A Good Reflection of Society

This is my first ever review, and there's definitely so much to love about this series.

The female lead (Shen Ruo Xin) is older, intelligent and independent. She knows exactly what she wants and needs, and she doesn't conform to societal's norms and fixed set of beliefs. She pushes her own boundaries and fights towards what she wants and should achieve. In other words, as the title of it suggests, she's rational - up until she meets the male lead (Qi Xiao). She's such a child with him around but definitely not in the oblivious and clueless way. Just really adorable.

When she decided to take the leap of faith and be with him, she goes into it wholeheartedly. Unlike many other scripts we see where the older woman doubts the relationship, and shuns away from friends/family and public eye about being in a may-december relationship, Ruo Xin went into it and believed in it.

Although the age gap in the show is 12 years, here was no awkwardness between the cast and the built up was credible. It wasn't hard to believe that they're in love, and that they needed each other. No "baby fights", unreasonable arguments. They both trusted the process and was always there, breaking so many stereotypes and norms people usually have of such wide age gap relationships, especially when the female is older.

The other cast were great too. Honestly, it was a little tough to watch Ruo Xin's mother's nonsense antics and overreaction to her relationships (She does get on my nerves!!). But it's undeniable that the way she reacts/thinks is possibly what the general sentiment of older generation is, and even what some younger folks may also think. The show provided a good balance showing the many sides of reality — the pressure from family on a woman to get married and have children, having to match with someone of the same "calibre", accepting a wide age gap relationship, having to find a job to feed themselves over being in a relationship, and challenges in the workforce etc.

Putting aside the cuteness and lovey-dovey, the series is such a thought provoking one showing the many aspects of life. Definitely there're areas to improve — I thought the ending felt a lil rushed, I'm not quite a fan of shows that skip timeline with a "6-month later" but overall, I'll still give this a big thumbs up!

UPDATE: ok there were 3 additional short episodes after the main episodes aired and it was an adorable finishing touch to this! please don't skip the 3 extras!

Leggi di Più

Slow Start, Good Finish

I always loved QL's shows and she doesn't disappoint yet again! (Her little reactions/expressions are so on point)

Not gon deny this show started off really slow, and a little boring but it eventually gets to you. Three good friends with totally different lifestyles but yet being tight as a group absolutely resonates. ML and FL (Wang Yang + Qinlan)'s arc started off primarily in office (although they did have a history as teens) but once they realised their affection for each other was always there, they got so direct with their love, it became really comfortable to watch. They supported each other in their own ways and bantered as adults (unlike other shows with push-and-pull between leads lol). Super clear and clean.

SML and SFL (Liu Yun's arc) was the most difficult to watch until she saw through her cheating husband's disgusting behaviour and never looked back. The story showed how she could be submissive for her husband because of how much she loved him, only for him to treat her reliance as weakness. She could be a total hopeless romantic but once she saw his true colours, she cut all ties almost immediately and that was really strong.

The other SML and SFL (Alina Zhang's arc) was really, really healthy. Both husband and wife loves each other deeply and never got affected by their surrounding and environment, regardless of who tried to step in. They did have a small conflict in between but it was quickly resolved.

Overall all three arcs showed the different kinds of romance there are - hopeless, healthy, growing, while not neglecting the office politics side of things. I'd say it balanced out really well, and it really gets you following as the story progresses. Now all you'd need is just to sit through the first two eps, and... you may eventually like it as well.

Leggi di Più

Pleasant surprise - Heart-wrenching

I started on this because I was searching for a filler drama but I was pleasantly surprised to be hooked on it. I completed all 40 episodes in just three nights (I don't watch in the day!) and even found myself weeping tearfully in a few of the episodes.

The story mainly revolved around a single-mom bringing up her child, the hardships she faced, competition among parents, yet how she always manages to turn these adversities into blessings. The drama also showed us different families and how children and parents interacted; in which there are certain storyline which I truly resonated with - a child trying his best to make his parents proud but never getting the recognition he wants.

Not going to deny there may have been some parts of the storyline that went a little over, and some parts where it got predictable like in every c-drama (e.g. terrible mother-daughter-in-law relationship), overall this drama provided a good understanding and perspective to the different upbringing and family relationships there are. Can't call it a 100% reality, but I'm sure enough it reflected a good 90% reality at least.

The love between innocent children and their parents is so beautiful, and we see how they just want to protect each other in this drama.

In conclusion, I never thought I would watch a drama primarily revolving around families, especially children but this was so well put together. By the way, kudos to the team, they definitely cast the right children and parents combination! All the children are A-class actors in this! Wouldn't call this a must-watch drama, but definitely one for when you do have the time, and if you'd like the true innocence and pure love of children :')

Leggi di Più

Slight misses but good balance! Good to catch.

I'm glad I started on this. I started this drama without knowing what it was all about, and it ended up such a pleasant surprise.

The relationship and interaction between the main characters flows so well, and it's so good to watch them together. They have such a healthy relationship supporting and understanding each other in good times as well as in adversity. The storyline is mostly great - no melodramatic moments, no silly disagreements or misunderstandings among couples, and conflict gets resolved well and quick.

Topping it off with a captivating and natural performance by the FL (Wan Qian); doing her all, wanting to excel in her work, but not forgetting what's important to her as well - family. FL and ML had cute small reactions which were so natural, so easy to watch.

There's also the cute side character - Xiao Xi and her husband, Wang Wei - they are so supportive of each other, and definitely adds to the comedic factor in the drama.

Not going to spoil much for those who haven't watched but the parts with the producer (Feng Wen Yi) definitely irked me. A pity they let it pass quickly with him being fired without showing anything that went on there - thought it’d be a stronger plot if his doings were exposed. Second pity storyline was with Anxin’s ex-husband and “mistress”. It stopped pretty much after he was in debt and Anxin stood up to help! Would have liked to see how storyline could go in a circle.

Overall would give the story a 7/10, cast/acting 8/10! Good mix of storyline and relationships without any being under or overwhelming. Definitely some misses here and there, but still a relatively good show to catch!

Leggi di Più

Pleasant Surprise - Good Catch

Started this without any expectations, and couldn't quite imagine Liang Jie with anyone else apart from XZL (The Eternal Love series) but this was a pleasant surprise.

The chemistry between Liang Jie (FL) and Zhang Xin Cheng (ML) is top notch, and both leads nailed the body swap scenes perfectly. Many of the reviews mentioned how the ML played the body swap scenes really well, but I think we shouldn't forget to give the FL kudos too. It's apparent that both of them put in significant effort in mirroring each other's actions and behaviours so to make the swap believable — even to the slightest details such as non-verbal cues that we usually wouldn't pay attention to (from postures to expressions to even gestures).

The drama has a fair balance of scenes in their own bodies and body swap scenes, helping to build the relationship between the leads, as well as pacing the way for audiences to understand how the story progresses without being overwhelmed or underwhelmed. The story moves illogically-logically (I mean, it's a body swap after all), does not skip parts and it's easy to follow the process of it all.

Not forgetting to give a shoutout to the audio/sound for their amazing work. The sound effects in the drama definitely helped to add an extra twist and burst of flavour to the build up. Every episode of this show is so beautifully crafted together. It has a myriad of emotions and importantly, hilarious at all the right times!

Never too late to start this! Was never quite a fan of body swap dramas as there're so many areas that could be potential loopholes but this show has a good script and group of cast that have put in great work for it. Thumbs up!

The only downside of it is the last 10 minutes of the drama explaining the full story. This could be a miss, but otherwise apart from it, everything is A GOOD WATCH. I'd totally catch this again.

Leggi di Più

Satisfying Watch

TVB did themselves gold again, this show is definitely a good comeback!

I stopped watching TVB dramas for awhile because the standards dropped, both in storyline and cast. But this time, they had the tenured cast, Linda and Kevin back, and everything is a literal win. Together with Kenneth, who's always a strong cast, this drama had me waiting and chasing for daily episodes.

There is a good balance between the medical (hospital) scenes and budding romances. Each character had their own personality and quirks, and it was really relatable and comfortable to watch. There's also a good mix of main and supporting role so there really isn't overpowering emphasis on anyone. Although I'd have preferred if we could have a continuation storyline to see how relationship would develop for each couple, everything else was just right!

Keeping the review short, this is definitely a good watch.
(Also, Linda's performance here is beautiful.)

Leggi di Più

Lighthearted Family Drama

At this point I think everyone already know this - THE KIDS ARE ADORABLE.
The two children definitely added value to this drama. Of course there are areas that could be better, especially the dubbing since I watched it in mandarin but for what it's worth, they did good.

The story between ML and FL could get a little cliche at some point but it was not draggy. Misunderstandings were resolved quick (within 1-2 episodes, max) and if anything at all, the ML and FL knows how to communicate. When the ML came to realised he has fallen in love with the FL, we could see how he tried every ways to make up for his mistake in the past (even though he still didn't come clean, and she found out first).

Ok i know there may be viewers who disagree with this, but I do feel that the ML could work on his acting a little. It seems that the FL and children were able to evoke more emotions but the ML's was "limited". We know he's in (emotional) pain, we know he's trying his best to make amendments and he feels deeply for the FL, but it felt like the emotions weren't unleashed entirely. Despite this I'm not saying that it affected any part of the drama. It is still watchable.

By the end of it, there would still be questions about the mystery and how everything unfolded but by this point, I think everyone would be more attached to the love line between the leads. It would have been a better closure if they provided us with answers about how the twins were separated (and why exactly), how the SML got the edited audio etc, but it's fine. I guess always good to have some open-mystery huh?

P.S there's a bonus/special episode that comes after episode 30 so be sure to watch it!
(It's not quite a continuation of the story, but instead they focus on having the ML come clean with the FL before she finds out on her own so... still quite a watch.)

Have a good run!

Leggi di Più

Okay to miss.

I may be a lil late to the party but this is one show where i'm more interested in the supporting characters' development than the mains'.

The plot may not be bad but certain aspects of mysophobia didn't seem to match up (maybe I didn't do research or there may be different possibilities, anyhow). It was weird that the male lead would react so strongly in most situations but mildly in some areas — felt like they were more like continuity issues!

Additionally, the rapport between the male and female leads were really not there. It felt like the team did the female lead dirty. I know the portrayal of her role was meant for her to be slightly unkempt versus the male lead who is an absolute cleanliness "freak" but throughout the show, it was so hard to watch and find a balance (and comfortability) between the two.
Currently at episode 18, my verdict would be - you're not losing out much if you give this a miss! I've been watching this with many forward-skips so there we have it!

Leggi di Più

Slow burn plot.

ok we're just an episode away from the final so here goes -

long story short, this is a slow burn drama. there isn't any strong passion romance if that's what you're looking for. the plot and action builds up slowly, and (really) systematically toward the eventual finale that we're seeing or expecting for. i hesitated if i should write a review for this show because i can't call it a LIKE, but i wouldn't say i dislike it either. there're loopholes in the plot for sure, considering how it's a battle between the black (drug syndicate) and the white (cops + undercover), and how the ML and FL seem to always have everything under control (the drug dealers can't be that oblivious, are they?) but i supposed it is truly a show where you would keep on watching just as the episodes keep running.

as we would already guess, the ML and FL are undercover for the police force and they used to be lovers, except that the ML was kept in the dark throughout — at least up until the last few episodes — because he thought she had died in an explosive incident caused by him in the past (wow such a turn it up in the plot you'll only find in c-dramas honestly). in a twist of fate, the FL went through surgery and became an undercover too, hiding the truth from everyone, including the ML and her brother, who's another cop.

just as long as you sit tight and get through the first few episodes, you're pretty much set for the remaining of the show. i can't deny that the FL's entrance in the show, before we actually figure out her undercover identity, is slightly annoying. she leeches onto the ML and with her princess attitude, it was pretty much a no for me. but it all went well once we put the pieces together and made sense of her character. their pairing worked out decently (of course, she knew him since forever!) and it was a comfortable watch. at this point, i've also got to give kudos for the relationship between the ML and SML (mu qing and li ruosheng), this brotherhood would be such a painful one to watch once the SML faces the ML's betrayal (i'm guessing it's in the last episode).

all in all, this drama focused a lot on character build up which is much appreciated for a theme like this. i'm quite glad it didn't jump into all that c-drama romance. it's definitely a slow burn so if you're looking for plenty of action and quick progression, this probably wouldn't be for you. but otherwise, this should be a decent one to past some time, and for a slow watch.

Leggi di Più