Love Like the Galaxy: Part 2

A mind blowing adventure thats truly worth 56 ep.

Wow talk about an exciting drama that included all A+ actors and actresses that i could feel what they felt while portraying there characters. There are many episodes that you just laught at and it broke the tension of the sad ones. As normal all the princess were spoiled and full of themselves and put down or hurt anyone that spoiled there plans. Especially Cheng shaoshang who was a thorn in everyone side due to Li Buyi/zisheng/Huo wusheng falling in love with her. Im a fan of Rosy Zhao as an actress and how well she portrayed her character. I am also a fan of Leo Wu and again another amazing actor that didn't fail in portraying his stern and powerful persona. I loved his 2 side kicks Qi and Fei who would go thru thick and thin with him and protect her at all cost. There were so many different characters and back stories to each family and the writers did an amazing job bringing it all together. A must see.

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S1 + S2 = Wholesome drama

Review for Part 1 + Part 2:

When 'Love like the Galaxy' was announced, I thought it was one of the coolest Cdramaland pairings ever. I was not wrong here at all. Zhao Lusi and Wu Lei are the best possible actors for their roles in the drama.

Owing to the new rules on restriction on number of episodes for airing dramas, I thought this drama would be split randomly. However I was wrong and it does seem like two different seasons of a larger narrative.

PLOT:
I would argue that the drama is more centered on the FL rather than the supporting characters or even the ML. We literally see Niao Niao from her younger, isolated days to her journey in life. This drama reads more like a character sketch and the events that unfold are plot devices leading to the growth of the character. Of course, there's family, friends, betrayal, lessons, mistakes, love and all of that along the way. This drama is really about a modern-thinking woman trapped in the ancient patriarchal society which was an interesting perspective.

CHARACTERS:
Niao Niao was not the kind of FL I usually like. She's incredibly flawed and yet I couldn't help but root for her despite her shortcomings as I, as a viewer, knew that she isn't a bad person deep down. She was more selfish than I could count and was definitely dealing with trust issues stemming from her childhood hardships and abandonment. Her parents loved her but her relationship with them was so strained. I loved the conflicts between her and her mother but the Season 2 plot focused on other aspects.

I loved the ML owing to the amazing performance from Wu Lei. I sympathized with him and he also frustrated me like Niao Niao at times. However the bond they had with each other was lovely and very realistic.

Among the supporting characters my favourites were Niao Niao's father, her siblings, the Emperor and his wives and a few others. S2 is largely amazing owing to the Emperor whereas S1 was more fun due to Niao Niao's smart wits. Her smartness stays constant and I loved that she never wanted to be rescued by a man and instead preferred to look out for herself.

ROMANCE:
While I expected some epic romance, this is a wholesome drama and mixed with many genres. Romance is not the key focus but a somewhat important one in Niao Niao's journey to maturity and womanhood.

With whatever little Wu Lei and Lu Si had to make it work, they absolutely rocked it. They literally seem like a perfect match which I never would have imagined! Their BTS were too cute and I hope to see them reunite once more.

WHAT WORKED BEST:
-Solid writing, great cinematography and the big budget in the drama were very evident
-It's got one of the best acting I've ever witnessed by such a large cast in a Cdrama
-Amazing leads!!

WHAT COULD'VE BEEN BETTER:
-The ending : it was okay but it was the biggest flaw of the drama
-More skinship : I'm a sucker for WL-LS pairing and some more lovey-dovey moments would have been great

OVERALL:
It took me a while to finish it and I admit to skipping couple of plots but it was one of the best dramas I've watched till date and arguably the best of 2022 among all Asian dramas.

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A slow burn but worth it

LLTG has toppled Nirvana in Fire off the number 1 position in my personal top 10 Cdrama list.
This drama has everything, love story, revenge, family dramas and palace politics.
I cried, laughed and cheered while watching this drama and it’s not very often that I come across a drama that is totally engrossing.
The cinematography is superb here. I thought the sets, costumes, sound tracks and makeup all played part in making this drama so beautiful.
I can’t say enough about the incredible chemistry between the main couple. Leo Wu has grown into a man in this drama and his acting is very convincing as LBY. My favourite scene has to be the ‘Red Birthday’ (LBY’s final revenge scene). Leo Wu looked unhinged and I totally bought into his psyche. I think Zhao Lu Si has done a great job of portraying CSS. Her portrayal of an immature 16 year old girl is amusing and annoying at times.
The director did an awesome job of making their love story seem so real. The script was beautifully written, this drama makes me want to learn Madarin.
The relationship between the Emperor, Empress and Consort Yue is endearing. It is refreshing to see those characters all getting along like a real family.
This drama may not be perfect but it is a beautiful drama that is highly entertaining.

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With all the hype that it's surrounded by, LLTG has a distressingly underwhelming storyline

This being my second historical c-drama, I so regret being cross about Who Rules The World - it was a masterpiece really, especially after watching this.
(This is a collective review for both the parts)

I initially thought that this drama would be better than WRTW because of the ratings and reviews on MDL, so maybe it was just because I went in with high expectations, but boy was it annoying. All characters were ridiculously one dimensional ESPECIALLY THE LEADS:

1. The plot - The drama was divided into 2 parts - the first one focused on how the leads were being and, the second part was about how the leads were continuing to be stubborn. There was so much forced angst in this drama to balance out there being no real plot. Everyone was scheming against everyone but no one was getting anywhere. The ML was all calculative about his revenge for 20 years and then suddenly he turns batshit and goes on a killing spree. There is absolutely no excuse for the ML not telling the FL the truth except for continuing the story because frankly the writers had no real idea about how to separate the leads so they just went with this. The funny thing is, I never felt the story was dragging, I was waiting for it to start.

2. The characters - No depth in any character, everyone is one dimensional and dumb. Everyone has one and only one facial expression which they are going to be loyal to throughout the drama. The only characters I actually managed to like were the King's childhood friend wife - Heng and the FL's dad.

3. The leads - They were annoying, the both of them. They continuously made questionable decisions and refused to change. The female lead in the first initial episodes was gearing up to be an interesting character with room for a great character arc but she honestly ended up really disappointing. Same with the ML. The thing is, a lot of their behaviour- being selfish, indecisive, immature - it is all justified when you look at their ages but if you want the viewers to disregard the age factor(she is 15, he is 21) because of it being set in a historic premise, then maybe do a better job with the characters because I just felt majorly uncomfortable throughout most of the drama. The FL continuously whined about 'being her own person' and 'not needing anyone to protect her' which is great and all except she had to be saved like every two minutes. She supposedly became 'mature' after that five year lapse but I could not see much change except that she just became quiet. Honestly, I don't think most dramas are very great at doing character arcs.

4. The actors - The acting felt... underwhelming. I have seen Lusi in previous dramas and honestly think that this was one of her worse performances. Though I mostly blame this on the character and the story itself - there wasn't much room for acting, but seeing the same expression on her face the entire time didn't really help. Plus the whole 'age' thing was really rubbing me off anyway, so whenever she cried (and she cried a lot) she'd remind me of a child and I would feel awkward. This was my first time watching Leo Wu and though I wasn't really drawn to his character or his acting, he really did well in emotional and physically taxing scenes especially considering how narrow of a range his character leaves to express emotions.

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The best cdrama till date!

I dont remember when was the last time i wrote a review for any drama. Its been that long! But this deserves one!

OMG guys OMG. This drama is everything and more. It has life it has love it has chemistry. Everything!

The story itself is beautifully written in the start you will not have much scenes of the leads but u can sense the chemistry there. But the supporting actors keep the drama so LIT that u wont get bored for even a single second.

The thing that i really like about this drama is the way all the issues are resolved they are not dragged through the whole season but are resolved in such a satisfying way that u will surely enjoy it .

The leads chemistry is amazing. Mind you they dont have a lot of scenes in part 1 but part 2 has alot of them. Im one of those people who likes a drama with lot of romantic scenes. This one doesn't have many but the story was so amazing that i was completely hooked to it and now i feel a void in my heart.

Apart from the leads the star of the show is the emperor! The best character in the whole series!

Now please don't waste your time on reading reviews and go watch the show otherwise i'll throw a bread at ya (emperor's style) you'll know the reference when you'll watch it.

Good bye love like the galaxy. You surely lived upto your name.

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I want to rewatch already

Honestly, this was one of the best historical Chinese dramas I've ever watched! There was so much detail put into the production and it really paid off. The cast is so talented, that acting was actually phenomenal. Shaoshang is definitely one of my favs because she was so funny and clever! Her ways of getting revenge made me so proud and I loved that she was never scared to stand up for herself. The male lead was very charismatic and his love for her made me giggle so much. Their dynamic was so fun and cute to watch. I cried a few times watching them, I was just so happy. Their love story is literally unmatched and now that I finished this drama, I feel so empty insideee it was too good. They were so mature about everything and whenever there was a minor inconvenience, they tried to talk it out. Also, the relationship between the emperor, the empress, and the concubine was something new for me and I really liked it! There was a bit of comedy added into the show and it helped lighten up the mood and keep everything fun. I have so much more to say but in conclusion, I just really love this drama and I really want everyone to watch it! But honestly, I do wish more of the songs from the actual ost showed up during important scenes because they are really beautiful! Along with that, I really wanted to see that wedding of theirs because it was talked about for so long, but was never even shown. The ending was really rushed imo and I just want to see more loving interactions between them.

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Love Like a Half-Baked Cake

I must say that i am quite disappointed with the second part of this drama. The first part of the drama was such a good build-up; you have great characters, interesting relationships, the slowburn is burning so deliciously you are just THIRSTY for another EYECONTACT of main lead..s. All ingredients for the cake are perfect and you are ready for explosion of flavours.

and what u gonna get? NOTHING...

First off, i'll start with what i loved because frankly, i liked a lot of things, and despite my complaints i enjoyed the drama for most of the time. I dont remember the last time i binged a 56 episode drama in one sitting. The production was beautiful - the costumes, music, settings, camerawork. All this was great (aside from odd scene cuts)
I enjoyed many actors' performaces – especially Zhao Lu Si was great as Cheng Shaoshang in her more somber state.
As for the story, i enjoyed the pay off - it was fantastic - once a villain was established they were dealt with (with an amazing bitchslap) within 3 or so episodes which felt incredibly satisfying.
And most of the characters had interesting and likeable personalities I wanted to follow. I enjoyed set up of so many characters here - i wanted to hear their stories!

Thats where my satisfaction with the story ends though.

The "Love" in love like the Galaxy is supposed to allude to not only Shaoshangs love with Ling Buyi, but also to her mother-daugter relationships. But neither of those two main loves had solid foundations for this story to build on. Her relationship with her birthmother was so terribly set up with mothers bizarre and illogical behaviour and cartoonish villainery in the part I so it was impossible for me to take seriously anything that happened in that storyline further the line. No sane person would behave like this towards their own beloved daughter. It just didnt make sense even to me, who is willing to overlook some nonsense in set ups.

Now the love of CSS and LBY. I honestly dont believe they had reason to love each other so much for them to be able to go through all the obstacles together. It wasn't obvious in part I as the buildup was done so nicely - but then it felt like Shahoshang never really felt passionately about him (yet she still overcame months of palace politics and bullying and struggles because LBY just decided he wanted to marry her. smh.)
So the love part of the story was not so galactic for me. What remains, as is uusal in costume dramas, is the politics part which... wasnt really well written. The scheming during the off-palace time was pretty ok and dynamic in part I, but omg... the switch to palace politics during part II was slow and draggy. Its like the author was overambitious and in the end was unsuccesful in writing both "epic romance" and "epic politics".

The foundations for the story that were so carefully built in the part I for most of the side characters were not developed further (i know, i know, they drama got cut down by 10 episodes) which left me downright miserable. I WANTED to watch Wan Qiqi and brother 2 bicker around. I WANTED to see the cousin get close to the Ban guy. I WANTED to watch more of Yuan Shanjian to be just a guy - they fuckign gave him such a redeem arc and then they decided to not give him happy end? Wtf????? They intentionally decided to wreck his character in the part I so LBY looked better in comparison to him but in the end YSJ wasnt given (by screenwriters) ANYTHING in exchange. I demand justice for my guy!!!!

Anways.. I initially wanted to give part II rating of 8 but the last 5 minutes of the drama - the sudden change of vibe from "depression, death and misery of 10+ episodes" to "sun is setting, everyone is here, background characters are clapping, someone said a joke and everyone is laughing" - pissed me so much i decided for 7,5. I am petty like this and I wonder if they ever release the 10 episodes they cut.

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A masterpiece.

I’ve never watched a cdrama where I have nothing bad to say about it. To be honest I usually stay away from cdramas and go for kdramas because I often find that the female leads are cringy, make bad choices, have no common sense AT ALL and don’t get me started on the baby voices (like I can’t even). Love Like the Galaxy (and Who Rules The World) were game changers for me. Here we have a strong, smart female lead that is equal to the strong male leads. If this is a new trend I’m here for it!!

Cast: Zhao Lusi and Wu Lei delivered! ZLS is the only Chinese actress that caught my eyes so I tend to look for her dramas but she REALLY stepped up her game in this. Her chemistry with Wu Lei was on fire! Some scenes, no matter how innocent had me fanning myself. Wu Lei was dashing as the general. He really did have the presence. Some may say he only had one woolen expression but hello! This dude had a darkness within him and only had revenge on his mind all his life.

All the supporting actors did an amazing job as well but my favorite would have to be the Emperor, the general’s side kicks, Consort Yue, the brothers.. okay I love all of them. Each and everything brought something to the table.

Pacing: some might say it’s slow and tbh the first 6 episodes were a bit (but necessary)! We really did have to know how the female lead lived so we understand why she made certain decisions in the future. I also loved how slowly the female lead fell for the male lead. It just made sense!

This drama was so well done that it was pure agony for me while waiting for new episodes. I was so obsessed that it was almost unhealthy. The episodes are all out now so watch it!

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"If the husband is the sun, the wife is the brilliant galaxy. We create the world by coexisting."

PLOT & CHARACTERS:

This is a coming-of-age story that's like no other. It's an emotional yet enlightening journey into love, parent-child conflict, loyalty and female empowerment as Cheng Shao Shang (CSS) goes through the turbulences in her journey to self discovery and growth. 

Her relationship with Ling Buyi has grown a great deal. I truly love how she's grown from a young lady who knows nothing about love to one that capable of caring for her beloved while still remaining true to herself. She learns how to love, empathise and compromise. She's just as intelligent and headstrong as any man, which is especially rare in such a patriarchal society, but can also be loving and caring towards those who are close to her. 

What surprised me the most is the transition from Part 1 to 2. In Part 1, CSS let her entire existence centred around her mother's neglect and biases, as well as others' condescending attitudes towards her "unconventional" upbringing. However, as we transition to Part 2, she's gained a new confidante and mother figure, Empress Xuan, who gives her the affirmation she needs to keep being herself but also the etiquette and knowledge to survive the dangers in the Palace. The bickering and conflicts in Part 1 now seem so trivial as CSS becomes more mature and determined with her goals to follow and serve the Empress. While Empress Xuan is composed, benevolent and dutiful, which are the social expectations of women in Ancient China, she admires CSS's free spirit and bravery. The two see their desired self and aspirations in each other, creating a very insightful and touching relationship. Consort Yue, Shao Shang's mother and third aunt are also very powerful female characters that are way ahead of their time in different ways. 

Ling Buyi (LBY) is a complex character that really draws you in. He's extremely devoted to CSS and would readily sacrifice his life for her. But when it comes to acting in the nation's interest and his own quest for vengeance, he can't help but forsake CSS's love. Being the Emperor's adopted son and commanding general, he's almost untouchable yet also helpless at bringing justice to his family's massacre. Personally, I love seeing how the rigid general becomes all goofy in front of CSS. And sometimes, their PDA makes me swoon and feel envious at the same time. Emperor Wen is such a good father figure for LBY, more than just out of his brotherhood with the former General Huo. I would say he's the biggest source of comedic relief in the drama. The way he shamelessly dotes on LBY and ships LBY with CSS is hilarious.

CAST & PRODUCTION:

Despite their young age, Zhao Lusi and Wu Lei approach their roles with overwhelming maturity and depth. We used to know Lusi as the playful and funny actress that can liven up any drama she's in, especially rom-coms. Here, she's able to incorporate some of that comedic touch with more articulations. She’s very playful and jovial in beginning, but becomes much more calm and refined towards the end of Part 2. On the other hand, Wu Lei carries out the duality of LBY very well. His stare can be serious in one moment, then melt and become hopelessly smitten with CSS. Wu Lei has the gravitas that gives complexity and charm to his character's portrayal. He’s also extremely skilled in horse riding and action scenes, adding even more intensity to the drama.

When it comes to cinematography, every scene in this drama is truly like a painting that speaks a thousand words. It's majestic but still very much the embodiment of elegance and grace. The costume and hairstyle for each character are vibrant and unique in their own way. I particularly love the layered dresses designed with a trailing tail, lowly tied hair and long earrings which add a certain sense of fluidity and feminity when the characters walk. Ling Buyi's armor is also a glory in itself, imposing and dominating like his own personality. And the "mandarin duck wings" make him look even more dashing. I love how the director is not only very masterful in his craft but also an avid WuLu couple shipper. From the behind-the-scenes, he’s very hands-on in helping the actors bring out the full sensitivity of their characters, ahem… especially the bashful and sweet romance between the 2 leads.

The soundtracks are so beautiful and fitting of the historical period. Splendid Star (星汉灿烂) by Shan Yi Chun is soft and smooth but still carries some intensity and momentum. Star River Sigh (星河叹) by Isabelle Huang is definitely my favourite with its heartbreaking nostalgia and poetic sensibility.

FAVOURITE QUOTES:

“When I’m with you [CSS], I feel human.” Ling Buyi

“Maybe Shao Shang is not the gentle lady who others prefer. But in my heart, she’s the best woman… in the whole wide world. She is innocent and courageous…. She’s the only one who can walk by my side. I will only marry her in this life.” Ling Buyi

“Although she [CSS] appears cold on the outside, she has always been a very caring person. She can only put her mind at ease, when those she cares about are doing well. That’s why I make sure all of you [CSS’s families and friends] are doing well.” Ling Buyi

"I can brew wine... build a water wheel... build kilns and fire tiles... Whether Ling Buyi is around or not, I'm a lady who lives well... Ling Buyi is the person I love most in this world. But I am nobody but myself." Cheng Shao Shang

“I told Her Majesty that since I engaged to you [LBY], everyone saw me as your fiancee. No one saw me as Cheng Shao Shang anymore. Her Majesty said that I was brought up as an independent lady. I only cared about myself, my personal gains and losses. She said I should try to be more amenable… more flexible." Cheng Shao Shang

"I'm proficient in poetry and classics. You're [CSS] good at building mechanisms. Everyone has something they're good at. You know what others don't. I'll slowly teach you what others know... There's no need to feel inferior. You can lift your head high." Empress Xuan

“When she [CSS] was young and needed to be loved most, she wasn’t loved by her family. If you [LBY] want to love her, you have to make up for her grief. Don’t always make her understand your choice. Only by discussing can you keep walking side-by-side.” Empress Xuan

"Back then, I always hoped she could be more mature. Until today, she has become so composed, as if she was a different person. Recalling old times, she behaved aggressively, always romped around. But it put my mind at ease... Was I mistaken since the beginning?" Cheng Shao Shang's mother

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Different Tone from Part 1 - Court Politics, Revenge, Romance and Angst

Completed - 8/21/2022

Part 2 has a different tone and feels like a completely different drama. While Part 1 sets things up and gives us an introduction to all the characters, it has a focus on family and friendship with a dash of romance. Part 2 on the other hand focuses on court politics, revenge and our main romance. We have a more serious drama that’s full of angst and sadness with a dash of sweetness and comedy.

What I Like:

Cheng Shao Shang (FL) - I like that she is true to herself throughout the drama. Because of her childhood, she has abandonment issues. You can say that she has a lot to learn to be someone’s partner or wife, and has to learn how to love and trust ML. Yet, she is quite a feminist. She believes in her ability, and that she doesn’t have to follow the traditional footsteps of women to get married and be defined as someone’s wife. I like her revengeful attitude and her protectiveness of those who treat her well. I tend to like strong and badass female leads, but I have grown to like Cheng Shao Shang and she has become one of my favorite female leads.

Acting - I was not impressed with Leo Wu’s acting in Part 1, so I am very happy to see that his character is giving him more to showcase his ability in Part 2. He is excellent in all his emotional scenes, and he melts my heart when he smiles at FL. I really do feel his pain and internal struggles. This might be the best role I’ve seen Zhao LuSi in. She’s known for her cute and outgoing roles, and then she branches out to a more conservative role in “The Long Ballad”. But in “Love Like the Galaxy”, her role as CSS really allows her to flex her acting chops and to show how much she has grown as an actress. From being the naughty and petty 15 year-old, to becoming a mature and strong woman at the end of the drama, Zhao LuSi is the star of the show. Leo Wu and Zhao LuSi are still so young. They really have a bright future ahead of them. Supporting these two young leads is a very experienced supporting cast. I love the royal family - the emperor, empress and consort Yu.

Emperor/Empress/Consort Yu - What a lovely trio we have in this drama. Where else can you find a trio like this in a historical drama? The Emperor is hilarious and he’s the biggest fan of ML and doesn't hide his partiality. He also is the biggest cheerleader and matchmaker of the leads. I love all his funny moments, especially the last scene. I am so glad that CSS found the mother that she always wanted in the Empress. Under her love and care, CSS is able to grow and learn to love, and be the best person she could be. The sisterhood between the Empress and Consort Yu is lovely to see as well. This drama has a different type of harem, even if the princes and princesses do not always get along with each other, we also do have people killing each other for the throne. Maybe this has something to do with the awesome parents that they have. Lastly, my new favorite character, Consort Yu. I love her sassy retort. I look forward to all her scenes and want to hear what she has to say each time. No one dares mess with her and it’s fun to see her interaction with the Emperor. They are a match made in heaven. It would be interesting to get a side story of when they were younger.


What I have Mixed Feelings about:

Main Romance - I am very glad to finally see their romance begin in Part 2. However, the early development is what I have mixed feelings about. I feel that they have more chemistry when they are bickering and arguing with each other, than when they are speaking sweetly. I already know ML is deeply in love, but the way FL falls in love is quite a mystery. One episode she is still hesitating whether to marry or not, then in the next episode or two, she’s already very in love. I want to see the slow development as this feels pretty abrupt and unbelievable. However, once I got past this initial stage, I got what I wanted - the love, the sweetness, getting to know each other, angst, and understanding. I am also glad that the angst is not due to misunderstandings, but it’s actually because they understand each other too well due to their different upbringing and thoughts of the same situation.

Battle/Fight scenes - I applaud Leo Wu for his effort in all the fight scenes. You can see him and others are not just swinging their swords aimlessly. These are hard fought battles and the drama doesn’t shy away from some of the more torturous and bloody scenes. But what I don’t like is the slow motion. This is not a wuxia drama and doesn’t have continuous fight scenes. You really don’t need to slow down a slash or a jump. This makes the exciting fight sequence less exciting.


What I Don’t Like:

Uneven Pacing/Weird or underdeveloped plots:
I find it hard to follow all the characters involved in ML’s revenge plot. In the middle episodes of Part 2, I became quite confused about all the names mentioned. Some characters appeared in Part 1 and I sort of forgot their names or what happened. But the drama name drops all those involved, I had to pause and think who these people are. Eventually, I figured it all out, but those episodes have a lot of talking and court politics, thus, also slowing down the pacing of the drama. Some minor supporting characters disappeared for most of the drama, and then popped up again at the end to seek revenge. They seem to have come out of nowhere. So much happened in the last 5-7 episodes that it feels rushed. I am not sure if it’s because of the editing or the writing.

A few other weirdness:
1. What happened between Cheng Shao Shang and Yuan Shen after they visited CSS’s home?
2. When did FL’s 2nd brother and XiXi become so close that there are talks of marriage? Didn’t they only have one kiss?
3. I needed more scenes between 3rd Prince and ML to justify the behind-the-scenes happenings
4. Well, the rebel leader also seems to have come out of nowhere.
5. The way that our smart FL got in trouble in the end by falling into the schemes of the two female supporting characters is repetitive and underdeveloped.


Other Random Observations:
1. Leo Wu frowns a lot when he does his serious General face.
2. Impeccable hair even after fire/explosion/battles
3. Enjoy the background music and songs are not overplayed (actually I don’t notice them much).
4. So glad Yuan Shen is not an annoying high school boy anymore. He’s matured to be a good support for FL.
5. *SPOILER*

Waited this long and I didn't see the wedding???? It’s been talked about for 29 episodes.

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