Just as the title of this review says; this drama was very much worth the wait. Xiao Zhan is one of the people I follow and looking forward to him in this mature and modern role was spectacular. I have so many emotions carousing through my system right now; relief, elation, sadness, completion, pride. This is a very high caliber modern drama. Mentally, I've been thinking about this review for days, so now I'm going to try and put everything together here.
Pros: This drama was filmed in 2019; so much has happened since then. I loved Xiao Zhan and Yang Zi's friendship in real life because it translated as very honest and believable chemistry on screen. Both Gu Wei and LXZ were honest and good though humanly flawed characters. If they made them all perfect and cute without problems, they wouldn't have seemed so real. The seeming harshness of the parents, displayed cultural differences in a way anyone on earth would understand because once the end was being rounded up, their feelings not just harsh words started to be more completely understood.
Xiao Zhan's acting ability made me forget that this was filmed before Ace Troops and ADLAD; the 8 hour, 15K line theater play. Each emotion, each mannerism, action, was on point with where the character had to be at the time of the series. I know he is a perfectionist himself and therefore already criticized his own performance from top to bottom; but as a viewer, a novelist/author, former scriptwriter, and very detail oriented human being, I truly didn't feel he could have done a better job. With the script he was working with, plus all the complicated medical terminology, heavy emotions, given flaws, he brought Gu Wei to life; into a three dimensional existence. He's a very versatile actor that I think can handle any genre, any role be it a protagonist or an antagonist; the latter of which I would love to see in like a Republican era crime drama.
YZ was a very believable 21 year old considering she was older. That's hard to do sometimes especially for more mature people. Her emotions especially in those last episodes were gut-wrenchingly felt. I felt she portrayed a cellist very convincingly (I played the violin in elementary school and therefore know how all strings hold their bows; she did everything properly). This was a good role for her; I do however hope she takes more out of the box roles as this seems to be a fairly common genre for her. She can definitely expand her horizons.
The OSTs were beautiful and magical. Usually I ffw them in the beginning or end especially for the credits but in this case, XZ's solo and their duet were just so heartfelt that I would listen to them each time. I always love it when actors sing their own OSTs, it just gives a drama extra soul.
The plot of the leads was fascinating and realistic; it never dragged at any time and honestly didn't need the filler characters nor their issues. When a plot or a character's actions draw heated discussions/debates in the comments, it means the drama is doing exactly what it's supposed to by making people think and want to talk about it. Papa Lin's cancer arc was the hardest and most heartbreaking of all because not only was it tastefully and realistically done, but it hit close to home as I've lost several very close friends to cancer; so tissues were needed in that sense.
Loved behind the scenes and the "Little Theatre" at the end of every other episode between Gu Wei and LXZ; even in the most angst ridden times, those moments provided us with glimpses of their times on set and into the characters' relationship even when they were at odds with each other. It was a great touch.
Cons: All of the 3rd wheels; lord almighty. When I need to ffw a great drama like this because of all of the truly not evolved and useless characters, it will take a hit in my rating of it. I think I've reached a new high of nicknames created in this drama, though some did evolve; the others thankfully were fazed out in the end. Dr. Gorilla Glue and Dr. Scrooge surprised me the most with being able to evolve and be actual allies and friends to GW, not just hot tar and a sanctimonious prick. Arrogant violin dude actually just needed to be let down before he was able to switch over to a mature human being who gave LZX some great advice.
The worst however remained Dear Abby Wannabe and Ms. Faux Victim; their characters and plots added literally zilch to the series; most time they did more harm then good. I understand young but not useless with absolutely no comprehension of reality. I never read the novels so have no clue if these characters were very prominent; but dear lord I wish the screenwriter never used them or sporadically without their plotless issues; the main plot was already so full and rich; this was just an absolute nuisance.
Would I recommend it? 100%! This is the type of drama you would want to watch with your friends, family, or even alone as most of us do. It has a little bit of everything. I want to thank the entire cast and crew for a truly special series. I will rewatch the cute moments and this drama will forever be in my heart and soul. Bravo!
Pros: This drama was filmed in 2019; so much has happened since then. I loved Xiao Zhan and Yang Zi's friendship in real life because it translated as very honest and believable chemistry on screen. Both Gu Wei and LXZ were honest and good though humanly flawed characters. If they made them all perfect and cute without problems, they wouldn't have seemed so real. The seeming harshness of the parents, displayed cultural differences in a way anyone on earth would understand because once the end was being rounded up, their feelings not just harsh words started to be more completely understood.
Xiao Zhan's acting ability made me forget that this was filmed before Ace Troops and ADLAD; the 8 hour, 15K line theater play. Each emotion, each mannerism, action, was on point with where the character had to be at the time of the series. I know he is a perfectionist himself and therefore already criticized his own performance from top to bottom; but as a viewer, a novelist/author, former scriptwriter, and very detail oriented human being, I truly didn't feel he could have done a better job. With the script he was working with, plus all the complicated medical terminology, heavy emotions, given flaws, he brought Gu Wei to life; into a three dimensional existence. He's a very versatile actor that I think can handle any genre, any role be it a protagonist or an antagonist; the latter of which I would love to see in like a Republican era crime drama.
YZ was a very believable 21 year old considering she was older. That's hard to do sometimes especially for more mature people. Her emotions especially in those last episodes were gut-wrenchingly felt. I felt she portrayed a cellist very convincingly (I played the violin in elementary school and therefore know how all strings hold their bows; she did everything properly). This was a good role for her; I do however hope she takes more out of the box roles as this seems to be a fairly common genre for her. She can definitely expand her horizons.
The OSTs were beautiful and magical. Usually I ffw them in the beginning or end especially for the credits but in this case, XZ's solo and their duet were just so heartfelt that I would listen to them each time. I always love it when actors sing their own OSTs, it just gives a drama extra soul.
The plot of the leads was fascinating and realistic; it never dragged at any time and honestly didn't need the filler characters nor their issues. When a plot or a character's actions draw heated discussions/debates in the comments, it means the drama is doing exactly what it's supposed to by making people think and want to talk about it. Papa Lin's cancer arc was the hardest and most heartbreaking of all because not only was it tastefully and realistically done, but it hit close to home as I've lost several very close friends to cancer; so tissues were needed in that sense.
Loved behind the scenes and the "Little Theatre" at the end of every other episode between Gu Wei and LXZ; even in the most angst ridden times, those moments provided us with glimpses of their times on set and into the characters' relationship even when they were at odds with each other. It was a great touch.
Cons: All of the 3rd wheels; lord almighty. When I need to ffw a great drama like this because of all of the truly not evolved and useless characters, it will take a hit in my rating of it. I think I've reached a new high of nicknames created in this drama, though some did evolve; the others thankfully were fazed out in the end. Dr. Gorilla Glue and Dr. Scrooge surprised me the most with being able to evolve and be actual allies and friends to GW, not just hot tar and a sanctimonious prick. Arrogant violin dude actually just needed to be let down before he was able to switch over to a mature human being who gave LZX some great advice.
The worst however remained Dear Abby Wannabe and Ms. Faux Victim; their characters and plots added literally zilch to the series; most time they did more harm then good. I understand young but not useless with absolutely no comprehension of reality. I never read the novels so have no clue if these characters were very prominent; but dear lord I wish the screenwriter never used them or sporadically without their plotless issues; the main plot was already so full and rich; this was just an absolute nuisance.
Would I recommend it? 100%! This is the type of drama you would want to watch with your friends, family, or even alone as most of us do. It has a little bit of everything. I want to thank the entire cast and crew for a truly special series. I will rewatch the cute moments and this drama will forever be in my heart and soul. Bravo!
