(Chinese Drama Review) In A Class of Her Own
Original Title: 漂亮书生
Director: Zhi Lei
Producer: Dai Ying
Genre: historical, comedy, romance, school, family
Broadcast: July 23 - August 15 2020
Episodes: 36
Original network: iQiyi
Casts:
Ju Jing Yi as Xue Wen Bin/ Xue We Xi
Song Wei Long as Feng Cheng Jun
Richards Wang as Lei Ao/ Lei Zei Xin
Bi Weng Jun as Yu Le Xuan
What could drag me into Chinese drama these recent days? Well, I'm not sure of myself. I just feel bored waiting for some Jdramas to get subbed. Therefore, here I am, binge watching some long episode drama that I've never thought I would willingly spend my time on them 😂😂😂
OK, let's get to the point of my thoughts about this drama.
This drama is actually a remake of 2010 Korean drama entitled Sungkyunkwan Scandal. I didn't finish watching the Korean version due to the bad quality of DVD I bought 😁. Plus, there weren't any apps to watch Asian drama back in 2010. Today? Just install any apps suit to your heart content. All of them are there for you.
The story is not that far different from the Korean version, a girl disguising herself as a male scholar and joining a school. Wen Bin, the disguised scholar befriended with 3 other scholars while staying in Yun Shang Academy. Working hard to improve herself as capable as other scholars, without her realization, was the one her late father dreamed of. Betrayal as well as friendship colored her life in the Academy. All incidents drew her to reveal about her own life and her late father.
I won't spoil too many details here. I only want to talk about some characters displayed in this drama.
Ju Jing Yi as Xue Wen Xi/ Xue Wen Bin
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| Too handsome to be a male scholar |
Here is the heroine as well as the hero in this drama. Wen Xi is from an impoverished family. However, she grew up smart and good at writing a dialog novel. At first, I wondered how she could be that educated, she could cite some poems or famous writers brilliantly. As far as I knew, she didn't join any schools but she could write and cite well. Even she could exceed other Yun Shang Academy candidates. No wonder, her brilliance caught attention of some people around her.
Due to some unexpected incidents, she finally was registered as one of the new scholars in the Academy. There, she had to disguise herself as a male scholar since the academy only accepted male students. Day to day life was hard for her. But, using her wit, modesty and kindness she could mingle quite well with the other scholars from respected families.
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| Stunning appearance from Wen Bin |
As Wen Bin, Jung Ji Yi was found wearing female dress in a few scenes. Most of the time, she wore scholar uniform or male clothes. I wonder how she could handle female stuff, like monthly period, her temper before and after period, or even taking a bath and having morning 'calls'' were not there. Well, it's just my thoughts. Oya, she's too beautiful to be a male scholar. She has feminine face line that's actually easy to see that she's female. I remember watching a very old drama with Joey Wong as the main lead cast as a male character. She has that firm face line that could disguise herself as a male. Well, it's just my thought.
Song Wei Long as Feng Cheng Jun
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| A fair masterly scholar |
As the Prime Minister's son, Cheng Jun had everything. He could get good education, good environment as a scholar, but he lacked of socialization. His expressions were mostly straight, less emotional, but he could show his justice in some matters. He was the one discovering Wen Bin's talent. He insisted on putting Wen Bin into Academy, not knowing anything about Wen Bin's identity. He even chose to stay in a common dorm room rather than staying in a luxurious dorm provided for him.
Together with Wen Bin, he initiated to be sworn bothers. He somewhat cared of Wen Bin as his Little Brother, and sometimes it seemed that he fell for Wen Bin.
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| Dropped his jaw looking at stunning Wen Bin |
His being diligent for studying started to fall apart after he found out Wen Bin's true identity. His stoic face from the beginning of the drama started to change into more interesting. Honestly, he seemed to be boring since what he talked about was only studying, never fail and get on your dream to be officials some day. See? Boring, right? However, he had good sides related to his being diligent. He mastered written laws and used them to defend his views. He appeared to be loyal when it comes to his friends, especially Wen Bin. Well, Wen Bin fell for him from the beginning, no matter how interesting and attractive her 'other brothers' in this drama.
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| awkward moment after seeing fairy-look Wen Bin |
Frankly, Song Wei Long is my main reason to bear watching this 36 episodes. 🙈🙈🙈 Ever since watching his film, Love The Way You Are, he seemed to be a magnet for me to check on his other dramas and films. I just finished watching his drama entitled Go Ahead when I finally decided to watch his other works. As Feng Cheng Jun, what can I say? Well, once again, he fell in love with his 'sibling'. LOL. From all the scenes in this drama, his mostly anticipated scene was he first saw Wen Bin wearing female clothes. I love repeating that scene and laugh my head out 🤣🤣🤣
Richard Wang as Lei Ao/ Lei Ze Xin
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| Second main lead that makes you heart wrenched |
All the sympathy goes to this second lead! How difficult to be the second lead and for those who love the actor, you might suffer from second lead syndrom. 🤭🤭
Lei Ao was a senior brat who always neglected all rules and tasks from academy. He was popular as the trouble maker in his batch. He owned his dorm room for himself until Wen Bin and Feng Cheng Jun arrived. It might be Wen Bin's charm that lead them to stay together in the dorm room.
Lei Ao joined the academy due to his beloved brother. He idolized his brother and set him as his role model. Never crossed his mind his brother would be gone so soon. He was framed by officials to be one of the rebels. His ideals to pursue his dream were shattered. What he did during his stay in academy was roaming around, trying to find some clues that lead to his brother's murder. Together with Wen Bin, he uncovered the truth about the past. Blood, sweat, tears, betrayal came to his journey.
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| Lei ao's expression after discovering Wen Bin's identity |
Well, I can't comment on the actor since it was my first time to see Richard Wang in this drama. His figure and his performance supported him as a brat. Never had he thought to have a Little Brother or Junior (the way he called Wen Bin) that would have the same ideals as his late brother. His care towards his Junior started to change as soon as he found out that his Junior was a girl, a tough one. How protective he was to his Junior was somewhat annoying yet hilarious for audience like me. The first time he found out, his stoic face turned to be awkward as well as caring but confused to act near his junior. If only Feng Cheng Jun were not there, he might fight for his feeling. It's heart breaking to see him drinking on the roof while Wen Bin and Cheng Jun had a romantic chat down on their dorm room. 😓😓😓
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| If only Lei Ao got Wen Bin, he would be terribly overprotective |
Bi Wen Jun as Yu Le Xuan
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| A noble scholar who didn't come from a noble family |
A very cunning yet loyal friend for the gang. The first time he showed up, what crossed my mind was he was mealy-mouthed. What he cared was to get money and made him safe from any difficulties. He was one of the influential people close to Yun Shang Academy's President. He appeared glamorous, capable of speaking and giving advice. No one knew his background until he himself uncovered his own identity.
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| He's willing to uncover his own identity |
At first, I told myself to be careful to this kind of character. He might be poisonous but then he proved himself as someone reliable especially when Wen Bin needed his advice. He was the kind of cold-headed when the others got their temper. He was rational and sensible, too. How i loved the scene when he was punished for being a liar as a noble. Without saying too much, he won his friends' heart. Thanks to Feng Cheng Jun who could turn something bad into something tolerable and rational. That's what are friends for, right?
How many more characters should I mention here? Since it's a collosal drama, I think there are so many characters involved the four main leads. But I won't write much about them. Just some slight descriptions might be enough.
Mu Xiao Man and Han Shu Min are two other female characters here. Mu Xiao Man is described as a courtesan having many talents to perform on stage. She had a secret on her own dealing with her past. Han Shu Min, on the other hand, had a very clear description; she's the daughter of an officer. She fell in love with Feng Cheng Jun. She might be tough, but Wen Bin was the spotlight here. hehehe... Even though only 3 female characters, they have put some messages to audience-- these three heroines want to show that they are capable, they fight for their right, especially for study.
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| Mu Xiao Man, got my great respect |
Other characters must be Wen Bin's classmates. Together with them, Wen Bin and her 'brothers' learned what they call as friendship and loyalty. It's awesome how they develop their characters and grow their bond during their difficult times.
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| Wen Bin, with her harem. lol |
All in all, this drama is very entertaining as well as addictive. Entertaining, since it has a bit different storyline from the original version. Or, I might have forgotten the Korean version, so that's why I did enjoy this drama. Addictive, of course, since this drama has completed the episodes. Therefore, I don't need to wait another day or another week to get the next episodes. Another thing I learn from this Chinese drama is they love putting some trivial things, that made the drama has so many episodes, compared to Japanese drama. One problem I encountered while watching Chinese dramas was memorizing names in Chinese is really really hard. Until the end of the episode, I could only recall Wen Bin and Feng Cheng Jun's names. Well, yes, Chinese names are really something hard to deal with for me. The last thing I found is they gladly put many sweet moments for the couple. You know, Japanese romance drama really lack of sweet moments. Sweet for some scenes, and more bitter scenes ahead hehehehe... Sometimes, I think I need some sweet romance movies/ drama, but what I got was a reality hit me hard. Am I wrong to yearn for more of sweet scenes. LOL. Well, never mind. I am a kind of masochist person.
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