The Rise of Ning (2024)

Well... I was completely unproductive while watching this

I'm gonna say that first, I read the novel. And I liked it as a good read, although there is a lot of aggressive/raqey vibes and grooming and ML was not a good guy (also a lot of the characters had pretty toxic traits). (But they were all very complex characters in the novel). So I do like that the show decided to polish the characters. A lot is the same while a lot is different. I do like the changes the show made though.

Now onto the review with spoilers:

Story:
ML and FL are both outcast members of their family. ML is the illegitimate unfavored son who is completely neglected and vilified by the Luo family. FL is the daughter in the same family (they are siblings) who is legitimate but unfavored by the father and sent away when she was young. (This is a change that I like, because in the novel, he ends up basically raising her and she was A LOT younger in the novel). FL and ML bond and develop a very close loving relationship (as siblings).

That is until ML learns that FL was not in fact his biological sister (her mom met another man when separated from her dad). And then ML starts crushing hard on the only person who's nice to him. Meanwhile, ML is trying to uncover the truth as to one of his mentor's death and FL is trying to discover why her mother died.

This leads them to encounter FL's former crush who she met while she was exiled from the family when she was younger. SML is very possessive. And you know, for some that might be a vibe. And I'm not opposed to being possessive either. But he's possessive in a stalker way - in the way that's I don't care about what you want, only what I want. SML has some guilt because he thinks she died because of him (she sort of did - having been pushed off a cliff because he was having an affair with another woman to consolidate power while leaving her as a side piece). But SML is firmly on the bad guys team.

FL discovers she's not her Luo father's daughter, gets a better father -- Luo father sucks -- but the step mother is AMAZING (Hairu is my favorite character).

And eventually things work themselves out -- with a lot of drama in between.

Really good drama. I will say though, I skipped almost every scene that was the cousin/sister and the uncle together after the hungry prince went away. I was not invested in their relationship.

If you're looking for the palace drama, then that's not going to be in here (and honestly it was better off for it, cleaner). But they did give FL independence (which tbh she was in desperate need of in the novel) which I loved for her.

Acting:
The leads did a great job. ML manages to capture the standoffish vibe while also being really approachable and friendly perfectly. He's amazingly cast. FL was exactly how I imagined her in the novel - the description is basically her. They both have a lot of chemistry and charisma on screen. I loved SML as well, I was so invested in his plot (even while I was actively routing against him). All the adults/parents did amazing, especially step mom.

Music:
Good but unremarkable.

Cinematography:
beautiful.

Costumes:
STUNNING!!!

Overall:
a must watch. Very very good.

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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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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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It's a cool story that holds the attention

It's a dorama that starts slow, but it already starts well. As the episodes go by, you can easily get attached to the characters and the story. There are some slower scenes (like most doramas), but nothing that hinders the development and timing of the plot.

The novel, as for, is nice to watch, but don't expect something hot and a breathtaking chemistry. It is built little by little and in a subtle way.

The secondary characters are great, fill the story well and are well explored.

In general, the story has no errors and holes, and manages to hold a lot of attention.

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Inverted Corners

It was a good series in general. It wouldn't be a lie if I said I got bored towards the end. I watched it by skipping some parts. I was surprised in the 39th and 40th episodes. The scriptwriter wanted to make us twists and turns, and good things happened in the first twist. In the second twist, the Jia Xua character, who was assigned to the border, is removed from the Guard Command and asked to go to a new duty station. A couple of scenes later, this character kidnaps Yi Ning, detonates explosives. He kills many people. He also breaks the Prime Minister character out of prison. Then, to the Shen Yuan character who wants to stop him, he says I am the Guard Commander and I am arresting you. The scriptwriter is saying what a diet, what a pickled cabbage. You know, this guy was removed from the Guard Commander and was going to a new duty station. How did he become the Guard Commander again, and block the road with a lot of soldiers, kill people, and kidnap people? It didn't work. Because the Emperor dismisses him. A man who is dismissed can never do that job again. He took it but he still can't say Commander, I'm still here. A Commander was already given in his place. These parts were left vague and in the end, this person suffered the consequences of what he did. He died. The incident ended. It was a happy ending. But these last two episodes overshadowed all the previous episodes and unfortunately left a bad impression on me, causing me to give the series 7.5 instead of 8.5.
The series actually started well but the plot got complicated. This prevented a good progress. The story did not continue the same from beginning to end.
I think the shining star of the series was Ci Sha. I have watched her before but she really made her presence felt in this series. She played a fixed-minded, obsessive lover and a despotic man beautifully. She was very successful with two separate identities. She overshadowed the leading roles. I like Zhang Wan Yi. I have watched a lot of her series. She has a certain line. It doesn't spoil it. She is a good actor. I liked it. I can't say the same for Ren Min. I watched one of her series before. It wasn't bad but I felt like she was a bit flighty or something, she couldn't give herself to the role. I didn't like his voice either. They didn't grin much as a duo, but Ren Min fell short. My opinion. He should focus on his roles a little more. He should get into it. The voice and dubbing should work. I liked all the other supporting roles. The acting was very good except for a couple of grins. The costumes were very nice. It was sparkling. The shooting was very good. Congratulations to the director. I don't congratulate the scriptwriter. You can watch it to pass the time.

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kinda mid but still good

it took me a while to finish, I started while it was airing at the beginning. At last got more interesting pass ep 30.
I wouldn’t recommend to someone who wants to watch this only for romance, the romance was mostly a side plot and slow burn. It was more at the end. We’ll get back to it.

The good for me :
- the acting from everyone I would say
- the music
- the costumes, makeup and hair. Everything was good and pretty
- cinematography and setting were good
- both FL and ML are very good and interesting characters. Smart, strong in their own way, beautiful and capable. Them working together. I like how they overturn the evil people plans and were often on step ahead. Like against concubine and the aunt. ML can fight.
- no annoying problems or misunderstandings between the leads
- I was particularly interested in ML story. How he rises to his position, getting first place in the exams one by one and become top scholar
- I think my fav thing about this drama is Duke Ying. Probably became my fav character, I loved him a lot. Such a good and caring dad, a good person, etc… Awnn how he cried when she got married. When they first met, how he seemed nervous and rearranging his clothes and hat. Such a good and refreshing character. Also… for a “middle age men” he was hot ahahaha
- the relationship between FL and her father and biological family. How she got close to her siblings. I liked every interactions of FL and her dad
- I love both grandma
- I really loved the mother character, how she both cared for them as her own children. She’s a good mom and good person.
- second couple was cute I guess even if I didn’t really like them much
- The wedding was beautiful, even if trash guy interrupted.
- happy ending, pretty good and decent ending. Wasn’t rushed and it’s good we got to see them with a kid. The last scene with everyone was very good, seeing the siblings and cousins back (we haven’t seen them since first master wife exile I think). Satisfying everyone on good terms and happy I guess (not really the dad for me, but we have to accept it)
- the last few eps were good and exciting for the most part

Negatives point for me :
- I feel like this at some point for almost every cdramas, even more 40 eps dramas (that’s very long), it get dragging and boring at some point in the middle mostly. But here, not gonna lie, I was bored a lot compared to normally even with the great leads characters. I watched a lot at 1,5-2x. The beginning was good, we were getting to know the characters, ML doing the exams, but I was bored and then after ep 30 got more interesting again. 5 eps+ could have been cut and that could’ve help. 40 eps was too long, Maybe this kind of drama was not for me. Felt slow at time, a lot of talking, scheming family members and not much action. little ML actions moments and fighting were good though. I watched before some cdramas maybe a bit more oriented on family and less on romance too, but I was more hooked. I honestly can’t point out why I wasn’t that into the drama. Maybe if I watched it last years or at another time it could have been different, I will never know
- Personally it was too long for the reveal (it dragged for me, but not surprise Cdramas writers almost always drag things), almost ep 30. FL with her biological family was one of the best thing, we could have got 5 more eps of that at least
- ML dad, he was trash, treated them badly for years, no consequences whatsoever, redemption arc. He became just fine all of the sudden and happy with them at the end
- I don’t think the romance was that good. I say some chemistry and enjoyed scenes. They were cute together though. Few peck kisses and hugs, bed scene was cute, they also look good together
- SML was such a lame and annoying character. The actor did a good job I would still say, he’s handsome and a good actor, second time I see him. He was doing the annoying guy with unrequited love in “A date with the future”. The guy had nothing going on except being obsessed with FL, wanted to be with her and force her. It the only thing I will remember him has. Did he even do anything else ? I honestly don’t remember, wasn’t paying much attention since I just find him annoying and uninteresting. He could have been an interesting character maybe if his point was not only being obsessed with FL. he still got some good moments against ML. Every scene was just repetitive and annoying at some point, I was rolling my eyes at the end. Him and FL “running into each other”, the same interactions all over again through the episodes. It wasn’t necessary… But at least he wasn’t that present and FL was pretty clear. I liked how she wasn’t swamped by him and was trying to keep distance and didn’t care about him. He was delusional till the end. Kidnapping her on her wedding night… that was too much…. and was not needed. Ah can’t stand this guy. At least he’s dead, but kinda easy death… and why did they make him die saving her, just nah
- I’m sorry, but the worst things in all of this for me was FL calling him THIRD BROTHER till the very end, even when they are a couple, married and with a kid! it was already kinda turned off for me to enjoy the developing romance because she still called him “brother” after she find out he was not her brother. that was just so weird to me that she called him that till the end, I don’t know why they wrote this
- FL’s voice is not that bad, people were exaggerating. Maybe a bit at first, but got over it pretty fast. not something to make you drop at all

I still rated it pretty high regardless of these because of the positive point

So since the leads are great and the plot is interesting in general, friendship and good family moments, happy ending, I would recommend

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Good start, Mediocre end

First 20 Episodes are actually quite good, pacing story just nice. However towards the next 20 episodes it become dull, I fast forward the last 20 episodes. I think this series will be good if it just ended at 24-30 episodes to not make the audience bored with unnecessary scenes
Music is good, costumes also good
Acting:
1. Applause acting to second male lead Ci Sha who play Lu Jia Xue, actress who play mother Lin Hai Ru and actor who play Duke Ling. And the duck who always tried to take out the ribbon around its neck :p
2. Cast : The story mentioned that Luo (Wei) Yi Ning is a fragile weak lady, not sure why Ren Min cast and play this character? She doesn't portray weak and delicate lady at all.. a lot of Chinese actress have that features with better acting skills. The actress playing 5th sister and 6th sister act better than her.
3. No chemistry between the ML and FL.
4. This is second series that I watched for both FL (Ren Min) and ML (Zhang Wan Yi)
Compare to the other series that Ren Min play (I watched the longest promise) her make up here is much better and I think she lose weight so her face does not looks that mega big (still big though in certain scene). Acting wise, looks slightly better than in the longest promise, however her smile is indeed still fake, there's no different on her facial expression between angry and shock.. all looks the same with her effort on widen her eyes.
Zhang Wan Yi acting looks the same with the other series that I watched (Lost you forever). Either the character is the same or?

Overall it is still watchable and enjoyable (especially the first 20 episodes).

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Pleasantly surprised!

I was pleasantly surprised by this drama, and it's not like I was planning to watch it before it even aired but I was in a mood for an historical piece and a Zhang Wanyi fan, so why not?

The story, we have all seen before, but there's something about an underdog rising among the ranks of his family and court that's very satisfying to watch, particularly when it's deserved and well developed.

I confess I wasn't all that interested in most of the supportive characters. An ensemble cast ca be tricky and, most of the time, supportive characters get overlooked. In this drama, this doesn't necessarily happen but, however, I do think most of the supportive cast serves as a player to push the leads' story forward and, most of them, don't get their own story per se. This doesn't mean the story is not good but, compared to other dramas like this one, it's a little lacking on this part.

Ren Min, Zhang Wanyi and Ci Sha do most of the weightlifting in the story, all of them giving really solid performances with the first two perfectly casted as the leads, and the latter delivering one of the most unnerving obsessive characters I have seen in a while.

Overall, I think this was a really good watch and enjoyed it.

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