Legend of the Female General

The story were great...the cast were remarkable but

This is my humble and personal opinion. ..

The drama pulled me in so strongly that I binged it in just three days, sneaking in episodes whenever I had free time. The storyline is engaging, with a well-woven mix of political intrigue, power struggles, and emotional conflicts. The leads are definitely on point — their acting is solid, and the chemistry works well enough to carry the plot.

That said, I found myself missing the extra spark that makes a drama unforgettable. The swoonworthy moments are there, but not strong enough to make me want to rewatch. The male lead is complex and layered, but not quite loveable enough to sweep me off my feet. On the other hand, the antagonist, while mean, wasn’t menacing enough to be truly hateable. It left me feeling in-between — impressed, but not emotionally wrecked the way other dramas have managed.

Overall, it’s still a really great watch with a strong story and well-done performances. Just not one of those “rewatch again and again” kind of dramas. Would I recommend it? Yes — especially if you enjoy political plots with layered characters. But if you’re looking for that intense swoon factor and unforgettable villain you’ll love to hate, this one may feel a bit lighter than expected.

And lastly — Zhou Ye was dazzlingly pretty and irresistibly cute, but Ryan Cheng absolutely stole the spotlight for me. So manly, so handsome, and that whispering voice… arghhh, I’m in love. 😍 If only there were more lovey-dovey scenes, I’d easily give this a 10-star rating.

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The perfect drama and gave exactly what I sexpected from the nivel

A lot of people complain ab this drama that it’s too light and that they expected it to be darker, the novel is not revenge base but based on he yans journey and romance with xiao jue,if people actually got some more infos they would know this is not like ‚‘ My journey to you‘‘ ,‘‘a journey to love‘‘ kinda drama. For me it’s absolutely top tier with action romance and funny moments . People also complain ab he yan being to girly for a general, she doesn’t have to act like a boy in front of ciao jue anymore her real personality came out ,her personality as a girl , she’s bubbly cute in casual moments or to persons she’s close with but she can also be tough and ruthless when is comes to war,enemies etc. The chemistry and cast is top tier couldn’t stop giggling and xiao jues gazes are to soft omg the only thing that I would complain ab is like the episodes their to short they had to cut a lot since china had to approve every ep . So overall absolutely a masterpiece , it became my fav drama . And honourable mention the music is like heavenly so y’all go give it a watch

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The most powerful and loving general duo in the history

I've been waiting for this masterpiece since they announced the cast and started booting ceremony. Both of the main leads deliver their chemistry beyong my imagination. It's my first time watch cheng lei's drama and he got my attention right from the start. Not only because of his appearance (his nose is masterpice) but he can deliver sadness and sacrifice's that he did for his clan. And zhou ye? Don't ever ask me.. she's my forever crushhh. I love her acting and her style in this drama.. of course both of them has a beautiful chemistry on / off scene.. hope their friendship last forever.

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Wasted plotline potential, quite bad acting(not allll but yea), characters feel soulless

Two main thing that made me drop this drama was
The characters were SOULLESS

Like her current comrade group, they are solely there for convenience
Honestly even Cheng linsu character itself is also totally for driving a bit of romance , adding humor etc
Villains?(up till the ep that I watched) They are also lacking
Everything feel two dimensional character, can't connect to them on personal level. Most are there merely for convenience sake and driving plot

Second plot is lost....focus is lost
There are 36 eps. But for entirety of 23 eps I watched, main driving force here is revenging for Xiao jue dad. Which is alright
But I was hoping more focus on revenge but it feel more like Xiao jue thing is main (?)
Like it really had potential. But the execution was quite poor.
Also, just like the comment I saw, I would have love to see how she became so capable in first place. More flashbacks of training etc on he rufei. But now she is just deemed as capable and just because apparently. Like I so wanna connect to her character but there's a lot missing and they keep focusing on these quite irrelevant fillers.
My first point come again. Characters are not flashed out enough.

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Keep your expectations low and stay for the main couple.

Legend of the Female General was one of my most anticipated cdramas- I waited around a year for this drama... So, as you can imagine, my expectations were very high (despite not reading the novel before). I'm someone who enjoys dramas with a strong fl so that's why I waited so long, watching each episode whenever it comes out etc.

Now the review:

There were definitely a lot of plot holes, and unnecessary deaths that could've very much been avoided. But other than that, I would say that its a pretty good drama(?)- I'm not about to take off points just because of a few characters and plot lines.

The war/battle scenes were good but I am a teeny tiny bit disappointed. I would've preferred more quality and less quantity.

Can't believe it was possible for me to hate a character this much but Chu Zhao pissed me off until the very last episode... He Rufei and Xu Jing Fu didn't even make me this mad. Chu Zhao's appearance was so much more frequent that the main couple and it was so annoying lol. There was way too much focus on his character, background, and just anything he was doing. It felt like they were just trying to fill up time and using him to add (unnecessary) drama. His appearances just caused too much disturbance and messed up the flow of the plot a lot. Anyways, I would say the villains lacked depth and it was pretty messy since something would happen and eventually during the "revenge" (ig) they would just be thrown to jail or die- which is pretty underwhelming. They were very 2D and not convincing as a real "villain" ig.

I wish there was more to the ending. I binged the six episodes that came out today and I was shocked to see how much of it was just with the Emperor and in battles. The wedding and all was okay like I understand it was a hurdle for them since it wasn't approved but I just hoped there was a tiny bit more after or just anything. It took them too long to be officially together, and since I really enjoyed this couple, I was a bit let down by the ending.

Despite all the negative things I said, I would still give it a 9.5 since I still found it really enjoyable. The drama had my full attention and had me waiting for the new episodes every day. Makes me kind of sad that it's over tbh. If you're thinking of watching, I would say: keep your expectations low and stay for the main couple.

Zhou Ye and Cheng Lei had great chemistry and I really enjoyed them together for this drama. Hopefully they have another one together soon. Both their acting was superb. I couldn't imagine anyone else as Xiao Jue and He Yan.

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Deus Ex Machina

The hype around this drama caught around my ankles and dragged me in... unfortunately I can't say any of that was worth it. Promotions insist grit, blood, perseverance and instead it is pretty faces and ease. Let me explain.

I haven't watched much, and am wondering why that is. I know this drama isn't getting any better, and that's because the first few episodes were really not that admirable. A first episode of a drama, the first handful even, are supposed to hook. Usually with Chinese Dramas they push the budget and fine tune things so they are near perfect to watch. Some dramas have catfished me with this tactic, here.. it is honestly a bit appalling how little it did to hook.

With the premiere, the first episodes did what they should and shouldn't. What's important is to introduce characters, their story, what the goal is or should be... even with stories with multiple arcs- just give something. Here that is done, but it is incredibly rushed. The Female General is already the female general, and that is taken away. The way that is taken away from her is so rushed and happens in one episode, less than even. So with that, it has the audience distant. As a viewer, I'm not pulled into her story. Her motivation makes sense, but I find it bland. She had her master of hers revive her when she was literally pushed off a cliff. So she didn't die- and that makes me thinking that she can't die. Anything that happens to her in the story has no weight because of this setup. A lead who survives getting stabbed, falling from a cliff, etc.. right within the first half hour?! She gets attacked by wolves later and acts like she is dying, but as a viewer it is just wasting my time because I know she isn't. I can't say enough how bad of a decision it was to just revive this girl instead of the rebirth..

And I know that rebirth with chinese dramas can't be done these days. Still. There are ways to have a 'comeback' without it being handed on a silver platter. Her adversities do little to hurt her, and she wants to reclaim her place as general. Why though? Why was that so great for her? Why did she like it? Show this somewhere in the drama with storytelling... the flashbacks aren't even put into the story thoughtfully, it is just a little scene at the beginning. It is becoming aparent how little this drama is trying. Is it rushed? I don't know. I can't even say that the FL is looking for vengeance because she isn't, there is no fire in her eyes.. she isn't intense at all.

I don't want to make this too long but with that all being said. This drama isn't that good. It is very basic. The only thing it has that is cool is the Female General. Which is very very hard to buy into with all the plot holes. I see everything that is going to happen so I don't feel the need to watch. What is cool is the promotions and the idea, the execution is not. The chemistry is not, the acting is not, the editing it not, all of it is just very surface level. What you see isn't even what you get, which is disappointing.

It is too bad. I am too tired to explain more of why I feel this way towards the drama, but there's a lot to it... it's full of tropes and cheap writing that makes me feel stupid for watching imsosorry...

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Another hit for this summer!

What can I say? This was phenomenal. I am still in shock because it’s been years since I watched so many good historical dramas in a row (for me “Prisoner of Beauty”, “First Night with the Duke”, “Coroner’s Diary”, now this).

“Legend of the Female General” lives up to its name. Do you have to let the suspension of disbelief kick in for them to think she’s a man? Heck yes. But honestly, I got used to it. I’m a big Mulan fan so this was so down my alley. This show has a stellar cast, excellent production quality, and great writing.

He Yan and Xiao Jue are a couple for the ages. They go up in the same league as the Dou Zhao/Song Mo couple and Qiao Man/Wei Shao couple (“Blossom” and “Prisoner of Beauty” respectively). Their chemistry is on point and their fierce determination to fight for each other is beautiful. Even when misunderstandings threaten them, they resolve it quickly and are stronger than ever. The kiss scenes were well done so I would have liked to see more of them, but, for once, I didn’t mind the slow burn. It felt natural and captivating to watch.

Don’t get me started on some of the most beautifully executed battle scenes I’ve seen in a long time.

This makes three dramas to make my all time favorite list in the last five months—which has never happened. Don’t sleep on this one. Cheng Lei, Zhou Ye, and the rest of the cast delivered a masterpiece.

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“Your pains resonate within me... Because of you, I chose to believe.”

General Feihong and General Fengyun are the talented, loyal "Twin Stars" destined to protect the borders of the Wei Kingdom. But beneath the armour, they lead two different lives. He Yan is forced to put on the "cold mask" that "smothered" her identity and masquerade as the male heir in place of her ailing stepbrother to gain prestige for the He family, only to be betrayed and hunted mercilessly. On the other hand, Xiao Jue bears the weight of rebuilding his family's military reputation after being embroiled in palace politics and losing both of his parents. Yet it's their shared righteousness, unwavering trust and mutual respect for each other that allowed them to weather the storms and become an inseparable duo both on the battlefield and in life.

What drew me into this drama is the perfect balance between the female and male leads. He Yan is such a powerful female general that she not only wins people over with her phenomenal fighting skills and military tactics, but also with her wit and charm. She's ruthless on the battlefield, yet empathetic and devoted to those whom she vows to protect. Zhou Ye displayed a fantastic duality as He Yan that still amazes me with every rewatch. She can be lethal in one moment as the strong and confident General Feihong, then turn into the happy-go-lucky He Yan with her Dudu in the next moment. It's an unexpected, yet much-welcomed twist from her last role as the timid and sweetheart Sheng Sheng Man from Love Me, Love My Voice, whom I also adore. Xiao Jue is commanding and enigmatic, but he sometimes also looks as if he's about to buckle from carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. He undoubtedly believes that He Yan can prevail against ten men and conquer the world, but still always has her back and will be her "moon" if she's in need. Ryan Cheng gives such a complex and fabulous portrayal of Xiao Jue. His captivating, piercing gaze and impressive presence serve as a stark contrast to when he actually softens for He Yan or shows vulnerability and grief. I first fell in love with Ryan Cheng's role as the sassy Gong Shang Jue in My Journey to You, so it's wonderful to see him with more screentime playing a more fleshed-out character. On-screen, Zhou Ye and Ryan Cheng show superb chemistry as the invincible general couple. Off-screen, they're a goofy pair that know each other's quirks inside out and are always up for a good laugh. Even when singing, they're equally matched in singing off-key on Hello Saturday!

The cinematography is absolutely stunning! From the beautifully choreographed fight sequences to the sheer intensity of the leads and massive scale of the battlefields, there isn't any action scene that's not iconic. Personally, I love He Yan's diverse range of weapons, including the fighting whip, archery, spear, sword and twin blades. This highlights how versatile and outstanding she is as a general. My all-time favourite scene got to be when He Yan and Xiao Jue fought side-by-side in the final battle with their majestic, complementary black and white armours and matching ferocity. I feel like this could be a crossover between The Long Ballad and Who Rules the World.

For soundtracks, I love it when Light Within The Heart (心海里的光) by Zhou Shen and Moon Like Song (月如歌) by Curley Gao are played during the intense battle scenes. But Embroidered Moon Verse (锦月书) by Zhang Zining and Long-Cherished Wish (夙愿) by Zhang Yuan definitely stole my heart as they perfectly encapsulate He Yan and Xiao Jue's lonely journeys before they found their reflection and soulmate in each other.

It's not to say there are no flaws in the drama. I find the villains of the drama a bit anti-climatic. The supposedly big villain He Rui Fei and his conspirator Xu Jing Fu are not as scheming as they're projected to be in the first half, with both having a rather quick downfall. Chu Zhao is perhaps one of the most pitiful SMLs who's got no place to jump in between the two inseperable leads. I feel like he could be a more calculative and interesting character rather than reduced to a crazed, obsessed SML. While not really a villain, I do think the emperor could be more discerning instead of being easily swayed by those around him just for the sake of maintaining the "balance" in palace politics. Although I haven't read the original novel, I believe that the fact that He Yan stays alive in the drama, rather than reincarnating into another body, after the assassination (possibly due to drama regulations), drastically limits the plot potential of the last few episodes. Nevertheless, this is still a drama with very high-quality production, which I enjoy watching immensely. This is not meant to be a historical drama full of political intrigue, but rather an awe-inspiring journey where two generals find their soulmate in each other, who could share their pain and happiness as they fight life-and-death battles to defend their beloved kingdom and its people.

FAVOURITE QUOTES

“I like the moon, but the moon doesn’t know.” He Yan
“Now the moon belongs to you [He Yan]. The peerless moon is yours now.” Xiao Jue

“I’m afraid after pretending to be someone else for too long, I might forget who I really am. I hope there’s someone in this world who comes for me. Not for He Ruifei. Not for General Feihong. Just for me. Coming for me.” He Yan

“Women are never inferior to men. Through the ages, people have claimed women belong at embroidery frames and housewifery. But must we women be confined to domestic roles or limited to needlework? We can write and fight. We can write literary masterpieces. We can charge into battle and earn glory. We’re not just waiting to be saved. We can save ourselves.” He Yan

“Swords are for enemies. Never against the weak.” He Yan

“You [He Yan] and I always share similar experiences. Be it our pasts or present, your pains resonate within me. It was you… Because of you, I chose to believe.” Xiao Jue

"She [He Yan] graces my view, occupies my mind and claims my heart" Xiao Jue

“As the General Feihong, you must soar freely in the sky.” Xiao Jue

“Even against ten men, let alone women, she’d [He Yan'd] still prevail.” Xiao Jue

“Many people may show consideration for others, but those [He Yan] who would sacrifice themselves for other people at critical moments are exceedingly rare.” Xiao Jue

“I know you are worried about my safety. But you must realise that once I wear this amour, I become a soldier, fearless of death.” He Yan
“He Yan, receive orders! Come back alive.” Xiao Jue

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I like this better than its novel

Don’t get me wrong i like the novel, that’s the whole reason i am waiting desperately for this series, but i couldn’t help to feel that some scene feels unrealistic.

I don’t know about anyone else but i personally like this better than its novel, although a bit rushed and FL’s combat scene cut down to a minimum, ML’s dashing battle scene saves the whole Military General theme.

SML’s characteristics are much more pronounce that i hate him even more in this series.

I also like how they merged 2 certain characters in the novel into one. In the novel, one of them have little contributions to the story and the other have questionable life decisions that i must say it couldn’t relate to real life.

Ditching the rebirth genre is a great decision for this entire series, it makes every little twist and revelations that i find questionable in the novel much more believable in this series. But, although it serves the whole plot that sometimes questionable in the novel, FL frail figures could only justified by rebirth to another body, so ditching it would makes FL’s skinniness unjustified, not that i tried to body shame her, but i found it almost illogical.

The downside of ditching the rebirth story is also came by ditching few characters FL should have met, they are lovely characters, but i understand it would be illogical to include them without any red line to the plot.

Last but not least, their soundtracks are great and fit my preferences so well that i fell in love with them at first hear.

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