Nulky

This drama adaption took the novel and made it better imo, it has more depth to the characters relationships, have more of a cast + their development arcs while not cutting off the novel’s main plot lines. The show shines in its costumes (very important as it easily shows the significant distinctions from all 3 personas of the main lead), fight set pieces (we literally have a vampire superhero with magical super strength & healing) & good balance between funny, emotional & serious scenes.

This definitely can be considered as Cheng Lei’s best work, all his personas are so different, just his gaze can make even a random person watching know which character he is. I know he worked really hard on his body for Xuan Yike’s scenes and it’s so so worth it! He had such great chemistry with every character, especially his girl besties Qiao & LuXin, LiTing & MoYin, even his love rival MuYang. Song Yi I think shone best in emotional scenes but her fight choreo was good as well. I think she got a brunt of criticism due to archery logically not being very General-esque style. People think she should be more manly/brolic but they heavily implied that she’s more strategic leader & never had a manly look even in the books. She’s always wanted to be feminine, but never had the opportunity or felt like she could. A very effeminate General is something we need, not just tomboyish ones. Also, her personal female army was so good & diverse.

Something positive can be negative as I really thought the drama did well by adding scenes to develop Jin’an & Shuang’s romantic relationship. But I think they spent a little too long on it (maybe 1-2 epis). They kept “telling” us about Shuang’s problems of being beholden to her adoptive family rather than showing us. But the story really got going after Jin’an remembered his true identity of Prince Aodeng. The angst part at the end & the funny shenanigans at the start are the best parts of the show. You can taste a variety of flavours of tropes and makes me want to rewatch it all!