Caitlin

At least it has a happy ending. This historical C-Drama has 40 episodes, and finishing all of that in just 3 days definitely made my eyes tired. 40 episodes in 3 days… yeah, my eyes were struggling🥱

What kept me watching was not just the love story between Luo Yining and Luo Shenyuan, but also their individual journeys.

I really like Yining as a female lead because she actually wants to take control of her own life. She doesn't simply accept whatever her family decides for her. After experiencing heartbreak and realizing that she doesn't want her future to depend entirely on other people, she chooses to start her own business and become independent. I especially liked this aspect of her character because her ambition isn't completely abandoned once the romance begins.

Shenyuan is also an interesting character. He's intelligent, observant, capable, and has his own mission involving the truth behind his mentor's death. At first, his relationship with Yining develops through mutual support rather than immediately becoming a romance. He helps her when her business faces difficulties, while Yining gives him emotional support and warmth that he hasn't really experienced within his own family. Their relationship gradually grows from trust → understanding → affection → love, and I think that slow development works quite well.

And honestly, their chemistry is one of the biggest reasons I enjoyed this drama. 😭

I like that their romance isn't just based on attraction. They actually pay attention to each other, understand each other's circumstances, and support each other's goals. Yining doesn't need Shenyuan to solve every problem for her, and Shenyuan doesn't simply treat her like someone who needs to be protected. They actually feel more like partners as the story progresses.

That being said, The Rise of Ning definitely isn't perfect.

The biggest issue for me is the pacing. The beginning can feel quite slow because there are so many family relationships, hidden motives, and past events that need to be introduced. Then, once the story gets moving, certain things start happening much faster. Even reviews of the drama have noted this shift from a slower beginning to a much faster later portion.

There are also times when the business storyline feels like it could have been developed more. Yining's desire for independence and her business are important to her character, but sometimes the business aspect feels more like a supporting element rather than a fully developed storyline.

And some of the plot twists toward the end made me go:

“Okay… HOW did we get here so fast? 😭”

Especially during the final conflicts. The ending is happy and gives Yining and Shenyuan the future they were fighting for, but I do think some of the final events feel rushed. There are several major developments packed into the last few episodes, including the wedding and the final confrontation.

Still, I appreciate that the drama actually gives the main couple a proper conclusion. They don't just confess their love and suddenly roll the credits. They eventually marry and begin their life together, which gives their long journey a satisfying sense of completion.

Another thing I enjoyed is the visual presentation. The costumes, historical setting, sets, and overall atmosphere are beautiful. The drama has that elegant traditional-C-drama feeling that makes it very easy to get immersed in the world.

I wouldn't call it a flawless masterpiece, but I also don't think its relatively modest overall rating tells the whole story. For me, the biggest strengths are Yining's independence, Shenyuan's character, their slow-burn relationship, and the way they eventually become partners rather than simply hero and heroine.

Did I get frustrated sometimes? Absolutely. 😭
Was the pacing perfect? No.
Did I want more development for certain storylines? Definitely.
Did the ending give me the closure I wanted? For the most part, yes.

Overall:
For me: 8.5/10⭐