Imperfect Us 不夠善良的我們 offers glimpses into a labyrinth of relationships among its main characters played by Taiwanese stars Ariel Lin, Tiffany Ann Hsu, Mike He and Kai Ko.
The stage is set for a drama-filled narrative as Ariel Lin’s heroine steps into the office clad in the same attire as her colleague, Tiffany Ann Hsu’s character. Ariel ends up joining Mike He’s team at work and their relationship progresses into a marriage. However, the trailer hints at a brewing storm of emotions as Tiffany’s dialogue with Kai Ko suggests hidden desires and thwarted ambitions. It becomes evident that the two leading ladies are destined to tread the tightrope of love, with their hearts entangled around a certain gentleman, setting the stage for a love triangle (maybe a love square?).
But let’s not overlook the star-studded cast that graces the screen, each a luminary in their own right. With the likes of Mike He and Kai Ko joining forces with Ariel Lin and Ann Hsu, it’s no wonder anticipation for Imperfect Us has reached fever pitch. This marks many reunions between the stars from their days in Taiwanese idol dramas/movies that not only stirs nostalgia among fans but also raises expectations for their on-screen chemistry. The driving force behind Imperfect Us is none other than the esteemed Mag Hsu who wrote the screenplay for hit Taiwanese drama In Time With You, which also starred Ariel Lin. This time around, Mag Hsu is also the director. It is set to premiere on April 6, 2024.
HL
There is a distinct flavour to Taiwanese dramas. I think this drama is going to be very enjoyable. Looks like Taiwanese drama have been making it come back very strongly. Whilst Cdrama is just stale.
Coralie
Whoa, Ariel Lin and Mike He matchup in a drama, def hitting that nostalgia hard. Mike He hasn’t been buzzy in recent years, interesting that he’s coming back for this one. They were both so huge respectively for their own dramas back then, but I never liked either of them or their popular shows lol. But maybe this drama will change my mind…
@HL Have you seen the T-drama, “oh no! Here comes trouble”? It was amazing. If Tdramas can repeat the same success with diff genres like ONHCT, I have no doubt I’m going back to T-drama obsession.
HL
@Coralie, yes, I downloaded the drama…waiting to watch. To be honest, I find it tiring to keep reading about about C-idols ‘ dramas and acting being so bad and all the negative news…instead of being trap in the negativity. I rather explore other options. TW dramas are making a comeback. I dont enjoy Ruby’s Light in the Night only because it is just too dark for me…but I really love watching these veterans turning their attention back to Taiwan…
Do you remember Mike and Ariel’s first dramas?? I still remember there were rumours they did use to date but Mike denied it. And Ariel was so angry she stopped working with him. I dont even know how much truth there is to it…but it is great to watch this two artiste filming as couple again. Mike is not aging as well as gracefully as Ariel. Tiffany still looks pretty…
XZF
@HL
I’m feeling that way about China’s dramas also. I will try this one when it comes out.
I think MH had his eyes done for the last few years. The eyes’ lids look bigger to me. 🤔🤔🤔
Anon
I think that is a rather all-sweeping negative statement about C-dramas. There are good and bad acting everywhere. Including in T-dramas – I can’t abide by many of them. I have only found a few good ones. Just because China produces many more dramas and movies, of course proportionately, the number of bad ones will be more.
As to whether acting is good or bad, I still find that as a whole, China actors are better than Korean or Taiwan. I used to watch only Korean dramas and to a lesser extent, Taiwan and HK ones. Unless you are only watching frilly dramas like all those silly romance by traffic actors. There are all sorts of dramas to cater for all types of audiences. The market is huge. If not, you would not find so many Taiwan and HK actors getting into the China market to make a better living.
Ariel Lin – a familiar face in C-dramas too – nothing impressive, ie. together with the rest of the cast, nothing outstanding at all.
XZF
@Anon
I should have said more clear about China’s recent dramas – most of the stories are very weak. It seems like many newbies, inexperience play lead roles. They produce so many dramas, but there are very few good ones. I just wish they will be more selective in producing good projects. We hope to see dramas that we can come back and watch them again and again.
HL
@Anon, I am happy to sweep away lots of C-idols dramas for as long as I can. Of course you can take the broom of me if you want but it is very hard. 🤣🤣 The dramas behind the productions of those dramas are more interesting then the dramas themselves. Silly frilly dramas are idol dramas… may be to your taste but clearly not mine as I am sweeping them away.
You have your opinion, I have mine.
Remi
Same, I used to mainly watch HK movies, K-dramas, Thai dramas, Taiwan dramas, and some Japanese dramas, but have shifted away from those and focused on C-dramas in recent years.
I agree that all countries have their own good and bad dramas, and because China produces more, the portion of comparing is incorrect. I’ve completely stopped watching HK movies, Taiwan dramas, and recently Thai dramas because to me I feel like they lack the feel of what I used to like about them.
I still watch some Korean here and there, but very selective and rarely watch Japanese. I’ve dropped alot of C-dramas, but still found some ones I like of the many that were produced and even think some shorter C-dramas are well made. I believe this is all on preference though.
HL
@Remi,
Recently I watch a few of entertaining Lakorn…
To the Moon and Back
Love Destiny Season 2 – not as great as season 1 but still enjoyable.
Dare to Love
You watched any?
Remi
@HL Unfortunately, no. I do not recall most of those titles. The only one I know is Love Destiny. I skimmed a bit at the beginning of Love Destiny Season 2, but I’m usually not really a Season 2 person because I’ve been disappointed by many so I didn’t watch it. Are they good?
HL
@Remi,
‘To the Moon and Back’ is really fun and enjoyable to watch. You can try.
As for Season 2 is not as bad as some season 2, what I enjoy is the how Bella Ranee can portray 2 different roles distinctively.
Remi
@HL
Who stars in the “To The Moon and Back”? Idk what to google for.
I like Bella Ranee. I’m actually very excited when I heard that she’s pairing up with James Jirayu again so I’m definitely looking forward to seeing that drama, but Thai post production takes a long time.
HL
Jame Jirayu is the lead actor in to the Moon and Back. It is a very enjoyable drama, Type มาตาลดา, or Matalada. It has different names…
Yes…Lakorn post production take years…
Remi
@HL
Whoops, did not know that James Jirayu was the ML. It’s rated 8.4 on MDL, guess I’ll give it try. Where to watch since it’s been a while since I’ve watched a Thai Lakorn?
HL
Oh…you can try streaming site.. I dont know to be honest as we are not in similar area.
Coralie
@HL omg let me know your verdict when you watch it. It’s so addictive and satisfying.
What makes me like C-drama in recent years is that there is wholesomeness and focus on relatability in the drama, along with high levels of output and dynamic genres. Some really good ones have amazing plot and lovable roles that I root for, e.g. Joy of Life, the sequel which I fear won’t live up to season 1 because of all the red tape. But last year was really bad IMO. It’s bad enough that I’m moving onto other countries’ products and even jumping to other mediums (donghuas for example.)
HL
I started and really enjoying it, …I could not stop… Just reminds me of those old days when TW did supernatural hero dramas…what a difference in standards. 🤣
Current TW drama has a raw and natural flavour. I enjoy the lack of strong makeup, pale face, placement products and fillers to drag a drama….
Short and compact, just right.
HL
@Coralie, I also had a thought as I watch the drama…TW drama have progress. They may not have high budget C-dramas gets but they can still produce good projects.
It is a shame HK drama cannot progress… the writing is becoming stale. Is it really hard for HK to make a strong comeback?
None One
Talk about all those bad c-drama, I always wonder where they got so much money from to invest in all those bad dramas. Do they have money to throw away everyday or wat? A lot of the newer actor/actress are also relying too much on effects and there is no longer any real acting involved.
Coralie
@None One I don’t think investors know if the drama will be good or not. They bank on profitable actors/actresses in these productions in hopes of making money back on investments. “The Golden Hairpin” with Kris Wu is like millions of dollars lost and the investors for that drama weren’t happy. They’re even chasing him down for the losses.
But with the way C-ent has been recently, I don’t know how many investors will still keep up with the money. Also, investors can have a lot of power over productions and even casting, so if they like a certain star, they might even support by investing money.
Coralie
Did TW have superhero dramas back then? I don’t recall these. All I remember were the idol dramas like Prince Turned into Frog, etc.
Did you finish ONHCT? I was crying buckets every episode but it was just so good that I had to reco it at every opportunity. I really hope they make a sequel…
HL
I cried the first eps alot…the second and third too but the first really upset me.
Yes, they did but it was really funny to watch.
@Coralie, are you watching 无限超越班 第二季? I hate Eric Tsang alot…I want to watch 无限超越班 but hate seeing him. Have to give it a miss..
Coralie
@HL I didn’t! I didn’t even watch the 1st one, heard about what happened to shenyue and felt bad, so didn’t watch. Plus I’m not much of a TV show person unless it’s funny. But thanks to your question, now I’m watching it haha… I’ll let you know what I think. I don’t mind Eric tsang anymore, but he used to be too *ocky and kinda mean. And there are slanderous rumors recently…but I grew up with him. It’s like watching an old familiar friend. Why do you hate him?
HL
Cant say why but he creeps me out… I dont know how true the rumours but I did not like him when I watched Miss HK years ago… But I do like his daughter…she is cute.
I saw the ShenYue eps…She was treated very harshly… They definitely tame down… I did watch after all …just forward the part where Eric was talking. 🤣
Tony Leung Ka-fai is one of the mentor. He definitely did not undergo any cosmetic procedures on his face… But he is such a talented actor… I really wanted to see him as does not appear in public very often these days. I treasure the days I can still watch him on my screen.
You and I understand why these mentors are harsh because that was how they were trained, treated and grow all those years. But it does not work with current Chinese generation. And as a variety show, it makes watching uncomfortable for audience.
I really like one of the artiste this round…she has some beauty but definitely not leading actress… She has potential to take on different roles. Her name is Huang Ling- ‘Yellow Zero’, she calls herself. I was surprised to see Nicholas Teo in the program. He acted in a number of idol TW dramas… he should still have connection…Why does he need to join this program?? China market will not suit his current age.
Coralie
I just finished episode 1. I’m getting the feeling that this show is meant to be sadochistic lol. Like, they’re “guiding” newbies, but in a verbally abusive way. The men esp were really blunt and unsympathetic. The women judges were much nicer and tolerant.
I forget the contestant’s name, but he’s the one who took lessons for acting and extracurriculars so that he can be a better actor (after getting popular off of short dramas.) he got scolded for doing that! He was only trying to be a better actor, which China is sorely lacking these days and told to capitalize his popularity by working and learning at the same time. I understand the logic behind that, but I don’t agree with the thought process and final conclusion. If their career is an art, and they want to perfect their art, why can’t they do that? I’d rather these newbies learn to act better and better and then get better roles later on, than to be average and have mediocre popularity.
For some reason, Francis Ng keep having this constipated look. It’s so judgy and I get he’s taking this seriously, but his job is to guide and help these new contestants, not be their executioner.
I really like the 2 female judges tho (the one with the colored haircut, not Cecilia yip) and the other one with a coiffed short hair. they were reasonable and understanding, but gave good feedback as well.
Yellow Zero was hilarious. She needs to be kept as a contestant all the way thru cus she creates levity in these otherwise intense situations and skits.
I didn’t know majority of the cast in the program except for Samantha Ko, that vampire looking guy and Zheng he hui zi. Everyone else was new to me.
HL
The first chap, he is popular off the Meteor Shower with Zhang Han and Zheng Shuang. He was one of the F4, I too feel there is nothing wrong with him doing other things whilst he was jobless. He started being a online influencer. Doing all sort of silly things. Which I have to say, are very hard and tiring. I felt the mentor that said a actor always should stay as one, never become a influencer. I thought that was a silly comment. Why cant this guy be influencer to earn money.
The guy was jobless and he is still trying ways to live life positively, nothing wrong with that. But his short sketch on chicken feet and his dad was really not great.
Francis’s face!!I really want to give him a punch one day. He has the ‘you guys are just rubbish look’ all the time. Goodness, he walk around like every newbies’s rice bowl will depend on him.
The 2 female mentors you mentions are from Mainland.. thus knows what is more comfortable for audience to watch.
Yellow Zero is very fun to watch. She can carry herself even after being insulted.
HL
@Coralie, They are tough…
I am aware how tough the artiste were trained in those days. It was ver hard work and they have to play so many games. Thus they are so hard on the participates. But it does not work on new Generation newbies…different era, different start of game rules.
The contestant you mentioned may be one of the F4 from China’s Meteor Shower. He became a online seller and influencer. He may not be acting due to not having any roles. But he is still trying his best to earn money. I dont see there is anything wrong. Better then mopping at home. But I have to say his Chicken feet sketch is really not great.
The 2 female mentors are from mainland…they are different from the rest.
Yellow Zero is really a interesting participate. She made me laugh alot. I love how she know how to hold her grounds against the bullying.
As for Francis… he need a few slap on his face. That may make him look better.
Lisa
I watched the first few episodes of season 1, and I didn’t think the men were too bad because Kara Wai was there and just ripping almost everyone apart. I felt so bad for them. Granted some of it was deserving but it was still humiliating.
@HL, I have similar feelings about Eric Tsang. Something about the way he comes off is very sleazy, such as past comments (or he calls them “suggestions’) that he made about the Ms HK contestants.