Has you on the edge of your seat.
Its places you into the action right from the beginning and takes you on a journey that is full tilt from start to finish. I was lucky to see this in a cinema in New Zealand so if you can see it on the big screen I recommend you do so, its certainly just that much more immersive and impressive surrounded by a sea of strangers. There's some powerhouse performances from all the leads, I love Lee Do Hyun, so him and the subject matter was what drew me to the film. I think for me the only downside was this story seems like it could have been fleshed out more in a series rather then a movie, it felt like it was wrapped up too quickly for me at least. They hinted at the background of the main characters but you never felt completely invested in the horror they were facing because you weren't given enough information about them. The soundtrack is masterful and the cinematography sublime. I still very much recommend this film.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
"Never Risk Your Future in a Man's Heart" (Song Bei Jing, English sub)
I was interested in watching this drama when I saw the trailer and read the synopsis. Once you pass the quirky sentence of the synopsis: "Song Mi Duo who's been single since birth..." (and she is only 18 turns 19, lol), the phrase "unique sleeping arrangement" will definitely catch your attention. So the start sounds promising with unique plot and catchy trailer... not so for the content of the drama though, and I definitely blame it on the directing and editing. Overall it is a light-hearted romcom without paying attention to the quality of production.Like:
- The why and how the 'unique sleeping arrangement' happen are actually pretty reasonable once you watch a few beginning episodes to understand.
- Prologues of in the beginning of next episodes explain what actually happen during the previous episodes
- The strong friendship between Mi Do, Xiao Mi, and Yi You is one to be envied for, as they go through thick and thin with Mi Do relating to the famous Xi Song.
- The drama does not end with the girl following the boy. I love Mi Do's parents objection and advice to their daughter (hence the title of my review above).
- I am satisfied with the 'fate' written for the supporting characters (Xiao Mi, Yi You, and Su Li).
- Xi Song giving house keys to Mi Do symbolizes trust in relationship
- Good acting of actress Chen Yi Xin as the cutie pie and childish Song Mi Do. Despite dislike comment on her appearance, I think red curly hair is quite rare for Asian female movie/drama roles but it's unique and fits very well with Mi Do.
- Good acting of actor Wang Zi Xin as the aloof yet sincere Xi Song. You may think Zi Xin act is stiff, but it fits the role he played. Once you know about Xi Song's background and condition, you understand his childlike traits and why he does not have the amenities other people do. Also, the same reasons why Liang Ge and the housekeeper overprotect him.
- Good acting of both actress Yang Ke as sassy Xiao Mi with big sister heart, and actor Xue Cheng as the lovelorn yet loyal Yi You.
- Great acting of Mi Do's parents. The chemistry between Xi Song and Mi Do is good, but the chemistry between Mi Do's parents is sizzling! Her parents are hilarious and shows PDA everywhere. The actor/actress who play the parents acted comfortably with each other, probably due to them having more experiences in acting than the young cast.
- Mi Do's gorgeous mom
- Mi Do's cute accessories and stuffed animals
Dislike:
- Bad directing and editing as I mentioned above. Probably bad screen writing too, but I cannot really tell due the the English sub
- For a modern day drama has unrealistic scenes that may make you cringe, just give you some examples:
1) A famous pianist is treated like a pop/rock idol star by the young college kids and public??? Not that I look down on classical music or classical musician's fame, but Xi Song is treated as some sort of deity to worship that Mi Do is harassed and bullied because of him.
2) Mi Do's parents do not care at all on their daughter's whereabouts after her birthday party??? Despite her best friend Yi You urging them to call the police. And Mi Do's does not call her parents informing that she will be late...
3) Xi Song's dad pinches Mi Do's cheek at their first meeting??? While she and her parents does not know who he is and the housekeeper does not even greet him...
- Some draggy conversations and filler scenes, typical Chinese dramas.
- The drama does not tell you about Mi Do's accomplishment in writing novel, only a brief mentioning during Xi Song and Mi Do's conversation in the last episode.
- The choice of wardrobe for Xi Song ( martial art-type of clothing)
Lastly, kudo to Yulia Chan from Youtube for completely subbed this drama. Although Mandarin and English are not her native languages, her sub is not bad as we get to understand the story-line and she took time to make a praise-worthy effort.
Was this review helpful to you?
Clichéd But Hilarious, Sweet and Delightful
This drama is by no means revolutionary or original, but having said that, it is also light-hearted, somewhat "modernised", and comforting. It's a given that the main leads would end up together, but despite knowing the obvious, I couldn't stop watching, plus the laughs and pinching heartaches I felt (in a good way) were incredibly addicting.STORY
This is a story about a manhua character, Xia Yu Bing, changing the lives of other manhua characters in her world through maintaining high readership ratings and preventing the manhua from getting axed (thus preserving her own life). She does this by employing various familiar business models that are frequently used in the real, modern world. The manhua artist's initial story had a dark beginning, but as she made changes to her storyline, Xia Yu Bing also independently changed her fate in her world. Everything about the drama is riddled with traditional tropes - corny fall-and-catch shoujo moments, the obligatory rain scene (lots), show-your-love-through-cooking, including the initial dislike the main leads had for each other before eventually falling in love, and yet the joy encompassed is in all of these things. What is a romance drama without some villainous plot and angst? Other than romance and friendship (Xu Zi Yan and Ye Wen Zhao are best friends), I also love the dynamic Xu Zi Yan had with his father, Xu Guang Ling. The scenes of this father and son pair were definitely some of my favourite. Xu Senior is not only loving father to his son, but also to his daughter-in-law. Each time father and son bicker playfully with each other, knowing they both care deeply for the other gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Plot holes notwithstanding, all of that still makes for an entertaining watch and I could ignore the implausibility of certain parts in the script. Lastly, although the official Viki synopsis says the male lead was "determined to wipe her (female lead) out and conduct experiments on her body", this is grossly misleading and inaccurate.
MUSIC
I love the songs they selected for this drama. The non-vocal OP is upbeat, catchy and suits the overall theme of the drama. The ED theme, 人生一回合, translated as "One Round of Life" is sung by Ye Wen Zhao's actor in the drama, Xu Bing Chao. The other song used during interludes, the more romantic 落雨纷, translated as "The Scattering Falling Rain" is sung by Qing Sang. This song is my favourite.
ACTING
What I say may sound generic, but it's true. Everyone did a wonderful job in this drama. Dong Si Yi was wonderful to watch. She was funny, expressive, smart, girly, and cute as Xia Yu Bing. I especially love whenever she behaved coquettishly towards Xu Zi Yan. Watching him crumble under her charms was really rewarding for me. I can't imagine anyone but her in this role. I was quite surprised by Lee Ge Yang's performance, seeing that he's relatively green in the industry. While his character, Xu Zi Yan, didn't have much room for expressive navigations at first for being the cold, emotionless genius, he nevertheless performed quite well at portraying the desperation and despair Xu Zi Yan felt in the later half of the series.
OVERALL
I started this drama with zero expectations, as I only happened to see it aired on the day of its release. Suddenly, I found myself marathoning this throughout the night, and the next two days after. And after finishing the series, I looked up on videos and short interviews the main leads gave soon after the show. In one clip, when asked to describe their characters, Lee Ge Yang called Xu Zi Yan a medical genius who is a "wife-doting maniac", but Dong Si Yi responded, "He's okay..." in a slightly dead-panned manner lol. This exchange just made me feel they're really perfectly cast as the characters they played. The drama overall has left me with nothing but a lasting good impression - and I will surely watch this again for the comedy and romance.
Was this review helpful to you?
The Gray Area
Crime Crackdown (扫黑风暴) is a crime drama, where the narrative revolves around Li Chengyang (Sun Honglei). Li Chengyang was a policeman, however, he was accused of taking bribes, therefore his reputation was ruined and he was expelled from the police force. After being expelled from the police force, he then becomes involved in the mafia group. The drama then continues on with a group of officials who were sent to Lv Teng to clean up the mess in Lv Teng (crimes that have been in Lv Teng for years - such as illegal gambling, high loans, and so forth). Then cold cases started to get cracked and so on, which will lead to the big ultimate case.What made this drama particularly appealing is the stellar cast and the directing. The cast of this drama is outstanding! For people who have been watching Chinese drama for a long time, I'm sure that you'll be familiar with the faces in this drama. With all the amazing casts, the acting is perfect!! From the main role to the supporting role, every character is portrayed very well done. And Lay did a really outstanding job in this drama, he had a huge improvement in his acting! Secondly, this drama is directed by Wu Bai, I loved his directing in Evil Minds, therefore, I was particularly looking forward to this drama.
The crime cases in this drama are okay. Some were interesting as several cases shown in this drama are based on real-life cases that happened in China. This drama is kinda draggy and it's a slow burn drama - it hints at you about the main goal from the smaller achievements they achieved. However, the small details are not attractive enough to keep you watch it and you might get kinda exhausted in the middle of watching it. In the middle of the drama, you might feel that you are not going anywhere, the story is stagnant. Therefore, it might be kinda taxing to watch it.
This drama production is not the best, but not the worst too. I really enjoyed the colour scheme and grading, with it's prominent shadows and textures. However, the cinematography, directing and editing is just average, there is nothing new and appealing.
As a crime drama, Crime Crackdown is a very good drama in terms of its acting and production. However, the weak and slow-burning narrative makes this drama fall short.
Was this review helpful to you?
Set in a mental institution, this movie doesn't hold back on the crazy. The cast of characters is so delightfully nuts. Don't get me wrong, I don't take insanity lightly. There is always a sad undercurrent to insanity because the reality is the reason behind a person's mental breakdown. Those reasons usually being a horrible event or events from one's past or the unfortunate breakdown of the intricate workings of the mind or a chemical imbalance in the human brain. I have a close connection with someone with Schizophrenia and I can't imagine the struggle, the fight, the torture that goes on inside their own mind.
But this movie isn't really about the reality or the clinical aspect of mental illness. It's about the characters and their point of view of the world, how they cope and survive. Off kilter is an understatement. But at the same time it can be delightful. Especially the fantastical sequences that literally put you in the mind of the characters. You get to see what they think and feel; usually through their particular idiosyncracy. The one thing I took away from this movie was the Will to Survive.
Also I loved the way the two leads came together in their own crazy way. The way they sought out ways to accept each other. They weren't portrayed as stupid. They simply saw the world in a different way than you or I. I loved the way Il Soon protected Young Goon and made an effort to learn how she thought so he could keep her safe. He may have been crazy but so wise within that context. I loved that.
I am recommending this movie but really for those who have a great capacity for whimsy. Who may like a little weird with a side of fantasy and looking to watch something very different.
Was this review helpful to you?
In 1998, Fang Mu is an arrogant but brilliant student who can profile a criminal in a few minutes without hesitation. But when we move to 2001, he is not the same self-confident guy anymore, he has built a barrier to defend himself from the past, from something that happened three years before. We don't know what made him change, we find our answers slowly, as we go on with the story.
Each murder case is brutal but well-designed. You find yourself absorbed in the story and when you finish the puzzle, you notice how the pieces fit together perfectly.
What grasps the attention is also the inner struggle that Fang Mu has to fight. "If you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you".
As I said before, Evil Minds is a dark drama but it's also beautiful. With "beautiful" I mean the artistic quality of the filming, the quality of the scriptwriting and the choice of the soundtrack (especially the ending song, "Flying Horse" by Luo Er).
The acting is very good, especially because they aren't veteran actors. (And Chen Ruo Xuan is really cute ehm ehm XD).
I feel indebted to Evil Minds, so I recommend to give a chance to this great drama that has gone unnoticed.
Was this review helpful to you?
Empowering Drama for Girls
I really love the female lead character in this drama - independent, unconventional, fearless, strong (good in fighting), forthright (doesn't hide anything - speaks her mind), intelligent, decisive, compassionate, confident, will not be manipulated, smart, at the same time, loves her family dearly and will protect everyone with her own life. Together with an eye-candy male lead, this drama is really an enjoyable and easy watch.Ban Hua (Guan Xiao Tong aka Gabrielle Guan) has come from a bloodline of royalty. Her paternal grandmother is also the aunt of the Emperor who respects her greatly and grants the Ban family unlimited privileges and protection from the other noble families who constantly want to harm them and even want them dead.
Ban Hua doesn’t take orders from anyone, not even from the Emperor himself. Despite her high status, she’s being shunned by most eligible men in town because of her ‘bad luck’ reputation, her unabashed demeanor, and most of all, her being the best fighter around as she’s learned her skills from her grandfather who was a great general. She is fierce and forthright with her feelings, beats the shit out of men whom she finds intolerable, as she tells them “even the Lord of the Netherworld is scared of me”.
The Ban family is one of the most wonderful families I find in any historical dramas, with loving and open-minded parents who respect Ban Hua’s opinions and supportive of her, a little brother who is sweet and streetwise, and a couple of adorable maid servants who are like sisters to her. Despite the high status of the Ban family, none is well read. It is hilarious to see how they struggle to read a simple letter or poem flawlessly, and to make sense of it. The family dynamics are precious and it’s always a joy to watch them.
After an incident, Ban Hua is bestowed the ability to see her future in her dreams. However, most of these dreams are omens to the fate of herself and those she loves. She finds ways to change course of their fates. As one can imagine, the steps and processes she takes are hilarious. And as in her dream, she meets her true love, Rong Xia (Hou Ming Hao aka Neo Hou).
Rong Xia is the most handsome man in the world. Not only is he handsome, he is also the most intelligent man. In contrast to the Bans, Rong Xia is very well read and gentle. He is also the Emperor’s most treasured strategist who holds important official post. Together with Ban Hua, they resolve multiple conspiracies hand in hand, saving each other time and time again from death.
Guan Xiao Tong is very beautiful with great acting skills. As Ban Hua, she brings out the fierceness in her, at the same time, not losing her elegance as an anointed princess. Dressed in her unconventional outfits purportedly designed by Ban Hua herself, Guan Xiao Tong brings Ban Hua to life. I really love her stylish outfits with bold colors and designs.
Hou Ming Hao is one of the most handsome actors around. He looks amazing in his scholastic outfit with a fan, he also looks so good in his somber court official uniform, and he looks mysteriously wonderful in his dark martial arts clothing. His acting is good too in bringing alive the gentle Rong Xia who viewers come to love so much.
My Verdict
I really love Ban Hua’s kickass demeanor and her beautiful stylish outfits, the handsome face of Rong Xia, the wonderful dynamics of the Ban family, Ban Hua’s and the second prince’s hostile relationship, the hilarious rivalry between Marquis Xie and Ban Hua’s father, the lovable side couples, among others.
This is a wonderful and happy drama not to be missed. The badass female lead alone would make any viewers love this production. Together with a very smart and good-looking male lead, this drama indeed is a great entertainment for all to enjoy.
Recommended!
Was this review helpful to you?
1Sweet xianxia with seven beautiful interconnected lives
The drama tells the love story between the God of War and a Fairy and their seven lives together. Due to accidentally entangling each other with a love thread, the main leads are tasked to go through seven love tribulations together in order to repair the male lead's primordial spirit. But with each passing tribulation, secrets of the past begin to surface and a long forgotten truth is finally revealed.POSITIVE:
- The story has tons and I mean TONS of parallels in between all lives and tribulations that the main leads experience. Everything is woven together to perfection. All the characters have meaningful roles in each tribulation, all little details like a simple hairpin are connected through all tribulations and this is very, very difficult to do so I'm absolutely blown away how it was all put together. And there are NO plot holes.
- I was sceptical at first as seven lives seemed like it might get repetitive and boring but there are not the typical 3 lives xianxia style. All lives are connected but at the same time move the plot forward in a very clever way. Each life is very different, with different settings and length of episodes. Some of the lives only FL remembers her present self, others only ML, and we also have lives where they both remember so it gives a unique experience in each one.
- I absolutely loved, loved, loved ML performance in the drama. He really brought all of his characters to life, when he was happy, I was happy, when he was in pain, I was in pain, when he was crying, I was crying. Even when I felt the script was lacking in certain scenes his brilliant performance really moved me and made up for it. I've only seen his other drama with Lusi and I have to say he has now become one of my favourite actors.
- Beautiful costumes and settings (they are done by the same production team as LBFAD).
- Secondary couple has an interesting plot twist so it's quite unique to watch.
- Happy ending for everyone (well except the bad guys lol).
NEGATIVE:
- Doesn't have that addictive factor where you totally obsess over the drama. Like there was something missing, perhaps the lack of emotional impact I was looking for.
- FL acting is very lacking. I rarely discuss acting but unfortunately this one was very obviously bad in comparison to the brilliant job that the ML actor did. I felt the FL actress was specifically bad in delivering scenes where she was supposed to be scared, distressed and in extreme pain. She was making all the facial expressions, I could see the tears but somehow there was no real emotion behind it especially compared to the ML.
- It has a slow start and the 2nd tribulation (the first human one) is the longest one so it feels very dragged out.
- The ending is quite.. well boring. Lots of unnecessary talks and excessive weird effects (almost like they ran out of budget). Without spoiling it, I feel there is a very interesting plot line relating to the tribulations that's very unique and would have made an epic final however it was brushed off and instead we were given a very typical xianxia ending.
- SML has a very typical "I'm obsessively in love with the FL" syndrome at the beginning but he gets very much redeemed in my eyes. He does get a lot of screen time and very much feels like a main character so that might be positive or negative depending how much you like his character. In general the actor did a great job and I didn't mind his scenes however in certain episodes he got more screen time than the male lead which I didn't like.
- Editing feels choppy and weird at times.
- Effects and CGI in the last episodes are a bit weird.
OVERALL:
The drama is a sweet xianxia with beautiful interconnecting themes and parallels, lots of interesting characters and some character's growth. The main focus is the love story between the leads so it's a nice comfort drama to watch. Great rewatch value because of the mystery and all parallels.
GUIDE:
Read my short episodes guide (with minor spoilers) about the 7 tribulations:
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/the-seventh-generation/110999-all-tribulation-lives-brief-info-with-minor-spoilers
Was this review helpful to you?
Gold medal for underdeveloping… everything.
What happened? Someone explain, because I am confused. What started as a loveable cliche mess, ended as just a mess. Around half way through I could sense it - no development, no quality of writing, no details to the storytelling, no real stakes…Personally, I just think there were too many characters and plots for that many episodes. We did not need the stupid siblings duo - truly brought nothing to the table. The side romance was cute, but also unnecessary. The writers should have picked either a tragic mysterious past or the power struggle in the company and focus on developing it more. Random ex to show up 3 times to cause a little bit of trouble that led to nowhere? Why?
I was watching the second half with constant thought - so much is happening, but why does it feel like nothing is happening? Maybe because the plot seemed more like a brainstorm on a whiteboard rather than a full narration with detailed setup and development… The way almost nothing got a proper closure…
What carried the show for me were the characters of Ah Jung, Ji Han and one and only unproblematic powerful queen Chae Won. These three were fun, entertaining, dynamic. Their scenes always left a smile on my face. These three also had an amazing chemistry.
On the other hand, every character other than these three was boring or frustrating, with little to no redeeming qualities.
What’s more, the quality of acting was on average mediocre - either because the characters were too poorly written for the actors to make it work, or because the actors just could not connect to the emotions they were supposed to present.
Overall, what a waste of time. Another case of a great first half and disappointing finish.
Was this review helpful to you?
Ruined itself trying to be clever
0/10 do NOT recommend. I spite-watched it until the end just so I could write a review and save others from losing 30 episodes worth of their lives.This drama was a solid good fluffy silly rom/com set in historical period until about half way through and then it devolved into constant plots, tons of lying, lots of schemes and just bs...by the 20th episode I wanted to strangle the writers and by the end of this I want to say they absolutely took a great idea for a drama and DESTROYED everything good about it and left nothing but a mess.
By the end of the drama I didn't want the leads to end up together, they do not have a healthy relationship and ML continues with his lies (the thing she hates above all else) right up until the final moments of the drama.
Dear writers, manipulation isn't romantic please leave this toxic trait in the garbage can!!
Was this review helpful to you?
1
1
1
1
1A Dark, Addictive, Masterpiece-Level Chinese BL
REVIEW UPDATEDI can’t believe I’m saying this, but this series might actually surpass Revenged Love as my number one BL of the year.
I love dark, toxic, and manipulative stories. It’s fictional, so I know it’s not real, but it’s thrilling, intense, and way more addictive than the typical “green flag” BL. This series nails it.
If you’re not watching, you’re seriously missing out. Once you start, you won’t be able to stop.
To My Shore is a perfect 10 for me. From the first episode, it grabs you with its atmosphere, intensity, and emotional tension. Yun Qi as Fan Xiao is only twenty-three but carries the screen like a seasoned star. He’s dark, manipulative, a total red flag, and he even hurt himself just to make his lover fall for him. Bold, magnetic, and completely sure of what he wants, he’s terrible in the best way, and that makes the show impossible to resist.
Yi Ran Hao as YouShuLang brings the perfect balance. Their chemistry is dangerous, intimate, and impossible to look away from. YouShuLang’s heartbreak hits you like a punch to the chest and stays with you long after the episode ends. The interrogation scene was breathtaking, full of tension, fear, and chaos, and Fan Xiao’s twisted love felt painfully real.
What makes To My Shore unforgettable isn’t just the plot but the way it makes you feel. The direction is sleek, the pacing tight, and every scene pulls you deeper into their twisted connection. Every moment hits like a masterpiece
And finally, can we give a round of applause to all the actors, the production team, the crew, the staff, and the directors. They literally had to fly from China to Thailand to film this just to avoid censorship from the Chinese government.
I’ve been to Thailand twice and I’m going again in a couple of weeks, and let me tell you, Thailand is extremely hot, even during the cool/dry season. These actors were filming in full suits, in a foreign country, without knowing the Thai language, and still delivered such an incredible performance.
Chinese BL in 2025 is not just entertaining. It is setting a new standard. And To My Shore is absolutely one of its crown jewels.
Was this review helpful to you?
Did some things better than any other series.
Great cast, great plot, great acting, great pace, great wrap-up. A very complete package of everything. Nothing really missed for me. The action sequences were class. The relationships and network were inspiring.Among the things that this series did better I would like to mention my personal favourite -
1. Car chase : Honestly I have watched many kdramas that have these gangs and gangsters, but it's always hand on hand combat and/or weapons. But a car chase is very rare and the one in this series has been done greatly compared to the korean average.
2. Action sequences : Nobody pulled there punches. It sure looks like it. The different weapons and techniques are amazing to watch.
3. Backstory : This wasn't overdone with MSG that somebody killed somebody's someone so the son or daughter of that person plots revenge. The background of the story is very tangible in this drama.
A very few misses that won't be annoying -
1. Some characters you'd like to know about what happened to them or so was not really explored. But it's fine as long as you're not much invested and how can you be considering it's just 8 episodes.
2. More brawns than brain. Could be a turn off for some or could be just the thing for others.
All in all as i already said, it is very complete.
Was this review helpful to you?
Wallace lives and breathes his role as Bo Jin Yan. He's adorably awkward when it comes to romance, and level-headed when it comes to his job as a criminal psychologist. Wallace also plays his 'split personality'; very well, showing that he's a versatile actor. I think Sandra was the perfect cast actually. She's pretty, and yet she gives off a girl next door vibe, complementing Bo Jin Yan (Wallace) fabulously. In a way, their relationship reminds me of Edward and Bella from Twilight- cool, seemingly emotionless male lead and sensitive yet observant female lead that brings the warmth out of the male lead. In my opinion, they have great chemistry and Bo Jin Yan's cheesy lines were hilarious. I can't forget Jin Yan's love for fish. He loves to eat fish so much that it was part of the storyline-kind of cute. I actually didn't guess the ultimate Big Bad so I was shocked when the twist came out. In that respect, this drama did a great job because it kept me on my toes.
The cinematography was gorgeous as well, the fish eye lenses were a cool touch, and I loved the car, Andy. So high-tech, and hilarious-Andy's like part of the cast! The cases were interesting and not too predictable. Every case was drastically different so it didn't get boring. I especially liked it when Jin Yan does his criminal analysis because it's so interesting to listen to. The cases flowed well together and connected with one another, each case spanning around four episodes, and led up to the Big Bad storyline. Though it seemed like each case was separate, they were all ultimately connected to the Big Bad, and the drama explores the deepest aspects of human desire through the cases. All the leads had a backstory as well, lending more depth to the story, making the drama come more to life. It was a little graphic but not too intense/gory either.
I loved Zi Yu (Andrew Yin), he is the ultimate best friend. Their bromance was fun to watch and a good comedic relief from the serious tone of the crime investigations. Xun Ran (Wang Kai) was a good second lead but the drama never really gave him a chance to be a serious romantic threat to Bo Jin Yan. Nevertheless, I admired his dedication and willpower as a cop- his acting was also spot on. The beginning was a bit slow but it was needed to set up the story. It starts rapidly speeding up after around three episodes. This drama didn't drag that much; rather, it went by quickly in 24 episodes.
The music kept me barely breathing in lots of suspenseful moments so it definitely did its job! There was a lot of orchestral music which was a nice change from usual dramas.
Re-watch? YES! I will most definitely re-watch this and so far this is my favorite Chinese drama! I recommend this drama if you're into suspense, crime scene investigations, and lots of romance. I wouldn't recommend this if you don't like romance intertwined with crime scene investigations. That said, this drama was fantastic in all respects so I recommend it to everyone. (10/9.75)
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Sisterhood. Love. Delicious delicacies
卿卿日常 (New Life Begins) narrates the story the life in Xin Chuan, how different women from nine regions come together and live their life there, also centering around the main couple (the sixth prince of Xin Chuan and a girl from Jin Chuan.)Helmed by director Zhao Qichen, who also directed My Heroic Husband. You can expect a good laugh from the drama! There are a lot of elements in the drama that is intertwined together flawlessly, such as comedy, feminism, love, friendship, family, and a tad of (child’s play) politics and rivalry. There are so many plot devices and themes that worked together harmoniously, there isn’t any dull moment for me. It is well-paced, the storyline develops at a brisk and engaging pace.
What makes this drama different from other dramas is (at least for now) that the drama avoids going on the mainstream road. There is no rivalry and scheming between women, unlike other historical dramas. The drama has a very heavy element of feminism - how women in this drama showcase their abilities, support, protect, and have each other backs, and more. Other than it, the drama also focuses on what women experience: postpartum depression, domestic violence, marriage, and more. All the women characters in the drama are interesting, well-conceived, and realistically written - each of them comes from different regions with different mindsets and beliefs, thus making their struggles and actions understandable. The colorful and depths of the ensemble characters make the drama even more compelling.
In addition, almost every couple in the drama is very also lovely! Every couple’s romance is developed equally. It is nice to see how each couple grows fond of each other over time and also grow as an individual. Each character possesses their own distinctive qualities that when combined together make the overall development of the story interesting and fun. Each character is also multidimensional, each having its own interesting story arc. You will find yourself immersed and invested in each character’s growth through the experiences they went through. I especially love how Hao Jia (the second prince’s concubine) has an inner monologue whenever the second prince is near him!
New Life Begin’s cinematography is generally adequate. But some of their shots of food are beautiful, which will make you salivate. The color palette of the drama is light and bright-toned with a soft filter and vibrant color palette, which is pleasing to the eyes. Another thing I loved about New Life Begins is their elaborately authentic sets and exquisite costumes. Where each character has their own styling. Lastly, though not seamless, the editing and scene transition is cohesive. There are a lot of scene transitions in between however it’s understandable as the narrative not only narrates the character in a certain period of time but over a long period of time.
The characters of the drama are brought to life by an outstanding cast, who delivers compelling interpretations of their character. Both Bai Jingting and Tian Xiwei did an exceptional job in the drama, embodying the character! Tian Xiwei imbues her character as Li Wei with cuteness, nuance, and also elegance! Though she looks very cute and sweet. But she is not one of those sweet-looking girls that are easily manipulated. She manages to infuse her character with kindness, righteousness, knowledge, and standing by what she believes; which makes her character very interesting. It is unimaginable that anyone else can pull off such a character other than Tian Xiwei.
Bai Jingting also elevated his character with his micro-expressions. As the sixth prince who grows up to be sickly and secluded, he still managed to show us different sides of the character - how he grows throughout the relationship and more. Not only Bai Jinting and Tian Xiwei but each character in the drama were immensely elevated by all the cast’s excellent acting. The depth and richness of each character and their development were commendable. In addition, all the character’s interactions and chemistry are also realistically and convincingly portrayed.
Personally, I think this is a really great drama to watch when you're looking for something light-hearted! This drama is like a serotonin boost!
Was this review helpful to you?
