2
2
Fourthaxis
next to the FFWD button
An adaptation from a romance novel done right and then some...
Firstly let me clarify - this is NOT an E-sports drama.
This is a love story between two adults working in two very different fields who happen to come together because of a shared hobby, in this case a game. So if you are here because of GGS, Love O2o, GYH, King's Avatar, Love Scenery or FIYS and are expecting a lot of gaming you will be sorely disappointed.
On the other hand, if you are looking for adult protagonists with mature issues like finances, career, family and lastly - the search for that ever elusive life partner, then this drama is for you!
This is a slow burn that explores more about the ML than our FL. Being an engineer myself as well as in the same age group as our protagonists I found this drama to be pretty realistic and equally brilliant!
All the fans of Josei - this drama is perfect for you!
Story:
The romance starts slow but progresses naturally. I am happy with the pace though some might find it slow but it's the slowness that makes you stop and appreciate the stories of the supporting characters as well as the beautiful cinematography.
The story definitely focuses more on Yu Tu's life than on Jing Jing's. I liked that as I am not an actress and I wouldn't be able relate to her life. While Yu Tu is a normal fellow and I wasn't expecting to be so invested in his character.
The existential crisis that he is going through resonated so well with me - personally as well as through seeing mutual friends. There are many high achievers that have felt a career slump or questioned their life choices after reaching their 30s and this drama is showing the perspectives of different people so well. I could even relate with the conversations that were being held between YT and his colleagues or friends.
QJJ, our FL is mature, successful and not clingy. She is the emotional support to YT's internal inferno. Their love is quiet and takes you on a journey.
The supporting cast is also great. The FL's manager is sensible and not an EXTRA-character who restricts the FL from dating, etc. And though the ML is a typical smart, taciturn and handsome fellow he is suffering from typical career issues which are highly atypical in C-Dramaland.
FYI - There has been a dearth of slow motion scenes where the FL/ML just stare at each other vacantly or the ML touches the FL and the camera pans around them for 1 minute showing them from ten different angles. You can watch this drama just for this reason alone!!
Acting:
While the awkwardness of their (YT + QJJ) first encounter was a bit uncomfortable to digest, their subsequent encounters really grew on me and I felt their relationship was more realistic than other dramas that I have watched.
Both the leads did a great job of representing the emotions of adults that are meeting their school classmate after a long time. I am not a fan of childish/dumb/cutesy FLs and I specially liked the way the QJJ is handling her long forgotten crush like an adult as opposed to in an OTT/immature way.
Yu Tu was wooden in the initial episodes but becomes really expressive after he officially gets together with QJJ. If you've read the novel you would know that his character is the typical taciturn fellow though I would have preferred the screenwriter change the characterisation a bit to show us the anguish he is feeling regarding his life choices initially.
I also liked the acting by all of the supporting characters. Shout out to YT's Ex - she was someone you can really understand and probably know such a person in real life as well.
Overall:
I am in love with this drama. This is one of my favourite C-Dramas of all time. I just really appreciated the mature romance and it helped that all of the characters were believable. Kudos to the scriptwriter and director for seamlessly incorporating the epilogues from the novel and adding extra scenes as well as some memorable dialogue to make this a cohesive story!
The desert scenes were a special favourite of mine!! Some beautiful shots are captured in this drama!
What a wonderful drama!! A 10/10 for me. Definitely going to have withdrawal from this.
This is a love story between two adults working in two very different fields who happen to come together because of a shared hobby, in this case a game. So if you are here because of GGS, Love O2o, GYH, King's Avatar, Love Scenery or FIYS and are expecting a lot of gaming you will be sorely disappointed.
On the other hand, if you are looking for adult protagonists with mature issues like finances, career, family and lastly - the search for that ever elusive life partner, then this drama is for you!
This is a slow burn that explores more about the ML than our FL. Being an engineer myself as well as in the same age group as our protagonists I found this drama to be pretty realistic and equally brilliant!
All the fans of Josei - this drama is perfect for you!
Story:
The romance starts slow but progresses naturally. I am happy with the pace though some might find it slow but it's the slowness that makes you stop and appreciate the stories of the supporting characters as well as the beautiful cinematography.
The story definitely focuses more on Yu Tu's life than on Jing Jing's. I liked that as I am not an actress and I wouldn't be able relate to her life. While Yu Tu is a normal fellow and I wasn't expecting to be so invested in his character.
The existential crisis that he is going through resonated so well with me - personally as well as through seeing mutual friends. There are many high achievers that have felt a career slump or questioned their life choices after reaching their 30s and this drama is showing the perspectives of different people so well. I could even relate with the conversations that were being held between YT and his colleagues or friends.
QJJ, our FL is mature, successful and not clingy. She is the emotional support to YT's internal inferno. Their love is quiet and takes you on a journey.
The supporting cast is also great. The FL's manager is sensible and not an EXTRA-character who restricts the FL from dating, etc. And though the ML is a typical smart, taciturn and handsome fellow he is suffering from typical career issues which are highly atypical in C-Dramaland.
FYI - There has been a dearth of slow motion scenes where the FL/ML just stare at each other vacantly or the ML touches the FL and the camera pans around them for 1 minute showing them from ten different angles. You can watch this drama just for this reason alone!!
Acting:
While the awkwardness of their (YT + QJJ) first encounter was a bit uncomfortable to digest, their subsequent encounters really grew on me and I felt their relationship was more realistic than other dramas that I have watched.
Both the leads did a great job of representing the emotions of adults that are meeting their school classmate after a long time. I am not a fan of childish/dumb/cutesy FLs and I specially liked the way the QJJ is handling her long forgotten crush like an adult as opposed to in an OTT/immature way.
Yu Tu was wooden in the initial episodes but becomes really expressive after he officially gets together with QJJ. If you've read the novel you would know that his character is the typical taciturn fellow though I would have preferred the screenwriter change the characterisation a bit to show us the anguish he is feeling regarding his life choices initially.
I also liked the acting by all of the supporting characters. Shout out to YT's Ex - she was someone you can really understand and probably know such a person in real life as well.
Overall:
I am in love with this drama. This is one of my favourite C-Dramas of all time. I just really appreciated the mature romance and it helped that all of the characters were believable. Kudos to the scriptwriter and director for seamlessly incorporating the epilogues from the novel and adding extra scenes as well as some memorable dialogue to make this a cohesive story!
The desert scenes were a special favourite of mine!! Some beautiful shots are captured in this drama!
What a wonderful drama!! A 10/10 for me. Definitely going to have withdrawal from this.
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