1
Strong Story and actors
Without a doubt, this storyline is very strong. It doesn't need a lot bells and whistles because it offers a formula that works for most people:1) Strong Conflict: revenge, marriage of convenience, war between states, jealousy
2) Strong leads: ML and FL have chemistry. Basically, Liu Yu Ning acted almost the same as he did in The Long Ballad with ZLS. He didn't need to improve because it's the formula for success for most MLs in romantic drama: cold, aloof, some comic lines, and romantic looks. Song Zu Er didn't need that many different expressions for her role either. She is a perfect actress for this type of roles: beautiful and coordinating with the scenery and old feminine outfits. Although they weren't require to stretch their acting abilities, whatever acting skills require for their roles, they were convincing.
3) Female empowerment: a strong FL who is not only beautiful, accomplished, intelligent, logical, loyal, etc... I mean who doesn't love such a woman?
4) Kissing - this drama should rate very high-
5) plot line - there was not too many things that were unexpected. Bad people always get what they deserve.
People who might not like this story:
Unrealistic plot, female empowerment to the point of making the ML appear weak as she resolved a lot of problems for him, family fighting (the cousin is a little annoying)
There is no really standout things for most people to hate.
I gave it a 10. My criteria is low: It's entertaining better than all the drama currently showing. I am not looking for heavy themes. I want the good to win, some humor, and romance. This drama delivers everything so it's a 10. It's not an oscar performance but I am not looking for one!
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It gets better after 18
I see many people bashing the FL ... I think it's understandable because the main conflict of the story is the FL's difficult personality. She has anxiety and self-esteem issues due to her family relationship with the grandfather/aunt. You can see clearly even at a young age, she couldn't explain well or even given the chance to do so (ie gift to her grandfather). Her personality was partially shaped by her family experience.She grows as the story develops. I think after 19, the story becomes more interesting as she started to change based on her experiences. The ML didn't give up on her because essentially, she's a good person ( although not an ideal GF at first): she doesn't do illegal things, she makes sacrifices for people, and you know you can count on her help.
In real life, I have seen women like this FL ... very demanding and difficult but the partners still put up with them because they see qualities that I obviously missed.
But she does have issues with treating people with empathy. Again she will grow ... if she's perfect, we will have nothing to talk about.
For me, this story is watchable (although with some plots and character development issues). It is watchable because the ML CXX is a good actor. I remember that I thought in one really cringy scene that wow, if the acting isn't natural and good, it would have been very difficult to continue. He delivers the scenes charmingly but very watchable.
The weakness of this story is that the writers make some unconvincing storyline but it's saved by good acting. So I would say, it's a watchable drama. However, if you cannot stand unreasonable, unempathetic female leads, then I would say drop the story.
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Can't Wait for the Breakup!
For those who expect a perfect romance: the first 15 episodes may appear to be contradictory and a revenge plot. It initially appeared artificial and contrived. It's more like a fashion show and glimpses of some good acting.Eps 7 seems to be the turning point for me. The story gets more interesting as details of her and his characters are revealed instead of clips of memories like previous. They help each other in the background. In a way, they are similar, growing up isolated. Most importantly, they both have an agenda.
I like William Chan in this role. He nails the facade well. Great acting from both him and ZLS.
After their divorce, I think we are in for the best drama and comedy. ZLS delivers the perfect timing for comedic element in most of her drama so I don't this will be any different.
With Chinese drama, I think you have to take it with a broad perspective. There's always going to be fillers and plot holes. There's always going to be a communist theme about loving the country, China's the best, and cultural value.
Even with such a good book like As Beautiful As You, they can still mess it up because they were greedy to maximize the profit by adding fillers.
Yes, this drama has a lot of fillers but overall, I think it's acceptable because it was funny. And I think even without Lusi, I will watch it if the actress and actor have chemistry and as funny as these two leads. A lot of Chinese modern dramas are not watchable for me. At least this one has good lead actors. And the director is decent.
For me, the best drama is Love Like the Galaxy. The book was good. The director was perfect. And ZLS best fits the role of female lead.
This drama is fun to watch. If it was a Kdrama, it would have finished in 15 episodes. .
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This review may contain spoilers
Big budget/acting can't save a Mediocre Story
Final verdict on this drama: mediocre plot that tries to weave revenge, love, and female empowerment into a realistic drama. It fails because of its artificiality. NOT feeling the chemistry between the leads in this story because the romance was not the highlight. His cruel treatment of her in the beginning and the drastic transition to romance were abrupt. And then suddenly, the romance artificially fizzles, again abruptly, to accommodate the female empowerment narrative.This is the case when big budget, big acting still can't save a mediocre artificial story.
ZLS's face looks different in this drama. It is distracting sometimes. I am her fan and hope that she doesn't change her beautiful natural face any more, whether it's cosmetic procedures/makeup/losing weight. This is a problem with our culture: we equate beauty to artificial perfection. ZLS looked perfect for every role before this new improved looks. She doesn't need to look "beautiful" because her acting shines.
This is my own personal opinion. I am not an anti-fan.
I am a ZLS's fan as far as acting. The acting is amazing, and she has grown a lot since her last drama. However, the script is not as entertaining.
I think the script needs to be less complicated, more leads time together, more interesting content, more humor, etc.
Production: 10 Amazing special effects, very high end visuals
Acting: 10
Script: 7 borderline boring up to 6
Director: 6 (Just look at how LLTG is directed. That drama is 10+)
Emotional investment in the character: 2 (this is a script/directing problem)
Chemistry: I am a fan of this couple from the Long Ballad. The chemistry there is amazing. Some how I don't feel it here yet. It's the director and script I think.
THE PLOT
Conflict - pearl trading with a revenge/ hidden identities twist, and government investigation. Amidst all this, a young girl develops her character, discovers her true identity, and becomes a jewelry business woman. It's a story about female empowerment, so-so love story, revenge, etc.
eps 1-6 : sets up the backdrop - I think this could be done in 1-2 episodes. But they dragged on. While ZLS acts well and looks amazing as a pearl diver, I think if the script is not entertaining/funny, it's going to be a drag.
If you watch, LLTG, the director is good there and the rating shows it: It's boring family fighting, but he made it fun and entertaining to watch. It's a piece of art.
In contrast, The Pearl Girl, amazing production and special effects, is not skillful in presenting the material in an entertaining and artful way. It's more like Hollywood Little Mermaid with too much other things and graphical violence going on --- Like Korean drama!
eps 7-8: It's beginning to get interesting because she is finally involved in something more meaningful: negotiating trades and dealing with business. She also made a femal friend to help her out instead of struggling by herself. You can see where the plot is heading: Zhang Jin Ran told the girls that in Chang-an, there are shops run by females.
eps 9-10: predictable the way it's filmed. He tricked everyone to believe that he killed the accountant. I still don't feel good about the script. Very mediocre. I don't think it will do well beyond the 8.2-4 range. There are a few story holes - like why she is so strong and can take on the bad guys in fighting. I think the director of this drama is not a good one.
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The villain just doesn't die
I am watching this drama because of Jing Tian, who is very natural and convincing at acting.Sorry I don't like Xu Kai in this role. I think he is better at a more serious role. He was not convincing for me. I enjoy his other drama Yanxi Palace.
The story has its moments .. couple breaks up just for the sake of building up conflicts ... so predictable.
The worst problem with this drama is the story repeats itself ... there is no new element. But it is better than XK's other dramas. I did make it to the end.
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Story too unrealistic
This was a very disappointing drama. It started out fun, but it went down to being unwatchable. I do like 7Tan, but this drama story is too unrealistic. For example, during the financing of the home products company, the storyline doesn't make sense. Why would she go out of her way to help so much ... almost got injured.The chemistry started out fine but around 20+, it started to derail when they started to act like "friends". After that, there was no longer a tension.
I skipped after 27 because it was too boring to watch.
I hope she will be in a better drama next time.
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Not Bad ... just need to be patient/skip
The first 8 episodes were boring. Then once she broke up with the 1st bf, it gets more interesting. Like most of these merchant stories, it starts out slow and discusses too much about silk and brocade. The part of the story is always boring.Story is simple but the acting shines.
There are moments of fun. The leads have chemistry.
Overall, I recommend this drama. It's better than most currently showing.
ep 17 is when she first notices him as a man.
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Low-budget production with sensational writing
This story has a lot of potential. It's just not perfectly executed. I think the production should be 40 eps to properly build up the story. The way it is, things seem to be abrupt, just like a comic movie.Some people call it low budget - I have to agree. That's how it feels for me. I wish they can remake it with more budget. Sometimes I feel like I was watching one of those mini-series- lots of sensational details and abrupt scene changes.
It has all the making of the vengeful mini-series but not so extreme:
1) Abusive relationships
2) Marriage for revenge
3) Sensational thriller cliffhanger at the end of each episode to hook the audience
4) Abrupt transitions and plot holes
After eps 23, this is the first drama that I don't like the FL. That selfish ruthlessness and self-confidence. Hopefully, she will have a redemption arc. It's one thing for female to be in control but another to be selfish and not considering her partner's feelings. Female empowerment doesn't mean women losing empathy and take control of others' lives without permission.
Wow, that little girl, Fu Ling Zhi, acts better than most adults. Her eyes are so expressive.
I am all for it being a feminist drama. But I feel the writer makes the FL appear be irrational, violent, and reckless to dramatize the events. That's not a feminist view. We can be logical, patient, take the high road, and empathetic. It's frustrating to see the ML (portraying that traditional ML roles) being her teacher, telling her to be patient and logical.
It's entertaining but I am going to lower my score because I feel that overall, when compare to other dramas like The Double, Love Like the Galaxy, etc ... it should only be a 7,5 value.
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Just an amazing acting and story
It's rare that I can rewatch a Kdrama many times. This drama is one of them. It's meant to be a Korean version of Gone with the Wind. The writing, the acting, the chemistry all work for this drama.The actress performs well for her role. She has the arrogance and innocence of Scarlett O'hara. She's not as beautiful as some Korean actresses who had cosmetic surgeries, but she made up for her presence in the story.
Anyways, if you are debating whether to watch it or not, I highly recommend. I am surprised that I love it even better than gone with the wind!
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Losing interest
Full disclosure: I am a huge fan of the FL actress: Park Eun BinI have watched almost all her drama!
From the title, I thought it would be about singing .... not family violence and abusive relationships ... the abusive dad story breaks the mood. I don't like to watch abusive stories so this is not my type of drama.
The story is not focused. To many stories and not enough about the Diva. I find it very difficult to connect with the main leads and their love story as adults because they don't spend enough together as a couple.
I can't connect with her as a singer either because the singing story is not continuous and distracted by other stories about family.
There only 12 eps. I feel it's too short to be focusing on crimes, family abusive relationships, etc ... more should be focused on her story ... I think there would be lots of good and funny moments about her adapting to a new modern life. But no: the writer chose an easier route through abusive story! I guess it's easier to write that story because funny stories are more difficult.
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Draggy at the end
This drama was slow at first. Towards the middle was getting interesting. Then towards the last episodes was draggy. I fast forwarded the last 6 episodes because the story was not interesting.The main leads have chemistry and acted connvincingly.
I didn't like the 2nd leads. They are just there and felt forced.
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This review may contain spoilers
An entertaining drama with good visuals and acting
You can say whatever you want, criticize the story, age difference, loopholes, etcBut you can't deny that this drama appeals to the general public and garners high reviews because it's an entertaining story: NO it isn't realistic, it's a typical drama, and has a Netflix stamp on it, etc ...
BUT the characters are likable, with redeeming quality. The violence is not excessive.
The acting and chemistry were good. Yes, there were some cringy moments.
Ep 12 was unnecessary/nonsensical drama. But hey, let them add some fillers as the actor/actress really deserve some more screen time together! :-) I'll watch 13 for their kids' story too!
I didn't feel as if it was wasting my time. I felt entertained.
I am still giving a 10 despite all the loopholes and incredible scenarios. It's like comic story but it's entertaining.
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Watchable while waiting for my favorites
This drama is typical and predictable. But the way they presented the characters and the actors/actresses makes you care for them. In the beginning, it's repetitive and predictable. But starting at ep 10, it's a decent watch.If you are waiting for a drama, this is actually not a bad drama compared to others that are being shown ... It's typical chinese drama scenes all mixed with some solid acting and comedy. The leads are likable ... I find the FL's role to be annoying ... her voice is so childish ... and her behavior too.
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The type of anti-hero story
The saddest ending is that the heroine prefers the anti-hero because he would do anything for her ... anything that even her mom wouldn't do for her! Basically, a slave.Throughout the story I got the sense that she likes TJ because he represents safety and the "deepest" love that transcends even parental love. She said it herself in ep 62 that her mom wouldn't do something for her but TJ will ...
Without this love, she feels insecure. Well I don't know if TJ represents love or anxiety medication? But whatever.
Overall, the acting perfect in this drama. The song is beautiful.
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Plot is not interesting - Review up to 20
This is a review up to eps 20. I will be dropping the drama because the story is not interesting to me. Please don't comment/attack my review because this review is not attacking you, "your actors," or your values. It's just about how I feel about the story up to 20.I like both actors. Up to episode 8, the drama was great.
However, the script can't hold my interest. The love story is not compelling, especially when the ML disappeared for awhile. Then he lost his power. The SML seems to have equal screen time.
I normally like TSY. Here, when she was in the Princess role, she looks beautiful. However, in the XY role, her hair always looks unkempt. I love her when she was in Under the Power. She was really funny and cute there. I think it's the script.
The resolution of the Sui Meng Xian Jun [Dreamshard immortal] story doesn't make sense.
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