Drama Digest
The story revolves around three characters- the cat demon Xiao Qi, the demon catcher Xiao Tian, and the inferno ghost Jin Cheng. Xiao Qi must do a hundred good deeds to achieve immortality. Xiao Tian and Jin Cheng decide to help her with her mission because she promises to help them once she becomes immortal. Xiao Qi is good at spells and magic. Thus, the trio opens a magic grocery store that sells magical potions to help people. Together, they come across various engaging customers and have many exciting experiences.
The Feel-Good Part
The drama is full of slapstick comedy, and most of the humor is luckily not lost in translation. The main characters keep finding themselves in hilarious and ridiculous situations, making the story extremely funny. Characters often break the fourth wall, and everyday objects such as cell phones sometimes appear in the otherwise ancient setting, adding to the humor. The chemistry between the three main leads is also excellent, and their effortless rapport is endlessly amusing. The drama excels in the set design and costuming department too.
The Disappointing Factor
The special effects look bad and might distract the viewer from the plotline. Since magic and fantasy are essential to the plot, the low-quality special effects used in the scenes are incredibly dissatisfying. The supporting cast is disappointing, with weakly written dialogues and even weaker acting. The theatrical overacting meant to sustain the comedy ends up being a little too corny at certain moments. The budget constraints sometimes become apparent in the poor editing.
In-Depth Analysis
The drama is short and enjoyable, with a unique and fun plot. The elements of fantasy and comedy perfectly blend into the story, with dynamic performances from the lead actors. It is not the typical Chinese historical drama with high dramatic tension and a complicated storyline. Instead, it is a feel-good and goofy take on the genre, and its appeal lies in the fact that it does not take itself too seriously. The absurd humor of the script and the main cast’s chemistry outweigh the technical flaws of the series and make it a pleasurable watch.
Star Power
The three lead actors- Jerron Wu, Zhao Qing, and Jeremy Wang, have good acting skills and great comedic timing and delivery. The series and its humor gain a lot from their chemistry. Lackluster acting from the supporting cast, however, is very off-putting and tarnishes the noteworthy performances of the main cast.
Overall Opinion
If you are looking for a light-hearted comedy that contains aspects of other genres such as fantasy and historical, this is the perfect drama for you. It keeps the viewer entertained and engaged. As it is a miniseries with episodes spanning 10 minutes on average, it is also ideal for binge-watching.
