Dali Si Meng Zhu (2024)

This is not your typical c-drama but for a shorter production quite lovely and entertaining

Childhood friends share fate and a secret, but their beloved fathers get murdered, and the kids separated. On top of it the boy gets stuck in the vengeance mode (don't expect blood thirsty brute though) and the girl lost her memory (do expect a ditzy one here). They meet 10 years later but on the opposite sides of law and yet get pulled into the vortex of events that draw them closer and more reliant on their past, characters and sense of duty. The romance blossoms early on by chance and due to the ever-present drugs in this drama, but it's fun to watch the subtle dance of attraction between the leads and secondary characters, most of which were written well and acted accordingly. As some people noted, the ending is an OE, sort of like what we had in The Untamed, but it was rather unexpected and to be honest, I would have been fine without this potentially happy ending. Even the death of the secondary character at the end served an important role, therefore I am not criticizing the script writer for it. So, if you are looking for the typical drama, don't get your shorts tied in the knot-this is artistically inclined and visually-auditory pleasant one to savor rather than speed through.

I liked everything about this production: starting with how there were no introductions at the beginning, but BAM! dropping us in the middle of an event that was self-explanatory and laden with tension. I loved the OST, that was mostly instrumental with a few fantastic songs sung by female, male and a duet, creating not only a background but mood and character of the story telling. The plot was good, although not inventive, and kept me interested, and had enough turns to dispel any misguided guesses on who the main culprit was and why. We get some bread crumbs here and there but vague enough to keep making mistakes. Also, for the die-hard fans of the Confucian tradition - you will not get filial piety here in the end and (surprise, surprise) rather clear message on what really matters to us when we take a harder look at our life's purpose. The ML played very well, I also thought that FL was good. Two SMLs were very entertaining and showed good range of skills - from body use to facial and voice. The aspect of miracle drug was used without exaggeration as a vehicle of uncovering true face/motivation of various characters. Fight scenes were solid with a new trick: climbing walls with a flip! Even if some things did not make sense (blood transfusion, etc.) the whole point is above the question "was it realistic?". If you want documentary, then switch genre. This was believable to the extent of being a love story.

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A Mess With Some Good Acting

I only ever wanted to watch this very last minute because it had CHS in an ML role and I was impressed with his acting from 2 previous series. I knew some of the other actors and some did well and others didn't. The plot was decent until the very end when it became a total mess with some good acting.

Pros: CHS needs more lead roles but with good scripts. He can act every emotion and his growth is evident. He is the only reason this show got a 6.5 and not way lower. His character was very smart and that's what I liked about him as well as brave and loyal. The making of some zombie drug and finding out who was at fault for him losing his father and also FL's entire family took all of the episodes but the planning that went into his schemes were pretty impressive. His guard was awesome as were the fight scenes. Other characters that were good were SML though obnoxious at first, did mature and at least could fight. HL was alright too. The older characters both protagonists and antagonists were believable. Costumes and OSTs fit.

Cons: I didn't like the FL; she was brave and smart but the pouting and constant hissy fits just didn't land. I think her character could have been written better or another actress cast. The whole blood transfusion in ancient times thing was completely unbelievable. And they did it twice. Somehow just the blood carried the deadly poison and it didn't absorb into organs, didn't make sense at all. The ending was the worst; they killed off his guard for no reason and then he himself disappeared for a year while she thought he was dead. But literally in the last 3 seconds of the last episode you can hear his voice off screen and her eyes widening and that was it. After a decade he couldn't find a cure for the disease but in a year somehow he miraculously did and was back as the lead investigator of the judicial bureau; like under a different name? Make it make sense. It was a poorly executed OE. It destroyed a more or less decent story. It was lower budget but it could have been written way better.

Would I recommend it? No. ML did very well but unless you can stomach a lot of BS, whining, pouting, arrogance and whatnot, this isn't for you. And that ending absolutely destroyed any hope I had for this show.

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Really Great Historical Romance

Just finished watching this drama and, omg, I absolutely loved it. I have no idea why the ratings are so low. I thought the production quality and filming were both really well done. The only minor issue was a couple of scenes with someone’s audio equipment being less than ideal, but certainly not enough to account for it being a lower score. Also, some were saying it’s either an open ending or sad ending, but it’s clearly not. He comes back in the last second of the last episode. It's only his voice with a black screen, you don't see his face, but you know it is telling us that he returned. And it’s also clear in the last visual of her face that she notices him. True, it doesn’t explain how he survived, but whatever, he lives and that’s all I personally care about. Regardless of what others think, I really loved this drama, the actors, and the story. I hope you’ll choose to give it a chance too.

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Some Great Acting, Intriguing Story & Humorous Dialogs

The MDL description of Dawn Amidst Hidden Clouds as a simple story of "girl meets boy, amnesia, love, and happily-ever-after" does not do justice to its complexity. Beneath this surface lies a tale rich with twists and turns, where the protagonists double as antagonists, making the plot far more intriguing than it first appears. This drama is entertaining and rather enjoyable to watch.

Storyline
Leng Qing Yao (Zhao Qing), the daughter of a gifted doctor who served the ailing Lou Ming Ye (Chang Hua Sen), shared an inseparable bond with him during childhood. Their idyllic friendship was shattered when both sets of parents were murdered for mysterious reasons, leading to the children’s separation. Leng Qing Yao, suffering from memory loss, was adopted by a street doctor and renamed Lan Che. Lou Ming Ye, meanwhile, was taken in by one of his father's generals.

A decade later, Lou Ming Ye has risen to the position of Chief Justice of Dali Shi, while Lan Che leads a local vigilante group fighting crime. Determined to uncover the truth, Lou Ming Ye tracks down Lan Che, suspecting she might be the daughter of the doctor who allegedly killed his father.

At the heart of the story is a substance resembling marijuana, which relieves stress but induces hallucinations and even death in large doses. A more potent mixture of the drug grants temporary strength but at great cost. Both Lan Che and Lou Ming Ye are determined to find the mastermind behind the production of this dangerous substance.

As they investigate the deaths linked to the drug, they discover that the truth is layered with deception. Reality and illusion intertwine, making it difficult to discern friend from foe.

Characters & Acting
Lan Che, formerly Leng Qing Yao, is portrayed as cheerful, intelligent, and refreshingly candid. Zhao Qing brings charm and authenticity to the role, making Lan Che's humor and jealousy very endearing. Her chemistry with Lou Ming Ye adds depth to the narrative.

Lou Ming Ye is a sickly yet skilled fighter. While Chang Hua Sen's portrayal is solid, it lacks the magnetism that could make the character more compelling. Interestingly, the supporting characters shine, particularly Fang Ting Ge (Wang Xin Ting), whose loyalty and humor provide delightful moments. Similarly, Li Mo (Qiu Hong Kai), the Prince of Yan, undergoes a remarkable transformation from a frivolous playboy to a responsible leader, adding an unexpected layer of complexity.

Dialogues & Humor
The dialogues, particularly between Lan Che, Lou Ming Ye, and Li Mo, are laced with well-crafted humor. The wit is subtle and natural, steering clear of slapstick while maintaining a lighthearted charm. Conversations are straightforward, with no excessive wordplay, which enhances the drama’s relatability.

Ending & Final Thoughts
The final episodes are packed with twists and turns that feel rushed, leaving little time for viewers to fully absorb the revelations. The ending gives the impression of lazy writing, as loose ends are hastily resolved with minimal explanation, making the resolution feel abrupt and unearned. The closure feels forced, lacking the emotional weight needed for a truly satisfying conclusion. Nevertheless, it manages to tie up the story to some extent, though the final moments leave little lasting impact.

In conclusion, Dawn Amidst Hidden Clouds may not be groundbreaking, but it offers an enjoyable viewing experience, particularly for those who appreciate humor and well-crafted dialogue. It’s a drama worth watching for its engaging characters and intricate plot.

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Sharing My Thoughts on This Drama

This is my first review, and I wanted to share my experience with this drama. It contains some spoilers, but I’ll try to avoid them as much as possible.

The acting is undoubtedly one of the highlights. The cast did an amazing job, the CGI was well-executed, and the story started off with great promise. Special mention goes to Li Mo and the Guard, who, in my opinion, were the best characters in the series.

The initial premise was also captivating: the protagonists (ML and FL) lost their parents to murder during their childhood and reunite 10 years later. While the ML seeks revenge, the FL lives a peaceful life, unaware of the truth because she has lost her memory. This setup was intriguing and well-developed—at least in the beginning.

However, as the episodes progressed, the storyline started to lose its way. Many nonsensical events unfolded, especially toward the end, where the plot completely fell apart and became a chaotic mess. The narrative boiled down to an endless pursuit of the criminal mastermind, only to reveal that they were taking orders from someone else, who in turn was following instructions from yet another person. This made the story feel repetitive and overly complicated.

Another issue was the character Hua Li. She was rescued during a pivotal criminal case and then pretended to be the ML’s childhood friend. This narrative choice felt questionable—why couldn’t this part of the story have been given to a different character? It would have made more sense. The way Hua Li was introduced felt forced, especially since her encounter with the main characters was supposedly pre-planned by someone. Given the circumstances, such planning seemed impossible. Furthermore, Hua Li’s critical role in the finale only added to the confusion. Dividing her role between two characters might have been a more logical decision.

The final episodes were a complete disaster. The story veered off track entirely, and it felt like I was watching a different drama. I was deeply engaged during the first half, but I continued watching the second half only to finish it. The disappointment was significant.

Despite its strengths—such as the acting, the OST, the CGI, and the promising start—the script ultimately failed to maintain its quality until the end. This undermined the overall experience.

Unfortunately, I don’t recommend this drama. Normally, I’m not overly critical of storylines, acting, or CGI; I simply enjoy watching and appreciating. But in this case, the disappointment was so great that I felt compelled to share my thoughts.

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