Love Like the Galaxy: Part 1

The Best CDrama I've Ever Watched

As a fan drama and movie with a fast pace, this one definitely the first CDrama that I watched with normal speed and without skipping any parts/scenes. I used to watch it with double speeds and skip after skip since some previous CDramas I watched were full of bickering trashy talks to drags and length the duration. This one definitely uses a smart way to catch my attention.

It has a sweet way to introduce all characters. There's no "not useful character", even Chen Sheng Gong a character with the least dialog, can't be erased since he is the reason why Niao2 has to stay with her Grandma. My fav character is A Fei, he can make me smile in each of his scenes. And I'm happy that the writer doesn't kill A Fei and A Qi just for the shake to make the story more "dramatic".
Its way to introduce each family of each character is very nice too. As an Asian, Niao2 life is very relatable to me (but, I don't have Ling Bu Yi, the Emperor, and the Empress to help my ass, lol). The feeling to have our parents compare us to everyone, makes me feel everyone is better than me, and that I am nothing but the black sheep of the family, bad-mouthing in front of everyone.... Even the Empress is not as different than Niao2's mother, who can be a great mother for Niao2 but not for both of her own children. For the first time, I can enjoy an Asian family relationship without feeling heartache and depression.

All characters' personalities are also well written and make sense. Niao2 who has trust issues and refuses to depend on others makes sense coz she's been abandoned and bullied since birth. Zi Sheng who is quiet and crazy to gain his experience in war makes sense because he is trying to surpass his uncle. A Yao who is timid coz he got used to having his brother do almost everything for him, and Yuan Sheng who clueless about how to get a Niao2's heart is make sense coz his teacher just as clueless as he is. Niao2's mother is hard coz she's a soldier and the father indeed mostly has the opposite way from their wife on how to treat his children etc

It has (of course) Ling Yi as the main villain, but to drag the story, instead of using bickering useless talk, or too focused to Ling Yi's bad deeds by adding unstoppable evil plans, it used a lot of unrelated villains instead. These villains are not only useful to drag the story, but they also help Niao2 to be more mature and wise. I love it also even gives a great ending for each villain, some of them even get a better life and even have their personality changed.

It also does not use the enemy-to-lover (lame) formula that is used in most CDramas. Even though in the novel, Niao2 is described as an extremely beautiful woman, (you can see some scenes where some characters appraise Niao2's beauty) Zi Sheng falls for her courage to expose her own family members who violated the law, A Yao falls for she fought back when his fiancé insulted her at the festival, while Yuan Shen falls for her smartness.
I feel sorry for Yuan Sheng, for using the wrong method to approach Niao2, and when he does it right, it's just too late.

I like how the writer even 5 years is not enough for Niao2 to forgive Zi Sheng. (I HATE lame plots like when the character pretends to get sick in order to get forgiveness from their love interest, or the "go to a faraway place and then be prevented"). Another reason this drama deserves to get my perfect score is regardless Asian perspective on "the must" for getting married, this drama shows some characters who are brave enough to stay single, and that living a live as single is a choice, not a pathetic thing.

And after Ling Yi's death is put at ep 48, gives all characters enough episodes to end their stories. Like the dead for the Empress; Niao2's mother and Grandma understand their mistake and even though she try to atone it; Zi Sheng for his guilt and Niao2 for her anger.

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When it says slow burn, you better believe it!

Am actually writing this review for the first part after i completed watching the whole part 1 and part 2, so might probably mix them up (the rating is for the whole series though. Lol)

Ok first of all. Niao Niao here is barely a 15yo girl who has grown up without any (good) parental figure and was left to her own account to survive. Nevertheless, i spend almost 2/3rd of part 1 really trying to stop myself from not completely disliking (hating is a strong word) Shaoshang’s a-mu. That woman imo is completely ridiculous. I know she loved shaoshang silently (because viewers are shown that) but the way she acts with regards to shaoshang is completely ridiculous! Everyone said she is a just woman, and in trying to treat SS and YY justly, she just appears as a mean mother. And i dont even think she knows the word ‘fair’ well, because the way she coddled YY is basically putting down her own daughter and walk all over her. Lucky YY is a good girl nevertheless, because if any girl else being treated to such a pedestal and being backed up to such a level, it was no wonder if she end up being a villain. All in all, i completely am very much frustrated with Xiao Yuanyi. Lucky SS has her a fu and brothers at her side, or else i might end up more frustrated! Lol

And as I said, when they told you it is slow burn, you better believe it. Lol. The first 10 episodes are so slow I basically just grit my teeth and keep on watching because it’s Wu Lei and Lusi’s drama. Nothing much important happened, and LBY and SS also has minimal interaction together. And i am quite surprised that they spent sooo many episodes on SS and A Yao’s relationship +- courting even though i did appreciate how kind and honest Lao Yao is. My heart hurts when he needs to break up with SS (though at the same time happy because well, this is a chance for the main couple to start shining!).

I like the 2 sidekicks of LBY the most. Lol. Those 2 are such a comedic add ons to LBY’s cold face. Haha. And I also very much appreciate that the emperor and his harem is portrayed as so, it was a fresh breath of air from other emperor and his harem which is full of conniving backstabbing villains from other dramas. I love that the emperor dotes on LBY so much, he was treated almost better than the emperor’s sons themselves. Hahahha. Comedic lighthearted characters aside, this part 1 also has a lot ( and i mean a lotttt) of very annoying screechy characters. Basically all of the ladies (aside from Third Shumu and Qiqi) are annoying little shits and their mothers usually are no better. Sometimes, you just felt like pulling your own hairs watching their petty little conversation/trial of one upping each others, they are just that fickle!

Now, on to the main couple. I love that LBY treated SS so well in silent, it shows how much he loves her to me (as a viewer). But well, if i am SS, i also would not just make my own conclusion that he loves me just like that, without any words at all from him. He never mention that he likes her or at least saying anything towards that before he threatens her that she is agreeing to being his wife if she didnt agree to meet him in the forest during her engagement day to a yao. I was like woahhh where is that coming from? Lol. And yes, he could not completely gave himself towards building a relationship at that time just yet because his revenge is still not paid, so he basically can only let SS pass him by on another man’s arms. Lucky fate has its own plan, and A Yao has to be wedded to someone else, or else LBY will be left licking his own nails with his revenge to accompany him.

The cinematography is really nice i think, especially scenes such as the lantern festival and the place where SS meet LBY at her engagement day. However, i must say that the costumes are less flattery than other dramas’, but i think it is mostly due to the era/dynasty that LLTG is based on, rather than the costumes team itself. I can only see one main design for the costumes, be it the females or the males’ costume and the pastel colour itself doesnt seem so flattering. Usually i can feast my eyes on the costumes while watching chinese dramas, and this handicapped seems quite glaring to me.

OST during part one is basically non existent. I cannot remember much of it if it exists lol.

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Best Costume Drama of the Year

I didn't plan to watch this drama initially because although I knew the leads, I hadn't really cared to watch any of their previous work but the trailer was so beautiful that I just had to put it on my watchlist. I'm happy to say that this has become my second favourite Cdrama of all time.

Even from the trailers, it's so easy to see the amount of resources put into the show. The cinematography, sets, lighting, costumes, colour grading is EXCELLENT! All these things would have meant nothing if the actors were terrible or not good enough but they have been simply amazing and I've become a devoted fan of everyone of them (including the secondary characters). It's like everyone was putting their best foot forward in this drama.

The story is very engaging and although I've seen complaints from other watchers about its slow start, I didn't feel that way to me as I felt the pacing was good enough. The wait for new episodes was somewhat excruciating because the plot is SO good even though the stakes aren't particularly high.

The chemistry between the leads is AMAZING and so sweet, I find myself smiling so much that my cheeks hurt everytime they're on the screen. Even though their romance is a slow burn, it's the best kind of slow burn because you can just see the sparks sizzling between them.

The only complaints I have are rather minor- a particular (comedic?) scene between the leads and a spooked horse and the use of rock music as a background ost in a period drama. They don't affect my enjoyment but they kind of throw you off considering the setting of the show.

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I Feel Cheated by the Production

I am writing three episodes before the end of the season.
Yesterday I watched the trailer again, which is full of suspense, action, fighting, emotional suspense and gives the impression that the viewer is in for something exciting, full of dangerous adventures. The trailer depicts an ML gripped by a lust for revenge and a wise FL who supports him intellectually and emotionally. The trailer is badass. Meanwhile, what we received in the first season....
I haven't read the book and I'm not interested in whether the drama is faithful to it. I have the drama itself before my eyes and it was a huge disappointment. The trailer promised me something juicy, and what I got was a boring story about second and third plan characters. Do I really have to watch the problems of FL's aunts and uncles instead of the story between ML and FL? After such an excellent trailer, I just feel cheated. I feel as if someone promised me a ride on the world's biggest roller coaster, and after three hours of waiting, took me on a steam train ride.
The drama is played well. I have no complaints about the visual side. There are some very funny situations and intriguing characters. An average of five minutes per episode is really great, but the other 35-40 are nightmarishly boring. Instead of these almost 20 episodes of introductions, it would have been better to give three juicy ones. The proportions between the main plot and side plots are just very badly distributed.
As for the music, unfortunately, it clearly lacks originality.
Since the trailer fooled me into thinking that this would be a drama where something would happen, I feel cheated by the producers. If they had not lied, if they had said from the outset that this drama would simply be about the problems of growing up as a teenager, my rating would have been higher.

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Very Uneven

What is good about this series - the general story, some of the writing, the second ML and many of the supporting cast, the look of it - is very very good. What was bad - the rest of the writing, some of the characters like the mother were totally plot-driven and nonsensical though the actress did her best - and the ML who is goodlooking but may be one of the worst actors I have ever seen in a major production - was really incredibly bad.
The FL, I can see why she is so popular, she is a good if not great actor but had a very appealing onscreen charisma. I'm not sure if she is dubbed, but her voice is also extremely lovely.

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A MUST-WATCH, SLOW-BURN ROMANCE DRAMA!! <3 SO GOOD I PAID FOR TENCENT VIP!!

SO...I am currently watching part 2 of this drama and all I have to say so far is that this drama is AMAZING and you must give it a try! It's been a long time since I've watched a drama this good.

The last drama I had watched of Wu Lei or Zhao Lusi's was 2021's 'The Long Ballad'. Although I loved that drama (and both WL and ZLS played their characters very well!), to be honest, I was not planning to watch this drama. That was until I saw the trailer. The trailer was incredibly funny, WL was so so handsome, and the drama gave me the sense that there would be a great plot. Well, I was correct on all three things! While some viewers complained that the first 4 episodes were boring, I personally LOVED them. They are so important to setting up the FL in the story so viewers understand her background.

A lot of viewers also complained that the romance is too slow. While I, like many others, love the romantic scenes, I would much rather have a drama that has a good plot and romance that feels authentic & realistic than a drama where the main leads fall in love quickly, then lots of annoying drama happens. Every time a romantic scene happens, I sit there squealing at my iPad. It's like being awarded a piece of candy, haha.

Like the headline says, yes, I did pay for VIP for this drama. I initially started watching this drama on YouTube, but I found the airing schedule to be too slow (they release one ep per day Tuesday-Saturday). This is the FIRST drama I have spent money on to watch episodes "ahead of time". Totally worth it, since now I can participate and read spoilers in the MDL discussion sections without actually spoiling myself too much.

Although there aren't too many OSTs in this drama, I think it actually makes the acting and emotional scenes even more impressive, since the actors cannot depend on the music to elevate the emotions. This just shows how amazing the acting is. As Cheng Shaoshang, I feel that ZLS has nailed her role perfectly. If you watch the BTS of this drama, ZLS's personality is so similar to CSS. It's almost like this role was made for her! WL has also done a great job as LBY. I'm so impressed by how expressive his eyes are, especially when he looks at CSS. You can literally *feel* his gaze softening...ugh, so cute <3 The supporting cast is SO AMAZING as well! I love the siblings, Qiqi, LBY's guards, the Emperor, Empress, Consort Yue, etc. etc. I am sure I'm forgetting the other wonderful characters!

Overall, I cannot overstate how much I am enjoying this drama so far. It has great cinematography, great acting, and a fantastic plot. Pacing is also great so far. I still have around 20 eps of this drama left, but by like ep 8 of this drama, I could already tell it was going to be one of my all-time favs. It is so amazing & I really hope you give this drama a try! You will not regret it :)

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YOU SHOULD WATCH THIS DRAMA !!!

OH MY MY.. I knw when i watched the trailer it must be anticipate drama of the year, you can looked the cinematography,acting all cast chemistry from ML and FL. Their both its amazing. But after I watched from 1ep until 24. Its blow my mind i never expected if this drama will be another level of S+ drama. I meant like I had watch lusi drama before (WRTW) It good anw but imo not impressed me at all.
LBY character its too strong but his eyes cant deny that LBY likes CSS so much. I read some comment on part 2 LBY will left CSS for revenge for 5years,its rude. But i cant wait for how their love to be grow.

ps: it my 1st time to write a reviews. but its truly my honest opinion

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Love Love Love... it's a must watch!

I was looking for another historical drama and had no idea that Leo Wu had a new one out. Needless to say, I started watching. Just wow! He has seriously leveled up every time I've seen him act. I really thought the Longest Ballad was good, but this is something else all together. I'm looking forward to possibly seeing a more caring side of him as the show goes on but I'll tell you....the action, fighting, suspense..it's all there!

Now you can't forget about Zhao Lucy. Her acting is always great but I'm really enjoying this mix of playfulness and seriousness that her character encompasses. I felt like she has also leveled up in her acting.

The characters and story are good so far... I have been waiting for the new episodes to air so you know it good! Of course there will be a few annoying characters that pop up or the stupid situation that comes about..but I feel like it's all part of the show. Give it a shot and I'm sure you'll love it too. I can't wait for the rest of the episodes to air. ☺❣

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ENTANGLEMENT CHENG SHAOSHANG, LING BUYI, LUO YAO, YUAN SHANJIAN

Ep 1-5 were nothing but petty family disputes and issues, visualizing Cheng ShaoShang (Zhao LuSi) was being verbally abused and abandoned by 2nd aunt and grandmother, the arrival of parent after 15 years absent from her life for defending border and wars. Her mom learned her attitudes and personality but rather determined to discipline her like one of her soldier than as a daughter because mom thought CSS was lazy, unruly, uneducated, no manner, liar that caused CSS lost her respect and love toward her own mother. Her mother looked her down, disqualified, belittle her in many way unimaginable. There're a lot funny dialog/scenes, beautiful setting, great background music, awesome costume and natural make up. Let me introduce each episodes that pulling my interest why I love with this drama so much.

Episode 6: When CSS went to the light festival and turned 3 men fallen in love with her on the first sight. 3 different way that started this drama more twists and turns. Luo Yao, accident meeting in the crowd when he was there with his childhood fiancee, He's amazed by her wittiness, beauty and cleverness. Yuan ShanJian/Yuan Shan fall in love by surprise and admiration as CSS had cleverly solved his riddle fast, he saw a beautiful young intelligent girl that didn't care so much about his famous charms. Ling BuYi a tough General that fall in love at first sight by only her delicate hand as he then saw how remarkably beautiful girl he's been noticing to. Burning building on blazing fire made scene so beautiful with fire sparks all over the air...adding remarkable dangerous situation into romantic background. The setting was beautiful, the camera has taken great angles, the scenes were perfect.

Episode 10: Fallen Bridge scene. I love this scene where LBY and CSS colluded for a grand hilarious scheme, a well thought scheme to get revenge to mean girls, the best part was they facilitate the device but suggestion came from different girl so the blame wouldn't point out to CSS or Wan Family, only LY (witness) and Grandma Wan (deduce) know exactly the culprit. Orchestra as background music, the fake laugh between LBY/YS, in slow motion the overexcited girls were waving hand and running toward the bridge , counting down San-Er-Yi and closed her eyes to savor the sweet revenge, smiled mischievously then laugh like she had a funny secret, joyous skip and little dance, after the mean girls fallen to the water- the guys that they've been parading on weren't even slightly care - and the adults shocked of the turn of event. It's hilarious and smart, I could feel CSS's brilliant witty and naughtiness. The best revenge ever...

Episode 12: CSS pulled arrow on LBY. This scene was full of beautiful sensual intensity and physical naked vulnerability closeness between love and pain, full of heart warming and mesmerism of tender love, seductive, passionate in LBY's glances - we all can feel his pouring of love and passion. Soft voice spoken in gratitude, encouragement, a distraction from his throbbing pain.........all in one of LBY best scene. While CSS wasn't sure, her concern face knocked all LBY self control, he laid down his already admiration heart - pouring all he could to express his affection and trust to the young lady in front of him. As we audience watched the scene, quiet stillness - hold our breath as the intensity persisted. Amazing scene...

Episode 18: Decree for Chang ShaoShang. A decree given by His Majesty Emperor bestowed to CSS during her engagement to Luo Yao, a way of Ling BuYi elevated her status in the eye of 1st branch of Luo Family. The magnetism of the scene was when CSS fallen into LBY arms as she tried to stand up, they looked each other; her bewilderment and his desperate longing. Then, LBY pursued to meet her alone in private, last attempt to see the last of her, he then realized that he had no chance with her.

Episode 25: Scene where YuanShan provoked LBY about his engagement with CSS, both men back forth argued in dignify politeness; a mix of threats, snarky, sinister comment about CSS. YS stated unbelievably untrustworthy CSS while LBY praised his luck marrying her, LY said 'CSS is the best girl of whole country'....YS said 'shut up' while LBY said 'Of course' at same time to LY. I could sense the jealousy in YS, protectiveness in LBY, while LY sensed awkwardness in whole situation. I think the only one that wasn't afraid of LBY was Yuan Shan. He wasn't afraid to provoke, refute, argue, confront, even threaten him. It added the flavor of insecurity in edgy way...

Ended in ep 27 and continues to next episodes soon after...huray! Niao Niao's relationship to Luo Yao was a childish sweetheart, Niao Niao's to Ling BuYi was all passionate intensity, while with Yuan Shan was a bickering competitive partner. Wu Lei voice intonation and pronunciation was perfect; passionate, soft, clear, and precise. He didn't rush it, overly dramatic, slurry or plain. He put word by word with soul on connotation, every single syllable we can hear his emotion. Knowing He's passionately in love was when he converse close up with CSS - he'd looked at her lip, longing in his eyes, desperation and always found a way to get closer, adding it with his acting, music background, impression, he could even win an Oscar.

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the best historical chinese drama in 2022

One word only "Masterpiece!!!!

i am not really fans of C-Drama and i finally decide to make acoount on this website just to be able writing review for this drama.

If you are looking for unusual c-drama with some Genres in one , you must watch this drama!! this drama can make you feel different kinds of feeling like blushing, shy, laughing, crying, happy, scream, nervous , cheerfull and many more feelings and emotions.

All thumbs up for the director , Zhao Lu Si (in love with her :-)) , Wu Lei and also for other cast and crews.

and Salute for all who can write so many reviews here:-)

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