My honest first ever review
Okay I’ve watched countless of dramas korean, chinese, japanese, thai so many of them but I’ve never been this excited to watch a drama like I can’t wait for the next episodes and if English sub hasn’t released yet I’ll just watch it raw and then rewatch it with sub again! Also when I found out that it’s based on novel, I search the english translation of the novel on internet and read it ahead while waiting for the new episodes. These are my hype for this drama. Now moving on to about the drama, I’m normally the type who doesn’t like esports drama and even when I try to watch it because of the actor and actress, I just dropped it unfinished cuz I find it boring! But this drama never gets me bored at all and keeps me anticipating for the next ep! First of all, I really love all the casts of FIYS team. ( Needless to say all of them are visuals as well hehe^^) They all portrayed the characters so well. I think for Xu Kai and Cheng Xiao, this is their first modern drama. I’ve watched both of their dramas before but never have I thought about how suited they are if starring in a drama together. Their visuals, their height differences, their fluff scenes, bickering scenes, kissing scenes, bed scenes are so natural and so cute, not awkward at all. Their chemistry is so good both in and off-camera. But what makes the fans hype about this drama is not only the male & female leads chemi but also the friendship between female lead and her best friend, her best friend’s love story with one of the players, and most importantly the team works of the esports teams mainly ZGDX, CK, YQCB. I don’t know anything at all about games but now I know each member of the team has a role of his or her own and is important for the whole team. I find it not boring at all when they are playing games and it’s so exciting when they show us the fighting scenes of the animation characters or heroes of the game. Lastly, I wanna give thumps up to the whole FIYS drama team mainly to the director, producer and the casts as the players. Cuz it’s really not easy to portray as a professional esports player, from the behind the scenes videos, I watched how hard the casts were trained and learned to play the game as pro players. Overall, in my opinion, this drama shows that esports is not just playing computer games but one of the profession as well and the lives of esports players are not easy at all. E-sports is becoming popular in this century but most of the parents still think that playing computer games is just spending time and useless. After watching this drama, I hope young people who loves esports, can be motivated to make your dream comes true.Was this review helpful to you?
This drama is beyond comparable. The cast, music, and story line is superb. I love how they feature every character and each of them have thier own spotlight in the drama. It was a lowkey drama but at the same time super worth it to watch. Hoping for Season 2.
This drama is beyond comparable. The cast, music, and story line is superb. I love how they feature every character and each of them have thier own spotlight in the drama. It was a lowkey drama but at the same time super worth it to watch. Hoping for Season 2.
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A DRAMA WORTH WATCHING
well most people normally watch k-drama or c-drama coz of there favorite actor or actress but truth be told its how your favorite actor or actress is going to build the character throughout the drama and the chemistry they will build together to make the audience hooked and appreciate the drama this drama is worth watching not coz of the ML but coz of the plots and the excitement that will make you want to finish and start another episode it got me so hooked that I literally downloaded all the episodes that have been aired and subbed and transferred them into my flash this so that whenever I want to re-watch i do it with ease this actually my first c-drama that am watching for the FL and I just love the chemistry she built for her characterWas this review helpful to you?
A drama that really deserves a chance despite all of the controversy
This is my first review on this site but this drama really compelled me to write one. Probably one of those few dramas I've binged from start to finish without skipping a single scene. Trust me not one scene was a filler. Every scene is important and every detail contributed to the story.I am a Xu kai/Bai lu fan but i wanted to watch him in a contemporary setting and the chemistry between Xu kai and Cheng xiao is just apt and perfect for this drama. Nothing is overdone and its not your regular cheesy romance. Yes, there is romance and there are some adorable moments but this show encompasses a mature and well built relationship not only between them but with every other character.
Si cheng is a really thoughtful and mature character and his role as a leader is just perfect but i really liked how they showed his shortcomings as well. Tong yao is a strong female lead who knows how to build her path and walk it herself and her character development from ep 1 to 31 is wonderful. Every other character has contributed equally and played their roles really well.
Coming to the story, i really liked how they stuck to their morals and held on to the main themes till the end. The toxic internet community and how it affects people was portrayed really well. Along with that i got really invested in the Onmyoji arena games. The game scenes were really well done. The struggles of an e-sports athlete and their personal lives along with the disaproval of most Asian parents was relatable.
Overall i have given this a 9. Its not the best maybe but its the best of its genre. The music is really good (not to mention seventeen and wayv eeeee). Rewatch value is 10 because i already miss the characters and i feel it'll be fun and new everytime i watch it.
About the controversy surrounding this drama i would say only one thing: its just a drama and its supposed to be entertainment. No hate is intended towards anyone and it is not intentionally trying to offend anyone. Please be a little kind and refrain from attacking the actors. They've worked really hard. Its really sad that most chinese and south korean netizens have purposefully given it low ratings. The actors deserve the praise.
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This review may contain spoilers
A pleasant surprise
Having completed the series this is an edit on the review I did while still watching the show!The show only got better as I watched it. Xue Kai as Chessman was amazing, although you did want to throw things at the TV at the characters attitude at times (but I think that was part of the idea:). The interaction between Chessman and Smiling only gets better and the interaction with the five main actors of the team does to. The main OST is great and the whole just travels brilliantly from one part to another without seeming to bog down as some Chinese shows can do in the middle.
As for the rest of my original review I stick with it. I'm still not a big fan of the game CGI used in the show but that's a small thing compared to everything else it does so brilliantly. I do admit that having to begin reading the novel some things are beginning to make a bit more sense regarding the game in the series than were explained, but that does not take away any enjoyment I got from this great show.
(Original review)
I must admit when I came across this show I was of two minds if I should watch it. I have loved 'The King's avatar' and 'Love 020' Since they came out and wasn't sure if this could reach the same level. I'm glad to say that even though it didn't reach that high bar it wasn't because it couldn't it was because it doesn't seem to even try. This show is happy going it's own way and doing its own thing which I find great.
The chemistry between the two leads is great and really carries the show so far. The almost constant bickering between them while at the same time seeing Chessman obviously falling for, and protecting her all the time, is sweet. The story is good but the actors make the story really come to life in a believable way. The supports and second leads are just as great, with smilings best friend giving her great advice that doesn't always work, and the other guys in the team giving reactions that are hilarious.
The music is fun to, being upbeat and modern. One thing I don't enjoy is the type of CG used for the gaming, its very cartoonish and the rules of the game are not spelled out clearly so its hard to understand how it could ever be a real esport. However as I said at the start this is one of the ways this show goes its own way, it never even tries to make its CG realistic but rather goes in the opposite direction.
This show is defiantly worth a watch and I will be looking forwards to the new episodes.
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A Must Watch C-Drama of 2021
I was in a drama slump - as one might call it - but this drama has cured it very effectively! So far, I've watched the first 20 episodes out right now and I'm head over heels for the chemistry of the main leads. Many of you might be hesitant seeing as it is an E-sports themed drama. However, the e-sports part of the drama is very sparingly included and it's actually very interesting. It made me want to start gaming ;)If you're looking for a ground-breaking unique show then this isn't exactly it. This drama has ALL the clichés of jealously, trips and falls, as well as the trope of 'being the only girl' in a male dominated setting. But, this drama has used all those clichés to its advantage and its not cringe at all when you watch it. In fact, it was inspiring to see a female pro-gamer who was NOT the weakest link in the team as other dramas tend to portray.
The acting was not bad at all. Both the actors really grown on you. However I must say that the dubbed parts where the ML briefly speaks Korean was very awkward HAHAHA. It's all good fun though. There was a lack of toxicity in this drama which I feel some C-dramas tend to include.
Overall, 9/10 (only because the drama hasn't released all episodes), definitely recommend it. Also, if you're reading this Xu Kai, please marry me <3
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Highly recommended!
I think this is my most favourite chinese drama of the past year so far. The chemistry is great, there are really interesting and original plots or at least I haven't seen any of them in a drama before. You can see their bond building up with each moment. Also, the side-characters are mostly funny and nice people. It mostly focuses on Tong Yao and Lu Si Cheng, but there's lots of scenes that contain other characters' stories. Don't even get me started about the music. I love the background soundtracks. My most favourites are Everytime by WayV, Warriors by SEVENTEEN, Edge by Naomi Wang and Heroes by Air League Band.Right now, all the episodes are out but not all of them are on YouTube. There's a page where you can watch all the episodes with English subtitles for free. You can either watch it on dramacool.so (DramaCool) or you can watch it on trolldrama.com (DramaVery). I recommend DramaVery because the episodes there are much faster uploaded than on DramaCool.
Anyways, I hope you enjoy this drama as much as I do. It isn't a basic cliché, it's a really refreshing drama. I love it. Thank you for your attention.
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your not-so-typical easy, hilarious romance drama
this drama has all the elements of your typical romance drama -- cutest main leads, hilarious side characters, life lessons along the way, etc. it's an easy watch and is bursting with energy. however, the addition of e-sports adds a fresh and competitive element that keeps you rooting for the main characters even more. i would recommend this drama, but keep in mind that this is a drama 1) filled with "drama logic" (aka has some questionable plot points) 2) exaggeratedly acted/written, almost like a comic, and 3) filled with cliches. that being said, it is still a very cute drama :))))))the good:
- the story is a good mix of romance, friendship, competition, and other life lessons, and interesting enough to keep you watching
- the chemistry between xu kai and cheng xiao is veryyyyyyyyyyyyyy good
- the side characters' acting (pretty much all of ZGDX, jian yang, YQCB, etc.)
- the ost: chen zhuoxuan, wayv, seventeen!!!!
the bad:
- i didn't love the main leads' acting. i think that xu kai's acting is mediocre and that cheng xiao doesn't seem to express the feelings tong yao seems to have at the moment, even if tong yao can be cool at times
- some of the plot points make no sense at all/are extremely cringey. for example, the drama attempts to make it so that we should sympathize with jian yang (tong yao's ex), but if you think about the situation, his actions are questionable
- the plot is somewhat predictable and there are a lot of cliches, but also the leads are so cute that it's fine
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Must watch ?????
After tried of drama where male love female first or female chase male lead first ..this drama is kinda fresh air which awakened my old drama love ..what i really like about this story is there acting which kinda made me love them and plot and story wise is nice, no unnecessary drama ... overacting or anything . It fell natural how they accept her slowly ..into their group or how she became a professional player so guys u must watch this or you'll miss a treasure ??????? last but not least I really really love their chemistry and joke between team member kinda made me remember my school days?Was this review helpful to you?
was good at first, and then got too predicable and cringe.
before we get into the review..just keep in mind i hate most romance dramas. id much rather watch historical bl dramas (historical straight romance dramas are fine too), so i'm already biased against the genre of this drama lol
story:
i really liked the story at first, but when the romance got involved i just stopped being as interested and more like grossed out. the tournaments are pretty interesting i gotta say though, although i have heard from other people that play 王者荣耀 say that it's really unrealistic, but i don't play it so idk.
acting/cast:
i don't really like the character that cheng xiao played in this drama. they made her so ugly lmao. xu kai looks fine as always but i know this was his first drama of this style, because he used to only act in historical chinese dramas. i actually prefer him in reality c dramas and not historical ones. cheng xiao is an idol, i don't really know about her being an actor, but if she's passionate about it then go her
music:
cringe cutesy romantic music.
no other opinion
rewatch value:
i already predicted the whole story before even watching like the 5th episode so.. not rewatching this.
(tbh this is an excuse. i just thought the ending was way too fast.)
overall:
if you like romance dramas then watch this one. i wouldn't say it's.. necessarily bad.. but i personally didn't like it.
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It’s the best and you won’t regret watching it but regret not finding it earlier.
This is one of the best dramas I’ve ever watched. Everything is on point and their acting is so good it feels like I’m watching their actual lives. All the guys and girls look so good I swear you would fall love with everyone. They are really so funny and talented. One thing I like is that the male lead is not overbearing and not too mean. He has just the right amount of everything. Face, height, intelligence, coolness, strictness and don’t even get me started on the female lead. She is so pretty and fearless. She doesn’t care what people think, she is not so shy and not so bossy. She is so cute that I never want this drama to end. Also I really want to know the game they are playing because it’s so cool and looks so fun I want to play it myself. I would definitely rewatch it. I can say this is the best e-gaming Drama I’ve ever watched. It’s so good that I watched more than 20 episodes in a day. Great drama.Was this review helpful to you?
Cheng Xiao's improvement
The story about e-sports has been the hot topic for the past 2 years, this drama is another addition to the running genre. Although the plot is quite predictable I haven't skipped any scene until now (10th episode), mainly because of the charms of the cast. For the most part it seems like they are sticking to the novel, still I wish they would include more scenes of Tong Yao bickering and teasing Si Cheng.Unlike many here I find Cheng Xiao to be the pleasant surprise of the drama. Maybe it's cause she finally doesn't have to play "cold" character and keep straight face all the time and maybe it's because she approved a lot since her past 2 dramas, or maybe it's both. Her acting still has some awkward moments plus the narration is not helping any character in this drama what so ever, but still her improvement, comedic timing and chemistry really carries the show. Safe to say casting Cheng Xiao as Tong Yao was a really wise decision. Xu Kai's acting is much better as well probably because of the modern setting as well. He mashes with Cheng Xiao really well on screen and what it seems like behind screen as well, and it actually might be his best pairing as well (we will see, but from what it seems it's going the right path). Yao Chi is hilarious in the drama as well, his comedic timing is just fantastic, I'm looking forward to his next projects.
OST line up is really strong as well. I really enjoy the soundtracks.
Two major cons of the drama:
The main game of the drama. Graphic design of that "game" is just tragic, but still I guess getting LoL on the drama would be really tough because of the plagarism. And the last con is the narration. It's just badly done, most of the time it doesn't even match what Cheng Xiao is saying, for a drama which was getting prepared for almost 2 years it's just BAD. Like I said it genuinely makes a lot of scenes awkward even if the actor is doing well in a scene narration is just ruining the scene and the comedic build up.
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