enjoying himself as lightly as possible, while being serious enough to gain the mastery and enlightenment needed to survive thousands of tribulation trials over decades. But it's not only Mei Shan's story that intrigues me. There's Tanyin’s master, Xie You, and his thousand-year obsessive search for answers, driven by his love for his craft. There's the star-crossed lovers' tale of Pei Jiu (Lu Chen) and Yunniang, which is both heartwarming and pitiable. And there's Qian Lin’s poignant story about his search for family.
I also love stories that incorporate flickers of humor and clever double entendres. As AvenueX noted, this is probably one of the most logically sound xianxia stories we can get, with its infusion of scientific theories into spiritual crafts, making the fantasy feel strangely familiar.
That said, a story that is overly philosophical can become taxing, especially when the ending falls into a pattern typical of the genre. Some meaningful discussions ran a tad too long, the humor seemed to miss the mark a little, and the star-crossed lover tropes that felt overused.
Furthermore, a story is only as strong as its villain, and this one was visible from a mile away. While the antagonist served as a good thematic foil with a decent origin story, I found the final confrontation and resolution a little lackluster. The show also has some general production issues that might deter audiences, such as questionable costume choices, a drab color grading, and passable—but not exceptional—cinematography.
All in all, if philosophy and xianxia are your thing, this show is worth checking out. Philosophically, it raises questions worth thinking about. As a xianxia, it introduces fresh elements that make it a fun watch. It is, truly, deeper than it looks.
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“ It depends on how you define it. What you feel pity about, may not be what the person defines as pity.”
“Don’t try to figure out others using your own morality.”
“From different perspectives, the perception of good varies.”
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Captivated by the light
The cutest heartwarming onscreen fluffs have the right CP (chemistry) between the leads. And in Moonlight, we got Esther and Ding Yuxi featuring the romance between Chu Li, a newbie editor and Zhou Chuan, a talented up and rising novel writer.While the love troupes for this story are nothing new, the show is a fun watch thanks to the chemistry between these leads. Their actings are natural. Zhou Chuan’s character, in a lesser actor, will make him rather annoying unless tsundere male lead is your thing.
What’s extra lovable is the characterisation of Chu Li - she was kind, but not a Mary Sue, she was persistent, but respectful, she looked idealistic, but grounded-ly worked hard for her dreams. After gotten the editor job at her favorite publishing company, Chu Li treated all books and authors that she signed with utmost sincerity and responsibility - be it the up and rising author, the outdated author or the newbie.
Tune in to Moonlight if you are in a rom com drought. Perhaps you will find yourself slowly captivated by it - like how Zhou Chuan is drawn towards Chu Li.
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MBTI comes alive within the stories of people
Experiments begin with a hypothesis. And then a conclusion.If I had to guess the hypothesis for MBTI Inside… perhaps the hypothesis are:
1) How different (or similar) are people from each other?
2) Is MBTI a reliable personality system? In other words, the real question is, can you box people into 16 personality types?
What’s my conclusion then, after watching MBTI Inside? Without representing the producer’s answers,
1) People are.. people and
2) MBTI is just another tool to help us communicate, understand and relate with others.
I like the simple structure that the organisers have with this social experiment. It’s 5 Days, 4 Nights of 16 people, each representing one of the MBTI type, interacting with each other in a place. They are divided into 2 groups for most part of each day: Day 1 explored Extroversion vs Introversion, Day 2 explored Sensing vs Intuition, Day 3 explored Thinking vs Feeling, Day 4 explored Judging vs Perceiving and Day 5 is the day they wrapped up. Each night, everyone cast a likability vote and optional dislike vote. It’s informative and insightful watching the interactions of people grouped in the respective categories. It helped one to simply understand MBTI while also asking yourself where would you feel more at home at.
The other thing I loved are the participants selected for MBTI Inside. Similar to any other variety show, people will be the heart of the program. Everyone comes with the right intention of wanting to understand themselves as well as the right level of curiosity and respect towards others. I love hearing their sincere answers during their interview segments, as well as their own wrap up / conclusion after going through the activities by the end of the program.
Watching this show also made me better understand myself (as well as the people in my life) through the participants’ heartfelt reflections and interactions. And though I felt closer to figuring out if I am indeed the “type” I thought I am, I think the essence of this program is ultimately to accept yourself, be curious of others, and that we can get along with each other even if we are different so long the right space is given.
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How would you like your fortune [re-]written?
After finding out she (and everyone else) is a character from a book, Su Yun Qi decided that she shall not succumb to her fate and set out to change her supposedly tragic ending. Who wouldn’t want to root for free will over destiny?With only 24 episodes of 17mins odd long, Fortune Writer plot definitely isn’t a drag. However, it still has got to have the right key ingredients to capture audience’s attention, as in any other stories.
Fortunately, Fortune Writer has female lead. Daisy Li is a great casting choice for the defiant Su Yun Qi who holds her fate in her own hands. Many a times, I was bothered by some of the plot holes or choppy switch scenes, only to be lured back in the story again by Daisy. She made me want to root for Su Yun Qi’s fight against the Book of Fate - and this is where it’s half the success.
Unfortunately, what stop short for me with Fortune Writer is the plot holes and choppy switch scenes as mentioned above. While I don’t need every story to have a conclusive answer, I feel that I have a lot of my questions about the Book of Fate, its ‘obsession’ on Su Yun Qi and general mechanics unanswered at episode 24. On one hand, it wittingly chided the problematic plots in idol romance stories, on the other hand, it somehow feels as though it loses track on the main theme of the story with some disturbing choices made by the female lead.
…or maybe, this is the point Fortune Writer wants to make. That life has lots of contradictions…?
Also, the “real” leads of Fortune Writer, Su Yun Qi and Lu Huai don’t have the sizzling chemistry on their side. It’s passable, just not the ones where it is strong enough to make you forgive everything else you may dislike about the story.
That said, I feel it’s still worth picking up Fortune Writer for the sassy female lead. Cherry on the top that it’s a short drama with no fillers!
P.S. maybe also worth checking out justjacky review which gives an interesting interpretation on the plot holes, and thus, a new appreciation of Fortune Writer
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小城故事多 - Small town has many stories
Where is home?Is it the bustling city where there’re many opportunities?
Or is it the small hometown where we are born and raise?
For folks that has their origins from smaller towns, this may not be an easy question to answer. For Mu Di in Small Town Stories, she was very sure of her answer until she was not, after having to return home to heal from an injury.
Small Town Stories is one of those family centric stories that ask us to remember pausing and pay attention to life’s little things. It asks us to enjoy life and care for ourselves. It subtly shares that passion and ambition can come in many forms.
What I enjoyed most about Small Town Stories was Bai Lang and Mu Di’s dynamics. Mu Di was a headstrong lady who felt stuck between her ambition and family subtle pressure to give it up. Bai Lang was a “rascal” she unexpectedly and unwillingly got entangled in, yet, seemed to be the “medicine” she needed to heal from her injury. This is an opposite attracts couple that’s rather charming to watch. I especially like Gao Zhi Ting’s portrayal as the street smart, savvy small medium enterprise business owner who was good at taking care of his people.
I also enjoyed the music performances in Small Town Stories. With utmost respect, I am not a fan of loud sounds and folk musics - thus, finding myself being captivated with Mu Di’s Suo Na was definitely a pleasant surprise. I appreciate folk music a little more through Small Town Stories.
What fell through for me was the slight draggy pacing and cliche plot lines. I wasn’t able to fell completely drawn in with the people in Small Town Stories besides Bai Lang.
That said, it’s still an enjoyable show if you are in a drama drought or want something simple. After all, there are many stories. And Small Town Stories is one of the many.
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Back to Initial D-ream
What’s your dream?Let me ask in a different way - what’ll be your dream if you can go back in time?
Zhang Chi, a professional car racer who unexpectedly found himself back to 5 years ago after a serious car accident, never hesitated one bit - he raced to right his past track record. There’s 1 slight problem in this dream, instead of going back to his past self, his consciousness got into Lin Zhen Dong, a “fu er dai” who will become his fiercest competitor on car racing in time to come.
Time travel transmigration stories are nothing new. I, for one, am a fan of this genre and have watched many series. What makes Pegasus stand out among this common story setup?
First thing first, great casting choice - Hu Xian Xu who plays 2 roles as future Zhang Chi and young Lin Zhen Dong is perfect. He is that kind of actor that can captivate the audience to care for the characters he plays and story. This alone contributes to a lot of enjoyment of Pegasus as we immerse ourselves into the world of professional car racing through the pairing of a veteran car racer and potential budding rising star.
‘Future’ Zhang Chi’s main motivation was to change his fate, after given this “2nd chance” in this alternate timeline, while young Lin Zhen Dong found himself unable to deny his growing interest towards a sport he wanted to stay away from since childhood. All these nuanced feelings and character development of 2 different characters were portrayed well by Hu Xian Xu onscreen.
Second, any charming sports series has great rivalry relationships to root for. Hu Xian Xu generally pairs well with other actors and actresses he works together with. In Pegasus, Hu Xian Xu and Wang Yanlin work well together onscreen as young Lin Zhen Dong / future Zhang Chi and young Zhang Chi. There are lots of facets to this pairing due to the setup of the story, making it fun for both actors and audience to watch.
One thing I like about Zhang Chi’s character - he’s action-oriented, adaptable, and quick witted. There’re always some form of “fish out of water” moments in time travel and transmigration story. Refreshingly, I enjoyed watching how ‘future’ Zhang Chi navigated this situation - no dwelling, no over explanation on his incredible “foresight”, no care of people’s perception of him and his odd behaviours. I guess that’s why he is a successful professional car racer.
Third, I love the plot of this time travel transmigration story particularly - ‘future’ Zhang Chi was not able to right all his regrets even with his foresight. Some unfortunate events still happened, in a different way. Sure, it’s a dream (literally), but no, you still can’t have everything your way. This made for a realistic, closer touch to life. Psychologically, it also made Pegasus more interesting as audience got thrown a curveball - yes, we all like some doses of surprise, even the most dogmatic of us.
The last icing of the cake is the lovely team spirit and camaraderie among the characters. Pegasus has lovely cast overall. Fei Chi Car Team is the main beacon, the racer-trio cross team between Zhen Dong, Ai Fei and Ao Duo was a pleasant touch. Professional race track is a niche sport after all. Pegasus manages to balance the reality on securing sponsorships and characters’ determination to stay on track with their passion.
With 28 episodes, Pegasus has a fast and tight pace. This leaves for a lot to be desired. Then again, when it comes to racing and working towards your dreams, try not to blink.
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The little things brushed up onscreen, and a little more
“Your next life form will be an anteater..
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Alternatively, if you would like to rebirth into your desired life form, you can restart your life again to collect enough good karma.”
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The choice is obvious here - of course many would pick to restart and try again. Unless you are okay eating ants. But since Kondo Asami doesn’t want to, she pick to restart her life again.
Rebirth stories aren’t anything new. In fact, it has likely developed into a popular genre on its own these recent years.
What’s unique about Brush Up Life is the simple plot on collecting enough good deeds to qualify being human in your next life and the focus on the relatable, little things in life. As we follow through Asami-chan’s 2nd, 3rd and so forth chances at life, we see her going through the relatable daily grinds most of us has been through. Such as puberty, friendship, studying, dating, fitting in, and of course,
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helping out a little more so Asami-chan can cultivate good enough karma to be human again.
It’s not the adrenaline pumping stuff like stopping a terrorist or saving the life of her lover.
Rather, there is something heartwarming about Brush Up Life’s relatable conversations and internal monologues on the day to day stuffs we experience in life - rebirth or no rebirth. Situations like giving a lot of caveats before complaining about unwanted freebies. Or texting emojis with blank expressions. I especially enjoyed Asami-chan’s chats with the Rebirth Officer at the station. Her reactions and the subtle personality shifts are apt.
Things that likely make you go “Yes, that’s right, I do that too”…maybe. The little things in life.
Another thing that is done interestingly and equally relatable is the account of Asami-chan’s day to day struggles in her various professions. Each life, her chosen profession is different. Each time, while there’s something a little different that she stumbled on, they remain situations and moments that we will relate to.
In her 1st life, she was a government worker who struggled with layers of cumbersome approval process and choosing the right greetings to customers.
In her 2nd life, she was a pharmacist who went through thorough checks to ensure right medicine were prescribed and constantly reminding her loved ones to drink medicine with water because it affects the absorption rate.
In her 3rd life, she was a TV producer who worked hard to arrange the right order for artists on closing credits and dealing with childhood friend’s request to be casted on dramas for friendship appearance.
In her 4th life, she was a researcher who patiently researched on scientific breakthrough and diligently resetting the focus of shared microscope in the lab.
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until the little more Brush Up stuff happened. The adrenaline pumping stuff to spice things up.
In her 4th life, Asami-chan found out that she’s not the only person who went through multiple rounds of rebirths. Mari-chan, her childhood friend who always got top grade back in school also went through rebirth. What’s more, it’s her 5th cycle.
Turns out Mari-chan was the one that got the typical main character rebirth script. Since her 2nd life, she has been trying to save a plane crash that took 2 of Asami-chan best friends. 2 whom were also her childhood friends.
There’s no brainer what Asami-chan would choose when she was given a 5th chance. Even if this time she finally accumulated enough karma to be born human (not as Kondo Asami). Even if this is her final chance at rebirth (meaning there’s no more trying again).
To round it up, Brush Up Life successfully drums in the message that it’s the little things in life that matters. No matter which profession we are, there’ll be many little struggles we deal with. No matter how long we live, the thing that make us feel a little less lonely is the connections we made and maintained in life. Because they are the ones who made the little things not so little and worth living.
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Finding life’s meaning through a sport
I am not interested in Go. But I love a good sport centric or solid character development story.And Hikaru no Go nails it - essence of what makes for a great sport / competition centric story.
True to good Japanese sports animes’ spirit, Hikaru no Go has well fitted cast which brings out the characters on screen, solid storyline which makes us care for the characters’ growth and journey, and lovely relationship dynamics - be it mentor-mentee, rivals or friends.
1. Acting and cast
First things first, what drew me in first was young Shi Guang played by Lucas Lu. What made me stayed after was older Shi Guang played by Hu Xian Xu. Shi Guang is one of the typical leads of “hidden talent who started late” troupe in sports story. They both nail this character well and manage to maintain the consistency even when it’s played by 2 different people. They piqued my interest and made me care for Shi Guang’s journey and development with Go. From not knowing what it is, to tolerating it because of Chu Ying, to learning about it and then to taking it seriously.
Both of them also had great chemistry with Chu Ying, played by Zhang Cao. This is important because it’s the story’s backbone and spirit. Chu Ying was a spirit who can only interact with Shi Guang throughout and the one who introduced the latter to Go. If this mentor-mentee dynamic didn’t work out, it means Shi Guang’s connection to Go won’t be as believable. Kudos to all 3 actors and their dynamics.
Other actors and actresses were also well casted, which adds to the enjoyment of this live adaptation.
2. Storyline and character development
Next, the pacing of storyline was done well.
I hadn’t read the manga before, so it probably helped considering I didn’t have any biased lens watching this.
The show first started with young Shi Guang playing Go reluctantly because of Chu Ying. Thereafter, he picked up Go again during high school because of an incident with his school mates. I enjoyed how the show took time to tease this part out and to establish this context for Shi Guang. I may not know or interested in Go. But I cared for Shi Guang, which then extends to the thing that Shi Guang came to love - Go.
Thus, I got invested in his improvement after he found his own motivation and interest in Go - not because of Chu Ying, not because of extra pocket money, not because of his ego, not because of his friends.
Every improvement and a small win by Shi Guang gave me a smile.
3. Relationship dynamic
Great sports stories are made up by characters who have a devotion and dedication to said sports as our main lead dived deeper into it. In Hikaru no Go, we see characters’ relationship with each other and with Go.
How lovely, to understand the characters motivation and to follow their discovery / learning of themselves through the game of Go and with each other. I still know nothing of Go after watching this (because I kinda zoned out whenever they got too much into the technicalities of it), but it never hindered my understanding of the characters’ motivation or traits or quirks.
I particularly loved Chu Ying’s battle with Yu Xiao Yang - on their 领悟 (learnings) from their inevitable face off. It stands to show how learning is boundless and everyone has their own unique journey / lesson on mastering an art.
While Yu Liang was supposedly the rival of Shi Guang, I somehow can’t seem to connect much to their dynamics. Not that the storyline or the actors’ chemistry were bad. Just other things - be it moments, characters or friendships- seem to drew me in more.
Ultimately, my favorite dynamic remains Chu Ying and Shi Guang.
Nevertheless, I rated Hikaru no Go at 8.5 because the story and cast didn’t managed to draw me in completely to the Go world. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think one requires to know Go to enjoy this story - just like I did. While it’s barely hit the mark for me, it might for you.
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Addictive chemistry of supporting…I mean main leads
After growing up with love stories of Mary Sue’s heroine being saved by Domineering CEO’s, many rom coms and comics start having “villain” characters being the leads.And it works. Somehow, it’s always entertaining to watch old fashion troupes being “mocked” at.
In Night of Love with You, our story begins when Qiqi realised that she mistakenly took on the female lead role in a new comic story. Left without any way to contact her comic center supervisor, she tried to move the plot along so the story can restart.
First things first, I particularly have a soft spot for transmigration characters because the characters would typically be smarter or more unapologetically cunning. Qiqi fits the bill of the type of character I like - her monologues on some of the old fashioned moments she’s forced to go through as the “female lead” are funny. Another entertaining thing about transmigration stories are the “fish out of water” moments, especially in the beginning of the stories when the main leads are adapting to a new world. I am able to accept that they’re over-the-top actions or slight arrogance because these characters think they are different anyways. Kudos if the execution of these weird moments are done in a way that humble back the leads - like how Qiqi thought she knew how things work, but eventually realised she was not invincible with her “knowledge”.
Second, the chemistry between her and Leng Yehan is great. While their dynamic is one of the classic romance couples of all, the bickering couple, the chemistry of the actor and actress is there. They challenge each other, they keep up with each other, and they kiss. What’s not to like.
Lastly, the production team made the right decision by making this a short length drama. This makes it easier for me to close 1.5 eyes on the logic plot holes that weren’t addressed - which is mainly the rules of this comic world work.
Hence, for those who are (1) looking for an entertaining short rom com, (2) characters with wit, and (3) bickering couples with chemistry, have your night with Night of Love With You.
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Numbers don’t lie, or do they?
3530.3530 of discrepancy in tax payment that should be shared with 7 other districts.
3530 tax payment error meets with an autistics mathematical genius that’s obsessed with accuracy, and boom, we have our story.
As Shuai Jiamo brings his appeal on the case to the court, he is met with various obstacles and attempt of murders on his life. That’s because once tax and other districts are involved, we have interest of people to consider.
What makes this story engaging for me is the multi-faceted magistrates that come into the story. I love the honest (one-sided) discussion they had with Shuai Jiamo on why they could not support his appeal even if they think he is right simply because they have their people’s interest to protect. And ironically, they only share their true stance with Shuai Jiamo because they know he only care about numbers, and not the complex burden of human desires.
Addition of Chen Renqing veiled moral principles to the mix further add colors to a supposedly dry story.
Despite my enjoyment of Under the Microscope, I recognise this isn’t a show for everyone. This is a show, microscopically for people who have interest in politics, psychology, math, finance system, and history.
I’d also recommend watching this 14-episode in one go. There are many informations and facts to take note after all.
- How does Shuai Jiamo proof that his district had overpaid 3530 tax amount for over 100 years?
- Why and how 3530 tax error draws the interest of a local tyrant?
- How does it links with the death of Shuai Jiamo’s parents 20 years ago?
Still following? Have fun with Under the Microscope.
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Fast paced storyline that swerved after two-thirds
I really enjoyed the first two thirds of the story. As another reviewer, ChineseDramaFan puts it, this story is segmented nicely into 3 parts - 1st part of meet-cute where both leads mutually hated each other, 2nd part of warming up and getting to know each other; and 3rd part of falling in love and fighting together.Having a modern lady ahead of the time she was born, Qiu Yan is an admirable woman who work smartly and persistently to never let fate dictates her. Matching her wit and determination is Liang Yi who is ambitious and steadfast in making hard decisions in his quest for justice (as well as his personal revenge). The overlay of their romance story is investigations and suspense. However, since it's a predominantly romance first, then suspense second, there are quite the loopholes for the mystery cases. Despite the flaws though, I truly enjoyed the interactions, chemistry, and romance developments of the leads.
Thanks to the fast pacing, there weren't too much time to delve into the flaws before we will be rewarded with humorous "battle of wits" between Liang Yi and Qiu Yan. Their romance progress was also not the typical plots you'd see in other idol shows. One typical example is how we would expect the male lead to save the female lead when she is in trouble. However, the "how part" of Liang Yi saving Qiu Yan is rather unexpected and entertaining to watch. I also love their relationship dynamic. They both listen to each other, sarcasm and all, and respect each other. They are each other's equals, and surely an ideal relationship if there weren't so many external dramas thrown in their way.
The other part that makes this show good is the ideology of what Qiu Yan represents. She has a few memorable quotes in the story on woman's intention and seduction as well as how she continues to wish to be woman in her next life or next next life - having faith in the progress of woman's rights. I love it - Qiu Yan is not all talk and blame, unlike the contrast which Qiu Min's character portrays in the story. This is empowering, and a good message for other female audience.
However, once the story reaches towards the end, I find it becoming too convoluted. It's not even about the not-so-strong mystery cases anymore. While the big bad reveal is kinda surprisingly, I did not find myself really enjoying the latter one third of the show. Some of the character motivations are also puzzling and difficult to overlook the logic flaws.
Still, I'd recommend to watch this drama. The enjoyable parts of The Autumn Ballad are truly enjoyable, and to a certain extent, the main characters are inspiring. So have fun with this drama, until it's not.
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Relationship comes in many forms, we make our own ideal
This is by far the best season - and if I wasn't Ada Choi's fan prior, I definitely am now. She is absolutely hilarious and the kind of friend you want in any groups. Her EQ and tact are comforting and reassuring, it helps to warm up everyone quickly. I also love Zhang Jin's sense of humor that's more apparent as he warms up more to the other husband's in latter's episodes.The other couples are also adorable. The thing about relationships, all couples have their own way of relating to each other and expressing their love. I enjoy watching
- Lang Lang's and Gina's idol love story,
- Sha Yi's and Hu Ke's 老夫老妻 (old husband, old wife) dynamics,
- Yuan Hong's and Zhang Xinyi's oddball expression of love towards each other (more YH than ZXY),
- Zhang Jin's and Ada's playful interactions with each other. Hearing the both of them recounting their love story, one from the wife's perspective, another from the husband's narrative is entertaining. He is also by far the most creative when it comes to providing gifts to his wife, invoking a lot of laughter and responses from the already hilarious Ada. How can we not love this couple?
Credits to the production team for their edits and the sound effects. It makes the travel looks so fun, the group dynamics and interaction so hilarious to watch.
Love love love this season. 🥰
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