Random but unique
This time the FL is a domineering CEO. Wait ,don't quit . Finish it . Typical rom-com where some fantasy elements interfere just to increase the number of episodes in typical cdramas . But look at the episode number . It's only 12 . So nothing to be draggy or unnecessary. In the end the story suddenly turns into a magic ball with some suspense. Chemistry, acting is ok. Romance is fluffy and second lead couple here tends to have good chemistry comparing those annoying second lead couple.Whatever,after watching all the 12 episodes this dramas looks surprising to me . At first I thought it would be a typical Chinese fantasy rom com where one partner has a weird problem and the only the another partner is his or her cure . Hell ,if you also think like that then please watch these series till the end . Recommend. Morever,FL is not dump here . Day by days, I am liking strong FL more that those typical calm FL.
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The FL was cold, but didn't give me a "capable" sense -- she worked crazy hours, but I never felt like she was taking the world by storm. Her interactions with her uncle were particularly lame. The ML was not the warm-bubbly type, but just sort of there. They set him up with a weird disability that I've never heard of, but then we only hear about it perhaps twice again. The chemistry between FL+ML was good while negative/hate, but then suddenly shifted without much warning into CP. I had to blink and rewind... I hadn't seen any clues that either was falling for the other.
The 2ML and 2FL were a great couple. Laugh-out-loud funny.
The first few episodes were much more focussed on comedy. Despite story-line problems, I was really enjoying how silly it was. Best scene: when the ML's home becomes a "for-the-experience" restaurant. That faded in later episodes, and I was watching simply because the series was so short.
The last episode is a left turn out of nowhere. Neither necessary, nor explained. It was a head-spinner. At least it didn't destroy the rest of the show.
Pacing was strange. Sometimes strangely fast (e.g. switch to CP), sometimes strangely slow... like 10 minutes of music and people running around looking for something.
Acting was not memorable -- neither bad nor good. FL lead's crying was better than many other female actresses.
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A watchable rom-com that is equal parts swoon-y and trying
To say that this show is tropey is stating the obvious. The countdown watch motif is not new. The contract arrangement between the leads is downright old school. The meet-cute is functional and kind of cute. Of course, with such a short run time, there is not a lot of time to waste but the show still managed to stretch some plots out a bit too far. Such faux pas usually has to do with cliché storylines that was meant to be funny, but it is more like an overnight guest who stayed for a week. It is just as well that the Show never take them to the extreme. Just when you start to groan, it moves on.Another odd thing about the Show is that most of the romance is actually centred around the 2OTP. They are a CP well before the 1OTP even shows a hint of romance. They did all the swoon-y things that you would rightly expect from the leads. This includes a very elaborate confession scene (which would be fitting as a marriage proposal!) They have good chemistry and a decent amount of skinship. On the other hand, the relationship between the leads is awkward for a long time with all the usual push-pulls and conflicts. They did make up for lost time in the end, but their confession didn’t happen until the second last episode!
Part of the reason for this delay was the SML being parachuted into the show to provide some angst just as the romance between the leads starts to blossom. It was a bit of a rough ride for all concerned but thankfully, the Show did not turn it into a full blown melodrama. Nevertheless, the damage was done, and we wasted more time with pensive scenes and the typical search for their true feelings as the clock ticks on.
The last episode had me baffled. The Show took us down a long, weird garden path only to arrive at the same point again. This heavy handed "explanation" is just outlandish and contrived. I was quite happy with where the Show was heading so why the crazy detour? I can only imagine they have to undo the whole death watch plot without involving the spirit realm. Censorship mayhaps? I'd have prefer the usual sugar coated fan service to round out the show. A wedding or two would have gone down a treat.
Yet it is not that bad. There are genuinely sweet and funny moments scattered throughout the show. In a sense, that is the core issue with this show. While some show starts off good and then goes downhill and vice versa, this show seesaws from moment to moment. Sometimes it works and you start to feel good about the show but then it might introduce a silly plot that make you want to facepalm. Hit and miss is two sides of the same coin for this show.
Acting is decent. The FL has a more demanding role, but the writer did her no favour by muddling her role. One minute she is strong and decisive, next episode she maybe fragile and dithering. The ML is patchy at times but at least he was not wooden like some idol turned actor. Some netizens have commented on his appearance (not being handsome enough) but considering he is supposed to be ordinary and dorky, his visual fitted the role. Their chemistry does improve over time and there are some sweet moments along the way and even a passionate kiss or two by the end of the show. The 2OTP has to pull their weight from the start and they did fine for the most part.
The BGM is patchy. Sometimes it is serviceable but there are times when the soundtrack becomes very loud and start to clip and drown out the dialogue. This show is well suited as a casual watch when you can't spare it your full attention or a filler between bigger shows. I'd be happy to watch a 10 minute cut on YouTube of all the sweet CP moments again.
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Oddly charming with a happy but bizarre ending
CEO powerhouse Shi Qianjin gets into a car crash but before she can get carted off to the afterlife, she manages to strike a bargain with death. She has 30 days to settle her debts. She is given a watch only she can see. Soon she finds she can stop the death clock when she is near pet mortician Zhou Qingyan. She’s pretty vicious in how she manipulates him through money in the early episodes invading his home, bossing him around.The series is a reasonable 16 episodes. I liked the slow romantic build between the leads as opposed to the fast paced relationship of the best friends who got together in episode 2. There is nonsense ups and downs as Shi Qianjian tries to control her empire, keeping “Old Zhou” (his nickname) 2 metres near her, and stop her nasty uncle from trying to take over her company and throughout the story there there is a love rival or two.
The series completely lost me at the last episode. There is a happy albeit confusing ending. I still can’t quite figure out what happened. The term “jumping the shark” completely applies here. The writers clearly didn’t want a “typical” happy ending so they killed the male lead making it part of Shi’s “dream”. Please if someone can explain this mess I would appreciate it. Overall the series ok, perplexing, but certainly not worth re-watching.
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Time watch? no relation to the actually drama...
To be honest I am glad that this drama is only 12 episodes long! what sounded as promising just ends up being very weird.First of all the female lead is the only one who can see the watch counting down. But honestly you cant even tell its counting down. it just looks like a regular watch.
The leads lack chemistry and passion. They only get together at the 11th ep, bear in mind there is only 12. The second pairing got together so quick and even had their kiss before the leads, which is a no no. It steals the light away from the leads.
The storyline really didnt work because no one can see the watch and she didnt really bother to explain why. She just wanted the male lead to sign the contract. They make the female lead seem so regulated and orderly but she is still a push over. She cant stand up to tell the third male lead that she doesnt like him and that the male lead is not just her assistant... what happen to the overbearing CEO figure she is suppose to have
I'm sorry, my first initial response to seeing the male lead, was he is ugly! dont hate me! Also he seems to soft and squishy lol the female lead has the say over everything
I much prefer the second pairing as the male lead and female lead instead. of the actual leads...
Tried but wasnt successful
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