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Sort of underwhelming overall!
To be honest, I hasn't watch such a down to earth kind of romance drama in quite a while and I must say content wise it's definitely done well and really good casting choice!So to start off, I would like to commend on Wallace Chung and Li Xiao Ran for their great chemistry! They didn't had any problems showing all the complicated emotions their characters had and I'm really thankful that all the side characters are not just tools in this drama. Just that Wallace Chung really should practice a little bit more on his Mandarin accent, every time he had to deliver long lines I was literally laughing instead of into his emotions but I'm super glad that he tried even though he knows it's not perfect. Even Morni Chang who acted as Nie Dong Yuan carried his role really well to the point that made me felt so annoyed like some super stubborn/self-entitled elderlies that we meet in real life!
And to comment on who suffered more in the relationship, I actually feel both of them had suffered equally the same. A lot of viewers sympathized that Tan Jing as a woman suffered more as she repay all the debts on her own and take care of her sickly child but if we look at both their situation, Nie Yu Sheng also couldn't live a proper live as well. He was entirely on his own when he fell into depression, it was a huge mental breakdown which is a really dangerous issue for anyone who suffers them in real situation.
For what I really hate about this drama is the "hypocrisy" and how two-face the head doctor is. In one of the episodes, Sun Zhi Jun got into a fight with Nie Yu Sheng at the hospital due to doubts of the new medical treatment and the matter escalated to their head. Out of fit, the head just suddenly called off the surgery that the son needed desperately... Though the head made it sounded like he cancel it to protect his doctor and to punish the parents but in fact, he had no care if he was jeopardizing the son's live who was the actual patient! On the other hand when Nie Dong Yuan found out that Sun Ping is his real grandson, the head doctor here acted as though he is very concerned for the grandson when he was the one who took away the opportunity to have the surgery done way earlier!
And another thing is as the drama progressed halfway, it became quite a drag mainly due to the slow fight between Nie Dong Yuan and Tan Jing and distrust between the leads...
But overall, it's definitely one of the better dramas released in recent years when we are all flooded with shitty "romance dramas!
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TOTAL LOVE
This drama had a strange attraction for me. First, it analyzed what love is, how love is destroyed, how love can be renewed, and how love is used to manipulate. It also has one very distinguishing factor - the best acting that is emotionally moving by all of the characters throughout the drama. Although the storyline is familiar and actually more of a Korean-type drama even including the "white truck of death", "amnesia", "birth secrets" and "revenge" you are immersed in the journey that all of the characters take to reach the conclusion of this masterpiece. Each episode was addictive and the only flaw I could find was the need to move the "revenge" aspect along faster to stay within 30 episodes. The acting brought out many tears of consequential collateral damage - break-ups, death of loved ones, and emotional breakdowns. The music was really a consolation prize until someone on the set decided to start banging on the piano like a speakeasy when dealing with serious corporate decisions. The only part I did not like. Otherwise, the OST was so appropriate throughout and set the mood for each scene. I feel that this is a "mature" drama that can draw on the viewers' personal experiences of fighting for a well-deserved total love. What is taught is "total love" that can be achieved even in the most challenging environment or circumstances. Worth watching and totally a rewatch just to watch Wallace Chung.Was this review helpful to you?
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A strangely engrossing tale let down by the ending
After a spate of all "chemistry" and no plot C dramas I stumbled upon this one and was very pleasantly surprised. The synopsis was unappealing, but I gave it a go and was hooked from the first episode.It's an excellent mature, romantic tale with a good dose of melodrama thrown in. The pace is slow and the acting understated yet compelling. Both leads perform well oozing a gentle pathos that draws you into the tale. The supporting cast all did well with no one letting the side down.
I skipped very little of the first 15 or so episodes and stuck with it pretty well up till the mid-twenties where it veers off into a different tale entirely, one which interested me only slightly. Which was a shame as, if woven correctly into the story from the start, it could still have held interest.
On the whole though, a great watch; not fluffy and saccharine but still sweet. Maybe one for a more mature audience.
The music wasn't bad.
Worth a watch.
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Tearjerker melodrama
Sometimes I am a sucker for melodramas, especially those involving critical illness, because the drama can play your emotions and make you cry your heart out. Of course with one caveat, clever writing (not those with cheesy lines and cheap characters) and great actors. This is one of those dramas. It is packaged nicely, great actings, good OST (the opening theme song has a nice and touching lyrics) and great storytelling. The drama moves from the present to the past where we get to see the early relationships of Tan Jing and Nie Yu Sheng, since their puppy love times. And this provides a good background story. The back and forth between past and present were done seamlessly, you don't feel it disrupts the story at all and almost works as one piece. This is a drama of love that stands the test of time, as well as family and betrayals. I thought all the main actors and actresses played their part well. Of course this is not an idol romance drama, so you get to see actings from a more mature and experience actors and actresses. I really enjoyed this drama from start to finish and would definitely recommend it if you like melodramas.Was this review helpful to you?
Extraordinary! Amazing story and cast
There's very little stupidity in this movie. Get that out of the way first.Very realistic emotions and great drama and story reveal. Fantastic ML and FL with amazing performances by support as well.
What I love most is probably the leads. Just amazing chemistry and nostalgia. If you like old love discovering each other after years have passed... or just amazing story, then check this out.
There's no stupid or silly characters or sidekicks. It's just great drama done well. Again, very little stupidity.
Probably one of the best dramas I have seen in last few years.
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its show reality .. but don't judge easily
i really like this drama its show the reality of today society . its not like that after breakup FL become rich and take revenge . I like this series bcz its show that people not want money they have sometimes u have to take decision that u don't wan t o take .just like FL she love so much ML but due to her father death and loan so on..... .. she has to take that decision ..
just like SML he is bad but try to understand him ..
life is not fairytale and this shoe try to show that reality ...
i just feel bad for FL husband ...
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Gem of a drama
Let me just start by saying that this is one of the few dramas that I have watched without missing a scene. The acting was phenomenally done. So real. And I'm not just talking about the leads. All the characters were so real, not overdone like other dramas. So much chemistry between the main couple. Wallace Chung is such a good actor and his character NYS the same. At the start of series he is shown as tired, gaunt doctor who is a caricature of his old self. He has lots of angst for the FL and shows this occasionally. He has acted superb in these scenes. TJ is acted perfectly by Li Xiao Ran, as cold, mature lady who is not to be bothered by circumstances and continues forward. Sometimes she is frustratingly cold to NYS but if you understand her past them you this is justified.Special mention to NYS's father. He is authoritative rich guy who is facing ill health. he comes across the bad guy through out the series but somehow grows on your towards the end. His interaction with his grandson ping ping *Super cute* is a delight to watch. Also SFT, second lead in the story, he is shown as warm, calculative person who has hidden motives. He sacrifices everything for his aim and succeeds, but the few scenes in the last episodes has deftly shown the next. Its quite satisfying to watch his part.
Such a beautiful love story and satisfying ending *sigh*. I was anticipating a dramatic ending but they stayed true to the tone and did not make it over the top. And thank god for that as it makes perfect sense to all the characters and their story.
Overall I definitely recommend this drama, you will not regret it.
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A glance of reality....
Story: Everything was good from start to finish, never a dull moment.Characters: I really enjoyed watching FL and ML, and their interactions within each other and other side characters.
FL: She is a loving and devoted mother to her sick son.
ML: He loves FL very much from his childhood to the present. His love for her is like true love, he can love no one else.
Mr. Sheng and Shu Qin: The side couple here is interesting to watch. Shu Qin is a strong, confident, and kind woman. While Mr.Sheng is ambitious, strong, and decisive. They have good chemistry and I like watching their scenes.
ML's father: He is a strong and thick-headed old man. In the end, he redeems himself with his love for his grandson and backing down.
Mr. I Show Up when I'm Needed aka FL's guy friend: His character was frustrating to watch because he is like a delinquent. He causes trouble and doesn't have much going on. Towards the end, I see why he did the things that he does, and after all, he just wants an explanation for his injury. I wish they didn't kill him at the end :(.
It was a happy ending, an amazing plot that display human life and interactions. As humans, there are always ups and downs, and sometimes we all have to choose our battles, we win some and we lose some.
Side note: Just found out that this author is the same who wrote Goodbye My Princess and Siege in Fog. So go watch it if you are a fan of her previous works :).
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Surprisingly Gentle ML
Nie Yu Sheng was an enigma here, while he may come off as a green flag for the most of the show, in the first few episodes he tried his best to hurt the FL knowing she was struggling to collect money for her child. Usually with stories' where the MLs find out that their past lover kept a child from them, they rave and rant about it. Yu Sheng, however, accepted it without holding any grudges.The worst thing Tan Jing did was to keep it from him, the child would have lived a much better life had they sorted out their differences in the beginning.
Maybe the wouldn't have ended up together but the child would have had all medical attention he needed. As a mother, it was her responsibility at the time to find the best path for her child, but she was blinded by her father's accident and could only think how Mr Nie was culpable. She made the wrong choice, does she deserve to be hated for it? I don't think so. If she had so much pride she wouldn't have begged others for the money.
While I feel sad for is Sun Zhi Jun [Tan Jing's husband], he often wasn't there for his child, always falling for schemes and not being stable enough. He brought so much trouble for their family when he should have been a rock holding them together. He wasn't really a bad person just not stable enough.
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Beautiful drama, touching, moving, but with a rather dark tone.
The story is great structured and consistent.We gradually discover the story of this single mother who raises her sick son with so much difficulty.
Over the course of medical consultations, she meets again her ex-boyfriend, who has become a cardiac surgeon, dumped 7 years earlier. This complex character Dr. Nie is beautifully played by Wallace Chung.
We must also emphasize the talent of all the actors in this series. All are emotionnaly convincing ! They embody superbly, without excess or useless chatter, characters whose past, traumas and goals we discover little by little.
The actor who plays the young PingPing is also extraordinary in accuracy and sensitivity. I can only assume that if he continues down this path, he will have a great career.
The execution is excellent. Some scenes, especially the painful scenes, last a long time. We could consider that these are lengthy, but this timing is undoubtedly necessary so that the spectator understands the state of mind of the characters and their evolution. The puzzle pieces are put into place with precision and the clues guide the viewer to legitimate conclusions with context.
I have a more mixed assessment on the OSTs (sometimes jazz, but a lot of classical pieces) whose atmosphere does not always match the emotions conveyed.
In conclusion, this is not a feel-good or entertaining series.
But it is a high quality drama that will remain in your memories for a long time.
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Most touching well acted Chinese drama I have ever seen
Extremely underrated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!This drama’s impact reminds me of what I felt reading Pride and Prejudice or the Notebook where against all odds true love reigns supreme.
Solid acting, realistic portrayal of the pain of a love that can never be, sacrifices women make for love despite the struggle and hardship. It shows also the goodness of people such as her “husband”.
The redemption arc was very well scripted. Wallace’s acting was superb you can really feel the wrenching of his heart and in Xiaoran Li’s elegantly restrained demeanour was so beautiful and was key in delivering the perfect chemistry and longing for love in this drama.
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