Who Rules the World

Royalty politics with a dash of healthy romance

I don't pay attention to titles but I probably should because this drama is really about walking us through the journey of 'Who Rules The World' - meaning, it tells the story of Six States and who ultimately becomes the ruler of them all. The drama starts a bit slow and it takes at least 5-6 episodes to set up the setting, characters and story. After that is established, it's really fun and intriguing. If you love royalty politics with a dash of healthy romance - this drama is for you.

I'm quite a newbie of cdramas but I've never watched such an interesting political drama - there were tons of scheming and betrayal involved which I liked although at times the talking was quite a lot and it got heavy. This is not a light drama for the mind - to keep up with the storyline you really have to pay attention to what people are saying and doing. Having said that, I found the plot and characters very real and could imagine this being a real life story rather than just fiction.

What I'm most pleasantly surprised by is the healthy relationship portrayed. There were no childish and immature behaviours from the main leads - in fact it was romantic and cute. The male lead is definitely a green flag and the female lead is so badass - she is seriously an amazing character that I won't easily forget. Oh and the martial arts are super fun to watch. It’s definitely binge-worthy so overall I highly recommend the drama.

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Nothing is perfect, but if anything was then it would probably be this drama!

If I could rate this 10000+ out of 10 I would! It is simply MAGNIFICENT! I I am at awe at how perfect everything is in this drama. I don't
even know where to start.

From the AMAZING acting and directing to the ABSOLUTELY FLAWLESS and genius senario... All I can say is that this drama dethroned some (if not all) of my most favourite series/kdramas/cdramas etc. The plot is solid and its development is done beautifully. The dynamic of the leads' relationship is great, both the fl and the ml are powerful (love the equality) not to mention that their chemistry is OUT OF THIS WORLD!! All of the cast has exceptional acting skills (even those who appear only for a few moments) . I usually do not re-watch stuf... but this drama... I 100% know I'm going to watch it again in week.

All the characters are super interesting they're not two dimensional. It's like you're watching someone else's life story unraveling right in front of you.. all I can say is that this story is very well thought of, very smart and that I'm dying to watch Zhao Lusi and yang yang pair together again in the future in another great story!

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There are no major miscommunications between the leads used as plot devises, nor are there any extremely jealous, delusional 2nd leads wanting to destroy one of the main leads, just because they love the other. Still the drama showcases that the leads are very desirable and attractive without all that drama. I loved the communication, loyalty and profound love that the main couple gas for each other and is shown throughout the story!
All in all an extremely well done drama in all aspects!

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WOWW NEW ALL TIME FAV DRAMA!

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. EVERY WEEK EPS CAME OUT I FINISHED THEM ALL IN A DAY. the acting the ost the costumes the plot JUST EVERYTHING WAS AMAZING!!! I laughed sm and enjoyed every single moment. The couple was so sweet my heart was warm but it wasn’t so cute to the point where it was disgusting. Their love made me so happy I couldnt help but smile every time!! There was a perfect balance of romance and the actual plot which was nice. I’m being serious u need to watch this I actually love this cdrama so much I’m so sad it’s over but it was nice!!! I literally know all the lyrics to the ost by heart now lolll. ALSOO THE FL IS SO STRONG AND COOL NO EMBARRASSING MOMENTS. I LOVEDD THE FIGHTS AND THE ML WAS SO ADORABLE HAHA. the ending was complete and I’m satisfied!! It was like a slowburn tbh BUT THE CHEMISTRY ANS TENSION WAS WOOWOWHW

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A bit of Feedback on Series - new to CTV Drama - Updated as of 18/5/22

This is one of the first WETV/CTV Series I have seen. No surprise I was captured by the main leads on posters that prompted me to even attempt to watch the first episode. However this is by far one of the most intriguing and unique TV series I have seen in quite some time. Being someone that has watched numerous TVB series for a long time and now just starting to watch CTV ones I can honestly say this series has everything a person can ask for.

Plot: Based off a famous novel, so no surprise here the story is very captivating however like many others I have not read the novel and based on this and now watching a series, this looks very original in a sense that I haven't seen a TV Drama like this for quite sometime. Where there is romance but has so many twists and turns within the story itself that 'An olden style Lovestory' is not just what this series is about.

Acting: The actors/actresses are great, my favourite actor and story line is actually not the main two leads, which Yang Yang and Zhao Lusi did really well. What has captured me is the acting done by the Main characters older Brother (Feng Chang) his story line is the most captivating in my perspective. I almost cried seeing how things turned out for him. Truth be told during his arc within this series I had to rewatch it a few times as I do not speak the native tongue (Mandarin) I had to often find subs/translators to just see what was happening but his facial expressions tones of his voice really gave a sense to the audience of how epic those scenes were.

Music: Very well balanced, unique in its own right however for a drama of this awesomeness it lives up to the mark.

Rewatch Value: 10000% rewatchable, Words cannot explain how epic this series is

18/5/22 - Completed the series, omg what a ride and the long wait over. Saddest part for me was I did not want this series to end as I thoroughly enjoyed watching.

Main Take home points (Subjective): If you are out to look for something fresh and worth watching with great story, romance and action scenes this is a must watch. It is also a great watch with a partner if you have one, much better atmosphere with more people.

Acting: Overall awesome, no issues to note, very very good chemistry by the male and female lead, I hope they pair these two up on a modern world romance drama, that would be a must watch........

Series in General: Great start, great mid section and here comes the not as good part: ending. To me the ending was very rushed, the moment ('Small Spoiler') marriage between the two leads occurred it was like they wanted the story to end, I think they could of done that part better however that's the only criticism I have.

Hope to Review more Series in the future, especially for new comers like me. ^_^

Thanks for taking the time to read. Happy for more feedback, etc

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Its okay to watch

To me, what makes the drama stand out the most is the two main lead characters and great choreographed fighting scenes. I love how both leads are equally strong, and they understand each other well. There is no damsel in distress, it is always them fighting side by side against the enemy together and protecting each other when one of them is in danger. It is also entertaining to see them argue with each other, and their push and pull relationship! Hei Fengxi (Feng Lanxi) is a smart and strong character, he is a formidable foe. He’s always ahead of each other, know what others are planning, has a backup plan, and more. But you’ll understand why he did all that because it is the survival of the fittest. In order for him to be safe from all the schemes, he needs to schemes, outwit others and think ahead. On the other hand, Bai Fengxi (Feng Xiyun) is a dauntless and free-spirited character. She has a genuine heart, she cares for the world but at the same time, she does not let those bad guys off easily. Bai Fengxi uses white silk as her weapon because she believes in the world of martial arts, the highest level is not to kill. Who Rules The World also has immaculate fighting scenes. It has a brilliantly choreographed fighting scene with engaging shots and thankfully no slow motion. The drama has adequate cinematography with bright also appropriate levels of color grading along with close-ups, immersive, and tracking shots. The Costumes were really exceptional especially, when Yang Yang was dressed in the Black outfit.

Anchored by Yang Yang and Zhao Lusi, you can expect eye candy in the drama! Both of them are gorgeous actors whose emotions and facial expressions transform and make them compelling in their appeal. Moreover, the drama also features a large ensemble cast with many familiar faces. Zhao Lusi has once again surprised us with her new role.

Overall. Who Rules The World is a good watch if you are looking for a light historical drama (also a good watch for those who are new to cdrama).

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Its the acting that carries the show

While the script was ok and the plot was somewhat overpacked, the acting was phenomenal from the two leads and main supporting characters. The plot moved forward, but it did not develop enough especially towards the end. There were just one or two many plot/story lines. The chemistry is awesome and again, the acting is really heartfelt and the best I've seen out of these main leads. The fighting scenes were good but the effects/production not so much. I still enjoyed it and looked forward to each next episode. If you like political and historical dramas but with romance and some comedic elements, this would be perfect. It was heavy without being overbearingly dark and had plenty of moments that make you smile and even cry.

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Super recommended If you watch for the casts

The story/plot... quite disappointing. For the romance part, I honestly don't have much problem, but some scenes in the drama doesn't make much sense to me (Not the martial arts/fantasy parts, okay). Like how they made Hanpu quickly 'moved on' from what happened to him, and many more. I was kind enough with the scores because the romance plot between the two main leads was more acceptable to me compared to the novel.

For the actors I want to applaud first for the two main leads of this drama. Yang yang micro-expressions are getting better and better, although there are still some parts that looks uncomfortable at least for me but overall his acting is good. Also Lusi!!! I'm surprised by her progress!!! Especially with all the action scenes she did, I'm waiting for your another action projects! I've no comment for the supporting roles, all the cast fits perfectly with what I imagined when I read the novel. In terms of acting no doubt, maybe the most bothersome acting is only a few parts of Hanpu also there's some but I think the story is the big influence of their acting here...

SUPERIOR OST. I like all the songs, it's overused sometimes and it's little bit annoying but it doesn't stop me from loving all the songs in their ost album XiXi. This drama has the potential to be one of the best dramas, especially with the casts and osts.. but scriptwriters ruined it.... TY lol

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Not the Worst/Not the Best (Somewhere in the middle)

Let’s start with the good parts:
- The OST is very catchy and sung by super talented singers.
- Despite some other comments, I do believe the actors all tried their very best and did the roles great justice. - - - The pairing of Zhao Lusi and Yang Yang might seem odd but personally, I think it worked quite well. I love how she portrayed the mannerisms and little quirks of her character. (Also Yang Yang I’m that navy robe: Huge Plus!) . Apart from the mains, all supporting actors did a great job and fit their characters very well.
For the more questionable part:
The Story. I’m not sure what the screenwriter’s thought process was, but to cram the majority of the plot in the last few episodes while most of the show follows an emotional, overly dramatic family is almost criminal. I’m also not sure why they felt the need to make Hei Feng Xi so meek and sentimental when he’s clearly shown to be a cunning spy master. They didn’t weaken BFX’s character but the annoying family of horrid people definitely cut into her much better arc. I won’t compare show with novel too much cause they changed so much it can barely be recognized as being based on the novel. (Making Yu Wu Yuan’s character evil, not understanding how grey characters work when the book is full of them etc. were some of the things that annoyed me) The last few episodes had the best of the plot but were also the most rushed. It was satisfying to watch the story unfold, but could have been done much better.

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Not sure if it really deserves the hype

I literally forced myself to complete it, partly because of Yang Yang looking good in traditional Chinese costumes and partly because Lusi is my favourite. But even these two couldn't save the series. Firstly, I always have a problem with Yang Yang not showing enough expressions. Like, show me that you're happy/sad/angry/h**ny. Anything! Secondly, I felt like something's missing in Lusi's character. Bai Fengxi is undoubtedly strong and elegant but she didn't look promising as a martial artist as much as Feng Qiwu did. Guess Lusi is not made for martial arts characters. The martial sister of Xiyun, Bai Langhua, was annoying as hell. Like she was unsure of what she wants or thinks. Has some confusing and ridiculous trust issues with Bai Fengxi even after being her martial sister. And how come every living woman in the drama (other than the Queen) is in love with Lanxi. Even that maid of his mansion has a crush on him, like?????? I get that Yang is super handsome and pretty irresistible but this is just some kind of mindless fangirling dumped in the drama. Honestly, Feng Chang really raised my expectations of what he initially bestowed upon me. He was the most genuinely created character. Overall I think the drama had a promising potential but was ruined by casting teenagers and dry actors.

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Amazing chemistry, best relationship ever!

I really enjoyed there chemistry together, it was soo refreshing to watch, usually there is break ups in these genre drama but im so happy with the healthy relationship between the couple, and the love and respect they showed each other. I loved how from epsiode one you could tell the ML liked the FL, i loved how he always go so defensive when someone hurts her, he values her opinion, and respects her decisions and she does the exact same for.him. even before they made there relationship official it was already official to me hahaha. Cause from the time she realize he isn't cunning they already was bonding, well maybe vefore that because they're well known around the world and seem to always end up being at the same place at the same time (well ML always follows FL) and he always keep tabs on her and protect her. Episode 7?! was awesome the way he told the men they'll pay for the scratch they left on her body oh my goodness sweetness overload 😍🤭 And thats wayyyyy before they got together. They already had such a bond, they knew each others thoughts, I just love there realtionship.

The story was pretty good, i enjoyed it and was engaged from fhe beggining to the end. I usually don't watch wuxia, although i do watch xianxia, but anything with romance in it I'll watch, but the fighting in this show was amazing to watch.

Yangyang looked sooo charismatic in this show whether as the prince or the martial artists, out of everything I've seen him in, this role for me had more depth and i feel like i was able to see a new level of acting from him.

Lu si was amazing, she was careful but not her usual comedic role, instead it was more so sophisticated and smart. Loved her acting, she's getting so diverse in her acting.

Would definitely want to see them together again, they had amazing chemistry and a topnotch relationship. Power couple to the finest. Just amazing, how they communicated and respected each other in every identity they carried, whether prince/princess or martial artist. So there was no conflict they couldnt solve because they spoke to each other, communicated and shared each other burdens. Role model type of couple.

Would definitely reccomend this drama.

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2 Dramas in 1

Where do I start?

This drama is a good solid 9/10. The storyline is very interesting and engaging. However, it felt like 2 dramas rolled into 1 with A LOT of characters. The storyline all tied in nicely and kept viewers interested, but at times, you have to take a step back and remind yourself that you’re watching both a martial arts drama and political drama. I think they should have just focused on 1 category and the story would have been good either way.

The Good:
- Storyline: very interesting, very intriguing overall
- Actors: aside from my peeve about the FL being too young for the role, they did a good job overall. (I’ll expand more on this later)
- twists/plot: I love that the ML and FL are both incredibly intelligent and are alway one step ahead of the game. I hate watching dumb characters get manipulated and played on.
- no dumb love triangle: I love that the two leads fall in love and nothing came between them. All the characters were mature this way even if others were interested in the ML/FL, they knew to back down
- mature relationship: no dumb misunderstandings and schemings

The Bad:
- I felt as though the FL is too young looking for this role. Her character is a certified known martial arts leader and she looked 16. It didn’t make any sense. She looked good next to Yang Yang but honestly, you could tell the age difference is a bit off. She acted “tough” in scenes and I felt it was forced.
-Too. Many. Deaths.
- Odd part of ending (happy ending but one weird part, I won’t spoil).
- I wish they had another romance so we can have a second couple. There were so many good looking actors.

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The peace & people-loving Hei-Feng Bai-Xi and their mighty & passionate conquest for love.

From now on, we'll be drunk together (referring to kissing) - Feng Lanxi

My desire to get highly critical with this review is strong but I have decided to let my fun-loving drama passionate side stay rational by giving this production an impartial and honest feedback. So, rest assured that all informations stated are base on how I genuinely view this drama as a whole.

Plot twist, revelations and overall scheming - Most of the time I spent guessing with this dramas outcome was really satisfying and unpredictable. Kudos to the writers for making sure that we're still getting the elements of surprise throughout the solving and brain racking moments.

Pacing went too fast and felt too rushed. Sequencing may seemed alright but it's rather lacking as well. I feel like more than anything else this drama needed more time and episodes to make a lot of its scenes more detailed and effective. They dwelled so much in imperial struggles and throne infighting that they kinda forgot how much episodes they've wasted on it already and how many more is left for the climax and finale.

Fighting scenes - Most of the early fights were flawless, extremely good and greatly executed specially with our Main leads. However, towards the end everything just felt lacking and unimpressive. It feels like they were short of budget to make it 'actually' happen or simply because they got limited resourches to do so. Overall I'm still grateful and glad that we still got a lot of decent and even great combat scenes.

CGI, Graphics and Editing - This production survived because of their magnificent editing team. CGI is outstanding and I'm impressed on how detailed and well coordinated they all are. It's just that they have 'too much' of it that it gradually felt lackluster. They off-screened a lot of supposed great scenes and it's just a huge missed opportunity from them.

Climax and ending - Full of Recaps, Cuts and Off-screens... Climax should've been the most detailed and eventful part but it overall felt rushed and disappointing. The way they transition the events felt like they wanna wrap it up in the best way possible while still showing the necessary contents; although it kinda worked out, it still felt wrong the more you think about it. Ending is good and quite reasonable but I think they could've done it a lot better than that.

Main leads relationship and chemistry - It was refreshing to see that both of our leads have a pre-established connection through rivalry and countless interactions during their introduction as it served as the greatest foundation to further develop and strengthen their relationship. + Their constant bickering was more than enough to make me go insane!

Feng Xiyun / Bai Fenxi - What made this character really unique is her ability to befriend and attract anyone just by being carefree and unbothered. Not to mention how brave, skillful and sassy she is that made her even more interesting to watch.

Feng Lanxi / Hei Fenxi - I just wanna say that I really love his simply yet classy carriage. Hahaha! It contributed a lot to make his calm, composed and intelligent character be even more convincing and attractive.

Other character rants (mostly about Lanhua & Sect leader Bai) - This two character made me uncomfortable and rolled my eyes 10x or more. I feel like for a leader, Master Bai seemed so weak, fragile and vulnerable. While Lanhua just didn't deserve any screen time she has had in this show. Her character is the greatest downside of this story and I just hated how immature, unprogressive and stagnant she is even when the show's halfway done.

P.S. This drama doesn't need any skips because they do it for you. /Sighs/

Story - 9.0, Story flow is actually good and considerably packed with details. It's just that they spent 3/4 of the show to build up the climax and finale only to become unimpressive due to the lack of episode, countless recaps and off-screened scenes.

Acting/Cast - 9.5, Impressive main and supporting leads, specially Zhao Lusi, Yang Yang, Zhang Haowei, Lai Yi and Liu Ruilin. I just think that some of the side actors/actresses felt weak in showing the approriate emotions and body language.

Music - 10, Overall BGM were properly placed and in-synced to every scenes and I just love the songs they used in this drama. Lots of good ballads I'll surely add on my playlist.

Rewatch Value - 9.0, Despite all the rants I mentioned above, I still won't neglect the fact that this story is enjoyable and exciting to watch. Heck!!, I finished it in 3 days. Just be wary on the countless off-screened cuts that may spoil your watch experience.

Overall - 9.0, It could've been more impressive and satisfying if they could've added atleast 10 more episodes to it. It felt too compressed and rushed that I feel like something important is missing. It may have wrapped up 'decently' but this drama deserves better. Specially since it has Zhao Lusi and Yang Yang in it.

IF you find my review helpful please let me know

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