A Masterpiece to be enjoyed slowly
This drama definitely deserves a 10/10. The best drama I ever watched !My review is a simple consideration to ensure that the rating is not lowered by the expectations of someone looking for something else.
If you're looking for a romantic drama with a couple of doves... don't watch it!
If you're looking for a basic drama to watch at double speed... don't watch it!
If you are looking for a drama with only 2 protagonists and unimportant side stories with mediocre actors who glorify the protagonists.... don't watch it!
If you are looking for a drama with a complex story that keeps you in suspense where all the actors play an important role in the unfolding of the plot without useless dialogues.... watch it!
If you're looking for a drama with incredible production, great actors, breathtaking visuals and an amazing soundtrack.... WATCH IT !!
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A good short length drama
This one deserve a 10/10. The dynamic between the leads is the best so far, on pair with "The Double", they never loose focus on their goals and finally I don't have to bear a puppy lovesick idiot as ML.Someone complain about the lack of fights, I disagree. There are several fights.
This is a low budget production with less episodes then full length dramas but they managed to convey everything in such a short time. Everyone has done a great job, even the screenwriters with good dialogues, no filler scenes, no Plot holes and you can feel the deep feelings between the MLs without the need of sappy dialogues and countless kisses.
definitely better than some high production dramas.
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For those who love excessive romance
I don't disdain romantic dramas if done well and for Cheng Lei (Ryan Cheng) I can stand the romance genre.But here we went to the extreme. From ep. 12 to 22 is a succession of images between the two protagonists who play doves. Very few advances in the plot and I was about to drop it from frustration, fortunately then the action resumes after ep. 22.
This is the classic case of a writer who wants to try her hands at something she doesn't know.
Hong Wan Ling is an accomplished web novelist with lot of her works adapted into dramas, all of her novels are Xanxia genre but here she wanted to try her hand at Wuxia genre with little elements of Xuanhuan failing miserably.
The plot revolves around the war between two states and the Palace intrigues with the addition of the romantic part between the female general and the OP ML (Xuanhuan element) ..... too bad that the part relating to the warfare is utterly superficial and ridiculous. Little fighting, no scouts, a military camp in the middle of the forest exposed to easy ambushes with a general who is more often at home than in the field.
The palace intrigues are childish. A Crown Prince who is publicly humiliated by his Prince brother is an absolutely inconceivable thing for the time. But everything is fine as long as there is romance.
The actors had to adapt to all this and did it in a very good way despite the drag of 10 episodes full of honestly boring dialogues (I don't know how they resisted). The last episodes she cry and cry and cry and ....cry.
The actress Song Yi is not suited to the image of a general, too skinny and her voice when she gives orders is shrill. Unfortunately, she failed to convey to me the image of a strong woman who grew up in battle
Ryan Cheng has proven once again that he is a great actor who manages to go from a cold and imposing character to a kind and smiling one in a second. I've always said that his eyes speak volumes.
ZYY Empress Dowager Qin She was exceptional in her role, she perfectly conveyed the weakness and madness of a woman consumed by her obsession.
In the end, if there hadn't been endless moments of geekery and repetitive dialogues about how good, strong and perfect she is (but how many times does she have to hear it to be satisfied?) it would have been a much deeper and more apt drama
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Good and bad at the same time
If I could give two separate votes I would do it.Being a Donghua lover I found myself conflicted in watching the drama.
The first 15 episodes are a mess. Parts of the story cut out or modified, focus on useless points leaving out the basics of Han Li's growth and character development.
Women inserted all at the same time not respecting the timing and only creating confusion. I literally dropped the drama while loving the story and the actor Yang Yang.
Then I decided to insist and I took him back. I did well!
From episode 16 everything is back on track and flows smoothly without the hitches created by senseless cuts and plot changes.
The acting is good, CGI is good and the fighting are stellar.
So, to avoid low rating, if you like the donghua version, start from episode 14 and you won't be disappointed
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A break to smile
If like me you want to take a break from dramas focused on fights, mystery, murders, detectives without romance, this is a good alternative.The story is simple and pleasant, fast paced and the ML is perfect in the role with a mix of elegance, cunning and shameless. Finally a determined ML not easily influenced by stupid romances or running around to save the FL.
Despite being a short drama, the quality is evident, each character well studied.
The last episodes maybe would have been better without the wedding plot, but you can't have everything.
Recommended for those who love serious drama and want to take a break to smile, you won't regret it.
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