This review may contain spoilers
Intriguing start, but faltering focus: A mixed experience
This drama started off with an interesting concept, especially with the female lead, Yan Xing, working in the Department of Justice. Her strong investigative abilities added depth to the story, and the initial banter-turned-romance between Yan Xing and the male lead, Shen Du, was enjoyable to watch.However, I felt that the drama struggled to maintain its initial momentum. It began with Shen Du investigating the cause of his family's death, but the focus eventually shifted to another case, which dominated the storyline. This change in direction made the plot feel less cohesive than expected.
Additionally, the second male lead took on a more prominent role towards the end, and while his character arc was significant, I wasn't sure if it warranted that much emphasis.
As for the cast, this was my first time watching Ding Yu Xi (Shen Du) and Ancy Deng (Yan Xing), so I don’t have much to compare their performances to yet. However, Ding Yu Xi left a strong impression, and I’d be interested in checking out more of his works in the future.
Was this review helpful to you?
Acting Matters A LOT
I was in a drama slump and Melody of Golden Age has somehow reignited my gusto for cdramas once again. From watching clips on tikt0k to binge watching several episodes a day...this one got me really hooked.I've had my reservations with this being an mgtv drama and I was right; hence the headline of this review. The leads' acting was truly what got me hooked. The first few episodes were very promising I had to watch in a different site to fully appreciate the subs lol.
Story - typical investigation trope where the investigator (FL) is given a ridiculous amount of plot armor. Some cases were a bit much for me and sometimes I felt like they were doing too much for minor things. Their backstory, especially the ML's was very engaging and DYX hard carried for the most part. One of his best characters to date in my opinion.
Acting - I haven't been disappointed with any DYX performance yet and I'm confident it stays that way. His portrayal of Shen Du was spot on and if I weren't a fan of his I'd definitely have an impression of him being a huge guy with the way he carried himself in the drama. His pain, hatred, affectionate and happiness... I felt it all through my phone screen. As for DEX, this is the 2nd drama of hers I've seen and I'm happy to see another promising actress. She's naturally charming and has one of the prettiest eyes I've seen on c-ent. She also conveys her emotions well, it's just that her character here, Yan Xing, can be too overbearing sometimes.
OST - For me, OSTs matter a lot whether I enjoy a scene or not. I'm absolutely in love with MOGA's OSTs. I think they're edited well during scenes and just affects me the right way. Absolutely in love with DYX and DEX duet.
Overall, it doesn't have a high rewatch value for me. I won't miss the story but the characters have definitely left an impression on me because of how much I enjoyed them. The leads' effective acting mattered a lot in keeping me hooked until the end. I loved the full commitment in every scene. Shen Du was such an interesting character, definitely something I'd remember DYX for.
Was this review helpful to you?
There but not quite there
If this was a dish..It smelled appetizing, looks attractive, first taste was tantalising.
But then midway the flavors get lost. You cant say its a failure but you cant deny you are disappointed.
That in a nutshell captures how I feel about this drama.
What I did like. ML with strong presence/aura and line up to cheer if you like me, appreciates a grey antagonist kind of ML. FL has a job, has ambition and rather knowledgeable in her field. Together there's a draw, a charge in the air between him and her. That was quite entertaining first few episodes.
What the writers should have worked harder on:
- the plot that wasnt much of a plot. The antagonists were clear as light of the day. And clearly the plot didnt req 40 episodes.
- the cases werent written thoroughly and it didnt really highlight the FL's supposed ability
- the FL much as i respect a brave young woman. Theres no excuse for recklessness. In many scenes having been just rescued, cried, she dives into another danger head on. The writing here is a bit senseless. It dumbs down the FL's character.
- By mid arc the ML was written like a tiger who lost its front tooth. No bite. Suddenly the opposing figure we see in episode 1 is nothing but a distant memory.
Literally this drama survived on the strength of its actors. DYX and DEX both delivers. Both have beautiful eyes and deliver the pathos and feels. I stayed for them but cant help cursing a tad at the writers who imo werent up to par.
Was this review helpful to you?
Actors are amazing!
The actors matched well, the chemistry between them is so great. I have watched BTS and I think the credits should go to the director too.The storyline is not quite strong, there’s some point that doesn’t make sense but the overall, I think it’s worth to watch, for me this is one of the best romance series though.
Was this review helpful to you?
A messy plot with decent actors and missed opportunities
For a drama with such a nice title, I was expecting something abit more mature.It is clear that they went with an overall direction that is meant to please younger audiences with over the top editing, slow mow, fighting scenes, visual effects, stylish poses etc. Same with how they directed the FL and ML and their romance.
The show had many good premises, but it ended up being an absolute mess of story line.
1. Forced arranged marriage where a smart and defiant FL is not scared of ML, eventually aligning in solving cases together.
2. An empress dowager regent trying to fend off the wolves and protecting the throne for her grandson whilst also trying to promote women into power and Official positions.
3. Marshall Xu raising a bottom up police force to fight off the crimes of the nobles.
4. A sect spreading throughout the state brainwashing people and threatening the safety of the state and the throne
Any of these premises would have worked as a great drama in itself, but combined together, it was very chaotic. I definitely feel like it's a wasted potential, I wish the story line was consolidated and targeted towards more mature audiences. If they truly wanted to go with a silly romance and over the top action with good looking actors, they didn't need to go with such a convoluted plot.
Now, in terms of the premise of the show, FL acts according to her age, she is supposed to be young and willfull, so they went in that direction both woth how she acts and the romance itself. The actress in real life is very young, so making it the most sexy, steamy drama isn't very fitting in this instance. The story itself would have worked if the FL was older, almost considered "spinster" in those times. It would have been fun to see a "discarded" FL that has career ambitions slowly win over the scary and unapproachable ML. No need for the childhood connection.
There are some really interesting characters in the show, the actors do great/decent job. I appreciate some of the storylines in the drama, like FLs family and the empress dowager regent. It's a drama that is totally fine to watch in the background, but has little rewatch value, and relies on many tired tropes and this very empty feminism agenda.
I would give this a 6.5/10 in MDL scale. I fastforwarded alot of the last 10 episodes, because most of the scenes didnt really add much to the story.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
ML carried this show
BEWARE OF SPOILERS!!YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!
I love Shen Du!!! Omfg I didn't know I would love his character so much, but I love him. He's such a well written character, and every scene with him talking to his family in the memorial room was absolutely magnificent. Episode 8 was the best ep out of the whole show. Shen Du in his family's memorial room and giving his monologue about getting justice for his family, and the small snippet of him denouncing his father, despite not wanting to, was so heart breaking. Ding Yu Xi's performance, the music, the cinematography was absolutely marvellous! I will legit go back just to watch that whole episode. And then episode 39 where he was asking Queen Dowager for justice and it being paralleled to him denouncing his father was chilling. I had goosebumps. Then that final bow in the memorial room with the ost and lighting... I WANT IT FRAMED TO MY ROOM. THAT FUCKING SCENE HAD ME.
And now... all that being said, things that I DID NOT LIKE about this drama:
- The stupid divorce. The divorce bought down my enjoyment by a lot, if I'm being honest. They could have pretended. And them still "hating" each other despite the big bag being defeated was so stupid. Yall had something great, only to mess it up into something good because of this one decision.
- Shen Du's character being regressed to a loser at the end when he tried to win the FL lead back. That was so stupid.
- The one guy that trying to hit on a married woman!! Bro, why do we always have characters like this in shows? They're married, LEAVE THEM ALONE!!
- ChuiChui... my girl... why did it take you a whole kidnapping to finally tell your bestie who the masked guy was? And she could have easily pretended to marry the guy and then back stabbed him. The dude was so delulu it wasn't even funny, he wouldn't even have noticed.
- The FL. I love Yan LiuNiang, I really do. The scene where she used ML's blood to sign off the divorce was epic. But this girl cannot keep herself out of dangerous situations. Legit started to roll my eyes every time she got kidnapped or ended up in a situation that needed the ML to save her.
Overall, it was a good experience, and I would most definitely rewatch this up until the divorce, then skip to the end where Shen Du finally got his justice. The editing at times at the start was kinda jarring for me, but luckily it didn't persist through the whole show. Either that, or I just got accustomed to it. And it was lowkey slow for me at the start, but it definitely picked up after a couple of eps. But I do feel like this is one of those shows that you either like, or you don't vibe with it. So give it try!!
Was this review helpful to you?
The chemistry
This drama is pretty enjoyable. I love the chemistry between the leads. The dubbing doesn't really bother me, I couldn't tell that it was dubbed. I find the chemistry between the leads the best part of the story. Great watch if you just want something light to watch. Not going to lie I actually subscribed to MangoTv for this drama even though their subtitles are hard to understand. Overall I like this dramaWas this review helpful to you?
Great visuals, great chemistry
●Some minor things could be better. I know this is drama so I tried not to expect unreasonable things.● I'm a romance fan and intrigue is not my favorite but overall it was good. At some point it was hard to follow but I blame the subs. So I decided to trust show's logic and enjoy the story.
●I think the separation should had been handled better.Despite that SD actions were with good intentions there had to be a conversation(on screen) between them.Maybe it's because I'd like more interaction between our couple. I know it's my preference so ...
●Overall it was very good experience.
●A lot of episodes are worth rewatching.
●A lot of good, funny and romantic moments.
● I liked both actors. Very convincing and natural presence.
Was this review helpful to you?
Stupid drama by idiot writer
The drama suppose to show smart main couple solving crimes together but the idiot writer made the drama and main couple look so stupid with most of the time wasted on stupid misunderstandings and childish quarrels between the main couple.The idiot writer seem to write this stupid drama without using any brain cell to think whether the plot is logical.
Dropped at Ep 15 as it is unbelievable that the writer so idiotly turned a talented female lead from a suppose smart investigator into a brainless, reckless and ungrateful spoilt damsel.
Stop wasting time on idiot writer that written stupid drama.
Was this review helpful to you?
Don't expect a spectacular show, but beware of "Entitled" female character!
Just writing a review since no one did and ratings are falling for no reason :DWhat to expect:
1. A decent storyline which can become good later on (since its only 1/4 completed now) - It's basically a ML revenge plot where his family got killed as traitors.
2. Decent acting: Well ML seems to be doing good, not so sure about FL yet.
3. Slow Burn romance: Seems to me it would be more childish but healthy sort of relationship and would take a while to get mature if it ever does.
4. Too many side characters with each with their agenda could make story complex or really good later on.
5. Decent production nothing too spectacular.
6. Updated - An entitled FL which will keep using a ML abusing him (with words) and allowing her friend, SML and many others to constantly disrespect him - (She literally talks about divorcing him and then goes to temple to pray for nxt marriage just after he saves her by risking his life and lying on bed:D) . This made me realise this show went from 8.2-8.3 to something closer to 7.5, pretty fast.
What not to expect:
1. A banger that will blow your mind (well at least based on first 13)
2. High Chemistry: Well, considering age and slow burn romance dont expect it to be anything like "The Double" but thats also good since this seems to have a real story:D and not just romance. But overall chemistry might not be the usp of the show.
3. High level IQ based investigations, well its CDRAMA
Thats all folks, to me this could be a drama that we won't consider a waste of time (considering this year's shows its already a win!) and rather something that felt good while watching but not spectacular enough to be talked thereafter.
Was this review helpful to you?
Overl all is good but …
I found this drama is very interestingOver all is good, funny, male lead is great so far but I found it a bit annoying for female lead
Why the writer write this kind of character is ruin All the drama I think 🤔
I see all drama series Sometimes I wonder why they created the characters
Was this review helpful to you?
Loved every second....!!
This was a complete surprise. Every single character's acting and role was done fabulously. The FL lead casting was bang on, the way she potrayed her character was such a delight. No delicate darling nor over the top unrealistic skills. Just a regular smart person who has strong survival skills and loves her family and wants to prove something.This was my first Ding Yu Xi drama and i absolutely developed a massive crush on him or rather the role he played. One of my personal favourite things is to see actors who have some meat on the bones and are not sticklike or too skinny. Makes the roles they play comical imo.
The story was very well written and potrayed. I was absolutely immersed into it from episode1. You love the characters you are meant to love and hate the ones you should. No over the top overacting with comedy.
This is my second time watching this drama and many times I have found myself just looking for YouTube edits of my favourite scenes...just like that.
Highly recommend this drama. It deserves all the love it got and more.
Was this review helpful to you?
