This review may contain spoilers
Perfect balance of slapstick comedy & staggering emotional depth | Potential Comedy "Wang/王" Hedi.
"If one hit strike can't kill it. Then, Run!" - Xu Qi'an
Before anything else, I want to say how Dylan Wang is the real embodiment of Xu Qi'an and has become the undisputed face of the entire show. He fits his character like a glove, to the point where you can't imagine anyone else playing it once you watch his performance. His execution is one of the best I have seen so far for male leads—like this role was crafted specifically for him. Perfect casting!
This show was a total comedy skit from the very beginning. If I were to describe this drama in a single phrase, it would be "no dull moments." From start to finish, it never—not even once—failed to entertain and show its humorous side. Heck, they were even able to pull off comedic scenes during the most intense and serious situations naturally, without making it look weird or awkward.
A couple of great examples are:
• When Xu Qi’an (ML) crawled under the table to ask Wei Yuan for forgiveness, acting all cutesy and being extra clingy. It was a full-blown aegyo show that was surprisingly irresistible.
• When the Statue of the First Sage (Tianyu Dharma) appeared, and the Xu family decided it was the perfect backdrop for a portrait instead of being worried and fleeing to safety. They're so unserious! It was made even more hilarious when they attempted various poses, such as a star-shaped formation. Haha!
They are just effortlessly hilarious. They’re so extra—I mean, EXTRA! They never fail to insert a comedic skit into any situation, anytime, anywhere.
I honestly wanted to write more in-depth insights about the story, but how can I when all I can think about are the goofy scenes? Haha! They must have had a blast filming this because so many moments felt truly wholesome—unedited and full of the actors' pure reactions. It feels like we’re watching bloopers without knowing it because we assume it's acting, but it's actually their genuine, out-of-character reactions. The slapstick comedy they’ve provided never feels forced or irritating. So, I really appreciate the editing team for preserving those scenes in the final cut.
A great example is in Episode 9, when the Copper Gong Trio (Xu Qi'an, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao) just finished their mission and were just talking and having fun. I won’t spoil the scene, so you'll have to watch it yourself to see what I mean. It was such a vibe!
"The strong urge to live will bring out one's potential." - Xu Qi'an to Xu Xinnian
One thing I find particularly noteworthy is the sense of togetherness surrounding Xu Qi'an—whether it’s within his family, the Nightwatchmen Bureau, or among his Heaven and Earth Society members.
The Xu family dynamics felt off to me at first because of how greedy Madam Xu (Li Ru) seemed. However, as time passed, her true, caring nature eventually emerged. She may value wealth and riches, but during the toughest times, she is someone you can count on. She is willing to sacrifice everything for the safety of her family. They're the true definition of the "family that comes together, stays together" mantra.
The Nightwatchman Bureau, being such a massive organization, surely has its own internal issues. However, one thing I love about them is the unexpectedly strong bond they share with Xu Qi’an. One of my favorite scenes was during the climax, when all the Gold Gongs—including the Breeze Hall Gongs—appeared alongside Xu Qi’an’s Heaven and Earth Society members to protect him against the Imperial Guards and the Emperor himself. It was a truly satisfying and proud moment. Above all, my favorite dynamic was the bond between Wei Yuan and Xu Qi’an. I love that Wei Yuan genuinely cares for him like a son.
Additionally, I had a lot of fun watching how equally chaotic both the Nightwatchmen Bureau and the Heaven and Earth Society are. I truly enjoyed watching all the beef going on among the Gold Gongs, as well as the personal vendetta and undeniable chemistry between Li Miaozhen (#2) and Chu Yuanzhen (#4). Both groups are equally crazy, which complements Xu Qi’an’s personality and amplifies the show’s vibe as a whole.
Surprisingly, I didn't feel any disappointment about this show. Rather, there were a couple of things that surprised me while watching it.
First is the female lead's (FL) appearance. This is the first C-drama I’ve seen where a considerably famous actress doesn't show up in the first four episodes. She had a "soft launch" in episode 5, but her actual introduction wasn't until episode 6. Beyond that, her screen time throughout the entire show was surprisingly limited. It likely bothered me because I expected her character to have much more relevance than she ultimately did.
Second is the cliffhanger ending. I didn’t realize that this was only the first half of the story—a prequel. I was completely lost when, with only two episodes left, they were still unfolding an entirely new plot. I really should have read the synopsis more carefully! Nonetheless, I’m so used to these "split-season" tropes in C-dramaland that I accepted it almost immediately.
Lastly, Xu Qi'an seeking justice for Zheng Xinghuai was incredibly satisfying. I wept with profound grief at the brutality and injustice of Mr. Zheng’s death. So it was such a gratifying moment when Xu Qi'an publicly convicted and executed the main perpetrators; it was a relief so massive, it felt as if a boulder pulling me down had finally been removed. It ensured the crime wasn't swept under the rug and that the deceased weren't left with their reputations unfairly sullied.
P.S. Let me treat y'all with my favorite Xu Qi'an line from that execution scene.
"I, Xu Qi'an, killed those two culprits not to vent my anger or to take revenge but to do the right thing, to clear Mr. Zheng's name, and to send the court a message: You're paid as a court official. You live off the people's resources. You can easily oppress the common people, but you can't fool the heavens."
Story - 10, I loved how the story stayed cohesive, flowing naturally through every beat even though it's only the first half. Prequels can be hit or miss, but this one definitely hit the mark. It managed to stay grounded while pushing the comedy to the absolute extreme. A fantastic watch!
Acting/Cast - 10, What an unexpected but perfect comedic duo! Wang Hedi and Tian Xiwei fit their roles so well. I’m obsessed with the chaos they bring—they are both goofy ASF! Even the supporting cast is just as good. The casting for this show is spot on!
Music - 9.5 Its OST is one that grows on you the more you listen to it. I wasn't initially crazy about the soundtrack, especially the ending theme, but the more I watch the show and feel its vibe, the more I start to jam to it. It gives off a happy, funky adventure vibe. I'm not really a big fan of rock and rap, but the upbeat and exciting tunes eventually won me over. It fits the drama's overall theme perfectly. The ballads, on the other hand, are really lovely—I've liked them from the start.
Rewatch Value - 10, This is one of those shows I can watch over and over again, regardless of when or where. It’s the ultimate example of a perfect balance between humor and emotional depth.
Overall - 10, I don't think I could give this show a lower rating—I love it so much! It's one of those shows I just couldn't stop watching. I literally binge-watched the whole thing.
IF you find my review helpful please let me know.
Before anything else, I want to say how Dylan Wang is the real embodiment of Xu Qi'an and has become the undisputed face of the entire show. He fits his character like a glove, to the point where you can't imagine anyone else playing it once you watch his performance. His execution is one of the best I have seen so far for male leads—like this role was crafted specifically for him. Perfect casting!
This show was a total comedy skit from the very beginning. If I were to describe this drama in a single phrase, it would be "no dull moments." From start to finish, it never—not even once—failed to entertain and show its humorous side. Heck, they were even able to pull off comedic scenes during the most intense and serious situations naturally, without making it look weird or awkward.
A couple of great examples are:
• When Xu Qi’an (ML) crawled under the table to ask Wei Yuan for forgiveness, acting all cutesy and being extra clingy. It was a full-blown aegyo show that was surprisingly irresistible.
• When the Statue of the First Sage (Tianyu Dharma) appeared, and the Xu family decided it was the perfect backdrop for a portrait instead of being worried and fleeing to safety. They're so unserious! It was made even more hilarious when they attempted various poses, such as a star-shaped formation. Haha!
They are just effortlessly hilarious. They’re so extra—I mean, EXTRA! They never fail to insert a comedic skit into any situation, anytime, anywhere.
I honestly wanted to write more in-depth insights about the story, but how can I when all I can think about are the goofy scenes? Haha! They must have had a blast filming this because so many moments felt truly wholesome—unedited and full of the actors' pure reactions. It feels like we’re watching bloopers without knowing it because we assume it's acting, but it's actually their genuine, out-of-character reactions. The slapstick comedy they’ve provided never feels forced or irritating. So, I really appreciate the editing team for preserving those scenes in the final cut.
A great example is in Episode 9, when the Copper Gong Trio (Xu Qi'an, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao) just finished their mission and were just talking and having fun. I won’t spoil the scene, so you'll have to watch it yourself to see what I mean. It was such a vibe!
"The strong urge to live will bring out one's potential." - Xu Qi'an to Xu Xinnian
One thing I find particularly noteworthy is the sense of togetherness surrounding Xu Qi'an—whether it’s within his family, the Nightwatchmen Bureau, or among his Heaven and Earth Society members.
The Xu family dynamics felt off to me at first because of how greedy Madam Xu (Li Ru) seemed. However, as time passed, her true, caring nature eventually emerged. She may value wealth and riches, but during the toughest times, she is someone you can count on. She is willing to sacrifice everything for the safety of her family. They're the true definition of the "family that comes together, stays together" mantra.
The Nightwatchman Bureau, being such a massive organization, surely has its own internal issues. However, one thing I love about them is the unexpectedly strong bond they share with Xu Qi’an. One of my favorite scenes was during the climax, when all the Gold Gongs—including the Breeze Hall Gongs—appeared alongside Xu Qi’an’s Heaven and Earth Society members to protect him against the Imperial Guards and the Emperor himself. It was a truly satisfying and proud moment. Above all, my favorite dynamic was the bond between Wei Yuan and Xu Qi’an. I love that Wei Yuan genuinely cares for him like a son.
Additionally, I had a lot of fun watching how equally chaotic both the Nightwatchmen Bureau and the Heaven and Earth Society are. I truly enjoyed watching all the beef going on among the Gold Gongs, as well as the personal vendetta and undeniable chemistry between Li Miaozhen (#2) and Chu Yuanzhen (#4). Both groups are equally crazy, which complements Xu Qi’an’s personality and amplifies the show’s vibe as a whole.
Surprisingly, I didn't feel any disappointment about this show. Rather, there were a couple of things that surprised me while watching it.
First is the female lead's (FL) appearance. This is the first C-drama I’ve seen where a considerably famous actress doesn't show up in the first four episodes. She had a "soft launch" in episode 5, but her actual introduction wasn't until episode 6. Beyond that, her screen time throughout the entire show was surprisingly limited. It likely bothered me because I expected her character to have much more relevance than she ultimately did.
Second is the cliffhanger ending. I didn’t realize that this was only the first half of the story—a prequel. I was completely lost when, with only two episodes left, they were still unfolding an entirely new plot. I really should have read the synopsis more carefully! Nonetheless, I’m so used to these "split-season" tropes in C-dramaland that I accepted it almost immediately.
Lastly, Xu Qi'an seeking justice for Zheng Xinghuai was incredibly satisfying. I wept with profound grief at the brutality and injustice of Mr. Zheng’s death. So it was such a gratifying moment when Xu Qi'an publicly convicted and executed the main perpetrators; it was a relief so massive, it felt as if a boulder pulling me down had finally been removed. It ensured the crime wasn't swept under the rug and that the deceased weren't left with their reputations unfairly sullied.
P.S. Let me treat y'all with my favorite Xu Qi'an line from that execution scene.
"I, Xu Qi'an, killed those two culprits not to vent my anger or to take revenge but to do the right thing, to clear Mr. Zheng's name, and to send the court a message: You're paid as a court official. You live off the people's resources. You can easily oppress the common people, but you can't fool the heavens."
Story - 10, I loved how the story stayed cohesive, flowing naturally through every beat even though it's only the first half. Prequels can be hit or miss, but this one definitely hit the mark. It managed to stay grounded while pushing the comedy to the absolute extreme. A fantastic watch!
Acting/Cast - 10, What an unexpected but perfect comedic duo! Wang Hedi and Tian Xiwei fit their roles so well. I’m obsessed with the chaos they bring—they are both goofy ASF! Even the supporting cast is just as good. The casting for this show is spot on!
Music - 9.5 Its OST is one that grows on you the more you listen to it. I wasn't initially crazy about the soundtrack, especially the ending theme, but the more I watch the show and feel its vibe, the more I start to jam to it. It gives off a happy, funky adventure vibe. I'm not really a big fan of rock and rap, but the upbeat and exciting tunes eventually won me over. It fits the drama's overall theme perfectly. The ballads, on the other hand, are really lovely—I've liked them from the start.
Rewatch Value - 10, This is one of those shows I can watch over and over again, regardless of when or where. It’s the ultimate example of a perfect balance between humor and emotional depth.
Overall - 10, I don't think I could give this show a lower rating—I love it so much! It's one of those shows I just couldn't stop watching. I literally binge-watched the whole thing.
IF you find my review helpful please let me know.
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