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The new fantasy idol drama A Moment But Forever, starring Tang Yan and Liu Xueyi, has stirred the pot with its low viewership and harsh reviews.
What was expected to be a nostalgic, classic idol romance has instead become the subject of ridicule.
Audiences have been quick to mock it, calling it a “fantasy idol drama with middle-aged leads.”
Tang Yan, at 41, is seven years older than her co-star Liu Xueyi, who is 34, and this age gap hasn’t escaped notice.
Despite the criticism, some fans are sticking around, finding unexpected charm in the show.
The drama, which promotes itself as evoking the feel of classic fantasy idol romances, suffers from what many viewers feel are outdated visuals, low-budget production values, and some questionable CGI.
The makeup and costumes are particularly under fire, with one scene featuring Wang Hongyi’s makeup sparking disbelief.
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And who can forget Liu Xueyi’s rather... disastrous wig during a shirtless scene?
So, is it really as bad as it seems?
Well, it's a bit of a mixed bag.
While the show may not be perfect, and the leads might not be spring chickens, Tang Yan’s timeless beauty and the pair's visuals still manage to capture some attention.
Despite the rough start, the show might have its merits, especially if you’re a fan of the genre.
Even though the premise – a goddess (Tang Yan) sent to kill a man (Liu Xueyi) only to find out he might not be so bad after all – is far from fresh, the dynamics between the leads and their growing chemistry add some spice to the tale.
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As the plot unfolds, the goddess Ji Tanyin’s clumsy yet endearing attempts to navigate her mission give the show some unexpected humour, and Liu Xueyi’s witty banter adds a refreshing layer.
While the show might not be winning over everyone yet, it’s steadily gaining traction.
Episode 8 even features a few moments that could have you wondering if this might be unintentionally funny.
For Tang Yan, this drama is her first major project since the success of Blossoms Shanghai, a performance that marked a major career high.
A Moment But Forever, however, hasn’t quite lived up to expectations.
But before jumping to conclusions, there’s still time for the show to improve.
As the ratings trend upwards and Liu Xueyi’s quirky character gains fans, the drama might just surprise everyone.
It’s a flawed show, but sometimes, those are the most entertaining to watch.