Qin Ai De Wu Xiong (2021)

Una historia dulce como algodón de azúcar

Este drama me pareció realmente muy bueno. Es muy refrescante, totalmente recomendable. Dicho esto, los primeros cinco minutos fueron totalmente anticlimáticos para mí. Vale la pena superar esa escena, y seguir viendo. Hou Chi, el protagonista, lucha con el líder de la secta malvada, Shi Dong, que tiene un armamento que parece comprado en una juguetería. Es importante que durante esa lucha, Shi Dong cuestiona a Hou Chi, aspirante a líder de una alianza de inmortales defensora de la humanidad, diciéndole que él nunca ha sentido en carne propia lo que significa proteger a alguien. En cambio, Shi Dong siempre ha protegido a su Me Me, apelativo que se usa para una hermana menor, pero que también puede usarse para una novia. Hou chi es un inmortal que nunca ha abandonado el recinto donde vive y entrena, solo se relaciona con su padre y su hermano menor, vive para estudiar y prepararse físicamente para el torneo donde el líder de la Alianza será elegido. No se ha relacionado nunca con mortales, nunca ha visto a una mujer, no tiene ni siquiera necesidad de beber o comer. Cuando Shi Xia, una chica de la actualidad, literalmente cae en su pequeño mundo, todo cambia para él. Hou Chi se propone ayudarla a volver a su tiempo, y ella lo ayudará a cumplir su misión, ampliando su visión del mundo en el camino. Por supuesto, habrá conflictos con el padre de él, y con el hermano de ella, que resulta ser Shi Dong. Hou Chi no puede ignorar su obligado destino de líder, pero tampoco está dispuesto a desproteger a Shi Xia. La trama es muy entretenida, todo el tiempo está pasando algo ajeno a ellos, pero que los afecta. La rivalidad entre Shi Dong y Hou Chi es especialmente cómica.
El desarrollo de la relación entre el inocente Hou Chi y Shi Xia es dulce pero no empalagoso. Las historias secundarias suman interés para que el ritmo del relato no decaiga en ningún momento. Los actores son excelentes, y para qué negarlo, muchos de ellos son realmente guapos. Todos se desempeñan muy bien en sus roles. He leído un comentario positivo hacia el actor que interpreta a Hou Chi, diciendo que muestra la expresividad de un leño. Paradójicamente, es la mejor crítica que se le podría hacer, no quiero spoilear el porqué.
Visualmente, la escenografía es linda, hay un par de efectos especiales que parecen rudimentarios, aunque creo que en parte es a propósito, para dar un aire de vieja película de Julio Verne. El vestuario me pareció realmente excelente. Los peinados son femeninos son simples y hermosos, y las pelucas masculinas son más que correctas. La música es preciosa, el tema de apertura es increíble, y hay muchos efectos sonoros que aportan clima de comedia.
El capítulo final termina un poco abruptamente, aunque el final es feliz. Hay un capítulo extra que no he podido ver, creo que tiene un final más completo y satisfactorio.

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Cotton Candy Romance

In Chinese, the terms 妹妹 (mei mei) and 哥哥 (ge ge) have double meanings - one refers to a sibling, the other can mean a lover. It is the mix up in the understanding and usage of the terms that has caused the hilarious misunderstanding of our naive characters that drives the plot. The love of one's sibling (platonic) and a romantic love can be confusing for someone who has never seen an opposite sex, let alone having a sister. This purity together with naivety leads to confusion and hilarious conclusions.

For the Chinese, it is very common for an admirer calling the admired "ge ge" or "mei mei". Using such terms helps to reduce the embarrassment of being too blatant in a relationship especially if it's hidden, as well as reducing the barrier in the name of familial relationship. In this drama, these two terms are repeatedly and interchangeably used and construed by various characters for different meanings.

This story is a fusion of the modern world with the ancient xianxia world. Our Female Lead Shi Xia (Wu Qianying) has accidentally travelled to the xianxia world while searching for her brother Shi Dong (Dai Yunfan). There in the xianxia world she meets the immortal Hou Chi (Zhao Yingbo) and falls in love with him. Hou Chi has never seen an opposite sex, nor heard of the term “mei mei”, and has no clue what a “sister” is, for Hou Chi is the purest of the pure and has been trained for 200 years to take over the role of the united ruler of the universe. But adopting Shi Xia as his “mei mei” to love and to protect changes his life because he also falls in love with her.

I really like Zhao Yingbo’s portrayal of the Hou Chi character. Hou Chi does look like a piece of wood, drained of emotions on his face, lack of understanding of any worldly matters and human relationship. Though slow in his motion, he is not stiff, and he is intelligent and loyal. Therefore when he eventually gives the viewers a slight smile, we know he is truly in love. The actor has an untainted look as pure as a baby’s face, with his innocent mind asking adult questions, it is really a joy to watch.

Coming from a modern world, Shi Xia is as astute as any of today’s young adults. Wu Qianying’s acting here is not bad as a sometimes-rebellious little sister, and can be rather sweet and cute at times. She and Zhao Yingbo make a very adorable pair with great chemistry. I love Dai Yunfan as Shi Xia’s protective big brother. The dynamics he has with his little sister and her boy friend, Hou Chi, are funny and warm, and the confusing interchanging use of the terms “mei mei” and “ge ge” is hilarious.

My Verdict

This drama is silly but absolutely adorable. At first, I wanted to drop at episode 1. But I was like licking a cotton candy that I couldn't throw away because it's too cute and fluffy. There’s not so much of a plot here. Basically, Shi Xia tries to find a way back to her modern world and Hou Chi tries to become the ruler of the universe so that he can help send her back. Then there is a couple of not-so-evil antagonists who suffer mental illness because of their wrongful perception, and perish eventually. The OSTs are very pretty and calming, just like our Hou Chi character and his relationship with the first girl he has ever seen in his life. Despite all the flaws and stuff, I was rather enjoying it.

Entertaining! Great watch!

P/S Though this drama is listed as having 35 episodes, there is an extra episode that tells the modern life of our love birds. Don't miss it. It super funny, and cute.

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