Mars 戰神 [Drama Review]
January 05, 2016
Synopsis:
Han Qiluo and Chen Ling are two totally opposite students; one is a shy and timid artist while the other is a popular playboy. One day, Chen Ling was asking Qiluo for direction to the hospital and she accidentally drew it out for him on one of her valued sketch of a mother holding a baby. Chen Ling noticed the sketch and started paying attention Qiluo. He encounters her being sexually harassed by their teacher and saves her. After that day, Qiluo started opening up to Chen Ling and they gradually fall for each other. As they get to know each other, they discover each other's hidden secret and have to conquer them in order to be happy together.
My Rating:
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆1/2 - 8.5/10
Unlike previous dramas I've watched, this has a much darker theme and explores various aspects of humanity such as one's inner conflicts, regrets, pain, etc.
The chemistry between the two leads are superb. Having watched Meteor Garden with both of them in it, I gave this a try and I like it more than Meteor Garden. I don't think I would have watched this a few years back since I was more of a fan of idol dramas. But I am glad I've watched this now.
(-1) Some parts that were really slow
(-0.5) Aesthetics not great
(-1) Some parts that were really slow
(-0.5) Aesthetics not great
The Cast:
Barbie Hsu as Han Qiluo
A shy, timid girl that enjoys drawing and painting. Because of a traumatic experience, she stopped talking to people and stays within her own world. After meeting Ling, she starts to brighten up again.
Vic Zhou as Chen Ling/Chen Sheng
A popular playboy that vows to protect Qiluo after saving her from being sexually harassed by their teacher. He becomes her model and starts to confront his past with the help of Qiluo.
Xiu Jie Kai as Da Ye
He has a crush on Qiluo since high school years. But knowing that Qiluo likes Ling, he gives her up and pushes her to follow her feelings.
Megan Lai as Qing Mei
Initially a love rival of Qiluo, she becomes Qiluo's closest friend when she realizes that she and Ling will never be together.
An Jun Can as Fang Tongdao
An effeminate sociopath that takes an interest in both Ling and Qiluo. He tells Ling that they are both the same type of people but he is actually the foil of Ling. He is apathetic, coldhearted, and inhumane.
Ruby Siu as Sha Zhi
A love interest from Ling's past but she plays a significant role in revealing Ling's conflict. Love interests usually spice up the storyline by making viewers sympathize the female lead but her main purpose here is to allow the Qiluo and everyone else knows what happened.
Chang Kuo Chu as Chong Zhi (Chen Ling's father)
He is the father of Ling and Sheng. He does everything he can to protect his sons but Ling doesn't see this until the very end when he finally understands everything.
My Thoughts:
1. 21 episodes is not bad for a drama, neither too long nor too short. Everything is revealed in a good pace. It focuses on unraveling the reason behind Ling's personality and then moves on to focus on Qiluo's past traumatic experience and finally wraps up with mending the relationship between Ling and his father.
2. Although the themes are darker than other dramas I've ever watched, there are also comedic scenes that doesn't make it as stressful to watch such as scenes with the teacher who is an old classmate of Ling's father. Da Ye and Qing Mei also provides some comic relief in their scenes and interactions with the lead.
3. The main lead and the script keeps the whole series going: their chemistry, their acting are all on par. The things they go through and conquer together strengthens their relationship and it doesn't make viewers aggravated.
4. Since each of the main lead has their own demons to face, villains come and go except for Fan Tongdao so it is not too difficult to watch when they enjoy their time in causing havoc but fails in the end.
5. Fan Tongdao is crazy; I really don't understand how he can be released multiple times from the mental hospital. He should be locked up for life before he kills another person. I do sympathize him since he and Zheng Qingmu were good friends and he was often protected by Qingmu. But in the end he killed his protector/abuser due to years of physical abuse.
6. I like how Da Ye and Qingmei is a couple and they each is the "go to person" to talk to for the main lead.
7. There were some cliche annoying almost-happen plot such as Ling pushing Qilio towards Da Ye and Sha Zhi acting innocent. But in the end it doesn't usually go towards that route since after all it is about the inner conflicts the lead are trying to conquer not just their love life.
8. FAVORITE SCENES:
a) When Ling tries to speak to Qiluo to inform her that he has her mother and son drawing
b) The teacher AKA sexual harasser calls on Ling attempting to embarrass him but Ling embarrasses him instead by writing:
c) Qiluo asks to borrow Ling's body but just to be her model
d) Ling's promise to being Qiluo's protector
e) Unraveling Ling's dark past about his twin Sheng
f) Ling slapping Sha Zhi since I thought the plot would be cliche and make the male lead stupid but he didn't fail me and trust Qiluo 100%
g) When Ling finds out about Qiluo's traumatic past - This scene was heartbreaking and Barbie is a super great actress
h) When Qiluo knocks out her stepfather since he deserves it, that creep!
i) Ling and his father's relationship begins to mend and he finds out the truth about his mother
j) Last scene where Sheng arrives to bring Ling away but Ling has someone (Qiluo) that is waiting for him - symbolism for letting go of the past?
9. The soundtrack/music - I am in love with the ending theme duet by Barbie and Vic. Their voices are so soothing and nice to listen to. The opening theme is also worth listening to.
Music:
I fell in love with the ending theme - I especially love their voices and the lyric as well. As I listen to the opening theme more and more, I started liking it too since it basically sums up the theme of the drama.
Opening: Zero (零) by Alan Kuo
Ending: Let Me Love You (让我爱你) by Barbie Hsu and Vic Zhou
0 comments