Early Access: Amidst a Snowstorm of Love E1-4 (Patreon)

E1-4. So.. it seems like I'm in the minority here, since I know that a number of you have dropped this one, but.. I find that I'm liking this quite a bit.

Certainly, some lens adjustments apply, and I do think they're quite critical, so let's talk about that first.

I think the biggest thing I'm taking away from these first four episodes, is that, with this show, it's allll about the subtext.

Often, I feel like not a lot is said in a particular moment, or maybe nothing is said at all, in a particular moment, but the character's actions and body language is rich with meaning, for us to glean.

For example, there's a scene where Wu Lei's character Yiyang sits down at a restaurant next to his friend Wu Wei, and Yin Guo, our female lead, sits across from him.

At this point, Yiyang is just acquaintances with Yin Guo, but we can tell already, that he has a deep interest in her; he just can't.. express it much, since they've only just met.

Wu Wei, being a friendly dude, starts talking with Yin Guo, and after a few moments, you can see that Yiyang is possibly a little uncomfortable with Wu Wei jumping in and creating a potentially strong connection with Yin Guo, and he reaches across Wu Wei, to get the chopsticks from the holder on the table.

I took that to be Yiyang's subtle way of cutting in front of Wu Wei, &/or holding Wu Wei back, if you know what I mean.

It's not very obvious, and Wu Wei doesn't have a strong reaction to it at all, so it's very possible to miss it, but for me, I was eating this up, as Yiyang's attempt to do something about a situation that he didn't like so much, but had no real right to say or do anything about it.

There's a lot of this type of subtext in the show so far, and I personally find it quite thrilling to examine the various nuggets of information, and try to piece together a mental picture of our main characters.

In particular, I find that I'm doing this with Yiyang as a character.

Yiyang's very reticent, and doesn't say a whole lot, but you can see from his gaze, his micro-expressions and his body language, that he has a good amount of hidden angst; some large burden that he's still carrying, and can't seem to put down.

You can also see, from all the same sources - his gaze, his micro-expressions, and his body language - that he is deeply interested in Yin Guo.

And so, I find myself watching him closely, and trying to piece together what his gaze / micro-expressions / body language is communicating, and this makes up a good chunk of my enjoyment, so far. 😁

This reminds me of that description of swans, where, on the surface, it looks like they're gliding effortlessly on the water, but underneath, there's a lot going on, as they paddle furiously to power that gliding.

Here, on the surface, at first glance, it might look like there's not a lot happening, but if you look a little closer, you're likely to find a lot of subtext, to power the story forward.

At least, that's my impression of it, just from these first four episodes. Maybe things will change later, and I'll eat my words..? 😅

That said, there is a lens adjustment that I had to make, from the get-go, and that is, I had to figure out how to see Yiyang's actions in a non-creepy light.

Literally, in the first few minutes, I found myself swooning at Wu Lei being all smoldery, with his side-glances at Yin Guo, at the Red Fish bar where they first meet, and then realizing that these actions actually can come off as really creepy. 😅

And, the only reason I knew that Yiyang wasn't being creepy, is because he's our male lead, who is supposed to be a good guy.

But y'know, I actually struggled to shake the creepy feeling, from a lot of Yiyang's side-eyed smolder and his intensity, and his early efforts to be nice to Yin Guo, at Red Fish.

And then I realized that it was actually quite helpful to think of Yiyang as being a variation of Wu Lei's character in Love Like The Galaxy, where he's an intense, tortured soul, who's deeply attracted to his female lead, and yet, can't distill his actions of his tortured intensity.

I found that this helped a lot, as a filter through which to digest Yiyang's actions and general behavior, so I hope it helps you guys too.

So far, I think Show's doing a nice job of demonstrating that Yin Guo is also very curious about and intrigued by Yiyang; I mean, who wouldn't be, in her shoes, yes?

You're in a foreign country and feeling a little lost and uncertain, and along comes this handsome stranger who seems intent on helping you, while consistently passing off his actions as being convenient, when he's clearly going out of his way, on your account.

So far, I really do like Yin Guo.

She seems like a sensible girl, right away, just from the way she doesn't jump at the help that Yiyang offers, and is cautious in accepting anything from him - including that drink that he buys her at Red Fish.

While Yiyang deadpans that she seems worried, I'm over here saying to my screen that she's absolutely doing the right thing, that she needs to be careful with strangers, particularly in a foreign land.

After some time, though, I came to realize that Yiyang's a little (or a lot) socially awkward, and really doesn't quite know what to say to Yin Guo, as a general rule.

That made it much easier for me to process the things that he'd said to her that night, when they'd first met at Red Fish.

Like, ahhh, so he's not being creepy; he's just socially awkward! 😅

I find their interactions endearingly awkward, this set of episodes.

As in, in the beginning, it's less endearing, and more just pure awkwardness, because Yiyang's being all borderline creepy with his intense gazes and intent niceness, but as we go further along, and Yin Guo starts to trust Yiyang, as she comes to realize that he's a legitimately nice person, the awkwardness takes on shades of cute, which I find endearing.

I actually enjoy that they're both kinda shy around each other; it kinda-sorta reminds me of Do You Like Brahms, where we get a romance between two introverted individuals who are endearingly awkward around each other, particularly as they're just getting to know each other.

This doesn't have the exact same vibe as Brahms, certainly, but I do feel like it's vaguely in the same ballpark, and I like that we're not rushing through the shyness and uncertainty.

In fact, I really like that Yiyang's clear that he has an interest in Yin Guo, and even asks Wu Wei a few things related to this, like how he comes across when it comes to girls, and even what he should wear, to look his best.

It's really kinda dorky, and I find it very endearing.

Like, yes, here's a genius nine-ball player with some tortured hidden angst that makes him appear all edgy and aloof to most people - and he's asking his bestie how to be, around girls, because now, there's someone he actually likes.

Cute! 🤭

At the same time, I also appreciate that the people around them are playing Cupid, at the drop of a hat.

Presumably, they can tell on sight, that these two people are either made for each other, or at least, have some kind of spark between them, because we have not just Wu Wei, but also, Xiaotian, and even Su Wei's friend, creating opportunities for Yiyang and Yin Guo to spend time together.

Given Yiyang's and Yin Guo's personalities, I can appreciate that without these external pushes, they might never actually have made a meaningful connection, so yes, these were most likely necessary. 😁

Also, even with all this external nudging, it doesn't look like our OTP relationship is going to be in the region of forming, anytime soon, which I actually appreciate.

I like that Show appears to be taking things slow with developing the OTP relationship; I feel that the slow burn approach suits this story and this would-be couple very nicely.

Neither of them seems like the rushing sort, if you know what I mean.

It makes total sense to me that, for now at least, they seem to be more comfortable texting each other, than talking in person. This feels very true for introverts - or at least, that's true for me, as an introvert. 😅

I also like the idea of them getting to know each other in an organic fashion, as they spend time in each other's orbits.

Speaking of which, I do like this arrangement, where Yin Guo and Xiaotian end up living in the same apartment as Wu Wei.

I like that the extent of drama coincidence that is employed, is only as far as the fact that Wu Wei's flatmates are just due to move out, and therefore, there are rooms available in the apartment, just as Yin Guo and Xiaotian are looking to move to a short-term rental apartment, so as to save on hotel room charges.

With Yiyang having the habit of staying over with Wu Wei every time he's in town, this does provide natural opportunities for him and Yin Guo to cross paths.

And, I do like that each time they cross paths, we see Yiyang peppering his actions with thoughtfulness towards Yin Guo, like the way he kept pulling her away from walking on the inside, nearer the buildings, because there's a real risk of falling down the snow-covered steps leading down to the basements.

It's moments like these, that make me think that Yiyang's likely a person with deep thoughts.

After all, he thinks of the safety issue so naturally, and takes pains to make sure Yin Guo is walking on the safer side of the sidewalk, and to her (as well as any other casual observer), it'd just look like he preferred to walk on the inside.

Yet, there are reasons behind his actions; we just might not understand those reasons right away, is all.

Ah, there's a moment in episode 2 that I wanted to mention, and that is when Yiyang and Yin Guo are walking to the train station, in the snow.

It's not very obvious, so I had to replay the scene to make sure I understood it right, but Yiyang walks briskly at first, and Yin Guo has to scurry a little, to keep up with him. And then, he notices when he looks over at her (we see his gaze in the direction of her legs), and then, he slows down enough, so that she's walking at a speed that's much more comfortable for her.

This is what I mean about paying attention to subtext; there's a lot of meaning that's built into the storytelling, that's not within the dialogue. I kinda love it. 🤩

Of course, the dialogue can be pretty great too.

For example, I like that Yiyang is often very honest in how he talks to Yin Guo.

Like when she tries to say that she isn't hungry on the train, he asks her if she's really planning to go home to have pizza - and then admits that he'd seen her message to Xiaotian on her phone, when she'd waved her phone at him.

I mean, he could have just played along and pretended that he hadn't seen the message on her phone, but he opts to tell her, despite the awkwardness between them, and I like that.

As we get into episodes 3 and 4, the question of Yiyang's past comes to the fore, and although we're not told the full story just yet, it's clear that his hidden angst has something to do with an event in his nine-ball career, and that it had been a serious enough thing, that people aren't even allowed to mention his name, at his old club.

Ok, well, that does remind me of situations I've seen in historical dramas, where a traitor's name is forbidden from mention, by the Emperor, so this does feel rather excessive.

But, since we don't yet know what had happened, I guess I'll withhold judgment until we get there.

For now, I do appreciate that Yiyang seems to genuinely have a passion for Nine Ball.

I'd wondered why he'd seemed so poor yet so rich, at the same time.

I mean, on the one hand, he didn't seem to have enough money to pay for meals, even though he works various odd jobs, but on the other hand, he's got the restaurant owner talking about paying him back, in the tens of thousands.

It finally makes sense in episode 4, when we learn that Yiyang's been working to pay off his purchase of the underground billiards center. Like, ahhh, I can see why he'd have so little liquidity, if everything's tied up in real estate!

But why would he even do something like buy the billiards center, right, unless he had a true and deep passion for billiards? I do like that.

Speaking of billiards, I don't know anything about it, but I do like that this is being worked into the.. language of love? that is forming between Yiyang and Yin Guo.

First, there's the scene where he first sees her play, at that billiard hall where he wins the match.

When he approaches her to talk, the words are a little stilted and awkward, but the way he's fingering the billiard ball under his hand, is so.. gently sensuous?

In that same moment, the way Yin Guo is fingering the billiard ball under her hand, is tentative.

And then, the way he flicks the ball under his hand, so that it rolls directly towards the ball under her hand, and makes contact - and then stays there (versus rolling away), feels like rich subtext, about him wanting to reach out and make a connection with her.

This definitely part of the subtext thing I was talking about, and this little scene did give me a thrill, not gonna lie. 🤩

Secondly, there's that other scene where Yin Guo invites him to play a round with her, and we see them trying to figure out how to carry themselves with the other person, in this context.

And, I do love that Yiyang's first thought, is that it would likely be disrespectful of him, if he were to go easy on her, from a professional standpoint.

I also really appreciate that when Yin Guo later senses him holding back and not playing to his full strength, she calls him out on it, and tells him that she can afford to lose, and that he should play to his full ability; that if he doesn't win that round, she'll know that he threw the game.

I love this professionalism and mutual respect that they're building in their interactions with each other.

They're not just a guy and a girl who might be interested in each other; they're also professionals and colleagues, and I like that they both want to acknowledge that.

I really like that they're beginning to open up to each other, a little bit, by the time we end episode 4.

Sure, some of it is powered by liquid courage, since it's only when Yin Guo's a little tipsy from the liquor they had at dinner, that she asks him if he misses home.

But I appreciate the he's candid with her, and tells her that he misses his grandfather. This feels like a rather personal tidbit, particularly for someone who's as reticent and private as Yiyang, and I just lap up this piece of evidence, that she's special to him. 🥰

It does look like there's some potential complication in the fact that Yin Guo's cousins with Meng Xiao Dong, which is a name that gives Yiyang pause.

But, I like that this discovery doesn't stop Yiyang from continuing to nurture the connection that he's been building with Yin Guo.

I mean, he does look pensive and thoughtful, but he still is gentle and considerate towards her, with the way he asks if she'll be alright with all of them gone the next day, leaving her alone.

And, importantly, he's still leaking that shadow of a smile, when he thinks about her. Aw. 🥰

Overall, I found these initial episodes very pleasant indeed, though I would emphasize that I feel you need to be in a certain type of mood - thoughtful, attentive and unhurried - in order to potentially enjoy this one.

Next episode notes will be out on: Thur, 29 Feb 2024!

*This show will be covered on the Early Access Plus (US$10) tier!*