different shades of relationships
Though I have watched till episode 18, and I don't know how it will turn out in the later episodes, I felt like writing this review"Double Happiness" is one of those rare modern C-dramas that quietly sneaks up on you with its emotional authenticity, grounded storytelling, and endearing characters. What sets this drama apart is the variety of relationships it explores.
From young love to second marriages, parental bonds to sibling bonds, the drama does an excellent job of portraying a wide range of relationships, each with its own struggles, missteps, breakthroughs, and dynamics. It doesn’t rely on over-the-top conflicts or villains; though the FL's ex husband behaves like a psychotic character in places that is understandable given the pressure he is in (in life) and the realisation of his wife's infidelity that hurts his male ego. The show reflects on how people naturally clash, grow, forgive, and change over time.
One of the show’s greatest strengths is how it handles marriage, not as a romantic ideal, but as a daily, evolving partnership. We see couples grappling with communication issues, financial stress, in-laws, co-parenting. Though the overall tone is of warmth, the writing doesn’t sugarcoat the compromises or hard conversations, nor shy away from celebrating the small victories and quiet acts of love that can sustain a marriage.
All the major (even minor characters, like the assistant in the Remarriage Agency) are good looking. The leads are not just easy on the eyes but also likeable and layered. They’re both idealistic without being unrealistic. Their chemistry feels lived-in rather than theatrical, which adds to the authenticity of their relationship.
While it’s still a drama, "Double Happiness" keeps things fairly grounded in modern-day life—career struggles, divorce, widowhood, childcare, emotional struggles, and changing gender roles all make an appearance. Yet it manages to be hopeful and uplifting without glossing over reality.
of course, I will wait to see how the drama evolves in the next episodes.
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Pleasantly Unexpected
I stumbled upon this drama quite unexpectedly and honestly, after the first episode, rather by the end of the first episode was ready to drop it. But then, almost as a second thought I went on to watch episode 2 and then 3 and after that was hooked onto the drama. Although there are some expected coincidences that look manufactured and at times, the ML despite being a superstar is able to roam around freely almost without anyone noticing, what has endeared to me the most is the performances. The ML has excellent comic timing and is actually a very good actor--given that the lead actor plays an actor who has average acting skills early on in the drama and who evolves as an actor over the course of the drama. There is one scene particularly when he compares his performances in his earlier films/shows and enacts before his girlfriend how he should have done that scene or how he would do it now. There are 3 layers of acting involved here--one the actor who plays the ML, two the ML who is playing a lead (betrayed lover, police officer, etc.) in some movie/drama that is shown on screen, and three the ML who is comparing his performances on screen with performances before his girlfriend (the FL). Besides there are several other scenes of the characters that are actors acting on screen which gives an element of metanarrative to the narrative of the drama.Apart from performances, the character of the supportive father of the FL is a relatively unconventional role; someone who would not believe his daughter's ex-boyfriend despite him being a favourite student of his.
And then, the writing. It may not appear at first glance but this show has some intelligent writing going on. Especially with the dialogues--that are hilarious and heartfelt.
The biggest weakness of the drama to me is the 1D villains.though the twist of the female villain character towards the end is unexpected and one feels bad for her. The male antagonist does not seem to have any major subtext and his villainy seems more of a plot device for the ML to shine.
One last thing, i found it particularly interesting that it was the SML and the SFL whose story had a greater arc (and possibility of arc of) evolution than the ML and FL. But, this again, I found a pleasant departure as in many cases there was a strong possibility that the story arc of the second leads would be the main plot and that of the main leads would be the secondary plot. In any case, the two second leads are almost treated at par (in terms of screen time and space) as the two leads. The SML even had a back story that made the union of the SML and SFL even more heartfelt. The bond among all the 5 characters--the ML, FL, SML,SFL and the Manager is beautiful and feels real and organic.
Overall, to me this was a good show, an enjoyable one--of course with some tropes and cliches and a 1D villain--despite the main plot being paper thin. After the 3rd episode especially there was not a dull moment in the show. All actors acted their parts well and this show has good rewatch value.
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watch for good looking leads
Vin Zhang is the only good thing in the show. i like esther yu in other shows, not here. improbable plot.great production and the discussion on finding a solution to malaria is great, i like the research aspect of it, also that the professions of the leads are different--FL is also an ornithologist but chooses to pursue being an influencer, but the ugly duckling/stunning beauty difference is never apparent.
also the SML and SFL individual are fine but their story takes too much of screentime unnecessarily.
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Worth giving a shot (aka my entry point to C-Pop and modern Chinese music)
I had watched snatches of this drama a year ago, back then, I did not find anything appealing and had dropped the drama early on. But I had loved the songs and started listening to Huang Z.Tao and C-Pop music IRL. In fact, in many ways this show was my entry point to modern Chinese music.But this time, I decided to give the show a second try and now have completed till episode 29. Of course, shall not deny, after a few episodes, I started skipping many of the scenes between the two female VPs of Star Entertainment and the President and his wife(who is also a former singing superstar). But it is equally true that these separate story arcs (side plots) are used to show how these characters take decisions that have an impact on the main characters of the show. And from that point of view including all that does not seem unreasonable,though I would still say that the VP Ma character and extra-marital affair angle with the President hiding his illness from his wife were totally unnecessary and avoidable.Not having those scenes would have made the narrative tighter.
I am really liking the ML, FL and SML performances. Especially the interactions between the ML and FL seem realistic and organic and I am enjoying every bit of their scenes. The SML's character struggles are evident and on restrospect though he comes across as the ideal guy, there are enough hints dropped from early on that his smiles are mostly from hi lips and not from his heart(as the ML says in one of the later episodes) and that he is indeed a grey character. The ML's characterisation is rounded and he comes across as extremely likeable as the episodes progress. Also his family --his relation with his father and sister and the hint of his father's second chance at life--are pleasant additions.
The music and thrust on music is the USP of the show for me and I am waiting to see how the remaining episodes unfold.
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loving exploring chinese culture
I have not watched period chinese or korean dramas before as period dramas are not my thing; but i am decidedly enjoying this show. I am halfway through and there are several things i am liking:i. the characterisation of the ML, who is emotionally damaged and has his inner turmoils to handle and hence comes off as gruff and un-trusting as that is his psychological defence mechanism, not to add that he does face identity crisis over his identity of a half-human and half-demon but his gradual softening is heartwarming
ii. the philosophical undertones; there are a few episodes that i absolutely loved--the one with the water demon for instance when the audience and Miaomiao both come face to face with Mu Sheng's demonic side , or the one when the four leads tackle dowager consort Zhao in her dreams, or the episode when inside Qilian mountain the main leads confront their inner nightmares
iii. the attempt the show increasingly makes of deconstructing the human/demon binary
iv. the CGI--terrific. really adds sheen to the narrative
v. the attire, really attracted to the traditional attires and fabrics
vi. the meta-ness of the narrative, specially from Miaomiao's perspective
I am only halfway through but i am really liking the show and waiting for the other half to unfold.
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paper thin plot saved by good performances
I loved the first two episodes but by episode 3 the paper thin plot seemed too evident. Still I watched till ep 5.This is definitely a well made show in terms of production and acting but the tropes are all too common; especially after watching and loving "Love Game in Eastern Fantasy" this show seems a few shades poorer.
From ep 4 i started fast forwarding scenes and by the end of ep 5 i knew i did not want to watch it any further.
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nothing new except the Male Lead's charm
The show has a common premise and one does not go into the show with high expectattions. despite that, however, it is watchable. primarily because of the main lead who is good looking and acts well. there are a few places which take us by pleasant surprise but one should not expect anything majorly surprising. As it is a short series, things happen fast in the show.Edit: dropped the show at episode 10 because I realised i did not want to waste time with a show like this
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A window to the China the world does not much know about
I have just completed one episode and I could not resist expressing how lovely the show is. It is cinematic in its treatment, the cinematography, natural acting, stunning visuals...I am so looking forward to watching the remaining episodes.This is a China and people the world does not know much about beyond the news about unrest that trickles out to the world.
I had to pause at several places to start reading about Xinjiang, about Altay, about the Uyghur language and in just one episode the show is opening a window to China that outsiders like me barely know about.
I am hoping that as episodes pass by I can give higher scores to the story and overall to the show.
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