I approached "Snowfall" with a fair amount of skepticism. The vampire-inspired premise gave me pause, especially since my past experiences with similar dramas were far from enjoyable. Vampire themes tend to be hit or miss, often leaning into clichés that can feel tiresome. However, I decided to stick with this one for a simple reason: Gao Wei Guang. His involvement in the drama was enough to make me curious, and in the end, I’m so glad I gave it a chance because "Snowfall" turned out to be a compelling and enjoyable watch—though not without its flaws.

Gao Wei Guang delivered an exceptional performance as Shen Zhi Heng, a character who is both complex and layered. Shen Zhi Heng is a century-old vampire with a mysterious past, marked by a relentless search for his brother and a cure for his condition. What sets him apart from typical vampire characters is his mix of intelligence, ruthlessness, and a cold demeanor, which makes him a formidable figure. Yet, what makes Shen Zhi Heng truly captivating is the contrast in his character when he's around the female lead, Mi Lan.

Mi Lan, played well by the Ouyang Nana, is not your typical damsel in distress. Despite being blind, she is incredibly headstrong, smart, and resourceful. She’s far from a Mary Sue character; instead, she’s someone who holds her own and refuses to be defined by her disability. Her dynamic with Shen Zhi Heng is what truly elevates the drama. The way Shen Zhi Heng, who is usually so calculating and distant, becomes soft and almost puppy-like when he's with Mi Lan adds a beautiful layer to the story. Their romance is cute and heartwarming, even more so because of the considerable age gap between them. The way their relationship develops—slowly, with an undercurrent of respect and mutual understanding—makes it all the more believable and engaging. My first drama with Ouyang Nana and she did surprisingly well.

However, the plot, which started out strong, took a turn for the worse with the introduction of the Li Ying Liang arc. His character was so annoying and irritating, and he had way too much screen time. Li Ying Liang was hell-bent on revenge for someone he barely knew, all because his expectations of this stranger fell through. His motivations felt flimsy, and I had no pity for him as he continuously made one stupid decision after another. This arc dragged down the pace of the drama, making it feel unnecessarily drawn out. Even with his redemption arc, I felt nothing.

Honorable mention to Situ Wei Lian who was so adorable. I love his cute little friendship with Mi lan, wish we could've gotten more of them on the screen.

While the overall plot was intriguing, the Li Ying Liang filler arc seriously detracted from the show's momentum. It’s a relief that "Snowfall" was only 24 episodes long, but honestly, it could’ve been trimmed down to 16 episodes like many Korean dramas. Cutting out the filler would have made for a tighter, more compelling story.

In the end, "Snowfall" exceeded my initial expectations but was held back by some frustrating elements. It’s a drama that managed to breathe new life into the vampire genre, thanks to its strong performances, especially from Gao Wei Guang, and its well-rounded characters. The romance between Shen Zhi Heng and Mi Lan was a highlight, offering a touching and believable love story despite their vast differences. If you’re on the fence about watching a vampire drama, I’d recommend giving "Snowfall" a try—you might just find yourself pleasantly surprised, as I was, but be prepared for some patience-testing moments along the way.