#DAOMING SI SAVES THE LIFE OF HIS LADY LOVE

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METEOR GARDEN (2018 CHINESE ADAPTATION)

Good girl Shancai (SHEN YUE) couldn't leave her friend lost in a blizzard so she had to go looking, completely unaware that some mean girls lied to her. She was caught in the storm basically prepared to die when the man that loves her came to her aid.

Daoming Si (DYLAN WANG) found Shancai near death and jump into action. Warming her up in the cabin by stripping down and cuddling they were awaken when two Canadians entered the cabin.

Daoming Si and Shancai get dressed and he gallantly carries her on his back to his luxurious home. Can't deny Daoming Si went about it in the wrong way often times but he definitely loved a girl called Dong Shancai.

@pose4photoml

[sifeng]

Review: Joy of Life

Not going to lie, when I first started this drama, in February or something, I didn’t really like it all that much, I don’t know why, the first episode just lacked... something? But I tried again this summer and wow! Joy of Life has made its way on my favorite dramas ever! I can’t believe I have to wait 2 whole years for the second season!

Plot:

Fan Xian grew up in a small town by the sea with his grandmother, following a sudden visit of a poison master, his peaceful life quickly morph into one filled with danger and hardship. After becoming rather skilled with medicine, poison and martial arts, he goes to the capital to find out more about his mysterious mother. He ends up on an adventure of marvelling the world, getting tangled in politics, finding true love, figuring out his purpose in life and secrets of his world.

Cast:

Zhang Ruoyun (张若昀) as Fan Xian (范闲)

Li Qin (李沁) as Lin Wan’er (林婉儿)

Chen Daoming (陈道明) as the Emperor (皇上)

Wu Gang (吴刚) as Chen Pingping (陈萍萍)

My Opinions:

Plot (My Rating - A):

The plot is one of the greatest highlights of this show (but then again, acting and characters are also amazing). There are so many schemes and ploys that only get revealed bit by bit until the big reveal of like “whose behind whatever whatever” and you’re just like super amazed. It’s so amazing! The pacing is also great because this show never leaves you bored for a second, every single scene is either super important to the plot, to the romances or to the comedy. It’s one of those shows that once you start, you cannot possibly drop. 

Scheming put aside, there’s also a really interesting human aspect to this show. Seeing Fan Xian, a man from modern times, speak with the people of Qing, who care more about the big picture than the moment in front of them, who wouldn’t think twice to throw themselves in front of death in order to save their country. To see him be so upset at a death, while everyone else calmly watches and insists that he ought to be totally happy about it because at least he didn’t die was so interesting, yet heartbreaking. Interesting because it really shows the fundamental difference between times, and heartbreaking because every time someone said “he was just a guard” I want to punch them in the face. 

Also the time-travel was explained in such a cool way. So much more complicated and interesting than the simple “it was a dream”. The scene of Ye Qingmei’s arrival in Qing was sooooo cool (fun fact, that was actually the scene that made me interested in this show). There are so many mysteries left to be solved next season and I cannot wait 2 years just to figure out who Ying Zi is! Or what is hidden in the manor! Or what their wuxia skills are if Zhen qi is not real. Or why the godly temple changes according to everyone’s imagination and how it just... disappeared. Honestly there’s too many questions left in my brain to possibly list them all. 

Acting (My Rating - A):

I mean, with veteran actors the likes of Chen Daoming and Wu Gang the acting level of this show must be good. Zhang Ruoyun is definitely one of the most talented actors of the younger generation, he manages to be both ruthless and cruel when seeking revenge, yet playful and witty other times. Li Qin is also a great actress! She does better with more complex roles (like when she turned evil in Princess Agents, that was some great acting!) but Wan’er, despite her simplicity, is still very lovable thanks to her portrayal. There was one scene with the emperor that really made me shiver (when he “forgave” that judge). Such good acting! I also really like Li Chun’s portrayal of Si Lili, Xin Zhilei’s of Haitang Duoduo (a very lovable character), Liu Duanduan’s of the Second Prince and Song Yi’s of Fan Ruoruo.

Also Guo Qilin as Fan Sizhe and Tian Yu as Wang Qinian! The two roles basically created for comic relief are not only lovable, but also acted so well! The comedy doesn’t seem forced nor awkward, it just feels very natural. The only problem I have with the acting is that Fan Xian and Lin Wan’er don’t have that much chemistry. Like, they are cute together and will certainly be a great couple, but I just don’t feel the love between them. It’s kind of awkward though, especially when you see Fan Xian with the other ladies that like him because for some reason they manage to have more chemistry than the main couple.  

Characters (My Rating - A):

One of Wang Juan’s great talents in scriptwriting is the ability to make every character complex. There are no evil characters that are evil, to be evil, nor any characters that are only pure goodness, because that is how humans are. People have motives to do actions, and all actions have consequences. There is no black and white, only grey space. I found it amazing that, with one line, Cheng Jushu, a character that could have existed to be a tool in the plot, became a character worthy of sympathy and deeper analyzing. All the characters, with some exceptions of course, are so lovable! I love Fan Xian’s sarcastic and cunning personality! Actually, I love the entire Fan family! Fan Jian seems like a cold person on the outside but is actually cares a lot for his children, even Fan Xian, Liu Ruyu also treats Fan Xian like a member of the family despite his illegitimate child status (though it took some time for her to like him), Fan Sizhe is just so hilarious and cute, and Fan Ruoruo is such a great sister! 

Cinematography (My Rating - B+): I don’t like the fact that that sometimes the faces look almost like... green? But some shots are really pretty and beautiful. The fight scenes are also quite nice, no overuse of slomo and good mix of doubles and real people. 

Sets/Costumes (My Rating - A): The sets for the palace and several streets are really exquisite and seem really realistic. The sets for the brothel and the Qing palace were especially pretty. The costumes are also really pretty! Wan’er’s dresses look like those fit for a princess! 

Music (My Rating - A-): There are only two OSTs, but both are so great! Li Jian’s title song instantly brings you into a guzhuang mood (if that is a thing), while Xiao Zhan’s ending song is really catchy. The songs played within the show are also really nicely chosen. They fit with the scenes really well! 

Overall Rating: A+

Recommend For: People looking for an intelligent drama that is not only full of suspense and mysteries, but also several storylines intertwined. People who want to see smart characters participate in a battle of the brains with all sorts of tricks and plots. Also if you liked dramas like Nirvana in Fire or Young Blood then Joy of Life is definitely your thing!