Hou Lang (2023)

The script of this story is a joke that the actors cannot save it.

I was looking forward to a Chinese drama that explores traditional Chinese medicine. However, the script is very old school and does not follow basic logic. Even a veteran actor like Wu Gang cannot save the drama. The first major issue of the drama is the idea that Wu Gang tries to make Sun Tou Tou into a great physician because he does not want her family's special skill to be lost. However, this is the issue, Sun Tou Tou grew up in an orphanage. As a result, she does not know this skill, so the traditional medical acupuncture skill is already lost. She has the family bloodline does not make her know the skill. This is not supposed to be a fantasy drama. I am a fan of Zhao LuSi, but this drama is not for her. Her character grew up in an orphanage, so it is expected that she should be street-smart because she knows how to survive the cruel world without anybody to help her, but some of the things she does are questionable. For example, in the first episode, she throws the food at the Ren Tian Zhen, when it is her fault for delivering it late. As a person that grew up knowing how to survive in society under no one's protection, this action does not follow basic logic. This is a very disappointing drama when it has a very special topic that Chinese dramaland does not explore very often.

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one of the most subtly misogynistic drama of recent times

Wont go much into the story as everyone has already commented a lot on it. Yes its main purpose is to promote TCM but what surprised me the most is how women are portrayed in this drama. Professor Ren's wife also known as Ling Lan is the biggest saint in the world. Her husband quit his job as a principal to start an apprentice school where students can learn for free without discussing with her. Then asks her to go and pack his stuff from his office when he finally informs her of him quitting on his last day at work when he had handed in his resignation one year prior.

Ren Xin Zheng is portrayed to have god level talent and obviously he would because he does nothing but work and study while his wife runs around earning for the family, picking up his slack, parenting and doing household work even though both of them are TCM practitioners . She gives up her saving to her husband so he can run charity apprentice school and entire time you will see her parents and him telling her in different ways shes narrow minded if she doesn't support his work for the greater cause. The first time her husband decides to do the cleaning in their 29 years of marriage, he displays that he doesn't even know how to mop the floor and as if his incompetence in household duties wasn't clear enough from that he had apparently mixed the 2 different types of filling his mother in law made into single container so that he can wash all the other dirty plates. His mother in law berates him and her daughter saying it is the women's duty to look after the household and men aren't capable of it.

If you think it stops here nope. Ren Xin Zheng proposes to sell their house because he needs fund and Ling Lan is again portrayed as narrow minded because she refuses in the beginning. So in show of support to his son in law, her dad offers to sell the house all of them are living in instead of the house Ling Lan and the professor owns, morally forcing her to sell their house because how can she let her parents be homeless at their age ( they later got money donated by someone else so neither of the house was sold). What was even more frustrating in this episode is where Ling Lan's mother says " Small matters in the house are decided by me but I listen to my husband on the big matters" when she question's her mom's opinion on her dad wanting to sell their house to fund her husband's dream.

Later on Ren Xin Zheng claims to have an illegitimate child and when Ling Lan is with her parents devastated by the news, her dad tells her a good lady should obey and whats wrong with having a second child. He later tells his son in law he trusts him but my God telling his daughter to accept her husband's infidelity and illegitimate child without even trying to comfort her is crazy. The mother adds insult to the injury saying if Ling Lan's dad bought an illegitimate child she would accept the child into the family implying she should just accept the child into the family and live like nothing is wrong.

Promoting TCM is fine but did this drama really need to reiterate multiple time that women should just accept whatever the husband says? The only time a woman stands up for her own rights and gets a divorce due to her husband's infidelity , she's later shown as filial to her ex in laws by taking care of them when her ex father in law was hospitalized and she says she's just doing the filial duty her son has to their grandparents.

I think in the entire show there's too much "education" on how women should behave and deal with situations and most of it is to be subservient to men and elders around them. The story would have been fine if they just promoted TCM and all the other side stories but this constant portrayal on how women should behave and portraying them as petty for being concerned about financial situation or wanting their husbands to actually care about them is crazy, especially the sentence a good lady should obey. The misogyny is subtle but high throughout the series. The most visible ones are from Ling Lan and Professor Ren's story but throughout the story there are too many instances to not really realize it. High time that drama's start showing both working husband and working wife sharing chores equally and preparing the future husbands on how to coexist with their wives than telling women to mother their counterparts.

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REFRESHING DRAMA

It's the first time I have watched a drama related to medicine and I surely loved it. There would be many reviews which will be stating that it's very slow and all, yaa it is correct but I loved it. The initial episodes were enjoyable, but the pace of the drama slowed down a bit. However, it gradually picked up and became more captivating again. I liked the relationship between TT and this master aka RXZ. It showed the pure relationship between a teacher and a student. The chemistry of TT and RTZ is so good. They had pure and innocent love, and I loved watching them. Then the chemistry of both the couples aka RTZ parents is lovely. This drama is so pure.
Wished we had more RTZ and TT moments. They were so lovely together. I would love it if Zhao Lu Si and Luo Yi Zhou could collaborate once again. This pair looks fresh and they have very sweet chemistry with each other.
Lastly, I would say it's a very refreshing drama and I loved enjoying it so much. The entirety of this drama was flawless.

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Learning the ways of the classic Traditional Chinese Medicines

I would like to describe this drama in general as educational. Having this theme to be used in a drama may unlikely attract a legion of viewers but as a foreign spectator, I find it profoundly interesting. It showed the depth of Chinese culture in view of the natural approach to healing and providing remedies for an illness. Watching this was like taking a course where you learned and made a lot of realizations about life and how it directly affects the condition of one’s health.

Zhao Lusi gained my adoration again. I can’t think of any actress that could better fit the role other than her and act splendidly the way she did. The same goes with her mentor here who portrayed the role flawlessly that you could wish for someone like him to be your teacher as well.

The story was inspirational. It was a journey for all the characters in relation to a change of understanding between TCM and Western medicines resulting in positive holistic progress for everyone. Though it talked about a serious subject, in between, you could have a good laugh and a feel of romance.

This drama is not conformist but I praised the creators for deviating from the norms of the drama genre to come up with this. I sensed patriotism.

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A feel-good drama

If you have loved Go Ahead then this might be your cup of tea, or even Hospital Playlist. The series has a warm, feel-good vibe to it that is even more enhanced by the excellent acting of everyone. Lusi's acting as usual is enthralling, from making the audience laugh to making them cry, she has nailed it as usual.
The character development of the main leads were significant and praiseworthy. The transitions of seasons and their meanings that were illustrated were beautiful and informative.
However, there are things I did not like
-- There were too many characters that kept getting added, hence main plot was compromised a little.
-- The main leads should have gotten some more time, and I am talking about Tian Zhen and Tou Tou
-- The family sometimes seemed warm to Tou Tou and then at any given chance she made a mistake, and she was discarded, Tian Zhen included. Their love story's progress was abrupt, one moment TZ treats her like a friend, and next, we know, he says he likes someone and that's TT.
-- Hoped for a better apology by both Master and his wife when they just made TT leave without believing her.
-- I was looking forward to the development of the 5 focal characters including TT and TZ, but the sub-plots kept cutting the flow.
-- The last bit felt rushed, and [SPOLER] when master declared TT is his daughter, after that no one seemed to care lol. Also after that benefactor was becoming better, his wife and mom just stopped visiting.
--the sudden onslaught of covid, didn't see that coming.
And yet! I loved the story and would watch it again. I loved the father-daughter kind of relationship between master and TT. I would have loved special though with TT living as TZ's gf.

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old

This drama glorify a narcissistic middle aged man that can't even do the bare minimum as a husband and a father. This selfish man, a gold digger, live off of his wife's money, but act like he's the wisest kindest greatest man. Like that family owed him something, when actually he was the one that owed everything to them. He never respect his wife nor his son, disregarding their feeling, and demand them to go along with anything he wants. No one was allowed question his action. Every decision he made was absolute. Everyone was obligated to immediately forgive and forget any of his wrong doings. He never acknowledge his mistakes or sincerely ask any forgiveness. He even gaslight his wife, whenever she express any personal thoughts or disappointments.

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Dragging. Forced subplot. Unnatural dialogue.

40 episodes is truly too long. It's dragging in general and forced plot would pop up from time to time. The last straw for me would be at ep27 with an irrational scene that shows how unprofessional job the writer team has done.

A sister/friend of ML has died suddenly, which has a big impact on ML. ML decides to leave home without telling anyone for a while to stay alone at a little village in the mountain. His family is very worried while FL has an idea where he would be, so she follows him and meets him when he bungee jumps and almost dies.... There're quite a few weird things here. Let me point them out one by one...

1. At the bungee jump spot, there's only ML without any staff, but that place is fully equiped for bungee jumping. ML's legs are properly roped. - How come no staff? Where the equipments come from then? Who helps him tie his legs?

2. ML carries his traveling backpack while bungee jumping......??!

3. Then he jumps, and the rope is tied for the distance that ML would dip into the lake below, but it isn't a dip. The rope never bounces and everyone concerning to the business leaves ML head stays in the water for as long as he stops breathing eventhough the rope is still tightly tied to his legs. No one drags him up. No rescue team preparing at the lake, either. FL is the one who jumps into the lake and drags him to the bank and gives him CPR. - Wow... really?? No staff around to the point that no one makes any kind of moves when his head stays in the water that long?? And what the hell with the rope not bouncing?? This is so anti-science.

4. There's surely some error along the bungee process. The ML says himself that he has thought thoroughly before bungee jumping, but this still happened which almost made him die. So, he doesn't intend to commit suicide, there's some error, but no one around to take responsibility at all? Like... there's not only staff but no people at all. Not even a crowd to poke their noses. And then, the bungee jumping accident has just passed. No one cares that it happened even the ML and FL....

For the acting.... Zhao Lu Si's acting here is quite unnatural, esp. the last scene when she has the last conversation with ML's father - both her acting and the dialogue are unnatural and awkward. Though the dialouge is awkward, the acting of ML's father is passable, which emphasizes how lacking Zhao Lu Si's acting is when the plot and dialogue given to her are also lacking. (She's normally done her proper jobs when delivering proper plot and dialogues.)

Luo Yi Zhou's acting is surprisingly passable. It's passable on averge, but if considering this is one of his first acting jobs (it's his first series), he's done quite a good job.

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ONE MAN SHOW ZHAO LUSI

This is the worst drama Zhao LuSi has been in (even worst than Please Feel at Ease Mr Ling). Other actors did not do well, even Wu Gang did not shine his character through collaborating with LuSi, she's annoyingly overpowered the rest of the actors - like she's hyper - overacting - overly dramatic of characteristic, loud (appeared disrespectful to the elders) not in good way. The rest of actors were gloomily out of sort, serious, criticized Sun Tuo Tuo all the way, no interesting wordplay, no ingenuity.

Story was promising, I was curious about the science behind Chinese traditional medicine, what can we learn from such remarkable well-kept traditional healing methods. Unfortunately, the screen writer focused on remedy using human urine and animal dungs, wth. Health consultation was more common as anyone can give same advise to a friend. Remedy for poisonous snake bite? Lets's drink concoction instead bringing him to ER. Last stage of cancer? Healed (where there wasn't cure recorded medically) plots were credulous, being such a young age LuSi was already a senior (patriarchal system) which pathetic when uneducated, untrained, nonprofessional high school graduated forced to study medicine for someone else's ambition. For real though, even a medical genius doctor can't really treat patients without years of experiences and well conduct. While there're Pediatrician, doctors, lawyer Phd, those apprentice with medical degree background, as students. Funny too, a medical degree doctor couldn't find a job and working part time as masseur. A lawyer who suddenly inspired to learn medicine just because someone died beyond her ability. Giving praise testament how wonderful Prof Ren as a healer...such a BS. I felt like this drama had preaching vibes, superior above other mortals, giving high-horses attitude toward inferior minions. What's wrong with Sun Tuo Tuo always ready to took in the falls? Screen writer was a disaster, fire her.

LuSi has been partnered with most gorgeous and talented men in the industry; Yang Yang, Wu Lei, Neo Hou, Ryan Ding, Liu YuNing, Xiao Zhan, Then here he came Luo YiZhao where LuSi had to settle with a co-star that has (let me say it in a nice way) sparse promise of bright casting. He had a chance to prove his talent/acting skill in this drama but unfortunately he's not compatible with LuSi. Wu Gang is a veteran great actor, more suitable with antagonist role than light drama. With his tight lip, sharp and cold gazes, serious face, frowning, stern voice, forced smile, he went flat in this drama. LuSi couldn't lighten his serious personality with her overly cheerful and carefree demeanor, Wu Gang was like snuffing out of LuSi's exuberant. Not to mention Jiang Shan (Song Ling Lan) she's patronizing, criticizing, looking down people.

The last 2 episodes was pointless, nothing but discussion of old love bird Song Ling Lan and Ren Xi Zheng, clarifying their misunderstanding and forgiveness. It's cleared that Sun Tuo Tuo wasn't exactly Prof Ren's daughter but rather a perspective daughter in law. I would rather have them a tragic end rejection by Sun Tuo Tuo to accept inter-changing status with Ren family; student, inheritor, biological daughter, prospective daughter in law. But maybe Tuo Tuo think she hit the jackpot by integrating to Ren family since she's an orphan. Zhao LuSi did one man show, the rest of actors were not even worth mentioning. Disappointed, not a good drama, not good plots, not good castings.

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For once, I'll jump to the conclusion: this is a M-A-S-T-E-R-P-I-E-C-E !!!
First of all, the message is so deep that it simply humbles at least 90% of other dramas (and basically every Western series ever - but well, that's easier).
The script works like a Swiss clockwork, seriously; and seeing how this drama consists of 40 episodes of around 45' each, that alone is quite a feat! You laugh, you cry, you learn, etc....the whole nine yards! Or rather, Yin & Yang and all 24 solar terms!
The characters are so well-written and tridimensional that when you finish watching the series, you feel like you're saying goodbye to a group of friends!
The acting is simply superb. At this point I usually give three "honorable mentions" but here it's hard to name just three, one would want to praise *all* of them with a virtual standing ovation! Anyway, traditions must be kept, so let's say I'll stand a little longer for Jiang Shan, Zhao Lu Si and my beloved Dai Lu Wa.
The music is just lovely and adds greatly to the viewing pleasure.
As for the "packaging" (direction, editing, photography, etc.), that's top-notch too.
What's not to like? Perfect 10! Goes instantly into my top-5 of all times! ^_____^

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Laugh, learn, Live. Be good.

This series has the characters written carefully and its a matter of execution by the artists which they delivered so well. Kudos to them.
Its not much on TCM, nor romance but delves more into building and nurturing relationship, a healthy one with family and the society.
I started to watch this expecting for a romance but I realized through, life and drama is more than romance, people. And I find more interest and curiosity on the simplest bits this drama shares so I really had to skim through every episode for learning and understanding. Here, I laughed so hard then I get to thorough silence. I'm watching this again as some kind of an inner healing, an inspiration to stay good, finding balance to life.
Watch this through understanding the characters, the story is a picture of life, sketchy as it is but the characters are really inspiring.
For I who is fond of romance drama, I find this better and among the most interesting drama that has little of it. I won't threw in spoilers, you have to figure in the drama whether you agree with me or not.

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Had potential

The name Gen Z is just not well-suited for the drama. I disagreed with a lot of ways the things were handled by the grown ups in the drama. The whole concept of the drama was not for me. But I can say that the master-disciple relationship between the Xing Zheng and Sun Tou Tou had a lot of potential.

I'm not a fan of Tian Zhen and couldn't actually see him in favorable light once he left Sun Tou Tou drunk alone, where she almost drowned. He was too damn irresponsible at all times. Never stepping up when he made any mistakes, always allowing others to take the blame for him. Let's not forget that in order to alleviate his guilt about Meng Meng, he tried to keep her with him so that he could treat even knowing that it was beyond his expertise. I could only like him for the last part of the story because I chose to turn a blind eye to all of these things & because that's what Sun Tou Tou wanted.

I couldn't believe the way things ended for Meng Meng, what she needed was a therapist not Tian Zhen who wasn't capable of taking care of her. Her parents were even worse, trying to lock her up as if she was some monster. They all failed the poor child.

I didn't much care for how Ling Lan treated Sun Tou Tou, telling her to leave even without giving her the chance to prove that she wasn't guilty. Sun Tou Tou was a such a bright light throughout the drama, she was childish at times knowing that she would be kicked out even if she behaved, not really believing the whole thing about her being the descendant.

Zhao Lusi was the one who made the drama worth watching, her performance as an orphan who knew that she could be kicked out if she stepped one foot out of the line was marvelous. She is a joy to watch & it broke my heart every time she was blamed for things that weren't her fault. She got so used to it that she didn't hesitate in taking the blame & being selfless when she thought it would be better for her master's family.

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