FILTER: HALF TIME REVIEW ❤️
NOTE: REVIEW MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS! NOTE: REVIEW IS BASED ON MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF THE SHOW NOTE: IAM DONE WITH THE FIRST HALF OF THE DRAMA ( EP 1 - 16 )
Filter is a humorous yet profound drama that tells the story of a woman grappling with insecurities about her appearance. When she unexpectedly encounters her high school first love, their reunion leaves her feeling disheartened after he makes an offhand comment about her looks. Feeling dejected, she crosses paths with an elderly woman who gifts her a mysterious bracelet. This bracelet turns out to be a filter that allows her to alter her appearance, shapeshift into different forms, and enhance her beauty, much like a beautification app.
As she navigates her newfound abilities, she becomes re-involved with her crush, who is drawn to one of her personas. I won’t delve deeper to avoid spoilers, but this overview captures the essence of the story. Filter excels at tackling sensitive topics such as body image, self-discovery, and self-love. It feels both original and refreshing, striking a perfect balance between depth and humor. The comedy is skillfully executed and feels natural rather than forced, making it genuinely enjoyable.
The characters are vibrant and fully embrace the chaos of their situations, leading to plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Yet, amidst the comedy, Filter maintains an emotional core that resonates deeply, ensuring that viewers experience a rich blend of laughter and reflection
The pacing is excellent, with events unfolding in a way that feels neither dragged out nor slow. As I mentioned earlier, the characters are intriguing, and it's refreshing to find that most of them are genuinely likable. Their impeccable comic timing significantly enhances the humor throughout the series, making the comedic moments all the more enjoyable.
The female lead, played by Landi Li, is a joy to watch. Despite her initial insecurities about her appearance, she exudes a vibrant and energetic personality that is truly endearing. Her ability to stand up for herself, combined with her humor, adds depth to her character. She’s wonderfully flawed and imperfect, which only enriches the narrative.
On the other hand, the male lead, portrayed by Tian Jianci, may initially come off as a jerk, but there’s a deeper explanation for his behavior. He is a quirky, nerdy, and fun-loving character who makes unreasonable assessments and decisions, which makes him relatable and human—quite a departure from the flawless male leads we often see. His refreshing personality adds a unique charm to the story.
Even the side characters are well-developed and interesting. The female lead's best friend is naive yet cute, funny, and loyal, while her sister, with her cold exterior, shows a caring side. The male lead's coworker and best friend brings an unintentional humor and maturity that further enriches the ensemble. All these characters contribute to the series' charm.
Now, let's delve into the growth and development of the leads' relationship. As I mentioned earlier, the female lead possesses a unique bracelet that allows her to take on different forms and personalities—yes, even a broom or an alpaca! Throughout the series, we see these various personas interact with the male lead, who finds himself falling for each of them. He literally embraces the "will you love me if I turned into..." concept, showing that his attraction stems from the charm of the female lead, regardless of her form.
Their relationship starts off on rocky ground, rooted in their shared history from high school. The female lead had a crush on him and made efforts to connect, but he misinterpreted her proactive attempts as bullying. This misunderstanding created very different perspectives of each other. When they meet again years later, another layer of misunderstanding emerges. She views him as a superficial jerk who only values appearances, while he sees her as the same girl who bullied him and is now lazy at work since they both work in the same office.
This initial misconception lays the groundwork for their gradual journey of getting to know one another. The development of their relationship is beautifully illustrated not only through his interactions with her various filtered personas but also through their genuine connection as individuals. This dynamic allows both characters to peel back the layers and discover who they truly are, ultimately deepening their bond.
The romance in this series is a delightful slow burn, and the chemistry between the leads is absolutely captivating, especially through their playful banter.
Their relationship is infused with a palpable angst that adds depth to the narrative. Watching him fall for her in various forms, only to face the heart-wrenching reality of losing her and having to say goodbye, creates a powerful emotional impact. Tian Jianci excels in portraying this complexity, capturing the nuances of love and loss with remarkable skill. His performance brings a raw authenticity to the story, making the audience truly feel the weight of their connection. This bittersweet dynamic keeps me engaged and Ofcourse they do this while still keeping the Serie overall experience lighter heartened.
The second lead couple is equally charming, bringing their own unique storyline that runs parallel to the main plot. While they don't directly impact the leads, their dynamic is so endearing that it adds another layer to the series. We affectionately refer to them as the "lucky and unlucky CP," where she seems to bring him good luck through their interactions, while he inadvertently brings her bad luck. It’s a fun twist that makes their relationship a cute addition to the overall narrative.
The acting throughout is impressive and feels very natural, and the original soundtracks perfectly capture the quirky essence of the drama. Everything is flowing wonderfully so far. Since this is just a partial review and the series is still ongoing, I won't go into too much detail, but I believe it’s underrated and truly deserves more recognition.
Overall, it’s a delightful watch that leaves you feeling uplifted and engaged.
NOTE: REVIEW MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS! NOTE: REVIEW IS BASED ON MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF THE SHOW NOTE: IAM DONE WITH THE FIRST HALF OF THE DRAMA ( EP 1 - 16 )
Filter is a humorous yet profound drama that tells the story of a woman grappling with insecurities about her appearance. When she unexpectedly encounters her high school first love, their reunion leaves her feeling disheartened after he makes an offhand comment about her looks. Feeling dejected, she crosses paths with an elderly woman who gifts her a mysterious bracelet. This bracelet turns out to be a filter that allows her to alter her appearance, shapeshift into different forms, and enhance her beauty, much like a beautification app.
As she navigates her newfound abilities, she becomes re-involved with her crush, who is drawn to one of her personas. I won’t delve deeper to avoid spoilers, but this overview captures the essence of the story. Filter excels at tackling sensitive topics such as body image, self-discovery, and self-love. It feels both original and refreshing, striking a perfect balance between depth and humor. The comedy is skillfully executed and feels natural rather than forced, making it genuinely enjoyable.
The characters are vibrant and fully embrace the chaos of their situations, leading to plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Yet, amidst the comedy, Filter maintains an emotional core that resonates deeply, ensuring that viewers experience a rich blend of laughter and reflection
The pacing is excellent, with events unfolding in a way that feels neither dragged out nor slow. As I mentioned earlier, the characters are intriguing, and it's refreshing to find that most of them are genuinely likable. Their impeccable comic timing significantly enhances the humor throughout the series, making the comedic moments all the more enjoyable.
The female lead, played by Landi Li, is a joy to watch. Despite her initial insecurities about her appearance, she exudes a vibrant and energetic personality that is truly endearing. Her ability to stand up for herself, combined with her humor, adds depth to her character. She’s wonderfully flawed and imperfect, which only enriches the narrative.
On the other hand, the male lead, portrayed by Tian Jianci, may initially come off as a jerk, but there’s a deeper explanation for his behavior. He is a quirky, nerdy, and fun-loving character who makes unreasonable assessments and decisions, which makes him relatable and human—quite a departure from the flawless male leads we often see. His refreshing personality adds a unique charm to the story.
Even the side characters are well-developed and interesting. The female lead's best friend is naive yet cute, funny, and loyal, while her sister, with her cold exterior, shows a caring side. The male lead's coworker and best friend brings an unintentional humor and maturity that further enriches the ensemble. All these characters contribute to the series' charm.
Now, let's delve into the growth and development of the leads' relationship. As I mentioned earlier, the female lead possesses a unique bracelet that allows her to take on different forms and personalities—yes, even a broom or an alpaca! Throughout the series, we see these various personas interact with the male lead, who finds himself falling for each of them. He literally embraces the "will you love me if I turned into..." concept, showing that his attraction stems from the charm of the female lead, regardless of her form.
Their relationship starts off on rocky ground, rooted in their shared history from high school. The female lead had a crush on him and made efforts to connect, but he misinterpreted her proactive attempts as bullying. This misunderstanding created very different perspectives of each other. When they meet again years later, another layer of misunderstanding emerges. She views him as a superficial jerk who only values appearances, while he sees her as the same girl who bullied him and is now lazy at work since they both work in the same office.
This initial misconception lays the groundwork for their gradual journey of getting to know one another. The development of their relationship is beautifully illustrated not only through his interactions with her various filtered personas but also through their genuine connection as individuals. This dynamic allows both characters to peel back the layers and discover who they truly are, ultimately deepening their bond.
The romance in this series is a delightful slow burn, and the chemistry between the leads is absolutely captivating, especially through their playful banter.
Their relationship is infused with a palpable angst that adds depth to the narrative. Watching him fall for her in various forms, only to face the heart-wrenching reality of losing her and having to say goodbye, creates a powerful emotional impact. Tian Jianci excels in portraying this complexity, capturing the nuances of love and loss with remarkable skill. His performance brings a raw authenticity to the story, making the audience truly feel the weight of their connection. This bittersweet dynamic keeps me engaged and Ofcourse they do this while still keeping the Serie overall experience lighter heartened.
The second lead couple is equally charming, bringing their own unique storyline that runs parallel to the main plot. While they don't directly impact the leads, their dynamic is so endearing that it adds another layer to the series. We affectionately refer to them as the "lucky and unlucky CP," where she seems to bring him good luck through their interactions, while he inadvertently brings her bad luck. It’s a fun twist that makes their relationship a cute addition to the overall narrative.
The acting throughout is impressive and feels very natural, and the original soundtracks perfectly capture the quirky essence of the drama. Everything is flowing wonderfully so far. Since this is just a partial review and the series is still ongoing, I won't go into too much detail, but I believe it’s underrated and truly deserves more recognition.
Overall, it’s a delightful watch that leaves you feeling uplifted and engaged.