Melody of Golden Age

It was a fun drama. And that's all...

The story starts with an arranged marriage of our main leads Shen Du and Yan Xing. Shen du is the head of one of the department of justice I guess. Yan Xing is a scribe who wants to be a female official. Shen Du's father committed treason and his whole family was annihilated but he was pardoned by the empress dowager. However he wants to clear his father's name. So the couple solve different cases along their journey. This is the simple gist of the drama.

I rate this drama 7/10.
The plot was lacking soo manyyy thingss. The cases don't make complete sense. They tried to interconnect different cases but the execution was very bad. The female lead pretended to be smart but there her arguments were not that convincing. Too impulsive. Trying to solve everything herself without a care for others. I could not tell where the story was heading. 40 eps was a bit too long and draggy.
Undoubtedly, Shen Du was the best character here. I think this was Ding Yuxi's best performance yet. He lived upto his character's name. He was the only cautious person in the show. Planned everything ahead. The female lead's acting was also really good. I was most impressed by the acting of Lai Longzhi.
The characters dynamics was really weird. Nothing was clearly stated. The sudden tribe and their arc was so abrupt. What was the deal with Chen Huoe. The girl who was always with empress dowager. What was even her purpose? Everything seemed too messy with no proper explanation to viewers.

If you are looking for a cute drama with some bits of mystery then go for it. But do not expect to find logic here.

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Ryan Ding as Shen Du is PERFECT

To celebrate Ryan Ding’s birthday, I will make a short review of this series. This is my fifth Ryan Ding’s drama. Although they can make the episodes shorter, I still enjoy the drama a lot and all because of Ryan Ding’s performance as Shen Du. I should say Ryan is the one that carry this series to the another level that makes everybody love his role as domineering but charismatic Shen Du. I can’t say a lot about his co-star Ancy Deng because she is new artist. I don’t blame her performance, she is doing quite well for a new artist. I just hope the writer can make her character stronger and not too dependable to Shen Du. I always prefer a strong woman character than a weak one. I hope in their next collaboration with Ryan Ding in Escape to Your Heart, her character will be more independent and stronger. Can’t wait to watch Escape to your heart with both casts, Ryan Ding and Ancy Deng
Story: 10/10
Acting/Cast: 10/10
Music: 10/10
Rewatch Value: 10/10
Overall: 10/10
Happy Birthday Ding Yuxi. I hope you more people will recognize and appreciate your talents.

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Series with no connection to its name

It was a series that started well at the beginning but became ridiculous in the last episodes. I endured 37 episodes. I couldn't watch the rest. The bad guys will definitely be punished, the injustices will be corrected, I can see and feel that. However, in the last episodes, the story got out of hand with unbearable logical errors and stupid software. It got to a point where the wrong guys became right, they hang and cut them up, the empress and other authorized people who see this are watching. That person, Lao Zhi, can't do anything. The queen who hangs and cuts everyone in front of her, gives a penalty times her salary when Lao Zhi makes a mistake and needs to be punished, is that good? I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I've never seen such nonsense in any series. The man continues his evil deeds. The queen knows it, everyone knows it. The queen doesn't come to the court, but gives the authority to punish and reward Lao Zhi, who doesn't do his job well, who constantly makes mistakes and needs to be punished. She gives authority. Instead of giving punishment, she gives authority. What does this mean? The audience is stupid and eats it up. Or the writer thinks we are fools. Can such a stupid thing happen? Second; there is the Princess, the Prime Minister. But he gives authority to a lower level and unwanted person who does not do his job well, constantly makes mistakes, and even believes that all evil comes from him. Oh my God! The Queen is blind, deaf, does not know what she is saying. Such a character. But the scriptwriter shows us her as a very smart person who runs the country. In fact, she works day and night for her country. Her son is very young. She is acting as his regent. She is shown as a good person. Is it a LIE, scriptwriter? What is this contradiction? Why are you taking us for fools? Do you have a problem? Are you crazy? Why are you spoiling the story? Why are you showing a bad person above everything and disregarding the others, even the Queen. Let's say this Lai Zhi wants to overthrow the Queen and her. She doesn't care. Why am I saying this? The Queen orders the arrest. Let alone arresting that person, Lai Zhi kills him. The Queen goes crazy. How can you kill him? He says I didn't give such an order. Sir, punish him. He says I deserved it. He says I cut his salary. What century are we in, scriptwriter? Are you kidding me? Are you selling bagels? Are you okay? Are you nice? Are you free? Go away. Don't get on our nerves. Shame on you. I condemn it. I don't recommend it to anyone. Don't get on your nerves. Don't watch it. I also gave these 6 notes to the actors. I liked the actors. They weren't extraordinary, but they were beautiful. Our daughter Ancy Deng was born in 2005, but well done, she has been playing the leading role since she was 15. She mixed her childish actions with her youthful actions while playing, but I think she will be better. So I support her. She will be a good actress. They were compatible with Ding Yu Xi. Zi Jun was very successful in the role of the bad guy. It suits her. Let her play the bad guy. Xiao Yan was good, I was surprised that she played such a role, but it was a supporting role and a light role. The actress who played the princess, Mao Lin Lin, Queen He Sai Fei, Xuan Lu, Sun Ze Yuan, Ethan Yao, Pan Lu Yu, Gao Ji Cai were the actors who caught my attention. I gave this note for the effort of the actors. I give zero marks to the writer and the script.

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a story of research, marriage and love!

finished 8.5/10 ✨💞
an adorable and soft leading couple, I loved the characters both individually and as a whole, great scenery and music... there was, in my opinion, a somewhat mediocre handling of the script, a filler of 10 chapters and the last two with a plot that was too fast... this particular drama had editing problems, some scenes were cut and others were superimposed in a strange way but it is left see... pure taboo the age gap of the protagonists and their kisses, I personally liked them and I didn't see anything wrong, As for the supporting cast, there were a couple of characters that stressed me out a lot and I admit that I skipped their scenes.

Still, despite everything, I highly recommend it 👏

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Chemistry Over Plot: A Hypnotic Love Story

I was pleasantly surprised by this drama! After seeing a wide range of reviews online, I decided to give it a try with little to no expectations. Turns out, I found a drama with great romance, chemistry, and well-paced relationship development, which honestly makes up for the rest of the plot, which is a bit lackluster.

It started strong, with intriguing storylines and well-done character introductions. Then it slowed down, became confusing, dragged at times, even ridiculous, but finally picked up again and became engaging for the final episodes.

The leads were fantastic—both the female and male characters were strong, charismatic, and intelligent, which I loved. They had some of the best chemistry I’ve seen in a drama. Regarding the FL’s acting, I saw some complaints and I agree it's not on the same level as the ML's. However, I wouldn’t call it catastrophic; it’s just very different from Ding Yu Xi's performance.

The case-solving element of the plot was weak. I enjoy mysteries and unraveling the truth, but this felt amateurish. It was somehow both overcomplicated and overly simple. It seemed like they stretched it out to fill time, only to give us the easiest solution in the end. By the time the resolution came, I’d forgotten half of what was going on or how we got there.

The same goes for the side characters. There were way too many, most of whom were unnecessary. I couldn’t even remember some of their names. And the forced second couples? I couldn’t care less. Plus, the worst best friend character I've ever seen in a drama. I genuinely thought for half the drama that she's evil or something, turns out she's just annoying (omg the voice was killing me), stupid, spoiled and trashy.

Nevertheless, the chemistry between the main leads overshadowed all these flaws. It was so natural and hypnotic that I didn’t mind sitting through the weird case-solving moments just to get a moment of them together. They had an incredible presence on screen and great dialogues. I appreciated the pacing of their relationship, though I would have liked to see the ML’s portrayal as a cruel minister last a bit longer. Once he softened for the FL, he became a softie overall, and I really enjoyed the powerful introduction he had. But that’s just my personal take.

Great OST, already on my playlist ;)

Overall, I definitely recommend it, especially if you’re a fan of costume dramas and romance!

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Slow Torture!

To begin the pace of this drama was extremely slow almost as if it was purposely done to drag out 40 episodes. I did like the beginning plot and the way in which I felt the story might develop. It has a smart, pretty FL and a smart, handsome, dominant ML. These two although they start off at odds find a common element early on in their ability to solve cases. Each has a strong moral position and an unwavering penchant for justice. The FL is one of a few that will stand up to the ML and does not seem to fear much. The case-solving tends to move slowly to match the slow pace of the drama.

The set and costumes are done well for the most part you do feel you are a part of the room. However, they did over-decorate some scenes and the room is too congested. I am not Asian, but I notice that many Asian movies are done in the cold where you can see the breath of the actors as they speak, and in this drama, it happens often. This is distracting at times.

Another thing I liked was the fight scenes. They were quick and entertaining moving faster than the pace of the show. The actors handled the action well and did a good job.

There is an interesting cast of characters with political intrigue. With this being said the first two episodes had my interest but then it fell short due to the slow pace of the drama and the lack of connection between the leads. Ding Yu Xi, I felt played his part well as the domineering lead but I felt Ancy Deng could not match his presence. There is not a lot of time spent on the supporting cast. Just some flashbacks to get a sense of the characters. If they spent time on them it may have helped with the slow pace.

So I think I get it now, why I am not seeing any chemistry between the leads. There is a certain immaturity in the FL so when I looked her up I found there is a huge age gap of 10 years between them. Not that age matters but if you have ever seen Yang Mei Mei, who is 19 yrs., but she looks 15 yrs. and she can pull off the coy woman role like nobody's business. the FL in this case, her youth and immaturity strongly come across in this drama. I think that with some agencies popular actors are sometimes forced to act with newcomers to give them a leg up in the industry. What a shame they could have cast better.

I stayed until the end to give Ding Yu Xi the benefit of the doubt because I felt he did a good job. The ending was not unexpected but could have been better.

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A Love Story With Missing Pages

Born as the daughter of a concubine, Yan Xing grows up under the guidance of the Ministry of Justice’s chief inspector, sharpening her mind and developing skills for uncovering truths hidden within evidence. After successfully passing the examination to become a female official, she sets her sights on exposing criminals and defending justice. Her plans take an unexpected turn when her third sister escapes an imperial marriage arranged by the Empress Dowager, forcing Yan Xing to step in as the bride to protect her family. Her reluctant husband turns out to be Shen Du, the feared and formidable head of the imperial guard. As strange cases begin to plague the capital, the two are drawn into working together. Through danger, investigation, and reluctant partnership, their bond slowly deepens as they uncover a massive conspiracy threatening the peace of Xiang’an City.

Right from the very first episode, Shen Du commanded attention. Dark, aloof, cold, intimidating, and honestly kind of terrifying. Pair that with Yan Xing, who lives and breathes investigations, got me hooked. This was exactly my kind of setup. A scary man with secrets and a girl who refuses to stop asking questions. Even better, I am a certified fan of the bad guy good girl trope, and this pairing delivered that vibe immediately. Shen Du treats Yan Xing with ice cold indifference at first, and I loved it. Their energies clash in the best way. On the surface, they feel like night and day. He is quiet, shadowy, and sharp edged. She is bright, stubborn, and driven by justice. But the more you watch, the more you realize they are strangely alike. Both are loyal to a fault, emotionally guarded, and shaped by their pasts and experiences.

Speaking of the past, this drama teases us with a shared childhood connection. Yan Xing remembers. Shen Du does not. Yan Xing probably sees him as an old friend, maybe even a source of comfort from her younger days. Shen Du, on the other hand, seems to have buried those memories somewhere deep. I always felt like Yan Xing was a light during his darker years, and that feeling lingered even when he forgot her. I was actually glad he only remembered after he had already fallen for her. That made the love feel earned, not something fueled by childhood nostalgia. Still, this past connection is one of those tropes that gets mentioned early, disappears for ages, and then suddenly comes back like a dramatic surprise guest.

The first half of this drama was genuinely entertaining. The chemistry between Yan Xing and Shen Du carried the story. I loved their cold bickering slowly turning into concern, jealousy, and affection. Watching intimidating Shen Du get worried and jealous over Yan Xing was extremely satisfying. Yan Xing taking care of Shen Du felt natural and sweet, because kindness is one of her core traits. Then came the second half. And oh boy. I hated it. I absolutely hated the fake divorce plot. It was unnecessary, frustrating, and drained all the momentum from the story. What made it worse was how easily Yan Xing forgave Shen Du at the end. After everything that happened, it felt rushed and undeserved.

I think the biggest mystery for me is when did these two fall in love. I am not joking when I say this question still lives rent free in my head. One moment they are agreeing to stay married for three months and then divorce. The next moment, they are deeply in love. Where was the turning point. Where was the moment. I could not find it. I do not think Yan Xing fell for Shen Du when they were young. She probably saw him as a friend. Shen Du probably fell for her back then, but since he did not remember, that should not count. So when did it happen. The fact that I cannot pinpoint it oddly irritates me, even after multiple rewatches.

Now let us talk about Yan Xing, because girl. I was honestly annoyed. I admire her passion and courage, but she acts first and thinks later way too often. She throws herself headfirst into danger without considering the consequences, and if Shen Du was not constantly there to save her, she would have died very early on in this drama. Her strong personality was not the issue. It was the repetitive cycle of reckless investigation followed by needing rescue that drove me up the wall.

Shen Du himself started off with so much potential. He was introduced as this dark, charismatic, and intimidating presence. But as the story progressed, that edge slowly disappeared. Suddenly he was being teased by Yan Xing’s friends and even a random kid. His darkness just melted away. I tried to give the drama the benefit of the doubt and tell myself this was the classic she changed me plot. But honestly, I wish he had stayed closer to his original characterization. That intimidating aura was one of his strongest charms. Not to mention, his night blindness. I know I should not overthink it, but I did. Yan Xing easily figures out a solution involving consuming some truly disgusting things. Are we supposed to believe Shen Du never tried that and just decided to live with all the lights on forever. It felt either careless or clearly written just to serve the plot.

The ensemble cast was a mixed bag. Lu Chui Chui was entertaining at first, and her relationship with Lai Luo Zhi was intriguing when he was still the mysterious masked man in the graveyard. Once he revealed himself, his personality did a complete turn. He became obsessive and confusing. He clearly had feelings for Lu Chui Chui, yet rarely showed them in front of others and mostly acted indifferent. I could not tell if this was bad writing or intentional characterization. I liked Lu Chui Chui’s bubbly personality early on, but her naivety became irritating later. Still, I was glad she got a happy ending.

Ding Yuxi and Deng Enxi delivered strong performances and undeniable chemistry. Even if the writing did not always do their characters justice, they worked beautifully together on screen. Ding Yuxi nailed Shen Du’s intimidating and dark traits, while Deng Enxi brought Yan Xing’s intelligence and warmth to life. Her eyes were especially captivating. And thanks to Yan Xing constantly calling his name, Shen Du has officially become one of those unforgettable Chinese drama character names.

Despite all its flaws, unanswered questions, and my endless complaints, this is a drama I genuinely enjoyed. I have rewatched it multiple times, although I stop before the story goes downhill. That probably says everything.

In the end, Melody of Golden Age is messy, frustrating, charming, and addictive. Just like many dramas we complain about but still cannot let go of.

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I feel like I would watch any show with Ding Yuxi in it

As soon as I heard Ding Yuxi was starring in this show as the main lead, I pulled up quicker than lightning and it was actually worth the watch.

This was the refresher I needed after watching Love in Eastern Fantasy Game...
The chemistry in the show was great and I loved, the main couple, but I would have to agree with earlier reviews that called out how irresponsible and tactless the female lead was.

Female Lead:
She was introduced as someone brave, who was willing to put her life on the line to uncover the truth, but I feared for the poor senseless child. She would carelessly walk into obvious traps and get herself into so much trouble just to get information and then her husband would have to save her time and time again, at one point I wished she would just stay home.
Nevertheless, she manages to get promoted, maybe because the empress realized that if she didn't give her some authority, this senseless chicken would have no other protection besides her husband. Don't get me wrong I still loved the female lead, I think she had a good sense of justice and responsibility, after all she did step up to get married in her sister's place. She is also a bit more cautious when it comes to her family and thus I couldn't hate her too much.

Male Lead:
This is the most buff I've ever seen Ding Yuxi and honestly one of his most mature roles, he wasn't too edgy of a male lead, but there really was nothing too understanding about his character either, he wasn't that good of a politician and I feel like if he did not have the favor of the empress, he and his wife would have been goners a long time ago.

Second Love Interests:
I was so glad when they left my screen, these attempted homewreckers had no decorum please, why are you chasing a married man or woman when they gave you no clear signs of interest, nevertheless beside this part of their character, they actually did help the main couple get out of sticky situations as well.

Villains:
The main villain in this show must have been so bored, because why are they everywhere??! I was so confused when more of their villainous crimes were exposed, because they were so unprovoked.

Overall, I feel like this show was pretty good, especially when you need something to watch in the background, the cinematography is stunning and the OST is beautiful. A causal historical C-drama if you will, with enough plots to keep you entertained for a while.

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A good watch if you don’t use your brain

Started of interesting and cute despite some weak plot twists. But the drama went downhill from around 19-20 episodes. There’s no character development at all except the ML. The FL would have been dead a thousand times during her so-called investigations if not for the ML. CuiCui’s character is so brainless that it doesn’t even make sense for her to have friends (a big mouth), and to be alive at all. How could the female government workers be this brainless? Maybe it’s intentional? The script writers seem to just give up on the logic and plot. Anyway, if you want a lighthearted watch , this would be a good choice.

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Not bad

From haters turning into lovers?! Drama like this is just too good to miss! It has a smart and cute female lead paired with a cunning military and political male lead.

What I like abt this drama:
- A strong and smart Female Lead, kind of cute at the same time. (When Shen Du pinched her cheek, I thought that was really cute and funny)
- A strong smart, charming, and cunning Male Lead.
I love the chemistry between these two
- I like how the FL was brave and confident, and won't let the others bully her or her family.
- And damn ML's martial arts is good, I love drama with a lot of martial arts.
- Love the settings
- Those 2nd FL ML couple just made this drama even better.
- The acting is overall really good, and the quality was good too. (Especially the fighting scene, 🤯 it was crazy good)
- I love the face and the reaction from Jing Lin (ML's bodyguard) when FL and ML are having conversations., sometimes his reactions are so funny.
- Love the comedy parts. (Sometimes I would go back just to rewatch those parts, hehehe)
- And that painting of the late Emperor was god damn good-looking.
- And damn that hot spring in Ep 25 looks really nice and comfy.

What I don't like abt this drama:
- The annoying 2nd FL, sometimes she just talks too much, but at the end, I kinda feel bad for her, because of "U know what happened".
- The FL sometimes messes things up and causes ML to get injured. And sometimes she's childish but I like the smart side of her better.
- And the 2nd ML, like.. I don't even know what to say abt him...
- The communication between FL and ML isn't that well, and that causes some misunderstanding and plot twists.

Overall is a good drama, but not as good that I will definitely watch it again.

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