Original and Fresh

I just finished the last episode of Fangs of Fortune and I wanted to write this quickly before everything in my head melted away. This is one of those dramas that will remain in my head for days. I loved almost everything about this drama. I gave a lower score on the story because I think the movie got caught up in relationships and moral messages more than actually completing any real "overall objective". There was purpose to each action, but the story tended to stray a bit into several story lines. I am not complaining. Each story had a relevance of its own. The acting was so flawless. Everyone of the actors, even a few that had outlandish personalities, remained solidly in there character; enough to make it somewhat truthful to the audience. Actors, costumes, sets, sound, CGI.... everything top notch. The music was better than any other C production I have seen, including all genres. It wasn't that I was a fan of the style of music, but that if fit each scene perfectly. It matched the mood of each scene. Whoever wrote most of the songs chose perfect lyrics as well. The only thing I would like to have seen a bit less of were flashbacks. Whever something "emotionally charged" happened on screen, we see flashbacks of poignant times they had with each other. I liked a few, but sometimes they went on for 5 minutes of screentime. I think it was to "wrench our hearts" even more than they were.
I am not sure what the directors were hoping to achieve, but they made a movie that I will remember for a long time. I am sure I will go back and watch it again at some point. It is an emotional, thrilling, dazzling production. I would like to make a note that none of the crew mentioned under "cast and crew" took writing credits. I would love to know who wrote the drama and I will keep my eyes out for other works. I think they deserve credit for their wonderful effort. Please producers: I wouldn't be unhappy if you decided to somehow make a sequel. (he he)

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Don't bother

I am a believer that if you can't say anything positive... say nothing. However, once in a great while, I feel compelled. I have watched scores of kdramas; some were horrible, some were amazing and the rest fell somewhere in between. There have been only 2 dramas that frustrated me to the point that I needed to comment. The first was "Wild Romance" where Lee Si Young's character acting was so bad that I had to discontinue it because I was continuously yelling at the television. This one is the second. I need to ask viewers, "am I missing something?" because the acting, the story line, the totally unrealistic situations made this more of a farce than a drama. Even if I stretch my imagination until it snaps, I just don't get it. I had high hopes from the beginning because the storyline, though not unique, was my kind of drama. However, from the beginning, the actors were so over the top, I couldn't see an ounce of "truth" in their performances. Let's start with the FL. It's hard to believe she has several dramas in her repertoire because she was such a rookie. She spent the entire 80 episodes (as of now), teary-eyed, shaky-voiced and breathy. I didn't believe she experienced one bit of what she was portraying. I felt no pity whatsoever for her circumstance BUT, I did however, want to make her some chamomille tea and give her some oxygen. The ML didn't seem to know what his character was supposed to do. He was just a blank space. Handsome doesn't make you talented. The rest of the cast seemed to just be following the stage direction. (smile here, yell here, throw something here, ) My deepest thoughts during the entire drama: Would Han Chae Young's face be in a permanent sneer after the drama ended? Does anyone know how to knock? The male lead's bedroom is a revolving door. The FL's writing studio is as busy as an airport. Why does the enemy constantly come there and why, for God's sake does she buzz them in?!?! What is the purpose of the SML? SFL?? and the FL's extended family? Comic relief? Didn't work. Two characters that were doing their best to tread water were Jin Joo Hyung and Oh Young Joo. They did their best, but neither of them had anyone connected to their characters to work off of.
I like some of the actors' past performances which makes this even sadder. I really don't know what happened to a show that might have had some success if anyone knew what they were supposed to be doing.
You might ask why I am continuing to watch it? I have to... I just have to. I've made it this far, so I will see it through to the end. If a miracle happens and this show is redeemed, I will return with all of its good points. I promise. Fair is fair.

Final words: I finished watching all of the episodes and I can say, it didn't really get better. I think some of the characters began to get their footing at about the 95th episode, but obviously it was too late to rescue the sinking ship. In my honest opinion, after giving it some more thought, I would put the blame at about 70% writer/director and 30% actors. A good director can draw out better performances from their stars. I think expediency was their main objective, not craft. The ending wasn't too bad, but the relationship between FL and ML was never believable enough from the beginning to justify what happens. I challenge it fiercely. I also challenge their life choices as well. Again, not believeable. As the one actor is driving away ( I won't tell who!) , he gets half of the way down the driveway and chuckles a bit to himself. I think the director wants you to take this as, "oh well, it is what it is". I personally think he is smiling because it was his last scene and he was FREE.

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When Chemistry matters

I binge watched this drama because I enjoyed the pace and everything about it was put together with a lot of effort. However, I stopped watching for a few weeks when I googled "happy or sad ending", and got my answer. I was not in the frame of mind to experience what the drama seemed to be foretelling. I returned to it, basically, because the chemistry between many of the characters was worth the price of having what I thought would be my heart ripped out at the end. I was very, very pleasantly surprised. First, the acting was outstanding. If I didn't give it a 10, it was because a few of the secondary characters were a bit one dimensional and it shadowed the exceptional work of the others. Perhaps it was the script, or the direction they were given, but I thought Bi Wen Jun, and Baron Chen did not develop their characters to support their purpose. I also found it difficult to believe that Zi Gu and Yue Qin could be raised with such a heartless father and not be afflicted or hardened to a degree. Both were such puppies with soft little underbellies. Zi Gu stayed in this character throughout the drama and so it became her truth. This allowed me to suspend my disbelief and get caught up in her relationship with the emperor, Murong Qian. And before I hear the protests about the spring/winter relationship, remember this is OLDEN TIMES. Don't preach to the reader. Besides, maybe it's because I'm a little older, but I think Jiang Kai is kind of hot. The filters and makeup made him look attractive and the way he carried himself made him look downright handsome. I believed their relationship. Yue Qin , to me, was not believable. His love for the leading lady... sure... but a future emperor.... no way. Can I get a shout out to Shao Wei Tong as Qing Yan and Zhao Xiao Tang as Yin Luo Mei. Both were very skilled and their performances were believeable. The makeup on that bloody eye was too, too realistic and praiseworthy. Qing Yan had to be the best "bro" character. I've seen him in the same parts in other dramas and I am always pleased. Now the OST: The opener was awesome; the build up was noteworthy. Every song went well with the storyline. And besides, who doesn't love Liu Yuning? If you don't.... have your ears checked. I'm just sayin'......
I've unintentionally written a long review when I actually came on to talk about the ending. Anyone who finished the drama, read on; anyone who didn't... read at your own risk. This had to be one of the best sad ending saves in the history of Chinese historical dramas. There was no open ending, there was no sobbing uncontrollably. It posed a question, "what if this or that had never happened" and created just a nice, warm alternative scenario. I LOVED IT! I experienced reality and then it gave me a warm back rub and pat on my head. Just the right amount of consoling. Their fated relationship took another shape, and that shape was perfect for my heart to fit into it. I felt like my time was well spent.
On a side note: I don't know what filters they used on the cameras, But Liu Xue Yi and Wu Jin Yan Looked absolutely stunning and the costumes were dazzling. They are great actors, for sure, but I couldn't take my eyes off of them. That's all. I want to finish before your eyes disintegrate. Happy future drama watching everyone.

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I hope my interest kicks in.

I am only on the 6th episode and I really want to like this drama. When I am watching, I usually connect with a character and love to watch their story unfold. However, so far, I have been unable to connect to any character. All of their personalities are terrible. One is supposed to be super kind and gentle but ends up just looking weak and submissive, one is supposed to be the "hero" but just seems stodgy, and judgemental, one is supposed to be the anti-hero but just looks devious and cold, and the last one is the reason I want to turn off the entire thing. The sister that is supposed to be wild and mischievous is just bitterness in the flesh. All of her actions have a very bitter tone to them. Her rebellious nature just comes off as ignorant. She is thoughtless and mean, not in the least bit funny.
The plot really caught my interest because I am a big fan of that theme, but it has been a real disappointment and hasn't shown any signs of getting better. However, I will continue to the end and see if I can find the reason so many people gave it a great review. It deserves a chance and I will return with a final verdict.

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