Amarilis

Mystery Fantasy at its best

It's been a while since I was so excited for a drama. I started watching it out of curiosity and as a long time fan on Song Wei Long and Liu Hao Cun. and it turn out to be one of the most exciting mystery drama.
Indeed there's no need for hard core romance in this kind of mystery drama but I'm pretty satisfied with how it turn out. Not too much not too little just a tease is enough.

No doubt.. Song Wei Long and Liu Hao Cun chemistry are great... they brought their characters well. They're so underrated in cdrama world. but I love their acting here.
It's my first time seeing Ao Rui Peng and Wang Yi Ting acting and I think they did very well.. chemistry were great and they portray their character very well.

Ok let's get to the story. It started out as pretty mediocre story but as the story progress the mystery deepens. Every episodes and story tells of an unfortunate human desire at its worst. The relics really depicts human desire and their worse attitude.
Most probably.. the relics chose people with the worse desire they possessed. I think if the relics fall unto a great person they'll be less evil.
oh probably the relics inside the clam was the most ridiculous one for me as it does not depict any human desire but simply monstrous. The most ridiculous enemy would be Leopard or rather the make up of the actress portraying Leopard. ( I can't stand her plump red lips.. sorry not being biased was just its just too..... )
I love how they wrote Mu Dai's dual personality disorder and how they dwelt on it and gave us deeper history of how it started. In real life... this kind of thing really occurs. In order to protect themselves one will create an alternate personality just simply to protect the main one. (I guess people beyond depression will create this other personality if remain untreated).
As for Luo Ren's baggage, it was his guilt of being able to survive the disaster occurred in his group as well as the adopted daughter.
Yeah the heaviest would be Yi Wan San's baggage among the five but glad that he had Hong Sha as the stopper or rather the reliever of his pain.
The easiest would be Cao Pang2... he has a pretty easygoing lifestyle hence his baggage was not as heavy as the other.
As for Hong Sha, the moment she lost her grandpa, she gained a new family and best friends that's why her baggage was not that heavt as well.

I love the ending.. it is a happy ending but I do wish for an extra short episodes telling how the five of them live their lives after the ordeal not just the three months after it.

And also for the last villain (Or rather the seventh relic Zhang Guang Hua), I do wish they really shown what actually happen to him not just showing his old self laying on the snow (My guess would be he perished from this world aka die).
It was great they did tell us that the other five relics were inside the phoenix squad... but I were wondering about the sixth relic, what happen to it? Did it get injected or merge with the other five or perishes with the seventh one. Can't help but wonder.

Oh the OST are great as well.. I listened to it and it's pretty good .

Alright... If you still doubting to watch.. don't just go ahead and watch with no expectation and you'll l find it amusing and interesting.
I hope you guys will love this drama as much as I did.

I hope to see the phoenix squad acting in another mystery drama together... they made a great team.

Enjoy.. ^^v

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The first few episodes were a bit boring for me... but starting at episode 5... it became intense and I found myself concentrating watching it and looking forward to new eps every week.
Story wise... its a different kind of plot and there's some twist there.
I though the twin sister was dead at first.. then the plot twist.. episode preview gave away the twin's fate. Since then I knew the twin was gonna stay alive.
But the background story of the killer was a little unexpected for me. They created a great plot for the killer. Tho would love to know the ending fate of the killer after he got caught and the 2 robbers.
I love how they made it a happy ending for the main couple and showed some romance towards the end. If there's none, I figure it would be a little boring.
Casts was excellent... they played each characters well. Moon Geun Young (MGY) portrayed both characters well.. Not many actress can pull "autistic" character well. But she nailed it. and Iove her main character as a detective.
Kim Sun Ho... I love his acting.. he's been great since "strongest deliveryman"... love his deep voice and his dimples... he portrayed the character very well...
The rest of the actors & actresses were also great...
Overall.. this drama is great.. love watching it.. will surely re-watch it after a while...
If you are looking for a light drama.. this is the one... just sit back and enjoy the drama..

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Complicated but somehow satisfying

This was one complicated drama. It is the only drama that got my brain working too hard till I gave up theorizing.
But the ending and another ending on the special episode shine some lights into the questions I had for the last eps.

First, a standing ovation for the production crew and director. The actors said that the director was very precise on how the story will go on and how they act their characters (kudos to that).

Story wise: It was long , complicated and detailed. But after watching the interviews with the actors and the last extended ending, I get why they had to make it long and detailed. The story line was made so that viewers will be able to understand the whole story (it was told in many different perspectives).

All the main characters deserved standing ovation too.
Lee Seung Gi (Jeong Ba Reum) is really breaking barriers with his acting career. Him playing a serial killer is truly amazing.. the way he portrayed the serial killer sent shivers down my spine. Originally I though he will be the good guy but boy I was so wrong. He fooled viewers really well hiding behind the "good"character. His gazed and eyes when he was revealed to be the serial killer is truly scary.

Kwon Hwa Woon (Sung Yo Han) character was too mysterious and had everyone thinking he was the serial killer. But as we were revealed the truth later on, I took pity on him. He was one of the most pitiful character in the whole drama (the other one is Det. Sang played by P.O. who got wrongly killed off later towards the end). His acting was really good portraying a cold character.

Lee Hee Joon (Ko Moo Chi) scene when he witnessed his brother getting killed was truly heartbreaking. He deserved an award for that scene alone. I'm gonna miss his rough but soft heart character the most. He really is a good actor.

As for the girls... they portrayed their characters well. I sympathized with Bong Yi a alot and I think she forgave Bareum in the end as he was her first love after all.

Overall.. this is one drama that got my brain so tangled up in the theory of who is the real killer.
If you can stomach serial murders story then please watch this. True, all murders are cruelly described but was blurred completely so it won't be too visuals for people to see.
Although I won't watch it again anytime soon.
Hope other people will enjoy this drama as much as I did. ^^

PS: The OST hv some really good song. Check that out as well.

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Fate & Destiny are dancing together in this epic story of love and memory......

Since the beginning of episode 1, the cinematography has already been captivating and alluring. It made me keep wanting to watch it continuously. Especially when Shin Hye Sun (SHS) character was reminiscing her previous lives. Every previous lives she described was like a fairy tale and able to bring the audience to dwell into an imaginary world (well to me it is).

This is no ordinary love story where man chases woman but it was the opposite, where the woman diligently chases the man as he was her first love in her previous life. The drama managed to lead the audience on her persistence in love and very convincing as well.

SHS acting was top notch. She delivered each of her characters well (let it be her telling her previous lives or her current one). I especially love her acting when she was trying to remember her 1st live (clenching to the shaman bells) and remembered that a character name Han-Ya killed her sister (though she realized that she remembered it wrong in the end). When she said to Seo-Ha (Ahn Bo Hyun’s character) “Han-Ya, you killed my sister, I’m going to kill you” woah… her facial expression was beyond rage. The way she changes her facial expression through the emotion that she felt through her memories was beyond great acting. She really did her best here. I can feel her rage, despair, devastation and desperation just for this particular scene (which I rarely feel while watching). The best scene for me in this drama.

Ahn Bo Hyun (ABH) acting was great as well. His diversity exceeded my expectation. ABH mostly played tough characters, strong willed, a bit rough and action packed scenes. But in this drama he showed his soft side, his eyes, facial expressions, demeanor are on point. Would love to see him in this kind of character more.
I like how the writer build his character in this drama. I didn’t read the webtoon so didn’t have much expectation but I like his character, who are able to overcome his trauma and be a better person.

I like Cho Won a lot, this character has a very bubbly personality and fun to watch her clumsiness. Ha Yoon Kung (HYK) portrayed her character well. In SHS 1st live, HYK portrayed as her older sister, she has a different persona here than being Cho Won, can immediately tell the diversity here.

As well as Ahn Dong Goo (ADG) character (Ha Do Yoon). I love his loyalty but his indecisiveness about his feeling to Cho Won really frustrating but again.. Ban Ji Eum is the true matchmaker that she is helped him to realized it before too late.
I love how the writer create a happy ending for both Cho Won and Do Yoon.

Ae Kyung (Cha Chung Hwa) has the biggest heart in this drama. She welcome Ban Ji Eum with an open arms. Raised her selflessly without expecting anything in returns.

Overall, the actresses and actors portrayed their character well. The castings were top notch. I wouldn’t imagine other actors playing in this drama.

This by far one of the best drama I watched this year. I will definitely rewatch in the future. There was no boring parts in every episodes I watch instead I keep wanting to watch it.

The ending was the best for me, the role reversal was unexpected yet it gave a great closure to the drama. Many would say it was still an open ending but for me, it brings closure and is a done deal happy ending.
The way Ban Ji Em called “Seo Ha ya” will stay within my memory for a while (I like the way she call him out) :D
The OST songs are good as well. I love most of the songs in this drama. Have a listen to the song title "Star" by Colde. I love the lyrics so much.

Don’t hesitate to watch this drama. Its alluring and captivating. Both the story and cinematography were beyond expectation.
Hope many will enjoy this drama as much as I did.
Happy watching ^^

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Learn to Love Yourself

At first looking at the title one may think that the drama is about running.
Well it was a first.. but for me, I interpret it as running towards a better life.

This drama tells about the life of 4 unique individuals: Ki Seon Gyeom (KSG), Oh Mi Joo (OMJ), Seo Dan Ah (SDA) and Lee Yong Hwa (LYH) and some other side characters.

I really like the quirky KSG who always seems to help everyone around him without the slightest care of himself.
OMJ is the one who shake him up and made him realized that he should pay attention to himself too. I really like what she said to him in the drama "KSG-sshii, you should learn to love yourself too, because you are worth it"
Sometimes we may forgot to take care or love ourselves as we were busy taking care of other people. This drama made me realized that I should value myself more before everybody else.

SDA first impression was that of a bold and proud heiress but after watching more, I realized that all of that is a bravado she put as a defend mechanism in the surrounding and her family situation. Although the way she act around people can be annoying but she is very loyal.
LYH is an outgoing and cheerful guy that melted the ice walls SDA built over the years. He was able to slowly step inside her heart.
I love how LYH mature over the episodes as LYH & SDA relationship progress along the episodes.
He is a sweet and lovable guy and friend to have. (would love to have a friend like him).
I didn't know breakup can be sweet but LYH nailed it. (well the writers did).

I love how the writers sort of punish KSG's dad for his wrongdoings. There's a quote that the drama use "Parents raised and give births to their children but parents do not own their children" this quote is good as many parents seems to think they own their children and took control of everything the children does.

Overall the story line is good and comforting. the ending is even better. I would say its the best satisfying ending in a drama I've watched so far. Not only they give a great and satisfying ending to the 4 main characters but also all the side characters without leaving any.

If you are looking for some comforting, easy and fun drama about life then RUN ON is for you. I will re-watch this someday when I'm feeling down.
The soundtracks are awesome too, go and download it.. they have many great songs.
The casts are perfection. I love how each actor/actress portrayed their characters.
Big round of applause to the writer, director and the actors & actresses. They did a great job with this drama. Hope to see them in another drama soon.
Enjoy ^^

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"Revenge isn't completed by ruining the other person..."

This is one of the best crime drama I've watched by far. It got thrills, action, comedy, drama and based on true story crime telling. Try watching it and hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

One of the saddest story they portrayed a about the murder of an 8 yo girl but a man who was wrongly accused. He was a disabled man that was forcefully and beaten by police to confess to a crime he didn't even commit. The police even stole the girl body to fabricate evidence. (Horrible)
When the real culprit was found, this man was forced to forgive the real culprit due to statue of limitation to the case. Along with the policeman who beat him to confess.
This man lost everything because of wrongdoing of that police.
You can watch this part at the end of ep 15 (spoiler)

The casts were excellent in portraying their characters well.
Lee Je Hoon is truly a great actor with a variety of expressions and feeling that drew people in watching him act. You gotta watch to feel his emotions.
Glad Pyo Ye Jin took up the role of "Go Eun", she portrayed it really well. the sadness of loosing her sister, the anger towards the people who did her wrong, she really made the character alive.
The rest of the rainbow taxi team made a great team, their chemistry were really great and they protect each other well without biased.

As for the villain, Baek Sung Mi is really annoying along with the twin (the big guys). Truly hated their characters (but that means the actors are doing a great job portraying it)

Not forgetting the OST. The songs are great to listen to.

"Revenge isn't completed by ruining the other person. Only when you can live your own life is your revenge complete."
This is my favourite quote in this drama (spoken by Director Jung). Well this drama did teach that taking revenge by ruining your offender is not gonna heal you or give you satisfaction but instead live your own life to the fullest is the biggest revenge to your offender.

I'll definitely gonna re-watch this some other time. It was a great drama and all the time spent waiting for new episodes paid off with a great ending.
If there's a season 2, I'll watch it for sure.
^^

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This movie is AMAZING. I'm not a die hard fan of zombie genre.. but this... is good. Lets not compare to Hollywood zombie movie style like Resident Evil series.
But this movie brings you a different kind of zombie story. It has lots of comedy. I love how the writers create the plot and the casts were great. I watch this movie because of Kim Nam Gil.. but Jung Ga Ram surprises me with an almost no lines in the movie. His acting was great.
Each of the characters were portrayed really well. I would say the funniest is the "father" in this movie.. his immunity to the zombie virus really highlighted the whole movie.
I love how the made the ending. Its did not end as a cliff hanger kind of story. Also, the zombie make up is not that scary. Oh the oldies song they played throughout the movies added some classic style to the movie.
Overall.. great cast great story and great movie.
If you are looking for a light movie with zombie genre.. this is the one you should watch.. It engaged you from the start till the end.
Enjoy....

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There's light at the end of the tunnel

Mental illness is a taboo issue that most people still think of. Most people will think of it as being crazy, but this drama will open up a world of psychiatry in a new light/view.

First of all, the casts, I love them all, even the mental illness patients (love their acting). I think it's hard to act as someone with mental illness. But the casts nailed it very well.

I love Park Bo Young, her acting is sure diverse. Her acting in this drama is so great that I was so immerse in it. She actually deliver how depression in a person looks like. She surely never disappoint.

Yeon Woo Jin's acting was great as well, quirky yet adorable character he portrayed. I love how his character developed throughout the drama and how he ended up with PBY's character in the end.

Jang Dong Yoon surely never disappoint. I love how he tried different characters in his acting career. He really nailed it portraying someone with panic disorder.

All the mental illness portrayed in this drama were actually what many people may have seen in real life. Some deemed these people as being crazy (to the point they should just be banished from society) others just deemed it as being possessed as they may have lost their faith. But actually these people with mental illness just needed help , care and kindness from other people and their surrounding.

I hardly cry watching drama, but this drama made me tear up a lot. Especially the part where PBY character was depressed. I totally relate to this as I've experienced it before. I didn't know I was depressed at first, but I kept on blacking out and can't really remember how I walk from one place to another. When the doctor run tests on me that I found out I was too stressed up in my study that I was on the verge of sinking into depression. Luckily, I didn't need any medication just needed to try and not be too hard on myself.
And so, with this drama, I learnt all over again how to battle with depression (it serve as a reminder to myself) and how I should get out of my cave when I'm too stressed out.

In our lives, we sometimes encounter lots of hardship that sometimes we don't realize that we succumbed to our stress and become depressed.
I think through this drama, it will help you to care for yourself more and cope with the stress in your life. Give it a try and have no expectation as usual but rather enjoy it to the fullest (like me).

Oh almost forgot to mention, all of the CGI used here are all very cool, especially the part where we entered the imaginary world of Kim Seo Wan as a mage warrior with the dragons. It was so realistically real that I got immersed in it. It's a good thing the producer did spend almost a whole episode on him as we got to see his point of view as he suffered breakdown.

In the end, I would like to give you all a big hug and pat on the shoulder. You did well, you've worked hard. Keep it up.
I hope you will enjoy this drama as much as I do. ^^

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Humans are again scarier than ghosts/spirit

If you are looking for a thrilling story line with a touch of horror on the side, then this is the drama for you (Even me who dislike horror/thriller genre was able to watch it through the end).

The storyline itself was very interesting and intriguing. Although the ghosts are not as scary as normal horror drama but sure can still surprise you.
The plot twist was unexpected. Since the writer made the story like so, you’ll never expect the twist towards the end.

Firstly, a big round of applause to Kim Tae Ri’s acting (KTR). She portrayed her characters well (yes both her original and possessed characters). Her eyes, facial expression, movement, voice, her screams and way of talking were different between her own character and the ghost who possessed her. Sometimes we aren’t able to tell which. Her versatile acting really is beyond imagination. There’s a BTS scene where she was possessed and drank a whole 1.5 liter of water as a way of showing the thirst of the ghost that possessed her. She literally just drank it all in one go. That was amazing.
And what creeps me out was towards the last episode where it showed that the ghost has possessed her completely and tried to become her (but was blown off by her own mother). That acting was on point and scary at the same time. (I’ve seen someone being possessed before and can totally relate to that).

Oh Jung Se’s (OJS) acting was amazing. He often portrayed a playful comedic character so seeing him with serious face is another level of acting. He portrayed his character well. Especially love the part at the end where he wishes everyone to be happy and well.

Hong Kyung’s (HK) acting was on point as well. Although I haven’t see him in any other drama but his acting and portrayal of the character draws me in. The development of the character was also good. From a mere skeptic to a believer. His determination to get rid of the evil spirit got me wanting to see him more in the drama. Also, he has a soft spot for KTR’s character (San Young). Even though the writer didn’t write any romance in the drama but was able to feel Hong Sae (HK) affection and love to San Young (KTR).

Above all, it was a great thriller/horror drama in a while. I often avoid this kind of genre as I’m to scared watching it but this drama got me excited every week wanting to know more of the story. The ending was very satisfying with all the bad ones being punished and the good people try to move on with their lives. I wish they could show more of Hong Sae and San Young. Oh and the ghosts were not that scary like other horror dramas but they can be surprising at times.

Moral story of this drama that I get was that humans again are scarier than ghosts. Human’s greed and desire were what drives the ghosts/spirit to become evil. I realized this when watching the last episodes where San Young was fighting a ghost that turn out to be herself (she treated herself badly and lost motivation to live) but she gain courage to be stronger and love herself thus she was able to conquer the ghost and came out of the mirror world she was pushed to by the ghost.

Come and watch it yourself and hope you can enjoy this drama as much as I did.
Happy watching ^^

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Between Virtual Reality and Real World

This Sci-Fi Chinese drama is a rare one. Keep in mind this is not a drama for everyone.
However try watching it before reading the reviews (as I did).

I rarely review chinese drama but here we go.

First of all... the story. It may seems like a virtual reality world kind of drama but as the story grows, it gradually become a story about altered memory. The writer guided us from the start as if Jiang Xiao Yuan (JXY) traveled through time from 2025 back to 2018 where she met Qi Lian (QL). Whilst QL took her as his old love interest but JXY had no memory of it thinking she occupied his old lover's body. They went through a love-hate relationships throughout the story to find the truth and tried to find ways for JXY to go back to her original world. They clearly were attracted to each other but their pride got in the way. If you are looking for a romantic genre, this is not one. So don't get your hopes on high on this. There's some light romance story but that's it.

However, there was a plot twist towards the end (writer took us on a roller coaster ride) where both JXY and QL found that there was no time travel or other parallel world. It was actually an altered memory where JXY joined as trial experiment participant (Lighthouse system) to earn money for her grandma's medication. It turns out that QL was also one of the earliest participant of the Lighthouse system owned by the original creator (Noah aka Xu Jing Yang-XJY).
JXY altered memory experiment was done by Fan Xiao Xiao (FXX) who stole the whole experiment from Noah, as FXX did not have all the data (and apparently Noah installed a pre warning to QL if his experiment is being used), JXY altered memory showed some problems. Whilst QL was a success story, FXX was not (she experienced some setbacks after the experiment hence she stole the whole thing to make things right).

After the whole roller coaster ride story of both QL & JXY life, they eventually got together and be honest to each other.
Along the way come this new character, Jiang Bo (JB) as the adopted son of FXX and serve as bff for both JXY & QL. He was used and abused by his adopted mother FXX so severely that he kinda lost hope in life but JXY made a great impact in his life that he pull himself together and start living life the way he want it.
In the end FXX was defeated and captured and JXY, QL and JB did live a happy life in the end.

Okay, story wise it may seems boring at first and some parts of it (especially about the make up thingy, salon thingy) but overall the mystery surrounding Lighthouse System and whether XJY did exist as a person or not were intriguing enough for me to keep following the drama from start to end. It did give us a satisfactory ending and would love to see more romance but as the genre it is, I'm satisfied it is. (A follow up wedding of JXY & QL would be nice though).

Lin Yi as an actor always delivered his acting excellently. No doubt he is not just a handsome one but great in acting as well. All his facial expression clearly shown throughout his acting. Love seeing him taking different roles in acting (not just romance genre all the time). Will definitely looking forward for his next projects.

Liu Hao Cun is considered newbie in acting world but her acting amazed me. Then I found out that she was handpicked by the renowned directy Zhang Yi Mou, no wonder she was really good. Her height difference with Lin Yi was really cute and they made a great couple. Looking at some BTS in the drama, shes actually really cute and playful. I know there's a lot of negative comments about her acting but for me, I watched her first before I read so it didn't really bothered me as for me her acting was on point.

All of the other actors were really great too and funny at times. I really like the actor playing Jiang Bo as not only handsome but did great too. Also the one playing Cheng Fang Zhou, he was really funny and loyal throughout the series. I really despise the character of Fan Xiao Xiao (the actress did really good though) to the point that I hate seeing her when she came out in the series (haha). So in my opinion all of the actors did well.

Overall, it was a great drama and I rarely find a sci fi chinese drama really good like this that kept me on edge when watching it. Dramas that made you wait for 1-2 eps everyday and watching in patiently must be really good or interesting.
So don't hesitate and start watching it especially if you really like sci-fi drama like this. I will definitely re-watch it again sometimes later.
I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do. Enjoy ^^

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Its Not Your Average Fantasy Drama

Yes, Its just not your average fantasy drama. I've seen many of them and by far this is one of the best.

I love how the story being put together. It may seem a bit slow but for me it was just nice.
The first 2 episodes got me hooked real bad that I began following it every week. I watched it with the expectation of a sad ending. But the writer decide otherwise. This drama gave a very subtle ending. Its kinda rare for Kdrama-land to give a satisfying ending to most of the important characters (usually only the main ones).
I think the message from this drama is.. whats meant to be will happen regardless and those fated together will always end up together.

Here in the drama there's two main couples (sort of). Where each of their lives intertwined each other and eventually became sort of family.

The actors:
The chemistry between Seo In Guk (SIG) and Park Bo Young (PBY) were super amazing. You can see this on their behind-the-scene clips in youtube.
SIG portrayed his character well, being "Doom" (the destroyer) he had to have cold eyes and expression and he nailed it. SIG acting skills never disappoint and this drama just another prove of how amazing he is.
PBY is cute, bubbly and super friendly. I liked her character here as Tak Dong Kyung a lot. A selfless, patient and caring person that she is always putting everybody else above her. Thats why Myeol Mang always said that he existed for her, as if the Deity's is rewarding her for her good deeds in life.

Lee So Hyuk (LSH), Shin Do Hyun (SDH) and Kang Tae Oh (KTO) chemistry are also another reason to watch this drama. Each of them portrayed their character well.
LSH often play very cold characters in dramas/movie. So this time he has a cold look but soft heart character which kinda suit him pretty well. And finally.. He got the girl in drama-land. The way he look at SDH character (Na Ji Na) is so sweet. His eyes seems like shooting hearts at her and he speak softly only at her. Whilst he is being all prickly with other people.
SDH is very good at portraying her character. A quirky yet kind-hearted towards her percious Tak Dong Kyung. She is like the older sister who protects her siblings. I also love how she is very endearing towards Sun Kyung although he is not her real siblings.
KTO well he is just super cute and handsome especially when he smiles. His acting in "Run On"was my favourite but lets add this one as well. He portrayed it really well. Although in this drama he came out a little bit spoilt but he managed to grew up in the end and be a responsible adult.

Lastly not forgetting Dawon (SF9) as Sun Kyung, the annoying yet caring little brother. I love how he grow close pretty quickly to SIG and LSH taking them both as his brother in law. He is super protective of his sisters (yes he take Ji Na as his real sister) although he can be annoying and joker some times.

Overall.. all actors portrayed their characters very well.
I've read a lot of negative review on this drama. But have a look yourself just the first 2 eps.. see if you like it. For me the story is just as warming and nice as it is. Again its not your average kdrama.
Not all fantasy dramas are good but this is one to look out for because it gives you warmth and smiles as you watch it.
Oh and the OST are super good. SIG sings one of it and I read somewhere that he wrote the lyrics himself. The song is very touching and has nice tunes to it. Have a listen to it. (Title: Distant Fate by Seo In Guk).

Hope you will enjoy this drama as much as I did. Thank you for reading ^^

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First of all... wow... amazing story.. amazing cast.. great ending.
Although there are some similar drama like this... but I find this drama very interesting.. and each episode made me curious and wanting to watch the next one as soon as possible...
The plot twist in the end was really good.. Tho some of my predictions were right but I never imagine the plot twist.. which is good... I love dramas like this.

The cast.. was super amazing.. their chemistries are amazing. Yoo Seung Ho really delivers the characters well (knowing he played mellow characters a lot), love seeing him in this drama.
Lee Se Young's acting and character portrayal was great as well.. the chemistry between them was really great...
I will miss their bickering a lot.. as well as the trio (Dong Baek, his chief and Se Hoon).. without the trio... the story line will be too serious...
Yoon Ji On's portrayal of his character (Se Hoon) was really great.. I think without his character and the chief... there won't be much comedy in the drama...

Overall... the story was great... I really enjoyed the drama very much.. will re-watch it later on...

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Epic Battle by a Female General

“I don’t need someone to pave the way for me, but I need someone to walk beside me on the pave way I created”

I’ve been waiting for this drama for a long time as the plot intrigue me. Having a female general as the main character in an ancient drama is rare. Woman often portrayed as damsel in distress waiting for the knight in armor to rescue her.
But this drama broke all the stigma of “weak female character”.

I really love the story (despite all those negative reviews out there). For me who has not read the novel, the story was executed nicely. It’s not too long not too short as well and especially not confusing or boring at all. Although some episodes were as short as 35 mins (including the opening and ending song) but I was entirely satisfied.

Let’s talk about the plot here. The main character, He Yan (HY) was made to dress up as a boy to replace her sickly older half-brother, He Ru Fei (HRF) whilst he was recuperating in a temple. She enrolled in a school for boys and apparently did not do well but was determined. Later on she ran away from home as her father wanted her to marry off a woman. She joined the army and became a general, General Fei Hong. Although she is a woman but she was a strong as those other male soldiers/generals. But fate said otherwise, as she returned home with all the glory from winning wars, her brother was envious of her achievement and wanted to take the glory for himself. Thus he plotted with his father to poison and blinded HY so he can claim the glory for himself.

HY however was rescued by her master and healed. She then joined another army batallion and meet with Xiao Jue (XJ aka Xiao Dudu), her former classmates and friend. She trained herself with the aim of becoming another general strong enough to reclaim what was hers from the evil half brother.
Along the way, we met with more characters and more plot twist in the story. With some wars and political struggle between the ungrateful councellor (Xu Jing Fu) and his disciple (Chu Zhao).

Above all the twists in the end we got our happy ending for our favorite main characters and couple (He Yan and Xiao Jue) and the got married and supposedly live happily ever after.

Now let’s talk about some of the characters in the drama and the actor portraying them.

He Yan
Zhou Ye really portrayed the character very well and proves us wrong that as petite as she is, she was able to portrayed a strong female general. I love how she bring the character alive with bubbly personality and yet very determined and wise when facing problems and the one she love.
Her chemistry with Cheng Lei was really top notch and they both works very well together (both in real life and in their characters). Hope to see her in modern drama with Cheng Lei.

Xiao Jue
A reserved and cold general but very loving to his beloved lady general.
Cheng Lei really improved a lot in drama and acting. Him portraying Xiao Jue is the best one and really match his aura and facial expression. The way he begged the emperor when the emperor wanted HY to marry CZ was very heart breaking and touching at the same time.
And the loving gaze he gave HY everytime he look at her, making me giggle everytime.
His chemistry with Zhou Ye are really great and if you see the bts, he always took photos of Zhou Ye like A LOT. And the way he took care of her gently on set was endearing to watch.
Hope he get to work with her again in another drama, preferably modern drama.

Chu Zhao
I hated his character towards the end of the drama. His obsession with HY was the root of all the trouble he caused on the last war. I think he mistook his obsessions for HY with love. Just because someone was friendly and treat him good means loving him. He thought if he had enough power, everything will be his He didn’t realize that the one that cared for him the most was his servant (Ying Xiang). In the end, he lost everything (his power, luxury life etc) and end up being alone and exiled.
Zhang Kang Le acting has improved a lot and portraying this character well. I think it’s the first time I’ve seen him playing a villain character.

Cheng Li Shu & Song Tao Tao
A side couple necessary to brighten up the story well. Although because of the orginal actor of CLS causing problem and causing the production to replace him using AI, it was executed quite perfectly. It was because of him the release of this drama was delayed for a long time.
Zhang Miao Yi really brought the character alive and fun to see.
Would love to see both her and Zhou Ye to be in a drama together as besties, that would be fun.

The most selfish character would Xu Ping Ting in my opinion. She was a selfish, arrogant, spoilt and childish lady. She was the daughter of the traitor Xu Jing Fu and thinking that her father has power she looked down on other people and was very obsessive of Zhu Chao though he never love her back. In the end she lost everything (sadly we never get to see what happens to her after she murder Ying Xiang).

My favourite side character would be Fei Nu. He is a loyal servant to Xiao Jue but also always be in a wrong place and the wrong time to see his master Xiao Jue and He Yan together, even mistaking his master to love the “male” version of He Yan. Him to always caught his master and HY together brought smile to me throughout the drama.
Of course not forgetting He Yan sidekick team (Wang Ba, Xiao Mai, Jiang Jiao and Huang Xiong). They’re so supporting of HY even when knowing she was a lady dressing as man. They became her biggest supporter and soldier as she regained her title as General Fei Hong.

I found that all the battles in the drama were great. When the twins generals fought together they were so much in sync that they look like twin blades together. As what Xiao Jue's father once said that they'll be the twin generals fighting against the Wutuo protecting Wei. My fav battle would be the last battle against the wutuo army where He Yan traveled to save assist Xia Jue on the final battle. They look on Xiao Jue's face when he was attacked by 5-6 wutuo soldiers altogether locking him with their spears was mesmerizing as if I can feel his anger and determination to defend with all his might. And when he saw He Yan came to his aid he suddenly gained so much strength that he was able to got away from those soldiers and threw them out. Also when He Yan and Xiao Jue drew their twin swords at the wutuo general killing him, that was epic. Like I said.. this in an epic battle indeed.

Overall, this drama is really great and I will watch it again. It’s been a long time since I’ve became invested in a drama like this and loving everything in it.
In my opinion the slight romance was necessary as it portrayed the trust and strong bond of both the main characters (HY & XJ).

However back to your own preferences, try watching a couple of episodes if you like it continue if not move on. But never forget to appreciate the hard work all the actors and production team to create this drama.
Thank you to all actors and production team for a great drama.

Let me quote my favourite line in the drama

我喜欢月亮
月亮不知道
现在月亮
是你的了

“I love the moon but the moon doesn’t know”
“Now the moon is yours”


Goodbye Xiao Dudu and He Yan. Thank you for the wonderful journey. Till we meet again in another drama.

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