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“Sniper Butterfly” is an unlikely love story about two people whose bond defies age, circumstances, and distance. It’s also a compelling character study, mostly due to the strength of Daniel Zhou’s performance.
His quietly loyal but deeply sensitive and perceptive Li Wu is a beautifully portrayed character. At 19, he’s terrified of being a burden to Cen Jin, the woman who’s taken him in to sponsor his education despite having her own problems. At 21, he’s fallen in love with her, but she sees their relationship as that of an older sister and younger brother. At 27, he’s heartbroken, even traumatized, by their separation and desperate to find a way back into her life.
What stands out about Daniel Zhou’s performance is how good he is at showing barely contained emotion — being close to tears, or hiding a delighted smile, or fighting against resentment or jealousy. His character may be quiet, but he feels things deeply, and communicates through his actions more than his words, which causes problems at times.
Cen Jin, played by Michelle Chen with a charming blend of cuteness and maturity, is harder to pin down as a character. Her emotions aren’t as easy to read, or perhaps it’s that she doesn’t understand her own feelings clearly. She also has a bad habit of walking away from conversations that make her uncomfortable. Still, Cen Jin is a multifaceted character — compassionate, self-reliant, decisive, but cautious when it comes to romantic relationships. She has good reason for being wary of getting hurt, but also finds it difficult to ignore Li Wu’s unwavering devotion.
The series is set in 2016 and 2024, switching back and forth throughout. The timelines are handled well and show connections and contrasts between characters and their situations. This structure also gives the leads a richer and more meaningful history together, keeps the pacing brisk, and doesn’t let the story linger too long on conflicts.
Other than an ending that’s a bit lackluster and the FL’s whiny best friend, there’s very little not to like about this well-told story.
What to Watch for:
– The leads make an adorable couple, from their height difference to their contagious smiles. Their relationship has has a sweet, giddy quality that’s really heartwarming. They’re both very protective of each other, which sometimes leads to stupid decisions, but they way they try to shield each other (both literally and figuratively) from pain and problems is endearing, even if they sometimes go about it the wrong way. Yes, there’s an age gap (between both the characters and the actors). If that bothers you, this drama probably isn’t for you.
– The character development. The main characters are more realistic than what you often see in dramas. They’re not perfect or invincible; they have flaws; and they go through a process of growth, reflection, and learning what they want in life.
His quietly loyal but deeply sensitive and perceptive Li Wu is a beautifully portrayed character. At 19, he’s terrified of being a burden to Cen Jin, the woman who’s taken him in to sponsor his education despite having her own problems. At 21, he’s fallen in love with her, but she sees their relationship as that of an older sister and younger brother. At 27, he’s heartbroken, even traumatized, by their separation and desperate to find a way back into her life.
What stands out about Daniel Zhou’s performance is how good he is at showing barely contained emotion — being close to tears, or hiding a delighted smile, or fighting against resentment or jealousy. His character may be quiet, but he feels things deeply, and communicates through his actions more than his words, which causes problems at times.
Cen Jin, played by Michelle Chen with a charming blend of cuteness and maturity, is harder to pin down as a character. Her emotions aren’t as easy to read, or perhaps it’s that she doesn’t understand her own feelings clearly. She also has a bad habit of walking away from conversations that make her uncomfortable. Still, Cen Jin is a multifaceted character — compassionate, self-reliant, decisive, but cautious when it comes to romantic relationships. She has good reason for being wary of getting hurt, but also finds it difficult to ignore Li Wu’s unwavering devotion.
The series is set in 2016 and 2024, switching back and forth throughout. The timelines are handled well and show connections and contrasts between characters and their situations. This structure also gives the leads a richer and more meaningful history together, keeps the pacing brisk, and doesn’t let the story linger too long on conflicts.
Other than an ending that’s a bit lackluster and the FL’s whiny best friend, there’s very little not to like about this well-told story.
What to Watch for:
– The leads make an adorable couple, from their height difference to their contagious smiles. Their relationship has has a sweet, giddy quality that’s really heartwarming. They’re both very protective of each other, which sometimes leads to stupid decisions, but they way they try to shield each other (both literally and figuratively) from pain and problems is endearing, even if they sometimes go about it the wrong way. Yes, there’s an age gap (between both the characters and the actors). If that bothers you, this drama probably isn’t for you.
– The character development. The main characters are more realistic than what you often see in dramas. They’re not perfect or invincible; they have flaws; and they go through a process of growth, reflection, and learning what they want in life.
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