36 episodes isn't enough. No amount of episode would be enough. 9.0 rating is well-deserved.
If you are looking for a drama that has intense romance, good friendship, and rich in plot then TPOB won’t disappoint you. Watching a few clips of this drama in tiktok convinced me that this drama would be worthy of my time. I initially don’t get excited over dramas that have enemies to lovers trope due to the fact that often times the female gets too annoying or sometimes both couple are to focused on keeping scores against each other that they are becoming way to toxic for my taste.However, this drama executed the perfect way to show an enemies-to-lovers trope by planting enough and valid reason why they must hate each other and they also gave them enough time to fully build the trust they have on one another. They enemied really well and they fix their fights really well by compromising, giving assurance, and what other married couples do.
I also remember that there are viewers who are not into the concept of someone giving up revenge for the sake of love. But rest assured that this drama would make you think that often times hate and grudges would actually keep everyone stagnant and instead of thinking that they are being blinded by love know that it takes great courage and maturity to be able to consider the bigger picture rather than drag everyone down with your revenge.
Going into details as to why I loved this drama:
1. The romance was top tier, they have great chemistry, and the second romances in this drama are also worth watching. This drama showed how you can turn an enemies-to-lovers trope into the most healthiest couple. From having doubts and being wary of each other to pledging loyalty and protecting one another. No drama could show the very same build up of romance as TPOB. Outside their bedchamber both are very eloquent and reliable. Inside the the bedchamber they are very adorable, their quarrels make me giggle because these are the only time where they show other admirable side of them.
2. Manman was by far the most unique female character I have ever encountered. Unlike other dramas where they make the FL strong by making them excel in military, martial arts, scheming, or making them smart. Manman ability to overcome challenges is mainly shown by letting her magnanimity and sincerity shine through in times of situations that challenges their personal interest and greediness. I also liked how she strategized on what she is most familiar of which is water and river. I was actually amazed that the first thing his grandfather said to her in the first few episode would actually be the biggest hint for them to be able to win some battles. In addition to that, I like the fact that they used nature in beating the enemies. Because although Manman was always told that her softness, beauty, and femineity would solve everything, she instead took advantage of the flow of water, manipulating nature which alone is much smarter and more powerful than a thousands of soldiers. The way they reference water was actually something I didn’t foresee and enjoyed the most. You’ll most likely to see a lot of water, rivers, and canal being talked about by the characters.
3. Zhonling isn’t the red flag character that everyone looks for a ML and he isn’t exactly a green flag either. But rather his character is feared by many people given that he is good in fighting battles alongside his generals and also strictly upholds justice. He also became lord at such a young age hence everyone respects and follows him. His childhood isn’t normal like other kids and this justifies why he became brute, fearsome, and lack of that warmth you often see at someone’s complexion. His character is actually the most realistic and closest to being a human character one could encounter. He gets mad when his patience is tested, demands justice when someone is wronged, when provoked he retaliates and when his lines are crossed he would destroy. At the same time he is very considerate of the majority, bends his principle when needed to be, and is filial no doubt. He can forgive the mistakes his family commit against him and also protects and defends them when the situation requires defending. He may be oblivious to love and how to please his wife but he surely shows it well when he is not trying to appear one. He fails when he tries to be sweet but succeed well when he is unaware that his gestures is romantic. Example is defending her wife’s honor by investigating thoroughly and preserving her dignity by making sure no one slanders her.
4. The conflict is interesting, I like the fact that there was no unnecessary spies hidden in their mansion and I also like the fact that together they are able to grow more than what they aspire to be. Their personal goals are aligned hence they were able to agree on a lot things when making important decision. As for Manman’s cousin her love for Bi Zhi isn’t less than what Manman and Zhonling have. Her love is justifiable, one could choose to be selfish and protect what she can may it be one or a community, what counts is the intention and not the result.
5. The way this is filmed i good, if you closely they try to make it pleasing in the eye as much as possible and it delivers. One thing I want to mention is that on the scene where there are battles there actually no flaws in it. Often times other drama has a battle scene where other soldiers are fighting but very scripted as if every move is numbered and they would fight like they are practicing which takes away the thrill. The number of troops also, there are dramas wherein when they are positioned to go for war some have a poor cgi skills and it shows that other soldiers are cgi, in TPOB you wont see a flaw in their battle scenes.
36 episodes isn’t enough in my own opinion. Even if it is 40 or 50, it still wouldn’t be enough. The hype and the attention this drama received is well deserved no boring episodes unnecessary character or mini conflicts. Everything is like a puzzle that fits well when put together.
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Top Tier Drama That is Worthy of Your Time.
This drama is like having the hottest cup of chocolate, wearing the softest cardigan, being covered by the warmest blanket, and living in the coziest home during a heavy snow. This is the warmest and most comforting drama I have yet watched.The plot of the story isn’t that complicated which I appreciated so much. I am happy that instead of giving the audience a very complicated plot they focused more on executing well the plot.
I originally thought the romance in this drama would be a slow burn one although it took them early to get into a relationship but I personally think the progression of their relationship when they made it official made up the “slow burn” category considering that they both need to endure the long distance and the situation Yiyang was suffering with his tarnished reputation.
There are 4 things I liked in this drama:
1. I like how Yiyang was basically the living and walking representation of the greenest forest. He was so patient and romantic with Yin Guo considering the age gap they have, the nature of the field they are in and the situation they both are separately dealing with. Yin Guo is also very commendable for having the best composure and being the most stable person in Yiyang’s life. I like how this series gave both of the characters the space to grow individually and a chance to grow while being on each other’s side on the most crucial time.
2. The story of the side characters too are very interesting. I felt like everyone has a story to share and have something to prove which kept me anticipating for their appearances. Aside from feeling comforted by the healthy relationship Yiyang and Yin Guo have I also felt warm with the relationships that developed and built in the billiard community and in the Helsinki.
3. Of course, the chemistry was on fire and the execution of the plot was *chef’s kiss.* There was no episode where I felt bored at all and this is all thanks to all Wu Lei and Mai Mai superb skills in delivering high quality performance to come up with a characters that heals, entertain, and influence the audience. Every episode and every interaction between Yiyang and Guo makes me giggle, toes curl, fist punch the air. In fact there are several times where I had to pause watching to calm down and take a breather because the chemistry is too much.
4. The OST ate. It gave every scene the perfect tool to make me feel like I wasn't just watching but rather it felt like I was there with the Bei and Doungxin people witnessing everything. And the cinematography is brilliant it was so perfect 3 minutes into the first episode and I was hooked into it (mind you, the intro was 2 minutes long).
I feel so sad and empty when I finished the drama because I know there will be no season 2, there wont be another AASOL, and that there is no real life Lin Yiyang that exist in this life. I know I won’t find another drama that could top this one. It was so much more than great. It was life changing. It makes me want to have an amnesia just so I can experience watching it again for the first time.
I am looking forward to watch more work of Wu Lei. Right now I have already watched LLTG before AASOL and I am planning to follow it through with Mai Mai’s other drama The Royal Princess.
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