eldawo
This review may contain spoilers
Heartbreaking melodrama where some will love every single second and others will hate it to the core
Anti C-drama! Definitely not for everybody, but I believe target audience will enjoy every second!
If you like Asian dramas, chances are, you mostly search for romance, comfortable archetype characters and fluffy tropes that warm your heart despite their silliness. This drama gives you NONE of that! Instead it delivers heartbreaking melodrama that aims to destroy your emotions with every scene.
I am also putting big emphasis on the word melodrama - in true Chinese fashion, the plot goes over and beyond. If we want tragedy, why not give it to every single character in multiple ways? Shakespeare's Hamlet would be proud.
But if you are like me, and if this is what you sometimes crave, then this show will be perfect for you.
If you are still unsure, here are a few more details:
Cinematography/Setting 10/10
You will get to see China like you almost never see it in mainstream C-dramas. Down to earth, gritty and yet, incredibly directed and shot, so that even the darkest, dirtiest corners feel poetic.
Same goes for the heavy topics - no matter how tragic the story gets, the visual treatment is always incredibly lyrical, cinematic and poignant.
Story 9,5/10
I really enjoy the story. Chances are you will hate almost every character at one point in the show and chances are you will cry for every character at one point in the show as well. All these characters feel very real. They are not good, nor bad. They make mistakes but they also try to change and get better.
My half point is missing solely because I felt the story didn't need as many side plotlines.
Acting 10/10
Beautifully acted. Chinese dramas tend to go overboard, but here some of the strongest moments are expressed with the most subtle acting skills. And of course, Qin Hao is an acting powerhouse as always.
Music 10/10
The quiet, simple soundtrack masterfully intensifies all the tense and desperate moments of the show.
Rewatch value 6/10
This is a hard one for me. It wasn't easy watching the show. I had to stop a few times, because the show is simply too heavy. It never loosens its grip until the very last second. And I loved every second but I'm not sure I would be able to sit through it again, nor do I think it was the intention. This is something that punches you right in the heart and you will remember it even though you might never watch it again.
Overall 9,5/10
This score is extremely subjective and based on my personal subjective point of view. If you enjoy fluffy, fun dramas you will HATE this. Even if you enjoy serious dramas, this might not be your cup of tea, because it really goes way way overboard with the tragedy.
But for me? One of the best Chinese dramas I have EVER seen. The aftertaste still lingers in my mind...
If you like Asian dramas, chances are, you mostly search for romance, comfortable archetype characters and fluffy tropes that warm your heart despite their silliness. This drama gives you NONE of that! Instead it delivers heartbreaking melodrama that aims to destroy your emotions with every scene.
I am also putting big emphasis on the word melodrama - in true Chinese fashion, the plot goes over and beyond. If we want tragedy, why not give it to every single character in multiple ways? Shakespeare's Hamlet would be proud.
But if you are like me, and if this is what you sometimes crave, then this show will be perfect for you.
If you are still unsure, here are a few more details:
Cinematography/Setting 10/10
You will get to see China like you almost never see it in mainstream C-dramas. Down to earth, gritty and yet, incredibly directed and shot, so that even the darkest, dirtiest corners feel poetic.
Same goes for the heavy topics - no matter how tragic the story gets, the visual treatment is always incredibly lyrical, cinematic and poignant.
Story 9,5/10
I really enjoy the story. Chances are you will hate almost every character at one point in the show and chances are you will cry for every character at one point in the show as well. All these characters feel very real. They are not good, nor bad. They make mistakes but they also try to change and get better.
My half point is missing solely because I felt the story didn't need as many side plotlines.
Acting 10/10
Beautifully acted. Chinese dramas tend to go overboard, but here some of the strongest moments are expressed with the most subtle acting skills. And of course, Qin Hao is an acting powerhouse as always.
Music 10/10
The quiet, simple soundtrack masterfully intensifies all the tense and desperate moments of the show.
Rewatch value 6/10
This is a hard one for me. It wasn't easy watching the show. I had to stop a few times, because the show is simply too heavy. It never loosens its grip until the very last second. And I loved every second but I'm not sure I would be able to sit through it again, nor do I think it was the intention. This is something that punches you right in the heart and you will remember it even though you might never watch it again.
Overall 9,5/10
This score is extremely subjective and based on my personal subjective point of view. If you enjoy fluffy, fun dramas you will HATE this. Even if you enjoy serious dramas, this might not be your cup of tea, because it really goes way way overboard with the tragedy.
But for me? One of the best Chinese dramas I have EVER seen. The aftertaste still lingers in my mind...
Was this review helpful to you?
