I didn’t have any expectations when I started “Snowfall”. I read the synopsis and it seems interesting and Vengo playing a vampire is enough of a draw for me. Unfortunately, I still come out feeling disappointed and mainly due to the plot. I did read that the last few episodes deviate quite a big from the original novel. You can read the novel ending by @Haveninmuse in one of the discussion posts.


Plot
I really wanted more about the 3 families, their special powers and the magical artifacts. I want to learn more about them, so that the last big battle will make more sense and have a much bigger impact. But I should have known better since the drama description focuses more on the characters - the century-old vampire, a blind girl and the director. It’s not that I don’t like their stories and interaction, I just wanted more. Besides, the drama focuses way too much time in the first 10 episodes on Li Ying Liang’s (military dept director) animosity and revenge towards Shen Zhi Heng (vampire). Their back-and-forth became repetitive and took away time to develop the relationship between Shen Zhi Heng and Mi Lan (FL/blind girl) and Dr. Situ Wei Lan. There are also numerous plot holes in the later episodes when the drama goes more into the plot and moves away from character building and relationships. Fellow reviewer @Enigma05 listed all the loopholes which I agree with 100%. I won’t list them here to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible. Please go read her review to find out more. The last 2 episodes are messy, rushed and full of head-scratching moments. I am ,however, ok with the final ending of the vampire, even though I heard it’s very different from the novel.

Acting
The best thing about the drama is the acting of the cast. I actually think everyone did a good job. Vengo Gao as a vampire? Of course he would do great. He’s tall and imposing and exudes confidence and grace. He’s perfectly cast. It’s my first time watching Ouyang Nana and she was fantastic! I was really surprised that she pulled off the role of a blind girl so well, and makes Mi Lan such a likable character, even when she started to act her age. Maggie Huang is great as always as she’s such an experienced actress. Ryan Ren and Winwin are both new actors to me and they also performed well for their complicated roles.

Romance
Unfortunately, the romance is not romancing for me. I actually enjoyed Shen Zhi Heng and Mi Lan’s interaction and chemistry so much more when Mi Lan is blind. She was abused but has a sense of calm confidence, maturity, and intelligence. I felt the chemistry with just a few words from Mi Lan here and there in her unconditional support of Shen Zhi Heng. But in the later episodes, she was young and childlike, as she should be, since she’s re-living her childhood and is in awe of everything. She’s learning how to be a person all over again. So it’s not the fault of the actors that I am not feeling the chemistry. I will put the blame on the writing more. A century-old vampire and an 18-year old with childlike innocence don’t work for me. They are giving off a more brother/sister, father/daughter vibe than lovers.

The love triangle between Li Ying Liang, Jin Jing Xue and Situ Wei Lian is a little more interesting. I did find the clinginess of two of them a little much at times, but I see where they are coming from. I would have loved to see a little more emotion from Li Ying Liang when he’s with Jin Jing Xue except for the last scenes they’re together. A little more internal struggles and vulnerability will help viewers understand him better. Situ Wei Lan’s obsession and view of love is interesting to see when you think more about it. But he definitely doesn’t act like his age and he should.

Production
There are a few lovely songs in the OST that complement the different scenes very well. The costumes department also did an amazing job in dressing all the male characters in nicely-tailored suits and long coats. But special props to Vengo’s amazing costumes. With such a tall and broad frame, he looks dashing and intimidating at the same time. The women also have pretty diverse wardrobes, though some outfits are better than others. On the other hand, you can also see that this is not a big budget drama. The fight scenes are interesting and quite cool and violent (which is a surprise) but the CGI is not. The special effects get worse and worse as the drama goes. The sets, fixtures, ornaments and accessories look a little flimsy and fake.


Unless you are a fan of the actors and are a superfan of vampire stories, I would not recommend this drama. It has so much potential with an interesting general plot of the 3 magical families and their artifacts. I just wish they had included more of that into the character storylines and cut out some of the repetitive episodes in the first third of the drama. It’s such a waste of a talented cast.


Completed: 9/15/2024 - Review #485