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A Date with the Future chinese drama review
Completed
A Date with the Future
0 people found this review helpful
by mads6375
4 hours ago
36 of 36 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 6.5
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
This review may contain spoilers

Very Disappointing

A Date with the Future

William Chan - Jin Shi Chuan
Zhang Ruonan - Xu Lai

Summary: This drama was honestly pretty disappointing for me. I started it with high hopes because I really liked Fireworks of My Heart but this drama just did not equal my expectations. There were barely any action scenes where we got to see the firefighters working, it was a lot of just fluff that made the drama kind of boring. Although the love story is idealistic and meant to be, sometimes, this drama was a little too dramatic as in these events would never happen in real life. I also don’t think the actors had much chemistry even though they may be great individual actors. I don’t know, I was more invested in the second ML, the second couple, and the third couple. That’s the reason why I finished watching. But, it wasn’t bad. It was just boring to me, too long, and didn’t hold much emotional depth or meaning. The only reason why this drama is getting as high as a 6.5/10 is becuase of the family that they created. I loved the bond with the firefighters, Jin Shi Chuan, Xu Lai, and Zang Qiu. When all of the firefighters decided to stay and help evacuate Jin Shi Chuan, that part made me a little emotional. I was so sad when the second ML Huo Yanzhong let go of Xu Lai, but I’m glad that he’s still saying as her friend. I also have to admit that I did cry when Liu Xu’s farewell party happened and Jin Shi Chuan was giving his speech and Liu Xu had that tear run down his cheek. Not only that, but all the firefighters saluting him and him and Zhang Yang’s bond. This is what saved this drama from being a dumpster fire for me, is this family. HOLY. WHY THE HECK DID THIS DRAMA BREAK ME WITH LIKE 4 EPISODES LEFT? I had a feeling something bad was going to happen. Why did it have to be Liu Xu bro? He was one of the most genuine people on the show. Not only that, but the screenwriters really made a mistake with their storylines. After Liu Xu died like that, I’m sorry, but I have no care left to care even the slightest about what happens to Jin Shi Chuan. I don’t really care that he’s not waking up for now because at least he’s alive. Disabilities are better than being lost in that fire. Don’t even get me started on Zhang Yang bro. I feel so bad for him, Liu Xu was his guy and Liu Xu sacrificed his life to save Zhang Yang’s. His last day on the job too…like what is with this? Xu Lai is really annoying me in these last couple episodes. How dare she come up to Zhang Yang saying that “everyone is hurting the same” (when they clearly aren’t) and that life and work must go on. Zhang Yang lost his mentor, his friend, the person he went to for everything, so how dare Xu Lai say that like she knows what it’s like. She’s not apart of the firefighter team, so she has no clue. Him losing Liu Xu was like Xu Lai losing a parent and I know for sure that she would be crying and not coming out, let alone if her parents sacrified themselves for her. She has no right. I’m so frustrated with her. everything for her revolves around Jin Shi Chuan and it is really pissing me off. Like there’s so many other people in this world, Jin Shi Chuan is not the only person. Every sentence that comes out of her mouth is “Jin Shi Chuan”. I think this is the first time that a FL has annoyed me this much. But, because of how much I love characters like Zhang Yang, Liu Xu, Lu Fangqi, Zang Qiu, this drama is still getting a 6.5/10 for me or else it would get much lower. I’m not even kidding, without those characters, I would be at like a 3.5/4.

Before even starting this drama, I wanted to say that I am super excited to watch this one. I have been in the need of some action in modern dramas lately. Don’t get me wrong, I love like youth dramas and sometimes workplace/business modern dramas, but they can get boring and repetitive. The last time I watched a police/military/firefighter drama was “Fireworks of My Heart” and I loved that one. So, I’m super excited to be finally watching another one…I just crave that action and protectiveness that I know the ML is going to have.

Yup, episode 1 done and I’m already hooked and loving this premise. I’m seeing a little bit of an enemies-to-lovers slow-burn type of thing where Jin Shi Chuan thought that Xu Lai was the one that published that criticizing firefighter news story, when in fact, it was caused by Xu Lai’s workplace drama and she was framed. I also love the parallels that are made between Jin Shi Chuan saving Xu Lai 10 years before and saving her in the present, with her running behind the truck and the tugging of his jacket. I ALSO LOVE THE DOG OMG. I love the name “ping an” because it translates to like safe and sound in Chinese and reminds me of how Jin Shi Chuan has made Xu Lai feel safe and sound more than 1 time and I don’t doubt there are going to be more. I have a little theory that “ping an” is the same dog that found Xu Lai 10 years back that Jin Shi Chuan used. I only say that because when Xu Lai put that picture on her desktop, the dog went crazy. So, I’m really hoping it’s the same dog because that would just be plain fate. After watching a bit more, I’m so much more confident that “ping an” is the same dog. He also got excited over Jin Shi Chuan’s shirt that Xu Lai borrowed. (Aw, I was wrong… Jin Shi Chuan’s dog passed away while on a mission, that would’ve been a really cool connection of fate though) I HAVE TO SAY: I LOVE PING AN. HE IS THE CUTEST DOG EVER AND THE MOST LOYAL AND WELL-BEHAVING DOG. Them 3 sitting together is like a happy family.

I’ve been loving the dedication from Xu Lai, following the firefighters everywhere and always being brave in order to get the footage she needs to paint them in a bright light. I also really liked the part where you can start to see Jin Shi Chuan’s care for the world in general, no matter who it is. Him giving Xu Lai the wasp sting medicine and thanking her for help with catching the chickens shows how he is a decent man with morals at the end of the day, no matter how cold he seems to appear. I also think the other firefighters are starting to warm up to her too, so I’m just waiting for that day where she ends up building a community at the fire station.

Wow, this slowburn is not moving as slow as I thought. Episode 3 and Jin Shi Chuan is already starting to warm up to Xu Lai asking why she didn’t contact him when she was in trouble during the exposure of the chemical warehouse factory place. Not only that, but he took multiple hits for Xu Lai and made sure she didn’t get hurt by the attackers.

Wow, episode 5 is definitely very very dramatic in terms of plot. I didn’t think that this drama would set up this dramatic of a scene so early on. Jin Shi Chuan was literally about to die until Xu Lai came in the scene, ran in the fire, and put the oxygen mask over her. Although, I thought this scene was very well done as I could clearly tell that Jin Shi Chuan’s only motivation to keep going was Xu Lai’s face and his natural protection over her to get her out of that fire. Then, he instantly put the mask back over her. I love when Jin Shi Chuan shields Xu Lai’s body using his own. He did it so many times during the fire to make sure any debris, glass, smoke, heat, or even that man’s punch wouldn’t hurt her. No matter what he says, he truly does care for her. I also love that by episode 5, Xu Lai already has the other firemen’s support with her pursuit of Jin Shi Chuan.

Man, I’ve really got to give it to Xu Lai. I think that everyone should try to be as brave as she is. She literally told Jin Shi Chuan she loved him endlessly and unbreakingly in the 6th episode of this drama. Not only that, but I think her whole speech and conversation with Jin Shi Chuan over dinner where he told her that he’s emotionally unavailable and she decided to respect that decision but also let him know that she wasn’t giving up is one of the most brave actions a FL can take. Getting rejected over and over, but still deciding to not lose her dedication to him is really really challenging for a female to do. But, Xu Lai telling him “You are worth it.” and then kissing him was the biggest turn of events I could’ve thought to happen. I’m excited to see this next segment of Xu Lai working as the search and rescue dog trainer and working hand-in-hand with the firefighters. Aw…now that Jin Shi Chuan knows of Xu Lai’s fear of thunderstorms, rain, and dark places, he made sure that she was ok when being stuck in the rain. Not only that, but the scene where she came down in just pajamas and he ordered the other firefighters not to look and then put his jacket around her, that scene was rlly rlly cute. And then when she pulled him even closer, I couldn’t really believe it. Aw, when Xu Lai and Jin Shi Chuan were on a mission in the rain together to look for the dogs, he ended up covering her ears to block out the sound of the thunder.


Ok, I do have to say though: as these episodes are going on (I’m on episode 12), the drama is getting a little bit boring. I need that tension, angst, yearning, and almost slowburn. Jin Shi Chuan and Xu Lai got together so early and their relationship has been smooth sailing basically so far, so I’m missing some of that depth and emotion in this drama. We’ll see if it gets better, but right now, I don’t know why this drama has 24 more episodes to go when they’re basically happy and dating already.

There are still some parts that get me pretty touched though. When Xu Lai met Jin Shi Chuan’s grandfather for the first time and they ended up playing the same song on the piano, I was really touched. Then, finding out that Jin Shi Chuan’s late mother was Xu Lai’s piano teacher, their connection just got that much deeper. I have to say though, I don’t think they did the best job of acting out playing the piano. I can clearly tell they aren’t the ones playing, but I also play the piano myself so I could be looking at it more specifically than others.

Um…not good news that I’m reporting while I’m watching episode 16. I’m getting second lead syndrome. It may be because I find Ci Sha more attractive and his persona in the show more protective, so it could be personal bias. But, when Huo saved Xu Lai from that group by coming and punched Sun Lei for touching Xu Lai, I started getting major second lead syndrome. “Xu Lai is my bottom line.” When Huo said that to Sun Lei, it gave me a really protective nature and feeling that I felt. I know Jin Shi Chuan is literally in the hospital from trying to protect Xu Lai, but idk what it is…I just can’t connect to these characters. Another thing that’s making me have second lead syndrome is that Jin Shi Chuan is very immature in my opinion when it comes to relationships and communication. Whenever there’s a small issue, he hides it from Xu Lai and just breaks off their communication. Huo Yanzong can hide his emotions in order to keep Xu Lai happy and think through it himself. Huo Yanzong is always considering Xu Lai, while Jin Shi Chuan has some issues figuring that out sometimes. Like with the whole recording and Huo Yanzong being put under fire, he reassured Xu Lai that he would handle it and told her not to worry even though she kind of got him in that situation. Huo Yanzong even got a whole fake gf to reassure Xu Lai and keep them as friends because he knows that Xu Lai was reserved about her rejection of his feelings. Huo Yanzong is able to communicate his communication, care, and love for Xu Lai in such a mature way that I can’t help but have some second lead syndrome. At the first sign of struggle, Jin Shi Chuan backed out, like is that really love? If you truly love someone, no matter what troubles you are experiencing, you work through them together, you don’t just abandon that true love. This is why I’m frustrated with Jin Shi Chuan’s outlook on this situation.

I am a full Huo Yanzong supporter as of episode 19. After that breakup scene in the rain, how could any man just let her stay out there? Yes, he was watching from the corner and called Huo Yanzong, but like, at least stay with her until he got there and then leave her. The fact that he was able to just watch her suffer like that. Also, Xu Lai is definitely better in my eyes than Jin Shi Chuan relationship wise, but sometimes, she’s too optimistic which can get annoying. If someone has told you multiple times they want to break up, there is no point losing your own self dignity for a man. I think that’s my biggest issue with her, it’s that she can disrespect herself for Jin Shi Chuan. I knew it was over for me when the part I got excited about was Huo Yanzhong showing up, princess carrying Xu Lai away. Huo Yanzong’s stare to Jin Shi Chuan was so possessive, warning him not to hurt her again, and he was soaking wet so he looked even more possessive. Ci Sha really does a great job of portraying his emotions.

On a more positive note, I love Zang Qiu’s character. She’s so strong and stands up for what she believes in as a person. She knows what she wants and doesn’t stand up for anything less. I also love Lu Fangqi as a character. He’s always there for Zang Qiu even if she appears to not accept it. When she broke down after the reunion and he held her while she remembered Fang Huai, I loved that scene. Even though Lu Fangqi was pursuing her, he respects Fang Huai a lot and tries not to overstep. I’m rooting for those two if anything. When he sent her the flowers even though he was allergic to pollen, I love how he said not to forget about Fang Huai if she can’t. All he wants is to make her happy and if she is happy when reminded of Fang Huai, he’s okay with that.

How dare Jin Shi Chuan even think about stopping treatment. Fang Huai lost his life for Jin Shi Chuan and now Jin Shi Chuan wants to give up. After all the doctors efforts and everyone’s support to get better, he wants to give up. Is he ok!? Also, he was the one who broke up with Xu Lai so “if life doesn’t have any meaning”, it’s his own fault. How dare he still hold her hand when she was unconscious. He broke up with her, so he no longer has the right. Bro, I’m so confused. How does he go from I want to give up to I need to try for Xu Lai. This back and forth is just so frustrating. Do you guys see the difference between Huo Yanzong and Jin Shi Chuan? Jin Shi Chuan has Xu Lai’s help but doesn’t want it. Huo Yanzong is in the hospital, severely injured too, went to save her, but hid this from her so she doesn’t worry. But, Huo Yanzong is going to give up because he realized that Jin Shi Chuan claims to love Xu Lai. Me personally though, I don’t like the way Jin Shi Chuan expressed his love, but that’s just me. One more thing that has annoyed me about this drama is how unrealistic it is. There’s no way that real fire scenes let anybody just run onto the scene. Even as a reporter, they always stay behind the tape for safety reasons. I don’t even know how many times Xu Lai has run onto the scene and even helped out some times. It’s just not realistic.

Bro Xu Lai is annoying me too. When Jin Shi Chuan was stuck under the rubble and Xu Lai forced the firefighters to let her go with them, I was thinking “What the heck are you going to do to help?” Her screaming and crying is not helping the situation. Moreso, she’s not trained for this, doesn’t have protective gear, and is adding one extra person that could be in danger or hurt. It just doesn’t make sense for her to be on the scene, it just makes everything worse. She’s getting on my nerves, like I know that you are worried, but what can you do by being there? She’s not a doctor or a firefighter, she’s just a reporter. There’s a reason why they don’t let family members in stuff like surgeries or across the yellow caution line in dangerous scenes. Family members just add extra unneeded emotions that make the situation worse than it already is.
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