This review may contain spoilers
A beautiful story + perfect cast let down by a shallow storyline
I really thought this was going to be an iconic drama for me. It felt like the book Pachinko, watching a family's rise and fall across multiple generations. I was so convinced this was prestige TV.
But by episode 26, I've accepted that perfect casting and amazing cinematography can't fully make up for a shallow storyline.
How many times can we watch Li Zhen be set up, people turn against her, she proves her innocence and they accept that they were wrong to doubt her. And then just a few episodes later, it happens again in the exact same way. My final straw was the case with the bad glue by Uncle Decai. It was so obvious that she was being set up by someone from within the family, but still the characters act all confused and even want her to hand over the family seal. It made no sense. I couldn't believe that these are the people who have been running a centuries-old relatively successful business.
This whole "doubt Li Zhen then she clears her name and everyone likes her again" happens so many times to the point that it becomes unbelievable. It's clear the writer didn't know how to create conflict without over-relying on this trope.
When I realized that this is a story that just goes round in circles, I realized I don't need to watch the rest. Watching Li Zhen prove people wrong and stand in her integrity the first few times is enough for me - I don't need to see it happen 10 more times with the same characters over and over.
But by episode 26, I've accepted that perfect casting and amazing cinematography can't fully make up for a shallow storyline.
How many times can we watch Li Zhen be set up, people turn against her, she proves her innocence and they accept that they were wrong to doubt her. And then just a few episodes later, it happens again in the exact same way. My final straw was the case with the bad glue by Uncle Decai. It was so obvious that she was being set up by someone from within the family, but still the characters act all confused and even want her to hand over the family seal. It made no sense. I couldn't believe that these are the people who have been running a centuries-old relatively successful business.
This whole "doubt Li Zhen then she clears her name and everyone likes her again" happens so many times to the point that it becomes unbelievable. It's clear the writer didn't know how to create conflict without over-relying on this trope.
When I realized that this is a story that just goes round in circles, I realized I don't need to watch the rest. Watching Li Zhen prove people wrong and stand in her integrity the first few times is enough for me - I don't need to see it happen 10 more times with the same characters over and over.
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