First of all, I am a big fan of the original Korean version. I really liked it. It was one of my first dramas ever watched, so I have very emotional relationship with that one. Thats why I was kind of worried, when I started this one. Because make-overs are usually not that good as originals.
Usually - but not always!
Actually, this version is great! It uses the original Full House plot in a good and very innovative way. Its not just a copy of the original, but it spices it up and re-creates it in its own way. And it works very well!
About characters and acting - this was my first thai drama, so I really didnt know any actors. But they totally won me over really qiuckly. Both leads are really cute and lovable. And their chemistry is exceptional! They have so many cute / funny / lovely / romantic scenes that will make your heart race! I will say just one thing to that... you will never look at an ice-cream the same way after watching this drama :D
As for side characters (overly nice and hansome second guy, bitchy second girl, annoying main girls friends, main guys parents ect.). I didnt really pay attention to them and thankfully, they didnt get much scrren time. Most of it was just the main leads, which made this drama exceptionally good.
I admit, that I sometimes skip some boring scenes in dramas. However, I didnt skip anything while watching FH thai. If I should compare between the original and thai version, they are even for me. They are very different yet I love them both the same. I will definatelly recommend this drama to everyone! (even to those, who watch only korean dramas)
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This review may contain spoilers
how good is it? well...it’s a long story...一两句说不清楚
my review is split into two parts: (i) the first part is a spoiler free review for those who are looking for a general recommendation, (ii) the second is a more comprehensive breakdown with spoilers that contains production details and tidbits gleamed from interviews with the actors, director, scriptwriter, casting director, etc. that might be interesting to those who have watched and enjoyed this drama.Part 1 - Recommendation
based on script and directing alone, this is the best chinese webdrama i’ve seen this first half of 2021 and, while not perfect in execution, it is subjectively my favorite ancient setting suspense drama since nirvana in fire. i didn’t skip a single scene and even rewatched episodes twice or three times to make sure i got every detail (for someone who wanted to be a detective as a kid, this exercised my brain in the most enjoyable way).
after being used to webdramas with unnecessary storylines, useless characters, uninteresting secondary pairings to fill time (the amount i haven’t fastforwarded are in the low tens), this was a well-appreciated surprise. anything unnecessary is excised, the plot does not drag, no one is dumb for no reason just to extend plot. chekhov’s gun (the dramatic principle every detail within a story must contribute to the overall narrative) absolutely applies - even a slightly longer than normal focus on a particular person, action, or prop indicates it will likely be referenced later (see footnote 1 for details/spoilers). it’s fascinating to see how every single case contributes, like a set of keys on a ring, to the larger culminating plot. from an audience’s perspective, the mystery/detective part of the story is really enjoyable - you can literally follow along with the clues (question everything because it will all be answered!) and try to solve the larger mysteries along with the cast. importantly, the script doesn’t try to be too smart in tricking its audience - if you’re looking for more of an easy watch, everything will end up well-explained; if you’re looking to involve yourself in the mystery and pay attention to subtle clues, you’ll be rewarded with answers (see footnote 1).
i also like that it’s a “warm” drama with heart - while the story begins from betrayal and advances with high stakes, it is not so involved in its seriousness that the audience is buried in continual stress. lighter moments are sprinkled throughout providing humor (actually funny in a dry kind of way - like that darn omnipotent spoon) and emotional touch points - complementing and enriching its core story (see end of episode 21, which absolutely floored me in how beautiful it was presented). i’m reminded of nirvana in fire, where in midst of bleakness and intrigue, heroes remain heartbreakingly good, and where the story is focused but also balanced and colorful. if you’re looking for a great detective story, if you’re looking for a historically driven plot, if you’re looking for comedy, if you’re looking for an ensemble cast with great chemistry, you will find it all here.
on that final point, i love that characterization of the main cast and various side role, as well as their relationships, are all so well-developed - the villain cohorts are multi-dimensional and fun to watch (instead of just the usual cartoonishly evil), the female lead and female second are so, so supportive of each other (instead of competitive/jealousy), the various brotherhoods are sweet, even the parent-children relationships are touching and humane (instead of oppressive/overbearing). on romance, it’s a mix of slow burn (with small cute moments sprinkled throughout) and straightforwardness (with misunderstandings cleared up in hours) that is refreshing to see in chinese dramaland and feels very realistic. there’s also a subtle epic dimension to the main couple’s romance some alert viewers may come to realize (see footnote 2 for spoiler).
as for “failings”, this is a small budget drama (more on this in part 2), which is apparent in production, acting, and the ending episodes. the emperor basically never leaves his own room, he never attends court, he has no empress or concubines or female servants. the casting director mentioned casting was especially constrained by cost because they wanted to focus their budget on production - and so the main pair of actors are very green (this drama was basically a graduation gift [from beijing film academy] for both of them) although tolerable for their roles; they along with the rest of the cast were paid below market. many of the supporting casts were essentially cameos due to their relationships with the director and the production team, and extras were all staff. tencent also only allowed 36 episodes (in the beginning they were only given 24!) so the last 6 episodes were noticeably rushed - logic breaks down, we lose some of that emotional underlay that carried the first parts, and pacing went into overdrive. given how intelligent the show had been up to that point, it makes sense an outer force caused the deterioration in standard. i can almost hear the production team’s discussion - instead of lowering quality across board, they decided to make sure as many episodes were as good as they can get. but these are all “failings” by a higher standard than i normally would accord the typical chinese webdrama, and they did not greatly affected my viewing experience.
as for comparative dramas, madam holmes, miss truth, under the power, i’ve fallen for you, and honey don’t run away are similar in genre but they have rather weak detective plotlines that are more vehicles for romance - it’s almost the opposite here. young blood and the plough department of song dynasty are closer in being balanced and having great cast chemistry. i also have ancient detective and nirvana in fire in mind in being well-rounded suspense dramas featuring honest, good storytelling.
footnote 1: a few examples: (1) i was puzzled why the dancer didn’t kill herself right after she was caught (unlike other assassins) considering she had the poison on her from the beginning. we later learn yan ming’s death was intended to draw attention to duke chang’s existence so then it made sense she lived long enough to make sure they find the scroll; (2) mr. xue was suspicious from the start - we see him constantly feeding and taking care of fishes (the chinese word for fish being similar to jinyu’s name) as if he was playing/controlling jinyu; the antique owner also used “fish” as code for jinyu so one can deduce he and mr. xue were cohorts; various references to his separation from the emperor by a screen point to his state of being so close yet far away from capturing the throne; (3) the story doesn’t even waste a dog - it is used to show jinyu’s intelligence in the beginning and then much later to find chu he.
footnote 2: as the son of a general and daughter of the general’s right hand man, jinyu and chu chu would have grown up together from childhood (青梅竹马) if not for the eunuchs’ meddling. that they still ended up with each other in the end, despite and because of that past, gives a beautiful, fated quality to their relationship.
Part 2 - Background and Details
*more spoilers ahead
this webdrama became more atypical the more i dug into its history and production background. i had fun researching, and thought i would share.
as most know, this webdrama is based on a webnovel. i read a bit of it and basically there’s no correlation besides some similar names and roles. it almost feels like a juvenile, romance-focused fanfiction version of the drama. the web novelist (qingxian yatou/清闲丫头) and another young female scriptwriter (qian xiaobai/钱小白), as newcomers to scriptwriting, took three years to slowly grind the bones of the webnovel into script.
during this time, the director’s (lou jian (楼健)) contribution was invaluable. he was xiaobai’s teacher and guided their process. the scriptwriters said it was almost like homework with the completed drama their graduation project - lou jian taught them how to ground the story in history (the webnovel doesn’t reference any specific eras but the drama is set in late tang dynasty) which steered the plot direction, to revise the script in endless iterations, to round out existing and create new characters (like using qin luan’s obsession with hair to show his inner ambitions; xiao heng, a driving force behind the emotional impact of the drama, wasn’t even in the webnovel).
lou jian also became their director due to his earlier tutelage. as a well-respected older director whose other works all have been formal dramas (mostly spy/war oriented) for tv stations (as opposed to lighter idol-esque webdramas most international audiences are familiar with), this was also a new experience. he mentioned chances to direct webdramas aren’t usually given to older directors (he was born in 1967) because younger ones are seen as more in touch with the youthful demographics webdramas are targeted at.
but i think this symbiotic relationship between younger female scriptwriters and an older, more traditional director end up being key to the drama’s success. lou jian helped shape it out of an otherwise dime-a-dozen romance-driven webdrama it would have been, and gave it foundation in traditional storytelling and directing techniques - for example, he insisted on candle lighting for night scenes, better suited to the drama’s historical nature and suspenseful atmosphere than harsh artificial lighting which are usual webdramas’ bread and butter.
at the same time, he respected his scriptwriters and other younger workers’ thoughts. the two writers added modern details about women’s struggle in the world, values, and viewpoints (“girls saving girls is the most natural thing in the world”/“女子保护女子是天经地义的呀“). during a romantic scene in which jinyu delicately lifted chu chu’s chin with fingertips, lou jin debated whether to go with a more aggressive approach and was course-corrected by the female staff on the set. he kept a scene where jinli hugged jinyu out of concern (one of the best cp’s in the drama) because of the excitement it caused a young female staff.
so many others contributed. the editor’s decision to not cut the background music at the end of episode 21 was pure genius. certain parallel edits (between jinyu’s tea-making and chu chu’s examination; between mr. xie/mr. jing’s chess match and jinyu/jinli’s chess match) and the use of different title sequences to break up the story arcs were also great. the actors filmed everything without stunt doubles. they performed the actual fight scenes, the fire scene, the outdoor water scenes in the middle of winter.
as mentioned, this drama was poor and affected by tencent’s meddling which led to some quality failings in production and storytelling towards the ending arc. originally, the drama was supposed to be even shorter, at 24 episodes, which would have been more comfortable for their budget. but their production company did not want lose important details to the cases and characters, so it became a painful process of counting coins and cutting scenes to meet the 36 episode requirement. originally jinli was supposed to have a love line; editing at the end suggests many scenes were taken out. their production team mentioned how much they envied the scale of other dramas that were filming alongside them at the studio (“a 3,000 yuan wig and a 200 yuan wig are not the same”). the director had to fight for every additional change, and spent his lunch hours figuring out how optimize costs with the production team.
that they can tell a story this great (albeit not perfect) with all the limitations seems almost superhuman. i also appreciate what they did focus their budget on. the female lead doesn’t have pretty clothing and makeup, which wouldn’t be true-to-life for her status (but seems de rigeur in other webdramas). but production did decide to relocate shooting (very expensive) from the studio (hengdian) to hubei, china for the qianzhou arc, to make the scenes more realistic.
their efforts were well rewarded. despite its tiny budget, unknown stars, and no pre-show publicity, the drama managed to stay at the top of the datawin list of popular shows during its run. the two leads entered vlinkage’s top 20 list for media coverage (in midst of intensely popular traffic stars). reporting that the leads couldn’t promote the drama because they were revising their graduation theses trended to the top of weibo. its viewership, based on tencent’s numbers only, started at near 1 million views per day and climbed to 35 million (totaling almost half a billion) on the day its running ended for vip/fast-track viewers. su xiaotong even went back into costume to film a new ad insert for the show. review-wise, it started at an 8.1 and climbed to an 8.4 on douban as of its final airing for vip/fast-track viewers, which is equivalent to a crown in chinese webdrama land.
even with all its successes, i had a constant question while watching the imperial coroner - would it have been as great with a larger budget? or could it have achieved even more success with a larger budget? imagine if it kept its quality and had 4 or 6 more episodes to fill in the ending arc - the potential for an unquestionably perfect drama was within reach; production tried its hardest amidst unimaginable constraints. but maybe if tencent had put its eye on it from the start, they might have been forced to use traffic stars with their diva demands, to fill the script with nonsense and extend the plot unnecessarily, to hire a director that’s younger and more “in touch”, to be less than the very genuine story it is today.
i have a tiny hope platforms can learn the right things from this drama’s success (alongside other recent small budget/well-scripted shows that have blew up and beat out extravagant shows driven by traffic stars). at its core, dramas are about storytelling and the audience shows it responds to those who show sincerity in telling a great story.
- rrenaace
——
sources:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzU0NTA3ODkyNw==&mid=2247495456&idx=1&sn=fd33c0477b3aa1d4aae58ad792da07d1&chksm=fb70c4c0cc074dd669cb5f1bb85b4f2d754ed482e5dd022bd8f71e9787acd157dd80ef31821e&dt_dapp=1#rd
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/nh7FP7OwICoaIpfpgM5PWQ
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzAwNDk2NDc5OQ==&mid=2247506241&idx=1&sn=bb4ac0ba209664b88fbe64b2ae1dee88&chksm=9b217191ac56f8874ab0c3952ef3a903cd80b46c958516b275143fca39f7fa8a1760448e0cc5&dt_dapp=1#rd
https://share.api.weibo.cn/share/223656447.html?weibo_id=4637132620828147
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/eFFjb_m1ktNAZYY9nb93OA
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzU1NDgwMTY3MA==&mid=2247513218&idx=1&sn=7136df7812f0ff74f7b425c378408083&chksm=fbdcfbebccab72fd337c6004e74b9d2d49ed5d14af00258097fc3daa41539a5f6fa6c63a70db&dt_dapp=1#rd
https://k.sina.cn/article_5737990122_15602c7ea01900sopz.html?from=ent&subch=oent&sinawapsharesource=newsapp&wm=3200_0024
https://www.douban.com/group/topic/227310396/?dt_dapp=1
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This review may contain spoilers
When the Only Way Forward Is....Acting
Double is a tour-de-force of acting and writing for the small screen. Chiba Yudai and Nagayama Kento disappear into the roles of two struggling stage actors, a mentor and a mentee. The ten-episode script by Yoshida Erika, a co-writer of Cherry Magic, focuses on a period in the two characters’ weirdly co-dependent relationship when the career of the younger actor begins to eclipse that of his mentor. Chiba plays Takarada Takara, who begs to join a penurious theater company after randomly catching one of their plays on a rainy day. Nagayama plays Kamoshima Yujin, an established actor befuddled by the awkward oddball’s request to upend his life and join the troupe. Eventually seeing in Takara a potential for acting greatness, Yujin agrees to take him on. That summary accounts for the first episode, but the second leaps seven years forward in their relationship. By that time, Yujin has become not only Takara’s mentor, but also his closest companion, defacto manager, and personal warden. Chiba and Nagayama inhabit the inner and outer worlds of their characters, as Yoshida’s deft script plumbs the psyche and pathos of their friendship.
Episodes Two through Seven depict the deep connection between Yujin and Takara following those seven unseen years. Their bond fuses the professional and the personal. The duo block acting roles together. They study filmed works of famous actors. They occupy adjacent rooms in a ramshackle dwelling. Because Takara has some sort of reading impediment, Yujin steers their acting process. Because Takara evinces no interest in household chores, Yujin cooks and launders for both. Because Takara loses track of details, Yujin nannies him to ensure he arrives at his appointments. Mostly symbiotic, the dynamic contains dysfunction. When sent to auditions on his own, Takara becomes easily overwhelmed. To cope, he conjures an imaginary version of Yujin, and the specter proffers advice to fit the circumstances. It’s fair to say that both Yujins—the real one and the avatar—own considerable real estate between Takara’s ears.
Change disrupts the established pattern of their comfortable routine when Takara’s career begins to flourish. He secures flashy acting gigs in TV dramas, in commercials, and, most notably, in an arty film directed by a high-profile auteur. Meanwhile, struggling to survive between acting gigs, Yujin languishes as a short-order cook. Success splits the pair. Famous Director resents the unheralded Yujin (or the conjured specter of Yujin) influencing his actor’s on-film decisions. New colleagues question and undermine their closeness. A fresh, professional management agency whisks Takara away to a new living arrangement. On the strength of these novel outside influences, Takara begins to blossom into both a functioning, independent adult and an actor confident enough to make his own performative choices. He is evicting Yujin from his headspace.
The series’ title references two usages of the word “double” in the acting profession. Both usages allow Yoshida’s script to delve into the mental world of each lead character. In the process, Yoshida offers viewers a veritable seminar in performance studies. First, “doubling” is a rehearsal practice in which one actor rehearses their scenes with an actor who won’t actually play the part onstage. The substitute’s job is to double the performance of the absent actor, thereby enabling the scene partner to hone their own portrayal. The technique requires the double to understand the motivations not only of the character, but also of the actor whose performative choices they must emulate. A secondary usage of double, “double-casting”, refers to the practice of having two actors alternate performances in the same role. During their seven years in the theater company, Yujin often employed both senses of doubling as techniques to help teach Takara the craft of acting or to learn his lines in myriad plays. Doubling one another became second-nature by the time outside forces intervened in their dynamic.
Episode Eight features a second time jump, merely six months this time, a period in the pair’s lives when Takara’s success has led to the duo’s near complete estrangement. Having broken her characters apart, Yoshida’s script now must bring them back together ahead of the looming series finale. An instance of doubling, when Yujin fills in for Takara’s co-star in a new theater production, provides the catalyst for the duo’s reunion, both professional and personal. During that rehearsal, the play’s director marked not only Yujin’s own considerable talent as an actor, but also the way his portrayal of the part elevated Takara’s performance. Recognizing that ineffable spark between two performers, the director unceremoniously dumps the actor previously cast. Due to this play’s difficult subject matter, she also seizes Yujin’s addition to the company as an opportunity to reimagine her version of the production. Henceforward, Yujin and Takara will alternate roles. For the characters, the double-casting amounts to regression: having just attained independence, the two will once again become doubles to one another. The final trilogy of episodes explore the repercussions of the director’s double choices. Takara seems to value his fledgling self-sufficiency, and initially he resists the latter’s reinsertion into his life. How he handles the mental crisis created by this development drives the plot in those final three episodes. But is his emotional opposition to Yujin’s casting merely professional anxiety?
The dynamic between Takara and Yujin contains a subtle sexual tension that burbles beneath the surface for the first seven of the ten episodes. Takara’s attraction to Yujin (previously unspoken but implied a few times) erupts into the open in Episode Eight. That verbal outburst proved one-sided, and neither character dwells on the romantic tension in the penultimate episode. The issue ripples through the finale, but primarily as an accent to the character arc, not to flavor the story arc. “I want your everything. Your voice, your eyes, your hand, your foot, everything,” Takara confesses in the Finale. At first blush (and one wants to after hearing the raw, soul-baring need inherent to those words), Takara aims that confession at Yujin. But on consideration, flesh-and-blood Yujin was not there. The confession went to the conjured Yujin in Takara’s head, which means Takara really said that to himself. So it’s an open question whether Takara is asking something of Yujin in absentia or exhorting himself to get his act together. In context, the words come across less as an expression of romantic desire and more as a lost soul’s yearning for connection.
That any sexual attraction arises at all creates a temptation for some viewers to classify the whole series as BL; yet, Double frankly lacks most of that genre’s telltale tics. I cannot fathom the series even aspires to be seen as BL.* If Double never reads as BL, it likewise never reads as LGBTQ+. Its mostly-latent queer tensions never drive any story arc. For these reasons, the stunted gay storyline does not represent a betrayal of the queer sexual tension in the story or of the characters themselves. Queerbaiting, this story is not. Double does offer a beguiling exploration into the friendship bond between two men, a product of one’s need to find greatness and the other’s…need. Everything else, including the putative romance, proves incidental to the other business this series aimed to portray.
Yoshida’s strong focus on character makes Double compelling television. Watching Takara and Yujin—or Takara and Specter Yujiin—takes viewers on a journey that nearly fractures reality. While doubling during rehearsals, the actors explain their performative choices to one another and, by extension, to the audience. This recurrent doubling in Double offers ample opportunity for Yoshida to comment upon the theory and psychology of performativity, the psychology of friendship, the psychology of co-dependency, and the psychology of suppressed attraction. Those scenes where Yujin and Takara explain their acting choices to one another offer viewers a window into the characters’ innermost thoughts. This device of having the characters speak aloud what’s on their minds echoes an earlier series on which Yoshida contributed as screenwriter, Cherry Magic. In that series, two characters acquire the ability to read minds, allowing the inner thoughts of other characters to be shared with the audience via dialog spoken aloud. Double dispenses with Cherry Magic’s fantastical whimsy, replacing the wizards’ mind-reading with a masterclass on how actors create their portrayals. In both series, this added insight into how the important characters think during important moments helped make the characters vivid and memorable; their stories, plausible and impactful. Primarily a character study powered by a provocative script, powerhouse acting (especially from Chiba), and competent direction, Double achieves an echelon of thoughtful brilliance few other series can aspire to match.
Easter Egg: In episode 9, a poster for the play reveals the dates and venues for the performances in 2024. Make plans now!
*-- The class of BL fans who consume the genre just to watch a fluffy story wherein two handsome men kiss will want to skip this series. Double does not deliver what they seek. The class of BL fans who enjoy their same-sex romances accompanied by intelligent dialog, adult drama, or insight into the human condition will consider Double a mixed bag. If such fans can overlook the minimal same-sex romancing, then those other attributes will reward their dedication to watching. The class of BL fans who enjoy a quality drama because it's a quality drama will simply be pleased.
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I finally got around to watching 71: Into the Fire. I think it took me this long,
because I am not much of a war movie kind of girl. I think the only war movie I actually like is Platoon which is set in the Vietnam war, but the others sort of bore me a little. But I decided to watch this, since a lot of people asked me to watch it and it has my ulitimate bias, Choi Seunghyun (T.O.P) in it. So I had to give it a try, since I have heard he is a great actor. (I havent seen IRIS)
Man am I glad I watched this movie. It wasnt the typical war movie, where there is a whole lot of strategy and stuff going on. I find that war movies bore me because there really isnt much emotion put into them, just a lot of fighting, with a tad bit of character emotion in it, and that really bores me, because we don’t get to know the characters’ back stories and all that important stuff that makes us realize these characters are human, and not just fighting machines. In this movie though, we had a lot of emotion. This is more of a sentimental movie, with a lot of focus on the characters, with the war built around that, and I think that’s why I loved this movie so much. We got to see a lot of the student soldiers, and their personalities, and got to know them, so we of course are more attached to them, and if they die, well that breaks our heart.
There is a lot of violence and blood in this movie, but of course it is a war film after all, so if that turns you away from it , I completely understand. And there is not a romance line, which obviously a lot of movies have and everyone wants, but to me love lines are not needed, so once again that may turn you from this movie. But I hope it doesnt, because all of those things are so insignificant , because this movie has heart. This movie is a “coming of age” movie, I have no other way to describe it, where boys become men, in a very sad kind of way. They may start out as students/immature little boys, but by the time this movie is over, you will see them as men who are willing to die for their country, and that is pretty great to me. You get to see many characters dealing with things, and scenes of extras having going through a hard time, which makes it even better, because even though they are not the “important” characters in this film, they still play a person going through this, and we get to see the scared/sad side of them too, and see how they become heroes, or not and I liked that about the movie.
The acting in this movie was on point. The actors, all of them, brought a lot of emotion and personality to their characters, even those who are not the main focus. Each person stands out on their own, and that made it great. Choi Seunghyun (T.O.P) did a great job with his character. He brought the emotional/scared side of his character out perfectly, while trying to be a good leader. I think that is pretty darn good if you ask me, since he isnt that experienced of an actor. I have to say Kwon Sang Woo did a good job as well. This is the first time I have ever seen him in anything, and he didnt disappoint me with his acting skills either. He played that character that you hate, but yet have to love. Though his character may be annoying, he had a lot of soul & heart, and Kwon Sang Woo showed that. Cha Seung Won also did a fantastic job at playing a North Korean commander. I have only seen him in one other thing, and I was impressed with is acting in that, and he yet again showed me how talented he is in this as well.
The cinematography was absolutely beautiful in this movie. I mean its a war movie, so I really didnt expect much in the artistic shooting side, but I was pleasantly surprised with the soft filter, the lighting, and the way that the slow motion and cut scenes were used, and that made it even more interesting to watch. The music complemented the movie, who doesnt love a nice orchestra piece? It made it even more heartfelt and some what intense as well.
Over all, I found this to be an outstanding film, and I can see why there are so many people who enjoy it. I must say though, you may not think you will cry, but you better have a couple boxes of tissues ready just in case. I know I cried a lot, towards the end, it struck my heart and ripped it out. So if you are looking for a nice movie, that may or may not be in your usual comfort zone, I think you should check this out. Don’t think of it as just a war film, because it is so much more than that. You will really appreciate it, and plus it’s based on a true story, which makes it even more interesting/heartbreaking. So give it a try, I don’t think you will be disappointed. There are many aspects of this movie that I think a lot of people, who like different genres of films, would really appreciate.
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Advice: don't question the story... just enjoy. XD haha
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Can't get over it!
Do you know why i gave this a full star? I'm a cdrama fan since 2021, and mangoTV dramas are always the best, that why sometimes, u can't find their episodes haha, and this one is the best, it's from novel, and even though i didn't read the novel i know that all the scenes in here did not change. I know very well the chinese attitude in writing a novel, that's why the series is soooo novel-like!! Love it, and also the casts are chef's kiss i loveee them! Their filming camera!!! It's soooo cool! Both leads are so perfect, they can show me what is in the novel. This series is my taste that's why i like it, also, this wang hedi is so handsome. I can't!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Must Watch Series
The bromance is strong in this one and I have no complaints! The friendship between these people are always my favorite part of these series.If you have been an avid viewer of the series, then you will really like this adaptation. Even if you haven't watched the other series, you will still understand the overall idea of what they are talking about. So, this storyline is supposedly set after lost tomb 2, however due to differing production companies and other logistical stuff, the story plots don't flow smoothly from one series to another and has a bit of a time gap. Despite that, if you watched the other series, you will get hints of events here and there and can connect some dots.
In this series, the story plot thickens and more secrets are unravelled for Wu Xie and his team to find, mostly revolving around the Nine Families and Xiao Ge. It gets pretty confusing at times due to so many unanswered questions, however it does get my brain moving coming up with possible theories. The acting by the actors are phenomenal, I especially liked the actors that portrayed Wu Xie and Xiao Ge. I think this is my favorite Xiao Ge portrayal. But man am I glad to see so much xiao ge and wu xie interactions, I was a bit sad that there wasn't much interaction between the two in previous series. Also, xiao hua and hei yan interaction was not something I expected but loved.
Overall, this is a solid storyline where a group of friends set out to seek the missing memories of a friend and along the way happen to unravel hidden (not so hidden) secrets. It was an enjoyable watch and I really loved it as an avid Dao Mu Bi Ji fan.
So, I most definitely recommend this series to people if you like this genre and/or the actors that portray these characters!
***Ending Spoiler ***
The ending is a cliffhanger, however, I kind of expected that already because the author of the book is notorious for that and the previous series are also like that. The end leaves me with more questions than answers, like did the team leave the mountain unscathed, what is Wu Xie planning to do with the mask, and is this all set up by the elders? However based on what I read from the book I do have a small idea of what happens. However, after watching Reunion (set 12+ years later) and tomb of the sea (7-8 years later), I can already tell what happens to them.
* * * * * *
Happy Watching!
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Now, that is what history remembers Wu Ze Tian as - brilliant, perfectionist, strategist & murderer. But is this the personal Wu Ze Tian? This series acted and produced by Fan Bing Bing give viewers a different take on the cruel empress - one that colours We Ze Tian as a kind woman who fell victim to broken relationships, lies and plots of others around her. A helpless and vengeful Wu Ze Tian??? Hmmm....I know many who are skeptical of this! At least I know my aging mum who's a bit of a Chinese history buff cursed this portrayal of Wu Ze Tian. All Chinese knew this empress as a cruel person - why is she suddenly a nice, innocent and victim-of-circumstance person? Perhaps, this is just another perspective - albeit a more feminist perspective of Wu Ze Tian. We all know that Fan Bing Bing's a consummate feminist and this is her attempt to give the world a different portrayal of powerful Chinese female historical figures. Her next project is a drama on Empress Dowager Cixi. The Chinese hated Cixi even to this day. There is a tradition in China where ppl spit at her grave and curse her even to this day - that is how hated this woman is. Like Wu Ze Tian, she murdered many - including her own children and relatives. She's also the woman who signed away HK, Macau and many important Chinese ports to the Brits so she could continue with her opium addiction. Unlike Wu Ze Tian who at least ruled the country wisely and contributed to the expansion of the Chinese empire, Cixi actually almost destroyed it. The Chinese saw the last of the Chinese emperors, partially thanks to her. So, how will Fan Bing Bing portray Cixi as a heroine in her next project? Let's wait and see...
Acting/Cast: Acting is good as all actors and actresses are very experienced. No problems in this department. The costumes are brilliant. Although the cleavages are common to the Tang dynasty's fashion, the elaborated designs, bright multi-colours and accessories may be a little too modern (and fanciful) to the time. There are also many instances when Wu Ze Tian has a more elaborate costume compared to the other women who were higher ranked than her. She even out-shone the emperor's costumes.. which is a no-no. It is obvious that the best costumes are reserved for Fan Bing Bing's main character of Wu Ze Tian which kind of created an unrealistic atmosphere. She should have gone with less elaborate costumes as befitting her station in the palace instead of insisting on being the 'peacock' of the lot.
Music: The OSTs are ok but not the main feature of this drama.
Overall: It's a good enough entertainment but let's be honest here, with 96 episodes... I don't know anyone who is crazy enough to re-watch this again. It is not the 'WOW!' kind of drama that would cause you to re-watch it. It's a once-off drama that is good enough to keep you entertained.
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Aged to perfection.
Since Love and Destiny was produced by the same team and resides in the same world, comparisons to TMOPB are inevitable. Pleasingly, the only connection is that it takes place earlier in the same 3L3W universe. This is efficient as less time is wasted on world building and explaining the tribes, hierarchies, time and other conventions. The story-line sticks to the 3L3W formula of an unforgettable love story that spans three lives and three realms. While TMOPB was an intensely passionate love story, this has more of a romantic comedy flavor. This is the story of a pure heart-ed young fairy who falls in love with the powerful and much older God of War. This relationship dynamic sets up for a different love story that again succeeds in delighting and captivating in a way that is now becoming a 3L3W brand.The plot is common for this genre (save the world or save the girl) and is this drama's biggest weakness. Those familiar with the director may observe the backstory of some leading characters (Jiu Chen, Ling Xi and Jing Xiu) were inspired by Journey of Flower - (Bai Zhihua, Hua Qiangu and Dongfang). That said, L&D is neither another TMOPB, nor JOF but a delightful story that stands on its own, albeit with a few cliche tropes. The three main arcs could have been better balanced - the first two took too long and did not leave much time for the final, most satisfying arc. There were too many (well executed) comedic fillers in this drama. This made it feel like "nothing's happening" or the relationship progressed too slowly.
The weak plot was compensated for by superb acting by the main leads. Veteran actors Chang Chen (Jiu Chen) and Ni Ni (Ling Xi) were perfectly matched. They are both gorgeous actors whose emotions and facial expressions transform and make them compelling in their appeal. The role of Jiu Chen was made for a Chang Chen that is aged to perfection - his sculpted bone structure and fierce expression exudes the aura of a stoic, mature and powerful God of War. Any suggestion that some young idol actor could have pulled this off is ridiculous. Jiu Chen is a formidable character that wears the lonely responsibility of keeping the realms safe. He moves mountains to force a win-win in his terrible conflict between duty and love. His instinct is to protect Ling Xi, to the fault of hiding the truth from her. He is alternately stern and helplessly indulgent with her. His impassive expression softens, he even smiles and becomes open and vulnerable only with Ling Xi. He is touchingly candid and unguarded when he confesses his feelings to her. With insight beyond her youth, Ling Xi recognizes the loneliness and burden inherent in Jiu Chen's role. She captivates him with her spell-blinding smile and mischievous antics; he is touched by her devotion and inept attempts to aid him. As their feelings grow, you can feel the invisible bond of their awareness and affection for each other. Ling Xi's best, most courageous moments are when she makes unbelievable sacrifices in order not to add to Jiu Chen's burdens. Each loves the other more than they love themselves.
In the first arc (20+ episodes), the Ling Xi wakes up Jiu Chen, who had been frozen for 50,000 years after sealing the Demon King. He is suspicious that such a weak fairy could have awakened him and takes her in, ostensibly to care for his health. The guileless and infatuated Ling Xi is delighted and disrupts his household with her comical attempts to entice him. She loses her senses over him and fires up his stone cold heart with her devotion. However, as God of War it is his duty to execute the young fairy with the ability to release the Demon King. Initially I found Ling Xi too subservient; a bird immortal with a bit of a bird brain. Yet Ni Ni's portrayal of Ling Xi was never annoying, indeed I was charmed despite my preference for stronger characters. She won me over when she bravely steps up to protect Jiu Chen and takes responsibility for her own life.
In the second arc (up to episode 50), Ling Xi is reincarnated as a mortal Lin Mo who has to go through three trials. She overcomes many challenges and becomes independent along the way. This is where Jing Xiu emerges as a manipulative, petty and sinister love rival to Jiu Chen. Episodes 30-40 can be skipped - this part was draggy and I struggled to empathize with Jing Xiu. This actor overacted the villain when he is actually supposed to be a grey character - he was so selfish, manipulative and creepy I was irritated at Ling Xi for not being wary of him. There were many unnecessary side characters in this arc that lingers too long on Ling Xi's coming of age. The best moments are between episodes 40-50 where Jiu Chen and Lin Mo fall touchingly in love (again). The final arc was the shortest and the sweetest. Ling Xi becomes a powerful high goddess who forces Jiu Chen to let her share his burdens and they face their enemy together.
The supporting cast was strong and there is a lovely secondary love story between Yun Fung and Qing Yao that is nicely intertwined with the primary. The villains did a decent job being evil and hateful but their motivators were typical: revenge, envy and obsessive unrequited love. The OST is very good but the CGI is quite dreadful. Overall a quality and enjoyable drama with a big budget. The bottom line remains as a love story, it boils down to the main leads. In this, they delivered - virtually all of their scenes brought a silly, lovesick and goofy smile to my face. You will enjoy this immensely if you appreciate leading actors and a love story that is truly aged to perfection.
PS - got a number of PMs re: comparison to TMOPB. I avoided directly comparing them but I also reviewed TMOPB and if you read that, what I think the differences are is obvious and reflected in the rating.
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This review may contain spoilers
Something about this drama felt amazing and fantastic, I couldn't stop watching it.It had a good amount of martial arts, humor and a great story line. This is only the first season!
Fan Xian is the main male lead of the drama. He is a smart, sarcastic, and cunning man. He knows how to speak his way out of things, he also have great martial arts skills. Did I mention he's quite funny as well? :) I just love his character so much! The actor did a wonderful job in playing this character! His subtle expressions are hilarious. XD
Aside from trying to find the love of his life at first sight, cancelling his engagement or..not cancelling it, Fan Xian has assassins coming after him day after day. The drama focuses on Fan XIan trying to figure out who is behind all these assassins, figuring out where he's from, and staying alive to be with his beloved Wan Er.
Uncle Wu Zhu (or should I say Xiao Zhu Zhu LOL♥) is the handsome protector who helped raised Fan Xian and was also a servant of Fan Xian's mother. Lets just say his martial arts is very monstrous. He is like a ninja, he comes and goes without making a single sound which can annoy Fan Xian - quite funny to watch. XD I really like his character for some reason, aside from the obvious handsomeness haha He is strict and mature albeit there were times when he went loose and either spoke like a teen or a tiny bit like a psycho due to memories that were triggered.
Wan Er is your typical fairy-like female lead. She's very elegant, and cute. She also likes chicken legs, and that is also how she met Fan Xian, unknowingly. She does not have much of a presence in this season, because she barely has any scenes. But she is an important figure in this drama because she's the daughter of a princess. However, this drama focuses majority on Fan Xian and his journey to solve the mysteries behind murders of his friends, the trunk that belonged to his mother, and assassinations. Wan Er is there only when Fan Xian went to visit her and other issues that involved her family.
The main villain is the grand princess and her nephew(s).S She's in charge of something that once belonged to Fan Xian's mother. Lets just say she doesn't want to let go of it.
However, she is not the only villain, there are many people who wants Fan Xian dead, including those who pretended to be his friend.
If you're watching this drama cause of Xiao Zhan prepare to be disappointed because you'll only see his actual face in the last 8 episodes or so. I assume he will be a main in the next season as his character is not what we think he is. Personally, I still enjoyed the drama without seeing much of Xiao Zhan.
Other characters worth mentioning is Wang Qi Nian, he's a chubby middle aged man but is a useful friend of Fan Xian. :) He joins Fan Xian in majority of his journeys. Fan Xian's sister, Fan Ruo Ruo is quite an interesting character, she's very smart and quick witted but can become clueless and slow(?) when it comes to Fan Xian. Its like she idolizes her big bro. But she can be dead serious when it comes to disciplining their little brother. I quite like her personality trait than Wan Er's.
Overall, I really enjoyed this drama. Its funny, and has great martial choreography. I didn't expect to love it so much,. it's one of my top two favorites of 2019!! Definitely recommend if you're looking for something fun to watch.
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"Study Group: The High School Drama That Packs a Punch (Literally!)"
Introduction:Imagine a high school where the hallways are a battleground, the bullies are next-level villains, and the only way to survive is to hit the books and throw a killer punch. Welcome to Study Group, the drama that’s equal parts heart, humor, and high-octane action. If you’re tired of the same old high school tropes, this one’s here to flip the script literally. It’s like Weak Hero Class 1 met Cobra Kai and decided to throw in a study session. Trust me, you’ve never seen a school drama like this before.
Story:
At first glance, Study Group seems like your typical underdog story: Yun Ga Min, a lovable but academically challenged student, is determined to turn his grades around. But here’s the twist Yuseong Technical High School isn’t your average school. It’s a breeding ground for future gangsters, where fists fly faster than test papers. Ga Min’s solution? Form a study group. But this isn’t your average group of nerds it’s a squad of misfits who can throw down just as hard as they can solve equations.
The drama masterfully balances intense action with heartfelt moments, tackling themes like perseverance, friendship, and fighting for what’s right. It’s not just about surviving high school,it’s about creating opportunities in the most hellish situations. And trust me, the stakes are high. From corrupt teachers to ruthless gangs, every episode is a rollercoaster of emotions and adrenaline.
Characters:
Let’s talk about the squad because they’re the heart and soul of this show.
Yun Ga Min (Hwang Min Hyun): The ultimate underdog. He’s the guy who’s terrible at studying but refuses to give up. Oh, and did I mention he’s a martial arts prodigy? Watching him switch from a clueless nerd to a total badass is pure gold. Hwang Min Hyun nails the role, bringing both humor and depth to Ga Min’s journey.
Lee Han Gyeong (Han Ji Eun): The teacher we all wish we had. She’s not just there to grade papers, she’s on a mission to reform the school and give these kids a fighting chance. Her chemistry with Ga Min and the group is heartwarming and inspiring.
Pi Han Ul (Cha Woo Min): The resident villain with a cold, calculating demeanor. He’s the kind of character you love to hate, and Cha Woo Min delivers a performance that’s both chilling and captivating.
The Study Group: From the bickering twins Lee Ji Eu and Lee Jun to the adorable duo Kim Se Hyeon and Choi Hui Won, every member brings something unique to the table. Their bond is what makes the show so special. They’re not just friends—they’re family.
Special shoutout to Ga Min’s mom, who’s basically a martial arts queen. Like mother, like son, right?
Cinematography & OST:
Visually, Study Group is a feast for the eyes. The fight scenes are choreographed to perfection, blending over the top anime style action with gritty, realistic brawls. The camera work is dynamic, making every punch and kick feel impactful. And let’s not forget the CGI when Ga Min unleashes his uncle’s forbidden techniques, it’s like watching a live-action webtoon come to life.
The OST? Absolute fire. Tracks like Backpackers and Let’s Do This are pure hype, perfectly complementing the show’s high-energy vibe. The rap-heavy soundtrack adds an extra layer of coolness, making every fight scene even more epic.
Overall Impression:
Study Group is the kind of drama that grabs you from the first episode and doesn’t let go. It’s a perfect blend of action, comedy, and heart, with a cast of characters you can’t help but root for. Whether you’re here for the jaw-dropping fight scenes, the hilarious moments, or the emotional depth, this show has something for everyone.
If you’re a fan of shows like Weak Hero Class 1 or Boyhood, but want something with a lighter, more comedic touch, this is your next obsession. And even if you’re not usually into high school dramas, give this one a shot, it’s anything but typical.
Final rating? 10/10. Study Group isn’t just a drama; it’s an experience. So grab your popcorn, turn up the volume, and get ready for a wild ride. Trust me, you’ll be hitting that “Next Episode” button faster than Ga Min can throw a punch.
TL;DR:
Study Group is a high energy, action packed high school drama with heart, humor, and a killer soundtrack. It’s fresh, fun, and full of unforgettable characters. Don’t miss it!
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Perfect, except the ending
I was completely captivated by this drama from the very beginning — the plot of two people both in the darkest time of their lives finding each other and healing is always so beautiful, and I think Last Twilight sets it up perfectly. You can see very easily how Mokh and Day’s clashes actually bring out honesty and clarity for each other, and the theme of acceptance and treating people with disabilities as equals are both really powerful. I also just love the fact that there aren’t any villains; everyone, even the side characters, have their subplots, their motivations, and their development.And there’s the beautiful episode 9 ending scene, which really stole my heart and made me shed tears. It was one of the most cathartic moments I’ve ever watched and the OST, particularly the main theme by William, perfectly ties everything together emotionally.
I continued enjoying the show until the penultimate episode and I was immeasurably disappointed to be hit with the last-minute break-up trope, and even more disappointed that the reasoning behind the break-up was something that had come up in the story before but had never been an issue. It felt way too fast and out of left field.
And then the final episode came and my jaw dropped when we were suddenly hit with a three year time jump. It’s another one of my least favorite tropes, and it just feels so many things had changed in the lives of our main characters and yet we were supposed to also believe that they didn’t change that much and were able to pick up exactly where they left off without extended conversations about what kind of people they had become. We got a little bit of them addressing their situations, but I felt like the “I’m sorry for feeling pity for you” resolution felt really shallow and didn’t at all capture how much depth was in their relationship before.
There were also additional plot developments that felt so random and rushed — such as Day getting his eyesight back at the last minute. There’s the argument that it’s okay because he’s already grown to accept himself either way, but it still felt really disingenuous to the disability theme to show that he needed his eyesight back for it to be considered a happy ending. Part of this is also just because it all happened so fast it felt thrown in.
I felt like I really emotionally checked out for that last episode — there was just such a huge gap between who I was seeing on screen and the characters I’d grown to love from the previous episodes. For me, that’s the consequence of time-skips, and I’m sad because this was on its way to becoming one of my favorites before it.
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This series was absolute bull shit for so many reasons First of all its not a BL series so i dont know where this idea came from - all the two leads talked about was his scalp treatment there was absolutely no romantic interest or feeling's involved.
One of the female characters needed to go - she sexually assulted a man while he was drunk and they tried to pass it off as comedy - that shit aint cute it so disgusting and disturbing that they believe its fine for her to do it to him, but when its the other way round people start getting mad.
Thirdly the series ended without a conclusion- the couples didnt get together, their feelings for each other (the heterosexual couple) was not explored and in all felt like they just gave up with the series and called it a day. And to conclude this shouldnt even be called a drama/series when it was just a dermatologist advertisement
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2This review may contain spoilers
What the hell am I watching and why do I keep clicking for the next episode
I pressed play purely for Ryan Ren, thinking I’d get some normal Republican-era angst. Instead, I got… whatever this sizzling carnival ride is. This mini drama isn’t a meal; it’s the chaotic street food you know will upset your stomach but somehow you need another bite.Republican minis are already a wildcard species, but this one said “hold my tea” and sprinted into pure unhinged territory. We have:
• People catching headshots like they’re collecting Pokémon.
• A heroine who gets choked like she accidentally respawned in a drama where oxygen is a side quest.
• Logic? Not only missing—never hired. Not even on payroll.
• A revenge-driven FL with a swapped face and supposedly high IQ who still manages to speedrun stupidity until the ML drags her out of danger. My eyeballs got a full workout from the constant eyerolls.
But chaos aside… it’s actually fun in that “I should not enjoy this, but here I am” way.
• Ryan Ren being tragically, dramatically down bad for his girl? Inject it.
• The OST slaps, even though I swear I’ve heard it in twelve other dramas and maybe on a toaster.
• The love-hate dynamic is messy, toxic-adjacent, morally questionable, and yet I watched it like it was high art.
Shockingly, the spice was on low heat. A simmer. A polite sizzle. Definitely not RR’s usual “burn your eyebrows off” energy.
In the end, this drama is a paradox: simultaneously absurd, entertaining, and brain-cell-destroying. You’re not meant to think. You’re meant to vibe. To cackle. To surrender to the nonsense. Recommended for days when your IQ is on vacation and you just want fast-paced chaos with a side of Ryan Ren being hopeless for his girl, and yes, a happy ending for the leads ;)
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I watched this a long time ago when I was a little girl who knows nothing about K-dramas. My grandmother was watching it so I tagged along.
2)Storyline/Plot:
I still remember it clearly even though it was a long time, the story was interestig to watch an at that time since I haven't seen stories like this before.
Positive points:
*Learning about family and responsibility while trying to to hold into your loved one was a good theme to follow.
*The events were nicely made; you can find romance and some action moments (since the lead actor is a prosecutor) plus there were some moments were the drama took interesting turns.
*The romace wasn't excessive, it's the light type of romance: Not too deep, not too clumsy.
Negative points:
*The storyline felt pushed sometimes which made it lose its natural aspect.
*Some parts felt unnecessary while others felt missing.
*It could've been much better if the events were more exciting.
Story: 6.5/10
3) Acting/Cast:
*The lead actress was clumsy and sometimes funny, I liked her perseverance and her great willpower to make her husband happy and all but I can't say that she's a great actress since you would feel like she's pushing herself to act: that was really annoying to watch.
*The lead actor was the mature type with a manly character plus he has to handel his little bride.
*The chemistry between leads was good but not great; it could have been much better if they pushed it a little.
*Supporting roles were somehow annoying but they didn't ruin the general concept.
Cast: 6/10
Acting: 5.5/10
4) The ending:
It was acceptable and likeable while being normal.
The ending: 7/10.
5) My impression (How did it affect me):
*It can be considered as an old drama since it was one of my first watched K-dramas so no hard judges over it.
*I was entertained while I watched it so no regrets plus I was sort of attracted by the drama at the time.
My impression: 8/10
6) Overall:
*If you like old/young relationships then this is for you.
*If you like rom-coms then you may like this.
*If you like clumsy lead females then you may want to give this a try.
Overall: 7/10.
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