A wonderful two episode fantasy very short mini drama about a phone

This mini drama (about 12-13 minutes for each of the two episodes) is very refreshing and endearing.
The story revolves about the imaginary friend of a lonely little girl who will grow up and find the imaginary friend yielding to a real life one in the second episode, as it should be. But the phone, despite it needing to be updated periodically, may still accompany her faithfully even into the future. At the time, the Oppo brand was still not very well known, now it is.
It shows an optimistic and imaginative vision of a peaceful present and future, and showcases the use of a phone not only as a means of communication, but also as a treasured possession at the service of its owner, almost like a full friend in the flesh.
The bleating of the alarm is a tongue-in-cheek play on Yang Yang's acquired nickname "mie mie" and his Chinese zodiac star sign as a Sheep. The actor's youthful, slightly clownish or android like appearance and act complement the liveliness of the little girl who is the other main character.
The two episodes are easy to find on YouTube, using the keywords "[Eng subs] Yang Yang @ phone mini drama - part 1 of 2"
It is well worth the half hour watching, for every public, not only the die hard "yangmao" fans.

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Yang Yang as e-sports gaming idol

Perfect e-sports drama conveying the feeling of playing with a new e-sports gaming team starting from almost scratch.
Yang Yang playing veteran gamer Ye Xiu and his team, friends and foes are excellent. Friendship and dedication, dishonest competitors who try every underhanded ploy to destruct the sapling guild XingXin, and upright opponents that stay frends outside the game, but no romance, no kissing.
This adaptation makes me want to perhaps also read the webnovel it is based upon. (There is a donghua about the story too, but I have not checked it out yet).
Production includes excellent game animation which illustrate the Glory gamers' view that "Glory is their world", even if staying with it could be short-lived.
The music is addictive, although the OST only has four songs.
Worth rewarching.

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Nice Republican era /Warlord period drama

I actually enjoyed that one despite the aseptized, blurred & heavily romanced Republican era / Warlords period background (none true to real History).
ML "Oliver" Chen XingXu played Shanghai Commander Tan XuanLin here and before that, Yang Kang in the 2017 best (to me) adaptation of Legend of the Condor Heroes. And young Zhang JingYi was a good FL.
The supporting team of "junior marshalls", cheeky sister and wide eyed actress were sometimes cartoon like, sometimes annoying. The villain war lords and their henchmen were suitably vicious and ugly.
Nevertheless, this drama had a surprisingly good plot with a not too heavy dose of sugar. Lots of twists & suspense.
Nice music, although I did not find it exceptional.
I don't plan to rewatch soon, but don't exclude watching some episodes again.
Small spoiler next - so don't read on if you have not watched the first episode.
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Have no fear, our hero Tan Xuanlin was bound to walk almost unscathed through so many dangers because of the magic amulet his girl Miss Mu gave him once she began to sense that her kidnapper was not going to kill her (like he ruthlessly did in the case of a female spy in the beginning) ?! Though everybody did not reach the end episode safely.

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Supercalifragilisticexpiaidocious! (aka Delightful)

This drama will awaken childhood memories of tastes, fragrances and warmth, against the harsh and judgemental world that want to impose claims of “better taste”, “better behavior”, “better this and that” and bring down those who thrive, hidden, in simple joys. The protagonists all have problems, some rather serious, but many have or will find ways to cope and better, to thrive and find like minded support and budding love. But anger management or handicap are only one leaf of what indeed, first, is a delightfully sweet love story bouquet.

A rose given in the depth of despair and a half-mistaken kiss turn out to be the seed of a sweet story, where a shy young pastry chef, helped by a young Cupid-like godson, picks up a wilting (wall)flower in whom he found inspiration for his latest creations. Dessert-making elevated to an art is buoyed by the beautiful writing of the young food blogger: this is a celebration of the value of good food-blogging as well as that of the sweet tooth, which can also be an antidote for mild depression or anxiety. Taking care and assuming responsibility for a sweet, uncomplicated child who derives joy from simple water splashing and shoving his temporary guardians’ heads together for a picture, is another source of warm feelings. The story is simple, despite the half-hidden frailties that each character, main or secondary, expose to the other. Parents may worry and fight but will evolve to a more accepting mindset. The help from family is a strong pillar to lean upon. The story emphasizes loyalty, open-mindedness and the will to help those near and dear who are still not strong enough to resist alone when they brush with “how cold the world is”. On the surface, the story is as light-hearted as seawater spray drifting up as vapor into fluffy white clouds in the cerulean skies over the boundless waters. If one wants to dig further, this drama has roots going as deep as the murky cold waters that somehow also can provide joy for divers who respect its many hidden forms and colors. Although the story doesn’t take us further than the seaside, we'll accept and believe that shameless human sharks won’t win, faced with the overpowering force of sincerity. The drama upholds such positive values. Moments of doubts will subside like vapor after downpours, before the expected happy ending, illustrating what glues friends and a family together.

Particularly good acting from the cute 6-year old child actor, Lennon Sun (Sun Si Cheng 孙思程) playing RuiRui. This is his second appearance since his debut last year in favorably received “Unforgettable Love”.
Blinding smiles from the sunny, petite, barely 24-year-old Jin Zi Suan (金子璇) in the role of food blogger Jiang Si Han. This is her third appearance in dramas, maybe we shall see more of her in the future.
Delicate acting from 27-year-old Zhou Jun Wei (周峻纬) who apart from his career in supporting roles since 2018 Put Your Head on My Shoulder, is also a singer: he sings the theme song “Run To You”. In 2018, he joined the number of actors who bravely revealed their married status (like Timmy Xu Wenzhou, Allen Ren Jialun..) while continuing to act in romantic roles, this time in his first ML one, as dessert-maker Cheng Mu. We shall expect him again as ML in upcoming Story of Kunning Palace.
There is another, more drama-conventional CP with 27-year-old Xu Ke Er (徐棵二) as Cheng Mu’s elder sister and protector agency director, and 23-year -old singer and actor Brian Chang Bin (常斌) who aptly plays the role of a minor celebrity who already has earned enough wealth to realize his dreams. They demonstrate enough chemistry to satisfy those who would not be moved by the softness of the leads.
The rest of the cast is more like icing sugar sprinkled on the dessert, with love-seeking and good-looking young characters who reminded me of the mermaid princes in the short drama:” I don’t want to fall in love with human”. Indeed, idol-training “De De”/ Chen Jian Yu (陈建宇) as Jian Yi Hang also played as ML in that short drama.

The OST songs are very pleasant to listen to. There is even an ear-worm one, with all-English “Run To You” (“Take my hand, I know how cold the world is…”) sung by soft-voiced Zhou Jun Wei (also ML).

Overall, this drama was a relaxing pause from more stressful or over-long ones.
I always liked desserts like the ones they show. ... Suddenly finding myself craving for a passion-fruit mousse topped with slices of fresh figs and mint leaves and a drawn-on design of auspicious characters in dark and white chocolate... Or simply a slice of seasonal pumpkin pie with pecan nuts + a cup of ginger tea to stave off the sniffles due to the unseasonable lukewarm and windy weather. I'll take myself to get served by the friendly staff with mild mental and cognitive disabilities in the inclusive Happy Café on the main avenue of the city where I am currently based (this idea has also spread to China). :-)

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Cinderella/Mary Sue, but watchable business romance to watch Chengdu

This drama, despite its annoying Mary Sue trope, was enjoyable, especially the light-hearted part until it got "serious" between Lou Yuan and Dong DongEn, and the antagonists appeared, first the reluctant "cousin" of the malicious business competitor Su Qi, who is the instrument of the crisis in the four last episodes, and next the jealous "childhood neighbor" who is the cause of much grief. We knew of course, as soon as she appeared, stalking into the company on her high heels, that she was up to no good, so we were concerned as audience about En's naiveté to work with her... The cousin was also a case where En was too trustful, but she couldn't see what we saw of her link to Su Qi, and she did own up to her misdeed when the crisis broke for the 82 company she was a part of.

But that gives a balance to the light hearted part, introducing more serious concerns about how ordinary people still might be targeted by cyberbullying, the dangers it brings and how to react. Interesting also to see that perhaps offices ought to be routinely security checked for spying devices, that many can buy easily and conceal, also in homes! My surprise was that we almost saw no police involvement, except in the field where En was assaulted by club wielding thugs (even then, the mere mention of them and sound of police car alarm was enough to send the thugs packing). There are some very lawfully reprehensible acts in these last episodes, so, shall we see all these rotten turtle eggs get slapped with sentences? To be continued...

About cast and crew, I looked into the Baidu page to check about dubbing, but no voice actor is listed for any in the cast, despite there is a mention of dubbing directors (Li Jiasi, Yu Mengci) ; this could indicate that actors and actresses dubbed themselves, as is more and more the case. A commenter noted an unusual accent for one of the members of 82 company. I rather liked Xu Lu even when she was using the coaxing voice in the beginning.

Where and when was this filmed : Baidu informed that it started shooting on October 20, 2021, and was completed January 5, 2022. I will add that this was in Chengdu, as many stills in the drama show, and the episode 17 stroll in the old quarter there. I had received a small Mid autumn festival greeting in the form of a short video of the drones show celebration there on Sept.29 evening, and I appended a small GIF of it to the songs (OST and Hero song) pinned with links to listen in the Discussion section (above Comments). You will recognize the twin towers that often appear over the crossroad views in the drama. Enjoy!

Now for the review with minor spoilers of the end episodes and my thoughts about what the drama aimed at.

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In my opinion, the end episodes were logical. They show how the need for revenge by calling for the police can sometimes be detrimental to reputation and happiness. So, sometimes, without letting go like in just naive forgiveness, it is indeed better to turn former enemies into allies if not real friends. We knew the "cousin" betrayer had qualms, and now that she had seen the light and regretted, she would be a wholehearted addition to the team, especially after the « test » prepared for her by 82.

Su Qi was a scorpion who lost his stinger, so he couldn’t do damage but indeed help trap the real puppetmaster; Lou Yuan was astute in realizing that the tables could be turned against that shadow figure. Su Qi’s plans to convert through launching a new, cleaner business, was in line with the idea that wrongdoers must, if possible, reform through useful work. It would not have been better if he ended up in prison. He knew his faults and as the scorpion who lost his stinger, would now work as an ordinary dung carrying beetle, useful for gardens, Voluntarily better than fruitless coerced punishment.

The annoying "other woman" leech chose to expatriate: good riddance. In ancient times, that was how some condemned officials were treated : exile to distant countries. She acts like she has other prospects, but we know how much of a liar and a braggart she was. Marry someone else in another country ? How? Online dating? Good luck for her. I think she only said that to piss off her mom, who was appalled at the shamelessness of that offspring. That old biddy had abetted her daughter's schemes, but probably not realized how stupid it was, since in the end, it meant she was punished too through the loss of her old friendship with Lou mom and perhaps even her own subservient position in the company too.

The actress friend of DongEn had already realized that she couldn't go on with her guy : it was reasonable for them to break off early after they knew they were really physically incompatible, even though they liked each other. Mutual agreement divorce can be a solution to keep good opinions about each other when the way ahead is blocked.

The solving of the cyberharassment case contributed to the return of young Han, with his father realizing that the investment could be good for his company and train his son in another way to, in distant future if the old man could stay at the helm long enough, inherit Han group, with 82 as a de facto (but nominally independent) subsidiary. Like Taiwan to China perhaps ?

I was less taken by the endless lovey dovey Cinderella and Mary Sue tropes, and expectation of weddings etc. But the romance was aware of these pitfalls and aimed at adult and reasonable: the gap in social position and earnings was indeed a concern that the two had to find a way to circumvent. I am satisfied that Lou Yuan was true to his pledge to face the difficulties with his chosen soulmate, Miles Wei and Xu Lu were an unlikely pair, but they pulled off their role adequately, if not overwhelmingly oozing with sugar syrup. The renewed proposal was, by the exchange it staged, witnessed by "found family" rather in line with the expected marriage.
The old lady Lou and her laughters provided much light-heartedness, so even if she appeared as a blundering, even though well-meaning, elder past her edge, she added the necessary sauce at times. We could have expected another match with her former sweet love, but the story is enough as it stands. The ending did not feel rushed: it was only logical and fitting the last twists.

So were any wrongdoers dragged to prison? Yes, and it was on the televised news that old Mrs Lou was so happy to watch. A slew of bad citizens got caught : the rotten competitor, and the cyberbullying ringmaster. It solved the defamation case of the Lou's products, while emphasizing the importance that the Chinese now put on food products quality control. Frozen meat can indeed be as toxic as milk laced with melamine, and the authorities are not going to let go of crimes of that sort. That does not mean the other crimes and wrongdoings would not be punished if they were brought clearly to justice attention (several actors and actresses have won cases against their cyberbullies or stalkers). But when the wrongdoers agree to punish themselves and reform, it saves time and resources for authorities, so pragmatically, this is better. Chinese dramas have an explicit agenda to further a public conception of "morality" and set a compass for solving problems through voluntary reform action and-self criticism (not necessarily broadcasting a public apology nor groveling like the mole did, which Lou Yuan rightfully realized was not natural, but could be further attempt at entrapment).

As for personal and sentimental interaction, they mostly stay quite conventional. Couples have to get committed and marry on sound basis of values that can be estimated by price (house, car, salary, jewelry...) and there is indeed an expectation that if the social status is different, the difference in balance should be compensated somehow : either through education, or through successful position in a company or line of work. Cinderella stories are therefore not realistic. This one was teetering between full fairy tale and down to earth depiction. Not totally successful perhaps.

I was more interested in the business parts promised by the title, although the « service angle » was a bit clumsily depicted. Watching it from the point of view of an illustration of what were the underlying values, and the indirect demonstration that individual worth cannot be separated from societal one. It is another concept of civilization that is the backbone of such stories, which are in line with "capitalism with socialist characteristics" : the policy which has helped the country navigate the U turn from poverty to increasing comfort, making it into a global powerhouse, world player in the emergent BRICS. China has over a few decades become a place to build ever higher and ambitious buildings (as we see from the Chengdu cityscapes glimpsed now and then, and the layout of offices and homes; the products placement were less obvious, probably built in pauses on public television) . Building ever higher dreams, not giving up in case of business wars. It was also a topic that was present in the news at the time of filming.

We can see how this illustrates in some way what was on their mind : the reaction of Chinese citizens and Huawei company to the return of Ms Meng to China as a hero in December 2021, after having been slandered and bullied into house arrest in a country she thought was friendly, and the subsequent turn to domestic resources to rebuild Huawei as again a leader in its group, surprising all those who thought that company dead. This is the Hero song's real meaning: it can translate into a lot, and is the symbol of the "Hao Han" in every business domain now, striving for excellence and justice without relying on Court's orders first, but striving also to stay in line with the country's goals.

Hello, I am At Your Service is an Ok business & romance C-drama in my opinion, although many things in the story could be foreseen too easily. So, it is not a masterpiece but, quite watchable. Many spoilers were given in comments, and the clues and previews were probably too revealing to properly keep the suspense elements intact. I watched it disregarding the comments section until I had watched it all, in 3 sittings. The light-hearted first half part was often fun, while the more serious one after the couple formed and problems cropped up, was mixing the expected hope, disappointment, disgust and despair, on the background of the commercial war that had some mildly thrilling twists.

Because of those, I'd rate the drama as for general public over 14, but more for mature audience that isn't looking for just another love story first. Of course, it will appeal to those who like Miles Wei and/or Xu Lu, despite it is not their best drama.

There are a few sweet songs (links in Discussion), and the one Hero song (original by Liu Han for a 1998 drama version of “The Water Margin” epic classic) which got a fun twist in the end episode, in line with the way songs can be used in such setting.

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