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Quinn7

on top of Old Smokey

Quinn7

on top of Old Smokey
Yandai Byway No.10 chinese drama review
Completed
Yandai Byway No.10
0 people found this review helpful
by Quinn7
Oct 19, 2018
10 of 10 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 8.0
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This is one of those short, fun dramas that doesn't require much brain power or time, but still manages to make the viewers feel emotionally, ethically, and socially conflicted. It is a story about two boys who have a few major problems in their relationship, but are otherwise quite cute together. I enjoyed it, I'll undoubtedly watch it again, and I will not hope anyone has the same troubles as the main characters.

The plot is very character-driven, and while it features quite a few bits of drama, it's actually quite calming, especially if you've been watching more intense dramas and need a break from that sort of thing. Each episode is only about twenty minutes, which is good for those who want to watch TV on the go. The side characters weren't given much development, but were still interesting and added to the setting.

The music is really fun. The opening and closing theme songs sound like old David et Jonathan songs from the '80s, and the "here's-a-sad-scene-where-there-should-be-a-sad-song" song is also really good. The opening theme song really gets you pumped up the watch the show, while the closing theme song is poignant in that it sings about the need for courage, something a lot of LGBTQIA+ people can identify with.

Now to the deeper stuff!

Liang Ze and Hang Hang, as characters, were very well balanced in their differences and similarities. Liang Ze is naive and often gets taken advantage of (in more ways than one), but is genuinely sweet and friendly. Hang Hang can come across as slightly cold and unable to express his feelings, though he quickly warms up to certain people and loves taking care of them. Honestly, the two main characters were both extremely precious, and it's good seeing a show where both male leads are in general gentle, kind, and respectful.

My main issue with the relationship between the two boys is their difference in maturity, especially concerning romance and sexuality. Hang Hang seems to have already matured and takes relationships seriously, but Liang Ze, despite being grown up, still has the mentality of a teenager (a catcalling, icky graphic T-wearing, heterosexual teenager, specifically). The arguments between the two boys can be so frustrating, because, while I want them to get together in the end, they both just want such different things from each other.

Who should watch this drama? People who want something fun, fluffy, and short to watch where the drama isn't too gripping but is still there.
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