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Loved It
Three things you should know about me: (a) I don't cry while watching movies and tv shows.; (b) I don't clap at the end of the last episode of a tv show; and (c) I rarely ever re-watch a drama. Once Again nearly made a liar out of me with (a) and did with (b). I thought, 'Why am I clapping? I don't clap at the end of dramas.' smh As for (c), well, I could start re-watching right now and I just finished the last episode 5 minutes ago. In other words I truly enjoyed Once Again.This is a great family drama. The storylines are nothing new. If you even watched soap operas, there's definitely nothing new. The writing had heart though. Lots and lots of heart. It was funny. It was sad. It was annoying and even made me angry from time to time. The writer did a good job with character development. At approx 35 minutes per episode the story moves quickly. The production team did an excellent job at keeping the story fluid.
The cast is fantastic. Honestly, I started the drama because I really like Lee Sang Yeob. Of course I was happy to see a few faces I recognized not just because they've been in dramas I've watched, but because they stood out in dramas I've watched. I loved the bromance(s) between the stunt guys. The 3 child actors were very good as well. Everyone pulled their weight. At no point did it feel like any one actor was being supported by the other actors in the scene. It was truly an ensemble in every sense of the word.
The music was pretty good. I tend not to pay attention to the music unless it annoys me, but I actually liked the themes. I liked everything (ok almost everything) about Once Again, which is why it has a high re-watch value.
In all fairness here are a few cons: (1) continuity. (Oh boy there are some glaring continuity issues, mostly surrounding scenes with food. A sausage re-grew itself. It was almost gone and 2 seconds later it was back. Personally, I wouldn't mind a neverending sausage. ) ; (2) relationship between Ga Hee and Hyo Sin (most probably ship them, but not me. I was happy to see an older women with a younger man as we ALWAYS see the other way. However, it's obvious that she was just lonely and he saw her as the caring mother he wished he had. It would have been more honest if while separated they realized they should just be friends and dated other people.); (3) Jae Seok's fake laugh. (JS is such a great character. I loved him. But that fake laugh was just awkward and annoying.); and (4) food. (OMG will Once Again make you hungry. I wanted fried chicken with every episode. I'm thinking about getting delivery from a Korean place now. Watch it with snacks. Seriously. ) I've tried to think up a 5th con, but I can't.
Obviously my cons don't outweigh the pros. I enjoyed Once Again from episode 1-100 (or 50 as it shows on streaming sites). If you like family dramas, a little mischief, a bit of heartbreak, I think you'd enjoy, too.
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This movie has a nice solid plot and story trajectory all the way through. It's real charm for me lay in all the atypical things about it. It is not standard rom/com fare. There is a serious and slightly gray quality to it that I actually found refreshing. This gray cast was in the set direction and writing but it was more to shape their circumstances. Let me assure you this is not a darkly written movie in a dramatic or depressing sense.
There were lots of moments I laughed out loud. Especially at some of the antics of Ji Woong. The scenes between Hong Sil and Ji Woong aren't overly cutesy but they are interesting and they make a great team as, unbeknownst to both of them, their feelings start to grow. Both actors sold their characters for me. Their chemistry together was good. The payoff at the end for both characters was worth 2 hours of my time.
Song Joong Ki is a 'characters' actor. Even if he has the looks to play a leading man, I hope he chooses wisely in the future because he's better playing a part with quirks and charisma. He has excellent comedic timing and a face made for acting through expression.
Han Ye Seul sells serious characters to me more than comedy so this part was perfect for her. I felt her emotion and I connected with the reasons why she was cut off emotionally and relied so completely on monetary security rather than the human kind.
I liked this movie. I would re-watch it again and I recommend watching if you are hesitating.
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Yes, it is sentimental. Yes, it is emotionally intense. Yes it is a Love Story - KDrama style.
"Sad Love Story" marks the beginning of the wave of success that over the past two decades has carried KDrama far across the South Korean peninsula. It has mastered the art of telling drama in a way that grips the heart and doesn't let go until the end - even if some aspects are predictable and there are clichés: the journey is the goal. One is always close to the emotions of the protagonists and they move unrestrainedly up and down. More drama is always possible. Yes, it is sentimental. Yes, it intends to be emotionally intense. Yes it is a Love Story - KDrama style.Actually, "Sad Love Story" is a love story through and through. Touching in all possible directions. Obviously 'sad' too. The story navigates between 'blissful' and 'desperate' within a fascinating field of tension and relentlessly takes the audience along. At the same time, "Sad Love Story" is a study of how often supposedly small interventions (actually more like assaults) - sometimes nasty and selfishly motivated, sometimes noble and well-meaning - can mercilessly plunge one (or more) lives into misfortune. The level of pain and suffering people can endure is amazing (and encouraging). This story is fictional, but reality is full of it in all sorts of variations.
Among other things, in this KDrama one is confronted with the USA - from a South Korean perspective. That's quite interesting, too. "Sad Love Story" thus points towards a reality that people in the 21st century might be happy to forget. South Koreans and Germans probably have this in common: the presence of foreign military forces. Since the Korean War of 1950-1953, the USA, as an ally, has operated various military bases in South Korea to help defend the country in the event of a military threat from North Korea. After Japan and Germany, the United States is showing its strongest military presence with its troops stationed in South Korea. Camp Humphreys south of Seoul is the largest unit with US military personnel stationed overseas. There are several more, i.e. including Army Garrison Yongsan in Seoul, Camp Walker in Daegu, United States Navy Fleet Activities Chinhae near Busan, and two Air Force stations in Osan and Gunsan south of Seoul.
------------------ SIDE NOTE: --- "American Towns" ---
"Sad Love Story" puts the "America Town" (or "A-Town") of Gunsan in the focus of the story. The Air Force Station on the west coast is rather small, but the stationing of the US soldiers ensured that an entertainment culture geared to their specific needs was established. "American Town" in Gunsan is not the only one of its kind. They have thrived around all of these US bases since the 1950s. For example, today's hip Itaewon with its famous red-light district "Hooker Hill" in Seoul dates back to this "A-Town" culture, which specialized in entertaining the American GIs. Bars, restaurants, shops, services. Particularly lucrative: brothels... The KDrama also makes reference to the GI entertainment culture in the larger cities as it progresses. And finally also to the somewhat 'other' reality behind the dazzling GI heroes in uniform, which sometimes appears quite sobering when back 'at home' in the USA...
The "A-Town" was designated as an independent area with special "tourist facilities". It is a contractually regulated fringe zone, coordinated between the USA and South Korea - an intermediate world with its own laws. In spatial terms, too, it is located between the actual residential area (e.g. the city of Gunsan) and the air base. It consists of a cluster of bars, shops, restaurants and a few hundred small apartment buildings, each consisting of one room, kitchenette and toilet. Here lived the prostitutes, barmaids, singers...
----------------------------------------------------
In "Sad Love Story", the protagonist's mother runs a bar in "American Town", that optionally offers additional comforting services, while the protagonist's aunt is a singer in this bar. Together with other employees, they live in the immediate vicinity of each other and form a kind of community, so to speak. The "A-Town" forms the setting in which most of the characters in this KDrama grow up or live. It's a world of its own. It is at the same time an existential basis, a shackle, a flaw and the driving force to wanting to break out. It is also the place of greatest happiness and source of inspiration for the two protagonists.
Anyone watching this series should have a handkerchief or two handy. The Wheel of Fortune challengingly turns for two souls who are deeply connected in love and who mutually encourage each other to actually be true to who they are. Mercilessly the wheel turns and turns and turns... To a certain extent, actor Kwon Sang-woo ties directly into his role in "Stairway to Heaven", while actress Kim Hee-sun shines as a stoically frugal blind person who due to her disability is often helplessly at the mercy of her environment.
I admint, I forgot quite a few KDramas relatively quickly after watching. However, there are some, that due to their emotional intensity, today are still as present as if I had just seen them. These KDramas create a state of being that one doesn't really want to leave - also (or precisely because) it consistently remains in this characteristic conflict between weal and woe. And I am sure, "Sad Love Story" will also be one of those memorable ones. The soundtrack skillfully catches this situation and never tires of throwing in its leitmotifs as a pacemaker. "Sad Love Story" may be 'old', also outdated in format and style, but at the same time the series is timeless. In its mercilessly stirring mixture of love story and makjang it´s one of several masterpieces of the early 2000s that offer Love-Story-telling in its unique KDrama way. It is not about ´watching´ a story from the outside, but letting it in and empathizing. However, you have to like this style. Also the repeated holding on to the emotional key scenes. E.g. the topic itself has long since been told, but so that it also emotionally reaches the audience, the shot stays a little longer...
It should also be noted that the mixing with the US military and the scenes in the USA required a comparatively active participation of ´American´ actors. Those who also speak Korean (for an uncomplicated, smooth organization on the set) are probably rather rare. The talented ones among those obviously even more so. In this respect, the production inevitably breaks down a bit in terms of its acting quality.
And last but not least: In general, the early KWave productions are still more soap-like-style and not comparable to those Netflix (co-)productions over the past 6 years. Being spoiled by recent production quality, one can certainly linger on one or the other detail, as well as on the abundance of episodes (i.e. more and more and even more maybe unnecessary emotional loopings for the actual story to be told). If you have a problem with that, I would not recommend this KDrama.
"Sad Love Story" is for lovers of mercilessly intense emotional, slow-paced Makjang Love-Stories with plenty of heartache and a clenched fist in the pocket (and sometimes in the face).
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A must-have for makjang-lovers. A roller coaster of evil where you end up feeling for the worst, too
"Five Fingers" is a must-have for all those who love "makjang". A roller coaster of evil... and it doesn't stop. The spectators are allowed to tear their hair, wriggle, turn, annoy themselves to the bitter end... It's about the piano, too - some battles take place while playing, being around and doing business with the grand piano.This is about family and South Korean family values/virtues in particular. Submission to the value system is declined as a virtue in all its fatality. In the interweaving of events, the viewer inevitably faces the question again and again: is it virtue or stupidity, virtue or impertinence, virtue or arrogance?
The series dates from 2012 and makes a cunning attempt to challenge viewers to confront the value system. The rebellious thoughts inevitably arise in the minds of the viewers, because the well-meaning decisions that the protagonists make over and over again drive the values surrounding family (love) to the absurd and trigger suffering one after the other.
The ambivalence inherent in this is exploited perfectly. The actors do their part.
With 30 episodes there may be a tendency to flee in between, but I don't know anyone who didn't stick it out to the end. The ending may not be the classic happy ending, but it may be the true happy ending: the wheel of fortune comes to a standstill. Peace.
At first glance, the greed for money and power seems to be the driving force behind all evil. But actually it is the greed for love and recognition. The wheel of fate and suffering has already been turned on long before the protagonists - the two half-brothers In-ha and Jin-ho - compete against each other. To a certain extent they live out the unresolved conflicts of their parents. If you want to ask who is to blame for everything, then the root goes back a long way. The father pulls the strings out of the grave and it goes even further. A nice psychological study. Especially since you can't help but feel sympathy for everyone, even the worst troublemakers.
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Please bear with me as this is the first review that I have ever written. I usually see no need to let my personal thoughts on a series be known to the public, but this show was just exceptional.THE STORY
I binged the first 4 episodes with english subtitles, and by that point I was completely captivated by the story that I spent days searching for the rest of the show. The story explored issues in a way that I have never encountered before, and I found the drama and character settings to be awfully real. I fell in love with Mr Fahrenheit, I smiled every time I saw Ryouhei, and I really felt for Jun. I cried my eyes out at the end of the 4th episode. I cried for a second time when I rewatched it.
The first 4 episodes in itself got me dying to watch more, and once I finally watched the rest, it gave me a rollercoaster of emotions. I loved how everything felt genuine, and real. There were no stupid misunderstandings because of miscommunication. There were no convenient coincidences to move the story forward. There were no glitter and fluff to cover up the harsh nature of our world. Like this could be happening to someone right now.
The story made sure to explore everything in detail. There were no half-assed plot points that were thrown in and forgotten about. Jun and Makoto-san's relationship, the story of Mr Fahrenheit, Jun's mother, Ryouhei and Jun's backstory, and Miura-san, all were explored deeply, dynamically, and tied up neatly at the end. Even the smaller characters went through noticeable developments.
I felt very satisfied at the end of the show. I felt that everything was cleared up, and no questions went unanswered. Although, that abrupt ending made me want to punch the screen just a little bit.
ACTING/CAST
I found the acting to be really good. I'm not very good at telling apart good and bad acting, but I find a lot of Japanese acting to be cringey, but this definitely wasn't.
MUSIC
How could I not give this a 10? It was bloody QUEEN! The way that the show incorporated the queen songs and titles were so creative, and it really hit the mood of the scene perfectly every time. I didn't really notice the other music until I went back to search specifically for the music, and I guess that's a good sign, as the music didn't distract from the scenes, and instead enhanced the intended emotions.
REWATCH VALUE
I already rewatched the first 4 episodes while looking for the rest of the series, and I would definitely rewatch the entire thing again. Knowing the outcome of the story doesn't change the emotions it can make me feel. Oh god, I cried an unhealthy amount watching this (It's a happy ending tho, if that matters).
OVERALL
I loved this series so much, and I'm so glad I went back and found the un-subbed videos. It may be tough waiting for the english subtitles to come out, but I assure you, it will be worth the wait. Just make sure to see it through to the end, and you will not be disappointed.
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I like the way the script tells the story, nothing very fancy but it is presented as it is. God knows I hate stories that try too hard to move the audiences to the desired emotions. In Amachan, (almost) all happens as it is natural. It portrays everyone's tendency to change minds, as what Amano Aki does in the story. At first, she wants to be an ama diver, then a deep-sea diver to an idol and finally saving her hometown. But wait, don't we do change minds as much as hers? Yes, she is determined and passionate but she is by no means regular asadora heroines, who are all focused in one aspect of life or dreams. The character, as well as others in the show, is multidimensional and more intricate compared to most dramas.
The cast is very strong, from the veterans to character actors (surely the arsenal of character actors in this drama is extravagant) to the youngsters. Even the cameos are fascinating. As the lead, Rena Nonsense...errr... I mean Rena Nounen (lol I find it's very funny that her name rhymes that way) does a superb portrayal of Amano Aki. Her range of emotions are awesome and she plays her role with heart that is rare trait for a teenage kid like her. She reminds me of young Ueno Juri a lot and I bet she is the next big thing in Japanese TV and movie scene.
Music-wise, it has a plethora of nice background music. But it is the opening soundtrack that stands out of the rest. I'd dare to say that theme song is one of the best opening theme ever made in any TV shows. Props to the composer who has done a great job.
The ending is a bit unsatisfying, somewhat rushed and a bit too optimistic, the last story arch needs at least 40 episodes to complete while in fact there are only 20 or so. That's why I settled with overall point of 9, it could be another 10 if the ending is good. I hope they have a plan to make a special episode to rectify the "fault", but in my scoring algorithm, 9 is enough to warrant a "must watch" label.
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Neither worse nor great
Its good but not enough to say great , it has a good storyline , their are few episodes totally hooked me and some of them were quite boring , Ig I liked more about the relationship between book and mud , cuz throughout the whole serie Ice was over reacting and also his actions were looking very fake and the character was shy also hesitant so I don't think I am satisfied with the acting skills , in other hand in the gl couple also sea was over reacting , overall I think the story could be more interesting , instead of making Ice a shy lead he can be more flirty also I didn't liked the way he disagrees with Saint and repeated it many times ... but I have to say that I liked the ost , if I have to choose the best episode then it must be episode 12 ....Esta resenha foi útil para você?
Upon looking at the promotional posters and trailers, I instantly thought this would be the sex comedies that I had come to expect from some gay Thai dramas. After watching the first episode, I was pleasantly surprised.
The story is simple but unique in its premise. The characters are all so different and have their own flaws that the series doesn't feel ashamed to make fun of and exploit.
Under the sexual humor, there is a very serious message. It explores homophobia, infidelity, sexually transmitted diseases, and complicated love.
If you want something different from your dramas, I recommend this drama. Diary of Tootsies makes you laugh, cry, and cringe.
It's absolutely amazing.
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A heartfelt study of sex, love, and relationships
Don’t mistake this for a sex comedy, and please ignore the inadequate plot description above.With full-bodied characters that move beyond cliches, this Taiwanese drama is a bold study of what makes our relationships intimate and meaningful. It’s beautifully made, with an excellent script and cast.
The story is told through one family. Two parents, three children.
The mother and father have allowed resentment to build up in their marriage for reasons that become clear later in the drama. The eldest son, Yu Sen, is a card shark in an unsatisfying open relationship with his boyfriend. The eldest daughter, Chu Wei, yearns for a deeper emotional and sexual connection with her distracted professor husband. And the youngest daughter, Chu Ai, is a wax technician and an influencer. She runs a YouTube channel that offers frank discussions about sex, while maintaining her key argument that love and sex are two separate things.
There’s another main character—the youngest daughter’s regular hookup and friend, Ping Ke, who is wrestling with hangups about dating culture based on his unconventional family history. The actor, Kai Ko, brings this character to life in a way that only he can. He carries the character’s emotional weight with his whole being and you truly feel for him.
Well, what happens?
A heartfelt and unexpected romance unfolds between the son and an uncouth gangster. For BL fans, this part of the story is for you. The eldest daughter and her husband rediscover each other after a challenge to their relationship. And the youngest daughter confronts a past experience that has influenced her opinion of romantic relationships. All of the characters grow.
A central message in the story is that it is harmful to repress our true feelings—whether about our intimate desires and needs or even our anger toward the people closest to us. The message is that our relationships become healthier when we share our inner thoughts.
The script dares to approach so many relevant issues that aren't always talked about; like choosing not to have children, despite pressure from parents; or sexual compatibility issues in gay relationships; or treating STIs without shame. These are just a few. The drama is clever in discussing these issues without being didactic.
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First and for the love of god, why is Type's character written like the biggest asshole in town. If ever id meet someone like Type in real life id definitely run the other way. Yes there was a traumatic experience but its not an excuse to be an arse.
My advise to my fellow LGBTQ memebers here, dont ever date someone like Type in real life. He will make your life a living hell, this guy is so toxic and you deserve better. And also when your roommate tells you he hates gays like you, you go away as fast as you can, not secretly touch him when he is sleeping. That's called sexual harassment. And all the more reason for him to hate gay guys. And also, when somebody sexually harasses you, you dont open the cave to let them in, you go to police. The show is just not sending the right message.
One of the most annoying character ever is Tar. He was annoying in Love by Chance and he was as equally annoying here. (i dont hate the actors just the character). He was introduced so early in the show only to really matter in the last 2 or 3 episodes - and a bit creepy almost incestious onesided relationship with the stepbrother.
When i reviewed SOTUS, i said there was almost no intimate moments - this one is the exact opposite.
Hard to rewatch. I give it an overall rating of 6.
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It was my first time to watch the main leads in a project and their acting was just fine . I also wasn't able to read the novel in which this drama was based from so I'm not quite sure if the readers' idea of Yichen and Mosheng was played faithfully by Wallace and Tiffany. More than the main leads, Xiao Xiao (Mi Lu) and Yuan Feng (Yang Le)'s story stole the show for me. They were so entertaining to watch that I wish they even had more scenes because they were so great!
Just like "Boss & Me", the music did not disappoint and can easily make you feel good. My favorite was the opening song by Zhang Jie with the same title as the drama. I'm already downloading the OST as of writing this review haha!
I'm not a rewatcher so I didn't give a high score for that though I'd be fine in rewatching some of the scenes that made me happy and feel good. Overall, the drama had its fair share of angst (also annoying) and romantic moments but still managed to be a relaxing watch which made me love it. I haven't watched so many good C-dramas yet but I consider this as one of the good ones so far so you may try this out if you're craving for some romantic/nostalgic-themed drama to watch.
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Crisp and tasty KDrama - revolving around some hot topics that one might rather want to call sci-fi
Intelligent, sharp, with strong characters. A crisp and tasty KDrama. “Blood Free” got me immediately - with an original hook, set within a gripping milieu, topped by thoughtful demeanor of interestingly authentic protagonists and splendid casting.Of course, the interfering natural interest of those in power (who obviously can never keep their hands off) is not at all surprising. Yet, the processing of some rather hot contemporary issues was presented in a refreshingly concise manner. Including topics that one might call a dream of the future... A bit far-fetched here and there? Perhaps. Nevertheless, often enough well grounded in common sense.
I assume there could as well be a second season... because the end doesn´t necessarily have to be the end, does it?
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In the ocean of sugary sweet love stories with clichés like accidental kiss scenes and drunken confessions or over the top makjangs with evil in laws and memory losses, I found a drama that is slow paced, mature and tackles some heavy matters with a very realistic approach. I thought it’s impossible to show the story about two people finding love outside their marriage in the world of a very conservative Korean television, so with every episode I watched, I was growing more and more surprised that the drama didn’t change its tone in any of the typical directions, so either overly melodramatic or exaggerated comedy. It finished just as it started: calmly, simply and without big declarations or unexpected plot twists. I agree that the last two episodes weren’t as well-thought as the first part of the drama, but considering this sudden decision to cut it by 4 episodes, I think they did an exceptional work anyway.
I liked the cast. Even though I think that Kim Ha Neul is not a greatest actress, she played the role of a timid, dependant Choi Soo Ah perfectly. She and a male lead, Lee Sang Yoon, had an amazing chemistry. I don’t know how they did it, but every time they touched or even so much as looked at each other, you could feel intense feelings between them. However their chemistry was very mature and perfectly fit for the flow of the story. The rest of the cast was also very good, I especially connected with Soo Ah’s best friend Mi Jin, who was flawed, but that’s what made her very human and likeable.
To sum it up, I really loved On the Way to the Airport and I wish there were more dramas like that. I loved its simplicity and the courage to set the story around subjects that are more often than not considered forbidden. If you’re looking for a break from typical tropes, you won’t be disappointed.
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A Treasure of the Chinese Culture
This is a beautiful but tragic story depicting a rigid, conservative and orthodox society. Adapted from a novel which tells the story of Princess Huirou and her love story, for the drama, the story shifts its focus and chronicles instead the life of the father of Princess Huirou, Song Emperor Renzong who reigned from 1022 – 1063 AD. Accordingly, many developments in the novel are not included in the drama, and Huirou’s love story becomes a side story. As a chronicle which is trying to adhere as closely to the real historical record as possible, there are no "fancy" actions, no "actual" antagonists, no "exciting" plots or extreme palace politics as we see in most other historical palace dramas. The story is just being told as how history was. So if you're a history buff and appreciate historical Chinese culture, you may fall in love with this drama. If you're expecting actions and plots, you may be disappointed. For me, I love this type of dramas which are hard to come by. Sadly, not many people appreciate it, hence probably the low rating which I feel does not do justice to this beautiful drama; this drama definitely deserves a higher rating.Many viewers may find the arguments among the ministers over trivial matters (such as the dowager empress’s attire) mundane, but it is precisely these dialogues that bring out the thinking and philosophy of the society in that era, which I find immensely interesting. Confucian moral such as filial piety, and political principles such as protocol, are utmost important at the time. I find myself listening to every sentence and every choice of words carefully, watching every facial expression and body language closely so that I don’t miss anything conveyed.
Many important historical figures are portrayed here, acted beautifully and faithfully by the various cast members. My knowledge is very limited on Chinese history and its great writers, poets, calligraphers and scholars, however upon research, I was thrilled to find them on screen and the important roles they play in history, and eventually how they shape the country. Just like the western Renaissance in the 15th century when we see the births of many great artisans, during Emperor Renzong's reign, the culture of Song Dynasty, especially literature, began to flourish. Many famous litterateurs and poets in Chinese history lived or started their creative careers during his reign, including Fan Zhongyan, Ouyang Xiu and later Su Shi, Su Zhe, among others. They became the most important litterateurs in Chinese history and also began a new era of Chinese literature.
I’m so intrigued by their etiquettes and mannerism; almost everyone speaks with so much class, self-control, poise, and they all speak rhythmically. Often, it’s like a game of reading in between the lines. Everyone is articulate. Every message is subtle and intelligent without antagonizing the other party. Each exercises the highest degree of restraint and courtesy, and yet palace politics are unavoidable as the Emperor also promotes different point of views from different factions, just like modern day politics in many democratic countries. Getting one's points across without direct confrontation is perhaps the most tactful strategy and is considered a virtue. I wish we have such virtue in today's politics. Perhaps, we'd have fewer wars and happier people. I’m so impressed to see how much value the society places on meritocracy, something that is not seen in any other countries in the era. The scholars have already understood that only with meritocracy would a country flourish. I’m also surprised to see despite an authoritarian monarchy, Emperor Renzong’s court is very democratic with checks and balances.
Wang Kai’s Emperor Renzong is brilliant, from when the Emperor was a young adult to his death at 53. Wang Kai’s acting is immaculate. He has that regal look and charisma, and yet his face radiates benevolent consistently. It's so entertaining to watch those ministers arguing over trivial matters, and the suppressed amused look on the Emperor's face, and how articulately he defuses the situations without antagonizing any parties. Wang Kai’s Renzong is a perfect emperor. Despite the glory we always associate with figures of power, Emperor Renzong’s life was filled with tragedies, regrets and resignation. As a humble and frugal emperor, we also get to see his simple and subdue outfits and unflattering palace fixtures - very different scenes from the elaborate jeweled costumes and palace grandiose that we have accustomed with. Watching the whole lives of important figures passing before our eyes, I can’t help but feel the melancholy of ancient life. Wang Kai goes from a youth to become a sickly wasted man ravaged by poor health. The beautiful verses (ci) composed by Fan Zhongyan and Yan Shu, and later sung in tenor accompanied by a flute or guqin is the most beautiful song, capturing the melancholy, fitting the mood of the drama perfectly.
One of my favorite characters is Empress Cao (Maggie Jiang). Seeing her change from a fearless young lass who disguises as a boy to attend class with fellow male students, to a scrupulous regal lady when she becomes the Empress respected by all including her enemies, is the most fascinating watch. She is the one who always makes the most articulate decisions and resolves all issues which everyone submits to. Maggie Jiang’s empress is beautiful and elegant. Highly intelligent not second to the Emperor, the Empress unfortunately lives a very resigned life. I cry in my heart for her in every episode. Her longing for the Emperor is not being reciprocated openly though he has strongly wanted to, but each time, the turn of events just prevents them showing their love and admiration for each other. That’s perhaps the most frustrating part for me, seeing both love but missing the chance to show their affection time and time again.
But my favorite character of all is Huirou the Princess, although in the drama, she's only a side character. Many viewers feel she's spoiled and has behaved badly. To me, she's ahead of her time. Had she been born in today's world 1,000 years later, she would have been a world leader loved and respected by all. She is very filial pious and kind. She loves her people. Never once has she thrown a tantrum towards her palace maids nor hurt anyone, unlike the other spoiled princesses we're so accustomed to. However, she's the type who can't stand bullies and stands up against them, either for herself or for others, and that's unacceptable in that society when the bullies are the elders (in status or age). Unlike girls in those days, she has her own mind and doesn't want her life to be arranged and controlled like a puppet. Unfortunately, being a princess, she doesn't have the luxury to do what she wants; she's a state own property. And that's a disaster for a character such as hers. Had she been a man, she would have been revered for her courage and upstandingness, but for a girl in a male chauvinistic society, poor Huirou is called spoiled, selfish, stupid, and uncouth. In the later episodes, every time when she comes on screen, I can feel her screaming silently, "Live free or die". My heart aches for her. Nobody but Liang Huaiji understands her and knows she's suffocating under the system. That's why she has such a strong bond with him. As what Huaiji has said, he's her "floating timber" [in the ocean].
I’m so amazed by the acting of all the child actors. They are adorable and very good with their respective roles. I’m most impressed by Bian Cheng who portrays the Liang Huaiji character. Extremely good looking at 15, Bian Cheng’s acting is one of the best, and he has a promising acting career ahead of him. I’m eagerly waiting for his next drama playing a main role.
Eunuchs are normally loathed characters and I’m usually weary of them, but this drama produces 2 well loved eunuchs in Zhang Maoze (Ye Zuxin) and Liang Huaiji (Bian Cheng). I even secretly wish they were not in those positions so that they can love and find happiness in marriages.
Seeing a moral standard the historical figures have set for themselves, I often wonder if our modern day’s standard even comes anywhere matches that of the ancient time. While the western nations were still groping in the Dark Ages, China was already so advance in art, science and technology. It's a nice surprise to realize that golf, among many other sports, was an ancient game played by the Chinese.
If you want a heart-wrenching love story, wuxia actions, scheming palace politics, or bitching harem, no, this drama doesn't have these. But if you love authentic Chinese history and like close to real life historical experiences, this one is a very great watch. Having said that, Huirou's and Huaiji's love story is heart-wrenching, albeit just for a few episodes towards the end.
TWO THUMBS UP!
For viewers who understand Mandarin, these videos provide valuable information on the drama and its real historical characters:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1OYepyRtv6CTutyZDa7SGhqESI4pWITB
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The fragrant Agarwood already turned into Crumbs. Sacrifices were all for naught.
"In a lonely and empty courtyard, there’s a burning agarwood like crumbs. A blind man stood there, raising his head slightly so that the sweet smell gently brushed his cheeks. Immediately, the corners of his lips lifted into a smile. —: The man casually asked, “What did you light up?"
: “It’s … just normal agarwood.”
: “What kind of agarwood?”, he added.
: “It wilts as it provides Fragrance and New agarwood will sprout as it dies.” The woman replied, and now, without a single bit of hesitancy.
The serialization of Immortal Samsara initially called “Agarwood Like Crumbs”, not only pulled in Novel readers and Xian Xia genre fans alike. It also attracted loyal fans of Director Guo Hu whose recognized for directing some of the legendary dramas we all know, “One and Only (2021)”, “Love and Destiny (2019)” and “TMOPB(2017). Intense discussions skyrocketed even more after, Cheng Yi & the Yang Zi were paired in one drama. And In no time, the news raised the spirits and expectations of each and every fans.
However, the ride was all but smooth sailing. Some rumors appeared, heated debates circulated and, even fan wars on social media sites spread like wildfire. Many fans, including me thought that this may also turn the tables for the worse for the drama.
Yet, Immortal Samsara astoundingly flourished like a lotus in mud. Despite the setbacks, there still remained fans who patiently followed its arduous journey from the promotions, filming, trailers, wrapping up, and even till the licensing. And at last after great efforts, fans finally witnessed the long awaited surprise— the release of the first episode at the peak of July 2022. It was a really vigorous almost 20 Months of a roller coaster waiting ride.
Story:
The story itself is independent if we compare it on the main leads and ending of its Parent Novel "Agarwood Like Crumbs" (沉香如屑) Authored by Su Mo (苏寞) . The main focus of Immortal Samsara, which translates to "Cycles of Death & Rebirth" is the agonising love story between the burden-ridden Ying Yuan, a Supreme Lord of the Nine Heavens and, an eloquent and witty Four-Leaf Ancient Lotus, Yan Dan. Sandwiched by a Realm that forbids the birth of feelings, the two will experience the struggles of avoiding the distraction of Love. But side by side, they’ll embark on the journey not just to discover secrets but also to fix the broken, and finally mend the scars. It do sound cliche but, this couple is truly worthy of the attention it is getting.
With Yan Dan always writing stories on her book, the viewers are hinted to ponder, “Will the main couple also have their very own page of a happy ending written in that book?” .
Main Characters:
Yan Dan, an independent writer and a loyal companion, was perfectly portrayed by Yang Zi. Yan Dan is a faulty-selfless person but she is definitely someone that stands out from the crowd. All throughout, Yan Dan stayed true to her own beliefs, never feared to love confidently, and embraced responsibilities like its her own life. And like Yang Zi, Yan Dan will always surprise you with her great acting and humor. Yang Zi did really well in portraying Yan Dan’s character development especially when she gradually prioritized self-care at the course of the drama. With Ying Yuan's (handsomeness joke) thoughtfulness, she fell first and loved him with all her heart. But Yan Dan isnt entirely just a simp for the guy. You will also see her having this innate talent in speaking and intelligence (which I love), since it is what makes her really cool. Her talent, also made her ascend from being a witty attendant into a famous playwright slash company of the bully and vile, Ying Yuan. I found no single flaw or plot hole seeing how the character develops and I appreciated this fact so you’ll really have fun watching Yan Dan through Yang Zi.
Then there's Ying Yuan, someone with a very high position whose obsession in life is Wei Qi or "the Go/encircling game" apart from his goal of ultimately maintaining peace to his jurisdiction, the Nine Heavens. While carrying this role, he was then burdened by an overthinking personality, scheming tendencies, and a boring slash busy schedule. I think I can compare Ying Yuan more with Emperor Qi Yan from “Stand By Me (2021)” who is always harsh towards himself. Ying Yuan is literally like a robot who does things with no flaw all because he thinks it is his obligation to be different from his parents. But his miserable life with only Wei Qi as a hobby only lasted until, he found Yan Dan who switched all of his perceptions in life and made him happier. With Ying Yuan being represented by Cheng Yi, he also got cursed with blood spitting moments. What made his character so interesting, was that he is not entirely harsh and cold hearted. He cares not only for his beloved but also for every single one of his people, his soldiers, and his best friends. His flaw stems in the fact that he always remained firm in being responsible (especially in his job) so he totally refused distractions (like love). But despite his imperfections & jerk-like-boyfriend choices, his love remained unchanged.
Next, Ray Chang as Yu Mo, was the love interest of Yan Dan in the novel. Here, he’s now the second male lead whose main conflict is his one-sided love for Yan Dan & his obsession to her egg scrambles…lol. Yu Mo, was introduced as an heir to the Nine-Fins Clan, The Four Seas, and Yelan Mountain and as someone who only longs for a peaceful and carefree life. However, as you can see, he also holds big responsibilities but sadly, he couldn’t compare to the person holding Yan Dan’s heart. He then only ended as the best friend that stayed in life but never in the heart. Yu Mo is honestly a refreshing take to the stereotypes of overly crazy and ruthless second male leads of Xian Xia. And although not entirely a scene-stealer, Yu Mo successfully captured the hearts of fans through his loyalty and pure love.
The trio throughout their journey, will be susceptible to face never-ending sacrifices, challenges, and heavy secrets independently. But during this chaos, there are also parts that will be your comfort place. Like the cute pairing of Zi Lin, a silly Celestial Turtle and the shy Lin Lang, a Three-tailed Snow Fox. And together with the bickering couple, Taoist Tang Zhou and Beautiful Bai, you’ll also be fed with what seems to be never-ending servings of candies and laughter. They’ll eventually become you’re source of therapy session amidst the angsts. ♡
Music:
I was ecstatic when I heard both Cheng Yi and Yang Zi covered and blessed us fans with their voices here. And as always, I am in love with their songs and played them in loop daily. I hold on very high regard the soundtracks from Xian Xia Dramas ‘cause they always have those touching and beautiful expressions in their lyrics which in turn, helps watchers like me connect easily to the characters of the drama even more. Immortal Samsara OSTs are one of those I sincerely am thankful for. Luckily, we can listen to these OSTs on Youtube!
Although I love all soundtracks, I am more bias towards “Never Forget” Wú Wàng 无忘 by 张磊 “Zhang Lei” . It’s the only OST I downloaded on my phone haha. Here’s my favourite quote from this song:
“ I wasted thousands of years, how can I solve my thousand thoughts about love? ”
“ Forget the time limit, and only then, can love be fulfilled. ”
Overall: ♡
I can see how dramas in which the main characters suffer and make sacrifices for love may really be seen as repetitive. Especially since angsts, misunderstandings, villainous side characters and the betrayal tropes are still present BUT, these are literally part of Xian Xia slash Romance genre that creates the foundation for beautiful love stories like this to be adapted. Immortal Samsara stand out so much for me because of the mature relationship that the main couple have. Other than the interesting fact that Yan Dan and Ying Yuan almost have the same hobbies and personality, both also have fully integrated personalities and separate life dreams & goals. Yet, they still continued to grow and be prosperous when engaging or communicating with each other, even while bickering. And nomatter where they both are, they're literally still both awe-inspiring in their careers and are still ‘The Best’ companions of each other. I am also truly glad that it was mainly thanks to their already compatible personalities and like-mindedness, and not just fate, that made them always successfully attracted to one another. I’m truly a sucker for this kind of relationship and so I just had to see for myself how their relationship will conclude . ♡
Oh yes, before I forget, let me also give a thousand praises to the production team. The camera works, the film sights, creation of the venues, the costumes ( especially Cheng Yi’s wardrobe and wigs…!), and CGI were SO BREATHTAKING! The production team for this drama were really meticulous in designing every corridor , every pathways, the rooftops, the rocks, the courtyards, and the big and beautiful trees!! Even the petals falling were apple to my eyes, lmao. I especially love the Night Forgetting River and The Land of the Horizon venues. Literally, even the screen wall where Ying Yuan and Yan Dan placed their lips on one scene, were sewed with a Lotus design! It indirectly told us viewers that Ying Yuan hypothetically, ‘physically kissed’ Yan Dan ‘cause in literal, Yan Dan is a lotus! I sometimes even ignore Chang Yi and Yan Dan’s visuals just to appreciate these beautiful details! Everything about Immortal Samsara is so phenomenal. For me, its really a drama worth checking out. ♡
I hope that you all had fun reading! I’m so sorry that I’m bad at english and that this was too long. Thank you so much for visiting this review!
Like what a wise Yan Dan said, “The censer has finished burning but there’s still lingering warmth. So once the fire burns again, we shall meet!” See you all on Part 2, my fellow Gou Dan babies! ♡
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