This review may contain spoilers
Story went down the drain at halfway point
Heard there was a lot of production issues with the drama, and it really shows nearing the end. First is how ridiculous the plot points are being tied up and many are forgotten because they have to start touching on the main plot which has barely moved till nearing episode 30. Then every episode from 30 onwards is so rushed with many scenes just randomly cut into without much explanation, and the finale was just disappointing felt like a waste of time sitting through all 39 episodes just to see how 40 ends. Poor adaptation overall the actors and actress honestly are the one that carried the show and why most people finished this series anyway.Was this review helpful to you?
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Beautiful Chemistry, Lovely Couple
I have to admit that the ending of this drama a bit disappointed to me, but since the middle of the story, I've been expecting this kind of ending. In fact, I was hoping for a sad ending. Even so, the Bai-Hei Fengxi couple was adorable from the beginning to ending, and even if they had a bad ending, they would at least spend 10 years together happily, and who knows if they would find a solution to prolong Hei Fengxi's life?I'm in love with the original soundtrack of this drama, even now I still enjoy the strains of the song, and make me remember all the excited scenes of our two leads. Ugh, I don't want this drama to end~ I don't know how the story is in the novel version, but I can quite accept the ending of this drama.
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This review may contain spoilers
Two intelligent lead characters
I was not certain what to expect from the show, but I have to say it was well done and one of my favorites from 2022.The story is a power struggle between the six kingdoms to become the new empire that rules the world. The story centers mainly on 4 of the 6 kingdoms and Hei Fengxi (aka Fang Lan Xi) and Bai Fengxi (aka Feng Xi Yun) are a fated pair, a prince and lady of 2 of the kingdoms with of both them having another identity in the martial arts world. Where the story excels is in the relationship of the 2 main characters. The characters are equals with each helping and supporting the other and with no silly misunderstandings. The 2 are faced with the back stabbing to be named the heir between Her Fengxi and his brothers and the political turmoil around the collapse of the current empire, but they always trust each other and work together to achieve their goals. I also very much appreciated the relationship of Hei Fengxi and his elder brother Feng Chang., I was happy that even when you thought Feng Chang would turn on his brother he never did and any misunderstanding was resolved quickly, Of course his young brother Feng Ju was the typical back stabbing less intelligent prince and their was the "mother" and the whole harem manipulating behavior. The show got a little draggy in the middle with the fight to be heir, and the Heir Fengxi's father is a horrible human being. Still there are 2 things that annoy me in shows: Stupid women (especially FL) and silly and contrived misunderstandings. This show did not have any of the horrible misunderstandings between the ML and FL, or the ML and his brother, and all of the women were intelligent, capable and strong, the only exception would be the cultivation sect leader and Bai Fengxi's "sister" was little annoying and silly but that was just a small amount of the time. I really liked how Hua Chun Ran was really equal to Huang Chao, and Feng Qi Wu as the trusted female assistant of Hei Fengxi was a fantastic character.
The acting was solid. For the leads, I am a fan of Yang Yang but he really can come across as stiff and I mean physically like he has a stiff neck, but he did a fine job. I was extremely impressed with Zhao Lu Si as the FL I have seen her in other shows and thought she was cute but I was very impressed with her acting in this show and the way she portrayed Bai Fengxi, from her carefree time in the martial arts world, to her helping and falling in love with Hei Fengxi, to the tragedies that befall her kingdom and family. I was really amazed. Zhang Feng YI as the rule and Hei Fengxi's father and Carman Lee as Madmae Bai Li the conniving wife were both amazing. All of the actors were great. I was less of a fan of the villain and the portrayal, but that was even fine,.
Music was fine, It sounded similar to other OST and music from different shows, but still enjoyable.
Would I rewatch, absolutely with the fast forward button ready for the slow parts,
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This review may contain spoilers
I watched WRTW again to answer some questions that I had and to better appreciate some of the finer details. All told, this is almost a perfect ten and I believe that if the Director hadn't left with their crew in the middle of filming, it would have come very close.The story is very complex, and while there is a lot of focus on the duo, Bai/Hei Fenxi, and on the palace intrigue of Feng Lanxi, the story of Huang Chao (who after all is said and done becomes the next Emperor) and of Yu Wu Yuan (who turns out to be the arch villain) is short changed.
Likewise, the viewer is asked to forgive and forget several incidents which I, for one, found it difficult to do. Most glaring is the King, Feng's father, who subjects him to a brutal, near fatal beating, and to drinking the drink of grief. Later we see him presiding over their wedding and abdicating the throne. Not so fast! In another example, Bai Fenxi's sect sister stab's her in the back (literally) but is somehow forgiven by the next episode. And finally, the Prime Minister, who is in love with Feng Lenxi, steps aside for Bai Fenxi while continuing to swear eternal loyalty to her former love.
It seems ironic that after facing off against Hei/Bai Fenxi for almost 39 episodes, and engaging in several battles with a huge loss of life, Hei/Bai Fenxi are willing to hand over the throne to Huang Chao in the end. Why then did the world have to be plunged into war in the first place?
The chemistry between Yang Yang and Zhao Lu Si is electric - I am in awe of actors who can kiss passionately before a camera and crew - I know I could never do it - and likewise, their grief in the face of death, and of losing the one you love, brought tears to my eyes.
The costumes are splendid - Oh why can't I sail off to work in one of those layered silken robes! The sets are breath taking. The cinematography is eye candy, and the screenplay is top notch - except in a few scenes where the lovey doveyness is over done.
All told, this is a splendid tale, and splendid in the making. Give yourself the time and the setting to sit back and enjoy it - and keep that box of tissues handy!
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They Rule My Heart
I was going to give this one a 10 but I took a point off for the ending. It was a good ending for this drama but I wanted more. I yearned to see the main leads despite seeing them for 40 episodes.I am forever grateful to Netflix for randomly recommending this drama to me even though I was a K-drama binge-watcher at that time.
I saw this drama in 2022 but I remember it so clearly.
The scenes are beautiful. The chemistry is stunning.
This is Yang Yang's only successful drama for me.
I recommend this drama to anyone who wants to dive into the world of C-dramas.
This is hands down in my top 5.
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Great show
- production set up is great, love their outfits and the interior of their palace/mansions.- pacing is alright for me since I binged watch the episodes. No room to speculate different scenarios.
- YangYang's look is so fitting for costume drama. His acting is appropriate with his character. He's closed off and disciplined the way a prince and a martial artist should behave. He's emotional when a scene needs for him to be vulnerable.
- ZLS is lovely and badass on this show. I respect her hardwork with the stunts. Her youthful looks does not affect her overall appeal to takeover as a queen on her state.
- As a casual watcher, BFX's character exposure is just in line with the way the story progressed. Overall story revolves around power struggle where ML's family is more peoblematic, so I expected the setting will rely more on ML's side.
- I enjoy palace politics with a mix of action so this is just right for me.
If you are one of those who will now start watching this series , you can try to set aside the narrative between the novel and the drama. Immerse yourself on the show's settings and not for the actor/actress' bias. Also, you can try to not be engrossed with the production crew's personal issue. I just noticed these factors affected the viewing experience of some viewers.
more cdramas to enjoy this year :)
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WHO RULES THE WORLD - WORTH YOUR TIME OR NOT ? READ BELOW TO KNOW!
who rules the world is currently one of the best dramas with a very gripping plot. The characters of this drama each have their own storyline and progress with each episode. The story is not dragged and the scenes related to the martial arts are very well filmed and portrayed by the actors and actresses of the drama. This drama has given an equal level of excitement and strength of character to both the male and female leads. The drama is yet to complete its episode but each and every episode leaves a feeling of suspense, excitement, and thrill to watch the next one as soon as possible. I am a person who watches only selective shows after a lot of checking and reviewing, due to which I hardly watch more than 2 episodes if the drama is not up to the mark; but this drama has me completely hooked. I would recommend this strongly to people who like historical, martial arts drama with a little romance on the side. The chemistry of the cast, especially the male lead and female lead is incredible. a must-watch...Was this review helpful to you?
Wasted potential
Story is confusing and choppy, the characters are not particularly likeable and the acting is bland.Had high hopes for this drama but it was quite a disappointment. Yang yangs acting is quite stiff as usual although he looks very handsome here. Zhao lusi fails to portray a strong female here and comes off as smug. Her fight scenes are also not believable. She lacks the aura of a warrior queen (yang mi in fuyao was excellent). And for all the rumors of the leads dating, the onscreen chemistry was just not there.
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It's a military/history fantasy soap
If you're here for a love story, it's a hard pass. The visuals are beautiful, production did a great job with the visuals and creation of the show, the actors look great and do such a great job considering the storylines, but the failures are deeply in the writing of the story. Seriously, who wrote this? What genre even is this?They spend a good part of the first set of episodes trying to tell a backstory about the varying kingdoms, side plots developing the importance of certain sects, trying to garner sympathy for these family turmoils, but they do it in such a way that feels both rushed and underdone. I was so bored by the time they tried to explain all of this stuff out, and never really felt they developed the main leads in a way that makes you feel like they're a main part of the story. The writers have to rely on just saying the main leads have known each other for years so you miss out on how they actually progress into love, getting to know them, their chemistry, etc. Their relationship just sort of happens and it feels like it happens fast and over coincidentally (like really, of all people, he is found in the water by her? It'd make sense the other way around considering he actually had people following her but in all of this open water of all people and of all boats.. really?) What were the catalysts that changed their relationship to one of romance?
and they incorporate these really overused romance tropes of skinship and romance without understanding how and why those tropes can actually be exciting in other shows and how they can be used successfully. They don't understand why shows often include a second love interest, whether its because the guy is also a heartthrob that makes you want to root for them too, or maybe the guy creates conflict for the main leads. The secondary love interests are just, not even there for either side. Like they are, but they really aren't? I guess they were supposed to be but the writers didn't understand how to incorporate them?
Ex: They set up this whole story of going to the kingdom to win back the kings trust and win over this girl's hand in marriage and all of this storyline doesn't really make sense, but they try really hard to make it sound like they're all being smart in their decisions and calculating. We need to do this to win back the kings trust so we have to pass these tests but also not fail? And the main female lead just helps without any tugs on her heart of, I don't know, this is wrong and stupid, like why? They start to mention like this woman had always kind of liked Feng Langxi but then don't explore it and it feels kind of stupid that they even bring up that past in the first place. These side characters and this whole idea of a contest to win a girl's hand, ... could have been so good, had it been a romance drama and developed in a way that makes literally any sense.
The main leads don't have chemistry. I mean they kind of do, but like, it just felt really forced. Their characters and connection just aren't given the time or energy needed to make their love connection worth pining for. There's too much other stuff going on.
If we're comparing the show to a dessert, the love story is the cherry on top, the actual dish isn't even a dessert (romance). You see the cherry and get excited for sweets and all you taste are mashed potatoes. Why do they present the dish like a dessert when it isn't even that? Does the cherry even go there?
Before I keep going, can I just say for another example on character development, the writers spend a lot of time trying to make really crappy characters seem decent, and a lot of really dumb characters seem smart. For example, the first prince, they try to make you feel sorry for him but he kills innocent people just for finding out about his illness, beats staff, and then cries about his pathetic existence a good portion of the beginning of the show.. when all you really want to do is see the leads develop a love line.
Also, they have so many plot set ups that would be great potentials for love conflicts and development that get largely overlooked. The mystery surrounding their identities could have been a huge one, but it gets glazed over and you wonder why it was even included in the first place. Another example? The main female character is supposed to be a carefree spirit, but all she does is get entangled in war and leadership without any pushback. The characters are flat, and lack needed dimension and, well, character. Everything needs to be explained, and you realize it has to be, because otherwise it's entirely nonsensical. The explanations themselves, hardly help.
The usurp was comical at best. So much soap.
Refeshing part: The female lead is meant to be powerful, beautiful, and smart. I liked that she kept her own and that there aren't really conflicts between the female characters over a guy and that instead they become friends. That was super refreshing. I also liked that she 'doesn't suddenly lose her powers' due to sacrifice and stupidity.. but of course they add in a subplot that she dies and is revived, and dies again and is revived (eye roll) and that the male lead sacrifices his powers just to appease his horrible father... but then gets them back and then again his life... There's little redemption and reasoning on these side plots too, and really frustrating to watch.. why are some of them even included? Because the show is so visually appealing otherwise and you just keep hoping it's going to get better but it just drags on. By the time the leads actually get together, it feels like it happened way too late but also in some ways, way too fast. Like they skip the sweet developments between them and they're just kissing and sitting on one another's lap and that's not a big deal since they need to trick someone but.. I just, didn't feel like the writers understood why these romance tropes are even used, why they can be exciting to watch, or how to really make a romance based story. It didn't feel like a genre the writers even understand, so I'm not sure why they even mask this story as such. It is really not a love story, it really is not a romance genre.
Don't even get me started on the end. So stupid.
I guess at least they made the visuals appealing? It's literally the only reason I've continued trying to watch. So much potential just lost in bad storytelling. It's a shame.
Skip this if you want a love story. Actually skip this if you want, well, anything. I don't understand why they even made this show. Who is the target audience? What genre is this? What is the point in this story?
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the best storyline
I wait for this drama for so long but its come now I starting to watch with my fingers crossed but it didn't disappoint me from the every begging it's getting interesting the strong and confident female lead the elegant and intelligent male lead and another casting is too good if you want to watch a drama with the great chemistry and storyline I totally recommended this it's amazing and have everything that a drama need of course first yang yang he looks so good in his character just like this role is made for him intelligent smart handsome good with fighting and a little hint of naughtiness and how anyone forgot zhao lu si she is one of the best actresses in china she fights so well in her scenes like wowwwww surely I am gonna watch more episode now I just come to write a review so if anyone waiting go and watch ... I am editing this again cause i am done watching it what a storyline need claps what a brilliant acting of everyoneWas this review helpful to you?
The Novel Is Better, But Still A Good Wuxia Romance
The drama's pilot week is one of the best I've seen in cdramaland.As a wuxia, the fl is strong, smart and a heroine that dislikes being second to anyone. She is as strong as (at some point even stronger than) the ml and other male characters that can fight. She also has a good background, the same high status as the ml and the first among her peers to be promoted to the highest rank. Most fl's aren't as priveleged.
As a romance, there is more romance than in the novel. Bai Feng Hei Xi also has a healthy relationship with trust, support and no misunderstandings. It can be seen as either ideal or too good to be true considering the environment of the world they live in.
And even though the fl's love lines with other male characters are toned down compared to the novel in favor of Yang Yang, Zhao Lusi still has good chemistry with He Kailang, Zhang Haowei and Lai Yi.
But as a novel fan, I did not like how the fl centered novel was completely changed into ml centered drama. At some point the fl just became a love interest who only appears to be rescued by ml and make sure the cp falls in love, instead of ml's equal like first introduced.
There is also more palace politics and scheming midway that got repetitive and predictable. And the ending was unsatisfying. A bittersweet one compared to the novel's proper HE.
Overall, it had a great start, repetitive middle and rushed ending. It could've been better.
As an adaptation, it was dissappointing. It did not make me feel the emotions that the novel made me feel. But as a standalone, it was still a good watch.
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Must watch
I am enjoying this series. The last one I enjoyed was Sword Snow Stride. I can wait for each episode. Just too bad it's not free and I have to subscribe. Never hear of yang yang till now. But love zhao lusi from The Long Ballad. She is a good actress. I like the subtle romance between ML/FL and it's good that there are no other interfering with their romance/It's funny that there are comment about how you can't rate a show because it's not over. For example, Joe Biden's approval rating is low and he isn't even done with his presidency. haha. So there, you can review anything. It is the opinion of the reviewer. You can have your own opinion. Review it till the end.
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