This is not just another C-drama!

Wow.

I remember binge-watching the entire 56 eps in 2 days. Now that speaks volume, even for a career binge-watcher like myself.

STORY:
If you like Eternal Love and Journey of Flower, this is the next to go on that watch-list. I normally find C-dramas a bit draggy about 1/3 way through but not this time. If you’ve seen Fighter of Destiny you’ll know what I’m talking about (no offence Luhan). This is a fairly structured plot with quality character development and irresistible cliff-hangers that left me on my tip-toes at the end of every ep. I can see that the director and scriptwriters are trying their best to stay true to the novel. Bravo.

CAST:
Not only do Jin Mi and Xu Feng look good together, they have chemistry. For me, couple chemistry is the main reason I’m in dramaland. A good chemistry would be able to make you laugh, cry and more than most scream in frustration if they’re not together.

Deng Lun has caught my attention ever since Princess Agents and I’m happy he finally landed an MC role in a big-budget historical drama. As for Yang Zhi, she is the perfect choice for this. As much as I enjoy seeing Zanilia and Yang Mi in beautiful historical costumes, Yang Zhi really brought out the essence of Flower Goddess while still remained refreshingly childlike and gullible.

Before I forget, the 2nd lead and other supporting actors are also very impressive. Run Yu and Sui He are extremely effective in moving the plot along at a steady pace while not being overly dramatic. I'm surprised they even got such a good young and fledgling actor to play the childish match-making god.

CINEMATOGRAPHY:
Breathtaking. Vibrant yet very subtle and delicate palette made the watching experience extremely surreal, reflecting much of the immortal world. The CGI is flawlessly incorporated and none of those cringy and awkward magic moments from outdated CGI. Costume design is spectacular with fabric layers light as feathers, capturing the swift body movements of spell incantations.

MUSIC:
Theme songs are not particularly catchy but still memorable and enhance the drama really well at crucial moments. I like the soundtrack sang by Yang Zhi (Love Frost) especially because it’s bitterly and nostalgically sweet. Otherwise, Unsullied by Mao Buyi really set the scene as the intro.

OVERALL:
Ashes of Love is definitely the epitome of what Chinese historical / fantasy dramas should be. Cdramas are normally 2 to 3 times longer than Kdramas. So in order to remain competitive within the Asian market as well as others, not only does the cinematography have to be outstanding the plot also has to have a strong backbone. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of the new era for world-class quality Cdramas. So far this should be my fav C-drama, not gonna lie.

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"Those streets, let's swallow them all."

While the synopsis offers much romance, Cruel City is anything but a damsel-in-distress tale. Trapped in a world where the streets are filled with hidden brothels and drug dealers, the forsaken ones are taught light from knowing darkness. Their despairs and pains become motivation for such selfless righteousness and sacrifices to rectify the twisted world that have discarded them.

Cruel City forces its audience to redefine the line between good and evil, only for us to be left bewildered at the realisation that there was in fact none to begin with. How could goodness ever be measured? Is it morally sound to exploit an innocence in the act of saving the lives of many others?

STORY:
Rarely does an action drama exceed audience expectation for its plot as it often mainly focuses on action scenes, but hands down to the scriptwriters this time. Each MC has a different mask to hide their terrifyingly calculative and Machiavellian nature. There is also a sense of despair which often associated with the noir genre, forever reaching for that flicker of light at the end of the tunnel but never quite there. The romance is bittersweet with a slight heart-wrench. And those cliff-hangers really played with my heart.

CAST:
To say I'm watching this not only for Kyung Ho would be half-lying. His portrayal of the Doctor's Son is lithe and lethal as a black panther in the night. Kyung Ho is able to capture the loneliness and recklessness of being an undercover. Both the female lead and male 2nd lead didn't come out as strong for me, I feel like they lack the intensity and unique characterisation but still fit in with the story nevertheless.

CINEMATOGRAPHY:
Right from the start, interesting dichromatic color schemes are used to enhance the dark and sinister scenes, giving various meanings to "darkness". Meetings between Shi Hyun, Soo and Lee Madam are often portrayed in black and blue to show the characters' cold and cunning natures. When Shi Hyun is with Soo Min, it is black and yellow to show how she's bringing light to his world.

MUSIC:
I would highly recommend Hurt by Kim Yong Jin. Even though the drama only has one memorable OST, it is able to incorporate that into crucial moments to get me really sympathise with Shi Hyun.

OVERALL:
Cruel City really sparks my interest in noir genre. So here is my beginning into another genre of K-dramas, what about you?

FAVOURITE QUOTES:

“If you don’t kill, you die.”

“The world is like a mirror. If you spit and curse at it, the world will spit and curse back at you. If you laugh, I’m sure the world will follow and laugh with you.”

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Mysophobia should be a subplot, not the whole plot!

Am I the only feeling like there are gigantic black holes in the plot?

It's like the writers have decided to go on a cooking spree and mix wasabi with chocolate. These 2 ingredients are potent in each of their own rights, but Wasabi Kit Kat? Thanks, but no thanks. From mysophobia to chaebol to love triangle, you name the cliché they've got it. The show even started with the whole stylised apartment and walk-in closet thing.

Everything is unbearably unbelievable and predictable. We've got the female protagonist, who is supposed to be "dirty", looking still pretty and neat as ever with just a few a hair out of place. And the lead male keeps having way too many "accidents" where he would overexaggerate to the same degree every single time, enough to make the couple seems as polar opposite as possible. Then, somewhere in between, there are bits and pieces of flashbacks that are recalled rather awkwardly and forcibly which don't really add much to the depth of the storyline.

Maybe my expectations were a little too high as I anticipated for Yoo Jung's comeback and Gyun Sang's rom-com debut. Either way, it's not my cup of tea at the moment.

On the other hand, where is my Untouchable adaptation, JTBC?

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