An absolute Gem

This drama is an absolute Gem ...

It is heart wrenching, touching and goes straight to the heart, the pit of your stomach sadness with overwhelming harrowing, heartbreaking, and heartrending feeling that is a tearjerker, yet poignantly heart warming that touches your soul, the laugh out loud moments that makes you want to watch it over and over again ...

I wasn't expecting to like this drama but thought I would give it a try, however, 2 episodes in, I am amazed at how captivating and mesmerising this is, it is a delight to watch Liu Yifei at her very best, she embodies and personifies extra edge that extraordinary natural talent brings is something that cannot be taught and is what makes great actors stand out … know what is required at a given moment by their viewers; to immerse in the drama

A profound, serious and thought-provoking story, I have watched all episodes and am totally immersed in the story... The acting is convincing, conveying the sense of power struggles and hardship of rural life in China, The injustice of class subordination, "there is nothing difficult in the world, but only those who have the will and belief, have Confidence; Perseverance and a rich Imagination, opportunities will become the driving force of courage to try... If the opportunity does not knock on the door, then build a door, success comes from finding and seize opportunities. The male lead Li Xian is unassuming yet effective in how the story unfolds, to stay true to oneself, the ideal and the underdog's path to justice, it is a poignant topic.

A drama you don't want it to end

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A Delightful Gem -like a rare precious stone...

A Delightful Gem, like a rare precious stone...
I wasn't expecting to like this drama but thought I would give it a try, however, 5 episodes in, I am amazed at how captivating and mesmerising this is, it is a delight to watch the two male and female leads in a contemporary drama as I have only seem both in period dramas, both Leon Zhang and Ireine Song embodies and personifies extra edge that extraordinary natural talent brings is something that cannot be taught and is what makes great actors stand out … know what is required at a given moment by their viewers; to immerse in the drama

An often funny, humorous and thoughtful drama, the acting is convincing, conveying a believable sense of truism and platitude, how people would actually behave

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An excellent drama - Outstanding and Atmospheric

Excellent Drama in the same frame as 'Tales of the Unexpected', Eerie, Sinister, Ghostly, Uncanny, Suspenseful, Supernatural, and Unsettling ... Outstanding and Atmospheric.

It is not often that one sees such a great suspenseful murder mystery Chinese drama worthy of the title "Murder Mystery" in the same frame as Tales of the Unexpected, the British television series that aired between 1979 and 1988. Each episode told a story, often with sinister and wryly comedic undertones, with an unexpected twist ending. Every episode of series one, eight episodes of series two, and one episode of series three were based on short stories by Roald Dahl collected in the books Tales of the Unexpected. Who is the Murderer … The Murderer is Whom? Creepy, Fear and Unease, Bluffing Clues, Shuddering, Unexpected Twists??

it exceeds expectations by far, it is compelling, full of intrigue and zest, on the edge of the seat contemplating what next, bluffing clues, unexpected twists, suspicion, doubt, horror and more over …fear and unease for what might unfold next?! Thus goes without saying … this is an outstanding Murder Mystery, right from the outset, setting the scene … the distressing murders, the apprehension, the disbelief that draws the viewers in, to the fast pace that leaves the viewers grasping in discomfort. As the Master of Suspense Thriller Alfred Hitchcock (1899–1980) famously said “Always make the audience suffer as much as possible … There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it”. The actings are exceptional, convincingly believable, giving the extra edge that extraordinary natural talent brings is something that cannot be argued and is what makes great actors stand out … Very much looking forward to Season 2

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An Excellent Charming Drama - Lively and captivating

I shall reiterate thoughts made in my previous review comments on this drama ... In my humble and genuine opinion, this is an excellent and charming drama, lively and captivating, at times funny with superb acting from the whole cast, particularly from the two leads, well played, convincingly sweet and believable, conveying their gradual growing fondness for each other as the drama develops, depicting a high degree of maturity and wisdom while maintaining some annoying naivety and innocence for their respective age as indicated on this drama which aptly exemplified the qualities of the actors' abilities and skills which is what we should be looking for (NOT the individual actors' actual age). Whilst there are some shortcomings and gaps in the story ... for example, what happened to Wu Chuchu's little brother? Although there were passing comments made on the 'intentions' of finding and uniting Wu Chuchu with her little brother, this was not followed up explicitly ... However, with that said, this on the whole is a most captivating drama, portraying a certain historical period that holds the viewers' interest, at the same time epitomising a clear line between inherent good, honour, and a sense of pride, against bad and evil. An uplifting drama that is well made, well acted, and certainly well deserving of an honest unbiased review ... Exceptionally outstanding and the most enjoyable entertainment and rewatch-able value.

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A Thought Provoking Drama Gem

An unexpected thought provoking Gem of a drama ... this drama explores the sad sometimes frustrating and helplessness of family conflicts, the physical and mental anguish immature parents can inflict and damage on their children, told thorough laughter, tears and love in comic relief style can often be soul wrenching

Surprisingly enjoyable and touchingly funny reflecting lives ups and downs, with poignant references to "Humanist" theorists, Maslow's "Hierarchy of Needs" Model, the need for physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem before striving for self-actualisation ... as well as references to wider literature that supports and add weight to this drama

"Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans." (Saunders1957)

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An outstanding drama - A little bit of history told in the most entertaining fashion ...

An outstanding drama, has everything one can look for in a costume drama, the story is compellingly captivating, offering an insight into past bygone times, a little bit of history told in an entertaining fashion, driving the message home that likened to the Horrible Science/History Educational series, excellently done.

Exceptional Acting throughout, from leading roles to supporting casts, from the laugh out loud bits, the silently shredding a tear moments to the screaming kicking and throwing ones fists in the air ... never mind the acting, feel the joys, sorrows and anger and immersed in the moment.

The visuals are impressive, stunning to the smallest detail, it is a drama that like a good bottle of wine, matures over time, and like a good bottle of wine, it is to be savoured ...

I have simply lost count how many times I have re-watched this drama, yet still found myself enjoying each re-watch immensely .. absolutely superb ..

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A Genuinely Delightful, Engaging and Captivating Drama

A rather fun start, this is a long awaited drama and so far has not disappoint, It is engaging and captivating, and colourful (especially the CGI chicken) as well as mesmerising. Just wish it has both English and Chinese Subtitles so that I can watch at the same time as my sister who only understands English whereas I prefer subtitles in Chinese.

Each episode gets better as the story develops, this has certainly been worth the wait. I wasn't expecting to like this drama as much as I have, but thought I would give it a try, however, 4 episodes in, it has certainly surpassed expectation, I am amazed at how captivating and mesmerising this is, it is a delight to watch Zhao Liying at her very best, she embodies and personifies extra edge that extraordinary natural talent brings is something that cannot be taught and is what makes great actors stand out … know what is required at a given moment by their viewers; to immerse in the drama. Both Zhao Liying and Lin Geng Xin have brilliant chemistry together. I have now watched 12 episodes and I can't wait to watch the next and upcoming episodes to see how the story unfolds ...

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An outstanding Gem

A captivating and thought-provoking drama, depicting daily life’s constraints, I have watched ten episodes so far, and I am utterly immersed in the story... The excellent acting skills are convincing, conveying the real-life power struggle of small and medium-sized enterprises in China in the 1900s, striving for survival and sought development in the tide of the times in a gender biased industry, motivated by perseverance, determination and courage … If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door, success comes from finding and seizing opportunities. I can’t wait to watch the next episode to see how this story develops, the path to success, in a male dominant world of the steel industry, with her unique vision and decisive personality, overcoming obstacles for a better future …
I wasn't expecting to like this drama but thought I would give it a try, however, ten episodes in, I am amazed at how captivating and mesmerising this drama is, it is a delight to watch Zhao Liying at her very best, she embodies and personifies extra edge that extraordinary natural talent brings is something that cannot be taught and is what makes great actors stand out … know what is required at a given moment by their viewers; to immerse in the drama

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Who is the Murderer? A promising start …. Intrigue, Suspenseful, Mystery and Tension ….

Who is the Murderer? A promising start …. Intrigue, Suspenseful, Mystery and Tension …. all the ingredients necessary in a thriller, unanswered questions leaving viewers wanting more …. is one where the outcome is in doubt and the viewers discovers the leads to the resolution at the same time as the protagonist. There are unanswered questions in the plot that are vital to a possible conclusion and the protagonist (and viewers) must use their wits to unearth the truth before dire circumstances occur. Those circumstances can be physical, emotional, or spiritual and often have bits of all three.

The viewers well might be aware of every single danger, in fact, s/he typically knows the challenge, the stakes, who’s doing it, and sometimes why. The unanswered question arises through obstacles to achieving the goal. Will the protagonist succeed at accomplishing XYZ and how? The odds seem overwhelming. These are edge of your seat novels/movies because you know what’s coming, you just don’t know if the protagonist can best the villain in what’s coming and have a positive outcome. Simply leaving the viewers anticipating more …

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一個既深刻既嚴肃引人审思的劇情

一個深刻既嚴肃引人审思的劇情，期待已久的劇集，目前已經看了前兩集，已經沉浸在故事中了……演技令人信服，傳達出中國鄉村生活的權力鬥爭感，階級屈從的不公正, “世上無難事 只怕有心人“ 信心; 毅力加上豐富的想像力和加上機會必成勇氣嘗試的動力… 如果機會不敲門, 那就建一扇門, 成功來自於尋找和掌握機會.

我迫不及待想看下一集，看看這個故事是如何展開的, 是否有可能保持忠誠的自我, 理想與永遠的亦子之初心, 這是一個尖銳的論題.

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