Me of the best cdrama ever watched
Melody of golden age is one of the best cdrama J have ever watched . This was my 2nd Chinese drama watched and I was captivated by its plot and ShenDu just from the 1st episode unlike other Chinese dramas where you need to watch few episodes to understand the plot this one is different from the rest . The plot is captivating , one of the oat popular overseas period dramas and the Male Lead actor plays this role perfectly as if he was born for this role . The Female Lead could have performed better but I’ll cut her a slack as she was very young when performing and her first on stage kid was in this very drama . The female lead plays seems to be more intelligent and use her own brains to resolve crime cases . The plot is fantastic . I recommend this drama to everyone who likes historical dramas and good acting .Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Give this show a chance
Spoilers in the third and fourth paragraph! Also my opinion for those who have not watched this show yet in the last paragraph (no spoilers there)Okay, at first I started watching this show around january and i dropped it at the second or third episode because it was kind of boring. But after a month, all that was recommended was this damn show so I decided to give it another chance given the positive reviews and because I had a week break from school.
There’s many plot twists in this show, so rewatching would be boring at some points since you already know why some parts occurred, but mainly worthy of rewatch. I love Shen Dus actor here, I came from love game in eastern fantasy so his personality change was def smth. The female lead i have never watched, so this was my first time but she was super good at her role and beautiful as well.
I love how the ml slowly softened up to the fl, their romantic interactions and kissing scenes were amazing, as well as the times where things didn’t go as well such as the time where shen du had to divorce yang xing. I lowkey became furious as him but it had also made me realize just how well these actors played their parts. The part where she stabbed him made me super satisfied, and that was the moment where we got to known that she knew what he was up to.
I loved the fl personality and how smart she is, given that she is a detective after all. She stayed smart throughout the whole show which I was not expecting given some other shows which were disappointing. But overall this one did not disappoint whatsoever, I loved how smart she was and the fact that she was willing to take sm risks for her and the people around her.
I absolutely loved the side characters, as they brought a lot of comedic attitude. My fav was Pan Chi tbh, I liked how much he helped out and the fact that he was Chi Chi. The death of yun que and the yilang ren was where I had my first tears for this show, they definitely did not deserve to die but it was beautiful seeing their relationship.
In short, give this show a chance you won’t regret it whatsoever. It was one of the first historical c dramas without the fantasy and powers that I actually watched all throughout without going on my phone lol. The plot was super smooth and I understood what was happening. I also apologize is there’s any typos here as I had just finished the show and was so excited to write a review, which I had never done before for any other c dramas. (I have watched alot and this one definitely impressed me)
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A Lazy Copy& Paste Plot
ML is supposed to be a fierce ruthless no nonsense commander of the Imperial Security Bureau nicknamed White Ghost, feared by all in the realm while FL is a little no rank scribe at Ministry of Justice with extensive investigative skills. Their fates got entangled in an arranged marriage when FL’s sister got betrothed to ML with an imperial decree under the conniving Prime Minister’s workings. FL’s sister ran away with her beloved to escape the marriage and FL was forced to step up and replace her as bride to avoid the family being implicated. ML was never interested in the marriage, and as he did with all his previous brides, he tried to scare FL into running away. To his surprise, FL was adamant to stay as she was threatened by the Prime Minister to become his spy in the commander’s mansion. ML decided to let her stay to see what other tricks the Prime Minister had in store for him, as he too was investigating his family’s framing many years ago which he believed related to the Prime Minister. Cases came up one after another as ML and FL uncovered clues leading to the truth behind his family’s demise, and they developed feelings for each other in the process.Honestly at first i was ok with the FL cuz this character seemed to be a brilliant and upright one. But as the story progresses, I find her extremely annoying because ML always ends up needing to save FL each time she goes on to investigate these cases. Apparently the FL isnt really smart, but just a stubborn damsel in distress who has a knack for investigating things. Her only skill is to find out the bottom of things, and not someone who can think a few steps ahead and cover her back while doing her thing. It’s truly annoying cuz she ends up getting in trouble every single time and implicates everyone around her.
As for ML, i first saw him in White Cat Legend and then in Love in Pavilion, and thought he is really not bad of an actor. But i think he did better in series where he doesnt have a love interest. And it doesnt make things any better when the FL’s character is too annoying and cry excessively. Many of the emotional scenes in here are not naturally conveyed, i failed to feel the sadness the characters are feeling as they cry, especially when the FL cry so dang much to the point of my annoyance. That is how detached the characters look for me. Excessive public display of affection between the main leads after the so called love confessions are also too over the top and looks much out of place in ancient time. As if the screenwriter was trying to force out the main couple’s love too much to the audience. Maybe even the screenwriter thought the actors dont have much spark between them so they plant this kind of excessive expression of love to fill in the void and convince the audience.
Overall, the only characters that are fun to watch had been Wu Da Ren (FL’s boss) and her mom! Those two are hilarious and i look forward to see them with each episode.
There’s also too many flashbacks and backstory of unimportant side characters that really don’t have any impact to the main plot other than just to lengthen it. The ending is also too predictable. The palace coup arc was like a copy&paste from other tv shows, it’s lazy writing on the screenwriter’s part. I don’t know how it went with the novel as i havent read it (and don’t intend to), so am not sure if the novel’s plot is as bad as the adaptation (cuz many adaptation tend to divert from the original novels).
Most painful to watch is the final sword fight between ML and the villain. I really think the increased speed just to show the fighters’ prowess is too excessive which made it look comical. ML had better fights in White Cat Legend and Love in Pavilion, so this problem here lies on the fight choreographer (if they even hired one) and the editing.
The ‘divorcing-FL-to-avoid-implicating-her’ is also too old of a plot. So old it has rusted! I am so disgusted at this type of plot, so i couldnt even finish episode 40 cuz I think the FL should give ML harder time before reconciling. If your spouse don’t think you can shoulder their burden with you, why bother being together at all? Sick of this lame excuse for love.
The songs are great though. But because I didnt like the story, I am not adding them to my playlist as to not remind myself of this show everytime it plays.
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WATCH IT RIGHT NOW!!!!!
This drama is absolutely amazing!The actors were very natural at acting the story line was super intriguing as well. I loved the chemistry between the actors she is a scribe but acts kinda like an detective with the ml they both go on to find the truth but both of them have thier own secrets but they all come together. I loved this trope of cdrama, both the character falling in love was so natural and love how they both protect each other
But there are some werid things
1) the kiss ( I love u ding yuxi but your kissing is awkward lol but this doesn't really affect me that much neither to the story line or thier way of romance in the drama)
2) the events following the ending got me confused don't get me it's not bad or sad it's happy it's just like u finish watching it then go HUH? lol but still worth watching due to the storyline
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the only good thing is their chemistry
they had interesting character, but I got disappointed with the set and editing. the story itself not my cup of tea, kinda silly script. I'm not gonna finished this drama. ding yuxi save the drama bcs I really don't want to watch the drama for a few episode if the male character not ding yuxiWas this review helpful to you?
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I don't understand why anyone likes this
I honestly do not understand why people give this show a rating that isn't garbage. All the reviews are about how The ML is the highlight of the show and how he is so good, and about how the female is so strong and capable. But the show starts off with the male lead shown to beat cruel and honestly evil. No of course they're going to towed all that back as the show goes on and they're going to show why he did these things and none of the reasons are good. The literal opening act for him was enjoying killing people not doing it because it was his job not doing it because he had to but enjoying it. And then he is repeatedly shown to enjoy inflicting cruelty on people including the woman who he has essentially forced to accept being treated like a piece of garbage. He's fully aware she does not have the ability to turn down the marriage he tries to force her out but if he does succeed her whole family will die so not exactly a good look. He disrespects her in literally every way a man could back in that time without actually raping her. And then he gives the idea that's what he's going to do because they haven't actually gotten married he just ignores the entire marriage process and declares that it's happened. He watches her drowning and just stands there. Sure he doesn't let her drown but a person who is capable of literally standing there and watching someone drown has serious problems. Now sure he thinks that she was sent in as a plant and to cause him problems which would explain some of what he does but it doesn't explain it all. The only way somebody acts like this is if they are legitimately a psychopath. I honestly hate that I wasted the time watching this because sure they eventually get to the loving and the caring but the foundation of this entire story is disgusting.Was this review helpful to you?
I can't stand it !!!
I can tolerate even if the plot is boring, and I can tolerate even if the actors' acting is not very good, but what I can't tolerate the most is the dubbing.I can't concentrate because the dubbing voices and the actors' lips don't match.
I feel like I'm watching fake acting. The person who really acts in this drama is the person who does the dubbing.
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Golden Age -First Impression. *Loyalty & First Love.
Completed & Updated overall view.First impression >
Initial set up for cdrama historical detective court love story, the first few episodes were a bit long in establishing the charaters and trying to keep track of all the parties for future reference will be challenging. I am eager to see how much they continue to uncover of the childhood connections with each episode. I feel it would have been sweeter to see more of why the FL is so open minded and trusting towards the ML.
So much good chemsitry for our CP!!
Ryan Ding has matured so much into this charater, I Love it. Always Love to see his signature eyebrow raise -"Intrigue" facial gestures. I find his growth into this more mature, dark, cautious charater is very believable. ML has many skills and secrets that will slowly reveal themselves to those in his most trusted circle. Thankfully his arranged marraige and wife FL turns out to be a blessing in the shadows for them as well.
Amongst all the tense secrets and plotting we have the moments of cute CP learning they can trust and lean on one-another.
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Smart Detective? Not Quite ?
Honestly, I’m really sorry because I actually really like the male lead, but not the female lead. In my opinion, Deng En Xi, who plays a supposedly smart detective, should be able to solve problems in a clean and logical way… but she doesn’t. She constantly throws herself into trouble and always ends up being rescued by Shen Du. There are just too many situations where she stubbornly insists on investigating things on her own, only to cause more trouble for herself.Deng En Xi’s acting also feels stiff, and she often has this ungrateful and guilty expression, even though Shen Du has saved her multiple times. Whenever she’s trying to solve a case, as a “smart detective” she should have facial expressions that reflect intelligence but instead, Deng En Xi gives a wide-eyed, extremely confused look.
It’s such a shame, because this drama could have been great. But due to several things whether it’s Deng En Xi’s acting or how the drama portrayed her character. I just don’t think it fits the image of a “brilliant detective.”
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another low quality writing
CDramaa just keeps on spouting crappy production one after another. The writing of the main FL is trash. As a young lady in ancient times, to be able to secure a position in a government office, no matter how small, should be smart and capable right? But she kept on spouting idiotic dialogue. In ancient time, going against high ranking official is punishable by death, not only that, she even dare to question Empress Dowager edict, that'll get your whole family exterminated. Lost interest immediately after this scene, the writer can't even get that very basic knowledge. Not going to waste my time... Not the actors fault by the way, I just can't stand watching crappy writing.Was this review helpful to you?
C-dramaland is really underwhelming this year
The acting was a joke (the FL, her mother ..etc i can't stand their acting), even if i usually like the ML (not in this drama obviously!) i just couldn't get into his character.The production was very very poor, like how come the dogs have a collar !? at that time??? if your are making a period drama , please do make a period drama. Didn't the bodies the FL examinated stink ? then why wasn't she hinting at it, acting like those were fresh bodies....I mean make it make sense PLEASE!
After going painfully through 5 episodes, i gracefully decided to show myself some mercy and quit watching this show.
I don't recommend it.
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The Battle of the Brained Titans
‘Melody of Golden Age’ (2024) Mystery RomanceI am excited about the new Chinese Costume Drama Melody of Golden Age. There is much attention to cinematic details in this Chinese drama, like camera angles, film and cinematography quality, and scene composition. All this is to raise the drama suspense level. The drama’s opening minutes are so eye catching.
Strong cold male with high intelligence battles with focused and fearless intelligent female.
Shen Du (Ding Yu Xi) is an illegitimate son whose intelligence and keen observation skills allows him to solve crimes easily. This has gotten him promoted to Great Chief of the Internal Imperial Guard Office. He is an expert archer with a full life and it does not have room for romance. Consequently, when the Queen keeps trying to marry him off, he scares the wits out of the prospective brides and they call off the engagement. Yan Xing is from nobility and daughter of a Concubine, but she is a trailblazer. She is the Sixth Miss of the Yan Clan. Yan Xing is a woman who takes advantage of a program advanced by the Queen. Woman are being selected for a male dominate position of Clerk of the Ministry of Justice, an investigative bureau.
The sister of Yan Xing is selected to be the next victim bride of Shen Du. When the sister runs off, Yan Xing steps in to protect the family name and becomes the bride candidate. Shen Du soon tries his old tricks again, but Yan Xing is intelligent and bold enough to call his bluff. The situation reduces to The Battle of the Brained Titans. These two learn to coexist and become a crime solving team.
Melody of Golden Age is adapted from the Webnovel ‘Chang A Tong Que Ming’, written by Feng Huang Xi. I think that Melody of Golden Age should be added to your Chinese Drama View List.
Actors
Acting since 2017, Ding Yu Xi made a big splash in the 2020 Chinese Drama hit ‘Romance of Tiger and Rose”, my first meeting with him. Ding Yu Xi has a magnetism about him. You don’t easily forget his bravado. Ding Yu Xi has “cold male” down to a science. Since 2020, Ding Yu Xi began to carve his niche in Period Dramas. His bravado works so well with this genre. Ding Yu Xi has appeared in nine Chinese Dramas since 2020, with seven dramas being costume dramas. Ding Yu Xi is shooting up the A-List meter fast.
Chinese actress Ancy Deng is a new comer too. She started acting in 2017 as well. Her status is a slow climb, landing guest, support, and main roles. Flourish in Time (2021) was a hit for Andy Deng. Melody of Golden Age (2024) is a hit for her thus far.
Interesting Note: Ding Yu Xi is a Guy’s Guy who bites his nails. He has football fingers. I find it interesting in the opening scene, a male hand model with delicate hands is used for this pivotal scene for the close up of the fingers strumming a bow. I saw his hands in Romance of Tiger and Rose.
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