Above average, and will only get better!
OVERALLThis is the first half of the drama (not sure why it's split but sure), and it's a good one. I'd say just watch. Although not perfect, this drama has so much good stuff going on, it's worth the try. But if you really, really don't like silly female leads or slow burn romance, then you might want to reconsider.
THE STORY
I wasn't sure what I'd get into when I started this drama. Turns out it's a bit bipolar, alternating between serious/dramatic vibes and comical/sometimes over-the-top scenes, but it still works, and I'm hooked!
The best
- 3D characters who are flawed, have fears and have traumas to overcome. Female lead and Male lead even have relationship growth, which is an amazing bonus!
- Linked to the above is the super well developed family dynamics in Female lead's family, which are not usually so deep in other dramas and which I hope are going to evolve.
- I'm not a huge fan of the "love at first sight" trope, but this drama does it beautifully. Male lead has more of a case of "interest at first sight" that gradually turns into love, which makes more sense.
- There is a second Male lead in this first half of the drama, he's quite cute and his relationship with Female lead is too. I like their story from beginning to end, it doesn't go at all as I expected, which is refreshing.
- The cinematography (filter, settings) is mature and balances out well with the slapstick and slightly immature scenes.
- You have some political intrigue going on, sometimes in the background, sometimes more up front. And for sure more is coming!
- There's also a bit of mystery surrounding Male lead's past which keeps you wondering.
- Extremely fun emperor. Don't think I've ever liked one that much before!
The worst
- Too many mean girls moments. Way. too. many. One or two is fine, but it's getting a bit repetitive. Hopefully they find other sources of conflict and problems than just evil noble ladies badmouthing the leads.
- It does take a loooong time for the romance to really kick off. Apart from a few isolated scenes, Male lead and Female lead are almost never together until ep 20. It wouldn't be that bad, if the time wasn't filled with so many mean girls scenes.
- Female lead can be too ditzy at times. I guess some people like silly female leads because they're in vogue in C-dramas, but I prefer mature and dignified female leads so it bothers me a bit. Granted, the character is supposed to be young, but still. It might throw you off if you're like me.
- There are too many characters, imo, some of which are not particularly likeable and quite useless (can someone tell me what is Yuan's purpose in the drama?). It's a bit frustrating when they get too much screentime.
- The cinematography is great, but not too sure about the costumes and makeup. They just don't seem to flatter anybody.
Overall though, this is a solid start for the drama. I'm guessing it will only get better from here, since the romance is on, the political intrigue will only get more intense and the plot will have to thicken. If you're not sure, just try it!
THE ACTING
Ok. Like I said in another drama review, there are some actors I just like. Leo Wu and Zhao Lusi are such actors. I don't think they're amazing (especially Leo, he'll improve as he gets older), but they do the trick and they have good chemistry. What else can we ask for? In general, no complaints from the rest of the cast, the older actors sometimes even outshine the younger ones.
THE MUSIC
Good enough! I really like the instrumental tracks!
REWATCH VALUE
I have to wait until the second half to truly decide, but for now, it's high (with some fast forwarding)!
Was this review helpful to you?
The premise is compelling and addictive: Ying Bu Yi - the most feared man in the empire tries and struggles to win over in all the wrong ways Cheng Shao Shang, an abandoned daughter of a military official.
Ying Bu Yi falls hard and fast for Cheng Shao Shang intensely realizing that they have this bond in a painful past and resulting resourcefulness. But Cheng Shao Shang has multiple options in life and being the star to someone else's sun or moon feels too unsettling after being let down and deprioritized multiple times in her life.
Thus sets the scene of the first half of the show. The leads have very little chemistry with each other and Ying Bu Yi wanders around in a very one note, in a fear me as I walk type way. Cheng Shao Sheng is a much more interesting and vibrant character in the first half.
THERE IS A LOT OF RESCUING, JUST ENDLESS RESCUE SCENES, which create the adrenaline, fast paced romance despite the lack of chemistry. The point made over and over and over again is when times become uncertain, wouldn't you want the most fearsome, capable person around?
Credit to the supporting actors - there's tons of them and they all had very unique personalities and I was invested in them as much (if not more so at times) than the main couple.
Music is decent, one of the instrumental pieces was quite nostalgic and wistful. Would not rewatch.
I did go on to watch part 2 - and more analysis will be there.
Was this review helpful to you?
PERFECT DRAMA ???
Best historical drama ever n°1, I love this drama so much it has romance comedy drama & action.* Story:
The story is strong, excellent exciting you ain’t getting bored at all, Season 1 was hilarious, intriguing 🤣 Niao Niao is so intelligent and Ling Bu Yi So perfect intelligent handsome & so strong
* Acting:
The acting is exquisite from Wu lei & Zhao Lusi
I love them so much their chemistry is on fire 🔥 out of this world, Ling Bu Yi & Nia Niao 💕 forever in my heart.
The acting of the rest of the crew is excellent has well no doubt the whole cast was perfect for this drama. I disliked the mother so much🤬.
* Music:
The music is well selected I enjoy it a lot, it gives you the felling.
* Rewatch Value:
One hundred percent 💯 is a rewatchable is a masterpiece. The director did an remarkable job indeed.
* Overall:
MASTERPIECE
10/10
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
if you're into family squabbles it's delicious
***this is just a review for part 1***I didn't have a strong impression of the actors or the story before I started this, but it's actually surprisingly addictive! This was probably Tencent's best slice of life since the Story of Minglan. I felt like tencent got their money's worth out of the cinematography, the costumes and the music because the story and acting is actually satisfying as well.
The first thing to know is that although it's set in a ancient palace setting, this drama is not really about big plots but about the relationships and squabbles between the royal family and kin. At least in this first half, only the ML's story hints at a bigger evil plot. The main story is about the FL, and it comes in three arcs: 'parents come home', 'engagement #1' and 'engagement #2'.
The bad: the first two episodes are confusing because it's hard to tell what the plot is. Ling Buyi's revenge story comes in intermittent bites, so it's also hard to follow in the beginning. There are a few annoying cliche characters such as the straw man villains Ge Zhi and Wang Ling but they have limited screen time. Lastly, Yuan Li as a character seems superfluous.
The good: the pacing is very good-- very casual-- and we alternate between serious plots and lighthearted ones. The costumes are beautiful... I especially like Chen Shaoshang's pink outfits, the material is very 'fairy girl'. Almost all the characters are likable and have enough screen time to be interesting, e.g. I really like the relationship between the doting Emperor and Ling Buyi and I really liked Wan Qiqi as a character. Although he's romantic in a cliche way sometimes, some of Ling Buyi's scenes are indeed satisfying -- he is both competent and attentive.
The great: A great story needs a convincing antagonist, and Li Zeng does an excellent job at portraying Shaoshang's mother who is a main antagonist in arc 1 and also when needed at key moments of the other 2 arcs.
Was this review helpful to you?
THE BEST CDRAMA
For me it's the best drama I've ever watched, I cried and laughed with the characters. Even after so long since I saw it, I still rewatch certain episodes and I come back here to read the comments.Zhao Lusi never fails to surprise me with her acting skills. The slow romance between Ling Bu Yi and Cheng Shao Shang (Niao Niao) is unbearable, he first half is pretty slow but when they get together is well worth the wait.
The storyline is pretty amazing and you will fall in love with every character.
I just want to say this show has everything and you must watch every episode to fall in love with the slow burn love of this two...
Was this review helpful to you?
Masterpiece.
I have nothing more to say other than this is a masterpiece. From beginning to the end, I fell in love with their love story, and fell in love even more with both of the main lead. I love them, and it's so rare form me to watch again a drama that I already completed, yet I find myself coming back to this.Was this review helpful to you?
When Love Must Choose
“Zi Sheng's hair is still slay!” the chatter of the audience of the Chinese drama “Love Like the Galaxy” that appears on the monitor. Hahaha…..I laughed too. Like this, if you watch via the WeTV application, because there is a send message feature, viewers can talk about the contents of the drama and have it displayed on their respective monitors.I agree, the make-up artist for the Chinese drama “Love Like the Galaxy” is too big. Really, there are people who are caught in a fire in the bunker, but their hair is still neat, only their face is smudged with smoke.
It must be understood, makeup artists may struggle. Zi Sheng's wig was like a bun that had been neatly shaped and all that was needed was to be pinned to the head, not strands of hair that were lifted up and then piled into a bun. Unraveling a wig like that is tantamount to ruining it.
Criticism of the scene above, only a speck between the milk before. There are viewers who are willing to pay for WeTV subscriptions, so they can watch the Chinese drama “Love Like the Galaxy” over and over again. There are also those who claim that this is the best Chinese drama in 2022.
Hmm….I agree, besides the series of stories that are sometimes not coherent, a bit messy, the audience will be hypnotized by the acting of the actresses/actors. Even the supporting actress/actor is really good.
The supporting actress that I like is Xu Di who plays Madam Cheng or Cheng Shao Shang's grandmother who is fussy, tyrannical and likes to compete with her daughter-in-law.
The chemistry of Zhao Lu Si who plays Cheng Shao Shang and Leo Wu as Ling Bu Yi makes me melt. so cute! From one of the comments, I just found out that Leo Wu has been acting since he was 7 years old, this handsome actor born in 1999 has acted in the Chinese drama 'Everlasting Regret' (2006), so he is well versed in acting.
But what makes me like it is the cinematography. Very good and very clever. the galloping horses, the wet ground trampled by the maids following the carriages, the unusual meeting angles, made the audience feel how arrogant and cold the palace and the buildings around it were.
And of course the music. I immediately looked for the album on spotify, as soon as I found it, I wrote a review for the Chinese drama 'Love Like the Galaxy' while listening to a song whose lyrics seemed made especially for this drama. Or maybe it really is?
Further reviews can be read here:
https://www.maria-g-soemitro.com/2022/09/review-love-like-the-galaxy.html
Was this review helpful to you?
A drama like no other
It's first time I see a drama after reading the novel, and like it even if it deviates from the novel !The script is so good because it makes it easier for viewers to understand the characters.. and these characters are so complex : Shaoshang has become selfish and scheming, smart and cunning, because she needed to survive unprotected since birth, and after reunited with her family 15 years later she is met with disdain and more punishmentd from her mother. This is why the drama's first 5 episodes seem slow but they actually build the backbone of the story and are essential - episode 6 already has the plot going ! Cinematography is beautiful, and so are the costume and make'up, no brilliant red lips thank you very much !
Casting is on point, I can not say " that one was a bad choice", the comedy scenes are in the VILLAGE this is why actors play like silly village people, including grandmother and comp.. Very impressed with FL acting, considering one needs to express subdued dissapointment, anger and sorrow within the limitations of the era rigid attitude for women, and respect for elders..the way she realises her choice to stand up even to her mother or continue to be bullied, that desperate painful bravery without melodrama, is simply unique in cdrama.. I will stop here before revealing more..
Be patient until ep 6, and don't miss this show, as will be your loss !
Was this review helpful to you?
One of the slowest dramas I've ever seen
This drama seems to have raving fans so I'll probably get attacked, but oh well.I feel very deceived by the ratings. I am a fan of the FL, but the first 5 episodes were unbelievably boring. Extremely slow family politics. I heard it got better after episode 4, so I kept watching, but nope. In episode 6 they at least went somewhere different and something started happening (still very slow though) and the leads were finally in the same frame for a second. By then I already knew this drama just isn't for me. Maybe those who love it so much are much younger than me and that explains the difference of opinion. I found it excruciating.
Was this review helpful to you?
Fortunately.. the disappointment came quickly.
I've hit my quota of eight episodes, subjecting myself to watch through even when the drama fails to impress.Despite the lackluster description of "Love Like the Galaxy," buoyed only by positive reviews, I reluctantly gave it a shot.
And boy, did I rue the decision to ignore my instincts. Firstly, the narrative lacks any semblance of coherence, careening aimlessly without regard for structure.
Secondly, every character wallows in a pit of despair, displaying minimal emotional range.
Attempts at injecting levity fall flat, as the supposed "comedic relief" fails to elicit even a smirk. Slapping on humorous music doesn't magically transform a scene into a comedic goldmine.
In sum, the sole saving grace of this debacle is its cast. And when that's the highlight, it's a glaring sign of creative failure.
Was this review helpful to you?
A True QUALITY WATCH, A rare to be seen MASTERPIECE
OVERALL OPINION:In all my years as a drama addict i have yet to see such a quality watch as this. Although a few other masterpieces can be mentionned like Legend of Concubine Zhen Huan and A Dream of Splendor as well as TMOPB, i must say that so far this one seems to be promising the most and i truly hope it follows through till the end.
DETAILED OPINION:
+ Story/Plot:
Though i am still in the beginning of watching this, so far honestly it has been excellent plot and story wise. Nothing drags and i have been captivated every second of every episode, no filler scenes, it feels like every moment is necessary to the development of the story and to the understanding of the characters for future plot development. Having said that, not many series have many fillers in the beginning to start with. However as this one has around 30 episodes only (unlike dramas which drag the plot from 40 to 70 episodes), i am optimistic towards the unfolding of the scenes yet to come.
+ Acting/Cast:
I doubt i have seen all the characters yes but have definitely seen the main one and TBH so far so good.
I already like the main FEMALE LEAD from her other dramas she does not exaggerate or underplay her acting either.
The main lead's MOTHER is an excellent actress although her personality does seem to be wanted to be portrayed as strict and soldier like, i would like to see more of her motherly emotions which i am sure will not be omitted. Acting wise however so far i feel like she is a really good actress, you can tell from her silent facial expressions and eye movements.
The MAIN LEAD has so far not impressed me, although i am not sure if he is purposefully meant to be so monotonous because of the nature of his job but i have yet to see any facial expressions from him. which IF this continues would be disappointing because it would play into the usual cliche of mail leads that are expressionless in order for i dont know to make them seem more manly or something?
+ Direction:
*Clap Clap Clap* I honestly really ...truuuuly am IMPRESSED. like i said it is a rare watch and i believe all of that is due to the director. From the first scene i was already impressed from the entrance shot. from that i was able to tell that it was not yet another cliche drama following the same style as every other successful drama in order to collect viewership. GREAT EFFORT was put in by this director and even though the production value does not seem that extravagant, the director's efforts truly made the SCENES SHINE
+ Music:
i have not paid much attention to the music so far but i believe that to be A GOOD THING. It is neither overbearing the drama nor is it completely unpresent. I hate it most when they try and fail at manipulating the watchers with stupid music when it is so uncalled for in a scene. For example playing overly dramatic music in a scene that doesnt require so much drama just to exaggerate the effects and the emotions of the viewers in poorly written dramas. Because a well written and directed drama does not need the music to let us know how to feel but only to accessorise it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Excellent show till date as per my preferences
It has been so long since I have watched such a show which is Complete in every aspect. Each and every episode kept us entertained and did not let us feel any boredom even though the scenes were with a slow moving pace. Characterization needs to be appreciated and also the corresponding portrayal by the actors need a big round of applause.Not able to pick any actor for praising as all of them had exceeded expectations with their role performances.
Definitely a show which has high rewatch value according to my preferences.
Was this review helpful to you?
