REMEMBERING LICHUAN (2016) Review – Seize the moment

Titles: 遇见王沥川 (Yu Jian Wang Li Chuan) / Remembering Li Chuan’s Past / Encountering Lichuan

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Cast:

• Godfrey Gao as Wang Lichuan
• Jiao Jun Yan as Xie Xiao Qiu (Annie)
• Lin You Wei as Xiao Guan
• Andrew Lien as Wang Ji Chuan
• Wang Ruo Xin as Ye Jing Wen
• Yumiko Cheng as Jeanette Sue
• Mike Sui as René Dubois
• Wang Yan Lin as Xie Xiao Dong
• Xu Huan Shan as Wang Yu Hang (grandaddy Wang)
• Du Yuan as Xie Zhi Hui (father Xie)
• Huang Ai Ling as Xiao Qiu’s aunt
• Joan Chen as Lisa Fong
• Wu Di as Jack Lee
• Dai Mo as Zhang Shao Hua
• Annie Wu as Emma

Directed by: Chen Ming Zhang

Based on: Shi Ding Rou’s novel “Li Chuan Wang Shi” (“Li Chuan’s past“)

Written by: Shi Ding Rou

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Plot (from Wiki):

Six years ago, her boyfriend Li Chuan left without saying goodbye, leaving Xiao Qiu bereft and at a loss as to how someone she loved so deeply could leave her so suddenly. Broken hearted, Xiao Qiu accidentally comes across Li Chuan later, at which time even she is no longer sure if she has the strength to approach him.

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Review:

I don’t really remember how I got to know Remembering Lichuan (RLC), but since I watched it, I want to make a (quick) review of it. The first (and last) time I saw Godfrey Gao was in The Queen of SOP, drama that, by the way, I ended up dropping. What I remember about Godfrey Gao’s work is how unbearable was his character and how his acting skills didn’t help at all.

Can RLC be considered Godfrey Gao’s chance to turn the tables? Here’s my review.

The premise of Remembering Lichuan is the heartbreaking story between Wang Lichuan and Xie Xiaoqiu

(SPOILERS) Despite RLC is named after Godfrey Gao’s character (Wang Lichuan), I’m going to start my review talking about Xie Xiaoqiu (pretty sure Lichuan would agree with my decision ◔‿◔).

Jiao Jun Yan made a fantastic work as our female lead, Xie Xiaoqiu. Her mother died while giving birth to her little brother, something which added to a difficult economic situation, forced her to become extremely responsible and hard-working. While studying her degree (with outstanding marks), she also works in low-paying jobs (as an interpreter and as a waitress). Hard-working, faithful and stubborn, she is presented as an admirable woman. Xiaoqiu is kind but makes clear that bothering her isn’t a good idea. Jiao Jun Yan looks very nature and sweet, but can also perform beautifully bitter and sorrow. I love how daring she was when making funny faces, absolutely not caring about her image. Far from being something strange or childish, she seemed adorable and tender.

I think Jiao Jun Yan’s marvelous nature acting helped Godfrey Gao in his own performance

That’s why there were some scenes in which Xiaoqiu disappointed me. For example, such a responsible woman shouldn’t have allowed another person (Xiao Guan) finish her work. Although it only happened once, I don’t think that really fit with her character. Due to personal reasons, her work was also affected (waking up late, being unable to work within time period…). Still, maybe these are the things that proved how human Xiaoqiu really is. Just like her alcoholism, RLC dares to show us the flaws of its characters.

I adored the things she did for Lichuan and how heartbreaking was her loyalty towards their love. I will always remember how terrible was seeing her searching for her ring in the snow, unable to believe that Lichuan didn’t love her anymore. She was so determined to take care of him that Lichuan should have known better that nothing could make her grow apart from him.

Scenes like this one made me hate even more the decision Lichuan made

Godfrey Gao was unexpectedly good as Wang Lichuan. RLC proved to the world that Godfrey Gao isn’t just an eye candy anymore. Even ‘though I can’t still consider him an exceptional actor, he may continue improving his acting skills in the future.

Wang Lichuan is a talented architect. When he was a child, he suffered a car crash in which he lost both of his parents. Although he survived, he was diagnosed with bone cancer and as a result, they amputated one of his legs. The cancer was temporarily cured, but just when he was going to ask Xiaoqiu to marry him, it reappeared. Xiaoqiu once told him that she hated hospitals and couldn’t bear to see her beloved ones suffer, so he decided to leave Xiaoqiu without any explanation.

Knowing how stubborn Xiaoqiu is, Lichuan should have foreseen everything 

And here comes what I hated the most about the series: the toing and froing between Xiaoqiu and Lichuan. They literally spent 30 episodes putting them together and separating them. A bunch of episodes in which Xiaoqiu slowly discovers the truth, and Lichuan, in order to hide it, mistreats her. I couldn’t empathize with Lichuan’s decision, because they could have stayed together all those years (and maybe he would have lived longer) ಠ_ಠ. Okay, he didn’t know he would be alive those years, but even so, he should have trusted in Xiaoqiu’s love and give her a chance to decide. The problem is that Lichuan pretended to be cruel and insensitive, but he couldn’t really treat Xiaoqiu in that way. That gave Xiaoqiu hope and made her question the reasons why he left. In the end, everything went wrong and both of them suffered unnecessarily for years.

I cried when they show an alternative ending in which Lichuan recovers from his illness and searches for Xiaoqiu. They start a life together and Lichuan proposes to her, just like he wanted to do when they met.

What could have been and never was

Xiaoqiu has another suitor, Xiao Guan (Lin You Wei). He was kind and understanding towards Xiaoqiu, but her constant toing and froing with Lichuan possibly drive him crazy like it happened to me. He always claims he would wait for her until she gets over Lichuan, but throughout the episodes, he gets more and more forceful and impatient. I think he never meant it nastily, but he put a lot of pressure on Xiaoqiu and was often harsh with Lichuan. Having said that, if Lichuan could have been more determined or acted more logically, Xiao Guan may have had a chance with Xiaoqiu.

He also has his background story: when he was a child, her mother abandoned him with his father. He grew up with great ambitions and ends up establishing his own interpretation company. It’s in that moment when her mother (Lisa Fong), facing imminent death due to a cancer, tries to regain their bond. Lisa is now a very rich woman and wants him to inherit her company, but Xiao Guan refuses until the very last moment, when he forgives her. Even ‘though, Xiao Guan doesn’t take her money or inherit the company, decided to achieve everything with his own efforts.

I liked Xiao Guan’s strength and determination, something Lichuan somehow lacked

Andrew Lien plays the role of Wang Jichuan, Lichuan’s big bro. He is in charge of their family’s company and always takes care of his brother. He often helps him when Lichuan’s ideas come into conflict with his grandfather’s decisions; Jichuan wants to respect his desires, whenever he is safe and sound.

Jichuan’s character usually eases RLC’s tension and dramatic background. He is sassy and a little capricious. On the surface, he’s unpleasant and relentless, but as the story progresses, we find how kind he really is.

Jichuan’s character gave the show some very needed funny scenes

His interactions with Ye Jing Wen (Wang Ruo Xin) were one of the best things of the drama. They were sassy enough to make me laugh, and both were despotic in their own way. What began like a will struggle ended up becoming a really sweet love story. Even ‘though our main characters don’t get a happy ending, we are happy to know they got one.

Another likeable character is René Dubois (Mike Sui), Lichuan’s best friend. He somehow acts like a go-between for Lichuan and Xiaoqiu. As for Jeanette Sue (Yumiko Cheng), Lichuan’s ex-girlfriend, she didn’t like Xiaoqiu at first, but changed her mind when she saw how implicated she was.

There were many times in which the couple saved the series

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Conclusion:

I don’t regret watching Remembering Li Chuan, because Godfrey Gao and (especially) Jiao Jun Yan’s acting skills were absolutely worth it. Also, the rest of the cast did a very good work. However, I really thought I was wasting my time in some moments (Xiaoqiu’s motorbike crash was the last straw). The beginning was promising but I soon got tired of watching Lichuan and Xiaoqiu’s unnecessarily drama.

On the other hand, the soundtrack didn’t leave any mark in me. It was accurate but not amazing or particularly touching. Still, the scenography was good and there were really beautiful scenes and details.

To put it bluntly, drama is served. If you have time and like this kind of tragic story, full of angst and sorrow, RLC is a good show to watch.

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• Plot: 15/20
• Cast: 19/20
• OST: 5/10
• Scenography: 10/10
• Costume: 9/10
• Overall: 8.3/10