Falling before Fireworks (2023)

It's such a lovely healing drama. I like how the male lead is so unusual. He doesn't possess any fancy materialistic things, yet emits a very charming charisma. He doesn't even have a bigger-than-life purpose at the beginning either. He also loses his ownership of the village in the end. I like it that way as it doesn't give false hope. As a non-Chinese, I don't like how all mainland Chinese dramas portrayed all foreigners as villain but oh well, it's a different topic.
And the female lead is very realistic with her materialistic list but in an honest and hardworking way. I find the idea of the male lead thinking that his second half of life belongs to the female lead when she bought his winter solstice house model super cute.
To me, this drama is healing with its soothing and sweet daily lessons.

Leia Mais

light drama that is fun to watch

tbh at first I didn't like the attitude of the FL like the way she just went to someone's house and even disturb his work...as a person who likes to make miniatures I do really hate to be disturb because by doing this you need focus that's why I do understand the situation he's in but I'm Also surprised that he did not reacted much then later I found out that he's emotionless.....but as the time goes by the FL improves so as him.....he is slowly opening his vault locked heart because of her I just love this drama.... after watching intense dramas watching this like makes my stress go away.....from the start till the end I only smiled it's so light that you just need to ready your snacks and your blanket and watch it in bet while it's raining outside........idk why this drama is not popular.....but for me this drama deserves more recognition..........

Leia Mais

I was surprised by the plot.

Well, what to say about this drama? I would say that it is a well-constructed drama, it has romance but the plot is not based on it, I would say that this plot is based on friendship, loyalty, opening up to others, fear, forgiveness, it is that drama of self-knowledge. I started it thinking it would just be a romance with an arranged marriage plot, but it goes way beyond that, if you are expecting a steamy romance this drama is not for you, the romance is just a background. I thought the story was well done, impeccable acting and good production, I liked it but I didn't love it.

Leia Mais

Cute, healling romance with an exceptionnal aesthetic aspect

Drama remarkable for the beauty of its images, landscapes, the enhancement of traditional craftsmanship.
The architecture is magnificent!! => this drama was filmed in Wuyi County in Zhejiang, at the Jingyuan Ancient Houses Museum . Now, I just want to visit !!

Plot: "impulsive" marriage between 1 career banker FL (craving a family live and home) and 1 ML, handsome, very introverted, architect/craftsman, who restored an old village (that of his adoptive grandfather) for help local artisans. In this unlikely couple, each one will gain the trust of the other, heal the wounds of the past and gradually build a solid bond.

PROS:
+ people who like art, crafts, history,... will appreciate the images, the scenery, EVERYTHING is exceptional.
+ the actors are good, especially the ML who speaks little, but his eyes express so many emotions!
+ no big twist or "great evil", the story is simple enough to be realistic.
+ the production is effective: slow on certain emotional passages, more often dynamic. There are no lengths.
+ The song lyrics just fit the drama so well.

CONS
- the animals (puppies, kittens) are all babies who don't grow during the 3 years that the series is supposed to last :) ;)
- Some story arcs are hasty and give the impression that the difficulties were solved too easily.
- the brother's character is ambiguous, it is difficult to define him for a long time.

=> a short series (23 ep. of 35 minutes) comforting and very aesthetically pleasing.
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Drama remarquable par la beauté de ses images, des paysages, la mise en valeur de l'artisanat traditionnel.
L'architecture est magnifique !! => this drama was filmed in Wuyi County in Zhejiang, at the Jingyuan Ancient Houses Museum .
Plot : mariage "impulsif" entre 1 banquière carriériste (en manque de famille et d'1 maison) et 1 ML, beau, très introverti, architecte/artisan, qui a restauré un ancien village (celui de son gd-père adoptif) pour aider les artisans locaux. Dans ce couple improbable, chacun va gagner la confiance de l'autre, soigner les blessures du passé et construire peu à peu un lien solide.
PROS :
+ les personnes qui aiment l'art, l'artisanat, l'histoire,... apprécierontles images, les décors, TOUT est exceptionnel.
+ les acteurs sont bons, surtout le ML qui parle peu, mais ses yeux expriment tant d'émotions !
+ pas de gros twist ni de "great evil", la story est assez simple pour être réaliste.
+ la réalisation est efficace : lente sur certains passages émotionnels, dynamique le plus souvent. Il n'y a pas de longueurs.
+ The lyrics just fit the drama so so well.
CONS
- les animaux (chiots, chatons) sont tous des bébés qui ne grandissent pas durant les 3 ans que la série est censée durer :) ;)
- Certains arcs narratifs sont même hâtifs et donnent l'impression que les difficultés ont été résolues trop facilement.
- le personnage du frère est ambigu, on a longtemps du mal à le cerner.

=> une série courte (23 ép. de 35 minutes) réconfortante et très esthétique.

Leia Mais

Really wanted to like this drama :(

Most of the other reviews are very good. Sorry to be the rotten apple, but this didn’t make the cut for me. I truly wanted to like this drama. It had a lot of promise in the first half, then it just got annoying and boring.

The chemistry of both leads were quite evident from the beginning. And I liked their visuals and characters. FL is a successful corporate working in the bank, he is the strong silent artistic type who prefers to work with wood carvings and Chinese relics and antiques. The story unfolds with them meeting by chance (but we later find out that he met her 6 yrs ago) and five days later they are getting married! Lol… nothing new with Chinese dramas I guess. Their romance was progressing pretty nicely and even though the love rival came back (his first love) they managed to sort it out, although I was quite annoyed during those episodes with their lack of communication and wondering how the FL can be friends with the love rival and still hang out w her?? Also, the kissing scenes were terrible! ;) Just closed lips pressed together, haha! Oh, and after two years, the puppies are still the same puppies?? Akakaka!!

But yeah, then the long lost older brother returns and there’s another weird vibe to it. Is he a good guy or bad guy… I was so confused. It was just too strange. After that I started fast forwarding wayyy too much and didn’t really relate to the storyline anymore. Just didn’t hold my interest.

I did like the setting, the Jing Garden and the cinematography. It was quaint and beautiful. To watch or not to watch? Depends on your taste I guess..

Leia Mais