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A Storytelling Masterpiece!
I highly recommend this show if you would like to experience the following:
• A grounded portrayal of the lower-income class
• An accurate depiction of generation gaps
• A glimpse into the struggles faced by deaf individuals
This show delivers with:
• Fantastic chemistry and dynamic between the cast
• Intertwining plot structure and character arcs
• Meaningful reminders about the best and worst parts of life
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SPOILER BELOW
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What I love:
1. Li Ming's journey and Fourth's portrayal of him. In the beginning, Li Ming is depicted as an unintended victim of a rigid school system, unhappy with the paths other people imposed on him, and unsure about a romantic relationship. However, through a positive mindset about his future and working hard to better himself and help Heart and his family, he finds the answers to the questions troubling him. Fourth is fantastic in this role. Be it a scene with or without dialogue, he kills it. Considering this is his first significant role in a series, I am in awe. My favorite scene of Li Ming is in episode 3 where Fourth has to act without any dialog and portray the suffocation he feels while his friends are talking in a classroom. So good!
2. This series deals with the passage of time smartly. Not all significant character and relationship developments are shown in eight episodes, and viewers are encouraged to imagine and assume the progression. It is tricky to get this format working, especially in a series with time gaps in and between episodes. But with excellent writing and direction, this series manages to deliver. A notable example is how fast Jim and Wen's relationship seems to progress; we are watching them speed-running through eight episodes which can be watched in a day, but in fact, they took at least six months with plenty of interactions off-screen to build their relationship. The two plot sequences are defined, while what's in between is left for viewers to fill in and visualize.
3. “Show, don’t tell.” Related to the point above, some major plot developments are prepared as pleasant surprises for the viewers. One great example is in episode 7 where Heart’s parents could communicate with Heart in sign language. None of the characters in that scene was surprised, but I am sure the audiences are. It shows that within the gap between episode 6 and 7, Heart’s parents have learnt from their mistakes, and choose to prioritize and understand their son more. These are some of strongest scenes in this series. Kudos to the actress who acts as Heart's mom; almost all her scenes are all emotional and intense, and she delivers consistently with such finesse.
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What I wish were different:
1. The sound editing could be better in some scenes, notably the closure scene between Alan and Wen, also any beach scenes. There are squeaky sounds in the background when Alan and Wen are speaking in the restaurant, and as someone who focuses on facial expressions and reads subtitles, these distractions make it hard for me to immerse myself in such a critical scene. Though, the sound editing in episode 7 is fantastic. The backing sounds in some intense scenes are beautifully arranged and delivered.
2. Not all scenes are equally memorable, which is expected, but some are forgettable and can be replaced to better support the plot progression. Alan should have been introduced earlier in the series to flesh out the backstories between Alan and Wen.
3. As great as Earth's acting is, his portrayal of a 40-year-old man haunted by his past and selling chicken rice can be improved. His performances shine through as a parental figure for Li Ming and during flashbacks related to his previous relationship. However, when it comes to the daily portrayal of a chicken rice seller troubled by raising a teenager and trying to make ends meet, I find he lacks the signs of wear and tear surviving emotional and physical grinds.
-----------------------------
Best Episode -- Episode 4!
If I were to pick the best episode, I would be torn between episodes 4 and 8. I feel episode 8 is excellent in wrapping up the story and giving everyone the new beginning they deserve.
But for me, episode 4 takes the cake. Similar to the message it tries to convey about how happiness and despair come hand-in-hand in life, this episode has an outstanding balance of emotions.
My favorite scene probably in the entire series is when they celebrate Jim's birthday. Happiness is simple, and this scene exudes that.
-----------------------------
Takeaways:
There are important life messages that the producer and writers are trying to convey through this series.
Both Jim's and Wen's story arcs highlighted that our past could haunt us for the longest time without us knowing, so it's important to understand when to let go. On the other hand, both Jim's and Li Ming's story arcs try to remind us about generation gaps, that age is just a number at a certain point, and everyone can learn from each other regardless of age to become a better version of themselves.
Of course, all these are easier to say than do in real life, but they are good reminders nonetheless.
-----------------------------
At first, I was curious how P'Aof would be able to direct this series given the ensemble cast; Earth, Mix, First, Khaotung, also now Gemini and Fourth can lead an entire series just within their couple. And the fact that this series can balance them beautifully speaks about how great the director and his team are.
Kudos to P'Aof and his team for this masterpiece of storytelling!
• A grounded portrayal of the lower-income class
• An accurate depiction of generation gaps
• A glimpse into the struggles faced by deaf individuals
This show delivers with:
• Fantastic chemistry and dynamic between the cast
• Intertwining plot structure and character arcs
• Meaningful reminders about the best and worst parts of life
-----------------------------
SPOILER BELOW
-----------------------------
What I love:
1. Li Ming's journey and Fourth's portrayal of him. In the beginning, Li Ming is depicted as an unintended victim of a rigid school system, unhappy with the paths other people imposed on him, and unsure about a romantic relationship. However, through a positive mindset about his future and working hard to better himself and help Heart and his family, he finds the answers to the questions troubling him. Fourth is fantastic in this role. Be it a scene with or without dialogue, he kills it. Considering this is his first significant role in a series, I am in awe. My favorite scene of Li Ming is in episode 3 where Fourth has to act without any dialog and portray the suffocation he feels while his friends are talking in a classroom. So good!
2. This series deals with the passage of time smartly. Not all significant character and relationship developments are shown in eight episodes, and viewers are encouraged to imagine and assume the progression. It is tricky to get this format working, especially in a series with time gaps in and between episodes. But with excellent writing and direction, this series manages to deliver. A notable example is how fast Jim and Wen's relationship seems to progress; we are watching them speed-running through eight episodes which can be watched in a day, but in fact, they took at least six months with plenty of interactions off-screen to build their relationship. The two plot sequences are defined, while what's in between is left for viewers to fill in and visualize.
3. “Show, don’t tell.” Related to the point above, some major plot developments are prepared as pleasant surprises for the viewers. One great example is in episode 7 where Heart’s parents could communicate with Heart in sign language. None of the characters in that scene was surprised, but I am sure the audiences are. It shows that within the gap between episode 6 and 7, Heart’s parents have learnt from their mistakes, and choose to prioritize and understand their son more. These are some of strongest scenes in this series. Kudos to the actress who acts as Heart's mom; almost all her scenes are all emotional and intense, and she delivers consistently with such finesse.
-----------------------------
What I wish were different:
1. The sound editing could be better in some scenes, notably the closure scene between Alan and Wen, also any beach scenes. There are squeaky sounds in the background when Alan and Wen are speaking in the restaurant, and as someone who focuses on facial expressions and reads subtitles, these distractions make it hard for me to immerse myself in such a critical scene. Though, the sound editing in episode 7 is fantastic. The backing sounds in some intense scenes are beautifully arranged and delivered.
2. Not all scenes are equally memorable, which is expected, but some are forgettable and can be replaced to better support the plot progression. Alan should have been introduced earlier in the series to flesh out the backstories between Alan and Wen.
3. As great as Earth's acting is, his portrayal of a 40-year-old man haunted by his past and selling chicken rice can be improved. His performances shine through as a parental figure for Li Ming and during flashbacks related to his previous relationship. However, when it comes to the daily portrayal of a chicken rice seller troubled by raising a teenager and trying to make ends meet, I find he lacks the signs of wear and tear surviving emotional and physical grinds.
-----------------------------
Best Episode -- Episode 4!
If I were to pick the best episode, I would be torn between episodes 4 and 8. I feel episode 8 is excellent in wrapping up the story and giving everyone the new beginning they deserve.
But for me, episode 4 takes the cake. Similar to the message it tries to convey about how happiness and despair come hand-in-hand in life, this episode has an outstanding balance of emotions.
My favorite scene probably in the entire series is when they celebrate Jim's birthday. Happiness is simple, and this scene exudes that.
-----------------------------
Takeaways:
There are important life messages that the producer and writers are trying to convey through this series.
Both Jim's and Wen's story arcs highlighted that our past could haunt us for the longest time without us knowing, so it's important to understand when to let go. On the other hand, both Jim's and Li Ming's story arcs try to remind us about generation gaps, that age is just a number at a certain point, and everyone can learn from each other regardless of age to become a better version of themselves.
Of course, all these are easier to say than do in real life, but they are good reminders nonetheless.
-----------------------------
At first, I was curious how P'Aof would be able to direct this series given the ensemble cast; Earth, Mix, First, Khaotung, also now Gemini and Fourth can lead an entire series just within their couple. And the fact that this series can balance them beautifully speaks about how great the director and his team are.
Kudos to P'Aof and his team for this masterpiece of storytelling!
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