This review may contain spoilers
How to land on the moon while dreaming of the stars...
Although we would always have a male lead and a female lead in romantic dramas, the story is often told through the eyes of the female lead. It gives a sense of "fluff" and warm fuzzy feeling. It is refreshing and truly complex how this drama tells the struggle of the male lead. It serves the male lead's vulnerabilities and 'pathetic-ness' straight up on a silver platter for the audience to digest. Because who else has not struggled with coping to give the best for their loved ones while fighting for a dream since youth? Contrary to the usual trope of soft FL falling head over heels for an ego-centric tough guy, this drama explores what more can be told in a romantic set-up without needing to bring in great detail messy past relationships or obsessive exes -- the realities of choosing your partner whether it be in consideration of difference in income, career, or the pursuit of a long-kept passion. Bonus on the metaphor of Qiao Jingjing (alluding to the passionate dream ML has always aimed for from his childhood days) and Xia Qing (alluding to the realities of choosing practical, rational choices in today's economic setting). Re-watching this again and again has always given me a profound sense of insight into the makings of what it means to pursue a life-long career and keep loving the life that you live everyday. For that, I'm eternally grateful to this drama and story, in particular. Always a renewed sense of purpose in life, relationships, and a sense of duty to the wider world. Indeed, there must be some middle-ground between aiming to land on the moon while dreaming about the countless stars in the galaxy.Was this review helpful to you?
