starfalls
Costumes and cast chemistry, WOW
*NOTE* I watched this show on SBS on demand with a VPN (they claim it's only available until December 2022, so maybe it'll be around on the internet with subtitles around then? idk If you have a VPN, use it to watch bc it's free on SBS)
I read a review for this show about how amazing the costumes are and was BLOWN AWAY! She is so, so stylish in every episode! Loved it! Absolutely no notes! (also, bc they KNEW how to style the ML correctly, which is SO IMPORTANT)
The acting/writing combo was a little so-so IMO. They just quite know how to mesh a procedural crime show with a side of romance and comedy. If you've seen other Chinese crime shows that take place in the Republican Era, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. They tried to pace all the romantic and comedy parts out nicely in the beginning episodes and then squished it altogether uncomfortably at the very end. There were romantic moments throughout the series that would spontaneously happen, but then they'd NEVER! DISCUSS! IT! And it drove me CRAZY! So, if you're watching for romance, you will be very disappointed. (A quick note tho that the chemistry between the two leads was quite good, so you feel the romantic tension, just without a lot of romantic action)
HOWEVER, if you're watching for the crime, then you'll be very interested. Each crime is only two episodes long, so it's not boring or dragged out and you get a whole variety of cases in just 30 episodes. The crimes themselves were also a lot more complex than other Republican Era crime shows like Detective L or My Roommate is a Detective. I often didn't really figure out who the murderer was until the final reveal, which was so entertaining!
And finally, onto my favorite part of this show. THE SIDE CHARACTERS! I mean. OH MY GOD! Incredible! Absolutely magical! They were all fantastic! You really felt like the cast themselves enjoyed being together, which made all of their interactions feel so real and enjoyable to watch. Uncle Xiang was the GOAT of the whole show and I will stand by that until the day I die. If you love a show with good chemistry between not just the main two leads but everyone, then you must watch this show! *chefs kiss*
I read a review for this show about how amazing the costumes are and was BLOWN AWAY! She is so, so stylish in every episode! Loved it! Absolutely no notes! (also, bc they KNEW how to style the ML correctly, which is SO IMPORTANT)
The acting/writing combo was a little so-so IMO. They just quite know how to mesh a procedural crime show with a side of romance and comedy. If you've seen other Chinese crime shows that take place in the Republican Era, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. They tried to pace all the romantic and comedy parts out nicely in the beginning episodes and then squished it altogether uncomfortably at the very end. There were romantic moments throughout the series that would spontaneously happen, but then they'd NEVER! DISCUSS! IT! And it drove me CRAZY! So, if you're watching for romance, you will be very disappointed. (A quick note tho that the chemistry between the two leads was quite good, so you feel the romantic tension, just without a lot of romantic action)
HOWEVER, if you're watching for the crime, then you'll be very interested. Each crime is only two episodes long, so it's not boring or dragged out and you get a whole variety of cases in just 30 episodes. The crimes themselves were also a lot more complex than other Republican Era crime shows like Detective L or My Roommate is a Detective. I often didn't really figure out who the murderer was until the final reveal, which was so entertaining!
And finally, onto my favorite part of this show. THE SIDE CHARACTERS! I mean. OH MY GOD! Incredible! Absolutely magical! They were all fantastic! You really felt like the cast themselves enjoyed being together, which made all of their interactions feel so real and enjoyable to watch. Uncle Xiang was the GOAT of the whole show and I will stand by that until the day I die. If you love a show with good chemistry between not just the main two leads but everyone, then you must watch this show! *chefs kiss*
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