Started off strong but lost me midway.
The drama gave me a good impression at first. The setting was well done and the visuals of both the FL and ML matched nicely.There are some plot holes but I tried to overlook them since they didn’t bother me too much at the beginning. However, after a few episodes, I found myself losing interest when the story shifted more into awkward, lovey-dovey romance moments between the leads..it just didn’t click with me.
The fight scenes and overall pacing remain watchable. It might take me several days to finish this drama, but overall, I’d say it’s still okay.
The acting is solid and the drama has its good points despite some flaws.
Was this review helpful to you?
For feminism and gay rights
I was pleasantly surprised by how vocally feminist this show was beyond just the main character. It's not just about a woman making merit for herself through her own prowess and worth, it's about someone making way for other women to take control of their own lives and choose their own paths.He Yan has lived her whole life following rules and the will others imposed on her, so she knows firsthand what it's liked to be oppressed, even when doing something she ultimately enjoys and wants to do for herself. She pushes for women's rights and freedom constantly and she convinces many by being the leading example.
As for the "gay rights" part, this is obviously a Chinese drama so Chinese censorship applies. However, this unintentionally carries a very gay message. Since the FMC is forced to live as a man for most of the story, there are many instances in which it ends up looking like a gay couple during moments of tension and charged looks between her and the MMC.
What's more is that Xiao Jue caught feelings for her before knowing she was a woman, so it's accidental bi representation.
It's very much like Mulan and Li Shang, as a friend of mine pointed out to me.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
This could've been the perfect Mulan live action, but they had to ruin it.
Firstly, beware of danger. If you're a perfeccionist like me, you must be warned: this was at least a nine until the last two episodes happened. I remember feeling pissed. So, so pissed. Note that I finished this back in november 2025, but I was just so frustrated that it took all this time for me to finally feel like writing anything. Anyway, let's get down to it.The drama's pacing is quite ideal. From the few first episodes you're easily hooked with good revenge plot, smart and competent female protagonist in disguise and great dynamics with the male protagonist, that initially suspects He Yan of being an enemy spy inside his army. He Yan being able to see through his tests and outsmart him was the highlight of the first part of the show, prior the gender reveal. Their back and forth banter had the right amount of fun and chemistry.
And what chemistry, btw! I was really glad the gender reveal wasn't dragged out, since it saved our ML's face a little. It's always awkward to watch scenes with a certain romantic connotation while one of the characters involved is still unaware of the others real genre. So, the fact he found out about her pretty soon in the story was a great set up to their relationship's build up...
Which also brings this back to the first point I made:
Their relationship was so natural and well developed. They went from friends to partners, then to confidants and finally to lovers. The chemistry was through the roof. AND THEN. All of a sudden, the writers decided to put one of the greatest romances of chinese dramaland in the trash bin and all it took was one stupid scene. If I were in He Yan's place, I would never ever forgive Xiao Yue. I wouldn't even be able to look at his face anymore for the rest of my life.
That killed the romance for me and made me feel like everything that had happened between them was a lie. Xiao Yue's affection didn't seem as genuine and, from that point on, I couldn't make myself care about them as a couple anymore. Xiao Yue went from Hero to Zero.
So, my advice for anyone that still hasn't seen this yet is: sure, watch it. But skip the last two episodes, I beg you.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Legend of the Female General healed my disappointment after Pursuit of Jade
After feeling pretty dissatisfied with Pursuit of Jade's storytelling, I decided to watch Legend of the Female General—and I’m honestly so glad I did.While POJ excelled in aesthetics but fell short on storytelling (as I posted [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/cdramasfans/s/zqnAL8N4V8)), LOTFG delivered exactly what I was looking for. The narrative was clear and cohesive from start to finish. I always understood the antagonists’ motives and the main leads’ goals, and not once did I feel confused or lost in the plot.
I also really loved the romance. The leads grew individually, and their relationship reflected that growth. It wasn’t just about choosing each other—they gave us conflict that made their love feel mature. And yes… we actually got a proper wedding, which felt so satisfying.
Another highlight for me was the balance in the fight scenes. They didn’t just focus on General Fei Hong—they also showcased how formidable General Feng Yun is on the battlefield. Both were powerful, but in a way that still felt grounded. No exaggerated, unrealistic strength—iykyk.
My only minor issue was the CGI—it could’ve been better. Not sure if it was a budget limitation, but it’s honestly forgivable given how strong everything else was for me.
Overall, I genuinely loved this series.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
No LEGEND??just a mediocre story.......
The story begins with the Battle of Mingsui. The blame for its defeat is pinned on the Male Lead's (ML) father. Determined to clear his father's name, the ML sets out on a journey to unravel the conspiracy behind the loss. Meanwhile, the Female Lead (FL), a masked general impersonating her brother, suffers betrayal and is sentenced to death. However, life gives her a second chance to prove herself and reclaim what was rightfully hers. Did the ML avenge his father's death????Did the FL get what she deserved????*ML and FL did have a couple of sweet moments, yet something was missing. Though their love story was not very convincing, I really liked how the FL proposed to the ML: "I love the moon but the moon doesn't know."
*Second ML's character was okay till episode 33, then his character development went downhill.
*The FL's brother as a villain had potential but was just wasted. His inferiority complex and foolish plots did not add any spice.
*The Prime Minister, who is supposedly very intelligent, takes absurd decisions at the end and gets caught.
*The rest of the characters were like add-ons; none stayed in my head.
*It would have been better if the story ended at episode 33; the final episodes took the story totally off-track.
*The story had very few scenes about how the FL disguised as a man became the great General Feihong and about her relationship with her eight comrades. Also, her early life and hardships weren't explained thoroughly.
*This show did talk about concepts like how females should be given the freedom to do what they like and pursue a career of their own. The idea was good but could have been portrayed better.
OVERALL THE STORY DIDNT LIVE UP TO IT'S TITLE.....🫠🫠🚶♀️🚶♀️
Was this review helpful to you?
Their first kiss though!!!
I dropped this at episode 20 for like a month, idk what was happening but it was getting a little draggy to me and I think it’s because it was in the middle as usual.When I picked it back up it got a little bit more interesting and finally he found out who she really was and yup we did get our first kiss. I did like their chemistry and always love a strong FL and ML who protects each other.
Overall it was good, lovely OST and you can expect the political aspect of it that makes it a little draggy.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
"I love the moon, yet the moon doesn't know"Yet another series where a female warrior fights with a whip.
Yeah, not to brag, but I also saw Mulan when I was a kid, and it wasn't too bad. (no memory) And then, I'm all for inclusivity but against the army, which causes a terrible dilemma when watching this great series.
The feminist message is always welcome, but unfortunately it doesn't fly very high (a french expression) ; I imagine it's difficult to be more “offensive” in a series set in historical costume. Despite this, He Yan remains incredibly strong and independent, she is afraid of no one and teaches her male counterparts some valuable life lessons. She even inspires one of them in his quest for revenge. However, the message can be interpreted as follows : women can also become military leaders if they work ten times harder than men, come from the aristocracy and survive assassination attempts. Not sure that's very positive !
Nevertheless, unfortunately, everyone eventually discovers that this talented soldier is actually a woman in disguise. I didn't know that heart rates differed between men and women. It's like in some Indian films where nurses can tell if a woman is pregnant by taking her pulse. All of this is extremely credible, of course. The science of the pulse.
‘I'm here to tell you that regardless of my name or gender, I would always become General Fei Hong.’
By the way. Speaking of gender. Did you know that there are countless examples of people changing gender until the end of the medieval period ? Especially from female to male, to be honest. The historian Clovis Maillet discusses this in his book 'Les genres fluides' (in French only, I'm afraid) and Patrick Boucheron in his lectures 'Le sexe du Pouvoir'. (french too, sorry)
A character like He Yan could very well have lived and been recognized as a man in the West, if he had wanted to. This fluidity, which lasted until the emergence of hetero-patriarchy around the 14th century, poses a problem for research because for people of those times it was not an issue, it was just the way things were, so it is sometimes mentioned, but not always, and we can only guess at it. A person is a man because they live that way and are recognised as such, period. When they die, it is quickly noted that an abbot was buried in women's clothing, because they return to the gender assigned to them at birth on the day of their death. And then we move on. Sometimes it is really just the pronoun that changes on the death certificate.
In a Confucian society like China, I have no idea if it's comparable. Not sure.
Anyway, trans rights are human rights. No matter where or when.
‘I killed you once, and I can kill you again.’
The episodes move quickly. Don't blink too soon, or you might miss a scene. I challenge anyone to get bored watching this. It never stops. The plot moves at such a pace that I didn't really follow the conspiracy that is discussed so eagerly throughout much of the series. Sorry, fellow scriptwriters. But sometimes we jump a little abruptly from a night-time festival to the headquarters of a distant city. (Very entertaining episodes, though.) And we don't really know what Chu Zhao is doing for quite a while, whether he's an ally or an enemy. Oh well, never mind, do your thing if you want. In the last few episodes, he was becoming a pain, it has to be said.
The humour works really well despite the tragic events at the beginning. The heroine has fun when she decides to take control of her life and flirt with the commander, Huaijin. The two play cat and mouse. It's extremely cute and funny, and often brings a smile to your face. Zhou He/He Yan is hilarious when she strains her voice to annoy Ryan Cheng/Huaijin, pushing him to his limits as he tries to remain impassive.
"Commander, I just want to feel your sword." Everyone calm down. It's his sword, actually. Um. Not like this.
The fights are beautifully choreographed. Sometimes defying the laws of physics. Well done, cables ! We get to see all the settings, all the weapons, all the clashes, everything, night and day, in the rain, in the snow, on top of a mountain, in alleyways, on a battleground. What a treat !
"I'm the ghost of the one you murdered." I'll make a note of that. I'll have to use it again.
As for the music, it's certainly beautiful, especially the string quartet, but it's too present. We need to breathe, after all. Unfortunately, that's how Cdramas are made. I'll have to get used to it.
"Once upon a time, only the moon could see my face." Same here. What a coincidence.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
somewhat a guilty pleasure: enjoyable but poorly-written
This drama immediately pulled me in with its chaotic energy, strong characters, and good on-screen chemistry. It has so many tropes I usually love— found family, tension-filled slow burn, strong female lead, and action-packed scenes. While I genuinely enjoyed watching it, especially in the earlier episodes, it frustrated me because of its inconsistent writing and storytelling.The story itself is engaging and, at times, unpredictable. There’s a certain “goofy yet intense” tone that makes it entertaining, and I appreciate how the drama tries to balance humor with emotional depth— He Yan’s chaotic personality, in particular, adds so much life to the narrative. However, this is also where it falls short. Her humor and aegyo-like behavior often feel inconsistent with the gravity of her character, creating moments that clash rather than blend with the overall tone. Her life as He Rufei/General Feihong wasn't exactly shown and explored enough, which made the shift in He Yan's personality feel unsubstantiated. It often felt like I was just expected to go along with the stark contrast, without the narrative fully bridging or justifying that change.
The Yezhou Garrison arc however stood out a lot for me. The found family dynamic there was so heartwarming— I love seeing characters form bonds that feel genuine and earned. Song Taotao and He Yan's girlhood; it's so endearing to watch. The drama also delivered on some of my favorite tropes: “who did this to you” (I will never get tired of this), slow-burn tension, mutual “folding” for each other, hidden identity / revelation arc (this didn't disappoint). The reveal of He Yan as the true General Feihong was powerful for me. It felt empowering and emotional— arguably one of the well-executed moments in the drama.
He Yan is easily one of the highlights of the drama. She’s chaotic, goofy, and unpredictable, but also strong and deeply emotional. Zhou Ye portrayed her incredibly well, especially in heavier scenes— her crying scenes hit hard and feel very real. Her crashout was particularly impactful. Even without much screen time dedicated to her past with the Eight Warriors, her emotional delivery made it convincing— despite the fact there's literally a lack of storytelling/background of her life as General Feihong. Zhou Ye saved that scene, for me. Xiao Jue surprised me in the best way. At first, he seems stoic and composed, but he turns out to be incredibly thoughtful, romantic, and emotionally expressive. I love how he keeps making excuses at first to justify his treatment of He Yan— gaslighting that it's because he’s suspicious of her— when it’s obvious he’s affected by her in a completely different way. And when he does confess? He CONFESSES. In front of the whole royal family and officials no less: “I respect her, value her, and won’t let anyone slander her. She graces my view, occupies my mind, and claims my heart.” Find a man like Xiao Jue, seriously!
Their dynamic is one of the strongest parts of the drama. The tension is insane— even in simple banter, you can feel it. Xiao Jue constantly being bewildered by He Yan’s antics makes their interactions so fun and engaging. There’s also that underlying “almost gay panic” dynamic early on, which makes their story even more entertaining. I also appreciate that the gender reveal wasn’t dragged out unnecessarily— it allowed their relationship to develop more naturally. Their moonlit scene in Episode 17 felt like a major turning point— intimate, quiet, and deeply personal— and from there, their emotional connection only deepens. Indeed, she is his light, and he is her moon.
Despite all its strengths, the biggest issue of the drama is the writing. The script often feels inconsistent with: scenes that don’t fully make sense, underdeveloped backstories (e.g., He Yan’s master arc and how was he even able to save He Yan) repetitive or forced dialogue (especially some feminism lines that feel unnatural in execution) While I appreciate the intention behind the themes— especially the feminist representation— the delivery sometimes feels repetitive rather than organically integrated into the story. There are also noticeable plot holes, and certain narrative choices feel underexplained or poorly built up. This weakens the overall storytelling, no matter how enjoyable the drama is on the surface. Chu Zhao, for instance, is a complex character with a lot of potential. He initially reminded me of morally gray masterminds (like Ji Yong) or someone heading toward a heel-face turn driven by unrequited feelings (like Xiaosheng), but the execution of his arc ultimately fell short.
The final stretch was honestly just disappointing. The last 3–4 episodes felt rushed and poorly executed. The attempt to add depth to Chu Zhao’s character didn’t fully land— it just didn't make sense. Compared to the earlier buildup, the resolution felt underwhelming. Instead of elevating the story, the ending made the flaws in the writing more obvious. It felt like a missed opportunity, especially considering how strong the earlier episodes were.
Overall, this is a drama I really wanted to love— and in many ways, I did. It had strong character dynamics, amazing chemistry, great action scenes, powerful OST, and memorable emotional moments. But at the same time, the inconsistent writing and lack of cohesive storytelling hold it back significantly. Even if I enjoyed watching it, I can’t ignore the fact that it’s poorly-written overall. The drama was indeed an entertaining and emotionally engaging drama carried by its cast, chemistry, and production— but ultimately weakened by poor writing, plot holes, and a lackluster ending. Definitely a miss in my books. Would I recommend this? Maybe— if you’re just in it for a tension-filled romcom and can look past the inconsistencies and at times incoherent storytelling.
P.S. Knowing that the original novel actually explored and addressed many of these “plot holes” makes the drama adaptation even more disappointing. It feels like so much depth and nuance were lost in translation.
Was this review helpful to you?
It didn't do the book justice
I can understand how difficult it is to depict the actual He Yan character from the book to the one we get in the movie. Somehow somewhere corners had to be cut. Rebirth, which I understand, is a concept frowned upon in the censor department, had to be ditched. This unfortunately made the movie skipped the crucial story of the book of how He Yan was reborn in abject poverty. Also missed out the wonderful secondary family she has and how she had to relearn how to survive being dirt poor and physically weak in a second body. This is the bit that made me love He Yan as a character - she was smart, cheerful and caring despite being pitiful and had all the difficult circumstances thrown unto her. And there were some absolute crazy survival scenes. Her relationship with her rebirth brother was so lovely I am sorry this was not in the story. It is THIS He Yan whom will make you want to root for her survival and success for the rest of the story.The fight scene in this movie is amazing. Kudos to the director.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A stunning romance draped in armor — but the “legend” never truly rises.
As someone who adored the original novel, the announcement of The Legend of the Female General adaptation brought me mixed emotions. On one hand, I was thrilled to finally see my favorite story brought to life. But on the other, I was afraid it wouldn’t stay true to the book — and sadly, my fears came true.He Yan has always been one of my favorite heroines — strong, intelligent, calm, and capable. She’s the kind of woman who inspires you with her leadership and heart. But the drama version didn’t quite capture that essence. Maybe my expectations were too high, but this He Yan felt softer, less commanding than the one in my imagination.
However, Zhou Ye was still a great casting choice — she suits He Yan so well, both in grace and presence. And Cheng Lei as Xiao Jue? Absolutely perfect! He’s exactly how I imagined Xiao Jue would be — proud, sharp, and quietly affectionate. His portrayal truly lived up to my vision of the character. It’s just a pity that, because of production troubles, we didn’t get to see more of the grand war scenes they filmed.
The chemistry between Zhou Ye and Cheng Lei carried the drama beautifully, but the writing leaned too heavily into romance, losing much of the "legendary" tone the title promised. The focus on love over leadership made it feel less like a tale of a general’s rise and more like a romantic historical drama.
Chu Zhao’s storyline also went off track. His obsessive love, while intense, became almost illogical by the end — a big deviation from the novel’s version. Still, I loved Song Tao Tao and Cheng Lisu’s subplot; even though it differed a lot from the book, their chemistry was heartwarming and naturally portrayed.
It was also disappointing how He Yan’s comrade’s death was handled. She grieved, but the emotional weight and strong bond they shared in the novel weren’t fully conveyed on screen. The Academy arc too could’ve been executed more smoothly — it had great potential but felt rushed.
Special shoutout to Li Qing as Cheng Lisu — he did a wonderful job, especially knowing he had to re-record and reshoot parts without the original set. Even though the AI face replacement felt awkward at times, his performance stayed solid and genuine.
Despite its flaws, The Legend of the Female General is still visually stunning — from the costumes to the cinematography and soundtrack. It’s a feast for the eyes and a soft romance for the heart. But as a book fan, I can’t help but feel it lost the soul and grandeur that made the original story legendary.
Overall: A beautifully made drama with strong performances and breathtaking visuals — but stripped of the fire, depth, and spirit that once made He Yan’s story unforgettable.
Was this review helpful to you?
Breaking Boundaries -The Untold Story of a Warrior Woman in The Legend of the Female General
The Legend of the Female General delivered a compelling and well-paced storyline with no stagnant moments something that kept me hooked from beginning to end. The plot was consistently engaging, although I’ll admit, it truly tested my anger management at times (in a good way!). The chemistry between the leads, Xiao and Yan, was undeniably strong. The female lead stood out with her incredible strength and presence her fighting skills exceeded expectations and added depth to her character beyond the typical romantic drama heroine. Xiao, the male lead, was also solid in his role. Although he rarely smiled even in scenes where it felt needed his love and affection were deeply conveyed through his eyes and subtle expressions, which made his performance emotionally resonant. The second male lead, however, felt weaker in comparison. His character came across as both greedy and lacking the strength or depth to be a true rival. That said, the supporting cast brought a lot to the table, adding richness and balance to the story as a whole. A major highlight was the soundtrack. The music was beautifully composed, with lyrics that perfectly matched the tone and emotional arc of the series. It really elevated the viewing experience. Overall, The Legend of the Female General was a satisfying watch with strong performances, gripping action, and emotional depth especially for fans of historical dramas with a powerful female lead.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Honestly I stayed for the romance which was the main part
if you manage to suspend belief that the FL is a man, you can get through it and mostly like it. Acting/casting was 10/10, action scenes were superb, most of all the romance and chemistry kept up all the way through. Plus a strong, independent FL to sell the feminist message.Obviously the romance angle was the main part from early as Ep 4-5. It really worked for the best and it kept the drama more interesting, instead of just seeing the armies fighting and bad guys scheming.
And the killer lines also help, "she graces my view, occupies my mind, and claims my heart" 🥺
Was this review helpful to you?
