Eh...
The show actually started off pretty entertaining and it was fun. But then it fell short due to something a lot of Chinese dramas do - drag out the episodes. Over 30 episodes? It's too much. The first third was engaging. The middle was a letdown because of how boring and slow it got. The characters also became gradually more annoying and went through the opposite of character development. The endings of the episodes also became underwhelming and I had no desire to continue watching the next episode because of how dull they ended. The last third improved but still lacked the excitement I felt when I first started watching it.Apart from the pacing, my other criticism is the characters. Firstly, I just didn't care at all for the side characters. None of them were intriguing and they added no contribution. The ML became more annoying. His female friend would constantly bad mouth the FL in front of her and behind her back to him and he didn't defend her. the FL can obviously fight her own battles (which she did), but that was HIS friend. And she was always coming in between the two for petty reasons. The ML showed a lack of emotion when the girl he liked was being insulted and demeaned right in front of his face, but you best believe he got pissed when he saw her took to her male friend. This male friend was the only character I cared about but most of his scenes were dull, however. He did like the FL but he never acted on that or made her feel uncomfortable (unlike the female friend following the ML around).
Now, my problem with the FL. Why was she trying to act like a therapist? First, she and the model FL went out of their way to find out something personal about the ML. They went behind his back because he wouldn't tell them, most likely because he didn't trust them. So clearly finding something out about him that he didn't want them to know would only decrease the amount of trust he had for them. Then, she tried to tell the ML to move on from the trauma that's been following him for a decade. She's a fashion designer, not a therapist. And she also has no right to tell him when he should move on. If she genuinely cared about him, she should encourage him to seek professional help.
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Should have had half as many episodes
This drama was entirely too long. I fast forwarded through a lot of it, because I didn't really care what was going on. I was watching for the romance, and it never fully developed. So many missed opportunities!Shen Yue as Tong Xiao You. I love this actress. I liked the character's strength, honesty, and loyalty. However, I felt that so often she was a doormat for the ML.
Jerry Yan as Lu Xing Ching. I wasn't bothered by the age disparity. I was, however, bothered by the character of Lu Xing Ching. He wasn't a nice guy, he didn't treat her well. He was emotionally closed off and unwilling to open up to her. I think that if I was her (or actually anyone that had some self-respect) I would have given up on him. Why did she love him? He was no prize. The dubbing was especially bad for this character. He, for the most part, sounded like he was talking while stricken with lockjaw. He overacted when he was required to cry. And, considering that the character was supposed to be a famous clothing designer, the clothes he wore were the WORST. And i think he only had three outfits.
Wei Zhe Ming as Lu Yan Zhi. I loved this character, and I felt that he and Xiao You would have been better together. I don't normally ship the FL with the 2ML, but I totally did in this one. He was a terrific character, just a totally nice guy. His love for her was true, and more than anything, he wanted her to be happy. To be honest, there were times that I thought she acted like she liked him more than the ML.
I liked the second couple, and we got a wedding.
One open-eyed fish kiss and one good kiss. The couple spent more time apart than they did together, so I felt that the chemistry was lacking.
I did like the side stories of the family dynamics, which I don't normally care for. But they were more interesting than the romance.
Sweet ending.
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This Is One Of My Favorite Drama
I think this drama is very quite good story because I know Jerry Yan is very quite guy same thing as Shen Yue Its very funny about the age gap I am just love this drama I was funny in many episode especially the refrence to Meteor Garden about the line is If the apologies is working why we should need a police I think a male lead did change at least 8 outfits especially he wears with red suit and new clothes for him I am still liking about the scene where he is taking a bath because its very weird about the bathtub scene due to his body is exposed especially he is sexy at 40sWas this review helpful to you?
New Shancai & Original Dao MingSi
It's honestly very good. Each episode is fairly well written and gets to the point. Tong Xiaoyou (Shen Yu) haa super strong back bone for a female lead and I really like to watch that. Lu Xingcheng (Jerry Yan) is an amazing actor, he plays his role well and you can feel the emotions the script wrote. I first found out their age gap of 20 years blew my mind. Normally age gaps that large for main role/leads never feel connected or communicated very well when watching but this surprised me how well they actually worked together and you could feel "comfortable" watching these leads. Ruru (Jackie Li) gets on my nerves in the further episodes because she moves back and forth with the two Lu's and whom her character likes for Xiaoyou at that moment. All in all a very nice and well written Chinese( Taiwanese) Romance Drama!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Most irritating and annoying
In a single word I must say this drama is really an unprepared, thoughtless, senseless and annoying one. In the whole drama FL has spent more time with the second ML compared to the ML, you can say till last episodes. Not just poor chemistry I can say there is no chemistry between ML and FL but with the second ML you can see little chemistry because till last episodes they were not fully committed. The most sadistic thing is the FL feels very happy to mingle with all male characters but when ML interact with female character’s she used to cut ties with him, but shamelessly ML runs to her and apologize for no reason. Except in last two episodes she never respects his feelings and emotions.I don’t know why in most of the Chinese dramas they want to portray the ML as most shameless and brainless character where as the FL as most greedy, careless, benefactor and untrustworthy one’s.
Take this drama as example, the FL took full advantage of ML yet she never respects or remembered his help yet she doubted and insulted his feelings and emotions. But the ML, even after such number of incidents he ran into the FL without a shame like nothing happened even her mistake is related to his mother without giving a chance to realize what her mistake is. The most cheap script or scene in this drama is, when the ML is crying by memorizing his mother’s death by accident she tells to her friends that it’s just a death by accident what is the need of thinking and crying for that even after ten years. In this drama I hate most is FL character.
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Enjoyed watching this drama
At first, I felt the story is developing too slowly, but the more I watched, the more interesting it became. The plot has depth and is believable.The male lead Jerry Yan and the female lead had very good chemistry.
The ML changed from being an emotionally closed person to one who eventually accepted his circumstances and allowed others in. It was interesting to watch the subtle changes of the ML from episode to episode. The Female Lead played her character well, but it was the ability of the Male Lead to emote the changes that was required of the character as the story unfolds that won me over. It was subtle and really touching.
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Who else is watching this drama 💁🏼♀️
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Lucky stars counted
I’m not sure why I’ve put off watching this although I’ve come across it so many times. I count myself lucky because i finally did and totally enjoyed it. Here’s why:First, I’m a sop for romance and this story has a great one. So as not to spoil it for you, I just want to give brief highlights.
ML has endured the pain of guilt of something that happened which wasn’t his fault but nevertheless painful. FL is someone who desired to be a fashion designer but always felt she brought about bad luck. Their interactions weave a tale that may sound familiar in others you’ve read or watched. The pair that seemed to not get along journeyed on a path involving overcoming hurdles of self doubt, inner turmoil, but strong support for each other.
The cast. Jerry Yan. My goodness he’s a great actor. He has emotional scenes that you can’t help but be greatly affected because of his acting. He really gets into the role and his pain will probably be much more felt bc you can’t help but pity him as you practically feel his hurt. Yes he’s very handsome but I really enjoy his work to care about those things.
Shen Yue. I think this is my first drama watching her. She’s a budding good actress. I love her character, kind, considerate, fun, and devoted. She played her part well, nothing coy but just natural. I’m a new fan and her smile? Contagious.
Wei Zhe Ming. Now I do know this actor and one of my favorites. Though he was second lead, he was very much liked. His character was sort of sad but in the end, things worked out. Though it’s totally unfair to me not to list them all, every other cast members were great contributors to this made story. The parents of Shen Yues character were so wonderful. We all know and have seen real nasty selfish drama parents but here, in them at least, they showed how parents should be…kind, supportive. The friends of fl and their boyfriends were also so cute.
Note of warning. The common complaint from so many is the lack of clothes type worn by Jerry Lans character. Yeah, but so? Letting you know in advance if it’s gonna be a problem for you. To me, yes I noticed but I was too invested in the story itself not be a big deal. Whatever reason it was for lack, I’m sure it’s not actors fault. Or he’s like me, not caring how many times I wear something as long as I’m comfortable??
Second warning is age gap. I don’t know what it is that bothers people (of course they have right to their own) but the way these leads carried out their roles was nothing short of true love and adoration for each other. They were the perfect pair and no gap is in it except maybe In people’s twisted thinking. Let these two things not deter you. This is definitely worth the watch and spoiler…………..ending kiss to a happy couple. Oh yeah, NEVER FORGET, the ost, is so endearingly inserted throughout im humming it as i write. Thanks.
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Their chemistry is insane
I’m rewatching this for the first time in a couple of years and MAN their chemistry is off the charts. it’s not a perfect drama, in fact I noticed some editing that made me go “huh? how’d we get here,” but overall I like the dumb drama and corporate espionage. the rapport between the leads makes watching this show worth it IMOI also really love Miles Wei. he’s so handsome 🥰 I enjoy most of the dramas I watch with Miles Wei in them
in America, this drama is available on YouTube for free, no need to a paid subscription anywhere
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Edited With A Machete
This is drop-worthy unfortunately. I finished because I really like the 3 leads and some of their friends. Acting for some tough scenes was really well done! The chemistry of the main CP was pretty good.Story wise it was a mess. You can tell they edited an insane amount of things out. Especially towards the end they leap from scene to scene with no context of how you get there. Characters we haven't seen or cared about in 10+ episodes show up for no great reason. Despite this drama clearly being chopped down to 34 episodes it still felt too long.
I still give it a 7 because of leads and I could see where there was some potential.
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Also the drama emphasizes more of characterization especially the growth of the female lead as well as the healing of the male lead. Editing is truly choppy and storylines of some side characters/villains were completely put aside but the superior acting of the leads more than compensates for any flaws.
I really love this drama. It gives a refreshing and very healthy take on love shown in dramas. Romantic love is not the sole most important thing. Chasing your dreams. Having peace in your heart is equally important. Love isn’t the whole universe but that single star that lights your world.
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