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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 🤣🤣🤣
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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.
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In my top 3 favorites for historical dramas
The Rise of Ning is one of those dramas that doesn’t rely on spectacle or constant twists to hold attention, it earns investment through consistency, character depth, and narrative discipline.At its core, this is not a romance-driven story, even though there is a central relationship between Yi Ning and Shen Yuan. Instead, the drama builds itself around layered family dynamics, political maneuvering, and long-buried truths that unfold with deliberate care. What stands out most is that nothing feels wasted; every storyline, every character, and every reveal contributes meaningfully to the overall narrative.
The pacing is slower than more plot-heavy or high-intensity dramas, but importantly, it never drags. The story is always moving forward. Developments feel earned rather than rushed, and the writing trusts the audience to stay engaged without forcing artificial tension or repetitive misunderstandings. That alone sets it apart from many dramas that claim to be “slow burn” but rely on stagnation instead of progression.
Yi Ning is a strong, intelligent female lead whose decisions consistently drive the story. She is not reactive or passive, instead she observes, calculates, and acts with intention. Shen Yuan complements her perfectly, with a restrained, controlled emotional presence that allows his actions to speak louder than his words. Their relationship develops organically, grounded in trust, loyalty, and shared experience rather than overt romantic gestures. The fact that the drama includes only a few small kisses underscores this; romance is present, but it is not the point.
The supporting cast is equally well-developed. Even secondary storylines—such as the dynamics involving Yi Xiu, Lin Mao, and Han Zheng—feel purposeful and fully integrated into the world rather than existing as filler. The early family conflicts within the Luo household are intense but narratively justified, and the later shift into political intrigue expands the scope without losing coherence.
The final arc, particularly the Marquis storyline, is where the drama elevates itself further. The tension is not rooted in shock value or cruelty, but in precision; carefully constructed plans, emotional stakes, and the looming consequences of each decision. It’s the kind of tension that creates a physical reaction because the writing and acting fully sell the stakes.
Visually and musically, the drama reinforces its tone beautifully. The OSTs are especially notable: subtle, emotional, and perfectly aligned with key moments, enhancing rather than overpowering the scenes.
Overall, The Rise of Ning succeeds because it knows exactly what it is. It doesn’t try to force romance, inflate drama, or rely on extremes. Instead, it delivers a cohesive, character-driven story with strong performances, thoughtful writing, and a steady, satisfying narrative arc.
It’s not a fast-paced spectacle, but it is consistently engaging, emotionally grounded, and exceptionally well-executed.
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Watch this if you liked Story of Minglan and/or Destined
AMAZING! It gave me flashbacks to story of Minglan, and Destined. I wish they added few more episodes to wrap the ending better. It was really nice to see Minglan intelligence again although it wasn't as good as minglan's schemes it felt good. I was glued to the story as it progressed well and didn't have misunderstandings. At one point I felt they would breakup but the trust between them was strong and as such the Ex-lover couldn't break them. I do hate how the Luo family's second master (Ml's father although he never cared about him since he was maid born ) repeatedly punished physically and because of his inability to distinguish between right and wrong.Was this review helpful to you?
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Entitled socialites paraded around like relevance was hereditary. Next
This story should have been called, “How I escaped the clutches of an obsessive lover and jumped into the arms of my brother.”I could only finish this drama by watching it at 1.5x to 2.0x speed, especially where the second couple is concerned. I wasn’t really interested in watching them in a goose chase with one another, with a literal goose.
Barring that, I was watching this show mainly for Wan Yi’s portrayal of the multi-talented Shen Yuan, who seemed to be the master of all trades despite being shunned by his family. Equally good in his performance is Ci Sha as the Marquis Jia Xue who roamed the earth and strong-armed people, including the very object of his affection, into submitting to his desires.
Though Yi Ning is touted to be as smart and cunning as the next Female Lead in C-drama land, the limited range of Ren Min’s expressions, coupled with her shrilly voice, made me wish I had a selective mute button to press. Questionable are also Yi NIng’s actions that jeopardize all the hard work that Shen Yuan did to protect her. She seems like a self-righteous character to me, expecting from others what she herself cannot provide.
Also relegated to the annoying department are that insufferable Lady Qiao and her entitled children. Good riddance to them.
I’m not opposed to a pseudo-sibling romance, but only if it’s properly established, such as revealing the birth secret to both characters early in the story. But it wasn’t. Also, I expected both families to object to their relationship, but they seemed unconcerned, even highly encouraging their siblings-turned-lovers relationship. For all their talk of appropriateness, this was certainly out of left field. Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised, as anything is possible in fiction.
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A FL who grows into role.
The storyline has enough twists to keep binging. The domestic intrigues were more captivating than the court manoeuvrings. There were too many gaps of credibility especially wrt Shenyuan's abilities and the overly psychotic preoccupation with Yinning and Lu JX relationship that had many sketchy details left hanging.Ren Min got better and grew into her role. The supporting were often as captivating especially Dong SY as Yixiu. The maids and Bro gang were great, too, esp Qing Qu. Not sure what was the purpose of Cheng Lang.
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Thrilling Romance & Great use of actors
The story was somewhat known to other drama. The parts of The Marquis with Yining should've had more to it. Cisha is hot and he brought that Marquis character to my liking where I hate and love him. The story behind them from the past was beautifully done. If that was revealed abit more in the beginning along with it's own agenda to lead into where we meet the new Yining and her 3rd brother that would've been great. This would've been at least 45 to 50 episodes instead of 40.OTHER THAN THAT ALL ACTORS WERE AMAZING
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Most predictable, incest-type drama I've seen
Do NOT have high expectations if you are coming to watch this to recover from the drama, A Splendid Match. In Rise of Ning, the stylist hates them and the writers hate them because tell me why, their outfights are so garish along with this wacky, boring plot line.I cannot reiterate how much I hate the "siblings"-to-lovers trope. I hate it to my very core. It gives me such ick that the couple would grow up together and literally call themselves brother and sister but all of a sudden, they found out they're not actually related, they start a romance?? Like HUHHH?? Personally, family is not blood to me. If I call you my brother, you are my brother for life. I also find the chemistry to be so lackluster, no yearning at all. He's just so cold.
What's even more crazy is how insane the chemistry is between the FL and the second ML/antagonist. A chemistry so potent that they starred in another drama together. I would literally skip scenes until I see their interactions. Don't get me wrong, the antagonist is incredibly toxic but I'm a sucker for the Cinderella trope. It's such a compelling dynamic as he wars with himself whether she's his first love and she fights to hide her past identity. He's a walking red flag but there's no denying he truly loved her.
I will shamelessly promote the better version of Rise of Ning which is A Splendid Match, the drama in which they finally play the main couple. It has the same tropes; cunning x cunning leads, political/royalty subplots, fight for power except this drama has the better romance, style, and execution.
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DON'T WATCH!!
Idc that they're not actually siblings but this is soo nasty. Like at the beginning yall knew yall were siblings and later found out yall aren't and but yall already develop feeling for each other duing the sibling stage like yuck. I love the actors but why did they have to ruin a good drama into some wired fake sibling now to lover plot. I can't get rid of the thoughts about how they were sibling. If u can get over the fact about it then watch it but it's not my cup of tea.Was this review helpful to you?
What the heck is this ?
Looking forward to this drama for ML after watching "are you the one" . Into 2 episodes so far and why the heck is storyline like this ?ML is the 3rd son and FL is the 7th daughter of the same father ( different mothers) . Cant injest this scenario and expect romance here.
I'll drop this for now and wait for other reviews. Truly disappointed 😞
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1This review may contain spoilers
Comecei a assistir The Rise of Ning por causa do ator Zhang Wan Yi. Eu havia assistido antes Are You The One e gostei da performance dele e quis conferir um pouco mais. Comecei a assistir meio às cegas sem saber muito sobre o enredo. Mas fui surpreendida por um bom drama familiar de época com protagonistas carismáticos que carregaram bem a história e me fizeram assistir religiosamente os episódios lançados diariamente sem deixar acumular nenhum tamanho era meu interesse pelo desenrolar da história. Apesar de lá pelo episódio 35 a história ter ficado um pouco mais chata e o último episódio ter sido bem frustrante até perto dos momento finais. O final feliz compensou as raivas que passei assistindo aos últimos episódios.O início do drama lembra um pouco The Double no aspecto de que a protagonista, Luo Yining, é retirada do convívio familiar ainda criança após ser acusada pela segunda esposa de seu pai de ter causado aborto de seu filho. Mas pelo menos no caso da Luo Yining, ela ficou em uma casa de campo da família. Nesse período de isolamento ela se aproxima de um homem, vizinho de sua casa, e os dois têm um relacionamento que acaba de uma forma trágica. Com Yining sendo vítima de um atentado supostamente orquestrado por esse homem.
Ao voltar para a casa principal da família Luo já adulta, Yining se aproxima de seu terceiro irmão, Shenyuan. Ele é o filho de uma serva que enganou seu mestre (pai de Yining) e acabou ficando grávida e dando à luz a Shenyuan. Como é filho de uma serva, Shenyuan é desprezado por quase todos da casa e não é considerado legalmente um membro da família Luo. Além disso, ele carrega uma missão secreta: vingar a morte de seu mestre que foi injustamente acusado de corrupção e executado.
Por serem desprezados na família, Luo Yining e Shenyuan se aproximam e começam a ajudar um ao outro em seus planos para superar as injustiças na família. No decorrer dos episódios vamos descobrindo que os dois não são irmãos biológicos, pois Ning não é filha biológica de seu pai. Shenyuan descobre a verdade primeiro (por volta do episódio 8) e começa a desenvolver sentimentos românticos pela Yining, mas sempre a respeitando pois ela não sabe a verdade.
Shenyuan é um personagem maravilhoso. Ele é paciente, inteligente, determinado e forte. Além de intelectual ainda esconde habilidades marciais que usa para lutar contra os corruptos. Gosto de como ela espera a Yining saber a verdade e entender os sentimentos que nutre por ele sem em nenhum momento impor seu querer sobre ela.
Ao contrário dele, o Marquês Lu, sempre agia de forma violenta e forçando uma intimidade com a Yining que me deixava passando mal de raiva. O Marquês era o vizinho da Yining da época em que ela estava na casa de campo. Ele estava lá para se recuperar de um ferimento que o deixou temporariamente sem visão. Por isso, não conhecia o rosto de Yining e passa boa parte da trama tentando comprovar que a Luo Yining é a sua Meimei (nome falso que a Yining usou na época). Um personagem odioso.
Depois de várias reviravoltas Shenyuan é oficialmente registrado como membro da família Luo e a verdade por trás do nascimento de Yining é revelada, bem como a identidade de seu pai biológico permitindo assim que os dois possam viver o amor sem nenhum impedimento sanguíneo.
No final tudo termina bem, com um final feliz para os protagonistas e os vilões tendo o final que merecem. Apesar dos últimos episódios terem sido um pouco chatos por causa da obsessão do Marquês Lu, com direito a rapto da noiva no dia do casamento, tudo terminou bem para os nossos protagonistas.
Os atores principais desempenharam seu papel de forma brilhante e os dois formam um belo casal. Até o ator que fez o Marquês Lu também foi brilhante porque me deixou odiando o Marquês com todas as minhas forças. Sinal de um bom trabalho por parte do ator.
Gostei do drama em geral e indico para quem gosta de histórias cheias de dramas e intrigas familiares. O drama também tem sua parcela de intriga política, mas diria que o drama familiar é o que de fato carrega a história.
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The Rise of Ning
buat aku dracin nya HAPPY ENDING, dracin kolosal terbnyk epsnya 40 buat aku 3 hari udh lumayan menguras mata.Acting dari tiap karakter udah bagus banget, emosi di tiap dialognya dapat, dan Konfliknya lumayan agak berat, hairstyle lucu kepang dua sesuai karakter Ren Min
untuk karakter nya Yi Ning sama Shen Yuan pinter bgt di bandingin sama gw msh kalahan gw😭 taktik nya itu udh di persiapan dulu sblm serang, Shen Yuan menurut gw tipekal yg dingin, keras kepala, buat onar, trus buat Jia Xue gw ga suka terlalu obsesi + posesive bgt, oiya untuk ceritanya hampir sama kyk The Double cwe sama cowo nya sama2 pinter untuk segala taktik nya buat musuh nya, trus keberanian, kekuatan, kerja sama, dan keadilan buat ibu nya Jiang Li sama Yi Ning.
dracin yang bikin gw greget sama cwe nya si Yi Ning org nya ga peka, ngambekan, keras kepala
untuk aku rewatch sampe 5x juga gw sanggup, ga bosenin, cukup di rekomendasiin dracin seru bgt
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