I underestimated it. Look at me now unable to let go :')

I'm someone who did not watch the anime nor read the manga. I am just a pure drama fan.
So at first I was like, Okay. This drama is good. So good and fun. But I'm still on the 6th episode?? how are you gonna keep me interested and keep watching for the rest 30 episodes? It's just a story about people playing Go, how u gonna do it?

I underestimated it. I was wrong. Look at me now unable to let go and wanting 10 more episodes :)

1st Let's talk about how excellent the actors who are in charge of acting out the Shi Guang character. Both the kid and the teenager ver. They both did so well.

The kid actor, he is so natural and talented. His expressions and everything is just so real and adorable *cries*.
Hu xianxu, the teenager shi guang, he really triggers the mom heart of the viewers. He has that warm and bright aura around him, it is impossible to not adore and root for him!

2nd, the cinematography and CGI.
I love love the 2000s aesthetic! idk, kinda feels like classic hongkong movie(?). and CGI, it was when the Go Master Chu Ying found the devine moves, HOLY MOLLY! so satisfying and super pretty! i did not expect the drama would go all out for it.

3rd, the main chemistry that is Chu Ying x Shi Guang and Shi Guang x Yu Liang.
off the chart! also i can not stop spazzing at Shi Guang x Yu Liang bromance lol their frienemy dynamic in the drama is just akdhjfhf luv much!

Lastly, story wise, i love how they really present the every stage of Shi Guang's road to achieve his dream in a very detailed and, realistic way i guess? I mean yeah, he became someone who achieve the grade so quickly compared to other, but, they showed us well how it didn't happen overnight.
My only little complain is how they put so much time showing the depressed stage of shi guang after Chu Ying left. i think it was an entire 1-2 episode?? they could have done better. but anyways, it's not that serious for me.

In conclusion, Hikaru No Go is one of best c-drama i have ever watched. The balance in story, acting, chemistry and the cinematography and visual production is such a complete package. I think it would be hard to find another comfortable-feels-like-home drama like this in the near future. Thanks for producing this drama, it has become my most favorite chinese speaking drama along with Someday Or Oneday and Go Ahead.

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A drama that hits close to the heartstrings and put me in a lot of thoughts

This drama made me shed lots of tears. I did not remember when was the last time i cried this much. A drama that hits home like this is my absolute ABSOLUTE weakness.

1. Ling Xiao's Instant Maturity Stage Theory that has been living rent free in my head.

"I heard that people can grow up in a flash, you would be 18 y.o but doesn't mean you have grown up.
You actually grow up in a flash, no one knows when, but you.
Your mind will change, and you will feel the weight of life.
At that moment, you'll grow up without anyone noticing"

This is beautiful, deep and scary at the same time. This scene completely put me so deep in thought.

2. Growing apart when life happens, this part hits the most home to me.
Li jianjian's monologue was just so relatable and accurate, it brought out so many memories. Particularly the highschool memories, parting with your best friends to pursue life.. :')
You all know, the first year being away with your friends, your chatroom is still active and crowded. The second year we still talk but only the important stuff. Third year everyone is busy with university life and after that, we only send holiday greetings message. Now, even holiday greetings are hardly seen :")

Distance is really terrifying.

3. That moment where Li jianjian realized that she has entered the complicated life that is the adult hood where she can not be and act the same anymore.

"the key to the adult hood world is.. patience, patience, patience."

3. Lastly, this drama made it clear to us that just because you plant your seed, you gave birth to someone, that doesn't automatically make you a parent. It's when you actually raise them and care for their well being.

Also the wisdom in Li jianjian's father is so out of this world. I wonder if there is someone as kind, as hardworking, as loving, as wise as him, in this world?

---

Of course, as anyone else, I also have many complaints about how the story turned out, how it lost its focus in the middle, the love triangle between Ling xiao Jianjian Zi qiu were so unnecessary and they even added jianjian's friends to mess around with it- it's so upsetting lol. And on top of it, they gave LX mom a good ending like it was so easy for her to be forgiven.... i feel like flying to china and fight the screenwriter.

Maybe if we can rate the drama based on episodes, it would be:
10/10 for ep 1-10
6/10 for 11-40

but even so,
The first 10 episodes were just so precious to me, i hold them so SO dear to my heart, that no matter how the story turned out in the end, my heart does not allow me to hate this drama- not to mention how much i love the osts? the melody and the lyrics. I cried the first time i learned the lyrics to the one that sung by Mao Buyi.

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