That is the title right?
Anyways, long weekend so I decided to check this out.
It’s okay I guess. Better than I expected in some parts, and exactly as I expected in others. The dubbing freaked me out at first, but I got used to it. Other than that, it’s just really, really Chinese.
Breaking it down:
Plot Pretty different from the manga, and that’s probably a good thing. However, I’m so used to the original, I find myself constantly comparing this or that. I don’t think the storyline is as tight and cohesive as the original, but it has its moments. I know it’s China, but there is way, way too much focus on studying and getting good grades as a central plot point. No one denies that doing well in school a rl priority, but it makes for hellishly lame and boring tv.
Characters Bleh @ the main love triangle people and the older folk, but ♥’s all around for the remaining two boys (I don’t think they’re called F4 in this) and the older sis. On paper, the main girl should be way more annoying, but I guess it’s a testament to the actress that she’s actually tolerable ~half the time. Neither of the main guys are written well, but the main main guy is cute enough that I like him slightly more. I don’t think I’ve ever liked a Rui after Lei, and I don’t think I ever will. However, initial bias aside, this guy is just all over the place and omg shallow, but his hair needs to diaf sfm. I find the two other boys so adorable though; especially the one that falls for the main girl’s bf, he’s such a cutie!! Also, that other guy and the main guy’s sister– omg love!! Both characters are more developed in this, and honestly, I find their stories much more interesting than the main characters’. Finally, every parent/teacher needs to diaf. All too annoying in that stereotypical Chinese adult kinda way.
Filthy Rich Factor The wealth of F4 is like another important character, but this fails so hard at delivering. I get that budget is an issue, and at least all of the locations are gorgeous and fitting, but aside from that, I’m just not feeling it. The Korean and Japanese versions were obviously big budget, and the Taiwanese one wasn’t, but all the characters all did a good job of portraying the aloofness and disconnect with reality that comes with unimaginable wealth. I’m not feeling that at all with these guys, and without that, the story just doesn’t work. They just seem like ordinary, if not slightly better dressed dudes, and that defeats the purpose of the entire story.
Basically, I’m liking the side stories, and parts of the main love triangle are tolerable. If only they lightened up on the school school school aspect and made the guys’ wealth more exaggerated, I think I’d love this way more. Still, idol dramas are a big step for China. I remember years ago when MG came out, it was banned in China. Look where we are now. Idk if I have the patience to finish watching, but it’s been a fun way to kill some time this weekend.
