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Begin Again chinese drama review
Completed
Begin Again
1 people found this review helpful
by JulesL
Jan 6, 2021
35 of 35 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 7.5
This review may contain spoilers

A nice twist to the 'Overbearing CEO' trope

Love, love the female lead! Not only was she smart, confident, sassy, and influential, Lu Fang Ning was also attractive, and I lusted over her outfits. Her character was the first to draw me in and kept me vested in the show, and the presence of Ling Rui, the male lead, enhanced my watching experience. Zhou Yu Tong and Simon Gong have great chemistry, and they look so good together. This is the first time I watched Zhou Yu Tong, and she has the air of a female lead. Simon Gong has improved a lot since his role in the Love Equations. He emoted well and portrayed the brilliant, calm, reserved but charismatic Ling Rui perfectly. The two leads complemented each other so well, and it was endearing to see their consideration and care for each other as their love deepened.

I enjoyed the character development for the leads, and interestingly, there was a role reversal towards the end. What I appreciate was that Fang Ning did not lose her spunk. She was calmer and more matured but did not lose her fighting spirit despite having suffered adversities. Ling Rui, on the other hand, charmingly became more overbearing and demanding, motivated by his fear of losing Fang Ning again. I liked how he strategized and anticipated Fang Ning's moves so that he can compel her to stay with him, but he did it so smoothly and in a non-creepy way.

The supporting characters were precisely that, nothing more but to keep the story flowing. Most were likable, though, and the whole cast had a great rapport with each other. It was interesting to see Ling Rui living and surrounded by three female relatives. Fang Ning's family story was heart-breaking but provided an opportunity for a heart-warming ending. I did not suffer the second lead syndrome, but I did sympathize with Lu Yi Yao. He would have been a good match for Fang Ning, and I can picture them as a power couple in the business.

The show was well-written, and the comedy was on point with amusing soliloquies from the leads and the creative scenes when their imaginations ran wild.

Another plus point was the OST - so effectively used in the poignant scenes, and each song evoked the right mood and heightened my watching pleasure.

Why I could not rate it a perfect 10:

1) I detested the second female lead character. In a show that featured a strong female lead, I did not understand why there had to be a character so simpering, self-absorbed, and totally unworldly wise. She was so into romance novels, blinded by the thought of romance instead of acknowledging actual feelings. She did redeem herself a little towards the end, but I fast-forwarded through most of her scenes.
2) There were some plot holes, and some scenes felt "shallow" like there should have been more development of those storylines.
3) Lu Yi Yao's sudden change of affection to the second female lead - I didn't see the chemistry, nor did I see any reason for that transition other than his fear of aging.

Overall, a recommended watch for the amazing leads, good dialogue, well-delivered comedy, and sweet romance.
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