This review may contain spoilers
I've been anticipating this film since it was first announced because the storyline was so intriguing to me, especially as someone who loves the fantasy genre. Through the premise alone, I already had so many questions, the main one being, 'How did Sungmin become an adult over the course of the last few days?' First, this film is worth watching for the plot alone. The writer is extremely creative and he weaves in the 'fantasy elements' in an eloquent way. As a viewer, it felt realistic, as if it was something that could actually happen, despite the idea of it being so far-fetched. Another thing that is worth mentioning is that he examines the situation from different perspectives - how the average person would view their story (mentions of stockholm syndrome and other psychological analysis) versus how Soorin viewed Sungmin's story. It was extremely thought-provoking. There were comedic scenes, but also heart-wrenching scenes that made me tear up. It was well-paced and kept my attention throughout. I docked half a point for the story because I felt like a scene near the ending wasn't explained very well (it's either a loophole or something I need clarification on). But other than that, I had no qualms with the story.
Moving on to the acting/cast, I will emphasize this over and over again, they could not have chosen better actors for their roles. Kang Dongwon is absolutely impeccable as Sungmin. It's almost as if you are watching the thirteen year old boy Sungmin stuck in a man's body; as evidenced by the way he delivers his lines, the look of naïveté in his eyes, the tears of hurt, and feelings of guilt - in my opinion, no one could have played Sungmin better than him. Shin Eunsoo was the real surprise (as I'm a fan of KDW, so I already knew he would deliver). It's hard to believe this is her first role and she has little to any previous acting experience. She's so talented and her ability to emote is stellar. She has this wonderful ability to express a variety of emotions, and her friendship with Sungmin (the dynamic she had with both young/adult Sungmin) is what made this film so 'real' and beautiful to me (*mini spoiler: their code language was so special). Also, her chemistry with Kang Dongwon is so natural and inherently believable. The rest of the cast fit their roles well, especially Lee Hyoje as young Sungmin and his friends, they were adorable and hilarious at times, but you could also feel how conflicted they were to be in that situation.
The soundtrack fit the atmosphere of the film very well, but there wasn't a particular score that really captured my attention. However, the music did help with the buildup of intensity in certain scenes.
I will definitely rewatch this film, especially since I haven't seen anything else like it. But I also found it quite sad, so I think I'll pick it up again after some time.
Overall, objectively I'd rate it a 9.5/10. In terms of my subjective enjoyment of the film, I'd rate it a 10/10. Just a few additional comments I'd like to include, the cinematography is gorgeous and it really contributes to the mystical and melancholic vibe of the film. There are so many scenes that were filmed beautifully, such as close up shots of their eyes, Soorin's hair, the ocean - it was very artistic and aesthetically pleasing. I also thought the CGI was done well, especially the floating items, the scenes filmed in water, water droplets in the cave. It really felt as if time had stopped. Anyhow, this film is definitely worth the watch. It's hard for me to come up with the right words to describe it, but I guarantee that it's a gem. It left me wondering, if time has stopped for everyone else except for me, what would I do? And how would it affect the way I developed as a person?
Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned is a well-delivered, thought-provoking film with its own unique eccentric touch. Director and writer Uhm Taehwa astutely adds a touch of realism to this fantasy film.
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This drama really has me hooked from start to finish (I’m actually starting this review with still a week left, since I already know I have to write something , that’s how good it is)
Rain definitely carried this drama so well. I felt all of his emotions as Lee Jae Sang every time! Also seeing his desire to change, yet still be true to himself, it was great. Lee Jae Sang has become one of my favorite protagonist Kdrama characters.
This drama also has my most hated villains too! Not to spoil it, but I loved/hated them because of just how good and convincing they were it’s crazy!!! It actually makes me want to search out any other villain roles they might have been in and watch just for that lol!
I really felt every character was done really well. From Ra Shi On in both worlds showing her hard and soft side.
Lee Bo Na played by Lee Soo Ah is just amazing at only 5 years old! I’m so impressed, she was great, she just made me smile so much, cracking me up and loving her so much! Looking at her MDL profile she’s got some great supporting roles this year, wishing her all the best.
As for the story, it’s not exactly what I was expecting. It starts out really building up the first world, which is his own world and who he is as a person and his relationships. Then through a situation he’s in this alternate world. There is no jumping back and forth between worlds. He’s in the alternate world for a while, learning that he made different choices in this world which altered his path. When he truly begins to accept this new world, he is then back to his reality, where the rest of the story takes place. We see how his experience and time spent in the alternate world affects how he chooses to live going forward.
I’m actually glad it didn’t jump back and forth. I think it made all the emotions and realizations Lee Jae Sang had even more powerful because you understand that regardless of the alternate reality, he has only one life and this is it! What are you going to do with it? This life you are given.
Okay that’s the end of my pre-ending review. I’ll now write how I’m feeling after watching the last episodes...
So I just finished the last episode and I’m smiling. It truly felt complete and even tied up a major loose end. I’m usually a binge watcher, mainly because I easily drop dramas while waiting a whole week for the new episodes to be released. Not with this one. These last 2 months have been so enjoyable with this drama. Well done! I’ll definitely rewatch.
P.S. major shout outs to the subbers that had same day English subtitles, when an episode was released! Real MVPs!!
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The Changing Times
Fascinating, riveting, inspiring, and poignant. In my humble opinion, Our Times truly is a remarkably compelling and vividly presented drama that is very much deserving of attention and praise. It isn’t without flaws but it is still a worthwhile viewing experience as far as C-dramas are concerned. With a douban score of 8.3 at the time of writing, the rating certainly reflects the growing acclaim for this drama.Production Details
Brought to us by the production team of the popular drama Hikaru no Go, notably Liu Chang and Zhuo Yue Pao Mo who serve as main director and screenwriter respectively. Both of them specialise in slice-of-life, coming-of-age and friendship dramas including their collaboration on Somewhere Only We Know. In addition, Liu Chang helmed Dear Missy while Zhuo Yue Pao Mo had written the script for the highly rated My Huckleberry Friends, among others. This drama is co-director Ma Yiming’s directorial debut while five other screenwriters are involved namely Xu Yitian, Nan Difu, Hu Liping, Wang Shumin and Chen Xiao.
The screenplay is adapted from the novel Our Times (我们的时代) which was recently published in 2019. Written by Wang Qiang (王强), reportedly a leading figure for business novels in China, Our Times is a trilogy that focuses on chasing dreams, and the ups and downs of the new generation of entrepreneurs who ride the IT Internet wave from 1990 to 2018.
The Narrative
Our Times is set in China of the early 1990s against the backdrop of burgeoning economic growth and rapid IT development. The story spans the better part of the decade across multiple locations including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Foshan and Hong Kong (along with Illinois in the US). It focuses on the points of view of four main characters - university classmates and tech researchers Xiao Chuang and Pei Qin Hua, as well as their respective love interests Xie Hang and Tan Yuan. Combining slice-of-life with romance, bromance and light melodrama mainly within the workplace setting, the drama explores relationship dynamics between families, friends, lovers and co-workers as well as themes of office politics, industrial relations, the virtues of self-sacrifice, redemption and the courage to evolve in the pursuit of aspirations and happiness amidst the vicissitudes of life.
The storytelling is progressively paced and satisfyingly engaging with hardly a dull moment or substantial fillers. I particularly enjoy the seamless fusion of certain lighthearted instances along with subtle hints of levity as well as introspective and bittersweet scenes interspersed throughout with predominantly heartwarming undertones.
For a premise of this nature, there is no lack of angst and dramatics which is to be expected where the majority of these arcs are rather promptly and neatly resolved. My main issues with this drama stem from the script or adaptation of the source novel for certain sequences of events and the consistency of the characterization for specific characters. Without giving too much away, I’m not a fan of the noble idiocy trope and the associated extreme self-sacrificial acts of altruism in lieu of open and sincere communication to resolve issues… BUT, it’s quite a relief that the resulting grievances turn out to be somewhat short lived and do not detract from what has largely been an engrossing viewing experience.
It’s worth mentioning that elements of patriotism and nationalistic vibes in the plot are quite noticeable as far as locally-produced PCs versus international imports are concerned, but I think the historical representation is quite balanced to accurately reflect the growing trends of computing technology as well as the political sentiments in the era.
A couple of interesting facets to the plot - it’s not purely about computer designs and programming because a substantial proportion of the entrepreneurial efforts is focused on the marketing and sales aspects. Furthermore, the technology referred therein isn’t just about mainframes and personal computers but also emerging entertainment gadgets such as the LD and VCD technology. The transition of “old tech” to the technology that we are acquainted with, especially for viewers familiar with the era, is depicted with the perfect dose of realism.
The Production Quality and Technical Aspects
This is a well-made production in terms of the overall values, quality, and technical execution. The direction is generally commendable, despite discernible “contrived moments of acting” at certain points. The editing, scene transitions and sequencing of the narrative progression appear cohesive and relatively seamless. In terms of the cinematography, I appreciate the decent camerawork as well as the warm palettes and degree of colour grading applied which provides a cinematic feel to the production. Also on the subject of visual language, I quite like the inclusion of 90s stock footage in certain filler frames or B-reels throughout, which provides viewers with a sense of the atmospherics.
The art direction is superb through the use of authentic set designs and props that enhance the realism of the depiction. From the very first moment of this drama, I was hit by the wave of nostalgia arising from the overwhelming 90s pop culture references. From Sally Yeh and George Lam Cantonese songs to posters of a very young Chow Yun Fat, Andy Lau and countless others plastered all over the walls. The influence of Hong Kong in those days is made abundantly clear in this production. Other references to the time period include the huge mobile phones (aka “tai ko tai”), VHS player and video entertainment outlets, the cassette tape player and, of course, the computers themselves - the classic 486 PCs complete with the large monitors or Visual Display Units. The costuming aspect is quite realistic in general. For the character of Xiao Chuang, however, his dressing comes across as somewhat peculiar for a person with his background but it does reflect his flamboyant demeanour and swagger.
Cast and Characters
As the story unfolds and we learn more about each of the main characters, I find myself utterly immersed and invested in their characterization and growth through the multitudes of varying circumstances and events that they experience. In particular the two male leads, Xiao Chuang and Pei Qing Hua. Despite being infuriating at times to a certain extent, towards the conclusion of the story the maturity and wisdom that they eventually attain provide a palpable sense of redemption and achievement. Tan Yuan is interestingly written yet extremely believable and is my favourite female character in the drama. Xie Hang, on the other hand, feels a little inconsistent in places through her actions and behaviour. Nonetheless, each of the four characters possesses its own distinctive qualities and characteristics that combine well to fit the overall development of the story.
My second time seeing Wu Lei this year after The Long Ballad, he has certainly come a long way since Nirvana in Fire. I wouldn’t exactly call this his breakout role but it does feel that way. Such an exceptional portrayal of Xiao Chuang where his versatility in range truly ran me through the gamut of emotions. I honestly think his performance is the strongest among the cast largely because of his significant and dramatic character arc. As for Neo Hou, he showcases a hugely different side to his portrayal in Psych-Hunter and Lost Tomb 2 where he plays a complete boy scout here - pure, idealistic and noble to a fault - and he absolutely slays this role. Earnestly believable and endearing as Pei Qing Hua, he embodies the role effortlessly indeed. Wu Lei and Neo Hou together make this one of the best bromance partnerships in C-dramas.
My first time seeing both Julia Xiang and Mao Xiao Hui, where their performances are indeed worthy of praise. Julia’s portrayal of Tan Yuan is realistic and relatable where I can’t help but to root for her throughout. Her bubbly personality is the complete opposite of Neo Hou’s down-to-earth Pei Qing Hua but somehow this opposites attract type of relationship culminates in a convincing and organic chemistry that builds up naturally over the course of the story. Xiao Hui’s Xie Hang is the most understated yet nuanced of the female leads. There are so many layers to her character that she delicately brings to life in a slow-burn manner. As one of the two OTPs, Wu Lei and Xiao Hui share some of the most moving moments in the drama amidst the trials and tribulations that they both face.
As for the supporting cast, the veterans comprising Wang Xin Jun, Gai Hai Peng and Wen Zheng Rong deserve mention for playing Tan Qi Zhang, Lin Yi Min and Luo Li Hua respectively. Leewei, as Lydia (Xie Hang’s mentor at Interflow), delivers a powerful interpretation of an intriguing character despite her limited screen time. Wang Meng Li’s investigative journalist Shu Zhi Hong is another interesting characterization that probably deserves a side story or spin-off of her own.
Music
Fei Peng serves as music producer while Japanese composer Akiyama Sayuri composed two ending themes for the production, which are my favourites out of the total of five OSTs including the remake of Sally Yeh’s original, Walk Back to the Wind. Full listing as follows:
呼啸的风 Howling Wind by 侯明昊 Hou Ming Hao (Ending theme)
毫不保留 Without Reservations by 余佳运 Yu Jiayun (Ending theme)
潇洒走一回 Walk Back to the Wind by 孟佳 Meng Jia
一盏灯 A Light by 王栎鑫 Wang Lixin
燃烧的时代 The Burning Era by 袁野 Yuan Ye
谁能明白我 Who Can Understand Me by 林子祥 George Lam
Final Thoughts
Our Times presents an unforgettable journey of discovery by its captivating characters that is filled with beautiful romance and compelling camaraderie, while granting viewers a profound insight into the giddying heights of technological transformation and socio-economic transition in modern China back in the 1990s.
In case you’re wondering about the ending, there will definitely be a second season. The final episode ends on a cliffhanger so stay tuned for the sequel to wrap things up and, hopefully, give our four main characters a fitting closure. All things considered, it has been an incredibly absorbing and insightful viewing experience indeed and I absolutely recommend giving this drama a watch.
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“Tomorrow people will ask you why I died, so make sure to tell them"
The story revolves around Yeong Hee who’s accused of being the main motive of Kyeong Min’s suicide and disappearance, making the whole school betray her by bullying and assaulting her. It also follows Kyeong Min’s mother who also blames Yeong Hee for her daughters death.The movie touches on many negative subjects associated with high school students such as bullying and suicide.
STORY it was an extremely impactful story, it’s a movie that doesn’t hold back with the truth it gets to the nitty gritty of reality, throughout the movie it shows flashbacks of when Kyeong Min was still alive and shows the friendship between the two, the flashbacks were a key element to understanding the story better and adding significant backstory to the already heart wrenching story line
ACTING Can I just say the acting was phenomenal The actress of Kyeong Min’s mother showed the most prodigious acting in this movie, the amount of emotion displayed in her acting was breathtakingly melancholy, Also despite Yeong Hee’s character being quite an emotionless person the actress was superb at conveying emotions across to the audience.
MUSIC there was not a single piece of music played throughout not even at the ending, that is what I loved about this movie, the silent impact it left it made it seem real, in real life music won’t just overlay a moment, the silence made the atmosphere it didn’t need music to create an atmosphere it was already powerful, it also made it feel extremely realistic.
OVERALL I was really hesitant watching this movie due to the low score but I’m glad I gave it a chance, it isn’t lighthearted at the slightest, it shows real life social problems and people’s lives when they have no hope left,.
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This review may contain spoilers
this had so much potential....
the beginning was good but this show over time became kinda pointless... the whole time girl is tryingto save him from what? her father who gave up after they had a one minute argument about it. There was almost no romantic interactions between main two leads, only thing that was romantic was when he was in hospital and the last clip of the show.... if you think him following her is romantic you are in some weird shit. At some points i even forgot who was the "main couple". Honestly kinda waste of time but it was short so i continued watching till the end. Cast attractive but their acting was really cringy im sorry if u love these actorsWas this review helpful to you?
Overall, I just want to say that I like the this drama is not as bright and cheery as the Korean version. It has a darker tone, which I think only helps to sell its story. This is BY FAR, my favorite version of BOF (I've seen all the versions including the Mainland Chinese one) and I'm an advocate of almost every aspect of this drama. I do, of course, suggest that you watch the first season before you start this one: you will appreciate the characters so much more. :)
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- Lev Tolstoy
I hope you can forgive me if my penchant for quotes invades a review. I have watched Osozaki no Himawari some time ago and loved it but never came around to write a review for it. Then I stumbled upon the words of Tolstoy and was immediately reminded of it.
The essence of this drama is, ultimately, the pursuit of happiness. It shows how this last can be found in the most unexpected places, with the most random people, doing things we would never have taken into consideration, if we hadn't been forced to do so by the circumstances.
The simple message this drama tries to send is beautifully conveyed, thanks to a wonderful cast that creates lovely characters and warms the heart. Ikuta Toma is perfect for the part: he's goofy and reasonable at the same time, I'd say he is the new element that unconsciously brings an otherwise sleepy community to a new life, while he himself learns to adapt and understand.
Jotaro's interactions with Kahori, wonderfully portrayed by a talented Maki Yoko are priceless, and their phone conversations are the sweetest thing ever. "Ore ore" will remain in my memory for a long time.
What makes this drama so special, besides the adorable ensemble of characters, is the cinematography. Perhaps the Shimanto River Region is so beautiful one doesn't need to be a particularly skilled photographer to capture its charm on screen; whatever the case, the end result is stunning. If the intention of this drama direction was to promote the region, I must say they succeded: when I finally visit Japan, it will be one of the first places I put on my itinerary.
The music is lovely too, and I agree with Sewitches that the idea of having the whole cast sing the leitmotif is brilliant.
If you are the type of person who feels at ease in the countryside, who finds happiness in small things, this drama will appeal to you. On the other hand, if you need the dizziness of crowded cities with a lot of events going on, it may not. This is a relaxing trot, not a wild gallop.
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Sweet 18 is about an arranged marriage between an 18 year old sassy high school girl named Yoon Jung-Sook and a 28 year old Prosecutor named Kwan Hyuk-Joon. Fun fact: The two main leads actually dated in real life. Also this drama was Han Ji Hye's first leading role.
The drama begins with two traditional elder men in the early to mid 1980s and the two make a contract stating that their grandchildren will marry each other. When the contract is signed, the two old men start to laugh like they just planned something sinister which made me laugh along with them. Fast forward eighteen years later and then the story begins...
Lets start off with Jung-Sook. She's the type of girl that doesn't care about school, has no interest in college, and generally just likes to go clubbing and drinking with her friends (much to the dismay of her mother played by veteran actress Kim Hae Sook). One day her and her friends decide to skip school and end up being chased by one of the school guards. They end up separating and Jung-Sook runs into a man (Hyuk-Joon) who is wearing a hanbok. She falls to the ground and is about to make a rude comment but is instantly frozen in her spot. Hyuk-Joon stands there holding up a fan that is blocking the lower half of his face and Jung-Sook just stays on the ground... mesmerized by him and watches as he walks away. If you can't tell what just happened then I'll say that she just fell in love.
It sounds cheesy, and it is, but its a good kind of cheesy that makes you chuckle. Jung-Sook is relatively the same for the first couple of episodes and even though she can be sarcastic and naive at times there's just this charm about her that I can't really explain. She just grows on you and you end up liking her nonetheless. Even though she's only 18 years old and has no real experience with relationships, let alone marriage, you admire her for the fact that she is willing to try and make matters work. Her relationship with Hyuk-Joon's grandfather, who refuses to wear anything else but a hanbok, is cute as both scheme different ways to make Hyuk-Joon a proper husband.
Now we go to Hyuk-Joon. The man is all about work and no nonsense. He remembers the first time he encountered Jung-Sook. But, he remembers the event in a very different way. Instead of her being frozen and gazing upon him, he remembers her berating him and shooing him away. As they say, there are two sides to every story. Both of them have to have the truth in there... right? Right. Hyuk-Joon rebels against the marriage in the beginning stating that arranged marriages are outdated. But he loses out to Jung-Sook's persistence and does it to appease his grandfather's wishes. When the two get married, he's not the greatest husband in the world and makes up excuses to avoid going to bed with Jung-Sook.
Now you're probably saying "What kind of marriage is this?!". Well, here comes along grandpa to set matters straight. You really do have to love the grandfather in this drama. He's the one that knocks sense into those that are too stubborn to work matters through.
There is one thing that I have to say about Hyuk-Joon. Despite the fact that he wasn't fond of the idea of marriage, let alone with a rebel girl like Jung-Sook, he respects it. How? There's a part in the drama where his ex-girlfriend Moon Ga Young (played by Lee Da Hae) makes an appearance and becomes a supporting character for the rest of the drama. She's upset with the fact that he doesn't want to talk with her or hang out. And he tells her this (more or less) "I don't want to be seen with you without my wife. I don't want her to be hurt." From there on I respected him and enjoyed the events that lead up to him finally realizing that he truly does love Jung-Sook and that he was just being Mr.Stubborn.
There are parts of the drama that are over the top (specifically some fight scenes) and I'm sure some of you will roll your eyes at them but I found it all in good fun. I can't really say if there is anything that I disliked about the drama. I was entertained from beginning to end. Essentially the whole story is about two opposites who try and work out their differences within their marriage and see what it truly means to love and respect one another.
The supporting characters are fun to see and watch like Hyuk-Joon's older sister and his best friend Jongchan(who likes to poke fun at Hyuk-Joon's marriage but nevertheless respects it). You'll probably find his sister and ex-girlfriend annoying for a time though as they keep butting into the marriage.
The music is kinda crazy but catchy. I can hear the main theme playing in my head at the moment.
Overall, give the drama a chance and I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Hope you all enjoyed this long review!
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This review may contain spoilers
A Decent Watch - Came for WXY, Stayed for… Well, Mostly WXY
Shadow Detective was a decent effort, and the show was carried almost entirely by WXY’s performance. He was easily the strongest part of the drama for me—not only because of his effortless good looks and charisma, but because he keeps expanding his acting range as he takes on more projects. This was his first attempt at a Republican-era drama, and he showed that he has the star quality to headline more shows in this genre. He looked especially sharp in his three-piece suits as Inspector Guan Cen.For a show with a low budget, the costumes were good. The men looked dapper in their suits and mandarin-collar outfits, and the ladies were lovely in their qipaos and Western-style clothing of the era. The sets were also fine and the props looked authentic to that era. The OST, on the other hand, was not memorable.
Since this is a shorter-length web series, I can forgive the plot shortcuts and inevitable holes, but the main storyline was much too predictable. It honestly felt like the director and writer wanted viewers to identify the villains early. Whenever a character who ultimately turned out to be bad appeared, the camera lingered, the lighting shifted, and ominous music kicked in. By episode 19, every one of my guesses—including the final villain’s identity—was correct simply because the show was not subtle about handing out clues.
On the flip side, there were also cases where the culprits came out of nowhere with little or no buildup. Not surprisingly, I liked those more. Even though viewers didn’t get any chance to guess, at least the writers injected some unpredictability into the story. What kept me watching was mostly WXY and the police investigation aspect. I wanted to see how they would catch the villains, and that part stayed engaging.
One memorable antagonist was a villain who smiled through everything and seemed almost impossible to defeat. He reminded me a bit of Jaws, a James Bond villain —minus the metal teeth, but with the same “you can’t kill me” vibe. It took an impressive amount of plot armor for our leads to finally bring him down.
The dynamic between Guan Cen (ML) and Du Ling Feng (SML) was one of the highlights. They had great chemistry, and I wish the show had given them more scenes solving cases together. Their teamwork—half serious detective work, half comedic bickering—deserved a lot more screen time. Dong, Dr. Ding, and Chief Huo also added their own flavor and kept things entertaining. If we could get a spin-off, I would want one focusing on the ML and SML’s bromance while they take down bad guys.
As for the FL, Lu Yi Zhen… most of her scenes had me rolling my eyes hard. I don’t think the character was written or portrayed very well. The actress seemed to interpret “tough” as “abrasive” at first, and “looking intelligent or serious” as keeping a constant, frowning, constipated look. The FL may be smart, but the show kept putting her in situations that made her look incompetent in the field. More than once for each of the following: she got drugged, dragged away (because she can only act tough with the ML), exposed while spying, and generally needed to be rescued multiple times—usually by the ML or SML. One bad guy even had to give her a break by literally handing her a clue because she couldn’t get it on her own.
The good news is that the character (not necessarily the acting) did improve in the last four episodes, and she ended the show on a better note for me.
Overall, despite the predictability and an FL who didn’t quite land for me, I would still recommend the drama—especially if you’re here for WXY. He made the watch worthwhile.
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The chemistry is very strong, the value of the drama brought upon is very strong and the acting is very realistic and believe. It will make you mesmerized in the character and the story. Even tough the plot is very heartbreaking but it carried itself with light hearted and have funny moments too.
One beautiful piece. Among my top favorite.
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E.T. on Pheromones
This series is a must see for lovers of fantasy and office romance . Some scenes are so hilarious I’ve rewatched them already, but the story seems to be written with lots of liquor aside.Plot
One evening an alien and her secretary get stuck on planet Earth, they transform into the earthy shape of a girl and a turtle. They rescue a man after a car crash, but their device that beams them up to their planet gets lost in the proces. So the search for this device begins, leading them to a lot of encounters with other humans.
If you think this story is pretty standard, take that: whenever this alien girl smells male hormones she looses control, wanting to sniff and fondle men all over the place, which brings her to a party with pretty samples in a night club. There she befriends the performing artist who turns out to be the younger brother of the unknown man she rescued. This car crash victim seems totally recovered, a rich and famous CEO from a perfume company who's involved in a power struggle. He’s a handsome cold man who turns warm whenever the alien girl touches his chest. Could it be his heart or something else? Moreover this CEO has amnesia caused by some trauma in his past that lets him forget all his girlfriends as soon as it rains outside. Last but not least he has an intended who is as cold blooded as he is, but somehow obsessed with marrying him. What follows is a chain of events leading to office drama and a love square, between the alien girl, the CEO, his brother and the fiancée. Will they all get what they wanted in the end?
The Good
Thanks to the alien theme this story seems more playful and fresh than the usual Chinese romcoms. Agreed, this show has all the k-c drama clichés, the arrogant CEO with a psychic disorder, his antagonistic family, a rich girl who wants to marry him, and a bubbly girl who turns his world upside down…but the difference is this alien girl acts way more sexy and bold towards the men she feels attracted to. It's funny to let pheromones play a crucial part in the encounter with an extra-territorial being, especially the pheromones of a CEO from a perfume company. I also love the conflicted feelings of this cold CEO who tries to keep up appearances but longs to be touched as well.
Actors Wan Peng and Hsu Thassapak are made for this romcom, they are funny and sexy, although their kisses were a bit lackluster with their lips stuck together in pause mode.
The other actors are also good, especially Alina Zhang, known from her role as the Fire Princess in Ice Fantasy.
The Bad
The problem with this show, and Chinese series in general, is the lack of a sound plot. My guess is this is due to the strict maintaining of marketing formulas, and drama censure. Chinese writers prefer to copy-paste certain censure-proof elements, that were successful before with other audiences. This causes a whirlwind of funny scenes, pasted together, but it fails to deliver a sound closure, leaving several loopholes and questions unanswered. Moreover it's a pity that our feisty heroine changes midway into the traditional role model for females. She suddenly acts shy when a man reacts physically to her own attraction techniques. But...
Verdict
..if you leave your brain on the shelf, don’t mind an unclear story or statement about men/women roles in society, you will love this series. The actors are adorable, there are plenty of funny scenes and Hsu Thassapak is a good singer.
*UPDATE
Did you know that the voice of Fang Leng is dubbed by the same voice actor as Lan Wangji in The Untamed? Now I know :-)
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What I didn't like was how complicated the simple revenge plot kept getting. She just needed to seek revenge I don't know why people had to go back and forth about what they knew about each other. Near the end It should have built more on what they wanted than to add in the "running away" not running away filler.
What I disliked the most was that everyone seemed Repulsed by Sa Geum Ran, I wish, especially with Han Tae Hee that he would not have been repulsed by her in her "original" form.
Over all though I actually thought it was a pretty good drama overall. Fun, cute and even a little intriguing. The acting was very good, loved and hated almost all the characters. The story had weak points that needed some filler, but it wrapped up well.
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I was inspired to watch Our Happy Time because of Kang Dong Won, recently I became interested in his movies.
What can I say, the story, cast and music are all great. I'm listening it right now, maybe it's not good because it makes me wanna cry more and more...
When I saw the title I though it will be just a silly love story. And after watching this movie I felt so betrayed. I wasn't ready for this kind of emotions that this movie put me through. How to love and forgive how to cherish life and enjoy someones company, how to smile and cry - this movie is all about that and much more. I highly recommend re-watching this movie over and over again.
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