Go Ahead (2020)

Must watch

This story captured my heart. They did so many things right. Each character felt like they had substance and made me interested in their story. It’s a story about Family, Trauma, and Love. The pain each character faces is so real and powerful. I’m a sucker for romance and though the main romance here didn’t take center stage rather was woven into the story seamlessly along with everyone else’s story it still managed to be one of the most beautiful love stories I’ve ever come across. Ling Xiao and Jian Jian’s story was so mature, the way they dealt with their problems was amazing to behold. They didn’t gloss over the fact that he had psychological problems and once in a relationship those problems didn’t just magically disappear, rather we were able to see the slow progression towards healing and how much they supported each other through these difficulties. As the episodes flew by and I got closer and closer to the end, I found myself not wanting it to end. It felt like we were a part of all these characters life journey and I wanted to witness the rest of their lives. Usually for chinese dramas I’d say around 24 episodes is the sweet spot. Once that number starts getting to the 30’s and 40’s things start dragging. However this drama was an exception, I honestly cannot imagine it being shorter. Each part of the story deserved the time it received, I wouldn’t have minded a few more episodes , that’s how much I loved this show. Right down to the music which was a perfect match to the vibe of the story. I know I’ll be rewatching this in the future, and it’ll go down as one of my all time favorites

Citeste mai mult

Right from the start I was hit by the complications from the two families, and I found the conflicts very realistically displayed. As someone who grew up seeing my parents fight, I immediately connected with young Ling Xiao. I enjoyed watching the three children grow up and grow closer. The progression of their growth was very logical and relatable, as I recognized some of the milestones that children usually hit (the rebel phase, childhood drama and shenanigans, etc). At the same time, the drama also wove in a lot of adult relationship conflict that I also was able to recognize. Overall, the depiction of relationships in this drama was very well done. I could clearly sense what the characters felt for one another. Very well executed by the cast.

Acting was phenomenal. As I said above, I could easily tell how the characters thought about other characters, especially in the difference for how Li Jianjian treats both her brothers. The drama cleverly wove in some subtle hints from the start and I could easily figure out how she felt about both her brothers. Tan Songyun and Zhang Xincheng acted out the relationship between their characters so well. I cannot imagine their characters being acted by anyone else. Song Weilong's character was very complex, and he did a great job too.

Of course I can't talk about acting without mentioning some of the older actors. Tu Songyan's portrayal of Lin Haichao was so convincing, and he really became the embodiment of his character. His dialogues and behaviors were so smoothly executed it was like he was the character, not acting at all. I love that the drama gave enough attention to the struggles of the parental figures, and the realistic depictions of their conflicts. Chen Ting is a super complicated character and Yang Tongshu portrayed her so well. There were moments where I hated the character, then other moments where I really empathized with her internal struggles. I thought it was a great depiction of mental health struggles that people could be going through in real life.

Despite this being a family style drama with not too many dramatic scenes, it did not fail at all in making me cry. There were times when one episode made me laugh so hard my cheeks hurt and I had tears then the next episode would make me sob. I have to say that part of the middle episodes started to get a little draggy and stagnant, but the plot still was able to move along and picked up near the end. I gotta say I think the ending is perfect and really fits the overall theme of the drama.

Lastly, I wanted to strongly praise the sound effects. I rarely encounter dramas that purposely use comedic sound effects to make the audience laugh, but this drama did, and I greatly appreciated it. The comedic sound effects really added points to the scenes (that were already really funny), but they made the scenes knee-slappingly funny. At one point I was feeling the drama drag a bit, so I watched on 1.5x and oh boy the comedic scenes were 200% funnier.

I'm extremely glad I watched this drama, and I am happy I am venturing out into more genres outside of my typical xianxia/wuxia. Please don't hesitate to give this drama a try!

Citeste mai mult

Beautiful and touching drama - best of 2020 releases

I love this movie, finished all the episodes on a weekend. The production was excellent, not a dull moment. There are moments where you would cry, moments where you will laugh and moments where you will smile, not a dull moment. The acting from the main casts were all so brilliant. And the OST was a great match to the whole movie. I did not regret watching this at all, kudos to the director and producer for making such a delightful and enjoyable drama to watch.
Not only I found the acting from the younger main casts were good, I enjoyed the acting of the other 2 older main casts. Their relationship in the story and the sacrifices both the fathers made for the children were so relatable. It also drove home the fact that no matter what the make up of a family is, unconditional genuine love for each other’s matters most. There are so many life lessons embedded in the drama, definitely worth the investment in your time watching it.

Citeste mai mult

Go Ahead is the type of series you can't forget

Caring neighbours and nosy neighbours, there is a difference. But one must carefully draw a line so as not to interfere too much in one’s private affairs. These were my first thoughts when I started watching Go Ahead, a 2020 Chinese television drama series that revolves around three non-blood-related kids who became each other’s family.

I am not saying it was a bad start, okay? It was a very effective introduction that successfully grabbed my attention. Seeing too many telenovelas, K-dramas, J-dramas, and other series on various platforms Go Ahead is the only family drama I was willing to see through.

I give Go Ahead a perfect score because the effort of everyone who made this series radiates. I honestly did not expect the intense quality Go Ahead was going to give when I first saw clips online. The story, actors, music, basically the whole production is wonderful. Go Ahead is the type of series you will not easily forget.

https://clarisays.com/2021/04/26/reelview-thoughts-on-go-ahead-2020/

Citeste mai mult

Great family drama

This drama isn’t a genre that I generally go for, but I decided to try it out after getting fatigue from other cliched dramas.

It turned out to be really refreshing and strangely gripping! I laughed and cried throughout the drama as the characters went through life and grew up. I was surprised that I could finish all 40 episodes (I generally drop long dramas halfway out of boredom from plots which are too similar). The characters are all well brought out, flawed but lovable (except for Ling Xing’s mom).

The acting and plot are amazing and heartwarming. A great drama to watch to appreciate your loved ones.

Citeste mai mult

? WOW ?

Quick trigger warning for physical abuse.

This show is pretty special as far as coming of age shows go. I really enjoyed watching this and appreciate the storyline. The show made me feel for the three main characters and it made my heart go through loops and feel happy and sad!

I love coming of age/university/young adult life shows. The family dynamics were really a special part of the show. They story really shows what a “found family” is and that was really touching. There we’re definitely frustrating moments, and there are events that feature physical abuse from a parent. But it’s wasn’t too much and it fit for the story. I think that there were a lot of highs and lows, there were melancholy moments and a lot of happiness too.

I hope you give the show a chance because it was worth it!

Citeste mai mult

I regretted procrastinating and not watch this first

This drama no doubt will bring you through a series of emotional roller coaster! With excellent casts, great story-line there is really nothing much to not like in this drama.

I honestly feel that the roles are specially tailored for the casts because I couldn’t imagine it with other actor/actresses.

The series really shows the growth of each and every character as you watch the episodes; with life lessons to learn as well.

Do prepare a box of tissue when you start to binge on this series and not flood your sheets with tears like I did!

Citeste mai mult

a well-constructed story about familial and romantic love

I usually have a hard time enjoying dramas about growing up or family because of the melancholy vibe that is always attached to the genre. I've become sick of the cliche sad background stories that are dragged on and cause characters to undergo forced growth.

The idea that three kids end up growing up together because of perfectly aligned unfortunate events is a bit unrealistic and cliche, but the problems that caused their positions in life are as realistic as it can get, which is why I love the drama. Nothing too weird or crazy happens throughout the show. The passage of time is depicted perfectly. The characters pass normal stages of life together, and at times grow distant because of such phases in their lives. It is shown that some relationships, even the strongest ones, can struggle to stay afloat because of time apart. Each character undergoes their own complex struggle with family, and their growth as individuals is well-paced. Every action characters take and the emotions they feel are supported by the strong plot. Throughout the story, there is a perfect balance of comedy, seriousness, and romance.

Three different families, each not following the normal family structure and undergoing their own unique struggle, are united into one. They created a new normal for themselves. The show portrayed how sometimes the relationships people choose to create can be stronger than the ones made by blood.

The only problem I had with the show was that some things were dismissed way too quickly. I understand it needed to be done for a complete story and happy ending, but it undermined the legitimacy of the problems. This is especially true for Ling Xiao's mom. It didn't bother me too much, since it was the ending, but it would've been nice for the problem to be taken more seriously.

I think the reason this show was executed so well is because of the amazing and talented cast. Sometimes I can find acting in Chinese dramas cringe, especially in the case of sad or crying scenes, but this drama didn't have that problem. The emotions were conveyed so well and it made the show seem so realistic.

I saw some people weirded out by the development between Song Wei Long's character and Seven Tan's character. I'd like to point out that if you look back, even to the episodes when they were still children, the relationship between Seven Tan's character and Steven Zhang's character are truly platonic. The show indicates how they tease each other and play around with each other like siblings would, while Song Wei Long's character has a completely different vibe with Seven Tan's character. It's true that Song Wei Long shows care for Seven Tan, but the fact is that they are not related at all. He has his own living parents and Seven Tan's character has her own living dad. His care for her was based in romantic feeling from the start. It's normal for a boy and girl, from two different families, who end up growing up together and spending so much time together, to develop some type of feelings. Steven Zhang's character was different, since his mother was no longer part of his life. Seven Tan's father became his only parental figure, while Song Wei Long's character still had contact with his mother and father. I personally, don't find it gross, because their different relationships were set up since the beginning.

Citeste mai mult

BAD ASS WOMEN

The only word I'd said for this drama is love..love..love and eat. I love 2 fathers who love their children unconditionally regardless if they're biological children or not...their loves shone through times, reproach to all parties. Song Wei Long, Seven Tan, Steven Zhang dynamic brothers and little sister relationship with a lot of emotional struggles as family came from different abandonment, the best Dads Li Ba and Ling Ba, the sibling would dropped everything to help out the others trouble. Ling Xiao's mom was kind of crazy, chronic PTSD after the lost of her first daughter that traumatized Ling Xiao as he tried to deal with his Mom's possessiveness over his guilt. He ZiQui reconciled with his mom finally after so much heartaches. A lot of eating scenes as family and friendship, all looked so delicious foods that I would gladly sat with them eating Li HaiChao's cooking. I like the most was the way Ling Xiao declare his relationship with Li JianJian in front of their dad....and he hesitantly accepted the relationship - ZiQui was the one firstly asked for his permission. Anyway....He ZiQui gave Ling Xiao and Li JianJian an ultimatum in their boyfriend - girlfriend relationship not to mess up 'sibling relationship' if their love didn't work out. ZiQui's seeking for kinship to the family who raised him while Ling Xiao had loved JianJian since high school in desperation of a drowning boy/man from sinking psychological burdens.

All bad Ass women were all in this drama; the women who abandoned their young children, or women who're forcefully dictating their children to go to what their best vision to their kids. These women didn't allow their children to make mistakes and learn life lessons. Tolerate, love, understand, hopeful, forgiveness won over regret, disappointment, sadness, anger, bitterness of these women. They became one family....and that's the best ending ever.

Citeste mai mult

So I finally caught up to this drama and finished the remaining episodes. I must say the cast was what initially drew me in especially Song Wei Long. He has one of the nicest faces I have seen and he is damn cute. I also like Steven Zhang and the trailer was very interesting.

STORY:
There were some absolutely golden and some absolutely boring moments. It started off strong and remained consistently good till ep 25-26. I felt like child actors were too cute and the sentiment of family was captured perfectly. In spite of the hurtful childhood all 3 of our leads had, they were quite fortunate. That was a little fairytale-like for me and at the same unbelievable i.e. the amount of abandonment happening and tying people together. The latter episodes focusing on the parents were a snoozefest. The mothers were unforgivable and at times the entire situation seemed too melodramatic for my taste. Emotions were good and some struggles were real but there were some unbelievable moments also.

ROMANCE:
I am glad my ship was right and the one I shipped her with came true. At times 'Ge' was cringey for me but maybe it is the same as 'Oppa'?? There could have been more in the romance department, but too much was focused on work and family.

CHARACTERS AND ACTORS:
For me the characters and the actors drove the story. I wouldn't give all credit to the script. Right from the Dads to the friends- Mingyue and Tang Can, everyone was perfect. The leads were also casted perfectly but the age gap was a little weird. I like Seven's portrayal but I still inclined towards the male leads. Even the unlikable mothers were good at playing their part. Felt like the drama portrayed two ends of spectrum when it comes to type of parents - good and the terrible. In the end it tells you family doesn't mean kindness. Kindness can be felt even from strangedd and make anyone feel like family. I felt worst for Ling Xiao. His life was too bad and his dependency on Jianjian was pitiful. His mother was horrible all the time. The little sister was also freaking annoying. I didn't feel anything for other brother's mom also and didn't buy her story. The biological dad was also no good.

OST:
First time ever I am appreciating OST from a Mainland drama. Highly recommend listening to all the songs.

OVERALL:
Realistic yet melodramatic. Not enough of romance yet enough of good family moments. Nice way to show sibling and friendly love, gratitude and loyalty. I liked that it touched upon Mental Health but lot of it was unresolved and poorly handled. I wasn't as hooked till the end but I am glad I watched it. Maybe it was perfect for some but missed the mark for me in few areas.

Citeste mai mult

Drama With A Lot of Heart

Story centered on found family and follows characters overcoming obstacles and caring for each other.
There's so much to love from the filming to acting.
Enjoyable Aspects:
- Clear love that these characters have for each other (not even limited to our main trio, parent-child relationships, friendships (between the three girls, dads, and more). The way this is conveyed is also realistic: there's horsing around and casual affection. Conflict arises and eventual reconciliation
-ALL THREE 'EPICS' of the main trio. Showing the adversities the characters went through their childhood, fun antics in their high school , and aftermath of separation in adult years. The child actors acted amazingly with surprising emotional depth (and adorableness). High school years was so fun, with wild Li Jian Jian getting into all sorts of trouble dragging along her older brothers. Character development as adults
- Realistic relationships and characters, with all these sensitive topics and traumatic childhoods it's all handled really well. We understand the rationale for 'villainous' characters like the negligent parents. But there isn't an immediate reconciliation, emotional trauma is clearly seen within the characters.
-Quick end and solution of Love Triangles: The ever detestable love triangle strikes again in this drama. But, they're relatively quickly reconciled and regular dynamics resume
-Romantic love takes a back seat. This drama is much more focused on slice of love and familial/friendship love between the characters, supporting each other with everything ranging from messy family dynamics to dreams. The love that blossoms between LJJ and LX doesn't cause a dramatic change in their interactions and luckily doesn't affect their bond with Ziqiu.
-LJJ's antics, her optimism and outlook on life is really admirable. She's really the glue or light that keeps her family grounded. High EQ from her childhood carries into her adulthood.
Regrets:
-Jealous of all of these dynamics. Where are my ride or die older brothers that choose their future career based on me? D: Where are my sisters (before misters) that don't hold grudges and unconditionally support me? Sign me up for a father like LJJ's
-Craving more content from the good ol' days of youth. The child actors are so good, it's a shame we couldn't see more of the bond and happy times of our found family unit. Same goes for high school days, so much humor content we missed out on!! Or maybe that's just me being better about annoying neglectful parents re-popping up into kid's lives and ensuing distress created
-Not watching drama earlier, though maybe this isn't a regret? I was able to binge the drama and overcome any sad drama times in 2 days! Steven Zhanggggggg <3333

Citeste mai mult