Drama Digest
There is an urban legend that there is a mysterious pawn shop that only greedy people can enter. A pawnee’s dream of finding true love and believing that this mysterious pawn shop can help them redeem their dreams or have them destroyed. The mysterious pawn shop has one rule, there is interest, and the price must be repaid. We follow Lu Xiao Fan who pawned his lover Wu Zheng to escape danger. He is confused and afraid that his lover will be trapped and in trouble, so he shows up to protect her. But to his dismay, she has forgotten about him as he could not deal with the massive debt. Wu Zheng starts the road of pawning but does not realize the possible crises and variables ahead of her. What secrets does the pawn shop hold? What price will Wu Zheng pay for falling back into the pawn shop? And will the two leads ever find the love they lost? Watch this heartbreaking and romance-filled drama to discover what secrets lurk behind the pawn shop.
The Feel-Good Part
The direction of this drama is spectacular. From the way, the drama is shot to the interactions between characters to how the characters are framed in each scene. There is a significant meaning and thought that is put into this drama. There are a lot of hidden details that draw you in. You go into this show expecting a standard drama but get treated to a more complex and easter egg-filled drama. The screenwriting draws from the source material and expands on aspects that need to be done so that we get a more well-rounded experience. The realism in this show is perfect. There are genuine human emotions, decisions, and actions that draw the viewers and give us an emotional reaction to some of the more heart-wrenching scenes. The art direction is also incredibly exquisite and has some great set designs.
The Disappointing Factor
Because this drama is not that straightforward, it does tend to get a bit messy and convoluted. This is not an easy watch if you want to get all the details and the hidden details. Upon casual viewing, you will tend to miss a lot of the great moments within the drama. This drama might not be for everyone because it does require a lot of brain work and patience to enjoy these moments. But with a little concentration and reading between the lines, you can get all the pieces to complete the puzzle of the main ideas and the mystery that the drama aims to tell us.
In-Depth Analysis
This show talks a lot about the sadness of losing a love and the attempts it takes to get it back. For a fantasy drama, it happens to be the most realistic drama. With a bit of patience and dedication, you can get past the convoluted and confusing parts and uncover elements that set this drama apart from other slice-of-life dramas. There is also a great deal of choice explored in this drama and how one option can change everything.
Star Power
The most significant part of this drama is the direction. The master of this beautiful direction is Xie Dong Shen, who truly brings out the best in each scene. Xie Dong Shen is best known for directing works such as Better and Better, as well as assisting in executing projects such as Happy Times, The Road Home, and Shanghai Triad. Our leads are Lu Xiao Fan and Wu Yang, played by Fan Cheng Cheng and Lan Ying Ying. Both of them deliver excellent performances that, sometimes will have you in tears for how intense their performances are. Fan Cheng Cheng is best known for his roles in The World of Fantasy, Wisher, The Door Lock, and I Want Us To Be Together. He is also known as a participant in the survival show Idol Producer, where he ended up in 3rd place. Lan Ying Ying is best known for her roles in The Lover’s Lies, The Peach Blossom, Surgeons, Nice to Meet You, The Rescue, and Who Sleeps My Bro. We also have great supporting roles in the form of Huang Dian Wen, played by Calvin Li; Nan Zi, played by Chen Peng Wan Li; Xiao Bai, played by Wu Shuang; and He Hong Jia, played by Xin Peng.
Overall Opinion
This show is an excellent exploration of love and the various facets of time. There is a lot you can explore and take away from this drama. If you watch it, you are in for a rollercoaster of emotions, some heart-wrenching moments, and a well-directed and produced drama.
