Satisying. Nourishing
If there's a story that nourish the heart and satisfy the soul, this is it.It's not just about empowering female, girls or women. Its about daring to dream, taking on responsibilities, trying under unjust conditions and being courageous even if you're afraid. FL is resourceful when needed, wise beyond her age,serves justice when needed but is still essentially kind. She's the stuff real heroes are made of and the kind of leader a family or a community needs. The actress further seals her ability in both acting and choosing great scripts.
The strife the Hua family suffers sends all the family members to a journey of learning right or wrong, of tolerance and empathy, of self-discovery and of strength in unity. The beautiful bonds between FL and her grandparents, amount the women in the family, her servants and her all adds to substance to the story.
ML is also an atypical character. He exist tin that awkward place between a rock and a hard place, stemming from the influence and manipulation of the emperor. My qualms .aybe the actor isnt the very best and can be limited sometimes. Not terrible but lacked emotional depth. ML has a sister who suffers from trauma abd was sheltered throughout her life until FL takes her in and she bcom part of the Hua clan. She adorably has her side stories too.
This drama isnt just about love. They have loved ones to protect, lives to rebuilt, and goals to be met. So many moving parts to the story that keeps this one jus so dynamic and enriching to watch.
Ultimately, i feel like its a drama version to Chicken Soup for the soul, very satisting and nourishing.
Was this review helpful to you?
CP fluff; Paper thin plot
The actors carried the drama. The 2 Yuxis..Ding Yu Xi and Zhang Yu Xi made it possible to stay and finish the drama.FL fell in love at first sight and you actually feel second hand embarassment for her due to her rather direct confession and pursue of ML. ML somehow falls in love later.. and this is the part where i find the writing rather lazy.. i would have like it to be a more emotional approach rather than a physical one.
The plot is a little anti climatic for most episodes but not exactly slice of life either. We did get some character development for FL and her career. Bonus that the leads only have the hots for each other.
Theres that annoying younger sister that was annoying for many episodes until she stop being one n become kinda cute. There were some sweet scenes and fan service sort of CP moments. Ding Yu Xi has really attractive eyes and good with eye acting. He puts that to very good use here.
But unlike the drama name, it failed in reaching an intense kind of love for me. It was enjoyable, nothing less, nothing more.
Was this review helpful to you?
This is for those who appreciate a heroine that is intelligent and uses both skill, mind and some cunning to outwit her rivals. Add to the mix she is creative and comes up with new things almost like an inventor and last but not least beautiful. But she still has a good heart, never cruel and retained that to the end despite the palace life. That roughly sums up Lu Zhen.
Gao Zhan is a crown prince that has capability to be king, to lead and one who appreciates the qualities in Lu Zhen and is patient and willing to wait for her. His main trait other than good looks is his loyalty and love that was unwavering. In fact i appreciate that quality potrayed here. Even the emperor and later General Sheng are loyal faithful people whose heart only faces one person. Thats so hard to come by during the olden days where harems are aplenty and men of power have wives and many concubines.
Back to the story. The romance part is really nice. How Lu Zhen and Gao Zhan rescue or help each other the first few meetings. I love that the drama effectively uses its many episodes to show the growth in both their characters and their love.The two faces alot of problems either stirred up by their rivals both politically or romantically and also secrets they keep from each other. In many cases it was potrayed that their pride also caused the rift. They learn to overcome that. I really love that Gao Zhan com to realise that to truly love Lu Zhen is not tie her down to be kept in his residence but to give her freedom of choice and use that intelligence of hers that could contribute to the nation. Most importantly i need to mention that Chen Xiao and Zhao LiYing has wonderful chemistry and totally filled the screen when they are together.
I need to mention that i usually hate palace drama. Too much strife evil and power struggle. In this case the director and script allows small victories that we celebrate together as we see Lu Zhen overcomes them step by step to ascend to that place of power. It also realistically shows it wouldnt have been possible if not for those people that assisted her or believd in her, either her supporters or advisors.
Last but not least i love that the supporting character especially the emperor's wife also grew and mature from hateful to accepting.
Mind you because i read reviews and comments before i started i elected to NOT watch the epilogue. Im a stickler for Happy endings so i chose to watch until the bit where they won against the main antagonist and Gao Zhan was proclaimed emperor while holding hands with Lu Zhen. For me that is enough, no need anything else to twist my heart and wring tears from me.
Now im looking forward to another drama by this director.
Was this review helpful to you?
We have a budding romance between the sassy outspoken if rash Yeon Deol butting heads with Yeol the class president and the most intelligent boy in school. You have awesome bromance between Yeol and his childhood friend Ha Yoon. You have Yeon Deol and her fellow club friends. You have the friendship turn betrayal between Yeon Deol and Soo Ah who is the character everyone loves to hate until you see what drives her to those actions and in the end although I don't condone her actions, I do pity her and understand her plight to a certain extent.
This drama is a little heavy in my book. Cause it is sad to see the youths being forced and even bullied by their parents to get top grades. The school is so competitive that the students have to view each other as rivals. And then there's the case of bullying and the case of Ha Yoon's abusive father which really makes me feel sick. Sigh let's say I usually like fluffy and sweet dramas and hate too much of these injustice xxx
Back to the love side: Yeon deol 's character really grows on you. She has so much guts that if I'm a guy I would like her too. Yeol is the fast thinking guy who don't usually care for others except his best friend. Through Yeon deol he gained courage to trust in people. And through Yeol she learned to calm down and think before act. I like that he wasn't wishy washy when he realised he likes her. And true to this words, he doesn't beat around the Bush or hides it behind his ego like alot of male drama characters.
I really like how the cheerleader club members slowly warm to each other and the friendship that develops. The competition itself isn't for winning. It's really about seeing things to the end, not giving up and doing something you love with your friends. It makes me think of the time I was 18.
I also enjoy the good teacher characters. But the principal annoy the hell out of me.
And Ha Yoon 's character is just so sad. I wish we can have a follow up drama for his story only. That's how much I like him (and Ji soo who portrayed him)
All in all. I enjoyed it thoroughly but somehow I don't think il be re-watching it any time soon
Was this review helpful to you?
Eventful
If you've watched S1, then by all means pls watch S2. If you have not seen S1, I would say this season is perhaps more eventfulHot guys and girls. Diff types. Pretty onscreen and som do have chemistry. Theres slightly less camefa hogging where all scrwentime goes to 1female (biggest issue last season)
Editing needs some serious work. Some scenes were rather short and abrupt. Unaired scenes on Scoop should have been aired imo.
Took more than 6-7 episodes to get more depth into the participants. More than half of the seasons episodes were all on appearance, looks, feeble conversations. Not sure was it contestants took a long time to converse in depth or the editing. Only last few episodes finally felt more aubstance to them. They arw then more relatable.
Overall entertaining. I do hope they can hit it off post-inferno.
Was this review helpful to you?
Go Ahead and watch and be filled with love and warmyh
Go Ahead is a tricky drama to review because i felt i need a million adjectives to describe it. Warm, thats how i feel when watching every episode. And Special, special cause it touches a special place in my heart. It is perhaps one of the best multi-facetted story I have the pleasure to watch in awhile. The ability to achieve such a balance of poignant but heart-warming, painful yet sweet, serious issues yet funny moments is really kudos to great writing and directing.PLOT/STORY
The plot centres on 3 families, 2 more broken then the core (FL and her dad) coming together and bonded through love that had nothing to do with blood in their veins but rather the openness of heart to accept, cherish and protect. Theres that juxtaposition of an unusual family from the norm. Theres that interesting difference and similarities between both elder brothers in character and treatment of their lil sister. Social pressures, parental pressure, trauma from loss, abandonment and depression were all touched upon but the story is delivered in a measurably soothingly acceptable way that pains you but does not suffocate you. Hence viewers who usually steer clear of heavy dramas could still be able to watch and digest this. Many scenes were presented in a well thought out manner in such ways I appreciate nuances and subtlety they convey.
CAST/ACTING
Casting team deserves a medal. I cant imagine another actress as Li Jian Jian. Tan Song Yun really shines in bringing the youth and brightness into her character as well as the ability to create believable atmosphere and great chemistry with the male leads and the rest of the casts. JianJian is optimistic and bright illuminating the darkness in her brothers’ lives. Shes really the family’s fuel station. Ling Xiao is the quieter elder brother but observant, intelligent and thoughtful. Hes closed off emotionally with the exception of the trusted realm he allows. He only truly shares with JianJian, the beacon in his life. Song Wei Long delivered his personal best and gave us a Ling Xiao that appears perfect and mature but have hidden cracks and scars from his trauma. He Zi Qiu is the most sensitive, and insecure from having been abandon and constantly thinking of his self worth and afraid to be pitied. He holds Li ba and Jiajian as the people he is most grateful for and promised to love and protect them with his whole being for the rest of his life.
Li Ba is one of the best characters ever created and he’s the core of the family. He represents the exemplary parent that gives unconditionally and only expects his loved ones to be happy. He provides shelter and pure love but never smothering. There are many other parents depicted in these drama that provided many contrast and real struggles in thwir parenting style and relationships with their children and how they affected the child’s disposition and attitude in life.
Ost
The opening theme is one of the most hauntingfly beautiful song. Written in very simple lyrics but delivered so powerfully. Mamy of the ost were awesome and they added the oomph everytime its played on eventful scenes.
Conclusion
Watch this drama and be filled with warmth, be touched by the spirit of family, love and friendship. Laugh and cry with our leads. Its a drama that has that something special and returns you to the thing that matters most- being with the people you love. I treasure all the days watching Go ahead and sad to have reached the finale. But the image of our 3 leads happily going ahead towards their future and the familiarity of family togetherness makes me really satisfied. And i will rewatch this series again. I will also look forward to future works from this scriptwriter, this director and of course, more dramas from Tan Song Yun and Steven Zhang.
Was this review helpful to you?
Rare worthy drama; CP with great rapport & chemistry
You can be put off by the length of drama ( i try to stick to Cdramas less thn 40episodes) BUTThese are why you should give this drama a try:
1. Leads that have something special in terms of character: ML, Lu Yi is someone not just cool but ice cold when it comes to criminal, ruthless and unfeeling as req by his job. He doesn't spare much attention to other things but work to be done, criminals and spies to be caught and justice fulfilled. He's a skilled martial artist but he isn't invincible. He is intelligent and cunning but careful and meticulous. FL is daring, has good tracking skills, is bold but can sweet talk and change her tune to save her own hide. She's also a skilled martial artist as trained by her master and can defend herself. She has an infectious personality and like her name last word means Summer) exuded warmth.
2. Story/plot: The first few episodes developed very well. In very few scenes we got the gist of the main characters. It was vy engaging. And although the Male and Female leads started on the wrong foot, their negative interactions were magnetic. The cases and how ML-FL goes abt solving them adds mystery and intrigue and also becomes the mechanisms that lets the leads understand and overcome their initial misconceptions abt each other. Ep 1 to 45: the story was fantastic, rarely boring. I even like the secondary love story although that arc had some repetitive elements but the 2characters was worthy of your time to see to their own happy ending
3. The love story: Its rare that an investigation, historical C drama can develop such a moving and deep love story. Rarer still that ML and FL are on the same wavelength. Their every interaction was like pilling stone upon stone..until it becomes a strong fort of its own
With each passing case and time working along each other: trust, bond and understanding was built. ML begins to find sth else other than work and crime thats interesting. He begins to have reason for good mood and his smirk turns to fleeting smile. His eyes usually cold and shrewd becomes warm when he looks at the FL. FL comes to understand him. Admires ML's intelligence, sense of justice and finds theres that someone that she could rely on. He would have her back. As the story progresses, the depth and lengths they each go to protect one another (in dangerous situation, in sickness and death) shows how devoted they are to each other. Despite my description, their interactions are sometimes really cute and funny and sweet. You have to watch it to get what i mean
4. The acting: Perfection for the scoring and I couldn't deduct. Tan Song Yun was always likable as an actress but this her role as Yuan Jin Xia was the best yet. She gave life, warmth and depth to her character. Ren Jia Lun was new to me but oh boy did they made an excellent casting in him..he made Lu Yi outstanding. I'm calling this duo Big Eye Couple. And they put their eyes to beautiful use. They were so good with the eye gazing.. so much emotion conveyed even when little or no words were spoken. That chemistry that they could develop from just glancing at each other or smiling at each other or conveying fear was hands down amazing.. it made so many scenes moving and oh so unforgettable. Han Dong was a brilliant antagonist, he was really fleshed out and not your typical puppet villain.. he was scary in intensity, in his cunning and psychotic personality.
Why i deduct little on the score.
Ep 46 to 54: I didn't like the final arc of the story. I felt birth secret thing that was revealed and the repercussion from it detracted the beauty of the story. It was there for heart wrenching and sad reasons. Yet It took away the precious beautiful thing between the leads. Ep 55 was a rewarding episode. That mooncake scene was brilliantly written and delivered beautifully. It concluded well but perhaps a bit rushed.. given the hardships they faced (and viewers had to bear) last 8 episodes it would have been nice if we were given a bigger reward.
Rewatch: I already missed the leads. I love how FL is very open with her affections for ML and openly admires and admits her admiration for him. Given how cold he was in the beginning, his first confession was really moving. And later on how he surprises her when he doesn't mince his words to convey how important she is to him. So worth rewatching.
Was this review helpful to you?
Things that i love:
1. He notice her first and secretly watch her during lunch hour with just a window between them
2. He appreciate her simplicity even though naive
3. Although rich he didnt flaunt his wealth or shower her with extravagant gifts. i gind the engraved plate he gave her along with his number as emergency contact romantic and refreshing
4. I enjoyed watching her with her cousin and girlfriend as well as parents
Things i dislike
1. The pace sometimes seem slow. i felt it could have been editted to 25episodes for a better flow and pace
2. Although acting wise was ok. I did find Zhang Han quite stony faced in some scenes which affected the chemistry as a result.
3. i wish the guy's character to be more proactive. He sometimes has to be told she's upset orworried by others before he act on it or reassure her
4. The proposal in my opinion wasn't that romantic
5. As a romance drama of 33episodes we should have been rewarded with more sweet moments or romantic scenes. i kept waiting for their kiss among the fields as seen in the opening theme
6. Her character was decent enough although I wish she had caught on earlier. Doesn't hurt to be smarter
Overall i did enjoy it
Was this review helpful to you?
1. Acting: Xu Kai Cheng and Simona Wang were both good actors with their own charms. Ian Yi as Chu Yan really stood out.
2. Characters: ML isnt a stuck up chaebol. Isnt cold n stoic. Instead tends to express his feelings or affection. FL isnt whiny and would apologize if she kbiws shes in the wrong. Many side characters that are likable. Mr. Driver, FL best friend, grandma and Chu Yan (the 2nd male lead that was refreshingly unselfish). A lil side we didnt see more of the other girl that appears in Chu Yan' life.
The lows:
1. The plot: I had a hard time accepting, much less liking the plot. Ive seen worse of cos fr fluffy C rom-coms. But the tagged of romance n melodrama, i wish the plot was better crafted, less preditable, more thought provoking or touching. It never reached any peak for me. I even fast forwarded some bits which is rare for me to do so in a short drama (20ep only). My major petpeeve is how the ML got the FL. I see it as obssessive and manipulative. Good looks shouldnt excuse such selfishness. I dont want to elaborate to the extent of spoiling. But when you watch to mid way you would understand my comment.
2. The chemistry: Now this was a suprise since i said both ML and FL are good actors. And they were given a lot of setups, cohabilation hijinks and scenes as a couple, as husband and wife. Yet their kissing scenes or skinship scenes never evoke depth to me. Theres no passion or tenderness. Its like okay, liplock for this scene and move on next scene. So although theres comments that theres many kiss scenes for me quantity does not equate quality. I like seeing ML FL scenes but i felt disengaged evytym they lock lips. I dont know if its the directing or the actors couldnt loosen up and immerse in the scene. I rant on this cause the drama is hard selling the romance n yet i feel it lacking.
Rewatch value: very low for me. I did rather rewatch bits of Time teaches me to love or I hear you, both C modern romance dramas i watched before this one..while they are not perfect, they atleast stir my heart more.
Was this review helpful to you?
