Oh! My Sweet Liar! (2020)

Drama leggero di buoni sentimenti

Là dove gli attori, per quanto non stellari, lavorano molto bene, riescono perfino a farti dimenticare una storia poco credibile, che peggiora con l'andare degli episodi. I colpi di scena sono pochi e abbondantemente telefonati (tranne quello che riguarda il pendente), i cattivi si svelano abbastanza presto e si erano già capiti pure da molto prima. E se qualcuno si redime alla fine, il Great Vile Boss è semplicemente ridicolo nella sua idiozia, a maggior ragione perché interpretato da una maschera abbondantemente (mal) ritoccata. Con un viso così, non potrebbe che fare la parte del cattivo, ma purtroppo gli hanno assegnato una sceneggiatura ridicola. La cugina psicopatica è molto più cattiva di lui!
Insomma, un normale prodotto di intrattenimento, dal quale non dobbiamo aspettarci una trama troppo plausibile. Il focus è più sui buoni sentimenti, anche se a volte diventa un po' troppo stucchevole. Menzione d'onore per i combattimenti, che non sono esagerati, e resi abbastanza bene. La musica si difende, i costumi anche, le ambientazioni sono carine e curate.
Piacevole da guardare una volta, anche se con i normali cliché "dramatici", ma non così allettante all'idea di rivederlo.
In una parola, onesto.

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Great Plot, Steamy Romance, Intelligent Jokes

This is one of the most endearing and light-hearted historical dramas of 2020. I almost missed it because of its cheesy title. But within the first episode, I was totally sold because of the outrageous jokes they use with the playing of an accent that leads to a misunderstanding of a mission. The misunderstanding is hilarious and adorable.

The Story
Xiong Xiruo (Xi Zi) is a comic book artist. Her favorite subject is the legendary tale of Duke Li and the inhabitants of the Li mansion. Duke Li has 2 sons. The oldest son is a fearsome general who wins in every battle and is nicknamed God of War. The second son is a flamboyant artist who lives a free lifestyle outside of the mansion. Duke Li also has an older brother who is a kept hostage living in the Song mansion and a baby brother who is younger than his own sons. Because Xiong Xiruo’s depiction of the Li family is such outrageously slanderous, she’s being hunted down by Li Hongbin (Xia Ningjun), Duke Li’s oldest son.

Xiong Xiruo, apart from being a genius artist, she also has an eidetic memory; she has the ability to remember every detail of anything she sees. For this skill, she is being commissioned to sneak into the Li mansion to draw the four luó hàn (luó hàn are monks in the Shaolin Temple). However, due to the strong regional accent of her commissioner, Xiong Xiruo mistakes the terms luó hàn to be luǒ hàn which have the same homophone (but totally different meaning) of naked men; in Xiong Xiruo’s mind, she thinks she’s been commissioned to draw four naked men for a whopping 2,000 coins. The scenario unfolds thereafter is hilarious as one can imagine.

Li Hongbin is fearsome and Xiong Xiruo is fearful of him. His favorite line is always, “Death by the paddles”. Trying to avoid being killed, Xiong Xirou feigns her pregnancy and forces Li Hongbin to marry her. To escape an unwanted marriage to another woman, Li Hongbin agrees. Out of his expectation, he falls head over heels in love with Xiong Xirou and cannot let her go despite of her lowly background.

The Acting
Both main actors Xi Zi and Xia Ningjun are new to me and I love them both. As Xiong Xiruo, Xi Zi is adorable with her big round eyes, button nose and pouting lips. Not extremely elegant and sophisticated looking as other actors, Xi Zi brings in an air of unpretentiousness and endearment. Running with her hands swinging in the air and cross-dressing as a boy, she is refreshing. I just love watching her teasing Li Hongbin and get him agree to her demands. Fast witted and crafty, Xiong Xiruo always manages to come up with all kinds of crazy stories to get herself out of her predicaments. This is Xi Zi’s first drama taking a main female lead role and she has done a great job.

As Li Hongbin, Xia Ningjun is extremely good looking with a cold heart. He has no interest in any women. All he wants is to protect the country and his territory. Xiong Xiruo is frightened of him and calls him a big monster. However, when he falls head over heels in love with her, he becomes the most loving and protective man any women could ever ask for. As a relatively new actor, Xia Ningjun’s performance is convincing and very enjoyable.

My Verdict
This is one of my most enjoyable series as it is delightful and refreshing. The viewers can see the love of the OTP develop over time slowly. Apart from the initial faked pregnancy which is quickly and voluntarily revealed to Li Hongbin, there’s hardly any more deceits or misunderstandings between Xiong Xiruo and Li Hongbin thereafter. Their chemistry together is unmistakable; their bonding and love for each other are strong. There is no complicated familial relationship such as step children or concubines. Both parents are wise and loving; Duke Li is deep but always humble and kind. All he wants is a harmonious family which is an overarching philosophy passed down for generations for the Li family. At the end of the drama, all the antagonists get their deserving punishments. There is no lazy writing off any characters for a quick ending. Despite there may be some simple inconsistent logic and flaws here and there, this is still a very enjoyable drama for all ages. Don’t miss it!

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