I'm going to watch to see how it progresses but by god, I wish there was a definite release date.
I know! It's really hard to say because very often Chinese dramas are aired way later than they are filmed, for many reasons (i.e. censorship review, etc.) At least when it does air we don't have to wait like a whole week for new episodes like K-dramas, but I hope we get a release date very soon.
It is honestly a great romantic drama. Not too deep but amazing chemistry between the leads, the ML acts the cold…
Oh, that's a relief to hear, and thanks for your comments! I love really fluffy dramas that are light on the angst and high on the romance, and I'm glad that at least their chemistry is really good! I still have this on my watchlist, and will keep this in mind.
Try Rookie Agent Rouge it has the same feel ( meaning historical at the time of japanese opression, and the actors…
Under the Power is definitely not in the same timeline, but if you want a precious historical romance where the two characters solve cases together, I'd also recommend watching it as well!
It's a great point you are making. I hope they go into more details in the characters' backstories. I wonder if…
I don't think it will, because much of the events from GGS were actually in the prequel to and the original novel of this series. In other words, GGS was clearly created with no assumption that Appledog's Time would be adapted as well (and I think many readers are surprised, especially when they actually read the original novel Honey Stewed Squid, to see how NONE of flashbaks of Han Shangyan's friend group exists).
I have a hunch and I do think MBFB will make some big changes and definitely focus on Wu Bai and Appledog's characterizations, but I'd be surprised if the timeline were the same as GGS.
For those who want to read the novel, it's available here completely translated at https://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-heartbeat-at-the-tip-of-the-tongue/. It's very well loved, as while it is a romance, there's also quite a lot on figuring out what one wants to do in life, and the main couple have a very healthy relationship and communicate very well together.
I'm going to be honest, in that this was not the casting I had envisioned for the series. There seems to be a lot of changes made to the story, particularly the portrayal of the ML's blindness which I thought was incredibly affirming and well-done, and that I think is quite frustrating to see. For many reasons, Song Yiran is also one of my favourite second male leads of all time, and I hope that the actor does justice towards the complexity of his personality as depicted in the novel. There are a lot of high hopes and expectations here, and we will have to wait and see how it plays out through the adaptation process.
wtf!! i have watched few episodes correct me if i am wrong so main lead is basically a jerk who destroyed FL's…
I really think it's primarily a writing problem, and maybe an acting problem as well. My issue is that right from Episode 1 the ML feels like it is okay to destroy someone's career (regardless of whether he got the right person or not), and he doesn't really ever "grow" throughout the series. I can't see why Nuannuan, considering how hard she works to overcome her own challenges, likes the MC who doesn't ever really suffer any setbacks throughout the show.
So I expected to like this a lot more than I thought I would, and I was surprised by how parts of the show didn't work for me. Eleanor Lee does an incredible job as Nuannuan, by making her worries, fears, and anger feel incredibly relatable. I loved watching her grow, and it makes feel a sense of pride at seeing not only Nuannuan's failures, but how she increasingly gains confidence and experience through these hardships.
And that's perhaps where the issue is — that the ML Han Che is so much less well-developed than she is. In a way, I feel as if Nuannuan is a lot more likeable than he is, and this could perhaps be part of a writing issue or an acting issue, but it's frustrating watching someone so petty with an unwillingness to reflect/communicate effectively about himself. From the first episode, Han Che makes a big "mistake" as a form of "compensation," but it's frustrating seeing how he doesn't really question (regardless of whether he got the right person or not) if his involvement in this is morally right or wrong. I also feel frustrated at seeing how Han Che never really suffers career-wise, and his personal issues are limited to a couple scenes at best, despite the obvious difficulties and consequences that having hyperthymesia may entail. In other words, Nuannuan's characterization is so well done that it makes Han Che look a lot more bland, and in some ways I feel as if she is (character-wise) so much more interesting and introspective than he is. While I feel that they do have good chemistry, it's this problem which makes it hard for me to like their relationship development.
I was really looking forward to this, especially as I thought it might be a really cute and more fluffier rendition of Sound of The Desert. From the comments I'm a little wary now, especially as I really dislike watching shows where ML has a harem. I think it would be a lot more interesting to focus the stories on the implications of building relationships amongst the tribes, rather than a focus on internal political maneuvering, as some commenters have also mentioned. I'll probably wait until all episodes are out so that I can binge watch it, and hope that perhaps maybe the latter episodes are better.
Yeah I love it as well. It's a simple noona romance with no too much angsty. I don't think the mom will be a bigger…
Yes! I'm a little tired of watching dramas with angst and conflicts, when all I really want to see are the fluffy scenes and the build up of the ML + FL's relationship. I also agree, I think it's clear we're all getting bad feelings from the ML's mother. I think I may have missed the part about the other son, but if this is the case, I hope he turns out to be on the ML's side (and not a way to create more conflict).
Totally agree! I think that's why the chemistry between ZQ + HYW are so interesting, because it's clear both deeply respect each other and like each other's company, but for reasons neither is willing to take the next step. I really, really hope that he doesn't get delegated as a second lead (I have a feeling right now he sincerely cares for Xunxun as a friend, but is also doing so because he in fact actually likes ZQ). I hope they end up getting together eventually, because both are such great characters and deserve their happy ending.
I don't believe the drama is actually finished airing yet. I'm actually not sure how many episodes this drama is going to be, because I'm getting conflicting information (I believe Chinese sites say its 36, others say it is 26.) I do think that 26 is definitely long enough for the series, and so I'm hoping that this is the case so that we don't end up with draggy angst or the incorporation of conflicts for the sake of extending the drama.
Surprisingly, despite some of the weaknesses of this drama, such as how sometimes the ML's acting can be a little stiff, I actually really like this so far! Currently on Episode 8 and it's a very tropey and light office drama. I think what's really great about this series is that the FL Ling Xunxun is so likeable, and it's hard not to root for her — especially after having to experience such a huge transition in her life from being a housewife to gaining confidence in her work. I have high hopes for this one especially since it's only going to be 16 episodes long, and because so far pacing is quite good and there aren't many draggy/filler scenes.
I really do hope that Hui Yi Wang and Zhou Quan get together — I love both their characters quite a lot, and it's clear that he harbours feelings for her. I hope that he doesn't end up being a "second lead," especially because I think the drama is already foreshadowing to problems between the ML + FL in the future (particularly the meddling by the ML's mother.)
Also, despite the age gap the ML + FL have in real life, you really can't tell (which may be disappointing for some viewers, and a good thing for others.) While you definitely can tell that theML looks young, Jiang Meng Jie in fact sometimes looks the same age as him. I do like how the relationship is currently developing however (him noticing her more in a romantic light, while her treating him as similar to a little brother), and I love the way they are gradually developing the romance.
The high rating made me curious so I decided to give it a try. Then one and a half episodes after, I just can't…
I think the start is quite rocky. It was hard for me to really suspend my disbelief in some of the beginning events, and even before I had chosen to start this I felt like there was some miscasting going on (I was very surprised, for example, that Su Jin Bei has a "cutesy" personality, when I think Zhang Yuxi could have really pulled off a "cold" personality, and Ryan Ding with "warmer" characteristics.)
I will say that if you want to focus your expectations, that this drama is pure fluff and focuses on the relationship between the two characters. What I think it does uniquely is that both characters have interest towards each other very early on via their contract marriage (Episode 3/4) but it's also nice to see them learn more about each other and grow together throughout the series - especially without added drama or external meddling. Is there much plot beyond the relationship and the cute scenes? Not really. Will it be difficult to watch if you really aren't interested in the characters? Likely. But it is a drama that's light, for you to turn your brain off, and to see moments that make you feel "squishy" with their chemistry, then maybe it's worth continuing to watch.
It's interesting to see the changes to the novel, and I'm actually not surprised as Mo Bao Fei Bao made a lot of changes to Go Go Squid to make the series a lot more patriotic (especially compared to the original novel, which was pure fluff.) I have a feeling since GGS already covered the use of online gaming to represent China, and also combined storylines from MBFB's other novels, the use of robots and technology will be another way to show this element.
I have faith in the script as MBFB has been adamant about not accepting the adaptation of her works unless she is on as the scriptwriter. But I do admit we'll likely see a lot more changes, especially as it's been clear through GGS that significant modifications were made from the original novel, especially to make the series more socially reflective and relevant.
Luo Yunxi's casting is absolutely top-notch for Chu Wanning, and after his performance in Ashes of Love as Runyu I thought that he would do incredible in a BL drama. Feiyue wasn't really an actor who I envisioned as Mo Ran, and I do have reservations about his casting especially in light of his recent works, but I'm looking forward to seeing their chemistry together. Likely most shocking is the decision to change Shi Mei into a woman, and it will be interesting to see the reception to this and how they handle this character in such a manner.
Most of all, there are A LOT of elements on the novel (beyond the relationship between Wanning and Mo Ran, including questionable sexual content and elements of the supernatural) that would almost certainly not pass censorship restrictions. But considering the clever ways in which producers of The Untamed created subtext and creatively depicted elements of BL romance within the series, I have a lot of hope towards this one and am really looking forward to it.
I'm so sad to see that Cheng Xiao's acting hasn't been a hit in this production, especially because she's starring in one of my favourite novel to drama adaptations, Falling Into Your Smile (with Xu Kai as the main lead). I know that many were wary about her being the casting choice as the FL especially due to the popularity of the novel, so it's unfortunate that this is the case. I was going to watch this one but considering the comments, I think I'll have to pass and take this off my watchlist.
Really want to thank you for writing this review - I was going to skip this drama until I read what you'd written…
I'm so glad that you loved the drama as much as I did, and that you found my review helpful! I really wanted people to be able to centre their expectations, so that they wouldn't be disappointed, but to also take a chance on how much I loved this show. Happy you decided not to skip and that it's now in your favourites list!
I have a hunch and I do think MBFB will make some big changes and definitely focus on Wu Bai and Appledog's characterizations, but I'd be surprised if the timeline were the same as GGS.
I'm going to be honest, in that this was not the casting I had envisioned for the series. There seems to be a lot of changes made to the story, particularly the portrayal of the ML's blindness which I thought was incredibly affirming and well-done, and that I think is quite frustrating to see. For many reasons, Song Yiran is also one of my favourite second male leads of all time, and I hope that the actor does justice towards the complexity of his personality as depicted in the novel. There are a lot of high hopes and expectations here, and we will have to wait and see how it plays out through the adaptation process.
And that's perhaps where the issue is — that the ML Han Che is so much less well-developed than she is. In a way, I feel as if Nuannuan is a lot more likeable than he is, and this could perhaps be part of a writing issue or an acting issue, but it's frustrating watching someone so petty with an unwillingness to reflect/communicate effectively about himself. From the first episode, Han Che makes a big "mistake" as a form of "compensation," but it's frustrating seeing how he doesn't really question (regardless of whether he got the right person or not) if his involvement in this is morally right or wrong. I also feel frustrated at seeing how Han Che never really suffers career-wise, and his personal issues are limited to a couple scenes at best, despite the obvious difficulties and consequences that having hyperthymesia may entail. In other words, Nuannuan's characterization is so well done that it makes Han Che look a lot more bland, and in some ways I feel as if she is (character-wise) so much more interesting and introspective than he is. While I feel that they do have good chemistry, it's this problem which makes it hard for me to like their relationship development.
Totally agree! I think that's why the chemistry between ZQ + HYW are so interesting, because it's clear both deeply respect each other and like each other's company, but for reasons neither is willing to take the next step. I really, really hope that he doesn't get delegated as a second lead (I have a feeling right now he sincerely cares for Xunxun as a friend, but is also doing so because he in fact actually likes ZQ). I hope they end up getting together eventually, because both are such great characters and deserve their happy ending.
I really do hope that Hui Yi Wang and Zhou Quan get together — I love both their characters quite a lot, and it's clear that he harbours feelings for her. I hope that he doesn't end up being a "second lead," especially because I think the drama is already foreshadowing to problems between the ML + FL in the future (particularly the meddling by the ML's mother.)
Also, despite the age gap the ML + FL have in real life, you really can't tell (which may be disappointing for some viewers, and a good thing for others.) While you definitely can tell that theML looks young, Jiang Meng Jie in fact sometimes looks the same age as him. I do like how the relationship is currently developing however (him noticing her more in a romantic light, while her treating him as similar to a little brother), and I love the way they are gradually developing the romance.
I will say that if you want to focus your expectations, that this drama is pure fluff and focuses on the relationship between the two characters. What I think it does uniquely is that both characters have interest towards each other very early on via their contract marriage (Episode 3/4) but it's also nice to see them learn more about each other and grow together throughout the series - especially without added drama or external meddling. Is there much plot beyond the relationship and the cute scenes? Not really. Will it be difficult to watch if you really aren't interested in the characters? Likely. But it is a drama that's light, for you to turn your brain off, and to see moments that make you feel "squishy" with their chemistry, then maybe it's worth continuing to watch.
I have faith in the script as MBFB has been adamant about not accepting the adaptation of her works unless she is on as the scriptwriter. But I do admit we'll likely see a lot more changes, especially as it's been clear through GGS that significant modifications were made from the original novel, especially to make the series more socially reflective and relevant.
Most of all, there are A LOT of elements on the novel (beyond the relationship between Wanning and Mo Ran, including questionable sexual content and elements of the supernatural) that would almost certainly not pass censorship restrictions. But considering the clever ways in which producers of The Untamed created subtext and creatively depicted elements of BL romance within the series, I have a lot of hope towards this one and am really looking forward to it.