It tried ....

This drama felt like it tried to be like "Go Ahead" feel with unconventional family raised by a dad. 4 kids (instead of 3) not from the same mom and the stories surrounds each one of them. As much as I love Dai Xu (#3) it was hard for me to watch this. The siblings didn't feel close starting off as they didn't bring the background right away. The dad was over bearing so hard to believe he raised the 4 kids to be all successful in different ways. He is literally in everyone's business small or big, completely suffocating.

The older sister (I love this actress) held the fort down and most mature of all the kids. She's a great character but she started off hiding her divorce from the dad but the ex is such a great person makes viewers wonder oh why couldn't they work it out? And then the great reason reveal and it's like "you must be kidding me" doesn't even seem plausible with that kind of character building. Very puzzling....

The 3rd kids (love this actor!) lacked chemistry with his love interest as well so it was hard to be interested. I've been dying to see Dai Xu in better roles sadly it's not this.

Multiple level emotional disconnect with this drama especially mostly the dad's character. Hard to relate, hard to emphasize, hard to like anything relating to the script. Just watch Go Ahead for the world's greatest dad instead.

Citeste mai mult

Leo Young is rocking this role!

Typically, I drop about 80% of short dramas, but I watched this one for the ML! I first saw Leo Young as a supporting role in Love Script in which he provided the comedic scenes. Haven't watched him since and it's a shame because he's got a unique face and a great physique to play any military/ general/badass gangster roles.

For a short drama the script flows and the action sequences are quite good. The bad FL character is better than the good FL character in terms of acting. Both females are beautiful!
Then there's the Chubby security guard side kick who was a surprise fun watch.

Enjoyable watch!

Citeste mai mult

Perfect Detective Drama

I purposely watch this one slowly because I didn't want it to end. There aren't many ancient detective dramas so I consider this a niche drama. Great Bromance brewing slowly over series of events. Even minor characters are written so well that I didn't skip one minute.

3 ML it was hard to determine who's the favorite. Wang Zhi by far was the most complex calculating. I could not believe he's just starting in his career as his facial expressions were so on point. Make it seemed like he acted all his life.
Tang Fan at times seems childish and annoying but also provided so many comical moments
Sui Zhou the manly loyal guard with his sexy accent (I rather hear this than some random dubbed voice) was the protector of all.
The 3 unlikely characters worked together to solve so many crimes. All the characters are interconnected in the end.
Supporting cast were all interesting - the doctor that loves Tang Fan's sister, Dong Er with her photographic memory, the funny noodle shop lady, Wu Yun the archer who end up staying. Too many to name.

The icing on top is all the food displays from cooking methods to explaining the symbolism dishes expressing the importance of love and family.

Lastly the fight scenes with Jacky Chan style displayed. This was just a perfect executed drama all around. I am going to miss this drama that's for sure!

Citeste mai mult

Whole story is just silly

An all girl clan vs an all boy clan where they can never get married due to some ancient hatred and I know you are thinking oh wait how do they get new members?

By ep 9 villain female comes out trying to kill 2 clan heads (who are in love and decided to leave the clan to get married). Both clan present and just watched!
And then you are thinking oh can't they all just tell her the truth before fight started? I mean there was a lot of dialogue already.
Can't both clan just gang up on ONE single female villain and call it?

This kind of story writing is painful to watch.....

Citeste mai mult

Rewatch preparing for S2 EPIC Script!

One of my all-time favorite dramas. This is the best script ever!
Everything is absolutely perfect except the lighting. There's a lot of olive tunes to the drama making the actors look not as pretty which is incredible because there are a ton of beautiful actors in here.

For those people that may not like this drama for whatever reason, may missed all the essence of Chinese language word play. There's so much comedy but all lost in translation. Even the names are clever. Sadly, I can only understand 80% of it. I so wish I can read the actual book but since I can't, the drama itself is perfect.

Some Fun Word plays:
Fan Jian - Fan Xian's Dad's name actually sounds like "being bitchy"
Chen Ping Ping - A very girly name for the master schemer
Nei Ku - Treasury sounds exactly like underwear
There are countless of these.

Unique on every level.
1. Political scheming isn't all that interesting to me but it's part of every costume drama you can't avoid. However, it is interesting here because all the characters are all multi-dimensional.
2. Characters. You can't find any weakness here. Well written characters along with perfect casting.
Mini Fan Xian - I could've used extra episode of him. He's so cute and expressive.
Fan Xian - Everybody loves Fan Xian. I am 100% biased here because the actor has been one of all-time favorites.
Wang Qi Nian - The side kick endless funny punch line delivery guy
Teng Zi Jing - The assassin in the beginning that formed such strong bromance
Fan Si Zhe - Did not know the actor is actually a standup comedian but I can see why
I literally loved almost every character big or small. Shows how brilliant the script writer is.
3. Level of literacy
There's a scene of Fan Xian reciting all the famous poems. (no I never got to that level in my Chinese) but it's amazing the actor reciting all those poems in one breath. People with high Chinese literacy will surely appreciate this.

Citeste mai mult

Against all odds! GOAT of esports dramas!

Years later this is STILL The best esports drama & I am not even into esports!

But to fully enjoy the drama, you'll need to:
1. Don't think too much into the plot holes with the time travel.
2. Don't think too much with the "sensationalism" of against all commonsense healing process. It's "insta recovery" to make the drama continue.
3. Rushed dramatic development of Xiao Bei's team. Too quick to conflict & too quick to resolve.

GOAT:
1. Casting. The actors all did a great job. You'll definitely feel the rollercoaster of emotions.

2. Greatest characters. Very few dramas have this number of enjoyable characters. Even supporting characters are given plenty of personality. There are NO filler moments with uninteresting conversations or extra characters.

3. Plenty of Humor and it's mixed with subtle, sarcastic & OTP kind. There are multiple characters that provide so much humor. I can't count the # of times I laughed so hard. I can't list them all, but I find myself rewatching:
When An Lan first went into Video game world and Seven was trying to teach her
The crazy hospital when they went into rescue A Ming and found 24K
Seven went into the game to apologize to DW
S+1 's a million cosplay outfits and they were the best!
Hair guy waking up in the hospital's dialogue.

4. Story/script. Great story telling with magic editing. I love how the gamers becomes the actual characters in the game.

5. Friendships/Bromance/Love interest. All the relationships are quite beautiful.

Citeste mai mult

Unexpectly cute HS drama

Pretty cute HS drama w/o excessive cringe scenes & bad characters. Easily binge through 24 ep.

Positives:
1. Super cute cast especially the ML , FL and FL's bestie.
2. 5 friends ALL have very different and good personalities.
3. Positive teachers? What? in a C-Drama?
4. Minimal negative characters & lines although the ML's mom's scenes I still needed to skip that.
5. Chemistry: ML & FL personalities compliment each other very well.
6. Dialogue: Plenty of funny lines
7. Enough substance: coming of age experiences for character growth.
8. Natural sounding voices & natural makeup. Simplicity is key

Not so Great:
FL's character is still semi cringe. This does fall into the drama trope of academically challenged Female (at least she excels in English) that talks 10 years younger & always need to be saved.

Citeste mai mult

A worthy series to continue

The cast of Lee Kyung Young always deter me from wanting to watch but he's literally everywhere. I paused for a while but eventually circled back to this but had to skipped 90% of his lines.
Then there's Cha Eun Jae's mom, I skipped her lines too. Control of a 30 year old is not something that's relatable to me.

S3 Positives:
-I loved the addition of the 2 new doctors that offered some comedy relief. Jang Dong Hwa & ex army doc Lee Seon Wung.
-They also kept most of the S2 cast including my favorite pair Cha Eun Jae & Seo Woo Jin. Hands down Seo Woo Jin is the best character.
-Master Kim evolved in this season to grand mentor status, no longer a hot head but super calm providing guidance.
-When the mentee becomes the mentor Seo Woo Jin character development.
-Relationship progressed with the couples as expected after 3 years.
-More screen time for veteran supporting cast Dr. Jung in Soo in all 3 seasons was very nice.
-Return of S1 Dr. Kang Dong Joo to the storyline felt nostalgic although he wasn't my favorite character in S1.

I hope this franchise can continue as there are so many interesting characters.

Citeste mai mult

Solid until ep 30

I've been waiting for the next drama on par with Ashes of Love and this although didn't meet that, it was a delightful drama overall. If you want action this is not it. There were definitely lots of lovey dovey scenes with > normal amount of pairings in a drama.

Wonderful Aspects:
-All that PURPLEEEEE <--- Hottest color
-Beautiful cast that can act!
-ML (which I was never crazy about) & FL had mediocre chemistry but there were plenty of laughs. I especially loved the FL Ye Tan. Thought she was just the right amount of silliness, cuteness, beauty & brains.
-2nd couple with Chao Feng & Qing Kui was definitely the best pairing in xian xia world with looks & chemistry.
-Gu Hai Chao (Chang Feng)'s 1st in command probably my favorite supporting character provided many comedic moments
-Strong supporting characters overall, few include: The wolf/dog/pup, the bird, the muscle head brother, and my favorite bad character the Void Queen. That beautiful badass mama you'd love to hate.
-Family relationships: Aside from all that coupling, I really loved the sister/sister, mom /son, & friends positive relationships.
-Cinematography / costume / makeup - One of the best aspects about xian xia dramas
-OST - yes overplayed and need a few more songs but the few songs are very good

And then after ep 30.....
-Story got sloppy, tiring and lost all the humorous moments. Scene progression didn't make sense
-One dimensional antagonist characters (both of the kings) got especially tiresome
-A bit overboard on # of resurrections & tear jerking flashbacks.
-Rushed ending with a summary narrative................ Aiyahhhh YYYYY

Citeste mai mult

A Ghostless Tang Dynasty

I do love Ancient detective dramas but in this category The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty would be the gold standard for me. Not that the 2 dramas are completely similar as this is focused on solving super natural murder mysteries.

Positives:
Su Wu Ming -- Humorous with a slight sarcasm. By far the most interesting character.
Ghost mysteries -- Interesting decipher of fake ghosts murders with several different mysteries. Good pacing.
Political struggles between the Queen vs the Prince and some how the mysteries intertwined with them.
Decent fight scenes - Not amazing but entertaining.

Could've been better:
Character development -- practically none. I had to give the series a break when when it felt like nothing but solving mysteries. Bromance never really blossomed and Lu Ling Feng's temper remain the same.

Enjoyable watch overall

Citeste mai mult

Just OK

I think if you watched this prior to Legend of Fu Yao or Eternal Love (Yang Mi's notable roles) then you would probably like it more. However if you watched this after that, then it's not as good. Story, chemistry, all felt less comparable. Sure the production is expensive. Costume and sets quite impressive.

Yang Mi - Fang Hai Shi ( literally she acted the same as her other roles) but with worse dubbed voice. The only part that I did like is that she's honest with her feelings and bold to express it. The role also didn't pull a disappearing kung fu like so many other strong FL roles. She should start to part ways from young roles at this as she looks too mature for the part. Of course she's gorgeous for her age but being type casted for the same role over & over again gets boring. Not to mention 2nd lead ML looked 10 years younger than her.

William Chan - Fang Zhu. He did a good job overall but chemistry wasn't strong w/ Yang Mi.

Emperor & Ti Lan - Talk about toxic relationship at its worst start to finish.

3rd couple Fang Zhuoying & Ju Zheliu, sweet couple but also not much going on there.

Too many episodes revolves around just the developing relationships and not so much on plot development. Often times felt draggy and repetitive. I'd rather see a lot more of plot development but I guess this is geared more towards sappy love story drama lovers.

Citeste mai mult

Could've been so much more

This is one of those title that will for sure get some kind of spin off or remake every decade. I love that they used the same classic song in the intro. The stunts, wire works, fight scenes were great! Feels high budget. If you like classic wuxia this is a great watch at least for the fighting scenes. The series started out strong with a cutest child actor for WuJi. (same child actor in joy of life). The supporting cast had some great veterans, solid cast however the eye candies they picked out had some acting challenges. Pretty faces and ..... that's it. Lead Actor Wu Ji did a ok...job but did not do its character justice. 1. he didn't have any chemistry w/ any of the FLs. 2. He's supposed to be smart but it didn't translate 50% of the time in fact keep getting lied to by various females.
40 ep later writing got sloppy and made no sense. Sadly yet another drama started out great and fizzled.

Favorite supporting characters:
Yang Xiao. I hated his character in dating in the kitchen but he's got wuxia swag in this one.

Sadly I watched this for the story and the supporting cast and not so much for the leads.

Citeste mai mult

C or K version?

Actually both are mediocre compared to a "Accidentally in Love" or "Extra-ordinary you" . That being said both had enjoyable moments just far and in between.

Comparison:
1. K drama had better looking ML and 2nd Lead
2. ML in K drama is more likeable start to finish. C-drama had boy with abandonment issues hard to like
3. FL, both ultra cute but K version had way too many over exaggerated faces
4. 2nd Lead. C drama had a way too old looking one for HS actor but personality/lines wise he had funnier ones. K drama 2nd lead just felt like the standard sweet cute guy forever in the friend zone
5. Teachers in K drama were more likeable
6. FL leads parents were more likeable in K drama version
7. Song dances in K drama were cute

I mean it's just ok both versions. Something play on the side.

Citeste mai mult