Amy
Script / Story: this is the how the drama first attracted me, it follows the book closely. Since it's my favourite book, I pay close attention to the story and thank God, they kept the essence of the book and developed a full story for it. There are some other good books out there and I hope they can learn to keep the script faithful to the book as this one. I gave it a 10 for the script writer's effort to be so faithful to the book, but deducted 0.5 point for some minor mistakes and prolonged supporting cast screen time.
Main cast: Ah, where do I even start? I love both Mark Chao abd Yang Mi so much after this drama.
- Mark did such an excellent job in this drama and I give him a 10. You can read his emotions from his eyes and he's so good with kissing scenes, yummy. He's not the type that attracts you from the 1st look, but he'll definitely grow on you and you'll be head over heels for him along the way. The guy is oozing gentleness and devotion to his love. Don't trust what he said in the BTS that the director chose him on a one-month trial for the role. He's fated to play Ye Hua and everyone (especially the director) knows it. Major bonus is his chemistry with Yang Mi on screen.
- Yang Mi, oh my dear Yang Mi. I knew her before but didn't like her because of all the scandals /controversies surrounding her. But oh boy, after the drama, I can't imagine anyone else as Bai Qian and I now become her fan. She didn't execute her part as flawlessly as Mark Chao and I gave her performance 9/10. But she has the attractiveness, especially her eyes, that mesmerized me. While Mark Chao played 3 roles, Yang Mi had to take on 5 roles: Si Yin, Su Su, Bai Qian, Xuan Nu and the fake Su Su. Kudos to her for good performance on all 5 roles. And she rocked Bai Qian with her fierce eye gaze, very well done with the bad-ass side. Contrary to others, I myself enjoy her as Si Yin very much. Her look as Si Yin is bit weird, and could have been improved, but the way Yang Mi portrays the character is very satisfying to me. Her sweet and tender Su Su stole my heart too. All in all, she didn't disappoint is all I can say.
- Others: all are good-looking and did their job very well. I will have to credit the director for the excellent performance of the cast, cause I never appreciate a such a good supporting cast like this drama. They make the whole drama feel flawless.
Directing / Cinematography / Makeup / Costume: They totally deserve a 10 for the effort.
Music: Ah, the mesmerizingly beautiful OST, so many of my favorite scenes came with the beautiful music.
Rewatch Value: you will want to rewatch it over and over again. Yes, it's that good.
General Comment:
- I literally memorized the whole book so what happened in the drama made sense to me. But I have a feeling that first time viewers will be a bit confused about the story. But all in all it's a good show. It'll make you yearn for the book, then you'll understand the story more and will enjoy the drama even more in the 2nd round.
- Behind the Scene: a must-watch for this drama. Enjoy the silly, funny Mark ( be warned: he's not the gloomy Ye Hua once the camera stops rolling) and the cute Yang Mi having fun filming, how they tease the director and she tease them sometimes. Cry with them again in the heart-wrenching scenes with their real voices. Literally you will fall for Mark and Yang Mi again in the BTS. I still wonder how they can enjoy each other's company as friends off screen and yet have so much chemistry on screen.
- So now that I became Yang Mi fan after this drama, I went on a little search about her past. Turned out she was a way better character than I knew from all the controversies, plus she's very smart. There was a long story about why she was blackened after the drama "Palace", and I think she still has the most anti-fans in China now because for that, but it's good to know that my favourite actress is not that bad after all.
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