The Teenage Psychic (2017)

"If we could all be braver and accept what's different from us, the world would be a better place"

Teenage Psychic was a charming drama about Xiao Zhen, a sixteen-year-old medium who could communicate with the dead and worked in a temple. Due to her long nights performing her Holy Maiden duties she often ran late to school and fell asleep during class and in a coffin in between classes. Everything changed when Ah Le took her hand to help her as she climbed over the school wall to avoid the tardy monitors.

Xiao Zhen’s father died when she was small and her mother works abroad. Her temple co-workers form an odd made family with her. Teacher Kim is her guardian and boss which can be awkward. Two comic relief helpers function as brothers or oddball cousins. Her relationship with Teacher Kim is complicated as he pushes Xiao Zhen to bring in customers and sell blessings to keep his struggling temple afloat. When Xiao Zhen meets Ah Le they form a connection that grows throughout the drama. Both are part of the drama club that is determining what sort of rendition they want to do of Romeo and Juliet. In each episode, Xiao Zhen helps to resolve conflicts both spiritual and earthly. Grief, bravery, lies for good and bad, reconciliation, gratitude for loved ones, and loss are all tackled. Xiao Zhen learns there is more to life than the dead as this teenager begins to engage in her own life and learn about love.

If Teenage Psychic had a drawback, it would be Guo Shu Yao’s acting. She often mumbled and pouted which could be distracting. Even more distracting was her disastrous haircut or wig. Maybe it was based on a manhwa, but for some reason they made her as unattractive as they possibly could. Her performances were stronger when she confidently performed her job communicating with the dead. Kent Tsai as Ah Le was a bottle of sunshine as he supported Xiao Zhen. The couple was cute together. The quirky drama club learned to put aside their fears of someone different and embrace Xiao Zhen as Ah Le had. Fear and intolerance of those who were different was addressed a couple of times for different characters. I wasn’t a huge fan of the play scenes, but that was a minor quibble.

Despite some of the acting issues, Teenage Psychic was mostly upbeat and entertaining as it focused on friendship, first love, and helping those in need—living or dead. Unfortunately, it took a turn that felt inorganic near the end, but still made it work. Through love Xiao Zhen discovered her smile and fought for balance in her life. This drama was flawed but I found it to be a relaxing watch.

25 January 2024

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