This is one of those shows that leaves a lot to be desired!!

The first few episodes of this fantasy romance were pure delight, the concept was unique and unexpected. But as we dig deeper into the premise, the overall storytelling unravels into a lot of confusion and misunderstandings. There is something magical about reconnecting with a lost love; but reconnecting twice and then forgetting them isn’t something normal. The time diversion was so twisted, that the recurring mishap and resulting amnesia drive the narrative forward; but at some point, you lose interest. As our main protagonist, He Xiang Yong makes a similar wish upon a shooting star, his entire existence is erased and everyone forgets him. To be forgotten by your near and dear ones, there isn’t a bigger curse than that. You spend twelve episodes unraveling the mystique behind He Xiang Yong’s so-called whimsical wish and their disastrous after-effects.

Storyline & Chemistry-

After getting laid off, timid office worker He Xiang Yong (Jed Chung) returns to his hometown from Taipei. His strained relationship with his father doesn’t bring relief, and one night he gets roaringly drunk after a late night party. While sitting at the beach with his close friend Li Wan Zhe (JN Yu), Xiang Yong makes a wish to the shooting stars, saying that he doesn’t want to be recognized anymore. Next morning, he wakes, gets mistaken for a stranger and is kicked out by his father. He ends up on the streets before realizing the new B&B staff is his high school crush, Chen Hao Wei (Chu Meng Hsuan). His father, Hao Wei and the remaining townspeople don’t recognize him. Only Wan Zhe & Brother Hong (Andy Wu) remember his identity. For the time being, Wan Zhe engineers a new identity for him, Zhong Xiao You. Surprisingly, Wan Zhe makes a wish as well- he wants a better half who would take care of him. The result is that he ends up with his own customer, Hamaguchi Aomi (Kagami Kota). After Wan Zhe makes the wish, Aomi starts to aggressively pursue Wan Zhe.

As they spend time together, He Xiang Yong & Chen Hao Wei redress their childhood misunderstandings. As they bridge the distance caused by their long-time separation and reconcile, time twists magically and He Xiang Yong’s very existence is erased. Aomi also forgets about his ensuing romance with Wan Zhe. The finale episodes are filled with potholes that somehow deliver a rushed ending, with a somewhat regrettable romance. As their younger selves, Young He Xiang Yong (Chen Yen Hsv) & Chen Hao Wei (Max Kuo) have an adorable camaraderie. Jed Chung & Chu Meng Hsuan have a magnetic chemistry that somehow saves this derailing romance.

Final Impressions

“Wishing upon the Shooting Stars” is a story of healing and rediscovery, but how much healing actually happens??

Sadly, I wasn’t invested in the secondary couple. They presumably had great chemistry, but their story gets tied over too soon. I was quite pleased to see the cameo by Snoopy Yu alongside Andy Wu. It has been four years since I last saw them together in “My Tooth Your Love” and their chemistry is still enviable. Apart from that, let’s say this show was kind of easily forgettable.

Rating- 3.5 out of 5

Streaming on- Gagaoolala/ Youku/ Viki