3
2
Republic Era Drama that set the bar very high
My first dip into the intriguing, often unstable waters of Republic Era dramas happened last year. As I was going through my long list today, I realize I missed the boat on sharing my grand adventure! I probably didn't even know these historical gems had a name, but "lack of knowledge" isn't something that can stop me when it comes to a good story. So, I bravely set sail into the unknown, a world full of uniformed men and I mean lots of them , commanders, generals, subordinates, intricate families, a persistent thorn-in-the-side enemy, contested territories, and a glorious mixture of everything in between.
"Fall in Love" begins, as many good stories do, with our two leads having a rather "coincidental" encounter on a ship bound for Shangai. Our ML, Tan Xuanlin, is a soldier on the run after doing what Tan Xualin does best, creating chaos and this time, trying to overthrow greedy warlord, an attempt that didn't go as planned. He is headed to Shangai on an even bigger mission. Mu Wanqing, the FL, is a beautiful aristocrat retuning home with her mother's ashes and a plan. Their meeting? Purely a delightful error of numbers that throws them together. From the get-go, it's clear they're not exactly eachother's favourite. What's a frustrated pair to do? Toss each other overboard mid-ocean? Tempting, perhaps, but not terribly practical. So, they're forced to endure each other's presence, their shared goal simply to make it home in one piece. But for Tan Xuanlin, it seems to be love at first sight. Mu Wanqing, on the other hand, might have needed a moment (or several episodes). From that point on, Tan Xuanlin makes it his personal mission to pursue her, keep her close, and protect her, no matter the cost.
Their story is genuinely beautiful, particularly given the hurdles that lay ahead of them. And when I say "hurdles," I'm not talking about your average disapproving in-laws or social climbers, or our perfect on paper SML Xu Guangyao, the son of a powerful commander and a childhood friend of Ms FL, Am talking of emotional barriers, intricate political schemes, complex family ties , learning to trust one another, all under the shadow of an inevitable war. Tan Xualin is also not from a noble background, which makes him socially isolated and under constant threat. He is an extremely intelligent, bright and outrageous man, who rises from the ashes of a military mutiny to become one of the strongest commander of his time. He is a leader, and his men would do anything to fight with him. So love, in this equation seems like pure luxury.
But our lovebirds don't just survive; they truly thrive through everything, displaying incredible strength and courage. Our FL is a force of nature, unwavering in the face of every challenge. She doesn't just blink or burst into tears or flee; she stands firm. She effectively becomes his "second in command," the much-needed oil that keeps Tan Xuanlin's often-strained engine running smoothly. He's a man burdened with immense responsibilities, a man determined to usher in change and root out the old guard, even if it costs him his life. Mu Wanqing is precisely the woman he needs by his side.They are emotionally drive by love and duty.
The supporting characters, especially Tan Xuanlin's fellow commanders, showcase a level of camaraderie that's truly heartwarming. They're brothers, plain and simple. Their fathers might be scheming to eliminate each other, but the sons are dancing to a different tune, united in their desire to protect the people.
As I often say, tackling real-life history in a review is tough, but for a drama of this scope, packed with interconnected stories and characters that weave into the historical tapestry, it's even harder. One thing I can tell any future viewer: this isn't a drama you rush through. It's more like a classroom experience, but in the best possible way. You settle in, watch slowly, and gradually, you become immersed. The characters grow on you, their world becomes yours, and you share in their pain, their losses, and their triumphs.
Chen Xingxu, who portrays Tan Xuanlin, is absolutely the centerpiece. He brings such wonderful comic relief to an otherwise serious environment. One moment, he's locked in a clever game of cat and mouse with greedy generals, and the next, he's awkwardly swooning over the leading lady, trying desperately to catch her attention. He truly gives the role a brilliant, multi-dimensional look; you can't help but admire him.
Just a heads-up: this is a 36-episode drama, and it's not exactly a light watch, so it's best enjoyed when you're in the right frame of mind. But by the time the credits rolled on Episode 36, I was genuinely asking for more! In fact, writing this review has convinced me to rewatch it all over again.
In my book, "Fall in Love" is simply:
Best Male Lead (Chen Xingxu absolutely worked wonders!)
Best Female Lead (Zhang Jingyi is the talent we'll need for years to come!)
Best Supporting Leads
Best Story
Best Writers
Best Directors
Best Cinematography
Best Wardrobe
BEST everything needed to make a truly great Drama!
100/10 RECOMMENDED!
"Fall in Love" begins, as many good stories do, with our two leads having a rather "coincidental" encounter on a ship bound for Shangai. Our ML, Tan Xuanlin, is a soldier on the run after doing what Tan Xualin does best, creating chaos and this time, trying to overthrow greedy warlord, an attempt that didn't go as planned. He is headed to Shangai on an even bigger mission. Mu Wanqing, the FL, is a beautiful aristocrat retuning home with her mother's ashes and a plan. Their meeting? Purely a delightful error of numbers that throws them together. From the get-go, it's clear they're not exactly eachother's favourite. What's a frustrated pair to do? Toss each other overboard mid-ocean? Tempting, perhaps, but not terribly practical. So, they're forced to endure each other's presence, their shared goal simply to make it home in one piece. But for Tan Xuanlin, it seems to be love at first sight. Mu Wanqing, on the other hand, might have needed a moment (or several episodes). From that point on, Tan Xuanlin makes it his personal mission to pursue her, keep her close, and protect her, no matter the cost.
Their story is genuinely beautiful, particularly given the hurdles that lay ahead of them. And when I say "hurdles," I'm not talking about your average disapproving in-laws or social climbers, or our perfect on paper SML Xu Guangyao, the son of a powerful commander and a childhood friend of Ms FL, Am talking of emotional barriers, intricate political schemes, complex family ties , learning to trust one another, all under the shadow of an inevitable war. Tan Xualin is also not from a noble background, which makes him socially isolated and under constant threat. He is an extremely intelligent, bright and outrageous man, who rises from the ashes of a military mutiny to become one of the strongest commander of his time. He is a leader, and his men would do anything to fight with him. So love, in this equation seems like pure luxury.
But our lovebirds don't just survive; they truly thrive through everything, displaying incredible strength and courage. Our FL is a force of nature, unwavering in the face of every challenge. She doesn't just blink or burst into tears or flee; she stands firm. She effectively becomes his "second in command," the much-needed oil that keeps Tan Xuanlin's often-strained engine running smoothly. He's a man burdened with immense responsibilities, a man determined to usher in change and root out the old guard, even if it costs him his life. Mu Wanqing is precisely the woman he needs by his side.They are emotionally drive by love and duty.
The supporting characters, especially Tan Xuanlin's fellow commanders, showcase a level of camaraderie that's truly heartwarming. They're brothers, plain and simple. Their fathers might be scheming to eliminate each other, but the sons are dancing to a different tune, united in their desire to protect the people.
As I often say, tackling real-life history in a review is tough, but for a drama of this scope, packed with interconnected stories and characters that weave into the historical tapestry, it's even harder. One thing I can tell any future viewer: this isn't a drama you rush through. It's more like a classroom experience, but in the best possible way. You settle in, watch slowly, and gradually, you become immersed. The characters grow on you, their world becomes yours, and you share in their pain, their losses, and their triumphs.
Chen Xingxu, who portrays Tan Xuanlin, is absolutely the centerpiece. He brings such wonderful comic relief to an otherwise serious environment. One moment, he's locked in a clever game of cat and mouse with greedy generals, and the next, he's awkwardly swooning over the leading lady, trying desperately to catch her attention. He truly gives the role a brilliant, multi-dimensional look; you can't help but admire him.
Just a heads-up: this is a 36-episode drama, and it's not exactly a light watch, so it's best enjoyed when you're in the right frame of mind. But by the time the credits rolled on Episode 36, I was genuinely asking for more! In fact, writing this review has convinced me to rewatch it all over again.
In my book, "Fall in Love" is simply:
Best Male Lead (Chen Xingxu absolutely worked wonders!)
Best Female Lead (Zhang Jingyi is the talent we'll need for years to come!)
Best Supporting Leads
Best Story
Best Writers
Best Directors
Best Cinematography
Best Wardrobe
BEST everything needed to make a truly great Drama!
100/10 RECOMMENDED!
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