Unexpectedly moving. Realistic. Poignant
This C adaptation from original korean source was a more grounded take- the overall tone is much more serious and realistic. What makes it memorable (as i am reviewing this quite a long tome from when i finished it) was how much the story manages to struck a deep chord, resonate with me how parent-child relationship becomes over time, over daily business in career or life. It punctuates all our realistic short comings and even laid bare how the important things are overlooked until finally your days are numbered.The performance from the father to his daughter and sons was nothing short of brilliant. The entire cast was strong.
It is impossible to steel your heart from the story, from the many moments you weep with them. Prepare tissues and prepare the reason why you wake with swollen eyes.
This is a rare family drama that is worth your time. Dont give up when you get frustrated with the doctor-son, and the daughter. They are human. Wait for the episodes of realisation and bleed with them. You've been warned.
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This review may contain spoilers
Prepare Tissues
Like all C-dramas that are 50+ episodes long, it can be dragging or either really good. What sets this apart is that the story is realistic in how children grow independently overtime focussing on their career or life and overlooks the tiny daily details of a family life (such as eating breakfast/dinner together, coming home late without informing parents etc).It takes some time to build up the character's individual backgrounds but from episode 30, you will cry on when each child/family member begins to learn about the truth for why the father is setting out his agenda. The last 15 episodes feel especially rushed i.e. the aunt learning about the truth, xiao long learning about his true mother.
Don't give up when you feel frustrated about the children's relationships with the father early on, you need to wait until the episodes above (the truth) is revealed. Take your time and slowly watch.
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An outstanding drama
You’re hooked from the very beginning. Be prepared for binge watching because you’ll find it hard to tear yourself away. The acting is top notch. The story that unfolds has many aspects which keeps it interesting and often emotional. The role played by the father will touch your heart time and time again. The actor in that role ( Li Chun Lee) is excellent. Roy Chiu performs the most outstanding role of his career, a complex character you’ll sometimes despise, but grow to love. Treat yourself to this gem!Was this review helpful to you?
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Annoying, much too long
So, how to put this nicely...?Considering the fakt, that most of the characters are in their 30s or seniors, most of them acted like high school kids.
Starting with the most annoying character: the doctors wannabe wife and later wife.
Imagine a five year old child, that clings to her mommy like an infant, is spoiled beyond measure, never makes any mistake and always gets what she wants - even if mommy and daddy have to buy it for her - in this case a husband. She falls in love with him after 0,5 seconds and does anything in her power to get him - as she has no more brain cells than a duck and therefore no power at all, mommy gets him for her. Altough he never shows the least bit of interest towards her, does not even care for her, she only asks him around episode 40 of 52 if he loves her and is angry and annoyed and runs back to mommy, when he can not tell her, that he loves her, because he does not. She treats everyone around her like a servant and cries and calls mommy all the time, if other people don´t do, what she tells them to do - yeah, and mommy solves the problems for her. She never makes mistakes, it is always the other person, that it wrong and nobody cares about her feelings and thoughts (yeah well, as mentioned before, there are no thoughts because of the lack of braincells...). I don´t know, if there is any character growth starting from episode 43, because I had to fast forward any scene with her in it.
The eldest son: stuck up doctor who sells himself for a higher position in the hospital. This guy - I don´t even know, how someone can be so disrespectful to his father, who raised him, payed for his education and was always there for him. Really, he deserved the no brain cell wife he got. There is some growth starting from ep 35 or so. Till then, you want to slap him every single episode.
The eldest daughter: Puh, 30 something and acts like a teenager....can not express feelings, moves with every wind, in whichever direction it blows her, can´t make decisions on her own....would be fine and ok with 16 but so not OK in her 30s.
The ML CEO or whatever: another of those weak male characters, that is almost always present in chinese dramas. They are either overbearing and possessive (for the underage viewer) or weak. Has to do what his STEPmother tells him, even though he fights her in the beginning, as soon, as she is against him dating the FL (eldest daughter) he turns into a weak puddle of mud.
The youngest son: he was very young, so anything that he does is excusable.
Considering, that I had to skip all scenes which included either of the characters mentioned above, it was a quick watch.
Typical stretched out Cdrama to the point, where you can skip 10 episodes and nothing really happened and you can follow the storyline just fine.
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Nothing new here
What stands out is how lazy the script writers were. Suddenly meeting a childhood friend, so that the main female protagonist is torn between 2 men like in so many other Asian series? Yep, in none other place than.... Shanghai, a city of 24 million people! Then the cringe worthy scenes, especially the ones where some of the female characters are idolizing their male counter parts like Gods. Seriously? Sad to see the mostly good actors participating in this. It's 2020 and series like these are still made? Clichés left and right, etc... Anyway, watch it if you have nothing better to do.Was this review helpful to you?
