Refreshing in every way

I’m the type of fussy drama watcher who typically doesn’t like to commit to watching something unless I see a good amount of positive reviews so you can imagine when I saw this drama pop up on mdl as a solid average 9 star rating I was so excited to watch it and it did not disappoint !

Every aspect of this drama was so refreshing to me as a longtime lover of cdramas who’s had to suffer from the mediocrity of 2021 cdramas along with everyone else … from the episode count to the plot to the cinematography, everything about this drama felt like a cut above most other dramas I’ve watched recently. The short episode count of this drama ensured basically no drag and I’d say time was overall utilised very well here to the point I didn’t feel scenes were being wasted or padded with filler. Additionally, the acting and soundtrack were both so good and really elevated this.

Time loop stories are not my thing AT ALL and I can’t ever recall having genuinely enjoyed a time loop story ever before this one. I just think the way the plot unravelled and the growing relationship between the leads was so well handled that the time loop aspect became almost secondary at points (the mechanics of it are never explained and I appreciate it; for the most part it’s just something that exists and is allowed to just be). Each day is novel and a whole host of different interactions and outcomes occur each time and I think the well handled mystery element and amazing supporting cast really prevented this show from falling into the typical time loop trappings of getting boring or repetitive.

Speaking of secondary characters, this drama was so universally well acted and almost all of the characters that appeared on screen got their moment of development to the point that at the end I truly felt a connection to most of the characters (even the annoyingly likeable cop guy ugh).

I felt so empty after completing this because I hadn’t had a drama experience like this in too long ! I was so immersed and completed this all within 24 hours… now this drama certainly isn’t without some flaws but there’s not much to pinpoint that I’d want to change. I’m glad for the most part the romance was light and I think the relationship buildup was so so realistic; the characters truly gave this abnormal premise so much realism that it felt grounded and believable, elevating it beyond the whole time loop gimmick into just a genuine character driven mystery drama with a twist. The only character complaint id have would be that the two leads sometimes felt as if they were the least developed characters on the whole damn bus - what was shiqing even studying at university? Guess we’ll never know..

But overall i really have nothing negative to say about this drama. It made me feel so many emotions and was so well crafted and as I’ve said a million times it was so REFRESHING to watch. It really reignited my love of watching dramas and made me dash to try and find other dramas to watch to fill the void after I’d completed this. I can’t recommend this show enough it is so beautifully handled.

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Against all odds I completed this

I’m going to be honest: I never thought I’d complete this drama. I started watching it offhandedly because I’ve been a fan of bai jingting for a while but the 40 episode count for a contemporary drama was a huge “drags on too long and is probably boring in the middle” red flag for me. Additionally, the first 3 episodes genuinely made me so livid I almost dropped the show then and there because of the female leads initial characterisation (she was so childish and entitled and I rly did not understand her actions at all let alone how she was a qualified doctor) and the tired predictable romance cliches (apparently the webnovel this is based on is over 10 years old .. that carries…)

But I persisted ! And for the most part I’m glad I did. I can’t deny that I was right that this dragged in the middle but for the most part I had a good time watching this. Certain plot lines either bored me or irrationally angered me (my poor yanshan you deserved better) not to mention laughable medical inaccuracy in many instances, however the annoyances were minor in comparison to the plot lines that I genuinely enjoyed and particularly in comparison to the truly lovely characterisation and portrayal of the male and female lead (bai jingting and ma sichun did such a good job carrying this drama). I can’t in good conscience rate this drama super highly but I also can’t deny that I had a good time watching and that it feels dear to me. Against all odds I did complete 40 episodes of this which should speak for itself (I’m very fussy with dramas and have a tendency to drop them easily).

I think what really carried this drama as it went on were the two leads, their characterisation, and their chemistry. Some reviewers have commented that their relationship feels too sanitised almost to the extent of bffs or a longterm married couple and I can’t deny that but I also don’t mind ? The way they speak to each other feels so natural and real and all the laughing ?? Truly warmed my heart in several instances and I’m rarely super convinced by romance heavy dramas. I love how the relationship did feel like one between equals with none of the frequently seen cdrama power imbalances or questionable age differences. Both of them were adults with their own sense of self and social circles outside of each other and they both had thriving careers. Their communication especially during the whole shen sister fiasco was honestly so refreshing to see.

As for the several other relationships and characters in this drama . I do have some mixed thoughts. The 2nd couple outside of the earthquake arc mostly just annoyed me but the older couple were pretty endearing even if the flashbacks and long montages for the second and third couples felt … exorbitant (I skipped them). However, in spite of some annoyances most of the relationships in this drama both romantic and platonic were genuinely so enjoyable and a lot of the dialogue genuinely made me either grin or giggle and it honestly caught me off guard. I grew attached to several of the side characters too and thought a lot of them were treated with real love and care and got fleshed out in their own way… except my poor yanshan’s plotline .. who decided that was a good idea. Also why are the nurse characters literally only ever gossiping it’s ridiculous and misogynistic nurses are the backbone of any hospital and I’m tired of medical dramas ignoring that-

ANYWAY. against all odds this drama feels so dear to me. I watched it over 3-4 days while recovering from surgery and overall I’m glad the world and the characters of this show could keep me company. This is a majority very light hearted and heart warming drama with compelling characters and some really interesting and beautiful stories to tell and I’m glad I found it at this moment where I needed something to cheer me up

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So much wasted potential :(

This show is pretty to look at with an intriguing opening 9 episodes and that really feels like that’s all it has to offer. I was so excited for this drama and I wanted so much to like it, but the result feels empty and cold.

The characters and plots really fall off after episode 10, with plot twists being thrown up for seemingly no reason, too many easy and unconvincing ‘coincidences’, and ‘super emotional moments’ that made me either roll my eyes or laugh at their absurdity. I really wanted to love this show but 14 episodes in I’m not rooting for any of the characters, nor do I feel I know much about them or why they’re doing what they are (and in a ‘these characters are poorly written and inconsistent’ way and not in an ‘intriguing’ way). I’m sure we’ll get a new villain reveal soon but so far every antagonistic character has been cartoonish and too easily defeated. No one truly feels like an equal to the main characters which makes the stakes feel very low.

I think one major issue behind characterisation on this show is the creators pushing romance plot lines too hard. Wu SiYue was one of my favourite characters and held so much potential for standing on her own two feet and being a strong willed person and a good fighter but the second she started her romance plotline with gao bingzhu that all fell out the window and now she just follows him around and cries a lot. It’s a real shame because I was really rooting for them and shipped them before - that scene where gao bingzhu confides in her at the graves of his friends genuinely made me tear up, and it’s degenerated to.. this. I also have so many issues with the other main romance of this show. Baili hongyi and liu ran’s entire relationship just makes me feel. Nothing. Or at least nothing positive. They’re presented as childhood friends and yet she literally blackmails him to marry her? When he has expressed on numerous occasions that he has no interest in marrying? And then when he wants a divorce after [redacted spoilers] she gets all upset? Initially how hongyi treated her came across as a little unreasonable but the more time passed the less I sympathised with liu ran. It didn’t help that her character never developed any depth past.. being in love with hongyi.. but not even her actions really ever showed why ? I just know this show is going to make them a happy couple by the end and at this point the thought of that just makes me want to drop this show altogether. Developing on baili hongyi’s ‘cold’ and ‘emotionless’ personality and showing his capacity for love could be a really strong character arc but nothing about this romantic setup gives me the impression it will be. I’m not always the hugest romance person and can often ignore it but it feels so pushed to a point where it’s jarring and disruptive and makes the entire viewing experience less pleasant (even when it’s still minor in the plot currently ?)

I have other things to say but I’ve ranted enough..

Overall I love these actors and I loved the premise of this show but I’ve felt really let down in the last 4 episodes to the extent I felt compelled to write this review. Im really hoping the show turns around and changes my mind :(

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