What starts as an engaging meditation on how artistic works can take on a life of their own devolves into a jumble of incomprehensible rules and mangled timelines. The bigger thematic ideas get lost as you sense the actual writer struggling every bit as much as her cartoonist antihero to give her work an ending. And unfortunately, just like him, she can’t seal the deal. In a world where everyone can magically draw (or write) themselves out of difficulty, the act of creation gets reduced to expediency, not art. The fans within the show know something’s gone awry, but, alas, the fans in the “real”, real world are left hanging too. As a metaphor for how stories slip away from their authors, this one turns out to be a bit too apt.
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The gossip wasn’t worth it
When the stars gossip do not, I repeat DO NOT stay to listen, just walk away. The gossip is not worth listening to! Go do literally anything else, it’ll be much more worth your time than this pro-life propaganda drama.I honestly am embarrassed to say that I watched this in it’s entirety because there was so many times I could’ve dropped it and I just didn’t. Why? I have no idea! Please learn from me and my regret and don’t even press play. You won’t see anything but ridiculous antics and pro-life rhetoric. And they spent 50 billion won on producing this by the way. This drama is prove that quality will always override quantity.
PS: My true rating is a 0/10 but mdl made me rate it at least 1/10 to post this so don’t be fooled, this drama has absolutely no redeeming qualities and is genuinely the worst kdrama I’ve ever watched to completion.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Story About Dreams & Destiny: "Although I know my destiny, I still courageously choose to face it"
Fangs of Fortune is a fantasy drama that is based from Chinese Mythological Creatures. It tells a story about a heavily discriminated great demon named Zhao Yuan Zhou and the journey of his life as he chooses to face his destiny. Along his process of walking onto this new path he had chosen, he managed to be involved with a group of beings ; either mortals, gods, demons. They later formed into a team at the Demon Hunting Bureau who at first were only bonded together for the sake of solving mysterious cases about creatures that had gone rampant. They each face each other with indifference and mistrust at first, but the more they unravel truths about the past - especially of their own, they gradually began to warm up to each other and thus, formed a friendship that later turned into found family. Regardless of their differences, they began to understand each other and stand in equal footing eventually learning to separate evil and good from origin, and coming to accept life's greyness and the complexities of beings - whether mortals or creatures.What had heavily made me gravitate towards this drama is its compelling storyline that is thought provoking and how it finely touched different gradients about morality. It isn't all for a captivating watch as viewers are also challenged to put their perspectives into each of the characters shoes to understand the different contrasting layers of these characters ; their decisions and actions towards certain events or situations. Adding to these is the unabashed portrayal of intense emotions from every character no matter what gender which in turn pinches at the corners of the viewers hearts. To say it is merely a fantasy drama is a bit of an injustice, beyond the excellent cinematography and gorgeous visuals lies a much more meaningful story about life and its lessons.
The great demon Zhao Yuan Zhou's journey came with a lot of loaded heartache but as the plot progressed, his heart became vividly clear. He is a very courageous character who had accepted and had long awaited his destiny, yet still he chose to face it. In the process of doing so, he found himself spreading warmth towards everyone and at the same time receiving the same warmth which he thought he is undeserving of. His selfless act of sacrificing his life for the greater good and his loved one despite having already grown roots for living, proves his heroic character, great love, and how he holds his dream of a peaceful and carefree life ever so importantly. He didn't just simply accept his destiny, he fulfilled his dream along with it. The immense amount of greatness of his character is immeasurable.
This drama might not have been centered solely on the romance between the main leads, however, their love story turned to be the most beautiful yet tragic to be foretold. The love between Zhao Yuan Zhou and Wen Xiao is one that is seen as subtle on the surface, barely palpable - but as you take off the heart shaped rose colored glasses, what awaits is a love that conquers all. Deeper than the romantic moments or sweet intimate scenes, it's the strength of their feelings towards each other that time and time again, they constantly and gravely chose one another. Zhao Yuan Zhou's journey to life started because of Wen Xiao, but it also ended because of her. His love for her is so vast and selfless. While Wen Xiao became the living testament to his deep love, her devotion to wait for 300 years in the sundial and her willingness to guard his home ; the wilderness, while endlessly waiting for their reunion. The nuanced and subtleness of Zhao Yuan Zhou and Wen Xiao's love, proved against odds how deeply rooted and ever lasting their love is, even if their fate is tragic, their feelings for each other never cease to exist, and continue to live on, for every rain shower is their reunion.
All the performance of the actors in this drama are praiseworthy. I specifically have to praise Hou Ming Hao's phenomenal acting skills, his portrayal of Zhao Yuan Zhou connected the most with me. The expression and emotions he delivered on screen screams how great and talented of an actor he truly is. He always left me in awe. I instantly became a fan of him. On the other hand, Chen Du Ling's role as Wen Xiao spoke so much volumes about humans limitations when faced with destiny, her portrayal has been admirable. Tian Jia Rui and Cheng Xiao doesn't fall behind much, they also did a commendable job with their roles. I am looking forward to seeing more of Lester Lin's growth as an actor, he carries so much potential at a young age. Lastly, Yan An, Zhen Xuan and Lai Wei Ming deserves more recognition for their acting performance, I applaud their performance too.
I highly recommend this drama. Perfection is something unachievable in life, even the best comes with flaws. This drama is no exception from such flaws but what makes this stood out is the amount of good qualities it had. From storyline, to cinematography, to acting, to characters and to chemistry.
The 'Fangs' in 'Fangs of Fortune' surely carved into my heart ♡
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since i am a hard core fan of Korean dramas , comparing this to them can be make this one pathetic. but after seeing all those thrillers, fantasies, etc etc from Korean side we will definitely need a break with something like this. especially for a girl like me. where , a multimillionaire lost love, coming back to his life , all negative characters, witches, after at end everything will be a happy ending yes sounds to be common but sometimes somewhere many likes this and that's why they are making these types of dramas.
Don't get high scopes but it is ordinary, i do skipped many parts still i completed the episodes. you can skip unwanted scenes and save time but actor and actress done a very good job even though you wont to skip they wont allow us.
for me i liked it even though it was common may be because i like these kinds of dramas. so this doesn't deserve so much negative comment
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This was a very popular drama at the time of its airing. The cast is top-notch, the plot has all the premises for a funny, romantic and passionate love story.
Unfortunately though, the viewer is forced to an extremely long wait for something that never happens, or happens on a very low scale in the last 5 minutes of the show.
The rest of it is a sequel of silly quarrels, food preparing and cleaning. I'd say the cleaning is the main character of the show, to the point you start looking around your house thinking that dusting once a week cannot possibly be enough. Yes, because these two, in turn, dust the huge house once a day, and the director saw it fit to show it to the viewer every single time, just in case one might forget how it is done.
The chemistry between the 2 leads is there, and it's powerful. Ironically though, this alchemy becomes the biggest flaw of the show, because it's like a big amount of electricity never conveyed into anything. One waits... and waits... and waits.
Since watching Full House I'm invariably sceptical about any drama portraying two lovers forced in the confines of a house.
Yawn.
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D A E B A K !!! GIVE THIS DRAMA A SHOT! DON'T BELIEVE IN THE BAD REVIEWS!
Okay, before I get into a slightly detailed review about Itaewon Class let me tell you first that a lot of the reviews I've read so far were made by bogus watchers of KDRAMAS. They're either new to watching or have watched romantic comedy genres only so far. If you don't care about a rich story and you're only looking for a fluffy romantic and funny drama, then I guess this drama aint for you. But this drama goes beyond what you usually expect from a KOREAN drama and keeps you interested the whole journey while episodes keep on getting better building up.Itaewon Class is amazing. I literally adjusted all the scores of my completed dramas in order to accommodate my rating for Itaewon Class. Among the six remaining dramas in the 9.5 list of my profile, is Mr. Sunshine and Live -- which I consider co-top 1's. I firmly put Itaewon Class as my 2nd best drama watched ever, and it's not because it was lacking in any way, but quite the opposite. It's just that the two dramas ahead of Itaewon Class made me cry more :)
This drama had everything, and I mean EVERYTHING. From a dark-skinned character, transgenders, corrupt officials, and more. This drama tackled racism and gender discrimination at some point which are issues in South Korea. All I can say is that this drama is out of the norm.
I loved every second of this drama; as each episode goes by it keeps getting better and better. The characters were complex and character development was on point. The antagonists were perfect; they were so perfect to the point where you can't even hate them at the end. The story was rich and balanced dealing with a bit of romance and comedy, but a lot of heart-warming, sad, and hype scenes. Above all else that was amazing in this drama, the ending was perfect. The writers did a good job portraying each individual's last moments in the drama bidding them to a good farewell, having no loose ends.
Overall, this drama is a must-watch, especially for cultured drama watchers. It's hard to put all my opinions in one review because everything started at least 8 weeks ago, and my review can never do this drama justice, but just give this drama a shot and I guarantee you, as long as you keep an open mind and stick through the end; you'll most definitely get attached.
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This review may contain spoilers
One of the Best Sapphic Adaptations till Date!
Set in the 1950s, “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born” delivers a classic retelling of two Korean art forms- Gukgeuk and Pansori.I spend a lot of time learning the intricacies of these two folk arts, which are quite liberal and intriguing as compared to those in my motherland. For those unaware, Pansori is Korean genre of musical storytelling performed by a singer and a drummer, where the singer tells the story by singing and the drummer accompanies her on the drum. Incorporating this aspect into Gukgeuk was the main highlight of this show, which refers to a theatrical performance that combines singing and dancing. In post war era, Gukgeuk was extremely popular and women portrayed men’s roles. In short, it was an all female- production which had a cult following from the 1950s to 1960s, after which it rapidly declined due to the rise of films. “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born” delivers a subtle romance with homoerotic tones. Adapted from the webtoon “Jeong Nyeon” (정년이) written by Seo Irae (서이레) and illustrated by Namon (나몬), the original storyline was a sapphic love story. Even though the show is a censored adaptation, the all-women ensemble renders itself useful in maintaining the sapphic flavors.
Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/11/18/jeongnyeon-the-star-is-born-series-review/#more-1325
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bodyguard, mafia, cohabitation, BDSM, he’s a monster but he’s my monster
Adapted from a Y-novel and with real rough beginnings in terms of switching production houses, funding, and distribution which showed in a shaky point of view, weak script, and poorly distributed of couple weight and pacing. By about 3 episodes in I just got pissed off at this show, it was largely inconsistent in all ways which I think is all production issues. It should have been better. It should at least have been as good as everyone else seemed to think.However at 50% car porn 50% actual porn I was game. (That said I got no chemistry from KimChay - I think it was a BIG mistake to switch out Gameplay, and had real issues with several of KinnPorsche’s sex scenes.) The fight sequences were excellent and Kinn’s eyebrows are like seriously aggressive caterpillars - I was half afraid they’re going to strike out on their own, take up the rainbow flag and join the march in Not Me. There’s also a lot of Fighter-inspired shirts (Why R U?) in this show. I suppose mafia DOES have a long tradition of chest forward narrative.
VegasPete were in one drama; KimChay were in another; KinnPorsche were in each of those randomly but then sometimes in their own extremely slapstick cheese-fest alt-reality + Tankhun. There were clearly 2 directors with 2 distinct and conflicting points of view, who apparently never had a single conversation with each other. Was this show good? Nope. Was it absorbing as fuck? Sure. Was it well acted, absolutely. Were the sex scenes great? Yes. We the fight scenes awesome? Actually yeah (special props to Jeff for the hand-to-hand stuff). Did I enjoy the kinky bits? Certainly. But all that said: the VegasPete universe of KP was the only universe I really enjoyed and would like to revisit, and I only got that 1/5 of the time. Mathematics is working against this one, for me personally. So I guess I, at least, am still waiting for the perfect mafia BL. I think it might be up to Japan at this juncture. As a result of fan fervor meets my own hearty indifference, I don’t really know how to judge this show but I have to go with my heart, and KP didn’t win it. No full review, enough people have weighed in on this one, you don’t need my thoughts too.
RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS
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This review may contain spoilers
Another generic fantasy drama that is only good because of the secondary characters
Tale of the Nine-Tailed started with a very good plot and the first episode was incredible, however, over the course of the episodes the story went downhill. I expected a lot more from this story, I thought they were going to innovate, but in the end it ended up being one more generic fantasy drama with terrible special effects and a main couple that despite having chemistry in the kissing scenes, did not convince during the most emotional scenes .The story also had several inconsistencies in the script and the plot of the main couple was often erased by the secondary characters who often steal the show during the episodes, so I connected with the secondary characters much more emotionally than with the main 2 .
For me the characters that stood out the most in this drama were Lee Rang, played by Kim Bum, and for the character Ki Yoo Ri, played by Kim Yong Ji, I found their story much more interesting than the maqin ones and I think that they had more chemistry than the main couple, and they didn't even have a romantic relationship.
Another point that I found very negative in the story was the ending and when I say this I am not referring to the fact that a certain character has sacrificed himself, as I already expected it, but rather because of the many holes and lack of explanation that this ending had .
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It just OKAY
Excellent acting,well written plot. The show creates too much question to make the audience keep watching. The whole questions got answered only on the final episodes. Everything fall into place. And you begin to "...oh thats whyyy."To be honest i enjoy the early episodes more. Its thrilling but in the midst its draggy and quite boring. Mouse is just okay for me. I like it but not that much. Imagine spend around 40+ hours for a drama and the final episode got nearly 2 hours? I feel i aged 20 years by watching it. The romance between Ba Reum and Bong Yi like nah????? Idk.
Would i rewatch or recommend? Absolutely NO.
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Mermaids Only Listen to The Heart's Voice, It Says You are Worth It
The Blue Whisper: Part 1 (与君初相识) is a 22 episode drama adapted from the novel 驭鲛记, The Blue Whiper by 九鹭非香. The Blue Whisper is set in a universe where there are magical races (demon) and spiritual masters (human with longer lifespan). The narrative revolves around Ji Yunhe, a spiritual master but also a nine-tailed demon fox and Chang Yi, a mermaid and the lord of north.Helmed by Zhu Ruibin, the director from Ashes of Love, The Long Ballad, Noble Aspirations and more; you can have a high expectation for this drama! The Blue Whisper has a high-quality production that features a splendid set, lavish costumes, remarkable cinematography, brilliantly choreographed scenes, an enchanting music score, and more.
The Blue Whisper sets, props, scenery and people are simply eye-catching, which keeps one visually interested all the way through. Unlike most historical dramas lately, The Blue Whisper has a vibrant and bold colour palette and outfit which makes it refreshing to see! The drama also has exemplary cinematography, the use of soft filters and vibrant colour at the same time provides a pleasant and vivid viewing experience. Every shot is also beautifully angled creating a feast for the eyes. Moreover, The Blue Whisper also has a beautifully done and well-rendered CGI and special effects. The use of authentic set designs and props also further enhance the realism of the whole universe.
The Blue Whisper narrative is brilliant and captivating, even if you don’t read the book beforehand, you would understand the drama as the overall narrative is easy to follow and well-paced. The drama storytelling is progressively paced and satisfyingly engaging with hardly a dull moment or substantial fillers. There are some light-hearted scenes with pure comedy, and some of the drama’s dialogue is also witty and sprinkled with light humor. Although some may find the troupe of lying to each other in order to save them is kinda cliché but this one doesn’t bore you.
What I adore from this drama is that every character in the drama is extremely well-written, each has its own distinctive personalities and qualities; they are multi-faceted and complex. Each character is properly dimensioned and balanced, even the “bad” characters have shades of grey, no one is black or white. They have their own background story and obsession, which leads to their action; thus, you might even feel their actions are justifiable. Although the main couple is the focus of the story, other characters and their relationships are not cheated out of a good storyline too! In addition, I also love how the side characters build up and enrich the whole story, instead of being just there for the necessary of the drama plot. You care for the characters and even if you don’t like some of the characters, others will most certainly capture your interest and heart.
Ji Yunhe and Chang Yi is stellarly portrayed by Dilireba and Ren Jialun. Both actor’s facial expressions and emotions are compelling. Their acting can make us relate and feel the character’s happiness, anger, pain that you can’t help but shed tears for them. Both of the actors can also convey their love, heartbreak and everything through their eyes and micro-expressions. It is unimaginable that anyone can pull off Ji Yunhe and Chang Yi in such compelling way other than Dilireba and Ren Jialun. Furthermore, Dilireba and Ren Jialun also have explosive chemistry; there is a great rapport between them and the romance are very good. They look fitting together and there are many squel-worthy moments.
Ren Jialun’s portrayal of an innocent tailed fish to an overbearing North lord is excellent! But what I find really commendable from his acting here is his acting of an innocent and pure tailed fish, it is unlike something he has shown before, he has acted as a cute and innocent 8 year old kid before in Under The Power, but here he is totally different he evokes a different charm. Ren Jialun character didn’t speak a word on the early episodes (until eps 3) but he still managed to convey his emotions with his eyes (sorrow, happy, anger and more). That’s what I find really amazing from Ren Jialun, he can simply convey his emotions with his eyes, and here with his pouty lips.
Dilireba also did a very commendable job! Dilireba has the ability to blend into every role, and in my opinion, Dilireba’s performance as Ji Yunhe here is several notches above all her works so far. The way she conveys her emotions through nuanced micro-expression and articulating every scene is beyond words. Especially on those scenes where she was laughing and crying at the same, when she turned into the nine-tailed demon fox. Every single Dilireba performance here is really praise-worthy.
Also, special mention to Hu Yixuan, she is adorable. Luoluo is loyal, bubbly, and clueless and Hu Yixuan manages to portray her and her lovable quirks so precisely. I bet she’ll steal your heart! Her scenes with Dilireba is also heart-warming and cute to see!
The Blue Whisper music scoring is also incredible. Sa Dingding is the music director for The Blue Whisper and she did a really great job! Every single OST and background sound is hauntingly beautiful, it’ll give you goosebumps. Each song also encapsulates a deep, beautiful and meaningful story. The poignant classical instrumental piece that accompanies the scene also sets a dramatic and emotional tone.
Overall, The Blue Whisper keeps you engaged and engrossed, you’ll find yourself wanting more new episodes!
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Most people are not ready for this kind of kdrama, but I guess it's time
It is a very unique drama that really needs to be appreciated. It was a big step to produce a full-length drama tackling about different mental health disorders. This drama is very psych-heavy but I guess people need to be aware of these disorders too. They need proper treatment and not judgement. The story is a bit cliche but they really added a unique touch to it. Since this Psych-themed drama shows how their thoughts run in their minds, I love how they portray these thoughts using animation and exaggeration (for differentiation from reality). People with mental health disorders might not be able to distinguish reality from their imaginations, thoughts, or fantasies, but the people around them could. We should show them that we understand them and we care for them (Just like how Gang Tae does it). It's good that they get treatment. I just wish Mun Yeong will also get treated. I know her character will still develop so let's wait for it. However, we must not romanticize her inappropriate actions. She has anti-social personality disorder which makes her unable to distinguish between right and wrong. This must not be tolerated and Gang Tae is doing a great job correcting her. This is still ongoing but it already made us feel different emotions. It's good that people are becoming more aware of different mental health issues and the triggers that can be associated with it. Thank you, It's Okay To Not Be Okay :)Music, animations, acting 100% Seo Yeji's voice? 101%!!
PS. I just hope TVN or Netflix will add trigger warnings. The content can be disturbing to some. Trigger warnings would really help.
UPDATE: IT WILL END SOON AND I DONT KNOW WHAT TO FEEL 😭😭 THE EMOTIONS ARE SO REAL I WANNA HUG THEM :(((
UPDATE: OH JUNG SE FOR BEST ACTOR PLS!!! He really did touch our hearts. I really love his character and how he portrayed it :((( ILY Sang-tae oppa!
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1When it's so bad, that it's good...
Over the top, filled with cringe comedy and ridiculousness; this drama somehow made me go from shaking my head at its antics to thoroughly enjoying it in an endeared mannerFirst of all let's talk about the elephant in the room. I am not going to deny that this show is problematic. Even if we skip the fact that this 'family drama' is derived from a very ethically questionable adult webtoon and is bound to direct attention towards the source material, there are still many other things to frown upon.
In the very first episode, the FL (a highschooler) kisses the ML (an adult and a stranger) without his permission, then goes on to be very handsy with him throughout the show despite knowing that he has a girlfriend, beats up people left and right and well, basically does a lot of what your typical drama 'bad boys' usually do. (It's inappropriate behavior regardless of the gender.)
Then, in a very ignorant fashion, for comedic purposes the drama introduces a supporting character (ML's best friend) that has angered the international community for culture appropriation and rightfully so. Korean dramas have never been known to handle sensitive topics 'sensitively' and should know to stay away from them which Backstreet Rookie clearly does not do. It helps that he has reduced screen-time as episodes progress and that the fast forward button comes in particularly handy for his scenes.
So if these things make you shy away from the drama then it's completely understandable and you should do you.
But now for those who were able to walk past the controversy: The thing is while being ignorant, the drama clearly is not malicious. It's pretty obvious that they are just trying way too hard to be funny and sometimes it strikes true and you're left in fits of laughter and other times it doesn't and the result is just embarrassing.
Soon we realize that the FL; a young girl who doesn't have it easy, who lost her father too early, who has been raising her sister alone is quite a lost child inside. She is aggressive at first in her persuit for the ML (who is the only one who seemed to give a shit about her) but soon she becomes more mature and thoughtful. She is strong, stands up for herself and those she cares for and loves fiercely. After you get through the first episodes, she becomes an increasingly likable heroine and you can't help but root for her.
This role doesn't do anything for Ji Chang Wook as an actor. His character is not the typical male lead and not very attractive. He is a pushover, a 30 year old man who lives with his parents, doesn't have a lot of self respect, let's people run over him and despite his good looks, he doesn't do much in the beginning. However, soon you see his strong sense of justice, his love for his own family and the fact that he is literally an actual good human being and so you warm up to him.
The acting is great across the board. The main couple looks so good together (the romance follows with both of them being legal adults) with great chemistry. The OST is stunning and the cringe comedic camera effects during action scenes also grow on you after a while.
The best thing about it, is that even though it's very obviously in your face slapstick, the drama comes with these surprisingly heart warming and emotional moments that sneak up on you and hit you in the feels.
Also, since it is by the same creators as The Fiery Priest, it has A LOT of drama references that are absolutely gold and leave you roaring with laughter.
Overall, it's a light hearted romantic comedy, that doesn't take itself seriously.
So I'd say if you tried the show and couldn't get past the objectionable material, that's perfectly fine but if you are one those who want to watch this show and are hesitating just because of the negativity surrounding it, I suggest you give it a try and let the drama make its case first.
Enjoy!
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If you asked me to describe this show simply, I would probably liken it to a modern version of Nirvana In Fire, which sounds kind of ridiculous since the contents are so different. While the political intrigue is an integral part of both shows, neither forgets to insert some heart and some solid storytelling to weave its magic - and of course, both shows count on some amazing performances from a largely veteran cast.
Story:
The premise of this show is pretty simple - it's about exposing corrupt government officials, and the twisted web that they weave in a fictional city (and province) in modern China. (FYI - in recent years, with the rise of the new GS, the government's been really cracking down on corruption, especially within government officials, which is why they were okay with turning the novel into a drama).
While Prosecutor Hou Liang Ping is technically the main character, this is really a story about many different people, and how their lives are tied together. The main focus, of course, is telling the politics in a modern Chinese city works, and the scriptwriter does a phenomenal job of outlining many of the problems in Chinese society today without making it too black and white. Because too often, there isn't a clear cut answer, but just acknowledging and highlighting the issue is a major win for citizens.
In this same vein, the characters, even the ones who are exposed to be corrupt, are portrayed in an ambiguous light (and I mean that in the best way). One of the biggest issues with a lot of the shows about political intrigue is that the show is too eager to cast judgement on a character for the audience, but here, you can use your own judgement to decide what you think of a character and his or her actions. Almost all the characters are portrayed in a fairly complete light - so you'll have the full picture of what kind of person they are, what they have done, and why they have done it.
The pace is phenomenal - the first few episodes will leave you absolutely reeling as you're thrown right into a case that opens up the rest of the story - but then it slows down to allow us to catch our breath and to learn a little bit more about the situation and the characters. I think there were some unnecessary scenes, but there was obviously a big attempt to balance the dark and heavy with some light, slice of life moments, and I really did enjoy peeking into the lives of the characters.
Beware - there's a lot of low key and high key propaganda in here - I mean, it is a state-backed show - so it might be a little disconcerting if you aren't used to it, but I didn't find that it took too much away from the story, which was mostly very well thought out, as layers are unpeeled and you learn more and more about just how tangled the web really is.
Acting/Cast:
This show featured probably one of the phenomenal casts in recent history, with a slew of talented, well known veteran actors, who took the roles and absolutely made it their own. In particular, Wu Gang and Zhang Zhi Jian, as opposing politicians, gave amazing performances that gave their characters, who were already interesting, even more depth. Hats off to the other established actors as well (there's too many to name, honestly), in particular Hou Yong, who is probably the reason why a lot of people kept watching the show, as he guest starred in the first couple of episodes as a small town politician and gave an absolutely electrifying performance, and Bai Zhi Di as the elderly retired Chen Yan Shi, who was a cynical and jaded ex-prosecutor and totally reminded me of my own grandfather.
I also loved Ding Hai Feng as the playful police commissioner and Ke Lan, who was a smart, sassy, and hilarious female prosecutor - the two of them often stole the scenes that they were in. If someone ever wants to do a spinoff based on these two, I'm definitely in.
Zhang Feng Yi, who I love, was sadly wasted in his role - he did what he could with it, but it really wasn't an interesting character since Sha Rui Jin was probably the most straight laced character in the entire show (aka boring). He is such a talented actor and I really wanted to see him in a more riveting role.
Lu Yi has received a lot of criticism for his acting, some of which is valid, but a lot of it is a bit unfair given how talented his costars are. Lu Yi does more idol dramas than anything else - I mean, he's not going to be amazing. He was fine - not great, not bad - but serviceable. And considering his character really was just meant to be a foil to some of the other characters so there really wasn't much depth there, he didn't need to be amazing.
Ensemble casts are the best when everyone's performances are elevated, and that's how I felt here.
Overall:
I think you have to have some context of what modern Chinese society looks like to be able to really enjoy this show - even though a lot of the main characters are politicians, there's a relatability factor to it that really strikes a chord with the audience as the show touches on various social issues. I am pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this show to the point where I'm still discussing it with my parents. For those who dismiss this show as pure propaganda, I feel that's a bit unfair to a well thought out, well acted drama that does have a lot of fantastic social and political commentary. I would definitely recommend it!
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2A love story that transcends time and space.
In a xianxia romance that spans multiple lifetimes and universes, When Destiny Brings the Demon chronicles the journey of Liao Tingyan as she is unwillingly transmigrated into a fantastical realm of immortals and demons. Blindsided by her abrupt displacement, she attempts to carve a quiet and lazy life for herself here — but fate has other plans. Against her wishes, she falls under the mercy of the notorious grandmaster, Sima Jiao, who is said to have a cruel heart and fiery temper. However, through their forced coexistence, she learns that beneath the lord's hotheaded exterior, he is a complex and lonely soul.The initial episodes are weighed down by an influx of info dumping, but bear with it, because your patience will be rewarded with one of the sweetest love stories to emerge from cdramaland this year. Liao Tingyan and Sima Jiao's chemistry needs to be studied. From enemies, to servant and master, to friends, to lovers — their relationship develops fast but believably so. In a world where they are both outcasts and no one is to be trusted, they are drawn to each other. Passionate, angsty, selfless — I find myself gushing over all of their tender moments, and there are so many of them. You will laugh, cry, rage, and fall in love with their love story.
The actors, Wang Ying Lu and Arthur Chen, are sensational in these roles. In less capable hands, Liao Tingyan would have come off as annoying, considering how passive and meek her character started off as. Instead, Wang Ying Lu is able to make Tingyan relatable, funny, and endearing. She effortlessly transitions Tingyan from a damsel in distress into a force to be reckoned with — someone who not only can protect herself but her loved ones as well. Arthur Chen is also perfectly casted as Sima Jiao, brilliantly portraying his loneliness, pain, and rage in a way that brings justice to the character. Watching Sima Jiao's growth from a man who is suspicious of everyone into a man capable of compassion, trust, and forgiveness because of his love for Tingyan is as healing for him as it is for me to watch. The performances of these actors moved me and I have a new profound respect for the both of them.
Aside from the characters, there are also so many other things to love. The cgi is gorgeous and it adds so much vibrancy and personality to this world. The visual impact would not have been as memorable without it. The osts are haunting, marvelously complementing the story and elevating every scene to a new level of enjoyment. I constantly hum the melodies even when I'm not watching the drama and thinking about the music evokes a strong feeling of longing for the characters and their stories. The fight scenes are riveting — it is obvious how much thought and intentions the director and action choreographers put into those sequences.
My two biggest complaints are probably that the plot was secondary to the romance and the pacing was very slow at times. There are moments in the drama where the romance will be developing with ease, but the plot isn't moving at all. The conflicts in the first half of the story are repetitive, stalling the plot. Personally, I feel the drama could have been reduced to fewer episodes to create an even more engaging story. However, I recognize that this will cut back on some of the romantic scenes, and this will be a great loss for the drama since the romance is such an important factor in the story. Therefore, I am able to overlook the drama's weaknesses in this respect.
After finishing When Destiny Brings the Demon, I am only left with positive feelings of love, admiration and satisfaction for the story. Given the genre and the censorship placed on dramas with transmigration, I couldn't have asked for a better ending. The writers neatly conclude the story with no loose ends. It is definitely a love story that transcends time and space, worthy of experiencing, and I highly recommend it for the romance lovers.
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