This review may contain spoilers
Sincerity brings miracles..
I have no clue how to explain my current feelings right now. I'm on episode 32, and I can't believe this drama will end soon. This is one of the best Historical C-Drama I've ever watched. I've watched a lot of C-Dramas, particularly historical ones. I have always loved seeing Female Leads who can beat other people up using their martial arts, but this is definitely one of the rare cases where I loved the way a Female Lead can strategize her way out of danger.
I stumbled on this drama thanks to one Instagram reel, and I saw Song Zu Er, looking so... darn cute. I decided to give this drama a go right there and then, and I can't believe how it went. I went into this drama, hoping to only see Song Zu Er's beauty, yet was hooked to the story. I know that the plot is simply enemies to lovers, but I can't explain how I felt when I slowly saw that their quarrels are starting to be flirt attempts.
The story is basically resolving family grudges, Wei Shao, played by Liu Yu Ning, is known as a fierce warrior with a vengeance. Wei Shao's grandfather made an alliance with the Qiao family, vowing to live and die together. Due to this alliance, Li Su, a general from Bianzhou (a rival family), attacked Xindu, a Wei State, aiming to break their alliance. When Wei needed their help, the Qiao's decided to retreat, leading to the deaths of Wei Shao's grandfather, father, and older brother. Wei Shao has sworn to kill Li Su and the entire Qiao family, and after reclaiming Xindu and killing Li Su, aims to finally set his target on the Qiao family. But the Qiao family, sent a marriage proposal, aiming to cease hostilities and restore peace between Qiao and Wei. But of course, the history of their betrayal has left a huge grudge that cannot be easily erased. Yet to gain forces and Panyi, a Qiao state located strategically in the middle of all the other clans, Wei Shao decided to marry her just to gain Panyi. Not knowing that their love story had just began.
Both Liu Yu Ning (Wei Shao) and Song Zu Er (Xiao Qiao) have given their all in order to portray their characters. I know that the story was somehow different (I read from someone's review), but I didn't know where since I didn't read the Web Novel (Zhe Yao, by Peng Lai Ke). All I can say is that of course the adaptations will not completely match the novels and sometimes instead change it to a completely different one, making it lose some important parts of the initial story. But I personally (speaking from someone who didn't read the Web Novel, I emphasize this segment once more) loved it, to bits. The story has a lot of serious, comedic, and romance moments. Even though their romance is slow-burn, it makes it that much rewarding to see... -> (episode 29 [18:27], episode 32 [28:40]).
How they both see each other changes due to their experiences with each other. Both of them are smart and think like each other, making their bond grow due to their way of approaching and solving a problem. Some misunderstandings cause them to grow apart, but grow even closer after resolving them. That's a normal "plot" for enemies to lovers, yet the way they solve them, and how they trust one another even when they "hate" each other, is so... alluring. Makes my skin crawl on some moments since they will sometimes drop a casual flirt here and there jokingly.
As for the side characters, they are doing their part as well, mostly in the comedic relieve moments. Most of them are likeable and memorable, since they have a close bond to the leads and have their own personalities. Especially when Wei Shao is contemplating his feelings towards Xiao Qiao and the generals and advisors are there to either be his sand bags, or just disappointed at how Wei Shao is so gullible at "love". As for the Villains, I only have one principle, if they successfully made us hate them, they have succeeded in fulfilling their role. Both Lady Yu Lou and Liu Yan have sad stories, making us pity them, but we have to remember that they made their own choices, and of course have to take the consequences of doing them.
In the span of 2 years (last 10/10 was given to Twinkling Watermelon, a K-Drama), I have not given another drama another 10/10 (not that my rating matters). I have watched a lot of dramas, and I will say that this drama is the one that is worthy of another 10/10. I gave this drama a 10/10 because of how it made me feel when watching it. I can't describe it with words nor with actions. But I highly recommend you to watch it if you like Historical C-Dramas. That's all for my review, I will end it with a quote from the drama.
Edited my rating to 9.5/10, just because... I don't really like how the story goes nearing the end (this is my personal opinion).
"Even if peace lasts only for a moment, a sincere heart can make it echo for generations."
- Xiao Qiao
I stumbled on this drama thanks to one Instagram reel, and I saw Song Zu Er, looking so... darn cute. I decided to give this drama a go right there and then, and I can't believe how it went. I went into this drama, hoping to only see Song Zu Er's beauty, yet was hooked to the story. I know that the plot is simply enemies to lovers, but I can't explain how I felt when I slowly saw that their quarrels are starting to be flirt attempts.
The story is basically resolving family grudges, Wei Shao, played by Liu Yu Ning, is known as a fierce warrior with a vengeance. Wei Shao's grandfather made an alliance with the Qiao family, vowing to live and die together. Due to this alliance, Li Su, a general from Bianzhou (a rival family), attacked Xindu, a Wei State, aiming to break their alliance. When Wei needed their help, the Qiao's decided to retreat, leading to the deaths of Wei Shao's grandfather, father, and older brother. Wei Shao has sworn to kill Li Su and the entire Qiao family, and after reclaiming Xindu and killing Li Su, aims to finally set his target on the Qiao family. But the Qiao family, sent a marriage proposal, aiming to cease hostilities and restore peace between Qiao and Wei. But of course, the history of their betrayal has left a huge grudge that cannot be easily erased. Yet to gain forces and Panyi, a Qiao state located strategically in the middle of all the other clans, Wei Shao decided to marry her just to gain Panyi. Not knowing that their love story had just began.
Both Liu Yu Ning (Wei Shao) and Song Zu Er (Xiao Qiao) have given their all in order to portray their characters. I know that the story was somehow different (I read from someone's review), but I didn't know where since I didn't read the Web Novel (Zhe Yao, by Peng Lai Ke). All I can say is that of course the adaptations will not completely match the novels and sometimes instead change it to a completely different one, making it lose some important parts of the initial story. But I personally (speaking from someone who didn't read the Web Novel, I emphasize this segment once more) loved it, to bits. The story has a lot of serious, comedic, and romance moments. Even though their romance is slow-burn, it makes it that much rewarding to see... -> (episode 29 [18:27], episode 32 [28:40]).
How they both see each other changes due to their experiences with each other. Both of them are smart and think like each other, making their bond grow due to their way of approaching and solving a problem. Some misunderstandings cause them to grow apart, but grow even closer after resolving them. That's a normal "plot" for enemies to lovers, yet the way they solve them, and how they trust one another even when they "hate" each other, is so... alluring. Makes my skin crawl on some moments since they will sometimes drop a casual flirt here and there jokingly.
As for the side characters, they are doing their part as well, mostly in the comedic relieve moments. Most of them are likeable and memorable, since they have a close bond to the leads and have their own personalities. Especially when Wei Shao is contemplating his feelings towards Xiao Qiao and the generals and advisors are there to either be his sand bags, or just disappointed at how Wei Shao is so gullible at "love". As for the Villains, I only have one principle, if they successfully made us hate them, they have succeeded in fulfilling their role. Both Lady Yu Lou and Liu Yan have sad stories, making us pity them, but we have to remember that they made their own choices, and of course have to take the consequences of doing them.
In the span of 2 years (last 10/10 was given to Twinkling Watermelon, a K-Drama), I have not given another drama another 10/10 (not that my rating matters). I have watched a lot of dramas, and I will say that this drama is the one that is worthy of another 10/10. I gave this drama a 10/10 because of how it made me feel when watching it. I can't describe it with words nor with actions. But I highly recommend you to watch it if you like Historical C-Dramas. That's all for my review, I will end it with a quote from the drama.
Edited my rating to 9.5/10, just because... I don't really like how the story goes nearing the end (this is my personal opinion).
"Even if peace lasts only for a moment, a sincere heart can make it echo for generations."
- Xiao Qiao
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