No Park For Young Men (2021)

A Romance to Stand Above the Rest

This is the best CDrama I've ever seen. And it ranks high even among all the shows I've ever seen. Although short, the pacing is perfectly executed, and as a bonus the production and direction is simply outstanding. The show deals with heavy themes and deep messages, exploring varying viewpoints and motivations from believable and evolving characters. What's more, the focus of the drama is on a romance with a premise that's fresh and interesting and which is manifested in a believable and beautiful way. It all comes together to create something special, in a way few shows can do.

The most important element of any show is the story, so that's where I'll start. "Definitely Not Today" brings two opposing personalities together through unorthodox circumstance and under occasionally violent conflict. This sort of premise, while often feeling contrived in typical shows, is done very naturally and evolves without excessive coincidence (there's a little, but it's forgivable). The plot itself is a perfect balance of romance, action, and the occasional comic relief, developing deep bonds between the characters and the viewers while maintaining suspense, intrigue, and enjoyment. Throughout the show, we see beautiful symmetry in moments and relationships, things that really add to the emotional ambiance. I can't say much more for the sake of spoilers, but the pacing is very well done and the story has a satisfying ending.

The characters themselves are extremely well done, part of the reason the show stands out so much (apart from its originality and incredible production). Each character has a background that deeply influences their personality, and which is revealed at the right moment for the sake of the story. The exposition on characters never feels forced or dialogue heavy. Throughout the show, the characters (mostly just the two main leads) evolve in reaction to their circumstances and others. The flaws that each of them carry are unique and believable, and most importantly allow us to be sympathetic or even empathetic with the characters. Even some of the worse characters (although not the villains) have sympathetic backstories that you can understand without forgiving. This is an incredible feat of writing, and brings more texture to an already fantastic plot.

One thing that's so good you often take it for granted is the incredible production. Such things can be a luxury (especially in the CDrama world), but things like cinematography, set design, sound design, direction, and the all important acting and extremely well done. The cinematography in particular is outstanding, with striking framing and beautiful lighting that is still threaded well into the flow of the scene. World-class acting has almost become a prerequisite for a larger budget show at this point, but we must still acknowledge the great work of the actors and the people who cast them, as they portrayed exemplary depictions of characters with a wide range of emotions and which evolve over time. Even more importantly, the two romantic interests have a palpable chemistry with each other, something that can make or break a romance drama (and clearly made it here). The music choice was also excellent, and the sound design was good enough that you didn't notice it.

I've seen many comments on how this show is a breath of fresh air for romance dramas, and I cannot agree more. Virtually free of tropes (there's no 2nd lead!) and brimming with thoughtful beauty, I couldn't help but get instantly sucked into the world; I binged the whole show in one sitting. This is not difficult to do, because the show is short and therefor a smaller time commitment. And so, for that reason in addition to all the incredible qualities I've mentioned above, I will sincerely recommend this show as my favorite CDrama.

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8 episodes of i want more

Surprise! It’s only 8 episode but I’m giving it 10/10 rating. It’s enjoyable, it’s fast but well paced. 1 episodes only 20mins why not give this little gem a try? 2 person met by fate and went through a process healing their broken soul. They learn and finally hope to live a better life. It’s a little bit of sweet little bit of hope little bit of everything u want more in the next episode.

You want to learn more about their backstory as you watch and wonder why they acted the way they act. The show had me guessing about how the FL turns out the way she is. She is betrayed and finally meet the ML and it’s like she see light at the end of the tunnel. The ML wanted to die but he stop that thinking because he encounter the FL and realize he is actually “lucky”.

It’s fun to watch and I doubt anyone will regret watching it. The music is nice and the leads did a great job. I think I have seen the ML before but couldn’t remember where and which drama. It’s the first time I have seen the FL. She is probably new but she acted well. She’s the kind where she looks prettier the more you look at her. I’m hoping to see her in more dramas in the future.

Conclusion: if you chance upon this drama please give it a try. Highly recommended.

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Death Proof.

This is a good but very dark comedy, one that I am pleasantly surprised to see in a Chinese production. Although with some modification, this is an obvious knock off of a fantastic but much darker Western production that many are likely to be familiar with. I don't have a huge problem with that and must applaud the effort to localise the story and tone it down for Chinese audiences. That said, it is an incredibly dark theme and at times the macabre gallows humor accentuates rather than distracts from the underlying despondency.

Mi Chong is an introverted, anti-social young man who can just no longer be bothered to live. He meticulously winds up his affairs and plans his exit but is rudely interrupted by a drowning girl, Zhi Liao. Zhi Liao is his polar opposite, a bad-ass, extroverted and rebellious girl who is nothing but trouble. As he gets reluctantly drawn into her affairs, the hapless Mi Chong cannot seem to be able depart in peace; all of his efforts to do away with himself are comically disrupted. As he gets swept up in a whirlwind of danger and whacky mis-adventures that seem to plague Zhi Liao, he begins to wonder if he suddenly became death proof. While they go on the run together, this unlikely couple starts to recognise they are each other's mutual salvation. As their enemies encircle them, is the final irony that Mi Chong ends up fighting to save his life rather than end it?

Most of the time the whacky plot hits the right notes in terms of dark humor, irony and quirkiness. That said, there were also many times I found nothing funny about the depth of Mi Chong's despair and I am surprised something this dark got pass censorship. And I was not satisfied that Zhi Liao does not have the slightest inkling what Mi Chong was going through. It is a big flaw in the relationship design, the fact that she never comes to appreciate how disturbed he was. While the actress Vivienne Tien did a good job overall, she overacted notably in the ending arc and her rage and anger failed to move me. Although it became clear that they grew to trust and rely on each other, the chemistry between the couple didn't change enough to convince me that the dynamics turned romantic. The surrounding cast was unexceptional with some cringe performances, notably Zhi Liao's brother. This is clearly a modest production but overall a uniquely enjoyable, quirky short watch.

My rating for this is a 7.5 for a delightful attempt at dark comedy. It still has rough edges and the wit and humor in places veers too far off to the slapstick and does not match the wit, audacity and sheer magic of the drama it obviously drew its inspiration from. Where it does exceed it is that it closes with a very positive message about life, how it should be lived and how not to let the past define the future.

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lucky to find this gem

idk how to describe how much i like this drama, my eyes are glued to the screen the whole time

from the start, I'm intrigued with the Male Lead's character and his inner monologues.
the way he got involved with the Female Lead is quite a fun story. their romance was also not the cheesy/cringey type.

i like how fast paced the story goes too
all characters have a purpose, no unneeded fillers. you can finish the whole thing less than 3 hours.
I'm not often rewatching a drama. But i think i will rewatch this one a lot.


character development, acting, setting/cinematography, music all is perfect. my favorite would be how they made those comic-like thingy with the characters intro.


for those who like some dark comedy with subtle romance, you probably should give it a try.


TRIGGER WARNING: Depressive theme & Sexual assault reference

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Definitely Watch it Today

One of its kind... and breath in fresh air would be perfect description for it. While exploring c-dramaland you may notice... it hardly tries for out of the box, and this one is out-out-of-the-box, a bit of darkness, humor sprinkled with unusual romance definitely worth trying out. And this couple it worth it all!

Suicide being very sensitive subject, it was carefully handled, the couple dynamics and their journey together is unique. In the start the characters might be not likable but with time being, you warm up with them, they feel so real maybe coz of their flaws or three dimensional characterization.

It's dark-comedy, and very consistent. There are even some comedic peak moments, but then it's not just a rom-com, it's much more than that. Direction is amazing, tbh beyond my expectations... there are so many creative ideas, sometimes they create humor or add a bit more in story, even the color grading fits the vibe. Even ost was awesome... with great acting, what we need more?

It offers you a heartwarming story... when you'll cry, laugh and feel every emotion.

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A healing no-cringe romance drama that you can binge in under 3 hours!

Sometimes the best gems are the ones that are buried deep in the ground, and this one is definitely it! There is not much hype (or at all) for this cdrama which is a waste because this is one of the best watches I've ever had this year.

Things I liked:

1. A Very Unique Premise: Tbh I think this is my first time encountering a cdrama with this concept. It literally starts with a guy trying out different ways of su*cide. (Don't worry, there is nothing graphic.) Multiple times I have caught myself asking, is it okay for Chinese media to show this?

2. Flawed and Realistic Characters: There are no perfect characters in this show. The ML is antisocial and a borderline hikikomori, while the FL is a conwoman. But you'll see their humanity and end up rooting for them to rise above their circumstances and become better persons.

3. Life Lessons: "When is it 'too late' for a person to change?" "Can someone be kind to you without any conditions?" "Is there a purpose in living?" These are some (and there are plenty!) questions asked throughout the show.

4. Dark Comedy: While the main idea of the drama revolves around dying and just YOLO-ing without thinking of the consequences, it's not too heavy. The comedic moments are golden and it doesn't stray away from the overall theme of the show.

5. Character Development: I can write a whole paper about this but, just watch it!!

All-in-all it's indeed a healing romance as they said. It's not just about falling in love, but finding yourself and a will to live in the process. Best of all, you can watch the whole drama in under 3 hours!

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Will this finally be my gateway drug to CDrama?

I love dark comedies, and stories that present difficult subjects in unique and intriguing ways. Suicide and depression are topics that are difficult to appropriately address without going heavy on the melodrama but this drama succeeds in a refreshing way. This is also a super easy drama to binge since the 8 episodes are under 30 mins and that is exactly what I did one Sunday evening, ironically when a famous suicide in my area was just making the headlines. This drama made me laugh and empathize and reflect without being preachy or corny. It isn't perfect, but after watching so many disappointing dramas recently it was the best I have seen in quite a while. If this is what CDrama's are like, count me in!

It stars baby-faced Connor Leong as Mi Chong, a depressed almost 30 yr old who has plans for the perfect suicide that keep getting ruined by Vivienne Tien as the bold and unpredictable Zhi Liao. I won't say too much more about how they meet and what happens next, but the suicide attempts are worth mentioning just in case that's too much for some viewers. They have great chemistry from the very beginning, less in a cheesy romcom way (which I do love too) but more as just two quirky characters who influence each other. One of my favorite movies is "Fight Club", and they definitely gave me similar vibes to the narrator and Marla. "Definitely Not Today" also relies on narration much like "Fight Club", with some super creative visuals and animation that add to the uniqueness of the storytelling. Their relationship carries the whole drama, with only a few side characters of any importance, and I never grew tired of watching them together on screen. The story only slowed down for me when too many other characters, like the officer and brother, were introduced. The two main leads were all I cared about and a good example of being strong characters individually but even stronger together. Both balanced being hilarious and heartbreaking masterfully.

The rest of the cast is pretty forgetable or too generic... even the funny ones. Figaro Tseng was convincingly cast as her brother, but still forgettable because it's a relatively short appearance.

Would I watch this again? Definitely. In fact I definitely started watching it again... (wait for it)... today lol. It's so short and well-paced that it's easy to watch in one sitting. Where this story goes and how it ends is less impressive than how it starts. The ending does feel rushed and the villains just weren't as interesting as the leads, but just watching them face all the random (VERY random) things that came their way, and each other, was enough to keep me entertained throughout, along with the clever visuals. I can see myself wanting to watch this if I'm in a 'woe is me' mood. There's something oddly comforting and heartfelt about watching these messy characters and all the hijinx that ensues.

I have to thank AnQuat for this brilliant suggestion! I feel like I have a favorite CDrama now, even if it's only my first. (too soon? lol) Dark comedies may not be for everyone, but I love how that style of storytelling allows more freedom to not take even serious matters too seriously. I'm impressed by how much storytelling they packed into these short episodes too. There are some poetic reflections, maybe a tad too much diary entry style narration, and a few possibly triggering scenes, so it isn't only about laughs but it always stays true to its unique style even when somber, which makes me definitely recommend "Definitely Not Today". I wasn't moved enough to tear up but the writing, directing, and acting all impressed me. It was the perfect cure for my recent drama slump. I hope for more dramas like this!

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A short and different healing drama with a dash of humor.

Completed - 2/26/2022

When I first read the synopsis of “Definitely Not Today”, I thought this would be a sad and depressing healing melodrama. After all, the story are about two individuals who are living their respective miserable lives and the male lead wants to commit suicide. I was pleasantly surprised that there’s a lot of humor to lighten the mood, yet not changing the vibe of the drama.

This short drama only has 8 episodes (less than 20 minutes each), with Chinese and English subs on Youku’s YouTube channel. The drama can’t really devote too much time on the backstories of our leads. However, it deftly tells us enough to let us know how their life experiences contributed to their current states of mind. Through a series of misunderstandings and events, our main leads are on the run. They started to get to know each other and develop an unlikely friendship, which in turn developed into a very subtle romance. Along the way, their lonely hearts are healed as they support and comfort each other via unconventional ways.

I have previously watched “Be Yourself” where our main leads, Connor Leong and Vivienne Tien, were a couple. They had a similar dynamic in that relationship with Vivenne being the assertive type and Connor as the passive one. But the vibe of their romance is vastly different. I also enjoy their acting in “Definitely Not Today” a lot more. They portray a wider range of emotions without feeling forced or over-the-top.

Those 8 episodes go by so fast. The pacing is great and I was fully engaged throughout the drama. I definitely recommend this to someone who wants a different kind of healing drama. But be aware of triggers - attempted suicide, depression and sexual assault.

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Dark, fun, dark, deep...

This was too short and so much fun... It starts off in a dark, dark lake filled with dar, dark suicidal humour, definitely catering to my very dark side as it takes us on a pretty dark, did I mention it is dark? Journey to get away from some gangsters counted by seemingly endless obstacles and more or less humorous situations with just a dash of issues...

As the story unfolds it becomes less and less funny, and more and more dark, deep and painful... again with interesting twists and sprinkles of again dark, oh so dark humour...

The characters are interesting, fun, unpredictable at times and not the least bit annoying (though I do feel for the bird)...

The humour is dark...

The romance is actually pretty light but deep...

The drama is too short....

And the journey this drama takes you on is just a blast!

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Simple yet deep message

We got amazing gift in small package. Starts off funny, interactions between suicidal protagonist and high spirited swindler, their mind voices, villains and side characters, basically everyone contributed to comedy. Everyone has purpose and nothing goes unnoticed. The way makers took care of each and every character is commendable. Comedy is never misplaced and it compensated for heavy 2nd half.
Never expected this story can have some deep and dark past coming along. Zhi Liu character deserves some admiration and respect on how she turned out to be amazing and cheerful hiding scars deep within.
Mi Chong 'You only belong to you' and
Zhi Liu 'The one who hurt you can't decide your future' message learnt.
Chemistry is good, especially love how they communicate. They don't have to say or do anything but still message gets across loud and clear. Isn't that what we experience with close friends and family, they are like that in short course of time, destined to be together.

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