A Splendid Match

Solid characters and decent court politics...only to be undone by a lackluster ending

7.8/10 rounded to an 8

TLDR: What a show….I cannot believe how BADLY they fumbled the last episode. Like I am so upset with how this show ended because I was loving it so much. There was a variety of characters and range in plots only to be let down by what I can only call an incomplete ending.

***

I loved Winwin as the secondary lead. Ye Xian practically stole the show for me. I appreciated his whole arc start to finish. I do wish they made him a *tad* less crazed at some points. I also wish he hadn’t died *of course*. But unlike some shows that kill for the sake of tears, Ye Xian’s death felt true to his journey. He was so apathetic to life and everything in the beginning but you can see him “melt” and soften as a person. I cried at his death and at both of his letters - the one to Gu Jin Zhao and the other to his sister. Honestly award winning storytelling and character arc.

Outside of Ye Xian, I also really enjoyed Gu Lan’s character. It’s usually that a character like her would just be “bad” and bratty, but I liked that she had no real issues with Gu Jin Zhao at first. It was only once everything imploded in the family she got desperate and betrayed Gu Jin Zhao’s mother. That said, she was still a redeemable and likable character. I was happy to see her learn and grow from that experience and even trust Gu Jin Zhao more.

Chen Xuan Qing was played by the same actor that was an antagonist in a different show and so because of it I was already pretty wary of him…even though that’s not how that works, I was still right to be wary. I feel he was the more surface level character. He’s used to move certain parts of the plot but has zero agency. I don’t think his character made as much sense as it could have if the writers focused more on character rather than plot in the later half of the show. I would have been more impressed if Chen Xuan Qing had more back and forth at the start of the show because his reappearance and apparently unresolved yearning for a woman *he* rejected years ago just felt…silly? I could not take him seriously at all. Where was all his devotion and romantic displays back when she confessed to him? Why would he wait over three years to still pine for her. I felt bad for his fiancee after all that. I’m glad she didn’t end up with him, but it was quite the ride to witness. I feel like I was expecting him to just communicate more. He takes after Chen Yan Yun with a lot of silent brooding, but I just felt like he admired Chen Yan Yun, it made little sense how crazy he got about the relationship.

I also want to give an honorable mention to Emperor Li Lin Zhang. He slayed. I feel like kid emperors are made super incompetent with their mom or court running the show, so it was nice to see him actually make decisions and stand by them.

Last but not least, the main leads: Chen Yan Yun & Gu Jin Zhao. Their romance is definitely a SLOW burn. The MDL synopsis makes it sound like she marries him in the first quarter of the show, but they don’t even “like” each other until the middle of the plot. That said, it was a believable and cute romance. She’s technically 15 when they first meet so I appreciate they wait until she’s 18 for him to formally declare feelings but I still like to pretend she was 18 at the start of the show and 21 when they start their romance. Gu Jin Zhao is a clever female lead. She’s almost a little to perfect - she can do archery and cook and think like the best of them. Her “flaw” is her intolerance to bullying which is not a flaw at all imo. I loved her. The actress was cute and played the role well. Chen Yan Yun is a cliche “serious” official trying to make the country a better place. That said, I was pretty “tepid” about him. He wasn’t bad but he wasn’t great either. I think his character was decently rounded and I enjoyed his journey in recognizing his mentor has strayed to the wrong path, but he didn’t really give Chen Xuan Qing much guidance in the later half of the show which I think did his character a bit of a disservice. I loved how he falls for Gu Jin Zhao, slow but steady. He treats her as an equal despite their age and life differences. I LOVED the letter of separation with his proposal bc it shows he understands her. I hated his reaction to the reveal she had a crush on his nephew 3+ years ago. Again, it’s not that I hated him, but I didn’t get that TV crush on him as much as I usually do for the male lead. I think it circles back to really enjoying Ye Xian’s character more. I even LOVED Ye Xian’s relationship with Chen Yan Yun — begrudgingly trusting.

All of these thoughts link right to the heart of the show — mostly well thought our main characters from protagonists to the antagonists. HOWEVER, it is that dedication to the characters that makes the ending leave a bitter taste in the viewers mouth. SO MUCH has happened and we don’t really get a resolution for half the characters and their storylines. If the writers had put an eighth of the effort they gave the characters to the plot, the last 10 episodes could have been so much stronger and the last episode would have been WAY more satisfying. We needed at least another 5 minutes from the closing scene if not 10 to really close out the forty episode long show.

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Too many admirers in the kitchen

This drama was overall really good. I felt that both leads did a great job in their roles. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a FL so bombarded with admirers before. Most women in these historical dramas are demure and cut unwanted attention off quickly before it goes too far but this FL didn’t do that at all. I really don’t understand the relationship with the 2ML since he was so arrogant and rude to everyone including the FL. She also let things linger on with the nephew of the ML that she shouldn’t have. She was supposed to be this intelligent woman that could any situation but when it came to admirers she was really dense. The last straw for me was when her husband comes back from war badly injured she just ignored him and had a nervous breakdown over the death of the 2ML. I get it that you’re upset but my word the show of pain was just over the top. Your husband passes out in the same room and she seemed to care less. If I was the ML I would have found the divorce papers and used them so she could be free to find another “friend”.

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I am on episode 20 rn and Good Lord I have stuff to say!

First I didn't notice the leap at all!! It's like one moment she is crying over the dress and the gu family plotting and bamp!! We have the leap. I found it so weird that suddenly it is 3 yrs as everyone started mentioning the year. In fact I watched the episode twice to finally see where the leap scenes was

Another thing that confused me was ML confessed and "gave" her time to think (she rejected him lol). But that time to think streched to 3 yrs??? Isn't that a lot?? Like what?? Did they interact for these years?? Or did I mistake the leap moment? I am still confused.

Now comes Gu Lan. At first I thought she had a brain and could obviously see through nanny Zhou. But it was quickly revealed that though she is intelligent the restrictions and gap between di and shu is something she is still afraid of. In fact it was more of greed. Greed to take everything. And ofcourse for Ye Xian. She started antagonising everything FL did. It changed her character to a brainless half sister so quick. But still understandable since she is spoiled and wants everything for herself. And sharing for her is being wronged. She is just ungrateful.

But after the whole thing will her mom and FL's mother. Her sudden 180 gave me whiplash like what?? One moment I am seeing her still defending her mother and still not realising her mistake and next scene we see her kneeling and apologising infront of FL. At first I thought she was just acting this way to save herself. She wasn't really apologetic. But FL mentions how Gu Lan isn't lying about her apology . And after the leap Gu Lan turns into this bullied white lotus . Though well yes she is being bullied but I would have liked to see the progression of her realising her mistake. Because it was very abrupt. We don't see any remorse at all. She is just suddenly good. And FL starts being cordinal to her and all.

Infact in the whole concubine scheme it was her idea mostly. Her mother was just following her. Sure she didn't expect it would cause a death or that the maid was lying. It is true that her intentions were malicious. But instead her mother ends up getting punished while she left just like that??


Anyways I really likeML and FL's chemistry. Love them.

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Reminds me of Rely on me and I'll rely on you.

Gu jinzhao and Chen Yanyun as a perfect cast that no one can replace, I've seen the interaction that differs the FL to the other second and third lead. You'll know at the first glance that the ML is enough to make it the standard.

To be honest its the casting and the acting that made me finish this. The plot need more polishing, aside from that her sister Gulan shes one of the greatest character development Ive seen.

The opening episode, I really love that part, that shows that Jinzhao aren't afraid for someone to see her fury that she ain't a girl who can just be restrain of others even her father. I've seen her growth and the character where shes intimidated with Chen Yanyun but she knows that he's realiable man. Where Chen Yanyun a very charismatic main lead I've seen he ain't the man that only serves pretty face but you'll know that he'll have the gut to do things you won't imagine. From the moment he realizes his feelings for Gu Jinzhao, he ain't losing any minute to show it and profess it. He goes for it like time matters.

As for my favorite second lead Ye Xian, I'd cry for you, hate you and understand his character.

Overrall love for this drama. Its one of the best drama I've seen this year. Looking forward for more projects for my actresses and actors.

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I absolutely enjoyed this but the last episodes lost me

Gu Jinzhao is 100% the star of the show. She carried so hard and I was invested in her the entire time. I also loved the romance way more than I expected. But man... those last few episodes really lost me. The only thing I absolutely ate up was the war arc because those battle scenes were actually batshit insane, they had me thinking the finale was about to be one of the best endings I’ve seen. Instead, everything felt so rushed, there were so many unresolved plotlines and characters that never got proper closure. It gave me that "’yun na ‘yon?” feeling which is such a shame because the episodes leading up to the ending were SO good that i genuinely expected a much stronger payoff.

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One of the best dramas I've watch.....but the last 5 eps were kinda disappointed

I thought I should write a review on this drama!
I really liked this drama like the story, the actors and actresses, the quality. Ci Sha looked so like majestic and too nice in this drama. He looks mature than his age and trust me Chen Yanyun(his role) really really suits him. And I like Ren Min who played Gu Jinzhao. They really had nice chemistry.
Although the ending was strong but towards the ending like last 4-5 episodes I kinda feel like they ruined it, not the cast like the production team or the editors. It's indeed a splendid drama idk why they just ruined it at the end, like the end felt kinda empty. It's like they made it unfair for the whole dramas by just last 5 episodes. But from the start to until last 4-5 episodes I freaking loved it, the story ,the cast, roles.
There were few places in the drama that felt like nonsense. Like where when Gu Jinzhao was getting married Ye Xian(2nd lead played by Winwin) came and confessed but she had already told that he's no more than just a friend but later it shows as she's sad, but it shows that she has no feelings for him. That was like bruhh.
The betrayal, politics, romance like everything was in the drama. I really loved watching their together parts like couple romance, it was so good. He's a green forest man, he really loves him so so much.
The wedding part had me giggling and repeating for several times, like it's one of the or like the best scene and their newlyweds time and their romance. AARRGGHHHHHH
Anyways I don't want to spoil much though, actually more like i didn't say anything lol.
It's actually a nice drama with everything as I said betrayal, politics, romance( kinda slow burn)
I hope u won't be disappointed by watching it.

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Why I Decided to Stop at the Halfway Point

This is a drop review—commentary on the first half of the season. No numerical ratings, opinions only.

This wasn’t my cup of tea. I don’t want to get too deep into specifics since I’ve already shared my thoughts on the drama a few times in the group, and after a while, repeating the same points feels less like reviewing and more like criticizing.

I will say that I was immersed at the start, and I enjoyed the characters, their roles, and the dynamics between them. But as the story progressed, the characterization started shifting in ways that didn't land for me, and the plot gradually lost my interest. I stayed with it through to the midpoint because I wanted to remain open to where the story was heading. But after that, I was mostly just keeping up with the parts I was drawn to, mainly the political aspects.

That said, I do think the performances themselves were wonderful from what I watched, and the cast really stood out in their roles. We don't see enough of Ci Sha IMO and Winwin delivered a masterful performance with his character.

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This drama is so slept on. It is so good!

As an avid cdrama watcher, this drama was insane!! It is completely slept on and being overshadowed by others, and it is such a hidden gem!

I wanted to first bring up the chemistry. OH MY LORD the chemistry. The FL and ML talk with their eyes, both of their eyes oozing love for one another; this level of acting is insane. Truly applause for Ci Sha and Ren Min, their acting was exceptional. The way the loved each other, cared for one another makes this pair one of my favorite couples out of the 100+ cdramas I have watched. I have seen many people complaining about Chen Yanyun looking to old or favoring the second ML, but honestly, I cannot get over the chemistry between the two. The love that CYY has for his wife, the stability even when he is angry, the maturity, makes him the best husband out of them all. Their love , the way their eyes soften when they are around each other, the way their body gravitates to one another, alone made this show worth the watch.

Even without them being together in the start of the show wasn't a problem, after all watching our FL, a character who is genuinely smart and crafty, make her way through the capital was enticing. I love how even after marriage she wasn't made some dumb character who fades into the back, she remained sharp throughout, and CYY loves her for it! Again just Ren Min did this role so well!

On to the plot, overall it was coherent, and made sense. It was a bit cliche, but interesting nonetheless. The emperor was a great character, watching him actually become smart instead of some puppet child emperor, schemeing with CYY and Ye Xian was very fun to watch. That reminds me, I loved CYY and Ye Xians developing friendship, they went from strangers fighting over the same girl, to truly people who relied on each other in battle, their relationship was heartwarming to watch (especially towards the end; I started crying, they did care for each other in a way).

For those of you wondering about the ending, it is a happy ending so don't worry (well relatively happy...). Like many others, I did wish for more from the ending, some closure on how everything ended, how is the court, the people, but the rest of the show truly makes up for it.

To all of you reading this review, WATCH THIS DRAMA! IT IS SO GOOD!

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A Fairly Good Script With Several Twists Different From The Novel

It was refreshing to see Ci Sha as the lead actor, carrying the role well as both an older statesman and a middle-aged man. The director seemed overly generous with the number of kissing scenes for the lead couples, perhaps getting carried away. Over many episodes, I was puzzled by how the Chancellor, once deeply motivated to reform the country, turned into a greedy and corrupt man willing to collude with Northern Barbarians against his own people. Even until the final episode, I believed this brilliant man blindly trusted his wife simply to please her. I was unexpectedly moved to tears when Ye Xian died in episode 39; his speech rallying his troops was truly inspiring. For years, he bore the shame of being unable to assume his father’s marquis title due to heart illness, and I never expected him to die in battle. Chen Xuan Qing’s transformation from a bright, mature, sensible kid into someone consumed by jealousy toward his father and uncle was a ridiculous twist. At his final hour of death, he returned to that sensible child felt deeply ironic.

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Absolutely stunning

This is one of the most addictive , engaging Chinese Dramas I have ever watched. Ci Shan is stunning and has moved from a second Male Lead to a Super Star Lead after this one. The drama is beautifully done with loads of handsome suiters chasing after the female lead. She is tough, outspoken and honest. Her conversations with her dreadful Father are legendary. She is a breath of fresh air and provides a wonderful alternative to mousy, squeaky Female Leads. It is certainly a Splendid Match,. Both Leads are stunning. Full paced with lots of great acting. lovely settings, great story. The female Lead's Family are atrocious and deserve a good and painful outcome. This drama will be legendary. The amount of postings I have seen on other channels are chock a block full of excited, mostly females who cannot wait for the next episodes. There will be lots of binge watchers. After a drought of forgettable dramas the tide seems to be turning towards some excellent, mostly Chinese Dramas. This has been a totally consuming experience of watching a Drama for me. It Marks the First time I ever became addicted and couldn't wait for the next Episode. The Male Lead is stunning and I hope this drama catapults him into becoming a Super Male Lead in many more dramas. I saw him in Forever and Ever and felt sorry he did not feature more. What a wonderful match between him and the Lovely Female Lead. Their collective families were as Ugly as can be found in most Period dramas of families competing and fighting amongst each other for Power and influence. .
The reason I am doing my Review before the final Episodes is because I am worried it will be screwed up before the end and we will be robbed of our happy ending for the Main couple. That will be a tragedy.. There has been so much Angst every episode. So much excitement, disbelief at the insanity of a number of neurotic men in Pursuit of the Female lead and Ugly Entitled Females.. This Drama will Be my first Number One Choice for a long time to come. It will be rewatched forever. Bravo to all involved in the production and every Actor who were tremendous. This Drama Has Real Impact and will no doubt be remembered by heaps of Grateful people. Thank you and fingers crossed for a happy ending for our beloved Main Leads.

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