Go Go Squid! (2019)

Adorable Couple, Wonderful Chemistry, Best Contemporary Romance of Summer 2019

I’ve come to watch this drama, partly because Yang Zi is my favorite actress. Initially, I was holding some reservation because I was not familiar with the major male lead, Li Xian, portraying Han Shang Yan. At my first viewing, I was not very impressed by him; he wasn't that good looking, I thought; as Han Shang Yan, he was rude, mean, nasty - a total jerk. But then, something pulled me in - the contrast of the two main characters and the theme about reaching for your dream. After just the first episode, my doubts about Li Xian dissipated. I got more than what I bargained for.

Upon further research into what the term “CTF” stands for, repeatedly referred to in the drama, I find it is something even more intriguing and more complicated than I would have imagined. CTF means Capture the Flag. It is an information security competition between security professionals about cyber security. It challenges its participants to solve computer security problems and/or capture and defend computer systems. The competition is used as a learning tool to help sharpen the tools they have learned during their training. In another words, what seemingly “a waste of time playing computer” is actually teaching and training the next generation in the most advanced field of artificial intelligence in cyber security which is the next BIG thing.

Li Xian, playing the male lead, is absolutely incredible. The actor has a calm, cool, no-nonsense demeanor. He fits into the Han Shang Yan's character perfectly as if the role is written for him. What seemingly cold and tough on the outside, is actually tender and caring inside. He may talk mean and scold his people, but cares deeply for them. He is strict and uncompromising. He commands a breath of full authority that everyone looks up to, loves and fears. He doesn't care to defend himself. He doesn't care what others think of him. To him, everything is just noise. All he has wanted is the championship, until the love of his life comes along.

This is my first drama of Li Xian's. I find him super super cool and awfully good looking. Some viewers may not find him attractive at first glance, but he has the type of look that captures hearts. At the end of the drama, like many viewers, I fall head-over-toes for him like a little crazy school girl.

I have always liked Yang Zi’s acting. I find her genuine, beautiful, cute and sweet. In this drama, she plays the character of a prodigy girl. Tong Nian is so adorable that even the coldest stone heart can be melted. She melts mine. I'm just a little disappointed that the story hasn't developed on Tong Nian's intelligence and skills in helping Han in improving his teams.

Contrasting greatly to Han Shang Yan who almost always dresses in all black outfits, Tong Nian always dresses in cute and girly style (some viewers find the outfits outrageous). With her large round eyes and puffy outfits, she looks kind of like, a squid. No wonder she calls herself Squid the Fish. This contrasts greatly with Han Shang Yan who looks damn serious and yet stylish at the same time.

Having said that, the relationship between Han Shang Yan and Tong Nian is just amazing. Despite their differences in taste, age and almost everything, their chemistry is so wonderful and undeniable. Han Shang Yan, always being misunderstood by others, only Tong Nian sees through that iron facet of him. She thinks highly of him and treasures every bit of him. It is so satisfying to see they find each other from the very beginning and nothing can separate them.

Another young actor that captures my heart is Hu Yi Tian. He portrays Han's cousin, Wu Bai, who speaks few words but always watching and listening. He covers Han Shang Yan's back always, no matter what. It is so good to watch such a trusted brotherly relationship which needs few words. One look, Wu Bai would immediately know what his cousin wants. Both completely understand and communicate love and care for each other without many words. I wish we have more scenes of Wu Bai in the drama. Hu Yi Tian definitely has a lot of potential in future with his height at 188 cm (6'2") and awesome cool look.

This drama uses also quite a lot of incredible settings. One such setting is the Atlantis Sanya Resort Hotel that features aquariums in some underwater guess rooms. It is the most beautiful hotel I've ever seen. I am also impressed by the Disney Castle model that Han Shang Yan has in his room. It has taken him years to built from the lego bricks. The iconic Disney Castle, a symbol for dreamers, depicts the dreams he has. Multiple times it worries me that Tong Nian may crush it when she's topsy-turvy.

The official theme songs sung by Li Xian and Yang Zi are pretty good. But my favorite song would be the song called "Beyond's A Brighter Future" sung by the Solo and K&K teams under various occasions. The lyrics of the song are so touching that I tear up each time hearing them. The song is very inspiring, expressing the struggle of the dreamers. It calls for all dreamers to not give up when they stumble and face obstacles. It yearns for freedom and encourages determination. Composed by Wong Ka Kui, a Hong Kong musician, in 1993, the song expresses his own pain and struggle. Sadly Wong died within months of the release of his song. Another beautiful song that strikes me is "Couldn't Leave" sung by Dimash Kudaibergen, a very talented musician from Kazakhstan. The lyrics of the song is so beautiful and appropriately depicting the difficulties and struggle each dreamer is going and has to go through.

It is heart-warming to see a group of youngsters living and playing together, and enjoying each other's company and discovering themselves in the process. Han Shang Yan is not only their leader (they call him Lao Da - meaning big brother), he is also their guardian, parent, teacher and mentor. His relationship with them is simply lovely and moving.

This is truly an amazing drama for the summer. Don't miss it. Two thumbs up!

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This drama truly deserves its hype - everything is perfect, from the storyline to the acting to the chemistry to the lessons that it's trying to convey.

I started watching this with only one episode out and have been waiting patiently since then until it finished. I was busy catching up w/ its updates on weibo and twitter that watching GGS alone is already taking too much of my time lol. I mean that totally says a lot on how much i love this drama right???

The casts are well-chosen for their characters and gave justice to their roles. No offence but I don't see any c-actor who could pull off HSY like how Li Xian did it! He slays that frown facial expression without trying hard too much. I have always been a fan of Yang Zi since Battle of Changsha and Ashes of Love, and so I love how she nailed her character here again. A lot of people are complaining about her clothes but I wasn't bothered at all. I guess her bright and baggy clothes are there to constantly remind us of the characters' age difference.

The chemistry between the leads is so natural and cute that you can't help but ship them in real life too. I love the transition of their relationship from being awkward to being able to communicate well with each other - that just gives us a realistic feel of what really happens in the real world. Their seemingly natural interactions and chemistry are what made this drama one of my all-time top faves.

There were no draggy scenes (well, for me atleast) and I have watched 41 episodes with ease. I initially hated the flashbacks but later on realized how helpful they were with getting to know more of HSY and his strong determination to reach his dreams. I found the K&K boys adorable and funny, that it gave perfect balance to the romance. I loooveeee the second couple and craved for their scenes. Moreover, the more episodes I watch, the more I get attached to the old Team Solo. I love how even though they are already in two separate teams, they are still there to support each other (huhu true friendship indeed!)

Watching the last scene made me so emotional because I was just not ready for this series to end yet T___T. It has been such a good ride and I grew attached to all the characters.

I liked a bunch of dramas but there were only a few that I truly loved - the ones that i got really attached to and wouldn't get tired to rewatch despite the passing of time... And I could definitely say that GGS is the new addition to that list. I can see myself rewatching this from time to time whenever I need a mood booster.

Overall, I love this drama so much and would totally recommend this to anyone. Although it focused on the romance, it also centred around the characters' pursuit to their dreams that will surely motivate and inspire everyone.

PS. THE OSTs FOR THIS DRAMA ARE THE BEST !!!

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