Super Star Academy (2016) 超星星学园
Enjoyment: 10/10 Pace: 10/10, 9/10 sometimes No. of times I watched it: 2
starring Xiao Zhan as Fang Tian Zhe, Wang Yu Wen as Cheng Zhi Er, Bai Shu as Wan Shi Cun, Wu Jia Cheng as Shen Hao, Peng Chu Yue as Li Ya Dang, Xu Xiao Lu as Huo Bei Bei, Gu Jia Cheng as Su Ge La Di, Guo Zi Fan as Zhou Dong, Hong Chen as Bai Bai, Zhao Lei as Mao Zi Jian, Chen Ze Xi as Fu Liwei, You You as Xiao Ai
My sister watched this drama some time ago (before Xiao Zhan becomes famous) and sometimes mentioned it to me, making me curious about it. But the way that I imagined what the drama is like based on how she described it is a little different from the drama itself haha. She made the drama seem darker when she said that many people die towards the end and there is chaos. Maybe it is just my own imagination haha. Decided to watch it due to lack of fantasy dramas to watch.
Loved the fantasy in the drama. Every horoscope has its own distinctive supernatural power. For example, running very fast for Aries, invisibility for Cancer, lion roar for Leo, making people slow down for Libra, controlling people and predicting the future for Aquarius, splitting into identical selves for Gemini, reflecting attacks for Scorpio, impersonation for Pisces etc. Liked the competitions carried out for the students.
It is cool when they use their supernatural power. The coolest and most powerful supernatural power to me is the one Leo has. When Shi Cun battles Tian Zhe, he blows out tunes of many songs and the attacks are strong. His roars are also powerful. My sister also likes Leo’s power the most. She feels that Shi Cun’s attack is gentle but cruel. Although Tian Zhe may not use his power much for the first half of the drama, I liked how Tian Zhe uses his power for crucial moments like splitting into identical selves to save Zhi Er and having 2 of him pull Zhi Er up from the cliff edge since one of him wasnt strong enough. Felt that Tian Zhe’s power is well-used to evoke certain atmosphere. There is one time that he escapes from his house to have a secret date with Zhi Er and leaves an identical self at home. Then, his mother realises it and the conversation between the mother and the other self was touching and it seems like his real self heard it as his identical self at home disappears after that and there is some sadness on his face. Another time is when his mother is being put under house arrest (?) and he splits into identical selves to serve the elders so that he can go in to see her. When they allow him to visit, all the identical selves clumsily rush to the door haha. The only time that I feel that the power of impersonation that the Pisces has is good is when Xiao Ai uses it to comfort Bei Bei. It is a warm comforting method as she takes on the identity of the person Bei Bei likes to hug her instead of using her own identity. Felt that the power of Aries is cool to watch but it is more useful for escaping than battles. The power of Aquarius is quite common but a scene that left an impression is where Bai Bai pats Shi Cun’s back and he moves quickly away from her saying that he is also afraid of cockroach (Bai Bai claimed that she just used her hand to catch a cockroach to Xiao Ai).
This drama has many comedy scenes. The comedy scenes are sometimes quite unexpected, weird, and out of place or sudden. Some may think that it is a bit overused but I think it is fine haha. For example, Shi Cun and the Ophiuchus leader meeting at the rooftop and being all serious then Shi Cun asks why they need to meet at the rooftop. Then, the Ophiuchus leader says that it happens often in movies and Shi Cun says that those people dont choose 2pm in the afternoon. They then wipe off their sweat. They have funny after-school activities like “Ex-boyfriend go and die” club. I found the comedy scenes (even the weird ones) quite amusing and they made the drama more fun to watch. Found the Ophiuchus people’s behaviours funny, especially when they are chasing Zhi Er to recapture her. One follows the rules of the traffic light and cant catch up, the other says that it is time to get off work when he already can catch her, another ends up competing with a random runner on the street, some cant help but pick up money someone dropped and they keep asking the others to chase her but no one bothers and the funny part is Zhi Er also cant resist picking up the money. Tian Zhe’s mother is hilarious at times.
Felt that there are many distinctive characters and I liked many of them. Liked how Tian Zhe, Ya Dang, and Bei Bei have a loyal follower each. Liked how Ya Dang is hilarious at times and how he is good at singing. Loved the scene that he sings “1000 reasons to feel sad” with his band, including Zi Jian, under the bridge coincidentally while Shi Cun is watching Tian Zhe hugging Zhi Er. Liked the relationship between Zi Jian and Ya Dang. Liked the couple Zhou Dong and Bai Bai. Throughout the drama, they are saying cheesy words to each other and I had fun watching how sweet they are together. Liked the scene before they battle Zi Jian and the scene where Zhou Dong carries an umbrella for Bai Bai when they are in the mountains and gives her anything she asks for. Both of them are smart and they work well together. At first, I didnt find Shen Hao good-looking but as the drama goes, I found Shen Hao more and more good-looking haha. Liked the relationship between Shen Hao and Tian Zhe and how he is loyal to Tian Zhe. It is funny how he is jealous of Zhi Er when Tian Zhe chooses her over him. Liked how he is hilarious at times. Liked the development of relationship between Shen Hao and Ya Dang from enemies to friends. It is funny how their followers are just enemies on the surface to follow their leaders. Liked the plot twist regarding the character that seems loyal to Tian Zhe’s mother. Found the Ophiuchus leader hilarious. Liked how the relationship between Bei Bei and Xiao Ai grows and how Bei Bei sees Xiao Ai as a friend instead of just a follower towards the end of the drama. It is cool how Xiao Ming that is sometimes mentioned but doesnt appear at all until towards the end of the drama is actually such a significant second lead. After I tried tagging the actors in Instagram, then I realised most of them are actually from a cpop group X Nine haha. Felt that this drama is better than Oh My Emperor which my sister watched and I peeked into and I think they acted better in this drama.
Finally to the 3 main characters haha. Liked the characters Shi Cun and Tian Zhe. A little dont like Zhi Er as she tells Shi Cun to put things back to their original positions even if people may not approve of it (cant remember exactly) and later becomes angry at him for doing that. Liked the background stories of Shi Cun and Tian Zhe. Shi Cun is the illegitimate child of Tian Zhe’s father. Tian Zhe’s mother is all out to kill him, especially since her son is not Leo. Because of that, Shi Cun lives a miserable life as his mother falls ill after an accident caused by Tian Zhe’s mother and she passes away eventually. Shi Cun only wants revenge until he meets Zhi Er. He equips himself with very high level of supernatural power, even though he pretends he has low level of supernatural power. Tian Zhe doesnt lead an easy life as he has to hide the fact that he is not Leo but Gemini as only Leo can take over Tian Zhe’s father corporation/company. Liked how Bai Shu and Xiao Zhan portrayed their characters’ emotional struggles. Felt that Shi Cun is a complex and likeable character and was happy that there is a good amount of screen time given to him. While his character is dark within, his character is cute on the surface and sometimes foolish. My sister found Shi Cun cute and he is the character that left the deepest impression on her. The scene that Shi Cun sacrifices himself for everyone is heartbreaking (sry for the spoiler). Liked how Tian Zhe is good at fighting. I guess the reason why he needs to be so good at fighting is because he doesnt want to use his supernatural power at all. Laughed at the scene where he sends Zi Jian and his gang of people flying. Touched by how Tian Zhe protects his secret with his life but when both Zhi Er and Shen Hao are in danger, he chooses to reveal his real identity to save them. It is funny how Tian Zhe’s English name is Maybe haha. Liked how Zhi Er is smart and determined and she is able to survive well in the competitions without any supernatural power.
Liked the development of relationship and chemistry between Zhi Er and Tian Zhe. At the start, there were some misunderstandings as Zhi Er went into Tian Zhe’s private changing room and she thought that he is a pervert as he went in after her. It was fun watching them bickering and watching how Tian Zhe protects her without being too obvious about it. The big turning point in their relationship is likely from the part where she knows Tian Zhe is her saviour when they were young. Liked their secret dates haha. Liked the interactions between them.
Liked the friendship between Zhi Er and Shi Cun. Liked how Shi Cun is always there for her (except at a few crucial moments haha), helps her with training her supernatural power, and rescues her from bad situations. Felt that both Tian Zhe and Zhi Er neglect their friends when they have a lover…
The pace of this drama is quite good, possible to chase it.
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