What's this?!A synopsis that makes you want to watch the show.This can't be!
Family is extra. But also endearing. Top-notch stuff. The absence of sensible subs isn't a deal-breaker (and I only know four words in Mandarin). Also much funnier than I expected.
I hope both protags show a bit more maturity going forward. Their emotional swings are a bit exhausting. I almost believed they were .
The best portrayal of an Emperor I've seen on screen. Plus the music, set design and costumes are top-tier.
The story is mixed: high highs, low lows. C-Drama writers need to realise that romance does not do well in the action/thriller genre. Ahh, yes, children, mysterious terrorists threaten those you love, but, sure, take all the time you need. Stare deeply into each other's eyes.
Finished it 30 minutes ago. I have watched enough C-Dramas at this point. I was expecting the 'tragic twist'. I liked the expository final confrontation. Since the villain (totally saw his mask off coming) wasn't pretending, as I thought, it would have been impossible to create a fight scene. At least in a C-Drama.
A K-Drama would have had the Spear Assassin kill Madam Wu. GB, enraged, kills her and the fleeing villain. Rainfall, then he realises that the Spear Assassin lady was his sister. The camera closes in on his bewildered face. Credits!
But that might have been too bitter. I rather like happy endings, even if C-Drama writers unnecessarily kill some people. Or at least the wrong people. Liu Ran could've died around the episode of Beiqi's death without the plot being affected. Killing off Madam Wu was needlessly mean-spirited. At an abstract level, I understand that they were trying to capture the villain's edifice of justifications all crumbling down i.e no power; no sister. But they didn't quite swing the acting or the plotting, IMO. It would have been powerful if she did not survive the cave-in. Losing her unravels her brother, leading to the spiral that ruins his carefully laid plans.
All in all, I'm inclined towards a 7. I like it. But once you reflect, it's rather shallow. All flash, little bang.
Liu Feng -- Heartfelt romantic, businessman with a Midas' touch, tracking skills to rival the best woodsman and, apparently, detective skills that put Batman to shame. Can side characters be Mary Sue?
Yong Mei's Empress Wu sets the gold standard for me regarding imperial portrayals from now on.
Ahh Song Yi, what a waste ): Doubly so 'cause her presence and the setting pushed this up my watch list.
Worse than the first. Should have been shorter. The multiple flashbacks were annoying. But I was in it to win it with Jun Yao and Jin Yu, so...lotsa skipping.
I hope both protags show a bit more maturity going forward. Their emotional swings are a bit exhausting. I almost believed they were .
A synopsis that makes you want to watch the show.
This can't be!
Words fail me. And Sun Li is a maestro.
Fans of the man of course wanna know if Liu Yi Jun can create a time loop (:
I fear she might have ruined shows featuring emperors for me going forward. Who can compare?
The best portrayal of an Emperor I've seen on screen. Plus the music, set design and costumes are top-tier.
The story is mixed: high highs, low lows. C-Drama writers need to realise that romance does not do well in the action/thriller genre. Ahh, yes, children, mysterious terrorists threaten those you love, but, sure, take all the time you need. Stare deeply into each other's eyes.
Keep romance in the romance genre!
Finished it 30 minutes ago. I have watched enough C-Dramas at this point. I was expecting the 'tragic twist'. I liked the expository final confrontation. Since the villain (totally saw his mask off coming) wasn't pretending, as I thought, it would have been impossible to create a fight scene. At least in a C-Drama.
A K-Drama would have had the Spear Assassin kill Madam Wu. GB, enraged, kills her and the fleeing villain. Rainfall, then he realises that the Spear Assassin lady was his sister. The camera closes in on his bewildered face. Credits!
But that might have been too bitter. I rather like happy endings, even if C-Drama writers unnecessarily kill some people. Or at least the wrong people. Liu Ran could've died around the episode of Beiqi's death without the plot being affected. Killing off Madam Wu was needlessly mean-spirited. At an abstract level, I understand that they were trying to capture the villain's edifice of justifications all crumbling down i.e no power; no sister. But they didn't quite swing the acting or the plotting, IMO. It would have been powerful if she did not survive the cave-in. Losing her unravels her brother, leading to the spiral that ruins his carefully laid plans.
All in all, I'm inclined towards a 7. I like it. But once you reflect, it's rather shallow. All flash, little bang.
Liu Feng -- Heartfelt romantic, businessman with a Midas' touch, tracking skills to rival the best woodsman and, apparently, detective skills that put Batman to shame. Can side characters be Mary Sue?
Yong Mei's Empress Wu sets the gold standard for me regarding imperial portrayals from now on.
Ahh Song Yi, what a waste ): Doubly so 'cause her presence and the setting pushed this up my watch list.
Didn't find an option for boring domesticity, so I went with 'history lover'. Ended up with Secret Royal Inspector. I wanted Ancient Detective ):