Guardians of the Dafeng

Intriguing Plot and Strong Lead Actor, but a Rush to the Finish Leaves Unanswered Questions

Out of all the dramas I’ve watched, this one has been the hardest to rate. On one hand, it checked all the right boxes with beautiful costumes, a star-studded male lead (Dylan Wang), a talented cast, and stunning special effects. The story was captivating, drawing me in with its intriguing premise. But despite all of this, something about it just didn’t quite hit the mark.

The plot kicks off with Yang Ling (played by Dylan Wang) and his colleagues stumbling into a gaming arcade after a night of drinking. When he wakes up, he finds himself in the body of Xu Qi-An, an orphan raised by his uncle and aunt. He later becomes a Guardian of Dafeng, part of an elite imperial investigation bureau filled with skilled fighters. As the drama progresses, Xu Qi-An grows, mastering skills, defeating enemies, and solving complex crimes. But things take a darker turn when he becomes the vessel for Shen Shu, a powerful spirit with extraordinary abilities. With Shen Shu's power at his disposal, Xu Qi-An's journey to uncover the truth becomes more complicated than he ever imagined.

Dylan Wang’s portrayal of Xu Qi-An was a departure from his previous roles in Love Between Fairy and Devil and Unchained Love, where he played dignified, proud characters. Xu Qi-An, in contrast, was goofy, money-minded, and far from the usual heroic type. It was only as the story unfolded that the righteous side of him began to surface, eventually transforming him into a more typical hero.

As for the female lead, Princess Lin-An, I found her a bit underwhelming. She was cute, but her character came across as somewhat dim-witted, which didn’t quite fit my idea of a strong heroine. I could have accepted her as a quirky second lead, but as the main protagonist’s love interest, it detracted from the drama. I personally would have preferred if Huai-Qing had been given more screen time, as she felt like a more fitting match for Xu Qi-An.

However, one actor who really tugged at my heartstrings was Feng Hui, who played the governor Zheng Xing Huai. His performance was nothing short of heartbreaking when he described how much he loved the city he had devoted his life to, only for it to be destroyed by the villain. Worse still, he was framed by the Emperor he served and ultimately tortured to death. His story was a powerful portrayal of a man whose entire life’s work was erased, a tragic miscarriage of justice that stayed with me long after the episode ended.

Now, I hadn’t read the original novel, so I rated the drama based on its own merits. The overall experience was a bit of a mixed bag, with plenty of room for nitpicking. For one, the humor often felt forced, relying mostly on making characters look stupid. This style might appeal to some, but for me, it didn’t quite hit the mark. There were moments, like when Xu Qi-An mistook Princess Lin-An for her rival and swore allegiance to Huai-Qing, that made me chuckle, but these moments were too few and far between. This subplot stretched on too long, and often Xu Qi-An’s convoluted schemes backfired in ways that felt more contrived than funny.

The pacing also posed a problem. After episode 10, I was about to drop the drama altogether, but a friend suggested I try watching at a faster speed, so I bumped it up to 1.25x on WeTV. Suddenly, the pacing felt much more manageable, and I enjoyed episodes 11 through 39 much more. If I were to rate those episodes at the faster speed, I’d give them a solid 9.5.

Episodes 1 to 10, on the other hand, felt like just another average detective story, something I’d probably rate around a 7. It wasn’t until episode 11 that things started to pick up, and the cases began to tie into a larger conspiracy. But even then, the drama left me with more questions than answers.

The final episode opened up a Pandora’s box of new mysteries, leaving me wondering about Xu Qi-An’s father and his true intentions, whether Wei-Yuan would be resurrected, and who Shen Shu really was. The Emperor’s role in the story remained largely unaddressed, with only a public self-confession to his wrongdoings—nothing substantial. And the whole arc involving Xu Qi-An’s forgotten existence felt a bit underwhelming. The drama started with a mysterious gaming arcade, yet that thread was never fully explored, leaving a sense of unresolved mystery.

The Emperor remained largely unpunished, his defiance at his brother’s statue and his actions in the temple felt disconnected from the main plot. The drama seemed to hint at a deeper political or philosophical commentary, but never fully delivered on that front. It felt like the story was building up to something grand, but then rushed to an unsatisfying conclusion.

While I would have loved a sequel to explore these unanswered questions, there’s no word on one, and given China's track record with sequels, it’s unlikely. So, with the drama leaving me with a sense of unfulfilled potential, I have to rate it a 7 for the first 10 episodes and a 9.5 for episodes 11 to 39. Taking into account the lackluster ending, I’ve averaged it out to an 8.5, which feels more generous than my kisskh rating.

Despite its flaws, I’d still recommend this drama, especially for die-hard Dylan Wang fans. With Tencent’s promotional effort and his massive fanbase, the drama certainly garnered attention, and for fans of his previous work, it’s worth a watch. Just don’t expect a perfectly polished story.

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This hit the spot

It’s rare for me to watch a C-Drama without cringing at least once at the attempted comedy - but Guardians of Dafeng had me genuinely belly laughing more than a few times.

What began as what I thought would be a light-hearted, casual watch quickly turned into something much deeper. As the episodes went on, I found myself increasingly invested in the main character’s journey. The writing is sharp and purposeful, the scenes feel natural rather than forced, and the characters are well-rounded, distinctive, and memorable. To top it off, the soundtrack is catchy and fun—I don’t speak a word of Chinese, yet months later I can still hum the main theme.

I knew this was a standout series when I accidentally binged six episodes in a single sitting without even realising it. By the time it ended, I was left wanting more—and to me, that’s the hallmark of great storytelling.

The world-building is rich and immersive, the performances from the entire cast are top quality, and even the side characters bring their own meaningful impact to the storyline. Well, all except for one faceless mage - you’ll just have to discover that one for yourself.

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I read the entire novel

Well first of all, the timeline and many plots got scrambled and sometimes they merged 2 storylines which make absolutely no sense to me (I speculate they just want to just keep some key details without dragging the plot), however if you read the novel, there just reasons to why the author make it that way.
The character is there and quite good and subtlety different from the novel which honestly a good feature in my opinion. Although it is very different from the novel, for instant it feels like MC only love interest seems to be Lian princess and if you read the novel, it basically a harem, despite he did end up living the rest of his life only with her.
Also, I saw many criticisms on the MC accent, and since he is a person from the future, the novel did state that he sounds very different from everyone else since that what he used to (which is the only details I enjoyed but make y'all hate it lol).
I also have to confess I haven't finished the series since I can't cause the film pissed me off sometimes. I know it's unfair, but the characters' appearances aren't portrayed very well, for instance, Wei Yuan and his lover (the Empress), despite their age, they are highly regarded for their beauty, manners and attitude which I just can't see it through the screens.
Overall, I would recommend it cause the fighting scene just an absolute treat to watch and generally it is pretty funny.
Also, this is a COMEDY DRAMA; I love the comic and the novel mostly for the detective scene and Xu Quian supposes to be a police/detective in his previous life (in the novel), IN THE MOVIE HE FELL THE POLICE ASSESSMENT EXAM!!!! And become a real estate agent or something (don't quote me on this) so he would sometimes show good communication and persuasiveness, but I can't see why they changed that detail one bit. Therefore, if you expecting a crime solving masterpiece, there aren't, just some good logical thinking and attentive to details.
PS: I said this already, but I HAVEN'T finished watching the film since my mental health right now just cannot handle it, although I might comeback. Just some small details triggered me since one more thing I really like about the novel is that some small details and decisions made most of the times are influenced by an event or some other small details WHICH YOU CAN'T JUST CHOOSE TO EXCLUDE THEM COMPLETELY FROM THE MOVIE.

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First Costume Drama I was able to finish in a week.

I've been a C-drama watcher since around 2019 to 2020, but even then, I rarely watched costume dramas—and never actually finished one until now.

Guardians of the Dafeng was the first costume drama I enjoyed from start to finish.

One thing I’ve always disliked about costume dramas is the guaranteed pain and angst. I don’t think there’s ever been one without it. That’s why I rarely watched them, and if I did, I usually didn’t finish because I’m very averse to emotional pain and angst.

With Guardians of the Dafeng, even though I knew some angst would come eventually, each episode kept me engaged. I didn’t even realize I was already halfway through the series by the time I started feeling a bit tired.

I think this drama is one of the best beginner-friendly costume dramas you could recommend to someone looking to get into the genre.

Probably the only disappointment for me was the lack of romantic scenes between Tian Xiwei and Wang Hedi. There were a few, but it just wasn’t enough for me.

Also, the ending was a bit rushed, and we weren't able to see any proper ending which is probably intended if they will make a season 2

Hopefully, there will be a season 2.

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Best drama ever!!!

To be honest I’ve never really been a fan of historical dramas but after this I think that may change. I first discovered this drama when I found out Dylan Wang (who I’ve seen in other dramas) was in it. So waited in expectancy for its release and was definitely not disappointed.
There were many laughs even from the first episode and the action and suspense progressed throughout the whole season in such a way that left me anxiously waiting for the next episode to be put out. Dylan Wang is the perfect lead for this role by far. How he expresses his emotions and portrays the character while still allowing some comical relief is just incredible.
Although I am late to write this review I wanted to make sure I watched it twice before giving my opinion. I’d say if you’ve been considering watching this drama definitely give it a try because you’ll surely be surprised.

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Season 2 please! Same cast!

This was a blast. I enjoyed watching something so different from the usual dramas I watched in 2024 - I loved all the characters, the underlying messages of being sincere and incorruptible, and the ridiculous family. I enjoyed the bit of romance because I thought they were cute when they were together. I thought the acting was great by everyone, and will never understand the Dylan Wang hate. He tries all sorts of things, which I admire in a performer, and I enjoy watching him on screen.

I like silly humor, case solving, fantasy world building types of stories. If you start and it seems too silly, you should try watching longer. It keeps having funny scenes, but the story itself isn’t silly.

My only complaint: I want a season 2 as the story lost focus for a bit and there are way too many unfinished storylines. Because the source material is looooooonnnnnnnngggggggg, they obviously needed to cut the story down to drama size. I think just focusing on the Guardians, the case solving, the family and world building would have easily filled 40 episodes. The wizard cult stuff could be explored in a season 2.

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Light, refreshing, witty, with intrigue and action

If there’s one thing The Guardians of the Dafeng proves, it’s that Dylan Wang is on a roll. Ever since I first saw him in Love Between Fairy and Devil, I’ve followed his work religiously, and he has yet to disappoint me. This show? Another masterpiece. It’s gripping, intelligent, and refreshingly light when it needs to be — an absolute joy to watch from start to finish.

What surprised me most was how much I adored the fact that romance is secondary at best in the plot. Coming from someone mostly into romance, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Dylan’s versatility made sure I didn’t miss it.

Xu Qi’an is the kind of character that pulls you in — witty, self-assured without being insufferable, and always aware of the absurdity of his own circumstances. He’s got the confidence of a protagonist who knows he’s the smartest guy in the room but the humility to never take himself too seriously. It’s that balance that makes him so endearing, and the way he seemingly easily gathers allies — from the Bureau of Astronomy to the Guardians, officials, and even the imperial family — just proves how much of a magnetic force he is.

Speaking of allies, the chemistry between the cast is incredible. The Xu family dynamic? Chef’s kiss. They bicker like there’s no tomorrow, but when it comes down to it, they will stand by each other, even in the face of death.

I can’t talk that long without appreciating the supporting characters. Beyond the emotional bonds, the show also delivers on the action front, with each character bringing their own strengths to the battlefield. And when it comes to sheer presence, few can match Yang Yan. His fight scenes are pure cinema. The aura, the might, the majesty — every time he’s on screen, it’s impossible to look away. And let’s not forget Nangong Qian Rou, the only female Gold Gong. A total badass and the perfect blend between power and elegance.

Then there’s Mr. Wei, the leader of the Guardians, whose father-son relationship with Xu Qi’an adds so much depth to the story. Watching their bond evolve, the way Mr. Wei both guides and challenges him, is one of the many emotional anchors of the series.

One of my favorite things about this show is its ability to transition seamlessly from deeply philosophical discussions to the most absurdly trivial matters. One moment, we’re questioning justice, morality, and the law; the next, we’re dealing with some completely ridiculous, almost comedic situation. It’s this ability to strike a balance between depth and humor that makes the show so engaging.

My most emotional twist was Xi Qi’an’s trial, where he was charged for killing a Silver Gong — an act of justice that clashed with the very law he served. Mr. Wei, his mentor, was the one forced to hand down the sentence, torn between duty and the knowledge that Xu Qi’an had done the right thing. The weight of that moment, the tension in their gazes, the silent war between justice and the law — it was cinematic gold.

Xu Qi’an’s brilliance in solving the unsolvable cases made him a highly sought-after asset, with Gold Gongs even competing to have him on their team. The respect he earned throughout the series is palpable. Even characters like Li Yuchun, who started off distrusting him, by the time Silver Gong’s death trial comes around, were already standing up for him wholeheartedly.

A lot of people compare TGOTD to Joy of Life, but to me, the former stands on its own. It keeps things playful even when the stakes are high, whereas JOL— despite Fan Xian’s humor — carries a heavier sense of danger with its plot twists. TGOTD thrives on its witty exchanges, fast-paced storytelling, and engaging character dynamics, making it feel more like a thrilling yet fun ride. While danger is always present, the story never lingers too long in despair. Each twist feels exhilarating rather than angsty. The tension is real, but it never tips into the same level of dread that JOL sometimes reaches, keeping the ride fun and fast-paced.

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This series exceeded my expectations. You can't just see so many of Dylan's acting positions in one person. It's impossible to count the number of emotions I experienced while watching the series. This series confirmed for me that Dylan's acting is of very high quality and is still improving. Series after series is better and better even without acting education, developing his talent prerequisites for acting with an emphasis on the ability to adapt to any character he portrays. He is truly unique. Because as an actor he is truly, humble. He is humble, in every role, because his portrayal of all his characters is not the work of a moment, but a parallel to eternity, this feeling that his acting leaves in me. And only when he portrays a given character with a humility that is inherent to himself, only then does he become great in his talent. Although very young, but his emphasis on portrayal and passion for acting - this is exactly why he is so incredibly creative.

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Couldn’t Make It Past Episode One

Despite the negative reviews, I gave Guardians of the Dafeng a try out of sheer drama drought—but ended up dropping it within minutes of episode one. The opening feels forced and unnatural, lacking the charm or coherence needed to hook viewers in.

Having seen Dylan Wang in three previous dramas, I find his acting consistently underwhelming. He tends to bring the same cocky, off-screen energy into every role, which makes his characters feel one-dimensional. This drama is no exception. His performance here continues the trend—flat, unconvincing, and difficult to watch.

Sometimes a show just doesn’t work from the very start. This was one of those times.

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