A true Treasure Hall
Words might not be enough to describe my love for this show.I already had watched the Donghua, which is one of my favourites and I rewatch episodes of it over and over.
Searching for Ya She's OST music, (which is fantastic, check it), I accidentally stumbled on The Company's trailer. It looked like it took a different route from the Donghua, so it didn't catch my interest at first. Then after over a year I stumbled on the show itself and recognised it from that trailer, while looking for something else. So I thought of giving it a shot.
As I figured from the trailer, it was quite different from the Donghua, but not in a bad way. It was something new, a different premise, but so truly interesting and fascinating! But while the story resembled more Link Click than Ya She, with only one arc being common but still altered from the Donghua, its core essence is similar, as it combines, wisdom, beauty in aesthetics, enchanting music, tragedy, comedy, horror, loyalty, wholeheartedness and a deep dive in the Chinese culture.
But something that is unique to this Drama, aside its breathtaking acting, cinematography, setting and costumes, is how instead of falling to the Western cliches, it defies them and takes a different approach, much more sentimental and intriguing. As for the plot twists...they are truly a chef's kiss and the entire idea behind the biggest one is uniquely brilliant!
While I was watching it for the first time, I started to slow down because I didn't want it to end... and when I finished it I started to rewatch it again with my brother. I only suggested him to watch the first episode with me, but he got hooked and now he can't get enough of it. Even when we watched together The Untamed, he wasn't that invested. Imagine that yesterday he got back from a trip to another country and the first thing he told me was to watch Ya She! And I couldn't be happier because I was already missing it these few days we didn't watch it XD
Ya She is one of my favourite shows of all times. Not just Asian Dramas but in general.
And I hope more people discover and love it as well.
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It succeeds where Hollywood failed
In the past 10 years, Hollywood is all about "girl bosses", but all they do is creating female characters that end up being the embodiment of toxic masculinity in a woman.But, where they failed, Dance of the Phoenix succeed.
The lead is witty, funny, expressive, creative, logical, caring, charismatic and strong, without losing her femininity. The antagonist is ambitious, charming, also charismatic but in a different way, more appealing to the public, goal oriented and very elegant. Even the female side characters are multidimensional and strong in their own personal way, while each being unique. They have strengths and weaknesses, they strive and fail, they need and accept help but also help and save themselves or others. They are not flawless, but that makes them perfect. The portrayal of women and the different kinds of love they feel and express is outstanding. Friendship, motherly love, the need to protect but also having someone to rely on and be accepted... the sense of duty or unwillingness to give up and fight for the best, and the willingness to selflessly make a sacrifice out of loyalty... this Drama has it all.
Dance of the Phoenix is quite underrated and even faced hate for, in my opinion, surface reasons.
If you only watch it to focus on the romance, or the SFX, then you may be disappointed. But there are so much more in it to love.
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