Soothing in a low key kind of way
This drama will definitely not appeal to everyone, its not full of angst where our main leads are pulled all over the place. Equally its not a romantic comedy as the leads find themselves in outlandish situations. As a romantic drama its not even particularly dramatic, although it does have its moments.So why watch it?
Simply put, I liked the fact that I was watching real adults who knew exactly what they wanted and found a way to each without lots on angst or drama.
This drama felt natural to me. From the friendships, the romance and even the issues with their families.
The overall pacing of the drama won't appeal to everyone, I personally liked that everything progressed at a similar pace throughout. This to me was refreshing compared to many of the other drama's I have seen.
The leads had really good chemistry throughout and talked through any issues they faced. Equally, they supported each other when they faced their own problems. Again this was I nice change pace for me. Generally, I don't see healthy communication in a lot of the drama's I've watched.
If your looking for a reflexing, yet moving story I would certainly give this a go.
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This review may contain spoilers
I will start with the two main things I didn't love/like about this drama: the *astronomical* military propaganda and the last episode... it gave more context on Lu Chen's feelings and certain events but... I found it a tad boring. Two minor things I found meh were the way the adults took care of the kids lmao... they were just shipped around like some things, really sad. I also admit I enjoyed the romance the most when it took place in the winter time in Qining. That is when it truly peaked for me. Once our pretty couple got together, they got a little *too* sweet, sometimes I felt annoyed how much Lu Chen baby-ed the female lead: let her wash that glass of milk, don't treat her like she is incapable of doing things just because she is pregnant etc. like we get it, he is caring but sometimes it was a tad too much for my liking. One thing though: male lead's face never disappointed when he hugged Gui Xiao, he looked so at peace and happy, it made go crazy tbh !! The way they were looking at each other and their chemistry were so great, you could really feel their love for each other, it felt so real to me. The cinematography in this show was wow, just top notch, so pretty! Every episode felt like 5 minutes despite being 9x the length, i had such a good time watching several episodes at a time because it was such an easy watch. Overall, sweet and mature second chance romance; I'll repeat myself: the Qining episodes were *chef's kiss*. Was this review helpful to you?
the length of love is appreciated in this drama..
i love the bond between the comrades...im happy seeing them together..i love the team ml and fl they are sweet together...and the ending is satisfying.. because i love this kind of happy ending....thank you writer for this beautiful drama..i hope i can watch your drama again in the future.to all the drama lovers please watch this drama its very lovable and sweet....but this have a big issue the father of the ml he is bad in here .and the step sister is not in the drama...i skip the boring part but i keep on smilling the sweet moments and the boldness of the fl...i like the way she seduce his husband..its lovableWas this review helpful to you?
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Travel show vibe with breathtaking scenery & best kissing scene!!
Even though I just loved lead's chemistry and the cinematography of this drama was way too beautiful...I have to say that it was quite bland, don't get me wrong I love dramas without unnecessary misunderstandings & other annoying yet predictable tracks but still, I believe we should have something to look forward to when we are watching a series of 30 episodes....It has soo many plotholes which kind of annoyed me a bit..I feel after they got back together that is where the story kind of ended because after that they were only kind of meeting after months & making out🤣At some point i felt like watching a travel show because the scenery was totally mesmerizing 😂I have never seen a C-drama with better kissing scene, despite that, i don't know when they consummated and how she got pregnant😭I struggled to complete it tbh....I so wish we can have the same pair in a better show because they are just breathtaking and phenomenal!
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The longggggg road home.
Romance and Jing Boran could only keep my interest for so long.More time was spent on propaganda and off-screen dramatic character changes than on even-paced writing. Significant character personality shifts made little sense because all major conflict resolutions happened off-screen. I didn't care for the drawn-out military montages of our ML being a super badass and the long-winded explanations of "sacrifice for the motherland." It felt on-the-nose and unnatural to say to another person when there were no cameras around. On the plus, the drama is a visual feast for the eyes with overviews of isolated, snow-covered towns, prairies of ice and trees, and Jing Boran's perfectly placed eye mole.
I'm excited to continue watching Jing Boran in future dramas, but this one was hard to like after a while. The pacing was too slow, conflicts weren't fully fleshed out on-screen, and I hoped to feel a broader emotional spectrum to match the 30-episode watch duration. Still, there was no talent shortage from every actor (including the child actor). I'd blame my dislikes for the drama on writing and pacing more than anything else because, at the end of the day, if you're looking for a drama that's a feast for the eyes without much to sate your hunger, you'll leave satisfied anyway.
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My All time Top 1 series now.
I used to think I can't get over the UTP couple. Lu Yi and Jin Xia got me hooked for more than 3 years. I have a hard time watching those two with new partners since their chemistry is unmatched.Then Road Home got me. I'm 3 years older now and it made me realized that not everyone can work with our loved ones like the UTP couple. Their story is so good because they are together most of the time since their jobs are intertwined. So how about people who have different jobs or demanding jobs? Are they not allowed to experience love? Is love only shown when we are near our loved ones or if we have time for them? How about people from healthcare field or military field? If everyone just wants to be lovey dovey with their partner all the time then who would protect us or who would be there to care for us if we got sick?
Road home might not be for everyone because it shows the lonely sad of being in a relationship with someone in public service. It depicts how mature people love. How respect and understanding is the foundation of the relationship.
Lu Chen is not your typical ML. He doesn't know how to say sweet words. He always show his love through actions which might not be enough to some since he actually has limited time outside work. Which is why Gu Xiao is his perfect partner. Because after going through everything she emerged as a magnanimous person. She has her own career to take care of so she's not clingy and needy like before. Which is the perfect example for young women nowadays . We should be the most loving partner when they are around and have an amazing life when we are apart. These two are so great together that just them being doing simple things in life looks magical. ( cooking, cleaning and doing laundry 😂)
I would not try to convince other people with other opinion to change their mind since we have different stories and cultures. But to those who are going through a heartbreak now I wish you can find your own Lu Chen 😊
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Worth a re-watch for the two leads and the child stars
The two main leads carried this drama on their shoulders alone. The script was draggy and poor, the endless recaps were dumb, none of the other storylines were followed through properly, the two kids were fantastic but only used as props.If it wasn't for the main leads acting chops and charisma, this drama would have tanked.
I watched it solely for TSY, Jing Boran and the 2 kids. Luckily, the main leads are present in almost all the scenes.
The original story was great, but the script/edits/direction of this drama, not so great at all. I read the English translation of the original and it was a fast-paced very interesting read.
Thanks to TSY and Jing Boran the drama has a very high watch and re-watch value.
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It's sweet and a little bit bitter romance drama.
This is the 2nd time that I write review. First, before the drama on airs, I read the novel version of that. The novel includes a bit angst. So, I don't like novel very much and it's okay for me to read and pass time. When the drama airs, I plan to wait to release all episodes and watch it because I want to skip angst scene that describe in novel. But I cannot wait and start to watch it. :PNow I stuck in the drama, and I like it very much. The drama includes less angst than the novel and it follow the novel generally in overall and some part in detail. The cast choosing is perfect and they portray very well. Especially, the male lead's voice is so deep and manly, their eye contacts are very sweet. They perfectly nailed it together. ML is a man with few words and action.
I feel that it is good they don't miss out a chance together with each other because they are each other's first love. After ten years, they don't change and still miss and love each other. In my point of view, the drama version is better than the novel.
If any other who want to watch this drama but don't know it's good or not, please try to watch it.
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Slow Road Home
I did enjoy this drama to a certain degree. I really like both the leads; Jing Boran is so expressive and definatly has the visuals in this one. Seven Tan I have enjoyed in a number of her other shows. The story was more mature, slice of life which I truly appreciated after all the nonsense shows we have been getting lately. The scenery was great and loved seeing that aspect of northern China. Nice to see a show out filming on location. That being said, there were a few things that I found lacking. I was disappointed in the pacing of the show. It just did not seem to flow very well and did get very draggy in parts. To much of the same stuff on repeat. I also had a problem with the secondary couple. Their story was not well developed and I found their chemistry to be nonexistant. Just could not get them as a couple. The little boy was adorable, his father, the second male lead, a blockhead. Found it hard to believe he was a SWAT Captain. The other couple, Seven Tan's best friend and her husband, were refreshingly normal. I like Seven Tan but honestly was not so invested in her character. I realize Lu Chen was her first love but after getting back together after 10 years I found her to still be acting like a teenager in her interactions with him. It was a little to cutesy cutesy for my taste. She was not acting like a mature 30 something woman. Lu Chen was the stereo typical SWAT team captain. A man of very!! few words. His communication skills were a tad bit lacking. All in all this was one of my favorites for the year.Was this review helpful to you?
Life at it's finest!
I am so engulfed in this story, to the point of going back and watching from Episode 1 again, oh alright several times re-watching again! .... I usually do not re-watch dramas unless I find the topic or cast members interesting but this drama has given me both of those. It shows how not everyone is meant to be "book smart" as in going to college or being capable of the intense training such as the SWAT team. Each person is an individual with individual strengths and weaknesses but love has neither. Love does not discriminate; love does not acquire social status or to place blame or fault. Love is pure and in this drama, it shows how love can remain in your heart even after a separation. JBR and TSY have to be two of the most natural actors and I am glad they did this drama. Even down to their kissing scenes, there movements are natural and not stiff. It's like watching your two best friends find their love again for each other. It would be great to see these two do another drama together. This drama has been added to my All Time Favorite list and I will watch again when I need a good dose of love and life at it's finest.Was this review helpful to you?
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What a long Road Home it was for me!
Finished it finally, It took me forever to finish this one, I don't even remember when I started it and how many times I put it on hold. The couple was great, but that's it, I'm a fan of slow burn, but this one wasn't it. Many weasted characters that appear and desappear and reappear with no purpose, the big plot hole was the ML's father that just changed overnight and became a better person, so is the FL's father but that one I could accept more.Overall I give it 7/10. I will love to see this couple again but in a better drama.
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Long Distance Relationship at its best
the ending is a bit disappointing. they managed to showcase their relationship beautifully; from the childhood love, their premature breakup, how they amend their relationship, their coping mechanism to complement each other. it makes us realize LDR needs both side effort and understanding. it is difficult but doable.but their daughter in few last episodes seems like didnt exist. there's no loving moment as a complete family. the direction still as loving couple rather than a family of three. on another perspective, it is quite logic; LDR makes you feels every moment is fresh and awkward.
other than that, this is a slow burning gem. if you like Le Coup de Fodre, this is another binge for you.
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