Zhu Lian Yu Mu (2024)

THIS IS WHAT 2024 NEEDED.

I’m only up to episode 20 and let me tell you it’s been a rollercoaster for me. One I never want to get off.

I’ve been a fan of the pairing of Zhao Lusi and Liu Yu Ning ever since they stole the show in The Long Ballad and let me tell you they ate and left no crumbs in Pearl Girl. So. Much. Chemistry!!!

Their story is angsty, beautiful, brutal and so addictive. I love the whole cast (especially Shrimp, Kang Ju and Loud), the costume (GORGEOUS). the OST (LYN, come on) and everyone’s performance.

ZLS is known for being typecasted but this show definitely showed off her range. I’m patiently waiting for more episodes.

Leia Mais

HALF TIME REVIEW: A JOURNEY FILLED WITH DEPTH AND EMOTION.....

"The story of 'Pearl Girl' is a captivating Chinese historical drama that follows Duan Wu, a pearl diver in search of freedom. After an unforeseen incident, she escapes the pearl farm and joins a caravan on a quest to retrieve a relic that was left to her. Along the way, she encounters a merchant named Yan Zijing, with whom she initially has a rocky relationship. However, as they travel together, they slowly get to know each other, and Duan Wu learns valuable lessons from him.

What won me over about this drama is its storytelling. I am a huge fan of character-driven plots, and 'Pearl Girl' centers around Duan Wu's journey towards a better life. The depiction of her struggles, gains, and losses is beautifully crafted, showcasing how the people she meets—both good and bad—contribute to her development. I appreciate the way the story unfolds step by step; it's fast-paced yet allows you to fully engage with her experiences without feeling rushed.

The acting is another standout aspect of this drama. Zhao Lusi delivers an outstanding performance as Duan Wu, portraying her character with such expressiveness that I find myself emotionally attached to her journey. When she cries, I cry; when she laughs, I laugh. Liu Yining, who plays Yan Zijing, is equally impressive, using his eyes and body language to convey deep emotions that enhance his subtle yet impactful acting.

Iam also impressed by the characterisation and character development.... I love when characters are written with personality and complexity..and each of the characters or let's say most of the important characters in this drama is crafted with depth and complexity, making them feel real and relatable. Duan Wu, the female lead, embodies bravery and grit, showcasing her intelligence and willingness to learn, while also revealing her vulnerabilities and flaws. This balance makes her journey all the more compelling as she navigates her challenges.

Yan Zijing, the male lead, is another fascinating character. His quick wit and cunning nature reflect his troubled past, yet he also displays a softer side that adds layers to his persona. The dynamic between them is beautifully portrayed, highlighting their natural chemistry as they learn from each other and build trust.

The supporting characters also contribute significantly to the narrative. For instance, the second male lead may seem self-righteous at first, but his growth throughout the series adds an interesting dimension to the story. Each character has their own arc, and I love how their individual stories intertwine with the main plot, enriching the overall experience. The romance is subtly woven into the first half, and the development of the leads' relationship is both believable and engaging, setting the stage for the angst that follows.

This is a half-time review, and so far, I can say that if the second half or arc is just as good or even better, then the story of "Pearl Girl" is going to be one of my best dramas this year. I can't wait to see how it goes! But so far, I definitely recommend it. It delves into some deep themes, but it’s absolutely worth the watch. The character arcs and relationships are so well-developed, making it a captivating experience. I'm excited to see how everything unfolds in the upcoming episodes!

Leia Mais

Liu Yunning and Zhao Lusi- I waited for this duo since the Long Ballad

I won't go as far as declaring it a masterpiece or the perfect drama of the year. Cdrama tends to go down the drain towards the second half most of the time which was the case here as well. Story wise, the premise was really good, though it depends on your personal preference for me I found myself skipping a lot especially in the second half. In the beginning it felt quite a mix of Novoland pearl and Princess Agent. The torturous life of FL and her evolution from a slave to an independent strong woman is what reminds me of the other two shows. Plus I am a sucker for a strong female sort of storylines hence I continued watching it despite everything. ML on the other hand looked like a jerk, snobbish and a typical cdrama ML but he was more than that. The more you watch the more you understand his pov. His own experience and the way he represented a life that was not full of roses to FL made his character more grounded. He never helped her in things or showed any affection to her, never bend his harsh rules for her or showed leniency whatever may come. His reasons were simple. 'You won't find kind hearted people out there so one should be strong enough not just physically but mentally as well to deal with a world like that without expecting someone's help.' That was the biggest contrast between him and the SML, who showed her a world full of kindness and goodness shit and what not. I understand him to some extent but would not agree with his ideologies of kindness returns kindness. This only works only in some cases but rest of the time it is pretty much what happens with FL during her business ventures in the beginning.
Side cast in my opinion was not explored enough that I would find myself thinking about their characters. Except for another tomboy female (Shijie) I do not think there was anyone worth remembering. Her character though was strong and tried to portray an antagonist which people could sympathize with but she felt little extra at times and I couldn't feel much sympathy for her. Music was good and costumes were beautiful. l am Not a fan of CGI here they could have done better there but overall it was an intriguing drama. And obviously with one of my fav CPs. I wouldn't say it has much re-watch value but it is definitely a one time watch.

Leia Mais

BRTV interview

In response to BRTV who pointed out how #ZhaoLusi always cares about others' feelings. While shooting #TheStoryOfPearlGirl underwater scene, despite shivering from the cold, she kept saying "It's fine" and continued to cheer everyone up ☀️

"It was a situation where an Introvert person like me needed to act like an Extrovert. I just thought that the conditions were already so toilsome and I'm already the one being taken care of. So if I'm still unhappy at that point in time, everyone else will be feeling uncomfortable too.
Working with discomfort is still a day, and working with happiness is also a day. A day is a day. So I thought I should just share some positivity."

*source from someone who actually knows Chinese , English and translate it perfectly

Leia Mais

High potential to No potential

After the back to back hits, Lusi has emerged to be an all rounder actress. Yes I admire how she can pull off any role, while I'm also aware that this couldn't have been possible without choosing the right scripts that showcased her talent. At first I was really excited for this drama and was curious to see what she was bringing this time but only to be disappointed soon.

1. Initial episodes were good and brought a lot of curiosity about what's gonna happen next. The suffering was hard to watch so I was expecting the revenge would be a lot more cruel.. this is where the disappointment started.

2. I'm a big fan of LYN, love his voice. Was expecting a lot from him but his role is just very pale and ok. I mean there's no charm in any of the characters..

3. The script itself is quite boring...too many unnecessary things are included with little to no comedy. It feels very dull and depressing somehow! There's nothing eye-catching or anything that you would be looking forward to..

To summarize, it started off well but failed to keep me constantly hooked, I might just watch it for the sake of completing it.

Leia Mais

A Must Watch…

The Story of Pearl Girl is a must watch…a well developed storyline, amazing acting, beautiful cinematography, excellent cast, and overall, top notch production.

Initially, I wasn’t sure what to expect with the plot. But after watching the first few episodes, the series is much more than I imagined and now I’m hooked. I’m half way through the series and am so glad they were approved for the 40 episodes - allows for a well developed storyline.

Zhao Lusi is an amazing actress. I have enjoyed watching her in other dramas , but her skills in this one is next level. Her ability to tell the story of her struggles and resilience through all her different emotions is incredible. The underwater scenes with her diving for pearls is exquisite. Liu Yuning’s acting as the ML is also impressive. His imposing stature and strong overall presence make him suitable for the role. The chemistry between the two leads is overflowing. They are very comfortable acting with each other. The cast are all great actors.

The cinematography from the underwater images to the desert scenes are mesmerizing. The costumes are captivating. The OST beautifully matches to the production. This series has been top tier so far…

I’m looking forward to the 2nd half of the series…

Leia Mais

Worth the Buzz

I sometimes have the premonition that when something is hyped, it’s most likely not worth it. Honestly the over posting about the drama beforehand got annoying that I considered unfollowing some platforms. Fast forward, I tuned in right away when it aired, and I’m blown away at how much I am enjoying it. My gosh first episode had me so invested I was so impressed with the cinematic quality. It’s like the real life scene of the animated Ariel under the sea . Bravo well done.

So much attention is given to main leads (deservedly so) but really though, everyone of the cast and their contributions deserve applause. I watch the older veterans and am so impressed at how they do so well with their lines and acting their parts. What to do without them right? So grateful for their work.

Production team did really well planning out each scene that the story flow is great as we can easily follow the story of the enslaved pearl harvester heroine. Lusi really put in the work to her character as she is shining. In fairness, as I’ve said, everyone is playing their role really well.

Join in the fun as the story unravels. It’s a fun ride and of course we got long ways to go but so far, it’s a very promising story that hopefully will end as it started, on a very high bar.

Leia Mais

Good beginning but already declining before the midpoint

Really enjoyed the initial episodes, lusi was carrying the show but the writing and story were interesting as well. But around episode 12 the writing and story were becoming quite uninteresting to me. Every scenario now follows the same program on repeat as they move around to the next people to take down. I went from binge watching and looking forward to the next episode release to struggling to get through episodes 15 and 16. I fear there's no way this holds up for 40 Episodes and will struggle like almost all c dramas do to finish the show.

I like the male lead and his acting but don't feel any chemistry between him and lusi, and as their love interest is becoming a part of the story i feel his acting is getting worse.

The other males aren't very good actors either, including the second male lead. The worst of the bunch is the character Cao. The females in the show are doing a much better job of acting.

Leia Mais

Idk where this drama was going

The first few episodes of pearl diving were so legit and high production, then the rest of the drama went into full c drama nutty land.
I have some pros and cons, but to be honest the drama has no hook to keep you interested.
PROS:
-The concept of a FL escaping slavery and finding a way to live life is a good story
-Great costumes
-Love all the actors
-Great makeup
-Good darker color palette for the screen. I like that nobody looks too white or washed out.

CONS: -initial story dragged from 1-9. Episode 10 is where they finally sailed to a new land. 11 is where FL questions her dad's identity.
-no 2nd male lead syndrome in this one. He is just there to be a connection to the prince
-the Cui family's daughter/and Cui people plot felt like it went on too long
-11 episodes in and you haven't met the king/princes, or any big players yet.
-The support characters not interesting, or don't even exist. Who is there besides the little boy and noble woman?

I feel like the most EGREGIOUS thing is that Male lead was a dick for most of the beginning, but then he somehow knows all her family history, and then falls for her? Like the way their relationship developed is bad c-drama logic on display.

This drama could honestly finish on episode 17 when they kissed in the town. She's traveling with his trading caravan, and he fell for her. I forgot to watch it for several days, so at this point I've dropped it.

Leia Mais

It is a story that will give mental energy to those who are struggling in life.

duan wu is like the pearl carefully picked by zhao lusi ࿐࿔

through her character as duanwu, she left behind the most beautiful version of herself!

duan wu, like a pearl polished by the waves and sand, had her resilience and beauty brought to life by lusi's empathetic acting

whether it was her stubborn, unyielding tears while fighting against injustice, her sharpness in a breathtaking dance, or when she firmly told zhang langjun, "we are both fundamentally different," we could all see how much lusi cherished and deeply understood this character.

it is duan wu’s resilience and vivacity that makes this role unforgettable!

throughout the process, lusi embodied duan wu’s line: "women should not be bound by the fate spoken of by others." she grew with duan wu, accompanying her from resisting fate to reconciling with herself, completing her own transformation.

just like how sand turns into a pearl, lusi showcased the strength of women and the right to make their own choices. lusi became even more radiant because of duan wu, and with her sincere heart, she continues to sail forward in her acting journey ? ??

may both duan wu and lusi always shine like the sun, lighting the path ahead ☀️

Leia Mais

The Emotional Rollercoaster you don’t want to get off! Zhao Lusi Delivers EVERYTIME

So far… I felt the emotion of each character that if it ends as a tragic love story, I would completely understand why. From the very first episode, Duanwu is no punk! I love how Duanwu as a character even though she is naive in some aspects ai ly because she’s grown up in the Pearl farm but she’s also exceptionally smart for someone who has had to Literally fight for everything she’s ever had. The fire in her eyes is that of a survivor! She’s realistic. So far we’re seeing the development of an intimate storyline between ML and FL and it’s one of understanding, they’re from the same world, they make sense together. In the same light we’re seeing the expressions of interest to the FL by the SML and she’s shut him down at every turn. Like I said, she’s no punk so she’s not going to feed into his sugarcoated sweet talk! I love this aspect of the drama especially because there’s no dilly dallying of leading the SML on just to have an unnecessary additional plot line! She knows that in the world they live in, they could never work! I especially loved when she challenged SML when he spoke of the mermaid and the scholar story! She’s an ambitious dreamer in the sense that she knows what she wants and she’s not afraid to Grab it. She’s realistic (see her interactions with SML and his advances) and she doesn’t believe in fairytales which is what I’m sensing from the SML! I loved when his attendant asked him if he would be willing to go against his family for her, and judging by his character, a person who at every turn seems to do what is right, he probably wouldn’t.

Her journey with ML leaves us as viewer anticipating and trying to guess if they will make it! You may be thinking, why should she fall for someone who essentially abused her physically from the day he met her, but again this story is not that of roses and fairytales! KJ explains that he wanted her to become resilient because that’s essentially how he grew up. Then we get to see a little bit of insight into his survival story and we realise the beating she received at his hands was cherries compared to the tragedy he faced to become who he is. Again ML and FL make perfect sense together… there’s no other way to describe it!

Every single character so far in this drama has understood the assignment and has delivered! There has been no miss-cast and the drama engages you from the first scene in the first episode, I mean get your tissues ready. You’re thrown into a world that’s completely different from other CDramas! I think the story really sheds light into what life was like for the majority of people back then, because it wasn’t all fairies and a fight for the throne and power! There were people who were killed senselessly, kidnapped and thrown into slavery, tortured, raped etc! We get thrown into a world in cdrama that we as viewers are not particularly familiar with because most stories are usually toned down or they are Palace dramas so we know what to expect. With TSOPG we don’t know what to expect so it allows us to relate to FL even more because she’s taking us on that journey.

The soundtrack 10/10
The visuals 10/10
Casting 10/10

This show has been amazing so far and I really hope the momentum continues to build until the very end. I’m giving it an early 10 stars because of how captivated I have been from the first episode. I mean I was crying from episode one, I’ve laughed with them as well and I’ve cried again. The casting is EXCEPTIONAL! Ms ZLS NEVER DISAPPOINTS.

Leia Mais