Pure rating/review on the drama itself and not the adaptation vs novel.
City of Streamer is a good Republic drama. Drama pacing fluctuates and sometimes gives viewers a breathing room to digest heavy contents. City of Streamer can be label as a whole a love, family, suspense and revenge drama. The premise begs the question, can love surpass hate.
The leads have sizzling chemistry although it is mainly Rong Jiashang chasing Feng Shizhen. Acting was superb across the board from leads to supports. Each character is perfect in portraying their role in both looks and manners. The storytelling of the females are very rich and very three dimensional, with their struggles and role in society at that time. Supporting roles have highlights and each have their own ambition and desire, which is different from many drama where they are there to serve the leads.
The plot could have been better toward the end but overall it's a good drama. First 30 were logical and touching while the last ten episodes were rushed and very packed with a lot events happening that sometimes logic is thrown out the door. FYI, five episodes were deleted from the originally 45 episodes before the license review.
I can see myself watching it for a second or third time. However, I can also say I will skip some parts in the process. What is engaging in the first watch will stay a favorite. Basically almost all scenes of the first 30 episodes and Rong Jiashang's parts after episode 31.
I am partial to Jiashang. He is not a typical male lead. Instead he is an arrogant, chip on his shoulder and stoic young adult of 19 that will turn most drama viewers off on the first watch. However, as one keeps watching you'll get more information about his background and understand why he is the way he is. His growth process from boy to man is a joy, albeit bittersweet, to watch. Towards the end of the drama, I wish to see the boy at the beginning again.