One and Only

A Romantic Tragedy

ONE AND ONLY was a great Cdrama, especially if you like historical period and costume dramas. I admit, I had a difficult time getting into this one at first. I had a few false starts and dropped it several times before going back to it, due to the seemingly predictable and generic romance. It really did develop and pull me in.

Once I finally got going however, I discovered it was a really good show, and quite short in terms of average Cdrama length (24 eps instead of 60-80+ eps). I noticed it used flashback scenes, not overly frequent, but perhaps more so than other dramas in order to condense the storyline. While I do enjoy the longer series (as they create a depth and deeper emotional bonds), but this was a nice change of pace.

" A young man determined to become a general takes a mute, ill-fated princess as his disciple, forming a forbidden bond amid palace power struggles."

The actors were all very good in their roles, and the characters were all very likeable as well. The story was a bit slow starting, focusing on the friendship and blooming romance aspect rather than on the rest of the story, but gradually became more interesting and compelling, especially as villains and other main characters stepped into play. I really enjoyed the music as well, it was very fitting.

Overall, ONE AND ONLY was a great watch. I recommend if you like historical romantic Cdramas. Must warn, it is tragic and emotional.

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A poetic screenplay about a grim, downward spiral that I grew to hate . .

The premise is 'witness a historical, grim epic power dispute, through the eyes of a wide-eyed girl/woman aged 14 - 24.' Nirvana in Fire and The Rise of Phoenixes are my gold standards for tragic male dominated political battles, and this drama falls far far short. Yes, there is a tragic/forbidden romance element that is introduced strong at the start. But, Shi Yi is a passive character and neither she nor Zhou Sheng Chen are focused on their romance as much as their duty to a crumbling and corrupt empire.

Rating it against my gold standard, the court intrigues and strategies of this drama are simplistic, and the villains overacted, cartoonish and not given sufficient back stories. Zhou Sheng Chen lives with integrity, is a talented general, and is made noble by his constant self-sacrifice, but he's also very one note and does not develop any complexity, nor displays any sort of talent for politics or romance.

There was a great use of poetry in this show, very touching beautiful lines . . . and that was the only highlight.

Once I realized that the political intrigue elements, which are the weakest points of this plot, were going to dominate the last 1/3 of the drama, I decided to drop it.

Acting is so so, chemistry is good as child with crush on teacher, but fizzles as Shi Yi becomes a full adult. Music set the mood fine, and I would not rewatch.

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Beautiful, breathtaking romance

Beautiful, breathtaking and heartbreakingly sad romance drama.

I put off watching this drama because of being told how sad it was. Let me tell you, I was missing out on a beautiful romance. There are a lot of gorgeous scenes between Zhou Sheng Chen and Shi Yi. Although their love story isn't in words they say out loud but in their eyes and their actions towards each other. Each wanting, needing the other but there are reasons he has to keep his distance.

If you like Ren Jai Lun, you won't regret watching this. He is an awesome actor, who without one kiss scene can show more depth of love and romance than all the more 'spicy' dramas combined. From the moment he steps on screen he is the heart of this story.

If you decide to give this drama a chance please remember this isn't a happy story... for anyone, have a box of tissues ready (although the sad parts won't come until the last few episodes) and have Forever and Ever ready to watch immediately after this.

For me one of the saddest parts was when she was reading the blood letter he wrote before dying.
"I’ve never let down or hurt anyone in this world, expect Shi Yi."

Even though it did break my heart and leave me crying buckets of tears I don't regret for one second watching One and Only.

and on a related note Wang Xing Yue was phenomenal as the villain Liu Zi Xing.

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its a watch

𝖜𝖍𝖎𝖈𝖍 𝖍𝖆𝖛𝖊 𝖉𝖉𝖉.𝖉𝖒𝖉𝖒𝖉𝖒𝖉𝖒𝖒𝖉𝖉𝖒𝖉𝖒𝖉𝖒𝖉𝖐𝖉𝖐𝖋𝖐𝖋𝖋𝖋𝖐𝖋𝖐𝖋𝖐𝖉𝖐𝖉𝖐𝖉𝖐𝖉𝖉𝖐𝖉𝖉𝖐𝖉𝖉𝖐𝖋𝖒𝖋𝖋𝖒𝖒𝖋𝖋𝖒𝖋𝖒𝖒𝖋𝖒𝖋𝖋𝖋𝖒𝖋𝖒𝖋𝖒 𝖆𝖐𝖆𝖐𝖆𝖐𝖆𝖐𝖐𝖉𝖋𝖐𝖋𝖐𝖋𝖐𝖋𝖈𝖘𝖔𝖟𝖐𝖟𝖒𝖟𝖒𝖟𝖘.𝖆𝖆𝖒𝖐𝖆𝖘𝖐𝖟𝖐𝖟𝖐𝖝𝖝𝖑𝖝𝖐𝖝𝖐𝖐𝖉𝖉𝖒𝖉𝖒𝖉𝖒𝖉𝖉𝖉𝖉𝖒𝖉𝖒𝖝𝖒𝖈𝖈𝖒𝖈𝖒𝖈𝖒𝖈𝖈𝖒𝖈𝖒𝖈𝖒𝖈𝖒𝖈𝖒𝖈𝖒𝖈𝖐𝖋𝖐𝖋𝖐𝖋𝖋𝖐𝖋𝖐

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A little slow in the beginning but catches up pace midway.

I have been putting this off for a while because of the description of the drama didn't interest me that much. But a few days ago, I came across a edit on YouTube that made me change my mind. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1qk0lN1gaY

Someone in the comments said that Cui Shi Yi gave more to the relationship compared to Zhou Sheng Chen. I thought it would be very one-sided like the comment said, but until episode 16 it has been anything but that. They have this special connection since the moment of their first meeting. He has always treated her gently, there's no toxicity in their romance at all. They care for each other and it is plain for a person to see. These two had such good chemistry.

The only issue is that not a single person in this drama fights for their relationship. They all just give up & marry whoever they are being forced to marry. None of them have any choice in it. Even the so called Imperial Decree doesn't seem to be all that powerful. I mean how come he rejected the decree to adopt her as his daughter. So he is willing to fight for that notion but not for the actual relationship. Since they were all gonna die, they might as well have done what they wanted. Gotten married. Rebelled!

I wish Zhou Sheng Chen was a smarter and bigger picture kind of guy. I think I have been spoiled watching characters that can have it all or at least are capable enough of thinking that far ahead so many of his choices don't make sense to me.

Wang Xing Yue's character for a pitiful for a moment and then hateful for most of his story arc and he presented the essence of the character so well. He is one of the underrated gems.

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For once the ratings are accurate! Believe the hype!

Okay, my headline is a bit far fetched, as I am sure there have been accurate ratings before. However, for some reason I find that most Chinese romcoms are overrated on kisskh, and most Chinese historical/period dramas are underrated on kisskh. This drama is rated accurately (averaging a 8.5-9.5), and it's a great thing! When it comes to Chinese historical/period dramas I like to give my review 10 episodes at a time, because they tend to be 40+ episodes long, and I don't want to forget my thoughts about the drama when I finally reach to the last episode.

Review for episodes 1-11
•What I did not enjoy between episodes 1-10 is how the female lead character(not the actress) treated the crowned prince. Not only is it unrealistic, it also didn't make her character seem as sweet as this drama portrays her to be. I get that she had no choice but to be engaged to him, as he had no choice to be engaged with her but she was really cold to him as soon as the engagement was canceled. If the roles were reversed, we would hate the crown prince for doing that to the female lead character. She didn't even take the time to understand who he was as a person, and all that he suffered. She could have at least offered to be his friend.
•I also did not enjoy the female lead character (not the actress) communication in these episodes. Granted for the first 4 episodes she was a mute, but even afterwards (years has passed away), she still look to her "master," to respond for her when someone ask her a question. I just kept thinking, here we go again. Girl, you ain't 10... just answer the question lol.

Besides these two cons, I liked everything else. The pacing is fantastic, the storyline is very intriguing, and the love interest and development of romantic relationships is sweet.
_______________________________________
Review for episodes 12-24
•COMING SOON

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The story gets better every time you REWATCH it

I've watched this for the 3rd time now and my ChenShiYi hearts wants to see them again!

Rewatching the series allows you to appreciate the tiny details that you didn't really notice when you first watched it, and that makes this such a treasure. Bai Lu and Allen Ren really did amazing job at playing their roles! They made me swoon with their limited lines, physical affection and stares galore. I loathe the Crown Prince - which shows how excellent the actor was in portraying the character.

Details are incredible - fight scenes were realistic, costumes are amazing. They did a good job at portraying Shi Yi's growth.

Music is great - in fact , it's my go to playlist recently. Love Allen Ren's 'As One' -- such a talented fellow!

Of course, much like many of us, I would prefer a happy ending at any day. But seeing how things progressed, I think they chose the best ending to the story. It may not be the perfect ending, but it sure satisfying to see how it all ends for such a tyrant, obsessive ruler who values nothing and no one, but himself.

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A drama showcasing nothing but the meaning of what true love is. even if there is not a single kiss or flirting or confession but their eyes can tell everything you want to know even without professing their love they are together. They can't live without each other.

The ml didn't profess his love because he knew that if they get together then it will be the fl who will get hurt due to the oath he took, even when he was dying he didn't say anything but his face and the words he left can tell everything and the way fl also jumps off the building for him was something that no one today will do.

If this was a true story then definitely this love story would have become a legend. I seriously want to rewatch it as it is very very tough to move on from it. If someone want to know what true love is then definitely watch it as it also gives a morale that kiss, flirting or confessing is not everything in love but its trust, understanding, support and caring for each other as even without kiss, flirting or confessing love can be their.

STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!!

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