It is one of the most beautiful dramas I've encountered. The acting, pacing, execution, cinematography... even music I can't find any mistakes. I never skipped the opening song even of one episode. The casting can't be more perfect not just leads (Who did a splendid job) but the guest roles who are there only for 1-2 episodes, portrayed their character with perfection.
What to say about the story is it is based on real people and their beautiful journey together... The road trip that you won't ever forget.. ups and downs, challenges, meeting new people, exploring new things, experiences good and bad both this trip has everything that any normal trip can have.... it can't be more realistic. Though before watching it, I prepared myself for a depressing journey but never expected this would be so inspirational and heartwarming, making me crave for every episode.
I'm not gonna write a long review as I really don't have words (I'm bawling right now)
I want to say only one thing Watch it!
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Something different, unique and great
Discovered this series off a recommendation from AvenueX, a youtuber who blogs about C-drama. It lived up to its reputation. This is based on the true story of a woman who has decided to make a bucket list and enjoy life before her body succumbs to a hereditary degenerative disease. An old classmate who has always had a crush on her because of her prior kindness decides to join her on her journey to see China. Part slice of life and part travel blog, the story is totally unpredictable as the couple meets various people during their journey, some who help them and some who are burdens. The acting, story, cinematography and music are all stellar.The protagonist is probably the bravest person I know for actually having the guts to put YOLO (You only live once) into action. Most of us think of this but never do it, and she did, even if she was overwhelmed and at times has no idea what she's doing. The man who accompanies her shows the meaning of being Selfless. He's pretty much that 1 in 100 million or more who would dedicate his life and efforts to helping someone he loves through thick and thin no matter what it costs him, even if he knows it will end in tragedy. Most real people could never do what either of them did. There are many themes explored that touched my heart so I would definitely recommend this short series to anyone.
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This review may contain spoilers
An underrated show that deserves so much more attention.
The ML is definitely not your swoony Prince. He is flawed, stubborn and annoying at times but very real, grounded and genuinely cares for people around him. He might sound overbearing and crossing the line at times, but within minutes he turns around and reflects, and ultimately supports the FL. I found that incredibly melty than any other idealized hero. Smth I really love is that the ML does not treat the FL at all like an incapacitated person. The strangers will fret over her and give her hand all the time and all, the ML just stays away and lets her walk etc by herself. He's not just indulging her desire to be independent and pretending that he lets her be, but rather he simply does not even think she's disabled, but differently able. It never even registers to him otherwise. He accepts her condition and embraces it, and that helps the FL more than any gentlemanly behaviour.When she truly needs his help however, he's always, always there.
I loved the themes discussed in this drama. For example:- The couple post their journey on Weibo and are now sort if Internet Celebs.
After a while Netizens accuse FL of being pretentious and weak so she can get cared for by her boyfriend. I loved her answer. "You mistake the willingness to be vulnerable with playing weak. I'm not a helpless maiden. Precisely because I have him is why I can lower my guards and allow myself to relax and play around. You are lucky if you have someone to be vulnerable with."
The netizens say they don't believe such a pure love story like theirs could exist, and they are more interested in hearing the "dirt" so they can be proven as frauds who spinned a fairytale. It's depressing that people have fallen to this level where you assume everyone else's lives are full of mistrust and hate just because theirs does, and drawing satisfaction from that. It's not your job to judge whether a stranger you see on screen is a Saint or not unless they are revealed to be despicable by law! Why do that to yourself? Why sour everything up for not only yourself but everyone who see your hypothetical theories? Do not tolerate wrong, but still believe that goodness exists somewhere in the world. To assume some stranger is heaven sent or hell sent just based on what aspects of their life that they have chosen to share with you....they are not obliged to show you anything that they don't feel like, it's their right. Let them live their life. You live yours!
That episode really spoke to me.
It did not feel like they were making a melo out of s sickness, but rather they made it an adventure. It does not make you feel down and depressed. It felt so refreshing, for the "Sickness drama" genre.
There are some less perfect eps, in ep 1 they were still figuring out their dynamic, ep 2 bit slow and ep 9 bit hurried. But overall, it's an absolutely amazing gem of a 12 ep drama. I have not seen a show that had so much obvious hard work behind it and looks so genuine, after the Cmovies of the pre-2000 era. The actors look so damn haggard as they continue further on their journey, they don't hesitate to roll around in clouds of dusty floor and hide in dirty sheep pens.
If nothing else, you have to see this drama in just for the gorgeous scenery of China. There was this mountain range that looked like it's straight out if a traditional painting, and they mentioned the painting style is given the name of those mountains for that reason.
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Penguins fluffy and sweet once they love they love forever but the disease is not as fun
Forget all you know about C-fluff, it is just not there okay, the cold male lead is there and the whole chinese morals sip thru but while most C-dramas are colorful cotton candy fluff this drama is more of a beige road trip telling its viewers how to live... But the name is highly misleading.Honestly I think I could have given this dram all from a 5 to a 10 star rating depending on when and what I was judging.
Good stuff that made this drama worth watching:
1. Portraying a terminally ill person as a competent person worthy of love and respect
2.Road trip, inspiring, fun and interesting realistic take on the idea of how to make it happen for those on a budget!
3. Fluffy dogs - these guys where just the sweetest ever
4. The vehicles
5. We need help to get by,..
6. It is not all fun and games being terminally ill
7. Great view
8, Not always predictable
Stuff that got on my nerves:
1. Never ever ending cycle of stranger danger becomes best friend in the end...
2. Characters that lack boundaries.
3. Some of their choices.
4. At times boring and repetitive plot
All in all worth a watch if you are looking for for something that feels real and want to see China and tibet traveled by small country roads.
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