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+ Ji Sung: If there was one positive thing that I got out this experience, it was having the pleasure of experiencing the versatility of Ji Sung's acting ability. He was the needle in the haystack in a pile of mediocre talent. In my opinion, he was the only cast member that stood out and wasn't completely forgettable. However a badly written character is still a badly written character no matter how good the acting. The personality factor was messy and used as a background for a generic love-line therefore mostly just used a convenient plot filler. Like I said, you're looking for a well written drama about mental illness (+ child abuse) this isn't what you should be watching.
- Hwang Jung Eum: Hwang Jung Eum can act. Hwang Jung Eum just can't pick her roles well. Because if you're someone like me, you've probably seen her in Secret (2013) and the difference just may shock you. I was incredibly let down seeing her talent being wasted in this drama. You've got this great and talented actress and the best possible role that they can give her is one that makes it seem like she can't act at all;you've got a loud, exaggerated, cringe worthy woman who goes around speaking and acting like she's a child despite being fully grown. If you're not a fan of screaming and high pitched/fake voices, don't read any further because you're going to have suffer through that for an entire twenty episodes. Oh Ri Jin had a lot of potential to be an amazing and inspiring character for women but ended up getting lost in transition from bad writing.
- Park Seo Joon: I've never been a big fan of the 'faux' incest plot-line. I don't see why you'd want to ruin a perfectly good 'sibling' relationship but throwing in a romantic aspect of it and because of that I found Oh Ri On to be rather obnoxious. I found him manipulate as well and the show never even tries to address it. Nope. Instead he's portrayed as a sweet and caring brother and not the obsessive and manipulative creep that he actually is.
- Han Chae Yeon & Cha Ki Joon: In short, they were completely useless to the plot and the drama was a waste to both their talents. Their characters were written halfheartedly and kind of just ditched in the end, making you wonder what their purposes were in the first place. Oh, wait. If your crappy plot-line can't make it to twenty episodes, drag it on with unnecessary side characters because the main leads weren't annoying/badly handed enough!
Overall. if you're looking comedic relief and don't actually care about medical accuracy and the actual well-being of the main leads...watch it! You'll love it. But don't expect anything new or exciting. Don't get well thought out writing or consistent acting. Don't expect any realist portrayal about mental illness or abuse. This isn't that kind of drama.
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This review may contain spoilers
One of the best Chinese movies of the year but....(Spoiler Alert!!!)
I watch all 30 episodes today from Wetv App. (By buy extra. Fast tract ep.21-30)From the first ep. 1-20 everything almost reasonable, the chemistry of fengwu and Jin linyuan are perfect, the character of friends are great, funny,love, happy soap opera
So i am really like this fantastic series so much, the main role couple was cute and romantic and the bad friend that turn out to be best friends Limingyue i like this guys on the good thing he chose opposite to his dad. I love place of Jwin wu study place, there are huge and very beautiful and powerful place and they want us to see.
but there are some part that i don't understand and want to know the answer,
Some part that no reasonable in my opinions are list here
1. Why the movies dont show how real fengwu identity from past era (medical studant) transfer to chinese ancient high goddress? This is too fast to people to understand without imaging more. ( i heard that Chinese band jump to the past movies scene)
2. How her shifu(teacher)Mujiujow turn to sleep, powerless after they show us Mujiujow met New Feng wu, and then the stories cut.
3. Her another teacher (Wuxiaotao) ,he is good man for whole ep, but why in the last he killed another teacher with out mercy about one women, so sudden that they dont emphasizes reason properly and then died easily.
4.Second lead couple (Xwien Ei, Jaoke) died or not, why they just burst out and not died in the end, why Jaoke have sacrificed herself seem usedless, amd i still dont believe in this couple at all, how could Xwien Ei ok to died with her.?] dont like Fengwu and Jinlinyuan that they seemed love so much to can died for another.
5. Last 5 mins(last ep.ep.30) is disappointment for me, no reasonable, if Fengwu’s teacher ,Mujiujow. If he dont let her to marry Jinlinyuan, why dont told her before the marry was set, and how hurtful dont let Fengwu and Jinlinyuan marry and happy together in this era, because the Real fengwu can’t comeback anyway, why dont let fengwu happily together with jinlinyuan, they destroy the whole reasons that make fns want to watch thus movies in the last 5 min of the last episode 30.
About the music is not touch my ears,un like the other series like, the dreaming back to qing dynasty (Meng ta and another women song is so great), bubujingxing, eternal love musics are better than this series
I’ve just finished watch today and still pissed off.
But almost i love this movies so much , give 7/10 points
So you must must need to watch it. And come discuss ing with me.
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An Golden Retriever Boyfriend & Cold Boyfriend Trope?!
this is the first time ive ever watched a bl that started like this, its so entertaining, makes me laugh, makes me giggling and kicking my feet lolol. and you're telling me that THIS is the first episode??? i just know that this bl series will be GOOD AS HELLL and will be my FAVORITE BL OF ALL TIMEE. at first, u can see how CUTE & funny Duang's trio is!! they're so supportive to Duang, its so cutee. if i was Duang, i would be like him lol, cause DAMNN Qin is so cutee and hotttt. the way Duang is chasing after Qin is so cutee, reading tarots, listing the stuff Qin uses, and even stalks Qin's insta lol (he is so mee). and the way Qin is playing hard to get?!?!. actually his way of chasing Qin is so embarrassing lmao, but anywayyy they're sooo cutee. and the sound effect "duang!!""qin!!" is so cutee omgg aaaa. overall this series is definitely going to be good until the end, cant waitt for the next episode! saturday 22.30 at iqiyi!! :)))on eps 6 now.. damn i cant get enough of them.. THEYRE SO FREAKING CUTEE. Qin is melting the ice on him, and became flirty with Duangg.. literally so cute. and James, Phupha, Pete & Fifa's cameo is perfect. i didnt expect them to appear omg. this eps is so peakk. cant wait for the other episodes!!
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LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION
Why is nobody ready to be chaotic? why are we so tame? whats going on? Why is everyone so concerned about the others feelings?Only Friends: Dream On was the long-awaited sequel to Only Friends, and I was extremely excited for it. It was one of my most anticipated dramas of the year, but ultimately, I feel it wasn't as good as it could have been.
The Actors vibes and setting where all there for a messy season but somehow the writers downplayed everything.Don’t get me wrong,I enjoyed the show. The drama on and off the set, the lying, and the catfights were all very entertaining, but it still felt like something was missing. While this acts as a standalone sequel rather than a direct continuation, it is set in the same universe, so I can't help but compare it to the original. Personally, I think the first series was much better. In Dream On, I felt like everyone was trying too hard to be a "good person," which misses the point of the Only Friends brand. Nobody seemed to want to be a chaotic force of evil.
The show was far too tame until about Episode 7. It might sound crazy, but it wasn't nearly as toxic as it needed to be. Everyone kept trying to do the right thing, which honestly bored me. Even when they introduced Boston to the mix, I thought, "Yes! Finally, the drama has arrived!" only for everyone to reject his advances. Then, when someone finally gave in, Boston suddenly decided to grow a conscience?
This isn't supposed to be a heartfelt drama; it’s Only Friends. We are here to see a mess! When Dean and Arnold went into that forest, I nearly threw my phone in excitement because I expected cheating and characters with zero moral codes. Instead, the writers chose loyalty. In any other show, I’d applaud that, but here? We want horrible people making bad choices. Think back to Top and Boston in Season 1 they didn't just cross the line they obliterated it. That’s what kept us on the edge of our seats.
The Couples
Despite my gripes with the plot, the couples were solid. Here is how I ranked them:
1. Jack and Dean: They take the cake for me. They were the epitome of ex-lovers, second chances, and messy mistakes. There is something captivating about their dynamic.
2. Arnold and Tua: They were sweet and heartwarming. Falling in love with your best friend can be the best or worst mistake of your life, and they definitely made the best of it.
3. Rome and Raffy: The definition of hot and cold. While I didn’t love their relationship as much as the others, their physical chemistry was easily the best in the show.
For the side charcters Timmy was my absolute favorite. He showed up for everyone, took his job seriously, and never missed a beat. Even though he wasn't involved in the drama, he always ended up being the one to break up the catfights.
Then there was Pete he was adorable, but I couldn't take his "schemes" seriously because he looks like Theodore from Alvin and the Chimmunks. He definitely needs help, tho
The cameos also made my heart melt. Seeing Top and Mew, and Ray and Sand was amazing.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I liked the show. It has an active plot and a sensational storyline, but it felt too safe for the level of "crazy" I expected. I wanted hardcore backstabbing and deeper drama and more meaningful intimate scenes. The drama was good, but it didn't quite live up to the expectations set by the trailer. It’s still a good watch and a must try show, but I just wish it stayed a little messier.
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1Imugi and I deserved better.
I went in thinking I’d love it — and honestly, I kind of did. At least in the beginning. But by the end? I don’t even know where to start.There are five things I really like:
Strawberries.
Climbing walls ( I want to be like Janja Garnbret)
Playing in the sea all day like an overcaffeinated dolphin
Angel Fruity Fair by Mugler (smells like happy)
Ghost stories
This is how little I need to be happy.
I like romance movies. I love stupid and fluffy romance movies that make me have teary eyes or even bawling my eyes (The notebook) out and rom coms are also Okey.
So by all logic, I should’ve adored this series.
But… yeah. About that.
The Short Version:
Overall, it wasn’t bad — there’s definitely an interesting story here — but I’m still a bit disappointed. The pacing dragged. It felt boring — unnecessarily stretched — and could’ve wrapped up in 10 episodes without losing anything important. I sound like a hater but I was really enjoying it at first the premise was nice and I liked the ghost and shamanic aspect but the execution was a bit weak and sadly there was just something missing — maybe the pull that connects you with the world and characters.
The Long Version:
It watching like your typical run-of-the-mill romance, but with fantasy elements as Imugi and ghosts. Reading the summary, I honestly thought this was going to be fantasy adventure with a shaman, magic, dragons etc. And honestly? The series had me in a chokehold during the first half. I was completely captivated by the setting and the characters. It was imaginative, fun, and pulled me in right away. I loved how we got to learn their backstories — it gave the world more depth and made it feel alive. I especially enjoyed the dynamic between the two leads — it had that "reluctant allies to lovers" vibe, which I’m always a sucker for.
But then… the second half happened.
The pacing slowed a lot (like… snail-on-vacation levels of slow), and the events started to feel repetitive.
Unfortunately, encounters with ghosts—one of the story's selling points—didn’t live up to expectations. They lacked tension which made them feel like a chore to get through a trial began, I found myself wishing it would end quickly. It’s a shame because they had so much potential to bring excitement to the story. It wasn't scary, it wasn't exciting, and it wasn't worrying. Worse than that though, the plot took a predictable turn—the exact one I hoped it wouldn’t—which made the final twist feel underwhelming and, honestly, pretty eye roll worthy. Lots of eye rolling.
Okay.
That didn't work out as long as I wanted. Anyways.
I cannot deny that it is beautifully filmed, and this is perhaps why I stayed with it for as long as I did despite feeling a bored by it. I was seduced by the cinematography. I think if the plot had been tightened, and so wasn't quite so long, it could have really worked better for me.
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I enjoyed watching this drama more times than not. It was relaxing to look at, with the great cinematography and breathtaking sceneries. Music was great and very fitting. The actors were more or less very fitting in their roles and felt natural. The chemistry between the male cast was flawless.
I guess my main and only issue here is the writing. There are two types of supernatural dramas: the one that explores human emotions through the supernatural; and the ones that use it to tell your usual story. I think Goblin was somewhere in between.
I still appreciate some points of the writing. What I dislike is the plot as a whole. I liked the overall idea but not the execution. I like the idea of supernatural and powerful beings, like ghosts, goblins, grim reapers and gods, are living normally among humans without being noticed. I liked the story of the little boy we meet early in the drama to see his fate and effect on the Goblin (and vice versa). I loved the heartfelt story of Eun Tak's ghost friend, and enjoyed the company of the group of Ahjuma ghosts.
What I greatly disliked is the way the main story arc was handled. At first it felt overly dramatic, but later it felt so underwhelming that it removes and intensity felt before. When it ended the way it did, I felt there was no point to the whole story. Essentially were back to point zero.
I think the writer has some original ideas, but no guts to go deeper. As a result interesting topics were touched lightly, but never went beyond, hence felt shallow. I wish more time was spend in exploring the world, getting more concrete information on how demons are created and how to deal with them. Instead you just follow the characters' daily life of not doing much, and supernatural elements were just used as a convenience.
When it comes to romance, I didn't care much about the age difference due to the supernatural part of it, but I just didn't enjoy it, I didn't feel it. I don't know when it happened. Also Goblin was beyond childish. He was too moody and unbearable at times. While I was more invested into the secondary couple, I still felt the same, as in a missing episode of them going out and truly falling in love with each other was missing. I didn't like the way both couples went.
The non-romance relationships were great. The bromance, there was more than plenty. It was perfect. The focus and the growing relationship felt authentic and real. I also loved the relationship between Grim Reaper and Eun Tak. I did enjoy Deok Hwa's presence, but man was he so underused!
Other things that bothered me but not necessarily cause any deduction to the rating is over the top product placement. At one point it looked like subway was about to save the world, one sandwich at a time. And the wardrobe of poor little female lead, I just wonder how she manages to fit all those clothes in such little luggages and how she can afford them. I love how they presented Quebec at first, but I got mad that they didn't try to be accurate as to how the city looked at this time of the year. Worst of all is the episode length. It was needlessly long.
I don't regret watching this drama. I still had a great time watching. Although the last three episodes felt too draggy and less enjoyable, but it still had some good moments. Well all moments with GR for me are great lol. Enjoy! And don't hate me too much for the rating :P
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A MISSED OPPORTUNITY - A Storm of Potential, Washed away by Weak Execution
BIG BUDGET, TOP STARS, BUT HALF BAKED EXECUTIONTempest drama is just another typical spy espionage thriller drama, boasting top stars, strong production crew and reputed director, screenwriter with big elements America, South Korea, North Korea, Mercenaries, International-Spies, Secret Agents everything looks solid right but it only on the story board and ultimately feels like a half-baked cake.
As a big fan of spy espionage thrillers; I had some good expectations for this drama, especially from one of my favourite director KIM HEE-WON but the execution fell down. While the story feels fresh compared to previous spy thrillers, the plot is poorly developed.
This really drama’s biggest drawback is instead of leaning into the genre’s elements – conspiracies, betrayals and psychological mind games it turns into chaebol-family conflicts in midway, slowing the pace and weaking the narrative drive.
Good at
• Initial episodes.
• Production design.
• Acting.
Major disappointments
• Underdeveloped plot.
• Midway focus heavily on family conflict rather than espionage.
• Forced romantic subplot.
• Lost momentum in maintaining real suspense and tension.
Technical aspects 6/10
Bad editing, the editing feels sloppy in some episodes. Scenes cut and jump too quickly, breaking the actual flow of the story narration and making it hard to connect to the scenario. Soundtrack and background score feels off but in early episodes it was on the track. Average Cinematography.
ACTING 7/10
One word- Underutilized talent of acting power houses JUN JI HYUN & KANG DONG WON, I loved acting and they portrayed roles perfectly but unfortunately the script doesn’t give their characters enough depth or opportunity to showcase their full range. Their characters becoming average in this context is a sign that writing failed to maximize their potential. Same goes to supporting actors they also given good performance according to roles.
Final thoughts—
Kim Hee Won is one of my favorite Korean directors; her making style is always best according to the story. She has delivered some acclaimed different genre works like—Vincenzo, Little Women, Crowned Clown, and Queen of Tears (the making style). Tempest feels like one of her weakest works. She missed bringing her mark - powerful characterizations in this drama.
Also, Screenwriter Jung Seo Kyung created a powerful story but failed to build the strong characters with enough depth. Also, instead of focusing on the story's key aspects evaluation, the narration shifts midway into a romantic track just when it should have taken sharper turns.
Some viewers may enjoy that romance subplot, but the as for storytelling aspect of this is a complete failure. Ok, let's take this as "the screenwriter approached the romance plot because they tried to create a dynamic relationship between the main leads and for a strong climax," but it backfired. Even the family conflicts sidelines the core story, and the plot twist also shows no impact.
Technically it is some appreciable - dark atmospheric tone, some well executed action scenes along with the alignment of the US-KR story setup and actors costumes. Even if the makers have a big budget and top stars and the best crew, sometimes the content is kingmaker. When makers fail to polish their strong potential into compelling content, the results inevitably fall flat. A story should be given what it really demands, forcing - in unnecessary elements only ruins it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Feels very realistic and like a movie
Everything was done at a very high professional level and it felt like a movie I just hate how they didn't end up together. As soon as Doona's manager kept coming back after abandoning Doona I just knew her relationship was over and it was gonna be a bad ending. I mean she was able to become a popular singer again but her romantic relationship was over they also gave you an opening ending as well which I hate. I really wanted Won Jun and Doona to have a happy ending but they don't.... you would think after a while of being apart when Doona and Won Jun meet up again they would get back together but they leave you on a cliffhanger after they reconnect so you don't know if they are friends, get back together or their meetup was just a once off after they said they missed one another. Which is a shame cuz the whole series is good but the ending makes me hate the drama entirely and don't recommend it if you are like me and want to see them be together.Was this review helpful to you?
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I have to say I actually really liked this one.. That makes it three dramas in a row that I have enjoyed.. LOZH, Reborn and this.. All in completely different genres.. Song Wei Long’s previous work was pretty disappointing for me.. Same with Liu Hao Cun.. Even though her last drama wasn’t bad, I just didn’t think she did a good job in it.. The ML mostly carried that one.. But this was different.. LHC felt more comfortable here.. She seems more at home in dramas with martial arts and action stuff I guess.. Even SWL, his character was solid here and he did a satisfying job..
Honestly, I didn’t really enjoy the first few episodes.. Some scenes were so silly or cringey that I just laughed at them.. But it got much much better as it went on.. Loved the Captain America inspired fight in the lift.. That was fun.. I also really liked the fight in ep 2 between the main leads.. I liked their chemistry there and the kind of expectation it brought with it.. And I was also very excited about the squad.. They had this weird bond and behavior.. It was bound to get crazy and obviously fun..
The world building was done well and the relics in The Seven Relics of Ill Omen are a fascinating plot device.. Though not without its flaws.. But I think that’s easy to ignore since the other aspects of the story make up for it.. The story kept getting more interesting with each relic, how their pasts unfolded and how their connection to the relics was slowly revealed..
" You have to believe the heavens love you..
The flowers they withhold..
They make up for it with stars.. "
I liked the relationship between Luo Ren and Mu Dai.. This wasn’t a romance story, but they had good chemistry and really clicked..
How can I not talk about their Hummer?? Just like the characters, the SUV went through a lot too.. They literally dragged it through a desert, dried lake, quicksand, mountains and it still survived..
Everyone in the Phoenix Squad had a painful past.. Except Chubby I guess.. The main leads probably had the most painful ones.. They lost a lot and went through even more.. I just wish they had taken Lou Ren's Flashback scenes a bit more seriously.. Because it had real potential.. They should have handled it with more care.. The gunfight scenes could have been much better but instead it turned out to be too bland.. It was just a senseless sequence with no real clarity.. If they had spent a bit more money and brought in professionals instead of shelf actors, those scenes could have been a lot more satisfying and enjoyable to watch..
The only disappointing part in this drama for me was Ao Rui Peng.. People might hate me for saying this, but he was terribly bland in this.. Honestly I am surprised he is hyped as a talented actor.. I just don’t see it.. Overall, this drama isn’t a masterpiece.. But for me it gets so much right that I just had a good time watching it..
P.S. The OST was too damn good..
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How on the earth I must believe that Gu Xi Xi is a fashion designer when even she doesn't have good dressing sense lol, it's not terrible but it's unbelievable. She's shown to be a smart, witty girl in the prior episodes, but if our FL doesn't become dumb at the right moment how can knight save her in shining armor lol... so yes she just loses her brain when it's needed.
Yi Si Chen is he any different. hell NO. He's cold and obnoxious.. and CEO (This is a must for contract marriages lol). 'Love changes everything' if it doesn't follow this, is it even a drama? as by the rule, due for sake of his love... he's not cold anymore, ah but it comes with possessiveness and jealousy. He does seem to be a workaholic in pilot episodes... a hardworking businessman but when he's in love, how can he be the same.... a looot of free time to wander around.
Mo Zi Xin our 'perfect' SML, seems unemployed coz he doesn't have anything to do other than following oops helping FL around. Did I forget to mention... he loved her for years, you know what? the main problem with these SMLs is timing. See he knew her way before, he liked her way before but ofc he can't get girl coz he's not icy-cold CEO... he can be ge-ge or senior. In course of time our goody perfect boy becomes a stalker... time to wear off SLS lol
Zhong Li Li... here comes I-wanna-slap-that-bitch, am I being too harsh? No! the purpose of her life is plotting against our lead couple, she seems to own some company but she legit has nothing else to do other than make plans to destroy FL, she definitely can be considered one of the most annoying SFLs even existed. Her personality qualify for being in makjang for sure.
The second couple is boring as hell, they don't have story-chemistry or anything that can stop me from pressing the FF button,
We have our perfectly-made-for-contract-marriage characters.... do we need a story? I mean first, our leads will fight with each other over the nonsense thing, then boom something comes up they need to marry... staying together makes them attracted to each other, then we have SML to create some jealousy and tension... SFL who have nothing else to do creates problems.. hence after overcoming everything happily ever after, Done!... Wow, I guess I should also try to write a plot someday... I don't think anyone needs something called creativity or uniqueness lol, just repeat some cliches and old tropes, word done.
Despite having a looot to rant about with dozens of things bothering me, the chemistry between Wang Yu Wen and Wang Zi Qi is on fire, first, they just look great together... second ah they are so adorable. So I did enjoy their time together.. the only thing that kept me invested till the end.
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However this was a huge disappointment. After watching the first two episodes I already knew I didn't like this, the plot felt really poor and Minho and Shinhye's characters annoyed me. I'm surprised I even managed to finish this.
I felt like the story never moved on, they had pretty much the same problems trough the whole drama. Eunsang kept crying over everything and I honestly wonder why in hell did she get two guys crushing over her. Also the ending was really poor. I felt like nothing changed in the story in the end. In my opinion this drama didn't need 20 episodes, it was too much.
There were also too many side stories that didn't have anything to do with the main story. They only left me confused and frustrated.
There were some good things in the drama, though. For example, Woobin's character was my favorite. I also liked Kim Tan's and Eunsang's mothers' friendship. Minhyuk and Krystal's characters' relationship was also adorable. I liked Krystal's character anyway.
They chose good actors for this drama, can't deny that, but the whole script was just a mess that even good actors couldn't save. Kim Tan was uninteresting and Eunsang was a cliche kdrama main actress.
I hated the OSTs. I think they played mostly 3 same OSTs, and seriously, none of them were good. 'Love is the moment' was overly used and if I ever hear it again I think I'll have to hit something.
I'll never ever watch this again, I'm just glad it's finally over.
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An average fantasy drama that does not live up to its potential, with outdated character dynamics
SPOILERS BELOWThis drama had a promising start and and interesting setup. A secret princess and a wolf boy who was turned into a killing machine go from lovers to enemies because of fate and the evil machinations of the higher powers. Their relationship is repeatedly said to be “cursed”. But will Zhai Xing and Lang Zai’s love triumph in the end?
…No, it won’t. Because this drama’s promising setup turns into a mess of recycled tropes and predictable, cliché storylines as the episodes progress. The characters also lose the freshness they had at the beginning and become walking tropes repeating the same lines and doing the same things over and over as the story drags on. By episode 30 I was ready to drop this drama because the eye rolls were getting too frequent, but I kept watching to stick with the few storylines that I liked and to see if the ending had any redeeming qualities. It didn’t. The ending was actually the final nail in the coffin.
THE GOOD:
The best aspect of this drama is the higher-than-average production quality, that can be seen in the sets and the costumes. The CGI isn’t top notch but is also not bad for a production of this kind. The battle sequences are also well made.
The story is also not all bad. There are some beautiful scenes, some good character moments, some emotional parts. The first ~15 episodes are good and don’t drag that much. Ji Chong’s arc is, for the most part, good. He is the most normal and relatable character and I enjoyed most of the moments the FL spent with him. He’s smart, capable and caring. The FL can actually grow and develop thanks to him. He was honestly the only breath of fresh air in the middle part of this drama.
THE BAD:
My biggest problem with this drama are the two main leads and their dynamic.
Nowadays, overbearing, jerky and brooding male leads feel like a thing of the past that new dramas are moving away from or are trying to put a new spin on. But The Wolf doesn’t do that with Bo Wang.
The ML is constantly humiliating, putting down, lying to the FL to “make her stronger” or because of some other excuse. I couldn’t keep count of the cringey moments that are played as “romantic” but it’s actually the ML being an a**hole to the FL, pinning her to the wall, throwing her on the ground, physically hurting her, forcing himself on her etc. This is such a bad and outdated drama trope. You might find it sexy once or twice, but beyond that it just makes you feel uncomfortable.
I would understand the need for those moments if Zhai Xing actually got stronger and was able to strike back at Bo Wang as a result, but no, he always overpowered and outsmarted her. Even when they’re enemies, in charge of opposing armies, they’re not equal. He still treats her like a child who needs to be coddled and she just lets him degrade her.
And in the end she always falls back into his arms and he gets forgiven for the horrible way he treated her because LOVE, I guess.
The FL is mainly a plot device, with very little agency, tossed from one place to the other, from one role to the other, in service to the story and to the ML’s manpain. She can’t even get her revenge through her own determination and hard work, because it’s the ML who does everything and decides that he has to sacrifice himself to give her her revenge. And in the end they didn’t even give her a good and happy ending, but a contrived and baffling one which was the biggest eye roll of all. She truly only existed in service to the ML’s manpain until the end.
Finally, I have mixed feelings regarding the acting. I think the actors did the best they could with the script they had, that leaves little room for character depth and constrains them into too many tropey and repetitive situations. I also heard there were reshoots that probably had an impact on the performances.
In the scenes where the actors can express themselves more or play different emotions than those usually assigned to them, their acting shines more.
Xiao Zhan is probably the one who gets to play his character with more freedom and range. Li Qin is not exceptional here, but she does her job well. Out of the main cast, my the biggest problem is with Darren Wang: if he’d been able to give his character more humanity, letting us see the Lang Zai under the surface a bit more, I think Bo Wang would have come off less of a wooden jerk. But again, it's probably not all his fault but the script’s and the direction’s.
CONCLUSION:
The only reason I would ever recommend this drama to anyone is if they're a big fan of any of the actors and are just satisfied with seeing their idol on screen. If you're looking for a fantasy drama that explores love, friendship and revenge through a good story and well-written characters, The Wolf is not it.
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