Nepeta 22

I recommend Twelve Letters if you liked this drama. Much shorter drama, but packs a punch.

In regards to ML, I personally feel it's a mis-casting. ZLH always seems like a mummy's boy to me. I'm assuming the character is an outsider and a bit of a rebel/black sheep type character. That's all good, but then it's constantly intercepted with his weakness, but not in a good way.

When he's weak he looks all soppy and floppy. There doesn't seem to be a wicked bone in him. The core temperament of an actor is important. Generally on the whole, he looks more like mum's favourite son rather than the hated one. It doesn't feel convincing.

This sister, what can I say. Her vibe and character makes her seem like filler and not in any way part of the drama. Of course I could be totally wrong about that as I know nothing about the novel. But right now, it feels like side characters are weak and not able to fill out the drama, leaving the leads' story feeling hollow and basic.

I wasn't expecting it to be a master piece myself, but the first 5 episodes are very worrying. Casting Myolie Wu as Fu Xin Bo's mother? In my eyes, one has to go. They looked like couple when sat next to each other.

That jarring over usage of dramatic music every second the leads lock eyes and the hammy slow motion looks more like a send-up. I feel I'm laughing at the wrong moments. How ML dives into a pool with such a dramatic take off, it looks like he was about to perform an olympic dive final with that huge take off.

As for the styling, why was the ML without a shirt in the party? It just feels like shameless fan service with very little left of the actual drama wardrobe of the time. He looked more in place on a Gucci runway.

I really hope this kind of start does not continue for the next 5 episodes. Because it just feels like an excuse for the ML to be continuously nasty to FL with the odd slamming her against the wall, forcing himself on her and then intersecting that with remorse and soppiness. That will be tiring to watch. I know the drama makers think female audiences love this sort of thing but I fear they have overdone it this time. It feels really tacky.

He's a veteran actor. Bless him, it's not his fault that he's being paired with an actress like Hu Ke. But sadly, these types of pairings are more and more common. Men can grow old and be all out of shape because they have "character" whilst women are not given the same treatment.

It sends a signal that women whatever decade in their lives, they can only stay in roles if they age well. Those that don't, seldom are seen in the industry.

After watching so many C-Dramas, I have come to the conclusion of the bar set so high whatever age for women. Basically if you're going to be the mother you will still have to look the youngest, slimmest and most attractive of the bunch of mothers! Recently I saw Hu Ke partnered with Ding Yong Dai. No disrespect to DYD but she seemed too unrealistically young and perfect against him. And this is not even an idol drama. BTW there was a 17 year difference🫪

I think it's more women viewed in a certain way, mostly influenced by men in the industry, and it looks very limiting. They are over the hill past 35. Unless you are a big shot idol star, the mass will just be consigned to playing mothers to grown men past 28 years old.

Seems like it doesn't matter if they look the part of not, it's probably sold to them as being an impossibly glamourous mother which is also sometimes unrealistic!

OK. Interesting, thanks for explaining that, I'll look into that.

Good to know it's not just me. At first I thought maybe step mother or something, or maybe he's a cousin. It's disturbing...

Since it's some adaptation maybe someone who has read the novel may shed some light into this odd casting. One of the worst is Jiang Xin playing Wang Anyu's mum. I think she's about to be casted as Chen Duling's step mum. Very unhealthy.

I agree. Myolie Wu is too young for the role. I understand if the offsprings are a bit more younger, but Murong Qing Yu sitting next to her on the sofa looked more like a couple 😉!

I was surprised with everyone harping on about AI generated intro which is at its worst is a bit jerky and basic, but the real scandal is the casting choices. But I think the reaction here shows the 'normalisation' of this type of casting. Men are given a long career playing more youth based roles whilst women after 37 years old can only play mothers in ancient dramas unless you are a select few that was the ultimate"idol" star in their hey-day 😎..

Ok. 7 years is still quite insulting. Much as I love to see Fu Xing Bo here, but either he's too old for the part or Myolie is too young. But from what I have seen in C-Dramas, women in late thirties to early forties play mothers to grown thirty olds. Looks to me like they are afraid the cast older actresses for republican or ancient history dramas.

I'm a bit confused. Is Myolie Wu's character Murong Qingyu's mother? I'm a bit disturbed because in real life, they're only 4 years in age difference. Please tell me I'm wrong.

Ok no problem. It sounds like I missed that. Thanks for clarifying.

Unless I missed something. I'm sure she said she had been living alone for some time. And it looks like her comment struck a cord with Miao Jing when she said you don't need to rely on a man to exist.

What are you looking for in a drama? This one is a bit high angst laced with crime and a bit of mystery if you like that. I never watched Never Ending Summer but can recommend Twelve Letters, something similar set in similar time frames. Much shorter drama but very high production. Maybe more realism too.

I agree. I don't think I've seen a drama so funny as this in such a while. The relationship/bond between the leads works so well. Although I haven't finished yet I'm already wondering whether there could be another series. The lighting, filming and sets are just perfect. As for styling, need I say more. Haven't seen Jessie Li for a long time and it's good to see her in a drama.

I believe she's signed with Yu Zheng's agency so it is more likely she will have been in dramas with him or other productions he produces.

Miao Jing & Chen Yi's jobs are vague at the moment because of the way the mystery is supposed to review. The director wants us to join up the dots so rather than being passive, you are meant to guess why or when.

She's an auditor for companies. Most likely government backed to check accounts are complying with the law and that includes tax. Chen Yi is supposed to be running a snooker hall/academy that has recently changed from a run down place. This connection with Zhang Bin is still unclear whether he continued to work for him or whether he had done something big for him in the past that included breaking the law.

I'm behind at the moment but very sure the plot will review the timelines of Chen Yi and his trauma, and whether that relates to working for Zhang Bin or the police. Why is that boring? A story only focusing on two leads will become flat. We want to see the two characters' background more to better understand how or why each act the way they do with each other.

Btw, there is a saying. Hurt people hurt people. I would sum up both lead characters very well.

What episode is this? I'm not up to date yet. Yes very unfortunate this dated cheap comedy stunt doesn't seem to be dying down.

I don't get it. This is what it was building up to. These last few episodes are the most interesting bits.

This is quite a common way of telling a story for film/dramas. It's to keep viewers hooked and also a way to make viewers work by guessing what it could be. It's just peeling away the layers bit by bit.