Qing Xian (2024)

OK for a Republican Era drama, but don't expect miracles, just great kiss scenes & a decent story.

I tend to find RE c-dramas usually have incredibly boring plots, but this screenplay was better than average because they kept the story simple, and didn't write main characters that go over the top and say or do implausible things that make it hard to relate to them. I wouldn't say it's the most engaging story ever, but I followed along without wanting to skip around, and for my standards that's def above average.

ML is the best part about this drama, as is usual for him. Zi Xian is a powerful onscreen force, capable of believable emotions and deep piercing stares or soft affectionate gazes, who can breathe life into his characters and convince you they're real, and who can kiss probably better than anyone in c-dramaland... and as such it's a challenge for actors and directors to keep up with him.

The 2ML actor really stood out, being able to match ZX's onscreen charisma. This was something of a breakout performance for him, and I have a feeling we will be seeing a lot more of him in the future, not just because he has a gorgeous babyface, but also because he brings a lot of energy to his characters and seems to be a natural acting talent.

FL and 2FL were not spectacular, but they were good, and at no point did they wreck the vibe of the show, or become annoying.... although whoever the costume designer who dressed them is, they should be fired and never work in c-dramas again. These ladies are beautiful, and they deserve better than to be dressed in velvet drapery and vinyl tablecloths.

Supporting characters were really pretty bad.... you get your typical side-character overacting for the mostpart, although the Japanese villain was played well, I think. The bgm and ost were really incredibly standard-sounding, but at least the songs never drowned out the emotions or dialogue in the scenes they were playing over. I think the direction and editing were decent, but a little too blocky and disjointed to really create a truly addictive flow for the viewer. If you combine all these factors together (boilerplate ost, hammy supporting cast, silly clothing choices, choppy editing), the impression it leaves is of a "typical Republican Era drama".

However because of the ML and 2ML, the easy and un-confusing pace of the story, and the satisfactory ending, I think this is one of those shows that's at the top of the pile when it comes to it's genre. Above average.

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