I had no expectations for this drama, but to my surprise, even after watching four episodes, it turned out to be quite hilarious. It had me laughing out loud, and some plotlines were unexpectedly touching. Overall, the quality feels quite good. The female lead plays the suona (a traditional Chinese musical instrument), which also helps promote traditional culture. Both the plot and the actors are surprisingly good. It feels like a hidden gem of a drama.
Rice Lover12 months ago rating:5.5
Watched this drama for Zhang Jia Ning, but it ended up making me feel disgusted! The male lead's character is extremely selfish, and the female lead's parents, including the police officer who likes her, are also incredibly selfish! The female lead is determined to return to Beijing, but this group of people morally blackmails her, disregarding her dreams and forcibly keeping her behind. Especially the male lead, who lies about arranging a sea burial using a fishing boat and shamelessly justifies his actions. Later, he sells out the female lead and shamelessly claims that a good brotherhood is more important than dignity. Why should the female lead's future be sacrificed for the sake of your good brotherhood?
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AntMan11 months ago rating:5.2
I quite like the female lead's voice and personality, but the character of the male lead is just disgusting. They are simply not on the same wavelength. If a real-life girl were to encounter a guy like him, she would be deceived and suffer greatly. In the plot, every single person seems to be using the female lead for their own agendas. The hometown visit does not bring about any healing feelings; instead, it feels suffocating and overwhelming.
Sunny11 months ago rating:9.4
The plot is pretty good, but I find it hard to believe that a girl who has lived in Beijing, is well-educated, and comes from a good family would fall for a boy who hasn't even finished middle school and has a mother with dementia. So, I think there might be some cringeworthy romantic scenes later on.
MiNo12 months ago rating:6.5
I started watching because of Zhang Jia Ning, but after the first episode, each episode became more and more unbearable for the audience. Moreover, the male lead's character is completely unlikable, and what's worse is that his looks are at the bottom. Even supporting male characters are more attractive and pleasing to the eye.
To be honest, it's possible in reality for a graduate from a top music academy in China to be paired with a wealthy second-generation or childhood sweetheart who is a police officer. But how did an ignorant little gangster burdened with troubles end up in that position? Which elementary school student dreamed up this scenario on the construction site?
Furthermore, traditional Chinese music is such a fantastic and promising theme. How did it turn into a cheesy and brainless drama? No wonder they're too embarrassed to promote it even a little bit... And let me add one more thing: Stop casting male leads who can't hold a candle to other actors. Seriously, he's so ugly that it's unbearable to watch, and his character is even worse.
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Guda12 months ago rating:7.3
The plot setup is quite bizarre. I'm biased towards giving an extra star for the female lead, but originally, it would have been only two stars. Why didn't the female lead explain her condition to her mentor in advance when she had tinnitus? The character development makes no sense. It's simply a waste of her own and her mentor's time (of course, I understand that it's a plot device to drive the female lead back to her hometown, but it's a terrible setup. Why not just take a three-month leave of absence instead of giving yourself a three-month deadline?).
So12 months ago rating:5.2
I used to really like it, but the more I watched, the more something felt off. The male lead's character is trash, and his life isn't going well. Why does he think it's okay to deceive others just because he's in a difficult situation? It's like a "I'm poor, so I'm right" mentality, and the worst part is that a bunch of people think there's nothing wrong with it.
Lifelong11 months ago rating:5.3
This script is truly disgusting. Why does the female lead have to have this condition where she gets tinnitus when she's nervous, and it only goes away in situations with many small-town stories? It feels so contrived. Moreover, what's even more disgusting is that the female lead should have been soaring in the blue sky, pursuing her own life. However, from the script's plot to all the characters, they are all breaking her wings, morally manipulating the female lead.
I'm ending my viewing here, and I hope this kind of terrible script won't appear in the market again.
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SerbianArtist10 months ago rating:5.5
I have always liked Zhang Jia Ning's works. Last time, I gave the movie a 3-star rating. But this time, I just can't stand it. As a feminist, the values portrayed in this drama, except for the female lead, are toxic East Asian social customs. The parents, who claim to act in the name of goodwill, cross moral boundaries for the sake of their own brothers. Initially, I thought the male lead's character was somewhat normal, not too extreme. However, as the story progressed, I became deeply frustrated. The female lead has gone through such unfortunate experiences that it feels like she's been cursed for eight generations. I'm so angry that I'm dropping this drama. I've never been this furious before!
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Nine1 year ago rating:7.8
The theme of returning to hometown has become a cliché ever since it became popular: a story of failed relationships and careers in big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, followed by a return home where three men compete for one woman's affection. In my opinion, the popularity of this theme in c-dramas is not merely an indulgence in fantasy about life's turning points; it surely reflects the audience's deeper emotions and contemplation. However, it's evident that this drama falls into the former category, and it doesn't even measure up to its predecessors. The portrayal of small and big cities is stereotypical and rigid.
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HeavenBowed1 year ago rating:9.7
They could have taken it more seriously, even the cheeks of the suona player look deflated! Has the screenwriter never experienced music? Have they ever seen a pufferfish? When playing the suona, it's as if they have two pufferfish in their mouth. Not to mention the ringing in the ears, they could even play it deaf. Muscle memory and the sense of rhythm in their heart are enough to complete the performance, especially for someone who has been playing the suona since childhood. It's truly an insult to musicians!
BambooSoul12 months ago rating:9.9
Why is the rating so low? It's actually really good and quite meaningful. It explores the collision and integration of traditional music and modern civilization, while also conveying a sense of heritage through its storytelling. The plot is great, the acting is impressive, and even "The Colors of the Most Carnal World" showcases these traditional cultural elements. I don't understand why it received such a low rating at the beginning.
MultiGirl11 months ago rating:7.9
I initially watched this drama for the cast, but as I watched, I couldn't help but laugh and get frustrated. This world is a huge mess of low-mindedness. It's filled with female supporting characters oozing with jealousy, male leads and second leads plotting against the female lead, and family members who go to great lengths to trap the female lead in a small county, forcing her to get married and have children... The whole world seems to be finding ways to hold back women from moving forward and hinder them from pursuing their dreams in Beijing. It's 2024, and there are still people making these kinds of Chinese-style horror documentaries... If the ending turns out to be the female lead falling in love with a brainless graduate student in the county and staying there with the male lead who only graduated from high school, I'll truly be disgusted...
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NewWord11 months ago rating:5.1
I only watched the first four episodes, and I just couldn't continue. Right from the beginning, it was problematic due to the emotional trauma and tinnitus. But I thought maybe it was an opportunity for the female lead's suona (a traditional Chinese musical instrument) to transition from campus life to reality. I expected the story to explore her interactions with professionals in the music industry, deepening her understanding of the suona, and then continuing her pursuit of her own dreams. Never did I imagine that the plot upon her return would be filled with such frustrating romantic entanglements.
As for the male lead, I don't understand how the screenwriter came up with such an infuriating character. He's completely conniving and deceitful, always doing flashy and gimmicky things to hint at the possibility of his underlying goodness.
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Rona11 months ago rating:5.5
The characterization of the male lead is hard to comprehend, making it difficult to empathize or even like him. Surprisingly, the second male lead is a naive and sweet character, leaving me speechless. As for the third male lead, the portrayal of the young police officer is decent. However, I am truly speechless about the personality of the female lead's best friend, Xu Huan. She is foolish, malicious, and despicable. Did the screenwriter lose their mind to create such a character? As for the female lead, she is portrayed as an overly pure and saintly figure. It's a drama that attempts to convey a good message, but unfortunately, the screenwriter's skills are lacking.
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StoryEncounter11 months ago rating:6.9
The recommended video featuring the story of the female lead and the suona (a traditional Chinese musical instrument) seemed quite intriguing. However, as I continued watching, this drama became too verbose. It's a modern drama with one female lead and three male characters. The plot is overly drawn-out and not very captivating. The scenes of playing the suona instrument feel awkward; it's obvious that they were added as background music.
En En11 months ago rating:9.7
Watched eight episodes in one go, and the male and female leads are no longer just typical popular idols. It's very eye-friendly for me. The plot is very realistic, not some brainless fantasy film. In short, everyone should watch it. It has funny and touching moments. The screenwriter has a good sense, the director did a great job, and the actors' performances are also very natural.
EverOnward10 months ago rating:8
Some of the plot seems a bit comical, but it's difficult to evaluate the character setup of the male lead. Although he's helping people fulfill their wishes, deceiving a fishing boat for no reason is really disgusting. The female lead has nowhere to appeal, can't they discuss things with the family and follow the proper procedures? The male lead's scoundrel-like behavior is completely unworthy of the female lead, and it's just too dark.
Lynn's Account1 year ago rating:7.8
When I saw that the male lead rented a boat claiming it was for a wedding, but actually went for a sea burial, I felt speechless. He claims to be a materialist, but China itself is a country that believes in these rituals. At the very least, he should have informed the other party. It feels like he just wants to show off and gain attention.
MorningNight1 year ago rating:8
I can't comprehend the male lead at all. Even though he's from a small town and doesn't have much money, he should still have some basic moral values, right? He deceived the fishermen by saying he wanted to take wedding photos, but it turned out to be for a funeral. When problems arose, he didn't take responsibility and instead pushed them onto the female lead. And selling that rundown company for 1 million? Is this drama actually promoting fraud?
BellaFeng1 year ago rating:9.9
It's quite good, I'm currently caught up with it. There are 10 episodes released, and there are 20 more episodes to come. The lives of the male and female leads in the small town are very relatable, and it's more beautiful than reality. It's a light-hearted and humorous drama that focuses on the life of a suona player during festive occasions. It's definitely worth watching.
MilkyWay12 months ago rating:5.3
I used to think that Chinese screenwriters had never worked a day in their lives or met a CEO, which is why they created those unrealistic "Boss Falling in Love with Me" workplace dramas set in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou. But now I realize that these screenwriters don't understand first-tier cities or fourth-tier cities, they don't understand the elderly or the youth, and they don't understand love or friendship. Well, there's one thing they do understand: men's vulgar taste. A graduate student studying music falling in love with a male lead who has no education, no job, and no wealth, all relying on the female lead's limited social experience that she's unaware of? It's just an excuse to make the storyline work in their imagination.
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hnanaer12 months ago rating:9.8
Director Guo Zengyou, who was previously with Zhenwu Productions, has been in the industry for many years. I've seen his work in dramas like "Nirvana in Fire," "A Family in Wenzhou," "Beiping No War," "Yu Huanshui," and "The Beginning," where he was involved in cinematography and served as a cinematography consultant. No wonder the visual quality of "Xiaocheng" is so impressive!
SchrödingerOnTheSofa12 months ago rating:7.2
The plot is like a youthful version of "Country Love Story." Zhang Jia Ning's character is similar to the early days of Xie Dajiao, the lovable village beauty. The storyline is quite cliché, but the performances are grounded and down-to-earth—yes, it feels a lot like "Country Love Story." I even suspected that some scenes were filmed in Xiangshan. The pacing and texture are rushed and unrefined, just like "Country Love Story." I was curious and looked up if this was the director's debut film—well, surprise surprise, Director Guo Zengyou is part of the team from "Noon Sunshine" and worked as a cinematographer for "Nirvana in Fire," "No Man's Land," and "A Family from Wenzhou." No wonder this low-budget production managed to have Wang Yongquan cameo as the second uncle of the female lead (Wang Yongquan played Xia Shuzun in "Nirvana in Fire" and is also a director from the Noon Sunshine team). It's such a fascinating collaboration.
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Step Aside12 months ago rating:6.2
I'm so familiar with Weihai—the familiar accent, the city, and the old neighborhoods. I've changed my rating because of the many veteran actors. Why does the whole family think they're treating the female lead well in their own way? The male lead earns money through deception and shares it with his brothers, completely disregarding the emotional burden on the female lead. He shamelessly boasts about it, while the female lead just wants to return to Beijing for her own development. Is it really that difficult?
HaiTang11 months ago rating:8.5
From "Homeland, Are You Well?" to "Many Stories in a Small Town," it can be seen that the country is making efforts to discourage young people from staying in first-tier cities. However, when the female lead returns to her small town, the gossip from the people around her and her parents' excessive concern about her love life suffocate her. It is feared that instead of discouraging them, it will make more young people escape from social bonds and flock to big cities. Bai Lang arranged for Jia William to listen to music with a group of square dancing aunties, and the lyrics mentioned "2021," so it's not surprising that the plot is a bit melodramatic. The resolution of problems in the plot often relies on financial means, especially with the sudden appearance of Qu Wen Wen, a wealthy benefactor, which can be both frustrating and amusing. The use of traditional Chinese music as the background score is very thoughtful. The male and female leads have distinct personalities and are both accomplished actors, which is quite appealing. I heard they are actually together in real life, which is nice to hear.
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Sugar Pile11 months ago rating:7.9
- What were they thinking when they said this drama is down-to-earth? Is the male character's speechlessness considered down-to-earth? One deceives and manipulates, while the other goes to great lengths to keep the female lead because of his own liking. Compared to the rich second generation, he can be considered pure and good-hearted. But why does the female lead have to be in a relationship with him? What were they thinking? I'll give an extra star for the poor Zhang Jia Ning. Zhang Wansen is truly a rare find [[1]](https://discussions.viki.com/t/colloquialisms-and-s-question/48049?page=2).
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Learn more:
1. [Colloquialisms and s question - K-Dramas - Viki Discussions](https://discussions.viki.com/t/colloquialisms-and-s-question/48049? page=2)
2. [Changing language preferences | TikTok Help Center](https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/account-information/changing-language-preferences)
3. [Comments on TikTok LIVE | TikTok Help Center](https://support.tiktok.com/en/live-gifts-wallet/tiktok-live/comments-on-tiktok-live)
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Yoo11 months ago rating:8.7
I binge-watched all the latest episodes, and it's pretty good. However, I can't help but feel that the moral compass of the female lead is too high. Only those with a strong sense of morality can be held hostage by morality. It's incredibly absurd that she has to bear the burden of the dreams, lives, and deception of several men whom she had no prior connection with. I really don't want the ending to be her staying in this small town. There's nothing wrong with a small town, but everyone who wants her to stay overlooks her dreams in a distant place.
The male lead's character is not likable. He's not selling a company but rather the value of the female lead. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing. However, the actor's performance is quite good. The character has its own charm with a sense of dignity. Is it about dignity or is it about life? If it were a multiple-choice question, who can look down upon whom?
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Gu23211 months ago rating:5.2
I thought I had found a drama worth following, but I couldn't even finish the tenth episode before giving up. What kind of storyline is this? From the beginning, it went from a sea burial to Bai Lang working in HR at the company? What did Mo Di do wrong for his brothers and family? He was morally manipulated multiple times. Not to mention the character designs like Huang Tao and her so-called best friends. If they end up together later, it's really sickening. (I really like Zhang Jia Ning, and she acted well in this drama. My criticism is solely directed towards the storyline and the male lead's character, not that I can't accept an imperfect male lead, but this one was truly frustrating. He only takes responsibility in front of his brothers, and when facing the female lead who brought better development to the company, he shows no gratitude and even betrays and undermines her dreams. He's really trash.)
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Harvey's Mayo11 months ago rating:6.7
I originally watched this drama before bed to relax, but instead, it made me furious. What is the male lead doing? He acts first and reports later, using people to move forward and discarding them afterward. When someone kindly invited him for a meal, he deceived them and didn't do anything useful. The female lead showed understanding and asked him to handle things for Li Da Ye, but when the truth came out, it was her parents who took responsibility, and he acted like a rogue when they sought an explanation from him? ?? And what about that police officer who grew up with the female lead? I thought he would help, but instead, he kept her confined at home??? What kind of people are these???
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SecondLife11 months ago rating:5.1
I almost threw up after watching Episode 10. Do the writers think the male lead's character is handsome? He's always acting all noble and caring for his bros, but he repeatedly deceives the female lead and morally manipulates her. He constantly insults her profession and throws her face. Male second lead and male third lead are equally annoying. And don't get me started on the female lead's parents and sister, constantly trying to stop her from returning to Beijing... If I were the female lead, I'd go crazy. None of these guys are worth anything, to be honest.
KIKI11 months ago rating:5.6
This drama kept me awake and made me want to curse. Especially the male lead's attitude towards the female lead was really terrible. He had no clue about respecting others. Everyone kept manipulating the female lead, and she had this overly virtuous mindset that infuriated me. My mom is already burdened with worries, which caused her to develop tinnitus. Because my dad is the type who doesn't take responsibility, if the female lead ends up marrying someone like the male lead, the outcome can only be her tinnitus getting worse until she eventually loses her hearing.
Midori11 months ago rating:9.1
It's already different from the typical idol drama to have a junior high school graduate as the male lead. The acting is generally good, and the pacing feels lively. If we don't dwell on the "pua female lead" aspect, the storyline doesn't have any major flaws, except for the awkwardness in Qu Wen Wen's storyline. The biggest highlight is the abundance of jokes and it's quite funny.
I hope it doesn't have a disappointing ending, as it's worth a four-star rating.
MoonWhite11 months ago rating:9.7
It's rare to come across such a down-to-earth drama. Nowadays, in many dramas, even poor people live in luxurious apartments, and their faces are airbrushed to the extreme. They always drive expensive cars like a CEO. But this drama is set in a small town, very relatable. The residential areas are typical homes for ordinary people, and the set design doesn't have those exaggerated elements. Zhang Jia Ning's performance is also excellent.
Haha11 months ago rating:9.1
The male lead, despite not having received formal education and struggling for a living, gives off a very reliable impression with his words and actions. He is kind, filial, loyal, and values love. Such men are rare these days. Many men mistakenly believe that women are only after money and material possessions, without considering that it is because they lack not only wealth but also other admirable qualities that gold-diggers behave so recklessly.
QAMZ11 months ago rating:9.8
Great drama, thumbs up. But the male lead doesn't deserve it. He has the most unstable job, smooth-talking, poor character and no conscience. He even deceived the fishing boat that makes a living by doing funeral services. It's too despicable!
And the second male lead (Xu Shaoying is so handsome), and the third male lead is also sunny and adorable. The best outcome for the female lead should definitely be the second male lead, such a pity.
Echo11 months ago rating:7.2
I can't understand the character development of the male lead. What were the writers thinking? He's selfish, self-serving, and manipulative, taking advantage of others and using the moral high ground to coerce the female lead. Especially when he deceived the female lead and caused her family's boat to be inauspicious and unable to sell fish. When the female lead confronted him about it, his attempts to shift blame infuriated me...
ClumsySa11 months ago rating:7
After watching five episodes, I was so bored that I started practicing calligraphy while listening. The male lead is deceiving and manipulating people, it's almost like kidnapping. Now he's about to kidnap the female lead... The female lead is such a high-quality musician, it's really frustrating to see her settle for this person in this small place. The third male lead seems more compatible in terms of taste and background.
VinegarBottle11 months ago rating:7.1
The formula of this drama is: The female lead has all the love and affection, but she falls for a small-time hoodlum. The male lead, unintentionally, goes from eating toad meat to eating swan meat. I watched a TV drama starring the female lead, "Tang Brick," many years ago, but it never gained popularity. Girls like her are best suited for the youthful route, like Wang Luodan and Bai Baihe.
Katie'sDream11 months ago rating:9.7
I've watched four episodes, and it's really good. I don't understand why the ratings are so low, especially for the male lead. He has great acting skills and a down-to-earth presence that's quite rare. I looked it up and found out that he was born in 1995, which is impressive. Of course, the female lead also has excellent acting skills.
I had no expectations for this drama, but to my surprise, even after watching four episodes, it turned out to be quite hilarious. It had me laughing out loud, and some plotlines were unexpectedly touching. Overall, the quality feels quite good.
The female lead plays the suona (a traditional Chinese musical instrument), which also helps promote traditional culture. Both the plot and the actors are surprisingly good. It feels like a hidden gem of a drama.
Watched this drama for Zhang Jia Ning, but it ended up making me feel disgusted! The male lead's character is extremely selfish, and the female lead's parents, including the police officer who likes her, are also incredibly selfish!
The female lead is determined to return to Beijing, but this group of people morally blackmails her, disregarding her dreams and forcibly keeping her behind. Especially the male lead, who lies about arranging a sea burial using a fishing boat and shamelessly justifies his actions.
Later, he sells out the female lead and shamelessly claims that a good brotherhood is more important than dignity. Why should the female lead's future be sacrificed for the sake of your good brotherhood?
I quite like the female lead's voice and personality, but the character of the male lead is just disgusting. They are simply not on the same wavelength. If a real-life girl were to encounter a guy like him, she would be deceived and suffer greatly.
In the plot, every single person seems to be using the female lead for their own agendas. The hometown visit does not bring about any healing feelings; instead, it feels suffocating and overwhelming.
The plot is pretty good, but I find it hard to believe that a girl who has lived in Beijing, is well-educated, and comes from a good family would fall for a boy who hasn't even finished middle school and has a mother with dementia.
So, I think there might be some cringeworthy romantic scenes later on.
I started watching because of Zhang Jia Ning, but after the first episode, each episode became more and more unbearable for the audience. Moreover, the male lead's character is completely unlikable, and what's worse is that his looks are at the bottom.
Even supporting male characters are more attractive and pleasing to the eye.
To be honest, it's possible in reality for a graduate from a top music academy in China to be paired with a wealthy second-generation or childhood sweetheart who is a police officer.
But how did an ignorant little gangster burdened with troubles end up in that position? Which elementary school student dreamed up this scenario on the construction site?
Furthermore, traditional Chinese music is such a fantastic and promising theme.
How did it turn into a cheesy and brainless drama? No wonder they're too embarrassed to promote it even a little bit... And let me add one more thing: Stop casting male leads who can't hold a candle to other actors.
Seriously, he's so ugly that it's unbearable to watch, and his character is even worse.
The plot setup is quite bizarre. I'm biased towards giving an extra star for the female lead, but originally, it would have been only two stars. Why didn't the female lead explain her condition to her mentor in advance when she had tinnitus?
The character development makes no sense. It's simply a waste of her own and her mentor's time (of course, I understand that it's a plot device to drive the female lead back to her hometown, but it's a terrible setup.
Why not just take a three-month leave of absence instead of giving yourself a three-month deadline?).
I used to really like it, but the more I watched, the more something felt off. The male lead's character is trash, and his life isn't going well.
Why does he think it's okay to deceive others just because he's in a difficult situation? It's like a "I'm poor, so I'm right" mentality, and the worst part is that a bunch of people think there's nothing wrong with it.
This script is truly disgusting. Why does the female lead have to have this condition where she gets tinnitus when she's nervous, and it only goes away in situations with many small-town stories? It feels so contrived.
Moreover, what's even more disgusting is that the female lead should have been soaring in the blue sky, pursuing her own life. However, from the script's plot to all the characters, they are all breaking her wings, morally manipulating the female lead.
I'm ending my viewing here, and I hope this kind of terrible script won't appear in the market again.
I have always liked Zhang Jia Ning's works. Last time, I gave the movie a 3-star rating. But this time, I just can't stand it. As a feminist, the values portrayed in this drama, except for the female lead, are toxic East Asian social customs.
The parents, who claim to act in the name of goodwill, cross moral boundaries for the sake of their own brothers. Initially, I thought the male lead's character was somewhat normal, not too extreme. However, as the story progressed, I became deeply frustrated.
The female lead has gone through such unfortunate experiences that it feels like she's been cursed for eight generations. I'm so angry that I'm dropping this drama. I've never been this furious before!
The theme of returning to hometown has become a cliché ever since it became popular: a story of failed relationships and careers in big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, followed by a return home where three men compete for one woman's affection.
In my opinion, the popularity of this theme in c-dramas is not merely an indulgence in fantasy about life's turning points; it surely reflects the audience's deeper emotions and contemplation.
However, it's evident that this drama falls into the former category, and it doesn't even measure up to its predecessors. The portrayal of small and big cities is stereotypical and rigid.
They could have taken it more seriously, even the cheeks of the suona player look deflated! Has the screenwriter never experienced music? Have they ever seen a pufferfish? When playing the suona, it's as if they have two pufferfish in their mouth.
Not to mention the ringing in the ears, they could even play it deaf. Muscle memory and the sense of rhythm in their heart are enough to complete the performance, especially for someone who has been playing the suona since childhood.
It's truly an insult to musicians!
Why is the rating so low? It's actually really good and quite meaningful. It explores the collision and integration of traditional music and modern civilization, while also conveying a sense of heritage through its storytelling.
The plot is great, the acting is impressive, and even "The Colors of the Most Carnal World" showcases these traditional cultural elements. I don't understand why it received such a low rating at the beginning.
I initially watched this drama for the cast, but as I watched, I couldn't help but laugh and get frustrated. This world is a huge mess of low-mindedness. It's filled with female supporting characters oozing with jealousy, male leads and second leads plotting against the female lead, and family members who go to great lengths to trap the female lead in a small county, forcing her to get married and have children...
The whole world seems to be finding ways to hold back women from moving forward and hinder them from pursuing their dreams in Beijing. It's 2024, and there are still people making these kinds of Chinese-style horror documentaries... If the ending turns out to be the female lead falling in love with a brainless graduate student in the county and staying there with the male lead who only graduated from high school, I'll truly be disgusted...
I only watched the first four episodes, and I just couldn't continue. Right from the beginning, it was problematic due to the emotional trauma and tinnitus. But I thought maybe it was an opportunity for the female lead's suona (a traditional Chinese musical instrument) to transition from campus life to reality.
I expected the story to explore her interactions with professionals in the music industry, deepening her understanding of the suona, and then continuing her pursuit of her own dreams. Never did I imagine that the plot upon her return would be filled with such frustrating romantic entanglements.
As for the male lead, I don't understand how the screenwriter came up with such an infuriating character. He's completely conniving and deceitful, always doing flashy and gimmicky things to hint at the possibility of his underlying goodness.
The characterization of the male lead is hard to comprehend, making it difficult to empathize or even like him. Surprisingly, the second male lead is a naive and sweet character, leaving me speechless.
As for the third male lead, the portrayal of the young police officer is decent. However, I am truly speechless about the personality of the female lead's best friend, Xu Huan. She is foolish, malicious, and despicable.
Did the screenwriter lose their mind to create such a character? As for the female lead, she is portrayed as an overly pure and saintly figure. It's a drama that attempts to convey a good message, but unfortunately, the screenwriter's skills are lacking.
The recommended video featuring the story of the female lead and the suona (a traditional Chinese musical instrument) seemed quite intriguing. However, as I continued watching, this drama became too verbose.
It's a modern drama with one female lead and three male characters. The plot is overly drawn-out and not very captivating. The scenes of playing the suona instrument feel awkward; it's obvious that they were added as background music.
Watched eight episodes in one go, and the male and female leads are no longer just typical popular idols. It's very eye-friendly for me. The plot is very realistic, not some brainless fantasy film.
In short, everyone should watch it. It has funny and touching moments. The screenwriter has a good sense, the director did a great job, and the actors' performances are also very natural.
Some of the plot seems a bit comical, but it's difficult to evaluate the character setup of the male lead. Although he's helping people fulfill their wishes, deceiving a fishing boat for no reason is really disgusting.
The female lead has nowhere to appeal, can't they discuss things with the family and follow the proper procedures? The male lead's scoundrel-like behavior is completely unworthy of the female lead, and it's just too dark.
When I saw that the male lead rented a boat claiming it was for a wedding, but actually went for a sea burial, I felt speechless. He claims to be a materialist, but China itself is a country that believes in these rituals.
At the very least, he should have informed the other party. It feels like he just wants to show off and gain attention.
I can't comprehend the male lead at all. Even though he's from a small town and doesn't have much money, he should still have some basic moral values, right? He deceived the fishermen by saying he wanted to take wedding photos, but it turned out to be for a funeral.
When problems arose, he didn't take responsibility and instead pushed them onto the female lead. And selling that rundown company for 1 million? Is this drama actually promoting fraud?
It's quite good, I'm currently caught up with it. There are 10 episodes released, and there are 20 more episodes to come. The lives of the male and female leads in the small town are very relatable, and it's more beautiful than reality.
It's a light-hearted and humorous drama that focuses on the life of a suona player during festive occasions. It's definitely worth watching.
I used to think that Chinese screenwriters had never worked a day in their lives or met a CEO, which is why they created those unrealistic "Boss Falling in Love with Me" workplace dramas set in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou.
But now I realize that these screenwriters don't understand first-tier cities or fourth-tier cities, they don't understand the elderly or the youth, and they don't understand love or friendship. Well, there's one thing they do understand: men's vulgar taste.
A graduate student studying music falling in love with a male lead who has no education, no job, and no wealth, all relying on the female lead's limited social experience that she's unaware of? It's just an excuse to make the storyline work in their imagination.
Director Guo Zengyou, who was previously with Zhenwu Productions, has been in the industry for many years. I've seen his work in dramas like "Nirvana in Fire," "A Family in Wenzhou," "Beiping No War," "Yu Huanshui," and "The Beginning," where he was involved in cinematography and served as a cinematography consultant.
No wonder the visual quality of "Xiaocheng" is so impressive!
The plot is like a youthful version of "Country Love Story." Zhang Jia Ning's character is similar to the early days of Xie Dajiao, the lovable village beauty.
The storyline is quite cliché, but the performances are grounded and down-to-earth—yes, it feels a lot like "Country Love Story." I even suspected that some scenes were filmed in Xiangshan.
The pacing and texture are rushed and unrefined, just like "Country Love Story." I was curious and looked up if this was the director's debut film—well, surprise surprise, Director Guo Zengyou is part of the team from "Noon Sunshine" and worked as a cinematographer for "Nirvana in Fire," "No Man's Land," and "A Family from Wenzhou." No wonder this low-budget production managed to have Wang Yongquan cameo as the second uncle of the female lead (Wang Yongquan played Xia Shuzun in "Nirvana in Fire" and is also a director from the Noon Sunshine team).
It's such a fascinating collaboration.
I'm so familiar with Weihai—the familiar accent, the city, and the old neighborhoods. I've changed my rating because of the many veteran actors. Why does the whole family think they're treating the female lead well in their own way?
The male lead earns money through deception and shares it with his brothers, completely disregarding the emotional burden on the female lead. He shamelessly boasts about it, while the female lead just wants to return to Beijing for her own development.
Is it really that difficult?
From "Homeland, Are You Well?" to "Many Stories in a Small Town," it can be seen that the country is making efforts to discourage young people from staying in first-tier cities.
However, when the female lead returns to her small town, the gossip from the people around her and her parents' excessive concern about her love life suffocate her.
It is feared that instead of discouraging them, it will make more young people escape from social bonds and flock to big cities. Bai Lang arranged for Jia William to listen to music with a group of square dancing aunties, and the lyrics mentioned "2021," so it's not surprising that the plot is a bit melodramatic.
The resolution of problems in the plot often relies on financial means, especially with the sudden appearance of Qu Wen Wen, a wealthy benefactor, which can be both frustrating and amusing.
The use of traditional Chinese music as the background score is very thoughtful. The male and female leads have distinct personalities and are both accomplished actors, which is quite appealing.
I heard they are actually together in real life, which is nice to hear.
- What were they thinking when they said this drama is down-to-earth? Is the male character's speechlessness considered down-to-earth? One deceives and manipulates, while the other goes to great lengths to keep the female lead because of his own liking.
Compared to the rich second generation, he can be considered pure and good-hearted. But why does the female lead have to be in a relationship with him? What were they thinking? I'll give an extra star for the poor Zhang Jia Ning.
Zhang Wansen is truly a rare find [[1]](https://discussions.viki.com/t/colloquialisms-and-s-question/48049?page=2).
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2. [Changing language preferences | TikTok Help Center](https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/account-information/changing-language-preferences)
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I binge-watched all the latest episodes, and it's pretty good. However, I can't help but feel that the moral compass of the female lead is too high. Only those with a strong sense of morality can be held hostage by morality.
It's incredibly absurd that she has to bear the burden of the dreams, lives, and deception of several men whom she had no prior connection with. I really don't want the ending to be her staying in this small town.
There's nothing wrong with a small town, but everyone who wants her to stay overlooks her dreams in a distant place.
The male lead's character is not likable. He's not selling a company but rather the value of the female lead.
He's a wolf in sheep's clothing. However, the actor's performance is quite good. The character has its own charm with a sense of dignity. Is it about dignity or is it about life? If it were a multiple-choice question, who can look down upon whom?
I thought I had found a drama worth following, but I couldn't even finish the tenth episode before giving up. What kind of storyline is this? From the beginning, it went from a sea burial to Bai Lang working in HR at the company?
What did Mo Di do wrong for his brothers and family? He was morally manipulated multiple times. Not to mention the character designs like Huang Tao and her so-called best friends. If they end up together later, it's really sickening.
(I really like Zhang Jia Ning, and she acted well in this drama. My criticism is solely directed towards the storyline and the male lead's character, not that I can't accept an imperfect male lead, but this one was truly frustrating.
He only takes responsibility in front of his brothers, and when facing the female lead who brought better development to the company, he shows no gratitude and even betrays and undermines her dreams.
He's really trash.)
I originally watched this drama before bed to relax, but instead, it made me furious. What is the male lead doing? He acts first and reports later, using people to move forward and discarding them afterward. When someone kindly invited him for a meal, he deceived them and didn't do anything useful.
The female lead showed understanding and asked him to handle things for Li Da Ye, but when the truth came out, it was her parents who took responsibility, and he acted like a rogue when they sought an explanation from him?
?? And what about that police officer who grew up with the female lead? I thought he would help, but instead, he kept her confined at home??? What kind of people are these???
I almost threw up after watching Episode 10. Do the writers think the male lead's character is handsome? He's always acting all noble and caring for his bros, but he repeatedly deceives the female lead and morally manipulates her.
He constantly insults her profession and throws her face. Male second lead and male third lead are equally annoying. And don't get me started on the female lead's parents and sister, constantly trying to stop her from returning to Beijing...
If I were the female lead, I'd go crazy. None of these guys are worth anything, to be honest.
This drama kept me awake and made me want to curse. Especially the male lead's attitude towards the female lead was really terrible. He had no clue about respecting others.
Everyone kept manipulating the female lead, and she had this overly virtuous mindset that infuriated me. My mom is already burdened with worries, which caused her to develop tinnitus.
Because my dad is the type who doesn't take responsibility, if the female lead ends up marrying someone like the male lead, the outcome can only be her tinnitus getting worse until she eventually loses her hearing.
It's already different from the typical idol drama to have a junior high school graduate as the male lead. The acting is generally good, and the pacing feels lively. If we don't dwell on the "pua female lead" aspect, the storyline doesn't have any major flaws, except for the awkwardness in Qu Wen Wen's storyline.
The biggest highlight is the abundance of jokes and it's quite funny.
I hope it doesn't have a disappointing ending, as it's worth a four-star rating.
It's rare to come across such a down-to-earth drama. Nowadays, in many dramas, even poor people live in luxurious apartments, and their faces are airbrushed to the extreme. They always drive expensive cars like a CEO.
But this drama is set in a small town, very relatable. The residential areas are typical homes for ordinary people, and the set design doesn't have those exaggerated elements. Zhang Jia Ning's performance is also excellent.
The male lead, despite not having received formal education and struggling for a living, gives off a very reliable impression with his words and actions. He is kind, filial, loyal, and values love. Such men are rare these days.
Many men mistakenly believe that women are only after money and material possessions, without considering that it is because they lack not only wealth but also other admirable qualities that gold-diggers behave so recklessly.
Great drama, thumbs up. But the male lead doesn't deserve it. He has the most unstable job, smooth-talking, poor character and no conscience. He even deceived the fishing boat that makes a living by doing funeral services.
It's too despicable!
And the second male lead (Xu Shaoying is so handsome), and the third male lead is also sunny and adorable. The best outcome for the female lead should definitely be the second male lead, such a pity.
I can't understand the character development of the male lead. What were the writers thinking? He's selfish, self-serving, and manipulative, taking advantage of others and using the moral high ground to coerce the female lead.
Especially when he deceived the female lead and caused her family's boat to be inauspicious and unable to sell fish. When the female lead confronted him about it, his attempts to shift blame infuriated me...
After watching five episodes, I was so bored that I started practicing calligraphy while listening. The male lead is deceiving and manipulating people, it's almost like kidnapping. Now he's about to kidnap the female lead... The female lead is such a high-quality musician, it's really frustrating to see her settle for this person in this small place.
The third male lead seems more compatible in terms of taste and background.
The formula of this drama is: The female lead has all the love and affection, but she falls for a small-time hoodlum. The male lead, unintentionally, goes from eating toad meat to eating swan meat.
I watched a TV drama starring the female lead, "Tang Brick," many years ago, but it never gained popularity. Girls like her are best suited for the youthful route, like Wang Luodan and Bai Baihe.
I've watched four episodes, and it's really good. I don't understand why the ratings are so low, especially for the male lead. He has great acting skills and a down-to-earth presence that's quite rare.
I looked it up and found out that he was born in 1995, which is impressive. Of course, the female lead also has excellent acting skills.