Q Series: Life Plan A and B (2016)

Let's just start out by saying that I normally don't delve into shows that have any kind of existential crisis plot. I normally watch dramas to distance myself from my already hectic life and don't need to watch something heavy.

This show is the exception to that.

I started this show because I saw an article talking about how this new show is a must watch and really takes you by storm. That was a solid statement. Everything from Rainie and Yu Lin's acting to the plot itself is so complex, so amazing that you forget what's happening around you. They bring forward the essential questions and make you think, is there a right or wrong choice in life? Both versions of Rainie's character Ru Wei go through their own journey's and viewers are left with a choice of their own, which decision and life they approve of, one with her sacrificing her career for family or the opposite?

Quite honestly, this show really made me not only think of the choices I've made in life, but also taught me that things don't work out exactly as one plans and thats okay. I binged this show all day on Saturday and when the final episode ended at 4 am, I couldn't stop thinking about how moving this show truly was. It's been a long time since I've seen something that deeply effects me (not just in the typical romantic drama way).

Rewatch? Hell yeah! This show needs more recognition, it's actors and plot are truly amazing and I don't know about the other reviewer's rating but don't let that stop you from watching. You won't regret it!

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Reminded me a lot of the movie Sliding Doors if you've ever seen it - very similar concepts. My only complaint is that plan A wrapped up just a little too neatly and kind of took a turn that made me go wtf? And seemed almost tacked on as an afterthought. Other than that, great drama that really makes you think about choices and sacrifices we make in life and what it means to love someone and whether putting your needs before the one you love is selfish or normal. How far do you compromise for family and loved ones before you've completely lost yourself in the process? If you had the chance to view your choices from an outsiders perspective, would you choose differently? Rainie Yang picked a great script for her return to dramas, I look forward to seeing more from her.

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Upon reading the synopsis, I was quite skeptical in watching as it briefly explains on what the major life decisions of Plans A and B would lead to. However, I am pleasantly taken back at how well the story was developed with sufficient pacing (quite a few heavy moments have been felt).

A recurring theme in this story lies with Regret. "What would have happened if I had done Plan A/B"
is a common question that plagues Ru Wei throughout. In what may be an accurate portrayal of regret,
it shows how hard moving forward can be while constantly looking backward. Needless to say, it kept
the protagonists quite unhappy - as it hinders them to find gratefulness for what they actually have.
Quite a worthwhile lesson to apply in real life as well.

Overall the show and it's delivery are nicely packaged, beautiful acting and a very complementing music.
Despite certain romantic drama tropes surfacing, it's definitely worth a watch.

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To be perfectly honest, I was skeptical about watching this because the poster looks like a seedy murder-mystery/romance set-up. Boy was I wrong about that.

For starters, Rainie's acting in this was amazing. Any story that requires an actor to fulfill more than one role and play it off well is a feat of its own, and she really managed to nail it. In fact, everyone played their roles so well that I felt genuinely depressed watching them grapple with their relationships, both with others as well as with themselves. Although the supporting characters were there to...well, support, they felt like real people you'd meet and talk to, rather than another forgettable prop in the grand scheme of things. The pacing and the story worked really well, and it didn't feel too long or too short. I finished it with a sense of satisfaction (and a bit of unease, because that means I'm going to have to be forced to reevaluate my own life now).

Riding off the relatively upbeat tones of Love of Sandstorm, I feel like Life Plan A and B just punched me in the face. There's a certain depth, complexity, and somberness that I feel like I'm starting to see become popular in Taiwanese cinema. It's that sincerity and that willingness to be vulnerable and thought-provoking that really had me watching it so intensely, even when it felt uncomfortable at times to do so. The lesson it teaches is one I'll surely take to heart.

*also rated the music an 8/10 because i oddly have no recollection whatsoever of the music at all. but i'm sure it was great.

(edited to lower the rating a bit after some thought bc it was a bit confusing to follow but i still enjoyed it a lot!)

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Explorations of what could have/would have been down life path A or life path B for Ru Wei. At times confusing, with time jumps forward, then the quick go back in time segments and alternating between A and B storylines. It gives a realistic perspective on love and the heavy sidelines of marriage while supporting extended family with multiple issues vs. a freely independent career as personal choice over marriage. Overall I wasn’t keen on the story upon finishing the whole thing, but can appreciate the perspectives the female lead presented in both life plans. It's just a handful of episodes, so does not take up too much time if you find it interesting and want to check it out.

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To be honest it's only 6 episodes but I understood what was going on on the 4th.
At first I thought it was something like a back and forth on her life before and after they broke up but then it shows that she gave birth to her child so I was like "was it all a dream?"

So actually on the 3rd episode it shows her life on a parallel universe. In first case she gave up on her dreams , got married , had the baby , sacrificed her life pretty much and was unhappy (plan b). In the other case she chose her carrier , got rich and successful and was happy (plan a).
Of course at the end she chose plan b because she realised that family values more than money or career. I would prefer it better if she would have chosen plan a. Now the end it was so predictable.

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This was an innovative and thoughtful drama that takes us down the "road not traveled" but the road is traveled through imagination. The writer did a magnificent job laying a road map - the choices we take, as opposed to the choices we do not take. This drama causes you to self reflect (especially if you are older and married). Do you go with Plan A or Plan B or do you even have a plan? What amazed me was the acting. The characters actually grew within their roles and the viewers were allowed to feel the growth. Everyone must decide life's paths and seldom do we get to be eavesdrop on the life of others and their choices. I recommend this drama for every age group. I found myself drawing my own plan A and plan B choices and trying to ascertain how much regret do we have after making choices. What is important for this viewer to recognize is we are human and human beings make mistakes - this is the best part of Life Plan A and B. I could be judgmental and critical but when we self reflect - we do are all living in Life Plan A and B. Definitely a solid 9 drama. Only wish - more screen time for the General Manager. He really was a strong presence in this drama.

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