Zhou Yi Ran

Review: Twelve Letters [China]

| kfangurl

THE SHORT VERDICT:

This show is basically Signal, but instead of walkie-talkies, make it letters, and instead of crime solving, make it love.

It sounds abstract, and there is a lot of ground to cover with two timelines co-existing in just 12 episodes of screen time, but Show’s writing and handling is so deft, so detailed and so confident, that it all works – and really well.

As a whole, our cast does an excellent job, but I have to say, Zhou Yi Ran and Wang Ying Lu truly stand out in their roles as our leads. Their deliveries are so natural and so raw, that I couldn’t help but feel like these characters were real, living, breathing people. 🥲

Highly, deeply, enthusiastically recommend. ❤️

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Review: When I Fly Towards You [China]

| kfangurl

THE SHORT VERDICT:

This is a little gem of a show – provided you do like low-key, slice-of-life things.

Show’s main focus is the central loveline, and it’s all very youthful, sweet and wholesome, in a way that feels at once nostalgic and aspirational.

I also liked that Show also takes time to focus on the friendships that our characters share. Feeling like the invisible sixth member of the friend group was definitely a highlight of my watch too, aside from the very cute and very sweet OTP stuff.

Warm, sweet, comforting, and perfect for a binge on a rainy day – or as a drama nightcap, to put you in the right mind space for warm, sweet, comforting dreams. 🥰

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Review: The Bond [China]

| kfangurl

THE SHORT VERDICT:

The Bond is basically a sprawling slice-of-life family drama, that is showcased in a pretty condensed sort of format.

Show does a very good job of making its characters feel like real people with real flaws and real struggles, and one can’t help but be interested in the lives of these characters, as a result.

Our cast is strong, in the sense that you don’t really feel like these are actors putting forth their best performance; you just feel like these are real people, with some flaws more glaring than others, all trying to do their best, with their varying lots in life.

A solid watch, particularly if you enjoy everyday insights into Chinese culture and China’s modern history.

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