This review may contain spoilers
Jiayou, this is the best drama
I don't think I should be reviewing it 10 minutes after watching the last episode but here I am, this is my first review on MDL and my face is still wet from all the crying since I watched the last 4 episodes in a row. This one is gonna be a long one.Since this is my first time I'll write it as I feel it. Also English is not my natural language so please be patient.
Music: according to last.fm I listened to 坚强的理由 168 times last week :) I cried a bit when it played for the first time in that hotel scene. First bc I recognized Eric Tsai's voice (and I love him so much -listen to Fool and Idiot, guys); second, the lyrics and third, the was a sad scene and we were so warm with HZY and FZ travelling together and all. I'm also a fan of Wu Qing Feng who sings the opening song. Shout out to Fish Leong <3; Ma Si Chun and Deng Lun, I didn't know they could sing. The OST is really great.
Dubbing: as important as the actors on screen, dubbing can ruin everything. Just like those scenes you know you're supposed to feel sad, the actor on screen is suffering with his face but then he sounds like Marvin, the paranoid android and all the feeling is lost. This one is dubbed at some few lines maybe to correct sth and it's dubbed by the same actors so it's okay, it's not cringey and it doesn't affect the acting on screen.
Acting: I judge acting simply by how the actor makes me feel and if it matches the scene.
I came here for Ma Si Chun. She's my girl crush and I'm 100% biased by her. But I have to say I wasn't expecting her to be this good. Ma Si Chun came to a point in acting where you can't see her, you see FZ and FZ only. She didn't try to look good on camera, she was just her character. On the other hand, at first, I was negatively biased by Deng Lun. I'm really sorry but because of 'Ashes of Love' I thought he was overhyped. I didn't expect him to be a good actor... I expected him to be like HZY, a good looking so-so idol actor. I'm glad to admit I was wrong.
All the cast was superb and natural. They responded well to each other and their adlibs were really funny. They broke character A LOT and it was AWESOME. I'm happy the director made the best of these moments.
Characters: I liked all the characters (even if I hated NM sometimes). Fu Fangshu was my favourite. I'm a sucker for soft tsunderes. The way he welcomed HZY, his love for FZ, the bickering with NM, the brotherhood with GDP. Lao Fu is a wise man who sacrifices for the ones he loves without wanting anything in return, he's just happy and caring and grumpy. The character development of all of them was really good. To me, the best ones were: Jiajia and Niu Meilli.
Romance: the romance is not what some people might be expecting. HZY and FZ are really cute. They care for each other, HZY is loyal like a dog, FZ devotes 3 years of her life to him, they bicker but it's not aggressive, it's light and warm, the confessions are cheesy :} but it's not 8-camera-angles-kiss... Tbh the kiss was a peck and that was it.
Story: 44 episodes, 45 min each, less than 15 characters... It dragged at times. The synopsis is okay, that's the story. No surprises. You get yourself rooting for them and being frustrated when something goes different from what we expected. This happens a lot until it hits you... That's life. We expect it to be a drama and everything going according to what we see in dramas but that's a genuine slice of life with some elements of fiction.
TL;DR: Warm. Well acted. It drags but you can skip scenes. Character development well executed. Really good music. Funny bickering. Actor breaking characters at its best. Rough start to friendship to life time partners. Worth it.
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This review may contain spoilers
I think that this is my first review in MyDramalist. I decided to write this review because I really like Mr. Fighting, and wanted to share my feelings with othersThe story itself is actually not complicated, and could be considered as simple actually. It's about an actor who was popular when he was in teens, and then become the "washed-up" actor after 10 years, where no one actually know him (or remember his name anymore). With the help of the people he called as "Family" he stepped back onto the road of an actor once again
When i first read the summary, I think that the story is just too simple. Like, there's not much going on. I have predicted that there would be struggle to achieve stardom, but it will be the usual happy-go-lucky story. But when I watched the first episode, I know i'm wrong
The story is not heavy but it's also not fluffy. The drama might tell the story of Hao Zeyu and his road to stardom, but it's the story behind the scene that makes this drama so worth watching. His interaction with the people who he considered as his family, with Fu Zi, and also his struggle to become an actor. What I like is the simplicity of the story, that there's no actual "evil" person in the story (even agent Shi), and that they're just so human. They felt realistic and felt close to me, and that's why I could relate to each of them personally. I also think that the conflict is actually pretty real
This drama actually make me rethink about the word "happiness" itself. What do happiness actually means? Is it having a lot of money and could buy anything you want? Or is happiness the way you're able to be with the person you love and care most and laugh with them everyday? Just like what Fu Zi said, that she wanted normal and realistic romance, and this is what makes their separation, and then their eventual break-up, make me very emotional. I think I didn't stop crying since episode 43, and I continue to cry until the end of episode 44
The story is not gloomy, but it's also not the "fairy tale" story where everything will magically be okay even after a big conflict. And that's what makes me love the story so much
Acting/Cast
All the actors portray their parts properly and amazingly, even the supporting characters like Mr Gu (who like Niu Meili). Their wonderful action makes the drama felt even real to me
Rewatch value
I might not be able to rewatch this because there's just too much heartache. I could only go through this drama once. If I have to sit through this emotional drama again, I might not be able to hold on
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This review may contain spoilers
Heartwarming show, but will hurt along the way <3
-----MAJOR SPOILERS, BEWARE-----.
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This show has a hopeful ending, imo. Possibly as happy as an ending can get, given the circumstances. It was deliberately left kind of open-ended cuz the last ep ends with them reuniting but doesn't show any further of them talking or touching or anything just them smiling at each other and laughing while the music starts to play lol.
It still made me tear up from happy feels though, simply seeing them smile so freely; the previous few episodes had really put my emotions through the wringer and I was just happy we got some sort of closure for them
I definitely wouldn't call it a happy-go-lucky show, though. I find it nearly impossible to rewatch, not because it's bad in any way, but simply cuz of how raw the emotions it elicits in me are. Simply thinking of some scenes in this show are enough to make me tear up sometimes.
It's not a tearjerker show with extremely tragic backstory for the chars, quite the opposite; it's a tremendously realistic, and most importantly, HOPEFUL show - it really lives up to its title: "Keep fighting, no matter what! You're the best.". I only tear up because over the course of its 40 or so eps i grew so freaking attached to these main chars (like seriously, they're some of the most realistic and likeable I've encountered on this medium and I love and adore all of the 4 main characters so damn much) and seeing them go through the times that life brings and struggle and sometimes cry and be sad made me want to cry a little (a lot) too.
With that being said, there's so much happiness in Mr Fighting too!!! There is a theme of family running through the show that really cemented its place among my favourite shows ever, it was heartwarming most of the time, but occasionally raw and powerful and painful and man can it hit hard.
Also, the main couple is really super freaking cute and they love each other so much and though they might not be the most outwardly affectionate or touchy-feely, they still brought so many smiles to my face watching their relationship develop and seeing how much they would sacrifice for each other <3 :') It's *because* of how much they care for each other that they end up deciding to break up in the 2nd-last ep, because while caring so much for each other so much, they sometimes forgot to put themselves, and their own needs, first. The last episode has timeskips and shows them growing and maturing as human beings; their final reunion occurs with both of them as changed people: older, smarter, kinder, perhaps a little sadder than when they'd first met in episode one; but hopefully, this time, more mature and ready for the challenges that a potential future relationship, and life together, might bring.
In case it's not obvious, I really freaking love this show. It's one of my all-time favourites and I seriously want to watch it again but I'm afraid my weak heart won't be able to take it lmao. It's a sloooow show, and could be called SOL-ish (SOL = slice-of-life) in the sense that we're literally watching these guys live and struggle through their daily lives, but yet it isn't SOLish either, not really, cuz their lives can get really goddamn difficult at times. The conversations are extremely realistic and true to life, it's easy to forget that you're watching a drama sometimes; the sound effects are fantastic (that freakin rooster xD); the soundtrack is generally soft and understated yet manages to complement the emotional moments perfectly when needed as well - that main theme gets me emotional just listening to it lol.
8.5/10
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Struggle and Life of an Entertainment Artist
As always, Deng Lun's performance is top notch. And for that matter, Ma Si Chun is amazing. She is so natural and herself. I love Ni Hong Jie's and Han Tong Sheng's performances too. They are just like your everyday neighbors going about their everyday life. There's no pretense; everything is as it is.All of us can relate to the story. Everything and everybody is realistic. There are no super wealthy and powerful people. There are no super nasty antagonists. It is just a story about normal people living a normal life. It is also the story of the arduous journey of an aspiring actor. Deng Lun has acted as if that's his own story, the struggle he has gone through himself before he achieves what he is today. It makes me wonder, what has Deng Lun lost himself, if any, over the years in his quest for success?
The story dwells deep into our own soul searching. What are we willing to sacrifice in order to realize our dreams? What do we really want in life? The road to success is usually laced with temptations. What is the price are we willing to pay to get it ( success)? Many people do feel lost and unhappy when success comes to them eventually. By then, many also realize they have lost what they love the most in their life - their family. Many have their regrets, but usually it's already too late.
The morale of the story is to know where to draw the line to safeguard what one values the most. Choosing and giving up a dream is very hard to do but maybe necessary.
As the saying goes, "Flowers can bloom again, but people cannot return to their youth ever". Hao Ze Yu (played by Deng Lun) initially interprets this as, "Don't waste time during your youth, go achieve your dreams". Not until he loses a loved one that he finally realizes the phrase actually means, "Treasure the people around you". What a valuable life lesson for us all.
Great drama! Great watch!
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Story : although the story line for this drama was initially rather slow and maybe a little boring but along with it everything developed very well, a sincerity given by fuzi to ZeYu which was very priceless ... made me very touched and liked this drama, the struggle zeyu from empty until he succeeded certainly did not escape the support of fuzi, laofu and niumeili, the four people have worked well together, their relationship is very sincere for each other ... (maybe there are some stories that make me feel rather bored when telling stories about the life of NiuMeiLi) and the story that touches me the most is that happiness is not just success in a career without the presence of a beloved family beside us, and without them actually success in a career still cannot be called a success, time, love, and harmony in a family is the most important thing ... for that as a whole i give 9 points for this drama story ...
Acting : all the cast really have very good and natural acting, especially for DengLun, Sandra Ma and who is play as Lau Fu, I think the three of them are the best acting in this drama ... I have never watched Sandra's drama before and this drama really opened my eyes to her acting skills ..AMAZING...
Music :all the soundtrack on this drama are so good, especially the opening theme song " qi feng le", " tu ran xiang ai ni " by deng lun and " sou hou" by Sandra Ma..
rewatch value: I give 8 points for this drama because maybe i will skip the parts of niumeili's stories if I repeat this drama again...lol...
thank you and hope my review can help and not make you bored reading it..lol
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from my point of view, this is a great art. drama usually put much attention to romance but this drama brings up warm and tender heart to help Hao zeyu back on track for his career. I can feel their pain to achieve the dream every episodes like i wanna cry but i can't. this drama brings family affection towards each other and make a strong bond between Hao zeyu and Fu ze. i really like Hao zeyu and Fu ze fall in love each other from hardship they facing together and let their feeling develop each other. Maybe some people said the pace is a bit slow toward Hao zeyu and Fu ze, but since its not concerning to the romance genre, seeing their love grow each episode when fu ze always there for Hao zeyu really heart warming. i even cry when they finally get together and admit if they already fall in love because its really touching.
For the acting,
1. Deng lun-ge acting is extremely relatable to audience heart because i can feel the pain watching the drama for entire episode with the story for life up and down. His facial expression for the detail show us that even if he is not say a line, but he can deliver the feeling for the audience. His acting with Ma sichun jie is really warm since the first episode because he can show the gentle side towards her and shows that the character maybe high tempered guy but he is actually caring and loving to the person he meant a lot. I don't know why it can be so hurt by watching drama and it feels good at the same time. For his acting rate in this drama is 10/10
2. Ma sichun-jie, I can see for this role she have to gain her weight because i have seen her in happy camp having a tiny waist but in this drama she looks chubby AND NOT UGLY AT ALL, SHE IS SO ADORABLE!!! she is really professional when turn to acting because she act with Deng lun-ge in this drama shows that Fu ze really care a lot about Hao zeyu in his darkest time so Hao zeyu can feel he is not alone an gain a new family. Ma sichun-jie really get well along her character and can make the audience cry and laugh at the same time. For her acting i also said her acting is 10/10
from the drama, i can find the morale is for actor and actress in real life, let them have privacy and not being a crazy papparazi fans because it will also make his/her family hurt and pain. If we really like their arts, just appreciate it and suppoert them and not intervent to their private life. don't ship them with another artist because we can see that maybe they have a spouse in their own private life, and please not spreading false rumour and pretend it to be true or insist the artist to make some clarification for their private life. we see Hao zeyu, his heart breaks apart when broke up with Fuze since he has no time to hanging around with Fuze and the media spreading rumour he is dating with bai jiaojiao also make his girlfriend hurt badly. We are just fans for support the artist, not the one who making decision who he/she should in relationship with or ruin their private life. This is some point of view i can get from this drama.
this drama is an art. so pain to watch, but lovely, heart warming, and tender feeling.
LOVE YOU FOR ALL THE ARTIST IN THIS DRAMA!! 加油！你们是最棒的！！
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Where do I start? I'm reminded of one episode where Old Fu takes Xiaoyu (Deng Lun, main character) to eat out and Deng Lun attempts to explain the meaning of being an actor to him and rationalise why a young man would spend his "best years" (20-30s) pursuing a bitter path called acting.
He says: "Even if the audience looks at me for one minute, just one minute, I need to let them forget everything that makes them unhappy. What my profession does is meaningful"
I remember this episode, remember thinking this was one bull sh*t line. What Deng Lun implies is that we as consumers watch media as our form of escapism, and that the highest form of art an actor could achieve is to perpetuate our escapism, perpetuate our unwillingness to confront what makes us unhappy.
I thought about this line a lot and had a good think about the many other c-dramas I've watched that admittedly simply passed my time and let me forget about the unpleasantries of life. Dramas that made me "happy" in the moment before I had to confront reality again. Is the job of an actor really just that kind of immediate cheap pleasure?
Fastforward to a rainy morning (which are the best for thinking) on a Thursday when I had just finished the last episode, I finally had my answer. I think now that the ultimate, best role an actor/actress can play is not to "let them forget their unhappiness". Anyone can do that simply by performing a lap dance on a table- that's entertainment, is it not? But an entertainer, an actor that can guide an audience to confront reality and acknowledge it, the way a therapist can guide a patient to explore better realities is worth gold, and I feel like that's the highest aspiration one with such a profession could achieve. This drama is by far the best example I've watched of how a cast managed such an amazing feat, and challenged me to critically think of the media I consume daily. Reason 1 I was spellbound by this: it made me think, made me question to be better.
How did it do that? I’m not really meant to say since I don’t want to include spoilers, but part of it comes from the premise/setting of the drama. The characters are realistic people confronted with realistic problems that we could easily face - such as being almost broke, and feeling stagnant and dull despite our busy city lives. Although I have no expertise with acting, a bulk of the drama is emotionally driven - this requires a strong cast to convey the emotions needed when there is not much of a pull by the plot. A stellar performance by the cast, that were able to show me about every colour of the human emotion rainbow in a way that touched me. “Humanity is an ocean, and if a few drops are dirty the ocean does not become dirty” (Ghandi) I think is the main message I understood as characters in the drama reveal all different parts of themselves, not always pretty.
Some people say the story was too long, but I never felt that way. The director gives a portrayal of the struggles of a group of people, and tries to tie all the individual unique problems of each person into the linear narrative structure of a plot that’s main focus is Xiaoyu’s (Deng Lun) acting career. Considering the depth, nuance and exploration the director delves into for each character (even minor ones) I find this a commendable effort already even if there is room for improvement.
The director never shys away from showing the ugly in life or in people - but leaves the drama with an ending worthy of the journey. There’s a very heartfelt message at the end narrated by Deng Lun to the audience of the drama.
Simply because it tore at too many of my heartstrings, I’d have a hard time rewatching this - but yes, this is quality stuff for me.
Overall, absolutely brilliant!
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I was not watching, I was living with them!
This series has a very realistic storyline. It's alive, I even felt like I almost join their conversation before I got concious I was currently watching! LOL. This series using uncommon profession's point of view--an actor, but yet the packaging using a totally realistic lifestyle. It also shows a lot of Chinese lifestyle's culture. In terms of profession, it's very detailed and rarely shown in other dramas.Mr. Fighting has the well described struggle of a human and there is a lot that can be learned from here. There's a proverb in it: "You can't survive without going crazy", it can be elaborated after watching this series that a person has to be out of the box in order to pursue the dreams that seem impossible.
This series has a really depth vibes of family and friendship bonds. I really like the way how they protect each other when someone disrespecting one of them. Although it's slowburn one, but even the unimportant scene didn't got me bored. Those general humors in it got me laughed all the time.
The only minus point of this series only some part of dialogues needed the dubbing patch isn't done properly, but I think it's less than 10 lines within those 44 eps. Aside from that, I don't think there is any other deficiency in it, or maybe just the scene transition sometimes annoying ^^".
Unlike usual c-drama which mostly about perfect cool guy, this one has the emotional characters in it. Everyone has the good and bad side, nobody's perfect. I think there is only a bit lack affected by the novel's writing which all the main figure have similiar terms of emotional that likely to get angry. However, it's saved by the different habits of each of them and also because the actors and actresses act really well! Hao Ze Yu shown us that it's not always only the perfect cool guy typical can be so gentle.
For the songs they applied, it got me nostalgic to the old c-drama, coz nowadays the OSTs of c-drama alr getting more and more modern atmosphere. So, it's great, the soundtracks used in this series really suit the series itself.
As for the casting, I have no comment. Their acting is superb, I had never watched series with better chemistry, especially the four main characters. Their chemistry/relationships built very very very very very well. The acting skills of the actors and actresses make me ... speechless. Their emotions delivery .... It is as they are living for real, it's as if they weren't acting, it's like that is really their life. Hard to not mentioning the main couple expressive eyes and how their acting even improved so much from their acting that I've thought the best out of the best before within Chinese actors/actresses. It can also because all of them really suits their own characters. Like Deng Lun and Ma Si Chun, it feels like their characters are just the same as when they are on variety shows. Hey, Sandra Ma smile and laugh are infectious! Ha ha.
Okay, the point is this show really REALISTIC.
I'm not exaggerating and not biased because there are actors and actresses that I love. Even though there are actors and actresses that I like a lot, my assessment here is objective (if you don't believe, please just look at my watchlist, there are also a lot of my favourite actors series but not rated 10).
My eyes keep teary of how heartwarming and heart touching this series is, the last two episodes made me cried a lot.
I finally meet my 10/10 tv series again. Goosebumps!!! Not surprising Mr. Fighting won the Seoul International Drama Awards of 2020.
Some quotes:
"Happiness and a stable environment aren't necessarily related. As long as you really mean well for the one you love, I think this is stability." -Hao Ze Yu, eps. 37
"We'll try harder. If not today, then tomorrow. If not tomorrow, then the day after tomorrow. One day, we'll be able to make it. You can't hang yourself just because you have a fever. You can't divorce just because you argued. You can't just skip treatment and marriage counseling." -Fu Zi, eps. 40
"Caviar costs thousands per gram, but you won't become immortal after eating it." -Fu Fang Shu, eps. 30
"When I was young, I thought that love is the most precious. As I get older, I get a better idea about life. I think the sense of security is the most precious in life." -Niu Mei Li, eps. 28
I have a line I like but forget who mentioned it. "Sometimes, human even worse than dogs." LMAO!
Okay, this is my longest review ever, I'm in the mood for it ha ha ha ha ha ha. Hope it's helpful.
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This review may contain spoilers
Dragged way too long
Plot:The storyline is a good concept - the harsh realities of a struggling actor trying to succeed in the entertainment world. But it dragged on so slow and for way too long. I considered dropping it so many times, but still watched it to the end to see if it redeems itself...skipping thru most parts of each episodes. It finally started to get better by episode 30! What stood out in this series was all the shouting. EVERY episodes, so many characters are always shouting, excessively shouting even if they're having normal conversations...its shouting at one another. I had to turn down the volume often. It centers around a team of 3 kind, generous but feisty family/friends that rally around to support the male lead to realize his dream as an actor. But it's really illogical how these people literally devoted their time, money and their life to him unconditionally.
Acting/Cast:
- Male Lead (Hao Ze Yu) - I mainly watched this because of the ML Allen Deng because I loved him in Ashes of Love. But I must say I'm disappointed w/ him in this series (and honestly all the other series he's been in besides Ashes of Love). His acting wasn't necessarily bad, but as the male lead, his character was just so unlikeable from beginning to end. He was supposed to be the humble underdog that you empathize with and root for, but he just came across as an aggressive, whiny, unhinged victim that lashes out at everyone who tries to help him.
- Female Lead (Fu Zi ) - this is the first time I've seen this actress in any series, and she's quite good. She was one of only two characters that I really liked in this series. Her acting was sincere and heartfelt. Her innocence and kindness really shined through for this character.
- Fu Shang Fu, the female lead's father. He played the part well, the character was very endearing as a father and as a trusted/loyal friend. Tough on the outside, but funny, sweet, caring, and generous on the inside. His relationship w/ his daughter was so touching.
- Niu Mei Li, the male lead's agent - she really got on my nerves the whole series, up until maybe episode 25 or so when her motherly, nurturing side came out. The last maybe 10 episodes, she was able to pull at my heart strings.
I would not recommend this series. The plot could have been good, but they missed the mark...pacing was too slow and dragged on way too long.
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This review may contain spoilers
Must watch but Slightly hard hitting .
Wow I came here for Deng Lun but Sandra Ma blew me off with her Acting. What a Fab Actress she is.A MUST WATCH SHOW INDEED!!
This show has one of the Most Unique Real Life Concept I have ever seen amongst K/C dramas and the Camerawork, Soundtrack , Storyline and Actors are fabulous.
Fuzi is very relatable, she can be me or My friend. Although Hao Zeyu appears on your face Brat , he is insightful at times (once in a blue moon). Fuzi and HaoZeyu are Friendship Goals, they are so sweet together.
I had to Binge watch the Last 5 episodes, it's so High on Emotions you cannot miss it.
First of all my complaint, The show could have easily Wrapped up in 25-30 episodes , 44 were not needed , it had too many Subplots especially with NM and her Admirers too too much fillers. I would have rather seen HZ and FZ struggle to get back together after their Very Realistic Heartbreaking Breakup and How HZ Finally makes it On his Merits Not Popularity.
Costume Dramas are easy to watch, They are Gods they reincarnate , but the Emotions of HZ and FZ right after LF dies tragically is too RAW. We idolize the Actors, they pay the price of Fame with their Lives. DL's /HZ instant helplessness of not being there for FZ and not able to meet LF FOR the last time was so hearbreaking.
SM is a FAB actress, in the last few episodes she single handedly ate other performers , she is that Natural, the Lady has Best Comic Timing and Excellent Crying Skills.
Viki should not have categorized this with Idol Tag , this is Slice of Life not IDOL drama.SM and DL are too too good in this show , especially SM. I have to praise DL a lil less but because HZ was annoying a Lot of times!!! So he did the Job well.:) I just wish they could have had less episodes , this show would have been PERFECT then instead of Low rated.
The realities shown in fictionalized manner in this show is quite hardhitting.70% of Chart Popular actors are IDOLS infact not REAL ACTORS. I am glad HZ made it a point to be an Actor not an IDOL , he listened to LF's advice. And FZ learnt to be Independent and spoke out that she gave up her Lifeline for HZ but he wasnt there, although it was not entirely up to him but Communication Gap and Being a Puppet in someone's hand would have repercussions.
ALTHOUGH it was an Open ending But A Hopeful One.
I wanted to see HZ receiving accolades though, hope in the future he does. Till then I assume he and FZ are Fighting the Life together, All the Best.
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This is the best of best series of 2019. It is so underrated! A heart-warming .
Great acting - #DengLun is not only handsome beyond description, but also superb in acting. He nails it every scene. He made a character with a lot of struggles real and with some humour in the right doze.Sandra Ms - usually stunningly beautiful actress, transformed her into an ordinary looking girl. That requires skills and dedication to her profession. She also delivered superb acting. Other casts also did their job well.
Storyline - it is convincing and shows the struggle side of showbiz people. The story not only followed career development, but also relationships, friendship and lifestyle turning points.
For me, #DengLun and Sandra Ms alone are enough reasons to watch!
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