This drama deserves a higher rating than 8.2. Great acting - HX, VS and WYB fully inhabited their chapters - also…
Agree with most of your points. Song Yi's character did mature towards the end, though. When the older brother went back to see Hongyi, she was already calm and very trusting, also during the last episode, the coded dinner conversation with Gao Bingzhu. The females of these drama are indeed remarkable and powerful, esp the Empress of course - GREAT acting! Plus the side characters.
I think that one thing that may lower the rating mostly goes with the ending, they pumped us up so much towards the ending, hinting at a bigger conspiracy, when it's just one person whose background and reasons weren't completely justified. If there were deleted scenes/episodes, that might've been the case.
Nevertheless, excellent drama. Topnotch acting and cinematography. Even the extras are doing their BEST.
Great story, great drama with so many plot twists and character reveals (Yao Niang?!?!) but Siyue's death ruined…
Liu Feng. Remembered him because he's Liu Ran's brother. That part was indeed a bit... off. Good thing they killed Siyue off. Had she lived, she'll be forever haunted by whatever things her brother did. She won't have peace even when she's finally with Gao Bingzhu. So that's an okay ending for her.
For Gao's lil sis, I don't think it's An Baitan. It's said that her father worked for or sacrificed for Lord Chu. And if she is, the Intelligence Service would know for sure.
I do agree with the character plot twist reveals being a shocker and a nice one (most of the time) esp for Yao Niang (I LOVE HER! Gao Bingzhu and her scene, the last one, could even make a story of its own), and Siyue's older brother (a shocker, but wasn't fully justified).
I must say that apart from Huang Xuan and the actress who played 16th night (I have to look her up again!) whose dramatic scene tops the main CP scenes of this drama and many more, another remarkable performance in this drama goes to the Empress played by Yong Mei. She was SO GREAT! She barely even moved for half of the show, just sat still and delivered her lines but she exuded the aura that the role needs, she incites fear, she's everything!
It's really from the writers of SOOD. It gives you the feeling that you're closer to the truth until they whoop your a** and say, "it ain't over yet" and then drops another twist to your face that makes you say "WAIT, WHAT?!"
Yup! I actually paid for a subscription just to advance an ep so I'll be seeing it this weekend. HAHAHHAHA But will not spoil anything for sure. I'm SURE the aftermath will be mindblowing. ♥
Yup :D There were 2 additional ones - one from Nine Chen, another one from Men Envy Children. I believe there's also another OST (an old song just like SOOD's Last Dance) Which I'll also add later on with a link and note :)
Hello!Yes, this is my first article! Thank you for the compliment; I am glad that you enjoyed the article. I have…
That's great! I really want to start writing articles here to share some honest thoughts on dramas I watch. How to start? :)
Really! Ni Ni's role in The Rise of Phoenixes is one of the best female leads I've ever watched. She isn't some heroine created perfectly just for the sake of it . She had flaws, she had her moments and her downs but her actions are within logic/reason. Chen Kun's role is great, too. And the ending was perfect. It was so sad BUT perfect. I can still recall and replay it on my mind even now. ^^
This was your 1st article? It was so well-written and very informative! :) I love historical and period dramas and I must say that I can relate a lot to what you've written. I also watched Empress Ki, Moon Lovers, and Goodbye My Princess so I can relate with your examples, too :)
With regards to the good endings. I think I have an entry. Have you tried The Rise of Phoenixes? It was GREAT. It's a period drama but the politics is heavy. And the ending (which might not be as favorable for some of the viewers) was very satisfying for me. It was super long but so worth it.
This is a very well-written article :) I've watched 5/10 of the dramas on the list and I must say that these dramas are indeed topnotch.
On Douban vs. MDL, it's evident that the audiences are different. Douban represents the mainland audience while MDL is international. As per observation, cdramas are mostly rated lower here on MDL, that could be the reason as to why the ratings were lower. And people here mostly go with hit romcom dramas and rate them higher than these masterpieces that they deem too boring to watch.
This is truly a drama of its own kind. ♥ I can rank all the other dramas I've watched but this will be a top drama of its own category. I like how nothing was hard selling. Even for the environmental advocacy embedded into it, the good and the bad of humanity, believing in the supreme being, everything. You just know that this came from a very meticulous team who takes into account just about every little detail and work it to perfection.
Thank you for referencing my OST list for this drama. I truly love, love loooove every track. :) The songs just pierce into your heart and drives you back to the memorable scenes of the drama.
I've updated the list and will be updating again if they release anything new. ;) Last 2 episodes left! I know I am freaking out. How will they end all this? It's such a treat to watch.
Super agree with Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms and its OST! It's just PERFECT! ♥ Especially the ending theme with Zhang Bichen and Aska Yang. Whenever you hear that song, it just immediately takes you back to the drama itself. and all the feels!
I think that one thing that may lower the rating mostly goes with the ending, they pumped us up so much towards the ending, hinting at a bigger conspiracy, when it's just one person whose background and reasons weren't completely justified. If there were deleted scenes/episodes, that might've been the case.
Nevertheless, excellent drama. Topnotch acting and cinematography. Even the extras are doing their BEST.
For Gao's lil sis, I don't think it's An Baitan. It's said that her father worked for or sacrificed for Lord Chu. And if she is, the Intelligence Service would know for sure.
I do agree with the character plot twist reveals being a shocker and a nice one (most of the time) esp for Yao Niang (I LOVE HER! Gao Bingzhu and her scene, the last one, could even make a story of its own), and Siyue's older brother (a shocker, but wasn't fully justified).
Really! Ni Ni's role in The Rise of Phoenixes is one of the best female leads I've ever watched. She isn't some heroine created perfectly just for the sake of it . She had flaws, she had her moments and her downs but her actions are within logic/reason. Chen Kun's role is great, too. And the ending was perfect. It was so sad BUT perfect. I can still recall and replay it on my mind even now. ^^
With regards to the good endings. I think I have an entry. Have you tried The Rise of Phoenixes? It was GREAT. It's a period drama but the politics is heavy. And the ending (which might not be as favorable for some of the viewers) was very satisfying for me. It was super long but so worth it.
On Douban vs. MDL, it's evident that the audiences are different. Douban represents the mainland audience while MDL is international. As per observation, cdramas are mostly rated lower here on MDL, that could be the reason as to why the ratings were lower. And people here mostly go with hit romcom dramas and rate them higher than these masterpieces that they deem too boring to watch.
Thank you for referencing my OST list for this drama. I truly love, love loooove every track. :) The songs just pierce into your heart and drives you back to the memorable scenes of the drama.
I've updated the list and will be updating again if they release anything new. ;) Last 2 episodes left! I know I am freaking out. How will they end all this? It's such a treat to watch.