mochachen

I think side characters ended well. The only thing I didn't like was how they written off the evil deranged mom's horrible doings. Anyways, MY got what she wanted. her problem was always about not being allowed/able to make her own decisions in life. So she was never able to truly and fully grow to be an independent individual nor able to understand herself. Her mom controlled every aspects of her life from what kind of friends she should hang with to the university and career and even marriage. She always lacked making decisions for herself, it was shown when she ordered food for the table. She was always indecisive and unsure. The last scene where she released the goldfishes symbolized her growth. If you look at Li dad's house, there was goldfishes in the background and they changed sizes as time flies. From babies to adult fishes. They symbolized that the people in that household (the 3 leads) grew up to be individuals. But MY's goldfishes remained as babies meaning they (and her) never grew up and remained in the same state. So when she released them in the river, it symbolized their freedom and growth.

As for CanCan, she finally found something she loved. It was never about the money, she just loved the passion for acting. Although it didn't show her and the guy ending up together, but we can deduce they may eventually end up together. CanCan did the chasing previously, so it's time for him to do the chasing. Plus, CanCan can finally be herself around him and not pretend to be the perfect girl. If she wants to throw a tantrum or eat out late at night or be drunk, she can. If he really likes her, then he'll accept her flaws.

ZQ, although he didn't get the girl, it wasn't what he desired anyway. He wanted a real family, one that was permanent and legalized. He got that! His knot is finally untied when he realized he wasn't abandoned by his mom. He has his mom back, and finally Li dad is his legalized dad. He can finally be registered under the Li household. Plus, he's one up on LX bc now he's the older bro.

I think this was a breakthrough drama for Steven. He basically stole the show, I hate to admit it since I'm loving the main couple. His crying scenes are well done and he is responsible for the comedy relief as well.

This drama isn't really a romcom. It's about family issues and relationships. All main characters and side characters have different family dynamics, so it talks about it throughout adolescence and adulthood, how it affects them and their decisions in life. Steven (ZQ)- left behind child. Lots of that in poor villages where Parents abandon or leave behind their kids to work in the city to make money.

SWL (LX)- divorced parents. What's worse is that his mom explicitly said she didn't want him, so in a way she abandoned him too.
Seven (JJ)- single parent (dad) household. Difference between LX and JJ is that she doesn't have the same trauma as LX, and her dad gives her love ten folds to compensate for the lack of mom
CanCan- parents exploit her for money as a child/teen
MY-Tiger mom
ZQ's bff- a normal loving family.
You can see how each kid's perspective in life is different based on their family dynamics. Their thinking and behaviour are all different as a result of their relationships with their family and how they are raised.

We can't forget about mental health bc that's another big issue in the drama. Both boys, ZQ and LX have mental health problems. ZQ has separation anxiety bc both his parents abandoned him. So he feels inferior to the family members. LX has the most mental health issues form childhood PTSD, guilt, depression, anxiety, insomnia. He's a very quite guy that keeps everything to himself. So his only salvation is JJ. If you watch, he typically only smiles around JJ. There's A LOT of symbolisms in the drama. From the goldfishes in the background, to even the sunlight in the background. The evil mom. She has depression that never healed or received help. Mental issues are taboo in China, which there was a quick scene that showed how Chinese people viewed mental health issues. They all just categorize it as crazy.

There's also friendship between the girls that I thought was done really really well. The misunderstandings, stress, loyalty were all done brilliantly that I can really understand and relate.

I really liked the romance part, that I found wasn't enough to satiate me. If you analyze it you can see that two of the kisses, LX was testing and seeing JJ's expressions/reactions. He's a very perceptive guy, yet also very very unsure and insecure about himself in the relationship. He may seem like the perfect guy (tall, handsome, smart, great career, patient), but man he is so freaken broken inside. It may seem like he leads in the relationship, but it's really JJ who has the upper hand in the relationship.

This drama really solidified me in becoming a fan of Seven Tan. I really liked her acting in this drama. Her mom died in a hit and run and this drama healed her. I find it amazing she can separate her self from her actual identity of losing her mom and as JJ who lost her mom. She didn't go into full out crying and despair during her mother's scenes. I overall really loved this drama, the soundtrack was done and chosen brilliantly, each song related to each character or relationship beautifully. Moreover, the characters were written very well and actors were chosen wonderfully. There was a great balance of comedy, romance and angst.

no, the dads are good through to the end

Truthfully, there's lots of plot holes and ridiculousness of this drama. But I still watch it bc of the actress, bc I trust her acting since GB My Princess. The ml is not the typical handsome actor, but among the 4 males, he does give off the ml presence and he CAN act. I can really tell the difference of the level of acting between the 4 guys. The antagonist really can't act. He has a stoic expression in all his scenes and all he does is open wide and bulge his eyes out. I find it hilarious to watch and sometimes annoyed. If he's trying to act all obsessed and psycho or deranged....well he does look deranged but in a cheap way. out of the 4 guys, he's the worst with his acting abilities. I also am quite surprised his surname is Lu and he's the head of the embroidery guard bc that coincidently makes me think of LuYi in Utp. Which also makes me compare the two characters, and it's so far off. But, yea, overall I think it's tough to top of a great drama as GB My Princess for this actress. The cinematography, music, script, acting, flow of the drama etc was basically 10/10. so how can her other new projects surpass 10/10. it can only match it or be inferior. I'm not saying this drama is bad, I would consider this to be a slightly above average production. It's not bad, but not great. For me, it's a great drama to skim through until the end or as a background while doing something else like exercising.

You just have to rmb that historically, people get married at the age of 14-16. Marrying at 18 was considered a spinster bc the life span was short. If you find it uncomfortable then just imagine them to all be in their 20s.

There is clearly no love between jjl's sister and her husband. I agree with the other comment, she doesn't want jjl to come back bc it's dangerous for her. Why would she want her sister to be married to a psycho and possibly be found out by the king.

I felt 0 chemistry between them. I don't think Leo fits the comedic role, he suits more of the angst sorrowful roles. Even Bailu was kinda awkward in Love is Sweet. I felt everything was too forced. So yea, I dropped it. The only dramas I liked of her was The Legend, the military one, and Oao and Fae (though I think Fae is a bit slow and boring, trying hard to power through it). My fave chinese actress is Seven Tan. It's hard for me to finish dramas, I drop them like bombs. So, to finish 3 of her dramas all the way through (no skipping and no dropping) is amazing for her and me haha. Check out Under the Power after you're done with this series.

Unfortunately, it would be best to watch OAO first before FAE. Certain scenes and words hits differently and has a different meaning that you will only understand if you watched OAO first. There are also flashbacks of the past in FAE and there are certain actions that are parallel to their reincarnation. I haven't finish OAO, but I have watched up to ep 8 and I have already been spoiled by the ending and certain major events so even without finishing it I find that it's enough. Moreover, you won't feel the significance of them being together and the value. You may understand it since their previous lives weren't allowed to be together, but you won't truly get into the couple and treasure their presence together until you understand the pain they went through in their past lives.

This drama hits differently. It's soothing to watch, I like ml's personality bc he's so mello and unconflicted to the point it's like he's an old grandpa that has experienced so much and have seen so much that he's understanding and forgiving to another level. Not only this, he's very caring and meticulous to details. The part where he didn't want to wake up Shiyi bc she's just fallen asleep, as in not in a deep REM sleep yet. Maybe it's bc Allen is a married man so he knows and understands how to be a husband and how to dote a wife. His actions reminds me of Mark Chao in Peach Blossom. They both portray romance and love in a different level compared to other single actors. For instances, although I like Leo Luo, I didn't like Sweet Love bc it was too exaggerated and ridiculous.

I've listened to the first two's radio drama, it's pretty good. Though I didn't finish the Seven Unfortunate Lifetimes, but it's pretty funny. Virtuous Wife I read a bit of the english translation and I liked it.

Yyp. Totally agreed. Got bored and wanted to drop it around ep 8 but mamaged to finish it. I watched it while o was doing some cardio so time flew by. I think i prefer Alice in Borderland

Some scenes were cheesy and boring. I wasn't "off the edge of my seat" watching it but it was entertaining enough. But I was surprised of the A list guest actors in it.

Definitely give Joy of Life a try. It's one of the very few dramad thar enticed me throughout the whole drama. Never a dull moment. I hate political dramas, but Nirvana in Fire and Joy of Life just does it so right that even I loved it.

Totally. Thats why I still get drama drought,even though there's always new cdramas coming out almost weekly.

I totally agreed with you about this drama. I dont bother with these brainless sha bai tian dramas anymore.

But, I wouldn't necessarily group all cdramas and judge them based on this style/type of drama. Obviously this is a much lower production drama since they are unknown celebs, newbs, so script, hair style, background, cinematography etc are all lower quality. I found an article that explains a bit of how "current platform investment TV dramas are all rated, from B, A to S, and finally S+ is the best. The money invested and the degree of importance are all determined according to this rating".

There's so many good dramas like Joy of Life that has great script, acting, cast and fighting choreography. One of my fave mid budget production drama is Under the Power. Female lead may play the typical cute character that curry favours and suck up to the cold mean ml, but she's not stupid. She's meticulous and smart. While ml plays the typical arrogant cold hearted guy, his acting and his gaze are so well portrayed. What i love most is their gradual change and growth of their relationship. Some dramas can have the typical overused substance of a character. But it's how the actor portrays it that can change this overused characteristic into something enticing and enthralling. Im currently watching Jun Jiuling, the female lead, so far, is level headed, smart and calm. There are a lot of great cdramas, you just have to stray away from dramas like this to find them. You are my Glory, Go ahead etc are all pretty great.

Is this rumored or did they announce? There's not even a ml

Yup, I finally watched that scene so I understand now. Thanks.

This is such a messed up and confusing family tree. I need a family map for this. I find it weird that ZSC'S dad would remarried a women that had an affair with his brother. Not only that, the zhou family accepted this?!?! Like still allow her to stay in the family as the matriarchy.

I agree and many of my friends that watched utp as well. The leads had amazing chemistry that didnt really need kissing. It wasn't necessary. Their hand holding, hugging, gazing at each other etc was enough. You know there's an amazing chemistry between leads if audience don't need kissing scenes to feel it.

I just began ep 7 so I'm not there yet.

That's a good analogy. I just thought it's old money or "royalty like" bc of the traditional architecture they have.