redeyedrabidrabbit
This review may contain spoilers
Intelligent drama that gets me laughing and tearing with the story
THE PACING
I enjoyed the speed of this drama. Characters spoke at a good speed and storylines did not drag beyond their purpose. Scenes show only what is necessary, nothing more. While the drama did end on a cliffhanger, it is arguable that this season did end on a note satisfactory enough for closure so that I can sleep at night.
THE COMEDY
Got many laughs out of me. This drama is funny just as Joy of Life is funny, which is in a non-cringy way. Had been looking for a fix ever I finished that drama and it was nice to see the not-very-intelligent brother in Joy of Life have his turn at playing the ridiculously smart guy. I also loved that this drama was not entirely comedic (mostly the beginning and the middle), but was tempered with slightly heavier themes of loss and betrayal at the end of the middle bandit arc.
THE ROMANCE
What a sweet romance this is! The best thing about this couple is that those overused tropes don't come into play here (e.g. no drawn-out misunderstandings due to lack of communication, no couple constantly falling into family's trap to make them doubt each other, no forced or accidental intimate moments). We see genuine development in their relationship, them falling for each other and finally them getting together very willingly. I loved how respectful Ning Yi was of his wife. He treated her with care, cooking food for her, helping her when her business ran into difficulty and saving her from the various other guys who assault her. He never forced or teased or strongly suggested his way into her bedroom. The romance doesn't reappear after the bandit arc, because Ning Yi is running between countries in the last arc and probably didn't want to bring his wife along. Ning Yi's wife in return trusts him with her business which she spent so much effort to build and obtain, and later trusts in his plans. She's an excellent partner for him as they work together to make his plans happen.
THE POLITICS
I find it a tendency in some dramas to focus too much on the politics so that we really get bogged down with many names, positions and way too many details. However I thought that this drama put across what we needed to know in as few scenes as possible.
THE MALE LEAD
The ML is very intelligent, but perhaps a little too intelligent. As a modern businessman who travelled back in time, he would have landed in Ning Yi's body with no knowledge of the political situations in both countries, but yet he has an incredibly good grasp of the situation at all times without anyone letting him know who exactly are the political figures in court (?). He is also an excellent go player who defeated the best go player in the country ... having known the game for a very short period of time. I guess he's just really, really smart.
I enjoyed the speed of this drama. Characters spoke at a good speed and storylines did not drag beyond their purpose. Scenes show only what is necessary, nothing more. While the drama did end on a cliffhanger, it is arguable that this season did end on a note satisfactory enough for closure so that I can sleep at night.
THE COMEDY
Got many laughs out of me. This drama is funny just as Joy of Life is funny, which is in a non-cringy way. Had been looking for a fix ever I finished that drama and it was nice to see the not-very-intelligent brother in Joy of Life have his turn at playing the ridiculously smart guy. I also loved that this drama was not entirely comedic (mostly the beginning and the middle), but was tempered with slightly heavier themes of loss and betrayal at the end of the middle bandit arc.
THE ROMANCE
What a sweet romance this is! The best thing about this couple is that those overused tropes don't come into play here (e.g. no drawn-out misunderstandings due to lack of communication, no couple constantly falling into family's trap to make them doubt each other, no forced or accidental intimate moments). We see genuine development in their relationship, them falling for each other and finally them getting together very willingly. I loved how respectful Ning Yi was of his wife. He treated her with care, cooking food for her, helping her when her business ran into difficulty and saving her from the various other guys who assault her. He never forced or teased or strongly suggested his way into her bedroom. The romance doesn't reappear after the bandit arc, because Ning Yi is running between countries in the last arc and probably didn't want to bring his wife along. Ning Yi's wife in return trusts him with her business which she spent so much effort to build and obtain, and later trusts in his plans. She's an excellent partner for him as they work together to make his plans happen.
THE POLITICS
I find it a tendency in some dramas to focus too much on the politics so that we really get bogged down with many names, positions and way too many details. However I thought that this drama put across what we needed to know in as few scenes as possible.
THE MALE LEAD
The ML is very intelligent, but perhaps a little too intelligent. As a modern businessman who travelled back in time, he would have landed in Ning Yi's body with no knowledge of the political situations in both countries, but yet he has an incredibly good grasp of the situation at all times without anyone letting him know who exactly are the political figures in court (?). He is also an excellent go player who defeated the best go player in the country ... having known the game for a very short period of time. I guess he's just really, really smart.
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