THE IRONY OF IT ✨️✨️
(The rewatch value is not 10 only because its a heavy watch, and rewatching will also need a break.)1️⃣OVERVIEW-
The Vendetta of An is a highlight of 2025 and a must watch revenge dramas. The show very well portrays the thin line between 'good' and 'evil'.
It is one of those very few dramas which doesn't tone down the ‘revenge’ plot. Even though the ML is called Xie Huai’an, his identity as Liu Zhi/White Hair is an open secret to both his allies and enemies.
2️⃣CHARACTERS (GREY GREY EVERYWHERE)-
The friendship and brotherhood is memorable and unforgettable. All the characters are fleshed out with their own back story. I feel when the ‘heroes’ suffer, but I also feel for the villains. We know why they did what they did. Every decision they made has a consequence, a well portrayed consequence with a long lasting effect & the wheel of 'karma' doing overtime. Every character plays a role in moving the plot ahead and no one is an idiot.
Xie Huai’an is clearly not the only ‘genius’. And that's what makes the story more interesting. Sometimes he win, sometimes he lose, but he will never accept defeat.
3️⃣STORY-
Even though it's a fast-paced drama and requires full attention and time, it's all worth it. Every twist, every hidden scheme and every surprises are unpredictable till the end. Chang'an changes hands multiple times and shadow wars going here and there. Naturally the story is not just about revenge and there are other hidden plots but throughout, revenge is the main focus.
The reasons story got 9.5- Firstly, a choice, XWJ's choice, I will just say this much to avoid spoiling. Second, from ep 21 they took some time to develop the new arc (which is natural) but by the time it was ready, it was almost the time for the finale. So, compared to 1-20 (which was perfect in every way), it seemed a bit slow. It was not bad, but it's just that I am comparing them with 1-20.
That being said, they did close strong (considering ep 28 was one of the most impactful to me), the ending was not rushed. In my eyes these little problems were too minute to affect the overall 10.
4️⃣THE CHORUS OF VENGENENCE-
At the beginning it might look like the revenge is over amplified, but after thinking carefully, it's not. His enemies are not strangers, but were ones his uncles and aunts he grew up playing with. Betrayal by those whom you trust hurts the most.
Yan Feng Shan killed all Liu faction members he could find but if he had not massacred the Liu family, he himself would be one of them. Xie Huai’an was set on bringing down the Huben Army and "kill every huben soldier he sees until none are left" but if not for YFS's betrayal, he himself would have been a member of the same Huben Army. This is how blurry the line is and how a interlinked web is created by the writer!
5️⃣Reflecting the THEME OF THE SERIES in a few dialogues (and the most memorable ones)-
1-“Liking someone has nothing to do with killing them.” said by Di Lu
2-“Scheming. Both you and I know how to do it. But in the end, it is still a blade going in white and coming out red.” said by Han Zhiling
3-“If you cast reality aside and imagine wildly that the dead could be brought back to your side. Do you not find that amusing?” said by Xie Huai’an
4-“Killing intent is instinct. If one is too driven by instinct, it is easy to lose oneself.” said by Yan Fengshan
5-“Settle the dust to prevent fire.” said by Wu Zhongheng
(backfired pretty hard lmao)
6️⃣MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS-
(Maybe spoiler but not major plot spoiler)
1- (THE IRONY OF IT)x2 -It ends where it began (ep 28)
2- Xie Huai’an scaring Yang Chu Hao just with his words and expressions (ep 16)
3/4/5- Gu Yu’s archery skills (The details + his emotions) (ep 12)
3/4/5- Cangshui river battle (Xiao Wuyang’s fighting scenes) (ep 23-24)
3/4/5- Xie Huan’an and Yan Fengshan remembering the dead (ep 19)
7️⃣COSTUME AND SETS-
The different take on the costume and backdrops (specially Hidden Soldier Valley) was also well fitted, to the point, unique and refreshing…
8️⃣ACTING AND OST-
The OST is great and just DONT GET ME STARTED ABOUT THE ACTING, just one word- FLAWLESS. Everyone did great including the veteran and young actors. But my special shout out to Cheng Yi (Xie Huai'an) and Liu Yi Jun (Xiao Wuyang). The one I saw for the first time and he left an impression- Wang Zu Yi (Wang Pu).
Everyone from the cast to the crew did their best and it can clearly be seen and felt.
9️⃣SURVIVAL SPOILER-
At the beginning it felt like they would kill everyone off but surprisingly many of them survived with a satisfying ending!
🔟Just XHA being himself, (maybe?)-
“I will leave no enemy alive. But I still have some humanity left.” 🔥🔥 (Ep-10)
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