January 12, 2022

Rattan | Reviews

A tree wants revenge.
Chinese Title
司藤
Year2021
Episodes: 30 + Extra



Cast

Zhang Bin Bin: Qin Fang
Jing Tian: Si Teng
Zhang Yi ChiYan Fu Rui
Wu Jun Yu: Wang Qian Kun


Crew

(Updated as of May 2022)
HeroesUnrequited LoveLegend of FeiDear DiaryA Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College
DirectorLi Mu Ge  
♠ 我的人火間煙火 [Yang Yang, Wang Chu Ran, Wei Da Xun]
♠ Heroes (2022)
Unrequited Love (2021)
♠ Goodbye My Princess (2019)

ScriptwriterLi Min
Legend of Fei (2020)

ScriptwriterWang Hong
♠ 滿分追愛公式 [Zhou Shi YuanXie Zi Ran]
♠ Legend of Fei (2020)

ProducerWu Qian
Dear Diary (2021) [Associate Producer]
♠ Minning Town (2021) [Associate Producer]
♠ Like a Flowing River (2021) [Associate Producer]
♠ All Is Well (2019) [Associate Producer]

ProducerJia Shi Kai
♠ Broker (2021
♠ As Long as You Love Me (2020)
♠ Ming Dynasty (2019)


Genres


Time/WorldContemporary
RomanceRomance
Setting
Other Relationships
Other Genres: Fantasy


Reviews



Five (5/5)


Four (4/5)


Reviewer: cynlynn
(See also in Recaps&Review)
Hearts: 
It’s rare a drama I expect to underperform outperforms in every category I can think of: storytelling, chemistry, and cinematography. Rattan is the story of Si Teng, our regal tree. It’s a one of a kind modern fantasy romance with a Chinese-Western fusion (Beijing opera mixed with aliens). The cinematography is breathtaking – Yunnan looked exceptionally beautiful through these lens. This is advertising I will endorse because it actually enhances the drama. Equally if not more stunning than the creative and visual appeal is the content of the drama: characterization and plot development

Si Teng is domineering yet captivatingly endearing. It’s fitting of her character to be overbearing, like an aristocrat’s daughter, member of the upper crust. She means no harm unless provoked even if you’re a kid. Her recrimination doesn’t discriminate against age or sex, human or demon. In contrast to Si Teng’s ironclad exterior is the sweet girl within her. Her acclimatizing to the modern human world was such a treat. It was funny when she took the passport photos. It was cute when she tasted flavoured drinks for the first time. It was amusing when she watched a 3D movie. It was the cutest and sweetest thing ever when she bloomed flowers because of Qin Fang. It’s little tidbits like this that makes Si Teng special and this entire drama worthwhile.

Si Teng attracts the limelight but Si Teng wouldn’t be our lovable Si Teng without a Qin Fang. He’s got all the typical CEO characteristics: rich, handsome, and young. His character is so typical and yet so atypical. Perhaps it’s this pairing that brings out the best in these two. Also, there’s no man who loves like Qin Fang. [Spoiler!!] His love goes beyond boundaries: from loving a tree to potential incest to being a lolicon. [/Sp] Qin Fang will love Si Teng no matter what she is.

Despite all the attractive elements, it’s the plot development that keeps this drama grounded. The mystery behind Si Teng, Bai Ying, Shao Yan Quan and Qiu Shan were all intriguing and kept me eagerly waiting for the next episode. I also love the comical touches from Yan Fu Rui. My favourite is the ending. It was a full circle.

This director, Li Mu Ge, is exquisite at storytelling. He’s got a fine control of story flow and balanced it with impressive visual appeal. That ending he created left me ruminating over it for nights – in a good way. FYI, the director was also acting in the drama – as Bai Jin! He was also the black eagle working his magic making everything better at the end. (;


Three (3/5)


Reviewer: FanFanX 
(See in comments under Recaps&Review)
Date: Jan 2022
Hearts: 
Okay, where do I start? Si Teng is just gorgeous. She’s so calm, regal and ethereal-looking. (I know they worked so hard on having her look and sound this way.) I just could not get enough of her in a qipao (and her flower/plant accessories). I loved almost every one of them. A highlight for me was when she screamed in fear at a caterpillar. LOL This powerful alien was quivering at the sight of a small green caterpillar. Haha (I know what they do to plant life but still...heh.)

Qin Fang is a mere mortal man compared to Si Teng. (At least we were made to think so for the longest time.) His love for Si Teng truly had no boundaries. He truly gave her the life she deserved, not the one she’d been forced to live before.

Yan Fu Rui, the butt of their jokes/scapegoat for Si Teng’s anger/the most loyal manservant is actually one of my favorite characters in this. I love how he wore his heart on his sleeve - you knew what his priorities were, and it was in his sincerity - while Qin Fang and Si Teng had so much to hide and you had to guess at their intentions sometimes. 

Wa Fang is adorable (and reminded me of a mini Liang Jing Kang)! I wanted more screen time with this kid. (Either I missed it or they didn’t really say - did he get to grow up??! I know about the reference in the ending but...?) 

Wang Qian Kun as faux Si Teng cracked me up because of his body movement, especially when he was sleeping. LOL But dang, he sure was gorgeous in that wig and makeup.

I am not a fan of the opening song, mostly because it’s too creepy. lol I am in love with the closing song though. Falling Star/Meteorite: I noticed that halfway through the series, they changed this closing song to a different song sung by a male. Is it a metaphor? Perhaps the first half of the series was mostly focused on Si Teng’s actions and storyline, and then the second half became Qin Fang’s? Oh, and yes, the landscapes were breathtakingly gorgeous. And I enjoyed every bit of plant life in this series - the vines, flowers, lush greenness, and trees.

This story was a bit difficult to follow so I was thankful for Cyn Lynn’s recaps for guidance. The attention to detail is necessary as there are twists and turns in this story, with unexpected results. I needed that second ending so much - they needed to exist on the same plane (and perhaps planet here). 

This director deserves accolades for this series, and for inserting himself into the storyline so well without making it feel contrived.


Two (2/5)


One (1/5)



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