1
Darkglow
Deceptively plotless
Yu Zheng might be a controversial figure but he most definitely has style. This has to be the most beautifully produced Republican era drama I've seen so far. I was drawn by the realistic sets and the stunning reds, but alas a good plot could not be found.
THE PLOT:
When I read the synopsis I thought surely this cannot be all, but dear reader, it is. Watching this drama was like reading a collection of short stories with the same characters and weak conflicts. There are so many side plots but all they do is increase screen time, they don't enrich the plot (besides what exactly is it?) or come together to build momentum. Events are just too disjointed, so this isn't really bingeworthy. All we have to look out for is Shang Xirui performing or preparing to perform Opera, when this is not happening, nothing else is. The only real conflicts are the ones the characters fight within themselves, but this is represented in such a haphazard way, you can't build on emotions. I enjoy the slice of life genre but even they understand the need for momentum.
Tiny spoiler: This drama started losing me after the lacklustre performance in episode 13 because so much hype was built around that performance.
ACTING/CHARACTERS:
Nothing needs to be said on the acting except that they were all brilliant, especially the actor playing Shang Xirui. I loved the tandem between Shang Xirui and Chen Fengtai, unfortunately it's not enough to keep me through the last 20 episodes. Charmaine Sheh was also delightful, she and Huang Xiaoming had good banter.
But I do have a lot to be said on characterization. Yu Zheng seems to have a love for unconventional, feisty, stubborn, rash and clever MCs'. I like them too, but a touch of reality doesn't hurt. I hate that when their strength of character is tested they are 9 out of 10 times saved by a stroke of luck. There is nothing interesting about these characters if they don't bear responsibilities for their ideals and manoeuvre challenges that come from going against conventions on their own.
MUSIC:
Naturally as the plot is closely connected to Chinese opera, there were a lot of beautiful performances but aside from that the soundtrack for the drama was really nice.
This one was not for me, but I'm still looking forward to "Legacy" hopefully it doesn't disappoint.
THE PLOT:
When I read the synopsis I thought surely this cannot be all, but dear reader, it is. Watching this drama was like reading a collection of short stories with the same characters and weak conflicts. There are so many side plots but all they do is increase screen time, they don't enrich the plot (besides what exactly is it?) or come together to build momentum. Events are just too disjointed, so this isn't really bingeworthy. All we have to look out for is Shang Xirui performing or preparing to perform Opera, when this is not happening, nothing else is. The only real conflicts are the ones the characters fight within themselves, but this is represented in such a haphazard way, you can't build on emotions. I enjoy the slice of life genre but even they understand the need for momentum.
Tiny spoiler: This drama started losing me after the lacklustre performance in episode 13 because so much hype was built around that performance.
ACTING/CHARACTERS:
Nothing needs to be said on the acting except that they were all brilliant, especially the actor playing Shang Xirui. I loved the tandem between Shang Xirui and Chen Fengtai, unfortunately it's not enough to keep me through the last 20 episodes. Charmaine Sheh was also delightful, she and Huang Xiaoming had good banter.
But I do have a lot to be said on characterization. Yu Zheng seems to have a love for unconventional, feisty, stubborn, rash and clever MCs'. I like them too, but a touch of reality doesn't hurt. I hate that when their strength of character is tested they are 9 out of 10 times saved by a stroke of luck. There is nothing interesting about these characters if they don't bear responsibilities for their ideals and manoeuvre challenges that come from going against conventions on their own.
MUSIC:
Naturally as the plot is closely connected to Chinese opera, there were a lot of beautiful performances but aside from that the soundtrack for the drama was really nice.
This one was not for me, but I'm still looking forward to "Legacy" hopefully it doesn't disappoint.
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