Sounds of A Family

This story is set at the onset of the Cultural Revolution in the 1950s/1960s. It was the times when all capitalist families were banished, western ideas were deemed corrupt and any association with elitism was seen as unpatriotic and condemned. Family members were pitted against each other, separated and moved away to be ‘rehabilitated’. This story is about what we call a true family. It is humorous and warm despite the trying times many were going through.

The Story
A divorced naval officer, Jiang De Fu (Guo Tao) falls in love with a beautiful girl, An Jie (Mei Ting) from a wealthy family. She is sophisticated and well educated whereas he is crude and poorly read. At first, she looks down on him, but because of her family background of being a capitalist, she is being sneered at and shunned, and can have no choice for a partner for marriage; any association with her is uncalled for. After some time getting to know him under various circumstances, she begins to see his qualities – kind, honest, humorous, witty, and compassionate among others. After a speech he gives about his own life, she is totally moved and falls in love with him, and they get married. After marriage, they continue to have 5 children, and this story is written by their youngest daughter who is a writer. In their old age looking back, despite all the ups and downs, bringing up a whole family and growing old together hand in hand perhaps is the best thing in life, and should be what life is all about - life is good.

The dialogues in this drama are hilarious, witty and unforgiving, and yet cute and endearing. Constantly sharp tongues lash out at each other, insulting with harsh words and yet, this is just harmless interactions soon forgotten; love often exudes in every word between the couple and within the family. Everyone talks this way, making it normal and no one feels insulted or upset. The dynamics between husband and wife, parents and children, siblings and siblings, friends and friends, are incredible, and well written and executed.

The story is told as it, exactly how things are. There’s no beautification for romantic effect. Everything is mature and up in the open including finding partners and having children. This is a great departure from the rom-coms that we are so used to involving younger actors with prudish characters.

The Characters and The Acting
This drama boasts some very fine veteran actors. Their acting is simply natural and convincing as if they are the real characters themselves. There’s some really amazing acting here by the whole cast too, in particular the child actors who are so wonderful showing the viewers amazing sibling dynamics and their relationship with the adults.

There are many flaws in each of the characters, but like us, no one is perfect. How the dynamics between the characters play out eventually make all these characters alive, realistic and relatable.

Jiang De Fu (Guo Tao) is perhaps the most lovable character in the story. Guo Tao may look too mature for a male lead in the beginning as a young naval officer, but as Jiang De Fu becomes a father and continues to be promoted to the position of a commanding officer, Guo Tao is perfect for the role. He looks amazing in his white naval officer uniform and his distinguishable charisma overpowers everything around him. Respected by all and yet warm and sincere to everyone, Jiang De Fu is simply an amazing husband, father, co-worker, subordinate and superior. He is tactful and articulate, manages to get the points forward without hurting feelings. With his wife, his subordinates, his children, his sister, his best friend, they banter, bicker and fight, yet they care for each other. Only he can deal with the strong character of his wife and defuse any tense situations with his negotiating skills.

An Jie (Mei Ting) comes from a wealthy family owning businesses. She is intelligent and well read. With a sharp tongue and unforgiving demeanor, she initially looks down on Jiang De Fu and his people for being ignorant and uncouth. She even feels his name is too unsophisticated and teases him. Since marriage, she constantly teaches him about hygiene and cleanliness. How she banters with her husband and bickers with his sister is really a joy to watch. Mei Ting’s portrayal is 100% as a by-gone ‘da xiao jie’ to a wife of a military officer with 5 kids. She is so natural and convincing.

As the younger sister of Jiang De Fu, Jiang De Hua (Liu Lin) has come from the rural area and is crude and simple minded. Despite the constant fights with her sister-in-law An Jie, she is loyal to her brother and his family. She helps take care of the household and all the children, and has become a very important part of the family. Over the years, her relationship with An Jie improves and they each care deeply for one another. Liu Lin’s performance is absolutely fantastic and applaudable.

My Verdict
This is a really delightful drama for the whole family. The inter-personal dynamics are very well written and performed. For a span of over 50 years, we see how life changes, from dating to marriage to parenting to growing old. Despite all the ups and downs, raising children and taking care of a household, life passes us quickly. Taking life as it comes, as how the characters in this story do, can help us see life with more enthusiasm, and love the people around us. Like we all have experienced, all the characters here bicker and fight all the time, as well as they tease and joke. After their harmless encounters, they make up and life moves on.

Life is good. Don’t miss this amazing family drama!

Leia Mais

Real Wuxia Story Like the Old Days

I’m a wuxia novel fan, and Gu Long was one of my earlier favorite authors during my growing up years. However, I’ve not read this particular novel, Juedai Shuangjiao (Legendary Twins) which is supposed to be a great novel that has been adapted in this drama. When I stumbled across this drama, I was ecstatic because I recognized Hu Yitian and has wanted to watch his new dramas.

For the first few episodes, I was disappointed with the quality of the drama. I was not only disappointed with the acting and the overall plot, I found it hard to understand the logic of the characters. Everyone seemed stupid and gullible. The heroes could easily give up their own lives for some very trivial and unreal reasons. They could also fall into the tricks of the same villains over and over again. Everything was noisy with obnoxious and over exaggerated characters. I was stuck at episode 8 and found myself unable to move on.

I couldn’t understand the high rating on MDL; I thought I must be missing something. So I returned to the series and continued. As I began watching it with a mindset of simple logic, and seeing the impossibilities as possibilities, I began to follow the mood and flow of the story, and in fact rather enjoyed it till the end.

The story is a typical story from Gu Long’s novel - a whole maze of characters that can be confusing and hard to remember, the heroes always get the shorter ends whereas the villains triumph (initially), all the pretty girls tend to fall in love at first sight with the protagonist. Admittedly, the drama is tropey and the consequences are as expected. Nonetheless, embracing its shortcomings, I found the drama rather entertaining after I got passed the first 10 episodes.

This is a story of two twin brothers separated at birth, their parents murdered. One twin is adopted by the killers and the other is raised by a group of villains. 18 years later, the brothers meet and are told to kill each other for no reasons provided. The story revolves around the two brothers who go through all the adventures together and separately, and eventually learn about their own story and meet the loves of their lives.

The twins have totally opposite characteristics: one is dull and righteous (played by Hu Yitian), whereas the other street smart, jovial, bombastic and mischievous (played by Chen Zhi Yuan). It is hard to assess Hu Yitian’s acting because the character he plays is quiet with little emotion (he’s been brought up with not much affection). On the other hand, I really enjoy Chen Zhi Yuan’s acting, which is cute, funny and natural. Chen Zhi Yuan has a young boyish face which really helps in his portrayal of Xiao Yu’er (little fish) that brings out his playfulness.

To my surprise, the official sound tracks are very nice. They are composed with an air of authentic Chinese wuxia tunes; the music is soothing and the lyrics are moving.

Overall, I can’t say I love this drama. But to be fair, it is an interesting drama that deals deep into the relationship of a pair of separated brothers, and in the end the righteous wins over the evil.

If you’re a wuxia or Gu Long fan, you may thoroughly enjoy this drama. If you’re not so familiar with the author and his work, you may find it overwhelming and unrealistic. All in all, this is not as bad as I have originally thought. In fact, I have enjoyed the sword fighting and qinggong (wire fu) scenes pretty well.

Leia Mais

A Perfect Mismatch

"The Longest Promise" is the most excruciating lack of mutual understanding I’ve ever seen in a drama! It's supposed to be a romance between a teacher and his pupil, but it's like watching two people trying to solve a Rubik's Cube with their eyes closed! They're attracted to each other, but they're so clueless about what's going on in the other's head, it's like a never-ending game of emotional hide-and-seek.

This drama is adapted from a novel called "Zhu Yan," written by Cang Yue who has also written the story for “Mirror: A Tale of Two Cities”, another poorly conceived drama which tells the story of the fish people of Su Mo, a character appears in “The Longest Promise”. While everyone else seems to be raving about this drama, I find myself fighting off yawns. The plot revolves around Zhu Yan's emotional rollercoaster ride, and it's like they're dissecting her feelings with a microscope. Talk about overanalyzing!

Zhu Yan is supposed to be a sweet, kind, and innocent girl, but the poor script writing makes her come off as plain stupid and unbearable. Ren Min's portrayal doesn't help much either. Every time she calls out to her shifu, I can't help but cringe. It's like innocence and seduction got tangled up in a messy knot!

Likewise for the Shi Ying character. Don't get me wrong, I love Xiao Zhan, but even his talent can't save this inconsistent and lackluster portrayal of Shi Ying. Blame it on the poor script writing, I guess. In fact, almost all the character writing is very poor; they are inconsistent and full of logic flaws.

My Verdict

The writers are on a mission to extract emotions and tears from the viewers, but it just feels forced and dry. The dialogues are as predictable as counting sheep to fall asleep, and plot holes are everywhere. And can we talk about that resurrection ending? It’s bizarre. Luckily there were no halos and water-walking this time (which happened in “Mirror: A Tale of Two Cities”), thank goodness!

I hate to be a party pooper, but this drama is just not my cup of tea, even with the talented Xiao Zhan and Ren Min on board. Sometimes, you just gotta accept that not every drama can hit the mark, no matter how much we adore the actors. Let's shake our heads, move on, and find something that'll tickle our funny bones for real! This drama is for Xiao Zhan’s hardcore fans.

Leia Mais

Great Characters, Fine Acting, Wonderful Story

When I started watching Blossom, I had no prior attachment to any of the actors. I picked it as a filler between other dramas I was following, but to my surprise, it captivated me right from the beginning. By the fourth episode, I was completely engrossed, and I rated it a solid 10/10. The compelling storyline and standout characters, particularly Song Mo, made me seriously consider naming it my costume drama of 2024.

What I Loved
The plot revolves around the concept of a second chance at life, taking different actions to alter past events, and ultimately changing the fates of key characters. While the characters’ previous lives ended in tragedy, Dou Zhao (played by Meng Zi Yi) uses hindsight to navigate her new life. Her strategic decisions reshape not only her fate but also the lives of those she cares about, even though she cannot reverse her mother’s tragic circumstances.

The two main characters, Dou Zhao and Song Mo, were exceptionally engaging, but the supporting cast also stood out. Characters like the grandmother, Ji Yong, Song Mo’s loyal sidekicks, and even the Crown Prince’s wife (who makes a brief yet memorable appearance at the end) added richness to the story.

Li Yun Rui’s portrayal of Song Mo deserves special mention. While this was my first time watching him in a leading role, his acting had already impressed me in Love Like the Galaxy, particularly the unforgettable scene where he reacts with shock as Niao Niao punches herself. His nuanced performance in Blossom further solidified his fine acting skills.

The drama is filled with details and subtle humor that make it even more enjoyable. One of my favorite scenes is when Song Mo and Ji Yong end up together in a bridal carriage. Another standout moment is when the Crown Prince’s wife scolds her husband with sharp wit. These instances reflect the charm and depth of the storytelling.

What Could Be Improved
As much as I adore Blossom, I found the second half of the drama overly smooth for the main couple, Dou Zhao and Song Mo. Once they marry, the narrative becomes more of a romance, with fewer twists and challenges. The pace slows considerably, and the lack of angst makes it feel predictable at times. While it’s heartwarming to watch Dou Zhao thrive in business and Song Mo succeed politically despite his enemies’ schemes, the absence of significant tension left the latter half feeling less dynamic.

A Word of Caution
If you’re planning to watch Blossom, I’d recommend not pairing it with Story of Kunning Palace. That was a mistake I made, as the two dramas share several similarities. For instance, both male leads are estranged from their fathers, while the female leads have troubled relationships with their mothers. Both female leads are also business-savvy, and their respective male leads share close bonds with maternal uncles who serve as top generals. Switching between these dramas occasionally caused confusion for me, so it’s best to watch them separately.

Final Thoughts
Blossom is an easy-to-follow drama with a satisfying storyline and minimal angst. The main couple gets together midway through the series, and their journey afterward is relatively smooth. Dou Zhao achieves financial success, and Song Mo triumphs politically, making this an ideal pick for romance enthusiasts.

The title "Blossom" feels somewhat uninspired compared to the Chinese title, which references a hardy wildflower capable of thriving in any environment—much like Dou Zhao herself, who grows resiliently despite her lack of a sheltered upbringing.

Overall, Blossom is a delightful watch, particularly for fans of romance and character-driven storytelling. While it may not be perfect, its charm and heart more than make up for its flaws.

Leia Mais

Marriage -- A Carousel of Love and Struggles

This drama is a poignant exploration of marriage and family dynamics in modern China, where the rising divorce rate has become a pressing societal issue. In mega-cities like Shanghai, over half of marriages end in divorce, with Tianjin reportedly reaching an alarming 75%. The government's intervention with policies like the mandatory "cooling-off" period for divorce reflects the urgency of this problem. Against this backdrop, the drama becomes highly relatable, delving into the intricacies of family, love, and societal expectations.

A Storyline That Mirrors Real Life

The plot centers around Hao You Jia (Zhang Xiao Fei), a pediatrician from a blended family. Her parents divorced when she was young, and her mother remarried, blending two families with children from previous marriages and one from their union. Despite being adults, the six family members live under one roof, dealing with the aftermath of divorces and complex family ties.

Hao You Jia works alongside her husband, Peng Hao Dong (Tong Da Wei), in the same hospital. While she is a brilliant but blunt doctor with uncompromising ethics, he is a charismatic leader well-loved by colleagues and her family. Their contrasting personalities lead to frequent squabbles, further strained by Peng’s devotion to his overbearing mother, who shares a contentious relationship with Hao You Jia.

The drama takes an interesting turn when Hao You Jia demands a divorce. However, due to the new laws and societal pressures, they keep their separation a secret, continuing their daily routines as if nothing has changed. This facade eventually unravels, leading to chaos and revelations that test their bonds and values.

Complex Characters and Exceptional Acting

The cast delivers stellar performances, bringing depth to their roles. Zhang Xiao Fei and Tong Da Wei skillfully portray a couple caught between love and conflict. Their fast-paced arguments and emotional exchanges are engaging and relatable.

The supporting characters are equally compelling. Peng Hao Dong’s mother, initially grating with her pretentious demeanor, evolves into a poignant figure—a lonely woman clinging to her sons out of love and unfulfilled hopes. Similarly, Hao You Jia’s mother, driven by societal pride, undergoes a transformation as she prioritizes her children's happiness over appearances.

The siblings' stories enrich the narrative. Luo Wen Cong (Yu Yi), Hao You Jia’s stepbrother, shines as a resilient action movie double and devoted father to his mute daughter. His twin sister, Luo Wen Hui (Sui Jun Bo), is a sympathetic figure, navigating life as a single mother after her ex-husband’s infidelity. Their bond adds warmth and humor. Meanwhile, their youngest sister, Luo Yu Ting (Hu Yi Xuan), brings gentleness and compassion to the story.

A Subtle Approach to Romance

While the drama primarily focuses on marriage and family, moments of romance add charm. The main couple’s relationship, though fraught with tension, includes genuine displays of affection. Side couples offer lighter, engaging romantic subplots, including a heartwarming age-gap romance and rekindled love between divorced partners.

A Realistic and Heartwarming Ending

The drama concludes on a hopeful note, emphasizing growth, understanding, and acceptance. Rather than a clichéd rags-to-riches transformation, the characters learn to coexist peacefully, embracing imperfections and building stronger bonds. The closing wedding scenes beautifully encapsulate the theme of resilience and reconciliation.

Peng Hao Dong’s reflective words resonate deeply:

"Marriage is not a competition. The best relationship is heart-to-heart, built on trust and understanding. A home is a safe haven because it’s where the person who knows and loves you the most is. Walk into each other’s hearts, become part of each other, and create a warm home filled with acceptance and support."

Final Thoughts

This drama is a heartfelt portrayal of modern relationships, blending realism with compelling storytelling. It captures the challenges and joys of family life, leaving viewers with a deeper appreciation of love, compromise, and connection. Whether you’re familiar with Chinese cultural nuances or not, this series offers universal lessons on what it means to build a home.

Leia Mais

"Wrong Carriage, Right Groom" is a charming and easy-to-follow drama. Even though the couples initially marry the wrong people, it becomes evident that they were meant for each other. Both pairs fall deeply in love and have no desire to switch back. The villain's identity is clear from the start, leaving no room for surprises. The plot is straightforward, and the ending unfolds as expected.

Both Li Yuhu (Tian Xiwei) and Du Bingyan (Bai Bingke) have weddings scheduled for the same day. However, they get caught in a storm and seek refuge in a temple. After the rain subsides, and having their veils switched, they are mistakenly led to the wrong carriages, ending up in the wrong destinations. Initially reluctant brides, they decide to conceal their true identities and plan an escape. To their surprise, they find themselves falling in love with the men they were never meant for and they them.

The plot follows a predictable path, featuring a detestable antagonist and his accomplices. From a logical standpoint, there are moments of inconsistency and naivety. Notably, the antagonist manages to evade justice right under everyone's nose. In terms of acting, the entire cast delivers commendable performances, with Tian Xiwei standing out and Patrick Quan as Ke Shizhao the villain lagging behind -- he brazenly writes on his face, "I am the bad guy" -- with his robotic facial expressions. Nonetheless, the drama offers a simple and enjoyable viewing experience.

My Verdict

While not groundbreaking, this drama has its merits. With endearing side couples, a bit of romance, some light action, a wise mentor who guides both pairs, a straightforward plot, and beloved characters, it's suitable for a family audience.

Leia Mais

Poor Acting, Bad Script

This is a short drama with only 18 episodes, each 7-8 minutes long, and a total length of only about 2 hours. I finished the whole thing in one night like watching a movie. A talented girl (Huang Nuannuan) interested in forensic science, helps solve mysteries and crack murder cases with the help of another female investigator (Zhang Danyang). She meets a man who claims he’s the Crown Prince (Shu Yaxin) but she doesn’t believe him. When murders happen in the palace involving foreign dignitaries, the Crown Prince asks for her help. She solves the crime, at the same time solves the murder of her own father who was the palace doctor many years ago. She and the Crown Prince fall in love. The end. There would be a season 2 with a bigger plot than what has been unfolded so far.

My Verdict
- Don’t watch it if you have better dramas to watch
- Acting is elementary as if the actors are in their first day of acting school
- Plot itself is not too bad, but plenty of plot holes
- Logic is bad
- Dark
- Limited humor that’s not even funny

Not recommended!

Leia Mais

Hair Pulling Script

Though not overly exciting, I have sort of enjoyed the first half of the story (season 1) because there is nothing out there to watch. I thought the second half would more or less be the same, continue from the first half. To my disappointment, the writing gets really bad and childish, though the storyline continues. Throughout, I have been suppressing myself from hurling pillows at my computer. And I’m glad it’s over.

From season 1, we have established that Jun Wujiu (Li Xizi) is a genius investigator, and he works seamlessly with Cheng Yang (Chen Ziyou), who wears many hats (he is a police officer cum prosecutor cum magistrate - what a conflict of interest here), in solving criminal cases after cases. What seemingly unrelated, in fact all these cases are associated with each other and ultimately, pointing to a couple of villains who are behind all the killings in broad daylight. When the dots are connected, it is not difficult for the team to find evidence to put the villains away, and that’s the boring and frustrating part because of the bad writing. Though the villains are blatant and out in the open, the protagonists become very stupid and do all the dumb things that even a 3-year old wouldn’t do (well, maybe I exaggerated, but you get what I mean). The dialogues become kiddie with a bunch of noise and no substance. The timeline is all messed up (when it’s broad daylight, the dialogues refer to midnight etc.) causing eye-rolls constantly. Glaring flaws and plot holes run every minute. From episode 8 onwards, every episode is a torture – I feel like vomiting blood.

My Verdict
This is a very disappointing drama. There’s no character development, no plot build-up, no epiphany, and no planning because the protagonists are always reactionary. If you are looking for romance, there’s none either (I don’t care so much about romance here). Not one character stands out that makes viewers love and remember. The male lead character, Cheng Yang, is not very impressive though the actor looks very nice in his uniform. Perhaps that’s the only thing I like the most – beautiful constable uniform (call me skin deep).

Leia Mais

A Warm Chicken Soup Feel-good Drama

I discovered Bai Jing Ting in “Ping Pong Life”. I love his acting as a scrawny, lack of confidence kid in that drama. When I stumbled on “You Are My Hero”, I realized he plays a totally different role here as a commanding police officer in the special force. I was curious: how does a seemingly scrawny Bai Jing Ting play an authoritative role? I was totally swept off my feet by his unexpectedly over-the-top performance here, and his amazing charisma. Together with the ever lovable Ma Si Chun (Sandra Ma), this drama is so enjoyable to watch.

This is a romance story of a police officer and a doctor, both save lives -- one heals to save, the other kills to save. Despite their respective jobs that are very demanding, they are both passionate with what they’re doing, love each other and are each other’s hero.

I was sucked into the drama within the first episode, like a tornado sweeping me off my feet. Everything is so well done here – all the scenes are very real, like the hospital where Mi Ka (Ma Si Chun) works, the surgery rooms where she operates; the police academy where Xing Ke Lei (Bai Jing Ting) trains, the dangerous hostage police scenes where he kills to protect; and most of all, the earthquake ground zero scenes with the disaster zones, survivors and rescue teams. All these scenes are so real and believable, and all actors have given their best performance here.

Both the male lead (ML) and female lead (FL) are strong, courageous and excellent in what they’re doing. Mi Ka (Ma Si Chun) is a talented neuro-surgeon. She’s kind, amiable, humble, intelligent with a sense of humor. Ma Si Chun may not have the Miss Pageant kind of beauty but she is perfect in this role as a surgeon who cares more about her skills than her look. And this is precisely the attraction for Xing Ke Lei (Bai Jing Ting) who falls in love with her for her authenticity and unpretentiousness. As Xing Ke Lei, Bai Jing Ting is serious, deadly, authoritative, but without losing his sense of humor too. His transformation from a wimpy kid in “Ping Pong Life” to a commander of a SWAT Team in this drama is awe-inspiring, and confirms Bai Jing Ting as a flexible wonderful actor. Looking like an adolescent, Bai Jing Ting may not possess the face that most consider as handsome, but oh boy, in uniform, his charisma is undeniable.

My Verdict
What a captivating drama this is. Many dialogues are light and funny, they even sound unscripted, spontaneous and natural. Many scenes make me laugh out loud, at the same time make me cry. The police scenes are nail biting and the medical emergencies are nerve cracking. Doctors and police officers are the toughest professions as they take a lot of courage and determination, passion and dedication to succeed. This drama shows in details the dedication portrayed by our characters. The romance is reciprocal with depth and understanding, and yet without compromising to each other’s professionalism.

Visually Ma Si Chun and Bai Jing Ting may not look like a perfect pair, but their chemistry is amazing and the couple and their courtship are definitely relatable to the viewers.

This drama makes me feel good and warm; it’s a story about life and death which walks within a fine line, and that the message of this amazing story.

TWO THUMBS UP!

Leia Mais

Great acting | Wang Yibo is angelic

I came to check out Wang Yibo’s acting after The Untamed. To my surprise, this is a delightful drama which has not been properly appreciated. The acting by the 2 main leads, Joe Chen and Tong Da Wei, is excellent. They are funny, lovable and natural. Having said that, I couldn’t feel the chemistry between the two. To me, they are best friends who help out each other in times of need. On the other hand, I feel Wang Yibo’s love towards the Joe Chen character more intense and sincere despite they are not meant to be together.

At the time of filming, I believe Wang Yibo was still a teenager or just beginning to enter adulthood. Bearing this in mind, I feel he did a fantastic job in acting the role of Di Zhi Wei who is a spoiled brat from a filthy rich family. Wang Yibo has a natural cold look and a don’t-give-a-damn expression written all over his face naturally, playing this role is a brilliant selection of the directors. Wang Yibo really fits in the character so well. He is so good looking with an angelic face, so when he is facing failures and forced to grow up, one’s heart really goes all out for him wanting to shield him from the pain he’s facing. But look is not his only asset; Wang Yibo is multi-talented. In this drama, he showcases some of these talents. He is an amazing dancer, and some of his dance moves are inserted in the drama; he loves long boarding and again he demonstrates his skills here; he loves gaming, and in this drama, he has a new startup company developing gaming apps. Despite his age, his acting is pretty good; he is funny, silly, very lovable, tender, and super cute. Playing Di Zhi Wei feels like Wang Yibo is playing himself, totally natural.

A fun drama to watch. Don’t miss it!

Leia Mais

扮猪吃老虎 Bàn zhū chī lǎohǔ -- Pretend to be a Pig and Eat a Tiger

This drama is a very unusual rom-com; action packed, it is without the usual fluffy romance nor the love at first sight stuff. In fact, it’s rather dark despite a rather hilarious male lead with a Mr. Bean type of character, on the surface that is. Within the first 10 minutes of the first episode, I was absorbed into the story because it is both serious and funny. As the story unfolds, the plot becomes deadly and a hidden antagonist looms.

Liu Qing (Zhu Yawen) is a soldier for hire. After a mission where he is wounded and lost a few of his comrades, he becomes despondent, feeling guilty of his role in causing his friends’ deaths. He is approached by the father of Mu Wanqing (Yang Zishan) who proposes to him to marry his daughter because the father wants someone with Liu Qing’s quality, and can be trusted, to protect his daughter in the company she has taken over as the Chief Executive. Liu Qing has been in love with Mu Wanqing since childhood so he immediately agrees to the arrangement. Having being betrayed by her ex-boyfriend, Mu Wanqing has lost confidence in any marital relationship, but only agrees reluctantly when her parents plead with her.

After marriage, Liu Qing is treated like one of the employees, from a car park attendant to a bodyguard, until he begins to rescue Mu Wanqing from all kinds of predicaments, and even from danger, again and again, without letting her know he has helped her. In front of her, he is just a dumb guy good for nothing. Mu Wanqing figures out his real background eventually and begins to fall in love with him.

Zhu Yawen’s Liu Qing is simply amazing, exhibiting his wonderful acting skills. Either in his tactical gears or in his office suits, he is very convincing. Without a present day’s effeminate face, many young viewers have not realized how good Zhu Yawen is. Here, he can look very silly, comedic and humble like a dork, the next minute, he is commanding and lethal. And he is so believable in both of these personalities. Indeed his acting as a pig eating a tiger is so enjoyable to watch because everyone underestimates him.

Yang Zishan’s acting is fine here, with a lot of inconsistencies as attributed to the poor script writing and mediocre directing. I’m also not particularly impressed with the side couple’s and other supporting characters’ scripts. Some actors seemed to have used their own voices. Zhu Yawen has a magnetic deep voice and with his professional dubbing skill, he makes his character come alive. Unfortunately this doesn’t apply to the other main characters, in particular He Junxiang’s Lei Shuo; his dialogues sound stiff and unnatural. One of the biggest complaints among viewers is the mouth motions don’t quite synch with the words spoken, as if the dialogues have been rewritten. Though not in his own voice, Zhu Yawen’s English dialogues are some of the best spoken English in Chinese dramas.

The drama shifts from office politics to kidnapping, to flesh trade in Indo China, to arm trade in Russia, involving company trade secrets, rescue missions, snipers, heavy machine gun fights, explosions, all unfolding in a story of adventure, thriller, murder, police, military, criminal organizations, and more. From episode 20 onwards, the story escalates into a Hollywood Rambo style of story telling.

The ultimate villain turns out to be rather disappointing and anticlimax with no compelling objective other than greed, and even with greed, he flip-flops, giving the viewers a cloud of questions, “huh?”

My Verdict

I have really enjoyed the beginning of this drama, in particular with Zhu Yawen’s pig-eats-tiger acting. Unfortunately as the plot unfolds, it deviates, making the story feel like a potpourri of multi genres. As a viewer puts it succinctly, “The first half looks like a poet, the last half looks like a hobo.”

If you’re not into rom-com and prefer watching some actions, this drama is action packed. But be warned, it is not consistent and plots holes are blatant. Some props can even look very fake too. The writing is wild, the directing is on and off, the editing is inconsistent.

This is an 8.0 from me, but I really like Zhu Yawen’s acting which I think he could deserve a 8.5.

Leia Mais

Fast Moving - Everything Goes in a Blur

After The Untamed, Jade Dynasty is a much hyped movie because of its main male lead, Xiao Zhan, the most popular Chinese actor currently. Many viewers, including myself, love Xiao Zhan in The Untamed playing the character Wei Wuxian. In this review, I’m trying to be objective despite my love for the actor.

I’ve never read the novel related to this movie but I have watched the drama Noble Aspiration. I cannot say I was impressed by the drama; I found it too draggy, to the extent of becoming boring to watch. When it comes to the movie, it has to pack 55 episodes of the drama into about one and a half hours of the whole story. Things get moving very fast (in the movie). A big segment of the time is involved in fighting, which is pretty good at some scenes, especially the fight choreography performed by Xiao Zhan. However, there’s not enough time for character development. We hardly get to view the Bi Yao character properly; she’s simply just in and out of the scenes. There’s no time to see her and Zhang Xiao Fan’s relationship development, let alone how they fall in love with each other. We do get a peek at how Xiao Fan loves his shijie and how well she has treated him from young, how close he is with his shixiongs (senior brothers). I do prefer the Zhang Xiao Fan character played by Xiao Zhan than by Li Yi Feng. In Jade Dynasty, Zhang Xiao Fan is lovable and selfless but not lacking in his playfulness and silliness, whereas the Li Yi Feng’s portrayal in Noble Aspiration is a super slow person in every sense, so much so that many viewers are being put off by the un-charismatic character.

It is interesting to note that the Zhang Xiao Fan character is slightly similar to the Wei Wuxian character in The Untamed – among others, innocent young boy turns demonic; upstanding, altruistic and loved by all surrounding him; loves and adores his shijie (senior sister).

The whole movie is light-hearted, at times funny, but mostly cartoonish. For me, it is quite a letdown. Maybe I have geared up too high hope in the first place.

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It's My Encore

This is a youth, high school, puppy love romance. It reminds me of myself during my own years in school.

I sat together with the school smartest and most good-looking boy one year in school. He was also the class captain. I looked more or less like Yan Ze with the same hair style, except I was 1,000 times uglier with a flat chest (still do). Like Yan Ze, my grades were not good (ranked lowest 10 or so). Our similarities stop here. Yan Ze is popular; I was like the air – nobody noticed me. Our class captain was the top student. I had always wondered how he managed to get such good grades without seemingly putting in as much efforts as I did. Just like Ji Xiao, my seat mate tried to help me in my school work, and I had a crush on him. When he left town, I remembered I cried for days. We were both 10 years old.

A few years later in junior high, he started writing to me. He had never expressed any admiration for me. Then his best friend who was the go-between, started to ask me out. One day, I received a letter from my ex-seat mate, expressing his admiration and love. It was too late; I was in love with his best friend, who, by coincidence, not unlike He Xin Liang – outgoing, basketball, and playful.

Until today, from time to time, I have wondered, what would have happened had he expressed his feelings to me sooner? Would things be different today?

I believe every one of us has a similar story to tell. Sometimes, these stories happened so long ago that we may have forgotten. Sometimes, these stories are seemingly unimportant and we don’t pay much attention to them. But if we look closer and think deeper, I believe we all can live through our younger years again through this drama, “Just an Encore”.

Fun watch!

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Great Performance by Little Actor

Any family that has a sicken child with a serious disease from birth can empathize with this story. In this drama, the whole story revolves around the child, trying to get him back to health. It’s tormenting and painful to see the child’s little body going through all the pains and sufferings. If you have experienced the anxiety before a surgical operation, you could empathize with the characters’ anxiety here too. This is a story that is full of loneliness, despair, longing, waiting, at the same time, lavished with determination and devotion.

How this drama is being cut and edited is rather confusing at the beginning. As the story is unfolding, there is a lot of flashbacks and backstories. In fact, two timelines are playing out concurrently, one telling the present story and the other the story of how Nie Yusheng (Chung Hon Leung aka Wallace Chung) and Tan Jing (Li Xiaoran) have met during their adolescent years in high school.

I find it strange that when ex-lovers meet again, they act like strangers to each other; there’s no surprise, no nods, no eye contacts, no nervousness -- nothing, as if they have never met before. This strange phenomenon doesn’t only apply to our main leads, it also applies to our second lead couple, and even between father and son. Only the backstories reveal that these people indeed are no strangers to each other, and with flashbacks, only then viewers see their emotions and subtle expressions. As viewers get accustomed to the style of storytelling, it becomes rather enjoyable as the details are explained well in the backstories and flashbacks.

Nie Yusheng is almost like a walking corpse haunted by the past. Playing a tormented and bitter heart surgeon, Chung Hon Leung’s acting is very convincing, especially with the scene when Nie Yusheng breaks down and sobs. However, as many viewers have commented, dubbing in his own voice, it has given inconsistencies to the character. There are times when dubbing with the actors’ own voice is good, but not here because Chung Hon Leung’s native tongue is Cantonese. This has made him speaking Mandarin with a Cantonese accent which doesn’t go very well in this drama because he speaks differently, perhaps too differently from everyone else. It is even harder not to notice when the adolescent Nie Yusheng speaks perfect Mandarin and an adult Nie Yusheng doesn’t. I also find it hard to watch Chung Hon Leung playing the role of the adolescent Nie Yusheng when he loses memory as this is really a long stretch for the actor.

Tan Jing (Li Xiaoran) is mature and patient, enduring all the hardships that are thrown at her, at work and in life. A devoted mother, she would do anything for her child. Li Xiaoran has played her character convincingly showing the motherly side of her character with full marks.

I have really enjoyed watching the two young actors playing the adolescent Nie Yusheng (Zhan Yu) and Tan Jing (Fan Shiran). These two talented actors have truly captured the essence of the young couple and their amazing chemistry. I wish the director had continued to use the same actors into their adulthood instead of switching to Chung Hon Leung and Li Xiaoran because with the older pair, the whole feel of the story has shifted. Perhaps this is the effect that the director has wanted to show the viewers: how growing up has changed the couple and their chemistry.

My most enjoyable moments are probably when little Ping Ping (Mi Ke) comes on screen. The little actor is a gem and he nails the role so naturally. All his dialogues are intelligent and heart touching. His moments with his grandfather are precious as the viewers can really feel the love, joy and resignation of the relationship.

My Verdict

This is an adult romance drama that cannot be watched with skipping episodes nor with fast-forwarding as every scene is a hint to the next part of the story. From the beginning until about episode 12, it’s a rather excruciating watch as the viewers experience the longing and emotional pains of the characters. Misunderstandings are abound with words heard out of context and being misconstrued. This drama perhaps has the greatest and longest misunderstanding, from episode 1 to the last, that has kept our main characters apart. It is also a drama with mysteries, murder, coverup, office politics, family conflicts, revenge, and more. It is the little Ping Ping that has brought the adults back to reality and sanity, as watching him is the most heart warming experience. The story carries the message that, the one who is obsessed with revenge ends up with nothing; the one who leaves power and materialism aside and holds on to the people he loves gains everything.

A drama worthy of our time. Recommended!

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Some Great Acting, Intriguing Story & Humorous Dialogs

The MDL description of Dawn Amidst Hidden Clouds as a simple story of "girl meets boy, amnesia, love, and happily-ever-after" does not do justice to its complexity. Beneath this surface lies a tale rich with twists and turns, where the protagonists double as antagonists, making the plot far more intriguing than it first appears. This drama is entertaining and rather enjoyable to watch.

Storyline
Leng Qing Yao (Zhao Qing), the daughter of a gifted doctor who served the ailing Lou Ming Ye (Chang Hua Sen), shared an inseparable bond with him during childhood. Their idyllic friendship was shattered when both sets of parents were murdered for mysterious reasons, leading to the children’s separation. Leng Qing Yao, suffering from memory loss, was adopted by a street doctor and renamed Lan Che. Lou Ming Ye, meanwhile, was taken in by one of his father's generals.

A decade later, Lou Ming Ye has risen to the position of Chief Justice of Dali Shi, while Lan Che leads a local vigilante group fighting crime. Determined to uncover the truth, Lou Ming Ye tracks down Lan Che, suspecting she might be the daughter of the doctor who allegedly killed his father.

At the heart of the story is a substance resembling marijuana, which relieves stress but induces hallucinations and even death in large doses. A more potent mixture of the drug grants temporary strength but at great cost. Both Lan Che and Lou Ming Ye are determined to find the mastermind behind the production of this dangerous substance.

As they investigate the deaths linked to the drug, they discover that the truth is layered with deception. Reality and illusion intertwine, making it difficult to discern friend from foe.

Characters & Acting
Lan Che, formerly Leng Qing Yao, is portrayed as cheerful, intelligent, and refreshingly candid. Zhao Qing brings charm and authenticity to the role, making Lan Che's humor and jealousy very endearing. Her chemistry with Lou Ming Ye adds depth to the narrative.

Lou Ming Ye is a sickly yet skilled fighter. While Chang Hua Sen's portrayal is solid, it lacks the magnetism that could make the character more compelling. Interestingly, the supporting characters shine, particularly Fang Ting Ge (Wang Xin Ting), whose loyalty and humor provide delightful moments. Similarly, Li Mo (Qiu Hong Kai), the Prince of Yan, undergoes a remarkable transformation from a frivolous playboy to a responsible leader, adding an unexpected layer of complexity.

Dialogues & Humor
The dialogues, particularly between Lan Che, Lou Ming Ye, and Li Mo, are laced with well-crafted humor. The wit is subtle and natural, steering clear of slapstick while maintaining a lighthearted charm. Conversations are straightforward, with no excessive wordplay, which enhances the drama’s relatability.

Ending & Final Thoughts
The final episodes are packed with twists and turns that feel rushed, leaving little time for viewers to fully absorb the revelations. The ending gives the impression of lazy writing, as loose ends are hastily resolved with minimal explanation, making the resolution feel abrupt and unearned. The closure feels forced, lacking the emotional weight needed for a truly satisfying conclusion. Nevertheless, it manages to tie up the story to some extent, though the final moments leave little lasting impact.

In conclusion, Dawn Amidst Hidden Clouds may not be groundbreaking, but it offers an enjoyable viewing experience, particularly for those who appreciate humor and well-crafted dialogue. It’s a drama worth watching for its engaging characters and intricate plot.

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