Whether it is love or greed, in the end there is still grief

Family oriented genre will always close to audience, combine with death trope and that's it. You got the perfect formula to make a studio full of people cry by the end of the movie. Of course, you have to blend the formula in the right way and this movie sure know how to stir people emotion.

I read from someone who has chinese ancestry how certain scene at the end become their breaking point because it's hit close to their own tradition. I don't have that relation, however i lived with my grandparents until they passed away. So instead of certain scene, the whole part from the moment M decide to scheme his way to Amah's house just hit too close to home. About old people smell, weekly visit, the quite day after holiday, basically all those things you only learned if you live under the same roof with elderly.

I also think this movie show a human realistic side of being caregiver for elderly, especially as family member. Not in depth, but enough to show how it is like on general.

Of course the children dynamic also interesting, not only Amah's children but also Agong's (Mui and M grandpa) children from Mui's POV and Amah with her brother to their parents. Daughter in asian household should raise a toast lol. It's not always the "bad" side of being a daughter tho, i think M's mother show the complexity of mother-daughter relationship in a good way, beside she's a good child if we compare her to her siblings.

In conclusion, this movie success in gathering the formula and blend it perfectly to stir people emotion. Solid plot combine with good chemistry and good acting is already a feast. Cinematography and music just become cherry on top at this point. Really, it is that good.

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With it flaws and it strengths, it was fun while at last

First, i'm not rewatcher type hence the low rate in that aspect.
Second, i genuinely wish to give it higher cuz initially i thought my hall of fame would get a new member. Then at some point when that initial thought ceased, i thought at least this could be my highest cdrama rate this year. Well, at the end of the road, here we are.

Let's begin with plot. Be honest, it's not the best plot out there, revenge isn't my top trope for various reasons. To fully enjoy one need many factors and self resilience (lmao), For me this one is great, the way she focused on her revenge and executed every step is admirable. I don't mind the slow burn, it's on character imo. Actually both of them is so focus on revenge so romance department is a bit neglected yet the romance is there, out loud in the room, i can't say they didn't do romance at all. They made the whole fandom cheered from hands holding only, it takes time to build that level of anticipation.
Xue Fangfei's revenge plot is pretty neat. Once the goal was clear, the enemies were out, she just worked her way out till the end. Meanwhile Jiang Li's revenge plot is mild and sometimes feels like a filler, not entirely bad tho, we need a break from intense plot sometimes. Xiao Heng own story is a bit shallow for me. His revenge, his purpose, even his relationship with people around him isn't really in depth. It's obvious that he has less screen time than FL, in consequence we got lack of his story.

The acting. Dang, it's acting feast right here.
My first time watching Wu Jinyan and i really enjoy her performance. I'm enjoying her performance with Xiao Heng from the balcony lol. Wang Xingyue still did his thing, idk what to say but i always watch him play mature role beyond his age. He's actually so good at it so i still remember how dumbfounded i was when i learned his real age. He still has a long way to go and more diverse role but for now, he excel this once again.
Our psycho cp. They certainly own it. Wanning character is pitiful, her misery (mostly) brought by men yet she directed her resentment towards women and innocent people. Instead of therapy, she got another a̶s̶s̶h̶o̶l̶e̶ psycho as her company. Li Meng did a good job as psycho princess, at the same time i can still see innocent little girl craving for love from her.
About Liang Yongqi, goodness, I need time not to feel sick when i see SYR in the future. His empty guilt stare made many believe and give benefit of doubt to him at the beginning. Who knows he rose up as the most disgusting villain on my list. His audacity, cowardice and spineless behavior just beyond redemption. His character just pure evil for me and the actor brought it out thru his facial expression, voice and gesture. He's way too good at his job.
Most side character also did, at least, a decent job. I found it pleasing most people can deliver something.

To sum up. Yes it's kinda going down as the show reveal it flaws, however it's still exceed my expectation since i didn't expect to be this obsessed. You can come for the plot but the acting and chemistry has little to no flaw. I enjoy the ride, it was fun while it last.

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When the budget is budgeting

Xianxia isn't a low budget genre since it needs to use a lot of cgi and for that exact reason, i believe it needs time to cook during post production. Yes, i don't mind to wait.

Yu Feng Xing not only serving with it good cgi but i'm on my knees for their costume. Every style is on point and the last time i feel like this was for TTEOTM Mingye-Sangjiu arc with its dunhuang style.

Plot wise, this isn't your typical xianxia. Though the reason i love this genre is because the big ANGST sign, i actually enjoy it more since recent xianxia focus more on pain and forget to let us take a break in between the torture, so appreciate every comic relief scene and character. The chemistry between character is good and amidst the slow burn discourse, it's not that bad because i found it's not wasted. The slow building makes every character relatable and show enough charm instead of rushing the breaking point.

I wanna say this could be my number 1 xianxia this year yet it's only April. Tho it doesn't really matter since my pick from last year is TTEOTM lol. Hope you enjoy it as much as i am.

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It's all over the place kinda mess

When my guts told me this drama trying to put too many on their plate, i should've trust it. I was so invested till i realized i just wasted it all. My emotion, time, mostly emotion.
When SML started to disgust me with his delulu mind and action (bless PSH), it was a sign a big big sign that yes, i can and allowed to drop this drama.

But here i am, after finishing ep 16. Honestly, it's not news when you fully invested at the beginning and hate a drama after certain episodes. It happens a lot. However, this drama is "expensive", from quality, actor, marketing, budget, etc... Even the writer. Yup. Everything feels like wasted potential, they have it all why can they just make it right? Just a decent plot from famous kdrama screenwriter, is that a lot to ask?
The acting save this drama, for real. The fact that most of us hate the villain and love the leads and their family is the biggest proof.

At last, they shouldn't be greedy and put so many tropes and you can watch it for the actors and the actors only. You also need enough patience, like A LOT of its.

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Surprisingly, the main conflict plot is holding on and yeah, you will fall for this Fujun & Furen

Basically i crawled my way out of drama slump to finish it within this year. That's how determined i am. The good part is i enjoy it. It didn't feel like i forced myself to finish it as if someone put a gun on my head. Well, i already love the characters when i started it a while back yet it's not enough. The plot is always the key for me, among many factor ofc.

Idk whether it's true or not, i heard this drama lost more than 10 eps (that damn regulation) yet they still able to wrap it all neat and clean. I said wrap, the end, not the path since it was a bit rough. From the beginning, we know who is Lu Wen, they don't try hard enough to hide it, it was intended imo. With that alone, it also obvious they'll separate once the cards open. Personally not a fan of hidden identity, hence the reason i put it on hold, and they reeeally took their time. It needs more than halfway to separate the couple which also mark of the new chapter, understandable yet dragging. The reunion and reconciliation aren't force nor ooc, both stay true to their value and work it out together. That's power couple for you.

The main conflict is engaging enough. The villain's motive is acceptable and make sense. All the stuff unravel till the last minute but it's okay, i got it. Especially after i learned about the lost episodes. The main conflict is holding on yet you can see many side characters plot are underdeveloped. I believe second cp has more to offer and needless to say, i want more of our emperor and empress. Shi Xueji is hard not to love character, not only to viewer but also to Liu Yu. It just bound to happen, for his heart to blossom again. Their tacit understanding and silent companionship is perfect palace romance for me. I love it that much. Furthermore, like many others, i, too, wary of Cui Xingdi. This is what happened when you watch enough cdrama to understand some actors is givin certain vibe and Leon Lai is that one. The most obvious is his role is just "too small" and easily passable, plus his filmography isn't helping. Understandable if he listed as guest role but he listed support role. Technically i doubt him till the very end. Turns out, his character is in fact, a villain in the novel. They probably cut many of his scene to fit the max 40 eps.

On a final note, i enjoy this more than i expected. I admit the bar is low since i come without expectation and only curious to see Zhang Wanyi acting for the first time. Still, i devoured it all.

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In a most positive way possible, it's S+ after all

I remember one OP on twitter said it's interesting how people didn't have high expectation despite this drama is classified as S+. Well, i'm guilty, i'm part of those people.

I read the novel, drop it tho, but i read pass the halfway mark. I think part of the reason i didn't put high expectation is because as far as i know, transmigration trope is loosely banned. i said loosely since many mini dramas still have this trope. So because this drama rely heavily on transmigration trope, i just wanna keep my expectation on check in case of major change in the premise.

Plotwise, i actually like the pace. how everything reveal slowly and not dump everything at the end as an afterthought. Although the last 2 episodes could feels like that for some yet it doesn't seem forced, at least for me. It's true how every character including the minor one deserve to shine. The biggest plus imo is the heartwarming ending which in sync with how the drama been carrying on the lighter side from the star. Like i said, nothing seem forced and just go with the flow.

Acting department is good. Again, every character has chance to shine. Our leads shine brighter ofc duh, their chemistry casually overflowing and they served, despite no kissing scene 🤐

And yes, the budget spent wisely during post production. For high budget drama, i can see it result in many departments. Just like Miaomiao said at the beginning, it cost a lot lol.

In short, i love it, still it has so much more to improve. Although if the goal is light drama, i don't mind this ending.

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