Noctis

I have to say I actually really liked this one.. That makes it three dramas in a row that I have enjoyed.. LOZH, Reborn and this.. All in completely different genres..

Song Wei Long’s previous work was pretty disappointing for me.. Same with Liu Hao Cun.. Even though her last drama wasn’t bad, I just didn’t think she did a good job in it.. The ML mostly carried that one.. But this was different.. LHC felt more comfortable here.. She seems more at home in dramas with martial arts and action stuff I guess.. Even SWL, his character was solid here and he did a satisfying job..

Honestly, I didn’t really enjoy the first few episodes.. Some scenes were so silly or cringey that I just laughed at them.. But it got much much better as it went on.. Loved the Captain America inspired fight in the lift.. That was fun.. I also really liked the fight in ep 2 between the main leads.. I liked their chemistry there and the kind of expectation it brought with it.. And I was also very excited about the squad.. They had this weird bond and behavior.. It was bound to get crazy and obviously fun..

The world building was done well and the relics in The Seven Relics of Ill Omen are a fascinating plot device.. Though not without its flaws.. But I think that’s easy to ignore since the other aspects of the story make up for it.. The story kept getting more interesting with each relic, how their pasts unfolded and how their connection to the relics was slowly revealed..

" You have to believe the heavens love you..
The flowers they withhold..
They make up for it with stars.. "

I liked the relationship between Luo Ren and Mu Dai.. This wasn’t a romance story, but they had good chemistry and really clicked..

How can I not talk about their Hummer?? Just like the characters, the SUV went through a lot too.. They literally dragged it through a desert, dried lake, quicksand, mountains and it still survived..

Everyone in the Phoenix Squad had a painful past.. Except Chubby I guess.. The main leads probably had the most painful ones.. They lost a lot and went through even more.. I just wish they had taken Lou Ren's Flashback scenes a bit more seriously.. Because it had real potential.. They should have handled it with more care.. The gunfight scenes could have been much better but instead it turned out to be too bland.. It was just a senseless sequence with no real clarity.. If they had spent a bit more money and brought in professionals instead of shelf actors, those scenes could have been a lot more satisfying and enjoyable to watch..

The only disappointing part in this drama for me was Ao Rui Peng.. People might hate me for saying this, but he was terribly bland in this.. Honestly I am surprised he is hyped as a talented actor.. I just don’t see it.. Overall, this drama isn’t a masterpiece.. But for me it gets so much right that I just had a good time watching it..

P.S. The OST was too damn good..