The Rise of Phoenixes

I am really disappointed in Netflix for how they handled the ending of this story. I don’t understand why directors with great material that is the novel change it to suit their own sadistic needs. Yes, those of us who are fans of historical Chinese dramas know that tragedy and angst is a common of this genre of dramas. BUT if the author writes a happy ending, don’t change it to a sad one when you know it will upset your real target audience. We always read the novels and we always are mad at you. Maybe in China they have to give them sad endings because they are communists but if you’re producing a show for Netflix and it is going to reach American consumers, make us happy. I don’t know if they were trying to pull out another season but it is so hard to get all the actors to come back.

Other than that I think whoever selected these characters did an amazing job. The leads were all unconventionally beautiful, I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with Ning Yi’s actor but I did. He is very talented and he played his part well. I loved his character and he made me feel attached to the drama. The chemistry between he and Zhi Wei was amazing and that’s why I’m still bitter about the ending that was drummed up by a sadist. My other favorite actor was the one who played Gu Nanyi. First, he is gorgeous. I want to marry him, please make him the lead of another drama. Second my favorite relationship in the entire season was the one between him and Zhi Wei. He was so devoted to her and all they ever had was each other. They were their own family. Their relationship wasn’t romantic but it touched me a lot. Gu Nanyi is the definition of a best friend becoming family.

If you want to see for like the first time ever what a historical Chinese drama looks like when it has well-done American cinematic effects and elements, you should definitely watch this. If you don’t like sad endings, don’t watch.

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Great But Flawed Historical Drama

I'm not usually into C-Dramas. I mean I watched a couple of older Chinese movies before, but never 45 minutes 70 long episodes drama. So it was kind of a first or for me. But let's just say that after watching why the Rise of Phoenixes’ teaser and learning that the actor Chen Kun plays the main role I was all in.

And for the most part, this 70 episode historical fiction drama (if you're going to watch the uncut version) was very much worth it.

Rise of Phoenixes is set in the fictional kingdom of Tiansheng ruled by ruthless and paranoid emperor. Chen Kun plays the part of Ning Yi, the sixth prince of Tiansheng, who at first appears to be a clueless, carefree and good for nothing prince. But he is actually a cunning and resourceful prince who comes back to the imperial Palace after an eight-year exile to take revenge on those who've wronged him.

I've got to say, the thought of watching a 70 episode drama was pretty daunting at first. But once the story hooks you in, you just want to know what happens next. Besides that, the performance of the actors and actresses are top notch and captivating, especially those of the emperor and Ning Yi.

Rise of Phoenixes is a story of power, love and betrayal in the constant web of political intrigue and the royal princess always scheming and vying for power of the imperial throne. And in the background, the father-son relationship between Ning Yi and the emperor has been the most interesting thing to me. I think Rise of Phoenixes well captures the realities of having such an enormous power and responsibility as an emperor and the toll it takes on him as a person. The emperor is an old ruler who is extremely paranoid and is not above involving his sons in political power plays or testing their competence or loyalty. And this dynamic makes it impossible for him to have a normal and healthy relationship with his family and sons.

However, this doesn't mean that the emperor is without feeling or humanity. Several scenes show his remorse, compassion and even affection towards his sons, even though it is hidden behind the burden of imperial power and responsibility.

Ning Yi is also very well written. You may think at the beginning that he's a noble prince who only pursues justice and cares about the safety of his loved ones and the empire. But that is not all he is. Ning Yi is ambitious, practical and is not afraid to play political games. But one thing that sets him apart from the other princes is that he is more self aware of his position and how his actions and decisions might affect others.

Overall, in terms of story, Rise of Phoenixes is a solid 8 out of 10 for me. Why 8? Because as intriguing as a story and its characters were, the last episodes story lines, particularly for one major character, didn't handle it and in my opinion, the conclusion to the story was rushed and very unsatisfying.

However, in terms of cinematography, using real sets and the gorgeous, very real looking costumes, it was definitely 9 or 10 out of 10.

So yes, I definitely recommend Rise of Phoenixes, if you're into historical fiction C dramas.

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Must watch period drama

One of the top c dramas there is to watch. It has great characters, with great writing,(til final stretch of episodes) supported by great actors. If you love period pieces this ranks as a must watch. This show was my first introduction to Chinese dramas and because it was so great it made 99% of c dramas unwatchable as they are lacking in every way in comparison.

I find most c dramas have male leads with very little to them besides being 1 tone throughout entire show. Either being complete puppy dogs or total jerks. Only SSS and Joy of Life S1 compare to this show with such diverse personas and well written characters.

Most c dramas struggle from the midpoint on, this show was amazing until the final stretch of episodes. Which in itself is impressive for the number of episodes. But i have to rate based on the entirety, 9.5 stars and with a stronger close it would've been a ten for me

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If you want a straight forward romance with easy to understand uncomplicated leads, this is not the show for you. As happens in real life the leads were flawed humans who have motivations that sometimes conflicts with one another and who don't always understand their own feelings as soon as the audience does. This is not a smooth tale. People are not perfect.

I adored this show. It was gorgeous... sets, costumes, hair... all better than any other Chinese or Korean "historical" I've seen. Just absolutely stunning to watch. Chen Kun was brilliant, he was often "hammy" because his character is acting throughout big sections of the drama. He's not a man who shares his true self easily. NiNi was a perfect foil for him.

There was minimal dubbing in the drama which makes a massive difference to me. Voices had volume levels, whispers were actually whispers and not absurd stage "whispers". Children sounded like children. Women didn't sound like five year olds on a helium binge. I cannot for the life of me understand why dubbing is a thing anywhere outside of necessary production 'fixes' and if you're going to insist on dubbing so much why can't you do it in a reasonable natural manner? Ugh, anyway... minimal dubbing thank goodness.

I seriously wish there were more dramas of this caliber.

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I was conflicted the whole time I watched this show. I really liked the acting and the characters. I even liked the plot except when it got crazy and inconsistent. Inconsistency is probably the biggest challenge for this drama (and the fact that I really don't enjoy shows that try to convince me that a stunningly beautiful girl can pass for a boy for years). It gets bogged down by insignificant things (at least I couldn't see their significance) and seemed to draaaaagggg oooonnn for eeevverrrrr in places. But I couldn't stop watching because there was something about it that kept me interested. I honestly am not sure what it was except for the chemistry between the actors (all of them...not just the main leads). The ending sucked for me, personally, and made me actually angry that I didn't get the end I wanted. I'm selfish, what can I say. I waited 70+ hours for that ending, dangit! I would say it was worth watching but I can't honestly quantify why.

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This isn't a traditional romance in all the wrong ways.

Spoilers. Many Spoilers ahead. I have read spoilers before and thought, hey that actually sounds awesome, I'm going to watch it! You can decide after this windfall of horrible. I gave it a 5 mainly because Ni Ni even though her character was all over the place. You may start on the first episode thinking she is a smart, cunning, capable female lead that will overcome everything for her goal. By episode 10 she is crying and spouting lines like a side character trying to move a pity plot along. Even the male lead tells her she isn't appealing when she is crying, but she still pulls at him crying. Anyway... a breakdown of the bad, with all the spoilers that will make you check your refrigerator to see if the spoilage leaked from the computer screen.

If you are looking for a loyal romance or a coherent plot, run far away from The Rise of Phoenixes. What disguises itself as a high-stakes political drama is actually just a frustrating showcase of a narcissistic male lead, Ning Yi, who treats women like disposable chess pieces while the writers try to gaslight us into thinking it’s "epic love." The show is a masterclass in how to ruin a romance by drowning it in a pseudo-harem of political pawns and unnecessary third parties.

The "Harem" and emotional infidelity really illustrates how this really shouldn't even be a romance. The biggest offense here is Ning Yi. We are supposed to believe he loves Feng Zhiwei, yet he spends the entire series surrounded by a rotating door of other women whom he uses for political gain. First, there’s the engagement drama with Qiu Yuluo, used simply to balance power. Then there is the constant manipulation of Princess Shaoning, whom he uses as a tool to bring down his brothers, eventually leading to her tragic death. He even gets involved with the affairs of Hua Gongmei and uses his own mother’s history to manipulate the women around him.

It isn’t just that these women exist; it’s that Ning Yi constantly prioritizes his ambition over his supposed "true love." The definition of infidelity here isn't just physical—it is the constant emotional betrayal. He watches Feng Zhiwei get married off to Helian Zheng (the Prince of Jinshi) for political stability, essentially handing the woman he "loves" to another man. He claims he wants to protect her, yet he is the primary reason she is constantly in danger, surrounded by his enemies and his other political "interests." It feels less like a romance and more like a toxic relationship where the guy keeps his options open while ruining your life. To be clear, it isn't one of those toxic romances to swoon over, it's imagined romance by anyone who didn't watch it or imagines romance as someone who acknowledges your existence and tries to push you away - not because of love, because he just doesn't care.

A convoluted, horrible plot beyond the messy relationships. The storyline is an absolute train wreck of misery. The plot relies on the tired trope of "blood feuds" that just won't die. The writers force a Romeo and Juliet dynamic where Ning Yi systematically kills off Feng Zhiwei’s entire support system—her mother Qiu Mingying, her brother Feng Hao, and her protector Zong Chen—and then expects her to still want to be with him. It’s repulsive. The political machinations are boring and repetitive: a Prince plots, Ning Yi outsmarts him, the Prince dies, repeat.

The meaningless ending really hits you. The finale is the final nail in the coffin. After 56 episodes of suffering, misunderstandings, and Ning Yi manipulating everyone from court ladies to princesses to seize power, the payoff is... nothing. The plot decides that the only way to resolve the corner they wrote themselves into is for Feng Zhiwei to commit suicide by jumping off a cliff. It renders the entire journey pointless. We watched Ning Yi claw his way to the throne over a mountain of corpses, only to end up alone, miserable, and "married" to his job.

Don't waste your time. The Rise of Phoenixes is a depressing slog featuring a male lead who values power over loyalty, treats women as disposable tools, and a plot that punishes the audience for caring. If you want romance, look elsewhere; this is just tragedy porn masquerading as a love story.

That's about all I have to say about this. I regret watching this to the end. At episode 8 I could already tell this wouldn't be for me. I read reviews here and thought, hey, maybe it gets better. It doesn't.

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Watched on Netflix by chance. Visually compelling LONG story of power, justice, and love that can never fulfill.
Story: timeless and ever told saga of power for the BIG chair - no man, woman or child or LOVE will hinder that drive. Costuming & scenes were amazing and vivid.
Actors: the main leads had sizzling chemistry (wishing for a fulfillment) with all the actors cast perfectly for their roles - each and everyone. The emperor was one of my most favorite characters. Love mature actors!
Music: fit the mood and time and not overbearing.
Summary: was this perfect drama? No, it sagged in some spots, technically jumpy, storytelling seemed overly convoluted - confusing at times. YET, the main actor -KC introduction into the drama portrayed a deeply complex and tormented man in search. Thus I was hooked. This is a long drama, and well worth the time . "With smart people, you must be strategic." This drama was one heck of a go - chess game.

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Palace-drama done right, beautiful and well acted

First of all, this drama looks amazing. The sets, the costumes and the acting are awesome. There is no evil psycho-jealous-type character in 70 episodes and that is really rare for a palace-drama which has quite a focus on romance. This drama will have a special place in my heart because it jump-started my interest in Chinese dramas.

Story
It starts phenomenal as the storyline gets unravelled and you get sucked into the story. The characters are very interesting, especially the 6th prince Ning Yi. The scheming and the intrigues in the palace are very entertaining because of Ning Yi who adjusts to the situation at hand and controls how people see him and the emperor who is not an idiot (which is very rare in my opinion lol).
The ending was not bad, but I guess after all the episodes I just started to expect way too much.

Acting/Cast
The cast did an amazing job, especially Chen Kun as Ning Yi (6th prince) and Ni Da Hong as Ning Shi Zhen (emperor). I loved their interactions with each other the most. The rest of the cast also did an amazing job, but these 2 just stood out for me.

Music
I personally don’t pay much attention to music/OST so I can’t really judge but I certainly can’t complain about it.

Rewatch Value
I don’t really rewatch dramas. But looking at 70 episodes à 45 min, the drama being an eye candy and the amazing acting, I guess it’s worth a rewatch because you will probably miss a few things and you get to enjoy a fantastic show.

Overall
This drama has sweet and mature romance, cross-dressing, hidden identity, revenge plot, power struggle and palace/political intrigue. For me its basically a palace drama done right without the annoying psycho-jealous-evil-mastermind-character and the female-lead character being thrown into the cold-palace/hard-labour-department because of a misunderstanding.
I would suggest to at least watch the first few episodes to get a feeling for the drama and of course to be amazed by the costumes and the acting.

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Firstly the cons. I was at first put off by the fact that it was 70 episodes, I wouldn't have tried to watch it if I wasn't trying to get over a drama I just finished watching. Secondly I didn't like some of ning yi's expressions especially when he is trying to fake sadness it feels so fake,too fake, probably it's the plot but I didn't feel it at all. Now for the prosssss????. I WAS HOOKED FROM THE START!!!. The story flowed smoothly, The romance was gradually built, The timing for each event was right, it brought out various moods, anger, sadness, tears of joy and sadness, heartache. It was beautiful. The scenes were also beautifully timed. I wasn't sad that I watched it. Even tho I wished it ended differently but I understood why it had to happen that way so I had some sort-of peace with it tho I still wish. I really recommend it especially if you have the time because it's not a drama you can really fast forward or skip some episodes.

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Great Acting, Great Politics!

Highly recommended series for those looking for great acting and politics scheme. Not as dry as Three kingdom series, there's still "love" story in this series. There's some flaws, especially on the last 10 episode, like rushing to end the series.
When Ning Qi want to take the throne, there's a lot of chance for him to just kill everyone, why everyone just stand there and wait for the opponent to talk and walk? it just doesn't make sense.

I love how all of them having those poker face, especially Ning Yi who can act pitiful while actually he's pretending, it's just hilarious seeing he act dumb and crying while actually he is scheming behind. Their poker face always amaze me

I don't really like Feng Zhi Wei character. This Zhi Wei character, she's just busy body "smart" but not that "smart" lady who just can't make up her mind. If she can just decide to stay with Ning Yi, not giving hope here and there so other guy swaying plus not busy body want to save princess shao ning, want to know why people in the academy so skillfull, etc, all the troubles will not be there. Too emotional for that so call "smart" title. But only blinded by emotion for the mother and people that she barely know, like her brother who just show up. She just can forget all the things Ning Yi has done for her, while actually all the troubles are she bring into herself.
And I wonder why there's so many men want to protect her haha...

Overall the series is good, supported with very good acting from all the actor and actress.

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The Best Drama Ever!

This is my #1 favorite Drama! Yes it is lengthy but it is so very good! Ni Ni and Aloys Chen (Chen Kun) instantly became my favorite actress and actor. Believe it or not I have watched this more than once. Tiny spoiler alert.........I'm telling you now if you are a must have a happy ending kinda person, this is not for you. If you like omg what the heck just happened kind of endings this one is definitely the one! This entire series had me on my toes. I literally lost hours and hours of sleep. I even went to work a couple of times with no sleep at all. I have never done that before or since. The entire cast were phenomenal! The writers, producers, designers, make up artists, camera and set crew, the entire team did an amazing job with this one. I'm sure I will watch it several more times. There are only two other Dramas that I have watched more than once and now this is the 3rd. <3

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