Rebirth

Avoid… a complete disaster.

What a deception! I rarely rate a drama 1 but here we are…

Facts: Princess Agents (PA) incorporated supernatural elements. Rebirth featured fabricated events and storylines. PA was supposed to have a second season and not end on a bittersweet note. Rebirth was intended to be the sequel but became a completely different story from the novel and certainly not a logical follow-up to PA. Rebirth failed to satisfy in the romance department and concluded with a sad, unsatisfying ending that killed both FL and ML.

I never have preconceived notions before watching a drama. I was even excited. I didn’t care about the age gap but wondered how they would shoot the happy ending with a couple very much in love without physical interactions, but why not? I was open-minded; I’ve seen how prude Chinese directors can be and happy endings nonetheless. I never watch FL Tiantian on screen, and most of the others, except, of course, ML. I was curious—the same curiosity I had when Joy of Life S2 aired. Mostly because both stories are my favorite novels and dramas.

Well... that was a major slap in the face. Episode 1 was a complete mess. It felt like the cast was just out of school, reciting lines without conviction or trying too hard. Rebirth’s first episode started with a cliff of corpses (uh?) and ended in a mountain of ashes. My eyes rolled so much that I had to grab a bottle of XX (#sarcasm)

They completely missed the mark with the rebirth project—wrong casting, wrong scriptwriter, wrong director, wrong narrative. The PA audience expected logical continuity after the lake ending, with romance, a happy ending, and genuine chemistry between the leads. Instead, they cast a 17-year-old and a lead who is a decade older. She was praised for her knowledge and experience after being cast in PA… She was around 10 and shot only a few scenes as a young teen in PA, probably in just two days. What knowledge? What experience? Was she even allowed to read this novel, since there are references to sex encounters? Their choice wasn't based on her talent but rather her connection to Zhao Lying and PA. ML was hired for his popularity, and Yan Xun was cast based on his looks. There was absolutely zero chemistry between them.

Rebirth was announced as the sequel to Princess Agents. However, what they failed to mention was that all the unresolved questions—such as the supernatural spider-ice power, her origins, her love story with Zhuge Yue, Li Ce's unrequited love, and Yan Xun's lasting longing for her first love—were entirely ignored. Rebirth took the story in a different direction, with no romance. The forty-episode run ended on a disappointing, sad note, with both ML and FL dead. I am not sure why they chose to kill the main leads… definitive closure for this TV drama? Trying to gain more tears from the audience to end it dramatically?

They fail. Big time. In every major aspect. Casting, script, directing.

The only positive aspects are the martial arts, the scenic visuals, and some supporting cast members.

Many fans believe there is a popularity rivalry between Princess Agents and Rebirth. They are mistaken. Comparison is inevitable. Princess Agents was not a huge success when it aired, mainly because the novel's author was dealing with plagiarism issues. However, the cast, script, director, and OST were outstanding. The story was engaging from episode 1. The only issue was the final episode, which, as we know, ended on a bittersweet note with no resolution. It was not meant to have a different ending because season 2 was supposed to follow. Unfortunately, Season 2 never aired for various reasons, and the fans expressed their frustration loudly.

I compare this drama to someone expecting a luxurious meal and getting a sandwich instead… not worth it to watch.

I encourage you to watch Princess Agents and read the novel. Both have different narratives, but both are very addictive. Rebirth? What rebirth? It is certainly not a Phoenix but ashes.

Sidenote… On Douban (gereral rate 3), 90% of reviewers rated this drama 1 or 2 stars. They disliked or hated it. MDL rated it 7.5 up to mid-series then dropped to 6… with ratings on both platforms consistently declining each day.

Conclusion: a major failure.

***

Main Characters:

Novel:
All the events in PA and Rebirth are inspired by the novel, reflecting common practice. They borrow elements and adapt them for each celebrity cast in the dramas. What they notably failed to do in Rebirth was to show how emotionally broken Chu Qiao was when she left Yan Xun for good. She loved him as her first love, remained faithful and loyal, but after they escaped to Yanbei, he lost his humanity and turned his genuine love into possession. He also became jealous when she gained popularity and respect within his army (except among his close lieutenants, who had an agenda). The more he pushed her away with his actions and jealousy, the more he became a selfish tyrant. He was a broken man. He never recovered from her departure. He loved her, but his love was twisted.

Zhuge Yue fell for her because she was his favorite main servant. In the novel, he never taught her martial arts, but they later fell in love. When she left his house, she was about 9 or 10. She stayed confined with Yan Xun for 8 years, then they escaped to Yanbei. That age difference makes both dramas quite different, as Zhuge Yue waited 10 years before confessing his love. It took many years before she could finally admit she loved him.

Li Ce's love for her was never known to her while he was alive. She understood how much he protected her and loved her unconditionally. He definitely had many concubines, but he loved only two women in his life: one was dead, and Chu Qiao. He gave her everything, but he knew she didn't love him as a man, so he kept his love silent. When he was assassinated, she took over his empire and united it again. She saved his two children, fulfilling one of his last wishes and requests to her. I admit that I cried like a baby reading the chapters

Endings:

Novel: (very) happy
Princess Agent: bittersweet
Rebirth: sad

Novel:
Chu Qiao and Zhuge Hue become the king and queen of a northern kingdom in the mountains. There is no slavery in their kingdom. They have two children and one adopted child from Li Ce. Li Ce's second child is raised as the future emperor with strong support from Chu Qiao. It takes some time before they live together. They marry after they become a couple. (meaning they had sex before they married). Their sex life is very happy (lol) and Zhuge Yue never takes a concubine or another wife.

So, indeed, a happy ending for them.

Yan Cun remains alone in his vast palace. He's an emperor. He married and has an empress he doesn't care about at all, and he also has hundreds of concubines, many of whom look very much like Chu Qiao physically (sleep with them once and discard them). He ends up lonely, filled with mixed feelings of regret for his choices that drove Chu Qiao away, but he also understands that his desire for power, revenge, and jealousy took precedence. He never loved anyone else but her. His love was selfish and possessive. He placed her on a pedestal. They only ever shared one memorable, unique kiss—no sex. Some see it as obsessive, but I see it differently. I saw a man who lost his soul after the slaughter of his family, and only Chu Qiao was his savior. His lieutenants, jealous of Chu Qiao, fed him lies, and his jealousy took over… pushing her away. She lived alone in Yanbei for 2 years, and when her own army was in trouble because of Yan Xun, she left and never returned. After that, he met her in person once, but it was brief—mostly just looking into each other's eyes. Both understood it would be the last time they'd see each other. When he realized she loved Zhuge Yue, he tried to kill her on the battlefield—not himself—by sending groups. If she couldn't love him, nobody would. Of course, he failed. Yan Xun achieved his goal of becoming the emperor of Yanbei and killed thousands of enemies, until the last option to keep the Yanbei empire alive was to sign a peace treaty. Everyone feared him; nobody loved him. He was utterly alone, missing her and thinking of her.

***

The novel has under 300 chapters, and many full translations are available—some of okay quality, others less so. Dissatisfied with what I found, I decided to proofread and edit it myself, but it isn't complete yet. I am also working on other novels like Joy of Life, Word of Honor (BL), and other romances, as well as Xianxia. As a human editor, not relying on AI, I update slowly but consistently. *The link to my blog is in my profile* 😉

Read More

Messy Sequel

First of all I only watched this cuz LYR was in it and the story was kinda interesting at first even though there were plenty of messy parts but ML and FL acting was really good some are saying they don't feel the chemistry but ig it's cuz they can't freely do pure romance cuz of FL actresses age.
I'm genuinely so disappointed of the times I even defended this drama on diff soc med platforms just for it to go downhill after 30+ eps and I actually really do like the Ximeng part UNTIL THEY MADE IT MORE COMPLICATED 😭💔.
Tbh Idc what anyone says but FL keeps making irrational and SELFISH decisions like I just don't get how u lit save each other and have the chance to be together BUT STILL DID NOT CHOOSE THAT 🤦‍♀️ like I'm career driven person myself but if I truly love someone and they sacrifice a lot for me, then why the heck not ill choose them over anything else.

Also the freaking ambitious ending oh fck noh 🙄 all that sacrifice and blood just for an open ending like btch it's straight up dog sht.

But overall I think the FL despite her age she's still incredibly talented and I hope she gets to have a proper drama cuz this drama made her a scapegoat. I truly feel bad on all the hate she's getting instead of blaming the writers and director.

Read More

A Second Chance Story Destroyed by Stupid Writer and Terrible Director

The drama Rebirth should honestly be renamed Refuck, because watching it feels like being trapped in a loop of the same bad writing, bad decisions, and recycled nonsense again and again.

Watch it only if you have too much time, nothing better to do, and a high tolerance for recycled stupidity.

The plot is a mess. The female lead is written as a perpetual damsel in distress who repeatedly sleepwalks into obvious traps, makes foolish decisions, and waits to be rescued again and again. Instead of character growth, we get the same helpless cycle dressed up as drama.

The story also tries to look clever with multiple endings, but they feel less like meaningful narrative choices and more like confused writing. The logic collapses, the tension becomes repetitive, and by the end, it feels like the writers were simply throwing shits at the wall to see what might stick.

For a drama built around rebirth, revenge, and second chances, it somehow manages to waste all three.

What it actually delivers is repetitive stupidity, lazy plotting, fake suspense, and characters who behave as if basic logic is a luxury item they cannot afford.

By the end, the only person who needs rebirth is the viewer, preferably into a timeline where they never started this drama in the first place.

Not recommended unless you genuinely enjoy frustration, weak storytelling, and characters who keep making the same stupid decisions until your patience dies.

Read More

"Rebirth" draws more attention on the poster than on screen.

“Rebirth” is a film that looks far more interesting on its poster than it actually is on screen.
While the premise suggests themes of transformation and emotional renewal, the execution fails to support that promise. The script is weak and inconsistent, preventing any real sense of narrative depth or character development. As a result, the story never fully engages or convinces.
The female lead is particularly undermined by poor writing. Instead of a clear and meaningful character arc, she feels underdeveloped and inconsistent, which weakens the emotional core of the film. Without strong writing, the performance has little room to elevate the material.
The central romantic pairing also lacks chemistry. Their interactions feel forced rather than organic, with no gradual build-up of tension or emotional intimacy. The noticeable age gap is never meaningfully addressed within the story, making it feel more like an awkward detail than a deliberate narrative choice.
Direction-wise, the film gives the impression of ambition without delivery. It suggests emotional depth and complexity but ultimately fails to translate those ideas into something impactful or engaging.
In the end, “Rebirth” is a disappointing experience — a concept that looks compelling at first glance but collapses under the weight of weak execution.

Read More

losing in deep forest.

For people coming from Season 1: Luo He (洛河), Chu Qiao’s mother and the former leader of the Han Shan Alliance (寒山盟), had mastered this technique. Before her death, she transmitted about 80% of her Han Bing Jue power to Chu Qiao, designating her as the new heir of the Wind and Cloud Decree.

The “Wind and Cloud Decree” is not a physical token, it manifests as a flower-shaped birthmark (often described as a red spider lily / 彼岸花) that appears on the successor’s shoulder once the Han Bing Jue is fully awakened.

Yuwen Yue uses “ice arrows” both to train Chu Qiao and to save her during the wolf hunt.

Xiao Yu as elder sister of Xiao Ce crown prince now call li ce crown prince; represents a brilliant narrative choice: a female power player whose strength is not only martial, but also intellectual, political, and emotional. Her “bending sword” is more than a weapon, it symbolizes her ability to adapt, strike unpredictably, and protect her kingdom without relying on overt domination. The fact that she can stand toe-to-toe with Yuwen Yue in both strategy and combat makes her one of the most satisfying characters in the drama.

In Season 2 (rebirth), these elements are largely missing. There are 3 of likely reasons:

1. The original concepts were more complex and dramatic, and the new production simplifies things, focusing mainly on Yuwen Yue (as a Zhuge –type strategist), Yan Xun, and A’Chu.
2. Budget constraints, especially for visual effects. Depicting ice-based internal energy like Han Bing Jue requires heavy VFX, so many scenes fall back on metaphor (frozen lakes, breath vapor, frost on arrows) instead of fully visualized abilities.
3. The producer is lazy and needs money fast because they knew the first drama was huge, so the second is an easy money grab.

It’s a noticeable contrast: Chinese animation often goes all-out with overpowered visual spectacle, while live-action dramas tend to scale things back, sometimes at the cost of depth and impact.

Read More

im sorry this drama no good

I’m sorry, but I still find myself agreeing with many of the broader criticisms that have been circulating about this drama. While it may have started with a promising premise and a cast that clearly had potential, the execution ultimately fell short in several key areas. The writing, in particular, felt inconsistent and at times even careless, as if the story lost its sense of direction midway through. Plotlines that were initially intriguing either fizzled out without proper resolution or were rushed to a conclusion that didn’t feel earned.

One of the most disappointing aspects was how the characters were handled. Early on, several of them were introduced with depth, complexity, and clear motivations that made them engaging to watch. However, as the story progressed, many of these same characters seemed to lose their identities. Instead of evolving naturally, they became one-dimensional, stripped of the traits that once made them compelling. It almost felt like the script no longer knew what to do with them, reducing them to mere tools to move the plot forward rather than individuals with their own arcs.

The direction didn’t help matters either. There were moments that should have carried emotional weight, but they were presented in a way that felt flat and uninspired. Scenes that were clearly meant to resonate with the audience ended up lacking impact, largely because they weren’t given the time or nuance they deserved. The pacing also contributed to this issue, with some parts dragging unnecessarily while others were rushed, creating an uneven viewing experience.

As for the acting, it’s hard not to feel that the cast was let down by the material they were given. While there were glimpses of strong performances, overall the emotional delivery often felt muted or disconnected. Whether this was due to the direction, the script, or a combination of both, the result was a lack of genuine emotional engagement. It became difficult to fully invest in the characters or their journeys when the performances themselves didn’t seem fully realized.

And then there’s the ending, which, quite frankly, was one of the biggest disappointments. After everything that had been built up, the conclusion felt abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving more questions than answers. Instead of providing a meaningful resolution, it came across as rushed and poorly thought out, undermining whatever goodwill the drama had managed to maintain.

In the end, despite its potential, this drama ended up being a major letdown. It’s unfortunate because the cast deserved better material, and the initial concept had the ingredients for something memorable. Hopefully, the actors will move on to stronger projects that allow them to showcase their abilities and leave this disappointing chapter behind.

Read More

What Happened

I’ve given this show enough grace, but I think enough is enough. There are so many plot holes in the story.

The executives at Tencent and iQiyi who gave the green light and budget to this show deserve to be fired. This is probably one of the worst storylines I’ve seen in a while.

My problems with the show started when Chu Qiao fell into the lake, and out of nowhere, Zhuge Yue shows up to save her. My question, How did he know she would be there? How did he even get there? The writers didn't even bother giving us flashbacks or any explanation they’re just making things up as the show goes along.

Let’s talk about Li Ce’s mother, the Empress. Why was she hating Li Ce so much when her other son was still alive? The writers made it seem like she hated her son and the emperor because her other son was dead.

The character assassinations of Li Ce and Li Yan were completely unnecessary. Li Ce cries like a little baby in front of the Empress grave the woman who never showed him any love or care, she wanted was to depose him as crown prince. And Li Yan, after his mother dies, turns into a villain wanting to avenge a woman who never cared for him. Very weak writing.

Zhuge Yue’s arc is also frustrating. He had opportunity to get antidote from that king but still negotiated to work for that mad king instead of forcing him to hand over the antidote. Another ridiculous moment was when Zhuge Yue went to ask for assistance from the Prince of Great Yong. He was there in disguise as a convoy guard why did the Prince of Great Yong agree to negotiate with someone hiding his identity? That was so ridiculous to me. And why was Zhuge hiding in the first place?

I don’t even want to start on Yan Xun’s obsession with Chu Qiao.

Read More

A terrible story

Rebirth” was a thoroughly disappointing drama that failed to live up to expectations. There was hardly a single element that truly engaged me. The storyline lacked depth, the direction was inconsistent, and at times even the acting fell flat. To make matters worse, the ending was extremely unsatisfying.

I initially started watching this drama because of the male lead, but unfortunately, he was sidelined, receiving significantly less screen time than the second male lead. As someone who enjoys well-developed romantic arcs, I found it frustrating that the drama paid little attention to this aspect. Although both male characters eventually found closure and achieved relatively stable lives, the conclusion still left them emotionally isolated, which weakened the overall impact.

The plot itself was rather disjointed and poorly executed. It revolved around three clans—one striving to protect their kingdom, another driven by revenge, and the third aiming to abolish slavery. However, the narrative relied heavily on repetitive war sequences and strategic planning, which made the progression feel tedious and poorly paced.
Overall, I struggled to connect with either the storyline or the characters. Despite its ambitious premise, the drama ultimately fizzled out, leaving little impression on the viewer.

Read More

too sad

The gap between expectation and the actual drama is too wide. To make it watchable, Yuwen Yue should lose his memory, and Princess Lang’s aid should spark a tense, mystery-driven alliance that naturally pulls viewers forward. Chu Qiao must actively leave Yan Xun, reclaim her mother’s sect, and step up as its leader, no memory loss, no stagnation. When she hears crucial news, she heads to Lang State with clear purpose. Meng Feng’s war with the Seventh Prince should tie into the larger conspiracy, not float as a disconnected subplot. Season 1 succeeded because of its mystery, slow-burn romance, cinematic beauty, elite combat, and secret-agent tension. Season 2 must return to that core: every episode advances a clue, tests loyalty, delivers precision action, and moves the board forward. Otherwise, even heavy spending feels wasted and tasteless.

🧩 HOW IT PLAYS OUT (Watchable, Purposeful, S1 Spirit Restored)
Element
Your Fix
Why It Drives Viewers
Yuwen Yue
Loses memory after a targeted ambush. Princess Lang finds him, hides his identity, and trains him back into a shadow operative.
Creates immediate mystery + forced proximity. Romance builds through unspoken trust, coded missions, and shared danger.
Chu Qiao
Actively breaks from Yan Xun after witnessing his ruthless shift. Rebuilds her mother’s sect, becomes its leader, and forms an intelligence network.
Gives her clear agency, progression, and tactical purpose. No reset buttons.
Convergence
Chu Qiao hears news of Yuwen Yue’s disappearance + Lang State’s political crisis. She mobilizes her sect and marches north.
Natural cause-and-effect. Three arcs pull toward one location with rising stakes.
Meng Feng & 7th Prince
Campaigns aren’t just battles, they’re layered with intelligence gaps, supply sabotage, and moral compromises that tie back to the main conspiracy.
Keeps war relevant to the central mystery, not filler.
Tone & Style
Returns to S1’s strengths: espionage tradecraft, intricate clue-dropping, fluid martial choreography, atmospheric visuals, romance earned through risk and choice.
Restores the “why we watched” factor. Every scene has purpose.

PACING HOOKS (Episode-by-Episode Drive)
Eps 1–3: Ambush → Yuwen Yue’s memory shatters → Princess Lang extracts him in silence. Chu Qiao cuts ties with Yan Xun, takes the sect seal, and begins rebuilding. Hook: “He forgot his name. She remembered her war.”
Eps 4–7: Chu Qiao trains her sect into a covert network. Princess Lang uses Yuwen Yue’s fragmented skills to uncover court spies. Meng Feng’s campaign hits a supply mystery that points to Lang State. Hook: “Three shadows. One truth. No one is safe.”
Eps 8–12: Chu Qiao intercepts intercepted letters, realizes Yuwen Yue is alive but compromised, and moves north. Princess Lang and amnesiac Yuwen Yue execute a high-stakes intelligence op together. Meng Feng faces a command betrayal. Hook: “Memory fades. Instinct remains. Loyalty is chosen.”
Eps 13–16: All paths collide at Lang State. The conspiracy behind Yuwen Yue’s fall, Yan Xun’s expansion, and the 7th Prince’s war converge. Chu Qiao and Yuwen Yue’s reunion is tense, earned, and mission-driven. Hook: “The past broke them. The next move defines them.”

Read More

One of the Best Chinese Dramas of 2026

This is a really good drama with a strong story and many interesting side characters. What stood out the most to me is Yan Xun. His transformation into the villain feels completely justified, and you understand every reason behind his actions
I really love that he has his own storyline and depth instead of being a simple bad guy. It makes the drama much more emotional and realistic. realistic.
A really good drama with strong side characters. Yan Xun’s villain arc is powerful and justified, and I love that he has his own story. I wish more dramas had villains like this.
I honestly wish more Chinese dramas would write villains like this—complex, human, and with their own story. It makes the whole show much better.

Read More