Good, and yet ...
Again, another case od the very good Chinese actor cast in the so-so good script and directorial steering.What can I say: nothing new. And the scriptwriter gives it up completely in the last episodes.
It is all clichees. I have seen stories like this, delivered like this.
And when the characters introduce their lines with an obicuitous "by the way", you know that imagination just died ....
Now, really, how many times a month do you introduce your own words with "by the way", let alone during a daily conversation?!
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It's good enough to kill time
If you like in-house fighting, ensemble casts and multiple plots this might be the one for you. The first few episodes almost turned me off. It was messy for lack of better words. But once you get passed it, things started getting better.It's my first time seeing Ren Min in anything but I've seen many people praising her acting chops before. So color me surprised that I find her acting only passable here. Plenty of it has to do with her line delivery. (I've seen many comments on her high pitched voice but that's a non-issue for me, how can I fault her over something she's born with.)
Instead her intonation and inflection feel flat to me and lack of emotion. This flaw is especially exacerbated because her dance partner in this drama Zhang Wanyi is streets ahead of her in terms of voice acting. It's one of his strong points. This is one of the rare instances that made me wish they dubbed the FL. In terms of acting, many times I feel like she's cosplaying here. When I'm told by the script that the FL is smart, I expect layers but her Luo Yining lacks depth and charisma. It's a pity because I have a feeling that this is not her in her full capacity.
Zhang Wanyi is an excellent actor. And I have to give him the most credit because he’s my biggest motivation to keep tuning in. As an actor he's grounded, understand his character well, and very good at conveying emotions through his expressions and small gestures. In this drama I want Luo Shenyuan to succeed more than anything, for his family who always looks down on him to eat crow and for his enemy to fall.
The chemistry and rapport between the leads are nice and easy which I think is fitting because they started as faux siblings.
Lu Jiaxue is supposed to be a domineering character and Chisa did a good job to make me feel really annoyed at how overbearing and oppressive Jiaxue is.
As an ensemble drama, the other supporting characters are good and mostly suited their roles. You'll like the ones you're supposed to root for and will most probably hate those you're meant to hate.
In conclusion, this series is a bit frustrating for me because it has potential to be so much more, but it's not. But the good parts outweighed the bad parts so it's still worth to check out.
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Consistent plot and characters!
I really love this series. I still rewatch it from time to time. The production seemed low budget so the story and actors really made up for it. The story was really nice, and the characters were well written, consistent and smart. Of course, it is not perfect, but overall, the pacing was good, well balanced and easy to watch.Was this review helpful to you?
The Rise of Ning – Courage and steady love
🔹 The kind of story that feels calm but slowly works its way into your heart🔹 Would I rewatch? No
🌸 Overview
🔹 36 episodes, historical romance
🔹 Adapted from the novel Shou Fu Yang Cheng Shou Ce by Wen Tan
🔹 Bai Jing Ting plays Luo Shen Yuan, the brother who protects with quiet care
🔹 Song Zu Er plays Luo Yi Ning, the daughter who’s been hurt but learns to stand tall
🔹 The story begins when Yi Ning comes back home, faces old wounds, and starts to uncover the truth about her mother’s death
🌸 How It Felt Watching
🔹 More family drama than palace battles, but still full of emotion
🔹 Their bond grows slowly, from keeping distance to standing side by side
🔹 Felt warm, hopeful, and sometimes heavy when the past caught up
🔹 Themes of loyalty, healing, and choosing love
✨ Cast & Acting
🔹 Bai Jing Ting as Luo Shen Yuan, calm and steady, always showing up when she needed him
🔹 Song Zu Er as Luo Yi Ning, closed off at first, then let us see her
little by little
🔹 The rest of the cast kept the story moving, with moments that added humor and tension
🎵 OST
🔹 Splash Ink (泼墨) by Liu Yu Ning
🔹 Rather (宁愿) by Curley Gao
🔹 Peaceful (安宁) by A Lin
🔹 Double (双) by Zhang Yuan and Chen Zhuo Xuan
🎞️ Production Style
🔹 Sets and details made the family world feel lived in
🔹 Costumes fit each role without taking over the story
☕ Tea Notes
🔹 What I loved most was how the romance remained steady even when the family drama became messy.
🔹 Would I rewatch? No
☕ SpillTheDramaTea’s Rating: 8/10, a nice brew, I enjoyed it
✏️ As SpillTheDramaTea, this story illustrates how love grew stronger with each choice.
✨ Which moment made you believe they were all in?
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Sweetest Family Drama (minus creepy villain)
Among the dramas this year, Rise of Ning seems like a breath of fresh air. The main characters Luo Yinning and Luo Shenyuan are, as you can guess from there surnames, siblings (But not really!) A lot of people might feel uneasy shipping them but I do think there's not much problem. First, the Fl lived separately for most of their lives. Once they met again ML almost immediately found out they are not biological siblings. From FL's pov it can be a little grey but then again it doesn't really affect much. I love love love the family. Lin Hairu, ML's (and FL's) sort of step mother is much better than most bio moms in cdramas! The grandmothers are absolute OPs. This story has all the things I love, the trope of di daughter takes revenge on concubines, and a ML that's not cold for once. The villain is the only part that kinda irked me but that only shows his great acting. The villain Lu Jiaxu is a creepy, stalker that obsesses over Fl but still hurts everyone around her. Overall, I really enjoyed this simple and sweet drama. Nothing too melancholic, just fun and enjoyable.P.s: the side character's romance is soo cute. I love how they include body positivity and show the chubby sixth sister is lovable inside out.
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Another surprisingly well written story
Love the script. The lead couple have great chemistry as well as the second couple. I love the fact that the lead couple are so devoted to each other and don’t forget the second couple wherein the guy did his best so he could convince his family that his gf is the only girl he’ll marry in that lifetime 😊. The aunts are villainous but the grandmothers have surprisingly good attitude towards the female lead’s character making this drama great despite the other bad characters surrounding her.The Soundtracks are great too as well as the costumes. And despite ZWY’s supposedly deadpan face, it doesn’t make me dislike his acting.
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This review may contain spoilers
Cute but..
I like the cast but when you go from "siblings" to having feelings for each other that's gross to me . Doesn't matter if they are not blood related but story started out the were siblings. Wish they pushed her story with LU Marquis more. Even the Uncle & niece story was not it. A family affair that's what it should've been calledWas this review helpful to you?
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DONT UNDERSTAND WHY FL ACTED LIKE THAT
FL once loved 2nd ML. she is smart and understanding. but when it came to Lu Jiaxue, she became so clueless. such as when LJ interrogated her, when LJ blocked her way, LJ forced her, LJ being cruel to the Luo family members, she became so passive and submissive. she should tell LJ directly that she didnt love him anymore, hate him and etc. she was not smart here.she was not being honest to ML. she was angry to ML cause he didnt tell her a secret. but she also got a secret between her and LJ (she told ML later). i felt it kinda annoying.
2nd ML repeatedly harmed her in many ways. but she still respected him everytime he went to see her. she didnt feel scared or at least feel disgusting or annoyed, i just dont understand. it potrayed as if she allowed LJ did everything to her.
not to mention her acting was a bit “wooden”. her tone was almost same when she was angry, sad, happy, confused or scared. her facial expressions though were very bad.
i really dont satisfy with her acting. i wont complain about her voice. but her acting was really not up to par with ML. sorry i need to rate low because of her.
ML did a great job. but fl needs to improve her acting in next dramas.
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I'd rather just rewatch Minglan
Enjoyable drama ruined by pacing in the last arc. seems the director wanted everyone to fall in love with the evil 2ML, he had way too many scenes of him just brooding silently, moping around, or scheming to disrupt the main leads' romance for way too long into the story. skipped most of the last few episodes because I just wanted it to be over and I much preferred the novel's ending. overall, I'd rather just rewatch The Story of Minglan because at least the 2ML in that isn't as obsessive, annoying, and creepy.Was this review helpful to you?
ML face is like a mannequin
The story was interesting in the beginning but as it progressed ML developed feelings for the FL as soon as he knew that she is not blood related.Sibling relationship is one of the purest. You need a convoluted mind to jump into a loving relationship with someone whom you knew lifelong and called sister. Even after getting past this complicated relationship, I couldn't enjoy this because of the ML acting. He is like a statue with no emotions(This is not the only drama that I have noticed). Eyes should speak volume but he barely blinked his eyes. A great actor uses eyes to convey sentiments and passions but I noticed none of those.
Many people in the comments praised the ML voice. Just remember he is an actor not a voice actor. One should possess great acting if not the other.
I continued watching this for the FL , SML and the step-mom acting. The legal step-mom character was so bold and refreshing and she portrayed it very well.
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This review may contain spoilers
sweetness and controversy
It's a slow-paced period romance, some people won't have the patience to watch it, but it has interesting and somewhat taboo themes that are treated lightly.Luo Shen Yuan and Luo Yi Ning are raised as siblings, children of the same father, which already generates a discussion about possible incest. After a few years apart, Yi Ning returns to the Luo residence and the two, now adults, are one and the same. There is a mystery surrounding Yi Ning's mother. Shen Yuan discovers that they are not blood siblings, to his relief, since he is already head over heels for his "sister". There is fighting, competition between the family, imperial competition, revenge, everything a historical romance has to offer. The second couple is the cousin of the two protagonists with the Sixth Uncle, brother of the Lady of the house, the wife of the main couple's father. Although there is no blood relationship in the second couple, it is also a taboo subject. They are cute and you root for them too. The ending is super happy.
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Ambition, Resilience and Complex personal relationships,
"The Rise of Ning" is a compelling drama series that explores themes of ambition, resilience, and the complexities of personal relationships. I was addicted and eagerly awaited each new episode. In my top 3 costume dramas 2024 so far…Overall, "The Rise of Ning" is a captivating series that successfully blends drama and realism, offering viewers an insightful look at ambition and its consequences. With some refinement in pacing and dialogue, it could elevate its impact even further. Fans of character-driven narratives and social themes will likely find it an enjoyable watch.
Strengths
Character Development : The central character, Ning, undergoes significant transformation throughout the series. Her journey from obscurity to prominence is well-crafted, showcasing her struggles and triumphs. Ning reintegrates quickly and smoothly back into the Luo family.
Narrative Structure: The storyline is engaging, with a balance of tension and emotional depth. The pacing is effective, keeping viewers invested in Ning’s challenges and victories.
Cinematography: The visual aesthetics are noteworthy, with vibrant colors and dynamic camera work that enhances the storytelling. Locations are beautifully captured, contributing to the series' immersive atmosphere.
Themes: The series addresses important social issues, including gender equality and the sacrifices made for success, making it not only entertaining but also thought-provoking.
Supporting Cast: The ensemble cast adds depth to the narrative. Each character has a distinct role, contributing to the overall storyline and helping to highlight Ning's evolution. Each actor executed their role really well, especially the ML and FL. Duke Wei was a particularly uplifting well thought out character.
Areas for Improvement
Subplots: Some subplots are not as well developed as the main story, leaving audiences wanting more depth or resolution for certain secondary characters.
Pacing Issues: While the series generally maintains a good rhythm, some episodes feel rushed, particularly during pivotal moments of character development. More time could be spent on these transitions.
Dialogue: At times, the dialogue feels overly scripted or dramatic, which may detract from the authenticity of the characters' interactions. More natural dialogue could enhance viewer connection. The story was left a little waning in places, the main male protagonist behaviour with the FL was not historically correct - entering and leaving her abode at will…
Predictability: Certain plot twists may come off as predictable, which could diminish the impact of major revelations in later episodes. Introducing unexpected elements could enhance the suspense.
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