It’s been a rough journey so far
I’m currently on episode 12 and really wanted to give this drama a fair chance. I’ve seen Cheng Yi in other works before—while I wouldn’t say I’m a fan with a bias, I was open to seeing how he would carry this story. Unfortunately, I’ve had several issues so far:
• Too many characters, too little clarity. The sheer number of characters makes the story feel distorted and hard to follow. Perhaps the novel provides more context, but on screen, the narrative doesn’t flow smoothly.
• Cheng Yi’s acting. His performance feels very monotonous. Maybe his character was written to have a flat affect, but aside from one emotional scene after a friend’s death (which still came across unconvincingly), his delivery lacks depth. I know he’s capable of better.
• CGI overload. The excessive use of CGI in fight scenes is distracting—especially in the era of 4K where the flaws become so obvious. Tom Cruise once said he refused CGI in Top Gun to keep the experience authentic, and I think that resonates here. Perhaps I’ve just hit my limit with the overuse of CGI in C-dramas.
That said, I’ll continue watching in hopes that the series redeems itself. Right now, though, I’m also watching Spirealm, which is far superior in quality, making the flaws here stand out even more. It leaves me with the same feeling I had watching Shadow Love—great actors stuck in mediocre shows
• Too many characters, too little clarity. The sheer number of characters makes the story feel distorted and hard to follow. Perhaps the novel provides more context, but on screen, the narrative doesn’t flow smoothly.
• Cheng Yi’s acting. His performance feels very monotonous. Maybe his character was written to have a flat affect, but aside from one emotional scene after a friend’s death (which still came across unconvincingly), his delivery lacks depth. I know he’s capable of better.
• CGI overload. The excessive use of CGI in fight scenes is distracting—especially in the era of 4K where the flaws become so obvious. Tom Cruise once said he refused CGI in Top Gun to keep the experience authentic, and I think that resonates here. Perhaps I’ve just hit my limit with the overuse of CGI in C-dramas.
That said, I’ll continue watching in hopes that the series redeems itself. Right now, though, I’m also watching Spirealm, which is far superior in quality, making the flaws here stand out even more. It leaves me with the same feeling I had watching Shadow Love—great actors stuck in mediocre shows
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