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Whim turned into first love
Who would have thought that a whim would bring me to my all time favourite drama? Certainly not I...LLTG part 1 took me completely by surprise. It had aired until episode 12 (still one of the best) when I started watching out of curiosity. The result was me devouring all episodes and meeting my first love in terms of drama. Part 1 focuses on the heroine Cheng Shao Shang, explores her family relationships and lays the foundation for a slow burn romance.
I want to start with the fact that LLTG deals with some serious themes disguised under humour. Cheng Shao Shang is the victim of systematic abuse at the hands of her grandmother and aunt. We're talking control through food deprivation and being left to die of illness. She has grown up without most of her basic survival needs being met.
As a result, Cheng Shao Shang has learnt the hard way that she can only rely on herself since other people, including family members, do not necessarily have her best interests at heart. Her choices and behaviour are not due to immaturity, but rather a consequence of the lack of physical and emotional security she has lived through for 15 years.
Zhao Lu Si's portrayal strikes a perfect balance between a Cheng Shao Shang who is alternatively cunning, stubborn, vengeful, at the same time yearning for affection and approval. Her complex acting has brought a flawed yet very lovable character to life, making me emotionally invested in this coming of age story. The heroine makes mistakes and grows gradually, as she goes through challenging life experiences.
LLTG is very much a character-driven drama. Part 1 highlights family dynamics underpinned by child neglect and discrimination, power struggles and hypocritical values. The beauty of it lies in that all characters have been performed in a strikingly memorable way. At least for one scene, every supporting character shines as if they were the protagonist.
Cheng Shao Shang develops a complicated relationship with her mother and hopes to escape the family environment through marriage. Early on, she meets 3 suitors, who each have advantages and drawbacks as potential husbands. All 3 also have complicated family backgrounds, which have shaped their views on love and marriage.
The suitor that stands out is clearly Ling Bu Yi, a quite dark character whose softer side only comes out in the presence of Cheng Shao Shang. Wu Lei shows a compelling performance which improved with every episode and also looked very competent in action scenes. His eyes are so expressive and they seem to effortlessly convey a myriad of emotions.
What I love about LLTG is that all characters are layered and their dialogues contain many nuances. One can watch episodes again and again and still find new details or an interpretation which was missed before. Cinematography is impressive as well and rendered key scenes even more impactful.
LLTG part 1 is a perfect 10 in my book, the first one I have ever granted to a drama.
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Chinese Bridgerton Brought To Life
Family gossip, women folk catfights, swooning over gallant men, royal family drama, well-timed articulated faint… Love Like The Galaxy (LLTG) might actually be likened to the regency popular drama ‘BRIDGERTON’, however unlike Bridgerton Love Like The Galaxy contains a healthy dose of comedy, political conspiracy, and military action, and of course, a slow-burn romance that will have your toes tingling.LLTG is here to steal your heart and the excitement it comes with will not be leaving you anytime soon. Unlike any other Chinese drama, LLTG features a young woman whose parents left to join the war immediately after her birth. This young woman (Shaoshang) grows into an ‘illiterate' woman who is quite smart and handy when it comes to building and making impulsive decisions during dire situations.
She is illiterate in that she was not taught Chinese characters and classical and ancient texts by her wicked aunt and illiterate grandmother. When her parents come back fifteen years later from the war, she is quick to find out that they can never go back to a loving parent-daughter relationship, especially with her mother who is always dissatisfied with her ‘unruly behaviour'.
Shaoshang meets the general and adopted son of the Emperor, Ling Buyi who has just come back after achieving great merit at war. They meet on several occasions and while Shaoshang feels nothing for the general due to her lack of family love while growing up, the general's feelings of admiration for her quickly morph into love.
Shaoshang while being unruly with more than two tricks up her sleeves every single time is kind and does not react kindly to bullying. The general, on the other hand, is cold, at first sight, looks unfeeling but he is quite protective of the people he cares about.
A key takeaway from LLTG is how the pacing of the movie ensures that you feel every character's development so you understand them better. Most of the major characters like the royal family were not introduced until later. With an abundance of characters in this show, from Noble ladies to Princes/Princesses and military families, you seldom get confused about who is who and what role they are here to play.
Asides from the pacing, the romance is stellar. The female lead does not immediately fawn nor fall for the general, and the process and growth that leads her to have feelings for the general is so genuine and stellar.
This drama has some pretty interesting subplots that will enrapture you. With a healthy dose of comedy, drama, wordplay, and DRAMA, Love Like The Galaxy is the drama you should NOT be found NOT watching.
This review will be updated once the drama is done airing.
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Hilarious Show with an Extraordinary Heroine That Won't Just Make You Laugh, but Cackle and Guffaw.
LOVED the acting, characters, humor, heart, love story as well as the mystery. There wasn't a wasted minute or bad performance during this show and it was a rare C-drama show that I wished every episode could have been longer. Though not just a romantic comedy, because there were some heavy, dark, serious, and violent parts, the humor was sometimes so funny that I found myself not just laughing, but actually cackling. Luckily I wasn't eating or drinking anything during those parts. Eat and drink while watching this show at your own risk for more than just one reason.The heroine was amazing though ironically the story was centered around how her family and the people in her life thought she was anything but great (to put it kindly). I love that her story pulls at your heartstrings in a natural, sincere way instead of feeling manipulative and forced. I also love that she's kind but not weak nor a pushover. She's lovable, hilarious and so root-worthy. She pulls off the rare feat of being naive without being annoying or TSTL. She somehow manages to be very clever and yet unworldly at the same time in a very charming and sympathetic way.
Even with the high rating, I'm surprised the ratings and viewership aren't as high as Mr. Queen (at time I wrote this) because it's just as funny as that show and the story just as compelling if not even more so. This show was so good from beginning to end that I broke several cardinal rules to watch it and I am so glad I did. I usually avoid C-dramas because they can oftentimes be the same stories packaged with different actors and titles, thus repetitive and slow or have terrible middle and endings despite starting out really well. So I tend to wait until the show ends then check the spoilers and rating as it has saved me many wasted hours and unneeded stress doing that. However, the title of this show drew me in and the description as well as the ratings made me want to take the risk of watching this show before it ended and I'm so glad I did. Though there is a part two, it's so good that even if the rest of this show, meaning part two, is terrible, what's been shown so far is so good that I will not regret the time I have spent watching all the episodes so far.
I binged watched it and I was not bored once. I can re-watch it all again easily. I didn't like the violence and abusive behavior but I FF those parts and still got the gist of the story and enjoyed the rest. I cannot wait to watch part two and since this show was such a huge hit in China, they decided to release the second part immediately so there's no interruption between part 1 and part 2. I will definitely check out the two main leads' other highly rated hit shows to help me with the wait in between episodes.
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The Tale of A Idiotic, Half illiterate But Yet Somehow Unrealistically Smart, Self Righteous FL
Positive Points1. Top-notch cinematography and direction. The cast was decent, also.
Negative Points
1. The production team and producer were probably short on money, I guess, as it seems they did not invest money in the script. This is one of the dumbest and most idiotic female leads I have seen in a long time. FL is a naive idiot, completely. I don't really like the FL so far. She has her own strength, but the writer failed to highlight it so far in part 1 at least. 27 episodes gone, but there is not been much productive growth of the FL so far. Though she is good in math and all but she is a complete idiot, honestly. She hardly knows 100 characters, and she is somehow a math genius. She learned carpentry just by watching the carpenters and helping them somewhat. Is this shit even believable? She was not that interested in Lou Yao. She liked that he was simple enough for him to obey her in everything. Her mother was right to be concerned about her choice of the groom. The FL became adamant about the Lou Yao only because her mother was opposing the marriage. How foolish that is. She absolutely gave no thought about the family she will be marrying into and the impact on her life due to her future husband's weak personality. Both the FL and her parents are responsible for the FL's dumb behavior. It's a wonder how she attracted 3 possible suitors (2 of them are high profile) at once with this dumb, impulsive, foolish personality like hers. Yuan Shanjian's words to the FL about seeking freedom through marriage sounded bitter, but it was indeed true. But this foolish FL is instead arguing with the 2ML instead of admitting her dumb decision. She talks back to everyone and causes chaos without thinking about the consequences. The writer kept the other high-born women annoying and bullying the FL, just to hide how idiotic this FL actually is. She is illiterate but won't take criticism and won't work to improve her shortcomings. She is self righterious idiot who thinks she is always right. Why would those high-born be jealous of her? Did the writer wrote anying in the FL's character to be jealous of? She only escaped without any serious lifelong damage with this foolish but stubborn persona of hers, only because she is the FL; otherwise, she would be completely useless.
2. The ML Ling Buyi is also nothing special. His expressions were too stiff for my liking. Also, if he was so adamant about revenge and all, then why did he drag an innocent woman with him? I honestly did not find his character to be interesting personally. His actions are also somewhat red flag. He is loyal to the women he likes, which is the only good point. He makes suggestive remarks about him and the FL in front of the FL's fiancé and her parents. He also defends her honor and protects her, true. But he also proposes a marriage without the consent of the FL and her parents. He did not even consult this with the FL first. She was right to behave rudely with him. But she was also too dumb to accept the marriage proposal just to irritate her mother. Her mother was also wrong to criticize her daughter like this publicly. This would not have happened if the ML had consulted the FL and her family first. She did not like the ML and would not have agreed to marry him if the ML had asked her beforehand. So the ML, without the FL's consent, forced her into a betrothal with him because he liked her and was worried lest she marry someone else. A big red flag.
3. Very Slow story progression. The first part has 27 episodes, but except for the nice cinematography, there is no character progression, nor is much happening in terms of story progression.
Overall, if you are a fan of the lead actors, you can give it a go but in terms of story, character depth, and progression, this is a very basic story with an utterly dumb but never accepting her mistakes female lead along with equally dumb 3 male leads (Now 2 are left) who are also smart in name only as they are all obbsessed for no reason with this foolish but proud of her foolishness type FL.
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This review may contain spoilers
Never a bore, plot moves at a good speed.
What can I say, I enjoy watching this drama and the plot is quite interesting. This drama tells the story of Niaoniao; a daughter of a general. She is like your modern girl who is sharp, witty, and carefree.FL Niaoniao and the ML Ling Buyi meet each other; and ML falls in love first. They have their bittersweet moments, but eventually, they become engaged. There are some cute moments and chemistry; like when Niaoniao helps clean and fix ML chest injury.
I also enjoy the family dynamic here; how the king treats ML like his own son. The king raised ML and kind of allowed ML to do his own thing, without punishing him; as long as ML doesn't go overboard lol. Although he did kill someone without the king's consent (but I think he did the right thing).
FL Niaoniao and her family are fun to watch; she has three siblings. She is a twin and has two older brothers. One brother is away at the front line; so he hasn't shown up. Niaoniao relationship with her father is sweet; I like how her father tries to be understanding of her; knowing that she was raised away from the home. Niaoniao and her mother don't really have a good relationship, because her mother expects Niaoniao to act like a lady; well; her carefree attitude since young and never being taught to follow rules; makes her mother always criticize Niaoniao. But, eventually, their mother-daughter relationship improves over time.
End of ep 28 Niaoniao and Buyi are getting ready for their wedding :).
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Y'all have to give it a try, coz it's really something not to be missed!
The Most Fantastic Drama in 2022.Served with stunning quality of aesthetic beauty. Both in terms of story, production, cinematography, music and the selection of roles are completely fitted all.
The combination of fresh witty humor, suspense of conflict, mystery, and a sweet love story full of complications is mixed in a naturally flowing and interesting plot.
Not too many skin ships happened, but the chemistry of the both main characters of FL/ML felt so strong as if they were on another level of romance.
I have watched it many times, and there are always new surprises that I get in every detail, binding each scene of the drama to my memory.
Y'all have to give it a try, coz it's really something not to be missed!
Happy watching!
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Why cast Wu Lei as the male lead?
I love the beautiful series and have rewatched many episodes alreadyBUT >> Huge Casting Mistake of the main Male Lead.
I noticed Wu Lei in Whirlwind Girl and was happy to learn that he was starring in the popular Love like the galaxy.
Unfortunately, he was not ready for a role of this calibre. His acting range is too narrow for the moment.
Lei fails at performing the intense stares justified by his role as lover and slaying commander.
His stares are bad and even spoil the kissing scenes. Painful.
I am the only one who fast forwarded his intense stares ?
Lei's head looks ridiculously small because of the huge clothes and armour put on him.
It makes him look like a puppet.
His face was made to look longer (by opening his jaw). Ridiculous...
It distracted me throughout the drama.
It is unfair to Zhao Lu Si, the main actress. It could have been the best drama couple ever.
It is my first time watching Zhao Lu Si at work. I am looking forward to watching more of her works.
Great production / amazing music. Is there an award for the best opening credits? Magnificent visuals.
Loved the actresses playing Shao Shang's mother (Zeng Li) and QiQi (Zhang Yue).
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Give it a try!
I'm always not a big fan of a slow burn romance. That's why I've been sticking to xian xia dramas. I've try watching The Story of Minglan and couldn't really keep up with it. A friend of mine then recommended Love Like the Galaxy to me. I was skeptical at first because it was a slow burn romance. I've watched 4 episodes and thought that the story was too slow and nothing has happened except seeing FL and her family's problems. I was going to dropped it at first but then I've decided to at least give it another 3-4 more episodes. I continue and my goodness, I can't stop watching. Once you pass episodes 4 and 5, that's when the good stuff starts coming in. You just want to see more every time each episodes ended. The preview trailers are the worst. Each time a trailer comes out, it just makes you so eager to see the next episodes. And the male protagonist, he has such beautiful eyes when he gaze at the female protagonist. This is the very first slow burn drama that I've actually like and enjoy watching and willing to wait for. For those who are knew and is wondering if it's worth your time, I'd see give it a try. Everyone has their own taste in dramas so whether you like it or not is up to you. I'm really glad that I've give this drama a shot. Can't wait to see the next episodes! Thank you to whoever is reading this review. Happy dramas!Was this review helpful to you?
Love Like The Galaxy: A Captivating Blend of Suspense, Character Growth, and Real-Life Dynamics
"Love Like The Galaxy," adapted from the novel of the same name, is a refreshing addition to the world of Chinese dramas. Its narrative centers around Cheng Shao Shang, the daughter of the Cheng family, who was left in the care of generals when she was just a baby. Ling Bu Yi, a general, becomes entangled in a quest to uncover the conspiracy surrounding his past. Years later, the story unfolds during the return of Cheng Shao Shang's parents, setting the stage for a suspenseful and character-driven drama.What sets "Love Like The Galaxy" apart from many other Chinese dramas is its unique narrative approach. While most dramas revolve around the evolving storyline, this drama takes a different path by placing its emphasis squarely on character development. It's a refreshing departure from the norm, allowing viewers to witness the growth and independence of the characters as they journey into adulthood.
Initially starting as a comedy, the drama eventually delves deep into the dramatic realm. The characters face a plethora of challenges, resulting in numerous ups and downs. This portrayal may, at times, make the characters seem imperfect, but it's a reflection of the complexity of life itself. The genuine dynamics between the characters add an authentic touch to the storyline, making the entire drama feel incredibly real.
"Love Like The Galaxy" boasts meticulous writing and adaptation, seamlessly blending music and skillful directing. The actors' performances are nothing short of outstanding; they fully immerse themselves in their roles to the point where you forget their real-life identities. This drama delivers a bittersweet, yet rewarding, viewing experience, taking you on a journey through the intricacies of life and relationships.
In conclusion, "Love Like The Galaxy" is a well-crafted and thoughtfully executed drama that stands out for its focus on character growth and real-life dynamics. It beautifully combines suspense, genuine character development, and a touch of comedy to create a unique and memorable viewing experience. While it may tug at your heartstrings, it's undeniably worth your time for its rich storytelling and exceptional performances by the cast.
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This review may contain spoilers
A mind blowing adventure thats truly worth 56 ep.
Wow talk about an exciting drama that included all A+ actors and actresses that i could feel what they felt while portraying there characters. There are many episodes that you just laught at and it broke the tension of the sad ones. As normal all the princess were spoiled and full of themselves and put down or hurt anyone that spoiled there plans. Especially Cheng shaoshang who was a thorn in everyone side due to Li Buyi/zisheng/Huo wusheng falling in love with her. Im a fan of Rosy Zhao as an actress and how well she portrayed her character. I am also a fan of Leo Wu and again another amazing actor that didn't fail in portraying his stern and powerful persona. I loved his 2 side kicks Qi and Fei who would go thru thick and thin with him and protect her at all cost. There were so many different characters and back stories to each family and the writers did an amazing job bringing it all together. A must see.Was this review helpful to you?
Best costume drama
I was watching this drama while it was still airing. I hardly rewatch any drama even I enjoy it so much while it was still airing. One and half year later, I rewatched this drama & realize what’s a perfect drama it was/is. There are many beautiful moments in this drama that I forgot about it. The chemistry between the leads, normally I don’t think about it but rewatching this drama, two leads were amazing together. The director did an amazing jobs with all the details. The casts were amazing. I think it’s an excellent drama.Was this review helpful to you?
The best Chinese historical drama.
Its an epic and a classic, the best of the best. Do watch it; Ling Buyi and Shaoshang will take you into their world. A great drama, its worth the watch. 🥰. I love the cinematography, the angles of the scenes, the music insync with the parlor of emotions, the real and relatable unique characters; plus point the co-relation of different background stories that give essence to the aura of the original plot. Kudos to the Male lead & Female lead for giving us a love story that is true to the character and for the believable anamoly of a relationship.Was this review helpful to you?
