I'm having a spectacular time with this cdrama: it is absolutely completely top quality garbagge, and I mean that in a very complementary way. It's almost theatrical with how ungrounded the storyline is, and I love it. The pace is an absolute fever dream of twists and turns, and I only wonder if they'll be able to keep it up for 33 episodes. From the characters to the cinematography its like they decided to just throw idols into a shorts drama and see how they fair. And they are fairing brilliantly! My mother literally learned the phrase "his face card never declines" from this drama: Zhang Ling He serving not only looks but actual acting. Like, Murong Qing Yi has a distinct personality beyond 'Zhang Ling He' looking gorgeous, which I find so fun: its as if Zhang Ling He has read this 'days of our lives' esq script with the seriousness of a shakespearian performer (its Michael Kane and The Muppets all over again). Iconic of him!
So far, there's not much I can actually critique about the drama. The cinematography is artfully unrealistic to the point where everything looks like a painting. Where's the lighting coming from? Your soul, and that's okay! Not everything needs to be realistic and gritty. Same with the acting. Particularly with the side characters, there is an operatic melodrama to how they are delivering their lines which is so unbelievably fun: some of the line deliveries, particularly from the Tang brother, reminds me of Nicholas Cage's style of acting. I just hope they can keep up this pace and feverish visuals for the next 28 episodes, rather than being one of those dramas that's starts well and then drags around episode 11. I have some degree of hope though!
That said, definitely NOT a fan of the AI generated intro. I mean, not putting effort into an intro is bad enough, but the AI generation itself is also just terrible quality. I mean, if you're going to AI generate your visuals, at least try a little harder? Just because you don't have Lin in your opening soundtrack doesn't mean you should just give up. Not that the rest of the soundtrack isn't great: I love that Zhang Ling He's character has his own soft rock theme song whenever he shows up: I like to think that happens in real life too.
Also, like a few have mentioned, Murong Qing Yi's mother looks so much younger than her supposed daughter it's almost comedic, which was certainly a choice. But both of these issues are things that can easily be over looked so, overall, having a great time and can't wait to see what the next few episodes bring! - J
So far, there's not much I can actually critique about the drama. The cinematography is artfully unrealistic to the point where everything looks like a painting. Where's the lighting coming from? Your soul, and that's okay! Not everything needs to be realistic and gritty. Same with the acting. Particularly with the side characters, there is an operatic melodrama to how they are delivering their lines which is so unbelievably fun: some of the line deliveries, particularly from the Tang brother, reminds me of Nicholas Cage's style of acting. I just hope they can keep up this pace and feverish visuals for the next 28 episodes, rather than being one of those dramas that's starts well and then drags around episode 11. I have some degree of hope though!
That said, definitely NOT a fan of the AI generated intro. I mean, not putting effort into an intro is bad enough, but the AI generation itself is also just terrible quality. I mean, if you're going to AI generate your visuals, at least try a little harder? Just because you don't have Lin in your opening soundtrack doesn't mean you should just give up. Not that the rest of the soundtrack isn't great: I love that Zhang Ling He's character has his own soft rock theme song whenever he shows up: I like to think that happens in real life too.
Also, like a few have mentioned, Murong Qing Yi's mother looks so much younger than her supposed daughter it's almost comedic, which was certainly a choice. But both of these issues are things that can easily be over looked so, overall, having a great time and can't wait to see what the next few episodes bring!
- J