The Way You Shine (2023)

Great acting albeit with a clichd soapie plot

I was excited to watch this as I like both the main leads from different dramas (especially FF from History2 a BL)

Trigger Warnings: Suicide, Abortion

What they did well:
- Casting - top notch. You were behind the MC and really hated the others
- OST - sweet
- Kissing scenes - both Puff and FF are expert kissers
- I found myself wanting to watch the next episode
- The food porn - I was craving cake by the end of it.

What wasn't so good:
- The plot is ok but there are so many coincidences you would think it was based in a village not a city. Like there are literally only 4 families in this whole show
- The majority of the women are really unlikeable. From the mums to the 2nd FL to the sister Xia Anni they were problematic.
- Stalking seems to be normalised behaviour. No means No
- They resolved some issues quickly such as trauma and others were left with holes (e.g. the debt). Maybe they're saving it for the last 2 episodes but I doubt they could fill that many.
* 1 thing I didn't like is that the villains were noticeably darker skinned, highlighting a continued issue with the Asian media.

Overall a decent binge watch over the weekend and if you like that soapie style then definitely worthy of a watch.

I'll come back after the ending but that's it for now. Enjoy!

Post ep 24: Nothing to add except the mum stuff was resolved a little too easily. There was a lot of emotion at the end and it was well acted. The OST did the mOST with the paino and string instruments but, at this stage I would expect nothing less. I'm just glad they didn't give us amnesia in the last episode as with all of the cliches it could have gone there.

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Good acting, great chemistry, but too much melodrama

Okay, let's start this review by praising the highlight of the drama: the performance of the two main actors. They did really well, whether it was their solo scenes or the ones they acted together.

Chemistry on point, with great dynamics between the two main actors.

To me, the romantic scenes felt extremely natural. And , yes, the kisses! We had REALLY great kisses, like, real one kisses, not those ridiculous closed mouth kisses like in "Date With The Future". Long story short: i loved them both together and their development as a couple.

Speaking of the story now, the drama got off to a good start, despite the tone...a little? melodramatic and over the top, I really enjoyed this FL's dynamic working and struggling to rebuild her life after her father's death and the "marriage" to that asshole scumbag had come to an end.

However, after ML left the dessert shop, things got a little boring. I would really prefer him working there or opening his own branch. Despite that, watching the character maturing and seeing him become a man was really pleasurable.

I don't have much to say about the FL, in fact, in my opinion, she is the best character in this drama. She's an admirable woman, she knows how to defend herself but doesn't lose her poise or elegance -although she has many reasons for that - and she's never been mean to anyone, even though most characters behave like human garbage in this series

On the PROS side I would also like to add the abortion's discussion, the topic regarding sexism and prejudice towards women and their choices, especially divorced women, privilege and connections and the meaning of love.

On the CON side, as always, the over-the-top, Machiavellian family's interference bothered me, and it often comes across in a very unrealistic way. I can't believe it gets to this point in real life.
Also, female rivalry and the writers' vice for writing female characters as being extremely pathetic and dependent on male validation. That makes me sad. I really can't believe that the other two women on the series regular cast spend 24 episodes chasing after men who don't give a shit about them, and when it's finally over, they no longer have any lives or roles of their own. Well, at least ML's sister got some character development, even though she behaved like a child.
The FL's mother...oh, her.. honestly, she is an idiot. She left her daughter alone to support the two of them and still complained most of the time. I really could not stand her.

Well, in general, despite the typical and unnecessary female rivalry, melodrama and some caricatured characters, it was an interesting cdrama. Perhaps, having more episodes it would be possible to develop it better.

PS: It probably won't happen in the near future, but I hope to see these two actors as a couple in another drama

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Nice Romance Drama that Shines

This series hit all the points of tragedy, jealousy, business dealings and broken connections. The chemistry between the leads was heartwarming and swoon worthy. The emotional depth of the ML was very well done. FL did very well in conveying the arc of lost, betrayal and hope. OST song by Shi Shi, "Loving You Is" totally captures the essence of the series. . 2 hospital scenes close to the end was a bit cliché and wasn't needed to that extent.
Episode 24 gave all the key dialogs from the mothers and ML for a solid ending to occur. However, the ending was curious and a little open-ended which left you thinking .... Okay??? Anything else? Yet, overall production was solid. This is a solid watch.

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"One man's trash is another man's treasure"

She just got married when her father committed suicide after the failure of their company. She and her mom were left with amount of debt and constantly harrashed by loan shark to collect the payment but thsy really are broke . Her husband , a doctor who came from upscale family was forced by his mother to divorced her because she doesnt want her son to shoulder the responsibility of paying the debts of his wife's family ( so where is the for better and worse??). Since the husband is mama's boy and got no balls to stand up for his wife to his mother, so he divorced her.

To make the 24 episodes story short, she found a new love, younger than her but really really love her. He is a son of the company that his father wants to collaborate in their business in which he put all his investment to the point that his father also taking a loan to loan sharks people to open another branch oversea but ML's company rejected him in the end and caused her father to end his life.

It's an easy to follow drama and I enjoyed it
Minus the controlling freaks mothers and annoying 2nd FL who has a one- sided love to the ML.

The amazing chemistry between the ML and FL 🔥 definitely loved it! You have to pass 14 episodes first before the romance happens . But the kiss and their lovey dovey scenes to me really makes up the some draggy parts of the show. Both ML and FL are super good in their kissing scenes and you're talking in asian typical drama , you can rarely see a real open mouth kissing , but this drama is one of those just few dramas i saw that has a real not statue or fish kiss but an open lips kissing which actors very convincing to the viewers that they are into it in their
role .

I loved both ML and FL strong and not easily to be tricked by people who chased after them for their love. ML is firmed and very straightforward to 2nd FL that his love is only for FL and will never change.
FL , once she was dumped by her ex , she never go back to her no matter how he is trying to get her back. He really regretted big time. When he dumped her and let his mother manipulated him , the ex- wife was really loved and treasured by ML. As the
Saying goes
" One man's trash, another Man's treasure".

The story has a pot hole, there's a break up in one episode in the last 3 episode but it was resolved in the next episode. Although the ending is happy ending but at the same time a cliff hanging but I enjoyed overall.
You have to watch it for yourself to know what I mean.

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Give up!!!

I really loved the series, I'm also really happy that the two finally got together and are about to marry.
It was clear with the video that it would come up again at some point.

I don't think that's necessarily an indicative of a second season (nobody needs that). Rather, it means that it just won't be easy for the two of them, even if they are married, because so many are against it. So life goes on as usual 😅 .

Well, the fact that both of them have had a partner before and therefore also sex should be clear, the video is just a real mess from her ex-husband, but all in all it won't change anything in their relationship.
Maybe the beast will do herself and her silly brother a favor and delete the video. Both siblings should have slowly understood that they never have a chance.

If you could just get someone who's solo, oh god who would I have had... LOL!!!
That must be a bit of a reciprocity thing. That's why I don't understand the point of still not giving up after the 100th rejection.

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This was an exceptional series. I loved the build up. The acting was amazing. The crying scenes made me want to cry too.

Series was about a woman who encountered hardship and how she moved forward to rebuild her life. Of course we have our ML who comes into play. His character had a friendly and bubbly personality that could most,likely get along with anyone but he was also one that wanted independence. These two came together and t was sincerely sweet and heartfelt.

The chemistry between the leads showed up heavily. I would like to say that karma as well, but it more like reality than regret. It was still very good.

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Challenges ,obstacles and surprises come one by the other

A girl who started her beautiful married life but her father suicided and a big scary news she faced as a consequences her husband divorced her though he loved her lot . He tried but he fail in love ,yes for a while he think about his future.
She was devasted but evey cloud has a silver lining ,she fought and slowly slowly she were getting back . Another boy who was male lead's character helped a lot that's how she stood on her feet . Inorder to help eachother in one after the other this made them to fell in love with each other after they faced little bit problems but all is well when end's well.
Only last part I didn't get it , at one side they were getting married but other side her ex husband watching the video of their first night . So ,is there a second season ? What was the meaning of ending scene .
I like the drama .Actors were good.

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A well grounded romance with an odd sting in the tail

I have a love-hate relationship with Taiwanese dramas. They can be either very good and creative or way too melodramatic for my taste. This show is somewhere in between.

I mostly enjoyed this show. It has a dramatic start but once the dusts settled, it feels more grounded than many other t-dramas. A lot has to do with the acting of the FL. She was put through the wringer when her father died suddenly and left her family destitute. With the help from some kind souls, she lands back on her feet and starts to put her life back together. I appreciate her acting and the fact that she is a plain Jane for the bulk of the show. The ML is handsome and earnest in his pursuit of the FL. He did a solid job and provides us with some nice romantic moments. The chemistry between the leads is good and their romantic journey largely feels organic. There is a decent amount of skinship which feels natural.

The Show is well supported by the ensemble cast. It is nice to see that there is not a lot of overacting from them. However, some of the roles are from central casting and can be one dimensional. The mothers of the ex-husband and the ML are next level though. Both are single-minded in their rejection and prosecution of the FL. I don’t quite understand why so many Taiwanese mums are portrayed this way. It is so tropey.

While I consider the show to be well grounded, it is not angst lite. If anything, there are segments where it is very melodramatic. This is particularly true towards the end when the writer throws in many angsty subplots. This is rather unfortunate as the Show was tracking well up to this point. The leads are overcoming the odds and things are finally looking up. They then have everything including the kitchen sink thrown at them.

Thankfully, the HEA ending arrived just before I adopt the fetal position. The Show took its time getting us there but we got there eventually. I'm not sure if it is intentional but the ending is very tropey and predictable. It also has a weird twist that makes me do a double take.

I won’t spoil it but imagine the classic horror movie ending where we see the survivors ride off into the sunset after taking down the evil antagonist. Just as they fade from view, the camera pans down towards the smoking ruin. Slowly but surely, a burnt and scarred hand push through the rubble and claws at the sky. Hold that thought when you watch the last few scenes of this show. This is a textbook romance so what's with that scene with the SFL? Could there be a S2? I hope not.

Production value is decent but they did spare some expenses. I can’t remember much of the OST, generic love songs mostly. Rewatch priority is low.

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Enduring Love Can Truly Triumph Over Any Challenge or Adversity

The ML is simply amazing with his simple and uncomplicated approach to life. And his love for XX the FL is enduringly endearing. It's worth watching over again his dialogue in the last episode on the day ZXX was discharged from the hospital, as they returned to her home. Pay attention again to the way he handled his mother's fears over the possibility of his not finding joy in his future marriage. The ML's sensitivity to the feelings of his loved ones and his uncanny ability to build hope and dissolve their fears , characteristically , in seemingly childish simplicity, is very disarming. I had already written highly of the FL elsewhere. And I am glad I wasn't disappointed at the end. As for the FL's mother, she's simply adorable, especially with the encounter she had at the hospital with the ML's mother. And she promptly put her words into action the moment that Tianyu came out from seeing the comatose FL- Xin Xing and broke down at the prospect of the FL not regaining consciousness.

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