CW: Unchained Love does feature some scenes of physical abuse and implied intimate violence featuring side characters with oppositional power dynamics. Please watch with care. I will give a full review after I complete the series. This commentary is from knowledge up to episode 18.
Unchained Love is very, very cute. I don't understand the inflated ratings. Given the production, it should be a solid 5 rating on Douban, maybe 5.5. The Long Ballad is only 6 and that rose recently due in part to a hot search. Just because you like the actor doesn't mean you are doing any favors by inflating their dramas/films.
The acting required is not too complicated. Xiao Duo, Wang Hedi's role, is a bit more layered than Bu Yinlou. You want to see more of him. I'm pleasantly surprised with Yukee Chen (btw, her voice is really deep - I wish she wasn't dubbed ALL the time). She is 30, but looks so young. The chemistry is really good; I think it had a solid build. I don't know why people want to see it from the beginning all the time. That is just not realistic people especially for a solid relationship that isn't just lust. Overall, a good drama.
I'll be honest. I like Bu Yinlou and this actress far more than Shao Shang. I think she needs to work on some things, but honestly much improved. I really enjoyed her time-travel with Hugh YiTian last year. The Unchained Love crew for some reason unknown to everyone has basically cut most intimate scenes from the drama. It doesn't look like censorship, but maybe that's it. So weird. This is one drama where the lady is pretty forward and there really should be more hugs and kisses.
DiDi, you are improving sooooo much, but try not to mimic other people too often. I feel like WHD watches WuLei too often as I see expressions and even a series of movements straight out of my favorite actor on him and it is somewhat unnerving lol He and WL really look like siblings though. WHD has a great glare that is all his own. I would definitely enjoy seeing the two play brothers. I love Monkey Faces - I was looking at my husband and I think that is also his face type lol
Unchained Love is really FUN! I would like to see more eunuch's who aren't really eunuch's stories. It is very common in web novels and great for comedy.
My rating so far as of Episode 15 is a solid 5/10. It is very GOOD; WHD is elevating the role a bit for me and to some extent YC, but it is so straight-forward and tropey that I cannot give it a higher score. Great time pass! I hope it ends HAPPILY though! Honestly, it would be awkward to make this a tragedy as it is overall so very light, frothy, and comedic; however, when it goes dark, it doesn't play. I hope that it keeps the balance it has throughout. What do you think?
