Lazy, lazy, lazy director
It would have been sheer perfection if it lasted 30 instead of 40 episodes.The real bummer is that around episode 25 or so the director got really, really lazy and provided each and every episode with some 15 minutes break from action, in the total 45 minutes duration of an episode.
It did so with editing in long, repetitive shots accompanied by the very same two or three tunes, during which the story did not advance but was more like "displayed".
Also, imagine hearing over and over again (some 20 times over) the same two or three songs ...
No matter how touching on one's feelings the first time, they end up touching on one's nerves by the 20th iteration ...
Silly and artistically counterproductive way to stretch the material in order to reach the 40 episodes mark.
I understand: they may be paid by the number of episodes.
But that is not the way to go, but the way to mock at the otherwise onest work of the acting cast.
Was this review helpful to you?
Beautiful, compelling story,
it is a beautiful and compelling story, that is coherent and well told. It was an accident that watch this drama, indeed a happy accident. The FL was not an actress i have come across before, but she portrayed her character wonderfully well. I will look out for her again. the ML i didn't know either, but he was equally brilliant, the rapport and chemistry was palpable. I have read complaints that he is not handsome but i beg to differ, it was really good having a more mature, and attractive, in a manly way, actor play this role. Such a refreshing change from the usual pretty boys with sometime dubious acting skills. The chemistry between the two was outstanding. The real villain of this drama was also brilliant in the way it was portrayed, bringing to life the devious, and malevolent side of her character. The rest of the supporting cast were also extremely good.When a story is well told and acted, you become immersed in the story being told. The OST was also very good and fit this drama well. Many thanks to the cast and crew for producing such an outstanding drama to watch.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Simply phenomenal!
A thoroughly enjoyable series, with excellent story, phenomenal acting and amazing cinematography. First up, the main leads… it was my first time watching Jing Tian and Feng Shao Feng, and both of them were spellbinding. With great, seasoned acting and awesome on-screen chemistry, they carried the show so well, I am dying to see more of their work, which I’ll be checking out after I finish writing this review. What do I say about Zhou Yi Ran!! I liked him in Falling into your smile, then loved him in When I fly towards you, and now this! He can be a pro-gamer, a shy and reserved high school nerd and pull these roles well, but to see him in a period drama, playing first the impulsive young prince, then an authoritative emperor, a heartbroken lover…well what do I say! He’s been phenomenal! I’ve seen him get better with every role he’s played and he is definitely going to make it big! I wish he tries out more varied roles in future. All the supporting actors added to the finesse of the drama, and made their roles memorable. I rarely watch something twice, but I am sure I’ll be watching this series again soon.Was this review helpful to you?
Two Odd Fish Acting As Chairs
It took all my patience to get through the first 3 episodes. I can't comment on plot, because I didn't watch enough to warrant a critique on that, and plot, as I've said many times, is king.What I witnessed were two wooden chairs, in period costumes, interacting with each other.
I like the actress playing the FL, but here, she talked in a weird, unnatural way which was super odd. A cold, calculating fish that needed a better director. The ML looked ridiculously older than her (I see now there are only 10 years between them, but it looked like more than that to me). The ML was also a cold, calculating fish, and since his visuals (pulchritude) wasn't in-keeping with hers, they made a very unlikely fishy couple (or an odd chair coupling). I had to drop this because I was cringing at how unnatural everything from the dialogue to the love pairing was. It all seemed very forced to me, which made it unenjoyable to watch.
Was this review helpful to you?
