i have to agree with you taheera, but iswak grows on you. i did not like it much at first but i rewatched some of my favorite episodes a number of times and it was soon one of my favorites. in fact one of the best things about the show (and i missed out on it in my first viewing) is gradual change in zhi shu's attitude towards xq. the subtlety of change is admirable(at least the director thought about it). in first two episodes zs treats her as a nuisance , after he sees her working hard...he begins to mellow down slowly. if you notice every episode had zhi shu mellowing down more and more until it becomes borderline caring, in later episodes he does not like others saying anything about her.there is a subtle change in his tone, way he looks at her and finally his attitude and smile (goes from sarcastic sneer to that of accepting patience). even when he messes up with her mind with all those romantic innuendoes, the progression is from being simply devilish to almost sincere (his threatening of accosting her in episode 3 when she tries stealing his stuff and his hint at how he might have considered dancing with her since she is so cute in christmas episode).
as far as xiang qin goes i have to agree she was odd with her stalking and overboard stupidity but i find her character still one of the best in generally overboard taiwanese shows. hanakimi has rexie who made these odd constipated faces (i can hardly understand how jian fell for her), meteor garden has barbie who wears her poverty like a badge of honor and comes out looking almost as, if not more conceited than f4. rainie in dby seems to have no free will and is puppet in hands of ahmon and his seduction. xiang qin does grow up in later episodes where she decides to date ah jin or stays back at home on christmas. also she would have wisened up quick but zhi shu never lets her give up. in fact everytime she decides to walk out , he does something unexpectedly sweet to give her hope for example in episode 3 , he could have kept quite but he challenges ah jin's presumption that he will never like her.
that way given that the story spans 5 years and the couple live in close proximity and are often left to thier own devices, i can see how they would end up appreciating each other.our whole premise of arranged marraiges is based on such presumption. xiang qin is pretty sure that she is bound to fail yet she cannot stop trying, on the other hand zhi shu who has everything so easilly might be envious of the fact that she atleast has a aim that she has to work for. philosphicaly for a logical person , dreams and faith/hope are as seductive as beauty or intelligence. if you are a science fiction buff like me, aliens often are impressed by the relentless spirit of human heart.
of course the acting of joe and jirro makes it worth watching, about ariel i am not too sure . in all honesty i sympathise with zhi shu who is saddled with photography crazy mother and now a crazed xq. however , probably only xq can stand his mean/cold behaviour and manipulations and still love him whole heartedly .
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