The Rise of Ning

Newest favorite Actor

This is the 3rd drama of Zhang Wan Yi that I have watched. His character in Lost You Forever is my favorite and the sole reason why I was able to finished the first season. Second Drama was Are you the One and I was hooked from the very start. I just wished the story was longer. I developed a routine to watch it every single night. I'm so happy that he is in this drama, I don't have to wait that long to see him act. This is my first time giving a review and i apologize if it is all about ZWY. The story is good so far. There is enough screen time for each character. At first, I was bothered by the Female lead's voice quality but later on I got used to it. It's just that usually for strong and clever character, tone of voice is stable and calm. I know the story is about her but I'm actually more excited inZWY character's revelation. That he is not who they think he is.

Read More

ACTORS

Things that I like about the synopsis is that no connection to Emperor or any Emperial family which rarely in costume C-drama. It just about dirt in Luo family, which about petty family dispute that we got a lot from C-drama; over jealous, rivalry, status, denigrating, incapacitate family members, treat each other with disdain. Pretty standard & common synopsis. So, why is this drama stand out? Timing & Male Leads.

ZHANG WAN YI (Luo Shen Yuan)
Zhang Wan Yi, he's getting better with his craft, he's sometime has empty eyes but most of the time he's doing great. a illegitimate abandon son whose rise to the well-rounded minister, a scholar that know how to fight. Attentiveness, indulgence smiles, great stature, soft persuading voice, costumes that enhance his persona, great intonation. Wan Yi is good in retorting dialog; friendly battering to his attendant Shao'An.

REN MIN (Luo YiNing)
Has the annoying voice like Dilraba & Yang Mi, high pitch squeaky short breath voice that has no spirit. I think she's better couple up with Zhang Wan Yi rather than Xiao Zhan (in Longest Promise) as Xiao Zhan has exceeding look than any females. Maybe Ren Min needs a voice trainer to help with vocalization. Her acting is like a weak delicate feeble girl which supposedly appropriate with her character. For an experience actress, I think her acting isn't much noted. An average looking, nothing special girl that got so lucky with 2 men fighting over her (sigh!).

CI SHA (Marquis Lu Jia Xue)
He's the testosterone element in this drama. Very intense, male dominant, yet has charming smiles. I like him in the Legend of Heroes and this too. When he grab someone roughly, I can also see his vein shows he might really hurt somebody (wondering that), his face can transform from cynical to sweet. I hate he has to acted upon as a maniac lover, that has to force an average girl to be with him although he's been rejected many times over (let it go already!). I am rooting for him to have better roles in the future but please do not pick feminine male-roles because that's going to ruin his male charm.

Read More

Not very interesting

This drama is plagued with lots of issues that caused me to drop this one after 11 episodes.

The Good

Actors are mostly using their own voice which is nice to hear. Production quality is a little on the better end down to the costumes, wigs, makeup, lighting; although, the production still isn’t the best. The story is fast paced so it keeps you engaged. OST is decent. Lin Hai Ru’s character was a refreshing addition to the storyline.

The Bad

The plot is recycled, at least up to the first 11 episodes that I watched. Even though reused plots are very common in CDramas, some of the others are a little more interesting than this one due to better acting in those. The biggest issue I had in this drama is with many actors seeming like they are just reading a script. It also comes off very dull and monotone with the two main leads. No emotion shown with them, like they are just going through the motions. Up to this point, it’s been difficult to connect with any character. Lastly, the schemes are anticlimactic since they are the usual tropes.

Read More

A bubble (tea) drama

I’m sure it comes as no surprise that most drama will try to grab you and hook you as soon as possible. First impression is very important after all. This is why this drama left me perplexed.

I started to watch and halfway through the first episode, I had to stop and checked that I’m not watching ep.2 or even ep.3 by mistake. This was unsettling and caught me off guard. The reason for this is that the drama starts with little preamble. We are introduced to a large cast but there is not much to hook you. Much happens but what are their context? Why should we care?

This is probably a good point to pause and explain why I called this a bubble drama. I coin this phase because this show exists in its own bubble. There is little point in pinpointing the historical context. Costumes and backdrops are fairly generic. It also play hard and fast with some key cultural norms. I can understand they have to do it to make the story work, but it is self-serving. Its inconsistency means you are constantly second guessing the story's rationale. This extends to minor twists which are nonsensical but necessary to get the plot out of a bind. OBTW, if the show gets to the point where it is overloaded with artificial sweeteners then it will be a bubble tea drama. :)

Granted, most turnkey idol dramas are poured from the same mould. It is not a hanging offense if that is its only problem. In this case, we have some fundamental issues with the basic premise. For example, the title is The Rise of Ning. However, while she was sent away as a child, she grew up just fine and is well educated and provided for. She is fully supported by the senior wife as soon as she returns. Her grandmother dotes on her. She is resourceful and well adjusted. She is the heir apparent to the family fortune. This is just as well because her father is a hapless tool. How much higher can she rise, Queen Ning mayhaps?

She set about to right some wrongs done by her father's favourite concubine almost immediately. She and her spoil daughter neither have the means nor the brains to do more than simple dirty tricks. Tiresome and despicable they may be but hardly evil masterminds. What is odd is the official wife was long suffering but grew a backbone as soon as Ning shows up. There is also a mysterious "puppet master" but his motives are hazy. He might even be closely related to the FL.

The ML is also treated poorly by the family as a semi illegitimate son yet he is a great martial artist and a scholar to boot. There is no explanation of how he reaches those heights with limited resources. On top of that, he has assembled a crack team who is willing to die for his cause. I'm sure more will be revealed but consider at the 1/4 mark, we are still lacking a clear focus, it is testing. From my perspective, both our leads are already standing on solid ground with little room to improve. Compare this to recent shows like Blossoms in Adversity or The Double and you will know how low the protagonist can get.

Then there are the constant chatter about scandals and arrange marriages but that's old news and boring, to be honest. All the typical high society shenanigans are present and accounted for.

May be we can look towards the romantic plotline to lift the story? This is where it is even more problematic. Oh wait! Our OTP are supposed to be brother and sister sharing the same father. By ep.8, the ML has found out that the FL was not related by blood after all. That might fix the basic moral problem but the FL doesn't know that and any relationship between them would be technically incestuous. I'm sure she would find out soon as the Chinese censors would not allow this to stand. It still makes for some awkwardness as their attraction builds. The writer might lean more into this just to inject some angst in an otherwise flat drama.

Adding to its woes, I have to confess that I don't ship the leads. Yes, they make a handsome couple but their chemistry is questionable. We know they are the OTP because that is obvious. There is no plan 'B'.

On the other hand, the production value is decent if pedestrian, the OST is serviceable. Most of the support cast are from central casting but they try.

It is watchable and mildly entertaining but it never hooked me. So after 9 eps, I've decided to park it for now. It is not a hard “NO” but more “can't be bothered”. Peace.

Read More

"The Rise of Ning" – A Story of Love, Identity, and Fate

"The Rise of Ning" is a compelling historical drama filled with family intrigue, romance, and personal growth. Luo Yi Ning (Ren Min), the neglected legitimate daughter of the Luo family, returns home after years of exile, only to find herself entangled in love and secrets. She forms a deep bond with her third brother, Luo Shen Yuan (Zhang Wan Yi), an illegitimate son who understands her pain. Their love story is beautifully woven, built on mutual support and quiet devotion, leading to a heartfelt marriage. While Ren Min is visually stunning, her acting at times feels a bit stiff, making some emotional moments less impactful. In contrast, Zhang Wan Yi delivers a stellar performance, bringing depth and nuance to his role, and making the romance all the more poignant. With breathtaking cinematography, intricate family dynamics, and a love story that tugs at the heartstrings, The Rise of Ning is an unforgettable journey of love, loss, and self-discovery.

Read More

Wholesome storyline with captivating and adorable CPs | Insanely obsessive 2nd ML.

"Anyone who can endure what ordinary people cannot is not someone to be taken lightly." - Luo Elder Madam

Looking back at the whole narrative, I think this is the lightest drama I have watched in a while. It has some suspenseful and thrilling scenes, sure! However, what made me truly be at ease during those moments was the ever-reliable and trustworthy connection between the main characters. This is the type of story where, no matter how bad and messy the situation may be, you will still feel calm and relaxed. Simply because you know that the main characters speak and think as one, and that they can always turn any predicaments into triumphs and opportunities. In short, you will not be stressed by shallow conflicts and misunderstandings between the leads, as their maturity and prudence will spare you those cliche drama plots.

Honestly, I was quite displeased by how kind and considerate Wei Yining (FL) is, to the point that it became my primary issue with her character. This is because her acts of kindness and leniency often become an opportunity for her enemies to scheme against her. But then, as the story goes on, I realized that although she was like that, she is the type of person who will not allow herself to be trampled on. She is rational and mentally prepared for such situations and can typically formulate countermeasures to fight back against those people who want to bring harm along her way. Nonetheless, I wish she had been a little more firm in imposing consequential punishment immediately—even on their first attempts—instead of letting them get away with it.

I also just want to mention how I loved Wei Yining's birth plot so much. There was nothing special about it as it is commonly used, however, what made it so special was the satisfaction, pride and comfort it brought to the story. Imagine getting disowned for being an illegitimate child, only to find out that your father is a much powerful individual. Beyond that was him being a great father who's never afraid to show his immense love and affection towards Yining. When they try to bring her down by tarnishing her origin but she ended up soaring even higher! In addition, she got the greatest wedding perks I have ever seen in a drama. Marrying into the family she grew up in, so formalities and filial duties is no longer a burdensome obligation. Such a relief!

"Those who believe you will always believe you. Those who don't believe you won't change their mind no matter how hard you try to explain." - Wei Yining

Another topic I want to talk about is the family dynamics and synergy in this drama. It was deceptive and dysfunctional at first, but as time passed and as the people who caused harm were dealt with, the situation gradually became peaceful. Although it became less crowded and lively due to family members leaving to pursue what they want and for some other reasons, I am just glad that they were able to realize their misconducts and tried to make amends for it by taking a path where they can find peace and hopefully achieve greater things. That is why watching them reunite during Bao Er's (the lead's child) 1st month birthday celebration felt more meaningful and heartwarming to watch. I sincerely hope for them to find closure and peace for whatever issues they have had. Although I am still skeptical and doubtful of Luo Yilian, I just wish she really had changed /Crossfingers/.

Additionally, let me just mention how awkward yet adorable Luo Chengzhang (2nd master of Luo mansion) l inin trying to build his relationship with Lin Hairu (2nd mansion principal wife). I hope they can eventually become an affectionate couple. I still disdain Luo Chengzhang for being biased and hypocritical but seeing his progress makes me feel at ease. Lin Hairu, on the otherhand, deserves all the love and praise for being such a great sister and mother figure for the entire Luo Household. I love her character very much!

Lastly, I was lowkey hoping for a noble and mighty looking 2nd ML to contend the ML, but sadly we got a brazen and lunatic one... He's impertinent, persistent and obsessive. The only good thing he did is catching that arrow for her at the end. Satisfying death I would say. Bravo. Haha!

P.S. This show should be recommended to those fickle individuals who can't be contented. Hopefully, they can pick up a lesson or two from the outcomes of being tangled with more than one person and learn how to be faithful. This show just proves how turbulent and messy polygamy is.

Story - 9.5, What I loved most about this drama was its wholesome and gentle storyline and its ability to keep me comfortable, even during the chaotic conflict scenes. What I wish could have been better was for Wei Yining to be bolder and more retributive in granting judgment. I also noticed that they off-screened a ton of scenes; it would have been nicer if they had shown these on screen instead of the audience being surprised by events that had already occurred without our knowledge.
Acting/Cast - 10, ​I am satisfied with the actors and actresses and truly appreciate that they were able to capture the vibe the drama required. The kind characters look genuinely kind, while the bad characters look and act truly wicked. This show also made me appreciate Ren Min's beauty a lot.

Music - 10, The BGMs in this drama truly SLAP! Their placement was on point and blended perfectly with the mood of the scene. They were melodic, gentle, and comforting, which complements the scenes they're accompanying.

Rewatch Value - 9.5, It was light-hearted and wholesome, which made me genuinely enjoy watching it. Highly recommend, especially to people looking for a lighter and peaceful costume drama.

Overall - 9.5, The biggest selling point of this drama for me was its straightforward and stress-free storyline—a narrative that makes you feel at peace while watching it—and the lovely casts who livened up and brightened the entire show.

IF you find my review helpful please let me know.

Read More

More of Mystery Than a Romance

**This is just my opinion. I truly appreciate all of the hard work and dedication that went into the production of this drama. Thank you.**

In an effort to keep this short and spoiler free, I'm going to skip the plot summary and just cut to the chase. This is a good drama with talented actors who did a great job. It felt more like a mystery/life/family historical drama for most of the episodes rather than a romance. Yes, there was romance and multiple couples but they were overshadowed by a ridiculous amount of actual murder and mayhem. You would expect that inside a palace or something like that but this was just a mid level official's family.

Ultimately, the only character that I was really rooting for was Lu Jia Xue, played by Ci Sha. I wanted him to get his redemption arc and happy ending. I wish that his and Luo Yi Ning's relationship was explored more in depth. It was interesting and the emotion felt real. I didn't get that from the relationship between Luo Shen Yuan, played by Zhang Wan Yi and Luo Yi Ning, played by Ren Min. Not that it wasn't there. I was just more drawn to the story between Lu Jia Xue and Luo Yi Ning, the desperate longing his character felt for her, the tear filled look in her eyes when she spoke to him---all of that was moving. The relationship between Luo Shen Yuan and Luo Yi Ning is more like a warm friendship in comparison.

If you like your dramas filled with a lot of revenge, scheming, attempted murder, etc. then you'll probably love this drama. If, however, that's not your thing, you might want to skip this one.

Read More

And Ning Rises Indeed like yeast... like a hot air balloon... She Rises

I decided to watch this drama because of the ML. Having just watched him in "Are You The One", I decided to get another dose of this charming ML. I think I'm gradually becoming a small fan of his. I really enjoyed this drama tremendously and I want to rave a little about it!

What I LOVE about it:
-The plot is exciting, dramatic, suspenseful, engaging, riveting... :o) Everything one wants in an entertaining drama.
-Everything is nicely explained as much as possible and wrapped up in a timely manner. The plot does not drag on and on about nothing. Issues are raised. Issues are resolved and explained to viewers. Lovely, IMO! I am someone who likes to have this 'sense of closure' before moving on to the next issue.
-The cast is generally excellent. Their acting is natural and pleasant to watch. I have to say that I think that the FL has quite a bit of room for improvement as she comes across as simply reciting lines instead of truly being in character. At times, she seems kind of startled by what she is to do or say IMO which comes across as rather awkward. Nonetheless, her winning point is that her character LYN is a feisty and smart lass. I love watching women who can hold their own fort and stand up for themselves despite the injustice and odds. I like her character LYN. She is not the screamy, shouty, air-headed kind of FL. She plots, she schemes, she plans but she has a fairly good heart and does not do things which are too awful. She just wants to find the truth and to have justice returned.
-I like the cast and I think the ML is wonderful in this drama. Again, he nails it! I like Duke Ying in this drama. Some parts are LOL cute e.g. when LYN's awful 'father' shouts, "Who is your father?" when she calls him 'father' and then, LYN's father shows up as Duke Ying. So y'all - that's who her father is, ya? :o) LOL! I like the fairly light-hearted moments which provide relief and humour.
-Diehard lovers in the form of LSY and LJX. LJX, while overly obsessed in a unhealthy way, just really loves LYN. LSY and LYN's love seems gradual and very believable. Lovely to watch them.
-The OST is pleasant.
-The visuals/ costumes are lovely.
-I like that the villains are fairly quickly dealt with.
-Happy ending which is so great. Nonetheless, I found the ending a little rushed.

What I Do Not Like So Much:
-The murderous and hideous villains but well, without them, there won't be much of a plot.
-Qiao Xiao Niang's kids are quite insufferable.

Overall, superb! I wanted to give this excellent drama a perfect 10/10 but FL's acting has room for improvement. In fact, I thought of other better possible actresses who could probably deliver as well as or even better than her.

In essence, this exciting and intriguing drama is lovely to watch. I highly recommend this drama (as well as "Are You The One"). Thumbs-Up!
<3 <3 <3

Read More

from ↘️to↗️ True to its title.

It has its own highs and lows. There were times I felt like giving up watching, but as always, I stayed—and eventually, it started to become more interesting to my taste when the truth about the main leads was finally revealed on both sides. I even had to restrain myself from enjoying their chemistry. 🤦🏻‍♀️😭🤦🏻‍♀️😭 It just made me uncomfortable.

The first few episodes were so-so until it reached a certain point. I like that they always get justice. However, it's kind of unbelievable at times when the male lead is always three steps ahead in every situation. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 (Not just him, but the female lead as well.) He did make a few mistakes, which helped made him look a little more human. Maybe this was their way of compensating for making them both suffer early in the drama? 🤣🤭🤣🤭

I don't know if it's just me, but I believe the female lead's hairstyle doesn't help accentuate her beauty. There's an overemphasis on her upper head—since it's already wide and her chin is narrow, it makes her head look big and bulky. If I'm not mistaken, she seems to have an inverted triangle face shape due to her wide forehead and narrow chin. She's prettier when her hair is down. However, I'm not well-versed in the hairstyles of people from their era, so... 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ Her character is sometimes too stubborn for her own safety. Sigh.

When it comes to the male lead, he seemed smitten early in the drama, but later he came across as too self-assured—like he knew the female lead wouldn’t turn him down. Even if you're incredibly smart, doubts will still linger when feelings are deep and true. He's a good actor and quite suited for serious, masculine roles, but I didn’t see love in his eyes in the latter episodes. Unlike the female lead, whose affections toward him visibly progressed through her facial expressions, especially after the dynamics shifted. I guess he acts well when feelings are being suppressed rather than being expressed.

I've heard a lot of comments about the female lead's voice, and yes—at first, I was kind of surprised that that's how she truly sounds. It's cute, and I appreciate that it's not performative. The male lead's voice is soothing to the ears when he speaks calmly, but it becomes quite authoritative when he's angry. Versatile, indeed.

The supporting characters are impressive too, especially the elders in the Lou Family—their acting really stands out. I love the second wife of the male lead's father the most; grandma comes second. As for the male villain in their love story, he’s handsome, but he has such a strong presence that I get genuinely scared and anxious whenever he appears on screen! 😭🤦🏻‍♀️😭🤦🏻‍♀️

It may not be truly well-written, with some unbelievable and irresponsible characters—excluding the villains, of course—and unrealistic plot twists, but overall, I enjoyed it. I just wish there were more wholesome, fluffy moments between the main leads right after the truth was revealed to everyone.

Read More

A VERY GOOD UNDERRATED DRAMA

I was waiting for this drama for quite long. Reserved in WeTv as my watchlist & it really didn’t disappoint. I love Ren Min’s acting since watching her previously.
The story of this drama is good, acting is good & chemistry between the 2 main leads are very good. All other characters also very good too. The love story between Luo Shen Yuan & Luo/Wei Yi Ning is so beautiful, their love, trust for each other, supporting & protecting each other.
The villain character was also portrayed very well. His obsession for the Luo/Wei Yi Ning is scary, not real love, just pure obsession & don’t want to lose what he believed only belongs to him alone.
All the OST are very good, love it.
Definitely worth watching & rewatching. I have rewatched few times & still rewatching 🤣🤣🤣

Read More

Definitely worth the watch, but could've been a few episodes shorter

If you like romance costume dramas with all the typical tropes, you should enjoy The Rise of Ning. I really enjoyed it despite its flaws. And really by flaws I am only referring to the character Lu Jiaxue, but more on that later.

Standouts for me were Zhang Wan Yi (because of course) and Zhang Yao. Honorable mention to Huang Meng.

WheneverZhang Yao was on screen, I was entirely captivated by her elegance. I thought she was the best actor (actress) in the entire show. I don't know how Chinese awards work, but I felt like she deserves a nomination for this role. She was perfect in every scene from her expressions to her mannerisms to how she delivered her lines.

The chemistry between Yining and Shenyuan was great, despite some annoyance I had with Yining. Watching him fall in love with her was delightful and I wish the romance had more time to truly develop. How she never really showed any romantic feelings towards him until way later made her seem so naive, and that is not who she is for any other part of the show. The way it is, it was like 35 episodes of him falling in love with her, and her just being the best sister ever, then a few episodes of romance with of course all kinds of trauma and chaos and finally a happy ending. There was so much more potential that could have developed between them as a couple.

Ci Sha's Lu Jiaxue was ultimately a very pitiful character. I feel like they tried to make us sympathize with him far too much, and maybe I could have if his arc hadn't lasted so long. Honestly, it took up far too much of the show. The saving grace is how easy on the eyes he is, but I still really ended up hating his character only because there was too much of him. I did not feel like there was a good balance between his evilness and his (delusional) love for Yining. Every time he came on screen I thought "here we go again" and frankly, I had that too many times.

A bit of the inner harem drama was unnecessary but what is a costume drama without it? Still, it isn't one of my favorite aspects of the shows. I definitely have a love-hate relationship with them.

Also shoutout to the romance between Lin Mao and Luo Yixie. They were absolutely adorable and were so fun to watch.

I truly appreciated the homage to The Story of Ming Lan. I thought it was done very well, but I will admit at the beginning that I was a bit turned off thinking I was going to be watching essentially a remake. Fortunately, this is not that, and in my opinion it worked very well.

Give it a watch. I think it was worth my time.

Read More