SayuriVKG

Saying this about an actress which has 0 PS is mind-blowing. I watched her since Ashes of Love and this is the most untrue comment about her appearance. This actress is seasoned and has been around for a while and you can easily check her past looks.
But you are here only to spill hate so you can get out of here.

JeHoon "omelette" had me cracking. I never imagined someone can turn such a simple dish into a total disaster. 🤣

She doesn't have a relationship with another man physically, even if there are pursuers. Her marriage with the Emperor is more of scheme and is short lived. There is a 2nd male lead which pursue her, but you will see later that he is quite confused and is revealed that there is another reason why he is obsessed with the FL (i cant give spoilers). There is a 2nd lead couple; the 2nd ML ends up with another princess. I actually liked the 2nd Lead couple a lot, they are quite fun to watch.
The "forced bed scenes", don't actually go anywhere or develop, there are some attempts here and there. They definitely have SA vibes, but as I said in my original comment, taking in consideration the times back then, is not far from reality. Ofcourse in the drama they don't go as far as showing anything disturbing of that level.
They break up at some point, later in the drama. It doesn't last for long (2-3 episodes), but I don't remember exactly the episode (after 17 upwards) when it starts.
If you give it a try, have fun watching it.

Now that I finished this drama I don't understand what's with the low rating. I mean this drama is not perfect but is far better than most of the costume dramas released in 2024. I think this year was a sh*t show in terms of costume dramas.
A few good points of this drama:
1. The setting: As the name suggests most of the drama is actually filmed in the desert. So there are many beautiful shots and sceneries to look at.
2. The costumes: These are quite colourful, bold and intricate.
3. The chemistry: Both lead couples showed great chemistry all along. The "steamy" scenes actually looked believable.
4. The leads looks: They are all gorgeous people. I loved both the ladies and ofc the Male Leads.
5. The Female Leads Frienship: I really liked how they always collaborated and kept their promise to one another. And I was happy to see that there was no feelings of jealousy or anything like that. Both of them got what they wanted and they were content with their choices.
5. The action scenes: The fighting scenes were quite decent, so no complain here.

Why people might dislike this drama:
1. The King: He is quite and a*s but is hardly a believable evil guy. He is quite complacent and laid back. And he doesn't seem much of a genius either.
2. The forced bed scenes: Given the fact that this drama takes place in a mostly wild setting where is all about loathing, stealing and keeping what's yours. Women are mostly seen as a prize and used for their exchange value (hence forced the get married with the king). In the end all the real love making scenes in the drama between the main couples are consensual. If you are too prude or can't accept a reality of those times and history then this is not for you.
3. The FL brain activity: Sometimes she is a genius, sometimes it seems she lost it all when is convenient.
4. The story pacing: The drama starts strong, then stagnates from ep 13-14 onwards until ep20 (the Yunpei city arc). This mostly focuses on the political aspects, the life in the harem (a bit of bickering between the concubines and some silly contests).
5. The illogical parts: To make the drama convenient and to ensure a continuity of the relationship between the leads, the ML is sneaking into the Imperial harem as he wishes. In reality during those times this would be quite unrealistic.
6. The king not sleeping with the FL: Even if he appreciates her brains, I hardly believe that in those time a King which took in a women as a concubine would not force her into his bed and respect her boundaries.
That's all I can think of after I completed this drama.

This drama is Spiceyyy. Never seen something so daring in C-drama world.

If you watch this one first you might end up dropping it.
And if you do, continue with Blood of Youth. Is much better done. And you will be able to understand the story and without watching Dashing Youth first.

I have watched plenty of traditional love story C-dramas. Is not about having bromance/bl in mind (taking in consideration that you can count on your fingers the number of dramas with that theme in the C-drama world). This love story (at least how is made to begin) is tropey. The overused trope that the boy falls in love at first sight for a girl. Very believable. 🙄
And I am not the first person to complain that Dashing Youth rides on the popularity of The blood of youth and nothing more. That's because they changed the crew working behind on this drama and is not giving the same vibe anymore. This was a highly anticipated drama for me, and I didn't believe those who have seen it first and were complaining about it. I had to see it and live for myself. This drama is mostly illogical as the story progresses.
But that's my opinion and nothing more. There can't be only positives about a show isn't it?

I am on 8th episode of this drama and I have to say that it doesn't hold a candle to "Blood of youth". Too much idle brainless chit chat. What's with the character which laughs like a goat??The ML doesn't have an ounce of XiaoSe charm and brains. I know the two characters are ofcourse different and these are different dramas but Baili DongJung could have been better written. And I don't understand why so many new characters have been introduced just the first 2-3 episodes. Some of them don't even seem to have a great importance at this moment. And what's with the presumed forced love of the main couple? I have to believe later on that these two will develop chemistry? And the FL was supposed to be some super beauty but when she takes of the mask is the most average looking actress they could find out there. And there are many scenes without purpose, the FL sitting in the snow doing nothing, gazing distantly into the past when she met her id*ot for the first time. Like idk what was to reminisce about a scene were he falls down, acts like a fo*ol and gazes at her once. When the ML met his childhood best friend in the arena after many years, that scene had more impact & chemistry than when the ML meets his female love interests.

After 1 Long year of waiting the drama which breaks my heart left and right is back.
Tissues ready and am ready for the heartbreak.

I am happy that the ending got a redemption at least. I loved that they introduced the short episode of their married life in the end (watch ep 40.5).
I wish more dramas would do this. I have a long list of previous C-dramas which always leave us with an open ending wondering what's next, or how the main characters life continues.
I am glad that the director decided to offer us a happy ending in the end.

I am happy that the ending got a redemption at least. I loved that they introduced the short episode of their married life in the end (search and watch ep 40.5)
I wish more dramas would do this. I have a long list of previous C-dramas which always leave us with an open ending wondering what's next, or how the main characters life continues.
I am glad that the director decided to offer us a happy ending in the end.

A very good drama indeed. It got me hooked from the 1st episode. This drama is a rollercoaster. Something I haven't seen in a long time in the K-drama world. Jisung never disappoints with his script picks.

Very good drama. It got me hooked from the first episode
This drama is a rollercoaster. I feel I haven't seen a Kdrama like this in a long time. JiSung dramas never disappoints.

Thanks for explaining. 😊

I started this drama with high hopes, it's been on my waiting list for a long time. But something is lacking in terms of story telling and chemistry between the leads.
I wonder how the performance of this drama will affect the airing of the other 2. And if I quit watching this drama can I still watch the other 2 and understand the plot line? I saw the other 2 dramas have different couples. Maybe the pairings and the story line will be better there. I hope IQIYI takes notes and makes some changes.
The costumes, cgi, effects, etc. are not bad at all.

I started this drama with high hopes, it was on my waiting list for a long time. But unfortunately is not what it should be. Something is missing, is the way is written or the complete of chemistry between the leads?
I wonder how this drama will affect the air of the other 2. If I quit watching this drama, does it have any connection with the other 2 (story line wise)? I saw there are different couples in all 3.
Maybe the other 2 will be better in terms of chemistry and story line. I hope IQIYI takes notes and do some updates.
The other elements are not bad at all, costumes, cgi, effects, etc.

ikr😅

I loved this drama. There are so many adversities and hardships against the Main Couple and the whole family that I didn't believed a happy ending could be possible.
The happy ending coming in the end was like a much deserved miracle.
Is my first time seeing both the FL and ML in a drama and I was more than happy with their characters portrayal and acting.
Now I am craving for a similar drama. I feel I will go through a slump after this.

Destined (similar theme, family drama)
A dream of splendor (also about bond between women, making it through and opening a business together)
Love like the Galaxy (not quite similar, but it has a family drama aspect).

Finally a Xianxia drama with a full fledged Happy Ending! The last episode showing them living their happy life together and the additional funny moments were like a healing therapy.
One of the best Xianxia in recent years, Worth watching in my opinion. 9/10.