Ganbare!
One of the best medical dramas that I’ve seen in recent memory, this has been an absolute viewing pleasure. Not a single moment felt dull, slow or tiresome. This unequivocally goes right into my all-time favourite productions.Tokyo MER: Hashiru Kinkyuukyuumeishitsu chronicles the events surrounding the newly established Tokyo Mobile Emergency Room (MER) medical team. This team of medical professionals comprises doctors who function as field surgeons as well as an anesthetic specialist, professional nurses and an engineering technician. Their sole directive is the rapid deployment in emergency response, usually for large scale crises involving numerous casualties, in the Tokyo Metropolitan area. The MER refers to the specialised vehicle that functions as an EMS ambulance, transport and ER where it not only houses the team and medical supplies on their missions but also a sanitized operating theatre. This set-up is an initiative by the Governor of Tokyo as part of her political campaign for the PM’s office.
This TBS production was helmed by Aya Matsuki, Shunichi Hirano (Nihon Chinbotsu: Kibo no Hito), Maiko Ouchi, and Masahide Izumi. The original screenplay was written by Tsutomu Kuroiwa, notable for having written numerous highly-rated dramas, one of which that I’ve seen and also enjoyed is Unsung Cinderella: Byoin Yakuzaishi no Shohosen. The original score was composed by Kei Haneoka, Tatsuhiko Saiki, and Miki Sakurai. The upbeat and heartening theme song, Akira was written and performed by four-member pop-rock group GReeeeN which plays during the end credit sequence. The medical and surgical procedures were guided by Kitasato University Hospital Emergency Critical Care and Disaster Medical Center.
The first Japanese drama produced for Disney+ channel, it had won a total of five awards at Japan’s 109th Drama Academy Awards (第109回ドラマアカデミー賞), including Best Picture, Leading Actor for Ryohei Suzuki, Supporting Actor for Kento Kaku, Supporting Actress for Nanao and Best Director for all four directors involved. In addition, a spin-off drama was spawned while a sequel movie is planned for 2023.
What I Loved
First, a disclaimer. I’m neither a medical expert nor do I possess extensive knowledge on the subject. Therefore I won't comment too much on the accuracy of medical procedures applied. My observations are based purely on my enjoyment of the dramatisation and depiction.
Just wow. I had a lot of excitement and fun watching this episodic procedural that focuses mainly on on-site medical emergencies and disasters, with an overarching political theme, underlying mystery and social commentary subtext on the ideals of the Japanese healthcare system. It’s evocative, provocative, inspiring, heartwarming, fascinating, intense… What a thrilling rollercoaster! The script is wonderfully crafted because it blends all the storytelling elements seamlessly to present an incredibly immersive, engrossing and pulsating viewing experience. The frantic and frenetic nature of the agency and urgency in the storytelling, the catharsis at the end of every episode that follows the suspense, tension and emotions imbued into the sheer variety of extreme emergency situations that progressively becomes more challenging as the story unfolds. Let’s not forget as well the tremendous inspiration drawn from conquering the overwhelming odds to emerge triumphant over adversity - it compels you to jump up and shout ganbare at the lifesaving heroes of the MER team!
None of the positives would have been justly presented were it not complemented by the commendable production quality and technical execution. Fantastic cinematography throughout, particularly the excellent camerawork, in framing the well-choreographed action sequences, and the convincingly-guided surgical skills on display. The coordination of massive numbers of extras involved ranging from the disaster victims to the collaboration between rescuers of the fire department, police, and medical personnel. The varied set designs and special effects may not appear as high-budget or expansive in detail but are nonetheless decently manifested to convincingly encapsulate the realism of the atmospherics. Likewise the music in this production truly is on another level. I love the rousing qualities of the multifaceted dramatic score that enhances each crucial moment in the story.
There is a reason so many of the cast won acting awards - their performances in this drama absolutely justifies their accolades. My first time seeing Suzuki Ryohei, this man encompasses the qualities necessary in connecting viewers to a character they could root for. His portrayal of the ML Kitami Kota is remarkably stirring, to say the least. Altruistic, charismatic, down-to-earth yet energetic and motivational, watching him in action is simply a delight. He is undoubtedly convincing in appearance, speech and manner akin to a bona fide member of Médecins Sans Frontières - the volunteer doctors who serve in disaster and war zones.
Among the supporting cast, Nanao’s Kuramae Natsume is my favourite side character and as one of two nurses in the team, she delivers a sparkling portrayal of depth in characterization and emotional range despite the limited role. Kaku Kento’s Otowa Nao, the bureaucrat with questionable motives, provides a compelling demonstration of character development behind the persistently cold exterior and grim facade throughout the entire drama. His interactions and the hint of romance with Sato Shiori's adorably sweet Kitami Suzuka is rather endearing.
Nakajo Ayami’s Tsurumaki Hina is another supporting character that experiences massive growth in her trajectory from being an inexperienced and prejudiced resident doctor to a mature member of the MER team. Phuongchi's transfer nurse from Vietnam, the bubbly Hoang Lan Minh has poignant moments of her own as well. Their amazing camaraderie and team dynamics are indeed the captivating highlights of the show. Ishida Yuriko’s Akatsuka Azusa, the Governor of Tokyo, is worthy of mention for her version of the ambitious, driven and charming politician who has to manoeuvre the political minefield brimming with unethical, corrupt and scheming rivals.
What I Didn't Like
One significant event that transpired in the penultimate episode, Final Chapter Part 1, which I wish would have occurred differently. Although it sets up the climax for the finale, this remains the single aspect which dampens somewhat the positive vibe of the story.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of my complaint about that singular event, for the most part there isn’t much else to criticize about this drama, IMHO. Perhaps a slightly bigger budget would have provided a more cinematic feel to the visuals or higher quality production designs but for what it’s worth, it does the good things very well with a great cast and loveable characters. It not only manages to sustain my interest but injected a lot of life into the storytelling to flesh out the enthusiasm and excitement. I was emotionally invested all throughout and I believe it definitely deserves more viewership than it currently has.
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Queen In Hyun's Man doesn't follow this formula. Kim Boong Do is rich and certainly very confident and he knows how to boss people about - he's a nobleman after all - but he's also very respectful and understanding of others from the very beginning. The show further humbles him by its very nature - Kim Boong Do is thrust into a world he cannot begin to understand and in which he is basically a child and at least initially wholly dependent on Hee Jin. He is not resentful of being reliant on her but is instead deeply grateful and curious about everything. And he quickly begins to learn on his own because he is incredibly smart and clever. His cleverness is the source of many of the dramas best moments as he puzzles things out and figures out fantastical ways to outwit his enemies. The world of political scheming and treachery have also made him intuitive and able to read people - their motives and the emotions behind their words. This helps him to survive in the dangerous world he lives in and it has the dreamy side effect of making him a very thoughtful lover and friend. To top things off, he's good with words and completely genuine - there is no bluster or artifice about him and it's these character traits that draw Hee Jin in and lead to her teasing him that he is player.
One of my favorite things about him also is that he has a cheeky and adorable sense of humor. Probably my two most favorite scenes in the drama are when he whips out this humor to slyly tease Hee Jin (the car scene in episode 8 and when he admits that maybe he IS a player in episode 11). And despite all the horrible things that have happened to him in his life, he is completely open to the wonder of the new world he finds himself in. He's got an adventurous and playful spirit which responds strongly to Hee Jin's impulsiveness and "passionate" nature. He also never dis-respects her or is impatient with her even when she does some immature and annoying things. He knows why she is acting that way and wouldn't dream of de-meaning or begrudging her feelings. Sigh...... As you can tell I am seriously in love with this character and we haven't even gotten to the fact that he's a martial arts bad ass melon farmer AND a big goofy nerd. Or how quirkily and boyishly handsome he is or that he's got eyes that smile. And a super dreamy voice. Yup, I've got it real bad, lol.
And I shouldn't forget Hee Jin. While much of my love for this drama is concentrated on the character of Kim Boong Do, Hee Jin is also a well developed and interesting character and she is played to perfection by actress Yoo In Na. Seriously, a really stunning performance. I fully loved the character and she had all my loyalty even though on the surface she is not the type of character who usually earns my sympathy. She's pretty, successful, impulsive and not all that interested in learning and books. She has a wall-sized portrait of herself hanging in her apartment and she boasts that she is famous because she's so pretty. Despite all that she's incredibly loveable. She's kind-hearted and generous, transparent with her feelings, adventurous and has enough self-respect not to let herself get sucked in by her obnoxious, though very handsome and famous, ex-boyfriend. As mentioned above she does occasionally act a little immature and annoying but it is always with good and understandable intent. Her chemistry with Kim Boong Do is seriously intense.
That chemistry between the leads is what I think makes this drama truly awesome. The scenes between them sparkle and feel completely natural - like you are really watching two people fall in love. They feel so right together that I didn't even once 'ship Boong Do with his servant Yoon Wol, who has had a hard life with few advantages and has loved him unrequited for years so much so that she is the reason he can travel in time. She is the type of character I would usually root for in a romance but nope, it had to be Hee Jin. Never any doubt. Did I mention the awesomeness of the kissing? The chemistry is helped along by a really soaringly romantic original sound track.
So this is a romance, plain and simple, and it succeeds so so well in this department but it ain't no slouch in the overall plot department either. The writing of the show is really great with plenty of suspense and nuances. The overall tone of the drama is light but there are many emotional twists and turns and I will admit to tears in the last few episodes. There's some lovely parallels between the historic and modern-day story that are fun to pick apart and serve to strengthen the characterizations.
In the Joseon era, Boong Do is looking for revenge but is also trying to set things right by championing the Queen who has been bullied by one of the King's consorts and pushed into exile by corrupt political machinations in the court. In the modern day story line, Hee Jin is trying to navigate her place in Korea's new "royalty" (its drama stars) and she is being bullied by her co-stars. The two "Queens" are in very similar positions so it's not surprising that Boong Do feels the need to champion Hee Jin even as he falls in love with her. There are so many connected themes and plot points that occur early on and than pay off or re-appear in surprising and interesting ways later on. It's thoughtfully and smartly plotted down to the last minute of episode 16. Perfection, really.
And then there's the time travel which can be tricky to pull off. Boong Do's adaptation to the modern world is done really well and is a blast to watch while he at first must rely on the somewhat unreliable Hee Jin to orient him.
“When I listen to you, it seems as though the reason for everything in this world is to enable kisses. What kind of lustful world is this?” HEE!
Because he's so smart and curious, he starts to reason things out himself and this is equally fun to watch. It's clear how he uses the skills he had to develop in his much more treacherous time of origin to help him adjust relatively quickly to modern times.
The mechanism of travel is also dramatic and interesting and ends up playing a major part in the story on several different levels. The talisman is powerful but also unpredictable and fragile. The show does not shy away from investigating the ramifications of messing around with time but it is also not a slave to it. It's the perfect mix. There is some controversy about the resolution at the end but I for one thought it made perfect sense (as long as we're accepting the concept of magic to begin with:) and was a lovely and well-prepared ending.
FINAL VERDICT: This is a well-written and plotted romantic-comedy-fantasy that is bound to give your heart some flutters with the chemistry of its lead couple and the well chosen actors that play them. Watch it. Now. You won't be sorry. Unless you hate romance.
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This story is focused on two characters: a young woman whose passion is knowing about fabrics and who moves to Ginza to start a job in an atelier (played by Kiritani Mirei) and a middle aged woman with a great career in the designing world and high standards for quality in the lingerie she creates (amazingly portrayed by Mao Daichi). When you see it at first glance, you might think it will turn into a The Devil Wears Prada scenario, and when the series itself starts with an argument on why do women try to look beautiful all the time, I feared this was going to be another drama in which the younger generation has to learn the traditions and cave in, even though they don’t agree with things (I’m watching HOPE at the same time, you see), but this drama surprised me greatly.
The main relationship in this series is the one between these two characters, who have two different ideas of what beauty really is and of what a woman wants to feel to be more like herself. There isn’t much romance in it (and whatever hints there are, they aren’t the focus) and it isn’t solely focused on the young character making her way through the world, there’s plenty about the perspective on mature women in the fashion business and how they are perceived at certain ages and what that means for them (mainly in the character of Nanjo Mayumi), on how competition between women is sought for and turns out being detrimental to all involved (for example with Fumika, Mizuki and Sarii, among others) and how, even in positions of power earned by hard work, women still don't have the freedom to choose as much as they would want to (like the editor and the reporter of Conscious Magazine).
My favorite thing is that they don’t talk about beauty as a single concept. Yes, the lead has to go through the process of looking less rough and more fashionable, and she also has to start getting along with how the fashion industry works, but there’s a lot here on creativity, integrity, customer importance, self expression and the painstaking task of being a woman who wants to succeed solo in Japanese society and the isolation that can create when it becomes opposed to the personal life they’re supposed to carry on with (aka husband and kids).
I didn’t give this one a rating as high as Mondai No Aru Restaurant because I feel there’s more stuff that could have been addressed and wasn’t (for example, I felt that the lead's relationship with one of the female models had more chemistry than with the couple guys they tried to hint some sort of thing with, that could have gone places), whereas Mondai No Aru Restaurant covered a lot of aspects with their story, but this is certainly another one of those great ones and I hope there’s more like these in the future. After so many naive and mistreated leading ladies with jerk male leads with inexcusable behaviors, I really needed a drama like this, in which female characters showcase their true worth.
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There is a super adorable kid here as well which is fun to watch.
The drama is shot in a non linear manner sometimes and the first 8 epi are well shot and plotted but feels a little soulless...but after tht the rest is gr8 to watch.
There are some parts that were very convienient and some very irritating.... after epi 29 it just feels like it is draggin bcoz of the female villian.
Worth a watch for the chemistry until ep 32 max...after that u ask urself why watch this drama...just skip to the end....
This drama is available on daily motion as RRi-16 (epi no changes) in 380 and upto 15 on dramanice in good quality.
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Dokushin Kizoku hearkens back to the days when Hollywood produced sparkling romances, and immortal beauties such as Audrey Hepburn led us through them. Though it might not evolve into a classic in its own right, this is a drama which channels cinema's golden era with gusto. Western viewers, as well as those who exalt in old films, will enjoy and understand its purpose best. But doubtlessly, those "old souls," among us will find something to love as well.
"Familiar" describes Dokushin Kizoku wonderfully, though without the negative connotations that word sometimes bears. So frequently one hears the hardened drama veteran lamenting a fine watch stooping to the "same-old, same-old." However, the devices used in the plot here are not cliches often seen in Asian film and dramas; they are rather western conventions, so far fallen out of use as to be refreshing. What results is a delightfully nostalgic romantic comedy with the flavors of East and West delightfully blended. And if you've heard this feels somewhat like King of Dramas, that would be true enough; just don't expect a remake or more than superficial similarities.
My most serious issue is that the romantic conflict became a pain around the ninth episode. Much as I loved the ultimate pairing, it eventually felt set in stone so the continual flutter around the subject was frustrating.
Another point of interest will be the awesome use of romance/marriage quotes used to preface each episode.
Kusanagi Tsuyoshi always struck me as one of the better actors to come out of SMAP; my observation stands. As the commitment-phobic director Hoshino Mamoru, he rises above the realms of two-dimensionality. By the end of the series, we have a clear portrait of a man with unique interests and solitary pleasures, a person who believes he's happy alone but doesn't realize he just hasn't met the right person yet. Ito Hideaki plays second lead and brother to Kusanagi-san, as Susumu. This character was well-realized too and felt like a real person, despite his over-the-top playboy reputation. Wrapping up the leads, we had the lovely Kitagawa Keiko; her Haruno Yuki might be one of my favorite leads from a romantic comedy in ages. She felt strong despite her romantic confusions. Her unique adoration of film and the script writing process really bolstered her likability.
The supporting cast was somewhat forgettable, though one or two portrayals were poor. This includes the awful Hoshino aunt, whose lines felt as though they were being delivered from a cue card. Sasai Eisuke, however, has a hilarious though brief turn as Susumu's divorce lawyer. Did I laugh out loud any time he appeared? You bet.
Much of what helps boost a film into iconic status is its soundtrack. Dokushin Kizoku adopts various themes from famous romance films, mostly shirking original tracks of its own. This added to the classic, beautifully dated atmosphere the drama exuded throughout its pace. Vocals from Breakfast at Tiffany's (Moon River) and Sleepless in Seattle (If I Fall In Love) are most memorable among these. Some viewers may not enjoy this, however; while following the drama, I did notice people expressing displeasure at the inclusions. And for SMAP fans, yes: they provided the theme song as always (Shareotsu).
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1tutoryim tried their best
the thing about this is that the script was just not good from the very first episode. and it sucks to see, because i really do think both tutor and yim have the potential to do something great with a good script.yim really tried his best to make do with his character, but by episode 2 i literally just could not stand the failed comedy attempts and the silly goofy faces. although you can simpathize with jade, it gets to a point where it's just too over-the-top. literally no one is like that. by episode 5 the plot has NOT advanced one bit. there's just nothing going on at all. the goofy faces and the silly noises get old pretty quickly. tutor and yim deserved better and can do better, imo.
you might like this if you're looking for something extremely light and superficial, plus the comedy might be for you.
as for me, i'm just incredibly disappointed.
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This review may contain spoilers
Abs, sexy scenes and excellent chemistry were reasons I enjoyed this drama
I write for subreddit CShortDramas and the day this drama dropped, we were doing weeklong content for Steamy Week. Of course I had to watch this drama immediately. I enjoyed immensely. If I only had 1 month to live, yes I would shag Cao Tian Kai 😉.What I liked:
1. Romance - Damn, there were many spicy scenes. Their love language was definitely physical touch. There were some sweet moments too, mostly initiated by ML. I enjoyed the dynamic and banter between FL and ML.
2. FL characterisation - Ha, I love her take charge attitude .
3. ML characterisation - He was hooked to her after they slept together but I liked that he was nice and sweet to her.
4. Acting - Before this drama, I never felt moved by Liu Xi Yu's acting but I really liked her performance here. I am a fan of Cao Tian Kai and he was great in his role. Both Liu Xi Yu and Cao Tian Kai had excellent chemistry and rapport because without them, those spicy scenes would be "sterile".
5. Styling - Wonderful outfits worn by LXY & CTK. I loved the red dress and the black and red office wear!
6. Humour - Ha, that nightie in ML’s house moment caught me by surprise . Good one, writer!
What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - FL’s mother and stepfather were horrendous. The green tea was another nepo baby using her connections to get hired at ML’s company.
2. Connection - There was not much emotional intimacy and trust between FL and ML with FL keeping things to herself. Since she looked at the relationship as temporary, she should have come clean about her illness.
Favourite scene
The first time ML saw FL crying. I loved it because FL couldn’t hold up the tough exterior thus ML got to see her in a vulnerable moment.
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A reborn woman, Pat now goes on a quest for revenge against her husband by plotting to make him fall in love with her and then dumping him to give him a taste of the emotional trauma he put her through. In the process, however, she finds herself falling for him anew and with a different body and a new set of eyes she starts to see the true colours and intentions of those around her.
The story itself sounds promising and for the most part, it is. A thing worth noting is that Pat's revenge is more of an emotional revenge. In her own way, she gets back at her husband, but not in the literal sense that we're so used to seeing in revenge dramas. As a person who suddenly has to face life trapped inside someone else's body, she is first perplexed and stays indecisive for a long time before taking action. When she finally puts her decisions into action it doesn't take long before she has a change of heart (no pun intended), but as viewers, we completely follow and understand why.
View's acting was for me deserving of respect. I must admit I had my doubts and didn't expect she'd be able to go from portraying the sweet and meek Nalan to portraying the same woman (her body) inhabited by the soul of the fierce and strong-headed Pat (played by Jeab in the initial episodes). However, she pulled off both characters with flying colours. Even her make-up and way of dressing changed accordingly. Her chemistry with Tui is also worth mentioning. Despite the age gap, View and Tui looked good together and delivered some realistic chemistry and an ample amount of (real) kiss/hug scenes.
Now for the things that didn't work for me: The side characters.
Lakorns are notorious for their cardboard-like characters but this one probably tops them all. With the exception of Pat, her husband Win and her gay best friend Noojoon, all the characters sucked the soul out of me (again, no pun intended). Characters are often most cardboard-like when they exist only for some superficial purpose: making the protagonist look good or the villain look bad. The side characters in this lakorn (and even the villains) were poorly written, hard to take seriously and most of the time served no other purpose than to blatantly annoy the crap of out the viewer. You can't help but wonder why they'd even waste filming time and budget to bring such useless characters to live.
Overall, an enjoyable lakorn that could have been written more tightly and executed better had the characters been more layered and believable. Otherwise, if this still sounds like your cup of tea, I say go for it. A good thing is, the episodes aren't longer than 56 min each, making it a fairly easy watch.
Happy watching!
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A rebirth that… doesn’t really change much
You know how rebirth dramas usually go—revenge, a smart and capable female lead, and a second chance to rewrite fate. That’s what Si Jin seemed to promise. Jiang Si dies a tragic death, supposedly at the hands of Yu Jin, only to wake up years earlier, ready to take control of her life. She breaks off her engagement, protects her family, starts a business, and even gains the status of a Saintess. Sounds great on paper.But while the setup brims with potential, the execution falters in crucial ways. Despite her rebirth, Jiang Si’s second chance changes surprisingly little. Sure, her family avoids ruin, but her own trajectory remains eerily familiar. The Saintess subplot could’ve added weight to the story, yet it’s barely explored, leaving it feeling more like a gimmick than a meaningful part of Jiang Si’s journey. For a drama that leans so heavily on rebirth as a premise, it sure does very little with it.
The writing falters even further when it comes to its characters, and no one exemplifies this more than the Emperor. I honestly can’t tell if he’s borderline bipolar or just plain incompetent because half the time, his decisions make zero sense. One moment, he’s taking a firm stance; the next, he’s doing a complete 180 like he has the political awareness of a rock. He’s the Emperor, for fuck’s sake—where are his guards? His informants? His advisors? Did he somehow lack the resources to keep his own family in check? No, he simply chose to remain blind, letting the Royal Princess and her spoiled daughter manipulate him at every turn. And not because they were particularly clever, but because he was just that easy to fool. Sighs sighs sighs. Jiang Si herself also suffers from this inconsistency. Some episodes make her out to be intelligent and composed, only for the next to show she’s acting completely out of character—like that scene where she suddenly held a gold hairpin to the Royal Princess’s neck. It came out of nowhere, so over-the-top that I almost laughed. Was it meant to be intense? Because it felt unintentionally comedic. And definitely makes it hard to fully root for her.
Then we have the villains. If you enjoy over-the-top antagonists, this drama delivers them in spades. The Royal Princess, in particular, quickly became exhausting to watch. Her entire character arc is fueled by insecurity and jealousy—fair enough, if it had any depth. But no, it’s the same tired cycle: she’s jealous, she lashes out, and then we do it all over again. The drama insists she’s some great, menacing force, but in reality? She’s just petty with a royal title. And while I can appreciate the whole motherly love angle, watching her willingly push her child down the same self-destructive path was frustrating.
Now my biggest question of all—Jiang Si’s death in her past life. The drama makes it clear that Yu Jin didn’t actually kill her and that, in some grand act of devotion, he sacrificed himself for her. But how? When? They never properly explain it. Either I missed something (entirely possible), or the drama just decided it wasn’t important enough to clarify.
Well as usual, I skipped the second leads’ romance—it rarely impresses me, and this drama was no exception. Every time their scenes came on, I found myself reaching for my phone without a shred of regret. (Though, I’ll admit I might be a little biased toward Jiang Si’s eldest sister. I kept wishing they’d give her more screen time—she was far more interesting than the other supporting casts.)
Yet, for all my complaints, I still found myself enjoying the ride. Maybe it was Zhang Wanyi’s performance that kept me hooked, or maybe it was those fleeting moments of brilliance buried beneath the inconsistencies. Si Jin may not have delivered the rebirth drama I hoped for, but despite its flaws, I kept watching. And in the end, that has to count for something.
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The Flowers Filled the Palace and Missed the Time
16 people found this review helpful
The story line is very similar to those out there.
Our main girl character is called into the palace along with two others to be companions to the princess in the palace.
She has no interest in staying in the palace because she has a childhood sweetheart.
Out of the two others, one of them has their eyes set on the crown prince, but of course the crown prince has his eyes set on our main girl.
There lies the jest of the story. Who does she end up with, the prince or her childhood sweetheart.
Throw into the story a couple of sidelines, and of course someone is out to kick the crown prince out of his throne, you get the jest of it all.
Overall, its nothing new, but a very modern-ish portrayal of palace life.
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A HIT Chemistry Between leads but a MISS Execution by makers
“If I had a single flower for everytime I think about you I could walk forever in my garden”- Zhang YuSo I initially started this drama because I have watched all the dramas Esther Yu stars in and one fine day I stumble upon the trailer of A romance of the little forest which immediately intrigued me as I a am a huge fan of "she fell first but he fell harder" trope, and now that I have completed the drama i want to say that god do I love YSX and BB the chemistry they gave, they literally gave life to Yu meiren and Zhang Yu. This is my first time watching Zhang BinBin in a drama and he really is so talented. This further proves that the only reason I had to put up with this drama was because of the main lead and that's it.
I had much expectation with this project since they had a pair that was giving the chemistry way above the par however the makers made the most idiotic decision of cutting such intense scenes of the Lead pair, giving all the screen time to the second pair, dragging the lead pair's story to no end. This drama could have been easily a major hit like Love O2O but the makers clearly did not know how to execute the story.
Amidst the slow pacing, the deleted scenes, the screentime given to the second pair they did not fail to keep the drama alive with their immense chemistry. This is why I gave the drama 5.5 stars or else I would have given it literally 0.
l would recommend this drama only if you can keep up with the slow pacing and putting up with bland, unnecessary scenes of the second lead (mind you they do not contribute anything to the plot and their chemistry is boring af).
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