Love Like the Galaxy: Part 2

Take revenge...fall off cliff .. but don't make me fall in love with you before that PRETTY PLEASE

So, here we are—Season 2, bigger, grander, and somehow even more circumstantial than before. Secrets that were once teased are now thrown into the open, and an entire palace upgrade has happened. We’ve got a flood of new characters, from the king to the empress, and my personal favorite, Consort Yue—absolute savage, that woman.

Our girl NN is now on her "How to Be a Proper Wife" crash course before marrying Zisheng, because why not? But let’s talk about the plot… Moderate to slow at best. Interesting? Sure. But necessary? Not always. And that five-year time skip? I need answers.

Imagine this—I mess up badly with the love of my life, instead of dealing with it, I pack my bags and run off to the border for five years. Who does that?! Apologies? Growth? Acknowledgment of mistakes? Nah, let’s just vanish and act like that solves everything. Writers, who exactly are you fooling here?

And the leads? Their chemistry went from questionable in Season 1 to baffling in Season 2. Zhao Lusi, babe, what’s up? Wu Lie is out here trying his best, and she can’t even look him in the eyes properly, let alone give him a decent hug. Maybe it was her health issues at the time, but their dynamic felt so awkward. That said, her performance overall? Phenomenal. She had me in tears multiple times.

Now, where this season really shined was the script—hilarious, witty, and saved the whole thing. The emperor, queen, and consort scenes? Gold. Side characters? MVPs. But logical inconsistencies? Plenty.

Logic Challenges This Drama Throws at You:

1️⃣ Every single character has either trauma, revenge plans, or deep-seated emotional baggage. Not a single normal human in sight.

2️⃣ Somehow, NN shows up in the palace and fixes everything in a month. The third and fifth princess lived there for 18 years and couldn’t do it, but sure, she’s the chosen one.

3️⃣ The five-year leap. Again, WHY?! Just because you have no creative ways to counter the crap you have written you will throw it all to the leap ..right ?? The whole idea of him involving her (yet not involving her) in the so called 'revenge' plan was stupid and on top your writing made it unbearable... You introduced the leads as people of high intellect and smartness and yet you came up with this solution... DISAPPOINTING !!!

Despite the pacing issues, this season was fun, thanks to the humor and side cast. But some logic? Thrown into the palace moat.

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Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I finished!!! That was such a long 56 episode journey, finally ended the journey of Ling Buyi (Wu Lei/Leo) and Chen Shaoshangggg (Zhao Lusi). I particularly loved the way it ended, none of them had to die bc I had a sneaking suspicion Buyi was going to die but luckily not. Both of the main did so well in portraying their characters and conveying emotion. The storyline was top tier to, with Shaoshang realizing her love for him at last and Zisheng learning to love her and understand her. One thing I really liked was even after Shaoshang felt betrayed by Zisheng, hearing the sound of her flute play was enough to release his grip on her string even while unconscious. It just pays such nice attention to their relationship and hints at the ending. Anyways, I'm just happy they stayed together after that. A little unclear about the engagement between her and Yuan Shen (Li Yunrei) but it all ended well. A solid 8.5 in my opinion.

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A very romantic, superficially written yet very well produced drama

⚪️ The good:
This is loaded with swoony, romantic, steamy longing and scenes. The actors are impeccably cast and deliver outstanding chemistry. The ML is the absolute standout of this series. The actor will captivate you and make you fall in love with their love.

⚪️ The bad?:
Is the second half. This is where the writing cant follow through on what it sets up for itself. This is where characters reveal themselves to be conveniently smart or stupid for the ease of the writing staff. This is where it becomes apparent this is a superficially written love story.

⚪️ In summary however,;
This is still very enjoyable if you can meet it where it’s at. Don’t expect it to delve deeply even into the serious details its put forth and you’ll be fine!

⚪️ My main issue with the second half:

Was the aftermath of the separation arc.
Even if i get over the abandonment post-accident and only consider what happens after, things still (in my eyes) have been written poorly. They have made Zhao into someone you simply cannot be in a mature relationship with. He will stonewall you the moment he has a major setback and you’ll live your life in a state of perpetual anxiety whether he may abandon you again if things get bad enough. He keeps not telling her anything, whenever he has the option he just lies or omits. Theres implied growth at the very end but no true example of it.

Also Zhao, if you can only see this girl as an inept child even when she is 26, how dare you feel romantically for her? Why is he in love with someone he keeps seeing and treating as nothing but a child?!

Also Mu is an idiot or very intelligent depending on what the plot needs. She could intuit and deduce like the best of them in most of the first half only to be completely stunted by the writer in the latter half. What do you mean you only put it together that your entire support system in Thailand had to be conspiring to lie to you?

As for the dog, they never mentioned when Zhao was given him so i dunno if it was months or years ago. Presumably months but idk.

Im not saying he shouldn’t have sent her away to Canada. Its good for the story that he did, i have issues with the writing of the aftermath. How it should have impacted Mu, the fact that Zhao keeps doing stuff like that even after they reunite, the lack of gravity in how they handle these dynamics, and so on. On an emotional level the characters acted how it was convenient for the writers, not true to what was happening (at least not fully true).

I think the actors, especially the ML, were so good for their roles that its easy to forgive some of the issues.

Im not unable to like something flawed, i totally can. And i like this a lot despite some disappointment. Not 10/10 but i still want more like this production quality, casting, chemistry, intense romance/longing.

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???

Ling Bu Yi, le fils adoptif de l'empereur Wen et un général talentueux et impitoyable de l'armée des armures noires, était en mission personnelle pour découvrir des vérités cachées sur le passé, qui avaient conduit au massacre d'une ville entière et de son clan quand il a rencontré Cheng Shao Shang lors d'une mission pour appréhender un fugitif dans un village rural. Le jeune Cheng Shao Shang avait été laissé pour compteparce que ses parents étaient partis combattre à la guerre. Négligée et sans instruction, elle avait été une épine dans le pied de sa tante et de sa grand-mère jusqu'au retour inattendu de ses parents après de nombreuses années passées au front. Ayant toujours manqué d'une famille aimante, Shao Shang avait hâte de retrouver ses parents, mais les nombreuses années de séparation ont inévitablement conduit à une certaine séparation. Shao Shang, cependant, est imperturbable et déterminée à vivre pour elle-même, et sa nature indisciplinée et audacieuse, ainsi que son esprit vif, commencent à attirer l'attention de pas mal de personnes dans la capitale, dont Ling Bu Yi. (Source : kisskh) ~~ Adapté du roman "Xing Han Can Lan, Xing Shen Zhi Za

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Communication and trust in your partner are important.

Before I start, I hv to say... I didn't expect the instrumental playing throughout the drama was actually from the OST too. I thought it was just the sound effect because when it played, it was giving the anxiety vibes but I love it. This drama was telling story about how the FL overcame the difficulties she had growing up, how to reconcile with not doing it all by yourself and put your trust in your partner/spouse so they wouldn't be hurt by your decision alone without telling them. Also, about parents need to believe in their children, showers them with love and don't punish them over the line.

ML, Ling Buyi, actually this was not his real name so I'm not going to spoil abt that but he was called Zisheng too. Until now I don't know why they called him by that name. I think I missed something. Anyway, our ML was a cold-blooded, ruthless general but a righteous man. He lived for avenging those who participated in Gu City tragedy that massacred that killed his mom's clan and his beloved uncle who was a general protecting that city. I like that Zisheng decided early on he wld know the one he was going to spend his life with and that wld be the only one. So he hold on tight to that principle and would harshly made it clear to the other ladies who clamour for his attention. He was very considerate, like sooo sooo supportive toward the one he fell in love with. Zisheng wld anything for FL even if it cost his life. Even to the point, helping his love rivals' situations so that his beloved would hv a peace of mind. He encouraged and gave freedom for the FL to shows her skills and capabilities. Although, he had his own umm flaw or weakness but he reflected on himself so he was man enough to admit he was in the wrong.

I actually don't believe the fall in love at first sight thing the ML said but I'm humouring this drama bcs well, it was not a reality.

FL, Cheng Shaoshang or affectionately called Niaoniao. At first, she was very stubborn young lady but there was a reason for that. She was abandoned from when she was born by her parents when they had to got to war, she was mistreated by her aunt and her grandmother growing up. Her aunt wanted to raise her as dumb, good for nothing young lady so she didn't learn anything about writing, reading the classics and etiquettes. Shaoshang had to relied on herself, her intelligent and wit to survive. She was good at numbers, interested in building things and machines. Although she tended to land herself in trouble when she decided to pay back the villainesses whom bullied her. When she thought she finally gonna get the love she craved when her parents was finally home from war, she didn't expect her mother wld not fulfil that and that drove the wedge between them. But bit by bit she changed for the better with the help of her gentle and understanding Third Aunt Shunhua, when she got engaged to Ling Buyi and receiving tutelage by the graceful Empress that believed in her. She was actually pursued by Ling Buyi, so she didn't believe in him at first but slowly with Buyi trust in her, she fell in love with his earnest self. They always communicated their differents which was very good thing for a couple to do to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding. It just Buyi also had his own challenges and that'll affect their relationship.

This drama had two love rivals of ML so the 2ndML would be Yuan Shanjian, the arrogant and intelligent scholar who love to push Niaoniao's button and Lou Yao, a young man who fell in love with Niaoniao's fearless personality and earnestly pursued her. I love in that in this drama the dynamic of relationship between the Emperor, his Empress and his one concubine was harmonious i would say?. I also love that they included other couple love stories.

The costumes in this drama were also different in a good way. I really like how the Emperor was dressed but idk why his style reminds me of Japanese ancient style too.

Tbh I don't quite understand how certain scenes suddenly appeared. Maybe that was why I was hesitating to give this 9.5 stars rating. Myb a rewatch in the future might change the rating so who knows.

The ending was fine for although I wish I cld see them get married but I'm okay when it ended like that.

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THIS REVIEW IS FOR BOTH PARTS 1 & 2.

Such an entertaining drama, no less expected from one of the rising actors in China, Zhao Lu Si who chooses good scripts. Her portrayal of a smart but unruly young woman is a hoot, as she captured the interests of many highly eligible young men, including the icy, cold General Ling Bu Yi. Because of her antics, Shao Shang managed to irate many of the ladies that have been vying for Bu Yi's attention for years, as well many of her elders who thought they can undermine Shao Shang's "lowly" position in the society, despite being the youngest daughter of a general.

Though her father dotes on Shao Shang, perhaps feeling guilty for the years of abandonment, her mother, on the other hand, is very strict on her daughter, leaving the latter to think that she was unloved. For her part, Shao Shang does absolutely nothing to make up for loss time as she still held a grudge for the neglect and had become wary of anybody who shows her affection. Bu Yi is the same, as he plots and plans his revenge upon the death of his clan, even at the expense of others.

I loved the intricacy of the narrative and the political/familial/societal drama is riveting, aided by a talented ensemble and diverse characters. I also liked the show's attempt at humor, for example, Shao Shang's dad, the King and Bu Yi's sidekick serving as comedic relief. For all the people in the court that are conniving and greedy for power, I appreciated the fact the the Queen and the King's consort (mistress) get along well and respectful of each other.

The only drawback in this drama is that there are some instances where, to me, the happy ending seems forced and neatly tied in a bow. I would have been fine with Bu Yi's death, as it was for me, so farfetched that he managed to survive despite the dangers befalling him. Also for me was Shao Shang's self-righteousness and how she treated Bu Yi. Her character development seemed weak for me, and sometimes wished she was her bright, spritely self like she was in the beginning. Otherwise, a very good drama.

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This story had potential - the screenwriting & directing ruined it

Another drama I wanted to love and place firmly on my 'rewatch' list. I adore Wu Lei. Zhao Lusi, not so much, but when she finds a role that suits her, she does a fine job. The ensemble cast is the reason (and especially Wu Lei) that I rated this drama as highly as I did. For once, even the absence of smoking hot chemistry between the main leads didn't deter me.

There were aspects of Part I which were slightly better than the disorganized mess that was Part II - but the second part also underwhelmed and disappointed.

I had trouble keeping track of who was who - so many princes, so many princesses, so many ministers, evil and not evil, so many random characters popping up when a plot needed justification... it became tedious trying to remember them all and what their story was. Hence, the holes in the stories. So much time was wasted on slow-motion shots, repetitious angle shots, and pushing the revenge and petty spitefulness to the max. I get that FL was wronged in her childhood. I get that ML was traumatized and also suffered. Those points were played out so much that it got tiresome to watch it. So much so, that when it came to wrapping up the storylines, in that last episode, the viewers really got sold out. Even mid-stream, in the years FL was in the palace - one group scene with everybody in red was supposed to indicate the couples and marriages. Press 'pause' to see who got married to who... disappointing! And that last scene in the last episode - supremely disappointing!

We waited so long for this series and so much hype went into it. Fans of the ML & FL watched, and many may praise it because of their loyalty to these two actors. My opinion might not be popular, but it is just that - my opinion. I was disappointed and underwhelmed with the way the story was told and with the performance of the screen writers and the director. They ruined the piece.

Can I just add my admiration for the great job that Tong Lei did as the Empress? She evoked the only tears I shed in this drama. Her gentle, generous spirit was truly brought out in this actor's performance. I really loved so many of the characters in this series because they did such a great job of bringing their roles to life, and that is the reason I could give this show the rating I did. I also have to mention Wu Lei's fight scenes - and how magnificent he looks on a horse! I look forward to his next historical drama.

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Best historical costume drama I ever watch

I rewatch this drama for each episode more than twice, special for epusode 22, 23 24 until season 2 (episode 36/or 9 for seasion 2) I rewatched uncountable. All cast give their best acting skill, a lot of episode but not make me boring and no skip sceen when I watched. The plot is reasonable, the setting, is good , the CGi is smooth, Lusi and wu lei have a good chemistry, and I think they reach the best acting skill in this drama. This drama make me laugh cry, touched and hate.
Wu Lei is all out doing excercise to get the best body shape and strength so he can carry zhao lusi just with one hand.
Lusi that already have great acting skil, in this drama has the best acting, so natural and so cute.
Also all supporting role, like cheng grandma that make me laugh every time, saosang father that very hilarious, ss mother that very fit portrayed an asian mom, ha ha ha ha .

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A bit overrated - its just ok

I delayed watching this because the trailers all made is seem like a silly comedy, rather than a drama. I prefer dramas. The first 1/3 of the series was more comedic, but then it turned into a more serious, heavy drama. Pacing was off, took too long for the love story to build up. It seemed to dragged on too long after the climax of the series...it was like they just recycled random characters who had smaller parts earlier on, then disappeared for most of series...then suddenly reappeared towards the end just to continue the series? Felt forced and odd.
My main issue w/ this series is the main couple - both the ML and FL fell flat in terms of chemistry. I didn't feel it, but you feel like you have to root for them because they are the main couple. I wasn't convinced of any deep, intense love between them.

Acting/Characters:
- Wu Lei / Ling Buyi (ML) - the only other series I saw him in was when he was a child actor in Nirvana in Fire. So it was hard for me to take him seriously as an adult actor in this series. His acting was a bit stiff.
- Zhao Lu Si / Chen Shao Shang (FL) - she plays the cute, funny role fine. She doesn't fit the image of the most beautiful maiden in the capital. Her sad/crying scenes did not tug at my heartstrings, except for 1 scene where she was bullied by the princesses and almost drowned in the pond - when Ling Buyi unaware of what happened came to visit her talking happily....she turned her back and cried out of self pity but tried to hold it in. That scene broke my heart.
- The Emperor - acting was fine. But the script writing for him seems off - I have never seen a period drama where the emperor was so funny and kind. Even if they are kind at hear, they usually appear serious, stern, intimidating.
- Imperial Consort Yue Fei and the Empress - I liked them, it was refreshing that they were genuinely kind people and not scheming like most royals. I liked the spunk and grit that Consort Yue Fei had, and her relationship w/ the Emperor was cute.

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