Music Lovers
Just finished the ending of this series on YouTube and I feel the urge to write a review. I’ve mixed feelings, because I’ve been hooked by every episode, but felt some irritation as well.Synopsis
All her life Yang Zhen Zhen (Janice Wu) wants to be a pop artist. She works as a jack-of-all-trades at a major music agency, in the after hours she puts all her energy in talent shows. She never wins, but she decides to aid her former contest opponent Yu Zi Rui (Niu Jun Feng) to become a star one day.
Zhen Zhen is friendly, optimistic, fighting for her beliefs. That’s why her boss entrusts her with the difficult task of being a personal assistant to c-pop artist Zheng Bai Xu (Huang Zitao). Bai Xu is the big star of his agency, but he’s pursued by media scandals due to his unpredictability and unrestrained actions. He gives Zhen Zhen a lot of head aches and anxiety. They bicker non-stop, but are in fact kindred spirits. They both like to live and fight for their music. Bai Xu wants to become his own singer-songwriter but his agency won’t let him, earning money from his career as it is. Question is: will they succeed in living their life the way they want to?
The Good
Don’t expect just another c-pop vehicle for ZTao, this drama has some good side stories, f.e. the relationship with his rich father and siblings, and there's a nice flow in the story telling.
If you’re a fan of Janice Wu, you won’t be disappointed. She really shines. Although her character should have clothing that is plain and simple, her styling is perfect, every episode another outfit. Also ZTao doesn’t look bad when he leaves the swimming pool, and together they have a lot of cute, sweet moments. The supporting cast delivers a good job as well, especially the ideal-son-in-law Niu Jun Feng who plays a darker sort of character for a change.
The Bad
It is almost symptomatic in Chinese series, but there it is…this drama fails to deliver a sound closure. Really, how difficult can it be to portray a struggling artist who becomes a succes in the end, in his own right, without the help of his rich father, or agency? I won’t give any spoilers, you’ll have to see this for yourself.
Another minor thing, the styling of the actors is great, but it pains me to see what they did to ZTao. His lipstick is thicker, pinker than anyone. Combined with his dramatic hair-do and eyeliner he looks more like a drag queen to me. The only time I could believe Zhen Zhen would fall in love with him, was at the pool and on the beach where he was filmed without the heavy makeup.
Thanks to Janice the chemistry with ZTao was on point, but it took a long time before they kissed, and when they did, it was an anti climax for me. Aigoo, I was waiting for a lingering kiss full of intense emotion, not a touch of the lips left in "pause" mode.
Verdict
Still I recommend this c-drama to all romcom/music/boss-secretary lovers. Leave your brain on the shelf and enjoy this classic story about the arrogant male and his female assistant who become of one mind completing each other.
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This review may contain spoilers
I decided that I really wanted to watch this not only because it was one of the most highly anticipated Chinese dramas of 2019, but because of the actors/actresses. I really wanted to see ZTao (Boxu) in a drama because I was very curious about him in an active role and to be honest, I enjoyed every second of his character. I loved watching his growth from this misunderstood c-pop star who hid behind his popularity to this soft and funny man who learned what was most important in his life and it was one of the things I loved most about this drama - the chemistry between the two leads. I loved their back and forth banter that was 100% flirting, but both didn't realize it. Their relationship seemed extremely comfortable and natural, which made me ship them from the beginning.
Sorry, Yu Zi Rui. This brings me to my next actor - Niu Jun Feng who placed Yu Zi Rui. It was the second time I had seen him in a drama and he was one of my favorite characters in the first one. When I found out that he was a major-minor character again in this drama, I had to watch. Especially since he was playing the caring and gentle (first) love interest of our main character. Was I a little disappointed in the character he played? Yea, but I think he did an amazing job playing his character. I loved watching his internal struggle trying to figure out what he thought was most important in his life and what he was willing to do to get there. Similar to Boxu, but almost an opposite result, which broke a lot of people's hearts, but made others full.
Finally, there is Janice Wu. I don't know how it happened, but I somehow ended up watching two dramas at the same time, not knowing she was the lead in both. I love what she brings to every role that she is in and ended up being one of my top favorite actresses. I loved that she played this hard-working woman who was not scared of Boxu and always was true to herself and in her relationships with others. We also got to see her in some down moments, but she always bounced back with the support of the people she built strong relationships with.
I enjoyed this drama a lot more than I thought I was going to, but there were a few things that I couldn't get over. The first being the consistency and the flow of every episode. It seemed as if one episode was cut into 2 or 3 parts, so when you watched it, at the end of these eps were abrupt and in the middle of a sentence. I also wasn't a fan of ANYONE that worked at Star Entertainment. Some people had their moments, but it wasn't enough. I honestly wanted Boxu's contract to be terminated so he could go somewhere else. BUT, Star Entertainment did seem like a family....a dysfunctional family.
BUT, the one person I disliked the most, and idk if she just enjoys playing these types of characters, was Xia Yuan, Zhen Zhen's best friend and roommate. I felt like she was too much. I'm glad she did a lot of growing in the drama as a whole, but she was a mess in the middle and took it out of Zhen Zhen for something he has no power over. Especially when she decided that she was in love with Yu Zi Rui for no reason really, but I appreciate the ending that they gave her and Zi Rui.
Overall, I would love to see Z.Tao act in more dramas as well as continue to watch Janice Wu in the future. I hope they collaborate again. I was also in LOVE with every song in Boxu had written, that was in this drama, and extremely happy that they were real songs by Z.Tao and downloaded them all.
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Too much of everything except the romance
I initially watched this because I'm a fan of both Janice and Tao, and while they both performed excellently here, I just couldn't bring myself to love this drama. Here's a little rundown on why:1. There's so much going on all the time. The main pairing honestly only gets 20% of air time. The rest of it is boring business issues, love triangle things with other characters who aren't even the leads, etc.
2. The side characters were hopelessly boring. Zhenzhen's best friend, in particular, grated on my nerves. The second male lead was okay at first, but then his character suddenly shifts mid-drama, which was really off-putting.
3. I only really started feeling for the main characters at around 35 episodes in. Don't get me wrong, the're adorable!!! We just don't get enough of them prior to that.
Overall, not really a drama I'd recommend. I prefer Janice's other dramas (Le Coup de Foudre, Skate Into Love), and will definitely be trying out Tao's other dramas instead.
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This review may contain spoilers
I rewatched this drama at least three times! It's just amazing. Everything about this drama makes you fall in love with it. It is my favorite drama ever. I love their acting and the OST is so good. This is the only drama where I never skipped the intro song! It may seem long, but it was worth it. This show is binge-worthy. There were so many scenes in which I felt like crying out of happiness. The proposal was extremely cute. However, I was disappointed that they did not show the wedding scene but overall this drama is a 10/10. I love Z.Tao and Janice Wu and there was so much chemistry between them! Was this review helpful to you?
I just finished the series an hour ago and the songs kept playing on my mind so I thought of writing this. Overall, the series is cliche as to most of us who read and watch dramas. But what makes it unique is how the artist portrayed each character that changed the viewers perception from ordinary to extra-ordinary. I was actually been waiting for this drama.
Plot wise, a common wealthy male lead falls in love to a nobody female lead. But of course, that what gains the public's interest. The transition of the story line was indeed smooth. There were unexpected twist but most were predictable. If you ever love music this series is for you. It contains finding your inspiration, persevering for your dreams and overcoming sufferings. RomCom side of this story is strongly bonded at the same time I find it cute. As for the other side stories, I must say, only Cdrama made me hate second lead male. Originally I would vouch for the second leads, but this drama just didn't work that magic. Nonetheless, the antagonists made just the right balance to make this drama perfect.
As for the characters, what I hate about dramas are female lead being too submissive and weak, and so, that's one of the strong points of this series having a strong personality for a female lead. Although sometimes she acts stupid, it only shows the natural flaws of a person in reality. ZTao on the other hand, was the perfect guy for this drama. Like he was just being himself during the whole duration of the series. The vibe he portrays were all natural and not just an act, from his singing and interaction with other the casts. Just like watching the life of a real star unscripted and that's what amazed me.
Of course, there will always be a weak points. What I dislike about this drama is that it has to end while the story was just starting. I think, 44 episodes were enough, but then it felt like most of the airing time where wasted by unnecessary side stories and ended up rolling the credits way too rush. I was really anticipating for his time on the stage but saw none, what a petty. What are those practices for??!! (Ranting because its unjustifiable, you'll know when you finish this series)
Nevertheless, I would recommend this to those of you who's lost their purpose in life. Learn from the script and the characters way of life. There were many hurdles, but despite that they overcome.
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Two highlights for the whole drama for me were the chemistry and relationship between Zhen Zhen and Boxu and the music.
The music and the songs all were freaking amazing. I never skipped the opening title song nor the one they played in the end because it’s just that good. The main lead actor is a great singer!!! Delighted that I stumbled upon this drama.
However I did not like the office scenes or the scenes that did not focus on the main leads so I skipped them a lot because I liked watching moments involving the main leads more and I wish they had included more intimate scenes between the couple.
Overall I’d say this drama was a good watch. I finished it in 4-5 days. I also think it deserves a higher mld rating at least an 8.4 .
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I initially came for Tao, and his acting surprised me with how he was able to play his role so well. The character Boxu was truly perfect for Tao as he’s a music artist himself IRL, and the songs sung by Boxu in the drama were produced by Tao too!! (I was addicted to the opening song for a good month).
The personality of the FL was entertaining (for me), and you really get to see the development of her throughout the drama. The chemistry was on point too.
I liked how there weren’t really characters to strongly hate, maybe dislike just a bit, but later they show a good side to them.
The music aspect of the whole drama seemed really sincere to me, and it really opened my eyes to the collision between the business and music quality aspect of the music industry. The message that being the most popular doesn’t always equal being the most talented can really be brought to real life, and other messages that were mentioned throughout the drama too...
Overall, it was a great drama that didn’t get boring in the middle like many cdramas tend to do, and also had a good ending. For Tao fans out there, I highly recommend you watch this!
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I was quite surprised that the romance for this drama was slow but that's what I liked about it. You can really see the development of their relationship, there was pacing, progress from being strangers-assistant-manager-friends-mutual understanding-lovers. Through this, their love story resonates more with the audience unlike those dramas with abrupt romances. The slow romance makes the story more realistic.
The drama was good over-all but after episode 30, it becomes draggy. 44 episode is too long though for this kind of story and I fast-forwarded a lot of scenes and went to just focus on the leads story and Tao's progress as a singer, that's how I survived to watch the drama.
And I may add that the songs they used here are all good. I especially liked the song 'Expose' by Tao. You will end up liking the cute moments more because of the background ost. The whole series felt like a biography of Tao's life story as an idol and an advertisement to his musical capabilities.
Anyways, If you liked Tao and a "boss and me" type of drama, you may like this also. The story was written pretty well, the acting was all good (though I sometimes hate the gangsta outfit of Tao and Wu Xian's too simple dresses), the couple was cute and the chemistry was on point.
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Story- Minus few characters = Amazing watch
First and foremost, I must mention, I became a long term fan of ZiTao due to his music and performance in this drama. Words can't do justice to how mesmerising he was. (...who would believe that I didnt even knew who this human was and now I cant even stop praising him)Coming down to the story, the first 25 episodes are dragged needlessly and quite pointlessly. The second leads got on my nerves from the beginning till the end. Some characters vanished mid way which was quite disappointing.
The story of the main leads has depth so you would like it. Just feel free to skip over the parts that annoy you and it'll become a great watch for you too.
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This review may contain spoilers
Interesting but meandering love story that could be a lot tighter
I really enjoyed this series. The acting was good, there was nice growth in the characters, the music played a key role and the story line fresh. However, I did get annoyed with the show towards the end. It is not like they killed one of the main characters or forced the OTP to breakup but it was how they dragged on and muffed up the OTP romance line that had me baffled and annoyed.Let's face it, the bulk of the plot is the romance of the OTP. They are cute together and their dynamics are great. BUT that went on and on for 40 episodes and they don't even hold hands! Even though both are totally into each other and there is constant flirting and teasing (and no small amount of prompting by the ML). When you considered that each of them have separately told everyone who would listen that the other half of the OTP is their one and only. They even told the rival love interests so that there is absolutely no chance of a love triangle. Yet the OTP still live in this bubble where they don't seemed to believe that the other half are in love with them. OMG, are they deaf and blind? It is so obvious to everyone else that they are in love.
Fine, drag it out if you must but why when the ML finally confesses in Ep 42 (out of 44), the FL rejects him, calling it a joke. OMG! Why? She even stated again and again in other episodes that she hope he loves her as much as she loves him. I wished I can reach inside the screen and slap some sense into her! LOL Luckily, the writers saw the errors in their way and she accepted him at the beginning of Ep 43. The down side to this meandering plot is that all the skinship was crammed into the last 2 episodes. So much time was wasted. When you consider this show suffers from the usual mid show drag, they could have done so much more with their love story. Converting a lot of that cute but ambiguous "we are just friends" moments mid show into sweet couple time would be real fan service and I would gladly give it an extra point.
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