Drama Addict

The night god will steal your heart

If you like the Ten Mile Peach Blossom, you may like this. Two good looking lead actors (and good looking actresses for the guys) certainly help. Mesmerizing theme songs, excellent acting, nice special effects, lovely costumes and interesting story plots makes it overall an outstanding production. I would have given it a perfect rating of 10 if some tightening of the plots had happened.

There are however a lot of apologizing, voicing of regrets, negative talks and lecturing. This may be a cultural thing as I noticed a lot of it in Chinese dramas. However, viewers from English speaking countries may find a little unappealing as it appears like this is a bunch of self-pitying or self-righteous characters. A little less of it may help or convert it to thoughts rather than speech may help.

In the later part of the drama, it starts to get a little draggy due to side stories of secondary characters and slow moving scenes. The script writer could have trimmed off 5 episodes and tightened the plot - that would have been better. Alternatively split it into 2 series with a sequel could have helped too - there was opportunity to do this at episode 46 when the Runyu successfully seized the throne.

Although this is fiction, some realism may make it more convincing. For a girl who enjoys the attention of a young handsome emperor totally devoted to her, it is highly unlikely she would not fall in love with him and switched affection. Especially at moments when the rival was behaving like a jerk, it would have so easily to fall into the new young emperor's arms. If I were a young woman in that situation I certainly would. I guess most Chinese directors and script writers are too conservative to make the heroine looks unfaithful. Both the heroines in this story are unrealistically faithful to their first love.

Also, stabbing a love one with a knife is a nasty thing, much worse if it has killed him. Even with lots of apologies and good reasons, it is unlikely a relationship could be mended. Something more is needed to explain why Xufeng would still love and forgive her - some twist in the story is required.

For these reasons, I took away only 0.5 in the rating as I still like the series a lot.

I am much more attracted to the Runyu's character than Xufeng as Runyu earned sympathy and Luo Yun Xi acted it well. Hope to see more of him in future lead roles.

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Thrones, Treachery, and Women Caught Between Two Princes

Fu YiXiao, the formidable red cloaked female commander of JinXiu Kingdom, turns the tide of battle at Pingling by shooting Feng SuiGe, the Eldest Prince and Army General of enemy state Susha. Yet victory comes at a cruel price. Betrayed by her own side, YiXiao is shot, falls off a cliff, and loses her memory. Rescued by a physician from ZhengNian Villa, she crosses paths once more with the injured SuiGe, seeking remedy. She was held captive, setting the stage for fate to intervene again.

Enter Xia JingShi (Chen HeYi), JinXiu’s Eldest Prince and YiXiao’s former lover, who has never stopped searching for her. The mystery unfolds early: who betrayed YiXiao, and why? Will she return to the man she once loved, or find her heart drawn to the enemy prince she was meant to kill?

Both princes face treacherous courts. JinXiu is ruled by a cruel and insecure emperor who mistreats his elder brother, Xia JingShi. While SuiGe battles palace intrigue led by a scheming stepmother empress who wants the throne for her own son, Feng ChengYang (Ding Jia Wen) as well as the the unresolved mystery of his own mother’s death. Love, loyalty, and ambition collide as each man struggles between duty and desire.

The situation grows even more tangled as the naive Susha princess becomes infatuated with JinXiu’s eldest prince. Ignoring her brother’s warnings, she agrees to the JinXiu's proposed alliance marriage meant to secure peace but instead ignites further chaos. SuiGe demands a matrilocal marriage, a condition the JinXiu emperor eagerly accepts, seeing it as a convenient way to dispose of his own brother. On the wedding night, however, the princess sabotages the arrangement by helping her husband escape. Her romantic gamble backfires spectacularly. Returning to JinXiu, she finds herself isolated and betrayed, and in desperation turns to the emperor for protection—only to entangle herself further when he develops feelings for her, pushing the political and emotional stakes even higher.

The drama embraces familiar tropes—enemies-to-lovers, shared trials, and repeated save the damsel-in-distress rescues—but strong performances elevate the story. The male lead delivers a compelling portrayal, his slightly asymmetrical features lending depth to a character torn between gentleness and ruthlessness. Supporting actors Chen HeYi and Ding Jia Wen stand out, both bringing emotional weight to their roles, especially Chen HeYi as the dashingly handsome, tragic, restrained lover he excels at portraying.

Beyond romance and intrigue, the drama offers surprisingly relevant lessons: poor leadership breeds enemies, emotional decisions cloud judgment, domineering parental control breeds resentment, and rigid ideals can lead to devastating consequences. The villain’s downfall is not one mistake, but two fatal choices—betraying the woman he loved and refusing to walk away when victory was already his.

There are flaws worth noting, including questionable political decisions, overly convenient plot devices, and some unsettlingly violent scenes. Still, these do not overshadow the strengths.

Overall, this is a visually rich and emotionally charged production with strong acting, good looking leads, impressive cinematography and CGI, elegant costumes, and a memorable ending theme song. Despite some imperfections, it is an engaging watch and easy to recommend.

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Two great minds refused to be undermined by a power play

Lu Ling Feng and Su Wu Ming were summoned back to Chang’an under the seemingly benign pretext of escorting the golden peaches presented by the King of Kang. On arriving, they discovered that the peaches were merely a cover. What they were truly escorting back to the capital was something far more consequential.

Although the Crown Prince had ascended the throne, the influence of the Grand Princesses had only grown stronger. Her ambition to overthrow the Crown Prince had not faded with time. The Grand Princess sought to secure greater power for her son and for Su Wu Ming by pushing them into key positions. Yet the Crown Prince, wary of her intentions, viewed anyone she recommended with deep suspicion.

As a result, Lu Ling Feng was dispatched to Yongzhou as a judicial officer, forced to work under a magistrate loyal to the Retired Emperor and widely regarded as incompetent. Su Wu Ming fared even worse. He was left without an official post and given the hollow title of Criminal Investigation Scholar, a role that came with neither salary nor authority. Frustrated but undeterred, Su joined forces with the team to open a Su Shan snack eatery. The business unexpectedly flourished, and the profits allowed him to secretly establish an extensive spy network.

Meanwhile, Lu Ling Feng introduced a bold new policy: a round-robin visitation of Chang’an districts, personally hearing grievances from the common people. The cases ranged from the mundane, such as stolen chickens and marital complaints, to the deeply disturbing, including mysterious deaths and the discovery of a decapitated young woman. These investigations soon escalated into major cases that threatened not only the safety of Chang’an, but the very foundations of the Tang dynasty itself.

I have followed this series since the first instalment, through its two sequels, and it has never failed to captivate me. Each case is shrouded in mystery and initially appears to involve the supernatural. Yet, in a setting where superstition cannot be openly promoted, the truth is always revealed to be the work of human hands, using illusion and fear to masquerade as the occult. This balance between intrigue and rational explanation remains one of the series’ greatest strengths.

The cast delivered outstanding performances across the board. The chemistry between the two couples was engaging, while the dynamic between Lu Ling Feng and Su Wu Ming was particularly delightful, especially their habit of casually switching between each other’s given names and leaving everyone around them utterly confused. Fei, the resident clown, injected much-needed levity into the darker moments. Yang Zhi Gang portrayed Su Wu Ming with convincing restraint, embodying the image of a traditional, old-school mandarin who was nonetheless sharp, observant, and mentally agile.

If you enjoy ancient detective dramas filled with political intrigue and cleverly constructed mysteries, this series is well worth your time. Even if you usually prefer other genres, it might be refreshing to take a break and give this drama a chance. Enjoy.

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A Fantasy Ride

“Moonlit Reunion”? I must have blinked, because I didn’t see any touching reunion beneath the moon. Maybe it’s happening in a deleted scene somewhere! “Return of Midnight” may be the better literal echo of the Chinese title 子夜归, but “Return of the Phantom” arguably captures the soul of this drama far better—mysterious, otherworldly, and just a little tragic.

As is sometimes the case, the synopsis on kisskh does the drama no favors. It reads like a hand-me-down blurb lifted straight from the original novel, while the adaptation walks a different, more whimsical path.

At the heart of the story is Wu Zhen, daughter of Duke Wu, sister to the Empress, and one of the most sought-after beauties of Changan’s aristocracy. Admirers line up for a chance at her hand, but she delights in making fun of and embarrassing them. Beneath her noble grace lies a shadow. As a child, she disappeared in a great fire that engulfed the capital; when she resurfaced, she was no longer quite the same. Bolder. Wilder. And harboring a secret that would shock the empire: she is half human, half demon—marked by what she encountered that night. Even more startling, she is the elusive leader of the Demon City.

Enter Mei Zhu Yu, the drama’s handsome and principled investigator from the Mystical Investigation Bureau. He, too, bears hidden truths. Trained as a celestial master, demon-slaying is not just his duty but his destiny. Driven by the belief that demons from the Demon City murdered his father through the great fire, he obsessively hunts for the city’s location, determined to wipe it out.

Their paths collide, sparks fly, and attraction simmers. But can love bloom between hunter and hunted? Are they doomed as star-crossed enemies, or will fate grant them a different ending than the bloodshed they both expect?

As light entertainment, the drama succeeds. It’s the kind of story that fills a lazy weekend with fantasy and whispered romance. Literary depth? Not much. Emotional nuance? Often shallow. Originality? Mostly cliche. Demon makeup? Think more Saturday morning cartoon than shadowy mythology.

Yet the production redeems itself in surprising ways. The costumes are gorgeous, the CGI delightful, and the soundtrack—gentle, wistful, and sentimental—wraps the narrative in the right mood, and good-looking key leads that keeps the drama afloat. And despite some flaws, the story does toss in a few intriguing twists that keep you watching.

So is it worth your time? As a drama, it’s charming enough and carries its own modest merits. Whether that’s sufficient for you is a choice only you can make.

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A Bloom of Peach Blossoms: Beautiful Drama, Flawed Ending

This drama is adapted from the Chinese novel of the same title: 千朵桃花一世開. I began watching it coincidentally while a family member was listening to the novel being read aloud online, which gave us the chance to compare notes and notice the changes in the storyline.

The production is impressive: excellent acting, good-looking lead actors and actresses, beautiful theme songs, elegant costumes, authentic sets, and commendable cinematography. I recalled the two strikingly handsome leads: Zhang BinBin, known from Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms, and Wang Duo, from Bloody Romance. The lead actresses Zhang Ya Qin and Sun Zhen Ni are very pretty.

The drama opens with Mu XuanLing, the enigmatic Saintess of the Dark Realm, swooping in to rescue Xie XueChen, the current Alliance Leader, from the clutches of demon king Sang Qi. Her reason? He reminds her of her 'old brother,' the only one who once treated her with genuine kindness. Yet beneath her playfulness and flirting lies a clear disdain for Gao QiuMin, daughter of the former Alliance Leader. At the same time, another twist surfaces—Xie XueChen has a doppelgänger in Zhao Ming, a fallen deity condemned for slaughtering the gods of heaven. How do these threads intertwine? Do Mu XuanLing and Xie XueChen have a life together in the past? As the story unfolds, layers of secrets, betrayals, and hidden ties slowly come to light, binding the fates of these characters in unexpected ways.

For the most part, I thoroughly enjoyed the story - the story is very well woven and very intricate. However, towards the end, the introduction of a “time merge” to kill an antagonist disrupted the narrative. From a logical perspective, if someone is killed in the past, their existence in the present or future becomes impossible. The subsequent development felt weak and confusing.

I suspect this change was made to appease the censors in China, aligning with the preferred stance that deities should not exist 无神论 - all deities are destroyed and even the supreme Vast Heaven is killed.

This departure from the novel was notable. In the original, Zhao Ming realises the truth as soon as Xie XueChen merges with him. There was no “Vast Heaven” and no time merge. I believe I would enjoy the original story a lot more.

During my viewing, someone remarked that Luo YunXi might have been exceptional in the lead role. On reflection, I agree. Luo was remarkable in Till the End of the Moon, portraying the God of War (kind and gentle), the fallen prince (pitiful and tragic), and the Demon King (evil and cunning) with equal brilliance. Nevertheless, Zhang BinBin also delivered a strong performance here.

I have always lamented how English translations of Chinese drama titles often strip away their original poetic charm. This drama, I feel, would be better named A Thousand Blossoms in A Lifetime to be closer to the original Chinese titles.

In the end, despite its flawed conclusion, this remains an engaging drama worth watching.

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Spirits, Schemes, and Second Chances

Two individuals begin life from opposite ends of the moral spectrum. One is a silver-tongued con man with the unexpected gift of linking with the dead. The other is a cold, unflinching exorcist whose sole mission is to free vengeful spirits trapped between worlds. Fate throws them together, and what begins as mutual disdain gradually transforms into an unlikely alliance. Along the way, they uncover each other’s vulnerabilities, reshape each other’s convictions, and ultimately find a shared calling.

Glamour is never in short supply here, with a parade of pretty actresses and, at the centre, the undeniably handsome Jung Yong Hwa—a leading man who can command the screen and captures your heart with his acting.

The drama is as fascinating as it is outrageous, steeped in the supernatural and the occult. Perhaps it is my age, my faith, or simply the fact that I have been hardened by countless dramas over the years, but I did not find it particularly eerie or frightening. Instead, what kept me hooked was the mystery at the heart of each case—what tragedy had twisted each ghost into a vengeful spirit, and would the medium and exorcist survive the encounter? The exorcisms rarely go as planned, and danger lurks in every ritual.

The storytelling is well-crafted, running on two parallel tracks. One thread follows their episodic cases; the other is a slow-burn mystery surrounding the death of the exorcist’s mother—a tragedy that, shockingly, ties back to the con man. The writer embraces the creative freedom of supernatural fiction, inventing new rules and revelations as the plot demands. With no need to bow to realism, the afterlife becomes an open canvas.

Every good drama needs a villain you love to hate, and this one delivers—a cold-blooded businessman who is less corporate mogul and more gangster in a suit, robbing and crushing anyone in his path. What struck me most was the plight of the vengeful ghosts: trapped in their anguish, unable to right the wrongs done to them. Justice is forever out of their reach, leaving the living to shoulder the burden of fighting on their behalf.

In a sea of dramas obsessed with palace intrigues or time travel, this one stands apart. It is a refreshing, imaginative ride—equal parts mystery, character study, and ghostly adventure. Highly recommended for those seeking something different and delightfully unpredictable.

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What a wild, clever, and hilarious ride!

Li Bing (played by Ding Yu Xi) returns to the capital just as a series of bizarre murders grips the city—each blamed on a so-called "demon cat." Once a renowned young detective under the guidance of his late father, the former head of the Capital Investigation Bureau, Li Bing steps back into action and cracks the case—earning himself the title of Deputy Minister, personally appointed by the Empress Regnant.

But there is more to Li Bing than meets the eye: he is half cat—literally. He can shift between feline and human form, a transformation shrouded in mystery. How did this happen? And is it connected to his father's assassination? These questions haunt him as much as the strange cases he investigates.

As if that were not complicated enough, his former best friend Cui Bei (the ever-handsome Miles Wei), now a General of the Imperial Guards, has seemingly turned against him—frequently blocking his investigations and adding layers of tension and rivalry.

This drama thrives on contrasts: it is a detective story wrapped in comedy, fantasy, and occult intrigue. Li Bing’s team, though full of heart, is hilariously underqualified. Characters like Li Ba Ba (Kudousi) and Wang Qi (Feng Man) constantly trip over themselves, delivering laugh-out-loud moments with their well-meaning blunders.

The closing theme by Liu YuNing is a standout—his powerful, refined voice and flawless breath control are truly impressive. Though the song is not in the style I usually like, I appreciate the lively percussion rhythm and how beautifully Liu delivers the song.

“Youth Journey,” arguably the most melodious track in the entire OST, was so good it felt like it should have been the opening theme instead!

All major mysteries are resolved by the end—except one: Did the Empress really reverse her age and become a little girl? How and why?👀

It also left me wondering: has the rule against distorting historical facts been quietly shelved? The story clearly hints at the Tang dynasty, with the Empress resembling Empress Wu Zetian, China's only female ruler. But make no mistake—this drama is pure fantasy, with no ties to historical reality, and that is part of what makes it so fun.

A must-watch if you enjoy a mix of laughs, mystery, fantasy, and a talking cat-detective. 🐾🕵️‍♂️

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Exiled but Not Defeated: A New Chapter in Justice and Loyalty

The sequel picks up where the prequel left off—with both the Grand Princess and the Crown Prince deeply displeased with Su Wu Ming and Lu Ling Feng. Though the pair had cracked one of the greatest crimes of their time, their pursuit of truth had not served the political interests of either faction. As a result, Lu Ling Feng was banished to the remote western frontier as Chief Sheriff. While Su Wu Ming, after taking a bold and risky approach to craftily reveal the secret connection between Lu and the Grand Princess, incurred the Crown Prince's wrath. He was stripped of all official titles and exiled from the capital.

Forced to part ways, the two men left the capital separately—only for their paths to cross once more. On the surface, Su Wu Ming’s actions appeared to betray Lu Ling Feng. But Lu trusted that Su had acted with honourable purpose. Rather than turn him away, Lu welcomed Su as his advisor in his new post in the West.

No sooner had they arrived than they were confronted with a new mystery: civilians had been vanishing without a trace. True to form, the duo dived into the investigation, only to uncover yet another wide-reaching conspiracy.

As with the first series, the storytelling was gripping, the mystery layered, and the pacing well-handled. The culprit was not easy to guess, and the twists kept me engaged. I continue to rate this series highly. That said, I did find that some of the subplots in this sequel stretched credibility more than those in the original. So, while still excellent, I would deduct half a point for that. Still, it is a worthy continuation, and I remain eagerly invested in where the story will go in the next sequel yet to be released.

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Veils of Power

This detective story is an intriguing mix of suspense and drama, building up to a tense attempt at a palace coup.

In this gripping drama, Tang Fan, a brilliant scholar poised to take the top honor in the imperial examinations, found himself denied a place among the top three due to the disdain of courtiers who resented his youth. Meanwhile, Sui Zhou, born into nobility, defied his family’s expectations by choosing a path as an imperial guard. He stirred the jealousy of his superior, the ruthless Commander Wan Tong, who stopped at nothing to make his life miserable. Enter Wang Zhi, a young astute eunuch who earned the favour of Concubine Wan, the Emperor's most beloved consort. His sharp intellectual and strategic mind earned the trust of the Emperor and he held a powerful position as the head of the West Chamber of Guards.

As fate wove their paths together, these three unlikely allies had to navigate a treacherous web of court politics, high-stakes crimes, and deadly conspiracies. With their sharp wits and unbreakable resolve, they worked together to unravel sinister plots involving corrupt officials, foreign infiltration, and an audacious attempt to seize power, all while facing dangers that threatened their very lives.

Here's a closer look at the positives and a few areas where it could have been stronger:

The Highlights:

Stunning Costumes: The costume design was a visual delight, with Wang Zhi standing out in a series of striking outfits. His wardrobe changes were a highlight of the series, adding a touch of elegance and grandeur to the storytelling.

Authentic Backdrop: The setting was rich with historical accuracy, creating a vivid portrayal of the Ming Dynasty.

Charming Leads and Strong Supporting Cast: The three male leads were undeniably handsome , while the supporting actors and actresses added their own charm. Notably, the supporting actors playing the villains, especially Commander Wan Tong, delivered performances so compelling that they made me despise their characters with every scene.

Emotional Ending Theme: The melodious and sentimental theme song wrapped up the drama beautifully, leaving a lingering emotional impact.

Engaging Story: Though the plot has a few glaring flaws, it was overall captivating, keeping viewers hooked as the story unfolds.

Villains Get Their Due: It was satisfying to see the evil characters face justice, a nice touch that makes the narrative feel more rewarding.

Darren Chen's Transformation: A surprising twist – Darren Chen, usually seen in a more masculine role, was shockingly beautiful disguised as a woman, showcasing his versatility as an actor and his fine facial features.

Heart-Warming Moment: One of the most touching moments came when the Empress Dowager, long known for her deep-seated dislike of her daughter-in-law, stood firmly by her side in a moment of crisis. It was deeply moving—a glimpse of wisdom and grace from a woman who, despite past grudges, chose justice over personal vendetta. In that pivotal moment, we saw not just an Empress, but a true matriarch who recognized the greater good and stood on the right side of history.

A Few Weaknesses:

Opening Theme Song: The rap-like opening theme felt jarringly out of place for a period drama set in the ancient Ming Dynasty. It was too modern and clashed with the overall historical tone.

Unbelievable Youth: Eunuch Wang, supposed to be barely 20, appeared far too mature and intelligent for his age. Similarly, Dong Er, around 15, was portrayed as a genius, which felt a bit exaggerated for the historical setting.

Villain from a Bygone Era: The main antagonist was revealed to be a descendant of the illustrious Tang Dynasty’s Li family—a classic trope that dramas often lean into, drawing on the grandeur and mystique of one of China's most celebrated dynasties. While the nostalgia for the Tang era certainly adds a sense of legacy and depth, it stretches historical plausibility. After all, the Tang Dynasty ended nearly a thousand years before the Ming era. Would it not have been more fitting—and more believable—to trace the villain’s lineage back to the Yuan or Song dynasties, which were far closer in time and relevance? The connection felt more like romanticized embellishment than credible backstory.

Over-the-Top Poison Scene: The scene where Tang Fan tested a deadly poison in a desperate attempt to save his love was overly dramatized. It lacked the subtlety and depth needed to truly convey genuine love in a believable manner.

Overused Names: The name "Qingge" was already used in another drama for a heroine, which felt like unoriginality creeping in. Why must so many dramas recycle names and locations from each other?

Dramatic Ending: The ending was nothing short of dramatic, but it felt a bit at odds with the sharp wit of the three lead characters, who were portrayed as exceptionally intelligent. Despite their brilliance, they were outsmarted by the key villain in a surprising twist, nearly losing the showdown with him in the process. It was a tense conclusion, but the leads' momentary lapse in strategy left me questioning how such clever minds could be so easily outmaneuvered.

Additional Thoughts:

Tang Fan's Emotional Turmoil: As brilliant and intelligent as Tang Fan was meant to be, he often behaved like a drama queen, making impulsive decisions that feel more emotional than logical.

Predictable Plot Twists: Heroes rarely die midway through a drama, so the outcome of the poison testing scene was all but predictable, reducing the emotional stakes.

The Pipa Scene: Baby Zhang's (Qingge) performance on the pipa was less than convincing. Her fingers seemed out of sync with the music, making it clear she wasn’t playing the instrument convincingly.

Final Verdict: Despite a few flaws and some over-the-top moments, this drama is highly entertaining and well worth your time. The performances are strong, the costumes are gorgeous, and the plot is captivating enough to keep you hooked. If you're looking for a mix of mystery, drama, and historical intrigue, this is a solid choice.

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Half Detective Mystery, Half Throne Power Struggle – A Promising Drama That Falters at the Finish

This drama is a thrilling mix of a detective story and a high-stakes power struggle for the throne.

Chu Chu, an aspiring coroner, travels to the capital, Chang-An, to take the coroner examination. If she succeeds, she would be the first female coroner in the city. It’s there that she crosses paths with Prince An-Jun, who masterminds the coroner exam. Impressed by her sharp skills, he recruits her as his sidekick, and together they solve complex crimes involving high-ranking officials. As they uncover hidden secrets, their journey takes them from Chang-An to Qian-Zhou, where they investigate the mystery of Prince An-Jun’s missing father and the illegal minting of coins that is discovered in the capital.

The drama keeps you intrigued for most of its run, blending mystery with historical intrigue. But as the story nears its climax, the narrative starts to unravel, leaving a sour taste in the end. It feels as though the screenwriter—or perhaps the director—changed midway through, and the once tightly woven plot becomes a bit of a stretch.

The grand conspiracy behind the story centres around a rumored revolt, and the long-lost Duke Chang, who is supposedly the rightful heir to the throne, planning to take back what he believes is his. Turns out, Duke Chang has been hiding in plain sight in the capital as the Minister of War. His plan is to overthrow the current emperor, his grand-uncle, and claim the throne for himself.

Here’s where things take a strange turn. Instead of using his position as Minister of War to command the army and secure the throne, Duke Chang goes to the extreme of faking his death, abandoning his identity, and returning as the Duke with a private army. This move feels unnecessary and, frankly, a bit foolish. He already has control over the Tang army—why fake his death and go through all the trouble? Plus, he leaves behind just enough clues for Prince An-Jun to piece together his true identity.

Then there’s the odd pseudo-science of the ball that Xu Ru-Gui shallows, which is supposed to be a lethal weapon against Chu Chu and Prince An-Jun. The drama never adequately explains how it was meant to work. Sure, it’s fantasy, but even fantasy needs a little bit of logic.

The casting of Duke Chang is another misstep. He comes across as too kind and gentle to convincingly portray a manipulative mastermind. When he finally reveals his true identity, it’s hard to believe that this mild-mannered character could have masterminded such a devious plot.

Lastly, the finale required Chu Chu, a small and delicate character, to somehow pretend to be the emperor and act as a hostage. The whole situation felt forced and unconvincing, taking away from the drama's realism.

What could have been a fantastic, well-executed series ultimately falters in the last few episodes. A solid detective story and a captivating political drama were overshadowed by questionable choices in the end. It's a shame, because the potential was there for a much stronger finish.

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Strong Cast and Beautiful Ending Song, But Weak Subplots

Typically, I avoid dramas with a rating lower than 8 on kisskh, but this one caught my eye. The leads, Li ZiTing (Arif Rahman) and Meng ZhiYi, had impressed me in Empress of China and Blossom respectively, so I gave it a chance. And while the drama had some redeeming qualities, particularly the cast and the ending theme song by Li ZiTing, the story itself had some serious issues that made it hard to fully enjoy.

The standout element was undoubtedly the chemistry between the lead couple. Li ZiTing’s performance continues to shine, and Meng ZhiYi held her own, making their interactions feel heartfelt and compelling. The ending theme song, sung by Li ZiTing, was another highlight that captured the emotional depth of the drama.

However, as engaging as the plot seemed initially, it was ultimately marred by numerous contrived and downright nonsensical subplots. Let me break down a few that really threw me off:

The Old Emperor’s Succession Plan: The old emperor, aware that Prince Jin (Xue Rong) would face significant opposition to his ascension, chooses an unnecessarily convoluted way to announce him as his successor. Why not just name him Crown Prince and give him an official endorsement? That would’ve saved everyone a lot of trouble—and given us fewer episodes to slog through.

The Young Emperor’s Foolishness: The young emperor goes on a trip with his lover, Yu Zhan, and—against the advice of his commander—dismisses his guards, putting both himself and Yu Zhan in unnecessary danger. This move is so absurdly reckless that it made me question his judgment. It’s a classic case of drama for drama’s sake.

The Emperor’s 'Heroic' Stunt: In a ridiculous scene, the bandit holding Yu Zhan hostage demands that the emperor jump into a well for him to ensure his escape. And, of course, the emperor complies, risking his life to prove his devotion. This could have been resolved with a simple negotiation, but instead, we get an over-the-top, melodramatic moment that feels more forced than heartfelt.

Jiang Shao's Blind Rage: Jiang Shao falls for a conspiracy to frame his future father-in-law for his mother's murder—without even attempting to verify the facts. If you’re going to try and assassinate someone, especially your lover’s father, shouldn’t you investigate the situation first? His impulsive decision felt more like a plot device than a believable character choice.

Fu Wan-er’s Reckless Assumptions: Similarly, Fu Wan-er jumps to the conclusion that Yu Zhan murdered her parents, without considering the complexities of the situation or understanding why Yu Zhan feels regret. And don’t even get me started on Shou-An and Li Huai Jin—blinded by jealousy and rage, they act out in ways that make no sense, simply to create drama. Sure, they’re young, but this level of impulsivity is just unrealistic.

Yu Zhan’s Implausible Disappearance: The drama’s attempt to create a bitter-sweet ending fails when Yu Zhan, supposedly poisoned and on the verge of death, manages to drug the young emperor and disappear. If she were truly dying from poison, she’d be struggling for her life, not plotting some ridiculous escape. Wouldn’t someone near death want to spend their last moments with their loved ones?

These are just a few examples of the countless moments that made me question the characters’ intelligence. Every drama has its share of exaggerated plot points, but this one took it to a level that felt too far removed from any sense of realism.

It’s clear that the drama was adapted from a novel, but whether or not I’d read the source material isn’t the issue. The drama itself needs to stand on its own, presenting a story that is both engaging and believable. And on that front, it fell short.

The overall tone and style of the drama, especially in the early episodes, gave me a strong Hong Kong drama vibe from the 1970s-80s. While nostalgic for some, the outdated feel didn’t quite match the modern sensibilities I’m used to in recent dramas.

Lastly, I found myself wondering whether Li ZiTing and Meng ZhiYi actually read the script before accepting their roles. A good cast can’t save a flawed story if the script itself doesn’t live up to expectations. Producers need to focus on more than just hiring star power—they need to ensure that the story is strong enough to justify their actors’ talents.

In the end, while there were a few shining moments, the drama didn’t do enough to make up for its flaws.

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Comedy and satire around a feudal chauvinistic society

In this drama, you would meet eight princes of different characters. This drama was apparently based on a novel with a theme of time travel back to the Qing dynasty. If you had followed Chinese dramas closely, you might know that one of the most famous events in the Qing dynasty was the fight for the throne of the eight princes during the reign of Emperor KangXi.

This drama was however based on a fictitious kingdom call XinChuan with four other feudal states and the eventual winner was not the fourth prince. The story started with a selection of brides brought in from these states. The bridal candidates came from different backgrounds and with different objectives. These states had different attitudes towards the status of women in society - from the most backwardly chauvinistic like that of the Qing Dynasty to the most liberal where a female monarch reigns and women could be warriors.

Hao Jia, daughter of a concubine of a noble family, wanted to become the concubine of the Crown Prince as he was going to be the next king. She wanted prestige and power, and scheme to avoid the fate of becoming selected for the fifth prince, Yin Qi known to be a useless bum.

Li Wei on the other hand worked very hard not to be selected so she could returned home. She came from a humble family and tried to sell herself short. She introduced herself as a connoisseur of foods. She was not favoured of course and it looked like her feudal state was going to be short of someone in matrimonial alliance to XinChuan.

Unfortunately for Li Wei, one of the princes stepped up and volunteered to marry her. This prince was talented but unfavoured and lay low most of the time. He decided it was time to emerge from obscurity. She became the pawn for him get the attention of the King.

Each of the different marriages would have different dynamics. Each of the different brides struggled to adapt to their new environment and met different fate. Also, inevitably, fight for the throne ensued.

Comedies come with clowns. This drama presented two: the third prince who had an elevated opinion of himself and thought that the world revolved around him, and a chauvinistic clueless fifth prince who married a female warrior. Then there was the Crown Prince who harboured an inferior complex and took it out on people around him to show who was in-charge.

Overall, I think this is a very entertaining drama.

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Like a salad

This drama was like a salad with with a wide mix of ingredients all tossed together. It was like a combination of a xianxia story set in modern times, a wuxian story, a science fiction, a bit of a comedy, a youth drama and special effects all rolled into one. In some ways, it also looked like watching a computer game. I would say it was taking a break from the usual Chinese drama themes of fight for the throne and such.

Zhang ChuLan was an orphan and a superhuman with special superpowers which he tried to hide. One day he was informed that his grandfather's body was dugged up and missing from his grave. At the same time, a mysterious Feng BaoBao appeared and claimed to be his sister.

The incidence led to the exposure that ChuLan was a superhuman. The sect which his grandfather was once part of was trying to locate him. He was invited to the superhuman contest where the winner would be the next head of the sect. ChuLan soon found out that BaoBao was a powerful superhuman who had lost memory of her early years but was way ahead of him in skills.

The superhumans lived alongside ordinary humans and was governed by an organisation called NaDongTong (NDT). NDT forbade superhumans from using their skills to harm or take advantage of ordinary humans. However, there were always rogues who disregarded this.

Who stole the body and why? Who is BaoBao? The mystery of the latter was finally uncovered in the last episode. However, the end of the last episode was another of the mix-mesh. BaoBao was to deliver a parcel but end up meeting a comic writer who drew a picture looking like her, apparently laying the ground for a sequel. They were already setting the scene for a sequel - why not lay more clue of what to come next instead of this cliche, another meet the writer or creator of the story.

As a drama, it is entertaining. But it was certainly full of illogic. The explanation of each of the eight supreme superskills was absolutely mind-boggling, may I add, very creative but made no sense.

Neo Hou played a unambitious young Taoist who was only interested in his superpowers. The first drama I watched of Neo Hou was in A Girl Like Me and noticed how handsome he was (and still is). Wanyan LuoRong who later also acted in Dashing Youth with Neo Hou, was one of the leads in this drama. Like Dashing Youth, this drama had a good number of handsome actors.

If you are interested in science fiction with a modern setting and with strong elements of Chinese xianxia (fairytale), you would likely enjoy this drama.

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Handsome actors and lots of special effects

The recruiter for this drama certainly had excellent taste for handsome actors. I counted at least 10. And there were plenty of special effects. Whenever the fighting got heated, some fantasy cartoon like characters would be featured to represent the type of inner strength of the martial artists.

The story featured three male leads each with their own romance story. Baili DongJun was the young heir and grandson of Marquis ZhenXi. He led a sheltered luxurious life. His ambition was to become a wine deity, well-known for the wine he brewed. Only when he was selected by Prince Xiao RuoFeng to become a student of the prestigious JiXia Academy headed by Li Chang Sheng, the top martial artist of the world, that he started on a different journey.

Ye Yun, on the other hand had an unfortunate life. He was a close childhood friend of DongJun. His family was executed by the emperor, on some untrue allegation of treason. He escaped and went on to become a highly skilled martial artist. Unfortunately for him, his life took several negative turns. The Beique targeted him as a candidate to acquire their martial art which required a special disposition that he possessed. They needed him to wake up their king who had been deep in a meditation since they lost their kingdom to Beili. For this, they lay several traps for him as he was unwilling to help the enemy.

Sikong Changfeng was a friend that DongJun made while the latter was trying to carve out a name for himself as a wine deity. Before this, he was a vagabond who had self-trained in martial arts and had no memory of his life before he turned fifteen. For him, his path to success was a lot smoother than Ye Yun as he caught the eye of Nangong ChunShui, the reincarnate of Li and became his disciple.

In this drama, you see the contrast in the lives of DongJun and YeYun. Both were disposed with special abilities. For DongJun, his life seemed to be a bed of roses. He rose from adversities to become stronger and seemed to meet the right people to help him. The love of his life turned out to be a beautiful Beique princess who had given up reviving her kingdom as she did not want another round of war and believed it was a futile attempt.

As for Ye Yun, in spite of his capabilities, his life was ruined first by a selfish and suspicious emperor and then by the cunning Beique Chancellor. There had been several times, when his life could have turned for the better but circumstances turned it into a nightmare. The love of his life was his childhood sweetheart and fiancee who was still in love with him through the years he went missing, presumably dead. She was a great beauty but was quite ignorant and somewhat stupid, and was easily deceived by the Beique and became a pawn to their plots.

Being a bit philosophical here: in life, some people are just so blessed that they rose from one challenge to another, gaining grounds each time. While others having worked hard through their lives but were set back with each turn.

Somehow, Chinese drama always have emperors less than qualified for their job morally. In this drama, it was no different. The emperor allowed Ye Yun's family to be executed, even though he knew General Ye was innocent - a complete asshole in my view. Somehow the best heir, in both capabilities and moral disposition, he chose turned down the throne in favour of a rapist - I was rather disappointed in this.

Neo Hou (MingHao) had this boyish look about him that made him very suited to the playful and mischievous DongJun in his teens. It would be interesting to see whether he could graduate into more mature roles when he grew older.

The cartoon-like special effects however, made the drama looked a bit kiddy, a little out of line with the serious nature of this drama.

However, on the whole, this is an interesting drama worth watching.

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A kind and righteous vampire, is there such a thing?

I typically won't watch a drama with rating less than 8 on mydramalist. Additionally, I don't like to watch dramas set in the Republic era - there were usually too much political propaganda in these. I watched this drama because of a YouTube review which criticised the lead actress' acting. This review also criticised a couple of other dramas that I thought were very good, making me felt that they were very bias or had opposite preferences from me. So I decided to check out the trailer, found it interesting and started to watch the actual drama.

The drama was centred around Shen ZhiHeng and his nemeses who were out to get him. Shen was a newspaper mogul who offended the Superintendent Chi Shan Ying by exposing his bad deeds. His lackey, Li YingLiang, looking for someone to blame for his misfortune, held a grudge against Shen.

In an assassination attempt, Shen was fatally wounded but was saved by a blind girl, Mi Lan and his best friend, Dr Situ WeiLian. His speedy recovery from the massive injuries he sustained and show of exceptional strength and speed aroused the suspicion of Chi and Li. They teamed up with Mu LiHua from an ancient cult, to capture and subdued Shen to uncover his secret.

This drama is quite entertaining although I won't place it among the best I had watched. It started off very well, painting a mystical history of what happened over a thousand years ago. However, towards the end, it got a bit draggy especially the second episode before the last, when you would be watching them savouring their new year dumplings. On a whole, the momentum was quite slow, trying to build suspense but not well executed.

Additionally, it was quite choppy. The scene suddenly changed to another in the next episode, almost like some important parts had been trimmed.

There were also comments about Gao Wei Guang's acting by a reviewer on mydramalist that he looked like a model who walked into an acting scene and couldn't act. I won't be quite so mean. Honestly, I thought both Gao and Ouyang did quite well. However, I must say that Gao was a far cry from his performance in the two dramas of Eternal Love (Ten Mile of Peach Blossom). I feel sorry for Gao - since his shot to fame in these dramas, he had not had any other outstanding dramas.

This drama had a lot of borrowed ideas from the west: vampire, the mask from Silence of the Lamb, and even the names: WeiLian as in William, MiLan as in Milan.

Overall, I think it is worth watching and taking a break from period dramas on fighting for the throne or modern soap dramas on some extramarital affairs.

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