festivalen
Sweet, sweet abuse of the heart
My god, this drama is such a sight for sore eyes. Despite having absolutely 0 expectations for this, it's now living rent-free in both my brain and in the shattered remains of my heart.
This drama is pretty well rounded in all aspects - it's got the acting, the visual direction (color grading, cinematography), the OST, the charming characters, the engaging story, and copious amounts of emotional torture.
This review is not going to be concise /at all/. This drama quickly earned a spot on my favorites list and I have a lot to say. Seriously, I am perma-stuck in the pit named "Shining For One Thing". It's staying power is very strong.
STORY:
The directors and writers are total sadists. Absolute emotional terrorists. The story they've crafted is as painful as it is sweet. This is the only drama I've ever dreaded hearing the words "I like you". As lovely and cute as the first half(ish) of the story is, it's at it's best during the later half as events unravel and the writers really start to be EVIL.
Strictly speaking, the story isn't 100% watertight. Some scenarios are logic-stretching, and there's some off-details here and there, but there's nothing too egregious. Plus the stellar performances of Zhang Jia Ning and Qu Chu Xiao help buoy such faults.
Past the parallel-world/youthful-romance bits, this is ultimately a story about Lin Bei Xing discovering herself. In the beginning, she's like a rudderless ship - she doesn't really seem to care about her job, she doesn't appear to have any particular goals or ambition, she's fairly immature, and her longtime boyfriend has long since grown tired of her BS. At first, I found myself getting annoyed at her immaturity and her impulsive tendencies, but that's kind of the point here. As the drama puts it, fish swim in the waves but they don't know that the sea is behind them. For a long time, she was blind to so many things in her life, so it makes sense that she still has a lot of growing to do despite her age. These parallel timelines give her the opportunity to explore the world she was so ignorant about before. And in doing so, her character naturally receives that needed character development. And she absolutely goes through the wringer.
The parallel-world/youth-romance bits are equal parts sweet and painful. Lin Bei Xing spent her youth hyper-focused on Zhan Yu, thus shrouding her own "world" in mystery. There's so many things to be unraveled and discovered/rediscovered. In terms of storytelling, the parallel timelines kind of build on/play off of each other in a way. While the shorter timeline hops may feel inconsequential at first, they all serve a purpose. Later timelines provide more context for earlier ones, and it's super satisfying and engaging to see the pieces fit together as more is unraveled. However, the reality is quite cruel and some revelations are absolutely heart crushing. A lot of scenes will really hit different once you have the full context. The directors/writers really know how to break one's heart into 10 billion tiny pieces.
On the happier side, they also know how to make some endearing characters. This drama doesn't have a huge cast, but there's a lot of vivacity. The main leads are both very vibrant and alive, with Zhang Jia Ning and Qu Chu Xiao elevating them with their performances. The dynamic between the two is so cute. Also heart breaking.
Despite my issues with Lin Bei Xing's immaturity, it's hard not to love her. She's bright, bold, and a bit cheeky, just like her nickname (XingXing = star). She's a character that has a lot of maturing to do, but her charisma makes you root for her.
Zhang Wan Sen, the gentle shadow knight... I don't think I'll ever emotionally recover from him, this precious character. His character is so very detailed and carefully crafted, the writers really hit it out of the park. It's impossible to not have sympathy for him. It's impossible to not love him. Really raises the bar for male leads.
Of the supporting cast, most of them shined as well. Mai Zi in particular leaves a deep impression, for many reasons. He's such a good foil for Zhang Wan Sen and is another character that inspires a lot of sympathy...
Special shout-outs to Gazi and Yang Chao Yang for their lowkey comic relief.
Bonus middle finger to Zhan Yu and bonus double middle fingers to Lin Da Hai.
ACTING:
Acting is fairly solid across the board - there's not really many holes in this category, The main leads are the biggest standouts (their tears are my tears), but the supporting cast pulls their weight as well.
Qu Chu Xiao!! I really have endless praise for his performance as Zhang Wan Sen. Truly, I could go on forever. Its a complete and detailed performance - the tone of his voice, his body language, his micro-expressions, all his careful gestures even when those aren't the focus of the scene. He comes across perfectly as a quiet teenager with a monumental crush. Believable and natural. The director duo and writers surely deserve praise for this too. I can't imagine anyone else as Zhang Wan Sen.
Likewise, Zhang Jia Ning!! Much like Qu Chu Xiao, Zhang Jia Ning brings a lot of soul to Lin Bei Xing. Her performance is really infectious and charismatic. Zhang Jia Ning found a perfect balance that makes XingXing feel genuine and super likeable, not overboard at all. She's just incredibly charming in this role.
Out of the supporting cast, Jiang Yun Lin as Mai Zi! For someone who has only had 2 previous roles, he's quite charismatic! Imo, he had more presence than Wu Zi Xe did (though that's not really Wu Zi Xe's fault).
Again shout-outs for Sun Tian Yu and Luo Ming Jie for nailing their humorous characters without veering too hammy.
OST:
I feel like a lot of C-webdramas have pretty perfunctory BGM. Like Youtube vlog quality stuff. This is not the case here. All the tracks here are so, so perfect. From the instrumentals to the insert songs, everything fits to a T.
Some of the lyrics can be a little on the nose, but the production team matches them up so well with each scene that it adds extra meaning and ultimately enhances the scene. Even the instrumental tracks are finely placed. It's just really good attention to detail, which in turn helps build this drama's slightly melancholic/bittersweet atmosphere. Also helps me cry even more haha..ha.. :'')
PRODUCTION:
A drama is a team effort, so I do want to give some praise to the production team here for their work. Regardless of the story quality or the acting, this is a really beautiful drama to look at and hear. They had a clear visual direction and atmosphere in mind, and it really shows. The lighting, the color grading, the cinematography, the perfectly matched OST - all these add up to make a really aesthetically pleasing viewing experience. The only complaint I have is that the occasional dubbed-in lines are often quite noticeable.
As far as I can tell, this was directed by a duo who are both fairly new and young. This is their first credited work I think. A duo to keep an eye out for.
REWATCH:
This drama has me in a vice-grip. I look forward to eventually totally rewatching this - I feel like having the full context of Lin Bei Xing and Zhang Wan Sen's past will give that sweet first half a slightly different flavor. Next time, I will bring more tissues.
Ah my poor heart...
This drama is pretty well rounded in all aspects - it's got the acting, the visual direction (color grading, cinematography), the OST, the charming characters, the engaging story, and copious amounts of emotional torture.
This review is not going to be concise /at all/. This drama quickly earned a spot on my favorites list and I have a lot to say. Seriously, I am perma-stuck in the pit named "Shining For One Thing". It's staying power is very strong.
STORY:
The directors and writers are total sadists. Absolute emotional terrorists. The story they've crafted is as painful as it is sweet. This is the only drama I've ever dreaded hearing the words "I like you". As lovely and cute as the first half(ish) of the story is, it's at it's best during the later half as events unravel and the writers really start to be EVIL.
Strictly speaking, the story isn't 100% watertight. Some scenarios are logic-stretching, and there's some off-details here and there, but there's nothing too egregious. Plus the stellar performances of Zhang Jia Ning and Qu Chu Xiao help buoy such faults.
Past the parallel-world/youthful-romance bits, this is ultimately a story about Lin Bei Xing discovering herself. In the beginning, she's like a rudderless ship - she doesn't really seem to care about her job, she doesn't appear to have any particular goals or ambition, she's fairly immature, and her longtime boyfriend has long since grown tired of her BS. At first, I found myself getting annoyed at her immaturity and her impulsive tendencies, but that's kind of the point here. As the drama puts it, fish swim in the waves but they don't know that the sea is behind them. For a long time, she was blind to so many things in her life, so it makes sense that she still has a lot of growing to do despite her age. These parallel timelines give her the opportunity to explore the world she was so ignorant about before. And in doing so, her character naturally receives that needed character development. And she absolutely goes through the wringer.
The parallel-world/youth-romance bits are equal parts sweet and painful. Lin Bei Xing spent her youth hyper-focused on Zhan Yu, thus shrouding her own "world" in mystery. There's so many things to be unraveled and discovered/rediscovered. In terms of storytelling, the parallel timelines kind of build on/play off of each other in a way. While the shorter timeline hops may feel inconsequential at first, they all serve a purpose. Later timelines provide more context for earlier ones, and it's super satisfying and engaging to see the pieces fit together as more is unraveled. However, the reality is quite cruel and some revelations are absolutely heart crushing. A lot of scenes will really hit different once you have the full context. The directors/writers really know how to break one's heart into 10 billion tiny pieces.
On the happier side, they also know how to make some endearing characters. This drama doesn't have a huge cast, but there's a lot of vivacity. The main leads are both very vibrant and alive, with Zhang Jia Ning and Qu Chu Xiao elevating them with their performances. The dynamic between the two is so cute. Also heart breaking.
Despite my issues with Lin Bei Xing's immaturity, it's hard not to love her. She's bright, bold, and a bit cheeky, just like her nickname (XingXing = star). She's a character that has a lot of maturing to do, but her charisma makes you root for her.
Zhang Wan Sen, the gentle shadow knight... I don't think I'll ever emotionally recover from him, this precious character. His character is so very detailed and carefully crafted, the writers really hit it out of the park. It's impossible to not have sympathy for him. It's impossible to not love him. Really raises the bar for male leads.
Of the supporting cast, most of them shined as well. Mai Zi in particular leaves a deep impression, for many reasons. He's such a good foil for Zhang Wan Sen and is another character that inspires a lot of sympathy...
Special shout-outs to Gazi and Yang Chao Yang for their lowkey comic relief.
Bonus middle finger to Zhan Yu and bonus double middle fingers to Lin Da Hai.
ACTING:
Acting is fairly solid across the board - there's not really many holes in this category, The main leads are the biggest standouts (their tears are my tears), but the supporting cast pulls their weight as well.
Qu Chu Xiao!! I really have endless praise for his performance as Zhang Wan Sen. Truly, I could go on forever. Its a complete and detailed performance - the tone of his voice, his body language, his micro-expressions, all his careful gestures even when those aren't the focus of the scene. He comes across perfectly as a quiet teenager with a monumental crush. Believable and natural. The director duo and writers surely deserve praise for this too. I can't imagine anyone else as Zhang Wan Sen.
Likewise, Zhang Jia Ning!! Much like Qu Chu Xiao, Zhang Jia Ning brings a lot of soul to Lin Bei Xing. Her performance is really infectious and charismatic. Zhang Jia Ning found a perfect balance that makes XingXing feel genuine and super likeable, not overboard at all. She's just incredibly charming in this role.
Out of the supporting cast, Jiang Yun Lin as Mai Zi! For someone who has only had 2 previous roles, he's quite charismatic! Imo, he had more presence than Wu Zi Xe did (though that's not really Wu Zi Xe's fault).
Again shout-outs for Sun Tian Yu and Luo Ming Jie for nailing their humorous characters without veering too hammy.
OST:
I feel like a lot of C-webdramas have pretty perfunctory BGM. Like Youtube vlog quality stuff. This is not the case here. All the tracks here are so, so perfect. From the instrumentals to the insert songs, everything fits to a T.
Some of the lyrics can be a little on the nose, but the production team matches them up so well with each scene that it adds extra meaning and ultimately enhances the scene. Even the instrumental tracks are finely placed. It's just really good attention to detail, which in turn helps build this drama's slightly melancholic/bittersweet atmosphere. Also helps me cry even more haha..ha.. :'')
PRODUCTION:
A drama is a team effort, so I do want to give some praise to the production team here for their work. Regardless of the story quality or the acting, this is a really beautiful drama to look at and hear. They had a clear visual direction and atmosphere in mind, and it really shows. The lighting, the color grading, the cinematography, the perfectly matched OST - all these add up to make a really aesthetically pleasing viewing experience. The only complaint I have is that the occasional dubbed-in lines are often quite noticeable.
As far as I can tell, this was directed by a duo who are both fairly new and young. This is their first credited work I think. A duo to keep an eye out for.
REWATCH:
This drama has me in a vice-grip. I look forward to eventually totally rewatching this - I feel like having the full context of Lin Bei Xing and Zhang Wan Sen's past will give that sweet first half a slightly different flavor. Next time, I will bring more tissues.
Ah my poor heart...
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