Must Watch!

This is my third BL series and I am SO glad I decided to watch this. I saw many reviews saying this is setting a new standard for BL(s) and I can see why. The story itself is different from most romantic shows/lakorns that I’ve seen. I enjoyed how healthy and mature the characters are and how REAL growth actually takes place (especially for the main character Tian). LOTS of kudos for the diverse subjects this show touches on: forgiveness (especially learning how to forgive yourself — I teared up when the village chief tells Tian that the hardest thing about forgiveness is to learn to also forgive yourself), second chances, how having money and riches does not equate to real happiness, conservation of nature, etc.

I also saw some comments that episodes 8-9 weren’t as enjoyable to watch due to the climax of the conflict/reveal of Tian’s secret. However, I think those 2 episodes really showed Tian’s growth as well and Phupha’s genuine love for him. Phupha understood that Tian came to the village with the primary reason to fulfill Torfun’s last wishes and hasn’t had the chance to truly appreciate and enjoy his second chance at a new life. Despite the 2 year separation that takes place, it makes me appreciate that Tian took Phupha’s advice and saw what else life and the world had to offer him, because it meant his choice to come back and begin his future with Phupha was his very own decision, not because he just didn’t want them to be apart.

Finally, this is probably and (might just be) the first and only lakorn/show where I completely enjoyed watching two people fall in love by staring into each other’s eyes for 10 episodes. The ending forehead kiss and final kiss on the cliff were 10x more special because you see, as each episode goes by, how much the love between Phupha and Tian grows every time they look into each other’s eyes.

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Started off so strong..

I was in a C-Drama slump for a while but was recommended this drama by a friend and C-Ent. News sites so decided to give it a shot.

First off, this drama started off very strong and promising. I binged the first 12 episodes within 24hrs. But then it slowly started to fall apart. The plot seemed to drag around the middle. For example, the school competition and the categories they were competing in seemed silly. I then found out the producers changed the competition from the novel. I found myself FF through most of the middle until the trial for the FL’s father. After that the politics and plot became repetitive again. Biggest let down had to be the ending. I went on the hunt for the novel ending just to get closure because WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?! And WHY was it necessary?! Even ep. 40.5 couldn’t quell my displeasure.

Now for the pros, the slow burn romance was enjoyable. I did like that it was made clear the romance would be secondary to the plot. The main lead’s mutual respect for one another and their mutual level of intellect made me root for them. I also enjoyed the women empowerment message of this drama. Especially Jiang Li’s conversation with Ruoyao. Even the stepmother’s relationship with her sister (Consort Li) was touching. I felt the women and their relationship with each other were all written very well.

Would I watch this again, probably not but I’m glad I checked it out. The drama made me want to real novel it is based on.

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