AngiBorahae

I feel like I'm finally watching one of these feel-good Kdramas again, which I absolutely loved in the 2010s. Having high hopes for this one :)

And they almost got me here too... when Lu Ke and Yun Fang were talking in ep. 34 about having a duel after everything was over. “It’s a deal!” That’s usually the classic death flag moment where you just know one of them (or both) won’t make it out alive. I literally rolled my eyes thinking, “Yup, here we go again.” But to my surprise… they didn’t kill either of them!!! I was so happily shocked I could’ve cried. 😭

You know what else I absolutely loved about this drama? The fair amount of protagonists dying lol
In most war or revenge dramas, the writers just can’t resist killing off every single sidekick of the leads and I hate that!!! It’s often completely illogical, like they’re killing characters just for the sake of dramatic effect.

spoiler:

I wanted to recommend "The Legend of Shen Li", but I already see it in your watchlist ;)

Me kinda too… But I’ve been watching K-dramas for about 15 years, so when I first started C-dramas, it took me a bit to really get into them. But now? I still watch K-dramas, but C-dramas just hit differently for me. Lately, all my favorite dramas have been C-dramas! ❤️

I loved her bow fights, especially when she got that other bow in the end, which made these thrilling sounds. I loved it!

Finally binge-watched all the final episodes… and wow!!! I loved it!!! This was so damn good! Exactly the kind of angst and action I live for! ❤️

Sure, not every twist and turn was my favorite, but you have to give it to the writers because there wasn’t a single dull moment. This drama kept me on edge from start to finish. 38 episodes packed with action, intrigue, tension, emotions, top-tier acting, insane fight scenes, gorgeous cinematography, tender romance, toxic romance, brotherhood and more. It had everything!

And honestly, I usually hate when dramas are filled with too many villains taking up the screen time. But here? Like 90% of the cast were antagonists, and somehow every single one of them was fascinating and layered. No brainless, one-note villains. They all had depth and personality.

And oh my gosh, the soft spot I developed for that toxic couple. I never expected to get so emotionally attached, but they really had me feeling everything. The writers truly outdid themselves. They made me pity them, root for them and hurt for them. I knew how it would end, but when it finally happened, it still hit hard. And the acting of toxic Jinxiu Emperor really made it even better. Absolutely phenomenal. That whole arc left such a strong impression on me!

I have to say, the writers didn’t give us a single half-baked character. Every role felt intentional and fully realized. The villains in this drama were next-level, some of the best I’ve seen in a long time. I loved the protagonists too, but honestly, when was the last time a show had this many amazing antagonists? I can’t even think of one.

This drama was such a wild, emotional, and entertaining ride. I had so much fun watching it. Just amazing! 🎉

lol

So the Storm Alliance is also full of vengeful cray-cray people now? 😭 Like, why do they all suddenly want to kill their own leader? You seriously can’t trust anyone in this drama, especially not the writers, who were clearly on some wild stuff when they wrote this 😂

Don’t get me wrong, it’s still insanely entertaining to watch, but the whole “everyone has a revenge arc” thing is getting way out of hand lol They should honestly rename this drama to Fated Revenge.

Everyone’s betraying, killing, plotting… Good lord, the former Empress is already dead and doesn't witness those ridiculous people she left behind, but she most probably turning in her grave watching all of them lose their minds 😂

what the? Your talking about our Fu Yi Xiao? Her? Toxic? Bro, what are u on? There are dozen of great females in CDramas. Maybe try to watch dramas with your eyes open in the future :)

Am I the only one who actually likes Heo Nam Jun's acting in this drama? I read so many comments that his acting is bad in this... feels like I'm watching with completely different eyes 😂

I feel people are partly clouded due to hating his character. Because no way... his acting is bad? Or maybe I'm also just biased, because I don't hate JP lol I have no grudge or hate towards any of the characters. Well except the bad ones around JH of course.

His sparkly eyes during his confession gave me butterflies and his scene with his father at the grave was so great as well. But I especially love his scenes with YR, because they feel quite natural and he's much more expressive in those.

But well, everyone to their own. I'm actually glad I still enjoy this drama very much 😊

Not a boring minute in this drama lol

And I'm surprised at myself... do I actually start to like the princess? haha Her toxic story with psycho Emperor is actually soooo exciting to watch. Both Kingdoms really be living in soap-opera ✨Deluxe✨ 😂

Just binge-watched the first 3 episodes... but I can't really get into it. Idk... something about the writing feels off that I can't connect to the characters and their struggles and motivation. Is it just me? ...

I was really hyped to start it, but the beginning fell so flat for me that I don't know if I want to continue. I had the urge to skip. And that's not something I want to feel in the beginning of a drama 🥲 The spicy scenes doesn't really make up for anything... Maybe the writing feels too cartoonish to me. The villains feel cartoonish and flat as well... I know it's way too early to judge, but something about the writing gives me short-length drama vibes and not in a good way...

Did someone feel the same way? Is it getting better? Or maybe it's really just not my cup of tea...

My gosh... the Princess is so pathetic and totally playing the victim-card… I hate Xia Jing Shi too, but at least he was always honest about his non-existing feelings for her. Everything she did was out of her own will. He never forced her to do anything and even let her chose to flee when she could. Yet now she acts like HE used HER, just because she’s finally realizing she can’t have everything she wants or change him into loving her. And now she’s out for revenge? lol Another delulu vengeful royal for all the wrong reasons..

Xia Jing Shi is evil and deserves whatever’s coming his way, but to be fair, he never used her. He literally told her to back off. That was actually kind of him, knowing he is a person who even kills the woman he supposedly loves.

My gosh, royal blood really makes people delusional, self-entitled and straight-up unhinged in this drama (FSG must be the only (sane?) exception lol). Now she’s about to team up with that other insane Emperor and I just hope her self-entitled ass will keep her hate on actually guilty people and she won’t go after FYX out of pure jealousy…

This drama's storyline is becoming more unhinged and cray cray episode by episode lol Still wildly entertaining, but I'm not sure if I can handle next episodes more crazy makjang twists. 10 episodes to go... I'm pretty sure a lot more heads will roll, more blood spilled... how is anyone able to have a happy ending in this crazy world? 🤯

It's funny that people condemn JP for finally realizing he loves YR, while relieving all the moments of her being by his side and people say to that, that it's not love but him just being thankful and he is not really genuine, because he took so long to confess... but on the contrast... YR is better of with Jung Hyeon, because he was always there for her and therefore more deserving?

JP loving the person who was always by his side is wrong now... But then saying YR should have loved JH for the same reasons is totally okay and valid lol The hypocrisy in the comments...

I love reading the comments here, because it's actually really entertaining how people perceive things so differently :D

Xi Yang deserved that slap tho... she badmouthed Yi Xiao for no reason other than her own obsession and jealousy. imo she's not that much better than those other lunatics. Her story is entertaining to watch, but I don't have much empathy for her.

Pretty sure she will get worse after she teams up with lunatic Jinxiu Emperor. The only one I feel bad for is Feng Sui Ge. He will lose his whole family to madness... poor him :'(

Everyone in this drama is psycho, and lunatics are ruling the countries, with no deserving future ruler in sight. LOVE IT! So entertaining hahaha

I'm really curious who will be on the thrones by the end. But I bet I will not be satisfied, because a deserving ruler hasn't been born yet it seems lol Everyone in the royal families of both countries are lunatics. And Feng Sui Ge doesn't want to be a part anymore or rule this cray cray empire. Totally understandable haha

The costumes in this drama are so mesmerizing! The colors are too beautiful! I really loved the wedding attires of Xia Jing Shi and princess. She looked soooo pretty! (but sadly she's still dumb af lol)

Kind of lost interest after it turned into a typical rom-com. I wouldn’t mind the rom-com vibe if it had stayed consistent with the beginning and if the male lead didn’t have such a drastic 180° turn. He was so articulate and smart at first, but now he’s turned into more of a comedy relief character. Well, maybe it's his real character. But it’s a bit disappointing that the emotional serious tone from the earlier episodes is kind of gone.

It’s still fun to watch, but I really loved the beginning and kind of hoped their reunion would feel a bit more serious and angsty? I don’t know, just less comedy lol I guess it’s all a matter of taste, some viewers love the direction this drama took and some don’t.

I’ll probably continue once more episodes are out :)