Ten Years Late (2019)

Nice watch but no masterpiece

This type of Chinese drama – set in modern time, that has some sort of business as part of plot (here tourism), featuring several couples and good cast – is actually one of my favorite genres.

10 years late is nothing outstanding in terms of plot or characters. It is frankly quite typical. The first 10-15 episodes especially. The ML is trying to win back the FL after they separated 5 years ago by fixing her problems and pursuing her everywhere. And of course there is a love triangle that blessedly resolves quickly.

However I still enjoyed the drama. As it is mostly quite relaxing and easy watch and the main cast did a good job. Especially Jeremy Xu was a fun to watch. Plus beautiful cinematography, music, styling is also very pleasing.

What I liked the most was the relationship between the 6 friends. I think their mutual scenes felt very natural and watching them spend time together was quite entertaining. The romance of two of the three couples was cute too. Especially Ting Ang and Xin Yi. They were absolutely great together up until the very end and then. Well, their end was too cruel.

The main couple however is mainly a letdown for me. First of all the FL, Yuan Lai, is written as very mistrusting of the ML, Jin Ran. She constantly doubts him and finds fault with his every move. How can that be love, I do not get it. Moreover Gulnezer Bextiyar portrayal is always so cold and indifferent, borderline condescending even. While Shawn Dou tried to make something of their romantic scenes she was generally very stiff around him. She looked more comfortable with the scheming older CEO, Mr. Ji and much warmer towards him. I was not totally invested in the main couple for the most part of the series. By the final episodes they did get better but it was too late.

The tourism part was sadly rather uninspired; every single plot was boring and ridiculous. All crises were caused by childish scheming of the leads’ coworkers combined with the hyper capricious clients. It felt very unrealistic.

In the last 10 episodes an exceptionally toxic character was introduced. I hated her wholeheartedly and not sure if it was really necessary to bring her so far into the drama. But she was really good in terms of being a believable villain.

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