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You will get regret if you didn't watch this!!!
Ummmm where should I start? From the beginning when I started watching this, I had many expectations for this as I wanted a drama to watch every evening. Not surprisingly, they didn't disappoint me but surprisingly, it was just more than I expected: the best watch where I enjoyed the drama every second and minute.The story, the plot, the plot twists, the higher and higher climax, the characters, everything was just perfect. Personally, as a person who adored novels, I genuinely love this drama and how it can give me a mysterious attractive feeling like I'm reading a novel or like I'm actually in that universe sometimes from outside and sometimes from the characters.
There are many side characters who are good, loyal, evil, selfish etc. One thing that made the story better was how unique each character was and how the plot, characters, their actions and consequences are so relevant.
I don't want to say much as you would be able to taste the best feeling without any spoilers.
However, in the end, I must say the most important point of the drama which continuously pulled me towards it; chemistric romance between the female and male lead. The way they talk, look, stare, gesture, smile, hold or even kiss, all the things they do just express their thoughts, feelings and chemistry beautifully. What makes it more appealing to me is how they changed their behaviours and words as they developed feelings for each other. At first, I was curious and worried about how they would fall for each other. Nonetheless, this slow-burn love became the biggest piece of the most magnificent puzzle picture. Only with the touch or kiss between the main characters, it's worth watching!
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LOVE IT!!!:))
I just wanted to say that I love this drama and I hope that everyone gives this drama a chance because it’s literally one of my favorites now! The acting is sooo amazing the main leads are my favorite actors and actress so I’m happy that they played this together I also hope that they have more dramas together as main characters like we need a modern world drama of them two I want to see them in many dramas together the chemistry was amazing I truly love this drama and the main leads so I hope you can give this drama a chance have fun watching this!!:))))Was this review helpful to you?
Excellent!
Excellent drama! Very enjoyable!The cast was beautiful and acted well all around. The sets, costumes, hair makeup was all beautiful.
The story was interesting and kept me chasing episodes! Chemistry was very good between ML and FL as well as with the SFL and SML.
Bai Lu delivers as always in costume and looks good with Zhang Ling Hei. She has good chemistry with both males. Zhang Ling Hei is good but he his acting can still improve a little bit. He has good screen presence and excellent chemistry with Bai Lu. Wang Xing Yu was excellent as thr SML! I cant believe he is so young.
Overall highly recommend!
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#mustwatch
Congratulations to the production team for choosing a great cast!! the actors and actresses played their parts beautifully! Their portrayals and emotions were 👏👏👏👏👏The adaptation, the music, the cinematography were 10/10. The story progressed just right, providing the right closure to each character. The music was superb. I hope the OST wins. The use of lightings was smart and provided the right setting for each scene. The action scenes were not excessive and enjoyable, great acting to the father and son tandem. Xie wei's crew provided the right icebreakers and were cute and funny.
Bailu and ZLH played their characters very well. They are well matched. I could feel their passion and strength in their portrayals. Their characters are both 'dominant' and both ZLH and Bailu were on point in their acting. Zlh greatly improved in his acting so i am looking forward to his projects. Bailu is empress material and very beautiful.
Congratulations director! I became your fan after Ashes of Love. This is another masterpiece. 👏👏👏
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My Perfect Kind of Drama
SOKP is so unreal, like the way it has everything I want: fix-it rewrite, isekai, villain x villainess leads, enemies to lovers, intricate costumes, beautiful actors, exploding chemistry, and heavy pining??? How is it possible to be that perfect?I love everything about it, especially the pining. The way the ML was pining for nearly the entire drama is literal gold, and the leads have this tension every time they met, like a string stretched so far wide without them knowing and then near the end it finally snapped. I loved it. They both are morally grey, yet unapologetically loyal, strong and truthful and I loved that about them.
The chemistry is perfect. Everyone has great chemistry with everybody, and I love how the leads all have this presence about them that makes their appearance so magnetic to see, and I find it hard to skip scenes because all interactions are so beautifully executed. All the casts look majestic and I think they really nailed the casting on this one.
What's interesting for me, though, is that I find Zhang Linghe's look serene and peaceful by default, so seeing him playing a red-flag, cunning character is a surprisingly nice experience for me.
The story plots are consistent through the end, and although the ending could use a bit more closure, I am perfectly happy with how it turned out and everyone got the ending the deserve. Also I liked how the evil people are out in the open and consistent throughout the drama, so I didn't have to expect sudden character betrayal or some sorts. Neatly written, brilliantly executed.
P.S: Thankyou SOKP for making Zhang Linghe a father character I'm actually crying real tears he looks so good with the kids. Also every drama with Bai Lu in it, I don't think we have to worry about chemistry because she nailed it every time, no doubt about it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Perfect Ending
As I have read the novel I really wanted Ning Er to know that XW had special feelings for her in previous lyf as well in the drama, as he commits suicide after she dies, this was beautifully shown in the form of a dream which Ning Er has in the end.Their relationship had hints of comedy as well, when he 1st kisses on her forehead and her father see them 🤣🤣🤣, when they fight causing XW to stab himself and everyone around them knows abt it 😁😁😁.
Overall it was really a very good drama, with a hint of every emotion, I really enjoyed it. Now my lyf feels empty as I dnt have to count every hour and wait for new episodes anymore 😔😔😔
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If we have a chance to relive our lives, can we change our lives? Or is it all fated?
Wow... completely mesmerised.Jiang Xue Ning was an unscrupulous woman who schemed and plotted her way to the position of empress. But her reign was short-lived as Xie Wei, someone she had once saved, rebelled and seized the capital together with Yan Lin, her childhood sweetheart. As Xie Wei stormed her palace, she pleaded with him to spare the life of Zhang Zhe, a righteous man who had loved, pitied and helped her, but was sentenced to death as a result. She regretted her evil ways and offered her life for his.
She fell to her death, but to her surprise , she woke up as her 18 year old self. Armed with the knowledge of the 'future', she set to right the wrongs she had done. But along the way, things started to happen again as what she had experienced in her 'previous' life. She wondered whether it was all fated. Were things going to turn out differently for her? Would all the tragedies happen all over again?
What I like about this drama?
1. The story was very interesting. Although there had been a lot of back to the past type of dramas and movies, what made this interesting was someone had the opportunity to redress her wrongs. So you would be wondering how things is going to turn out for her this time. The previous and the current lives were very well intertwined.
2. The chemistry between Bai Lu and Zhang Ling He, the two main leads, was amazing. More accurately, the chemistry between Bai Lu and all the three male leads were amazing. What made it more interesting was that it was difficult to tell in the earlier two thirds of the story who she would choose among her 3 suitors, or would she somehow end up with Prince Linzi again, this time against her will? Even though she said to Yan Lin she only treated him as a good friend, but would his sincerity changed that? Would the stern and scary Xie Wei win her heart? And when she and Prince Lanzi ran into each other again, would Prince Lanzi mistook her for his love and rekindled feelings for her? Would she and Zhang Zhe whom she felt so indebted be together in this life?
3. Zhang Ling He was an amazing actor. He portrayed such a diverse set of emotions so well - the evil traitor, the psychotic, the stern dignified teacher, the jealous lover and the emotional nephew when he saw his uncle. He is one of the few actors who looks handsome when stern. And of course Bai Lu was very good too: the nasty resentful teenage girl, an empress full of regrets and the determined girl fighting for the people she cared for.
4. The overall cast did very well with very little shortcomings among them.
5. The costumes were beautiful and the backdrop was good.
6. The drama started with the scriptwriter not wanting to end the story as a tragedy was interesting: a departure from a scriptwriter drawn into the story as one of the characters. Also, this hit a note with me as I dislike tragedies which left me unhappy.
7. Although an intense drama, there were light-hearted and seriously humorous moments, for example when the carriage driver flipped the carriage curtains only to revealed Xie Wei kissing XueNing, to her stunned father, in old conservative China. And the way the fake Dingfei made fun of his 'father' was rather amusing. When his annoyed 'father' told him he was a disgrace to the family, he gleefully offered to change his surname to Yan (the rival family), and I burst into laughter.
8. There were touching memorable moments, for example the series of events leading to Yan Lin going into exile - Xie Wei recited a poem at Yan Lin's coming-of-age ceremony - the poems were all hinting at what was to come - and his playing the qin at the city gate when he was exiled.
8. This was one of the few occasions when I actually liked the ending. There were the last moment twists.
What I dislike about this drama?
1. There were some comments on Mydramalist about flashing bright light in the background but I was so engrossed in the story that I did not notice.
2. Music was generally good and two of the theme songs were melodious, but not outstanding. I must say music standards seemed to have deteriorated in dramas released since the pandemic. I did not come across many outstanding pieces that left a lasting impression except for those in Till the End of the Moon.
3. A couple of scenes were rather contrived, for example the two scenes that Xie Wei ended up in bed with XueNing.
What I liked about this drama largely outweighed what I do not like. You can therefore understand why I gave this drama a rating of 10.
This time I made an effort to check on the director and screenwriter as well. The director is Chu Yui Bun whose accolades include Starry Love, The Blue Whisper, The Long Ballad, Skate into Love, Eternal Love of Dream, Ashes of Love. Success of a drama production depends a lot on the teamwork: excellent cast, director and script are the obvious, then there is the editing, makeup artist and more.
To add an advice: don't watch any trailer on how the drama would end. Let it hold you in suspense until the end. Then the twist and turns would be less predictable and more striking.
Finally, it would be great if there could be a prequel to this drama. I was wondering how XueNing became the empress given a domineering Dowager who had someone else in mind for the position, and a scheming rival who more than matched her wit. But the main cast for the prequel must match this drama. Of course, this would be a tall order as I had not seen many sequel successfully completed or had seen sequels which were disappointing flops.
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Amazing
I really love this drama though I wish there could have been more romance between the lead. Everything felt rush at the end as if they are trying to rush the romance since they skip it a lot in the beginning. Other than that, everything was well putted and a very good ending.The music is very catchy as well. Love the songs!
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This review may contain spoilers
A Dark Tale of Love, Revenge, and the Cost of Ambition
I went into this series completely blind, and I must say, it was a refreshing experience. Many people found the plot hard to follow, but for me, that challenge was a welcome change. I dislike when writers overly simplify the story and spoon-feed the audience, so the complexity and mystery kept me engaged. Even though I didn’t know all the details from the start, I was able to pick up on the key elements quickly. My advice is simple: focus on what the story reveals, not what you don’t know yet.At its core, the story revolves around Ning'er, a woman driven by an unrelenting ambition to become Empress. Her ruthless quest for power leads her to betray Yan Lin, her childhood friend, after his family is massacred. However, her ascent is short-lived, as the Emperor dies and Xie Wei, along with Yan Lin, stages a rebellion that seizes control from her. In a desperate attempt to save Zhang Zhe, a righteous scholar and the man she loves, Ning’er makes a drastic decision that alters the course of her fate. She commits suicide in exchange for his freedom, only to wake up in the past, determined to avoid repeating the mistakes of her former life.
What makes this series so compelling is its exploration of power, betrayal, and redemption. The political intrigue is woven with themes of family strife, personal ambition, and the consequences of one's actions. The show is not without its darker moments, but the execution sometimes felt mismatched—while the story is heavy and dramatic, the production uses bright colors, humor, and slow-motion shots that created a strange contrast with the weight of the plot. Despite this, the story itself is gripping, with surprising twists and complex character relationships that kept me hooked as I discovered more with each episode.
The performances are captivating, particularly Zhang Ling He’s portrayal of Xie Wei. He embodies a character that’s ruthless yet strangely charismatic, someone the audience can’t help but root for despite his dark nature. Bai Lu as Ning'er also does an excellent job portraying a complex character who’s not just a villain but someone who’s deeply scarred by her past. The chemistry between the leads, particularly in the slow-burn romance between Ning'er and Xie Wei, is palpable, though the relationship dynamics are far from traditional. While the romance isn’t the main focus, it’s present enough to add emotional depth to the narrative. Overall, I enjoyed the series for its complexity and compelling characters, and Zhang Ling.
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What can be said for this drama ?
A superb , suspenseful show that combines drama and Romance involving the politics at its best .incredible storyline and spectacular acting from all the actors , i personally think till now Zhang Ling He gave the best performance of his career in this one .
the Fl is adventurous , brave and witty , She knows what she wants and isn't shy of getting up snatching it up.
the ML is a grey character who gets pretty obsessive over the FL , he has a dark and twisted childhood. He fights to maintain control of his memories and always knows what to do and how to handle situations .
Also the drama has a host of deep side characters who are more than just side characters , the second ML isn't just here to make the ML jealous but he has his own emotions and his journey towards his career .
the princess has the best character development the growth in her character is great .
the only two things i'm not satisfied with are :
- the way some scenes are directed , I found it extremely exaggerated .
- the death of You Fang Yin makes no sense she died pointlessly to protect nothing , it comes from nowhere , i think it's the stupidest sacrifice a drama character has ever done .
otherwise the show is really worth exploring .
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The most unhinged love story you will ever watch
To start off, let me express that I never anticipated this drama to ascend to the zenith of my watched list. The notion of toxic couples typically repels me to the extent that I adamantly avoid any narrative steeped in toxicity. However, a shift in my perspective occurred after encountering this particular storyline. Now that this is acknowledged, let us delve into the nuances of this show.Oh, the celestial heavens! Is this not the most captivating storyline I've ever witnessed? My disdain for characters masquerading as intelligent solely based on their aesthetic appeal, manipulating those around them without contributing substantively, is palpable. Yet, Xie Wei and Jiang Xuening defy this archetype. They possess genuine intellect, evident both in their past and present lives, coupled with a touch of selfishness—a character trait that adds a layer of complexity that I find inherently intriguing. They are acutely aware of their flaws, refusing to conceal behind a facade of sanctity. Instead, they openly acknowledge their transgressions, displaying an intimate understanding of themselves. The beauty lies in JX's discovery of love in her present life and XW's revelation of true love through his connection with JX.
Now, let's delve into the characters. Xie Wei defies the conventional male lead archetype, bordering on a second lead, if we're being candid. His relationships with others are a facade, meticulously crafted to showcase only what others desire to see. A loyal companion for the king, a strict yet compassionate teacher for his student, a manipulative official for his colleagues, and a formidable teacher for Jiang Xuening. However, with JX, he gradually reveals his true self, unintentionally unveiling his vulnerability and guarded nature rooted in the fear of abandonment. Love is a foreign concept to him, a sentiment he associates solely with his mother and uncle, while his godfather taught him that love equated to lust. Guarded and afraid, he inadvertently finds himself risking his life for someone else, a prospect that terrifies him.
Jiang Xuening, an extraordinary character, manifests selfish and cruel intentions in her first life, a result of lovelessness and neglect. Deprived of love and care, even her adopted mother fails to provide the warmth she craves. Her pursuit of becoming the most honorable woman in the world as the queen is a consequence of her belief that she could never be important. However, this pursuit prompts her to question its worth. In her present life, she retains self-awareness, relinquishing the ambition for personal importance in favor of prioritizing others. Starting with the desire to protect herself, she gradually learns to love others, feeling their affection, with one exception—Xie Wei. She fears him due to their shared past but also feels an inexplicable pull towards him. What began as mere attraction blossoms into a mutual understanding.
This drama is truly exceptional, and I fervently hope that future dramas can aspire to match the nuanced characterizations exhibited by these protagonists. Their complexity and depth are nothing short of remarkable.
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