Road Home (2023)

romance all the way

super excited to watch this show since the poster came out. love the casting of tan song yun and jing boran as the main leads. i really love romance show that shows a healthy relationship, no crazy drama and mature.. so to me this show really did well. the chemistry is a 10/10, with the cinematic all it's really a very sweet romance.

actually this show is not hard to understand at all. but all the flashbacks makes it very confusing sometimes, because they show the present time and flash back sometimes. there are a lot of flashbacks but nothing very impt to take note as to what really happened between them. development of the story is ok, but sometimes the timeline seems to jump abit for me and idk how long time have past or anything. for example, when did they have kids??? when was she pregnant??? when was her kid like 5 years old alr??? or like everytime luchen went off for work it felt like very long. this would be a really good show if it is shorter imo. still, love both leads!!! and jing boran looks super hot soooo why not

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second half of drama is more watchable

__*Road Home 2023*__ - 8/10 cdrama

first few eps can be described just by one word :Awkward:. I know it was intentional awkwardness, but it made whole story boring to watch and that dreary vibe didnt helped too...
had urge to end stop watching or at least give it 7,5 score, but later half of drama saved it little and upped it to average drama ratings.

Shortly if you get through hard start you may get to like this drama by end or at least wont hate it as much.

__*plot*__ - FL and ML are exes which didnt see each other for long time and never truly managed completely break their relationship. Now they meet again and may as well get together, but whole thing got problems... family problems, long distance relationship cause of work etc.

__*genre*__ - romance, melodrama

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Here for The Chemistry Only

Usually the Police or Army or Firefighter type of drama will have doctor as female leads, then natural disaster comes so the couple will meet during that period. But not this one. That's why, for me, it's a bit draggy. It's like the writer had no idea what else to write to complement the main story. I literally skipped and only watched Lu Chen and Gu Xiao's part started from episode 13. I also wish the leads' friends would develop feeling and all, but no.

Now let's get into my favorite parts:

This is my first Tan Song Yun drama and second Chinese romance drama that i watched. Love the leads' chemistry. I mean by love is L.O.V.E.

First episode when they met again for the first time at gas station in 2018, GX asked LC, "do you still remember me?"
Then LC answered, "i will still remember you even you turn into ashes." THAT WAS INTENSE and IT GOT ME HOOKED.

Then two years after, when they crossed path in snowy Qining (am i right?), they were still reluctant to talk and look at each other. The acting was so natural i felt the distant, hesitation, love, regret etc etc between the leads. LIKE, it was so real even i wanted to scream, "OMG Gui Xiao i know you regret dumping him. I'm sure right here right now you wanna hold and hug him really bad."

After they reconciled, the episodes were bland and boring. It was only them on LDR then make out whenever they reunited.

To conclude, now i want my very own Captain Lu Chen... can I have one like him? He owns all the love languages: touching, quality time, words of affirmation and act of service.

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If every day "Chen Xiao" is this beautiful, I don't want sunset!!!

JBR and TSY is one of the dream pairing I could ask for, I had wished long time ago to see them together, as I thought they would look super good and my wish came true, and waited for this series to pass, and when it came, seriously it was worth it.

Everyone who knows TSY, they know how hardworking she is and how much commitment she has for her work, and on to of that she is among very few CN actors, who can be crowned among many top actors around the world. It is always love to watch her in any role is graces.

JBR had me much earlier with his modeling days, his sexy instagram pictures, and photoshoots really is one of a kind. He is a pure "dongbei ren", sometimes his face looks bigger (lol) but he is way too handsome, and not to mention "good" at his craft and not just flashy face and body.

I came to love the series, although the aspects of nationalism, and patriotism robes my attention as it feels forced fed, and as per readers that in book these elements are also greatly incorporated - I would have just loved a simple love story. Anyway it is not something that can do anything about, so leaving it as it is and focusing on them.

They shot in northern Xinjiang, of Altay region in Hemu village, known to be one of the most beautiful villages in the world, I really admire the actor to do their in such tough conditions. The scenery is really really beautiful. I love how actors channeled their love for their each other, growing from their mistakes, fighting for what they had to, and reached where they wanted to.

Shout out to the kid acting, very handsome "xiao gege" sublime, and mature acting, hope when becomes an adult he will gets his due leading role, as he is amazing at his job.

Loved this series and when it comes to CN series, I shut my critic valve and look for other aspects that I know I will love.

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Jing Bo Ran a discovery

This is a nice one with beautiful scenery. Very nice acting and Jing Bo Ran a handsome discovery for me, i saw some other dramas with him, but didn't pay so much attention.
The series go well, but very slow.
Loved the places been filmed, loved the snow and part of the story, but i think it should me more imput from ML. I didn't like when the FL was pregnant and he said he will not be there for her. Even though they had parties within their base. I didn't like when they were in the hospital and his baby was born, he didn't go there to see her or the FL to bring her for him to see her. Everyone came to see him, so they could've make this moment very special.
I do understand the thing being is Special Forces/ army you have to give up more on your family, but for life events like this you should be there. In all China is only one person that can do the job? I just didn't feel his love in the end.
Well this was my rant :), but i still enjoyed it.

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He is the Perfect Husband

Road Home is a slow burn, healing drama.


What I like:
1) Lu Chen characterisation - Road Home should be titled 'He is the Perfect Husband' because Lu Chen is caring, good cook & only speaks when necessary.
2) Jing Bo Ran - Jing Bo Ran was magnetic on screen. His character is quiet but somehow he managed to convey expressions & mannerisms through his face and body. It also doesn't hurt than Jing Bo Ran looked very hot in uniform and in black t-shirt and black wide leg trousers.
3) Xiao Nan characterisation - I also like Xiao Nan, a very well-written child character. He is smart & rational kid, mature beyond his years.
4) Cinematography - I read that Qining is a fictitious location but the actual locations (Altay, Xinjiang, Hemu Village, Burqin County) were so picturesque (refer to link below). My favourite scenes were 1) scene shot in the big tent like Mongolions live, and 2) scene shot when four characters went camping.
https://mydramalist.com/discussions/gui-lu/91923-where-was-this-filmed-infos-about-places-where-the-action-is-supposed-to-take-place
5) Meng Xiao Shan characterisation - This my second time watching Baby Zhang's work (the first was She and Her Perfect Husband) and I must say I am impressed by her acting . Xiao Shan is mature, smart & confidant woman who is also a girlboss. She is driven at work and in personal life. I understand why she married Qin Feng instead of Hai Dong.

What I disliked:
1) Gui Xiao characterisation - Not a fan of Gui Xiao as I find her character did not grow much. Gui Xiao at 30 remained same as Gui Xiao in high school - childlike, giggly & sheltered. She's lucky to get someone who loves and devotes to her. Also lucky that she's been sheltered from hard ships by her father and Lu Chen.
2) Flashbacks - There are too many flashbacks used in this drama, in particular high school scenes. Some of these high school / puppy love scenes were repetitive that it's hard for me to believe their love story. At times I felt that they both sought each other after a decade because of convenience (we know Lu Chen never dated after breaking up with Gui Xiao).

Favourite scene:
When Gui Xiao gave Lu Chen a ring by kissing. Wow, I've never expected such scene to happen in a Cdrama!

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Easy to watch, not melodramatic

None of the real high suspense cliffhangers between episodes. Just entertaining.

Too many flashbacks. I only want to see them once, but the same ones were repeated. The continuity between episodes and the time lapses were not done well. Too much time elapsed and you could not tell. They missed opportunities to tie together events.

I know they wanted to stay true to the book but the drama should have spent more time developing the relationship between the shy Qin Ming Yu and the pretty Duan Rou and his son. There is enough to make 3 or 4 episodes with them courting that could make funny and embarrassing situations turn to a sweet love story. Really disappointed that the drama didn’t bring their relationship to an obvious closure. But I am not the scriptwriter.

The scenery is worth looking at.

I’m looking at the English subtitles and I’m not sure they use some of they correct words. I think they could be better. They also overlap the captions of the songs which is really annoying.

Anything more said would be spoilers.

Get past the first 6 episodes and you will watch the rest.

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The Entire Premise & Plot are about GUI (Xiao) and LU (Chen)

The Entire Premise & Plot are about GUI (Xiao) and LU (Chen) -- Thus, the very apt name of this drama: Gui Lu.

I wanted to watch this drama because of Jing Bo Ran. He is very tall, manly, charming and handsome. Drama truly presented him in the best light possible which adds greatly to his devastating charm. In this drama, he cooked so well, he loved deeply, he behaved responsibly, he acted with loyalty as well as with integrity. I would definitely like a Lu Chen for myself.

What I loved a lot about this drama:
- Jing Bo Ran. He stole the show. I want a Lu Chen too. Charming, responsible, loving, courageous, sensible, faithful... WOW!
- Relationship between FL and ML was believable. I liked that they only had eyes for each other and truly loved each other madly and deeply. The fact that they re-united and got together after they broke up when they were young made their 'new' relationship a mature one. I liked it.
- FL's and ML's besties were also GOAT. I liked Duan Rou, Meng Xiao Shan, Qing Feng, Hai Dong and Qin Ming Yu.
- I enjoyed the breath-taking scenery. I liked seeing ML and FL in such beautiful surroundings.
- This was also a 'happily-ever-after' drama. I am a sucker for happy endings.

What could have been better:
- Editing was abrupt. Some scenes were fragmented and jumped from one part to another. At times, I went 'huh?' and wondered if I missed something.
- I was looking forward to Jing Bo Ran's shower scene which I spied on YouTube... but, I did not see it while watching the drama.

What I didn't like:
- ML's father was all kinds of f-ed up. Luckily, ML managed to deal with his father forcefully enough too and was not a wimp and he did not allow his loved ones to be hurt by an unreasonable and atrocious maniac.

Overall, I love this drama because I love Jing Bo Ran. I also love his character, Lu Chen. I highly recommend this drama because JBR! <3

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Such a good story

I loved this drama the first time I watched it, it held my attention the entire time. Sure there weren't many if any angsty moments. Things go relatively smoothly for the couple once together. They have great chemistry together and a ton of sweet moments. If you like shows with lots of angst and drama you probably wont like this one.

Pros:
The leads both actually like each other. In the beginning they have misunderstandings but throughout the drama they actually communicate with each other and demonstrate a healthy relationship.
The second couple isn't forced or given an inordinate amount of screen time. The story focuses mainly on our main couple and their life.
Lack of love triangles. Not that there aren't any, it is just that our leads shut them down and don't entertain them.
The series sticks pretty closely with the novel it is based on which is nice.
The young boy wanting to stand up for the FL and 2FL all the time. I think the young actor did a great job in his role.
I feel like this drama fits well within the found family type of drama. The couple both have family issues, and depend on each other as well as their core group of friends more than actual family.

Cons:
While the drama held my interest on the first watch through I do find myself fast forwarding certain portions on subsequent viewings.
I wish they explained more about boy staying in Beijing, They gloss over some details that explain his situation.
Some moments from their past were shown to much, we got glimpses of past events from each of the leads pov which was nice but sometimes felt repetative.
I wasn't a huge fan of the final episode. I hoped for more even if it was a conclusion for out 2nd couple, or more of the main couple together as family.

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A potential Masterpiece (story, great actors) but spoiled by a clumsy production

Series with two Great leads (Jing Bo Ran in ML & Seven in FL), but slow and rather painful narration for the 1st half of the drama.

Plot: Reunion of 2 ex lovers 10 years after they broke up due to family issues & long distance relationship. They still love each other but have to recreate a relationship despite multiple difficulties: annoying love rival, ML's father drunken and abusive behavior, etc.
The drama's tone is happier after the make-up of the couple.

PROS:
+ Quite realistic story with everyday details + a big part to the glory of SWAT & the nation.
+ 2 great leads and an excellent cast with endearing characters
+ Good OST, beautiful images, beautiful landscapes

CONS:
- slow pace, and I mean slow, slow, slow...
- The drama's chronology, including many flashbacks, slows the pace. Let's not talk about the final episode where we discover their very first exchanges in high school. Quite questionable chronology, therefore.
- obvious errors, particulary the child actor supposed to be the one-year-old daughter, is at least 3 years old.

=> Good drama, which had the potential to make a Masterpiece (story, great actors) but spoiled by a clumsy production
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Super leads (Jing Bo Ran en ML & Seven en FL), mais narration lente et plutôt painful pour la 1e moitié du drama.

Plot : Retrouvailles de 2 ex lovers 10 ans après leur rupture due à des problèmes familiaux & à la relation à distance. ils s'aiment toujours mais doivent renouer une relation malgré de multiples difficultés : peste rivale amoureuse, père du ML ivrogne et maltraitant, etc. Dieu merci, la 2nde partie du drama est moins sombre.

PROS :
+ Story assez réaliste avec les détails du quotidien + hymne à la gloire du SWAT & de la nation.
+ 2 super leads et un casting global excellent avec des personnages attachants
+ Bonnes OST, belles images, beaux paysages

CONS :
- rythme lent mais lent, lent, lent...
- La chronologie du drama, incluant de très nombreux flashbacks, ralentit le rythme. Ne parlons pas de l'épisode final où on découvre leurs tous 1eers échanges au lycée. Chronologie tout à fait discutable, donc.
- des erreurs évidentes notamment l'enfant acteur censé incarner la fille de un an, a au moins 3 ans.

=> Bon drama, qui avait le potentiel pour faire un Masterpiece (story, great actors) mais gâché par une réalisation maladroite

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