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4
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It was one of a kind ~ we need more dramas like this
The plot is One of a Kind delicately captures the political nuances and shifting dynamics in China and its surrounding regions after World War I, particularly following the fall of Germany. Over the course of 48 episodes, we witness the profound influence of Russia, Japan (most prominently), the US, and the UK in North China. Given the historical context, I can't help but feel that this is the version that made it past the censorship filters of the CCP-affiliated board,... leaving me to wonder what the real cost of freedom must have been in those times.
If someone asks me to recommend a similar show i cant... Sure genres can be replicated but the plot was entirely unique .
The pacing is deliberately slow, as the story doesn't strictly begin or end.. it simply follows two years in the lives of AMA cadets during their graduation period. What surprises me, however, is just how much happens in that short span: military standoffs, shootouts, undercover operations, kidnappings, bombings, political intrigue, coups, and financial crises. The odds feel stacked, and at times it seems as though the writer mistook this small military academy for the only functioning institution in all of China. From something as pivotal as the Twenty-One Demands to something as trivial as an underground fight club, everything ties back to the academy and its cadets. It's a lot—even for fiction. That said, I was never bored, so I'll let it slide.
Where the writer truly shines is in character development. The first half is heavily dedicated to the parallel leads, especially Qu Manting. Wu Jiayi delivered a phenomenal performance, completely overshadowing Bai Lu in the first 20–25 episodes—something I never thought possible. Her character is written with immense care, and she plays it with savage precision. Every single-breath-dialogue-delivery, every expression, and her chemistry with Xu Kai? Chef's kiss.
As for the leads, Xie Xiang (or Xie Liangchen) felt lackluster, and Bai Lu struggled to bring much depth to the role. For most of the show, she wore the same dull expression. Even Gu Yanzhen wasn't given much to work with, but Xu Kai's effort and expressive acting made his character worth watching. The type chemistry (in-organic) between the leads wasn't my cup of tea, for most of the series they were not involved with each other so that romantic aspect was very much missing.
On a side note, Bai Lu must have been injured multiple times during filming—her hands were visibly wounded even in scenes with no prior action.
The OST is just okay. I wasn't particularly fond of the "Romeo and Juliet" track, so I won't rate the music highly.
However, the costumes, weapons, set design, and impressive casting all reflect the high production value of the show.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this drama. It could have been improved if the writer had involved other institutions or cadets in filler plots—centralizing everything around AMA felt a bit forced. Still, One of a Kind is absolutely worth watching.
If someone asks me to recommend a similar show i cant... Sure genres can be replicated but the plot was entirely unique .
The pacing is deliberately slow, as the story doesn't strictly begin or end.. it simply follows two years in the lives of AMA cadets during their graduation period. What surprises me, however, is just how much happens in that short span: military standoffs, shootouts, undercover operations, kidnappings, bombings, political intrigue, coups, and financial crises. The odds feel stacked, and at times it seems as though the writer mistook this small military academy for the only functioning institution in all of China. From something as pivotal as the Twenty-One Demands to something as trivial as an underground fight club, everything ties back to the academy and its cadets. It's a lot—even for fiction. That said, I was never bored, so I'll let it slide.
Where the writer truly shines is in character development. The first half is heavily dedicated to the parallel leads, especially Qu Manting. Wu Jiayi delivered a phenomenal performance, completely overshadowing Bai Lu in the first 20–25 episodes—something I never thought possible. Her character is written with immense care, and she plays it with savage precision. Every single-breath-dialogue-delivery, every expression, and her chemistry with Xu Kai? Chef's kiss.
As for the leads, Xie Xiang (or Xie Liangchen) felt lackluster, and Bai Lu struggled to bring much depth to the role. For most of the show, she wore the same dull expression. Even Gu Yanzhen wasn't given much to work with, but Xu Kai's effort and expressive acting made his character worth watching. The type chemistry (in-organic) between the leads wasn't my cup of tea, for most of the series they were not involved with each other so that romantic aspect was very much missing.
On a side note, Bai Lu must have been injured multiple times during filming—her hands were visibly wounded even in scenes with no prior action.
The OST is just okay. I wasn't particularly fond of the "Romeo and Juliet" track, so I won't rate the music highly.
However, the costumes, weapons, set design, and impressive casting all reflect the high production value of the show.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this drama. It could have been improved if the writer had involved other institutions or cadets in filler plots—centralizing everything around AMA felt a bit forced. Still, One of a Kind is absolutely worth watching.
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