The Controllers (2020)

Handsome Obsession

This is quite a dark and twisted storyline, so if you don't like dark, twisted, gritty dramas, then don't go for this one.

The first episode has a scene of potential rape too, which we come to know later on didn't happen, but the way it is shown is really scary and dark. I would skip the first episode entirely for this reason.

They do the whole Face/Off trope here. The one where we are supposed to believe that one human's face can be directly transfered onto another human's completely different bone structure so perfectly, that he comes out of it looking exactly like Peng Guan Ying. We all know that you can't plastic surgery your way to looking exactly like Peng Guan Ying, no matter how much you might want to, which is why I called this drama "gritty", not "realistic".

The fact that the antagonist looks like Peng Guan Ying, who is a very good actor, made it difficult not to cheer for him, even as (or maybe especially because of) he falls into a dark toxic love obsession for the FL.

I'm not going to give the guy brownie points for not sexually assaulting the FL when he easily could have. The guy sexually harrasses the absolutely stunning FL and even physically assaults her near the beginning. I'll just say that from the comfort of my computer, it's hard to look away and not empathize with such a gorgeous looking man. It's a deep failing on my part, but I'm admitting to it now. This antagonist is ridiculously good looking, and it's hard to look at the very, very average looking male protagonists after having your eyes feast on the beauty of Peng Guan Ying.

Equally gorgeous is our FL, who is also an excellent actress. She works to take down the antagonist's crime organization from the inside as his hostage. She plays on his obsession for her like a violin, and it is very satisfying to watch. A farfetched storyline drama? To be sure! But with good acting from the leads.

I'm giving this 7.5 pinky fingers out of 10.

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Peng Guanying fantastico!

Scrivo questa recensione a caldo. Ho appena finito di guardare l'ultima puntata del drama e il mio voto è 10.
Non mi importano molto le critiche fatte alla censura cinese per gli eccessivi tagli, a me teneva sulle spine già così.
Non mi importa nemmeno che il drama si sia allontanato dal romanzo non conoscendo lo scritto.
Ma ho amato i tre protagonisti: Xiao Wu, Ke Ying e lui, Peng Guanying.
Peng Guanying per me è un grande attore che veste benissimo i panni del cattivo con quella sua aria tenebrosa e quel suo sguardo così penetrante.
Xiao Wu e Ke Ying sono due personaggi che sanno farsi amare. Xiao Wu credo sia la colonna portante di tutta la storia, colui che lega le vite e i destini dei protagonisti.
Ke Ying è la vittima predestinata che viene catapultata in questo mondo di delinquenza e omicidi, lei, insegnante universitaria con una bella casa ed un fidanzato perfetto.
Per chi ama i thriller ma odia saltare sul divano ogni due per tre, questo drama è perfetto. La psicologia dei personaggi è molto interessante, e secondo me per certi versi i tre sono identici.
Senza dubbio il personaggio di Peng Guanying è quello più interessante perché è quello che viene maggiormente sviluppato all'interno della trama, e delle volte in effetti si perde un po' il senso di certe situazioni che si vengono a creare ma pare proprio a causa dei tagli fatti dalla censura.
Io me lo riguarderò con più calma per cogliere proprio tutto poiché il mio cinese non è ancora così perfetto da riuscire a comprendere il 100% ma l'interpretazione degli attori bravissimi e i sottotitoli in caratteri hanno aiutato tantissimo.
Auguro una buona visione a tutti!!!

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Cat and mouse, but who's the prey?

When a stop for help turns to an attempted rape and murder scene, Ke Ying's peaceful life is turned upside down. Seven months later, she is approached by a man with eyes eerily similar to the head honcho from that night, Shen Shijie. She quickly learns that this man is actually Feng Xiaosheng, the executive director of the Feng Corporation and a member of the largest crime family in her city. Feng Xiaosheng quickly develops an interest in her, beginning to set up some cat and mouse games with her and revealing his true identity as Shen Shijie to her. He threatens her, her fiancee, her family and her students but soon learns that Ke Ying is also a wild one and cannot be fully controlled, despite her meek and docile exterior.

What an intense drama - if the fighting and action scenes don't get your heart rate up, Peng Guan Ying's smouldering gaze certainly will! The chemistry between Peng Guan Ying and Cai Wen Jing is on fire and all three lead roles are well acted. Xiao Wu provides just the right amount of humor so this drama doesn't seem too dark and abusive, despite the undercurrent of rape and death. Ke Ying is the strong FL that you never knew was possible; calculating and intelligent; but willing to drop little suggestive hints, just to keep Feng Xiaosheng yearning for more. Peng Guan Ying is certainly the star of the show - his dark gaze flashing from intense hatred; emotionless disintrest; calculating suspicion; and gentle affection / desire for his one and only Ke Ying.

The story is well written, with some really interesting nuggets that I picked up on a second watch. For example, in multiple scenes, they show which car Feng Xiaosheng is using as a indicator of what type of mission. He only drives the white VW SUV when he doesn't want to be tracked (e.g. murder, evidence disposal, etc). Similarly, the show alludes to him having a secret hidden room, as they show him early on watching Ke Ying on camera from that room. They also shows his dissatisfaction with being a puppet in the Feng Corporation, and getting cut off when speaking but one of his executives. We later see that executive with a broken arm and hear that he was attacked in the garage, with Feng Xiaosheng flashing a small grin. With the small hidden nuggets, drama watchers will enjoy the rewatch.

My major complaint is that they should have cut of some of the side characters that really don't add value. Lian Lian was an illogical second female lead- she was hand fed every news lead she investigated but still managed to butcher them all, and she wasn't even loyal to her best friend, liking both of Ke Ying's fiance's. Chen Miaomiao got herself in trouble multiple times and drifted out of the story, ending up as just a convenient plot device.

Overall a strong story with a well resolved ending. There was no way Shen Shijie would have stayed docile in jail. Ke Ying would have lived her life on tenterhooks if he didn't die, knowing how devious and calculating he is. Similarly, we see both Ke Ying and Xiao Wu going back to their normal lives. When Ke Ying See's Xiao Wu, she just smiles and goes their separate ways. No longer partners to take down the crime boss Feng Xiaosheng, they are just strangers once again.

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A Sweet Obsession

I’m simply obsessed. This was, without a doubt, the drama that consumed me the most this year. Ironically, much of the story revolves around obsession itself.

The protagonist is a SOCIOPATH. I can’t remember the last time I saw a sociopath as the main character, and I have to say: they are fascinating. Much more interesting than psychopaths, because the dynamic they create with other characters is different and extremely engaging.

The drama revolves entirely around him. It’s about who he is, what he does, and how everyone around him tries to bring him down—whether through justice or their own means. What really hooked me is that he’s not just the villain; he’s the driving force behind everything.

I didn’t find it to be a typical thriller. Usually, thrillers focus on facts, on events that move the plot, with external twists. Here, the focus is on the characters: their motivations, relationships, and layers. It feels more like a drama with thriller tones, which is probably why I was so enchanted by it.

About obsession: the protagonist takes it to another level. I’ve never seen anyone so obsessed, and that’s what makes him so memorable. He’s violent, desperate, unpredictable, and yet brilliantly smart. He’s a bad guy with “good” justifications (in his own mind).

His story is marked by destruction. He was betrayed, manipulated, and used as a pawn, so all he could do was react. And what a reaction. His violence escalates as the episodes go on, while his humanity disappears.

His moments of humanity are rare. They surface when he thinks he’s in love or believes he has friends. But his obsession with a woman who just wants to escape from him is what truly drives his downfall.

And the script? It’s masterful. Every detail matters. Everything, no matter how small it seems, has enormous consequences later on. It’s like a beautifully crafted butterfly effect. Plus, the plot never gets dull: something is always happening.

The protagonist is the driving force. He’s the active character, moving the entire story with his unpredictable actions. Just when it seems like he’s going to stop, he does something completely impulsive and changes everything.

The cinematography is flawless. Everything is visually captivating: the setting, the art direction, the soundtrack. You can feel the care in every frame.

P.S.: There’s no romance. His obsession isn’t love—it’s pure fixation. It starts with hatred, then turns into a twisted kind of kindness, and finally, desperation. The woman he pursues is strong and never gives in. It was impossible not to root for her… but I’ll admit, since he’s my favorite, part of me wished she’d reciprocate, even if just for a second.

All in all, it was incredible. The Confidence is a heavy, violent drama centered on a completely irredeemable protagonist. But since it’s fiction, I allowed myself to enjoy it. Highly recommend it, but fair warning: prepare for intense emotions and an unforgettable sociopath.

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