I first got into MARS because of Meteor Garden, which also starred Barbie Hsu and Vic Zhou. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much from the two of them. Meteor Garden was their first acting gigs, and I figured they didn't have the experience yet to be truly great. Boy was I wrong (and gladly!). The amazing depth with which they imbued their characters left me wanting more in the subsequent dramas I watched. Sigh...
Music/aesthetics wise - this drama was waaaaaay back in 2004, when taiwanese dramas had terrible funding, bad fashion (at least how we would consider it now), and different filming styles. Don't expect amazing packaging or cinematography, and expect most of the boys to wear their hair long. In this case I feel like MARS doesn't suffer from it however, since the character's personalities are the most appealing and strongest parts of the drama. There are two songs that are particularly gorgeous, but most of the other tracks were instrumentals and easily forgotten. Not that that's a bad thing (I'm looking at you Almost Paradise!).
A word of warning however - this drama deals with dark issues, and may contain possible triggers. I'd suggest looking up the summary before watching it, because I know that personally I watched it better knowing the general subject and plot.
Now where to find the next drama up to par with this one?
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The lead characters come from a place of great trauma and carry dark shadows within them, but the feel of the drama is far from gloomy or sad. It is the beauty of the characters that they find happiness and comforts even with a background of pain.
I really liked the character graphs of Chen Ling and Qi Lou. The actors too were perfect for the roles. Every other character in the drama too is well written and real. There are no fluffy or pointless characters.
The drama handles many serious issues in our society and characters with mental instabilities/psychological problems, and it does so with great sensitivity and care.
I liked the music, because I felt it was used appropriately and enhanced the beauty of the scenes. The happy moments had a track that made you feel the happiness, whereas in the more tense scenes, the background score completely stopped, adding to the intensity.
The first half does remind you of Devil Beside You- probably because of the character of the male lead and having been shot in the same campus, but MARS is definitely more intense and on a broader canvas than DBY.
I can't think of any drama that I've as completely appreciated as MARS. It took me in completely, and I will happily re-watch it any number of times.
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Obviously, I love the story. It has everything, interesting and unique characters with very complex pasts/personalities, amazing character development, and a great ending that leaves the audience not only satisfied but also inspired!
The only annoying part is the fact that for some strange reason they tried to make the characters 2-3 years older! which creates huge inconsistencies, since the whole story would only make sense if they were underage! so yeah, I basically ignored the whole college-grad school references and thought of them being in high-school, going to college!
The acting was good and the main characters had good chemistry!
I would say other than the stupid age shift, this drama had two other problems: bad cinematography and excessive repeat of the music! The lighting in many scenes was off, and the song, even though I LOVED it, was repeated so many times that it kind of annoyed me!
Let me just say this one more time, the story is AMAZING! It has many deep psychological elements to it that makes it one a kind! Although at a first glance it might seem like every other drama, but it's very unique. Give it a shot, I promise you won't regret it!
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Anyways, back to the drama - WHY DIDN'T I WATCH THIS SOONER?! WAE WAE WAE??? This is just amazing. The plot is so intriguing. Not just the romantic parts but also the stuff about mental illnesses and stuff. It's very thrilling. I LOVE VIC CHOU! I seriously cannot believe he didn't win the best actor award for this drama. Same for Barbie Hsu. I mean, their expressions (once again I'm not talking about expressions of love and longing.)were just so beautiful. Gave me goosebumps the whole time.
The kind of characters they built for this drama really impressed me. Ling is the most perfect guy in the most imperfect sense possible. His shades of his personality and different layers of his character, the laugh, the tears, the past. It just moved me, I don't know why. Same goes for Qui Luo. I love the way her character developed after Ling came into her life. I loved their little shack that they made for themselves. I loved the music of the show. I have most of the songs on my phone.
Coming to the rewatch value, I'll definitely give it a 10 because I already watched it twice (no kidding) and I am definitely going to go watch it again for sure. Especially a few favorite parts for which I even remember the episode numbers now (lol).
I'd say if you are an Asian Drama fan, don't skip this one!
PS- Still can't believe Vic Chou didn't win the best actor award for this. My faith in the world of righteousness is shattered. But I'll try not to dwell on that.
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I had this drama on my PTW list for a long time, I've delaying it for ages then one day, I decided to go fo it.
2) Storyline/Plot:
As a person who haven't read the manga and have no idea about this drama's story, I believe that the storyline was somehow strong.
Positive points:
*The plot was set up in a good way plus the story's development was meaningful since it gathered rigid events.
*This is the type of drama that won't let you lose interest in its events simply because mysterious twists were always present.
*This drama's storyline was a great mixture between romance, mystery, psychology and even some little horror moments; that's why I would say that the storyline is rich and enjoyable.
*There were some brilliant suspens moments that would fill you with anticipation and expectations.
Negative points:
*There were some unnecessary events or let's say they were "badly expressed".
*Some moments were really annoying to watch.
Story: 8.5/10
3) Acting/Cast:
*Zhou Vic : he has always been my weakness point but seriously he managed to portray the character in a perfect way.
He completely owned the role whether in sadness, happiness, his gloomy or his cheerful character; he knew how to deliever feelings.
*Hsu Barbie : As an actress she had a good show but I can't say the same about her character which took the wrong turn sometimes.
*The chemistry was one of the greatest chemistries that I've seen so far. I enjoyed every scene they had together.
*The rest of the cast was cool too plus their acting skills were good too.
Cast: 8/10
Acting: 8.5/10
4) The ending:
It one of those endings which anyone would love to see on screen. Overall it was good enough.
The ending: 8/10
5) My impression (How did it afect me):
*It's true that I had to skip some parts in order to make the drama's episodes equilibrated but I never lost interest in its events.
*Zhou Vic was simply amazing here not only as *insert shallow feelings* but also as a good actor who knew how to portray his role.
*Although I liked this drama, I can't say that I was obsessed about it.
My impression: 7.5/10
6) Overall:
*If you want a good change from typical romantic comedies then you like this.
*If you like romance mixed with psychology then this is for you
*If you like Zhou Vic then you need to watch this because this was his best role ever.
Overall: 8.5/10.
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Story: It's the most developed one that I've seen until today.It's the full package of romance, action, drama and mistery.It made me fall off my chair from laughing sometimes, but on the other hand it made me use so many many tissues most of the time.Is a very serious story which touches ideas and problems that were never touched once before.
Acting/Cast: What can I say about this....I really loved the chemestry between Barbie Hsu and Vic Zhou since Meteor Garden, but here was really outstanding.I love Brbie Hsu..she is my favorite TW actress, not only she is beautiful but also has great talent.It always seemed to me that she and Vic were soulmates because of their interection and underestanding with each other.The characters were so well portraid that it made the story come alive.
Music: It was really beautiful.Trust me..I don't like TW music..I really find it annoying most of the time but this one was so beautiful that I don't know what to say.The song Ling/Zero described so well the drama that only listenig to it brought my tears.
Rewatch Value: I really don't rewatch dramas often because it's boring for me to know what happens next and so on...but I would definetely rewatch this one..I don't know why but only rewatching some scenes or listenig to the songs makes me shed tears of sadness.For me this drama is one in 5 years or so.
Overall: For me a drama can get 10 points only if it can remain in my head for a long period of time and it can make me compare it with others.This one succeded in this and it also made me to open my eyes and to be happy for what I have because their are many more people more unhappy and with more problems out there than me.
So I think that when you are in a state of mind of watching a REAL love story not a "fantazy" one you should give this try and let it get into your heart
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I enjoyed how the little things were solved quickly. We wern't agonizing over the ex-girlfriend for 4 episodes. One was enough.
There was redemption,friendship, true love, and forgiveness. All the things a good drama calls for.
At first I thought it was going to drag. Come on 21 episodes?? I am going to be fast forwarding I just know it! You don't. Each installment is fast paced, and you never feel the need to click forward.
The acting was wonderful. Vic and Barbie were outstanding. Megan and Jie Kie were great supporting cast. Loved them.
Watch it. You won't regret it!!
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Another reason i found this unnerving at some parts is maybe due to the fact there was alot of deep real life issues such as rape, suicide, abuse, murder, mental illness etc which is very rare for an asian drama but it put them all together so good, it had alot of things that does actually happen in this world which i did like because it shows that not everyones life is amazing, That alot of people go through so much but it shows that no matter what you go through you can still find happiness, Also maybe i'm just a dreamer but after finishing this it gives me hope that maybe someday no matter how damaged i am, I will find someone that loves me for me and loves all of me as much as Linq & Qi Luo love each other :)
As i said there isn't much music but i loved the opening song, It was beautiful. I do reccomend this drama to people, I think this is a drama everyone should watch, It's one of a kind but beware that it's quite dark and deep, Yes there is a few parts that will make you laugh but really overall it's not funny, Also there is a few parts that may even freak you out lol
Overall i gave this a 9, Mainly because the story is beautiful & touching and barbie & vic had such great chemistry that it was so believable, The only thing that stoped me from giving a 10 is as i said the athmosphere, I am really picky when it comes to that,But then again I watched it online which unlike korean dramas, Taiwanese are pretty bad quality, So maybe if it was on dvd the athmosphere may appear better, but i do admit that the more you watch of it the less creepy it becomes, You might feel like giving it up in the first 3 or 4 episodes because it's quite dark but if you hang on it will become a little less unnerving and more amazing, anyway i would really recommend this drama, Don't let the athmosphere stop you from seeing this amazing & beautiful drama, I definitely agree with those that say it's one of the best dramas that has ever come out of taiwan, It has a genre of it's own. I certainly do not regret watching it :) and i would so watch it again, In fact i'm thinking of buying it on dvd and If you managed to read all of my ranting then you should watch Mars too.
Watch it, This amazing real drama will not waste your time, You won't regret it!
Edit: I just rewatched this drama again a few months ago and i must say i found the the atmosphere wasnt unnerving anymore so im finally gonna give it a 10 :)
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Well let's start with the fact that this drama ought to be deemed as a CLASSIC in dramaland. It is not classical in the way in which it is filled with accidental kisses and nonsensical tragedies but it is classical in the way that all the emotions involved and expressed in the drama were universals. They were still relevant to me as a viewer despite the fact that the drama was created TEN years, a decade ago. Oh did I mention that this drama pulled me out of a slump and has become a trigger for my recent Taiwanese drama obsession phase? Anyways, the psychological states, questions, and statements of Qi Lou, Chen Ling, and Sheng were so interesting and were webbed beautifully on-screen.
From the story to acting, everything was top-notch and amazing. The story managed to put hardcore issues such as rape, suicide, and mental illness without over dramatizing them. The directing and producing was superb. The acting of Barbie and ZaiZai were off the charts and they had steaming chemistry as two very hurt individuals in society. Megan Lai, Xie Jie Kai, and An Jun Can played their supporting roles with dimension and grace. An Jun Can's character is solid, creepy, hopeless, and intelligent. He really will make you think and doubt many things.
The music was well-fitted into the drama especially Alan Kuo's Ling. Sometimes the lyrics matched exactly as the situation on-screen, enhancing the scenes.
Lastly, from my personal opinion, this is a drama I would definitely re-watch. There is just something about this drama that will just pull you in even if you know what is going to happen.Plus I'm a sucker for Vic Zhou's acting so the rating is a little biased hehe
Overall, whether your a new watcher or an old watcher like me, you will come to adore this drama.
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When I watched this series, the character I was most drawn to was the female lead. There was something unusual about her that I couldn't figure out. Every episodes the writer would drop hints here and there, but I wasn't able to put the puzzles together until it was revealed. The second half of the series focused on the main guy past. Anyway, I enjoyed the entire series very much. I watched every episodes because I was intrigues with the storyline. The romance blended in perfectly in this drama too. Definitely the director, writer, producer, and the casts deserve recognition for this great series.
Some viewers complained about the soundtrack in this series. I, on the hand, enjoyed the soundtrack in this series and thought it suited the drama perfectly.
Would I recommend this series? Since this series focus on serious real life circumstances, I would only recommend for adult or mature viewers only.
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I liked how it leapt right into the story, with the introduction of the two main characters. Then we got to meet supporting characters, whose stories interested me also. The chemistry between Ling and Qi Luo was amazing, and I love how their relationship slowly developed. I really enjoyed the little things that made the characters endearing to me, like when Ling annoys Qi Luo in class, trying to get her attention. The relationship develops at a realistic pace, with the facades and defences of each slowly disappearing, and their true natures and vulnerabilities revealed.
I became emotionally invested in these characters, and to me that is a sign of good acting and writing. I cried several times throughout, and just when I thought surely nothing else could possibly happen to these people, something did. But there was still that sense of hope, that they could overcome everything with each other's support.
So, an emotional roller-coaster, but well worth watching, and just as good to re-watch.
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