This review may contain spoilers
A frail story thats redeeming factor rests in the talent and effort of the cast.
This was a journey to watch, and not one which I care to say I found I enjoyed all the way through. It's not the show is bad, but it also isn't great either. Rather, it just isn't particularly memorable.
Let's start with some positives:
- The cast in this is not the problem. If anything, they are the biggest strength this drama has. Everyone is talented, and it is clear to see that they are doing what they can with what they've been given. Other than maybe one or two side characters that felt a bit out of place, I have no real complaints about any of the actors or actresses. If anything, the charm they brought to their roles is what kept me watching, and is going to make me want to dig into other dramas from the actors I haven't watched as much from before.
- Location and set designs were lovely.
- The side couple in this show are adorable, and I honestly wish we could have seen more of them and the story that was there for them.
- Lakaya's inspiration and how it's based on the West African country of Gabon is incredibly interesting to me, and it was nice to see something different like that in a drama. Gabon is also French speaking, and China has been sending medical teams to aid there since 1977. (https://kisskh.at/discussions/love-is-panacea/121233-shooting-locations-dates-and-some-other-considerations).
However, the show weighs more negatives for more than positives:
- I have not read the novel that this drama was based on, so I cannot speak on the novels' behalf. Yet in terms of the drama, I found that at many moments the plot was frustrating. For a story that's supposed to focus on Huntington's Disease, I felt like it was cheap. Rather than focusing on how it affects the familiar and those that suffer and carry the gene for themselves, or the story of the doctors work into finding a cure whilst hitting problems and obstacles, we spend a good chunk of the drama watching our antagonists make decisions and act in ways that just aren't believable for what the story is trying to tell us. I think I spent more time rolling my eyes at something either Du Yuncheng or Wen Ran had planned, because they just never quit!
- The main couple take a long time to finally get and stay together. Which would be fine, if by the time they do I wasn't already put off and resolute that honestly, both these characters probably deserved better than each other. Su Wei'an's actions are meant to show more her fear of entering a relationship when she knows she carries the gene for Huntington's and will one day succumb to the terrible disease, and while it is perfectly understandable why she would want to distance herself and the person she loves from the pain of that future, her actions become cruel towards him in the process. It's only when she thinks Gu Yunzheng has passed away that she understands the risk of happiness would have been worth the pain, but by that point it feels too little too late. Gu Yunzheng on the otherhand is just as frustrating, as rather than leaving Su Wei'an alone, he becomes determined to make her see reason in dating him. To the point that it becomes rather uncomfortable and pressuring.
- There are so many moments in this drama that just feel added in order to push the plot forward from a point where it hit a stalemate. The hospital pandemic that eventually has Gu Yunzheng and Su Wei'an together, for one. Characters that just appear to cause friction and drama for the couple and then disappear forever. Characters from the Lakaya plotline in the beginning that are just forgotten and never referred to again.
- The horrible way Su Wei'an's aunt just feels like she's there to show how far Du Yuncheng will abuse her desperation for help. She's *literally* only ever used a plot device to show he's smuggling her drugs that aren't signed off yet, or how he's using her to show good grace and abusing her condition to show how his own research is doing well. Like I don't think there is many moments in this show where Su Yuan is allowed to have some hope or happiness, her main reason for being there is as a tool.
This show could have been something really quite special, but instead it fell into the wasteland of 'dramas I watched one actor and that I will soon forget about'. If you're looking for a medical drama, there are many better and stronger ones out there. Only really check this out if you're really invested in doing so, otherwise, don't waste your time.
Let's start with some positives:
- The cast in this is not the problem. If anything, they are the biggest strength this drama has. Everyone is talented, and it is clear to see that they are doing what they can with what they've been given. Other than maybe one or two side characters that felt a bit out of place, I have no real complaints about any of the actors or actresses. If anything, the charm they brought to their roles is what kept me watching, and is going to make me want to dig into other dramas from the actors I haven't watched as much from before.
- Location and set designs were lovely.
- The side couple in this show are adorable, and I honestly wish we could have seen more of them and the story that was there for them.
- Lakaya's inspiration and how it's based on the West African country of Gabon is incredibly interesting to me, and it was nice to see something different like that in a drama. Gabon is also French speaking, and China has been sending medical teams to aid there since 1977. (https://kisskh.at/discussions/love-is-panacea/121233-shooting-locations-dates-and-some-other-considerations).
However, the show weighs more negatives for more than positives:
- I have not read the novel that this drama was based on, so I cannot speak on the novels' behalf. Yet in terms of the drama, I found that at many moments the plot was frustrating. For a story that's supposed to focus on Huntington's Disease, I felt like it was cheap. Rather than focusing on how it affects the familiar and those that suffer and carry the gene for themselves, or the story of the doctors work into finding a cure whilst hitting problems and obstacles, we spend a good chunk of the drama watching our antagonists make decisions and act in ways that just aren't believable for what the story is trying to tell us. I think I spent more time rolling my eyes at something either Du Yuncheng or Wen Ran had planned, because they just never quit!
- The main couple take a long time to finally get and stay together. Which would be fine, if by the time they do I wasn't already put off and resolute that honestly, both these characters probably deserved better than each other. Su Wei'an's actions are meant to show more her fear of entering a relationship when she knows she carries the gene for Huntington's and will one day succumb to the terrible disease, and while it is perfectly understandable why she would want to distance herself and the person she loves from the pain of that future, her actions become cruel towards him in the process. It's only when she thinks Gu Yunzheng has passed away that she understands the risk of happiness would have been worth the pain, but by that point it feels too little too late. Gu Yunzheng on the otherhand is just as frustrating, as rather than leaving Su Wei'an alone, he becomes determined to make her see reason in dating him. To the point that it becomes rather uncomfortable and pressuring.
- There are so many moments in this drama that just feel added in order to push the plot forward from a point where it hit a stalemate. The hospital pandemic that eventually has Gu Yunzheng and Su Wei'an together, for one. Characters that just appear to cause friction and drama for the couple and then disappear forever. Characters from the Lakaya plotline in the beginning that are just forgotten and never referred to again.
- The horrible way Su Wei'an's aunt just feels like she's there to show how far Du Yuncheng will abuse her desperation for help. She's *literally* only ever used a plot device to show he's smuggling her drugs that aren't signed off yet, or how he's using her to show good grace and abusing her condition to show how his own research is doing well. Like I don't think there is many moments in this show where Su Yuan is allowed to have some hope or happiness, her main reason for being there is as a tool.
This show could have been something really quite special, but instead it fell into the wasteland of 'dramas I watched one actor and that I will soon forget about'. If you're looking for a medical drama, there are many better and stronger ones out there. Only really check this out if you're really invested in doing so, otherwise, don't waste your time.
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