The extended shots and continuous takes evoke strong vibes reminiscent of Edward Yang and Hou Hsiao-hsien, which might make some viewers find the material a bit monotonous. But if you're a fan of Edward Yang or Hou Hsiao-hsien's films, this is a treat. I would even go so far as to say this is the best thing I've seen from iQIYI and Chinese contemporary film/television in a long time.
The direction, production, and the actors' performances (there are some seriously impressive performances here) are genuinely excellent and ensure there's always something captivating happening within the frame.
The atmosphere and mood of the show stayed with me long after the credits rolled in the final episode. If nothing else, the final half-hour or so will linger in your memory long after the screen goes dark.
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IMO, the mystery itself and characters are not what you come to for this show. Instead, it's the setting, which the production design does a killer job to immerse you in, taking you authentically to multiple time periods of 东北 in Chinese history. The characters are rather impenetrable, icy, and alien. There's no fun interaction between characters. But, the lack of connection and attachment is also a point of the show in demonstrating the effect of trauma, Chinese history, and economic recession in impeding communication, empathy, warmth, and close ties. The show is bleak, nihilist, and oh so noir.
I loved that the show had movie length episodes, which were necessary for maintaining the captivating atmosphere. I hope mysteries with variable episode lengths can survive amidst the industry- and market-driven pressure to produce Douyin-oriented shorts.
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Immersive Atmosphere, Uncertain Destination
This drama was a mixed bag for me. I loved the atmosphere and the way it focused on building a distinct mood. In many ways, it reminded me of an indie film, which is a style I grew up watching in the U.S. I’ve always appreciated the unique storytelling found in independent productions. Rather than relying on glossy, action-packed sequences or casting performers based on popularity alone, indie films often depend on strong acting and genuine performances to carry the story.They also tend to place a great deal of emphasis on aesthetics, making them an essential part of the storytelling formula. The result is a narrative that blends fiction with a sense of real life. While watching this drama, I often felt as though I was witnessing real events unfold. I felt immersed in the storytelling, as if I were observing the lives of ordinary people rather than fictional characters. I also loved the rawness of the camerawork and the industrial feel of the setting. Together, these elements created a rich backdrop that strengthened the overall narrative.
However, I felt the story became less coherent near the end. I have my own theories about what happened, but I’m not entirely sure whether my interpretation is correct because the central event that drives the entire drama is never fully revealed. We receive clues and scattered pieces of information throughout the story, and viewers can connect those dots to form their own conclusions, but nothing is ever explicitly confirmed. Because of that, I felt somewhat let down. I invested a lot of time into the story only to reach a resolution that felt incomplete, leaving me wondering whether the journey had ultimately been worth it.
I don’t know how many people here watch films outside of Asian cinema, but I tend to watch movies from a variety of countries, including France. The best way I can describe my feelings after finishing this drama is that it felt like watching a French film. The sense of existential unease that many French films leave me with can be overwhelming. Even when their stories technically reach a conclusion, they often leave loose threads behind because the ending leaves the audience with lingering emotions and questions. That is exactly how I felt when this drama ended.
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Don't wast your time with this light on series with iQiyi
Why Try to Change Me Now is another iQiYi short series. I usually enjoy their short series like Bad Kids, Homesick, and Who is the Murderer, to name a few; except this one.I watched about 2 1/2 episodes, and I could no longer continue with it. It was too slow and draggy, and the story and acting were dull. Each episode is over an hour, and I could not see myself sticking with it. The characters' buildings were not there, and I ended up falling asleep watching the drama.
I am giving it a 3.0 rating and dropping it as well. If you have different opinions, please let me know. Too bad, it is only 6 episodes in total, but the plot did not lure or engaged me.
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