Westside Story (2003)

I am writing the first review for this drama and I guess not many people knows about this drama because it is shown around 10 years ago. So well, I guess not many people will be reading this review but still, I have the urge of writing it.
I watched this show when I was in primary school, but I didn't understand the drama. However, I don't know why I could still remember this drama until now. I began to rewatch this drama a year ago and started to understand the whole story plot. And I can say that this drama has made a big impact on me. Westside Story is basically a drama about friendship and youth. If you are only about romance, sorry I guess this drama won't fulfill your appetite.
Each episode pulls me closer to understanding of happiness. Why am I always not satisfied with my life? Why am I always being afraid of many things? Why why why. This drama taught me something. Only facing your problem is the only way that makes you happy. There is a sentence I loved from the drama and here's the translation "Only forget can make you happy, escaping from reality won't solve the problem. However, in order to learn how to forget, we need to learn these four things - face it, accept it, overcome it, let it go." This particular sentence make me reflect alot alot. I am just an ordinary teenager with so many worries, so many obstacles yet to overcome. But this drama made an impact on my life. To face those problems positively. If not, what is the meaning of living on with so many obstacles around you? P.S: I might have been out of topic but I am just writing out my true feelings for this show.
This drama is truly one of the masterpieces I have watched because it motivates and inspires you alot, it makes you think alot. If you are still a teenager, this drama is really highly recommended because it teaches you about life.
I love the songs also, they are songs that are so magical. Why do I say so? After watching the drama, I can't resist but to play those songs over and over again especially ?? ?? and ??. Even if you happen to chance upon these songs, you will have the feeling of rewatching the show again. HAHAHA okay I guess I am exaggerating but this really happen to me.
I am really glad that SETTV has produced such a good drama. Well should I say, SETTV has been producing good dramas over the years such as Autumn's Concerto, Fated To Love You, The Prince Who Turned Into A Frog. Sadly the dramas produced by this channel these days have been receiving lower ratings due to the poor story plot. I really hope Taiwan dramas could produce more interesting story plots. AND I REALLY MISS 5566!!!

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20% actual story, 80% filler arc

Whew this one was rough.

Story/Cast/Characters:
I was initially really intrigued with the setting and story, but I feel that the entire story was in like 6-7eps, and the rest is just afterthoughts with some cheap emotional weight at the end. I was initially thinking this is gonna be a 16ep long adventure to look for Cyndi's character, but the case was cracked so quickly and the story strayed from the original plot so bad all the way to the end.

The ending wasnt that great, with a lot of loose ends but at least its over. Ai Sen's love life is open-ended, i was hoping for Li Zi to come back at the end of pick him up.

Now about the characters.

The only lovable character in this show is Tony Sun's. The rest are very hard to get used to or even enjoy. The chemistry between Esther and Tony is still unmatched, they really mix well together no matter the setting.

Esther's vocal cords deserve a massive shoutout for the amount of screaming she makes and still did break her cords, still can even produce songs under Sweety. Her personality is pretty irritating, infuriating and not recommended to wear headphones when listening to her speak.

Cyndi's character left very little impression for me, and her story is really badly planned out. Her initial arc was really great at making her the focus, but after her arc, she is pretty much became 2nd class.

Wallace's character is probably the most annoyingly mysterious character. I really dont get the rationale of making him the antagonist and eventually a protag? Like c'mon... I was initially interested with his mysterious background, but eventually he really bore me out bad that i dont even wanna know anymore. I was hoping he would mix up or spice up the story for a bit, but nothing happened. AUGH.

And the game of chicken in the final eps, what was that??? And also the constant round of "Final battle" between Tony and Wallace... ARGH I REALLY CANT TAKE IT. I WANTED TO DROP IT SO BAD BUT I WANNA SEE THE ROMANCE BLOOM.

I should have dropped it sooner. Overall, it had potential, but the storyboard ended after the first half and everything else was just to make it to the episode count.

Music:
It slaps, probably one of the good parts of the show. I find myself dancing to some of the BGMs a lot. The placement and transition of music were pretty smooth too.

Rewatch value:
I am never gonna watch this again... even if I do, probably only the first half.

Recommend?:
Probably not. But i wont stop you if you wanna watch it.

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