Surprisingly Original
This show came as quite a surprise--I had loved "A Dream within a Dream" and this show surfaced when i was checking recommendations for a similar kind of drama. I had already watched "Love Game in Eastern Fantasy" before i watched ADWAD and had absolutely loved the philosophical underpinnings as well as meta-elements of that show. Hence, watching Fortune Writer a similar show even if in a shorter version, I knew there were big shoes to fill. And the show did not entirely disappoint. Yes, the leads of Fortune Writer (FW) need to polish their acting chops further--especially the ML whose pouty baby face oddly reminded me of my 12 year old niece, and despite the fact that he is good looking he seemed to have one expression pasted on his face for most of the scenes--the show still manages to keep the audience engaged throughout its run precisely because of the very good plotline and screenplay. The metanarrative was wonderful. True, I have not really watched any of the chinese historical martial art shows but having watched and loved ADWAD and LGIEF I was already aware of the possible tropes and cliches that such historical shows probably have but watching FW I got a clearer picture and realised how commercial indian shows that I used to watch long ago too had similar cliches (the accidental fall, the accidental kiss, the hiding in bathroom, etc.).
To cut the long story short, I loved the intelligent writing of the show and realised that it went into dark corners that the two bigger shows (ADWAD and LGIEF) too did not touch upon fully. The FL's character is refreshingly original--she is vicious and manipulative but unabashedly so, in her own words she does so to safeguard herself. The ML's character too is grey--just that he doesn't feel ruthless despite the constant glare in most scenes. Many of the side characters resort to 'actng' ie the kind of actors we see esp in mini-dramas whose acting is so manufactured that you realise they are acting. And yet, I would appreciate the show for its brave content, its wonderful OST--even in english translations the song felt meaningful. The sets were nice so were the clothes and the show really goes into dark spaces.
On hindsight I am glad I came across this show which due to its length could be finished in one sitting.
I hope the writers and makers of this show come up with similar meaningful shows in future.
To cut the long story short, I loved the intelligent writing of the show and realised that it went into dark corners that the two bigger shows (ADWAD and LGIEF) too did not touch upon fully. The FL's character is refreshingly original--she is vicious and manipulative but unabashedly so, in her own words she does so to safeguard herself. The ML's character too is grey--just that he doesn't feel ruthless despite the constant glare in most scenes. Many of the side characters resort to 'actng' ie the kind of actors we see esp in mini-dramas whose acting is so manufactured that you realise they are acting. And yet, I would appreciate the show for its brave content, its wonderful OST--even in english translations the song felt meaningful. The sets were nice so were the clothes and the show really goes into dark spaces.
On hindsight I am glad I came across this show which due to its length could be finished in one sitting.
I hope the writers and makers of this show come up with similar meaningful shows in future.
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