Winter begonia
"I'll probably drop this series after a few episodes." That was what I thought after watching the trailer for "Winter Begonia," a C-drama set in the Republic era with Beijing opera as its central theme. For someone who's not a fan of Chinese opera, I wasn't sure I could sit through 48 episodes of incomprehensible singing/screeching. I also had serious doubts it could stand up to the 1990's movie classic, "Farewell My Concubine," directed by Chen Kaige.
So...I'm now on episode 38. It is simply beautiful. The rich details in costumes, set design, and cinematography made "Winter begonia" truly a visual feast. I love how opera subtitles shimmered beautifully on the side of the screen and enabled audiences to dive into each poetic tale as it unfolds on stage. Thanks to this series, I now have better understanding and appreciation of Beijing operas.
"Winter Begonia" is an impressive TV adaptation by screen writer Shui Ru Tian Er, who's also the author of the original IP novel. The rich storyline and solid plot development made every episode gripping. It's truly hard to not binge watch this series after the first hour.
Andrew Yin, the lead actor, delivered a wonderful performance as the socially awkward opera genius. Although homely in traditional street attire, his stunning transformation into a breathtaking Beijing opera diva was nothing short of miraculous. Huang Xiao Ming played the dashing westernized business tycoon opposite of Andrew Yin. The two contrasting characters generated many comical moments in the otherwise serious historic drama. I also give "Winter Begonia" an A+ on character development of its supporting roles. They were relatable and well fleshed out with intriguing backstories.
Overall, the first quarter of 2020 had been unusual in C-drama land; when TV studios decided to release a ton of stock piled series all at once while viewers are under house arrest during the pandemic. There're just so many shows to pick and chose. Nevertheless, I highly recommend "Winter Begonia." It's timeless and a rare gem among the overwhelming influx of quality c-dramas.
