Nelly

As someone whose drama-watching habit borders on obsession (it's not an addiction, I swear!) I can confidently say that "Love in Flames of War" pushed me to the brink. I'm talking about a genuine risk of a stress-induced bald spot.

My entry into Republic-era dramas is relatively new, and after the sheer delight of "Fall in Love" a drama that instantly claimed a top spot in my favorites, my expectations for "Love in Flames of War" weren't high. Still, I stubbornly ignored all the warning reviews, thinking, "How bad could it truly be?" The answer? Pretty darn bad. Two days post-completion, I'm still processing the emotional trauma.

Let's begin with the few positives, because honestly, they're scarce. The entire cast, even the extras, delivered commendable performances. Shawn Dou, as the male lead Xiao Beichan, was truly outstanding and the sole reason I endured all 43 episodes. While he might not possess the same effortless aura as Marshal Tan XuanLi in "Fall in Love," Dou commanded the screen with his presence. He perfectly encompassed Xiao Beichan's transformation from a privileged, impulsive youth to a respected military leader. His character's growth, along with the genuine camaraderie he shared with his friends, was a definite highlight.

The Unbearable Female Lead
Now, for the character who single-handedly dragged this drama down: the female lead. "Stone" is the only word that comes to mind, so utterly frustrating that I can't even bring myself to recall her name. I've never felt such a strong urge to personally confront drama writers until now. I genuinely believe even Shawn Dou's character must have questioned why he was paired with such a soulless individual. I understand it's fiction, but I refuse to believe a woman could be so relentlessly self-centered, constantly manufacturing misunderstandings wherever she went. Despite being showered with affection and support from the male lead, his family, and his friends, she constantly operated on her own bizarre wavelength, almost always leading to disastrous outcomes.

While the male lead certainly had his own growth arc, once he embraced it, he never looked back, growing stronger with each passing episode. The female lead, however? Same tired plans, same predictable responses, same blank stare from episode one to forty-three. Even when glimpses of hope appeared, there was an obvious absence of affection towards the ML, despite her showing more warmth towards everyone else, including the utterly chaotic second male lead, about whom I'll say no more,just another utterly chaotic character.

Final Verdict

Overall, I'm reluctantly giving "Love in Flames of War" a 7 out of 10, a score almost entirely attributed to Shawn Dou and his supporting cast,Otherwise a 6.0 is what it deserves. I will never willingly subject myself to 43 episodes of such torture again. On the brighter side, I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for Shawn Dou's future projects.

However, if you're easily frustrated or prone to high blood pressure, skip this drama unless you're actively seeking a heart attack courtesy of the female lead.