patriciacarpenter Reviews

Word of Honor (2021)

A daring adaptation that exceeded all expectations

[10/10 · 21 March 2021]

This is one of those unusual instances where a TV drama adaptation is actually better than the original novel...and managed to pass China's strict media censorship with its obvious LGBT contents (we'll get to that later).

"Word of Honor" is adapted from a BL internet novella called "A Tale of the Wonderers," written by Priest. It's a story of bad boy meets bad boy (crazy ghost lord + dying assassins leader). They ended up together because the crazy one just wouldn't leave the dying one alone. The two ran into heroes who turned out to be eviler than themselves...and thus began their mystery-solving/treasure- hunting/child-raising adventure together.

While the two MCs in the novel were interesting enough, the scriptwriter for "Word of Honor" created a juicier adaptation by adding depth and dimension to All the characters. The writer also exceeded audiences' expectation by expanding the original short novel with intriguing new storylines and character interactions. For example, the relationships between young disciple (played by Sun Xi Lun) and his surrogate dads (male leads Gong Jun and Zhan Zhe Han) offered comic reliefs that were unexpectedly endearing at times.

I was pleasantly surprised by the performances of newcomers Gong Jun and Zhou ye (male lead Wen Ke Xing and his mischievous servant girl Gu Xiang). They were able to bring their playful yet dark characters to life from their very first scene. Furthermore, the chemistry between Gong Jun and Zhan Zhe Han (main lead #2) is actually more sizzling than most male-female couples on screen. There are many not-so-subtle flirting, lingering looks, physical contacts, and romantic poetic references between the male leads in almost every episode. I'm truly amazed at how "Word of Honor" is able to pass China's censorship that generally treats LGBTQ contents as "immoral." Nevertheless, I'm very grateful that WOH hadn't been yanked off TV network like its predecessors "Guardian" (another novel by Priest) and "Addicted".

Whether it's a tale of pugilistic adventure about romantic or brotherly love, I think most viewers will find some elements in WOH that's worthy of binge watching.

Word of Honor (2021)

Surprisingly entertaining, gutsy, and beyond expectation

[10/10 · 20 March 2021]

This is one of those unusual instances where a TV drama adaptation is actually better than the original novel...and managed to pass China's strict media censorship with its obvious LGBT contents (we'll get to that later).

"Word of Honor" is adapted from a BL internet novella called "A Tale of the Wonderers," written by Priest. It's a story of bad boy meets bad boy (crazy ghost lord + dying assassins leader). They ended up together because the crazy one just wouldn't leave the dying one alone. The two ran into heroes who turned out to be eviler than themselves...and thus began their mystery-solving/treasure- hunting/child-raising adventure together.

While the two MCs in the novel were interesting, the scriptwriter for "Word of Honor" created a juicier adaptation by adding depth and dimension to All the characters. The writer also exceeded audiences' expectation by expanding the original short novel with intriguing new storylines and character interactions. For example, the relationships between young disciple (played by Sun Xi Lun) and his surrogate dads (male leads Gong Jun and Zhan Zhe Han) offered comic reliefs that were unexpectedly endearing at times.

I'm pleasantly surprised by the performances of newcomers Gong Jun and Zhou ye (male lead Wen Ke Xing and his mischievous servant girl Gu Xiang). Both did outstanding jobs in bringing their emotionally charged characters to life. Furthermore, the chemistry between Gong Jun and Zhan Zhe Han (main lead #2) is actually more sizzling than most male-female couples on screen.

There are many not-so-subtle flirting, lingering looks, physical contacts, and romantic poetic references between the male leads in almost every episode. I'm truly amazed at how "Word of Honor" is able to pass China's censorship that generally treats LGBTQ contents as "immoral." Nevertheless, I'm very grateful that WOH hadn't been yanked off TV network like its predecessors "Guardian" (another novel by Priest) and "Addicted".

Whether it's a tale of pugilistic adventure about romantic or brotherly love, I think most viewers will find some elements in WOH that are worthy of binge watching.

Word of Honor (2021)

Surprisingly entertaining, gutsy, and beyond expectation

[10/10 · 20 March 2021]

This is one of those unusual instances where a TV drama adaptation is actually better than the original novel...and managed to pass China's strict media censorship with its obvious LGBT contents (we'll get to that later).

"Word of Honor" is adapted from a BL internet novella called "A Tale of the Wonderers," written by Priest. It's a story of bad boy meets bad boy (crazy ghost lord + dying assassins leader). They ended up together because the crazy one just wouldn't leave the dying one alone. The two ran into heroes who turned out to be eviler than themselves...and thus began their mystery-solving/treasure- hunting/child-raising adventure together.

While the two MCs in the novel were interesting, the scriptwriter for "Word of Honor" created a juicier adaptation by adding depth and dimension to All the characters. The writer also exceeded audiences' expectation by expanding the original short novel with intriguing new storylines and character interactions. For example, the relationships between young disciple (played by Sun Xi Lun) and his surrogate dads (male leads Gong Jun and Zhan Zhe Han) offered comic reliefs that were unexpectedly endearing at times.

I'm pleasantly surprised by the performances of newcomers Gong Jun and Zhou ye (male lead Wen Ke Xing and his mischievous servant girl Gu Xiang). Both did outstanding jobs in bringing their emotionally charged characters to life. Furthermore, the chemistry between Gong Jun and Zhan Zhe Han (main lead #2) is actually more sizzling than most male-female couples on screen. There are many not-so-subtle flirting, lingering looks, physical contacts, and romantic poetic references between the male leads in almost every episode. I'm truly amazed at how "Word of Honor" is able to pass China's censorship that generally treats LGBTQ contents as "immoral." Nevertheless, I'm very grateful that WOH hadn't been yanked off TV network like its predecessors "Guardian" (another novel by Priest) and "Addicted".

Whether it's a tale of pugilistic adventure about romantic or brotherly love, I think most viewers will find some elements in WOH that are worthy of binge watching.

The Sword and the Brocade (2021)

Exquisite set design and original soundtrack

[8/10 · 18 March 2021]

I'm not sure how this show managed to make a dull couple with the most tepid temperament so much fun to watch. Perhaps it's the chemistry between the FL and ML (played by Seven Tan and Wallace Chung). Or maybe because they are the least annoying characters among a boatload of over-the-top, melodramatic personalities in this harem drama.

The story follows the trial and tribulation of a concubine's daughter who married into a large prestigious family filled with continuous conflicts and intrigues. There were also several murder mysteries that placed her and her new family at risk. There are definitely plot pitfalls, but not enough to dampen my enjoyment of the show thus far.

Some of the elements that kept me going past twenty-some episodes were the exquisite set design and original soundtracks. The beautiful "Be together" by Zhou Shen is now one of my favorite Chinese drama theme songs. In addition, the performance by Seven Tan and Wallace Chung really was a pleasure to watch.

I recommend this romantic period drama to anyone who needs a fun little mental escape at the end of a long day.

Douluo Continent (2021)

A captivating kaleidoscopic world of fantasy!

[9/10 · 20 February 2021]

This is a review for the TV live action adaptation of Douluo Continent. It does not contain any references/comparisons to its novel or animation since I hadn't read/seen them. So please take it easy on me, book/anime fans, thanks... Okay, let's get right to it! Characters: a mixed bag of kooky personalities well-portrayed by a team of actors with great chemistry together. It's really hard not to like and care about these supporting characters with their own interesting story arcs. The seemingly perfect ML Tang San, played by Xiao Zhan, appeared to be the most boring one out of the bunch, until we realized he has a major siscon for Xiao Wu the bunny girl. His transition from "Nice 'n Cool" to "Must.Hurt.Anyone.Who. Touch.My.Sis" was well done and quite fun to watch. As seen in his previous roles, Xiao Zhan truly shines when it comes to performing emotionally charged moments.

Plot: I didn't have high hopes for this fantasy series until I learned that the screenwriter was Juan Wang, who did a fantastic job on the screen adaptation for Joy of Life. Glad to see that Douluo Continent life action also shares the same combination of masterful plot development and multidimensional characters. I was hooked after the first episode even though it took some time to get use to the fantasy world-building. Still enjoying some unexpected dramatic and laugh-out-loud moments as we get close to episode 40 finale.

Special effects: CGI isn't the best, but it's visual presentations and action sequences were well designed; thanks in part to special effect director, Varun Hadkar, whose resume includes Hunger Game, Star Trek, Avengers: Infinity War, etc. Overall DL's special effects were pretty good by Chinese TV series standard...Execpt for the horned llama and titan ape scenes, of course.

Douluo Continent is a whimsical adventure filled with colorful landscapes and fantastic beings. I would recommend this series to anyone looking for a fun little mental break from reality.

Douluo Continent (2021)

A Fun Little Escape From Reality

[9/10 · 19 February 2021]

This review is only for the TV live action adaptation of Douluo Continent without references/comparisons to its novel or animation since I haven't read/seen them. So please take it easy on me, book/anime fans, thanks. Characters: a mixed bag of kooky personalities well-portrayed by a group of actors with great chemistry together. It's really hard not to like and care about these supporting characters with their own interesting story arcs. The seemingly perfect ML Tang San, played by Xiao Zhan, appeared to be the most boring one out of the bunch, until we realized he has a major siscon for Xiao Wu the bunny girl. His transition from Nice 'n Cool to "Must.Hurt.Anyone.Who. Touch.My.Sis" was well done and truly fun to watch. As seen in his previous roles, Xiao Zhan truly shines when it comes to performing emotionally charged moments. Plot: I didn't have high hopes for this fantasy series until I learned that the screenwriter was Juan Wang, who did a fantastic job on the screen adaptation for Joy of Life. Glad to see that Doulou Continent life action also shares the same combination of interesting plot development and relatable characters. I was hooked after the first episode even though it took some time to get use to the fantasy world-building. Still enjoying some unexpected dramatic and laugh-out-loud moments as we get close to episode 40 finale. Special effects: CGI isn't the best, but it's visual presentations and action sequences were well designed for the most part. The resume for the special effect director, Varun Hadkar, includes Hunger Game, Star Trek, Avengers: Infinity War, etc. So DL's special effects were mostly good by Chinese TV series standard...Execpt for the horned llama and titan ape scenes, of course. Doulou Continent live action is a whimsical fantasy show filled with pretty sceneries and people. I would recommend this series to anyone looking for a fun little mental break from reality.

Winter Begonia (2020– )

Simply beautiful and thoroughly entertaining...A classic!

[10/10 · 7 May 2020]

Winter begonia "I'll probably drop this series after a few episodes." That was what I thought after watching the trailer for "Winter Begonia," a C-drama set in the Republic era with Beijing opera as its central theme. For someone who's not a fan of Chinese opera, I wasn't sure I could sit through 48 episodes of incomprehensible singing/screeching. I also had serious doubts it could stand up to the 1990's movie classic, "Farewell My Concubine," directed by Chen Kaige.

So...I'm now on episode 38. It is simply beautiful. The rich details in costumes, set design, and cinematography made "Winter begonia" truly a visual feast. I love how opera subtitles shimmered beautifully on the side of the screen and enabled audiences to dive into each poetic tale as it unfolds on stage. Thanks to this series, I now have better understanding and appreciation of Beijing operas.

"Winter Begonia" is an impressive TV adaptation by screen writer Shui Ru Tian Er, who's also the author of the original IP novel. The rich storyline and solid plot development made every episode gripping. It's truly hard to not binge watch this series after the first hour.

Andrew Yin, the lead actor, delivered a wonderful performance as the socially awkward opera genius. Although homely in traditional street attire, his stunning transformation into a breathtaking Beijing opera diva was nothing short of miraculous. Huang Xiao Ming played the dashing westernized business tycoon opposite of Andrew Yin. The two contrasting characters generated many comical moments in the otherwise serious historic drama. I also give "Winter Begonia" an A+ on character development of its supporting roles. They were relatable and well fleshed out with intriguing backstories.

Overall, the first quarter of 2020 had been unusual in C-drama land; when TV studios decided to release a ton of stock piled series all at once while viewers are under house arrest during the pandemic. There're just so many shows to pick and chose. Nevertheless, I highly recommend "Winter Begonia." It's timeless and a rare gem among the overwhelming influx of quality c-dramas.

Under the Power (2019–2020)

A little more than your average mystery romcom

[8/10 · 19 March 2020]

What could possibly go wrong when you throw a fierce imperial officer and a tiny loud-mouth constable together to form the ultimate crime fighting team? Answer: An action-packed tale full of twists and turns, all stuffed inside a fluffy comedic basket full of nuts.

I picked up this series to help pass time while under voluntary house arrest, all thanks to the infamous COVID-19. Its trailer left me with pretty low expectations from the start: oft-reoccurring tropes of frenemy to lover, angsty love triangle, odd couple romcom, etc...etc.

However, I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent pacing of this odd little story, as well as the casts' ability to add more depths and dimensions to their otherwise stereotypical roles in wuxia series...all with the exception of the impish Constable Yuan, played by the adorable Tan Songyun. This boisterous little oddball is undoubtedly one of the goofiest and funniest female protagonists in Chinese costume dramas to date (although that conniving grandmaster from Once Upon a Time in Lingjian Mountain is not far behind on the list).

You won't be disappointed if you're a sucker for romance. Both the female lead and her dark counter part, imperial officer Lu Yi played by Ren Jia Lun, had great onscreen chemistry that's truly endearing. As expected in a romcom, the two characters ended up falling for each other, but thankfully the script didn't drop the instant-love trope on this odd couple. Instead, there was a decent amount of character development before their slow-burn romance ignites. On the other hand, audiences looking for angsts will definitely not be disappointed in later episodes.

I think "Under the Power" is a drama that contained a variety of elements that will please most viewers; everything from mystery, crime, comedy, to romance...you name it. After all, we can certainly use a bit of mindless entertainment in times like this.

I hope everyone stays healthy!

Joy of Life (2019–2024)

An unique series with plenty of plot twists and quirky character

[9/10 · 14 December 2019]

What can I say about Joy of Life (aka Qing Yu Nian)? After seeing the dramatic trailer, I fully expected this to be a dark historic saga. I just never imagined I would be laughing so much. One-sentence synopsis: It's a story about a 21st century college student trying to survive ancient China by outmaneuvering political machinations while navigating through cultural and moral quandaries with plenty of modern flare.

Although Joy of Life fits mostly in the drama category, there were still plenty of sitcom moments and an army of quirky characters, with our time traveling protagonist at the top of the list. Wait, did I say time travel? I stand corrected. There's a minor detail I learned when I decided to read the novel after watching a couple of episodes: The original time travel/transmigration storyline is not in this live adaptation because China's media authorities banned time travel theme in domestic movies and television. Just google it if you want to learn more about the restriction on time travel, it's quite interesting.

I thought the juxtaposition of contemporary background music and historic setting can be a bit jarring at times, but it became less noticeable once I began to fully immerse in the drama. It wasn't hard for me to get use to the anachronisms since Joy of Life was set in a completely fictional world. Plus it's just plain funny to watch other characters' reactions whenever our protagonist fires a bunch of modern slangs and concepts at them.

I'm not a big fan of Zhang Rouyun (the lead actor) and I'm still not feeling the chemistry between him and Li Qin (the female lead). Even so, I had to admit that he did a great job portraying the crafty opportunist with a heart of gold. Overall, the intriguing plot twists and its fascinating characters were the main reasons that kept me hooked to this odd story until the very end.

I would recommend this series to viewers with at least some knowledge of Chinese language and customs; the wordplay and cultural references in the show were truly funny, but they could easily get lost in translation. Therefore, I'd like to conclude this review by giving all subtitle teams a round of applause for taking on the challenge of translating shows like Joy of Life.

The Tale of Nokdu (2019)

A very enjoyable series with more depth than I anticipated

[9/10 · 9 December 2019]

I picked up Tale of Nokdu because I needed a light-hearted show after watching a string of heavy dramas. Oh boy, it did not disappoint. Then later on, what started off as rom-com became much more after several surprising plot twists. There were definitely some laugh-out-loud moments and I chuckled every time the male lead (Nokdu) cross-dressed because he's actually prettier than a lot of the ladies. However, I was later drawn in by the political intrigue and emotional roller coaster as the story unfolds.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the two main actors' heartfelt performances. Both So-Hyun Kim and Dong yoon Jang seamlessly took the audiences from comedic moments to dramatic gut-wrenching scenes. The supporting casts also added so much authenticity to the plot development and background surrounding the main leads.

Some of the few complaints I had were the numerous romantic music montages. For a while, it seemed like there was one in every episode. I get that our cute couple are very much in love and that was pretty obvious as the series goes on. I actually fast forwarded several montages just to move on with the story. This maybe very typical of K-drama and I'm just not used to it because I'm a newbie in this genre.

Overall, this is a very enjoyable series with more depth than I anticipated. I believe even folks who are unfamiliar to Korean period drama/comedy will enjoy this show.

The Untamed (2019)

A truly binge-worthy series with superb plot and character development

[10/10 · 18 November 2019]

From the perspective of a novel fan, "The Untamed" truly surpassed my expectations as the live adaptations of Mo Dao Zhushi (Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation). The synopsis: A fantasy story set in ancient China about two young idealistic paladins who found themselves entangled in a bloody rebellion against an evil clan. One became a powerful demonologist and died tragically, until a strange event reunited these two friends years later. They joined force to solve the mystery behind a series of deaths, but unexpectedly uncovered a sinister conspiracy and many startling revelations about each other.

"The Untamed" brought this fantasy world to life with visually stunning scenery and set design, outstanding soundtrack, great plot and character development, as well as a team of talented new actors (major bonus points for giving us a parade of eye candies). I was a bit turned off by the substandard CGI...but I get that it's not a big budget production and funding must had been tight after the studio caught on fire.

So what made "The Untamed" the biggest runaway hit of 2019 in the world of Chinese television? It has a well written script with a perfect balance between comedy and drama, as well as action and intrigue. I'm also very impressed by how the screen writers managed to fill some of the original novel's plot holes and reorganize the timeline to make the story less confusing. However, it's not flawless and some episodes had issues with pacing. For example, the first two episodes were bogged down by too many subplots and flashbacks at times. The last episode also had several repetitive and out of order sequences that felt like fillers before the final scene (nevertheless it's still a pretty good finale).

Here's another element that made this a truly binge-worthy series. The casting directors of "The Untamed" did a superb job finding two talented lead actors who also had outstanding chemistry together on screen. Xiao Zhan is the perfect embodiment of the playful, dark, and passionate Wei Wuxian. He captivated audiences from the very first scene and was the main reason that kept me going pass the first two confusing episodes. Then there's the interesting casting choice for our second lead character...It's hard to picture a vibrant 21-year-old pop artist/TV host portraying the stoic and graceful Lan Wanji, but Wang Yibo's ability to convey a plethora of emotions with few words and very subtle expressions cemented his status as an up and coming actor. It goes without saying that directors Zheng Weiwen and Chen Jialin played a huge part in these actors' remarkable performance.

It's also important to mention that "The Untamed " has one of the most well-rounded supporting roles with their own stories and character arcs. Their relationships with the protagonists were pivotal in the story's central themes: the fine line between good versus evil and the enduring love that exists between siblings, friends, and adopted families. There were talented supporting actors who were outstanding from the start while the rest took some time to get into their characters. Nevertheless, it's a pleasure to watch these young actors bring out the best in each other as the series goes on. Although there were some comically bad villains, but the screen writers managed to redeem themselves by creating complex antagonists with motivations and perspectives tht we can all relate in real life.

Overall I recommend giving "The Untamed" a whirl even if you are not familiar with Chinese costume drama. You'll be rewarded with a thoroughly unique and entertaining viewing experience once you get over the heavy makeup and over-the-top choreography typical of traditional martial art series. So grab a couple of your fun loving friends (group reactions and comments will be a blast, I guarantee), sit back and enjoy the 50-episode fantasy adventure that is "The Untamed".