Editorials 
This review may contain spoilers
ML characterization (not his acting) insufficiently fleshed out
Yes, the chemistry was great, yes I'm glad they got together at the end, but I really wished that in the 21st century we had been given deeper access to a male character who comes truly to terms with his failings. Not just someone who apologizes, confesses that he's not good with words and has no empathy. The FL patently worked hard to grow as a woman. She was the lead in bringing down the abusive male boss. She freed herself from the boyfriend's spell. That she should cave in so quickly because of that same spell is really not giving the right message to either female or male viewers. I think back to 'Record of Youth' where the FL states very clearly that though she loved the ML, their relationship did not make her happy. That is a good point to make, always.
My second minor gripe is the ending, especially the strange museum metaphor. A museum by definition is a place where the objects in it do not change. But a good relationship needs to be able to come to terms with change and embrace it.
A third, possibly more serious complaint, is the treatment of the second male lead's suicide. It was hinted at, it happened, and then vanished (almost) from view. Such a casual treatment of this horrendous event felt callous. A suicide attempt might have been a better script decision. Perhaps, the two MLs could then have been brought together, leading to personality developments on the part of the ML. But then, more episodes would have been required.
So, as ever, my reservations are with the script, with those of the team who have the unenviable task of creating something out of nothing. I admire you, dear writers! Please think hard about your craft, though I know you must have constraints that are unimaginable to us spectators.
However, these quibbles apart, I did enjoy the series. As I said, the 'skinship' between the actors was reliably hot, and both were lovely to look at, in their parts and as fashion icons, though the ML's dresser was a little OTT broad-shouldered on occasion! The support actors were perfect, and I enjoyed seeing different parts of China. Harbin looks like an interesting city.
My second minor gripe is the ending, especially the strange museum metaphor. A museum by definition is a place where the objects in it do not change. But a good relationship needs to be able to come to terms with change and embrace it.
A third, possibly more serious complaint, is the treatment of the second male lead's suicide. It was hinted at, it happened, and then vanished (almost) from view. Such a casual treatment of this horrendous event felt callous. A suicide attempt might have been a better script decision. Perhaps, the two MLs could then have been brought together, leading to personality developments on the part of the ML. But then, more episodes would have been required.
So, as ever, my reservations are with the script, with those of the team who have the unenviable task of creating something out of nothing. I admire you, dear writers! Please think hard about your craft, though I know you must have constraints that are unimaginable to us spectators.
However, these quibbles apart, I did enjoy the series. As I said, the 'skinship' between the actors was reliably hot, and both were lovely to look at, in their parts and as fashion icons, though the ML's dresser was a little OTT broad-shouldered on occasion! The support actors were perfect, and I enjoyed seeing different parts of China. Harbin looks like an interesting city.
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