Cross Fire (2020)

Friendship and going against the odds.

You know you have a vested interest in a drama when a couple sit down to eat a bowl of noodles and I find myself crying.

This is a drama I will rewatch in the future because there is a lot of depth to the characters. It has a storyline that depicts the passion of youthful dreams, the friendships that help move and motivate them towards their goals, pathos and humour.
The gaming element is handled well such that people like myself can become fully immersed in the competition outcomes.
The two main leads meet through a cosmic glitch and their interconnectedness is the main thread of the plot.
A well written script that has a lot of depth.
This has so much going for it that I hope many more people take the opportunity to watch it.

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It is more than an e-sport drama

TL;DR version: This is an amazing drama. A must watch. One caveat; if you hate gaming or e-sport then give it a miss.
The long version: this drama combined two fully realised dramas into one. What is even more impressive is that it was an ensemble cast of well over ten leading characters. All those characters were three dimensional and acting was great and on point.
With such a complex and interwoven plot there were definitely issues but the show just took you on such a rollercoaster ride that you just hung on tight and enjoyed it.
The promise of the main plot is some kind of temporal anomaly that linked the lives of two crossfire game players, one lived in 2008 while the other in 2020. To help identify the two parallel plots, I'll refer to one as -08 while the other as -20.
First we must address the elephant in the room. If you are concerned about the butterfly effect or time paradox then be assured that the show took a bazooka to them and walked all over their ashes. The show used the time anomaly as a convenient plot device whenever they see fit. All kinds of time shenanigans happened but they all seemed to have minimal impact to the timelines or the world as a whole. Just tell your cognitive functions to go on a paid vacation.
As I mentioned earlier, with such a complex plot(s), there were issues which you can either take umbrage or just shrug your shoulders. The perfect example was the recovery of ML-08 from a prolonged illness. Totally unrealistic but they had to take that route or the show will grind to a halt. Ditto, 2ML-20 which was all nicely set up as a love triangle for OTP-20 and he just disappeared after a couple of episodes. See memo re cognitive functions.
On the whole the 2008 timeline was better written and acted. It just felt more raw and gritty. It started fast and furious and didn't let up until the halfway mark. The 2020 storyline was more like a youth drama with a hint of "The King's Avatar". It could have formed the basis of a standalone c-drama if they wanted. It was well told and well acted but paled in comparison with the 2008 storyline. The 2020 ensemble was still strong but felt a bit cookie cutter (the cosplayer was a standout).  
Around the 20's episodes mark, it did turn very dark and the various plots took a breather while the writer sort things out so that the two timeline can meld into one stream in 2021. A lot of the personal relationships were resolved and cemented around then.
Speaking of relationships, there are three key pairings, one in '08 and two in 2020. They all grew organically and didn't steal the limelight from the main plots. Unsurprisingly, I found the romance of 2OTP-20 was more engaging and funny and they were allowed more latitude with their courtship with several really funny moments while in game. However, having said that, the kiss of the OTP-08 in ep.33 was one of the best c-drama kiss, ever. The penned up longing and passion was overflowing and it was so natural. Swoon.
Speaking of funny moments, it was very clever of the show to use a mix of in-game graphics but more importantly, have the real actors dress up as their game characters and do the fight scenes. There were some tense moments but some of the funniest scenes were done in that alternative game world. Look for ML-08 teaching the FL-08 the game and the bromance scenes later on. Classic, totally classic. I won't be surprised if they recreated some championship games as they were really good matches.
The villain of the piece was also done well. I am a bit tired of the tropey hidden mastermind or Psycho killer with questionable motives. The show's villain suffered a chain of events that got him deeper and deeper into trouble. He was nasty and despicable in the end but you went on that dark ride with him and can empathise.
Kudos also goes to the writer for putting ML-20 in a wheelchair. As a gamer myself, I have been fascinated by the idea that online games are the ultimate leveller when a disabled person can live a full life in a virtual world without hindrance nor discriminations. Ditto giving real gamers cameos and showing photos of past greats in the end credit.
One small gripe is the last 7 mins of the show skipped ahead 5 years but you don't feel anything has changed and there was no obvious character developments. The show hinted is that everyone just cruised along for 5 years which is unrealistic (not even their hairstyle?). After making so much effort to make the timelines feel authentic, those last few minutes just felt out of place. If they have done a 1 year skip and gave us an update on the team/individuals then it would have been a more satisfying conclusion and gave us closures.
OST was good. A mix of battle music, love songs and incidental music. High production value all round.
In conclusion, I suppose I am a bit biased but even if you tone down the gaming side, it is still a good drama. Definitely recommended.

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Blew my mind beyond expectations

I'm not a gamer at all but I gave it a tried for a couple episodes to see if I would like it and I was hooked. Although I can't appreciate the value of gaming the show has other strong viewing points. Even if you aren't a gamer, I would encourage you to give it a try. The drama touches a lot about chasing dreams against a myriad of obstacles- whether it's family pressure to have a viable paying job or to pursue for higher education - they face challenges of tragedy and loss, betrayal and love. What really hit me was Leo Wu's acting has really hit the right notes. The shine came from finally letting go of the past that he kept with him for years- the shockness that woke him up to face the challenges of being able to stand up (literally and figuratively).

Lu Han's character has a different picture in a different world - 11 years apart- I can't fathom that life in 2008 was not that technically advanced as it is in 2019. Think about the fact that the first Samsung galaxy phone didn't come out till around 2008. His challenges were slightly different but both him and Leo Wu chase the same dream.

I like how they touch on other characters and their story to success. You have a female gamer who strives to find a place in the world of gaming dominant by males. She also worked to be comfortable with her own identity and not hide behind her cosplays. You have the girl Chuo Ge, who comes from a disadvantage background, using what she could as an athlete in order to get into university in the hopes of getting a better life for herself. Beyond the world of gaming is the common theme of perseverance and determination to not let go of your dreams no matter the obstacles you face. You fall down, you find a way to get back up and get stronger. If viewers can't understand this drama beyond that it's just about gaming, then you really don't appreciate the deeper messages throughout the entire drama.

As for the romance- it's light hearted and at times, downright hilarious but it's not too much. Bromance is there and in many ways, very satisfying to see.

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WOW. A surprisingly good drama with good casting. MUST SEE DRAMA

WOW, I was very skeptical about checking out this drama at first, because of LU HAN. Let's be honesty his last few drama has not been very good. But I have to say his depiction of his character Xiao Feng was wonderful. But La Han was not the only character who did a good job in drama. I believe that every member of the cast, from the director to the all the small characters did a wonderful job. The stories of each character was so well developed. From the four main character to the smaller characters role. Every character had a purpose to the story and it's development.

What was good about the drama: I loved how both the ML character had their own flaws and problems and how they were able to overcome it together. Despite the fact that they were living in different time loop that separated the characters by eleven years. The friendship that was build with one another despite only being able to communicate with one another for 2 minutes and thirty second a day was amazing. The brotherhood that they built over that short time span was magical. They became one another support and confidant despite only meeting for small snip-it of time. Not only were their interaction good, I also love how all the other characters grows up together and change as they all bond over the game and how it improved their lives.

Short summary of the plot. The story out with Xiao Feng a young lost man who is just living his life chasing video games in 2008 and seemingly going nowhere in his life. A time where video gaming was looked down upon for it's for a lack of better word inability to provide gamer with a proper career. His character goes through up and downs as he begins to question his future as a gamer and the disappointment he had caused his family. Afraid of disappointing his parents and despite hearing from Luo Xiao Bai that his team would eventually go one and win the torment for the game crossfire, Xiao Feng quits gaming all together and official disband his team, despite being one of the only two remaining members of a five member team. He began working and is even offered a full time position. Despite being offered what most people without a college education would considered to be a solid careers he quit and decided to follow his dream by reuniting his broken team members together and finally succeeding in winning the torment with the help of former high school class mate A-Lan who becomes his biggest supporter and love interest. Amazingly even with the knowledge of knowing that Luo Xiao Bei character is in the not so distance future, he fight with his own ability and achieve his dream without relying on information from Lou Xiao Bei.

On ward to Luo Xiao Bei character who is a young high school student in a wheel chair with a dream of become Pro gamer but is hinder not only by his parents from playing the game but also from person with high authority in the gaming world. Unable to join any official team in the gaming world he along with his best friend forms a team with three other misfits where they experience friendship and unity together for the first time ever. Along with his trouble making classmate who help him with rehabilitate, they experience love, hope and dream together as they help each other grow and overcome their life obstacle.

Upon meeting Xiao Feng in the game, Luo Xiao Bei set out to change his brother and destiny once he truly believes that Xiao Feng is currently living in a time right before the tragic death of Luo Xiao Bei's older brother. Unfortunately, and despite Xiao Feng best efforts, is unable to stop the tragic death of Luo Xiao Bei older brother and the accident that cause Luo Xiao Bei to lose his ability to walk. The Plot however thicken when the audience discover that the person who cause the accident was none other than Xiao Feng's best friend who flees crime of he scene leaving both brother for dead and also the person in high gaming authority in the future who is by all means trying to sabotage Luo Xiao Bei's gaming future.

Angered by Xiao Feng inability to save his brother, Luo Xiao Bei vent his anger and frustration on to a distress and remorseful Xiao Feng. Who eventually bring a young paralyze say goodbye to his brother one last time as the future Lou Xiao Bei was unable to say his finally good bye to his brother. Thus improving Luo Xiao Bei relationship with his parents in the future as they leave no words unspoken in the past.

United again. Xiao Feng and Luo Xiao Bei began to ponder about the future where about of the future Xiao Feng who is nowhere to be found. Despite his promise to remain by the young Luo Xiao Bei side, he disappears without a trace.

Okay, that pretty much my summary, do watch it to figure out the rest of story which is great and it has a great ending. Loved how the story fell together as the legendary gamer from the past meets the future player and become each other support and lifetime friends in the final few episodes.

Favorite acting scenes for me: When Luo Xiao Bei Brother died- the grief displayed by young Luo Xiao Bei and his father was so realistic that I cried with the characters. The Scene when Chue Gu read her story in class and all the classmate cried along side with her.( I also cried) The distress look on Xiao Feng face when he saw the accident he so desperately tried to prevent and his downward spiral for the next episodes in response to his failure.

This Drama by far one of my favorite drama from 2020. It is a bit slow pace, but it is well develop. This did not drag at all for me considering how all the characters and their personal growth reflected in the growth of the two main lead.

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Dedicated to all those who pursue their dreams

More than an esport drama, it's a recreation and homage to all those who make way for a dream that for others is insignificant or without future. Now that I have finished Cross Fire I feel an emptiness like a hug at the same time, I sincerely recommend it, at first seeing how both parts are connected simultaneously in different space and time makes you get more entangled in the story at first you see it exactly like the genre handling drama, but then in the second half you start to realize the importance of showing the difference of years by showing the pioneers in esports and its relevance for those who want to be professional players in the future pulling from the present, there are scenes that are spoken from the soul that you get to cry, and others where you cry with laughter. I had a great time watching the drama, remember to stay true to my inner child regardless of those outside my dreams, work hard and fight for what you want.

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Feb 2024 Recommendation Challenge

Watch this for Recommendation Challenge month of Feb 2024. Long time hestitate to watch this one cause not too fond of shooting game.

This drama told story about struggle of 2 young man in their own time. The struggle of achieving dream when no one believes in them. The story of friendship between teammates. The story of persistent did bear fruit. And overall just the story about how beautiful youth is. Haha...

As usual there's bad & good thing about this drama. But some weird plot make me have to lower the score of this drama. And there're a little bit spoiler in the weird plot. So save review first..

What i like about this drama:
+ The friendship. The friendship between the member of one coin team & continue team.
+ The fighting spirit that Xiao Feng (XF), Lu Xiao Bei (XB) & Chu Ge (CG) have
+ They use the actor themself to play the inside game. A little interested to see how it unrevealed...
+ The slow & silly growth relationship betwen XF - An Lan (AL) & XB - CG. Especially XB & CG, really typical teenage romance... :)
+ How to let go of ur ghost. Like XB finally let go the ghost of his brother & finally focus on himself. Or S + 1 to finally let go her online face & reveal her trueself.
+ The bad side of human. Human is indeed selfish. Like what Qi Lin & Xu Wei did.
+ The most reliable support always ur family. No matter how angry XB's parent to him, it's his dad that in the end help & support him
+ Finally another prove u can't change human fate... Like XB try to change his brother death, just to be proven once more u can't change what God already written in destiny book.

Overall i quite like this. The game, the plot quite interesting. But unfortunately they gave quite massive weird or hole plot that I can't turn blind eyes...









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SPOILER ALERT!!!
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The weird plot:
- The game machine... Ugh... Really random & weird. Just create to trap XF. It's gonna be more interesting if XF trap inside the game where he & XB connected, instead just making new one...
- The inconsistency in memory. XB & XF a few time try to change something, like CG pendant. And the problem raise when in the future the pendant did back to CG, but she has no memory of it, it just like some magical thing she experience over night.
- The exit of Wang Kai. That's one of the most absurd thing happen in the whole drama. If they cut this plot we can have shorten episode...
- The sickness of S+1. I mean it's written half-baked. It's like they want to show how bad the effect of playing game too much, but it feel not give too much impact too... If they cut this plot too we can have even more shorten episode... Or they can use the 'erase' duration from the exit of Wang Kai to deepent this issue, like how to manage/balance it...
- How 'invincible' XF really are. Haha... He just wake up from 11 years coma, laying still in the bed. And he can instantly walking & eat anything he want. No physical therapy what so ever. Haha...

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CONTINUE, means you can get going even if you fail

●FIRST IMPRESSION
This drama felt like a promotion for Esports industry booming in China. the struggles of players, the popularity of champions, and its growth in the near future are well scripted in this amazing drama.

●PLOT VIEW
There are two generations shown in the drama, of which the first generation had to struggle much more than the present generation. But not to say there is more competition in the present generation due to its growing popularity and glamour.
Two different time zones but each one wants to achieve their dream but the highlight of the series was the glitch for me. the two leaders' communication and how the glitch mystery is unsolved is total action, thriller, suspense, and sci-fi package that kept us on the edge. some light moments from their daily lives and team building as a friend. I felt bad for FL because instead of pursuing their own goals, they changed it to the ML dreams and became support. They were strong but became managers in both teams.
All the competitions and further

●ACTING/CAST
All the actors were wow.
Lu Xiao Bei (Leo Wu) was marvelous, his youth charm was oozing and his eyes had apt expressions. I watched him earlier in Far Away Love, as a high school kid. In this drama also he is a high schooler but has confidence and passion despite having a disability. The growth of the character is excellent and inspiring. Lew Wu is the perfect choice for this role.
Xiao Feng (Lu Han) was looked like a street kid with his rough hairstyle and lose tees displaying how they are struggling in life to make the ends meet. They had the enthusiasm to do what they wanted. He gave a glimpse of the struggle the few original professional players might have gone through.
Su Jia Yi (Mei Ye) is another person who was surprised with the cosplay version. Her gaming sequence and looks were superb.

●MUSIC
It was practical and good. Gunshots, bombs, intense during fights, mild during conversations.
Dreamland ost sung by Lu Han is boosting the series with its motivating lyrics and upbeat music.

●REWATCH
I loved to watch the live-action gaming sequence.

●APPRECIATION
the live-action gaming was done fantastic incorporated with computer gaming. it felt like I was watching a game in the arena then also felt like I am watching an action movie due to the stunts choreographed were excellent.

●CRITICISM
The spoon-feeding of Chinese dramas showing the team wins. The end would be better with the finale game but that extra sugar coating was excessive.
Also showing the achievements of professional players, only if it had been at the end of episodes than drama then it would be fine.

●FAV SCENE
1coin members dancing in the car ep-30
Finale match ep-30

●RECOMMENDATION
Watch if you like E-sports, sports, friendship, and team-building dramas. It is filled with an abundance of these sequences.

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Unexpectedly Good

Before I watch this drama, I read the synopsis and didn't expect too much from it. but just like my headline, it was unexpectedly good. Just like the plot say, two boys meet in game but different timeline. But don't expect they play together and such, they just meet and talk. Even though the main point of the plot is e-sport, what they want to show was the life itself. It shows people achieving their dream. In the process, a lot of pain, hard work, betrayal, and what life usually give you. But the drama also show that even though shit happened, it was up to us how to handle it. Will we go or give up, will we have faith or lost it, will we go the right path or astray. Of course the time travel thing will be considered weird, but it want to show us sometimes miracle and opportunities could come, and how we will take it.

Pros : Good storyline, plot, and lot of small wisdom we could take into our daily life.

Cons : Nothing except for my selfish reason. I was looking for a good bromance drama, and this one didn't really show it. Mostly it focused on the two main lead, but since they live in different time, their friendship is kinda weak (as in not showing too much, just some part here and there). Also the same with their respective best friend. But if you exclude my selfish reason, this drama is really good.

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What it means to be a champion

A drama worth your time. Best in its genre of e-sports.

Great pacing, great characters, and the music so “hot blooded” that the music stays with you long after the show ends.

As many have said, you need to suspend your understanding of science for this drama. It’s not really a show that is about time travel or technological advances. Instead, it’s a drama about pursuing your dreams and having the mentality of a winner, and using these plot devices such as time travel to deliver it to us. Never accept defeat, and do everything possible to become a champion but not at the expense of doing the wrong thing or hurting others.

There are a lot of things packed into these 36 episodes - from friendships to romantic love to family, from many social issues like domestic abuse to self acceptance to societal views of gaming. Lots of wacky and humorous moments. I cried through a number of episodes too.

In life, we must get up again after we fall, and we continue on. This was the core theme of the show.

Excellent scriptwriting. Whoever wrote all the inspiring speeches should get a raise. Of course no drama is perfect. There are a lot of unresolved minor plots that didn’t get addressed at the end (as viewers you just assume these scenes happened offline) but it didn’t interfere with the overall message that the show aimed to deliver. Solid acting across the cast and all of the action shots must have been very tiring, but exciting to watch the finished product.

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Nice movie
It was a drama that I have never seen anywhere the idea is fresh and refreshing
I waited for the English sub
I had to watch some episodes without the English sub
Best Chinese drama I watched this month
The friendship, time travel, the Romance at the right time when it's needed everything is perfect for me
I love the movie
My favourite actors were also in the movie
I'm starting to love Chinese drama a lot after this drama hope to see this cast again
I also learnt a lot from the movie especially Xiaobei been able to work again, xiao fang waking up from Coma
Guys this movie is it

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WOW!

It's hard to know where to start with this one. I went in with low expectations, as I have no interest in e-sports, and dropped the one other C-drama that featured them after 2 episodes. I'll avoid spoilers in this review, except in my notes at the end (and I'll try to be vague there as well).

It turned out to be one of my top all-time dramas, and the few I'd rate a 10 with zero hesitation.

General impressions: Poignant, emotionally satisfying (by turns hilarious, then had me on the edge of my seat, then in tears), fantastic characters with believable growth, an intriguing mystery... Also loved the gritty, indie-film vibe in the past storyline, especially in contrast with the slicker production in the present scenes. In general, the art direction really impressed me in this. Best bromance ever! And while the romances were a very small slice of the story, they were really well done. Features what might be the most intense kiss scene I've ever seen in a C-drama or K-drama. Like, I think the actors forgot they were on camera. Or that they were supposed to be acting.

Story: Again, e-sports isn't something I care about or follow, but I thought it was incorporated well. It was mostly a vehicle to move the characters forward, and many of the in-game scenes were shot in live-action which made the matches fun to watch. Features some fantastic action choreography - some of the best I've seen. As for the sci-fi - I know some viewers complained that it didn't make sense, but I didn't mind. I just took it as a plot device to connect the timelines and the two leads, and I was good with that. The big focus of this drama is the development of the characters and their relationships - be it as friends/teammates/family/romantic partners/rivals and so on. And it did that incredibly well. I cannot say enough about how amazing these characters were. There were lovable, layered, flawed, and whether they experienced growth or lost their way I was invested in their individual stories completely.

Acting/Cast: The casting and performances in this were top-notch. I went in as a Wu Lei fan, and while I loved him as Lu Xiao Bei, my favorite character wound up being Lu Han's Xiao Feng. But all the actors in this did an impressive job, and their on-screen chemistry was fantastic.

Music: It was alright. Not to my taste, but it served the scenes well enough.

The not-so-good (but not bad enough to take my 10 rating back - MILD SPOILERS AHEAD):

I will say there were some missteps, though they didn't take away from my overall enjoyment.

While for the most part the drama excelled at making simple, true-to-life scenes feel really impactful, occasionally it went overboard with the sentimentality and felt forced. The whole 'virtual reality' thing later on was weird and didn't fit with the rules the world had established. Also, while I respected An Lan for choosing the life path she did (as she was unhappy when we met her and found her passion in an unexpected place), I felt like Che Gu gave up her dream to help Xiao Bei achieve his, and that didn't sit right. And finally, the last couple episodes were the weakest. Obviously the tournament was what all that hard work was leading up to, but I found the matches overly long and kind of tedious.

Also, this might be a touchy subject, but I feel like I'd be remiss in not mentioning it. The heavy-handed Chinese nationalism at the end came on strong out of seemingly nowhere, and the other teams didn't actually look like they were from their respective countries, which added to the propaganda-ish weirdness of it all. Where the drama was so intimately focused on our group of underdogs until that point, it felt tacked on, and I wonder if getting the drama past censors had something to do with it? An odd choice by the writers if not.

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Rollercoaster for the Heart of Viewer

LIKES:
PRODUCTION:
Other than my dislikes, editing was great, cinematography, lighting and colour pallet all good. Directing was decent too (other than the romance portions).
WARDROBE:
appropriate and sometimes even interesting.
GOOD FX:
for time/dimension shift and scrapes or blood. Decent effects for the gaming worlds too.
Liked how characters and their game characters looked the same, so easy to understand who is who, when they are in competition.
WRITING:
As for esports teams, Continue was as compelling and interesting to watch as 1 Coin, or even other drama’s esports teams.
Well developed characters in general, but especially for the main leads.
Good message about never giving up, being a decent human, friendships and teamwork.
The mystery of Xiao Feng’s present vs past, kept me hooked and binge watching for many episodes.
Acceptable ending and enough character development to be satisfying.
CAST:
Cast well chosen, and supporting characters had great chemistry with main characters.
I really like how Lu Han delivered his role as Xiao Feng and Seven. I even liked the “romance” parts for him and wished a little more time was spent on his chemistry with Song Yan Fei (An Lan).

DISLIKES:
MUSIC:
stupid music right from the start.
PRODUCTION:
Shaky camera syndrome
DIRECTING:
Unrealistic recovery for physical limitations, even with technological advancements and mental motivation.
WRITING:
The “romance” between Xiao Bee and Chu Ge was laughable, especially from university age and on. They had no sexual chemistry, it was more a friendship than anything else.
The “bad guy” was way too obvious and the motivation for all the actions taken by that person was a dumb explanation. How they concluded this person’s role in the drama was disappointing and again the writer took the easy way out.
A few plot holes, but none that really angered me. Some of the moments that were supposed to be very impacting between Xiao Bee and Xiao Feng, were a bit anticlimactic and too easily achieved. [I am trying very hard not to give spoilers]

OVERALL: English subtitles were a little messed up, like “she” being shown when it should be “he” and viceversa. But that was just a little annoying and I still enjoyed the drama anyway. The best acting from Lu Han I have seen so far, he really brought his character to life. I would rewatch this and recommend it to anyone who likes the Esports drama genre or is a fan of Lu Han.

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