Almost is just not enough.
I feel like because the casts were so grand, it pulled through but it definitely could have been more intense, interesting and deep. My main thoughts are:It’s different from your standard Chinese dramas where you normally follow the story of a main couple that deepens as the plot develop. This drama is more like five short stories compressed into the limited episodes (which isn’t a bad idea). But for this particular work the stories didn’t connect smoothly for me. Each sub story could have been more intertwined and contribute to a bigger purpose than one big happy family.
While there are five sub stories, I felt like most of the stories focused on characters who didn’t agree to the marriage and then eventually work it out - a bit repetitive, different but same same you know. There could’ve been a couple that both agreed to the marriage out of genuine love, but they discover something that forces them apart, or if there was a bigger plot behind this, one of the sister’s could’ve got married for a strategic reason to investigate/avenge, only to actually fall in love with the guy.
Casting was almost, strong emphasis on the ‘ALMOST’, fantastic. The letdown was casting Zhao Qing as Chun Lai, she had main character vibes and did not suit the role of the maid at all. In the scenes she was in, I felt like she outshined some of the sisters. Tian Tian presented a great job as the youngest sister, but I felt like Zhao Qing was more suited for this role than the maid role.
Nevertheless, I am wishing for the each couple to have a happy and warm life.
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* wouldn’t take you 60 episodes to finish
* romance but with comedy and a love hate relationship to level out the cheesiness
* easy to follow in the sense that you don’t have to keep track of new characters or miss a few scenes and you’re lost with the storyline
This would be the perfect drama.
The storyline was a bit rushed but it was enough for me to understand what happened and what events took place. Given it’s 24 episodes, it was good enough for me. The only crucial part that I think was left out is how he survived after being stabbed and where did Yuan Ming get his blood drenched clothes from if he survived.
It would be a lie to say I didn’t get annoyed at the female lead. Her non-stop talking character is pretty annoying, especially when she screams irrelevantly, but it made her her. The male lead was dangerous, he can make girls fall head over heels for him. I just think, he’s character change of personality was a little bit too drastic. He went from being really cold to EXTREMELY affectionate too easy. I think if he maintained his coldness a bit longer then gradually become affectionate, then boy he can take my heart. The actors though, did a great job. I think they portrayed their characters really well and exactly how they were supposed to be.
Although the subbing on Youtube was pretty bad and didn’t make sense here and there, as well as the bad sound quality from time to time, for me that doesn’t take away from the drama itself and I will only judge on the drama. The cut scenes though do ruin the flow of the story, so an improvement would definitely be good.
And last but not least, my favourite part of this whole drama… THE OST. Let’s talk about the OST! Out of the seven tracks, I have been enchanted by four. From the rhythm, lyrics, vocals down to the mood, each and every song has captivated me, I feel like each song tells a story related to the storyline. Not only do I like the lyrics but whenever I listen to it, I empathise with the love, hate, pain and passion of the protagonists. To sum it up, I love the songs.
For what it’s worth; not having the hottest actors of the time, 24 episodes, mediocre costumes compared to beautiful extravagant costumes in other wuxia drama, videography wasn’t that great obviously a clear sign of low budget, I think the drama was very good, not great but very good. Judge a plant according to the circumstances and environment it grew upon. I definitely would re-watch it again.
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