Becky
North Pole
If you love me, don't think too much
I finished this drama some weeks back, but couldn't quite put into words how I feel about it. Before you proceed on to read, please take note this is totally my POV, my understanding on this drama after I completed it. If you do watch this, you might have a different perspective.
The story premise is really interesting. It attempts to explore the insecurities and doubts of true love from the man's perspective. ML is very rich and desires for true love (he has been hurt many times by women who loved him for his money); 2ML has been hurt in earlier relationships as well, and now wants a clearly defined dating process govern by contractual terms; 3ML is about to be married, but is hesitating because this is his first love and the passion is wearing off....
The characterizations on the female roles in this drama are quite weak. We don't really understand why are they attracted to these 3 men (like, there are better men out there, why these guys?). But the exploration into the love insecurities are quite well-written and fun to watch. I have enjoyed this drama, especially in the 2nd half, where there were no romcom cliches like in the 1st half. I only wish the theme of this drama could have been better explored and more deeply written.
The acting is very commendable-- Chen Jian Bin and Pan Yue Ming are veterans, and Li Yi Tong is very refreshing here.... she has never played such a good-hearted bitchy character before. If you are familiar with Jiang Xin, this role is 100% suitable for Jiang Xin (a role she has done many times). But Li Yi Tong made Xia Ke Ke comes alive-- kind-hearted and sassy, opinionated and understanding. It was a marvel to watch her Xia Ke Ke. Alright, I am a Li Yi Tong fan, so I am a bit biased here. Moving on to the really weird and odd stuffs about this drama.
If you look at the names in the production, the executive producers are the top cream of Chinese dramas-- these producers were involved in Nirvana in Fire, Longest Day in Chang'an, Min Ning Town, Nothing But 30, etc.. This is not base on an IP novel, but is an original screenplay, and the odd pairing of Chen Jian Bin with Li Yi Tong.... It gave me the impression that this would be a thought-provoking and groundbreaking drama. And it is, indeed, quite thought-provoking but didn't manage to reach the heights of its initial intentions (or the depths that the production team might have intended). You can see some good writing in the story, then odd chunks of idol rom-com cliches.
But most of all-- the costume design, set design and the songs. I find it quite unbelievable that this was shot in 2016, '17. The design gives the feeling that this story is set in 2000s.... Other then the title and ending songs, it keeps playing Zhang San's Song throughout the drama. Although this is a good song, choosing this song for a contemporary drama supposedly set in current times is very, very odd. Zhang San's Song is released in 1986, fyi ?
In conclusion, the drama left me dissatisfied. It showed some sparks but failed to deliver as a whole.
The story premise is really interesting. It attempts to explore the insecurities and doubts of true love from the man's perspective. ML is very rich and desires for true love (he has been hurt many times by women who loved him for his money); 2ML has been hurt in earlier relationships as well, and now wants a clearly defined dating process govern by contractual terms; 3ML is about to be married, but is hesitating because this is his first love and the passion is wearing off....
The characterizations on the female roles in this drama are quite weak. We don't really understand why are they attracted to these 3 men (like, there are better men out there, why these guys?). But the exploration into the love insecurities are quite well-written and fun to watch. I have enjoyed this drama, especially in the 2nd half, where there were no romcom cliches like in the 1st half. I only wish the theme of this drama could have been better explored and more deeply written.
The acting is very commendable-- Chen Jian Bin and Pan Yue Ming are veterans, and Li Yi Tong is very refreshing here.... she has never played such a good-hearted bitchy character before. If you are familiar with Jiang Xin, this role is 100% suitable for Jiang Xin (a role she has done many times). But Li Yi Tong made Xia Ke Ke comes alive-- kind-hearted and sassy, opinionated and understanding. It was a marvel to watch her Xia Ke Ke. Alright, I am a Li Yi Tong fan, so I am a bit biased here. Moving on to the really weird and odd stuffs about this drama.
If you look at the names in the production, the executive producers are the top cream of Chinese dramas-- these producers were involved in Nirvana in Fire, Longest Day in Chang'an, Min Ning Town, Nothing But 30, etc.. This is not base on an IP novel, but is an original screenplay, and the odd pairing of Chen Jian Bin with Li Yi Tong.... It gave me the impression that this would be a thought-provoking and groundbreaking drama. And it is, indeed, quite thought-provoking but didn't manage to reach the heights of its initial intentions (or the depths that the production team might have intended). You can see some good writing in the story, then odd chunks of idol rom-com cliches.
But most of all-- the costume design, set design and the songs. I find it quite unbelievable that this was shot in 2016, '17. The design gives the feeling that this story is set in 2000s.... Other then the title and ending songs, it keeps playing Zhang San's Song throughout the drama. Although this is a good song, choosing this song for a contemporary drama supposedly set in current times is very, very odd. Zhang San's Song is released in 1986, fyi ?
In conclusion, the drama left me dissatisfied. It showed some sparks but failed to deliver as a whole.
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