Storyteller923
Best C-drama there is. Fight me.
This is not repetitive, boring, or monotonous like a more foolish version of myself previously assumed. In fact, this drama represents the maturity and growth that the NIRVANA IN FIRE TEAM have achieved since the 2015 masterpiece. Yes, this is written by the same people.
The plot boils down to one sentence:
Two young residents of the city Jialin are stuck in a time loop on a bus destined to repeatedly explode.
I find most of the good dramas I watch can be generalized into one sentence descriptions because it means they maintain focus on the larger picture/story throughout. This one does just that while incorporating countless relevant themes (such as cyberbullying, parental affection, how society reacts to absurdity), a fantastically written script, and believable, human characters.
The characters aren't fillers; they think, they feel, they're just like the rest of us. They have their own distinct motivations and desires. The MCs aren't generic. They're pretty damn scared and traumatized, but also courageous and intelligent. All the side characters have wonderfully paced and told backstories that are actually relevant to the plot (how the story introduced so many important themes- oh how I appreciate relevant, ingenious creativity). The acting should theoretically ALWAYS enhance the characters, which it does in this case. Liu Yijun's intense, questioning stares and Liu Dan's acting haunt my dreams to this day. All other actors and actresses deserve a standing ovation too; there's some seriously inspired acting here.
Finally, the pacing is pretty incredible. 15 episodes held my interest all the way through to the point I often forgot to breathe, cried, and laughed all at the same time. It's an adrenaline rush that builds in intensity all the way through.
Only critique would be the last three loops and how the MCs thought through them. It was a little convoluted for how simple it could have been, but that's not a big deal. For what it's worth, this drama is a 10 all the way through. For both me and you, here's to many more times watching Bus No. 45 explode.
The plot boils down to one sentence:
Two young residents of the city Jialin are stuck in a time loop on a bus destined to repeatedly explode.
I find most of the good dramas I watch can be generalized into one sentence descriptions because it means they maintain focus on the larger picture/story throughout. This one does just that while incorporating countless relevant themes (such as cyberbullying, parental affection, how society reacts to absurdity), a fantastically written script, and believable, human characters.
The characters aren't fillers; they think, they feel, they're just like the rest of us. They have their own distinct motivations and desires. The MCs aren't generic. They're pretty damn scared and traumatized, but also courageous and intelligent. All the side characters have wonderfully paced and told backstories that are actually relevant to the plot (how the story introduced so many important themes- oh how I appreciate relevant, ingenious creativity). The acting should theoretically ALWAYS enhance the characters, which it does in this case. Liu Yijun's intense, questioning stares and Liu Dan's acting haunt my dreams to this day. All other actors and actresses deserve a standing ovation too; there's some seriously inspired acting here.
Finally, the pacing is pretty incredible. 15 episodes held my interest all the way through to the point I often forgot to breathe, cried, and laughed all at the same time. It's an adrenaline rush that builds in intensity all the way through.
Only critique would be the last three loops and how the MCs thought through them. It was a little convoluted for how simple it could have been, but that's not a big deal. For what it's worth, this drama is a 10 all the way through. For both me and you, here's to many more times watching Bus No. 45 explode.
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