Qiao Jia De Er Nü

I shouldn't have rated the TV series before I fully watched it. At least two friends recommended this show, so I watched a few episodes and some clips.

I have to say that the actors did very hard, but I still can't believe the story is true from their performances. Maybe I'm being too picky. Compared to Shameless which in the same dramatic family background, I think the actors of that American TV series are the person who came out of reality, but these Chinese actors seem to be too good-looking, maybe their dramatic performance of acting forcefully deviates from the rough texture and cruel reality that the story should have.

I really, really enjoyed this show - I watched the entire thing in three days, and even afterwards I still keep thinking about it. I'm not normally someone who cries at TV shows, but the finale of this made me sob like a baby. All of the actors are incredible, especially Bai Yu (but he's always excellent, haha) and Song Zu'er, and the relationships between the characters feel grounded and realistic.

It really explores the complexity of growing up with neglectful or absent parents, and the long-lasting effects that has on everyone else in the family, and the way that your childhood shapes the way you form relationships as an adult.

The costuming was also incredible. I can't speak to the historical accuracy since I was not alive or in China during the time that this takes place, but I loved all the clothes they wore, especially Simei who had some top-tier looks. I also really liked how the characters aged, especially Yicheng, even though they were played by the same actors for their time as adults on the show.

If you usually enjoy character-driven, slice-of-life shows, you would love this, but as someone who almost always never watches family drama shows, this was still extremely engaging and emotional. Strongly recommend!

This drama started really engrossing for me but somehow I stopped caring about the characters a few episodes before the end. Strange. It's the first time I haven't bothered to finish a drama that I initially found extremely interesting. Towards the end, there was no character that held my interest.

I'm still giving it a decent rating because the initial episodes were quite impressive and engaging.