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This review may contain spoilers
LONG POST AHEAD.Ok, so, if you want to watch a light-hearted series of solving crimes, and enjoy the atmosphere of The Republic of China in the mid-1920s, then this series is suitable for you. The cases were well-written and the deduction was logical. Lu Yao and Qiao Chusheng, two male characters in this series, also have a good chemistry. Qiao Chusheng provided Lu Yao a comfortable life by buying things and protecting Lu Yao, and Lu Yao solved the cases for him, improved his reputation. Their chemistry was a big plus. Beside that, the filming set and the clothes were beautiful and stylish.
Now, let's come to the minus side of this.
The female character, Bai Youning, a journalist, is very irritating. Yes, in the first few episodes, I could still empathize with her, and hope that she could have some developments. But she just didn't change. After 7-8 episodes, she still wrote tabloids about cases. She belittled Lu Yao, and even pretended that she was kidnapped, made Lu Yao and Qiao Chusheng worried to death and tried to save her. She was just too annoying, and her chemistry with Lu Yao was just unbearable. I could not understand how Lu Yao could love her, because all they did through nearly 32 episodes was bickering and fighting. But then, in episode 30, they kissed, episode 36, they got married and went to Paris, left Qiao Chusheng all alone in Shanghai after all. Poor Chusheng, he had done anything and everything to protect both Lu Yao and Bai Youning, but he was left alone in the end.
In conclusion, if you don't really mind about the ending, then this series is suitable for you. If you do, then please consider twice before watching it.
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Beautiful Gong Shim began as a drama with infinite promise in the rom-com area. The two main characters are quirky and at first glance, you just expect a cute little romance that you can enjoy without much thought. I'll also point out that the first few episodes included some of the most ridiculously funny moments I've ever experienced in any drama, so my expectations were incredibly high as the rest of the episodes came out.
A little past halfway through it, though, the plot tried way too hard to be serious and suspenseful, thus losing its initial humorous merits. The feeling is somewhat like listening to your grandparents tell stories: at first, you're pretty interested, but it quickly gets boring, yet you feel an obligation to sit there until the very last word. I stopped finding things to laugh at. The romantic moments were less rewarding in the midst of the mess of the conspiracy plot the writers drew up for no apparent reason. The characters deteriorated and lost every trait that made them unique.
If there were one redeeming aspect of this drama, I'd have to say that it's Nam Goong Min. Usually a professional in depicting a psycho serial killer in other dramas, this time he's the lead male with a fair amount of goofballness. He was a joy to watch, but his character was not spared in the enormous *let's-make-everyone-generic* massacre. Everyone else fulfilled their roles nicely, but Goong Min's really the star of this show. (Which is interesting, as I thought the directors would give Minah more of a spotlight but she really dropped off the radar late into the drama. I could say less of the wig they made her wear though.)
The music was fun; there were multiple tracks that cheered me up along the way and altogether, they were nice to listen to.
In general, I'd recommend watching maybe the first ten episodes, if not less. The beginning is worth watching, as it puts a smile on your face pretty frequently. It's just the second half that becomes appallingly boring (trust me, you probably wouldn't even miss anything if you skipped straight to the last episode as soon as the story even starts to drag).
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For revenge I sold my soul to the Demon
Song Hye Kyo is back. And she brought a wrath and Lucifer with her this time along. I personally hated her last drama 'Now we are breaking up'. But this time she has compensated for that miserable drama and made me fall in love with her again.As one can guess from the synopsis, that this drama revolves around Song Hye Kyo's character's revenge towards those that made her life more miserable than hell. After waiting 18 years for the perfect timing to take her revenge. Nothing can budge her from her goal Im Ji Yeon (and others). She will use every card for her advantage.
Song Hye Kyo just stole the show here. One could feel the pain she felt and the anger that was hiding behind that beautiful face of her's.
A special shoutout to Jung Ji So and Shin Ye Eun's acting. Man they were too good in their display of emotions. And ofcourse Im Ji Yeon and other cast were just pinpoint perfect in there portrayal of their character.
The storyline and the production were also great. Loved each and every second of the show. And it kept me tied to my seat. I binge watched the drama in a sitting. This season had me waiting for the second season already.
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Friends, being too forgiving only makes you more attractive to the kinds of men who mistreat women and therefore need to be forgiven a lot.
Content Warning: contains a sexual assault scene while the female lead is unconscious. The assaulter is forgiven instantly and never truly held accountable.
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1May the baddest man win.
This is the drama adaptation of a popular female harem web novel "Kun Ning" (坤宁) by Shi Jing (时镜) with an interesting approach; readers voted on who the female protagonist ends up with. It is a dark and gripping tale of intrigue, conceit, betrayal, revenge and redemption. Jiang Xuening is the alluring but resentful, selfish and ambitious daughter of a court official who ruthlessly parleys her charm and cunning into becoming empress. Her schemes lead to the downfall of the royal family and the ruin of both her childhood sweetheart Yan Lin and the erstwhile incorruptible Zhang Zhe. Desperate and full of regret, she barters her life with the blackbellied Xie Wei to save Zhang Zhe. She finds herself reborn as her 18-year old self with a chance for a do-over. She vows to do better this time, to steer clear of the bastions of power and the malevolent Xie Wei. She tries to use her preternatural knowledge to save Yan Lin and Zhang Zhe from their sad fortune. As she embarks on a journey of atonement, she discovers there is an element of destiny that pulls her towards the center of power. This time, with greater wisdom and insight, she uncovers hidden secrets and unexpected allies that help her better grasp the intrigue unfolding around her. Is that enough to change their destinies or are they doomed to the same tragic fate?This story explores the causal links between the past, the present and the future.; the idea that if only knowing what we know now, we can go back and do what we should have, could have but did not do. It begins with a Ning'er who is already a fully realised character that is not yet revealed; a charming beauty who had the world at her feet and lived a wicked and self-indulgent life. Even though Ning'er's goals change, her innate nature stays the same. The past is told in flashbacks just before the moment plays out again in the present. This works in terms of the more detailed plot points but dilutes the character and relationship stories. Thus while Bai Lu pulls off her role well overall, the piecemeal telling of the backstory doesn't capture the depth of Ning'er's regret or the layers in her relationships with some of the main characters.
Where the storytelling falls short is in Zhang Zhe's arc. To me, it is the most pivotal love story in the drama. He was the best of men, a morally upright official who betrayed his principles for her. And she was a selfish person who was so moved she became selfless for him. Their emotions were so powerful it pushed them both outside of themselves towards a mutually destructive outcome. Sadly unlike the novel, their do-over relationship is shallow and barely scratches the surface of the unfinished affinity between them. It's a pity that instead sticking to the novel which better fleshes out this arc they wasted a bunch of time on the nasty Consort Shu's boring and tropey petty antics. Wang Xingyue delivers such an empathetic portrayal of Zhang Zhe that I was disappointed his character was short changed by the narrative.
As for Xie Wei, I have a weakness for unapologetic, unspeakably damaged, vengeful and morally ambiguous characters like this. Zhang Linghe delivers an intense portrayal of this dark and complex role. Although he overdoes some of the snarls and sneers, his performance overall deserves praise and is his strongest to date. Every time the full fury of Xie Wei's fiery death glare flashes across the screen, I go weak at the knees and my brain turns to mush. Yups, I am definitely a "may the baddest man win" kind of girl. Xie Wei is far from the best man but they are well matched, morally flexible ends justify means kind of people. Their romance arc only takes off later on but it is worth the wait. A mutual understanding develops gradually between them before things get really hot and steamy. When it does, their audacious chemistry explodes in a way that sets a new bar for passionate kiss scenes going forward.
Even though the political conspiracy is not that complicated, it is well told and riveting. Xie Wei's origins are a bit too obvious early on but I enjoyed how Ning'er and Xie Wei work together to uncover the conspiracy. They are both diabolical in how they manipulate the different factions around like chess pieces. The villains are no pushovers but they are overshadowed by the force of nature that is Xie Wei and Ningér's combined dark ruthlessness. This is not an action heavy drama but all of the fight scenes were well shot. I particularly enjoyed the vicious ferocity and absolute glee with which Yan Lin cuts through a melee. I hope this fight maniac Zhou Junwei's small indiscretion does not stand in the way of future roles in action intensive wuxias. Outside of one unnecessary and infuriatingly gratuitous death, the drama ends on a strong note after a bloody, intense and thrilling showdown.
While I enjoyed this drama immensely, the storytelling left me vaguely dissatisfied; as if I only watched the cliff note version of a story that had a lot more depth, nuance and substance than the drama managed to convey. This director is not great at knowing which plot arcs to give more weight to and has an unfortunate predilection for over-bright spot lights and spinning cameras. The production values are mediocre at best. This is a story that had so much potential it deserved to be in the hands of a better director and a better budget. I still rate this a highly reccomended 8.5/10.0.
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We Are: Entwined Hearts & Uncharted Paths
Should you watch "We Are"? Honestly, it's a bit of a mixed answer. The storyline is quite simple, without much depth or intense drama. But if you're looking for a show that emphasizes healthy friendships and relationships, "We Are" does a great job of that. This was something I was really hoping for, and it delivered well in that aspect. The genuine connections and positive interactions between the characters are refreshing and heartwarming.While there are some enjoyable moments, the pacing really becomes an issue, particularly between Episodes 9 and 13. This section felt especially slow and could have been condensed, making the whole series tighter and more engaging, probably fitting better into 12 episodes.
So, while it might not be the most thrilling series out there, its charm comes from its simplicity and the heartfelt bonds it shows. If that sounds appealing to you, it’s definitely worth a watch.
"In this group of friends, even though university life is tough, life's ups and downs, plus love's twists, keep things always stirring.
We are... friends who argue but care so much about each other that sometimes, we end up flirting."
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NO SPOILERS . Is it stockholm syndrom or can love bloom from overcoming hardship together?
The story : On his quest for revenge, Wei Zhao crosses paths with Jiang Ci, who spoils every plans he makes.However, getting to know each other they are drawn to one another.
First of all, when I saw how Male Lead treated Female Lead, I could not help but wondering if Female Lead suffered from stockholm syndrom ? How can she fall for someone who harmed her like that ?
Then, as the story progressed I understood that those two share a special / unspeakable bond.
They managed to find love and had a great chemistry in the middle of such dire situations. And this, in it-self is a challenge.
ML and FL still brought me with them as I witnessed their slowburn romance, full of attraction, riddles, subtile messages, amorous glares...
So as much as I was shocked by ML at first and also feared for FL's life, I was rooting for Wei Zhao and Jiang Ci's love in the end.
Pros :
- Smart countryside Female Lead .
- Smart high ranking court officer, Male Lead.
- Good action scenes.
- Mortal Enemies to lovers trope. Male Lead's killing spree goes far, as he is aiming at Female Lead and that's surprising.
- Great acting.
- Great revenge quest for the hero whose kingdom's population was slaughtered and enslaved.
- The plot is complex. That's a good thing because it is promising and can surprise the viewer. At times your blood might boil for witnessing injustices. But this is proof of a good story.
- Very emotional topics are dealt with : genocide, slavery, fight for survival, conspiracy, rebellion, human trafficking...
- Sprinkle of romance, which I think is great because the emotional and political story make the romance more endearing.
- Well written script filled with symbolism and duality (every plot point faces its opposite) : slavery/freedom, conceal /show, belitteling/praising... So you can have different level of understanding of the narrative because the writer thinks that you are smart enough to piece them together. I like that.
Cons :
- As the drama aired, I thought is was one of the last performances of Jeremy Tsui as a Second Male Lead before retirement. I was sad ?! And hope to see him again. Good news, he is coming back to acting. My wish was granted, I am very happy. He is such a great actor.
- Sadistic assassin Male Lead who supresses his emotions and live like a machine. That's a Red Flag.
- There are some glitches in the CGI. For example here : they stopped the CGI before finishing the scene (^_^) I laughed so much o_O
Are they saving money on CGI budget ? This is weird to see the raw images with subtitles.
https://postimg.cc/Z0WqXVqy
Overall this is a good show : I laughed, I was afraid, relieved... until the very last minutes. The ending was a climax.
It was the most satisfying ending to me, it did justice to the drama and it was also very realistic. I could always dream of a season 2 with an alternate ending that would have sparked even more conspiracies than this one. But the writers did justice to the story of a hero. And I liked it.
Highly rewatchable because there is hidden meaning everywhere, you will discover new clues and symbols at every rewatch.
If you like enemies to lovers stories with intelligent leads, this is for you.
The songs of the OST fit the story perfectly : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PngeJrUTSVo
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As a European, single, career woman in my 30's I have come to expect certain things from my life and people around me.
1. Respect from colleagues for all the hard work I put in
2. Understanding that the hard work has left little room for dating
3. Evenings spent watching dramas because of the aforementioned hard work and singlehood
I started watching "The woman who still wants to marry" because I heard it was going to feature single career women in their 30's and noona-love...
Finally!, I thought. Women I can relate to.
And who doesn't like the added bonus of bit of escapism, in the form of gorgeous young men falling for older women? Yum!
Boy, was I in for a rude awakening.
I'm not oblivious to the fact that, in Korea and Japan, unmarried women over the age of 25 are considered "Christmas Cake". Something that goes bad after the 25th. (Horrible expression btw. Just horrible!)
The previous noona-love dramas I've seen have mostly focused on the woman's inner struggle. Angst and denial of her unsuitable feelings, and so on.
She may have gotten sideways glances while flaunting her young lover publically. But that's about it.
Never mind that this would never happen in real life. Drama magic and suspension of disbelief achieved. Squeee!
In "The woman who still wants to marry", however, our two noonas are bombarded by hair-raising amounts of malicious gossip, disapproving parents and disrespectful colleagues.
The amount of shit that these poor women have to put up with is really disheartening.
If this piece of drama fiction is any reflection on how smart and driven women are treated in Korea... then I have found a whole new level of understanding for all those older and successful über-bitches we tend to see as villains in dramas. No wonder they'd eventually become cold as ice - if this is how they've been treated since their 30's.
While the romance is a big part of this drama. (Two lovely noona-love stories, no less.) The adversities these women face, simply because of their age and ambition, leave such a bitter after taste that it many times overshadows the sweetness of the romance.
I would ask someone who is considering watching this these 3 questions:
1. Are you under 30?
2. Is seeing Kim Bum fall in love pretty much your sole motivation for watching?
3. Do you normally not have problems suspending disbelief when it comes to ill treatment of women?
If your answer to the above questions is a resounding "Yes", then you'll probably enjoy this drama.
If your answer is "No", then you may want to look elsewhere for your escapist drama fix... or at least watch with an awareness of these issues.
I don't regret watching this drama. If for nothing else; Kim Bum pulls off one of the best "grand gesture"-scenes in recent memory. I finally get why women swoon over him now. I do.
It does make me sad though - to think that there are places in the world where it doesn't matter how hard you work to prove yourself. If you are a woman and over 30; you are supposed... no, demanded!... to give up your job and become a stay at home mom. Whether that life appeals, fulfills or excites you in the slightest. That's your duty.
Even if you marry Kim Bum - it would be nice to know you have a choice. Right?
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Lust, love and a whole lot of drama
What a difference a budget makes...Same Same But Oh So Different...
Love at second sight....
As I recently watched the first version (same cast, different budget), of this drama I was a bit unsure if watching this adaptation would be worth it but my oh my was this a good choice, a very good choice as this version gave me all I was missing in the first version and more... a lot more , okay it gave mes some highly problematic content as well making it impossible for me to give it a full 10 even if part of me was so entertained I wanted to give it a 15... but enough about that.
What this drama does offer is a lot of fan service, entertainment, some important issues here and thare chemistry that is off the charts, friendship, toxic masculinity, sweetness, and everything but relations goals. Again not something I would want to be part of but highly entertaining to watch. It also made me fall head over heals for Mark (War Wanarat Ratsameerat) as a person who was both adorable, funny, bad ass, sassy, honest and brought out my protector instinct making me want to just give him a big hug most of the drama .
There is also a slight realism to the portrayal of duality in relationships.. falling in and out of love meshing in a big complex web of emotions... loving two people simultaneously, pain, confusion, coming to terms with all kinds of stuff,,. and so on was portrayed pretty well, and is what I assume bothered some viewers but I actually loved how they portrayed this side of infidelity and relationships gone bad... But then I do love watching conflicted emotions, angst, lust and pain. So if you are bothered by any of this stuff you may not enjoy this drama at all or at least not as much as I did.
In my opinion there are not truly annoying characters or elements making it an easy binger and again a lot of fun to watch, but again kids, do not try, well anything of this at home.
So if you are looking for a feel good fluff piece where people actually seek consent move along there is nothing to see here... but if you want som highly entertaining drama, mistakes, steam and real drama this is definitely a good place to look for it,
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1This review may contain spoilers
The Journey of the Pocket Watch
The StoryThis drama is set during the Republican era—a turbulent time in China when ordinary people were faced with limited choices, uncertainty, and difficult decisions. The director has done an excellent job in creating a realistic portrayal of that period, supported by a well-written script that thoughtfully explores the political climate of the time. The inclusion of romance helps to soften the heaviness of the historical and societal themes.
The life stories of three generations are anchored around the old Lin family home, which evolves over time from a residential house to a hospital and later to a fabric factory that doubles as a residence. The romance of three generations of women in the Lin family, spanning from the 1930s to the 1990s, begins with Lin ShiYun, the granddaughter of the Lin family. After studying abroad and becoming a gynecologist, she returns to China with modern thinking and a bold spirit. She challenges her family’s traditional views and navigates the troubles caused by her irresponsible, gambling brother. Lin ShiYun is a strong-willed, clear-headed, and courageous woman—her personality is very likable. Once she sets her mind on something, she is determined to see it through.
I haven’t watched many dramas featuring Jelly Lin, and her performances usually didn’t captivate me. However, in this role as ShiYun, she truly fits the character and made me believe in her.
She meets Cheng Ao, a gangster lawyer played by Ryan Cheng. Though raised in a family with gangster roots, Cheng Ao was educated abroad and upholds patriotic values passed down by his adoptive father. He is the male lead in the first arc—a righteous, intelligent, and principled man who complements ShiYun’s strong personality perfectly. Ryan Cheng shines in this role, and I believe it’s his best performance to date, especially compared to his other recent leading roles in two major “S” Wuxia/Xuanhuan productions.
The first arc tells the story of Cheng Ao and Lin ShiYun finding love amid political turmoil, staying true to their beliefs, and making difficult life choices. They are among the lucky ones who survive the war and migrate overseas. I thoroughly enjoyed their romance—it felt inspiring and meaningful.
The second arc begins from episode 12 and centers on YiYi, ShiYun’s niece, who is deeply influenced by her aunt’s worldview. YiYi is widowed at a young age and faces discrimination from a conservative society. Her quiet, non-confrontational nature makes her a target of prejudice, but with determination and resilience, she finds her voice and love again. YiYi pursues her passion for clothing design and eventually thrives in the fashion industry. Her romance with a Communist Party minister, Wen Pu (played by Liu YiJun), is touching and layered with social tension. As always, Liu YiJun delivers a solid performance.
YiYi is portrayed by Tong Yao, an up-and-coming actress who feels very natural in this role. Although the second arc takes time to pick up—partly due to YiYi’s withdrawn personality—her quiet strength and artistic soul grow on you. As you begin to understand her grief and emotional depth, you can’t help but empathize with her and even wish that others would leave her alone. The side characters are frustrating at times, but they serve as realistic representations of the extreme ideological views present during early Communist China. The second arc concludes in episode 21, highlighting the hardships faced by YiYi and Wen Pu.
The final romantic arc follows YiYi’s granddaughter, Ye XiNing, whose love story begins with a chance encounter with schoolteacher Xiang BeiChuan. After being falsely accused and losing her job, XiNing’s journey is about rebuilding her career and discovering love. Among the Lin women, she is probably the most unlikable at first—impulsive, dramatic, and outspoken. However, she is also hardworking, resilient, and maintains a positive outlook. From working in a small jean factory to running an international clothing business, her growth is admirable.
XiNing and BeiChuan are complete opposites: she is loud, emotional, and blunt, while he is quiet, cautious, and principled. At times, it’s easy to feel sympathy for BeiChuan as XiNing’s dominating personality overwhelms him. But their romance grows as they work through misunderstandings and eventually commit to each other. Spoiler: this couple is the only one we see getting married on-screen.
A beautiful touch in the story is the symbolic passing of a pocket watch—from Cheng Ao to Lin ShiYun, then to YiYi, and finally to XiNing—representing the passage of time and the enduring values passed down through generations.
My Thoughts on the Couples (CPs):
Many viewers came to this drama for Ryan Cheng, who only appears in the first arc (up to episode 11). I particularly liked his role here, so I wanted to share my thoughts on the romantic arcs:
CP1 – Cheng Ao & Lin ShiYun
Their story is about spontaneity, contrasts yet shared values, courage, and remaining true to one’s roots. It’s a tale of ordinary people becoming heroes in extraordinary times.
CP2 – YiYi & Wen Pu
This is a story of forbidden love and defying social norms. It highlights the limitations imposed by society, and the endurance needed to triumph over adversity.
CP3 – Ye XiNing & Xiang BeiChuan
Their romance shows how love can blossom under unlikely circumstances. It’s about opposites attracting, seizing opportunities, holding onto beliefs, and striving for success while staying grounded.
All three love stories are intricately woven into the fabric of time, each representing a different response to the challenges of their era.
There are many powerful and thought-provoking lines in the drama about relationships, choices, and the consequences of decisions made. I truly enjoyed this drama and hope that more people will come to appreciate its depth, storytelling, and emotional richness.
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Not your usual RomCom, yet a love triangle on top of a socially critical labour dispute mission
The protagonist's name "Byeon Hyeok" means "revolution". The wordy title "Revolutionary Love" already hints that this is about a Romance. But this title also contains the second plot line: the love that leads him to revolution - to resistance and struggle for the rights of irregular workers in the company of a powerful Jaebeol. One way or another, Byeon Hyeok is at the center of events - as the eldest son of Jaebeol of the Gangsu Group, who is in love and choses the barricades (and new ways) within the corporate culture of his father's business group.Basically, the topic of such a labor dispute is rather socially critical and highly explosive, because there is practically no legal representation for the irregular part-time workers in South Korea. The number of non-regular employees is four times higher than among the other OECD member states. Employment relationship is not well protected. There is no union representation. Irregular employees usually only receive about half the wages of a permanent employee. The time limit is barely a year. Since the Asian crisis, this form of employment has proven to be cost-saving and convenient for small and large companies, so that it has been retained on a large scale to this day. "Revolutionary Love" cleverly focuses on this aspect of the South Korean working world as this critical topic is sort of camouflaged with a lot of slapstick and speed on the humorous note ... and of course there is the romance...
The role of Byeon Hyeok is a showpiece for Choi Si-won, who, with his wide array of physical, wordless visual grimaces and gestures, softens the actually frustrating labour dimension by Korean standards to a level that makes it accessible to the masses on public cable TV (and 'permissible' for the powerful). At the same time, Choi Si-won has the necessary sincerity to also show his sensitive side and create space for the closeness of a romantic relationship. In contrast to the comedic character of Byeon Hyeok is his 'friend' Kwon Jae-hoon, whose leitmotif ´seriousness´ can hardly be surpassed. In between, the head of the "revolution" whirls: the street smart Baek Joon.
"Revolutionary Love" is a KDrama that is often underestimated by Western viewers in its ambitious socio-critical and labour policy claims. It knows how to touch with the protagonists' love triangle despite the labour dispute mission. Yet, be aware, it is not your usual RomCom.
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1家和万事兴 (Jiā hé wànshì xīng) Prosperity Starts from Harmony at Home
家和万事兴 is a motto that is embedded in every Chinese people’s heart. This philosophical adage reflects in their everyday life and is vividly portrayed in this outstanding story. The Story of Xing Fu is partially adapted from Chen Yuanbin's novella The Wan Family's Lawsuit (万家诉讼) which was also made into a movie in 1992, Qiu Ju’s Lawsuit (The Story of Qiu Ju), directed by the acclaimed Zhang Yimou and acted by the gorgeous Gong Li. The earlier story was set around the 1980s when rural life was harsh, and the country’s economic miracle was still at its infancy.In this new story, The Story of Xing Fu, set in the late 2010s, viewers can see the marked improvement of village life compared to the 80s, but the rural-urban differences are still very distinct with the sophisticated urbanites looking down on the poor villagers; the divide is even more brazen now than the old days.
Xingfu (Zhao Liying) is a rural woman who is strong headed and lives life guided by her uncompromised principles of honor and integrity; right and wrong for her is black and white. Though not well educated, she would go all out to find justice when a person’s right is being infringed, for she is a person who would go all out to help whoever needs help. She is fearless to take on the rich and powerful if she needs to, because she believes the rule of law will always prevail. After she marries to a farmer, Wang Qinglai (Tang Zeng) from a neighboring village, she comes to live in the Wan Family’s Hamlet.
The Wan Family’s Hamlet is a settlement founded and led by Wan Shantang (Liu Wei) as the respected village head. The residents there are mostly Wan Shantang’s relatives with Wan (万) as their family name. Hence, the Wang (王) family, Xingfu’s in-laws, becomes an odd-one-out and feels like an outsider. For this reason, the Wang family always keeps a low profile and tries to please everyone especially Wan Shantang, hoping with the village head on their side, they would blend in more easily.
All disputes by villagers in rural China are usually settled out of court through intermediaries such as the village heads. Local police may be involved as a mediator to bring the disputing parties together to come to a settlement. This drama carefully portrays this side of life for most of the Chinese population (majority of the population still lives in the rural areas and small cities).
Therefore, when Xingfu’s husband was accidentally kicked by Wan Shantang in the groin, she is unhappy with such settlement and files a lawsuit against Wan Shantang, something that is out of the ordinary. As things eventually turn out, Xingfu is indebted to Wan Shantang, and the lawsuit is forgotten. But as everything is going smoothly for all, the law catches up with Wan Shantang and he’s imprisoned. Outraged by her action which is seen as being ungrateful by the villagers, Xingfu and her husband are forced to leave the hamlet to avoid their awkwardness at home and become migrant workers in the city.
Chinese families often sacrifice themselves and send family members who have the most potential to the cities to work or for higher education, in the hope that the ones that ‘make’ it would reciprocate and help take care of the rest of the family. The concept of investing in one person and when the person gets wealthy, he/she would help bring up the rest of the people, permeates the whole society. Wang Qinglai and his family work hard and send Wang Qingzhi (Liu Yanchen), Qinglai’s younger brother, to study and work in the city. When Xingfu and Wang Qinglai come to live in the city, Wang Qingzhi is expected to take care of them.
‘Guanxi’ (connection) and ‘renqing’ (favor) are deeply rooted practices of the Chinese tradition. As the government tries to weed out nepotism and corruption, such practices become prohibited especially in the cities. Wang Qinglai doesn’t realize the pressure and predicament he has put his brother in, as such tradition is viewed undesirably in the city. The drama tries to portray realistically the conflicts between the brothers in the job finding process.
There has been massive rural – urban migration in the last 40 years in China, causing unsustainable pressure in the cities. Rural farms are being deserted, children are growing up without their parents, and elderly parents are being abandoned by their city-bound grown-up children. Wan Shantang tells Xingfu that, though it’s a must to leave the village to see the world sometimes, she must not ever forget where home is. After all, life is meaningless if one loses one’s family. These heart-felt words are meant not only for Xingfu, but for all viewers alike: do not lose your family in the pursuit of wealth and materialism. In the end, you may end up with nothing. Silently the writer is telling the viewers that, wherever we may be living, family is where home is.
In this drama, Zhao Liying is not that glamorous girl. She's a typical village woman with unflattering hairstyle and old-fashioned clothing that is worn by most women in rural China. Her growth after living in the city helps her look more sophisticated later as an inn keeper, but most of all, she becomes more flexible and articulate for the well-being of all the residents of the Wan Family’s Hamlet. Zhao Liying’s portrayal is convincing, bringing alive the Xingfu character who initially has a one-track mind and later develops into a savvy business woman with compassion and understanding. She learns that not everything is as clear cut as in black and white; at times, there are the grey areas and she needs to be flexible enough so that everyone can live in harmony, as it goes, “Prosperity starts from harmony at home” and Wan Family’s Hamlet is home.
I really like the amicable, but straight-shooting Wan Shantang character who is kind and upstanding but occasionally impatient and explosive, and Liu Wei’s portrayal is so wonderful and authentic. Acting as his son Wan Chuanjia, Cao Zeng’s portrayal is equally good and believable.
Luo Jin plays a supporting role here as Guan Tao, the lawyer. As always, Luo Jin exudes an affable demeanor and though he’s not the lead here, his character is well loved, and his chemistry with Zhao Liying is wonderful although their relationship is only platonic. All in all, the whole cast puts in the best of their acting and every character has its flaws, and is realistic and believable.
My Verdict
Just as the brutal treatment of the Tangshan (China) girl’s incident came to the attention of world media recently, the airing of The Story of Xing Fu is timely. The beginning episodes of this drama almost eerily replicate what happened in the Tangshan incident and its handling by the authorities. It is sad to see how many similar cases swept under the carpet, each condoned by the society. There is a lot of injustices, class differences, and gender supremacy, which is an on-going issue, and is not unique only to China; it happens in many societies, including in the open west. I'm glad that Zhao Liying took up this project to bring awareness to the injustices in the rural Chinese society where women are constantly suppressed, discriminated, and wronged.
Director Zheng Xiaolong, who also directed the Legend of Mi Yue, one of my most favorite historical dramas, together with Director Liu Xuesong have brilliantly portrayed the lives of ordinary people in everyday rural China where much of the population lives, bringing out their challenges, ironies, and resignations in facing a changing world. The picturesque scenery of the village is breathtaking. This drama has no romance, no nail-biting plots, no mysteries, just plain slice of life. Many viewers may find it boring, but that's missing the point.
Sacrificing individual’s rights for greater good is touted in the Chinese society; benefits for the community is more important than for personal gains, and this value is repeatedly reflected in this drama. Hence, all conflicts here are being resolved through the concept of “prosperity starts from harmony at home” in mind. It is perhaps such simple value that brings the Chinese societies together, and they become united and great overall for the world to envy. This, is the point of the story.
This drama is for viewers who want to learn more about the real face of China, and for viewers who appreciate the beautiful countryside and its tranquility with a laid-back simple lifestyle.
GREAT WATCH!
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The Scooby-Doo Gang Minus A Goofy Dog
I was anticipating the reunion between Jung Il Woo and Yuri after being blown away by their pairing in Bossam: Steal the Fate. So when I saw that one of the genres was crime & mystery, I was looking forward to a detective show where both leads would deploy their abilities and work (and flirt) together to solve crimes and deal with the darker side of humanity.Well, this show was that but not really that either. I can only say that it was a novel, mash-up of genres and had an interesting, chaotic dynamic about it. The show kicked off with great energy and mostly maintained the fast paced action throughout that kept me interested. I knew that there was comedy but I did not expect such silly, slapstick humor and ridiculous set ups. I supposed the opening credits in comic book style should have given me a hint that this show did not take itself seriously. Each episode required one to suspend disbelief, sit back and enjoy the ride which I totally did. I found every episode hilarious and entertaining.
Even though the show was all over the place, with tons of inconsistencies and plot holes, there was still a main storyline with the ML, Eun Seon Woo trying to find the murderer of his mother. Actually a prominent chaebol, Seon Woo opened a detective agency as a front for his investigation. Helping him was his sidekick and probably only friend, Yang Jin Mo, a brilliant lawyer who was also incredibly tech-savvy. I gotta say, Yang Jin Mo had the best lines throughout the show and Eum Moon Suk played this funny character very well.
Along the way, Seon Woo met Don Se Ra and ended up having her as part of his undercover team and while the romance between the two main leads took a slower path, culminating only in the last couple of episodes, Yang Jin Mo and Se Ra’s best friend and baker, Sa Na Hee played by Song San Eun, went on a much faster track.
The four main characters had great rapport and played off each other so well. Il Woo again impressed me with his ability to emote different feelings via his micro-expressions and his eyes, oh his eyes…Yuri took Don Se Ra, a character that I found irritating at first due to her self-righteous stubbornness and evolved her into a likable FL. The chemistry between Il Woo and Yuri did not disappoint! Even though I had hoped for more kisses to make up for the lack of in Bossam, I still enjoyed watching their interactions on screen. Jin Mo and Na Hee, on the other hand, made me cringe but also laughed a lot - their overacting and silly antics never failed to tickle my funny bone.
Really, these four reminded me of the Scooby-Doo gang minus a goofy dog. They even had a van that the real Scooby-Doo gang would be proud of! I was happy to see Lee Joon Hyuk who was also in Bossam as Director Hong. He was another character that delivered the right amount of comic relief.
The antagonists fell flat for me though with some wooden acting but Hong Woo Jin deserved kudos for playing a secret psychopath.
The music track was great - the opening song and the other ones were upbeat and lent an uplifting tone that was apparent throughout the show. For posterity, I added the list of songs below.
Overall, even though I can see why “Good Job” could be a hit or miss with most people, I would recommend that you give it a try. It is watchable, bingeable really with only 12 episodes, has many great moments and ends on a high note.
OST list:
Closer - JAY B & Youngjae (영재) |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rheg1w0k3Us
https://open.spotify.com/album/4RxzSoaDzWmFEeJB2H23br?si=GxbNoKerROeB5f5YvmCEfA
Savior - Baekho
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXQAAqjzQbI
https://open.spotify.com/album/1Dvc61AhWBaCxtzWZvNcUh?si=LMSqeE2MQ16yOqsurlpRcw
하루 (A Day) - SUMMER CAKE (썸머케익)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pZnAmfnEHo
https://open.spotify.com/track/24thngWyztJ8opjZgam2DE?si=6ae7eb1324f24161
Spring ‘봄’ - Yerin (예린)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOqqlE20x5w
https://open.spotify.com/album/0W13rQuiY4xY5cISSa9uni?si=F5nHO9_1S9GxKwJJJIb3_w
Obvious (뻔해) - SOULSTAR (소울스타)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVvZ7NEvZBw
https://open.spotify.com/track/20eeWxB72UDma9z1nGk3Ah?si=c22c91920c9542e9
Like You 굿잡 - 찬주 (Chanju)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC0AqWa-eEA
https://open.spotify.com/album/0dnFHJfAFIirCZkXbu4AGS?si=LF2r3EwbR2qY6XnipPhJoQ
Key - Bryn (브린)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1nB6wwWsmk
https://open.spotify.com/track/54yc7L3u6ZeWofDvlWybZI?si=8e28553e995a497f
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A GEM of C-Dramas! Made Me Smile, Laugh, Blush & feel the Spirit of E-Sports Players!
"Whether it's E-sports or Her, I just want to Love what I really Love" – Lu Si Cheng.
Ohh I loved this Sentence! All released trailers were quite eye-catching. I was drawn to the drama later after a few (around 8/10) episodes were already Aired as my friends here kept on discussing about it. First of all I love the genre 'Comedy' and let me tell you that this drama definitely has a good comic plot. Simple activities in the Drama are made Funny with perfect dialogues & expressions. Almost all characters are loveable… of course, excluding those few negative ones. The Drama Enters the light Rom-Com category too. 31 Eps doesn't seem draggy here. They suit the Concept of the Drama.
Initial Thoughts of the show —
Just the Ep 1 is enough to make you drawn to watch later part of the show. There was obviously no romance genre in the initial episodes so, 'comedy' & 'e-sports' theme rules the drama completely. The Visuals of the drama is something that I should definitely mention. I can't guarantee for everyone but I was very Busy looking at those handsome faces. "A Bickering Couple" this is how Lu Si Cheng & Tong Yao can be defined in the starting episodes. They will bicker & make us smile over them in almost Every Episode!
Story —
Kind of the typical story for the main couple that they will bicker & turn friends slowly then get together. E-sports is the main focused theme. So, there will be many matches & competitions. It will revolve around the main players of main teams (i.e. ZGDX, YQCB, CK, TAT). There are several other teams mentioned too but for once/twice only. The drama will show how some players can get parents' support while some cannot. Different problems faced by a E-sports player like getting hand injuries, facing social issues, impression on fans – maintaining their perfect image, how online comments can affect their performance, coping with personal issues while being a good player etc. One thing that I can confidently say is you are gonna love the Team "ZGDX" & their bonding.
Most Characters seem Legit & Reasonable. They have their own background Story. But considering it's a 31 Eps Drama, I still think that some background about characters could have been shown in a detailed way rather than showing Team Meals again & again. I mean it's quite clear that they are a team, they live in the same base camp & they will have meals together & yeah I agree that most of the funny moments are shown while their meal scenes only. They tried to balance it but still…
Considering E-sports, the makers have done a good research & portrayed it in the drama in a really organized way. This drama kind of reminds us of another C-Drama "Go Go Squid". If you have seen it, you can relate this Drama to it. But I have to tell you that FLs of noth dramas are entirely different.
The amount of Kiss scenes in the drama was really unexpected. According to me there were too many of them but they were Cute. It was also unexpected how 'Lu Si Cheng' turned from a Teasing Man to a Flirting man. I mean he will just keep you blushing in the whole 2nd half the drama.
Now, it's time to Move on to My personal Favorite Characters from the Drama —
• Fatty (lol just thinking about his expressions makes me laugh & he got the Perfect timing to be in the right place in the wrong time. I mean he can always witness most of the embarrassing scenes & then his reactions are just Epic lol).
• Lu Si Cheng (How can someone not fall in love with this character! Ooh the change in him in the later half of the drama is just… But this alone do not makes him my Fav. It's about his straightforwardness & ideals. His statements were always up to the mark if either he was guiding his teammates as the Captain or he was scolding them. He was not partial. It may seem that he was just favouring Tong Yao but later on, his original intentions will be revealed that were quite genuine).
Acting/Cast —
Considering all BTS videos that I have seen on the drama. All characters have really worked hard from practicing games to correct finger movements in the keyboard… from fingers in keyboard while playing to Expressions management on the face according to the match that they are losing or winning. All roles of E-sports players did a good job in it!!
Main Characters ~ Lu Si Cheng (played by Xu Kai) was perfect for this role. He's so tall that he can call anyone "Shorty" , then his leader role matches his personality too. I am quite shocked that this is actually his first modern drama. He's def. a good actor considering that. Tong Yao ( Cheng Xiao ) was portrayed beautifully. She has a Cute Face but can perform a strong character. She has really improved in acting. Members of ZGDX –
•Lao Mao (Kevin Xiao)
•Lu Yue (Yao Chi),
•Fatty (Sun Kai),
•K (Gao Han),
•God Ming (Yalkun Merxat) &
•Xuao Rui (Cui Shao Yang) …… are all Awesome Characters & they could create that funny atmosphere becoz of their awesome acting.
… Ai Jia (Zhou Yiran), Chen Jin Yang (Rachel Wang) form the 2nd couple who look cute as 2nd Leads.
Everyone performed their roles nicely!
Rewatch value —
I am sure I will rewatch this drama later just because it's so Funny & can easily bring smile in my face… so this drama holds a big rewatch value for me, which is quite Rare.
Music —
I am sure the creators invested quite a lot in the songs as there are some songs sang by pretty famous C-Pop groups + there is a long list of songs. most of the songs represent their competitiveness & power. The upbeats & strong vibes in the songs are really cool.
The OSTs —
♪Everytime♪ …… [by WayV. I would say the best among all of them. I love the energy & power of the song! Perfect for me!]
♪Warrior♪ …… [by SEVENTEEN. It's energetic & suits that competitive environment in E-sports]
♪Heroes♪ …… [by Air League Band. It's the theme song for ZGDX team. Powerful!]
♪Soulmate♪ …… [by Xu Kai & Cheng Xiao. A romantic song for the duo sang by them only which is Perfect]
♪Running to you♪ …… [by Angela Cheng.]
♪Follow the Light♪ …… [by Chen Zhouxuan of BonBon Girls 303]
♪Edge♪ …… [by Naomi Wang. Unexpectedly, I like listening to it again & again "We won't Cry, Nooo" ]
♪Signs of You♪ …… [by Zhai Xiaowen ft. FrankiD]
♪Before Dawn♪ …… [by Gao Han]
♪Facade♪ …… [by Joker Xue]
Out of these, "Everytime" & "Edge" joined my Favorite list & "Heroes" was pretty good too.
Conclusion —
A Good News! That If you have made up your mind to watch this drama, all episodes are already available free in YouTube legally in "Youku" & the songs are already released in the channel "NSM Group". So, basically there is no barrier. I have mentioned all my thoughts on the drama now. so, if you ask me – Should I watch this? I would say "Definitely Yes" cause I didn't regret watching it at all. Infact, I enjoyed it wholeheartedly!
*Yet again, watching/not watching is your call*
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