Crimson Whirlwind
You shine best when you’re pursuing your dreams – a heart-warming and inspirational drama
All in all, this was a solid drama that deserves commendation. I thoroughly enjoyed the notions of teamwork, comradery, friendship and brotherhood, fighting for one’s dreams despite the obstacles both physical and mental, love and support that were warmly embraced in this drama. However, this was a drama with faults that dragged that unfortunately drag down my rating.
STORY
Solid plot line that flowed well for a massive 40 episodes. The first 25 episodes were done really well, pacing, plot wise and character development were all really good and I liked seeing our two leads grow closer together. Liked the humourous revenge plot line and liked their interactions with each other. However, after episode 25, it went downhill and saw a complete 180 degree tone shift into something darker, depressing and at times frustrating. It was super light hearted, funny and engaging prior but then suddenly all this revenge, violence and depression started to appear and weigh down the drama. I felt they added these extra subplots to beef up the drama, but were not executed well and didn't align with the character's characterisation. A major stump for me was the double standards regarding ‘lying’. We spent the first 20 episodes building Tang Xue’s character as someone who absolutely cannot stand lies and this even inhibits her relationship with Li Yu Bing. But then after episode 25, she lies one after another and expects everyone around her to just trust her. And then in the end who feels the consequences and ends up apologising? Li Yu Bing.
I felt Li Yu Bing copped it hard for no reason and Tang Xue got let off everytime. Despite this, I thought their moments together were very cute and could really see how much Li Yu Bing liked her and cared for her. Loved how they each had something from each other e.g. snowflake necklace and pink hockey stick. However, I just felt I needed more from Tang Xue, both in emotion and action.
ACTING/CAST
Janice Wu is not my first choice in actress and actually her expressions and also loud, brash, lack of subtlety in character put me off this drama initially. But I continued on because I liked the banter and humour between the two leads. I think Janice played the character well, I feel like that’s the only sort of character she can play. Very obvious, almost aggressive and nothing subtle.
However, Steven Zhang, boy was I pleasantly surprised by his acting. He did his character so well and I ended up rooting from him. I loved his sense of justice and how supportive he was. I felt like Li Yu Bing really expressed how much he loved Tang Xue, whereas I couldn’t feel it that much from our female lead. I really followed his journey from success, to setback and to comeback and I really appreciated this character arc.
Side characters. There was a lot of heat about the amount of side characters and the time spent on them. I totally get that, it was excessive and unnecessary and the side character stories didn’t have much depth and felt quite superficial. But they did relieve tension from our main lead and built up quite a nice friendship support network which I love.
Our ‘evil’ characters were so off. I liked Zhou Ran’s growth and understanding. But Bian Chiang, what was going on with him? He was deluded and I had no ideas what his motives were and his character and acting felt off. An uninteresting character that had more say in the plot then I wanted him to.
MUSIC
Moving and inspirational soundtrack, really like the whole snow and ice motifs throughout.
REWATCH VALUE
I’d rewatch the first 25 episodes and then leave it at that. I don’t really need to relive anything after. It was super depressing, frustrating, annoying and just felt completely unnecessary.
Solid drama that was a tribute to national pride and winter sport. Appreciate the character arcs and their growth as they bounce off each other and learn from each other. It definitely didn’t need 40 episodes and some of the subplots let the whole drama down in flow of plot, tone and Tang Xue and Li Yu Bing’s relationship. But if you like sport dramas (which I do), strong themes of fighting for one's dream and never giving up, then this is for you. Keen to hear your thoughts as always! xx
STORY
Solid plot line that flowed well for a massive 40 episodes. The first 25 episodes were done really well, pacing, plot wise and character development were all really good and I liked seeing our two leads grow closer together. Liked the humourous revenge plot line and liked their interactions with each other. However, after episode 25, it went downhill and saw a complete 180 degree tone shift into something darker, depressing and at times frustrating. It was super light hearted, funny and engaging prior but then suddenly all this revenge, violence and depression started to appear and weigh down the drama. I felt they added these extra subplots to beef up the drama, but were not executed well and didn't align with the character's characterisation. A major stump for me was the double standards regarding ‘lying’. We spent the first 20 episodes building Tang Xue’s character as someone who absolutely cannot stand lies and this even inhibits her relationship with Li Yu Bing. But then after episode 25, she lies one after another and expects everyone around her to just trust her. And then in the end who feels the consequences and ends up apologising? Li Yu Bing.
I felt Li Yu Bing copped it hard for no reason and Tang Xue got let off everytime. Despite this, I thought their moments together were very cute and could really see how much Li Yu Bing liked her and cared for her. Loved how they each had something from each other e.g. snowflake necklace and pink hockey stick. However, I just felt I needed more from Tang Xue, both in emotion and action.
ACTING/CAST
Janice Wu is not my first choice in actress and actually her expressions and also loud, brash, lack of subtlety in character put me off this drama initially. But I continued on because I liked the banter and humour between the two leads. I think Janice played the character well, I feel like that’s the only sort of character she can play. Very obvious, almost aggressive and nothing subtle.
However, Steven Zhang, boy was I pleasantly surprised by his acting. He did his character so well and I ended up rooting from him. I loved his sense of justice and how supportive he was. I felt like Li Yu Bing really expressed how much he loved Tang Xue, whereas I couldn’t feel it that much from our female lead. I really followed his journey from success, to setback and to comeback and I really appreciated this character arc.
Side characters. There was a lot of heat about the amount of side characters and the time spent on them. I totally get that, it was excessive and unnecessary and the side character stories didn’t have much depth and felt quite superficial. But they did relieve tension from our main lead and built up quite a nice friendship support network which I love.
Our ‘evil’ characters were so off. I liked Zhou Ran’s growth and understanding. But Bian Chiang, what was going on with him? He was deluded and I had no ideas what his motives were and his character and acting felt off. An uninteresting character that had more say in the plot then I wanted him to.
MUSIC
Moving and inspirational soundtrack, really like the whole snow and ice motifs throughout.
REWATCH VALUE
I’d rewatch the first 25 episodes and then leave it at that. I don’t really need to relive anything after. It was super depressing, frustrating, annoying and just felt completely unnecessary.
Solid drama that was a tribute to national pride and winter sport. Appreciate the character arcs and their growth as they bounce off each other and learn from each other. It definitely didn’t need 40 episodes and some of the subplots let the whole drama down in flow of plot, tone and Tang Xue and Li Yu Bing’s relationship. But if you like sport dramas (which I do), strong themes of fighting for one's dream and never giving up, then this is for you. Keen to hear your thoughts as always! xx
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