So Far Literally So Good

Up to episode 11 -

I, like most of us, had no expectations for this. The elephant in the room is the bad subbing, but hopefully it gets properly subbed really soon. However… it's good. Like seriously good.

It's not reinventing the wheel, but it's taking all the good and bad parts of romcoms and mixing them together in a funny, cute and chemistry-filled hotpot of pure goodness. Furthermore, thus far misunderstandings aren't driving the plot, and it's not depending solely on plot twists to build suspense or character arcs, which makes for a cleaner and more enjoyable watching experience.

The main leads are solid, believable and lovable characters. ML isn't a block of stone that suddenly grows a personality after meeting FL. FL isn't ditzy and naive, and doesn't always need the ML to rescue her. And the smooth chemistry between the characters and the actors playing them is awesome.

The second and third couples are frankly just as interesting to watch. I honestly adore how FL's best friend, the SFL, stands up for her (because many of these drama besties are very questionable) and has a personality and obviously sense of self, rather than just existing to be the FL's cheerleader. I would love more scenes with the second couple that focuses on them (episode 8 answered my prayers), though the way they are written still alludes to them focusing on their relationship, but also aware that they need to focus less on FL&ML.

Can see the TFL developing feelings for TML, so hopefully we won't have to wait long for them to figure themselves out.

Thus far, there is only one character that may get seriously annoying, but hopefully (fingers crossed) they won't ruin the story by making him a big obstacle. (he's been gone for the last few episodes, so hopefully he stays gone).

Looking forward to the next ½ of the show.

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Sweet and Enjoyable

When I saw this drama before it aired I thought it would have been cringe but I was pleasantly surprised when I started it. Overall, this was a sweet and enjoyable watch. The chemistry between the leads and supporting actresses and actors was amazing. I loved K's character especially (he noticed everything and snickered to himself like a cutie). I'll agree that the FL actress had some stiff moments but I still appreciated her acting and I think and hope that she will do much better in future projects. I also really loved that none of the characters were without flaw or were self-righteous throughout the drama. There were some moments where what happening in game was hard to understand but I still quite enjoyed it. Very happy that they devoted the final episode to the final game and not just sappy-ly wrapping up the drama.

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Looking Back to Move Forward

I'm normally not one for stories that alternate back and forth between the past and the present but WTLOG was organized in such a way that the past flowed smoothly with the present. The reminiscent aspect allowed for an understanding of the characters as they tried make sense of their present lives and what they want in the future, which i think is a valid aspect of real life. The transitions from past to present also made sense, and all the past scenes told essential stories that illustrated the character's and their relationships with each other.

The pacing of the story was perfectly planned, the story was fully fleshed out, the characters were likeable and sympathetic even when I couldn't relate to their motives or characters. The actors are also all top notch, with voices that seem to suit the characters.

All in all, it was a very good series: there was no over the top, unrealistic drama, no noisy annoying characters the audience was forced to deal with, and no misplaced or out of the way side plots.

This series is now one of my favorite Chinese series.

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I wanted to like it...

Production wise, it's ok.

Acting wise, it's not horrible. The actors, both leads and supporting, do an overall good job.

Story wise, it's alright. There are multiple storylines to follow (which can make it feel a little choppy sometimes).
1) My favourite storyline would probably be either Dr. Zhan and her father (if it's more developed going forward) or Xiong Fei and Luo Yuan (balancing getting to know each other and their own lives and aspirations).

2) My favourite character is Falcon (he's fun, caring and has depth as a character). A close second is Xiong Fei or Dr. Zhan's nurse friend (though we don't see much of her).

3) My least favourite character and storyline is Ding DingDing. Her introduction leaves a bad taste and I have not been able to warm up to her or Zhou Ming. Dr. Cai was also a torn in my side, but at least he was never (at least not yet) portrayed as a main or sympathetic character.

But the other storylines. characters and relationships feel flat. Even actors who have good chemistry together come off as kinda illogical or rushed. And that makes the show as a whole extremely underwhelming. For the first about the 10 episodes, I was watching the entire thing. But afterwards I found myself fast-forwarding alot.

Still not sure how I feel about Luo Ben. I think he's a good person, and there are definitely some great characteristics or traits there, but he feels almost… 2D. Predictable and kinda underwhelming-ly unchanging. The same could probably be said about Dr. Zhan. And maybe that's my greatest gripe with this drama, because I decided to watch it partly because of the director and partly because of Lou Yun Xi and Janice Wu,

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Don't Get Me Wrong, I loved It! But...

Don't get me wrong, I loved it! But... what the hell was that? The secret to enjoying this is to fast forward. Fast forward like you have never fast forward-ed before. There was a lot that was unnecessary to the heart of the story (so much so that I feel as if the drama would have been told far better in 20 episodes). And by skipping those scenes that try to humanize vain and useless characters, the story is tighter and far more enjoyable (hint: you'll know when to skip when you see them).
Without those scenes, there is much to enjoy; especially with the male and female main leads, and even with Chu Ting and Yi Ran.

My main problem with this: VERY SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD

My main problem with this isn't even the useless scenes that I had to skip (in order to protect my waning sanity). My problem is with the kumbaya-ness of the entire thing. The villains aren't punished. Like not even in the slightest. The petty ones are rationalized and then they get redemption arcs which probably would have been fine if the redemptions weren't being handed out left, right and centre. And then the actual criminals (the miraculous duo) are given slaps on the wrists and their premeditated crimes are pardoned, while the poor guy who was roped into the entire thing because he needed money (who's only actual crime was breaking and entering to get the poison out of ML's house) is never addressed. He was on the run for a crime he didn't commit and then arrested for the crime he didn't commit. Where is Li Yan's redemption and happy ending??

And let's not even go into how ridiculous the characters' motives are, or just how extreme they (looking at the male lead here) behave in so many circumstances. But once again, if we pretend the scenes we've skipped and the ridiculous motivations don't exist, there is so much fluff to enjoy. (We are also going to pretend that the last few minutes of the final episode does not exist. If you ask me, the drama ended at everyone walking into his comeback banquet with a voice over of ML and FL saying their I love yous.)

In the end, I'm satisfied (in fluffy chemistry we trust!) yet angry because I feel like I've been led by the nose to a beautiful mirage in the desert and now all I have to show for it is a mouth full of sand.

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