Astringent Girl (2021)

Disappointing

Really disappointed. I don't really see this as a step forward for girl power of any sort, more a collection of dramatic romance-related shower thoughts. None of the women "grew" or became independent. After Dai Xixi's breakup, she continued to be attached and even obsessed with marriage. Wen Ruxue's attitude towards relationships continued to be ambiguous and scandal-inducing. Ding Huiqiao continued to profess the exclusivity of caring about work or relationships. But I suppose that is to be expected of a drama which lists romance as a major genre. My investment fell out at around the half-way point, only persisting for my favorite actors Song Yi and Wei Daxun. Not to mention, the ending was extremely hurried.

Music was immemorable. Would not watch again unless extremely bored and would probably be skipping around a lot.

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Wrong Title

This should of been called: Searching For Maturity. Yes the drama is about four women of varying ages the learn about life and it's trials and tribulations. Two business women, one wealthy woman and a girl becoming a woman. Perhaps their determination to reach their chosen futures, is what makes them brilliant?

LIKES:
The character Wen Xiao Yang actually had growth. The two business women; Wen Ru Xue and Ding Hui Qiao, were the least mature from beginning to end. I did like some of the "advice" that Ru Xue gave to others. I also liked wealthy girl Dai XiXi having a little growth in that she began to think for herself. The production was pretty good, music was fine but nothing outstanding and acting was pretty decent. I liked the voice of Bai Xiang Wen, but the writers made him a little too over the top. The message of sisterhood and being supportive of your female friends was refreshing, they didn't do the usual backstabbing that often happens in dramas like this.

DISLIKES:
Side stories/drama that didn't involved the four main women and their direct friends, took too much time. The time could've been used to fix the writing for the 4 main FLs. The director also failed in many spots, leaving reactions too slow. It got boring mid way through and I really had to force myself to make it to the end. Then the end seemed very rushed to complete the storylines. Ding Hui Qiao had no chemistry with her younger romantic partner, but there was potential there to make it very interesting. The best acting was done by Zhao Jin Mai, the rest was okay, but should've been better. Without getting character growth for the two business women, they weren't Brilliant Girls, but Childish Women. Two of the female leads endings were very open ended and not satisfying at all. Even Xiao Yang's ending would have been better to see where she's at even just 5 yrs into the future.

Overall it's watchable, but not to re-watch and it dragged on too long.

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