Just started branching out and watching foreign films and shows. This one was pretty great. The storyline was quite interesting as were the characters. I thought the acting and stars did a really great job! The show was pretty entertaining form beginning to end.
5 Reviews
Mostly Fun & Cute Series About Overcoming the Obstacles for Finding Love
spasek15 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
"Murphy's Law of Love" tells the story of two characters, Jai-Wei and Xiao-Tong who find themselves unlucky in love. The series opens with both characters at the end of their prospective relationships. Jai- Wei proposes to his girlfriend, only to be turned down. Xiao- Tong is at a dinner with her boyfriend, hoping that he will propose, but instead, finding out that he desires a break-up. Since both events take place nearby, it's fairly predictable that the two characters inadvertently bump into each other.
Xiao-Tong is a psychologist who works at an internet dating company. For all of her philosophies about love, it's clear she knows very little about it. She's a young woman who is virtually incapable of thinking for herself. She's a bit whiny, moody, and she has a tendency to pout a lot. Xiao-Tong is someone who has been hurt so much in relationships, that she's unprofessionally given in to believing Murphy's Laws about love. Funny that psychologist is so pessimistic and negative that she would knowingly adopt such a fanciful set of arbitrary laws. Nevertheless, Xiao-Tong is a very guarded character. On the outside, she puts on a front that everything is just fine. Of course, nobody buys it. Inside, she's whirlwind of pain, angst, and self-loathing. She fails to understand that the secret of love is to, first, love yourself. You can't give what you don't have. And both characters fail to understand that true love is about the absolute courage it takes to be completely vulnerable.
Across the street is Jai-Wei who heads in own company that is in the business of renewing life through divorce. It's not as horrible as it sounds. Jai-Wei helps people come to terms in a relationship, learn to let go when it's time, and teach couples how to move on amicably. Jai-Wei is a young man who rarely smiles, has a somewhat gruff exterior, and is a bit insecure. We learn that he's had a tough past full of rejection and neglect. People who don't say "goodbye" is especially hard for a man who's in the "letting go" business. Underneath, he has a big heart. Except that Jai-Wei's problem is struggling to hold on to what he has. This puts unfair pressure on the women he's with.
However, the biggest difference between the two characters is that Jai-Wei doesn't give up. He's tenacious, and he's unwilling to allow the pains of the past to prevent him from taking a chance on love. Xiao-Tong, allowing herself to be ruled by Murphy's law, is overly cautious and unwilling to "take the plunge" when things become challenging or difficult. She's more prone to escape and run when she fears that she might get hurt again. You may not be at all surprised by which character "comes to terms" with themselves first.
Of course, like most series like this one, you have the "rival" characters, who are largely predictable and typical. You also have the character of Jai-Wei as a rich man pursuing the woman who is still living with her parents and being ordered about by them. These are the same parents who love to meddle in their daughter's affairs. Meddling always about yourself and never about the person you're proclaiming to help. It's still ironic that so many people in the world actually believe that a person can't be happy if they are not in a relationship.
The series also has the "secret past" for one of the characters that is a hurdle and an obstacle that must be overcome if things are to progress. In many ways, Eastern romance stories can be just as easily bogged down by formulaic situations as Western ones.
Still, the series is mostly very cute, and above all, it's light. It doesn't get tied up in too many twists and turns, nor does it get too melodramatic.
As a western viewer, just remember to try and put your "prism" aside. You still have the controlling Asian male who loves to order his girlfriend around, tell her what she's going to do or not going to do, and who also loves to grab her by the arm. Obviously in the west, if a man tried that, he'd likely end up with a black eye or worse. However, in the east, it's not so frowned upon. After living in South Korea and China, I've seen my share of this type of behavior. If this easily offends you, then you may have a hard time watching this series.
The performances are very good across the board, and the scenery of Taiwan is an added bonus.
Of all of the Asian series I've watched so far, Korea's "Descendants of the Sun" is easily my favorite with Japan's "Good Morning Call" just behind it. Still, if you're looking for a good time with some laughs and nothing that gets too serious, this is an enjoyable series.
Xiao-Tong is a psychologist who works at an internet dating company. For all of her philosophies about love, it's clear she knows very little about it. She's a young woman who is virtually incapable of thinking for herself. She's a bit whiny, moody, and she has a tendency to pout a lot. Xiao-Tong is someone who has been hurt so much in relationships, that she's unprofessionally given in to believing Murphy's Laws about love. Funny that psychologist is so pessimistic and negative that she would knowingly adopt such a fanciful set of arbitrary laws. Nevertheless, Xiao-Tong is a very guarded character. On the outside, she puts on a front that everything is just fine. Of course, nobody buys it. Inside, she's whirlwind of pain, angst, and self-loathing. She fails to understand that the secret of love is to, first, love yourself. You can't give what you don't have. And both characters fail to understand that true love is about the absolute courage it takes to be completely vulnerable.
Across the street is Jai-Wei who heads in own company that is in the business of renewing life through divorce. It's not as horrible as it sounds. Jai-Wei helps people come to terms in a relationship, learn to let go when it's time, and teach couples how to move on amicably. Jai-Wei is a young man who rarely smiles, has a somewhat gruff exterior, and is a bit insecure. We learn that he's had a tough past full of rejection and neglect. People who don't say "goodbye" is especially hard for a man who's in the "letting go" business. Underneath, he has a big heart. Except that Jai-Wei's problem is struggling to hold on to what he has. This puts unfair pressure on the women he's with.
However, the biggest difference between the two characters is that Jai-Wei doesn't give up. He's tenacious, and he's unwilling to allow the pains of the past to prevent him from taking a chance on love. Xiao-Tong, allowing herself to be ruled by Murphy's law, is overly cautious and unwilling to "take the plunge" when things become challenging or difficult. She's more prone to escape and run when she fears that she might get hurt again. You may not be at all surprised by which character "comes to terms" with themselves first.
Of course, like most series like this one, you have the "rival" characters, who are largely predictable and typical. You also have the character of Jai-Wei as a rich man pursuing the woman who is still living with her parents and being ordered about by them. These are the same parents who love to meddle in their daughter's affairs. Meddling always about yourself and never about the person you're proclaiming to help. It's still ironic that so many people in the world actually believe that a person can't be happy if they are not in a relationship.
The series also has the "secret past" for one of the characters that is a hurdle and an obstacle that must be overcome if things are to progress. In many ways, Eastern romance stories can be just as easily bogged down by formulaic situations as Western ones.
Still, the series is mostly very cute, and above all, it's light. It doesn't get tied up in too many twists and turns, nor does it get too melodramatic.
As a western viewer, just remember to try and put your "prism" aside. You still have the controlling Asian male who loves to order his girlfriend around, tell her what she's going to do or not going to do, and who also loves to grab her by the arm. Obviously in the west, if a man tried that, he'd likely end up with a black eye or worse. However, in the east, it's not so frowned upon. After living in South Korea and China, I've seen my share of this type of behavior. If this easily offends you, then you may have a hard time watching this series.
The performances are very good across the board, and the scenery of Taiwan is an added bonus.
Of all of the Asian series I've watched so far, Korea's "Descendants of the Sun" is easily my favorite with Japan's "Good Morning Call" just behind it. Still, if you're looking for a good time with some laughs and nothing that gets too serious, this is an enjoyable series.
Predictable and story drags but still worth the watch
leahcubed27 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The female lead Guan Xia-tong (Ivelyn Lee) is convinced that anything that can go wrong in her life will (Murphy's law) and has what she feels is a big confirmation when her boyfriend of several years breaks up with her citing the fact he has to marry someone in his same social class. That same night, in the same location, Ji Jia-wei (Danson Tang), sets up a proposal for his girlfirend, only to be rejected. Both are heartbroken and both take very different paths to heal their broken hearts. Guan Xia-tong becomes known as the Love Doctor as she provides dating services and advice from a psychological perspective at the matchmaking service where she works. Ji Jia-wei sets up a divorce service at an office across the street which helps people by showing them how to uncouple well. It's not long before parallels are found between the two business ventures and the male and female leads find themselves collaborating on projects and working together a lot. There are others who are romantically intersted in each and they have to navigate that as their feelings begin to grown. Ji Jia-wei is very different from the idealized man Guan Xia-tong believes is ideal for a relationship.
For me this was very formulaic. That is not always a bad thing but without some major plot twists, comedic moments, or surprises - I felt like the story dragged and was very predictable. It got better 3/4 of the way through and there was definitely some chemistry between the leads although it took an exceptionally long time for them to kiss. Those that watch Asian drama know it is not until the kiss until you know the two are going to be together. I really liked the 2nd guy and he said some things that I wanted to be able to say the "get a grip" sort of things. I loved the dog in this - and I could tell from the active comments I wasn't the only one who was a huge fan of the dog. I liked the way this ended a lot more than some or I might have rated it lower based on the moments where it felt predictable and the story dragged. Worth the watch definitely.
For me this was very formulaic. That is not always a bad thing but without some major plot twists, comedic moments, or surprises - I felt like the story dragged and was very predictable. It got better 3/4 of the way through and there was definitely some chemistry between the leads although it took an exceptionally long time for them to kiss. Those that watch Asian drama know it is not until the kiss until you know the two are going to be together. I really liked the 2nd guy and he said some things that I wanted to be able to say the "get a grip" sort of things. I loved the dog in this - and I could tell from the active comments I wasn't the only one who was a huge fan of the dog. I liked the way this ended a lot more than some or I might have rated it lower based on the moments where it felt predictable and the story dragged. Worth the watch definitely.
Sulky female lead a complete turn off.
reganmonique-2309725 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
As an adult, a professional and a psychologist to boot it's incredible she was such a coward and so dishonest. Right from the start he only asked for openness and honesty and she didn't give that to him yet somehow he was the villain. Pfft.
To add insult to injury she dumps him on the 26th episode without giving him the slightest chance. This is the point I stopped watching and constructed my own happy ending where he goes home, licks his wounds and finds someone worthy to settle down with.
To add insult to injury she dumps him on the 26th episode without giving him the slightest chance. This is the point I stopped watching and constructed my own happy ending where he goes home, licks his wounds and finds someone worthy to settle down with.
Characters Not Believable, Prop Fail
DragonGrrl9924 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Ji Jia Wei, one of the main actors, is cold. He also looks more like a kid than a businessman.
Polo, JJW's dog, supposedly chewed up Guan Xiao Tong's heels. But if you carefully studied the shoes, you would of realized that she was wearing a beautiful pair of silver stilettos. The stiletto itself was silver in color. The fabric was of a different constuction than the pair the dog supposedly wrecked. That one was of a different brand (I compared the lining). And the exterior was cheap glitter. The other one seemed to be made up of silver metallic flakes. Of course, if the dog chewed that, it would get really sick. The stiletto also had some metallic bow. The busted one looks cheap. The one Xiao Tong lent the lady who wanted to commit suicide by jumping actually looks expensive.
Zhi Yu seems to have been played by someone resembling or in fact also played the role of JJW's mom. If you studied the mummified Zhi Yu, the exposed skin is dark, the lip is dark red and puffy. I guess you could say the auto crash ruined her looks. But really, it looked like she was played by someone else.
JJW's mom is not likeable at all. She is a shallow person. And her face looks like it went under the knife and had one too many botched cosmetic surgeries.
The movie doesn't show the exterior of JJW's supposedly splendid home.
I couldn't watch the whole thing. Had to skip parts because it doesn't take me into another more and make me forget reality. I would have liked the movie more if the main actor was the chef (Xiao Tong's boss' son).
Polo, JJW's dog, supposedly chewed up Guan Xiao Tong's heels. But if you carefully studied the shoes, you would of realized that she was wearing a beautiful pair of silver stilettos. The stiletto itself was silver in color. The fabric was of a different constuction than the pair the dog supposedly wrecked. That one was of a different brand (I compared the lining). And the exterior was cheap glitter. The other one seemed to be made up of silver metallic flakes. Of course, if the dog chewed that, it would get really sick. The stiletto also had some metallic bow. The busted one looks cheap. The one Xiao Tong lent the lady who wanted to commit suicide by jumping actually looks expensive.
Zhi Yu seems to have been played by someone resembling or in fact also played the role of JJW's mom. If you studied the mummified Zhi Yu, the exposed skin is dark, the lip is dark red and puffy. I guess you could say the auto crash ruined her looks. But really, it looked like she was played by someone else.
JJW's mom is not likeable at all. She is a shallow person. And her face looks like it went under the knife and had one too many botched cosmetic surgeries.
The movie doesn't show the exterior of JJW's supposedly splendid home.
I couldn't watch the whole thing. Had to skip parts because it doesn't take me into another more and make me forget reality. I would have liked the movie more if the main actor was the chef (Xiao Tong's boss' son).
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