Better than I expected
It is probably the most satisfying liveaction I’ve ever watched. I usually avoid Liveactions as 9 out of 10 LA are so poorly done, and cringey. Part of the reason why I enjoyed this chinese adaption is bc I didn’t read the original manga, but still as a normal sports drama, it exceeded my expectations.STORY
Brilliant!
Previously I watched Chinese adaptation of Prince of Tennis, which was just so-so imo, so I didn’t have high expectations for Hikaru, either. Besides, when I saw posters of Hikaru, they were like some trashy posters for typical bad dramas..
But then I saw so many positive reviews on Douban and here on MDL, so I gave it a try... I am surprised and got hooked. I went into this totally blind so everything was a surprise. I laughed watching those funny moments, and cried so hard while watching sad scenes.
ACTING
Splendid!
Most of them are new faces, I have seen ML in NiF 2 but I haven’t seen other main actors. Some supporting characters are from My Huckleberry Friends, so I am quite familiar with them.
All of them are brilliant. From main character like Shi Guang to minor character like Wu Di, all of them impressed me.
Director’s cameo as Lazy Monk was a pleasant surprise as well.
BROMANCE/FRIENDSHIP
Do you know what’s the best thing about this drama?
Of course, it is bromance and friendship.Friends motivating each other, helping each other out, and the best thing is bringing them out of their darkest moments.
Bromance? This is the best part of drama..
My favorite two characters are Chu Ying and Hong He. Ofc I loved Shi Guang.
MUSIC
I noticed that some songs are quite good, but I haven’t fully listened to them. But ending song was nice.
So here are some SPOILERS...( If you haven’t watched, pls don’t read)
I have some small complaints;
1.Hong He quitting Go?
It is a little disappointing, with many obstacles he has gone through to become a professional player. He just quitted like that? And from his dad’s expressions, I can tell that his dad wants him to continue playing..
It is quite a relief that Shi Guang said he will continue persuading Hong He
So the drama should have given a proper solution to Hong He’s problem before ending
2.Episode 34
I have already cried my eyes out in Ep 32 and 33, but Ep 34 was super hard to watch. Shi Guang was like I’ll forget everything about Go bc Chu Ying left.
I expected this but this arc was longer than I expected.
These problems are very small... so small that these didn’t change my opinion about this drama.
I would say it deserves high ratings and it is definitely worth watching.
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Solid storyline
Recommended to watch. I knew about this drama from advertisement. The trailer looks interesting so i thought i check out a little bit. But never knew i hooked until the end. From the title i thought this is japanese drama, but i was wrong.(actually it from japanese comic from same name).I'm a big fan of dramas mostly chinese drama and korean drama. This is first time for me to find chinese drama that contain solid storyline. Mostly i just going to skipped or fast forward most episode of chinese drama because mostly it contains filler that unnecessary. But not this drama.
The acting was superb. Whoever casting the actors and actress made a good job. Many talented young actor and actress. (watched because of juck zhang but now I'm in love with this drama)
The music good, suitable for growth/competition drama.
I had a little bit knowledge about go, this drama give more knowledge about go and behind the scene.
Things that i don't like. 36 episode not enough for me. I need more. I understand that production want follows closely to the comic storyline but don't ended like that. I hope there's season 2.
Rewatch value 10/10. I definitely will watching this drama again.
I hope there are more like this drama out there. Nowadays, it all about survival, growth and rivalry.
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Hands-down best 2020 drama for me
It feels a bit unfair how this drama is so underrated relative to its awesome quality, because this has EVERYTHING that a great drama should have:1. Powerful and Meaningful Themes
This show revolves around finding your passion, facing and succeeding over obstacles, knowing and improving yourself, learning from one another, and friendship. Go may just be a "game", but we see the characters discover themselves a bit more through it and witness them grow for the better.
2. Character Development
Shi Guang, the main character, goes through a MASSIVE character development throughout the whole series. He isn't even bad in the first place, maybe immature at worst, so it makes the viewers root for him a lot. As mentioned by some side-characters, he is "like a sponge", and his willingness to learn from others and acknowledge his weaknesses significantly contributed to his improvements. Not only him, but we see other characters (actually, almost all of them) grow as well which is very satisfying.
3. Friendship
The amazing thing here is how fiendship is displayed in different ways: 13th High School Go Club friendship which is about mutual support, Yijianghu Go Club friendship which is about encouraging and strengthening each other, Fang Xu and Bai Chuan's friendship which is about making sure the other doesn't stray from the right path, Shi Guang and Yu Liang's friendship which is about rediscovering one's passion and setting an eternal goal to pursue, and of course Shi Guang and Chu Ying's friendship which is about finding a purpose to one's existence.
4. Acting
There is literally no blackhole in all of the characters despite most of them being young actors. Huge props especially to the lead actors: Juck Zhang who made Chu Ying impossible to hate but can also make you cry (I DARE you to watch episodes 32-34 without crying) and Hu Xianxu as Shi Guang who is undoubtedly THE STAR of the whole drama, one of the best actors of his generation to be quite honest. The young actor who played young Shi Guang also deserves a special mention as well.
5. Production Quality
The drama's timeline is from 1997-2006 so important details like clothing, appliances, places, even vehicles need special detail. There's definitely no weak point on that aspect. The cinematography and music are also very beautiful as well.
This drama may not be that famous internationally because there is no romance and doesn't ride the coattails of the ever-famous Hallyu wave, but you'll DEFINITELY miss out if you don't give this one a chance.
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This review may contain spoilers
A warm blanket
This dramatisation is like a warm blanket in a cold winternight.It might not be so warm initially but it wraps you and before you know it, you are prisoner by the comfort.
I cant go as far and say it is as aluring to the game, as the anime and manga is, but the end result about the emotional journey is similar. For a Chinese production I was impressed that the sound, fx or the storyline was actually good, compared to many other Chinese productions that gives (me at least) proper headache.
I still fell in love with the changes made, especially between Hikaru (Shi Guang) and Sai (Shu Jing), it really fits. Wont say more than that, apart that I recommend to read/watch the other versions, then you'll understand.
The blast from the past with cellular brands like Nokia and other quirks, really made this so charming.
I imagine it was very tricky to make it all from Chinese Pov but it was done smoothly and I didnt felt disturbed by it, even when I was re-watching HnG(anime version) parallel to this.
Also, I really liked the Fang Xu-character, which felt in all honesty more humble. Actually, come to think of it, almost all characters were a lot more humble here than any other versions.
The only "negative" is that this drama did not have an emotional impact as the other versions. It is not until ep30 and forth one begins to feel the need of tissues and after that, you may need an entire box or two.
Lastly;
I really love the tribute to HnG on the last episode, it made my heart bleed even more. Again, if you read/watch the other versions you'll understand.
And I absolutly salute they kept the lyrics to the OST utterly intact and so the melody.
Its a beautiful song and beautiful text.
I might come back and put in my feed the Japanese and the Chinese lyrics/versions at some point.
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This review may contain spoilers
Painful, joyful and meaningful. Totally worth it!
This is way better than the anime. The anime is lacking and the ending felt rushed and it was kinda disappointing but this. The drama like... finally gave closure to the fans of the anime/manga. It was actually even better, The ending is satisfying compared to the manga. I want to see more!I just wish Chu Ying never left but it really how it goes. I will remember this drama for the next months.
Hikaru no Go (Ep 32)
I am happy to have met all of you
Some people goes against the rules.
Some deviate from the path.
Some take risks and turn their lives around.
Some live to bring happiness to others. Even with adversities, some will see the light.
Some bear no regrets in life.
Some stay stagnant over the years remain unchanging.
Some have never strayed from their goals.
Some obtained enlightenment while some understand the meaning of life.
Some are born to be champions, while some will be remembered by many (she gave birth to a champion- pertaining to Shi Guang huhuhu).
Some may hide talent s in a jar, while some are able to change their fate.
Some are born teachers. They are meant to serve others.
Some return as prodigal son, and become the brightest star of the galaxy.
Some are meant to be on top. They go through ups and downs and live for a game of chess.
There are some who only exist for your sake. They are rivals chosen by heaven.
Some will bring you joy, while some will bring you sorrow. They are the happiest things in life, while some are unmovable obstacles.
Some are blessings you've earned over three lifetimes, a friendship and bond you've earned.
-----
We will always be together... (Haven't typed the other dialogues anymore because I already spent all my time crying huhuhuhu)
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This review may contain spoilers
Almost exactly the same as the anime version.
This is good. I watched the anime again and again in the past, so it was a bit of a dull ride for me....or so that's what I thought at first. The story, plot and characters still capture me again just like the anime version. The drama version is good and I think the acting was not bad too, and spoiler ahead......The drama followed the time period of the anime, which is like the year 2000s, so not everyone has a handphone or a computer, the drama skipped some parts of the side character's story and I was okay without it. The awesome internet sensation was a bit underwhelmed, maybe because they did not make it into a world sensation but just the country itself only. But that's okay too.
This time, though there are times when the main lead Xiao Guang treated Chu Ying a bit badly at times, it was not really the same as the anime. The drama showed Xiao Guang treating Chu Ying more kindly, more sincerely and appreciatively. And most importantly, the wonderful day they spent before he left forever. So in my opinion, this is better than the anime version as you won't feel so regretful for Chu Ying for the way Xiao Guang treated him like in the anime.
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I could not recommend this drama any harder
When I was first looking into this drama, it was because of Ji Li. I'd expected to watch it and mostly just skip around to find him in it because I really didn't think the plot was something that would interest me.Oh BOY was I wrong and I'm so glad I am.
This show is genuinely the most heartwarming, funniest, and heart-wrenching piece of media I've watched. I was hooked by the dynamic between Shi Guang and Chu Ying from the get-go. That's his ghost-not-ghost dad! If you're into a show that has really good found family feels between friends and adopted father/son dynamics, then this is 100% up your alley. Even if you don't know anything about the game of go, you'll pick up some stuff and still be genuinely gunning for the characters' successes and feel sad when they fail.
Shi Guang is such a good kid, and his actors (both the kid for the first couple of episodes and Hu Xianxu) are phenomenal, seriously. HXX has some of the best acting range I've seen.
Chu Ying will have you enamoured with him the minute you see him. He makes me smile every time he's on-screen -- his smile is SO infectious. I love his ability to go from silly to a father-figure.
Yu Liang is, of course, delightful and just so funny. I really do love his character arc and the person he becomes at the end.
The relationship between Shi Guang and Yu Liang is also a big seller for me. Those two do genuinely care for each other and it can be read as friendship or romance if you want in my opinion, and it's a really sweet depiction of either.
Overall I absolutely love each character; there's a LOT of attention paid to side characters who get their own character arcs full of ups and downs. Qi Hun does a REALLY good job at making you care about everyone in it.
I really don't have any complaints about the show. I feel like there is care and weight put into all the highs and lows:
- It shows that the path to success isn't linear, but that you can make it.
- It shows you that dreams can change, or be unrealistic due to life.
- It does an exceptional job at depicting grief and depression after loss.
As a side note in regards to it being an adaptation of Hikaru no Go... it's a good one! A really really good one. In fact I like it more than the original in the friendships and dynamics, as does my boyfriend who grew up on the series.
In the end, I give it 10s across the board. The story is phenomenal, the acting MOVES you, and the lyrics to the OST makes me absolutely lose it (you can find the OST on Spotify and Youtube, seriously the lyrics kill me).
I've already watched it twice and I'm watching it a 3rd time! Love this drama so much.
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A MUST WATCH.
I got hooked since episode 1 and I cannot stop watching. It exceeded my expectations tbh. It has definitely been added to my all time favorite series. This is the kind of drama that no matter how many times you have watched it, you will still be entertained. The story telling, cinematography and casts, everything is just amazing. I love the chemistry between the leads. Acting wise? Dang! It was superb! Even the child actors are really great and deserves an award. It was not awkward at all, it was soooo natural.Rewatch value? If I can give a rating higher than 10, I will gladly do so. After I finished writing this review, I will go back again to watch the drama.
Story wise - we all know that this is an adaptation from a manga however it amazes me how they incorporate the chinese culture within the series.
Over all, this made my 2020 complete. Yes, it may feel like you are watching a BL drama however for me, it shows us that the chemistry between all the characters are top-notch. It felt like you are watching your neighbor doing something, it felt like you are in their world bcos their acting was phenomenal. It also gave us life lessons about our dreams in life - no matter how hard it is,there will always be someone who will support us. And as long as you have faith and determination, you can do it!!!
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One of the best dramas of 2020 , Highly Recommended
I found this show to be a real gem and a great way to end 2020. As a viewer who hasn't read the original manga or watched the anime, I didn't have any ideas or expectations going into this other than seeing a couple of great reviews here on MDL.But the drama blew me away with the first few episodes and I ended up binge watching the show in just two days.
The five main things I look for in any drama are:
1) Plot/Storyline - Solid plot. This would be a great example of a character driven storyline. It falters a little bit towards the end and that's why I've taken 0.5 points off, but overall a very warm, heart-touching storyline that strongly delivers. The friendships portrayed in this show are simply beautiful to watch and very realistic. I loved bonding between all the characters.
2) Characters/ Character growth - The story treated all of its characters with a lot of care, even the minor characters who did not have a lot of screen time. I normally would find other minor characters subplots used as fillers in other dramas but here each and every character had his/purpose for being there. I felt emotionally attached to a lot of the characters and felt myself cheering for all of them. Another thing I loved was that all the characters including the main character Shi Guang went through some or other form of character growth throughout their journeys.
3) Acting - I think the actors did a great job with this. I especially loved the main actors who played Shi Guang and Chu Ying , Yu Liang as well as the child actor who played young Shi Guang. I loved how Chu Ying could very convincingly go from being this godly and serene persona to being childlike and silly the next second.
4) Overall Message/Theme - I loved the message of the drama and how it was also rooted in reality. We saw characters find their passion, how talent sometimes overtakes passion and hard work, how sometimes people have to give up their passions to survive in this world, how friends and healthy rivals can help you improve yourself, how its okay to lose sometimes as long as you learn from it, how to pick yourself back up if you've fallen down. I loved the scenes where Chu Ying imparted these little life lessons while playing Go.
5) Music/Production Quality - This was set in the mid 2000's for most of the show and the production/ set design was pretty great. I loved the Ending OST (didn't skip the ending theme one in all 36 episodes). I read somewhere that it is the same as the anime OST only in Chinese so that was pretty neat of them to do.
Overall, I would say this is a must watch for any drama enthusiast! 10/10
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This review may contain spoilers
A true gem of a drama that turned out to be much more emotionally impactful than I expected
Premise: I'm totally unfamiliar with the manga/anime so I will only talk about this drama as its own thing. Spoilers ahead.Qi Hun might speak in different ways to different people. Some might see it mainly as a story about friendship, others as a story about following your dreams and finding your passions, others as a coming-of-age tale, others just as a sports manga adaptation. It’s definitely all of these things, but for me, Qi Hun is first and foremost a story that teaches you about loss and how to deal with it.
Because the drama peaks when Chu Ying disappears, with everything that’s happened before leading to and being in service to that moment, that leaves behind a heart-wrenching void I could only start to process at end of the next 3 episodes of mourning.
I’ve seen some people criticizing the final episodes saying they spent too much time on Shi Guang grieving. But for me, those episodes were sorely needed. If you look at this story as a reflection on loss, you cannot dismiss the healing process with just a couple of scenes. You need to painfully go through the grief so that the reason to live on that you’ll find during that process is truly meaningful. The final, joyful episode 36, which has such a different tone from the previous ones, only works if the 4 episodes before it exist. Shi Guang finally finds in Yu Liang not a substitute for Chu Ying but a new stage of happiness that's only possible thanks to his previous journey with Chu Ying by his side.
The loss this drama is about is first and foremost Shi Guang losing Chu Ying after spending half of his life together, but is also simply losing a Go match and finding the strength to win the next one. Most of the characters are losers each in their own way, as they all lose something important at some point in the story: Hong He, Gu Yu, Shen Yilang, Bai Xiaoxiao, Fang Xu, Yu Liang… each of them has to deal with losing something and overcoming it.
I don’t want to spend too many words on the technical aspects of this drama because the emotional impact it had on me overshadows everything else. It's not a perfect drama quality-wise but it’s solid in every department, from the acting/casting, to the sets, to the direction, editing etc.
I especially love the chemistry the actor playing Shi Guang has with the actors playing Chu Ying and Yu Liang. I think they're the perfect choices for those roles. The child actors shine too.
My main complaint lies with the pacing/writing of the second third of the drama (around episodes 12 to 24) that I think could have been handled better and sometimes felt filler-y. That part felt a bit like a downgrade compared to the very strong first part.
In conclusion, I went into Qi Hun thinking it was mainly a successful sports manga adaptation, but for me it turned out to be a different thing entirely. It also helped me deal with my personal losses and appreciate some things in my own life, and it will forever hold a special place in my heart for that.
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Unexpected Gem of 2020
At first I was hesitant to watch because I didn't think this was up my ally or would be a good adaptation. However, I was glad I decided to watch it. I didn't expect a story about GO would be something I would watch or would be interested in.There is no romance in the drama, however, the bromance is more than enough. If you are into bromance dramas, the this is a must watch. The story is much more than a story about GO, it is about one's growth, passion, and friendship while trying to accomplish someone else's dream that eventually became their own. I was most drawn by the strong storyline that followed Shi Guang through his journey of being forced to play GO to him loving it and excelling in it.
It's in no way perfect, but as someone who fast forwards in drama's through the filler parts, I barely did that with this drama. The only thing I wished was there was more Yu Liang and Shi Guang parts and a follow-up with Chu Ying. Basically, I need a season 2 because 36 episodes is not enough!!
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Great Friendships and Bromance and Character Development
Completed - 1/27/2022 - 8.75 rounding up to 9.0It's rare to see a C-drama with basically no romance, idols, or big name actors to have such a high MDL rating (8.8 at the time of this review). I have gone back-and-forth many times whether I want to watch this, since it's not really my type of drama. But the overwhelming positive reviews convinced me and I am glad I gave in. This is an excellent teen drama and not just about the game of Go, but of strong friendships, bromances and most importantly, our main lead's growth as a person.
Shi Guang (ML)'s character development is what I like best in this drama. We were first introduced to a 9-year old who is quite cute and smart. That little young actor is such a smartass that I can't help but laugh at and with him. He is actually quite mature of his age, when he sees through what Chu Ying wants from him, and that it might not be the road that he wants or is ready for. Throughout the drama, our ML has gone through enormous ups and downs. I actually find him quite annoying in the beginning as a teenager. The drama does a really good job in helping us see Shi Guang's thoughts and feelings, and the way he reacts to different situations, with the guidance of Chu Ying and his many friends. After finishing this drama and looking back at how annoying Shi Guang used to be, it's amazing how much I have grown to like him and the person he has become.
Shi Guang & Chu Ying have a great mentor/mentee relationship, in addition to being very close friends. Sometimes, it feels like Chu Ying is the father figure we never saw. It's fascinating when Chu Ying is teaching Shi Guang about chess playing, but it's also hilarious seeing how Chu Ying adapts to modern world technology and slangs so well. On the other hand, Shi Guang and Yu Liang have an 8-year rivalry. I really enjoy seeing the respective journeys of these frenemies. They have such an interesting dynamic throughout the drama. Shi Guang is really one lucky guy. He has some REALLY good friends in this drama, in addition to Chu Ying and Yu Liang. He has many supportive and caring friends in high school and in the chess club. These friends stick with him throughout his career as an amateur chess player to become a pro chess player. It's also quite amazing that I did not find any of his friends irritating or annoying.
The pacing of this drama is done well. I actually wanted more episodes to follow ML's professional career and international competitions. I don't think I've ever said that about a C-drama. I really enjoy the portrayal of the challenges in each step of ML's career. He's growing and achieving successes, and then, reality brings him back down to earth, and he has to face a new set of challenges. This makes the drama more believable, as we know even though ML could be a genius, he can't be an international champion just like that. The ups and downs in his career contribute to his personal growth. However, I do feel that the last couple episodes were a little slower and a little too much moping around. I understand why, but I don't think the drama ended strongly. Maybe that's why I wanted more episodes as it seems unfinished.
Another aspect I like about this drama is how all the actors look like real teenagers and young adults. Especially during the high school scenes, I feel like the kids are really teenagers and not actors pretending to be teenagers. They look like 'normal' people. They are not full of make-up or wearing fashionable clothing. Additionally, I like Chu Ying's transparent look. It gives a very fantasy-like feel to his existence, and that he's not just another person hanging out with ML. He is just so funny. He looks so much more handsome in ancient times without makeup though.
As someone who doesn't know anything about the game of Go. I have to say that the drama does not intend to teach me about the game. I am often lost and confused with all the moves, though they seem fascinating.
Overall, I really enjoy this drama. My gut might tell me that this is not a slam dunk 9-10 rating, but it's really quite good.
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