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It should've been 60 episodes or 2 seasons
Background plot- 60%
Romance - 35%
Misc comedy - 5%
Background plot - Interesting
Romantic chemistry - OUTSTANDING
Misc comedy - Funny
Production value - Pretty good
Direction / editing - OUTSTANDING
The first thing you need to know is that Zhang Ling He has never been better than this drama. I've watched everything he's ever been in and this is his best role to date. He's never acted better or looked better, and this role was made for him.
** I guess you should also know that the hero and the heroine are both badasses. However, the hero's badassery is a bit more subtle, dignified, and refined, I would even say clever, than the heroine's. When we join the story, the hero has already proven himself on the battlefield time and time again from a very young age, so it made sense (to me) that the heroine's battlefield scenes were featured more prominently than the hero's as the story progresses as she is unproven. That said, hero is also slightly overpowered. For example, while recovering from internal injuries and broken legs, he kills 20+ highly trained assassins by himself. Later, while drugged, he kills another 20+ palace guards like it's no big deal. He does have a lot of fight scenes, but it's mostly him killing a bunch of people while somehow incapacitated.
Whereas the heroine is shown defeating a few key generals in one-on-one combat. This seemed to rub some viewers the wrong way (that she didn't need to be rescued by the hero) so I'm disclosing it here. It seems silly to me that we're in 2026 and some people still want a woman to be helpless. But. . . whatever. My point is, both main characters are capable, with the hero being shown as slightly more refined and clever, which makes sense since he was classically trained in all aspects of scholarly pursuits and war strategy, whereas she was raised in the countryside and taught martial arts in secret.
ANYWAY.
Tian Xi Wei also did a fantastic job. I'm fairly new to her as an actress but I will be seeking out her other shows, she did great as Changyu.
I also have to mention the direction choices. Some of the scenes in this drama (direction and acting-wise) are so epic, I feel certain we'll see them mimicked in the future. I was so impressed with this director, just like I was with his previous dramas, especially 'Perfect Stranger' and 'Blossom.' I will make sure to watch all of his projects in the future. He's amazing.
The story is fundamentally about two people who are destined for each other, but because of treachery 17 years ago, it takes some unusual / odd circumstances to finally bring them together. I feel certain I'll be rewatching this one over and over. It's just that good.
Romance - 35%
Misc comedy - 5%
Background plot - Interesting
Romantic chemistry - OUTSTANDING
Misc comedy - Funny
Production value - Pretty good
Direction / editing - OUTSTANDING
The first thing you need to know is that Zhang Ling He has never been better than this drama. I've watched everything he's ever been in and this is his best role to date. He's never acted better or looked better, and this role was made for him.
** I guess you should also know that the hero and the heroine are both badasses. However, the hero's badassery is a bit more subtle, dignified, and refined, I would even say clever, than the heroine's. When we join the story, the hero has already proven himself on the battlefield time and time again from a very young age, so it made sense (to me) that the heroine's battlefield scenes were featured more prominently than the hero's as the story progresses as she is unproven. That said, hero is also slightly overpowered. For example, while recovering from internal injuries and broken legs, he kills 20+ highly trained assassins by himself. Later, while drugged, he kills another 20+ palace guards like it's no big deal. He does have a lot of fight scenes, but it's mostly him killing a bunch of people while somehow incapacitated.
Whereas the heroine is shown defeating a few key generals in one-on-one combat. This seemed to rub some viewers the wrong way (that she didn't need to be rescued by the hero) so I'm disclosing it here. It seems silly to me that we're in 2026 and some people still want a woman to be helpless. But. . . whatever. My point is, both main characters are capable, with the hero being shown as slightly more refined and clever, which makes sense since he was classically trained in all aspects of scholarly pursuits and war strategy, whereas she was raised in the countryside and taught martial arts in secret.
ANYWAY.
Tian Xi Wei also did a fantastic job. I'm fairly new to her as an actress but I will be seeking out her other shows, she did great as Changyu.
I also have to mention the direction choices. Some of the scenes in this drama (direction and acting-wise) are so epic, I feel certain we'll see them mimicked in the future. I was so impressed with this director, just like I was with his previous dramas, especially 'Perfect Stranger' and 'Blossom.' I will make sure to watch all of his projects in the future. He's amazing.
The story is fundamentally about two people who are destined for each other, but because of treachery 17 years ago, it takes some unusual / odd circumstances to finally bring them together. I feel certain I'll be rewatching this one over and over. It's just that good.
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