A Perfect Mismatch

"The Longest Promise" is the most excruciating lack of mutual understanding I’ve ever seen in a drama! It's supposed to be a romance between a teacher and his pupil, but it's like watching two people trying to solve a Rubik's Cube with their eyes closed! They're attracted to each other, but they're so clueless about what's going on in the other's head, it's like a never-ending game of emotional hide-and-seek.

This drama is adapted from a novel called "Zhu Yan," written by Cang Yue who has also written the story for “Mirror: A Tale of Two Cities”, another poorly conceived drama which tells the story of the fish people of Su Mo, a character appears in “The Longest Promise”. While everyone else seems to be raving about this drama, I find myself fighting off yawns. The plot revolves around Zhu Yan's emotional rollercoaster ride, and it's like they're dissecting her feelings with a microscope. Talk about overanalyzing!

Zhu Yan is supposed to be a sweet, kind, and innocent girl, but the poor script writing makes her come off as plain stupid and unbearable. Ren Min's portrayal doesn't help much either. Every time she calls out to her shifu, I can't help but cringe. It's like innocence and seduction got tangled up in a messy knot!

Likewise for the Shi Ying character. Don't get me wrong, I love Xiao Zhan, but even his talent can't save this inconsistent and lackluster portrayal of Shi Ying. Blame it on the poor script writing, I guess. In fact, almost all the character writing is very poor; they are inconsistent and full of logic flaws.

My Verdict

The writers are on a mission to extract emotions and tears from the viewers, but it just feels forced and dry. The dialogues are as predictable as counting sheep to fall asleep, and plot holes are everywhere. And can we talk about that resurrection ending? It’s bizarre. Luckily there were no halos and water-walking this time (which happened in “Mirror: A Tale of Two Cities”), thank goodness!

I hate to be a party pooper, but this drama is just not my cup of tea, even with the talented Xiao Zhan and Ren Min on board. Sometimes, you just gotta accept that not every drama can hit the mark, no matter how much we adore the actors. Let's shake our heads, move on, and find something that'll tickle our funny bones for real! This drama is for Xiao Zhan’s hardcore fans.

Citeste mai mult

"Wrong Carriage, Right Groom" is a charming and easy-to-follow drama. Even though the couples initially marry the wrong people, it becomes evident that they were meant for each other. Both pairs fall deeply in love and have no desire to switch back. The villain's identity is clear from the start, leaving no room for surprises. The plot is straightforward, and the ending unfolds as expected.

Both Li Yuhu (Tian Xiwei) and Du Bingyan (Bai Bingke) have weddings scheduled for the same day. However, they get caught in a storm and seek refuge in a temple. After the rain subsides, and having their veils switched, they are mistakenly led to the wrong carriages, ending up in the wrong destinations. Initially reluctant brides, they decide to conceal their true identities and plan an escape. To their surprise, they find themselves falling in love with the men they were never meant for and they them.

The plot follows a predictable path, featuring a detestable antagonist and his accomplices. From a logical standpoint, there are moments of inconsistency and naivety. Notably, the antagonist manages to evade justice right under everyone's nose. In terms of acting, the entire cast delivers commendable performances, with Tian Xiwei standing out and Patrick Quan as Ke Shizhao the villain lagging behind -- he brazenly writes on his face, "I am the bad guy" -- with his robotic facial expressions. Nonetheless, the drama offers a simple and enjoyable viewing experience.

My Verdict

While not groundbreaking, this drama has its merits. With endearing side couples, a bit of romance, some light action, a wise mentor who guides both pairs, a straightforward plot, and beloved characters, it's suitable for a family audience.

Citeste mai mult

Poor Acting, Bad Script

This is a short drama with only 18 episodes, each 7-8 minutes long, and a total length of only about 2 hours. I finished the whole thing in one night like watching a movie. A talented girl (Huang Nuannuan) interested in forensic science, helps solve mysteries and crack murder cases with the help of another female investigator (Zhang Danyang). She meets a man who claims he’s the Crown Prince (Shu Yaxin) but she doesn’t believe him. When murders happen in the palace involving foreign dignitaries, the Crown Prince asks for her help. She solves the crime, at the same time solves the murder of her own father who was the palace doctor many years ago. She and the Crown Prince fall in love. The end. There would be a season 2 with a bigger plot than what has been unfolded so far.

My Verdict
- Don’t watch it if you have better dramas to watch
- Acting is elementary as if the actors are in their first day of acting school
- Plot itself is not too bad, but plenty of plot holes
- Logic is bad
- Dark
- Limited humor that’s not even funny

Not recommended!

Citeste mai mult

Hair Pulling Script

Though not overly exciting, I have sort of enjoyed the first half of the story (season 1) because there is nothing out there to watch. I thought the second half would more or less be the same, continue from the first half. To my disappointment, the writing gets really bad and childish, though the storyline continues. Throughout, I have been suppressing myself from hurling pillows at my computer. And I’m glad it’s over.

From season 1, we have established that Jun Wujiu (Li Xizi) is a genius investigator, and he works seamlessly with Cheng Yang (Chen Ziyou), who wears many hats (he is a police officer cum prosecutor cum magistrate - what a conflict of interest here), in solving criminal cases after cases. What seemingly unrelated, in fact all these cases are associated with each other and ultimately, pointing to a couple of villains who are behind all the killings in broad daylight. When the dots are connected, it is not difficult for the team to find evidence to put the villains away, and that’s the boring and frustrating part because of the bad writing. Though the villains are blatant and out in the open, the protagonists become very stupid and do all the dumb things that even a 3-year old wouldn’t do (well, maybe I exaggerated, but you get what I mean). The dialogues become kiddie with a bunch of noise and no substance. The timeline is all messed up (when it’s broad daylight, the dialogues refer to midnight etc.) causing eye-rolls constantly. Glaring flaws and plot holes run every minute. From episode 8 onwards, every episode is a torture – I feel like vomiting blood.

My Verdict
This is a very disappointing drama. There’s no character development, no plot build-up, no epiphany, and no planning because the protagonists are always reactionary. If you are looking for romance, there’s none either (I don’t care so much about romance here). Not one character stands out that makes viewers love and remember. The male lead character, Cheng Yang, is not very impressive though the actor looks very nice in his uniform. Perhaps that’s the only thing I like the most – beautiful constable uniform (call me skin deep).

Citeste mai mult

A Warm Chicken Soup Feel-good Drama

I discovered Bai Jing Ting in “Ping Pong Life”. I love his acting as a scrawny, lack of confidence kid in that drama. When I stumbled on “You Are My Hero”, I realized he plays a totally different role here as a commanding police officer in the special force. I was curious: how does a seemingly scrawny Bai Jing Ting play an authoritative role? I was totally swept off my feet by his unexpectedly over-the-top performance here, and his amazing charisma. Together with the ever lovable Ma Si Chun (Sandra Ma), this drama is so enjoyable to watch.

This is a romance story of a police officer and a doctor, both save lives -- one heals to save, the other kills to save. Despite their respective jobs that are very demanding, they are both passionate with what they’re doing, love each other and are each other’s hero.

I was sucked into the drama within the first episode, like a tornado sweeping me off my feet. Everything is so well done here – all the scenes are very real, like the hospital where Mi Ka (Ma Si Chun) works, the surgery rooms where she operates; the police academy where Xing Ke Lei (Bai Jing Ting) trains, the dangerous hostage police scenes where he kills to protect; and most of all, the earthquake ground zero scenes with the disaster zones, survivors and rescue teams. All these scenes are so real and believable, and all actors have given their best performance here.

Both the male lead (ML) and female lead (FL) are strong, courageous and excellent in what they’re doing. Mi Ka (Ma Si Chun) is a talented neuro-surgeon. She’s kind, amiable, humble, intelligent with a sense of humor. Ma Si Chun may not have the Miss Pageant kind of beauty but she is perfect in this role as a surgeon who cares more about her skills than her look. And this is precisely the attraction for Xing Ke Lei (Bai Jing Ting) who falls in love with her for her authenticity and unpretentiousness. As Xing Ke Lei, Bai Jing Ting is serious, deadly, authoritative, but without losing his sense of humor too. His transformation from a wimpy kid in “Ping Pong Life” to a commander of a SWAT Team in this drama is awe-inspiring, and confirms Bai Jing Ting as a flexible wonderful actor. Looking like an adolescent, Bai Jing Ting may not possess the face that most consider as handsome, but oh boy, in uniform, his charisma is undeniable.

My Verdict
What a captivating drama this is. Many dialogues are light and funny, they even sound unscripted, spontaneous and natural. Many scenes make me laugh out loud, at the same time make me cry. The police scenes are nail biting and the medical emergencies are nerve cracking. Doctors and police officers are the toughest professions as they take a lot of courage and determination, passion and dedication to succeed. This drama shows in details the dedication portrayed by our characters. The romance is reciprocal with depth and understanding, and yet without compromising to each other’s professionalism.

Visually Ma Si Chun and Bai Jing Ting may not look like a perfect pair, but their chemistry is amazing and the couple and their courtship are definitely relatable to the viewers.

This drama makes me feel good and warm; it’s a story about life and death which walks within a fine line, and that the message of this amazing story.

TWO THUMBS UP!

Citeste mai mult

Great acting | Wang Yibo is angelic

I came to check out Wang Yibo’s acting after The Untamed. To my surprise, this is a delightful drama which has not been properly appreciated. The acting by the 2 main leads, Joe Chen and Tong Da Wei, is excellent. They are funny, lovable and natural. Having said that, I couldn’t feel the chemistry between the two. To me, they are best friends who help out each other in times of need. On the other hand, I feel Wang Yibo’s love towards the Joe Chen character more intense and sincere despite they are not meant to be together.

At the time of filming, I believe Wang Yibo was still a teenager or just beginning to enter adulthood. Bearing this in mind, I feel he did a fantastic job in acting the role of Di Zhi Wei who is a spoiled brat from a filthy rich family. Wang Yibo has a natural cold look and a don’t-give-a-damn expression written all over his face naturally, playing this role is a brilliant selection of the directors. Wang Yibo really fits in the character so well. He is so good looking with an angelic face, so when he is facing failures and forced to grow up, one’s heart really goes all out for him wanting to shield him from the pain he’s facing. But look is not his only asset; Wang Yibo is multi-talented. In this drama, he showcases some of these talents. He is an amazing dancer, and some of his dance moves are inserted in the drama; he loves long boarding and again he demonstrates his skills here; he loves gaming, and in this drama, he has a new startup company developing gaming apps. Despite his age, his acting is pretty good; he is funny, silly, very lovable, tender, and super cute. Playing Di Zhi Wei feels like Wang Yibo is playing himself, totally natural.

A fun drama to watch. Don’t miss it!

Citeste mai mult

扮猪吃老虎 Bàn zhū chī lǎohǔ -- Pretend to be a Pig and Eat a Tiger

This drama is a very unusual rom-com; action packed, it is without the usual fluffy romance nor the love at first sight stuff. In fact, it’s rather dark despite a rather hilarious male lead with a Mr. Bean type of character, on the surface that is. Within the first 10 minutes of the first episode, I was absorbed into the story because it is both serious and funny. As the story unfolds, the plot becomes deadly and a hidden antagonist looms.

Liu Qing (Zhu Yawen) is a soldier for hire. After a mission where he is wounded and lost a few of his comrades, he becomes despondent, feeling guilty of his role in causing his friends’ deaths. He is approached by the father of Mu Wanqing (Yang Zishan) who proposes to him to marry his daughter because the father wants someone with Liu Qing’s quality, and can be trusted, to protect his daughter in the company she has taken over as the Chief Executive. Liu Qing has been in love with Mu Wanqing since childhood so he immediately agrees to the arrangement. Having being betrayed by her ex-boyfriend, Mu Wanqing has lost confidence in any marital relationship, but only agrees reluctantly when her parents plead with her.

After marriage, Liu Qing is treated like one of the employees, from a car park attendant to a bodyguard, until he begins to rescue Mu Wanqing from all kinds of predicaments, and even from danger, again and again, without letting her know he has helped her. In front of her, he is just a dumb guy good for nothing. Mu Wanqing figures out his real background eventually and begins to fall in love with him.

Zhu Yawen’s Liu Qing is simply amazing, exhibiting his wonderful acting skills. Either in his tactical gears or in his office suits, he is very convincing. Without a present day’s effeminate face, many young viewers have not realized how good Zhu Yawen is. Here, he can look very silly, comedic and humble like a dork, the next minute, he is commanding and lethal. And he is so believable in both of these personalities. Indeed his acting as a pig eating a tiger is so enjoyable to watch because everyone underestimates him.

Yang Zishan’s acting is fine here, with a lot of inconsistencies as attributed to the poor script writing and mediocre directing. I’m also not particularly impressed with the side couple’s and other supporting characters’ scripts. Some actors seemed to have used their own voices. Zhu Yawen has a magnetic deep voice and with his professional dubbing skill, he makes his character come alive. Unfortunately this doesn’t apply to the other main characters, in particular He Junxiang’s Lei Shuo; his dialogues sound stiff and unnatural. One of the biggest complaints among viewers is the mouth motions don’t quite synch with the words spoken, as if the dialogues have been rewritten. Though not in his own voice, Zhu Yawen’s English dialogues are some of the best spoken English in Chinese dramas.

The drama shifts from office politics to kidnapping, to flesh trade in Indo China, to arm trade in Russia, involving company trade secrets, rescue missions, snipers, heavy machine gun fights, explosions, all unfolding in a story of adventure, thriller, murder, police, military, criminal organizations, and more. From episode 20 onwards, the story escalates into a Hollywood Rambo style of story telling.

The ultimate villain turns out to be rather disappointing and anticlimax with no compelling objective other than greed, and even with greed, he flip-flops, giving the viewers a cloud of questions, “huh?”

My Verdict

I have really enjoyed the beginning of this drama, in particular with Zhu Yawen’s pig-eats-tiger acting. Unfortunately as the plot unfolds, it deviates, making the story feel like a potpourri of multi genres. As a viewer puts it succinctly, “The first half looks like a poet, the last half looks like a hobo.”

If you’re not into rom-com and prefer watching some actions, this drama is action packed. But be warned, it is not consistent and plots holes are blatant. Some props can even look very fake too. The writing is wild, the directing is on and off, the editing is inconsistent.

This is an 8.0 from me, but I really like Zhu Yawen’s acting which I think he could deserve a 8.5.

Citeste mai mult

Fast Moving - Everything Goes in a Blur

After The Untamed, Jade Dynasty is a much hyped movie because of its main male lead, Xiao Zhan, the most popular Chinese actor currently. Many viewers, including myself, love Xiao Zhan in The Untamed playing the character Wei Wuxian. In this review, I’m trying to be objective despite my love for the actor.

I’ve never read the novel related to this movie but I have watched the drama Noble Aspiration. I cannot say I was impressed by the drama; I found it too draggy, to the extent of becoming boring to watch. When it comes to the movie, it has to pack 55 episodes of the drama into about one and a half hours of the whole story. Things get moving very fast (in the movie). A big segment of the time is involved in fighting, which is pretty good at some scenes, especially the fight choreography performed by Xiao Zhan. However, there’s not enough time for character development. We hardly get to view the Bi Yao character properly; she’s simply just in and out of the scenes. There’s no time to see her and Zhang Xiao Fan’s relationship development, let alone how they fall in love with each other. We do get a peek at how Xiao Fan loves his shijie and how well she has treated him from young, how close he is with his shixiongs (senior brothers). I do prefer the Zhang Xiao Fan character played by Xiao Zhan than by Li Yi Feng. In Jade Dynasty, Zhang Xiao Fan is lovable and selfless but not lacking in his playfulness and silliness, whereas the Li Yi Feng’s portrayal in Noble Aspiration is a super slow person in every sense, so much so that many viewers are being put off by the un-charismatic character.

It is interesting to note that the Zhang Xiao Fan character is slightly similar to the Wei Wuxian character in The Untamed – among others, innocent young boy turns demonic; upstanding, altruistic and loved by all surrounding him; loves and adores his shijie (senior sister).

The whole movie is light-hearted, at times funny, but mostly cartoonish. For me, it is quite a letdown. Maybe I have geared up too high hope in the first place.

Citeste mai mult

Tears, Humor, Love & Stunning Looking Actors

After a hiatus of more than a year from watching dramas, I was eager to dive into something captivating. Fangs of Fortune caught my eye, largely because I’ve enjoyed Neo Hou’s performances in his previous works. All the stunningly good looking main cast members have also attracted me. However, the 4.9 rating on Douban gave me pause. Still, knowing how meme bots, stealth accounts and contemporary competing dramas can skew ratings hence opinions in today's world, I decided to take the plunge.

I’m glad I did. For the past two weeks, I’ve been immersed in a breathtaking journey with a group of closely knitted friends who love and trust each other, and willing to die for each other. Almost 100% of the dialog time between our main characters, the actors have tears streaming down their faces as the writer(s) and directors try to capture viewers' heart. The sheer volume of tears is astonishing—this is, without a doubt, the most tear-filled series from the actors I’ve ever watched. It felt like every conversation started and ended in tears, to the point where crying became so normal that it lost its emotional impact on me.

Storyline
The plot is surprisingly compelling. It revolves around a love story between a demon who has a conscience and a human girl, exploring themes of redemption, transformation, and the power of love. Another human who vows vengence against the demon, but becomes empathizing with the demon as he turns into one himself. The story takes the characters through harrowing trials, strengthening their bonds and forcing them to grow amidst relentless antagonists who seem nearly invincible.

If not for the hints of romance between the demon and the girl, viewers might mistake the dynamic between the two male leads for a bromance, which is one of my most enjoyable moments. It's heartening to see a deep confidant friendship between the two main male characters.

While the central narrative relies on familiar xianxia tropes, the journey itself is engaging. The characters' struggles, setbacks, and triumphs create a tapestry of perseverance and emotional growth.

The Characters
I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters, but I was particularly drawn to Zhu Yan/Zhao Yuan Zhou (Neo Hou) and Zhuo Yi Chen (Tian Jia Rui). Their interactions are captivating, and the chemistry between them is both endearing and compelling. Despite Zhuo Yi Chen's vow to kill Zhao Yuan Zhou for vengeance and Zhao Yuan Zhou's desire to sacrifice himself for redemption, their emotional struggles are portrayed so authentically that viewers can't help but be moved as their relationship evolves into a deep bond of mutual understanding and trust.

Although Wen Xiao (Chen Du Ling) is a main character meant to complement Zhao Yuan Zhou, her role feels comparatively weak, ultimately overshadowed by the more dynamic presence of Zhuo Yi Chen.

I also found myself appreciating the character of Li Lun (Yan An), despite his role as the antagonist. His character elicits a complex mix of emotions—hatred intertwined with pity—as his tragic backstory gradually comes to light, adding depth and nuance to his character.

Performances
The acting is another highlight. The young cast is talented, particularly the two male leads, who deliver strong performances and exhibit great potential for their careers. The ensemble cast is full of visually striking actors, making even the villains such as Li Lun, Fei, Ran Yi, Cheng Huang etc charismatic and memorable.

Dialogue and Humor
The dialogue is often predictable and at times even childish, but as I settled into the story, I began to find its quirks endearing. There’s a paradoxical charm in the light-hearted humor that surfaces during dire situations. The rivalry between the two alpha male leads, for instance, injects a layer of amusement as they constantly try to outdo each other and earn approval, eliciting genuine chuckles from viewers.

Visuals and Special Effects
As is typical of xianxia dramas, the fight scenes are fast-paced and visually dazzling, with special effects that are remarkably well-executed. The visuals are well polished, and the characters, even the demon antagonists, are stunningly portrayed. With the flip of a coin, the pace slows, allowing viewers a moment to catch their breath. These slower, dialogue-heavy scenes often unfold with an abundance of tears from our characters, adding an emotional weight that permeates the narrative.

Music
As a fan of Chinese historical music, the OST is a major draw for me. The songs are beautiful, especially Zhao Yuan Zhou’s character song which is my favorite. The lyric is deeply moving and capture the essence of the character, allowing listeners to visualize the emotions and scenes of the character even without context.

Ending and Final Thoughts
Like many dramas in this genre, Fangs of Fortune doesn’t shy away from bittersweet endings. Some beloved characters meet untimely fates, which might leave viewers with heavy hearts. If you’re someone who gets attached to characters, prepare for an emotional rollercoaster.

While there are occasional editing flaws—some scenes feel out of sequence or poorly spliced—the drama overall is enjoyable. If you can handle a few heartbreaks and a steady stream of tears, Fangs of Fortune is worth your time.

Two thumbs up! Great watch! Don't miss this great drama!

Citeste mai mult

It's My Encore

This is a youth, high school, puppy love romance. It reminds me of myself during my own years in school.

I sat together with the school smartest and most good-looking boy one year in school. He was also the class captain. I looked more or less like Yan Ze with the same hair style, except I was 1,000 times uglier with a flat chest (still do). Like Yan Ze, my grades were not good (ranked lowest 10 or so). Our similarities stop here. Yan Ze is popular; I was like the air – nobody noticed me. Our class captain was the top student. I had always wondered how he managed to get such good grades without seemingly putting in as much efforts as I did. Just like Ji Xiao, my seat mate tried to help me in my school work, and I had a crush on him. When he left town, I remembered I cried for days. We were both 10 years old.

A few years later in junior high, he started writing to me. He had never expressed any admiration for me. Then his best friend who was the go-between, started to ask me out. One day, I received a letter from my ex-seat mate, expressing his admiration and love. It was too late; I was in love with his best friend, who, by coincidence, not unlike He Xin Liang – outgoing, basketball, and playful.

Until today, from time to time, I have wondered, what would have happened had he expressed his feelings to me sooner? Would things be different today?

I believe every one of us has a similar story to tell. Sometimes, these stories happened so long ago that we may have forgotten. Sometimes, these stories are seemingly unimportant and we don’t pay much attention to them. But if we look closer and think deeper, I believe we all can live through our younger years again through this drama, “Just an Encore”.

Fun watch!

Citeste mai mult

Great Performance by Little Actor

Any family that has a sicken child with a serious disease from birth can empathize with this story. In this drama, the whole story revolves around the child, trying to get him back to health. It’s tormenting and painful to see the child’s little body going through all the pains and sufferings. If you have experienced the anxiety before a surgical operation, you could empathize with the characters’ anxiety here too. This is a story that is full of loneliness, despair, longing, waiting, at the same time, lavished with determination and devotion.

How this drama is being cut and edited is rather confusing at the beginning. As the story is unfolding, there is a lot of flashbacks and backstories. In fact, two timelines are playing out concurrently, one telling the present story and the other the story of how Nie Yusheng (Chung Hon Leung aka Wallace Chung) and Tan Jing (Li Xiaoran) have met during their adolescent years in high school.

I find it strange that when ex-lovers meet again, they act like strangers to each other; there’s no surprise, no nods, no eye contacts, no nervousness -- nothing, as if they have never met before. This strange phenomenon doesn’t only apply to our main leads, it also applies to our second lead couple, and even between father and son. Only the backstories reveal that these people indeed are no strangers to each other, and with flashbacks, only then viewers see their emotions and subtle expressions. As viewers get accustomed to the style of storytelling, it becomes rather enjoyable as the details are explained well in the backstories and flashbacks.

Nie Yusheng is almost like a walking corpse haunted by the past. Playing a tormented and bitter heart surgeon, Chung Hon Leung’s acting is very convincing, especially with the scene when Nie Yusheng breaks down and sobs. However, as many viewers have commented, dubbing in his own voice, it has given inconsistencies to the character. There are times when dubbing with the actors’ own voice is good, but not here because Chung Hon Leung’s native tongue is Cantonese. This has made him speaking Mandarin with a Cantonese accent which doesn’t go very well in this drama because he speaks differently, perhaps too differently from everyone else. It is even harder not to notice when the adolescent Nie Yusheng speaks perfect Mandarin and an adult Nie Yusheng doesn’t. I also find it hard to watch Chung Hon Leung playing the role of the adolescent Nie Yusheng when he loses memory as this is really a long stretch for the actor.

Tan Jing (Li Xiaoran) is mature and patient, enduring all the hardships that are thrown at her, at work and in life. A devoted mother, she would do anything for her child. Li Xiaoran has played her character convincingly showing the motherly side of her character with full marks.

I have really enjoyed watching the two young actors playing the adolescent Nie Yusheng (Zhan Yu) and Tan Jing (Fan Shiran). These two talented actors have truly captured the essence of the young couple and their amazing chemistry. I wish the director had continued to use the same actors into their adulthood instead of switching to Chung Hon Leung and Li Xiaoran because with the older pair, the whole feel of the story has shifted. Perhaps this is the effect that the director has wanted to show the viewers: how growing up has changed the couple and their chemistry.

My most enjoyable moments are probably when little Ping Ping (Mi Ke) comes on screen. The little actor is a gem and he nails the role so naturally. All his dialogues are intelligent and heart touching. His moments with his grandfather are precious as the viewers can really feel the love, joy and resignation of the relationship.

My Verdict

This is an adult romance drama that cannot be watched with skipping episodes nor with fast-forwarding as every scene is a hint to the next part of the story. From the beginning until about episode 12, it’s a rather excruciating watch as the viewers experience the longing and emotional pains of the characters. Misunderstandings are abound with words heard out of context and being misconstrued. This drama perhaps has the greatest and longest misunderstanding, from episode 1 to the last, that has kept our main characters apart. It is also a drama with mysteries, murder, coverup, office politics, family conflicts, revenge, and more. It is the little Ping Ping that has brought the adults back to reality and sanity, as watching him is the most heart warming experience. The story carries the message that, the one who is obsessed with revenge ends up with nothing; the one who leaves power and materialism aside and holds on to the people he loves gains everything.

A drama worthy of our time. Recommended!

Citeste mai mult

A Wild Tale: Chaotic Scriptwriting with Plot Holes and Logic Flaws

So, here's the scoop on this drama – it's like trying to catch a greased-up pig at a carnival. The script? It's like a squirrel on an espresso binge, darting all over the place without a care in the world. You start off thinking you're in for a sensible plot, but suddenly it nosedives off a cliff into a pit of absurdity.

The story is supposed to be about this super-secret martial arts script that makes people the crème de la crème of fighters. But guess what? It's not much of a secret when everyone and their grandma are going all "gimme that script!"

The drama is set in this historical backdrop, but don't expect any history lessons. It's like mixing your cereal with orange juice – just doesn't go together. It's wuxia with a dash of xianxia thrown in for good measure.

Now, brace yourselves for the rollercoaster of relationships. At first, you've got these two buddies, Murong Chong (Ao Ruipeng) and Fu Hong (Deng Chaoyuan aka Aaron Deng), looking all chummy. But out of nowhere, they start chomping on bananas together. Yep, bananas! Then Xiao Ru (Zong Yuanyuan), a street urchin, gets roped into impersonating Murong Chong's supposedly dead sister. She's like "Oh, Fu Hong, you're handsome and sweet!" But wait, she's betrothed to Fu Hong, and he's crushing on her too. Suddenly, Murong Chong's like "Step aside, Fu Hong!" It's like a love triangle in a washing machine.

But that's not all – there are more twisted family ties here than a bowl of spaghetti. Character development? Nah, these folks are about as one-dimensional as a pancake. The acting is emotionless; even when the going gets tough, their expressions don't match the situations.

And don't even get me started on the final showdown – it's like watching synchronized swimming, literally. By the end, you're left with more questions than answers. Who's Xiao Ru, and where did she pop out from? Apparently, she's a time traveler, but it's as random as finding a pineapple in Antarctica.

My Verdict

In the end, this drama's about as clear as mud. It's a hot mess that even a GPS can't navigate. Save your sanity – go watch something else.

Citeste mai mult

Pretty Jewelry

My original title for this drama was ‘Hand in Hand They Conquer’. By the time I completed, it’s become ‘Pretty Jewelry’. That's because the plot is rather shallow, everything seems just superficial and decorative. The drama starts off so well, with all the intriguing and interwoven characters. The female lead is beautiful and cute, and both the male leads are so handsome and cool. And yet, the logic is simplistic and often incoherent, and the editing is disjointed at times.

What I Like
I love the Fu Rong (Ju Jingyi) character. She is tomboyish (climbing walls and trees) and yet very feminine. She’s creative, intelligent, kind and has a way with people, and yet she’s also mischievous, stubborn and superstitious. With her curiosity and courage, she’s everywhere, investigating. How she bumps into her future husband, Xu Jin/Prince Su (Zhang Zhehan) is hilarious and lovable. She loves her family and her family loves her. I love how her big sister condones and helps her out whenever she gets into trouble. Her family’s dynamics are endearing.

There are multiple villains here, each working for his/her own agenda. At times they collaborate, but mostly, their schemes are uncoordinated, and our protagonists always come out on top winning because they are smarter than the antagonists (the antagonists are super dumb).

I love the epic military scenes – they are fearsome and grand, and look very authentic. I love how Xu Jin fights – lightning fast and deadly. And he’s infallible. Though gravely injured each time, he always miraculously heals the next day (unreal but it does take out the angsts).

I love it that whenever Fu Rong is in great danger, Xu Jin is always there to save her. Again, unreal but how they are being put together, meeting by chance over and over again is heart-warming and sweet.

I love the side couple, especially Wu Baiqi (Wang Youshuo). I love his humor, forthrightness and devotion. I also like Liu Yichang’s acting as a double character with a hidden identity as the antagonist. I feel both Wang Youshuo’s and Liu Yichang’s acting here a lot better than Zhang Zhehan’s.

What I Don’t Like
I love the Xu Jin character but not so much for Zhang Zhehan’s acting. He lacks the micro facial expressions. He maintains a frozen face, hardly a twitch of his facial muscle, not unlike a mannequin; a stern face doesn’t mean a frozen face. Having said that, at times, he can change completely with huge smiles and comedic facial expressions which are totally out of character.

I don’t like Ju Jingyi’s makeup here – it’s overly done especially with the eye section, making it uncomfortable to watch; her eye lashes are not unlike how little children drawing faces. With an overly white face, she can look horrendous closeup and unreal.

I cannot accept how no one recognizes that Xu Ping/ Prince of An (Liu Yichang) is also Ju Shui Nong Fu, not even the intelligent Xu Jin; by just wearing a half-mask doesn’t make a person unrecognizable.

I don’t like the grand scheme of things. The overall plot is basically fighting over the control of the production of jewelry for the palace consumption, a personal revenge for a misunderstanding, and a deranged obsessive one-sided love for a girl who takes him as a good friend. Though there are rampant government officials’ corruption and treasons, these are not the main features of the story. The fighting over the control of the spy agency can be a big thing but again, has not been the main plot here. Though unusual for palace politics, it does feel the bloody fighting is over nothing but just some trivial matters.

As always, people jump into conclusion too quickly without verifying matters properly and causing a lot of unnecessary misunderstandings. The supposedly intelligent Fu Rong falls under this and it really frustrates me watching how her logic plays out.

I also cannot accept that a person can think of one’s own safety when one’s ready to die – imagine wearing a Kevlar vest when the person also wants to be killed. I don’t appreciate the logic that Fu Rong wears her soft armor when she wants to die with Xu Jin, and how she revives later is even more head-scratching.

As the Emperor is quick to execute any persons, it is out of character that he pardons a hideous character here. When this hideous character is down, I breathe a sigh of relief but with him still surviving while others who are less evil perish, and with a dumb maid still trying to show her love for him, it’s just hard to stomach.

My Verdict
I have mixed feelings for this drama. On one hand, it’s rather enjoyable watching a young girl running around doing some mischiefs and falling in love with a super good looking and powerful prince. But on the other hand, there seems to be not much substance here; the plot is rather shallow. Nonetheless, it is still rather entertaining if you don’t mind the usual tropes (yes, falling off cliff, multiple times, is one) and don’t have anything else to watch. Just don’t expect too much.

Citeste mai mult

Sherlock Holmes (Doubles as Dr Octopus) & Dr Watson

After The Untamed, many viewers like myself wish there were additional episodes of the drama; we couldn’t get enough of it and we had missed it so much. When it was announced that there would be some spin-offs of the drama, we were ecstatic. The Living Dead is one of them.

Perhaps we were over excited for the new movie and over expecting, when I finally watched it, I could not say I liked it a lot, like the way I love The Untamed.

This is a story about Wen Ning and Lan Sizhui, and their adventures. Viewers who do not know who Wen Ning and Lan Sizhui are, please watch The Untamed. This is a horror movie. The beginning scene was creepy and intense.

In this movie, Wen Ning is not that Wen Ning in The Untamed anymore. No more innocent and cute as he was previously. He is now serious and somber. Though he still has all the veins on his neck and is still wearing chains on his body, he is now a very powerful and intelligent person. His eyes are clear and bright. He can think and analyze a situation very fast and accurately. Together with Sizhui, they solve the greatest mystery/crime; he is like Sherlock Holmes. The chains that he wields become his weapons and when he waves the chains around, he looks very much like Dr Octopus in Spider-Man 2.

For Sizhui, he remains more or less like the Sizhui in The Untamed with better fighting skills with his guqin. There is a moment where the Yiling Patriarch appears in the movie encouraging Wen Ling when he (Wen Ling) is feeling lost. It is just a very brief moment, and I long for Wei Ying’s appearances (which I know not possible). At the end of the story, both Wen Ning and Sizhui return to the Gusu Cloud Recesses. The beautiful scene stirs up a lot of fond memories and I’m hoping to hear the sounds of the flute and guqin playing the Wuji tune again.

The Yin metal comes into play again. But in the movie, what the metal is has not been explained in detail, and I fear many viewers may be confused if they have not followed The Untamed story.

Overall, the acting and settings of the movie are pretty good, but it doesn’t have that celestial air that The Untamed has, and the people are not ethereal as Wei Ying and Lan Zhan. I guess, nothing else would ever replace the feelings that The Untamed has given me.

Citeste mai mult

Fun Drama But Rushed Ending

I started out with a very high rating, like 9.5, for this drama. The story line is simple, cute and endearing. You have a poor little girl rescued time and time again by a masked superhero. The chemistry between the female and male leads is fantastic. The actors, including the supporting ones, are good and beautiful, especially Vin Zhang, who is simply adorable. The whole drama is light-hearted with a lot of endearing and funny moments. It is in a way comedic but not in a stupid way. I really enjoy watching it as it makes me laugh out loud and relaxes me a lot. Throughout, the pace of the drama is good. The scenes, CGI, special effects, sounds, character development etc are pretty good, and the drama enjoyed a pretty good rating, like 8.5, from most viewers. That was before the final episode.
Things changed. When it came to the final episode, all hell broke loose; the whole drama is seriously damaged by the final episode. The screen writer/director decided to have everyone dead, except the female lead, Hua BuQi. Not that I cannot accept dead people, but imagine jamming all the deaths into one episode and that’s it - THE END. It feels rushed, unplanned and chaotic. There are unanswered questions. Viewers are baffled. No wonder the rating dropped. This is really unfortunate.

Citeste mai mult