This review may contain spoilers
The drama kept calling her a genius, but her decisions rarely convinced me.
I went into The Long Ballad with genuinely high expectations. Everywhere I looked, it was consistently recommended as one of the best historical C-dramas. Review after review praised Li Chang Ge as one of the smartest and strongest female leads in the genre, while Ashile Sun was often described as one of the most unforgettable male leads. Naturally, I expected another masterpiece that would stand alongside dramas like Blossom, The Double, Prisoner of Beauty, Legend of the Female General, Fated Hearts, and A Journey to Love.What drew me in even more was the poster and synopsis. They promised a grand historical epic centered around battlefield tactics, military strategy, political mind games, and a brilliant female commander whose intelligence would constantly outmaneuver everyone around her. As someone who genuinely enjoys strategist-driven stories, I couldn't wait to start it.
Unfortunately, that wasn't the experience I ended up having.
Before anything else, I want to make one thing clear—I am not the type of viewer who drops a drama halfway through. Once I commit to a series, I see it through until the very end, no matter how frustrated I become. So when I say I struggled with this drama, it's not because I gave up early. I stayed until Episode 49, hoping the story would eventually deliver the payoff I had been waiting for.
Perhaps it's also worth mentioning that I've only been watching C-dramas for a little over three months. Before discovering this world, I spent most of my free time outdoors—running marathons, hiking mountains, traveling, and chasing adventures rather than binge-watching dramas. But once I watched The Untamed, I completely fell into the rabbit hole. In just a few months, I've watched more than 40 C-dramas across historical, xianxia, wuxia, mystery, and romance: strategist-driven stories, brilliant battlefield tactics, political mind games, strong character development, and romances that truly feel earned. That's exactly why my expectations for The Long Ballad were so high.
To its credit, The Long Ballad is a visually stunning production. The cinematography is beautiful, the costumes are exceptional, the battle sequences are well-executed, and the soundtrack perfectly complements the atmosphere. Every frame feels cinematic.
Wu Lei was also one of the drama's greatest strengths. His portrayal of Ashile Sun was calm, composed, intelligent, and quietly devoted. He never overshadowed Li Chang Ge, instead respecting her abilities and decisions while remaining a dependable presence throughout the story. His performance was one of the main reasons I kept watching.
Unfortunately, the storytelling became the biggest obstacle for me.
The pacing was simply too slow.
Many story arcs that could have been resolved within two or three episodes were stretched far beyond what was necessary. Instead of building suspense, the narrative often felt repetitive. By the second half of the drama, I found myself waiting less for exciting developments and more for the story to finally move forward.
Personally, I believe the same story could have been told much more effectively in around thirty episodes without sacrificing its emotional impact. Instead, the constant dragging diluted many moments that should have felt powerful.
My biggest frustration, however, was Li Chang Ge herself.
One sentence perfectly summarizes my entire experience:
"Several times, the drama told me she was brilliant, but what I saw on screen did not always match that reputation."
Throughout the series, Li Chang Ge was repeatedly introduced as an extraordinary strategist and military genius. Unfortunately, many of her decisions didn't reflect that reputation. Several of her plans ended up creating even bigger problems, not only for herself but also for the people around her. Rather than watching someone who consistently stayed several steps ahead of everyone else, I often felt like I was watching someone forced to react after situations had already spiraled out of control.
What frustrated me even more was the number of reckless decisions that contradicted the image the drama was trying so hard to build. A truly brilliant strategist should make the audience admire their intelligence through carefully calculated actions—not repeatedly remind us of it through dialogue.
One scene perfectly captured my frustration. Near the end of the drama, Li Chang Ge willingly followed someone simply because they claimed to be connected to the young Crown Prince. She didn't question the person's identity or motives until she had already been cornered with no escape.
At that moment, I genuinely paused and thought:
"This is the legendary strategist everyone has been praising for forty-nine episodes?"
Moments like these happened often enough that I struggled to fully believe the reputation the drama kept assigning to her.
Another issue I couldn't ignore was how often the drama presented Li Chang Ge as an exceptionally strong female lead, only for many major conflicts to end with Ashile Sun rescuing her. I have no problem with a heroine being saved occasionally—every great character has vulnerable moments. But it happened frequently enough that it started to undermine the very image the drama was trying to establish. I wanted to see her intelligence consistently solve impossible situations rather than repeatedly relying on last-minute rescues.
Ironically, I found myself becoming far more invested in the second couple than the main romance.
Hao Du (Liu Yuning) and Princess Li Leyan (Zhao Lusi) completely stole my attention.
Despite having significantly less screen time, their relationship felt far more emotionally rewarding. Hao Du's quiet devotion, unwavering protection, and gradual emotional growth made him one of the most memorable characters in the entire drama. Watching a cold and ruthless imperial guard slowly learn how to love without expecting anything in return was genuinely beautiful.
Li Leyan's transformation was equally satisfying. She began as a sheltered and timid princess, but through hardship and survival, she gradually discovered her own courage and inner strength. Her growth felt natural, believable, and well-earned.
Every glance between Hao Du and Leyan carried emotion.
Every silent act of protection meant something.
Every reunion felt earned.
Ironically, with far fewer scenes than the main couple, they left a much stronger emotional impact on me.
Meanwhile, the romance between Li Chang Ge and Ashile Sun remained surprisingly restrained. Their relationship was built on mutual respect, trust, and understanding, which I normally appreciate. However, after investing nearly fifty episodes into their journey, I expected a much stronger emotional payoff.
Even their romantic moments felt limited, and the kissing scene itself was filmed so conservatively that it barely felt like the culmination of such a long slow burn. By the end of the drama, I realized I had become far more emotionally attached to Hao Du and Leyan's story than to the main relationship I originally started watching for.
Despite my frustrations, I can still understand why The Long Ballad is so highly regarded. If you enjoy slow-burn political storytelling, military campaigns, character-driven journeys, and historical world-building more than romance, I can absolutely see why this drama resonates with so many viewers.
But for someone like me—who was expecting a strategist-heavy historical drama where intelligence is consistently demonstrated through brilliant planning, alongside a romance with a stronger emotional payoff—the experience ultimately became more frustrating than rewarding.
I didn't hate The Long Ballad.
I simply expected a legendary strategist, unforgettable battlefield tactics, and one of the greatest historical romances based on everything I had heard before watching it.
Instead, I found myself admiring its cinematography, production value, and performances far more than I connected with its storytelling.
A visually stunning historical drama with outstanding performances, but one whose pacing, execution, and characterization never fully lived up to the incredible expectations it created.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Definitely one of my top xianxia dramas. ❤️
I started Ancient Love Poetry with high expectations, but I also had my doubts. At the beginning, I honestly struggled to connect with Shanggu. As the Chief God, I expected a powerful and confident female lead from the start, but instead, I saw someone who was still immature, impulsive, and learning what it truly meant to carry such a heavy responsibility.But that became one of the reasons why I appreciated her journey.
This drama is not about a perfect heroine who already has everything figured out. It is about growth, sacrifice, and becoming worthy of the title she carries. Watching Shanggu transform from a carefree young goddess into the true Chief God was one of the most rewarding parts of the story.
And then there was Bai Jue.
At first, he was the ultimate “ice cube” — cold, distant, and impossible to read. But as the story unfolded, I realized that his silence was never because he lacked emotions. It was because he carried responsibilities, secrets, and burdens that he chose to endure alone.
Xu Kai’s portrayal of Bai Jue was one of the highlights of this drama. He perfectly captured a character who loved deeply but expressed it through actions rather than words. His love for Shanggu was quiet, patient, protective, and filled with sacrifices that only became clearer as the story progressed.
What made their relationship special was that they were not simply two people who fell in love. They were two powerful beings carrying responsibilities greater than themselves. Their love was tested by destiny, duty, misunderstandings, separation, and the fate of the Three Realms.
Episode 41 completely broke me. The heartbreak was overwhelming, but it was also the moment that showed the depth of every character’s love and sacrifice. The pain was not only about romance — it was about family, duty, and the unbearable choices people make to protect the ones they love.
One of the most emotional parts for me was seeing the love of a father. A father's love is sometimes quiet, hidden behind responsibility and difficult decisions, but it can be one of the strongest forms of love. This drama reminded me that sacrifice is not always a sign of losing someone; sometimes it is the greatest way of protecting them.
Ancient Love Poetry reminded me why I love xianxia dramas. The best stories are not only about immortals, magic, and powerful abilities. They are about choices, consequences, loyalty, and the sacrifices people make for love and for the world they protect.
The story gave me frustration, heartbreak, tears, and moments where I questioned the characters’ choices. But the emotional payoff made everything worth it. The pain before the happiness made the ending feel more meaningful.
I also appreciated the beautiful world-building, costumes, visuals, music, and the relationships beyond romance. This drama explored friendship, family, responsibility, and what it truly means to carry the fate of others.
After watching many C-dramas across different genres, Ancient Love Poetry became one of my favorite xianxia dramas. It was not an instant favorite from the beginning, but it became a story that stayed with me because of its characters, sacrifices, and emotional journey.
A story about two ancient gods who proved that sometimes love is not about choosing each other first — it is about becoming strong enough to protect each other, even when the entire world stands in their way.
Definitely one of my top xianxia dramas.
Was this review helpful to you?
More than 10/10: A masterpiece that will always have a special place in my heart.
I’m not usually patient with long dramas. My free time is mostly spent outdoors running, hiking, or cycling. But The Untamed completely pulled me in.Some dramas are simply entertaining, but some stories stay with you long after the ending. For me, The Untamed is that kind of drama.
I started this drama without expecting too much. I thought I was simply watching a story about cultivators, clans, and a mysterious past. I never expected it to become the drama that would introduce me to an entire world of C-dramas and remain my number one favorite until now.
What makes The Untamed unforgettable is not only its fantasy world, cultivation system, or the mystery surrounding the Yin Iron and past events. What truly makes this drama special are the characters, their choices, and the unforgettable bonds they created.
Wei Wuxian is one of the most memorable characters I have ever watched. He is playful, charming, and full of life on the outside, but behind his smile is someone carrying loneliness, pain, injustice, and countless sacrifices.
Xiao Zhan’s portrayal of Wei Wuxian was one of the biggest reasons this character became so unforgettable. He captured every side of Wei Wuxian — the carefree young cultivator, the person who carries the weight of protecting others, and someone who continues to smile despite everything he has lost. His emotional scenes, especially during moments of suffering and heartbreak, made the character feel incredibly human.
Lan Wangji, on the other hand, is a character of quiet strength. He does not express his feelings easily, but his loyalty and actions speak louder than words. Wang Yibo perfectly portrayed Lan Wangji’s restrained emotions, discipline, and unwavering devotion. Through subtle expressions and small gestures, he showed a character who loves deeply but chooses to protect silently.
The contrast between Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo’s performances created a powerful dynamic. Their characters were different in personality, but their bond was built on trust, understanding, respect, and standing beside each other when the entire world misunderstood them.
Beyond the main characters, what touched me the most was the drama’s exploration of loyalty, friendship, family, and the consequences of choices. It showed that people are not simply good or evil. Sometimes those who are judged as villains are the ones carrying the heaviest burdens.
The world-building, costumes, music, and atmosphere created a universe that felt alive. Every clan, every character, and every past event added depth to the story. But what truly made this drama special was the emotional journey — the happiness, heartbreak, sacrifices, and friendships that felt real.
After watching many C-dramas across different genres, The Untamed remains my top drama of all time. It was not just my first C-drama; it was the beginning of my journey into xianxia, wuxia, and countless unforgettable stories.
Some dramas end when the final episode finishes. But some stories stay with you.
The Untamed is one of those stories. A masterpiece that will always have a special place in my heart. ❤️
Was this review helpful to you?
the drama that defined your current taste.
I went into Pursuit of Jade expecting a historical romance, but I left with a story that was much more than that.What surprised me the most was that this drama was not built around a simple love story. It was about two intelligent people with their own scars, responsibilities, and struggles, slowly learning to trust each other and choosing to stand together despite everything trying to tear them apart.
The biggest strength of this drama is its characters. The female lead is not someone who simply waits for someone to save her. She is intelligent, resilient, and capable of making difficult decisions. She knows how to survive, protect what matters to her, and fight for her own future.
The male lead is also more than just a powerful figure. Behind his strength is someone carrying his own burdens, expectations, and wounds. What I loved about their relationship is that they were never portrayed as two incomplete people searching for someone to complete them. They were already strong individually, and together they became even stronger.
Their romance felt like a true partnership — built on understanding, respect, trust, and slowly earned affection. It was not about grand declarations from the beginning, but about two people who gradually became each other's safest place.
Beyond the romance, I appreciated the political conflicts, family struggles, and themes of survival, loyalty, and the consequences of past choices. The story showed that sometimes love is not about escaping the battles of life, but about finding someone willing to face those battles with you.
The chemistry between the leads, the character growth, and the emotional payoff made this one of the most memorable historical dramas I have watched.
Pursuit of Jade reminded me that the best romances are not always about someone saving the other person — they are about finding someone who will stand beside you when the entire world is against you.
Definitely one of my top dramas. ❤️
Was this review helpful to you?
