Who Rules the World (2022)

You will enjoy the perfect chemistry of Yang Yang and Lusi

I recall DML score of this drama at episode 2 was 6.3. Then it becomes 8.6 and as of today it’s 8.7. I am glad there are lots of viewers who enjoyed this drama despite some early viewers. Since I am a big fan of Lusi & YY, I gave overall score of 10.

There are lot more viewers who wrote very handsome and detail reviews, so I recommend to read them before you decide to watch this drama. Therefore I must give them overall review of 10 to show my appreciation to all the people who involved making this drama. It was very enjoyable and thanks all for excellent works to make this such a enjoyable drama.

Compared to other similar costume drama, main CP were always side by side, they respect each other and love each other. This type of relationship in the storyline gave me such a happy feeling whenever I see them. And this two main actors chemistry made this drama 200% better.

I just hoped they made more romance part of Lusi and YY since 80% were politics, plots and wars. I also hoped the story line included family love between Lusi, her older brother and her farther, and cut it short of villains’ sorry. Most warm hearted character were not showed much. They were gone so quickly. It was little sad the story didn’t show much of Lusi side of family affair. (Well, I like the actor who played Lusi’s older brother. Very nice looking actor (^O^)

Music OST are also great. Especially opening song is my favorite. Lusi’s EYEBROWSE are the cutest and her horse riding and dancing skills are as great as usual. Yang Yang’s acting skill is getting better and better since You Are My Glory!!!

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Understanding, Caring, Supportive Romance

Back to my first love - wuxia and this drama ticks most of what I love about this genre. Gorgeous costumes and breathtaking martial arts.

Story wise, it was good with some interesting little reveals but did not tug at my heartstrings like Untamed or Ten Miles of Peach Blossom. What I enjoyed most was their positive relationship where there was little misunderstandings and hardly any jealousy or love triangles. Both leads were strong characters that helped and supported each other.

Unfortunately, other parts of the story seemed a bit lacking. One annoying one was when someone was assumed to have killed another person just because she was the last one to have met that person… it didn’t matter that these 2 persons were in a close relationship and there was no motive for the murder…

Overall a decent watch if you’re a wuxia fan and have already seen all the popular ones.

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The Tale of Bai-Hei Fengxi

"Who Rules The World" initially presented a challenge to draw me in, but after three episodes, I found myself captivated by the immersive storyline. The exceptional cast, led by the talented Yang Yang and Zhao Lusi, delivered performances that added layers of depth to the narrative. The romance aspect showcased remarkable chemistry, steering away from typical rom-com misunderstandings. Instead, the main couple thrives on a foundation of deep trust and open communication, bringing a refreshing authenticity to their relationship dynamics. This intentional choice allows the audience to revel in the genuine connection between the characters. ❤️

The well-executed plot maintained my interest with its numerous twists and political intrigues. The drama excelled in portraying a strong, independent female lead, featuring impressive fight scenes and emphasizing equality with her male counterpart. The beautiful set designs and costumes added an aesthetic charm, enriching the overall viewing experience.

👉"Who Rules The World" is a captivating blend of romance, intrigue, and empowerment, making it an absolute must-watch. ❤️ It is now a new addition to my list of favorite historical dramas.

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Another Zhou Lusi HOME RUN!

I watched LOVE LIKE THE GALAXY on Viki before watching this series on NETFLIX. Zhou Lusi is a NATIONAL TREASURE. I thought her and Leo Wu gave me fever, but her and Yang Yang, DAYUM! They kissed only once in this series, but my gosh, the chemistry between these two comes through your screen. Lusi would have chemistry with a rock if it was her leading man. Then there is Yang Yang! The word quiet sexy was invented for this man, it just was.

Okay what did I like about the story:
1) I loved that they were always there for each other and to save each other/
2) ML+ FL we both smart and sensical.
3) Great supporting cast - Solid acting company- Strong female characters
4) They didn't spend too much time on a particular story arc, the story kept moving
5) Beautiful cinematography
6) Great Special Effects
7) Beautiful costumes
8) Musical score fit the characters and story.

What I disliked:
1) Killing off characters I like - C-Drama Staple that I HATE
2) Too many battle scenes with killing - became redundant after a while
3) That bittersweet ending - middle finger to the writer who came up with that curve ball at the end.

Overall, I don't regret one minute of watching this wonderful series and I highly recommend this drama. I will definitely watch again.

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Great idea- disappointing execution

Who rules the world in my mind will always remain as a drama that failed to live up to expectations and the potential it had. the foundation of the story was solid: two famous martial artists in the jianghu world that are actually secretly royalty bond as they engage in a game of thrones in a bid to see who will rule the world
unfortunately the writers failed to match up and deliver a coherent script. i will discuss the cons first and then talk about what i liked about the show

cons:
1. false marketing. i doubt its just me but this show was very much promoted as a wuxia show and the initial eps had all the makings of one as it was featuring two wuxia heroes one from a cultivating sect. however it quickly abandoned its classic wuxia settings for a palace political storyline. it went against expectations and jarred a lot of people including me.

2. the writers are obv not familiar with writing intriguing political conflict coz literally all of the politics in this is incoherent. random alliances, random wars, random resolutions. ofc there were a few fun but not necessarily well written political games like when heifengbaixi went undercover or feng ju's coup but the moments were few and far between

3. the latter half was just a mess of weird pacing, editing, ooc behavior of supporting characters, plot holes after plot holes. just a whole mess. langhua almost killing bai fengxi for no reason, huang chao's unnecessary proposal to bfx, how the trio finally managed to break into imperial capital even tho huang chao failed coz yu wuyuan was using innocent people as buffer to hold him at bay. ywy randomly finding out bai fengxi is feng xiyun. they elevated the scenes that didnt require an elevation and suppressed the reveals that required an elevation. so many logical fails throughout this show that even a watcher like me that likes to switch off my brain for entertainment couldn't stop noticing the plot holes

pros:
1. heifengbaixi: this ties in to the cons. the writers were unable to recognize their strengths ie, romance. since they are incapable of producing a thrilling political drama they should have done what theyre best at and given more space to romantic relationship between the two leads. cdramas rarely have this kinda couple that have no stupid misunderstandings, no third act breakup. this is one of the best heterosexual cps ever coz they're twin flames, equal in every way with a relationship built on mutual respect, tacit understanding and deep friendship.

2. yang yang and zhao lusi have great chemistry and work well off each other. with the script being a snooze, the main attraction of the show remains these two people. they fit their roles and theyre engaging to watch. i doubt anyone would continue this show past ep 20 if these two werent the leads

3. the budget was proved via set design and cinematography. everything looked really royal and the shots were really pretty

4. since i have lambasted the writers this entire review, i want to end it on a positive note and give them kudos for the one thing they did right: foreshadowing. right from the chess game with old taiyin the script already insinuated that feng lanxi would never be the ruler of the world. in the chess game machination when faced with the question of what all he can sacrifice he cut all the strings surrounding his life except one: bai fengxi. once again in the chess game with huang chao, he lost to him on purpose coz his priority will always be bai fengxi. this is what makes the love story at the core of wrtw such an admirable one coz as ambitious as feng lanxi is, his greatest ambition will always be to be by his lady love's side. so even tho the ending is a bittersweet one as he hands over his whole life's work and dreams and ambitions to huang chao and retires to spend what little time he has left with his wife, it is an understandable choice as he has always been telling us in very unsubtle subtext that his greatest dream is not the world, it is bai fengxi.

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Plot, story and the ML and FL chemistry

This series is worth waiting for, it gives me goosebumps every episode especially how the ML and FL fighting skills and how they save each other. This WRTW is my most anticipating, and I cant wait for the next episode which is the 11&12 up to ep 40. I really love the character of Bai Feng HeiXi, how they understand each other move, how they argue, how they fight against the enemy and as well as how they save and protect each other when one is in danger. It also gave me how the Hei Fengxi family treat him and so on. I can't wait for the upcoming episode that makes me excited. i urged you all to watch this drama, you won't understand what am, saying until you take a look at the drama, watch and give me a like later. Waiting!

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This drama is truly amazing

I saw clips of this drama on YouTube and it immediately caught my attention. I'm not a huge cdrama watcher and historical dramas don't usually peak my interest but this one did. And I'm so glad I watched it. This drama has everything you could ever want: Interesting plot? Yep. Great acting? Yep. A beautiful romance? Absolutely. Strong female characters? Heck yes. Male leads that are strong, respectful, and handsome? Yes, yes, yes! This drama is perfectly paced, it's not too fast or two slow. Every plot point is properly explored and everything that happens has an effect, nothing is pointless in this drama. The romance had me swooning, it's so perfect. It's healthy, it's cute, there aren't that many obstacles, it's simply wonderful. And I love love love that the character that could be considered a love rival for Bai Fengxi becomes her best friend. She doesn't try to hurt Fengxi because Lanxi likes her, instead they become close friends and support one another.
Over all this drama is a 10/10 and I highly, highly suggest you watch it

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Bai-Hei Fengxi deserves more exposure

Definitely had a very mixed feelings about this cdrama while I was watching it, but all in all it still managed to capture my heart. This cdrama started really strong, I was sold with the rival to lovers troupe and double identities. The actors all did a fantasic job on portraying their characters and the main couple is so shippable, damn they’re such power OTP.

This is actually my first cdrama with both lead actors and all I can say is wow. I might even had a big massive girl crush with Zhao Lusi, like maam step on me?! Although Yang yang did a fantastic job portraying Hei Fengxi/ Feng Lanxi, I still find myself not into him as I am with the actor who portray Huang Chao.

Let’s just be clear, my preference on certain character doesn’t mean I ship Huang Chao and Bai Fengxi/ Feng Xiyun. It’s a fat NO, i love the main couple so much they’re perfect for each other I just have different dude preference. I guess this is more of a preference type at this point LOL. It’s a toxic trait of mine preferring Red Flags than Green ones, your gurl is colourblind.

I also feel the need to say that I kinda simps more on the Hei Fengxi identity more than the second prince Feng Lanxi and it’s because of the hairstyle. Feng Lanxi hairdo isn’t just it for me. But yeah, I kinda hope they had more story scenes on the Martial Art World cause Bai-Hei Fengxi duo is so iconic. I kinda left this cdrama halfway through the series cause I felt like I had enough of Feng Lanxi issues with his family. Like damn Yongzhou drama kinda drags, give me more of my Bai-Hei Fengxi bad-ass adventures.

So yeah during my break from this cdrama I kinda had a marathon on Zhao Lusi ‘s much earlier works cause damn my gay self is whipped for her. I watched Please Be at Ease Mr. Ling and The Romance of Tiger and Rose while readying myself to deal with Yongzhou drama and the stupid emperor just makes my blood boil so much like tf why you so angry to have a really smart and capable son as a candidate for the throne ??? Bitch should be thankful Feng Lanxi didn’t inherit his father’s stupidity.

Oh back to Zhao Lusi damn she’s such a phenomenal actress??? I swear she acts so great she embodies her characters so well. Like each drama I don’t see a shadow of Zhao Lusi or any of her previous character but just the character itself. Tbh, if I’m new to Asian dramas and can’t tell faces apart I would have hard time figuring out that it’s the same actress portraying all those characters.

I wished that the writers also explore on the other states aside from just Yongzhou cause it really had promising plot with the Six States and Imperial Family and all. I hoped and just got my heart broken to see so little scenes from Princess Xiyun and her family and state, Qingzhou. It would be so lit if they did and I was so curious abt the fact that Princess Xiyun was well known and actually is seen as such a great princess. Like ummm where and what is the backstory???? But yeah they didn’t provide one and I think they missed a really great story arc in that one. And damn the brother, he fine af my bros, he’s the second dude in this cdrama that I got a big fat crush on (more than Huang Chao tbh.) I wished I had seen more cute scenes with him and Feng Xiyun. (Spoiler) Like I think if they elaborate more on Xiyun’s really loving and supportive family I could have actually felt the despair of their deaths and the need to avenge on Xiyun/ Bai Fengxi. And their death scene could have actually brought me to tears than just feeling like it’s just another turning point scene. Zhao Lusi’s acting was the only thing that convinced me that they’re actually important to Bai Fengxi/ Feng Xiyun. I just feel like they could Xiyun could have more interaction with her family rather than her martial sis which is immature and stupid, Langhua. Can you guys telI have a lot of penned up frustrations about this missed potential.


Battle scenes towards the end was kinda meh more me like ummm yep they flying and all but they still hasn’t figure out evil’s dude purpose in life until a new character never seen before but mentioned told them like sir what you doing the past episodes??? (Spoiler) And excuse me, after all those episodes about retrieving and stealing of fake token we actually missed the part when the actual token get into the hands of bad dude and where was it this whole time??? Ending feels kinda rushed and I want more scenes of Bai-Hei Fengxi married life, they’re so cute together and all I get as an end is eyebrows drawing.


Overall, Plot was engaging and interesting but I think it could be more elaborate. Actors was fantastic, kudos to them. Chemistry of main leads are top-tier just hoped they could have shown it a bit more. Mixed feeling on royal politics it def had its own ups and downs. War scenes are kinda weird to see as special effects was so obvious and kinda unrealistic. I want a Season 2 not as a sequel though but more like a prequel. Like if there will ever be Season 2 which I guess would never happen, I badly want to see more of Bai-Hei Fengxi duo and their adventures during that 10 years. And,yep, I want more backstory on the other states especially Qingzhou. Still, even though I had a lot of obv complaints I actually enjoyed the series and took time to write this review/rant (whatever) which is to say this series really got my attention. So yeah I guess it’s a pretty alright series. K that’s all idk if anyone would bother reading this whole ass essay anyways.
Final Verdict/ Rank: Lovable Series

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Black & White will always make me think of Bai-Hei Feng Xi

One of the best Chinese dramas I have watched to date. The 40 episodes never felt long to me, in fact towards the end I wanted more from this drama. The plot is amazing, the acting and all the visual effects never felt cringy to me which is an accomplishment. For once, I truly fell in love with this genre of Chinese drama and truly appreciate their craft. The story is just so beautiful, and the main actors/ress' chemistry really made me long for this special kind of love. Had me sighing throughout the whole drama for how much the couple compliment each other.

To be honest, if there is one critique, is that I want more of the couple in their lovebird/honeymoon phase. As after they confessed to one another, the plot really started to thicken and they had to focus on worldly, political affairs. Annoyingly, even then the support of the couple to one another's issues was a demonstration of the love and care they have for one another. I love the main couple- how their visual (costumes, hair and makeup), and their acting (body language and expression) really shine when they are on the same screen together. That symbolism of white and black really did carry throughout the whole drama and was reminder of how they balance each other out.

As well, I love the pacing and the progression of the production. How the story unfolded, the lessons that were shown and what kind of hero(ines) Bai-Hei Feng Xi are. The ending is truly bittersweet as it gives an impression that all their struggles seems redundant. However, as the story unravels both of them truly embodied what mattered to them which was ensuring there would be good governance to achieve world peace. Despite their noble backgrounds and the power struggles they went through to achieve their royal statues. They left all their worldly desires to become humble beings of the Martial Arts World just to be with one another (so romantic). Overall, will be one of the my top dramas ever.

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This drama was pretty good, one of my first Chinese drama. I love both the leads and that have good chemistry. The relationship between the leads was amazing. No misunderstanding, trusting each other and working together + healthy relationship. The story was also great and kept me interested. I also think the fight scenes were not bad. I would have like to see more of the second couple.

Yes it’s was a happy ending and they will live happily together, but I was a bit disappointed that they both « abandoned » their country. Both their families, parents died and they ascended the throne, but they both just left. Maybe it’s just me but I kind of did not like that🤷‍♀️
Also he has only some years left… so it’s a happy ending for the years he has left. Not sure I like that. Feel like I read somewhere that this wasn’t in the novel

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