Brilliant family-oriented drama sprinkled with a tiny bit of romance

This drama was on its way to becoming my favourite romance drama of the year, but the director / screenwriter was trying to do too much in too little time in the later episodes, which led to a rather unsatisfying ending. Am I wrong to want to watch more of my favourite main characters, rather than the side characters?

However, if you would put aside the small mess in plot in the later episodes, this drama is definitely the best Chinese drama I have watched recently. I have never watched a drama whose characterisation of all characters were so in depth and on point. I couldn’t even bring myself to hate the antagonist, as frustrating as she was, because I understand and pity her. That was how good the director and screenwriter was. (Though the ending they gave her is something that I would rather forget.)

The dialogues were also very brilliantly written. During the scenes between family members, the happy scenes gave you the most heartwarming lines ever; the sad scenes gave you the most tearjerking dialogues; and the quarrelling scenes tears your heart apart with the sharp words exchanged. There were so many memorable lines throughout the drama, so thoughtfully written, that I’m sure can be compiled into a book. Also, all the 梗 (probably translated to jokes / dry humour?) were so cleverly woven into the plot, and they never fail to make me laugh out loud. This is no spoiler since it’s everywhere during the first round of promotions for the drama - He Zi Qiu’s “confession” to Li Jian Jian is by far a classic. I don’t know how many times I laughed till I cried in that episode.

I started this drama thinking that it would be a romance drama sprinkled with a bit of family. Turns out it’s the exact opposite, though I’m not complaining. I followed this drama while it aired, and the emotional rollercoaster MangoTV / HunanTV put me through because of how they cut the episodes was insane. I was even tempted to drop this drama, though I suppose that goes to say how good the actress was.

One point docked off for the most unsatisfying ending ever to probably the best character in the entire drama (in terms of characterisation and portrayal), and another point docked off for the mess of a plot in the later episodes. However, do not let this put you off - this is a drama that will stay with you for days even after you’ve completed it. Though I keep “complaining” about it, deep in my heart, I am 101% invested in this drama.

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