Interesting but oversimplistic
The Bionic Life started out very well. I was very impressed with the plot and characters seemed to have a lot of potential. I was especially impressed by SWL's new look and acting.Very quickly you realize that there is a different story each episode. This helps us understand the impact of human's decisions. Some stories were very touching and got me teary eyed. However, at some point, it started to feel a bit redundant. Once new characters were introduced, you can predict what will happen. The explanation on the origin of humanoids was also very vague. It's a shame for the wasted potential as the writers opted for a very simplistic route, like they couldn't be bothered.
Many times, the cut from scene to scene was very abrupt, making for a noncohesive flow. For example, the leads would be in a suspect's house asking questions then it cuts to An Qui asleep at home and dreaming. It reminds me of very old movies where scenes are cut and pasted together without regard for transitions.
Despite all of the above, it was still an enjoyable watch until the last few episodes where one of the leads started acting out of character and made some very questionable decisions. It frankly ruined my enjoyment and I couldn't stop rolling my eyes, hoping for it to be over. In the last ep. some issues were swept under the rug and the show was tied in a pretty bow to wrap things up.
If you are someone who takes things at face value, you may really enjoy show. I'm rating a 7.5 because it started out very well but the last few episodes were rather disappointing. Also some things needed more fleshing out. It definitely needed more than 12 episodes or at least each ep. should have been longer than 30 mins.
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REFRESHING to see in cdramas!
I support cdramas going into new genres vs. the often over hyped costume dramas or over produced rom-com. I also love shorter dramas like these because they don't drag and waste your time. Yes the story is not perfect, mostly because they had to edit and cut a lot in order to get pass censorship but this director Leste Chen at least tried. I also love his filming style. All the actors are well cast and gave solid performances. Song Weilong is able to prove his versatility and show depth in his acting with this new look and character. Vicky Chen is young and talented creating great chemistry with the male lead. I think it's about time cdramas do something different and I give them a lot of credit for it.Was this review helpful to you?
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A refreshing concept
This is probably the first drama I've seen that puts romance in the backseat and I think it really worked out in its favour. The story and concept are pretty akin to something like "Blade Runner", just without the cyberpunk element. Therefore, it is not entirely unique but in the realm of dramas and especially mini dramas, it is executed quite well. In terms of acting, I think both the ML and FL are on par with each other. In some moments their delivery works, but in others it falls flat. I think they both need to work on their range. Harkening back to Greek concepts of love, the drama trades off the typical eros love for something more centred on agape, philia, and storge. I think this decision complemented the story well and provided a lot more depth. It also leaves a stronger message for the viewer to think about after they finish the show. I also thoroughly enjoyed the production of the drama.In terms of cons, I do agree with other reviewers that it could have been more flushed out. I also think around the halfway point it starts to become more predictable.
Overall, I still recommend this drama if you're looking for a drama that isn't a cookie cutter love story.
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Not Android but SubHuman Engineering
I support this kind of Sci-Fic Chinese Drama where the main lead is still young. Despite their age, they really nailed the character they played. I hope Chinese Drama Industry will making more of science fiction Drama. The ending music is quite good but the director need to add more music into some scene. It need season 2 for afterstory. I hope they keep the cast.I will rewatch it again but not in the meantime
It is scary to think that our neuron and brain tissue can be manipulated and engineering like the story, but it is one possibility of humankind future.
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C-drama another attempt into futuristic/ scientific genre
It had potential of being a good drama.Its either limited time or the writer and producer couldnt figure a proper ending in tying the loose ends.
The production to the series seems like there wasnt enough effort in differentiating a bionic person and a real person. what was the reason for hatred between the two. Also is this euphemism between foreigners vs residents intermingling with each other. (maybe cause they make it in a way that real people were the superiors and the bionic people were the inferior...)
We see a bionic person raising a child better than a biological parent. Two bionic people falling in love and and out of love, and one ending the life of their counterpart. The man-hunt of illegal biotic peoples. (this part did not make any sense, as where did that come from???).
Where did these bionic people come from, at first the story makes it sound like they were made in a lab. They are then sold into the market as nannies, lovers, workers, etc.
The next they just happen to be there , and you can alter a bionic person's memory into thinking that they are a real person from the beginning.
Another issue was that, telling the difference between a real person vs. bionic person. As side from a little programing "magic" and their eyes turned white. Otherwise you really cant tell them apart. Really disappointing that they didnt put any effort in that part to make it obvious.
The whole series was just a incomplete and had too many stories with many plot holes and not alot of time to properly answer them.
I was hoping that they were able to answer as to why, where, what cause the rift between the two species. With soo few episodes to this drama. It doesnt make it a proper drama. They just jumble some stories together and left it like that.
Dont get me wrong, the acting between the two leads were fantastic. Them stepping out of their comfort zone, I give them props. I just felt unfortunate that they were given a half-written script and had to act and guess/ab-lib the rest to present this so-called "drama"
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It is good crime investigation drama about intelligent humanoid. Good watch.
The Bionic Life is another light-on-series from iQiyi, and they are the leader in this type of short series. I have watched many of their light-on-series, and they are excellent, and this drama is another good one.The plot is about investigating which humanoid is the killer of humans. Song Wei Long and Vicky Chen are this drama's lead actors/actresses.
The acting is good for both the lead and supporting cast, especially Vicky Chen. She is young and talented, especially in this type of genre. Song Wei Long acted his best in this drama compared to others he was in.
I enjoyed it and highly recommend you check it out. My only complaint is that humanoids are intelligent robots, so why is their blood when they die? Not realistic. I give it an 8.0 rating.
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