I Am the Years You Are the Stars (2021)

Five cautions if you want to start/watch/continue this drama.

1. Chemistry. Shall I say…lack there off? I did not feel any couple vibes between the FL and the ML. It felt forced and contractual. The body language between the leads was awkward, and when they were ‘alone’, the ML’s body was facing the camera in most of those scenes. However, there were some nice chemistries between the ML and Qian Tu and, the FL’s bestie Dr Cheng Wei Lan and rich girl Xue Wan Wan.

2. Introduction of support characters. I was slightly confused during the introduction of key supporting characters such as William and the Qian brothers. It was as if the writers dumped a bag of toys in front of me and say “here there are!” in the first two episodes.

3. Lack of explanation on the exit of some characters. There were few characters where their departure from the story felt sudden. Imagine a character been skipping and dancing for three episodes, then suddenly they appear at a morgue. This scenario happened a few times where I went, “did I miss an episode??”

4. An air of superficiality. The themes of lifespan of human life, organ donations, illegal drug testing and guardianship, mashed with comedy, romance, and fantasy. Heavy topics but filmed in the typical fluffy C-drama romcom where everything is bright with super perky FL, cold-domineering ML, and comic relief between a few duos. Despite some fresh premises within the c-romance world, the writing felt loose and superficial in dealing with, and mashing the themes with the genre.

5. Many of the sets feel like relics from the 1980s. The ML’s and the Qian family homes, the hospital, the morgue, and some cars felt “outdated” and “heavy”. Heavy curtain with heavy cars.

I completed this drama for Qian Tu, the ML’s fate and to see how this drama wrapped up.

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A phenomenal cast - intersting story...Loving it!

I didn't have too high of expectations going into this since I'm not very familiar with the cast; however, within two episodes I've fallen in love with everyone, especially the FL. OMG! She is so spunky and adorable. She seems to bring out the best in every scene, no matter who she's playing opposite. I do love the chemistry between her and the ML. Their banter is cute and energetic.

AND, I can't say enough good things about the support cast. The guardian(s) who surround the ML are so engaging and entertaining.

As far as the story line, I'm hooked, and can't wait to see what happens next. Some scenes give me a Twilight feel, only with a livelier and smarter FL. There is also some entertaining bromance which rounds out a great script with amazing characters. I highly recommend this series.

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