Pupusa
Terra Firma
The show’s success was in the good writing and perfect casting. I say perfect casting because not all the actors were great actors. They just fit their roles, or rather the roles fell within their abilities. That’s not to say there were no great actors in this series. There were plenty.
TV legend Adam Cheng played Wong Tin, a billionaire with a heart of gold. He was brilliant and idealistic, which could be boring if not done right. Adam played this character with enough vulnerability to make him interesting. Your heart will go out for his Wong Tin. This man was under constant attack by business rivals, his own daughter, and even fate. Instead of brooding about it, he took control of his own destiny. He was not just the leading man, he was an inspiration.
I applaud Kiki Sheung and the writers for creating the character of Cheung Hok Wah. This was one of the strongest female characters I’ve seen in Asian dramas. Wah was cool as ice and ruthless when she wanted to be. When sitting around the table with a bunch of male scumbags, she always had a card up her sleeve. When with Adam, she was his equal and his match in every way.
Ekin Cheng and Adia Chan earned their reputation as the golden couple of that era. Their love was not flashy, but simple and touching. These two were so sweet they even made littering look romantic. And despite all the emotional baggages, their relationship stayed healthy and was built to last.
The most annoying character award went to Amy Kwok’s Wong Lui. She was a whiny poor little rich girl who blamed everyone but herself for her problems. Luckily, Amy was able to pull the character back at the right moment, before you really hate her.
Finally, there was Roger Kwok as Poon Long Ching. This guy was smart enough to do damage, but really too stupid to do anything productive. He was a horrible excuse for a human being, although he never saw himself as a villain. He rationalized and made excuses for every lousy, selfish thing he ever did. I’m sure we all came across a Long Ching in our lifetime, or have had a Long Ching moment ourselves. Watch Roger's acting here, then watch him again in Square Pegs. Calling him a fantastic actor is an understatement.
The plot relied too much on coincidences (was Hong Kong really that small?) and felt contrived at times. Many scenes were clearly designed to tug at your heartstrings. If you have a heart, you will cry buckets and buckets. When Wah asked Tin if he can live life without her, he gave a short but profound answer: “Every time I think of you, I know only happiness, not sorrow. Whether you are by my side or no longer exist in this world, there is no difference.”
Was this review helpful to you?
Our leading man is Yuen Wah doing what he does best: physical comedy. Unlike his useless role in Marvel’s Shang-Chi, he gets to shine here as the quirky Taoist master Chong Tin. He is well-matched with an equally quirky Louisa So. Their relationship is a refreshing change from your typical dreamy romance. For those who like to see a younger and hotter pairing, there is Halina Tam with a baby-faced Daniel Chan to drool over.
This show wouldn’t be nearly as interesting without the supporting characters. Who could forget the bumbling police chief played by Woo Fung? Who wouldn’t cry for the elderly Mr. Yam who sacrifices much for his despicable son and grandsons? Who wouldn’t be intrigued by Dong Siu Hong? He looks like someone who could be the hero, the leading man, until he makes some questionable choices and sinks deeper and deeper into a hell of his own making.
The jiangshi myth has ties to the opium trade, a crisis that crippled China and left it at the mercy of the west. The writers do not shy away from this dark topic. We see China undergoing a great shift, during which its people must either adapt or be left behind. There are those who adapted to do good, like Chong Tin. Then there are those who lost their way, like Siu Hong. The series showed us that change is poignant. Change is also scary, for who would want to be turned into a jiangshi?
Was this review helpful to you?
Hu Ge, with his chiseled good looks, is the undisputed Su Zhe. I always think his face is far too thin and his shoulders too narrow, but this makes him physically perfect to play the sickly Su Zhe. He has a naturally melancholy face and a haunted look that’s almost eerie, fitting for a man coming back from the dead. The best part of his acting is his body language. You can see the subtle differences in his posture when he is calculating and determined, compared to when he feels hurt and tortured. His is a carefully crafted and deliberate performance. Credit to the director for taking advantage of Hu Ge’s strength as an actor.
Wang Kai, with his chiseled good looks, is the undisputed Prince Jing. This man is hotheaded, impulsive, and inflexible at times. He will stand by what is right even if it kills him (and possibly his followers, too). The good thing about him is that he's fully aware of his own faults and willing to shoulder the consequences of his actions. Unlike the stoic Su Zhe, the prince wears his heart on his sleeve, which is why Wang Kai is ideal for the role. Other than looking ultra-masculine, he has very expressive eyes that hint to all sorts of emotions boiling beneath the surface. In real life, a man with such a pure heart will find it near impossible to make it far in politics. But if Prince Jing ever make it to the top, you know he will make the world a better place.
Su Zhe and Prince Jing do make a great team, with one serving as the brain and the other the heart of the operation. They are each other’s foil, each making up for the qualities that the other person lacks. Their friendship and their struggle give us hope that we can change the world without sacrificing our integrity and the very things that make us human. Hu and Wang is one of the greatest onscreen duo ever. Every scene with the two of them is worth watching and rewatching.
Also worth rewatching are scenes where the men engaged in a battle of wits and will: Su Zhe vs. Xia Yu, Su Zhe vs. Xia Jiang, Xia Jiang vs. Yan Que, Su Zhe vs. Emperor, Prince Jing vs. Emperor. These scenes are a thousand times more suspenseful than the bloody battle sequences. They lead you to question what kind of life is worth living, and what kind of things are worth fighting and dying for.
Romance is never the focus here. Prince Jing’s wife is barely a blip and Su Zhe’s relationship with Princess Ni Huang is sidelined for most of the series. Liu Tao really shines as Ni Huang in the last few episodes. I never knew she has such a beautiful singing voice.
The first 20-plus episodes are draggy, to the point that I almost quit watching. There is an excessive use of deus ex machina. Minor characters that you really don’t care about pop in and out of the story. A lot of time is wasted on watching people bow to each other and walk around. I get the need to properly set up the story and characters, but this is just an inefficient use of screentime.
The direction is weirdly inconsistent. It feels like there’s two different directors at work here. The acting can be “pose-y” and a little unnatural in some scenes. Sometimes the actors just stand around like mannequins on display. Maybe it’s a stylistic choice, but it’s not one that I personally like.
Despite the flaws, this series will always be a classic to me.
Was this review helpful to you?
Alex Fong lives up to the idea of dream man Fei Yun Fan. He was debonair in "Before Dawn" and he is still debonair now, if not even more so. The man ages like fine wine. He oozes confidence, but is vulnerable when it comes to the leading lady. He has such sex appeal that you hardly notice their age gap. So, must Yun Fan be old enough to be Zi Ling's father? Probably not, but this is Qiong Yao's semi-autobiography and she was similarly involved with a much older man. This is her fantasy, after all.
Next to Alex, Bao Jian Feng doesn't compare favorably as the second lead. His Chu Lian seems dazed and confused half the time. In the other half, he is dull. He's cute certainly, but still dull as dirt. Bao Bao's fans would be better off watching his other works.
Qin Lan's talents are wasted in the role of Lu Ping, who is more of a plot device than a person. Like Chu Lian, she is eye candy but not too much so. As a couple, their main purpose is to be outshined by Yun Fan and Zi Ling.
The character of "613" is annoying and not funny at all. Qiong Yao has been trying to add humor to her remakes and it invariably fails. She really should stick what she can do: romance and family drama.
Zhang Jia Ni as Zi Ling is surprisingly not annoying, which nowadays is an accomplishment. She has chemistry with Alex, but it doesn't make up for her lack of acting experience, which is painfully obvious in many scenes. They should've cast a capable actress who can add more depth to the character, or at least give a more convincing performance. Qin Lan herself would make a better Zi Ling.
It would be wrong not to mention how beautiful this series is, visually. It has the feel of a European fairy tale. We get to see Paris and Provence in all their glory. There are many romantic shots of our couple standing in a sea of lavender, by a stone castle, or on an ocean side cliff. The views just take your breath away.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
At first glance, there was nothing interesting about this series. It was just another period romance with a political angle. There was the time travelling, which was totally random and made no sense in the context of the theme. But somehow, halfway through, the series turned into something special. Liu Shi Shi’s Ruoxi was the reason why the first part of the series was so bad. She was also the reason why the second part was so good. Ruoxi took up about 99% of the screen time, a huge burden for any actress to carry. Liu Shi Shi did not have a good grasp of her character in the beginning. She played a modern woman transported into the body of a sixteen-years-old girl, then proceeded to act cute, childish, and completely unlike her real 20-something self. She didn’t give the impression of someone lost in time, trying to a survive in a completely new world. Her worst scenes were the lighthearted ones, like when she was bickering with Mingyu or teasing the princes. Liu just didn’t have that sparkle. She was very pretty, but once she smiled and showed her teeth, the magic was lost. It wasn’t until the second half that you start to appreciate her. She was at her best in scenes that called for anguish and tears. There was a restrained, elegant quality to her acting that fit with the pensive mood of the series. Most importantly, she finally clicked with Nicky Wu’s 4th prince.
The show was excellent in showing the slow and painful breakdown of Ruoxi and the 4th prince’s relationship. There was no stupid misunderstanding, no disapproving parents, no evil people to split them up. These were two people who loved each other deeply, but can’t bring themselves to accept each other’s failings and flaws. It was achingly sad and beautifully acted.
The whole time travel thing was just a gimmick and a really bad one. This was a story about relationships and how love was not always as simple as we wished it to be. Love was not ideal, but still beautiful nonetheless.
Was this review helpful to you?
The Youth of Liang Shan Bo and Zhu Ying Tai
1 people found this review helpful
This review may contain spoilers
There are many adaptations of the Butterfly Lovers, and this one is the “cutesy” version. Even the theme song is cute. Our lovers here have lots of friends. They joked, they danced, they frolicked in the fields. Everything was light and fluffy. Then suddenly there was murder, disfigurement, and rape. The shift in tone was so unexpected that it left me cold and a little disgusted. Noel Leung was a lovely and talented actress, but totally unsuited for this version of Ying Tai. She looked too mature and tried much too hard to be cute. She did well in the sad parts but seemed forced in the funny scenes. The part where Ying Tai fooled her parents with that fake looking mustache was embarrassingly bad. Unfortunately, there were too many scenes like it. They should’ve chosen a different actress, someone who could handle both comedy and melodrama.
Lo Chi Cheung was a dorky but sweet Shan Bo. John Chan as Ma Wen Cai was a total creep who will make your skin crawl. Their acting was impressive, given that in real life Lo is a reputed playboy and John a family man happily married to Noel.
This was supposed to be a comedy, but most of the cast were not that kind of actors. The only one with real comedic timing was Wu Meng Da as the teacher. It was brave of the producers to try to do something fun and different with an old tale. They just tried to do too much, so the show sort of collapsed under its own weight.
Was this review helpful to you?
Kade, our time traveler, is more than just your cute, feisty heroine. She speaks her own mind, but never forces her modern views on others. She did change some people’s views, but through her own sincerity and sweetness. Her curiosity and enthusiasm are infectious (I’ve never seen anyone so excited to use an ancient pit toilet before). Her fangirling of the famous historical figures is hilarious. Bella Ranee played the role to perfection. Credits to the script writer for expanding on her relationship with her grandma and mother. Those extra scenes are touching and adds that much more depth to the character.
If Bella carries the show, then Pope Thanawat is the one that carries the love story. He’s Thailand’s answer to Tony Leung, an actor who can act with his eyes. Like Tony, he’s not good-looking in a conventional sense, but those eyes and that smile - they carry a girl across the oceans and back. His Por Date is dashing and aristocratic, like he just stepped out of those old paintings. This makes it all the more comical when Kade causes him to do things that are completely undignified.
The chemistry between Bella and Pope is like nothing I’ve ever seen, so natural and effortless. It’s one of those rare, indescribable things you have to see to believe. The supporting cast are spot on, every single actor large or small had a good grasp of their character (a credit to the director). The script and original novel are brilliant. All these elements came together to make this an international hit. So when is Channel 3 going to realize that it takes more than some koo-jin to make a quality show?
The sets and costumes are a feast for the eyes. The camera doesn’t waste time lingering on the props, but they are always there in the background and the corners of your eyes. These details bring Ayutthaya back to life. You see the grandeur and prosperity, but you also get glimpses of its dark side: the treatment of women, the slave system, and the xenophobia. The show is intelligent enough to showcase, but not glorify, ancient Thailand. It presents politics/history the same way, with an open mind and allow us viewers to think for ourselves.
Given that there’s a lot of time-traveling, body switching dramas out there, this is the one that ruins all the others for me. Kade doesn’t travel back in time “just because.” There are very specific reasons why. These are clearly explained and woven into the theme of the story. Everything comes together in the end. It is a happy ending. I’m just sad that it has to end. Good thing this is an infinitely rewatchable series. There are still so many little nuances and details to discover even after 3-4 viewings.
Was this review helpful to you?
The screenwriters gave too many side characters their own romance. We're talking about the Five Greats and villains like Li Mo Chou. Even Gongsun Zhi and his wife got their time in the spotlight. Dugu Qiu Bai, who was not even in the novel, appeared in a long flashback with a girlfriend, too. These relationships were so stale and badly-directed that even a romance junkie like me felt tired. The plot was so cluttered that the main couple, Yang Guo and Xiao Long Nu, barely made an impression.
In the novel, Li Mo Chou often pondered, "ask the world, what is love?" My answer: not this drivel I'm watching.
Was this review helpful to you?
South Korean shows are becoming good at taking old ideas, putting their own twist on it, and executing it perfectly. Being set in the distant Joseon period, the crew had to make sure everything from the costumes, the sets, to the props, all go together to create a sense of realism. It felt as if we were right inside that world. They were not afraid to make their actors look dirty, tired, and unattractive. Even the extras were done right, down to the zombie makeup and creepy jerky movements. The production value was sky high with hordes of zombies, bloody battle scenes, and even an undead ship. It was on par with Hollywood, and even better at times.
The acting was on point, nothing over-the-top or melodramatic. Ju Ji Hoon gave a very restrained, believable performance as an initially clueless prince who was learning to care about his kingdom and people. Jeon Seok Ho’s cowardly nobleman was not just a comic relief. You get a sense that he was on his way to redeem himself somehow. Heo Joon Ho as Lord Ahn was just cool without even trying. The show slowly built the characters so that you care about them, instead of just killing them off randomly for the shock value.
It was smart of them to leave out the romance. The plot had to enough substance to stand on its own. It didn’t need to be bogged down with a love story or worse yet, a love triangle. But what sets this series apart was how they used the plague to point out the social inequality that existed then, and still exists now. That was more scary than the zombies.
Was this review helpful to you?
A lot of time is wasted on slo-mos and long gazes. Pope and Bella can act with their eyes, but their romantic gazes mean nothing without a proper foundation of a love story. So he loves her because she appeared in his dreams? And she falls for him after he shielded her from a flying piece of wood (of his own making, I might add)? It's flimsy. She's just as likely to fall for Methus, who not only saved her but also has more in common with her. But of course that never happens, because we are told ad nauseam that Bella and Pope are "destiny," which is codeword for lazy writing.
The political conspiracy is equally sloppy. The writers build up this mystery of the man in the iron mask. In the end, he turns out to be some random guy we never seen before and don't really care about. There is a plot twist, albeit a poorly set up one, also involving an evil mastermind that we don’t care about.
The time traveling subplot is nonsensical, at best. What makes Methus so special that he gets sent back into the past? Nothing, except that it’s his “destiny.” Fortunately by this point, my brain has already packed up and left for vacation. As for the comedy aspect, the gags are done in the typical over-exaggerated Thai style. It is not enough to save the movie.
Perhaps this review is too harsh. I'm just tired of the dull writing and direction that completely waste the talents of the cast. Pope, Bella, and Ice all deserve a better script.
Was this review helpful to you?
Gordon Lam played two different characters here, the tragic Wan Kwong and the goofy Da Kwong. Technically, he played three characters, the third being a merging of these two men as Da Kwong recalled his past incarnation and his lost love, Siu Fu Yung. Sadly, the love of his life was now a ghost and out of his reach. Kwong’s attempts to hold onto her led to many touching and comical moments. While a good actor, Gordon does tend to overact in comedies. Here, he held it back just enough for a pitch perfect performance.
Kathy Chow was a vision of grace. She rocked a qipao like no other. Her best features were her expressive eyes that she used to great effect with Gordon. Her Siu Fu Yung was demure and gentle, but never boring. She was also quite funny in an understated sort of way. Much like Casper the Friendly Ghost, people were terrified of Siu Fu Yung at first then grew to care for her over time.
Florence Kwok was a little annoying as “the other woman”, although it’s not hard to sympathize with her. Wouldn’t it annoy you, too, if your boyfriend started to remember his past life and love for another woman? Kenneth Chan played “the other man,” a true gentleman who gave unselfishly without making the woman he loved feel guilty about it. The rest of the supporting cast were likeable in general. There was a villain, but he was a cardboard cutout type that was dispatched in a very rushed way. Other than that, the writing was spot on. The writers tied up all the loose ends and resolved the love triangle/rectangle in a meaningful, satisfying way.
Massive credits to the director and production team for creating an afterlife that was vivid and rich in details. You’ll see how the ghosts live (kind of), eat, and communicate with their loved ones in the world of the living. This was a showcase of Chinese traditions and beliefs – something TVB series excelled at in the 90’s.
Was this review helpful to you?
The series is most notable for the creative shots and camera angles. With competent acting and a fantastic soundtrack, it will keep you on the edge of your seat. I will admit the plot is not so airtight and there is an overreliance on coincidences, but don’t overthink it. Just enjoy the ride.
The one thing I can’t enjoy is the last episode, which is bad on an epic level. It feels like I’m watching an entirely different show, one full of clichés and hammy acting that is the plague of Asian dramas these days. If they could just end it at episode 15 and leave the rest to our imagination, this would’ve made my short list of all-time favorites.
Was this review helpful to you?
Vicky’s Lu Yi Ping is one of the most complex and sympathetic heroine. She grew up in an emotionally and physically abusive environment. Like a wounded animal, she’s bitter, vengeful, and tends to lash out unexpectedly. Torn between love and hate, she doesn’t always say what she means and doesn’t mean the awful things she says. That mental struggle is all there in Vicky’s eyes. There's a subtle tension and weariness in the way she carries herself as well. I was glued to the screen rooting for Yi Ping to put down her burden and find happiness, even if it’s with a wishy washy guy like Shu Huan.
Compared to Vicky, the rest of the core cast is a letdown. Ruby Lin doesn’t even bother to figure out what makes her character tick, which is a waste since her Ru Ping could’ve been much more interesting. Alec Su, likeable as he is, can’t do comedy and his attempts to be funny is cringey. Xu Lu is over the top fake as the insane Ke Yun. But the most unforgiveable performance has to be Leo Ku as Shu Huan. Now Leo doesn't have the screen presence of a leading man. He's also a so-so actor with a limited range of expression. His hospital reunion scene with Vicky is meant to be dramatic and heart-rending, but the look on Leo’s face is so dopey it borders on comical. How something like this makes it into the final cut is beyond me. The director should have made Leo redo half of his scenes until he gets it right, or just cast a different actor.
The writing itself fluctuates between the profound and the absurd. Do they honestly expect me to believe that the way to treat mental illness is to make the patient re-enact all the love scenes in their past? Or that a man who forces women he doesn't love to marry him is the most romantic guy in the world? Or that a wife and child beater still qualifies as hero? I get that the show is telling viewers that life - and people - are not black and white. It ends up undoing that premise by sugarcoating everything in an attempt to make us feel all warm and fuzzy.
Don’t focus too much on the show’s flaws or it will drive you crazy like Ke Yun. Just enjoy it for Vicky Zhao as she’s simply wonderful here.
Was this review helpful to you?
Chang Pei Hua as the male lead was a nice surprise. Known for playing vapid Qiong Yau heroes, he broke out of that mold by bringing an edge to the character of Hong Ri Sheng. Instead of imitating Chow Yun Fat's style, he had his own unique interpretation of a mob boss that I really like.
Yvonne Zhang has a lovely smile that could melt your heart. You see it in “Lushan Lian,” but you won’t see it in this series. Here, her smile never quite reached her eyes. Her Xin Yu didn’t light up when she looked at Ri Sheng. That spelled doom for their chemistry. I didn’t care for them as a couple.
The breakout star of this show was the uber versatile Sun Xing. He played a sick scumbag in TLTG and was a complete opposite of that here. As Zhang Jie, he was a teddy bear of a man who can be tough and fiercely loyal when he needed to be. His rocky romance with Gu Lan was easily the best thing about this drama. It was so sweet to see Gu Lan, a battered and cynical woman, learn to smile and fall in love with this adorable goofball.
If you’re a fan of Sun Xing, watch this for him because it’s one of his best performances and he doesn’t often get a starring role. If you’re not a fan of Sun Xing, you will be when you're done with this show.
Was this review helpful to you?
The murder cases themselves aren’t exactly mind blowing, mainly because the source material (Kerry Greenwood’s Miss Fisher) isn’t the best. The way the screenwriters work the clues into the dialogue is clumsy and very obvious. If you are truly a mystery buff, you will correctly guess the murderer every time. There are flaws in the logic, but the story moves along so fast you'll hardly have time to dwell on them. The show wants viewers to think, but not overthink.
A lot of effort goes into the sets and costumes. I just can’t get used to this Candyland version of Shanghai. The colors are oversaturated and downright fake. The sets look too busy, especially the inside of Miss Su’s mansion (that portrait in the main hall scares me). Instead of appearing classy, it comes off as cheap. The same goes for the clothing. If the designers would tone it down just a tad, the dresses would have been perfect.
The acting is mostly competent, if not a little unnatural at times. What makes this show a must-see is the sexual tension between the main leads, Ma Yi Li and Vengo Gao. As Miss Su and Detective Luo, they are a rare gem of a couple. Neither is the other one’s first love. They never say “I love you” outright. They don’t even declare their feelings. Their relationship builds slowly from case to case, culminating in the moment where Detective Luo pummels the bad guy, definitively saying “How dare you hit my woman!” And there’s nothing more intimate than a woman tenderly shaving a man who clearly does not need shaving. These two don’t need to lock lips to show that they are hot.
I love the series’ catchy theme song. It’s a jazzy instrumental that pays homage to the original Miss Fisher series.
Was this review helpful to you?
