I like it
I finished watching all 70 ep in English dubbed without skipping ep but just some scenes in 3 days. I like it. I cried over flashback scenes between brother and sister. I did enjoy watching ML and FL spend time teasing each other in peace after getting married. Some frustration how stubborn of FL and obsessive of people around her. Sadly to see how regretful the brother from not being the person stay with the sister side by side and be lonely at the end. It leads me to imagine that he is gone to live at the house on the island and reunite with his sister when she visits the house on that island. Happy ending. OMG, I cry again for love between brother and sister.Was this review helpful to you?
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Good series but did not need to be 70 episodes
Overall a good show, good storyline and good casting/acting. But it really did not need to be 70 episodes, that is too long especially for a modern drama.Storyline / Pacing
- The first 1/3 of the series was so promising, I didn't skip thru any of the episodes. Then it started to get a bit draggy and repetitive after that. I started skipping a lot after that.
- Way too many flashbacks of their childhood scenes over and over again
- The amount of times characters were injured and hospitalized was ridiculous, especially the FM Jiang Shen - she was constantly getting in accidents, getting hurt by other people. It got to the point where that you start to expect her to get hurt yet again every few episodes
- Jiang Sheng's internal conflict of which 'love' to choose makes sense...familial/brotherly love or romantic love. But Liang Sheng's perspective...how can he romantically love Jiang Sheng even if they found out as adults that they are not blood related? They grew up together believing they were brother and sister. So there was a bit of a creepy/ick factor that he wanted her to love him romantically.
Characters/Acting
- ML Tian You (Wallace Chung) did an amazing job in this, your heart just ached for him the entire time! You felt joy when he was happy, your heart sank when he was sad, you felt anger when he was wronged.
- FL Jiang Sheng - this was the first time I've seen this actress, she was cute, did a good job. No real complaints, other than she was incredibly so thin that it looked concerning in some outfits.
- Other ML Liang Sheng - acting fell very flat. He just looked like a mopey walking zombie.
- Child actors that played Jiang Sheng, Liang Sheng and Bei Xiao Wu - those kids did an amazing job, really natural and adorable, not the forced over the top cute/sassy kids you typically see in dramas
- Wei Yang - ok, she is literally psychotic and possessive. Her rationale makes zero sense, being jealous that her crush cares too much about his own sister? And justifies her vile actions just because she's loved Liang Sheng and devoted so much time into their non-official relationship? She caused Jiang Sheng to have a miscarriage, she caused her to have a head injury, etc...but then expects that an apology should suffice?
- Tian En - the sociopath brother. I immediately tensed up every time he was on screen. Something so creepy and gross about him. And his acting of trying to appear innocent to his brother Tian You, his acting came across as childlike like a 5 year old, not a college age man! Can't decide who was more annoying, him or Wei Yang.
- Ning Xi - I liked her character. She surprised me. I expected her to start out as a kind, understanding woman who's love was unrequited then slowly jealousy would creep in and she would turn vindictive and scheming. But she didn't! She stayed true to that character quality.
Music
- this was probably the best OST I've heard for a modern drama. Usually historical dramas have way better OST and the modern ones are kind of cheesy or try to hard to be cool.
Rewatch value - no way. Its way too long.
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I did enjoy this drama even though it was way long. There were a couple of the characters that i just wanted to slap and found them irritating . The main actors were cast well... the only 2 things that bothered me was the main female lead seemed to be a doormat for everyone n the ending... i didnt like that he was left alone...that was just sad. I loved all the scenery of the country areas and the child actors were amazing. There were tomes when i found the story boring, this seems to happen with long long dramas. Over all it was a good drama and a drama i would recommend Was this review helpful to you?
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Alright, this is quite a difficult review to make. This is a very very very long drama. I don't think i've seen any modern drama with that many episodes. Historical or period drama is a different matter, if it's too short there are many background story that didn't get to be developed. But for modern drama with this many episode, everyone's background story is over developed LoL. Don't get me wrong. I think this is a good drama and i got emotionally invested with the main characters, especially Cheng Tian You. I really like his character and really like Wallace Chung as CTY. I thought he played his part well. I like the family and friendship bond in this drama. The bond that you create since childhood and carry them into adulthood and help you get through many milestones in your life. Jin Ling and Bei Xiao Wu are two really amazing friends that one would wish to have in their life. There are times when I start to get bored watching this drama (because it's soooooo long...) but some scenes managed to pull me back in again and I was finally able to finish this.
My criticism for this drama, despite the fact that it is LONG........., is that there are way too many hospital scenes. Seems like each and every one of the characters fell sick at one time or another. This is confusing and feels forced and I got sick of looking at the same hospital and its rooms LoL. Another criticism is the flashbacks; there are too many flashbacks that is unnecessary given that audience already saw those in the first place and know it when it was referred to in later episodes and this makes the drama draggy in parts.
I really like the songs in this drama and the songs that played are fitting to the scene and characters that when I listen to it, i immediately associated it with a character.
As for rewatch value, maybe no because it's such a long drama.
Overall, the fact that I manage to finish watching this drama means that I did enjoy it. Wallace Chung's character in this drama makes it all worthwhile :)
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A disapointment that hurts
Actually, my review began with a part. But it contains spoilers (especially for the end), so don't read it if you don't want to be spoiled. I put it in the end, so you can read the other part of my review without the spoilers.[PART with spoilers at the end]
Actually, the drama is kinda okay overall but it became draggy because of the romance. It was unnecessary, mostly the last episodes... It lacks about the relationship between the Cheng Family and Liang Sheng and between Tian You and Liang Sheng. There is so much potential with these storylines... BUT NO, the writers decided to waste around 20-30 episodes with unnecessary problems/break-up with dumb reasons/dumb romance and so on... I'm so disapointed. Most of the misunderstang are only "stupid" writing choices that are only here to make the romance cliché and draggy and really despicable (mostly because of the unfair end)...
The acting was awesome (even the despicable little brother... He really played so well that I wanted to punch him each time he was on screen ahah). Just didn't like the actress who played Jian Sheng. She was "too much". Ray Ma is still perfect as always, and Wallace Chung was really good !
The OST was good but forgetable to be honest. But it was okay to listen to it during the drama.
I was so freaking hyped... It's still okay to watch, but it's a disapointment, for real.
*********** SPOILERS
What the fuck ? Why did she lie about the miscarriage ? Like, why ? That's non-sense...
Okay... Let's talk about the end. During many episodes, they prepare us for Liang Sheng's death and THEN, they only let us in suspense (even if okay, we have the leads that he will die). But we DON'T see his death, what we see is him being alone and suffering alone. What's that fucking end ? Like, he tried to make everything for Jiang Sheng and at the end, she abandons him ? I already had this feeling during many episodes because even if she always said that she wanted to be reunited with her brother, she never did something to do it... She was always whining, acting like she had the most sad life ever and that she was the only one suffering... But his brother was suffering alone during the WHOLE DRAMA in silence, never complaining, never whinning... I really hate how unfair this drama is. Because Liang Sheng is really a good idea, his character is so interesting.
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First of all I just randomly bump into this series, dunno why i watch it but, this drama is way too long, and i love dramas that exceed 50+ and even watch daily dramas that range 100+, but THIS? THIS one definitely has too many episode 32-40.45 tops wouldve been perfect for it, this drama is TOO LONG making it seems like its pacing moves like a slug even the last 10 eps 60-70, no closure arc lasts for 10 eps lol sometimes 2 eps most common is 1 someven have like 20 mins of closure only, making this one, one of the most frustrating drama as well as one of the most well closed series, because after their marriage like at around 60(not sure) no over arching drama occurred at the remaining episodes still moves like a slug, but because of it, all sidestories are closed properly imo. the last 10 episodes are my favorite cuz they feel like proper closure as well as some feeler episodes (u know the usual lovey dovey stuff,getting pregnant, etc. stuff like those that occurs after the wedding that is usually shown for the last 10 mins of most series, as well as some kind of soothing remedy for all the frustrating things that this drama depicts just to drag it all the way down to 70 TOTAL EPISODES. unless you love Wallace, enjoy a slug-fest pacing and long dramas that has a very serious problem when it comes to where its headed to, it starts strong becomes a broken mess in the middle but has a very long closure arc that can feel like a proper closure.if your into that kind of a mess then this may be a show for you, otherwise can skip it. Was this review helpful to you?
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So beautifully executed the first episode,emotions over flow .Those two kids so nicely did the acting ,they had shown true emotions between brother and sister ,so pure and so innocence.I like watching their acting ..But they were only in first episode ,too bad ,I miss their acting ...Too good ,too cute.then they little bit grown up still maintained their love and bond..Every episodes were slow but can't found boring till 25 episodes and then they unnecessary stretched the drama so rest episodes were boring.
All the episodes were full on emotions ,only first episode I like the most ...All the time I am waiting Jiang and liang ended with each other but it didn't happened but that part be okay but at last liang remain all alone that part was sad ,his love story should be there then it would be happy ending.
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Waste of my time! The main antagonist is the ladders!
This drama was boring, unrealistic, and filled with a lot of unnecessary scenes to get to 70 episodes. It started off interesting, the close knit relationship between a brother and sister, the meeting of a soul mate, and just watching a circle of friends progressed through life. However, almost every episode one of the characters would have a life threatening prognosis and the lead girl ( omg sooo annoying ) didn't seem able to talk or exert herself when she needed too. Later on in the show, we encountered a revelation that the siblings are not blood-related and the brother now wants to have a romantic relationship with the person whom he once called sister. Not only is he emotional and angry that the girl does not want to cross that boundary ( thank you!), but until the end he is a depressed weirdo pining over his sister. Now let me get to Wallace Chung’s character, I was brought to this drama because of my love for him. At first, I liked his character and he was wonderful to the lead girl, but later on he was an asshole. The reason, because of his child hood friend that was in love with him. He kept his childhood friend the whole time around him, letting her be VP for his company, and asking her for help like she was the only one who he trust to help run the company, knowing that she loved him. Not only, did he not vocally tell the girl I only want friendship, when she ask him how he felt about her twice he would just have this disgusted look on his face. Now I agree that 90 % of this was her fault because you’ll know when someone does not like you, it doesn't take you 20 or 30 years to come to that conclusion. However, what made Mr. Chung character an asshole is because he kept calling this girl his friend while he mistreated her. He actually proposed to the lead girl in the friend ‘s house. Like who does this! I felt like he didn't want to hurt his friends feelings, so she wouldn't leave his company. Which she did eventually after he married the lead girl and he still was trying to make her stay, I hated his character for that. That girl wasted her whole life on hope. This drama was horrible.Was this review helpful to you?
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Started off with good premise but went off rail really fast
The plot synopsis sounded okay. That's what got my interest. The interactions between the 2 leads in the first 20 episodes were pretty good too.Fist of all, I wasn't expecting that the brother/sister combo developed romantic feelings BEFORE they found out that they weren't blood related. Personally, I find that pretty sick and twisted. As an older brother with a few younger sisters, I can't even contemplate that kind of situation. Just thinking about that kind of thing makes me want to puke my guts out.
Another thing... the disabled bad guy? Yeah, been there, done that also. Growing up, there was this disabled kid in our school. He sucked up to all the big bullies and used them as backers in order to bully other kids. Of course, they never bullied me, but they eventually went after one of my friends. I asked them to stop, they didn't. I went to the teachers and Vice Principal about it... they did nothing. Unfortunately for the crippled kid, he lived near me. Yeah, I beat the crap out of him and threatened him to leave my friend alone... cus his buddies won't always be with him 24 hours a day. Did he change his behavior? No.. but at least they stopped bullying my friend.
I truly believe in equality for men, women, race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, etc.. but I do NOT condone nor accept anyone who uses those qualities as an excuse to hurt others. Equality means being treated the EXACT same as anyone else... black or white. It makes no difference when a guy, whether in a wheelchair or not, stabs someone. He should be sent to prison to be Bubba's girlfriend just the same. Being disabled is not an excuse, not should anyone be feeling sorry for him just because of it. Equality is not the same as Special Treatment. When people cry about inequality but what they are asking for is special treatment instead, I feel no pity for that kind of person.
Making a guy in a wheelchair be the bad guy is pretty stupid. It doesn't always bring good opinions towards the disabled. Most likely, it may cause others to despise them instead for using their weakness as a weapon.
IMO, both of these families are pretty sick and twisted. They probably shouldn't be allowed to have children to carry on their genes. You have one bro/sis combo that wants to do the tango. You have another bro/bro combo that wants to destroy each other. If my family were to behave that way, I would disown them and go live in a cave in order to contemplate why the people of this world is so screwed up and disgusting.
Honestly, this drama has caused me to lose a little more faith in humanity. Normal human beings shouldn't behave this way.
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The cinematography and choice of actors, particularly the succession of child actors who portray Jiang Shen and Liang Shen growing up into their teens and beyond together make this very seductive. The music is romantic and classical but the sound levels are somewhat perverse, at times drowning out dialogue (though I watch English subtitles I still like too hear Mandarin). The way this is written and directed it is deliberatly misleading (which adds to the drama/mystery) but just because the first few episodes suggest Liang an Jiang are half brother and sister [only circumstantial evidence is given] don't run away with the idea this is about an incestuous relationship. What ever way you try to view it, it isn't. Rather it's about the enduring power of famillial affection and shared experience trancending everyday life; comforts; consolelation and emparting a sence of belonging.A succession of excessivly rich individuals join the drama and few of them have any redeaming features. Some of them are positively evil, yet when they are in trouble or hurting, they are the first to complain. Our supposed half brother and sister have one trait in common; they are too trusting and have no effective defense against those who mean them ill. In consequence they endure terrible emotional and physical hurt .
The medical aspects introduced to help the plot move forward are very badly done. It is muddling organic illness, ie brain damage, with psycological illness. It puts the subject of blood groups and rehsus factor as attributes of two of the main leads but does so very inaccurately, thus destroying credibility. A rehsus negative mother carring a rehsus positive child (fathered hy a Rh+ father) can successfully deliver a viable child and have successive pregnancies. Yes, there are significant risks both to mother and child but, with excellent medical supervision the dangers can be ameliorated; it is certainly not a black/white situation like the drama pretends. This makes me very angry. The female lead is saintly and lacks the capacity to defend herself. Her 'brother' has similar issues. The direction and editing of this drama has significant problems and the, at times very poor subtitling, fall far short of the expected standard. Strangely, for all those, it hooks you in and makes you want to keep viewing!
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