Light (2021)

The Dark Side of the Moon.

This drama is about how a power couple that is well matched in terms of cunning, ambition and capability scale the upper echelons of banking and finance during 1930s Shanghai. The narrative vividly captures the wild, morally ambiguous, highly speculative, wheeling and dealing nature of the mafia dominated banking and finance industries during that early period of industrialisation.

Cheng Yizhi is a scrappy, enterprising, self educated young orphan with a knack for numbers and finance who is raised by a kindly shopkeeper. He starts out in a lowly position at a bank but his talent propels his rapid advancement to become the protege of banking magnate Huang Ruhong. Wu Lizi is the pampered daughter of a distinguished banker whose world falls apart when her father is framed and commits suicide. Hell bent on revenge, she marries Yizhi and ruthlessly uses his access to banking circles to investigate her father's downfall. Mutual lack of communication and a terrible, irreversible decision by Lizi ruins their marriage but leads to a very rewarding business partnership where they build a bank together.

Wu Lizi is one of the most selfish, devious, manipulative, ruthless and utterly charming female protagonists I have come across. It is such a treat to get complex and fascinating female characters like Lizi. That is why I kept watching this even though at one point I was enraged and disappointed to the point of almost dropping. I still don't like how they wrote Lizi to lash out so viciously and vindictively with such heavy consequences but I am glad I kept going because she really moved me with her stoic remorse and acceptance later on. Even though there were some rough edges to Cai Weijing's performance, overall she is tough, willful, curiously vulnerable and so charismatic that I could literally see how she tied Yizhi, Charlie and Xu Du up into knots emotionally.

Zhang Xincheng delivered a most excellent performance in this drama as Cheng Yizhi, a cynical character that well understands the dark side of the moon due to his upbringing on the rough side of town. So he is the ultimate nemesis of dark characters like Huang Ruhong because he can get into their heads and narrowly manages to stay one step head of them. In sharp contrast, he seeks the light in all of his dealings and finances some of the most promising industrialists of the day. At the onset Yizhi goes toe to toe with crooked businessmen and corrupt politicians with equally scheming and wily tactics. But as the story advances and his dark secrets are revealed, the character is whitewashed and becomes too perfect, so understanding with such shiny plated plot armor that I had to roll my eyes. I needed more flaws or to see him be a little bit petty or selfish and to play dirty sometimes. Instead Charlie, a far more interesting and lovable character rises to the occasion to do all the slightly shady things that need to be done in order to stymie their unscrupulous rivals. Nonetheless the lead couple has superb chemistry and the way their relationship blossoms from mistrust and suspicion into an incredible partnership on multiple levels is one of the drama's strengths.

The business subplots are quite interesting, well written and the financial concepts are kept at a simple enough level for laymen. The characters however are less well written and notably Lizi, is not consistently written. For such a smart character she does some retarded things that can only be put down to sloppy writing. Huang Ruhong's somewhat creepy and unfathomable hard on for Yizhe is also unconvincing and not in character for the leader of the criminal underworld. Indeed the true love triangle in this drama is the one between Ruhong, Yizhe and Lizi. This was such a promising antagonist at the start but gets sidelined as the ending arc digresses into yet another patriotic fight the Japanese invaders plot. I would have preferred to see a more satisfying cat and mouse takedown of this smart antagonist play out properly. Towards the later episodes, many key characters are gratuitously killed off to squeeze out the obligatory tears expected of a Republican period drama. This backfires as I only felt very sad for two of the deaths which only highlights that the other characters were two dimensional ones that I never got invested in.

There are many enjoyable and unique aspects to this drama that make it worth watching even though it falls down on messy plot, sloppy character writing and a lame ending arc. Charlie was my favorite character and his wit, style and wisdom saved the show. Overall this is just a 7.5 for me despite strong acting by the leads. And MVP Charlie (Wang Zijian).

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You will love this series as much you love Steven Zhang. No regret!

I hardly watch this kind of genre. Usually, I will watch light drama to chill around the weekend. Honestly, I start watching this series because of Steven Zhang. I admired him through his previous drama (The day of becoming you). He is a talented and versatile actor. He nailed it in any role!

My first impression: I will watch this because of Steven and drop the drama anytime if the storyline is so-so.

But Nah, my first impression of this series is "out of scope" (Sorry, I can't find a good word to describe this). THIS DRAMA HAS ADDED TO MY BEST DRAMA PLAYLIST! I will rewatch this drama again and again.

From the first episode, you will love the storyline, the characters, and the settings of the drama. I love how each character is developing from episode to episode. I love how beautifully everyone portrays their role. Each character is perfect for actors and actresses especially, both ML and FL.

ML is so lovable. I love his ambition and determination. At first, you will hate the FL, but along the process, you will love her. She is a smart and reliable person. They are destined for each other. All the supporting character has their own story, and you will love it.

The storyline and script have perfectly done by the production. Each scene relates to the other. There is narration behind the story, which helps in highlighting the characters' emotions and inner thoughts. But some is lacking in the story, which they never mention how many years fly from scene to scene. As an international viewer, I am not familiar with the history. But it doesn't ruin the series at all.

The previous episodes have many heartbreaking scenes. I can't take any heartbreak. This series will reach the end, and I was hoping the ending be great. I will take some time moving on from this series.

Please give a try to this drama! You will love it.

Edit: I wish it has an extra episode. I really can't over this series yet. Please, help me! I fall for all actors and actresses in this series. And I fall twice with Steven Zhang. This time even harder. Cheng Yizhi is the best character. Wu Lizi too. They already secured a place in my heart. It will take some time to recover from this.

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Such an Astonishing Story and filled with Excellent Actors and Actresses

This drama is one of the most SUPERB Drama project this 2021 joining The Long Ballad, the story was just amazing, very well balanced and its one of a kind drama (For me:) ).Besides from the good story this drama has their very Superb Actors Starting from the main leads down to the supporting casts, guests and extras they are all really really good all of them played their parts very well, so Salute to the ones that have done the casting.

The story is very balanced, systematically arranged and well spiced. The story may have all the things that you have been looking for, Romance with great chemistry, Friendship, Life, Dreams, About social issues, government and has a little bit of comedy sometimes and many more.
One of the things that I was impressed of this drama was that how every single character developed, and you can see the character progress and how they changed from the 1st episode to the last, just like how Yi Zhi and Li Zi's Character.

I cried for some of the scene but the one that I cried the most was because of the reason that we've lost a lot of really good characters in this drama, their deaths really caught me off-guard, and how I wish that they could have make it to the end of the drama but then well as they say everything happens for a reason and their death made a big part on the story.

If you're wondering if there is a Love triangle I cannot say exactly say its a love triangle but I'll just term it as a Love interest there are people that are going to have interest to them, both ML and FL, but the feelings of ML and FL still remains for each other.

As soon as I have finished the drama I miss them all so much that I went back to the 1st episode and started re-watching it again.
I RECOMMNED this drama so much and If you're thinking if you should watch this or not all I can say is that_ "STOP scrolling and reading comments and spoilers and JUMP-in to the drama NOW and go find it out yourself I promise this drama is WORTH WATCHING." ;-)

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The most valuable series I've ever seen!!!

I think this story is too good to be able to describe. The script, the acting, the production is perfect. The story takes place in Shanghai, a turbulent era of changing political and financial situations. Struggling for survival, a rookie banker faces a gruesome struggle against his own background and must cover up. also with competitors with a former boss who is always looking to attack There is still a matter of love that must be decided all the time. The setting of the filming location in Shanghai was absolutely flawless. The best performance of the character reservation. I give this credit more than full scores.
In addition, this Chinese drama was able to stand out over Korean dramas in the end. character costume Amazes with its excellent design. An unspeakably beautiful scene in 1943 Shanghai, thanks to the team for making it perfect to watch.

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Almost Perfect

Even though this isn't my usual drama's genre, I hereby said that this drama is one of the kind.
Really enjoy the story and the drama production. Big shout to not only the cast but also all the team behind this drama. It is well thought and well made. Every cast can portray the character well, every scene was very vivid (exclude that bomb scene which killed Dr Xu), even the music (especially Guang Mang) really gave me some goosebumps.

my only complaint is the ending which seemed to be a bit rush, which gave that all anticlimax in an episode. I feel they just want to "Wrap it fast" and kill every villain in a blow, which is less than 20 mins. Kind of disappointed but also glad at the same time.

Just watch the drama and don't give up halfway. I know the FL seemed to be a jerk first, but in the end, she redeemed herself.

Additional notes:
I wasn't steven's fan before, but I have to say he really did a great job in this drama, really love the character of CYZ. Elvira did a great job too to portray the female lead who had a very difficult personality and character, to begin with.

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I give 10 for the acting part because of Zhang Xincheng. He’s seriously amazing in portraying Cheng Yizhi. The time span, when CYZ was a teen till his 40s, Steven could deliver it really well. We can see how different CYZ when he grew up. The chemistry between the main leads was so good eventho I found the female lead’s acting was a bit lacking in some scenes especially in emotional scenes. The story is actually pretty good, even it’s a bit heavy but it’s enjoyable. The plot development is pretty fast. But, the regrettable thing is, I know that it was supposed to be a longer episode drama but the tv station did injustice for this drama, they cut it badly so some of the important parts were missing. I still have the question in my head until now, what’s the relationship of CYZ and HRH?

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The drama started off strong and intriguing, but by the mid-10's, it started to drag. Honestly, was considering dropping it around then but other viewers noted that it got better as it continued on. As a whole, I think this drama could have finished in 20-25 episodes but at 41 episodes, it was way too long. I continued pushing through it because, well, I needed to see how it ended but also I won't complain about having Zhang Xincheng on my screen. Overall, the acting of most of the cast was absolutely superb (the acting by Gu Zi Cheng and Mao Yi were a bit questionable but unsure if it was because of the characters or the acting) and there was a lot of potential, but it fell flat for me. Also, didn't understand why there was a need for a narrator in the drama. He seemed to appear less frequently as the episodes continued on (thank goodness), but I would think that if a storyline progresses well, there's no need to have some sort of omniscient character speaking about things that can be interpreted by the acting.

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Perseverance Prevail!

I was intrigue when looking Steven Zhang starring this drama. I watched him in other dramas: Go Ahead and The Day of Becoming You where I praised him on his acting capabilities. These was my motivation watching this drama, because of Steven Zhang.

I am now praising him again on this drama with his superb performance and acting. He really able to portray the character very well from a street child and just a mere shop assistant to a successful banker!

I don’t really understand the banking industry in overall, merely the situation during China republican era, but I still enjoy watching the drama. What hooked me the most is the relationship between Cheng Yi Zhi played by Steven Zhang and Wu Li Zi, played by Elvira Cai.

Their relationship was a roller coaster of emotion, sometimes cold, sometimes sweet, and you didn’t realize on how deep your love is until you get separated.

My heart sank when they separated in the mid of the drama – really unbearable but I still have hope that it will reverse and this what make me stay on the drama, hoping to see a good ending for both of them.

For me, it is a good drama, a good story to watch. Good acting by Steven Zhang and Elvira Cai, good chemistry between the two. Superb acting.

The story flows nicely from one episode to the next one. Once you finish one episode, you immediately want to watch the next one, want to know what will happened next. Problems occur in each episode and how you want to see how the problem is solved.

The set was quite interesting, recreating Shanghai in the republican era. The use of old car, rickshaw, old telephone they are built nicely.

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Worth one time watch

I was little apprehensive to start this show due to low ratings and 40 episodes. However quite happy I started and finsihed this one. Its really good for one time watch, specially compared to other shows which are around this rating. There are quite a few Modern Cdrama who are so bad and they are rated higher to this one. This one has really good acting and story line is also quite fair. There are few cons like the length of drama, they stretched it for 40 episodes, could have cut it down to 30. But otherwise it is quite decent. I would like to highlight the script writer who used lots of banking terms and used those in their story track. It was quite interesting to watch, you just have to give it a chance. Also special mention to Steven Zhang, he is really good actor and did superb job in this role as well. He played a street smart banker who overcomes all challenges in his life to start and sustain his bank. He is totally convincing in his role of street hawker to general manger of bank. His love for FL and its angst clearly shows through the show. Many reviewers have bashed FL and I too felt the same after watching first half of the show. However she changed in the second half and devoted to the ML. It was nice to see this change and complimented to the story. Overall I liked this show and feel everyone should give it one chance atleast.

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Perchè la recensione abbia un senso, va detto che stavo cercando una serie sulla linea di "Fall in love".
Drama, anche questo cinese, anche questo ambientato nella Shanghai degli anni '30.
Durata - in termini di episodi - però doppia, e meno incentrata sul romance, o meglio, un minor equilibrio nell'intreccio tra la storia d'amore e gli intrighi.
Dal punto di vista dei personaggi, ho apprezzato esteticamente la protagonista, meno invece il personaggio maschile principale. Dubbi anche sulla caratterizzazione: lei spesso prende decisioni discutibili, lo spettatore difficilmente riesce a immedesimarsi. Lui, poco incisivo: come il superbo Tan Xuanlin di "Fall in love" è sicuramente molto intelligente e intuitivo, anche un pochino strategico nelle sue pianificazioni (mai come l'altro), ma manca di fascino, di quell'aura che incute un reverenziale timore che caratterizzava invece comandante Xuanlin. Certo, il contesto può influire, qui abbiamo un banchiere con un passato da povero garzone alle spalle, dall'altra parte il capo di un armata militare (l'austerità fa pendant con la divisa, dopotutto). In una commedia di intrighi e strategie, non mancano certo segreti e sospetti. In questa serie però il sospetto s'insinua spesso tra i due protagonisti, che si nascondono tanto a vicenda. Nell'altra - il paragone è più forte di me - la coppia non vacillava quasi mai: lei a volte non capiva subito gli intenti o le mosse strategiche di lui, ma c'era una fiducia incondizionata di base che è stato un vero valore aggiunto alla storia, valore che in questa serie è mancato. Al contrario, qui la coppia protagonista è ben poco salda, tant'è che non solo viene messa alle prove più volte, ma spesso crolla proprio, con conseguenze anche irreparabili. Complessivamente direi che si tratta di un drama abbastanza buono, discreto, ma nulla di più. Temo proprio di aver già visto la serie migliore di questo filone e la ricerca di qualcosa che sia allo stesso livello continua a portarmi a paragoni un po' deludenti o critici. Forse, per apprezzare al meglio questa serie, il giusto consiglio è di guardarla PRIMA di vedere "Fall in love".

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Brilliant!

Steven Zhang/Zhang Xincheng is doing brilliant in his role. He is the reason why I watch this drama. His role in - The Day of Becoming You - was great! He is indeed a multi-talented actor...... and of course! very handsome :-)

Sten Zhang is pretty good and amazing in this drama ...
i love the story , the struggle of the male lead until he reached the peak of success !
The storyline from first episode to next episode are all well written, developed and best delivered by the cast.
The location shooting was perfectly set-up in accordance to the story setting.

I love the music and the music score ... so lovely!

This drama is worth to re-watching .... and I absolutely recommend this drama ...

you gonna love this guys!

#TheJustice #StevenZhang

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Could Have Been Great Until It Wasn’t

I want to love this drama. Truthfully I loved it from th get go until episode 17. Despite Li Zi’s annoying personality during these episodes I prevailed with the hope that Cheng Yizhi’s love and full devotion to her would change her which sure it happens in the future towards the end, but like the whole abortion/ miscarriage thing was unnecessary. Also her not being able to have children again (kind of deserved it). I don’t care if my opinion is unpopular but I can’t believe for a second she didn’t even take a second to think about her actions before going to get the procedure. Even if it had just been that I could have maybe looked pass it, but to then go and throw divorce at Cheng Yizhi who has been entirely devoted to her despite all the hurt she has caused him. She is an undeserving character in these episodes and most likely the reason that I will drop this drama. Like I said I want to keep watching it because up to here it was a 10/10, but I’m not sure if I can put up with the annoying FL.

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