This review may contain spoilers
This drama is the reason I'm not giving up on Chinese historical romances
After having watched two historical cdramas before and being thoroughly annoyed with them, I was starting to think that the problem was just me,the common denominator, but this drama proved me wrong.
I thoroughly enjoyed the title. Yes, it had its moments of frustration and bad decisions (mostly on part of the FL), I recognise that they were in fact used as a plot device and build up and in a very effective manner, might I add. Few points:
1. The plot and the storyline was strong - 49 episodes and not once did I think it was dragging. The writers knew what they wanted to show and did not deviate, kudos to that.
2. The acting was stellar from the leads, the side characters and the villains alike. I found myself absolutely immersed in the story and that is something that hasn't been happening to me a lot recently.
3. Most, if not all, characters turn out to be wholesome unlike the other dramas that I watched where I hated pretty much everybody(yes, including the leads):
The male lead was consistent to his character throughout the run of the show and the charisma Leo Wu brought to the role was just *chef's kiss*.
Zhao Lusi did an incredible job playing Le Yan, especially considering how much I hate such characters usually. Both the writing and the acting of the character made her emerge as an extremely endearing character.
The character arc our dear Hao Du got has got to be one of my favourites recently. He had one of the realest and most wholesome character development and the transition of the cold blooded general to our adorable prince consort was super cute.
The only little qualms that I have are with the female lead. She literally had a foundation to be a strong, independent and smart lady but she was dumbed down to a damsel in distress so bad. Even when I did not know about the existence of the manhwa I felt this, and the feeling only amplifies once I did get to knw about it thought the comments. It would've been nice to have the entire gaining respect through actions before people finding out she's a woman arc. Plus the ending really did irk me, she had to be saved by the ML yet again, like character development where? It was very obvious that while the showmakers wanted to appeal the FL as a strong and smart war strategist, they couldn't let go of the cliche 'saved by the ML' trope. But still, I never once found myself to be hating her. I was rooting for her improvement and survival throughout. Plus, Dilraba playing the character could never make me hate her.
4. All in all, I enjoyed the run of this drama - it was well directed, well casted and well implemented. Though I would've preferred them truely following the manhwa a bit more, I'm not salty about it.
I thoroughly enjoyed the title. Yes, it had its moments of frustration and bad decisions (mostly on part of the FL), I recognise that they were in fact used as a plot device and build up and in a very effective manner, might I add. Few points:
1. The plot and the storyline was strong - 49 episodes and not once did I think it was dragging. The writers knew what they wanted to show and did not deviate, kudos to that.
2. The acting was stellar from the leads, the side characters and the villains alike. I found myself absolutely immersed in the story and that is something that hasn't been happening to me a lot recently.
3. Most, if not all, characters turn out to be wholesome unlike the other dramas that I watched where I hated pretty much everybody(yes, including the leads):
The male lead was consistent to his character throughout the run of the show and the charisma Leo Wu brought to the role was just *chef's kiss*.
Zhao Lusi did an incredible job playing Le Yan, especially considering how much I hate such characters usually. Both the writing and the acting of the character made her emerge as an extremely endearing character.
The character arc our dear Hao Du got has got to be one of my favourites recently. He had one of the realest and most wholesome character development and the transition of the cold blooded general to our adorable prince consort was super cute.
The only little qualms that I have are with the female lead. She literally had a foundation to be a strong, independent and smart lady but she was dumbed down to a damsel in distress so bad. Even when I did not know about the existence of the manhwa I felt this, and the feeling only amplifies once I did get to knw about it thought the comments. It would've been nice to have the entire gaining respect through actions before people finding out she's a woman arc. Plus the ending really did irk me, she had to be saved by the ML yet again, like character development where? It was very obvious that while the showmakers wanted to appeal the FL as a strong and smart war strategist, they couldn't let go of the cliche 'saved by the ML' trope. But still, I never once found myself to be hating her. I was rooting for her improvement and survival throughout. Plus, Dilraba playing the character could never make me hate her.
4. All in all, I enjoyed the run of this drama - it was well directed, well casted and well implemented. Though I would've preferred them truely following the manhwa a bit more, I'm not salty about it.
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