This review may contain spoilers
SWL
What a drama!! First few episodes were like a fever dream. Finally, Song Wei Long gets a good chance to show his acting prowess and Zhang Jing Yi fit right into this angsty fast moving plot. Solid acting . Dark 90s hood atmosphere appreciated. If the intensity keeps up, this could be an unforgettable romance.
Initial episodes had shadows of Speed and Love but i must say by the end of it, the editing team did a great job of doing away with anything that might have reminded us of SAL again.
Update episode 23-
Great music!
It has fizzled out as fast as it heated up. First half of this drama was brilliant. Should have kept the tone but they didn't, reeled us in and then left us out to dry! Well, the ride up was really fun .
Update episodes 27-32-
Excellent end to the story, a complete plot with the whole smuggling arc coming to a closure. CP finally leaning in with complete trust and disclosure and embracing each other fully. Our inspector ml getting justice for his fiancee was emotional as well. I liked that everybody ml, his friends, tu chi, everyone got to get together.
Hints of feelings from those initial episodes return momentarily reminding us of the great start this drama had. Congratulations to the team for this beautiful execution and music.
Why i didn't raise the rating is because humans are emotional fools and we don't like peaceful resolutions, we need passion and fire till the very end in all aspects of life, a bowl of noodles needs to have the same intensity as the new pool room setup, something the drama did not offer in full. A minor personal quirk.
****************************
Novel - Reading the novel was not a good experience, their relationship is shown to be dysfunctional, toxic and violent, not just dark and sad. Agression, codependent survival and PTSD like behavior is a big motif throughout. These kids developed unhealthy coping mechanisms continuing cycles of rejection and resentment to detached surviving and disconnection, they never witnessed loving relationships, and lacked adult guidance. The male protagonist is filled with hate resentment while the female lead is in Survival mode, developing a Stockholm like complex being the younger more vulnerable one. Their situation is horrifying. Moreover, author has a strong desire to focus on their sibling type of relationship, instead of moving away from it. I am glad the drama has steered away from these core problems in the novel, and chosen not to fetishize their situation like the author did.
Initial episodes had shadows of Speed and Love but i must say by the end of it, the editing team did a great job of doing away with anything that might have reminded us of SAL again.
Update episode 23-
Great music!
It has fizzled out as fast as it heated up. First half of this drama was brilliant. Should have kept the tone but they didn't, reeled us in and then left us out to dry! Well, the ride up was really fun .
Update episodes 27-32-
Excellent end to the story, a complete plot with the whole smuggling arc coming to a closure. CP finally leaning in with complete trust and disclosure and embracing each other fully. Our inspector ml getting justice for his fiancee was emotional as well. I liked that everybody ml, his friends, tu chi, everyone got to get together.
Hints of feelings from those initial episodes return momentarily reminding us of the great start this drama had. Congratulations to the team for this beautiful execution and music.
Why i didn't raise the rating is because humans are emotional fools and we don't like peaceful resolutions, we need passion and fire till the very end in all aspects of life, a bowl of noodles needs to have the same intensity as the new pool room setup, something the drama did not offer in full. A minor personal quirk.
****************************
Novel - Reading the novel was not a good experience, their relationship is shown to be dysfunctional, toxic and violent, not just dark and sad. Agression, codependent survival and PTSD like behavior is a big motif throughout. These kids developed unhealthy coping mechanisms continuing cycles of rejection and resentment to detached surviving and disconnection, they never witnessed loving relationships, and lacked adult guidance. The male protagonist is filled with hate resentment while the female lead is in Survival mode, developing a Stockholm like complex being the younger more vulnerable one. Their situation is horrifying. Moreover, author has a strong desire to focus on their sibling type of relationship, instead of moving away from it. I am glad the drama has steered away from these core problems in the novel, and chosen not to fetishize their situation like the author did.
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