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Jina

United States

Jina

United States
Provoke chinese drama review
Completed
Provoke
1 people found this review helpful
by Jina
Jun 5, 2023
25 of 25 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 8.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 8.5

Solid story, acting, cinematography. More PG-rated than the poster indicates

From the director of other strong short dramas "A Familiar Stranger" and "The Killer is Also Romantic," here's another story that delivers incredible visual storytelling with the plot.

It is 20th century Shanghai, meaning this the Chinese Republican era, which is a transition period after the end of the monarchy but before the Cultural Revolution (so around 1910s-1940s). During this time is full of warlords fighting over territories and also the major issue of opium destroying a lot of people. This is the historical setting of the fictional story.

Jiang Ying is a local singer at a club who attempts to get close to Du Jingchuan for revenge. In her way is Jingchuan's son Du Xunyu, who is suspicious of her motives. However, Jiang Ying knows his secret: that the real Du Xunyu is already dead. So who is this man pretending to be Jingchuan's son and what is his end goal? Their entanglement unfolds...

The actors did an incredible job and the two leads have amazing chemistry. I've seen Zhao YiQin in older dramas that I didn't care too much for (I think he doesn't look that good in historical dramas) but he looks incredible here. Daisy Li is also the perfect female lead for this role, to be cunning but also able to play an innocent type. Overall, the whole cast did a great job.

The chemistry is sizzling, but it's definitely more tame than I hoped. Rather than going straight to sex and lust, there is a deep bond between the characters. I think the characters don't ever actually have a real kiss in this drama?? So as you can see, they are playing a deeper relationship than just physical.

About 2/3 of the way, I got a little bored once they knew who each other's true identities. However, I think it's still worth a watch!
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