Rise & fall of the show

If it weren't for the two main actors, this show would be just garbage with good CGI. Bai Lu was excellent, as is her good habit, and Leo Luo surprised me quite a bit. As I'm not a fan of his, he convinced me that he can act and changed my mind about him.

The whole story of this drama is just a dream of chaos, it doesn't make much sense and the production team tries to redeem it - save it with high-end CGI, which is really impressive on a screen of quality television. However, it soon ceases to entertain the viewer because that's basically all this show has to offer.

Novel readers seem to be able to get a better handle on the story, but for others it's hell. The writers have done this piece of work no favours. Rather, they've merely pointed out that it should be avoided by potential readers. I can't even imagine this drama having 60 episodes in the original when even in those 40 they considered filling in with filler scenes that could be skipped because they are irrelevant to the overall flow.

Moreover, if the writers and hence the novelist don't have enough imagination to keep the story going without letting every character die and rise multiple times, they should refrain from making any more. I find the amount of resurrections in this story almost disrespectful.

Despite all that, I was hooked at the beginning, but the second half went downward. It became a load of nonsense and overall it robbed me of my time. So if someone has nothing to do, they should check it out, but if they haven't read the original work, they'll find it preposterous on its face.

I give it a 7 because I'm too soft and kind-hearted. But if I had to rate it fairly, it's about a 5.

Citeste mai mult

16 episodes of waiting for unanswered questions

Like a viewer, who usually doesn't look for crime and detective series, I've been hooked from the beginning. I've been quite a sceptic, that it will be lack of romance and more crime and mystery and at the end, I've hated the fact, that this series wasn't focused on detective plot mainly, but more on the romance. Paradoxically, I've surprised myself...

For me, many questions weren't answered and the character of the father/main killer wasn't developed and I still do not know his motives, reasons, background, relationship with his children etc. The writer pushed him aside completely and that is something I cannot pardon. The same for killer nr. 2, theoretically! During the 16 episodes, I've been asking the same question all over again. WHY? And the writer's never given me the answer. I don't even know the fortunes of other characters crucial to solve the murders moreover some incidents were bizarrely accidental.

As a sucker for romantic plots, I've been kind of disappointed and I've found myself do not care much about the relationship of main leads. The crime plot was a very strong factor, despite this fact, the writer still pushed romance at the forefront. Anyway, I think, the couple doesn't look together very well and I felt sorry for FL, because of feelings, what she had for ML, who was extremely broken. It was hard for me to believe his love interests for her. At least, there is a happy ending and from now on they could focus on emotional development as a married couple.

If you are looking for crime/detective drama with explanations, you'd be probably disappointed. This story is more about seeking an understanding of two people one for another, about the cure of emotionally broken hero and rediscovery family and friendship.

Citeste mai mult

One big betrayal and one hundred others

I haven't seen such a series for a long time. It's simply all-in-one. I think, there is no story element, you could not find here. The most annoying fact is the length of the drama. 58 episodes are not necessary. There are at least 10 episodes, which just drag the whole series.

The start is pretty great! You'd be basically pulled by the story. First 15 episodes are about the development of the relationship between leads characters. Despite the fact, they barely touch each other, which I must highly criticise, just because it's natural and it makes that story more alive. After separation of the main couple, there is a quite barren part, till the big twist coming.

What I have to appraise is the cast, FL is likeable. Her character is strong, smart and calm. She is even capable of martial arts, what I like the most. And probably the most important thing is her voice, which is very pleasant compare to other Chinese actresses. I do not know, why Chinese women have such pitchy voices. She looks terrific with that white hair. Based on the title, I've expected she will remain with that hair till the end.
ML is great, his character is basically an honourable man. The tag "Second Lead Syndrom" is totally misleading in this drama. I've hated the second ML almost entire series.

What I did not like, it's the over combined storyline. Why this must be like some "all you can eat party"? I've found myself shouting at the screen while I've been pulling my hair about that stupidity of the plot sometimes.

So in conclusion, you should be prepared for every shitty situation and keep an eye peeled.

Citeste mai mult

Great start and steep fall aka Muñeca Brava of 2014

Let's break some facts first and extra slight spoilers. No need to worry!

1. Nothing irritates me as much as Lee Gun's hairstyle in the first half of the series.
2. Pointlessly long journey to the happy end.
3. Episodes 14, 15, 16 and first half of ep. 17 are practically empty. No need to watch it. (I've done my nails during that time.)
4. Daniel is the only one likeable and straight thinking being.
5. The plot is extremely fabricated.
6. Miraculous outburst of emotions towards FL is unreasonable. Especially after 6 years of devoted waiting for Sera.
7. Sera is not a negative character.
8. Exaggerated emotions and overreacting regarding pregnancy.
9. Acting is actually really good.
10. You will laugh many times.

The story is the basic, the story makes 50% of the whole series/movie. And this drama was not something that makes me come back to it. I am actually surprised I've been able to finish it, despite the fact, I've had to skip some parts and that's something I've never done before at any drama.

Overall: Not great, but not bad either. So yeah, give it the chance to it.

Citeste mai mult

The OST is the best thing about this show.

The OST. I'd call it spectacular. It's a catchy blend of music that complements the story and specific scenes well.

The story's not great. It drags at times and let's just say some characters are artificially put in there to make things happen. Some parts are repetitive. What I appreciate is the "male chases female first" and what I liked even more is the whole love potion situation. I enjoyed that a lot!

As for the cast, Jo Bo Ah is very specific when it comes to pairing and needs "special" care in that aspect. It's about 50:50 chemistry here. Sometimes it's there, sometimes it's missing. I can't decide if this pairing is good or not in this case. I think it's still missing something and comes across as just average. Only later in the story, do they start to have some cute moments.

Overall, it's relatively good, nothing spectacular, and some parts are entertaining. So those solid 7 it'll be.

Citeste mai mult

Trashy Product, period!

This drama is such a trashy product.
Not worth even for free.
Made by amateurs only.
Nothing positive can be mentioned.
Uff, thank God I can drop it.
______________________________________________

1.5 points and I am super generous just because the time travel and cooking could have really good potential. But they just screw it successfully.
FL is annoying and stupid. The actress looks so not fitting into it, so fake.
ML can be watchable if he takes off his clothes. The rest of the crew, they don't even worth your attention. What were all thinking by going into such a bad project...

Citeste mai mult