Dramas with the 'comedy' tag are often deceiving

If you understand Mandarin, this is a drama you should definitely watch.

I started watching this drama thinking it was a comedy film but every episode had its tear-jerking moments so get ready your tissues before you plunge into this drama. I tend to stray away from school dramas as the plot is usually the same for such dramas but this show really surprised me. It is a youth drama with adult problems, with the drama almost feeling too cruel for me.

In the beginning, Tu Jun and friends really didn't appeal much to me, they seemed like the mischievous kids found at every school. Yet, they really grew on me throughout the show and left a lasting impression on me. Tu Jun, the ML, goes through a lot throughout the drama and came off as a really lonely character to me despite having so many friends around him. The main couple shares a strong bond because they witnessed each other at the lowest point of their lives. Each character had its own story and I found myself empathising with all of them.

The show also uses a lot of old Chinese hit songs in its soundtrack which evoked a strong sense of nostalgia in me. It is such a pity that this drama does not have official subs because it is really worth the watch. However, I will agree the drama felt weird after episode 12, though it did not really affect my judgment on this drama much.

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breathtaking xianxia drama with a hint of youthfulness

Please don't let the 59 episodes dissuade you from watching this masterpiece. I tend to avoid watching xianxia dramas because I don't like that they revolve around deities and heaven, but this show completely changed my perception of the genre. The plot revolves mainly around the lead couple, not much screentime given to the side couples in my opinion. It is 59 episodes long but fast-paced since it is based on a long novel.

Love and Redemption focuses on the growth of the lead couple. The first part of the show focuses on their teenage years. It is extremely sweet and perfectly showcases teenagers crushing on each other. If you're looking for a heart-fluttering show, Love and Redemption is for you. In the later half of the show, the main conflict begins, and the selflessness of the sifeng really shows. There are a lot of misunderstandings and backstabbing side characters but characters like tengshe appear to liven the mood. There is so much character growth in this show that towards the end, I almost find it hard to believe that these two characters had such an innocent past.

Another good part about this show is its strong female lead. After watching too many dramas that claim to have strong female leads but end up needing the rescue of the male leads, I can say that this show is not like the rest. The female lead starts off weak but as the plot progresses she realizes her powers and eventually becomes one of the strongest characters in the show.

If you are looking for unwavering love between the lead couple, this show has it. I can say it is one of the best chinese historical dramas I've watched and the first drama I followed since the start till the end. It has a good plot, attractive leads, and a high budget. The wait for this show was long but totally worth it, seeing how the CGI was also well done (graphics were done by a gaming company). I will definitely rewatch this show when the subtitles are all done up :)

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