I LOVE IT!!!!
At first I wasn't sure whether I would like this. This is different to a lot of c dramas I have watched but I quickly fell in love with this series. It has the perfect blend of amazing characters, great acting from Dylan Wang, immersive scenes & effects, and mystery. Without the silly moments which add charm to this series, this would be much much darker and the darker moments wouldn't have as much weight.This was a great watch. I stayed up a few nights just to continue watching. I REALLY want a season 2 with another lot of 40 episodes. And I can't wait for Guardians of Dafeng: No One Like Me.
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A Masterpiece of Cinematography and Storytelling.
The series is just drop dead gorgeous. Breathtaking cinematography, Breathtaking CGI , Breathtaking Performance. The acting was so good it never felt for once the cast was acting. It felt like the cast were the character themselves. A very well balance of comedy, seriousness, emotions and a little drizzle of romance. The cast was so well selected and the characters were very well written. The fight scenes were so WOW, like they were so well choreographed. My mouth just wouldn't close while watching the fights and I would be left with goosebumps.The role Xu Qi An was made for Wang Hedi. I cannot imagine anyone else playing that character. The laughs, emotions, depth, you name it everything was on point but it never felt scripted. Everything was so natural. The story revolved around Xu Qi An yet it never felt overwhelming. Xu Qi An was clearly favored everywhere unrealistically but it never felt partial or wrong. Like it was nonchalant and cool like it was meant to be set there.
The people from the Bureau were just so fantastic. My personal favorite was Caiwei (she kind of became my spirit animal). She is so carefree yet excellent at her job. The use of modern elements was so clever it never felt too much or too little. It was just the right amount. The Supervisor is such a clever character, It felt like he did nothing yet secretly everything was going according to his arrangements and much of it was revolving around him.
The people from Yamen were so cool. Especially the Gold Gongs, SPECIFICALLY GOLG GONG YANG YAN. It's just a personal bias but he's so cool. The brothership was so great between the copper gongs. And most importantly all of the Gaurdians sticked to their roles barely partaking in any corruption. They always stood together firmly against the wrong without any hesitation and helped each other out. And I loved how Yang Yan always stood up for Xu Qi An without any doubt. Lord Wei was kind of a father figure for Xu Qi An. Even thought I was doubtful about Lord Wei character from the first but later their interactions were adorable. Lord Wei guided Xu Qi An like a real mentor would do and always cleaned up after his mess it was adorable.
This series didn't have much romance to begin with but whatever was there it was cute. Princess Lin An character acted a little immature and dumb at the beginning but it gradually improved. His Majesty was just a straight up bipolar man who took run the world like a chess board too seriously. His character was so wierd and suffocating to watch.
Overall I was mostly stunned by the cinematography of the series. It was shot like a movie, Each and every frame was so gorgeous and the CGI felt so natural. I would consider this as Hedi's best work till date. His role had so much depth. I would definitely rewatch this whenever I can. I classify this as one of those dramas I would want to watch for the first time again, Highly anticipating the next season.
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THRILLING PLOT, BITTERSWEET VICTORIES, STRONG LOYALTY AND FRIENDSHIP
From episode 01 to 40, I never got bored. I dont usually like dramas with politics, but this is a drama with politics that I watched without skipping a minute.The personalities of the main lead and his comrades, family and acquaintances made me love this drama even more. I could not help but love the loyalty and brotherhood between ML and his fighter friends, the sweet and homey love-hate relationship with his family, and his very optimistic encounters with the other side characters.
The plot is amazingly intense. Every new surfacing plot is linked to the previous so I did not feel bored or uninterested bcs every single one of the cases that were being solved was one step closer to uncovering mysteries surrounding the MAIN plot.
The romance was not the main focus, but its there. I did not have any high expectations for the romance bcs I was too invested in the plot at hand.
Comedic moments did not end when the story got to its serious point. Comedic scenes continued, even after a series of sadness or heartbreak.
The cast really played their roles well. Each one played their character so well that you can just feel the emotions and expressions in the moment. You can even feel the excitement and thrills in the very intense moments.
The ending is what left me shaken. Theres still other mysteries that have not been solved yet it ended with a cliffhanger. Im assuming that a season 2 is very likely, but I was upset for a moment bcs I enjoyed every moment of this drama only to be left hanging. BUT I LOVED IT!
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Great acting, humor, action packed!
Dylan Wang’s acting was awesome. He was humorous, intelligent,charismatic, handsome and very likable. Romance was not over bearing; too silly or demanding. You got to know each character well and all were great. It was also action packed with many heroes, great fighting scenes; mysteries and anticipation, Overall, I loved it and highly recommend it. Looking forward to Season 2❤️.Was this review helpful to you?
When the Comedy Hits Hard… and the Finale Hits Harder
The last two episodes changed the scale of the whole drama. Initially thought it was an usual wuxia, but it turned out to be so much more - the story, politics, mystery, and the comedy were all brilliant. Can't agree with the romance part - it felt totally unnecessary and there was zero chemistry. I was waiting for everything to unfold, but it just ended, and with what? a BANG! What in the world was that? I have never come across such impactful endings lately!Let me take a moment to appreciate the Grand Princess - incredibly wise, secretly protects her sister, and even boldly told the Supervisor not to involve Lin An unless absolutely necessary! I thought she was the main lead and maybe has more to her character which was never showed.
As for Lin’an, I don’t mind a female lead who is naïve, or isn't strong, but her character was just so hard to like. The moment she impersonated her sister, I almost dropped the drama out of pure frustration. It seemed like she had no real role to play and couldn't comprehend how she and Qi An fell in love at all. They should have skipped the romance entirely, or paired him with the Grand Princess or the Duchess instead.
On the brighter side, the comedy never failed, especially the family forgetting a person each time lol. I enjoyed the most when they forgot Xinnian as they moved to new house, a series of his embarrassments, and Qi An’s face whenever the lovers kept missing each other on different bridges? Comedy gold.
But my god, those final episodes - what a massive shift in dynamics! Even though Commissioner Zheng and Qi An barely spent any time together, the emotional impact was huge. Dylan's acting was on another level , made the loss feel so raw and deeply personal. Bro, I literally cried non-stop. Its's like he was made for this role. I was cheering and so proud when Qi An sliced their legs - I couldn’t skip a single second.
I have SO many questions left, but you're telling me there's a Season 2?! If I had known this wasn't a standalone show, I wouldn't have started it yet! 😭
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Feel good show
Before watching, it seemed like this drama would have less romance and more political aspects. I was afraid it would be too heavy, but that is not an issue at all. This drama is really good at juggling between heavy and light scenes and the humor throughout the show is refreshing to see. There is a high chance I will be rewatching this show once season 2 comes out.Was this review helpful to you?
IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT WATCHING, DO IT!
This drama have my whole heart. GOTD made me laugh out loud and cried out loud. It's perfectly executed from all the characters to the plot. The first epidode sucked me right in and I was in for a roller-coaster of emotions. I still can't believe I almost missed out on them gem of a drama and now I'm thinking of all the people who didn’t get to witness how beautiful this drama is. A must watch!!!Was this review helpful to you?
Ridiculously... addicting
This is one of those series where you'll take a day off work for, ignore text messages and phone calls, and just hole in at home comfortably as you allow yourself to engross fully into its lore. Being someone who isn't a huge fan of this time-travel concept or incorporating modern with historical, I'm still in disbelief as to how this series won me over and over again.Reviewing all my mental check boxes, it is difficult to find fault here other than a few nits I'll mention later.
Plot: How does one explain the nearly perfect balance of plot flow that ebbs and flows with enough of the unexpected to keep you on your toes? It does it in such a natural way that unlike the series that throws you into a super high cliffhanger at the end of an episode, there's a calm consistency to it. It also has one of the best pivots of lightheartedness to somber and back again - I would be easily manipulated to literally laughing out loud one minute and to have tears swell up in the next.
Acting/Chemistry: Fantastic cast! Despite the relatively large cast so far, there hasn't been one who hasn't fully embraced their role. As for the chemistry between the cast? Yes, yes, and yes.
Music/Special Effects: I rarely touch on music and sound effects but in order to really be able to shift from one moment to the next smoothly, it is a necessity and successful it was. For special effects on non-humans, it's also one of the best I've seen so far.
So here are my own personal nits that are very much biased.
-- I'm not a fan of the ML's love interest. It has nothing to do with the FL's acting or even the character because she plays her role very well. I can even almost understand why he chose her. But I never like main leads (whether male or female) who end up with pretty much useless significant others. Loving someone but not being to do a thing for them other than cause problems is just not my thing.
-- The male lead was cast pretty perfectly except I think he needs a bit of work on his expressions of sorrow and grief. Initially thought maybe it was his eyebrow being too prominent or his lips being too stiff, but still can't really figure it out.
-- Our heroes can move swiftly when fighting, climb the skies, and use alchemy to teleport but yet there are times when they are rushing to a location "too late" because they rode a horse.
However, these are really minor complaints compared to the overall essence of the series. I held off on this for a while because it was based on a "time-travel" concept but I'm really happy to have finally tried it. Thankfully, this isn't one of those where the leads go back and forth between the past/current or go back and forth between alternate worlds. Really hoping season two for this one doesn't flop the way it did for me with JoL... but thank you for the journey of this season.
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? Guardians of the Dafeng: A Wild Ride Through Time and Chaos ?
Hold onto your swords and suspend your disbelief—Guardians of the Dafeng is a whirlwind of time-traveling antics, martial arts mayhem, and just the right sprinkle of romance (blink and you might miss it). It's like someone tossed Avatar: The Last Airbender, Sherlock Holmes, and a dash of Stephen Chow into a blender and hit "epic."🧑💼 Meet Xu Qi’an: The Accidental Hero
Imagine waking up in ancient Dafeng, not as a noble warrior, but as the underachieving nephew of a low-ranking officer. That's Xu Qi’an for you—a modern-day man thrust into a world of Confucians, Taoists, demons, and bureaucratic red tape. Armed with 21st-century wit and a knack for getting into (and out of) trouble, he navigates this chaotic realm with a mix of sarcasm and surprising competence.
🎭 A Cast of Characters That Deserve Their Own Spin-Offs
From the gluttonous Cai Wei to the ever-poised Huai Qing and the fiery Li Miao Zhen, the supporting cast is a buffet of personalities. While some characters could use a bit more seasoning, their quirks add flavor to the narrative. And let's not forget the bromances—Xu Qi’an's interactions with his male comrades often steal the spotlight, delivering both laughs and heartfelt moments.
🎢 Plot Twists, Power Plays, and... Puns?
The storyline is a rollercoaster of political intrigue, supernatural showdowns, and comedic escapades. Just when you think you've got it figured out, the plot throws a curveball—sometimes it's a clever twist, other times it's a head-scratcher. But hey, that's part of the charm. The drama doesn't take itself too seriously, and neither should you.
💔 Romance: A Side Dish, Not the Main Course
If you're here for a sweeping love story, you might want to adjust your expectations. The romantic elements are subtle, occasionally popping up like unexpected cameos. They're sweet, but they don't drive the plot. Think of them as the cherry on top of an already indulgent sundae.
🪂 Cliffhanger Chaos: Dangling Plotlines & Dangerous Hopes
That ending? Cliffhanger so sharp it left teeth marks. 😤 Exactly how you keep folks hooked.
Season 2 wish list: Xu Qi’an tells his deadbeat dad to stay gone, backs the Supervisor, the crew gets their memories back, LW struts in like he never left, and they all throw hands at evil.
Will it happen? Who knows—but I’m locked in, tea poured, ready for the chaos. 🍵🔥
🎬 Final Verdict: Embrace the Chaos
Guardians of the Dafeng isn't flawless—some jokes miss the mark, and the ending might leave you with more questions than answers. But if you're in the mood for a genre-blending adventure that doesn't shy away from its own absurdity, this drama delivers. It's a delightful mess, and sometimes, that's exactly what you need.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Where to Watch: Viki, WeTV, Disney+
Disclaimer: This review is a whimsical take on the drama's content and is meant for entertainment purposes. Viewer discretion is advised—especially if you're allergic to time-traveling protagonists and ancient bureaucracies.
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This review may contain spoilers
I have never enjoyed a drama as much as this
Usually I watch drama for the male leads or female leads, unless it have very good recommendation in mdl. When I know this is Dylan Wang’s drama, I don’t plan to watch but my sis told me it’s very funny. She was only at episode 7 and keep talking non stop about it. So I decided to give it a try and it’s a no return. Started out as slapstick but managed to make me laugh so loud my neighbour came to find out what is happening. Yet, in the midst of all the laughters, Dylan’s acting captivated me. His eyes, his demeanors, or even his speech are all on point. Together with rest of the crew, this is one of the best drama I have watched in many many years.Was this review helpful to you?
So good it needs another season pronto!
Cast was perfect in GOTD. I'm a rookie and have been watching cdramas only for about 6 months now. I binge and I have dropped more cdramas than I have completed. GOTD was maybe my third cdrama ever, and it's still at the top, #1 for me. OST is amazing. I was also annoyed with the FL at the beginning but was able to overlook it. Some parts are bit slow-paced sure but that happens in almost every cdrama I've watched. Otherwise, Dylan Wang is the perfect Xu Qi'an and we need more of him!I liked the comedy - I didn't think it was forced or overdone. There was good character development and I loved the focus on the relationships and bonds the characters build with each other (I don't like shows where the characters feel flat). I hope this show stays relevant and is popular enough to warrant that S2!
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