South Wind Knows (2023)

Watch it for the actors Not the plot it's a mess

I've waited for this drama for two years since I watched the many trailers of this drama two years ago and it spoiled almost the entire drama, I was so happy and anxious for its release and it kept being rumored to air every few months since then and never materialized
After Mysterious Lotus casebook drama and the Huge success it gained from the amazing acting skills Cheng Yi portrayed in it this drama was due to air and used that huge success of the main lead to its benefit
it's like YouKu Knew if this drama aired solely on its own Schedule it wouldn't get any ratings and would fail miserably
so It worked
Fans are very happy with Mysterious Lotus casebook and Cheng Yi's great success they became very eager to watch his next thing even though this drama was a rushed drama production after Stay with Me drama that had the same two main leads as a couple
the promotions weren't big nor there were any but leaked behind-the-scenes videos a lot of them before its release
We watched the drama with a lot of expectations but it kind of disappointed us as old fans from two years ago

The Plot

1-Very weak draggy and boring plot with a typical Angsty melodramatic story
2-Very annoying obnoxious characters who keep hurting the main couples for very poor reasons
3-Very Typical ending with a happy ending just because we need to wrap up things

The Actors

the main leads were amazing acting wise, Cheng Yi is truly the king of whump and hurt scenes
he can make you feel very sad and emotional every time he appears, he delivers his character beautifully and that's why I watched the drama just for his amazing angsty scenes and even the romantic ones were very touching
The chemistry between the leads was on point
the side characters were annoying most of the time but the actors did their jobs very good can't complain about the acting

The production

Very low production to the point of the actors using their own real-life clothes
Cheng Yi wore his actual real-life clothes in the drama and was shown many times recently wearing the same outfits in public
And some other low production quality from cinematography to sound to special effects

The overall feeling from this drama is that it's okay drama Not bad Not very good
Just okay
If you love the actors you will watch it and feel happy watching it no matter how poor the plot was

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Beautiful Love Overcoming it All

This series is a melodrama that delivers. The ML and FL were very good in the dynamic changes and challenges of their roles. Their chemistry was heartwarming and at times heartbreaking. However, the supporting cast was solid in conveying the storyline without things seeming forced. The emotional difficulties coming from traumas mental and physical was displayed quite brilliantly. There are parts where the storyline starts to drag a bit and feel repetitious. Yet, the ending received after all the ebb and flow of life tribulations and relational demands made it all worth it. This is a solid watch.

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Wonderful drama

This drama is really wonderful. You feel that you are in a roller coaster ride of emotions. I love the characters of ML and FL and also you will feel the love of both actors. As they are really in loved with each others. I really feel the sweetness of ML and FL. Their crying scenes especially Cheng Yi, when he cries you will truly feel his emotions and cried with him too. I really love Chinese Drama because there are always lessons that you can learn when watching. Like these one. If someone makes mistakes there are reasons why do people do those things. There is something that triggers them why they do that. You will understand them and forgive and move on. I highly recommend this drama. I watch these a couple of times already especially if there are no new episodes I binge watched them. I truly love this wonderful drama. Kudos to all the actors and actresses. ❤️

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Great Chemistry Between Leads

The main couple of this drama is one of the most natural and having great chemistry between them. They have a clear vision of their feeling and matured in their actions. All their interactions here are sweet and amazing to watch. You will fall in love with them.

As for the story plot. It is melodrama close to soup opera of rich family saga. Complicated older generation relationships and all the backstabbing, jealousy and selfishness. The ML and FL are entagle in the web of drama while being true to themselves.

I really recommend you all to watch this if you are okay with melodrama genre. Personally, I'm not into melodrama much but the main leads are enough to make me stay. And eventually leads me to liking the story as well. There are so much we can discuss, debate or comments.

I personally love all of the OST of this drama. They are beautiful.

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Scriptwriters and director ruined this drama despite good acting from ML.

South Wind Knows is the most anticipated modern drama of the past two years and is finally airing. It is watchable but nothing too exciting.

The first 10-12 episodes were interesting when they were in M Country, but things got boring and slow after they came back to Shanghai. The conflict between the cousins is too weak, and the 2nd CP's acting ability is so bad. They are both one-dimensional actors/actresses with no facial expressions despite their marital problems and when he betrayed his grandfather.

I invested my time, watched 35 episodes, and intend to finish it. However, I am disappointed with the scriptwriters for this drama, especially since it has been anticipated to be aired for a long time.

I gave it 7.0 initially, but I am downgrading it to 5.5 because I think Fu Yun Shen is a weak man. He can't stand up for himself and his love for Zhu Jiu. The overbearing mother is annoying and a bad mom. The actress who played her is good because she did a good job of making audiences hate her.

The last few episodes were so stupid that I am disappointed at wasting my time with this drama. I believe the director and scriptwriters should be fired from making this drama.

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Yunshen Injuries were too much!

I loved watching Cheng Yi in this drama but I think there was too many injury to him.
Yunshen first injury was in Country M where the FL & ML both fell. He recovered after a few days.
After he returned from Country M, he was in a major car incident that almost took his life,
involving his brother's mom but the cause of this was Yunshen's mom that lead the woman to
walk on the streets to create that accident but Yunshen did not hit her, it was the truck.
He got better overtime but he got beaten up just after he started walking again set up by his brother.
Next incident the FL got attacked by the little girl's dad but that caused another
injury to Yunshen. that took him back to the hospital. Then he left to go talk to the evil mom and she caused
the next incident his wound got worst and he had to be bed ridden even longer. The last incident was in
Country M where he got shot saving Zhu Jiu and that is the only time the FL was in the hospital as a patient.

I wanted to give this series a top score but it had too much incidents mainly to the ML.What is the purpose of all
these attacks to the main character of this story? The series should have tags "crime and death" added, because i
t is not just mystery, romance and melodrama. The FL had her family and work colleagues death to live through.
Her mom & dad were killed in Country M (flashbacks), her grandma, her 2 doctor friends died in Country M.
ML also had family deaths, his dad died by depression (flashbacks) his Grand dad died by heart issue,
his bother's mom got killed by accident, This was too much.

Another thing I noticed, the brother did not get punished for setting up an attack on his brother.
Yunshen's mom did not get punished for instigating the child's dad to attack the FL but Yunshen was
the one that got hurt. Both brother and mother should have got punishment with their accomplice.
The love story between the ML & FL was not very focused on romance, even though they fell in love but
we did not see them having a fun day out or a get away without any attacks.
The writer's had one kind of style is to create accident and attack scenes to the ML.
I suffered watching these injury scenes.

When it started I gave it 10/10 ratings but after the continuation of multiple incidents I gave it
8.5/10. I loved Cheng Yi acting overall. The Main characters & many supporting cast acted great too,
but the story plots could be better especially in Country M. I still recommend it to watch if you don't
mind the accidents and attack scenes.

I put up with watching this because of the ML Cheng Yi, as most of his dramas are historical and
it was a nice addition to see him in a series in this day and age but they should not focus so many injury
to the ML.

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Beautiful Love Story

The title "South Wind Knows" gives an indication that there will be twists and turns, ups and downs, happiness and sadness, intrigue and disinterest. The story seems all over the place without connecting the dots to some viewers. In my opinion, each facet of the story stems from the two lead characters. Though they may not be deemed to be as strong as the main storyline, each character in the Fu family has his own drama. There is nothing about SWK that lends to the idea of being boring. The main characters' story is a beautiful depiction of true love, trust, sacrifice, fear, acceptance, rejection, and love again. Even though it can be seen as unreal, viewers must remember that this drama is fiction; therefore, anything can take place. The typical overbearing mother should not be a surprise. The son who wishes to please his controlling parent is not surprising either. I give SWK a solid 10 because I accept it for what it is...a well-acted, complexly presented story of first love and the drama of a typical greedy rich family. The music is lovely and fitting for SWK.

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This is a very beautiful drama

Finally my wait is over. Ever since I saw the trailer of this drama, I was waiting for the release of this drama . Zhang Yu Xi is a very talented actress. Zhang Yu Xi is one of my favorite actresses. ❤Emotions are hidden in every moment of his acting. I have never seen a Cheng Yi drama before, but honestly his acting skills blew me away the first time I watched it.I really like their chemistry and the funny scenes were worth watching.I am literally so much excited for the next epsiode.let's see what happen to next!
Seeing the emotional scenes of this drama, you can't hold back the tears😥

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just enjoy the scenery, if only for a short while

I had to drop this show after Ep26. There are so many good shows to watch right now. This is not one of them. Watch it only if you want to see Cheng Yi and Zhang YuXi pose in designer clothes. I usually have hope that a show based on a novel should have a higher quality story but this drama likely didn't do it justice. It's my first time seeing Cheng Yi in a modern drama, but I'm afraid his talent couldn't fix this mess of a script. I started to believe his tears were real: not because of his character experiencing a life-altering event, but because he was stuck doing this show. Zhang YuXi has had better roles, but her talent is where it is.

Tropes fly off the shelf within the first 4 eps: bad 1st meeting, stuck together on assignment, suddenly falling in love while having a bandaid applied, staying up all night to nurse a fever. I wondered how will this show make it to 39 eps when the tropes run out. Our heroes do dangerous humanitarian work, braving guerilla militia without scuffing their shoes, while the poor villagers they serve act as props to line up smiling and waving gratefully as they leave. The scenery shots of the Southeast Asian water villages they visit are gorgeous. Wait, is this a travelog or a serious medical/war drama or a fashion show? I tried to just enjoy the scenery.

I've read mention that this show combines 2 novels. If so, it sure wastes a lot of time. An entire episode is spent on the leads trapped in a rock crevasse doing nothing more than just sitting there. The FL's traumatic past is revealed but it's treated like a side note. Sloppy editing abounds. The story gets a bit more interesting by Ep8 with post-trauma recovery, family succession struggles, love triangles and evil mothers in law. Many long shots of ML's angst without really telling us what's actually going on in his head. 39 eps should've been plenty to develop all the characters and their arcs but we just get long silent shots instead. So the only thing you can do is just enjoy the scenery.

Another thing that bothers me is how few actors are able to accurately portray medical/academic people. Not to mention the set details: a high end hospital's rehabilitation unit has no grab bars in the bathroom, zero wheelchair accessibility, and staff that let you fall down on your face repeatedly while taking you for a walk. But who needs details.

I'm at HSK-1/2 level Chinese and I could understand most of the dialogue, which tells you something about the level of writing. This meant seeing adults talk (and act) like 12 year olds, or older parents talking to their adult children as if they were 12. This is too much. Ep26 is as far as I'm going to make it on this drama, and it's already further than I wanted.

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here comes the spoiler

I hate to use this show as an example........but it is long in coming...

This could have been a good drama, I like the stars and was looking forward to it………..…but, the scrip writers did a horrible job…..the whole story is about how to screw one another….and….of course, it is always someone else’s fault. …….Now, Even the mothers are villains...they are atrocious, ruthless and conniving. They interfere ruthlessly and manipulate the lives of their children …bad mamas. I think this is where I lost my taste for this drama.

what is this story about? A textbook on how to be obnoxious in public and methods you can use to screw others?

It had been a while many dramas had been using the same blueprints….Slapping, beating is the immediate first reactions……either ruin that person's reputation by spreading the hateful rumors , or threaten harms to their loved ones ….......if all else failed, killing them is a good final solution……….

Is this the only approach writers know how to scripted the dramas these days? Is this how they set examples for us to behave in public? Ruthless, violent, brutal ways to bend and control others to get what you want.?..... Is the formula for success is to eliminate all those standing within your path?….........It is very sad and disappointing.

I will continue watching this drama because I like the actor and actress, not because it is a good drama…..I do not recommend nor do I advise not to watch. It is of personal taste and we all have our preferences………some might think it is wonderful for their own reasons….but, it is not my cup of tea.

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Melodrama of the Month Award winner

It was painstaking watching the main characters being tortured emotionally or physically for thirty-nine episodes. I am just relieved that it is over, and that the characters are out of sight, out of mind. Cheng Yi and Zhang Yu Xi kept the drama flowing, even when it dragged with the singing and evilness on screen. Cheng Yi is the official Melodrama King. Yunshen suffered physically and emotionally, and cried in two-thirds of the drama, Fu Yunshen would have lived a happy life with a different mother. Zhang Yu Xi is Main Lead Queen of the Month. Zhu Jiu put up with a lot of sh^& from Mother Jiang Shu Ning.

This should be labeled as a musical melodrama. The singing was extraneous, overt and repetitive. If the director wanted so much singing, he should have told the actors to sing these songs, instead of using phantom singers. Otherwise the BGM was very good.

It was no surprise that the two pathetic villains, Fu Xi Zhou and Jiang Shu Ning, had their redemption at the end. They were unscrupulous, vindictive, manipulative. They should have died instead of the nicer people, Grandpa, Dr Ji, Aunty Dr Addy, Grandma, Zhu Jiu's Mother and Father. I was cringing when Ruan Ruan and Xi Zhou reunited at the end, and had babies.

The singing diluted the emotion on screen. If they had trimmed the singing and some of the episodic content, it would have been very effective as a 30 episode drama.

Final rating: 8, with deductions for the singing and the pathetic villains and their evilness

This drama reminds me of the Kdramas with the drama plot and incessant singing and the song quality. In particular, Yunshen and Zhu Jiu reminded me of Winter Sonata's YuJin and Joon Sang, with their emotional torture and the manipulative mothers.

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Mothers in c-dramas have an extraordinary superpower - they always get away with "murder"

The only good thing about this drama is acting. Main couple has some really sweet moments together and if you are a fan of these actors you can enjoy their scenes.
Moral of this drama: do no evil, be kindhearted and you will get hurt, and if you survive, be happy with that. Do evil, be cruel and everything will be forgiven!

So:
- IF you love ML's mother to be evil, cruel, scheming, stepping over death bodies, mommy knows the best character - you will love this drama.
- IF you like when ML's mother is toxic and hates FL for no reason - this drama is for you.
- IF you like when ML is mommy's boy and has no problem when his mommy hurts FL, just because FL is with her son - you will enjoy this drama.
- IF you like when evil ML's mother isn't punished for her wrongdoings at all - this is drama for you.
- IF you like non of the evil characters to be punished - this is drama for you.
- IF you like when evil people who hurt others and do some really nasty staff get away with it and get happy ending - you will love love love this drama.
- IF you like to watch husband using and treating his wife like door mat and she stays with him - there you go, this is drama for you, you have second couple to enjoy this toxic trope.
- IF you are ok with death of nice characters - you will like this drama.
- IF you like when FL loses everything that she worked for her entire life and does not get really happy ending - you have this drama to put last episode on replay and enjoy her misery in settling with second best.
- IF you like a story that dragged out way more than it was needed - watch this drama.
- IF you like annoying loud music hurting your ears that gets so loud and takes over romantic or heartbreaking scenes - this drama is for you.
IF...

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