Pursuit of Jade

My obsession for a month

Acting:
My favorite role of 田曦薇 and 張凌赫! I was absolutely addicted to their romance and so cheering XZ on getting the girl. BOTH OF THEIR JEALOUSY AND ANGER AT EACH OTHER WHEN SEPARATING. WHEN HE PROPOSES TO HER AND GETS REJECTED AND THE DEVASTATION ON HIS FACE. The sparring scene when they finally make up (me crying tears of joy). THE BATTLEFIELD SCENE OF HER GETTING PICKED UP. Cinematic masterpieces and absolutely amazing angles and filming.
The side romance of GSY and QS was so sweet and long awaited. The tragedy of YQQ and QM. They all ate it up.
But it does really bothers me how people are really into QM because he's hot. The whole point of his story is the tragedy of obsession with power and control over others. He never truly loved her, he thought he did, and only at the very end does he realize.

Music:
Amazing. On repeat. Give me more. 張碧晨 is such a goddess and her vocals do this drama so much justice.

Story:
I think this was ultimately why I can't rate this drama above a 8.5 even though the acting and music are phenomenal. I think the plot is very strong and well paced for the first half of the show. Once FCY joins the military, everything happens too quickly and without enough depth to really continue driving the story forward as compellingly. I had problems with how she just got away with breaking so many military laws? How she's allowed to command soldiers or lead people with no military knowledge? I love how strong her character is but some things just felt unbelievable.
I also wished we got more fleshed out battles. I didn't ever feel like we were really seeing a large scale war. I think I've been spoiled by Who Rules the World, Legend of the Female General, Fated Hearts, Wonderland of Love with the epic battle scenes.
I think part of the problem is that 33% of the drama was well covered in 20 episodes and they squished the last 66% in the final 20 episodes because of the episode limit. I would've been perfectly fine with the drama being split into 2 seasons to fully do the story justice.

Overall totally recommend! Definitely worth a watch.

Read More

I get the hype!

Pursuit of Jade is by no means a perfect show.
There are loopholes and nonsensical shortcuts. The ending is rushed, as is often the case in C-dramas. I would have liked for the pacing of the overarching plot to be more even.

That being said, it’s a viral show I really don’t regret watching. Overall it’s quick and fun. The plot moves quickly and doesn’t waste time on too many filler moments.

The main leads have great chemistry and are beautiful to look at separately as well as together. The main draws of the show are Zhang Linghe and the romance, and both deliver. I don’t think I’ve ever watched another C-Drama and commented as many times upon ZLH’s sheer handsomeness.
- I loved that Changyu had her own arc, including a very mundane one in the early part of the show (getting to keep her house, setting up her small business!). She is a Mary Sue-esque character, but for the most part, she remains lovable throughout the show. I liked how grounded, practical, and also warm and cheerful they made her.
- Likewise, I loved that Xie Zheng is portrayed as kind, caring, reliable, and supportive. He is always finding ways to help FCY and not stifle her. He never seems to be threatened by her, and I enjoyed how he learnt to let his defences down and depend upon her.
- The other characters are fun. I especially liked the relationship and banter between Xie Zheng and Gongsun Yin.

Plot arcs and pacing
- I really liked the first arc in Lin’an town. It establishes the characters, the broader intrigue, and it makes you care about the romance and about the nice, laidback village life (in spite of the gossip and social hierarchy. It’s something to look back to with nostalgia during the show. Like Fan Changyu, it makes you long for home and for the old Yan Zheng.
- I enjoyed the middle part when Changyu discovers Xie Zheng’s identity. This is where there is the sweetest hurt/comfort, and where both characters are the most emotionally honest with each other.
- The last 10 episodes were the weakest for me. It would have been better if there had been an extra 5 episodes to develop the backstory of the older generation better, so we don’t get an exposition dump at the end.

Other points:
- I liked that the drama addressed issues like social class differences (especially at the beginning between Yan Zheng and Changyu).
- I loved the soundtrack, and the use of instruments like the suona.
- The costumes have been praised. I totally agree that they looked great.
- I thought the drama was a nice showcase of different aspects of Chinese culture. For instance, the Spring Festival episode was heartfelt and so well-shot.
- I thought the drama’s attitude to sex was frank and refreshing.
- The parallels between the healthy, egalitarian relationship of FCY/XZ vs the toxic, twisted one between Qi Min/Yu Qianqian was interesting.

Overall, a 红 drama which deserves the hype!

Read More

Two Generals Bound by Fate to Fall in Love

I want to start by saying that I had been waiting for this drama for MONTHS since its announcement, and I am pleased to say it did not disappoint!

I want to begin by applauding the acting; Tian Xi Wei ate! Everyone in this cast acted beautifully, leaving you feeling every emotion and really connecting with your character. Especially when side characters died, it was truly heartbreaking; you cried with them, you laughed with them, each of these actors did their roles justice. I have been seeing Zhang Ling He get a lot of attention, which he does deserve, because his commanding presence and acting as Marquis Wu'an was amazing, but Tian Xi Wei deserves so much praise. She portrayed Fan Chang Yu brilliantly, especially in the powerful scenes, I often found myself screaming "What a queen! What an icon!". The chemistry between Zhang Ling He and Tian Xi Wei was also impeccable. Everytime they looked at each other, you could tell, they were utterly devoted to each other. They were beautiful as a couple, sweet and adorable, and full of love! This coupled with the the effort and makeup of this cast alone made the show worth it.

Additionally, The OST also definitely deserves attention. The music fit perfectly with every scene, whenever Marquis Wu'an or Fan Chang Yu were onscreen as generals, the music really made you feel their power and authority, whenever they were on screen as a couple, the music made you giggle and scream at how cute they are. I will definitely be listening to this OST on repeat.

Now for the plot, which I agree with much of the internet, was the biggest downfall of this drama. Overall, the plot was confusing in the beginning, but as you watch, you will start to understand it, so the confusion was deliberate by the screen writers, but I do think it was not a wise decision, especially seeing that understanding the connections between key figures, eg. who exactly is Prince Changxin and his history etc., is so important in understanding the motivations in characters and why what is happening is happening. Furthermore, I was also so irritated by the whole mini-breakup/not break-up??? Like I get Chang Yu being mad that Xie Zheng hid his identity from her, but like she says she likes him one day, then the next day says no? so like I was a bit irritated. She also said that if Xie Zheng looks down on my identity as a butcher, then let him be, but at the end of the day she is the one looking down on herself, saying that she doesn't deserve Xie Zheng! That was super annoying. The worst part was the whole debacle with Chang Yu pushing away Xie Zheng because of her father's identity, that whole section was so unnecessarily long, like the back-and-forth between both of them was aggravating it watch. After all those episodes and time together, Chang Yu not telling him her identity and breaking his heart was very unnecessary in my opinion, it is almost like the writers needed another 'misunderstanding' to play with the relationship.

Overall, however, this drama was worth the watch. The sweet relationship between the leads and the power of our FL made this show so worth it!!

Read More

A great drama, nothing less expected from the director.

The actors wren't my favorites but surprised me and I loved their performance and chemistry (again thank you Zheng shu)
The first half was so relaxing and cute, I really enjoyed the time in the village, the middle was cool and adventerous wich I love when the fmc is a fighting badass and goes on an adventure and finds loyal male friends XD. But here, the focus shifted only on her, we saw seldom the male lead and so their chemistry dwindled a little bit.
The last third of the drama was stereotypical "lets find out the treason plot a few years ago and get revenge" wich was actually a bummer for the vibes but I still liked it. I generally like familiar themes in dramas :)

Read More

At least this got me out of cdrama slump!

Just finished this and although theres a few misgivings i had, especially towards the end, i’d say this is good that it can get me out of the cdrama slump that i was in for the past few months

By the way, this is my thought on my feed i’ve posted before.
Pursuit of jade (up till ep 27): Finally something able to drag me out from chinese drama slump that i was living in for the past maybe 6months?

Even though i still have couple episodes of fated heart to go thru before finishing it, i tried watching ep 1 of POJ and it was able to keep me going for more episodes. I was pleasantly surprised.

It was not like I was that into the love story between YZ and FCY (though it has its own sparks), but the plotline was able to grip me and make me press next episode till i was basically marathoning 26episodes in less than 2days. A complete win after almost 6months of basically 5% interest in watching chinese dramas for me. Lol

Looking forward to watching more of this. Hopefully it will stay this path and not disappoint me further ahead. Lol

P/S: tian xiwei’s acting so far is consistent. I love how she carries a tough independent girl character so far (both in this and New Life Begins



Now, on with review after completing this.
This story, for me, started out strong and captivating. Even though theres not a lot of lovey dovey moments between ML and FL in the beginning, the plot was capturing, and it makes you want to press next everytime you finished an episode. I guess this went on until about 2/3rd of the series. Towards the end, im losing the capture i dont know why. I can even stop my watching at ep38 with no problem, theres no rush to get to the end. I think it was quite a let down for something starting so strong to be like that. Tbh, i think theres no climax to the main reason everything happened in the past, the core of the conflict was weak, thus the resolution came across as meh, making the end as so and so only, rather than a satisfying plot. The supposed to be grand finale fight between QM, XZ and WY also doesn't make much sense, and it wasnt done that well, almost like a street fight between 3 gangs it seems like. I was so disappointed. I mean, QM even strolled down the aisle and just took the throne in like, 2 mins?! Tsk3

Despite the weak ending, ZLH and TXW did good. Their acting was nice to watch, and the chemistry is there. TXW is especially good in carrying out an independent woman role. Even though near the end, I dont see her being the mighty grand general as per her title. But before that, she aced the role. I dont see how the prince regent and the grand general can just settle down at the countryside like the plot portrayed, and still be in the loops, but well, maybe we just go with it. Lol.

Maybe the alternate ending they gave at the end kind of making up what they botched along the way. Overall, it was a nice watch though, dont get me wrong. At least i finished it within a week while I still have 3 more episodes to go to finish Fated Heart (it has been a couple of months since I started that. Lol)

Read More

Best couple representation in a historical drama!

One of my favorite dramas of all time!

Very good romance!
As much as we wanted more Chang yu and Xie Zheng moments, we were spoiled with the 15 first episodes. We saw them get to know each other and falling in love.

Story
I read the book before watching the drama which is most of the time a disaster for me (comparing every moments) but in this case, it was very well done! Production was excellent. The story was well fleshed out.

One very small criticism (mimimal) : would be the typical rushed ending. The earlier war scenes were more impressive and well produced compared to the ending rebellion scene with Qi Min, Wei yan and Xie Zheng.

Another criticism (but really small detail) is I would have loved to see more of Xie Zheng as Marquis of Wu An, as the war lord capable of doing damage. In the book, he is very smart, arrogant, violent/dangerous and very possessive. They smoothed him out in the drama which I liked but I felt that they forgot to give him more personality. They also made him more vulnerable which is good but he shaked off injuries quicker in the book.


I love Chang Yu ! She is one of my favorite female lead. Courageous, responsible, silly, strong, protective and loving. The only thing is they rush through her becoming a general making her look unlike a general contrary to the book version where they laid foundations for her becoming a great leader. Where in the book, Xie Zheng / Yan Zheng taught her to read a lot of characters making it possible to start reading military strategy books. Also, they killed off General He/Tang too quick making it that she had less guidance. They also did not include Xie Zheng making her read a lot of books annotated by him to make her a competent general.

Despite all of these comments, this couple is so good! I loved it. I can't get enough of them. The drama is absolutely beautifully shot. SNOW is the key.

Special mention for the children actors in this drama. Ning Ning and Bao'er were an essential part of the story. The director managed to include them in the story in an essential way that was better then the book. I loved seeing them on-screen. 🥰🥰 Ning Ning is adorable.

This was great. Best drama of these past few years. WATCH IT! IT IS WORTH IT!!

Read More

Highly Recommended......

I had never heard of the book so I cannot comment on how it translated over onto the screen. But from watching other Chinese series like this in the past, I would say by far this has been the best for me and so much so I would watch it again.

Warning it is 40eps long and each ep is at least 38 minute's long. But trust me you will be hooked if you like this kind of genre. Tian Xi Wei's endearing personality that she brings to the charcater just draws you in. The whole series from the cast, the fx and the scale of the production is brilliant.

Tian Xi Wei (Fan Chang Yu) & Zhang Ling He ( Xie Zheng/Marquis Wu'an/Yan Zheng/ 'Xie Jiu Heng') play brilliantly alongside each other and the chemistry is what you expect of accomplished actors/actresses. Even with the very many supporting cast, I would say all of them did exceptional. Even myself who is usually into watching GLs (girls love) series was rooting for them to make it as a couple.

It has all the usual twist, turns and stabs in the back of a story based on Emperors and wars but with some twists added in.

I really hope for a season 2 but for my understanding I dont think there will be. For one there is only one book that I know of that is about this story. Which is a pity.

I will be looking for more series with Tian Xi Wei in because she was that good and it helps she is a very beautiful young woman on top of being a very talented young woman. Not every actress or actor can say a whole sentence with just the expression in their eyes and if you watch this series, you will know what I mean by that because it happens frequently throughout.

Final comments are dont let the 40 episodes put you off because each one ends with you wanting more and more.

Read More

A selfish act of one throws the kingdom into chaos

Hmm… Pursuit of Jade is, without question, an outstanding production. From the superb acting to the exceptionally strong ensemble cast, complemented by beautifully executed CGI and a sentimental melodious soundtrack, the drama delivers on nearly every front. The lead couple, in particular, is perfectly matched—visually striking, emotionally convincing, and technically impressive in their performances. Their chemistry feels natural and compelling, elevating even the quieter moments of the story. In terms of overall production quality, this drama scores highly across the board.

That said, it is not without its flaws. The narrative leans heavily on familiar tropes—palace power struggles, manipulative and distrustful emperors, and the classic “rescue leads to romance” arc. While these elements are executed well, they do feel repetitive at times, echoing a formula that seasoned viewers of historical dramas will immediately recognise.

The story begins with Fan Chang Yu at her lowest point—having just lost both parents, struggling to survive as a butcher while caring for her younger sister, and enduring constant bullying. Her circumstances are bleak, further compounded by her fiancé abandoning her after passing the provincial examination, with his family looking down on her impoverished status. She is, in every sense, downtrodden and alone.

Fate intervenes when she discovers a gravely injured man buried in the snow. Demonstrating remarkable physical strength and resilience, she carries him home, unknowingly saving Xie Zheng—the renowned general and Marquis. Concealing his identity, he introduces himself as Yan Zhen, setting the stage for one of the drama’s most compelling tensions: the slow, inevitable collision between truth and emotion as both begin to fall in love, but at the same time not wanting to become a baggage to the other.

What strengthens the narrative is the intricate web of hidden identities and shared histories. Unbeknownst to them, their families are deeply entangled in a long-standing political conspiracy. The imperial court is divided between the powerful Li and Wei factions, each harbouring dangerous secrets. Beneath the surface lies a far greater mystery—the death of the Crown Prince’s family in a mysterious palace fire 17 years ago, the betrayal that lead to the capture and death of Xie Zheng's father and the Crown Prince at the battlefield, and the quiet survival of a rightful heir seeking to reclaim the throne. Are these the act of one single person or more?

The stakes rise dramatically when Fan Chang Yu discovers her own father’s role in past events—branding her, in effect, as the daughter of a traitor and placing her in direct opposition to the man she loves. This revelation injects emotional weight into the story, forcing both characters into an impossible position where love, loyalty, and justice collide.

The drama thrives on tension—concealed identities, political sabotage, and the ever-present dangers of the battlefield keep the pacing tight and engaging.

What adds further interest is its reflective ending. The glimpse into an alternate outcome—where a single act might have changed the course of a life—adds a poignant layer to the story. The “would-have-been” Crown Prince is portrayed as a far more benevolent figure, raising a thought-provoking question: is cruelty shaped by circumstance, or is it inherent? This subtle exploration of nature versus nurture lingers after the drama concludes.

Overall, Pursuit of Jade is a richly layered and emotionally engaging drama that excels in execution, even if it relies on well-worn narrative devices. It is well worth watching for its performances, production quality, and its intriguing story. This drama fully deserves its strong rating on kisskh.

Read More

What u shud know before starting this drama!

Starting with my opening statement - the cast is amazing, the storyline so far is good too, and the chemistry is just fire!

Positives:
1. The fake marriage plot: even though that's how it has started, they show natural chemistry from the beginning and I can predict that their love story will be beautiful!

2. Strong, innocent female lead: her character offers something new, and I love how empathetic she is and even though she is struggling herself with her parents' recent death, the villagers' judging nature, her broken engagement (i HATE Song Yan's character!! But we'll acted!), and money, she still helps the male lead.

3. The supporting characters: they are amazing as well, find out the rest by watching lol!

4. How caring and supportive FL is of the ML and it's 美丽的 how the ML admires FL and watches out for her!

Negatives:
1. I found the court things and matters boring initially, maybe because it was still in the early stages. Hope it gets better as the drama progresses.
2. FL's little sister. I mean, she is cute and funny, but she just gets in the middle of the lead couple's romance :(( I believe that even without her character, the story could have progressed well.
3. I don't appreciate how the ML lies to the FL about his true identity..she genuinely cares for him and looks out for him, she even went to find him at the camp..the ML should have told her the truth about his identity at that point!

Concluding statement - this drama is worth your time! But don't binge watch it, keep the suspense !! :)

Read More

Pursuit of Jade: When a Fake Marriage Feels More Real Than Real Life

🎬 Quick Take
🔹 Only 7 episodes have aired at the time of this review.
🔹 My standard for rating a drama is simple: writing, directing, and acting are the core.
🔹 For me, all three aspects already clicked by episode 7, so this is my honest first impression: 9/10.
🔹 Even so, I always think you should watch it yourself and see how the story, performances, and style feel for you.
🔹 If that sounds like your cup of drama tea, dive in.
🔹 Would I rewatch? Yes

💚 Why You Might Like It
🔹 You want a warm, romantic historical drama featuring a strong couple: a grounded butcher-shop heroine and a fallen marquis hiding his past, along with an unforgettable soundtrack.

📕 Overview
🔹 40 episodes, historical romance
🔹 Adapted from the novel "Zhu Yu" (逐玉) from Jinjiang
🔹 Zhang Ling He plays Xie Zheng, a fallen marquis living under an assumed name.
🔹 Tian Xi Wei plays Fan Chang Yu, a butcher's daughter who loses her family and is determined to become the head of her own household, butcher's knife in hand.
🔹 The story begins when they are brought together by fate, each with their own agenda, and enter a marriage of convenience that slowly shifts toward real feelings.
🔹 At the time of this review, 7 episodes have aired.

🌸 How It Felt Watching
🔹 It felt like entering a story where both leads are emotionally and physically present, and the fake marriage is sweet, funny, and gradually grows deeper without rushing.
🔹 What stood out to me early was the heroine's background as a butcher's daughter. Instead of a sheltered noblewoman, she feels practical and used to working with her hands, which gives the drama a more down-to-earth tone.
🔹 The atmosphere is romantic and emotional, showing village scenes alongside signs that war and old grudges
🔹 Themes: partnership, loyalty, war, family, duty, revenge, healing

✨ Cast & Acting
🔹 Zhang Ling He plays Xie Zheng, a war hero in hiding. Around Fan Chang Yu, he reveals a different side of himself.
🔹 Tian Xi Wei as Fan Chang Yu: She feels like someone you might meet in the market, practical and capable, able to work with her hands while also carrying the emotional heart of the story.
🔹 Supporting characters, including her family and neighbors, add warmth and humor while showing the social and political pressures they face.

🎵 OST 🎵
🔹 Careful with Fate (我对缘分小心翼翼) by JJ Lin
🔹 I Searched For Him A Thousand Times in the Crowd (众里寻他千百度) by Zhang Bi Chen

🎞️ Production Style
🔹 One of the drama’s biggest strengths is the cinematography. The director and team create scenes that feel beautiful and atmospheric. Each setting has its own visual style.
🔹 Fight scenes are clear and easy to follow, with steady camera work that highlights key moments without becoming chaotic.
🔹 Visual effects such as snow, embers, and battlefield dust support the mood of each scene.
🔹 Costumes match each character’s role and background, so you can understand who they are at a glance.

☕ Tea Notes

🌟 What worked:
🔹 A couple where both leads are strong and feel like equals.
🔹 The marriage of convenience is slowly moving toward a real partnership, and they already look like they belong side by side.
🔹 The director’s cinematography choices.
🔹 The butcher shop background and a heroine who carries a knife to protect herself and her loved ones, not just to cook.

🌟 What did not:
🔹 Some early scenes run a bit long, and I still wish the female lead could stay a simple, ordinary girl without too many extra "secret" hints.
🔹She is already interesting enough.

☕ SpillTheDramaTea's Rating: 9/10

Read More