No Regrets in Life (2022)

One of the best dramas I have watched all year!

Off the bat, I am a HUUUGGEEE sucker for the best friends troupe, so needless to say, this title piqued my interest and was happy when I was able to finally watch it.
And the show exceeded my expectations.
Usual dramas take place as they grow from students to adults, it was refreshing to see it take place in present day, having the main cast more around my age, with flashbacks helping to explain the backstory.
The acting in this was superb, all around! From the subtle quiet moments to the slightly-extra dramatic moments paired with the equally dramatic music in the background worked so well and took me through a roller coaster of emotions.
The Nine Suns as a whole reminds me of my core friends from college, so I had FEELINGS watching it, y'all.
The OST is SO GOOD! I will definitely be checking out more of the songs that were featured in this and having it on repeat.
I have experienced so many emotions watching this show, from the melancholy, to pure anger and rage, to crying into my pillow to hugging my pillow, stifling a squeal of joy, and it is worth every single minute watching it.
I HIGHLY RECCOMEND watching this drama. Simply incredible.
Now, please excuse me while I go in a corner in a puddle of FEELS, <3

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Identity Crisis - A Mix of Comedy, Romantic Comedy and Melodrama

I started “No Regrets in Life” without much expectation and really am not sure what I’m getting myself into. I thought it would be a mature, romantic melodrama about second-chance romance. Well, let’s just say I am not sure ‘mature’ is the adjective I would use to describe the characters here.

Taiwanese humor is something I am still trying to get used to. So when the first few episodes bombarded me with people acting crazy, shouting over each other, and forcing two former college friends who lost touch and wanting them to be together, I questioned if I made a mistake in starting this drama. Luckily, I persisted and by episode 4, the story continues to unfold and it’s more than forcing people to do what they don’t want to do.

However, personally, only the male lead is a character that I find somewhat likable and can root for. This is my first drama of Liu Guan Ting, so I am not sure if he’s always somewhat awkward, or if he's doing an excellent job playing the role of Wang Yan. I enjoy how he plays this introverted and socially awkward character, who could easily be a pushover. After his ‘mistake’ 8 years ago, he has learned to be more decisive. His work life is fine, but his love and family lives are pitiful.

Every other character has their annoying elements, even female lead Nin You Zhu. I actually don’t think she deserves the male lead. I am having a hard time seeing things through her eyes, especially with the argument with the male lead 8 years ago. Would I be upset like her, probably. But holding a grudge like that for 8 years is a little much.

The supporting cast is made of the rest of the 7 college friends and together, they call themselves the 9 Suns. They are a loud bunch and are super nosy. They can’t help butting into everyone’s business, especially the love life between the leads. Plotwise, yes, we do need the 9 Suns to nudge the leads a little to get back together but they do more than nudging. Just because you regretted a stupid decision you made in college, doesn’t give you the right to force people to do things they don’t want to, especially causing such a big ruckus. This is one of the rare dramas with a strong focus on friendship where I don’t want these friends in my life. These friends like to emotionally blackmail others.

Wang Yan’s wife is an interesting character. Gosh, I hated her and found her super annoying at first. And then I just pity her. Aggie Hsieh’s acting is hard to watch in a good way? On the other hand, Ning You Zhu’s boyfriend is a boring character. Maybe I just don’t like JC Lin’s acting. They have no chemistry at all and I guess that’s the point.

Somewhat spoilery here - this drama is full of emotional cheating. The three couples (hexagon relationship) portrayed here are a mess. At least one person in a relationship is not faithful to their partner. They might not outright kiss, hug, or sleep with someone, but it’s obvious that they are in love with someone else.

I am not sure I can recommend this drama. If you are a fan of the Taiwanese style, you might like it more than I do. I feel like “No Regrets in Life” has an identity crisis. I wish it is either a melodrama, a comedy or a romantic comedy, but not a mix of all three. However, at least I love the songs here and I applaud some characters' ability to speak their lines really fast and able to hold back their laughs.


Completed: 8/30/2023 - Review #347

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