Michael_0718

The Less tactical yet Peaceful and Self-Sufficient take of NIF ~!!

DON'T READ ANY FEEDBACKS, JUST WATCH AND BE IMPRESS! 100% -- DEFINITELY A MUST WATCH!!

Comparison between the NIF1 and NIF2 would never be Valid as it carries different plot execution and theme.

Honestly speaking I was kinda worried to watch this sequel because of the reviews I have been reading over it being less impressive and kinda fell short compared to it's prequel however watching it intently from its Pilot episode to its Finale has proven me that those feedbacks were wrong and is simply biased.

This drama shouldn't be compared to the NIF1 since they're simply two sides of a coin. They have a very different target when it comes to story plots and more.

This story highlighted how loyalty and righteousness should be carried out. In a sense where they're simply contented and grateful for what they currently have and is willing to give them up just to keep the peace and serenity in place.

Story - 10, No words needed. All you need to do is to sit, watch and enjoy. This is less confusing compared to how NIF was since I'm already familiar with its system and setup. The plot twist and story itself were not as tactical and strategic as NIF1 but it surely accentuate its uniqueness and the difference between the 2 season. Its very clear, precise and genuine.

Acting/Cast - 10, I know that it's a bit of a stretched but I love its cast so much. Huang XiaoMing, Tong Liya, Turbo Liu, Zhang Hui Wen and etc was able to deliver and express their characters emotions and characteristic in a splendid way that it deserves so much high praises.

Music - 10, Ballad Songs would never go wrong with my ears. The music itself enriches each episode for me and even provides additional drama and excitement towards the opening and ending theme. I actually enjoyed watching them all.

Rewatch Value - 10, No questions needed. It's a MUST WATCH and I will surely watch it whenever I feel like to. A masterpiece that didn't fell short or underwhelming in contradiction to those biased reviews I red firsthand.

Overall - 10, It deserved all the views It accumulates and MORE! Just don't Read Reviews and Immediately watch! It will give you a different feeling and vibe that will surely impress you and make you cry.

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I was annoyed at Xiao Chun Hua at some point.. SGQY is the MVP~!!

This drama has a clear plan layed out well but I find it irritating at some point. However, I can't discredit it for such petty reasons since I still enjoy it as a whole.

The first few episodes made me bored but it was able to pick up it's own pace. Anyways, I think it's also because of my mood that time so I never really treated it as a boring drama at all.

Moving on lemme just pin-point/highlight some things I was particular with this story...

× Love-Hate feelings for the FL for being so idealistic and righteous.
× Shangguan QiuYue's Unconditional, Selfless and genuine love for Chunhua made me go soft all of the time. He got some weird yet straightforward way of showing his affection that made the story extra lovely and fun to watch.
× Xiao Bai exudes so much Papa's boy Vibe for me. His idea always abides to his father/clans teachings and it made me feel sour of his character.
× Leng Ying killing Feng Cai Cai's father could be a great drama twist that I anticipated for it so much but turned out to be a great missed. They really try hard to preserved its light-hearted mood to such extent where plot holes arises.

Anyways, Still a Good drama to watch. I finished it longer than usual because of my crazy schedule but it's still worths it.

Story - 9.0, They tried so hard to keep it light-hearted that it misses some great drama plot opportunities and that leads to some questions and flaws rising one by one. I was never particular of such scenes but I felt disappointed that they didn't fully utilize it considering it has long 40 episodes.

Acting/Cast - 9.5, Acting are really good and convincing same with how the cast executed their characters. It's just I have some distastes towards some characters. Which is something personal.

Music - 10 Great choice of Music. I specifically love the Fun Narration with the opening theme and the insert songs were also good.

Rewatch Value - 9.0, Still deserving of such high score cause It simply showcases a lot of good points as well. I can never mistreat/misjudge a drama just because I hate some pieces of it.

Overall - 9.5, I honestly wanted to give it a 9.0 rating but Shangguan Qiu Yue saved this whole production for me. He's the MVP of this drama as a whole. A male lead who's reasonable, tactical and loving.

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Tear-Jerking Drama!! Tissue's a MUST. ~ Warm and Inspiring Fatherly Love. <3

I started this drama without any expectation in mind. It was listed as a recommendation from a friend who loves watching K-dramas but little did I know that I'll love it's entirety.

Story: Story wise I gave it a perfect 10 as the story never felt lacking and has kept with the hype till the end. The message of the drama itself made it extra special to me does convincing me to create this account and write a review so that it can be a reference to other avid-drama watchers to decide whether to watch it or watch it. Lol~

Acting/Cast: 10/10 even beyond that — I was never familiar with anyone (Well aside from the Father adult version since I have watched his other works countless of times) so i started this drama just to "Kill-Time" but the actors and actresses were all impressive and has exceeded my expectation. I'm even a big fan of Lee Dohyun now. 😁

Music: Simply 10/10. I got all the soundtrack on loop for weeks and is downloaded on my Spotify even for Offline listening. That should convince everyone. IF not you all should.

Rewatch Value: Definitely 10/10, IF not for the fact that I have tons on my pending watch list I would've watch it again after another drama or so.

Overall: 100/100 HAHAHAHA! I just love everything about this drama. 😁

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A Great Catastrophe: Born of the Insurmountable Obsession w/ Cai Pingshu—the De Facto Protagonist.

"To judge a person, you should not look at how good they are in good times, but how bad they can be in bad times." - Mu Qingyan

I don't think I can start this review any other way than to address how our main leads were thoroughly utilized as mere instruments to honor the legacy of the valiant Cai Pingshu and clean up after the mess of several other crooked-minded predecessors.

What I thought was a simple flashback—a tribute to their predecessors' prowess—turned out to be the main plotline little by little. It was a narrative progression I had never foreseen, and something that caught me completely off-guard. It was an element of the story that utterly bewildered me upon discovery because, as the plot progressed, it gradually took over and soon revolved heavily around them instead of our two main protagonists. This deviation overshadowed, and ultimately stole, the story's focus from our "supposed" main leads, stealthily stripping away their identity as the legitimate main characters of the story. This structural subversion significantly reduced them to being mere icing on the cake—ones who were bestowed with life and characteristics for the sole purpose of unraveling and denouncing the hidden, filthy truth behind the atrocious events of the previous generation, revisiting the connection and friendship they built, honoring the sacrifices they made, and ultimately taking revenge for Cai Pingshu—the de facto protagonist of this show.

Was I disappointed? Damn, Yes! How could I not be when what I thought to be a simple, prolonged flashback appearing every now and then—one that lasted through approximately the first 10 episodes and that I assumed ended for good—suddenly came back several episodes later and became the core narrative the story goes back to every time, and later permanently rotates around? I am still in disbelief! I felt like I was tricked, because little did I know that they simply took a quick break from those flashbacks to "somehow" develop the main leads' story, only to shortly go back to the same track again. This progression was definitely not on my bingo card when I picked this series. At this point, it won't even be an exaggeration to declare that this story is a memoir, a grand tribute to the legacy of the legendary Cai Pingshu.

One distinctive attribute of this story's writing style that utterly mystified me—and totally deserves a resounding round of applause—was their flawless ability to manage the story's flow and transitions without seemingly overshadowing the main protagonists, simply because they are still technically the ones fighting the antagonists. *Eyerolls* It was meticulously executed to the point where it may have gone unnoticed by some, unless you're like me who's extra sensitive to and incredibly invested in the main leads.

To be fair, I was not hypercritical of the flashbacks at first. It only became a concerning factor for me when they finally went overboard by investing more than half of the show's runtime in the previous generation and their unresolved conflicts, instead of focusing on the new generation's growth and journey—as they should, since they are the main leads being promoted.

That said, just because they provided an excessive amount of exposure to the previous generation—more than I think should have been given—doesn't mean the leads lacked sufficient character development. It was never like that. In fact, I can say that the leads' arcs were still compellingly realized. Their story, although highly influenced by the past generation's conflicts, was still properly developed with steady pacing, consistent growth, and a beautiful ending—all of which were nicely dissected and delved into through different means, but most commonly through flashbacks. Countless, endless flashbacks... since that is something they are experts at. Lol

At the end of the day, it's just a mix of accumulated emotions—feeling disappointed, bewildered, and in total disbelief. Imagine, even the time that should've been spent exclusively on the main leads was instead spent on yet another batch of countless flashbacks that heavily included the past generation's shenanigans. *Sighs* Mind you, I was initially curious and interested in the past generation's story too, but as time passed, I gradually got tired of it because they were just being shown way too much.

In addition, despite the good flow of the story, there really were some scenes that made my forehead crease, my eyebrows raise, and my eyes roll at the farcical plot devices. Some of those scenes include:

First, the male lead creating their own demise. Mu Qingyan repeatedly stated his desire to kill Nie Zhe once he captured him. Yet, he allowed himself to be manipulated by Nie Zhe's diversion technique, which used his emotional weakness and caused him to escape—when he could have easily slit his throat, since his sword was literally half an inch away from his neck. I understand that he still wanted to squeeze more information from him, but I never expected him to be a victim of such schemes given how smart he is.

Second, the frustration toward Cai Zhao's parents. They forced her to leave Luoying Valley to train at the Qingque Sect and enter the Pugilistic world, when all she ever wanted was to become a businesswoman—even with the infamous knowledge that their Cai lineage has been known to produce the so-called "Demoness" for the past several generations. Thus, I find it infuriating how they reacted with shock upon learning that Cai Zhao has a mutual romantic relationship with Mu Qingyan, when they should have fully expected it following their family's historical pattern. It's just ridiculous that they have the audacity to react this way when they are equally responsible for this foreseeable outcome. On the positive side, I loved how they finally grew to accept and support Mu Qingyan toward the climax.

Third, Cai Zhao's misplaced trust in her sect mates and master, Qi Yunke. It was grating to watch her stay in denial about her master's involvement and identity as the "Man in Black," even when the evidence was pointing directly at them. More so, it is outrageous how she cried and felt conflicted about what to do with him when he deserved nothing but a painful death for the countless innocent lives he took to achieve his utterly crooked revenge.

Fourth, the leads' pitiful state. It made me scoff out of frustration to see how vulnerable, weak, and miserable both of our leads were during the final fight scene of the climax. This entire situation could have been avoided if the FL hadn't hesitated to suspect or doubt her master in the first place.

Fifth, the excessive amount of blood splattering. The sheer volume of blood in this drama felt completely unnecessary. 😅

After completing this series, one issue that totally stood out to me was the production's greed to introduce most, if not everyone, in Cai Pingshu's circle of friends from her generation. This became a considerable concern because the majority of them don't even participate in the main story's timeline—and even if they did, it was just for an irrelevant, ephemeral scene—yet the show constantly jumped between flashbacks of their younger selves and scenes of their older selves in the present time. This created so much confusion because, aside from the fact that they were never given enough individual screen time to establish themselves, there are just so many of them. So keeping track of who is who became a truly overwhelming struggle for me, especially when they were all clumped together. It reached a point where I just didn't give a fuck at all by the end.

On a brighter note, I want to praise them instead for their seamless buildup and execution of the final enemy's identity reveal. Up until the very end, I didn't dare conclude who the final antagonist was until it was officially revealed—my primary suspect was Li Wenxun. The production did an impeccable job crafting Qi Yunke's identity as a righteous, pure-as-white man, to the point that I didn't dare doubt him even a little. I know that this is an extremely cliché plot device, but I have to say they did a stellar job with it; I never held any suspicions toward him, nor did I ever doubt him.

To finally conclude this review, I just want to say that I still thoroughly enjoyed this story despite all my rants, unfavorable feedback, and complaints. I love how our main leads match and rival each other's wits—he was an excellent manipulator and she was highly perceptive—leaving no room to develop any "I'm oblivious to your schemes" drama because they could see through each other's plans along the way. I also love the ending so much! I appreciate how he stuck true to his word about marrying into her family and settling down in Luoyin Valley. There is simply no better way to end their perilous journey than this.

"Cai Zhao, listen to me. We can never be separated. So what if my meridians are severed? Even if I am reduced to ashes, I will return to find you." - Mu Qingyan

Story - 9.0, The story was actually well-crafted—fast-paced and progressive. If they had at least halved the number of flashbacks, everything would have been perfect. It's just frustrating how I came here for the main leads but ended up drowning in Cai Pingshu and her generation's unresolved drama.

Acting/Cast - 9.5, I was planning to give this a 9.0 rating, but I was reminded of how the actors pulled off the excessive amount of blood splatting and vomiting, and I thought I should give them credit for that. lmao This is my first Zhou Yiran drama, but the one who captured my attention the most remained to be Bao Shang'en—despite this being my third drama of hers. Her styling here was insane! It was simple, plain, and muted, with absolutely nothing fancy about it, yet it looked exquisitely crafted for her, making her naturally beautiful features and body proportions stand out in a graceful, striking manner.

Music - 8.0, The songs beautifully accompanied every scene from the beginning until the end. I don't particularly have a favorite, but I certainly love the ballad track the best.

Rewatch Value - 7.0, Despite it being beautifully and evocatively written, I don't think I can sit through all of the flashbacks ever again. This rating is solely based on the narrative's positive aspects.

Overall - 9.0, Honestly, I think the writer and the entire production team should go back on set to film a prequel to this show focusing on the previous generation, just to fulfill their unconcealable obsession with them. Dang! I still feel a bitter distaste in my mouth whenever I think of how our leads were discreetly stripped of their roles as the main protagonists.

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Resolving the Destructive & Never-ending Family Affairs | A Masterclass in Writer Manipulation 101

"Everything in the world that repels each other can live in harmony too. If you want to find an antidote, you must go to the place where the poison grows." - Wang Youheng

NOTE: This is the longest review I've written since I started leaving reviews here on MDL. I poured my all into this. Phew! Haha!

For the record, I just wanted to say that it was quite a challenge to watch this show, particularly the opening arc and the climax. That being said, to maintain a logical order, I will address the opening arc first, followed by the upsetting and tiring repetition in the plot, and conclude with my thoughts on the climax, denouement, and ending combined.

Although the story opened strongly—successfully introducing the main leads, the dynamics of the Lian household, and the series' "game" mechanics—the narrative stumbled by dedicating nearly half its time to the ML's (Shen Nuo) solo missions. To me, this prematurely derailed what could have been an excellent foundation for the leads' chemistry. Given the title and theme, the writers should have allowed him to assimilate into farm and family life first, establishing his role within the household and the story while forming a genuine connection with the female lead. Instead, he acted entirely on his own whims to fulfill his mission, even resorting to clever tricks—like manipulating the children—to avoid his chores. While some viewers might find this entertaining, I found it to be plain laziness. Truly annoying! Furthermore, this narrative choice introduced a host of other issues into the plot.

• First, the farm theme of the story wasn't fully highlighted because the ML's side quests tended to always steal half the screen time of each episode.

• Second, the story's focus was split into two parts: the chaos within the Lian household, and whatever mission Shen Nuo was doing. It felt like I was watching two different shows in one drama because his mission simply did not align with the current plot.

• Third, it became extra hard to connect with and attach myself to the ML because he himself felt detached and distant. He was always preoccupied with his mission and frequently half-assed his farm work, which made him annoying to watch.

• Fourth, the chemistry between the leads became hard to establish and invest in because he simply wasn't putting in the energy to begin with. I read the synopsis, so I was aware that he was written as a mysterious, tsundere character, but dang, his character was assassinated early in the story because aside from the fact that his aura didn't exude chemistry, his actions didn't show it either. What's worse was how he used the female lead (Lian Man'er) to toy with the 2nd male lead's (Wang Youheng) feelings to make him jealous.

This is exactly why, during the first 10 episodes of the show, viewing them as the "supposed" main leads became challenging, simply because the male lead failed to bring any romantic energy to the table. To make matters worse, the story slowly fumbled and grew increasingly frustrating as it progressed, due to the never-ending treachery and backstabbing occurrences within the Lian household. This exhausting cycle brings me to the next point of my review.

Honestly, I don't know whether to feel relieved that I can finally vent about the Lian family plotline, or furious because I have to relive the sheer amount of frustration and anger I accumulated while watching it. *Sighs*

The proverb "charity begins at home" serves as a powerful reminder that a person's upbringing and moral foundation depend entirely on their home life. When parents instill strong values early on, children possess a steadfast moral compass to ground them, no matter how chaotic or challenging the real world becomes. Unfortunately, this vital moral grounding was entirely absent within the Lian household—with the sole exception of Lian Shouxin, the youngest son, and his family (the 3rd branch in the Lian Household).

At first, I felt really proud of Lian Man'er when she said she had no problem dealing with all the family issues in the game. I figured she must have been so used to dealing with them in the real world, given that she also comes from a broken family. However, learning how intense and severe the situation actually was within the Lian household made me feel sad and full of pity for her instead. Imagine dealing with a hundredfold version of the family issues you have back in the real world. Just how excruciating and suffocating must it have been for her? Not to mention, the same "taking advantage of and scheming against one another" plot kept happening like a broken record. What a traumatic experience she suffered. 😭

Right off the bat, let me declare that this is the most chaotically dysfunctional household I have ever encountered in C-dramaland. They are a family that never prays together, yet desperately tries to stick together—a supposed family that isn't "family-ing" at all.

I know this might sound like an exaggeration, but I completely lost hope in this entire "family" thing they were so frantically trying to establish right before the show reached its first half. Whenever I expected that they had finally learned their lessons and would, for the love of God, change, I would then be shocked in the next episode by how well-prepared they were to stab one another in the back once again. It was endless—an infinite loop of events that kept happening over and over and over again. It dragged both the plot and the Lian family down into the mud, completely beyond salvation. They were a true disappointment!

This is precisely why the "family splitting" arc is my absolute favorite plotline. First, it brought the immense relief of finally escaping the pointless, childish rivalry of the Lian household. Second, it introduced Lian Man'er’s maternal side—the Zhang family—who were such an awesome bunch of people. They are the true definition of what a family should be.

However, everything felt short-lived after they successfully split from the family, because even though they were finally divided and living their own lives, the Lian household still never failed to create trouble for them out of mere spite and jealousy. They were unstoppable! Despite being given countless chances, they still managed to fuck up by repeating the same mistakes every single time. Gosh! Which is why I was extremely disgusted by how hard the story tried to redeem the unredeemable, immoral Lian household. Can't the writers just give up on them? I know they wanted to embody the core value of "staying together through thick and thin," but the more I watched this drama's repetitive plot sequence, the more my patience wore thin. And as it continued, it arrived at a point where I was on the brink of snapping. Grr!

This raises the question: Just how much lower can her paternal family drag her down?

Furthermore, just when I thought we were only dealing with Lian Man'er's grandmother, uncles, and their wives, here comes her equally, if not more, vile cousin named Lian Hua'er. She was a shameless, ungrateful, hypocritical, and totally two-faced bitch! Lian Man'er should have never rescued her from that ghost marriage/widow-burning wedding. Thinking about it, she was practically involved in, if not the mastermind behind, 90% of the ordeals the main leads faced. Without her, we could have enjoyed a much lighter and more entertaining show. I was even overjoyed when she was married off, thinking that we were finally getting rid of one vile schemer in the family. Little did I know, her reach knew no bounds as she became even more wicked after she finally obtained wealth.

It was truly sickening to watch the script scramble to whitewash and trivialize the family's atrocious acts. The writers constantly tried to suggest these people possessed some hidden conscience—even after they had inflicted catastrophic, irreparable damage without showing an ounce of genuine remorse. It was incredibly frustrating; I could practically combust just thinking about it. A toxic crab mentality is what ultimately poisoned and destroyed this family from within. No matter how hard the story tried to manufacture unearned harmony at the end, I just will not buy it. NEVER.

Finally, looking at the last three episodes—the combination of climax, resolution, and ending—I am left with nothing but aggravating fury. Where do I even begin?

The last three episodes (Episodes 24–26) are where I truly lost every single ounce of patience I had stored up for this drama—especially during the climax. The number of times I was baffled and infuriated by how utterly careless and indecisive the FL (Lian Man'er) suddenly became is beyond my mental capacity. Considering that she was in high-risk situations, shouldn't she have been more cautious? Most of the dangers she faced during those episodes could have been 100% avoided if she had only worked with the utmost caution and rationality. I myself feel exhausted from my rants, so let me just say that the climax of the story was ultimately ruined by the writers' agenda of squeezing more 'drama' into the scenes—to make them more dramatic... which unfortunately backfired heavily as it suddenly stripped the female lead of her rational thinking, turning the climax into a cliché, anticlimactic downfall.

In regard to the denouement or resolution, God as my witness, I have lost count of how many times I rolled my eyes while exhaling heavily to suppress my pent-up anger and keep myself from totally lashing out. If I were to describe this entire part of the story in a single word, it would be FAKE! Instead of genuinely apologizing and repenting, Lian Hua'er and her mother, Madam Gu, still have the audacity to guilt-trip and blame the Lian family for their demise. Good grief! I refuse to squeeze any more juice out of my brain just to describe how brazenly unapologetic and shameless they literally are. Even how their entire cognitive process works puzzles me.

My hatred for them was so deeply rooted that even playing sad background music when it was announced to the family that their eldest son (Lian Shouren) had gone insane got me so mad. After the countless atrocious deeds he had inflicted upon the family, this show still had the audacity to forcefully extract and solicit pity from its viewers to feed into a "pity party" for this unforgivable, despicable man? Oh, geez! The only saving grace of this family was Song Hailong, Lian Hua'er's husband. He was a living symbol of righteousness they must look up to. Aside from him, the whole first branch of the family was a basket full of rotten apples that were beyond saving.

If only they had allowed the first branch of the family to have a character development arc during the middle of the story, similar to what they did with the second branch, I could probably have at least reluctantly accepted them. However, they did not, and instead resorted to making Lian Shouren (the eldest son) suffer trauma that led to his mental illness, while letting his wife and daughter—who are equally vile and obnoxious—become poor. Like, what were they trying to achieve with this, really? Sorry, but that is such an inadequate and completely insufficient redemption arc for them. What they badly needed in order to redeem themselves was a genuine form of repentance through action and absolute accountability, not just a convenient plot device set up to make them appear pitiful and deserving of mercy and forgiveness. It is ludicrous and extremely disturbing how the story low-key manipulates us to accept them just because they suffered their well-deserved retribution and became poor and struggling. Undermining what they have done, and without them offering a proper apology? Sorry, but no. I flat-out refuse. That is not how it works.

Lastly, the ending. Seeing them all together at the end, eating at one table, feasting and conversing with one another was truly comforting and heartwarming. I might have consumed all that and accepted the hypocrisy surrounding it only if I hadn't witnessed them pull off filthy tricks left and right, like absolute monsters, throughout the entire drama. But since I did... sorry, but scratch that. I just cannot let them off the hook so easily without proper punishment. The retribution they suffered was actually much too lenient compared to what they inflicted. So, no. N-E-V-E-R!

This family is beyond saving despite their family reunion and reconciliation at the end. I don't believe a single one of them has the strength to resist committing yet another heinous mistake if an opportunity arises.

I also just want to point out how I can't stand the act of magnanimity in this show. It was unbearable and suffocating, in the sense that we were forced to consume an ideology just because it is what's ideally correct, while it completely fails to acknowledge the moral aspect of it. It was truly revolting how the writers have been gaslighting us ever since. It's like they are trying to prove a point by experimenting on people's capability to understand and forgive—even when the deeds done are truly unforgivable. It is an attempt to be innovative in the most negative, illogical, and nasty way! Disgusting!!

To conclude my review, all I can say is that this drama was fun, and I won't deny that I laughed out loud at some scenes. However, it also caused so much frustration and anger, which outweighed all that positivity. The Lian family is on a constant downward spiral. The more you watch them, the more you will realize that their stupidity and irrationality reach past the horizon—beyond human understanding!

Story - 6.0, The story had potential. It had a good premise and was truly promising. What killed it was the never-ending, repetitive, and destructive family schemes, the lack of accountability, the inadequate time allowed for consistent character development, and the combination of an utterly revolting climax, resolution, and ending. Another factor that greatly ruined my mood regarding this show was the shameless attempt by the writers to manipulate and gaslight the viewers' judgment of what is right and wrong. That was truly nasty of them! Furthermore, for a "Game World" setup, it is truly weird that she only received one mission throughout the entire duration of the show. Talk about an unpolished storyline. Tsk, tsk!

Acting/Cast - 9.0, I have no complaints about the actors' and actresses' performances. My main issue is how their characters were written. Joseph Zeng's role annoyed me during the first 10 episodes, as it deprived him of the presence and energy needed to build chemistry with the FL. Same goes for Tian Xiwei's role. At one point, I was even thinking about how she was taken advantage of with this character. It's the first role of hers that I know of that made her character look indecisive and, in a sense, reckless. Not to mention the rest of the supporting characters. *Facepalm*

Music - 9.0, I like the soundtrack a lot. It is a combination of fun and melodious tracks. The lyrics are very uplifting and empowering for women, too.

Rewatch Value - 4.0, ​I am giving this score in consideration of the fact that this show has its good and fun sides, too. However, personally, I don't think I will ever watch it again.

Overall - 7.0, Upon reflection, what truly frustrates me the most about this story is the characterization and how it was written. I am especially furious about how manipulative the writers were! Talk about gaslighting to the absolute maximum. Grr!

IF you find my review helpful please let me know.

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Game of Deception: Revenge fueled by layers of lies and manipulation | Socially undertrained ML

"One does not need to be evil to invite disaster." - Zang Hai

I don't think I can begin this review without first addressing a major frustration—one that, unfortunately, hampered what was almost a flawless watching experience.

While the story's introduction effectively establishes the central mysteries, tragedies, and conflicts, the decision to deprive the male lead (Zang Hai) of essential social intelligence is a major flaw. Whether this was a choice made to facilitate a romance or to keep his moral conscience intact, it remains a significant hindrance to his revenge. His journey would have been far smoother and more efficient had his brilliance been paired with social awareness and keen perception required to navigate his surroundings and read the people around him.

What frustrated me most was how his lack of social intelligence repeatedly put him in danger. It reached a point where I started thinking, "He really was released into the public prematurely." It makes me question what he actually learned under Master Gao Ming. I was under the impression he’d been taught skepticism and social awareness, so why does it seem like he learned nothing about it beforehand?

It’s absurd how easily he was taken advantage of the moment he entered the capital. I understand he lacks knowledge of this new environment, but I find it hard to believe he failed to notice the red flags—especially since he’d been preparing for this return for years. Seeing him get tricked so quickly made me want to slap some sense into him. He should have been extra cautious because he cannot afford to fail! He was raised in the capital during his preteens and spent years with Master Gao Ming, who frequently took him to town to study social dynamics. I assumed he’d at least be able to see through basic schemes, but he clearly couldn't. I know he wasn't specifically trained to handle the deceptions of women, but it’s still unbelievable that he let his guard down the very moment he encountered one. He should have been much more guarded.

He was a promising, intelligent young man, so his development came as no surprise. Furthermore, he had excellent mentors who guided him until he mastered his craft. However, it was evident that he lacked basic street-smarts, which is disappointing considering he was mentored by the shrewd master, Gao Ming.

While he can devise brilliant plans, he often fails to consider the watchful eyes of his enemies. This oversight puts him at extreme risk and frequently jeopardizes his missions. It is frustrating to see him in constant danger due to lack of foresight and contingency planning. It makes me wonder: shouldn't he have anticipated this? Did his training with Gao Ming teach him nothing?, or has it all been for naught?

He was trained in craftsmanship, architecture, engineering, geomancy, and astronomy, but he was never properly trained in reading people’s hearts and minds. He tends to underestimate his enemies, which has led to the deaths of many who trusted him. Trusting him is a double-edged sword: people want victory, so they follow him because he seems capable, but they never expect that they will eventually have to sacrifice their own lives just so he can survive. In fact, the only reason he is still alive is because of the people who risk everything for him—and obviously, because he is the Male Lead. If he weren't, I bet he would have died less than 6 months after arriving in the capital.

He was so careless that even Zhuang Zhixing, whom he treated like a foolish hedonist, was perceptive enough to blow his cover! Honestly, if the plot wasn't written specifically to protect him, this drama would have ended before it even reached the halfway point.

I was frustrated at first, but I’ve since accepted the show's explanation that Master Liuchu’s training was incomplete, which explains the inadequacies and loopholes in his plans. Despite this, it remains my major grievance with the story. If only he had emerged from his years of training fully equipped with practical knowledge and situational awareness, he wouldn't have been nearly as disappointing as he appeared in the story. Maybe it’s just me and my lofty expectations, but it really soured my view of his character. Since I expected him to be fully prepared for his grand quest for revenge.

One of the most commendable aspects of this story is how closely the plot events are intertwined. Every subplot is well-written and executed seamlessly. Although I had a hunch about the final villain’s identity, the revelation was still incredibly satisfying. It was impressive to see how he masterfully orchestrated the scheme from the start, manipulating everyone until the very end. It was a thrilling ride that built genuine excitement for the climax and denouement of the story.

I really appreciate that they didn't take a supernatural route with the Ghost Soldiers towards the end. Instead, they kept the explanation logical, using science and hallucinogenic chemicals. This keeps the story grounded in reality and avoids deviating into a fictional universe. It strongly reminded me of the world-building in The Lost Tomb.

I was initially conflicted about the lead couple's chemistry, given their rocky first encounter and the risk of her becoming a distraction to his revenge—especially since he never learned how to resist women's seductive charms. However, the more they interact, the more their natural chemistry becomes undeniable. The deep devotion between Xiang Antu and Zanghai is admirable. Even though their bond was forged in deceit, seeing them genuinely fall for one another makes their relationship feel far more authentic and compelling.

Lastly, the fight scene between Zhuang Luyin and Zhuang Zhixing in episode 28 was truly my favorite. It certainly wasn't the most amazing fight in the show, but it was definitely the most heart-wrenching scene in the drama. I was totally sold on how affectionate and loving Zhuang Luyin is as a father. He may be a horrendous person, but he is surely a great father. The way he guided Zhuang Zhixing to stab him while recalling their bonding moments—starting from his childhood—really hit a soft spot in me.

"There's no need to show hatred on your face. Keep it in your heart as your heart is yours alone, unseen by others." - Zang Hai

Story - 9.0, The plot was compact with a great succession of events that moved the story forward naturally. It would have been perfect if the male lead (ML) had been better prepared, considering he spent the last decade cultivating his talents for the sole purpose of revenge. His inability to sense or predict people's real intentions was a significant letdown given his preparations

Acting/Cast - 10, The cast was excellent, especially Xiao Zhan, whose facial expressions were spectacular. I wish Zhang Jingyi had more screen time and stronger dialogue because her character occasionally felt a bit bratty, which was off-putting. However, her impressive fight scenes and adaptability redeemed her. Without those strengths, my rating wouldn't be this high.

Music - 10, Each song expresses great sorrow and delivers pensive emotions that fit and elevate the show's overall theme. As a ballad lover, I really enjoy them—especially during scenes depicting intense grief and suffering.

Rewatch Value - 8.0, I enjoyed the overall story, but the issues with the ML are hard to overlook. Whenever I think of the show, those specific scenes come to mind, significantly dragging down my rating for this section.

Overall - 9.0, Based on my viewing experience, the show was enjoyable but far from 'stress-free.' The male lead's recurring incompetence was truly frustrating; he only survived because of the formidable plot armor that protected him until the end. Lol.

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Compelling crime and investigative cases tainted by the writer's assassination of the ML's character

"Even a solid dyke can collapse from a single ant hole." - Qin Yi

I was initially planning to start this review by expressing my frustration with the show. However, I realized I have so much to say that it would become quite lengthy, and I might lose focus on the story's strengths. So, let me start my commentary by highlighting the positive aspects of the story first and save my complaints and negative feedback for later.

Looking back, the story was truly impressive—provided we ignore Qi Menglin's (ML) existence! The plot progression was smooth, the character dynamics were entertaining, and the dark symbolism was both compelling and well-executed. While the thematic atmosphere initially feels somber due to the exploitation of women, a hidden vibrance emerges through the main characters. Their compassionate hearts serve as a powerful counterpoint, highlighting the contrast between the drama’s unsettling, gritty tone and the protagonists' unwavering sense of justice, benevolence, and altruism.

The show's most standout feature is undoubtedly its thematic depth. Right from the start, the story establishes a dark, eerie, and mysterious atmosphere that feels incredibly promising, building significant anticipation for the plot's progression. Their consistency in delivering such scenes is what made me captivated with the cases. To the point where I found myself fully immersed in each investigative plot of the story. While the cases themselves are interesting, the main draw is the focus on the struggles women face. I don't enjoy the depiction of suffering for its own sake; instead, I am interested in the quality of the representation. Plenty of series use women as a mere plot device; so, finding one that utilizes this trope not just for the sake of men's debauchery, but to make a point and encourage the pursuit of justice, felt hopeful and heartwarming. I’m glad this is a female-centric drama that shows genuine care and empathy, rather than a show intended solely to showcase the FLs (Luo Shu) wit and prowess.

The build-up to the main plot, which centers on the tragedy and demise of Luo Shu's family was truly attention-grabbing. However, the most intriguing and riveting aspect of the show was not her story, but Qin Yi, the main antagonist. He was a scene-stealer who took over the show the moment the focus shifted to him. He’s the perfect antagonist: obsessive, mentally deranged, and a legit psychopath. I hated him for how merciless and mentally corrupted he was, yet I loved him for those exact same reasons. I admire how rigidly committed he remained to his diabolical goals and beliefs. He carried the show to the finish line like no one else—a true master schemer.

The writers really outdid themselves with how spectacularly vicious and cunningly calculative he is. The only failure in his characterization was his conclusion—a death that was hasty, abrupt, and deeply underwhelming. Honestly, I almost lost hope and accepted defeat during the climax because his schemes were so brilliant. The only reason I held onto hope for a better ending was the knowledge that story tropes rarely allow an antagonist to prevail.

The ending is my 2nd disappointment with this drama. It was wrapped up in a haste and off-screened many potentially climactic scenes. Although the result was considerably satisfying, I feel like they could have done better! It's as if they suddenly decided to 'call it a wrap' and threw away their intricately planned ending in favor of poor execution. I'm not sure if it was due to episode limitations, licensing, or something else, but it felt truly disconcerting. It’s absurd that they gave Qin Yi so much screen time for his schemes, yet were unable to spare a couple of episodes to end the drama properly.

The perfect pairing we were robbed of: Luo Shu and Han Muzhi. Even now, I feel dissatisfied with the choice of the male lead. Han Muzhi was perfect ML material, so I was truly shocked when the show gradually started to shift toward Qi Menglin. We could have had the perfect couple if only the writers hadn't felt unnecessarily 'innovative' and rebellious that day. Truly, our TOTGA!

I also have to mention that I totally look up to Luo Shu for her maturity and decisiveness. Her confrontation scene with Han Muzhi—to conclude their intimate relationship and gain proper closure—is my favorite scene of all. I aspire to have her understanding and courage; her moral fiber feels beyond my mortal intelligence. I could never be like her.

Finally, I’m moving on to the most infuriating section of my review. I’m glad to have finally reached the point where I can unleash it. God knows how much I held back my sarcasm and complaints in the sections above. Believe it or not, my draft grew excessively long because I have 9 impromptu, on-the-spot notes—all in paragraph form—solely dedicated to my disappointment and negative reactions toward Qi Menglin. Shall we start?

I didn't loathe him immediately. It was a gradual process—an accumulated annoyance that turned to hate the more he appeared on screen. He is that specific character who never ceases to irritate me, from his introduction until the very end. He constantly behaves like a foolish, immature noble; he is the walking definition of "Ignorance is bliss."

Introduced as an annoying, ignorant foil, he spoils the crime scene whenever he appears. God knows how many times his giddy, foolish personality has ruined a chance to obtain a clue. Even when he contributes, it's through sheer luck; clues are only discovered after he performs some ridiculous gag. Talk about plot convenience! It is incredibly frustrating how the scenes always divert to his slapstick antics just when we should be focusing on serious issues. He feels like an extra with an overly prominent background, so the writers keep inserting him even when he’s a nuisance to the story. He is a total distraction. Someone you couldn’t bring on an espionage mission as he sticks out like a sore thumb. He reveals himself no matter what—especially in moments when everyone else needs to stay still, remain quiet, and avoid making a mess.

For the record, there was a period when he seemingly matured and became extra cautious and rational in comparison to Luo Shu. Those scenes truly made me warm up to him and allowed me to reconsider and accept him as the legitimate male lead; because finally, it was the character development arc I had been waiting for. However, those moments were buried when the story reached its climax. My irritation and loathing toward him were replaced by contemptuous mockery by episode 32, when he landed in jail yet again. He kept being taken advantage of and became the sole reason for his family's demise. His overall decisions and actions left me disappointed and speechless; I am unable to process how he suddenly reverted to the absolute liability he initially was. I was dumbfounded and—sure as hell—mad, not only at him but also at the writers. They played with his character like a toy they could conveniently mold into whatever ridiculous shape they needed. It was total character assassination.

He has truly ruined this show for me. I never expected it to turn out like this toward the end. Any 'change of heart' I felt has gone down the drain, gradually turning into utter disappointment and anger as the story reaches its conclusion. He never truly considers the consequences of his actions, despite the warnings and the knowledge that they are in a dire situation, being actively schemed against. I don't even know how to like him starting from that point. All I can say is that it was this drama's misfortune to have such an ignorant and rebellious kid as its ML. He is beyond saving; I’ve lost all hope for him. By the end, he’s nothing but a total liability.

This is the 2nd drama I’ve seen starring Zhai Zhilu, and it’s also his second role playing a spoiled, childish, and immature young master. I’m not sure why he keeps accepting roles like this. Was he also a victim of those infamous on-site script changes? /Sighs/

P.S. I totally applaud Luo Shu for her composure and for not lashing out at Qi Menglin, the childish heir who is constantly on her tail. Her patience clearly knows no bounds; I can’t imagine how exhausting it is to effectively babysit an annoying, childish man.

Story - 9.0, I would have rated it a 9.5 or 10 based solely on the investigation scenes. However, the disappointment regarding Qi Menglin must be taken into account. Furthermore, the conclusion for Qin Yi felt rushed, and the ending was wrapped up as if the production was racing against a deadline.

Acting/Cast - 9.5, This was an almost perfect ensemble, held back only by the writing of Zhai Zilu’s character. I know I shouldn’t blame him, but my brain now automatically brands him as childish and annoying. I’m afraid I might skip his future projects—I’m absolutely traumatized.

Music - 10, As a ballad lover, the pensive and longing sound of the OSTs are my ultimate vibe in this drama! 'Heavy Snow' (大雪) is one of my favorites.

Rewatch Value - 6.0, I enjoyed all the crime and investigation plots, and I thoroughly appreciate the representation of women's plight. However, I can never watch Qi Menglin again. I don't think I can stomach him a second time.

Overall - 9.0, The crime scenes are compelling and truly enjoyable. I would have rated this higher had the writers remained consistent with Qi Menglin’s character development. It feels strange to settle on an 8.5 when it could have easily earned a 9.5 or 10, but the rushed—though well-delivered—ending makes that 8.5 feel more accurate.

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A masterpiece that was ruined by the 1st half's unending failed escape attempts | Excellent ending

"If you want to live, put on an armor and fight, and not try to gain sympathies here." - Lu Buwei

First, I must thank God and the heavens for granting me the unyielding tolerance required to get past the blood-boiling and overly frustrating first half of this drama. Without such patience, I might have dropped this after the first ten episodes and would have missed the opportunity to witness the intricate beauty and excellence of this story—a greatness that can only be appreciated after successfully enduring that excruciating experience.

What killed this drama's first half for me were their multiple attempts at making their plans succeed—which never happened. And as the time went by, I just ended up getting so tired and done of their continuous failed escape attempts. I wanna say that the first 30 episodes have been nothing but an infuriating experience. I have never felt the urge to drop a drama multiple times in a row in almost two years, and this drama successfully did that. Heck! I never skipped scenes in a drama, but I did here. I never let any information leave my sight without reading it, but I did here. And lastly, I never played a game while watching a drama, but I did here. Ghad, it was really an arduous task to finish the crap out of this drama's first 30 episodes, and I just want to pat myself on the back for a job well done!

The first five episodes are the most crucial part of the story, as they introduce the plot, set the mood, and establish the quality of the drama. However, this production simply failed to deliver that. period. The arrangement of events and circumstances felt lacking, ineffective, and dull. I understand they wanted to set up the FL (Li Haolan's) growth through hardships and suffering, but the execution was so repetitive and boring that I ended up hating it. I hated that she kept being dragged into the same situation again and again. Although she knew how to fend for herself, she still felt incapable and powerless as the main character. Mind you, she remained in that stagnant position of being oppressed almost throughout the entire first half. Can you imagine how frustrating that is?

"A romantic net can trap him for a while, but not forever." - Li Haolan (Pertaining to Lu Buwei)

In addition, she got this loathsome loverboy (Lu Buwei) to deal with—one that is fickle, insensitive and disingenuous. This man constantly sabotages his own opportunities and betrays his true feelings. He is a hypocrite who says one thing but does another, speaking of love in a way that is the complete opposite of what he truly feels in his heart. He constantly deceives himself, but when his actions backfire, he shifts the blame to others. He is a manipulative, money-driven, and goal-oriented individual. While he may be skilled at business, his escape plans are woefully inadequate. They are never foolproof and always contain a loophole that enemies exploit to infiltrate and spoil them. Furthermore, he never develops any countermeasures. Dang! He's actually one of the main reason why the first half was so unbearable. /Sighs/

One thing that heavily consoled and pushed me to continue watching this show is knowing that Ying Yiren's gonna be the end game and not Lu Buwei! A spoiler that kept me motivated all throughout.

That being said, all I can say is that at least my suffering and endurance became all worth it in the end. Even though the first half has been nothing but a constant tragedy, I am just glad that the latter half became a perfection I had never anticipated for this show. I guess, I will just treat the 1st half as a lesson that they must go through in order to learn and succeed...because if I don't do that, I might butcher my rating for the "Story" category. LOL

I know that I've written so much about the first half and not much about the second half, and that is only because the latter half has been a complete masterpiece to me! I got no complains at all. Like, none! It was the saving grace who lift this show from the utter slump and raised it to the pedestal where it should be—only if they didn't fumbled and fucked up the preceding part.

The ending. Everything about the finale was perfect to me. It seemed like they squeezed and poured all their creative juices in order to create the cream of the crop, as compensation for the nightmare they brought along in the earlier part.

Lu Buwei: You are entrusting the Crown Prince and court affairs, but how about the Queen?
Ying Yiren: You don't know how much she loves me. She doesn't have regards for you.

I also just wanna mention how satisfied I am with the method used by Ying Yiren to have Haolan remember him as long as she lives. It was the most cruel and heartless way but also the most effective. If not, I can see Haolan slowly softening and accepting Lu Buwei's advances in a mater of 5-10 years.

Anyways, below is my favorite line of spite and grudge for Yiren. It expresses her love, regret and hatred all at the same time.

"Zichu. I will not forgive you. For the rest of my life, I will not forgive you." - Li Haolan

Lastly, I just want to share some ideas against male chauvinism and sexism, which is one of my favorite aspects of this story. They delivered it flawlessly and I'm impressed!

× Men creates war and uses women to pacify/cease it (via peace marriage).

× Men's fights for the throne were viewed as a sign of bravery and determination, while women's imperial struggles were commonly viewed as disruptive and ridiculous.

P.S. I was quite baffled to see a good number of actors from Yanxi Palace in this production. It felt rather awkward at first since I jumped right into this after watching SOYP.

Story - 8.5, I am overly conflicted about this rating because the first half completely threw me off. However, the second half was like a switch that changed the trajectory of the entire story into a masterpiece I never expected it to be. Nonetheless, I will be the bigger person and treat the forepart as the rough yet crucial section that was beneficial in making the story the perfection it ultimately became.

Acting/Cast - 9.5, I am astonished about the casts since most of them are familiar faces I just watched from Yanxi Palace and at the same, overjoyed that we got Mao Zi Jun as the ML and not Nie Yuan. Haha! The delivery and execution are great but them casting most of the actors from Yanxi Palace just made this show quite awkward and weird for me to watch at first.

Music - 8.0, In all honesty, i failed to notice most of the BGMs because of how irritated I was of this show. However, I do recall liking the opening and ending theme.

Rewatch Value - 7.0, I am only willing to rewatch the second half and this rating is purely out of consideration of how impressive that was. I'm afraid it would drop to 5 or lower if we talk about the disappointing first half.

Overall - 8.5, I wanna make it higher, but looking back on how I suffered just to finish the first 30 episodes makes me feel the frustration all over again. So I guess this rating is the perfect score for this show. This is with all due respect and consideration of how excellent the second half was.

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A beautiful yet tragic love story that constantly long & wait for each other + Insane CGI & Design!

"Women is not an interest, it's a men's need. An essential feeling. Without feelings, you'll feel incomplete no matter how much you get" - Xie Jing Xuan / Tang Si Qi

I feel like the introduction of this review should start with its phasing, so let me unfold my insight of this drama by doing so!

The phasing of the story was fast and jumpy for its first 15 episodes then started to slow down to gradually pick up a normal phase but yet again took a big leap for the main reason of completing the plot and the entire story... In short, It was a drama that went inconsistently with its overall phasing and narration to present only the important and signifant details to the viewers. I dare not say its bad cause it never was, instead, I wanna let people know that it was imperfect and full of flaws so better keep your tolerance up because you're about to encounter different types of feelings watching this. You may get bored and hesitant while watching it, but just trust this production and its process cause it's all fruitful at the very end.

When it comes to the story, I'd say it's like a disorganized and incomplete puzzle... It has multiple pieces of fragments they tried hard to collect to be put and place together. But after a long while, they only managed to build its core and some pieces around it that can only provide us so much information to see the crucial part of the puzzle disregarding the rest of it. A lot of scenes were always left hanging... unended and often abandoned. You got no choice but to conclude and assume what may have transpired for you to get the corresponding occurences to move on. Despite it being like that, I still enjoyed it and wanna say I'm glad they were able make it that way instead of crumbling it into unrecognizeable pieces. Although the ending was blurry and bewildering that actually started an idea for a 'possible' 2nd season /cross fingers/.

When it comes to the love and romance side of this drama, I can only say not to expect a lot. It was really beautiful and wonderful that you'll hope and expect a lot but you'll only be disappointed on how tragic and sorrowful it will be... Even when I feel like most of it was a bad decision and truly made the drama less interesting and exciting, it was still a crucial action to solve and complete the mysteries of the story. It was harsh yet understandable and plausible IF you look at the big picture.

CGI, Overall look and Design - Right off the bat till the very end, the editing and magics of this drama never fails me. It was created skillfully and meticulously as if they got a sudden income raise or something. Hahaha!

Fight scenes are mediocre at best... Aside from their fight scenes that are mostly about flailing their weapons, the power scaling of this drama is pretty messed up! I can still remember how ridiculous it is for me to watch them casting their magic spells and getting defeated even when they're supposedly more powerful than their opponents. Like, whatdaheck just happened!?

Chemistry - Is INSANE! Every pair this drama has produced have been nothing but a great satisfaction. They just worked out perfectly like a pair shoes. Main leads are oozing with so much mysteries and cold yet attractive spark. While the 2nd pairing got this playful and tempting vibe with them. Heck! There was even a point when the 2nd Couple's dominating and ruling this story. It's just sad that both of them ended up tragically!

P.S. I just wanna mention how Fan Chengcheng looks like Lan Wangji (Wang Yibo's character in The Untamed), How gorgeous and sparkly Cheng Xiao is and lastly, how Ma Yue always got the best roles! I've watched 4 shows of her so far and she always serves! What a great actress!

Story - 9.0, Just the the right rating I guess. I really wanna give it a higher score but doing so won't be justifiable. Story went extremely jumpy and always all over the place to the point where I have to internalize and organize the events for me to comprehend what actually happened. + The constant death of great characters ruined it for me. Ghad, I need Season 2 so bad.

Acting/Cast - 10, Exceptional and perfection! I would never replace anyone from this production. They've always been a pleasure to watch and everyone executed and played their character like nobody else can. Fan Chengcheng, Cheng Xiao and Ma Yue are the MVPs of this drama!

Music - 9.0, Never feel bad about it but they could've done better. Yes, I'm guilty for skipping the opening and not even watching the ending credits but I did try to ran through them 'once' and it's all instrumental with thrilling and mellow sound in it. Insert songs are closely the same. Nonetheless, I was never bothered by it and I find them comforting and settling to listen to.

Rewatch Value - 9.0, If you ask me to watch it again, I'll probably do, but... You gotta give me the Sequel / Season 2 right after. Although the execution was a bit brutal but the overall flow and plot of this drama is considerably good. it's just that I refuse to watch it again unless we continue the unfinished tale.

Overall - 9.0, Everything considered, I highly think this is an accurate score. This drama is good overall, even with its flaws... that goes left and right. I just wanna say that most of it's mishaps and shortcomings are justified on how they set up the plots to keep the story going. Afterall, everything was plausible at end. So... I guess it's fine!?

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Once you entered darkness, there's no turning back... No matter how hard you try.

If I were to sum it all up, this story is all about unconditional love and everything grim, dark and tragic all together. It's like a whole 4 tier cake that's fully-structured by prostitution, molestation, suicide, rape, cheating, murder and violence with same-sex romance as its cherry on top to attract its viewers. It may look interesting, exciting and delicious on the outside but once you take a bite you'll be shock on how awfully bad it actually tastes inside.

It was a story of everything sinister and ludicrous intertwined to each other and depicts how multiple acts of such brutal action can result to a continuous, moreso, non-stop set of events that only leads to either tragedy or death.

Closely looking at the narrative, I'd say that they successfully made this story as dark and tragedic as they wanted it to be by mercilessly manipulating each and every piece like a puzzle that will only move in accordance to its players wish and desire.

This movie probably has the greatest facade I've ever watched in a long while. The way they've flawlessly hidden the true agenda of this piece by showing us same-sex love story felt like a whole fraud trick to me. It may seem promising and exciting at first but as it progresses you'll realize that it's starting to go deeper and darker... and by the end, you will be perplexed to know that you're only left with nothing but agony, disappointments, and regrets.

There are only 2 positive points I can clearly see from this movie; First is the familial love Mek has shown to his mother and brother. Second is the unconditional and unrestricted mutual love and affection Itt and Mek have for each other. Aside from these, I can't seem to point out anything else that's considerably good or nice.

Lastly, its ending!! I was so mad and heartbroken. I really thought they'd finally live a more peaceful and happy life after all the tragedy they've been through, yet, this story chose to go all out by giving us nothing but another heartache. They killed Mek like it was part of the plot... Expected to happen to conclude the story and pronounce it 'complete'. Where in fact! It was not! Probably the worst decision ever!

P.S. They really love to do the making out/sex scenes outdoor and I got no complains about that. I even love it a lot. Hahaha!

Story - 7.5, Despite all the negative and dark messages this movie has. I'd still say they executed it quite well and it would've been even better only if it wasn't this problematic!! Still can't move on with the tragic ending ><

Acting/Cast - 9.5, I'm surprisingly satisfied with the leads. Specially with how 'A' look convincing, both appearance and acting wise. Same with 'Tob'. The only problem I've had is with Ying. In some instances her line deliberation felt weak and unstable

Music - 9.5, It's nice to hear early 2000s BGMs once in a while. It felt nostalgic and it truly brought me back to those times. Love the Thai song played too. It smoothly conveys and make you feel the raw emotions they all wanted you to experience and go through.

Rewatch Value - 8.5, Even when it ended tragically. I can still see myself watching it in the future. A year or so probably? For some reason, their bittersweet romance still makes me feel butterflies.

Overall - 8.5, No matter how dark and gloomy the whole vibe of the story, I still can't deny how good the delivery of the entire narrative is. It was foul tasting, traumatic yet kinda addicting. Something I can remember for a long time for sure.

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The 5 Skillful Elites of Shanyi Academy + Please! Bear the first 4 overly clichėd episodes!

Something I badly wanna mention is that... this drama will forever be remembered for its crappy and overly clichėd first 4 episodes.

I've never suffered or endured this much ever before, specially during the introduction of any drama. The amount of unbearable and non-sensical scenes I tolerared to finish this is too much to even be transcribe into words. All I can say is that I've experienced great anxiety those moments, to the point where a deep hallow space is already building up in my stomach and the urge to give up this show was immeasurable. Thank god! I'm tremendously patient!

Looking back now, I somewhat feel like this drama's overall theme and genre reminds me of stories back in early 2000s. Those extremely flawed, cringey and corny shows I used to watch with no problem back then is exactly identical to this one right here. The only difference is that I'm watching it in this era where I'm already a graduate of such clichėd stuff. Maybe if I watch it back when I was a teenager I would've enjoyed it without any complains.

I can go on and on with how frustrating this story is. However, I also wanna mention my opinion on other aspects of this show, so allow me to do so.

Plot & Twists - I don't wanna rant more but I just can't let it go. Up till now I'm still baffled on how they go beyond logic and common sense in delivering the sequences of this drama. It felt stupid that most of the 'obvious' hints can't be understood by the leads and It always takes time before they can realize such points even when it was being shove right infront of their faces already... Like WTH? During those times, I just had to remind myself that I'm watching a purely comical idol drama and it will be a tough challenge to bear and knock some sense into because it was created to be like that— all fun and laughter.

Fighting scenes - Most of Dugu Muxue and Ning Xiang's sword plays were good but aside from that the rest are eiher mediocre or straight up bad. The 'war scene' was actually good with them showing their areas of expertise, the only problem is how absurd their training was. Successfully dodging a great number of spears being thrown at them really put me off. Seriously? are you kidding with me?

5 Main leads - I've had the most issue with the Female Lead. Shen Yiyi/Diyie's character made me throw up for being the most cringey of them all. Her intended weaknesses and flaws always gets into my nerves and her over exaggerated reactions made her acting even more disguting for me. The rest are either good or decent... I also just wanna mention how they tend to make the most significant scenes awkward. Those 'pre-occupied' and 'I'm-deadass-seriously-thinking' moments were so embarassing, I'm getting the second hand feels of it. Dugu Muxue did it excellently though.

Story - 7.5, Although this dramas has an enormous unbearable and shameless moments, I still wanna say that the main plot was delivered considerably good. It was just they throw a bunch of random 'it-doesn't-make-sense' scenes that made this drama ridiculous for me.

Acting/Cast - 8.0, Got no problem with the cast. But their fair share of cringey acting just never fails to stick out like a sore thumb. The way they fail misserably when it comes to the most significant scenes— be it romantic, dramatic and even the fun and light hearted ones, oh god. They never missed any opportunity to look uncomfortable does resulting to mediocre-cringey acting. Special mention Wang Yuwen's acting that makes the situation more awkward.

Music - 10, Unexpectedly, I got so hook with the BGMs of this drama. It just give you that 'vibe' to enjoy and be motivated to go on with life. + It added excitement and vitality to the show.

Rewatch Value - 5.0, This is the lowest I can go for this drama. It has some decent moments that anyone may wanna watch again for fun but there's simply no significant scenes that can make me watch it over again. Just, No!

Overall - 7.5, Everything considered, I'd say this drama's bearable specially Ep.5 beyond. It may differ from people's taste and liking but a piece of advice to those who are after some 'serious' and 'sensical' dramas, you guys shouldn't even try watching it or else you might drop it. I was even surprise that majority of its reviews on MDL were 8-9 or perfect 10. Like, how did y'all? seriously?

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Goddess of Corpses & All in one Medical Examiner + Great chemistry from the 3 Main Leads!

"If you love her, why did you give her up?" - Xiao Song's Father

Wanna start this review by stating how messy and overly manipulated the entire love and romantic scenes of this story. Honestly speaking, the entire 1st half (Love story part) of this drama was such a trash I wish it never existed or they at least made it less chaotic and irritating. I just hated how they seemed to eagerly push 'Xiao Song' to be the ML where it was supposedly 'Su Fu' in the first place. It's weird how it feels like they're forcing another character to the ML role where it is evident that the original script tells us otherwise.

It was a challenge to watch a love story unfold with such obvious heavy manipulations from the script itself. Like you just immediately knew that something is off... unnatural and fabricated— fake! I feel like I developed anxiety from having to bear through those sequences this whole time.

Moving on, I just wanna dig deeper into this drama by enumerating some of the positive and negative aspects I have observed while watching it.

Romance & Love story - Su Fu was in a tough spot for being an assasin and spy but I just can't comprehend why he didn't even try to explain himself when he loved her so much. Like, where's the sense in that? at the end, he just didn't seize his chances to the very extent. While Xiao Song on the other hand got it all wrong from the very beginning. Forcing and controlling someone you 'supposedly like' to work for you, hurt her physically and emotionally, failling to protect and even bring harm to her and more. God knows how disappointing this guy was (yes 'was' cause he gradually improved).

Unrealistic, absurd and problematic scenes - This drama got it all for you. From the Crown Prince and Princess attending a banquet without much entourage. Followed by the overhyped 'Drunken state' reaction they had for the FL so they try so hard to keep her from drinking alcohol only to be disappointed because she just puked a little and got a bit more aggresive in doing her autopsy. Up until her infuriating father who chose to blame and disown her even when things has been cleared up and more. It was... draining.

Fighting scenes are actually good. Lots of angled cuts just to hype the action scenes but they were still able to execute cool and amazing sword, archery and brawl fights.

Crime scenes and Problem solving cases are very detailed, well thought and satisfying. You'll immediately know how much research they did just to make it fit perfectly to whatever crime they're trying to show and achieve. I also appreciate the crime scene visualizations whenever they're investigating a crime. Made it more easy to understand the whole scenario without having to recollect and remember what actually happened in the past events.

Supporting characters were also interesting. I love the BL touch from Bai Yi and Sang Chen. Hahaha~ + The FLs Master and Maid Servant brought so much content to make the whole story more light, funny and enjoyable. Let's just ignore her entire Ran Family members. They were all trash aside from her biological Mother.

P.S. There was a teaser at the end of the last episode for a possible Season 2 and I hope it would never happen. I just had enough! >_<

Story - 9.0, Would've made it higher if not for the disappointing manipulations they did with the 2 Male characters, cause if ruined the 1st half of the show. Thank god they were able to save it. Problem solving is great so does the mind-boggling crime set ups and preparations.

Acting/Cast - 9.0, I'm quite satisfied with the Main Leads specially Tim Pei (Su Fu) because even when he constantly look grim and serious you can clearly feel and see the emotions from his eyes and movements. Jie Qiong (Ran Yan) and Toby Lee (Xiao Song) executed their characters greatly as well and I just love their lovey-dovey-teasing moments a lot. I just wish some of the Supporting and Side character never existed. They ruined the experience for me.

Music - 9.5, At first, I find the music used as typical and ordinary but as time passes by I was able to fully grasp the emotion and truly enjoy each one of them. + They were all played on the right time and perfect moments. I was never bothered by their placement and usage.

Rewatch Value - 7.5, It was good but I just won't rewatch it again. I'm only being nice by giving it this rating because it wasn't bad but i'd rather watch other shows than to rewatch it. Heck! I don't even want the S2 to be produce no matter what.

Overall - 9.0, Problem solving, Crime cases and Fighting scenes were actually great but beyond that just felt forced and completely fabricated. I also hate how they keep on challenging the Main Leads love and trust by constantly trying to make them misunderstand each other. Huh! That was effin' tiring y'all. Would've been nice if they didn't made the love story look so manipulated. It was still a good watch specially for the crime-investigation parts.

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Tons of Wasted Plots & Lacking Ending + Hard Carried by Actors Spectacular Acting.

First of, I felt like this drama could've been better without the countless plot twist and overly dramatized story progression.

To start everything with, I just wanna rant and point out how the large number of useless plot twist ruined the entire story. Honestly, they were kind of bearable and understandable during the first 10-15 episodes of drama cause that's how they usually set things up to make the story more mysterious and exciting but I never expect them to push it to the extent where I started to get so irritated and tired of it. They built up 65% of the drama with those craps but failed big time in making them work or even useful for the story.— What a waste!!

The excessive amount of unnecessary and unused plots and twists that ruined the drama even before it reached half of it + The overly rushed and mostly off screen scenes that are useful to the narrative but was excluded and dumped at the end.— The final 10 episodes left a big impression to me for being exaggeratedly fast pace and rough in terms of character closure and story conclusion. Like, they invested so much drama for the 2nd Main CPs story only to make their whereabouts off screen and even not giving them any proper final exposure? seriously? Their love story made me the most infuriated all throughout and they've all decided to give us almost nothing?! Gosh~ that was a bad writing right there. I'm disappointed.

Going deeply into my most hated story plot of all. Here comes... Yang Yue and his unwavering, foolish and persistent way of going after Shangguan Xi. Like, man! When will you learn to stop? that woman's love sick towards other man and been treating you carelessly all this time!!! Their takes completely infuriated me, imagine having to deal with them for more than 50% of the story. Wow! That was tough and I must say I endured a lot.

Also, The cinematography, color grading and graphics during the first half of the drama was really bad and ghad!! The horendous use of green screen made me rolled my eyes out of frustration countless of times. Like, are the people handling the art, design and editings are some bunch of interns? It look so unpolished and unbearable most of the time.

Hmm, It was a drama that was saved by the set of great actors and their great acting skills and character portrayals.

Story - 8.5, I wanna give it even lower rating but the story wasn't entirely bad at all. It's just that they've misused and misguided a supposedly good story into a dark and hollow space and failed to bring it back into proper light for salvation. They gave us 55 episodes and made 65% of it useless.

Acting/Cast - 10, The saving grace of this entire production~!! The only positive take of this drama is how they casted such great actors and how they performed their characters with deep understanding and accurate execution. The spectacular acting and character portrayal amazed me so much. I love almost all of them.

Music - 10, The music used on this drama was able to make the scenes either more enjoyable or sorrowful. It created an emotional aura that highlighted most of the scenes and made them more heartfelt and alive.

Rewatch Value - 7.0, I probably won't. This is one of those dramas I will keep and hide on my archieve and will only look back to when I'm trying to appreciate how great the actors/cast are.

Overall - 8.5, If it was not for the Actors and their splendid acting I would've probably given this drama a 7.0 or so. The story has a lot of unused plots and how I wish for them to remove all those irrelevant scenes to make it shorter and add a little more to the lacking ending. Definitely a drama I won't rewatch. But will recommend to people who loves to see good acting.

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Reputable, Brave & Lovely Main Leads + Severe Polygamy delineation~!

This drama got me so whipped the entire time and put me in quite a few mood swings during its duration.

A well planned, produced and written story that will surely touch you in every corner there is. I expected it to be Good but not THIS 'GOOD'. An example of a Solid drama that surpasses the Great tier and should be lined up along the BEST OF BEST!

I've got so much to say but lemme just summarize it to the best way I can cause this will be endless for sure IF i don't limit myself. Hahaha~

×× Things I LIKE and/or Love.
+ The characters are well-versed and truly showcases different views, situations and emotions that are relatable to probably anyone who would watch it.

+ Smart Story and Plot, It feels so surreal to be able to watch such production who's incorporated with proper planning and thinking after a long time. This drama provided it all beyond my expectation and truly nailed it.

+ Refreshing character development and world building. Something that is rarely seen these days due to 'recycling-whats-popular' trend nowadays. A breath of fresh air I must say.

+ The EVER reliable Main Leads who're always there to help nonetheless of the situation and is always ready to take charge and resolve things. Both of them are brave and responsible individials whose sense of responsibilty and understanding is beyond and above the normal/standard.

×× Things I Dislike and/or Hate.
+ Terrible presentation of Polygamy. I always hated the Idea of having more than 1 Wife and this show just infuriated me for doing so.

+ This is more like a compliment but I hate the villains here more than I do to other dramas antagonists I've ever watched.

Story - 10, Story & Plot wise it's top notch. No words needed. A story that is highly and worth recommending to almost everyone. This production won't disappoint one way or another.

Acting/Cast - 10, Oh God! Phenomenal set of Actors. 💯 All of them nailed it and it's really rare for a drama to do that. Their way of executing emotions and reaching out to their viewers is something to take note of. One of a kind.

Music - 10, I honestly didn't focused much on the music side cause I was so engrossed on how the story unfolds but simply base on the BGMs and insert music I've listened to, I can say that it's decent, Good even. No complaints at all

Rewatch Value - 9, For me, It is on the level of 'Nirvana in Fire'. A drama I wouldn't get tired watching of no matter how many times I watch it. It will always has that multiple spark that will glued your eyes on the screen gradually and consistently.

Overall - 10, This shouldn't even be a question at this point. This drama deserves more than what it has achieved. The way it's produced and presented to viewers felt so refreshing and relatively new. I can assure anyone that this drama will never disappoint.

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Goofy & Chaotic Characters with satisfying Cases~!!

This drama made me laugh so much and had me contemplating whether I'll give it a comparably high rating or not.

It started really interesting and great but I find it irritating throughout the first 10 episodes because of how mean the ML is to the FL. Like, how can a guy treat a girl like that? not to mention how naive and kinda spiritless the 2nd ML is, that made me go "this is helpless". Thank god!, the FL is super interesting, funny and full of life so I never tried to drop it or what.

Another thing is that the first 10 episodes felt so dragging. I thought "This is just too much for a character introduction and story build up" but right after that the interesting Solving Cases happened and it's all good things after that.

Afterall, this is such a decent drama with satisfying cases and I love how they didn't halfass on that. One of the best thing on this drama aside from the dorky & chaotic characters. Hahahaha~

Story - 9.0, I wanna give it a higher rating because I like it a lot as a whole but this rating just felt so right. There's a lot of questionable scenes on this drama and I felt like those were simply crazy and sometimes unbearable. Nonetheles this is pretty good and the story was able to pick up it's pace after the first 10 episodes.

Acting/Cast - 10, The cast and their acting is exceptional. I love how natural they're and their reaction felt so real and truly complements each of their scenes perfectly. --- P.S. I felt like this could've been better if they use their own voice. Damn chinese dubbing. This is the first time I had some issues with it. (Not that the dubbing here is bad but I feel like it will be more fun to hear their real voice saying those lines).

Music - 10, I truly love the Music in this drama. I always feel swayed and comfortable whenever they're playing. I even have it on my spotify playlist now. Love it a lot. <3

Rewatch Value - 9.5, I would probably try to skip some scenes during the first 10 episodes but right after that the scenes were simply good. It deserves more love, attention and support.

Overall - 9.0, Afterall this drama still satisfies and entertained me so much and I can never wrong it, one way or another. This drama will forever be remembered for it's dorky sides and lovely characters. Sending my love and support to the people behind this production.

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