Proper communication and trust lead to proper action and problem resolution.
I got invested in the story and in the dynamics between the characters quickly. I love the plot. Nothing totally unpredictable but that's OK. There are some difficult themes - obviously, we're talking about drugs here -. However the depictions stay discreet. If you like romance, there are some slight ones. There are other complicated interconnections between all these people that are very intriguing. The first 8 episodes are pretty good. The last 8 are largely enjoyable as well. The ending song is hypnotizing. However, the writing, the realism, the pacing, the actual characters' development in the middle of that, and that finale...... make me unable to understand the high ratings.
First, everything and everyone seem both strained and clueless at the same time, almost all the time. The communication between these guys is so terrible for so long they make even me look like a diplomat. It feels intense due to the objectively hardcore situations but simultaneously diluted to a critical level because of the writing and realisation. There are too many half-baked characters and plot points. Revelations come at the worst moments in the most underwhelming manners. People recurrently make absurd decisions and then blame others for the stupid consequences of their stupid choices. Then they do it again.
From Chen Yu who I think must have got his police diploma in a Kinder Surprise and so often makes the most inconsiderate, unprofessional decisions ever, to his poor girlfriend who is not much more than a blade of grass occasionally thrown into the wind of the plot before being put back in the background until her next slightly pitiful move, and everyone else in between, it's difficult to pinpoint who or what made me want to pause and take a deep breath the most. Wu Zhen Feng is the only reason I held on to the story. I got attached to his dishevelled, unkempt, beaten puppy look at the speed it took me to be annoyed with his clean-cut cop buddy : fast. Wan Meng Meng also appeared to me like one of the most humane and touching characters, and yet she's just a minor one.
Then, there are too many extreme close-ups, I don't like that. And people always talk so close to each other. For "tension", I guess. But it's awkward. The pacing is mediocre. Recycled flashbacks, slow shots, redundant scenes and dialogues take the place of actual plot and character development for the whole middle part, breaking proper rhythm. What should be deepened isn't and what doesn't matter that much is. It goes in circle at some point and it's confusing.
The relationship between Chen Yu and Wu Zhen Feng which is at the heart of the story remains a mystery from beginning to end. What's their history besides being somewhat close childhood friends marked by their common past ? They make it look like it's deep and impactful and I really want to feel it. But in reality we can only guess. I couldn't connect. They're on the verge of falling passionately in hate with each other throughout most of the drama - mostly because Chen Yu behaves for 75% of the story like someone who would rather punch trust and righteousness into your face if he could, while showing none of that to you in exchange, than take a proper look at himself. Each time he could and should have shown some compassion and affection towards that guy he supposedly cared a lot about in the past, he never did. They need growth, sure. But it's accomplished in the most unbalanced, disappointing, forced manner. The relationship between the three older policemen is better written than theirs. In fact, every other relationship seems more substantial in comparison.
Also the acting. While I have 0 criticism to make on the older cast, the younger occasionally struck me as uncertain and unconvincing. Not always. And some are very good. But enough for me to notice. Although Wang Yi Bo was fine for what he had to do - whether that was blank staring, screaming, crying, or being aggressively stupid. I think he did a decent job. His honest acting allowed me to endure Chen Yu's idiocy for as long as it lasted. I guess that says something.
All of that I could have accepted had they not decided on that nonsensical, cowardly finale. Were they eager to just wrap up and go home ? Putting aside the irresponsible decisions and weak writing to which I should have got used by now, the openness of the ending is more like a big smack in your face that renders you unable to form a coherent response for the huge question marks it leaves you with while it's walking away in the sunset. I know there's a special "episode" after this. But these 3 ridiculous minutes aren't going to make the pill go down. To me, it could as well be a feverish delirium. I wouldn't have minded 2 or more additional episodes if this at least meant I could finish this drama feeling like I had actually gained something by watching it. Happy or sad ending, I don't care. But laughably bad ending, I do.
Beside occasional emotional moments, some good thoughts and values, theoretically interesting characters and relationships, I feel like "Being a Hero" barely managed to bring its head out of the swamp it was already in before being pushed right back, in spite of a promising beginning. In summary : high-potential start, confused middle, nice last attempt, insulting finale. I don't even really know whom I can recommend this drama to. It's an average show. Disappointing, in many regards.
I guess if you like drugs related investigations, slight romance, half-arsed friendship, and are not too picky on writing quality, logic, coherence, pacing, redundancy, character depth, abusive use of flashbacks, obsessive close-ups, bad endings, you can probably like it. There are good ideas, sure. And maybe I'll rewatch this someday and change my mind. But right now, I'd rather put it to rest.
First, everything and everyone seem both strained and clueless at the same time, almost all the time. The communication between these guys is so terrible for so long they make even me look like a diplomat. It feels intense due to the objectively hardcore situations but simultaneously diluted to a critical level because of the writing and realisation. There are too many half-baked characters and plot points. Revelations come at the worst moments in the most underwhelming manners. People recurrently make absurd decisions and then blame others for the stupid consequences of their stupid choices. Then they do it again.
From Chen Yu who I think must have got his police diploma in a Kinder Surprise and so often makes the most inconsiderate, unprofessional decisions ever, to his poor girlfriend who is not much more than a blade of grass occasionally thrown into the wind of the plot before being put back in the background until her next slightly pitiful move, and everyone else in between, it's difficult to pinpoint who or what made me want to pause and take a deep breath the most. Wu Zhen Feng is the only reason I held on to the story. I got attached to his dishevelled, unkempt, beaten puppy look at the speed it took me to be annoyed with his clean-cut cop buddy : fast. Wan Meng Meng also appeared to me like one of the most humane and touching characters, and yet she's just a minor one.
Then, there are too many extreme close-ups, I don't like that. And people always talk so close to each other. For "tension", I guess. But it's awkward. The pacing is mediocre. Recycled flashbacks, slow shots, redundant scenes and dialogues take the place of actual plot and character development for the whole middle part, breaking proper rhythm. What should be deepened isn't and what doesn't matter that much is. It goes in circle at some point and it's confusing.
The relationship between Chen Yu and Wu Zhen Feng which is at the heart of the story remains a mystery from beginning to end. What's their history besides being somewhat close childhood friends marked by their common past ? They make it look like it's deep and impactful and I really want to feel it. But in reality we can only guess. I couldn't connect. They're on the verge of falling passionately in hate with each other throughout most of the drama - mostly because Chen Yu behaves for 75% of the story like someone who would rather punch trust and righteousness into your face if he could, while showing none of that to you in exchange, than take a proper look at himself. Each time he could and should have shown some compassion and affection towards that guy he supposedly cared a lot about in the past, he never did. They need growth, sure. But it's accomplished in the most unbalanced, disappointing, forced manner. The relationship between the three older policemen is better written than theirs. In fact, every other relationship seems more substantial in comparison.
Also the acting. While I have 0 criticism to make on the older cast, the younger occasionally struck me as uncertain and unconvincing. Not always. And some are very good. But enough for me to notice. Although Wang Yi Bo was fine for what he had to do - whether that was blank staring, screaming, crying, or being aggressively stupid. I think he did a decent job. His honest acting allowed me to endure Chen Yu's idiocy for as long as it lasted. I guess that says something.
All of that I could have accepted had they not decided on that nonsensical, cowardly finale. Were they eager to just wrap up and go home ? Putting aside the irresponsible decisions and weak writing to which I should have got used by now, the openness of the ending is more like a big smack in your face that renders you unable to form a coherent response for the huge question marks it leaves you with while it's walking away in the sunset. I know there's a special "episode" after this. But these 3 ridiculous minutes aren't going to make the pill go down. To me, it could as well be a feverish delirium. I wouldn't have minded 2 or more additional episodes if this at least meant I could finish this drama feeling like I had actually gained something by watching it. Happy or sad ending, I don't care. But laughably bad ending, I do.
Beside occasional emotional moments, some good thoughts and values, theoretically interesting characters and relationships, I feel like "Being a Hero" barely managed to bring its head out of the swamp it was already in before being pushed right back, in spite of a promising beginning. In summary : high-potential start, confused middle, nice last attempt, insulting finale. I don't even really know whom I can recommend this drama to. It's an average show. Disappointing, in many regards.
I guess if you like drugs related investigations, slight romance, half-arsed friendship, and are not too picky on writing quality, logic, coherence, pacing, redundancy, character depth, abusive use of flashbacks, obsessive close-ups, bad endings, you can probably like it. There are good ideas, sure. And maybe I'll rewatch this someday and change my mind. But right now, I'd rather put it to rest.
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