Sweet On & Simple

What drew me in was the original storyline and my first ever "Sweet On" series. Though very similar to "Dear Diary", this actually made sense. By no means is the screenplay perfect or even close to award winning, but it was sweet on & simple. Never seen anyone in the cast before other then adoptive mom of NX who played a very beloved character in LOF; actress is very versatile in both modern and costume roles.

Pros: Favorite character actually was hard because it was a combo of XWD, mom, and YQ. Each had their own strengths as in the ML was convincing in all of his mannerisms, I even loved how he didn't blame his existential crisis on the FL. He acted very mature about it. Mom was great; she was a supportive parent not an obnoxious/controlling one like SML's dad who wanted to choose who his son was with. She was loving, caring, gave great advice even if she wasn't NX's biological mother. I really appreciated her character and the fact that she was an independent woman, not relying on a man to be happy; 2 couples were enough here. YQ, she was the bomb! Best female boss I've seen since "Master of My Own." She was a bit slow in matters of the heart but I think ultimately she did things her way with the help of those around her. Her relationship with NX was wonderful to see; she wasn't just her semi-boss, but a great advisor, and good friend.

Other favorite characters were the FL or NX though I do have some gripes with her and those I'll discuss below, LZC was the eccentric, immature man whom evolved when he had no other choice but to grow up. The fairy dude was ok...kind of weird though. The story flowed more or less though it definitely had some dragging moments while the leads were trying to figure out how to get together or even kiss. Many people in the comments didn't like the second leading couple but I disagree; I like that we had like this almost kid like attraction and then a more mature adult one with life experience. And yet in the end, both sets taught each other something and were very close. No toxic ex's, no clingy one-sided crushes.

What I also liked about the story was that it incorporated the PTSD/ panic attacks of NX and how XWD ultimately helped her heal but it wasn't rushed or some falseness was created from it. It is a real disorder that takes different ways to heal. As someone with PTSD, I was pleased with how they handled it. The comedy was a hit and miss; when they tried too hard with the slapstick, it didn't pan out but otherwise many things made you giggle. XWD's two disappearing acts were a bit eek-inducing (the first time especially) but there was literally no angst here. It was all about living in the moment and growing both apart and together so once they reconnected fully and neither separation lasted too long, they were stronger together.

Cons: My largest pet peeves in this entire series were, for starters, NX's nonstop talking to herself out loud. Didn't matter whether she was alone in her room or in public or at work; it looked so childish and dumb that it made me cringe. They tried to make it funny when she was caught but it didn't look that way at all. Every other character was equipped with inner monologues, but not our girl, she would just yammer away and I wanted to reach into the screen and duct tape her mouth. The other thing was her clothing; we're supposed to believe this is a college graduate who is working in a corporate environment even though it's for an author, but she goes to work looking like a middle school student. Even if she couldn't wear heels, they could have put her in flats. Standing next to a well dressed leading man like XWD made her look like his sister not his girlfriend. Glad she slowly evolved wardrobe wise later on but still. Production really screwed up there.

The whole childhood friend talking to XWD in his dreams arc was completely out of left field and never explained. Why all of a sudden was this introduced? And if this was all part of making her heal from her PTSD trauma, it could have been gradually brought on. It was thrown into the final maybe 5 episodes and then once he returned the second time, totally forgotten. There were no warning of time lapses in the show though those happened twice; first time was when XWD disappeared after their official first kiss (which by the way, I have no idea how that first kiss even symbolized unforgettable love, but no time to properly flush that out in 24 episodes, I suppose) and the second after they got married. One moment it's their wedding night and they are enjoying married life, the next they have what looks like a 4 year old daughter playing with the second couple's child; talk about a whiplash. Ending shouldn't have been that rushed and the OSTs were all relatively bland and forgettable.

Would I recommend it? If you want a simple rom-com and don't mind the nonstop yammering of the FL, it's an easy yes. This had zilch angst and was very easy on the brain. Watch for simple pleasure.

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The Road Long Traveled

A coming of age drama that spans a decade. I won't repeat the synopsis nor what many others have written. I was pulled to this drama for WRC and he didn't disappoint. For a 24 year old, his acting is actually quite good. He has a very good sense of range of emotion. His past characters have all been arrogant yet sexy men, and here he brings that essence with him. But at the same time there's an immaturity, yet loyalty to those his character considers to be a good friend. As the 5 best friends go from high school and into college (well 4), they face more challenges but also the story grows in angst. This part I felt could have been tapered down a bit. Even when there is unrequited love in a series with 36 episodes, with multiple characters, and a group friendship dynamic, more of it should be shown.

The time lapses worked fine until the very last one which literally made no sense. I put full blame on the screenwriters. From what I understand, they were trying to create a happy ending from a sad one; and while I applaud that (the proposal was epic to say the least!), the separation of the leads should have been handled way better and not for 5 years. The disconnect starts in episode 33 and just snowballs throughout 34. 35 is well structured and quite funny and of course 36 takes the cake.

I loved Tao Tao's character because she knew her own worth and grew quite quickly and who doesn't want a best friend who hands the reigns of her own wedding to her two HS friends one of whom wants to propose to the other? She dropped her college boyfriend after he was less then committed but still managed to part ways in peace. They all grew a lot but I feel her character evolved the most.

What would have given this series a higher score from me would have been more of their group dynamic in college, less angst, no needless additions of the two completely useless characters to further make misunderstandings and separate the leads who then disappeared without a trace, and a more cohesive way to separate the leads for a period of 2 years max so they could both grow into their own selves as working, independent adults.

Shi Yi's reasons for going should have been because he was getting an amazing opportunity to study medicine, that he wanted to step out of his father's shadow, that he would always return even with the tweak that XJ didn't give him the answer he wanted; it's not like he had proposed to her, so what exactly could be expected? The ebb and flow of a cohesive transition was not there and it hurt the ending a lot. Cut ties and run and make sure she wouldn't get to him in time? I'm sorry but even writing 101 would stick a failing grade on that setup.

I would also have rewritten the Lin You arc because Chen Lang deserved way better then being left in the cold despite her and ex bfs history. Because she ended up with a foreign husband back in China; which made even less sense. She obviously broke up with her ex, she could have just as easily reconnected with CL and they could have conversed long distance until she returned and even he could have visited her abroad; that would have been a more mature and realistic way to properly close that out. That was another plot slip for the screenwriters.

I would rename this series "The Road Long Traveled" as a tick off the Robert Frost poem. Shi Yi's emotions and his ways of expressing them sometimes made me think the dude was bipolar but I understood that he frequently had the "talk first, think later" approach. But when he was proposing to Xiao Ju, I could tell he had grown a lot. My probably favorite moment of that last episode was when she said yes and he closed his eyes in relief. It felt like over a decade and 200 pounds were lifted off his shoulders. He finally got the girl he'd loved before he even knew he did; the first overtures came in episode 8.

Is this series worth watching? Sure! Does it have problems? Yep. But I'm still glad I watched it even when I wanted to smack them for their lack of balls or to stop being so angsty. Everything for just about everyone worked out in the end and the best part was that the 5 best friends that went to the Yun Hai beach after finishing HS, were all back together in the same room and still had that group dynamic that made them so lovable and strong in the first place.

So I say, watch it and form your opinions for yourselves. :)

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Good Filler Drama

I watched this drama only because of CJX and because I heard it was an easy comedy with lots of romance. Also because I needed a filler in between anticipated releases. The positive aspect is that it definitely had the comedy and romance people spoke of. I understand in 30 episodes there's only so much a drama can do. I do wish it hadn't taken on so many plots. One or two and keep it simple. The annoying part was the constant whining of FL and hindering ML in practically everything. Though she's a strong lead, the way she acts many a time and the misunderstandings she causes, feels like it's emasculating to the ML. Both are strong characters but though the ML treats the FL or tries to as an equal partner once they get their feelings out, her actions always seem to hinder a situation. The only thing I would rewatch are their cute romantic moments if I was truly bored. Both lead actors have a long way to go as major leads especially when expressing emotions other then anger and happiness; and I would definitely recommend CW to get rid of the snaggle tooth; it's very distracting. Not saying everyone must have perfect symmetrical teeth but if you're going to play lead where you'll need to smile, that could be a bit problematic. Everything was very rushed, especially the plots, at times even the audience didn't know what was going on. I did like the martial arts aspect of it and that CJX got a chance to showcase more fighting skills. Over all, I wish the entire cast luck in their future endeavors.

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Finally: The Wolf!

Though I didn't wait like many people did for 3 years to watch the drama, I was anticipating it. Primarily I wanted to see Xiao Zhan in his first major role but I had also seen Li Qin in Princess Agents and Jade Dynasty, so I knew she had the acting chops. This was the first time seeing Darren Wang in anything. Though I had not like Lord Personality Disorder as I called Lord Bo and how he treated MZX for most of the series for supposedly her own good, I do have to give props to Darren for being able to switch from an ice cube to a stuffed animal and back again in the blink of an eye. I don't think many actors could pull that off. MZX was the only character that I wish was done better with development as she didn't really show her badass side until literally the last episode. The entire time she went from quite strength to powerless, to a sappy girl who let lord disorder get away with humiliating her left and right. It was very choppy. For his first major role, Xiao Zhan did a wonderful job. JiChong was friendzoned by the woman he loved but still came to her aid no matter what. Considering he didn't have many scenes, he was believable and well played/developed as both a bounty hunter and as the prince. Also given the fact that they filmed in a high altitude area where many developed altitude sickness, they did a pretty good job. I do wish many portions of the plot were better explained or handled. This drama is very angsty and heavy with a sad ending for both main leads however, if you're willing to go beyond that and understand the psychology behind the leads and their lives, it is worth the 49 episodes.

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Should have had less episodes.

The only reason I watched this drama was because of the two actors from TU; Zhoucheng Wang aka Marius Wang and ZiYi Meng aka Zoey Meng. It would been better if it had 30 episodes. Once the main antagonist was killed off, the plots just ran amok. The ending was depressing and haphazardly done; FFL supposedly kills herself by drowning but you never see the body, she just disappears into thin air and then the end, roll credits. The entire thing unraveled in the very last episode and the SML who was chasing after his mother's real killer never found out the truth, at least not on screen. He just stopped looking and that plot ended there for him though it was the main point of his anguish from episode one. This drama is supposedly popular by its votes on Tencent but no one in China has even heard of it. I really wish they made quality scripts for these actors. The only saving grace was the actual acting and the BGM. Everyone in the lead cast and some supporting members were very believable. I would only recommend this if you want to be semi depressed at the end. Onto the next and hopefully better.

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Xiao Zhan's Acting Talent is not a Joke.

I finally watched Jade Dynasty with Xiao Zhan and all I can say is wow! You had comedy, action, drama, suspense, all of it. Zhan's acting was superb; he is extremely versatile as an actor and that's so important. Beautiful job! His craft and ability to go above and beyond to get the job done was on display for every moment. After seeing this film, my respect for this young man has grown even more, I look forward to more amazing work from him. All of the other actors were decent, the 6 stooges he lived with were funny. The older cast was more believable on occasion while all three female leads did a great job. I do think this film needs a part 2.

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Gave It My Best Shot

I got barely through 13 episodes and dropped it. The storyline barely has any cohesion, the characters are all over the place, random other characters come and go, and it's very depressing. It might be interesting for families who want to watch other families struggles and the complete disconnect between the younger generation and their older counterparts. I feel this series would have gotten a better reception in the 1990s. It's supposed to be about a nursing home when in reality it's about an assisted living facility for the elderly. I wanted to watch because of BJT and his fantastic acting in YAMH but sadly this never came close.

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