SimstheSimp

I suppose I shouldn't be so harsh on a drama that I thoroughly enjoyed and invested emotion in till episode 25 but the taste of disappointment of a show that could have been a masterpiece but was held back because of lazy writing in the last few episodes--is far too bitter. I have absolutely no qualms from the cast and the chemistry, everyone gave their best performance and made me feel every bit of emotion their character was bringing to the table.

Especially Song Weilong-this man utterly charmed me with his rough edges but softest portrayal and most intense gaze of a complex character like Chen Yi, not once did I feel disconnected or wanted to look away when he was on screen. Zhang Jingyi, my girl, you are an utter diva who made an absolute fan out of me- this was my first drama of her's. She was so bold, fierce, made me feel for her even when Miao Jing was being an absolute menace. Their chemistry was off the charts yet it was so organic- like an actual couple who had found each other after 6 years of separation, every moment was tense and crackling. Their kisses were absolutely lethal and passionate, and their hugs charged with emotion. They got every phase so right: that enemies to lovers adolescent one, that slow spark at teenage, that connection of caring in crisis, being together against the world, found family when utterly alone, and developing insane attraction for that special person as hormones rage. The adult phase too was so good: the angst, the bitterness, the raw tension and heated gazes, but also the yearning and selflessness from both sides. These two loved each other their entire lives almost and always chose the other over the self only to realise that that very care was getting int he way: IMAGINE THE SELFLESSNESS. The cinematography was so well done with the scenes being shown, I am never forgetting that one of Miao Jing in the rain with umbrella while Chen Yi scourged the heap of garbage for her lost earrings, getting soaked while sheltering her---that WAS EVERYTHING TO ME!!

Now comes to the part which I have issues with and why I was left feeling so angry with the last couple episodes despite being an absolute fan of it for 20 episodes or so. I am so so so disappointed with the way they blended the past story and cut it abruptly to give leap- it was disruptive but I kept calm thinking we would get flashbacks which WE DIDNT! THIS WAS THE MOST INFURIATING PART OF THE SHOW FOR ME: they gave ONE flashback and it came at the worst possible time (towards the final episodes) by which point I no longer cared about the past and was too invested in my Yi JIng's present and future. They turned one of the most anticipated sequences (first fire and second fire) into ones I skipped through because the emotions fell flat. The writers forgot that they had given us a tease of break up scene pre-leap and never showed it which made the story feel so broken. We got them talking about the future and everyday domesticity but never GOT TO SEE THE ACTUAL REWARDING MOMENTS of Chen Yi showing Miao Jing his new pool hall or proposing to her. The ending was so bland that I FELT NOTHING WHEN IT ENDED! They could have given us everything IF THEY HAD CUT OUT excessive scenes of auditing, case investigations, and Zhang Bin which I HAD NO INTEREST IN because this story was emotion and character driven! I am still seething with rage BECAUSE MY CHEN YI AND MIAO JING DESERVED BETTER, THEIR CHEMISTRY DESERVED MORE!

We got the purest journey of love, domestic bliss, insane chemistry, hottest kisses and makeout session, complex characters but the production team screwed up the final 6 episodes! So yes I would come to rewatch this but skip aggressively epi 25 onwards every single time!