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Will the 6th prince win the throne?
Tang Lian, the senior disciple at XueYue City was assigned the task to bring back a golden coffin to the city. He had no idea what or who was in the coffin. Along the way, he was waylaid by a number of different sects, demanding that he handed it over to them.Around the same time, a naive but highly skilled Lei Wu Jie was on his way to XueYue City. He stopped by an inn for a meal when a gang came in to rob. Out of righteousness and eager to demonstrate his ability, he defended the inn against attack only to have the money-minded and shrewd owner Xiao Se demanded that he paid for the damages. Convinced by Xiao that his action was redundant and therefore at fault, he suggested Xiao followed him to XueYue City where he would get the money to compensate him. Having another agenda of his own, Xiao Se agreed. Xiao Se appeared to have no martial art skills but exhibited excellent agility.
It is widely known that the 6th prince was a righteous man, highly talented and well-skilled in martial arts, possessing great inner force. But he offended his father, the emperor by siding with his uncle, the Lord Langya and was stripped off his princely title. While on his way to exile, he was attacked and seriously wounded by a mysterious attacker.
The parties met and teamed up together. Later in the drama, the content of the coffin was revealed and so was the true identity of Xiao Se.
What I like about this drama:
1. Hygiene factors: like a lot of good Chinese dramas, it satisfied most of the hygiene factors: good looking cast, excellent acting, lovely costumes especially that worn by the main leads, Li Hong Yi (Xiao Se) and Liu Xue Yi (Wu Xin - yes, a monk), the lovely backdrop and cinematography.
2. Special effects: it is packed with special effects as every fight is a show of the inner forces of each opponent. If you love martial arts and special effects in dramas, this is it.
3. Humour: although by and large, this is a rather serious drama, there are lots of comic relief. Wu Xin (acted by Liu Xue Yi) was hilarious when he asked the Marquis why he was looking at him - was it because of his good looks. He was always demonstrating his narcissism in this drama, which was quite funny.
4. Hook: to keep the audience chasing a long running drama, there must be a hook. The main hook of this drama was whether
the 6th prince's was going to escape further harm, recover his inner skill, be eventually reunited with the emperor and find out who was behind the attack that disabled his fighting skills, with the help of his new friends. And this is a strong hook.
There are not much I do not like about this drama but I am going to nitpick at some:
1. The theme of rivalry for the throne is so cliche and overused. I am sure this happened at every generation of every dynasty. But watching repeatedly as a storyline is kind of monotonous, even if the story develops differently.
2. Music is alright but not outstanding.
3. The on-screen chemistry between the main male and female leads is quite cold. The woman is keen but the man is distant. There is not much romantic feelings in this drama although there are a lot of couples. The main story is centred around the fight for the throne and the scheming of the 7th prince and how the other princes handle it.
4. Like a lot of Chinese dramas, the capable and righteous walks away from the throne, which is another element I find very cliche. I dislike this sort of ending as it goes against my personal belief. I believe it is only when there are capable and righteous people at the top that a country can prosper. Have people in leadership who are capable but unscrupulous and corrupt, or with good intent but incapable are all scenarios for disaster. Look around you, you may probably agree with me.
Overall, I think this drama is worth watching.
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Dull...
The story line of this drama is unrealistic and quite weak with a lot of parts which are unconvincing and poorly developed. There are illogical flaws all over. The 'hygiene' factors are there: pretty actresses and handsome actors with good acting skills, lovely costumes and beautiful computer graphics, but it ends there.It seems no one had combed through the script and the people in charge had no eye for details. Some parts of the script are just glossed over as I spotted some rather stupid scenes, for example, General Wei escaped injured in the midst of a shooting ambush but his horse was alright without any armour protection. And there are more.
Characters are rather stupid. The empress was a smart canny woman, yet she fell for the tricks of NingZhi at the beginning of the drama and schemes of the prisoner. The key character Wei Guang is supposed to be very smart and cunning and yet loyal. But when I look at his strategies, many are more of a gamble then well thought out and coordinated. He was lucky to have them ended well. My life experience tells me that leaving things to chance almost always never ends well.
I watch this drama because it was recently produced, just to keep up with new drama releases. But it was quite disappointing. I stopped at episode 32 when the villain escaped again - that is a really lame way to extend the number of episodes. I went on to watch about 7 other dramas before I finally returned to give it a second chance while I figured out what to watch next. Even then, I could not get beyond episode 34 and than skipped onto episode 39 to watch the ending. I must say this works and I am still able to follow the story - obviously not missing much. 5 episodes or more could be taken out of this drama to improve the pace of the story.
Also, the Chinese title of the drama is more accurately translated to Game of the Phoenix instead of Legend of the Phoenix. Every other Chinese drama is called a legend these days.
Felt too much of another run-off-the-mill production - the hygiene factors are met but the story is dull. Of course, I could be critical - I always pick dramas above rating of 8 on mydramalist before I would watch them.
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Novoland: The Castle in the Sky Season 2
6 people found this review helpful
Let me start with the outstanding. Jeremy Xu outshone himself in Legend of Phoenix which I thought was quite an average drama. The story in this drama was more interesting and gave him the opportunity to really express himself, besides being very handsome.
The ending theme song is extremely good - the combination of the music, singing and poetic lyrics. It brought out so much emotions - nostalgia, sadness, regrets. It is rare that I got to like a piece of music listening to it for the first time but I did for this. And usually I skip the opening and ending theme songs to save on time when binge watching a drama. But I actually listen to every repeat of this song at the end of every episode!
The drama was also very well paced without the draggy moments you often see in longer dramas.
For such an excellent production, it was a pity that the audio was missing in a number of moments on the YouTube videos. Also, while the English translation for the ending theme song was good, it did not fully capture the poetic feel of the song, which was a pity - it needs an outstanding and very skillful translator to do that. Of course, these had nothing to do with the drama, so I did not take it into account in my rating.
Weaknesses of Chinese dramas are often in the story. Although this story is interesting, there are some minor flaws in it. Xue was always running away from Feng. After a while, that got boring and I wondered whether there were going to be any new development. Feng had an invisibility cloak too - seemed like a copy from Harry Porter. Yet she did not use it to the fullest to rescue herself and the servant maid from the palace. For these, I took away 0.5 points from the story.
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The Kingdom or Her Heart - can it be both?
The sequel to Flourished Peony comes with sky-high expectations—and for good reason. The original had us hooked with He Wei Fang (aka Peony)’s harrowing journey: deceived into a toxic marriage, robbed of her dowry, and nearly killed by her in-laws. Her escape marked the start of her transformation, but her ex-husband’s sudden desire to win her back sets the stage for this next chapter.Jealousy enters in the form of the County Princess, who sees Peony as a threat and tries to eliminate her. Enter Jiang Chang Yang—charismatic, corrupt, and complicated—who helps Peony reclaim her mother’s estate and turn it into a thriving business. To shield her from danger, he takes her in as his concubine.
If you have seen the first drama, you will want to watch this sequel. However, while the sequel remains highly entertaining, it does not quite match the gripping originality of its predecessor (which I rated a solid 10). Spoilers on sites like kisskh take some tension out of the ending, and there are a few plot weaknesses and clichés that slightly drag the drama down—but only slightly. I still give it a 9.
The slow-burn romance between Peony and Jiang is a major highlight. Both hide their feelings: Peony, convinced he is just a charming flirt; Jiang, fearful that drawing her closer could make her a target in his impending clash with Prince Ning. But someone has to crack first—can you guess who?
The plot to bring down Prince Ning raises the stakes. Jiang, knowing the dangers, tries to send Peony away. History has shown that anyone who opposes the Prince risks not just their lives but their families’.
A Few Quibbles:
A supposedly fatal stabbing by Prince Ning is reversed later with the flimsy excuse that he deliberately missed the heart. Realistically, a twisted dagger anywhere into the lungs should have been fatal. Plus a stab into the abdomen during the torture and Jiang does not die. The writer should think of something better.
When the lead hero 'dies' with several episodes to go, it is obvious he will return—so the drama loses suspense.
His refusal to reveal he is alive because “it is hard to explain” feels weak. As someone who roots for justice, I felt cheated that he never received proper recognition for his heroism.
Highlights:
The chemistry between Li Xian (Jiang) and Yang Zi (Peony) is magnetic—intense gazes, passionate kisses, and believable emotional pull. Their real-life connection as former schoolmates only fuels the speculation that there is a real-life connection. Their playful chases and flirty exchanges inject a burst of lighthearted energy into an otherwise intense and serious drama, creating those perfect 'cherry-on-top' moments that balance the tension with a touch of sweetness.
The secondary couple, too, shines—Wei Zhe Ming is a standout with expressive acting and undeniable good-looks. The production quality, acting, and character arcs are top-notch.
Also, the show delivers emotionally. One antagonist’s breakdown—confessing he resents Prince Ning for crippling him and destroying his dreams—adds depth to his character. Sadly too, he starts with lofty ideas and righteousness but is destroyed by people close to him and his own obsession. His final fate, just as life was looking up for his romantic life, is tragic but dramatically effective.
Verdict: Despite a few narrative stumbles, this is a richly satisfying follow-up. If you loved Flourished Peony, the sequel is a must-watch. Together, they form a beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant drama. Highly recommended.
PS: After rewatching this sequel, I decide to revise my initial rating of 9 to 9.5. This deserves a perfect 10 - the production is top-notch. But those strange bits on Jiang's surviving Prince Ning's stabbings are unconvincing and rather awkward, taking that half point away.
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The best of 2020 and 2021 - with a refreshing difference.
This drama is grossly and sadly underrated in Mydramalist. I think mainly because it was influenced by the earlier viewers of the drama who wrote extremely unfavorable bias reviews of the drama. But in my opinion, it is the best among the dramas released in 2020 and first quarter of 2021 - and I had watched a lot of good ones. To enjoy this drama, do not watch any trailers or reviews with spoilers, otherwise it spoils the suspense in the story. This is a high budget production; high budget productions do not always produce excellent dramas, but for this, it did.This is a 'historical' epic based on the Liao dynasty which controlled North East China, East Mongolia, East Russia and North Korea about a thousand years ago. Many of the characters actually existed in history and some parts of the story were true , based on what is written in Wikipedia, provided it had not been doctored to suit.
The story centred around the 3 daughters of the Prime Minister who were married to 3 different branches of the Yelu clan, the imperial family. They were very close when young but the rivalry of the 3 families for the throne eventually led them to pit against each other. The story covered the rise to power and rule of Emperor Jingzong, and his life.
I watched this drama a second time before I decided to rate it and I really appreciated it more the second time. This is a high tension drama with a lot of scenes making you really nervous for the characters. It would hold you in suspense wondering what would be the outcome of each conspiracy - both the good and the bad had their share of instigating these - whether the good would be hurt by the bad, and yes, some times they were.
The lead cast was outstanding and the acting was great. The male lead Shawn Dou was the second lead from the Princess Agent; the lead actress Tiffany Tang was the female lead in a number of well-known dramas, one of which is Princess WeiYang. The second male lead Jing Chao was the second male lead in Princess Silver. And the second female lead, HK Charmaine Sheh needs no further introduction. The rest of the main cast acting the Prime Minister, Wuguli, XiYin, Yansage was equally outstanding. Li Jing, acting the drunken, paranoid, tyrannical and homicidal Emperor Muzong, was really convincingly hateful.
This drama evoked a whole load of emotions - glee when planks were successfully played on the annoying and tears at the heart rendering moments. When the 2 elder sisters were leaving the home during the wedding, it actually made me tearful - I am very immune to crying over dramas - so it is rare any drama managed to do that.
The scale of the production was impressive with Khitan costumes, architecture, and mode of transport, reflecting the nomadic lifestyle of that period and culture. Khitan women were also way more liberal than the stuffy Han women. Historically, Khitan women were trained to hunt, took care of family matters and even court matters. The Liao dynasty was known to have several capable Empress Dowagers (unlike the Empress Dowagers of the late Qing dynasty) including the one in this story. It makes a refreshing difference.
The opening and closing theme songs are nostalgic and very suited to the historical setting.
So overall, I rated it a 10 - one of the very few that I had done - I had done this only for Nirvana in Fire, The Untamed and Ten Mile Peach Blossom.
But I really do not like the title of the drama - legend again? Such a lazy and uncreative translation - translators need to work a bit harder and think a bit more. Something along the lines of 'YanYun Tower', 'Xiao-Yelu Dynasty', 'Yelu Feuding', 'Xiao YanYan' or simply 'Xiao Chuo', 'Emperor JingZong of Liao'. 'Women in Power' or something more creative would be better.
If you are able to appreciate a different culture, women in power and a second chance in love, you would enjoy this drama.
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This review may contain spoilers
This drama is underrated on kisskh. It is very well produced and exciting, and holds you in suspense as 3 parties battle each other. And for the female viewers, 4 handsome lead actors - Liu Xue Yi, Allen Ren, Liu Huan, Li Ting Zhe - are added attractions. The actresses are very pretty too.I usually do not like dramas set in the second world war and republic period. I dropped Winter Begonia and The Disguiser but I completed this. This should give you an idea of how much it had held my attention. I was debating giving it an 8.5 or a 9, and finally decided on a 9 mainly for the strong male cast.
However, there are history inaccuracies - the CCP is over glorified, of course. Viewers from HongKong and Taiwan are likely to rate this drama poorly for this reason.
For long dramas, you could get a bit impatient as the drama drags on, unless the story is very well developed. During the 30+ episodes, I did get a little impatient for the story to change course. The story became dull as Ye Chong and Miyamoto continued to try to outwit each other. But the story picked up momentum again as it reached the 40+ episodes.
The female characters were not well developed. Their contribution to the story was quite limited as well - remove them, the story would not be much affected. They appeared to be flower vases for the male actors to dance around. The female lead character was dull and somewhat dumb. The second female lead was impetuous, rowdy and flamboyant.
The location setting has spoiled the market for this drama - Hongkong, Taiwan are not likely to broadcast this. Similarly many other Asian countries would not. They could have used some fictitious country names.
If you are not disturbed by the historical inaccuracies and not anti-CCP, this drama is worth watching. However, do note that 2 of the lead actors would die - dropping just a bit of a spoiler. If you are depressive, you may not want to watch this.
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Beneath the Vows, a Nation's Wound
On all the production “hygiene factors,” this drama delivers with flying colours: stunning cinematography, exquisite costuming, a charismatic cast, and convincing chemistry between the leads. Visually, it is a feast. And the performances are solid across the board.Xuan Lu, known for her demure and gentle character from The Untamed, switches gears here to play the villain—and does so with surprising flair. Liu Yu Ning hardly needs an introduction. The soundtrack was absolutely enchanting, especially with Liu Yu Ning lending his rich vocals to the theme song, adding depth and emotion to the drama. Liu Duan Duan, whom many would recognise from Joy of Life, reprises his knack for eccentric roles, injecting a unique flavour to the ensemble.
At the heart of the story is the turbulent union between Wei Shao and Qiao Man—two descendents of rival states brought together by a marriage alliance meant to bury a bloody past. Decades earlier, a promise of military support between their grandfathers was broken, leading to the annihilation of Wei Shao’s lineage—his grandfather, father, and brother all perishing in battle. Fourteen years later, with political tensions still simmering, their families attempt to heal old wounds through matrimony.
But Qiao Man’s crossing into enemy territory to become Shao’s wife is anything but romantic. Resentment brews. Political sabotage looms. And soon, romantic rivals enter the fray—from strategic manipulators to sincere admirers and lovelorn relatives.
The premise feels familiar: two enemies forced into an unwanted marriage who slowly grow to love each other. Unfortunately, the execution does not quite live up to its potential. Conflicts arise—wars, betrayals, assassination plots—too many of them and are often resolved far too quickly. Just when the tension should peak, the story takes a soft landing. Emotional sparks that could have been gut-wrenching are instead smoothed over, and the pacing robs key scenes of their full dramatic impact.
Still, the drama offers delightful moments of levity. Wei Shao’s four generals provide much-needed comic relief with their camaraderie and cheeky banter—bringing warmth and humanity to the story.
There are moments of genuine poignancy—self-sacrifice, battlefield loss, and the bittersweet justice of karmic retribution. But for viewers seasoned by countless dramas (like myself), the emotional resonance may not run deep. It is a well-made series, just not a particularly stirring one.
Er Huang’s character (Xuan Lu) serves as a subtle moral reflection—she mourns her misfortunes with intensity, yet remains blind to the love and sacrifices made by the men in her life. Her inability to recognise affection beyond her own suffering becomes a quiet but powerful lesson in gratitude, self-awareness, and emotional maturity.
After listening to the soundtrack again, I return to change my initial rating of 8.5 to 9. It is a polished production with all the right ingredients—while it may not leave a deep emotional imprint, it offers a satisfying and mostly uplifting viewing experience.
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Special effects, fantasy and fairytale
This is a fantasy story set in a place called Douluo Continent. Here each martial art expert has a personal ability called martial spirit which enables them to display special powers. The story is more in the genre of Harry Porter although the story and setting are entirely different. I think this drama would appeal to the young adults and children as it has a fairytale setting and is filled with special effects and actions.The backdrop is that of an academy struggling to survive financially while it takes in some of the most outstanding martial students and trains them to become masters. They are invited to a competition hosted by the continent's most powerful martial spirit academy. Conspiracies loom and hidden secrets are brought to light.
Like a lot of dramas, there is a mystery leading you on. It is quite clear from early in the drama that there are hidden secrets that the lead characters set out to investigate, so there is not much twists in the story.
Xiao Zhan is the main lead and his fans are likely thrilled. His acting is superb but I think it is still short of his performance in the Untamed which is a tough record to beat.
If you are into action oriented fantasy and fairytale, this is an excellent drama to spend your spare time on.
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Story is interesting although unrealistic. But for a romance comedy, story line could be given some liberty. Nevertheless, I am going to point these out.
What idiot would insist on his fiancee disguising as a guy and joining him in an academy for men only , especially when it might be a capital sentence for deceit to the emperor. The writer should think of a better reason she ended up in the academy.
Also, is communication a problem in the Chinese culture? ZiAn did not talk to his father about his suspicion but instead took the drastic action of exposing a crime openly in court. Han did not talk to DieYi about 'his' ancestry and chose to instigate the Crown Prince to stage a revolt - even if he succeed, how was he going to snatch the throne for the rightful heir when the military and tribes were supporting the Crown Prince? All these did not seem to be properly thought out.
While each Chinese drama has its own unique story line, women disguising as men are quite cliche. And when you do need an actress to act as a man, you need to get someone with a bit more masculine features. Men have more angular facial feature and more coarse complexion. Women tend to have softer features and fuller on the cheeks. All the students and lecturers must be blind not to tell that 'he' was a girl. Insofar, all the actresses I had seen made to play a man did not look like a man. You need an actress who has more angular facial features and tall, and yet look very good as a woman - someone like Angelina Jolie perhaps for her angular features.
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Caught between two lovers, feeling all confused.
If Only It Weren’t You is a provocative and emotionally charged drama that walks a fine line between romance and discomfort. At times, its sensual tone pushes the boundaries of what one might expect from a mainstream series, and had it gone any further, it could easily have tipped into something far more explicit - pornography. That said, the physicality in the story is not without purpose—it underscores the emotional entanglement and psychological pull between the characters.At the centre is Onuma, a woman at a vulnerable turning point in her life. Having just ended a relationship and entered her thirties, she is confronted with the sudden reappearance of Ureshino—a man with whom she shared a physical and morally complicated past. Their relationship, even a decade ago, was built on betrayal, as both were involved with other partners at the time. This history casts a long shadow, making their reunion both charged and deeply uncomfortable.
Onuma’s initial instinct is to distance herself, to maintain composure and bury the past. However, Ureshino’s persistence quickly erodes that resolve. His presence is unsettling not only because of what they shared, but because of how easily he reawakens something in her that she cannot fully control.
In contrast, Kusaka represents stability and sincerity. His growing interest in Onuma offers a clear, healthier alternative—someone dependable, respectful, and emotionally available. Yet, despite recognising this, Onuma finds herself drawn back into Ureshino’s orbit, reigniting a relationship that is as intoxicating as it is destructive.
This creates a deeply toxic dynamic. Onuma is caught in a painful push-and-pull—wanting to break free, yet repeatedly falling back into Ureshino's arm (or bed). While it may be easy to judge her as indecisive or lacking resolve, the drama invites a more compassionate perspective. It reflects a reality many can recognise: the difficulty of escaping emotionally manipulative or addictive relationships. Much like real-life toxic attachments or affairs, the pull is not always rational, nor is it easily resisted.
Ureshino is a particularly compelling, if troubling, character. His behaviour raises constant questions about his true intentions. Does he genuinely care for Onuma, or is he simply exerting control and indulging his carnal desires? When he senses her drifting toward Kusaka, he shifts tactics—suggesting a more “serious” relationship, which only deepens the ambiguity. His ability to manipulate both Onuma and the situation reveals a calculating, narcissistic streak that makes him both fascinating and unsettling to watch.
What makes the drama engaging is how it places the viewer in Onuma’s position. You are drawn into her confusion, her hesitation, and her internal conflict. Even as you recognise the toxicity of the situation, there is a lingering curiosity—perhaps even hope—that Ureshino’s feelings might be genuine. Yet, the memory of his past actions casts doubt over everything, creating a constant tension that drives the narrative forward.
Ultimately, If Only It Weren’t You is less about romance and more about emotional vulnerability, flawed choices, and the complexity of human relationships. It explores how desire, history, and unresolved feelings can blur judgement, leading individuals into situations they know they should avoid.
One thing, however, remains clear throughout: Ureshino’s manipulative tendencies and self-serving behaviour make him a deeply problematic figure, and the drama does not shy away from showing the damage such personalities can inflict.
Setting aside the emotional aspects of the drama, I felt that the male lead’s hairstyle did not quite suit him. It fell heavily over his eyes, making his face appear smaller and somewhat obscured. If the intention was to create an air of mystery or suggest a more elusive, unreadable character, it did not quite achieve that effect. A neater style, perhaps brushed slightly aside, would have been more flattering and effective on screen.
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Tell a lie and you need a hundred to cover it
This drama is an absolute delight—full of laughter, intrigue, and unexpected twists! While there were three major plot twists that caught me off guard, the storytelling was so well-crafted that I could sense the revelations coming just before they unfolded. The production was visually stunning, featuring a talented cast, breathtaking costumes, and an enchanting backdrop. Not to mention, the theme songs were beautiful, perfectly complementing the excellent acting.The three leading couples had fantastic chemistry, making their romances a joy to watch. Zhang Wan Yi and Wang Chu Ran, the lead actors were playful and affectionate, teasing each other in a way that felt natural and heartwarming. Zhang Wan Yi delivered an outstanding performance, surpassing even his role in Lost You Forever. As for Wang Chu Ran, she was truly stunning—often in dramas, a character was hyped as a great beauty, only to fall short of expectations. But in her case, she genuinely lived up to the hype.
The second lead couple, Chang Hua Sen and Yuan Yu Xuan brought depth to their roles—their relationship was more serious, with Hua Sen deeply devoted (unfortunately to another) while Yu Xuan supported him willingly in spite of knowing that. Yuan Yu Xuan’s performance was particularly impressive, showcasing her strong acting skills beyond her previous role as Cheng Yu in Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms. The third couple, Liu Ling Zi and Zhang Chi, had a bit of an imbalance—Liu Ling Zi was slightly stiff, but Zhang Chi shone as the mischievous Marquis who brought a lot of laughter.
The story kicked off when Prince Cui XingZhou discovered Liu MianTang badly injured by the river. She had lost her memory and mistakenly believed he was her husband. Rumors swirled that she was the concubine of a fearsome bandit leader. Seeing an opportunity to capture the bandit, XingZhou played along, pretending to be her husband, hoping to lure the bandit into a trap. Naturally, this deception led to plenty of comedic moments as he and his men scrambled to maintain the lie. But when MianTang’s memory returns, she was furious and determined to get even with him.
As the story unfolded, danger loomed. The scheming Empress Dowager plotted against XingZhou. Her wickedness however led to a sudden palace revolt when the rightful heir returned to reclaim the throne. Yet, the heir's uncle, Prince Sui, had ambitions of his own and sought the throne for himself. To complicate matters further, the heir saw XingZhou as a romantic rival. With loyalties tested and power struggles brewing, the question remained—whose side would XingZhou take?
The one aspect that did not sit well with me was how Prince Cui pursued Liu MianTang after she uncovered his deception. While his love for her was undeniable, and the situation had its moments of both heartbreak and humor, there was a moral gray area that felt uncomfortable. When someone repeatedly says they want space, it should be respected—otherwise, it veers into harassment rather than romance. The drama would have been stronger if it had made it clearer that Prince Cui respected her wishes, stepped back, and let her make her own choice. The same issue arose with Marquis ZhenNan’s pursuit of He Zhen. Sometimes, persistence in love is portrayed in dramas as romantic but they should also emphasize the importance of respect and consent.
This drama is an absolute must-watch! It delivers romance, humor, political intrigue, and outstanding performances. Highly recommended!
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Overall, the story is interesting. Although we knew who the God of War was very early into the drama, we are yet to know the full reason it was cast down to earth as a mortal and the previous relation with Hao Chen. The story slowly unfolds and keeps you wondering of the outcomes especially whether XuanJi would eventually end up with SiFeng in this life or would she regain her memory of her previous lives and choose Hao Chen again.
It seems a lot of ideas of heaven - heavenly emperor (DiJun), XiMing, 9th heaven, God of War etc - came from its predecessors, however the story follows its own thread. But of course, I took a point off the story for originality.
Ending was interesting and rather unexpected. The relationship between the God of War and the Demon Star was revealed.
Music was lovely and I got to like it more and more as the drama progresses. I watched it concurrently with 'And the Winner is Love' and 'Noble Aspiration' while waiting for the episodes to be released and this definitely stood out among the three.
Although I would not place it in the ultra top league as The Untamed, Ten Mile Peach Blossom and Nirvana in Fire, it is nevertheless very well produced and certainly deserves a place among the top league.
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This review may contain spoilers
I would have given it a 10 if not for the depressing ending commentary
Very well produced drama - no drag, paced along very well and keep you glued to the screen. Gao WeiGuang is tall and very handsome - he looked good with this rugged look just as he was in the Pillow Book with his scholarly look. The acting and screenplay were great. But the ending was a let down and the ending commentary was lame - about Hong dying in an epidemic, ZheGu failing in his mission, losing his arm and leaving for America. What's so great about leaving for America - place for the disillusioned? Someone explained on YouTube that there is a sequel in the story but there is not even a sequel announced - and who cares if his granddaughter eventually found the magic orb to save his tribe in the next sequel. It would be better to just leave the story with Hong promising to wait for Shao's return and the parting - better still if she left with him to accompany him on his quests. The script writer is sadistic.Chinese writers still have not got it - tragic endings take points off audience rating because it leaves a bad feeling.
The introduction was repeated over and over again 21 times - should just stop after the second episode.
I thought I was going to post a recommendation on Facebook and I changed my mind after the commentary. I am not going to make my friends more depressed in this Covid-19 pandemic.
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This review may contain spoilers
Interesting twists in story
Overall, a very good drama with good acting, backdrop and costumes. What I really like about the story is how it depicted different individuals responding to being wronged. The empress sought to destroy, Fu Chou chose to right the wrong, Rong Le chose to sacrifice etc. In some ways it is like the real world with great variability in different personalities. The commentary at the end of the story on how we respond to circumstances is up to us is interesting but so true. There are some interesting twists in the story; a couple was unexpected surprises but a couple was obvious before it was unraveled. The ending is gut wrenching.The drama has a great start but unfortunately got draggy and slow - I was impatiently waiting for the mystery to unravel. The 58 episodes could easily be shortened by 10 and the faster pace could make it more interesting. As with a lot of Chinese wuxia and fantasy dramas, the medical side of things is obviously fictitious and ridiculous. The romance scenes between Rong Le and Wu You were a little lacking, although the actor and actress were both trying very hard - not quite sure what that is - music? chemistry? I am inclined to think it is the music. Interestingly, I find the scene when Fu Chou saved Rong Le at the river the most romantic, in spite of the numerous save the damsel in distress scenes in the story. Luo Yunxi's acting did not disappoint as usual. He has a nice smile and it would be nice to see him do so more often in other drama characters.
Having watched many Chinese wuxia and fantasy dramas, I see the same themes and tricks used again and again - hair turning white at distress, twin separated at birth to be brought up as enemies - it is getting boring. Hope directors and script writers could come up with something a bit more original and creative, or I may take a break from these dramas.
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If we have a chance to relive our lives, can we change our lives? Or is it all fated?
Wow... completely mesmerised.Jiang Xue Ning was an unscrupulous woman who schemed and plotted her way to the position of empress. But her reign was short-lived as Xie Wei, someone she had once saved, rebelled and seized the capital together with Yan Lin, her childhood sweetheart. As Xie Wei stormed her palace, she pleaded with him to spare the life of Zhang Zhe, a righteous man who had loved, pitied and helped her, but was sentenced to death as a result. She regretted her evil ways and offered her life for his.
She fell to her death, but to her surprise , she woke up as her 18 year old self. Armed with the knowledge of the 'future', she set to right the wrongs she had done. But along the way, things started to happen again as what she had experienced in her 'previous' life. She wondered whether it was all fated. Were things going to turn out differently for her? Would all the tragedies happen all over again?
What I like about this drama?
1. The story was very interesting. Although there had been a lot of back to the past type of dramas and movies, what made this interesting was someone had the opportunity to redress her wrongs. So you would be wondering how things is going to turn out for her this time. The previous and the current lives were very well intertwined.
2. The chemistry between Bai Lu and Zhang Ling He, the two main leads, was amazing. More accurately, the chemistry between Bai Lu and all the three male leads were amazing. What made it more interesting was that it was difficult to tell in the earlier two thirds of the story who she would choose among her 3 suitors, or would she somehow end up with Prince Linzi again, this time against her will? Even though she said to Yan Lin she only treated him as a good friend, but would his sincerity changed that? Would the stern and scary Xie Wei win her heart? And when she and Prince Lanzi ran into each other again, would Prince Lanzi mistook her for his love and rekindled feelings for her? Would she and Zhang Zhe whom she felt so indebted be together in this life?
3. Zhang Ling He was an amazing actor. He portrayed such a diverse set of emotions so well - the evil traitor, the psychotic, the stern dignified teacher, the jealous lover and the emotional nephew when he saw his uncle. He is one of the few actors who looks handsome when stern. And of course Bai Lu was very good too: the nasty resentful teenage girl, an empress full of regrets and the determined girl fighting for the people she cared for.
4. The overall cast did very well with very little shortcomings among them.
5. The costumes were beautiful and the backdrop was good.
6. The drama started with the scriptwriter not wanting to end the story as a tragedy was interesting: a departure from a scriptwriter drawn into the story as one of the characters. Also, this hit a note with me as I dislike tragedies which left me unhappy.
7. Although an intense drama, there were light-hearted and seriously humorous moments, for example when the carriage driver flipped the carriage curtains only to revealed Xie Wei kissing XueNing, to her stunned father, in old conservative China. And the way the fake Dingfei made fun of his 'father' was rather amusing. When his annoyed 'father' told him he was a disgrace to the family, he gleefully offered to change his surname to Yan (the rival family), and I burst into laughter.
8. There were touching memorable moments, for example the series of events leading to Yan Lin going into exile - Xie Wei recited a poem at Yan Lin's coming-of-age ceremony - the poems were all hinting at what was to come - and his playing the qin at the city gate when he was exiled.
8. This was one of the few occasions when I actually liked the ending. There were the last moment twists.
What I dislike about this drama?
1. There were some comments on Mydramalist about flashing bright light in the background but I was so engrossed in the story that I did not notice.
2. Music was generally good and two of the theme songs were melodious, but not outstanding. I must say music standards seemed to have deteriorated in dramas released since the pandemic. I did not come across many outstanding pieces that left a lasting impression except for those in Till the End of the Moon.
3. A couple of scenes were rather contrived, for example the two scenes that Xie Wei ended up in bed with XueNing.
What I liked about this drama largely outweighed what I do not like. You can therefore understand why I gave this drama a rating of 10.
This time I made an effort to check on the director and screenwriter as well. The director is Chu Yui Bun whose accolades include Starry Love, The Blue Whisper, The Long Ballad, Skate into Love, Eternal Love of Dream, Ashes of Love. Success of a drama production depends a lot on the teamwork: excellent cast, director and script are the obvious, then there is the editing, makeup artist and more.
To add an advice: don't watch any trailer on how the drama would end. Let it hold you in suspense until the end. Then the twist and turns would be less predictable and more striking.
Finally, it would be great if there could be a prequel to this drama. I was wondering how XueNing became the empress given a domineering Dowager who had someone else in mind for the position, and a scheming rival who more than matched her wit. But the main cast for the prequel must match this drama. Of course, this would be a tall order as I had not seen many sequel successfully completed or had seen sequels which were disappointing flops.
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