A Thousand Goodnights (2019)

So teeeeechnically, I have one episode of this left, but my thoughts and feelings about this drama are totally set at this point, and I know the last episode isn't going to change them, because I know the last episode is going to be just as superb as the rest of the series has been, so I'm writing my review now.

And yes. That is the sum up of my review. I think this series is superb.

Why do I think that? It's very, very simple.

Tian Qing is a compelling character, struggling with questions about her identity and coming to terms with the answers she ends up discovering. Her journey to understanding and acceptance is heartfelt and truthful and speaks deeply to that desire in all of us to know who we really are. Cheng Nuo's journey of dealing with his past and allowing himself to heal from it and forgive his family for their mistakes and failures provides so many lessons on what it really means to love those around us and let ourselves live a full and meaningful life. And Tian Qing's adoptive father, Jia He, the foundation upon which the entire story is built, is so honorable and upright and kind that you love him immediately. You understand just what a profound impact he has had on the people around him and feel compelled to emulate him in your own life, to be that kind of person yourself.

This is a drama about healing and forgiveness, identity and knowing who you are, being true to yourself and true to what you know is right, living a life of service to others, and doing the right thing even when it's hard. It's a drama about truth, and that is why I love it so much and think it so incredibly superb. (The cinematography is also absolutely stunning and lush and vibrant, a character in and of itself. The drama's worth watching solely for that if none of the other reasons compel you.)

The only thing that is going to push people away, and I hate that I have to make this caveat, but here we are...

Is that this drama is slow.

It's an unfortunate reality in Asian drama world, that slower dramas that focus more on character and story then creating thrills and excitement simply do not get the praise and recognition they deserve. Instead, they're called boring, or uninteresting, or poorly written, or some other unfair and unflattering insult. And as I'm sure you can see from some of the comments and other reviews here, this drama has received it's fair share of those insults as well. But believe me when I say, those are not fair critiques. A slow drama is not a bad drama, and to rate a slow drama as bad simply because it is slow is poor reasoning. It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea, and as I said in my review for another similarly paced drama, Andante, they aren't typically mine either.

But I watched this, and I felt something. I watched this, and I appreciated the characters and the story. I watched this, and I'm glad I did.

Now this is technically where the actual review ends, but I have some further, broader thoughts I want to share that aren't directed solely at this drama, so if you're interested in reading them, well then here they are, lol.

Minus Fated to Love You (my first ever drama) and the Started with a Kiss series, I didn't watch any Taiwanese dramas for the first however many years of my drama watching life, preferring Korean over pretty much every other country (for context, I've been watching dramas about ten years, maybe longer). However many years ago though, I dipped my toes into Taiwanese dramas again with Just You, and loving it to pieces, decided to give some other Taiwanese dramas a try. There was Office Girls (high marks from me, even if I did find the female lead frustrating), Aim High (very strong and enjoyable start that got me invested, but then devolved into obnoxious, annoying, uninteresting drama about one of the secondary romantic couples and completely ignored everything else the drama was Supposed to be about), Miss Rose (dropped without even meaning to, because the story stopped being interesting, and I can't even remember anything that happened now), King Flower (I tried so hard with this one and just couldn't make it through), Easy Fortune Happy Life (Hate It), P.S. Man (also Hate It), I Do2 (they got one decent episode in before completely ruining the entire thing), Rock n' Road (I wrote an entire blog post where I re-wrote the drama to make it actually good), and Pleasantly Surprised (it...bored me? I guess?). Which the exception of three dramas, I dropped all of these. And one of the three I finished (Rock n' Road), I did so out of obligation.

So as you can see, I had very little luck with Taiwanese dramas the last time I tried to get into them, and because of it, ultimately stopped attempting to watch them altogether. They didn't seem to be very good, I wasn't enjoying them at all, Korean dramas were checking off all the boxes on my drama needs list, and there are so many dramas out there anyways that why waste my time on ones I clearly am destined to not like?

Well, I think I can unequivocally say that if this is the direction Taiwanese dramas are going in now, count me back in, because this was a compelling story from start to finish, and I like being compelled to watch something because it's good.

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The Most Underrated Drama

This drama will forever have a special place in my heart. Not only is it a joy to watch, but it contributes to a special moment in my life for my father and I’s relationship.

When I first put this masterpiece on, it was like love at first sight; from the beautiful places in Taiwan, the emotional story of a one of a kind soul, and the endless life lessons and quotes that truly hit the heart so hard you rethink your entire life.

For any of us that are on this site, it’s probably because we love the dramatic plots, crazy twists, emotional roller coasters, and the unrealistic, yet beautiful love stories Asian dramas have to offer. Those kinds of dramas are always what we look for, but this drama is what we all need, but didn’t know we did. It’s an emotional, beautiful, heartfelt, and more realistic twist on an average drama that just somehow makes it that amazing. We still get the romance, the drama, the mystery, the twists, and the beautiful story, but it’s presented in a way that I’ve yet to see in a drama; a way that grasps your heart so hard it’s not easy to let go.

Plot:
The plot is a story about an insanely kind father’s death leaving behind 2 beautiful daughters with the mysteries of his life. We’re then taken on a beautiful train ride through the beautiful places in Taiwan experiencing the beauty, the people, the traditions, and the legacy left by the star of the story. We also get a look at his daughter’s growth and discoveries not only about their father, but themselves as well, along with the support of their lovers.

Cinematography:
The feel-good, calming, and emotional visuals truly made this story even more enjoyable to watch. It was never boring.

Why it’s so important to me?
My father and I don’t get to spend a lot of time together, but while I was just starting it, my dad came and sat in the living room. Keep in mind, he doesn’t ever watch with me, but this one made him put his phone down and watch and ask questions. The emotions on his face said it all, he really liked it and was feeling the emotions presented just as much as I did. I glanced back and forth at my dad and the tv and I remember tearing up and thinking, “I’m so lucky to have my father by my side always there for me”. I know a loving father isn’t something everyone has, but this drama truly made me realize the value of his presence in my life as well as give us the opportunity to spend time watching this beautiful story together.

This may sound cheesy, but I truly cannot express how therapeutic this drama is to watch. It’s definitely a slow-burn drama, but never boring. When you’re really in your feels, this is the best one to watch for sure!! I’ve never liked a Taiwanese drama, but this truly captured my heart.

Thanks for reading :)

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