This review may contain spoilers
Interesting historical family saga
The story of ink in the Ming Dynasty was interesting. Learning about the process, artistry and prestige such a commodity was during those times is similar to stories of silk. China really guarded their secrets. interesting also to watch the Japanese/ Chinese conflict.coming from a western background and new to Chinese drama I enjoy the historical content. I don’t know if the story was historical accurate or not but each scene seem to convey a natural and multidimensional interaction between family and community over the years that was believable.
the only characters I didn’t like as I found them too one dimensional was fourth Aunt and the father Tian. all actors were complex and interesting and the supporting characters provided the depth for main characters to shine. Tian Bangchan should have been billed as the main character because (apart from Li Ying) he was the main character and villain ( driving the plot)
I also enjoyed the fact that this story focused on the determination and success of a woman (not sure if it would have been possible during the Ming Dynasty) and how her family worried and encouraged her.
maybe this drama should not have been billed a romance as on that front it was disappointing especially the ending. I fact I deducted a whole point due to the ending. I wanted clear closure and happy ever after ending after so much angst, hardship and sadness that went of for previous 40 hours of watching. I was drained.
at time the story drifted and some scenes were really drawn out. for me the chief complaint was the length of the drama. I often fast forward through many scenes eg the whinging by Aunt or father Tian and son colluding or seling off the daughter were repetitive.
flashback scenes were also overdone.
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Seriously Boring ?
i felt the frustration of dating and stress being in Korea society where status, income and family matters more than compatabilty and companionship.The script and dialogue was boring and often awkward. the overall feeling of the drama seemed meloncolc (not romantic comedy). Was it just the acting by leads Han Ji Mn, Park Sung Hoon and Lee Ki Taek and others or the script?
FL Han Ji Min seems to play angry, sad, arrogant, immature, stiff and uptight roles. This was the same personality type as in Love Scout and Behind Uour Touch. She seems incapable of having chemistry with her costars even in a happy situation she has a fake laugh and forced smile. At 40 + this is not good acting.
ML Park Sung Hoon’s character was also a bit strained but he knew what he wanted. But who goes on a blind date and at the first meeting talks about marriage? unrealistic. furthermore who sits back and waits while the person he likes goes on multiple blind dates and several dstes with another man. Does this ever happen. I’m not one for jealousy but seriously he acted like a door mat. I’m sure this was how the script was written’cliche’ triangle romance. But seriously this was not acceptable.
The second leads were happily ‘in love’ but they split up because 2FL was on a dating spp??? Scenario was opposite to first leads and it felt like conservative moralising, which became a real turnoff.
Meeting the mum was excrutiating !!
The best bit was the end. scenery of Seoul in background was beautiful.
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Too long and drawn out scenes
I really liked the story from the the background of the main characters and the dynamics and intrigue of both the mortal and spiritual realms.However many scenes were drawn out too long and this made the whole drama very slow and way too long. it could have easily been condensed into 30 episodes without loosing its charm, depth and character.
I loved the acting by all actors. Arthur Chen was a mix of a cheesy and sentimental fool who portrayed the deep commitment really well which was a surprise.
Dilmah perfectly portrayed a cold and intelligent woman of integrity which is how I would imagine a person without senses might come across. the transition to a playful deeply emotional person once experiencing senses such as taste and the love of a man willing to give his all for her was believable.
While I was moved by the romance it was not passionate nor did it exude chemistry. This romance started slow and deepened throughout becoming achingly beautiful.
I cried and cried. not many CDramas have made me feel such despair. 😞
The loss of friends, comrades, family and love ones felt by all characters was truly memorable and well acted by all the actors.
CGI and othe special effects were really well produced to make the fantasy world like magic but overdone when used in the real world. so much beautiful landscape naturally available looked and felt fake and not appealing when characters were in the mortal realm.
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