2
10
2
Sugar Crown
no damsel - only distress
This review may contain spoilers
Nostalgia! - The Disney Channel fairy must have visited the creators of this drama.
"Eight Hours" can only be described as a Disney channel type romcom with a sci fi theme, if you know what I mean.
Given that it's set in 2029 and involves VR, there was a lot of potential but it was kept extremely light and it's target audience seems to be 10-15 year olds.
From production, set, script, acting, character design and build up, missions, etc. it reminded a lot of those types of shows back in the day on the Disney Channel or Nickelodeon, where characters are already fully fleshed out by the beginning of the drama and don't really have any major development in terms of skill or character.
Another indicator of that was that the villain had the iconic grey colored hair strands that any good Disney villain has.
The emphasis on "eight hours" in both chinese and english title is a mystery until today because the only important time mentioned in the drama is "24hrs", because that is the maximum amount of time you can be online in Pangu (the VR game world)... don't know where they got those 8 hours from.
REVIEW:
In order to get into the real part of the story you have to stick around for about 3 episodes because the first one is a bit all over the place, making it seem like it's a futuristic business drama but the Pangu scenes are mission based and where most of the rom-com part takes place. Both leads are very confident people, that are high up in the social ladder, so no need to worry about them being bullied. It's mainly the side characters that bully each other, lol.
The hairstyles are kinda funny, I guess they wanted to predict 2029 style? But I'm glad the FL changed her style a couple times.
There a few moments where suddenly characters have an idea that could have saved them 4 episodes ago, but everything has to happen according to script, so if that is something that bothers you, this drama might not be for you.
I didn't know any of the actors before but nobody stood out negatively so that's a plus. I found that the FL is actually quite the good actress, especially because she isn't whiny.
As I already mentioned the drama is quite light and maybe a bit superficial, so any side characters (expect for SML) don't have a conclusive story or backstory, not the the point where it would bother me, but it was obvious that this was the story of the two leads and everyone else was just there to give them something to work for.
THE ROMANCE & LEADS:
There is not really romantic chemistry, but they do make it work though since their acting abilities are good and they look good. It's Female chases Male first for a while but they are somewhat equal, it just might not seem like that in the beginning.
In terms of kisses, there are plenty but no passionate ones. For the most part, they are barely touching lips, repeatedly (no fish kisses tho)
However I did really like the scenes with the moon, where he literally dragged down the moon for her + when they were drinking together and doing missions. By the end of the drama they are a true power couple and one thing I really appreciated about the drama was that it was never strong ml, weak fl. Also the FL was quite level headed once you got over the first few episodes and didn't let anyone intimate her.
THE GAME / VR:
In contrast to other game themed dramas, this VR looks more like a historical drama and the outfits are not CGI for most part. But they did spend some money on CGI animals and the wolf was actually quite good. The fact that you can die multiple times in the games was kinda funny because it lifted the mood and made the drama less intense.
Also a little PSA, the game they play in the first episode never appears again so don't worry if you don't like dramas like "Falling Into Your Smile", the VR game in this drama is more like the mortal realm of xianxia dramas.
THE VILLAIN(S) & STORYLINE, ENDING (major spoiler alarm!)
I don't want to spoil too much but the last episode created a better villain than the rest of the drama. The comical Disney villain mentioned above is dealt with but the other one has more to do with the VR game and NPC. I actually liked that it was something that happened unbeknownst to everyone for a long time and was kind of faceless(?). Not everyone has to have a motive and be weary of what you create. AI can be quite scary BUT it wouldn't be a light cdrama if it didn't end happily. So if you want a happy ending for the main couple you are safe to watch this.
--------------------------------------
One thing I won't forget about the drama is the catchphrase of ML & FL (which they pointed out was a catchphrase):
"Why are you so weak? Do you have calcium deficiency?"
All in all: I did waste time watching this drama however it won't end up on my "Regret List" because I did seek it out and wanted to watch it, I knew beforehand that it had low ratings and since nothing major happened that I hated it wasn't a disappointment.
Whoever wants to try this drama I highly suggest watching the intro (not the trailer) song/video because that will give you a good feel for what your about to watch. High energy, fun but made for kids, lol.
Given that it's set in 2029 and involves VR, there was a lot of potential but it was kept extremely light and it's target audience seems to be 10-15 year olds.
From production, set, script, acting, character design and build up, missions, etc. it reminded a lot of those types of shows back in the day on the Disney Channel or Nickelodeon, where characters are already fully fleshed out by the beginning of the drama and don't really have any major development in terms of skill or character.
Another indicator of that was that the villain had the iconic grey colored hair strands that any good Disney villain has.
The emphasis on "eight hours" in both chinese and english title is a mystery until today because the only important time mentioned in the drama is "24hrs", because that is the maximum amount of time you can be online in Pangu (the VR game world)... don't know where they got those 8 hours from.
REVIEW:
In order to get into the real part of the story you have to stick around for about 3 episodes because the first one is a bit all over the place, making it seem like it's a futuristic business drama but the Pangu scenes are mission based and where most of the rom-com part takes place. Both leads are very confident people, that are high up in the social ladder, so no need to worry about them being bullied. It's mainly the side characters that bully each other, lol.
The hairstyles are kinda funny, I guess they wanted to predict 2029 style? But I'm glad the FL changed her style a couple times.
There a few moments where suddenly characters have an idea that could have saved them 4 episodes ago, but everything has to happen according to script, so if that is something that bothers you, this drama might not be for you.
I didn't know any of the actors before but nobody stood out negatively so that's a plus. I found that the FL is actually quite the good actress, especially because she isn't whiny.
As I already mentioned the drama is quite light and maybe a bit superficial, so any side characters (expect for SML) don't have a conclusive story or backstory, not the the point where it would bother me, but it was obvious that this was the story of the two leads and everyone else was just there to give them something to work for.
THE ROMANCE & LEADS:
There is not really romantic chemistry, but they do make it work though since their acting abilities are good and they look good. It's Female chases Male first for a while but they are somewhat equal, it just might not seem like that in the beginning.
In terms of kisses, there are plenty but no passionate ones. For the most part, they are barely touching lips, repeatedly (no fish kisses tho)
However I did really like the scenes with the moon, where he literally dragged down the moon for her + when they were drinking together and doing missions. By the end of the drama they are a true power couple and one thing I really appreciated about the drama was that it was never strong ml, weak fl. Also the FL was quite level headed once you got over the first few episodes and didn't let anyone intimate her.
THE GAME / VR:
In contrast to other game themed dramas, this VR looks more like a historical drama and the outfits are not CGI for most part. But they did spend some money on CGI animals and the wolf was actually quite good. The fact that you can die multiple times in the games was kinda funny because it lifted the mood and made the drama less intense.
Also a little PSA, the game they play in the first episode never appears again so don't worry if you don't like dramas like "Falling Into Your Smile", the VR game in this drama is more like the mortal realm of xianxia dramas.
THE VILLAIN(S) & STORYLINE, ENDING (major spoiler alarm!)
I don't want to spoil too much but the last episode created a better villain than the rest of the drama. The comical Disney villain mentioned above is dealt with but the other one has more to do with the VR game and NPC. I actually liked that it was something that happened unbeknownst to everyone for a long time and was kind of faceless(?). Not everyone has to have a motive and be weary of what you create. AI can be quite scary BUT it wouldn't be a light cdrama if it didn't end happily. So if you want a happy ending for the main couple you are safe to watch this.
--------------------------------------
One thing I won't forget about the drama is the catchphrase of ML & FL (which they pointed out was a catchphrase):
"Why are you so weak? Do you have calcium deficiency?"
All in all: I did waste time watching this drama however it won't end up on my "Regret List" because I did seek it out and wanted to watch it, I knew beforehand that it had low ratings and since nothing major happened that I hated it wasn't a disappointment.
Whoever wants to try this drama I highly suggest watching the intro (not the trailer) song/video because that will give you a good feel for what your about to watch. High energy, fun but made for kids, lol.
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