One and Only (2023)

Could have been much better, but definitely a one time watch

Watch the movie if you like street dance. Otherwise you'll sit here and complain that the movie wasn't good or that it was boring.

I did not like the camerawork and editing, during the dance sequences. Too much closeup when dancers performed, jerky movements. The editor could have done with less cuts because it takes away from the fun of watching dance. The same camera team and editor did a fine job for the rest of the movie!

Yibo's character was a darling. A boy who does multiple jobs while keeping his dreams alive. Yibo has gone through the pain, has trained for years, keeps learning even till date. He was able to bring the character to life. His expression after Chen's successful head spin in front of the crowd was so well captured!!!
SDC viewers know that it's Yibo's habit of going to the pro dancers and learning their movies during break time. The movie used this aspect so well in the end. I spotted one movement that he learnt in last year's SDC.

Chen's family is his support system. Both the actors who played his mom and uncle were well cast.
I had never seen Huang act before, he was convincing.
It was so nice to see some of the SDC dancers.
Yang Di's cameo shocked me, I didn't even know he was in the movie. Jiang's name in the movie is erlang hahahaha

The humor was in the right amount and in the right places. Many directors think the audience will get bored by the journey of a character and place a silly sidekick. I'm glad this movie had no such thing. It was good to show that not all dancers are able to continue, some give up coz of either an injury or financial troubles or just coz they aren't talented enough.

I loved how the last part of the movie was only about dance. Only the camera movement and cuts ruined my experience. I wish it was stable and kept a distance from the dancers' faces to let me enjoy the hard work of the team.

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Enthusiastic entertainer

One and only is a story about a passionate youth Chen Shuo and how he ultimately he achieves how his dream . The movie hits all the right emotions and spots Yibo acted so naturally that you could feel his problems his pains his happiness and could forget he is yibo he was just Chen Shuo
As Yibo is an exceptional dancer so here too he was great but to show the whole journey the depth the understanding the trails he was great in his portrayal of a simple but passionate guy loved his performance the highlight of the movie for me now Huang Bo as Coach Ding Lei was also very good the contrast of him being jaded and Chen shuo being this young dow eyed dreamer was shown perfectly here . Chen Shuo mother was so sweet really looked like his mother and acted so well and his uncle was funny yet emotional all the characters were good and a tira and dancers did a great job loved the movie go watch it for a great experience.???

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Street dance vibe, not like step up at all but the best for dance movie

I watched this movie many days ago, but I can't get everything out of my head. I'm so overwhelmed with everything, storyline, 2 main actors, dance crew, Shou Shou family, so Worth IT! The main actor Shou Shou who Wang- Yibo plays has difficult life however he love breaking dance so he try practise it himself without proper lesson or coach but that not stop him for dream to be a part of dance studio E-Mark! I love how hard he try, how humble, dedicated, everyone around him fully support like his mom, I cry for this beautiful love I will definitely watch it again next weekend! Especially 20mins dance final so breathtaking!

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good but nothing new

so so so it finally released today and i went to watch it. being a wang yibo fan i never miss anything he is in !! but well well well…
the story: it is just another repetitive typical musical and dancing story. plots like this have been used previously innumerable times. i watched it because i like yibo, but just watched him. also, somehow it felt, he, too, could work a bit on his expressions (especially emotional scenes like the ones where he cries). some times he looked ‘try-hard’ kinda in his attempt to hit the emotional, but that didn’t quite come off as well. however, i don’t mind as long as i get to see him. overall, the story was basic, mostly with the intent of marketing it by making the audience feel bad about the ml, and that is all– could have been better on that aspect.

best thing abt it ? yibo’s dance and him. it’s a know fact what an exceptional dancer he is, and it yet again shows in the movie.

overall, it was good (and great if you wanna watch yibo) and other than that the plot isn’t anything out of the box, but could def give it a try !

ps: also, huang bo did a great job ! and yunpeng omg loved him (he was adorable)

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WANG YIBO is One And Only

One and Only is about enthusiasm & dreams of Young boy who is pursuing his passionate dreams while going through difficulties and life hardships.
The story is very simple and easy to understand (unlike Hidden Blade which is art-house film)

Some netizens think that due to this is YIBO’s core and genre so that he can act really well naturally in movie. **But I would like to point out that Chen Shuo and YIBO’s characters are totally different personalities, nature, attitudes. Only loving dances and chasing street dance is the same in between them.
Yibo have to overcome his strong superior rich aura & personality. Because Chen shuo is simple, honest, poor, patient, very humble boy in movie.
So that Yibo shapes this character because this is character Yibo plays as. Yibo is actor so he is acting out Chen shuo diligently.
He makes everyone believes that he is acting in true colours in that role he plays.
It is an actor’s ability to make others believe in what he acts in. ****

There are some heart warming moments after movie is finished, most of Young children came out and danced with credits in front of seatings during releasing in china This make me so moving and enthusiasm and youthful energy.

Even the person who never watches hip-hop(street dance) & doesn’t know the rules of street dance competition, you can understand the last 20 min competition part easily.

Many years later, many people will remember that there was such a street dance movie in ?? ,& many people will fall in love with street dance because of this movie.

Before this movie is produced and during Street dance of China shows (SDC), One of bboy said and posted, who witnessed the positive change brought abt by Yibo, that “The street dance circle has never been like this. May be a few years or decades later, when we talk about the development history of domestic street dance, the turning point will be Wang Yibo ”

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do what you’re passionate about with your heart, not your brain

When Chen Shuo incorporated E-mark individual signature moves in his 1v1 battle with Kevin, I thought he did it as a big F U to Kevin like, "See what you lost? Not the championship, but a good team, with talented dancers, who are great friends." He won the 1v1 not only because of his talent, but because E-mark had his back, and he had theirs.
The dancing was so enjoyable to watch, exhilarating even. The backstory was sad, I cried with Shuo when I saw his sweet supportive mama braving it up to cover for him just so he can have time to dance. And I felt so angry I wanted to kick Kevin every time he appeared.
And as an Yibo fan I have to say: Yibo didn't just embody Chen Shuo, he WAS Chen Shuo. The way he himself started from street dance and worked hard to be where he is right now, to be passionate (热烈? Heh heh) in doing what he loves... this movie and the character of Chen Shuo really was made for Wang Yibo. And you can tell how hard he worked to be Shuo too. Hats (helmets??) off Yibo and One and Only crew ??

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So much more than a dance movie

One and Only is packed with inspirational people and moments. It is explosive dance battles, aesthetic scenes, and beautiful cinematography. It is people living their lives the best they can, and then some. It is pushing boundaries, making hard decisions, grabbing opportunities for better or for worse.

Let’s start with Chen Shuo who is kind, filial, hard-working, lovable, unintentionally funny, the list goes on. He loves and protects his family fiercely, always lending a helping hand, stretches his precious moments thin, finding time to dedicate to his love of dance.

Wang Yibo is made for dancing, he inspires such joy and pleasure when he dances.

Even Ding Lei’s life can provide teachable moments of human conditions and circumstances. The E-Mark dance crew is loyal to a fault, great to see familiar faces if you have watched a season or two of Street Dance of China.

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High energy, Fun, good time.

Huang Bo is exceptional. What a dancer! The movie has all the elements for a great dance movie. Dancing, miscommunication, team work, outstanding performances, a familiar storyline all make this a fun exciting ride. It is not long enough to truly detail the practice and hits and misses a dancer has to be willing to dedicate to performing, but one can get that sense. Casper is excellent. But Wang Yibo is vibrant, compelling, and a must watch if you love dancing. His skills are on display in shows, on stage, and on Street Dance China. He is an impeccable talent in acting and dancing. I will watch it again when I need an energy boost. Or just need a Yibo fix.

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A Heartfelt Journey: 'One And Only' Delivers

In "One And Only", Wang Yibo offers a compelling portrayal that showcases his acting prowess. He steps into the shoes of Chen Shuo, a character who embodies naivety and pure-heartedness, delivering a convincing performance that allows viewers to immerse themselves in Chen Shuo's world.

From the very beginning, Wang Yibo's portrayal captures the essence of Chen Shuo. His expressive face and bright eyes effectively convey the character's innocence and unwavering belief in his dreams. Wang Yibo's ability to convey complex emotions through subtle expressions adds depth to Chen Shuo's character and makes his journey relatable.

What sets "One And Only" apart is the chemistry between Wang Yibo's Chen Shuo and the other characters. His interactions with Coach Ding Lei, his e-mark teammates, and Li Ming Zhu are well-executed, contributing to the authenticity of their relationships. These connections enhance the overall narrative and make it more engaging.

Wang Yibo's performance in "One And Only" is a testament to his dedication to his craft. His ability to fully inhabit the character of Chen Shuo elevates the film and showcases his acting talent. This film not only serves as a platform for Wang Yibo but also offers a heartwarming and inspiring story about dreams and friendship.

"One And Only" is a film worth watching for its heartfelt narrative and the chemistry among its characters. Wang Yibo's performance is a highlight, and it's evident that he has put considerable effort into bringing Chen Shuo to life on screen.

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A feel-good movie

It is indeed one of my favourite Chinese movies, the kind of movie that makes you feel really happy and hopeful afterwards, hence 10/10 rewatch value from me.
The storyline is nothing out of ordinary, you can probably guess it just from watching a trailer. However, the way it flows is quite natural and does not have gaps where you feel bored or lose interest, instead it makes you cheer for the protagonist, you want him to win. The final battle where Chen Shuo incorporated everyone's dance moves into one is undoubtedly the climax of the film.
The only downside for me is I feel some of the dance scenes are unnecessarily heavily edited with too many visual effects, which kind of made the dance sequences a bit less enjoyable to watch.

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Streetdancing is Fun to Watch If You Like Something Upbeat!

Finally, I got to see this movie after waiting almost a year for the English sub! It's rare to see Wang Yi Bo in non-patriotic dramas/movies nowadays, so One and Only is a nice breeze. I don't watch Street Dance of China he frequently hosted, so I didn't know how good he was in street dancing! This is definitely one entertaining movie to watch!

The version I watched is dubbed in Thai. Although I don't mind hearing the Thai language since I also watch Thai dramas, but knowing they are Chinese people speaking Thai it's kinda odd. So, I ran both versions, the Chinese language version with sound on and the Thai dub version with sound off to read the subtitle, and it worked perfectly. Info for future watchers just in case you can not find the original version subbed in English.

Wang Yi Bo played Chen Shuo, a young man who is passionate about street dancing and wanted to make a name (and living) professionally, but to be able to fulfill his dream he works several jobs. So the story is not new, we see tons of motivational shows like this. What makes it unique is the street dancing theme. It's probably not interesting if you don't like street dancing (unless you are Wang Yi Bo's fan) because there are a lot of dancing performances and practices. But if you're into something upbeat and lively, this movie may be right up your alley.

The acting is great, especially since a lot of them are professional dancers. Wang Yi Bo shine as Chen Shuo, he did a lot of dances by himself (although I wondered if the exclamation point movement was supported by wires, lol). I was pleasantly surprised with the acting of veteran actor Huang Bo who played E-Mark's (their dance team) coach, lol. The supporting characters who played Chen Shuo's family members are nice too. Although I think romance is not necessary in this movie, the appearance of Song Zu Er as Li Ming Zhu, Chen Shuo's love interest, gave me melancholic hope if I will ever see her project in the future or not. FYI, the romance is very light, as the main focus is Chen Shuo's journey to achieve his dream.

If I have to make a critique, is the casting of non-Chinese or foreigners in a national dancing competition in this movie. I see this very often in Chinese dramas or movies, in which they cast foreigners during competitions that result in the Chinese team's winnings. It's ok if the competitions are international, but for a national competition is laughable. It's like China wants to show off its supremacy among other races/nations thru their shows.

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REAL TALK

FINALLY got to watch this. China has had this movie on lockdown like it's some kind of national treasure. Yeesh.

Anyway, Real Talk, this is a legitimately entertaining movie to watch.
The beginning was a little rushed to get characters introduced, and it was about as predictable as one expects an underdog movie plot to be. Some dance moves were also exaggerated for cinematic flare, BUT those minor things did not take away from it being an entertaining movie.

It was well acted and fun and funny and emotional and heartfelt. I liked the cast and characters, and I don't just mean all of the familiar dancers, I mean his mother, uncle, love interest and various coworkers. All of them were likeable. I also like Jiang Long (I saw him for the first time in Luoyang and then briefly in Under The Skin) and I considered watching The Future Handbook, but it's unsubbed. It was nice to see him here, he's a very emotive actor. I would watch him more if he's cast in shows that appeal to my taste.

On a fan note, about Wang Yibo, imo, this movie is the best thing he has done since TU. I've watched the stuff he's done from before and after TU, and aside from Hidden Blade (which was good), the shows and films he's done have been very MEH. Just grazing above an average level of enjoyment and in some cases not even making it. One and Only was engaging and it held my attention to the point where I rewatched a few scenes and laughed a lot.

I would recc this. Not just for dance fans, but also for people who like a plain and simple underdog story.

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