The Captive (2023)

It is worth it. I recommend. Deserves 10.

Perfect. It escapes the usual stereotypes in Chinese dramas. It keeps us in permanent suspense. There are no repairs to be made. I am very happy that the Chinese production can make a different work, beautiful, well represented and attractive. It has maximum marks in all questions.
Perfeito. Ele foge dos estereótipos usuais nos dramas chineses. Isso nos mantém em permanente suspense. Não há reparos a serem feitos. Fico muito feliz que a produção chinesa possa fazer um trabalho diferente, bonito, bem representado e atraente. Tem nota máxima em todas as questões.

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short ..crisp and inclusive

first of all daisy li is so beautiful ... lets take a moment to appreciate her beauty ..and of course her acting

now the story which as we know revolving around a woman who will willing to avenge the death of her family by a opium trafficing mafia ... as such there is nothing unique in the plot but i like all stories that have strong smart and independent FL ... the chemistry between leads was bomb even when they were playing reluctant of each other's identities. on the whole it;s ok ok

worth rewatching ???
ahh i dont think so but okay for one time watching

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Good script, acting and story

I like this drama for its plot and story. It was very good, suspenseful, and engaging. I never got bored, and the ML is eye candy :). I like everything about the story, except for the revealing. I thought it was taking too long. Overall, it was a quick and good watch. The FL did a good job of showcasing her emotions. She finally got her revenge in the end. I like how the ML supports the FL and they work together as a team. I also like how the madam wasn't too annoying, and I like how the characters in this story stay true to their character, and are loyal to their bosses. In the end, the old man got what he deserved and he died.

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Good quality, chemistry and acting for a low-budget web drama

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

“Provoke” is another well-produced low budget web drama directed by Zeng Qin Jie of “A Familiar Stranger” and “The Killer is Also Romantic“. The production quality is pretty good and I like it just as much as I like the other two dramas. Following a similar format, in twenty-five episodes, 12-16 minutes long, the drama tells the story of revenge, hidden identity and love. I can’t help but compare this drama to another popular web drama “Maid’s Revenge”.

Although I enjoy Dai Gao Zheng’s frequent flashes of his muscular torso and abs in “Maid’s Revenge” more than Zhao Yi Qin’s abs in “Provoke”, I have to say “Provoke” is a much better drama. The story is more coherent with fewer WTH moments. The acting and costumes are better and is also a lot less cringey and trashy.

Actress Daisy Li is beautiful as the sexy Jiang Ying. She is absolutely gorgeous in her various costumes and sexy when she is on stage singing and trying to seduce all the men. Male lead Zhao Yi Qin is handsome, but he is so skinny that when he’s wearing a long coat, it seems like he’s being swallowed. I enjoyed his body-building toned abs but a little too lean for my taste. LOL. Both leads have pretty good chemistry and the acting is pretty good as well.

However, my first reaction to the drama within the first episode is that there are too many slow motion scenes. Why are they walking so slowly? Why are they slowing things down when it’s not necessarily a ‘romantic’ scene? This got better throughout the drama, but I can’t help but also notice everyone speaks very slowly as well. Moreover, whoever dubs the male lead sounds like he’s whispering instead of speaking (a very airy voice). I like the first half of the drama more than the second half. The writing is weaker in the last few episodes.

Overall, if you are looking for a simple and short web drama in the Republican era, I will recommend this. It’s rare to find a pretty well-rounded low budget drama that doesn’t look cheap. Oh, and it has a pretty good OST as well.


Completed: 4/20/2023

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LOVE

I don't know how to express myself at this point, this was far beyond my imagination it was so good that i couldn't even skip a second of it, the emotions it gave me the visuals the acting the music the sets everything got me squealing. I am so satisfied with the ending i need to see these two in another drama cause their chemistry is just perfect that i can't even tell if it's acting or not, this whole plot is just so good i'm not even exaggerating right now i swear i absolutely loved it, i'm never the type to rewatch dramas i only give stars for it for other people to rewatch it but this is the ONLY drama i'd rewatch. Every single part of it is perfect and i'm gonna cry happy tears. Please watch this you won't even regret it the goosebumps cause of the tension is crazy. I'm typing this with excitement ?

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A Riveting and Well-Balanced Drama: Suspense and Stellar Performances Shine

In the world of dramatic storytelling, Provoke (2023) emerges as a very charming and suspenseful gem. With a finely crafted narrative that expertly weaves its web of intrigue, this drama managed to deliver both nail-biting tension and heartwarming moments.

One of its strongest attributes lies in the careful orchestration of drama throughout the series. While some parts did feature an excessive dose of emotional turmoil, it's precisely this buildup that made the climax so much more satisfying. The drama took its time in setting the stage, allowing viewers to become deeply invested in the characters' lives and secrets. When the moment of truth finally arrived, it was a cathartic experience, revealing answers to questions that had been expertly concealed.

The actors in Provoke (2023) delivered performances that were nothing short of amazing. Their chemistry on screen was palpable, creating a sense of authenticity in their relationships that drew viewers in. What truly stood out was the balance they struck—never overacting nor underperforming. Their portrayals felt genuine, breathing life into characters who were multi-dimensional and relatable.

The story itself was a testament to thoughtful storytelling. It didn't overwhelm with too many subplots or twists but provided just the right amount of suspense to keep viewers engaged throughout. Every revelation and plot development felt earned, making the drama all the more captivating.

And then there's the ending—a crucial element in any drama. Provoke (2023) delivered a conclusion that felt both satisfying and fitting. It didn't resort to excessive melodrama or abrupt twists but rather provided a resolution that tied up loose ends in a convincing and convenient manner.

In summary, Provoke (2023) strikes a balance that's often hard to find in the world of drama. It weaves suspense and charm together seamlessly, with standout performances and a well-considered storyline. While it had its moments of heightened drama, they only served to make the payoff that much more rewarding. This drama is a compelling and highly recommended watch for anyone seeking a riveting, character-driven story.

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i didnt really have high expectations to be exact but this was mediocre at best. who am i to judge i watched the whole thing for zhao yi qin lmao
so du xunyu and jiang ling meet at a train and through this and that they become acquaintances. now xunyu's father takes a liking to jiang ying and marries her. now xunyu and jiqang ying both have their fair share of secrets which start unveiling one by one.
the plot was a good one for revenge drama. even the budget was high. however this being a short drama, the moment i was getting into it ended. imo it couldve been longer and we coulve gotten more information on both the main characters. i understood jiang ying's past and her reason for revenge but im really confused about xunyu's past. this was quite rushed and as much as i was excited to watch this (i waited a whole week to watch it in one sitting lmao) this was very mediocre
THE FACT I CAME FOR ROMANCE BUT THERE WAS BARELY ANY ROMANCE IMMA CRY

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Revenge + Romance

The cinematography is what first captured my attention as this drama is beautifully shot. The visuals from the costumes, settings and scenery to the moody night vibes really goes well with the storyline. It's a short drama so it focuses on the main plot of revenge, there are no fillers or annoying/unnecessary characters.

The chemistry between the main lead is top tier and their romantic scenes are really well done. You have steamy scenes, you have cute romantic scenes, you have thriller/murder vibes, you have friends to lovers trope. The male lead and female lead both have masks on and pretend to be other people at first. Male lead appears to be a ruthless, flirty, bad boy but he's actually a good guy and the female lead is first shown as seductress but is actually a sad, introverted girl. Both do everything in their power to get their revenge.

The drama reminds me of a novel in the way the storyline is done. It's got a great plot twist too. For me it's not a full 10 stars because the ending felt a little too convenient. But overall it's a super enjoyable drama and it has a happy ending so I highly recommend it.

Make sure to NOT watch this on Youtube because it doesn't have the original music. And the music makes a huge difference.

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Revenge plus some romance

Revenge is the main plot for this storyline. It’s done in a sophisticated and well crafted manner. Nothing too complicated or elaborate, but a simple storyline.

It’s only 25 episodes, and each Ep about 13 mins only ;) so it’s short and sweet. What I liked was the costumes and setting. Based in Shanghai in the 1920s, they ladies are wearing beautiful cheongsams and I love their hair dos!! What I disliked was the voices being dubbed. It’s so obvious the kids voices are being dubbed by an adult male trying to sound like a kid :(

The first episode has a steamy kiss scene;) then it throws back to one month ago. However, there are no more in the following episodes ;);) All in all it wasn’t too bad. The FL is beautiful and the ML looks quite dashing.

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The best short drama there is

For a short drama, this was amazing. I was impressed with the story, the production value, the OST…everything.

One issue that has plagued a lot of cdramas is draggy pacing — it’s hard to manage when a show has 40 or even 50 episodes. Being so short absolutely worked in Provoke’s favor. Not a single minute was wasted, and it felt like the show trusted its audience enough to pick up on the story fast. It was simply really convincing.

The actors should also get their flowers for this. This chemistry between the main leads is very good throughout every single step of their relationship. The tension, relief, playful banter — it was all there. I really enjoyed seeing their dynamic develop, and the show really hit the sweet spot between making them stubborn and strong individuals and still having them communicate and respect each other.

The humor is really clever and well-timed, and the side characters all played their roles too. Ultimately this was great. It’s probably my new favorite short drama out there.

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"a revenge plot and a reunion with my childhood sweetheart"

That's really all you need to know about this drama. With each episode spanning 13-15 minutes, the entire run of 25 episodes is about the length of a full movie.

The show starts with mysterious girl - the main actress - waiting at the platform of the train station. It seems she has done Young Master Du - the main actor - a favour of some kind. He thanked her, and gave her a reward, which she brushed off. Instead, she wanted him to take her to a party he would be participating that night. He agreed.

The story started to unfold steadily from that point onwards, and while I found many questionable points throughout this story, I was lulled into my fangirl mode as a result of a script that constantly fueled the passion of the main leads with breathtaking incidental music and flying silk organza fabric in between kisses. Invisible sparks between them were apparent even if you put a brick partition between them.

Somehow, somewhere during the midpoint, the pacing loses its momentum and steam, and you start to notice implausibilities and errors in the writing and shooting. Master Du, the Young Master's old man, was keen to take a second wife even though he had lost function of his manhood years ago. And how did the young lady know this before throwing herself into this is forever a mystery. There was also an episode where the Big Bang Theory explaining the expansion of the universe was briefly mentioned, but considering that this drama was set in the 1910s-1920s, the writers had gotten ahead of themselves. Because while there had been studies and observations to find out the origins of the universe, but the term "Big Bang" itself actually didn't come into existence until decades later. We fast forward. When faced with a life-and-death situation, the leads were given sufficiently ample time to profess their undying love for each other while everything was burning around them - although if you look closely, the flames around there were as safe as a boyscout campfire. But of course, this scenario is not unique to this drama alone.

"Provoke" indeed lives up to its name - by the end of the final episode, I was struck with the thought that maybe the title was meant to "provoke" the watcher. Because, we all love some delightful clichés in our romance stories, and this drama delivered quite a few of them. Yet it's also one of those dramas that makes you straddle a sofa pillow to your chest as you wish for a passionate kiss - only to be trolled not once, not twice, but three times.

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