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This review may contain spoilers
An enemies to lovers trope with two powerful generals done right!
I love going into a drama with zero expectations and walking away pleasantly surprised. This year has seen quite a few dramas featuring female generals, but Li Qin truly stood out. From start to finish, she embodied the role with strength and grace, making her portrayal unforgettable.
I especially love stories with a powerful female lead paired with an equally compelling male lead — much like The Long Ballad and A Journey to Love (except, let’s be real, this drama gave me the ending I wanted for AJTL... iykyk).
Highlights:
The Main Couple:
This was surprisingly my first time seeing CZY in a drama, so I wasn’t sure how his chemistry with Li Qin would play out — but they absolutely delivered. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic added the perfect amount of tension and spice. I loved how fierce and evenly matched they were from the start, and how their relationship grew stronger over time without relying on petty misunderstandings or drawn-out conflicts. Their chemistry was genuine, and the acting from both leads was great.
Sibling Bond (FSG/FXY/FCY):
The relationship between the siblings was heartwarming. It was refreshing to see a bond that remained strong and unshaken, no matter what challenges they faced.
Action Scenes:
The action was consistently well-executed throughout the drama. Li Qin was so graceful in combat scenes, and CZY mounting a horse with one handed? Effortlessly cool. The choreography and execution made the fight scenes genuinely exciting to watch.
XJY — The Scene Stealer:
The character I thought I’d hate ended up stealing the show. XJY was chaotic, unhinged, and somehow hard to hate. He made the later episodes especially enjoyable. The actor brought him to life with such intensity that it's no surprise he's become a fan favorite. His unexpected dynamic with FXY added a fascinating contrast to FXY and FSG’s relationship — definitely not something I saw coming, but it worked.
Lows:
Makeup & Visuals:
The makeup, especially on the male lead, was way too heavy in the early episodes. The orange-toned contour, glossy lips, and dark liner were distracting — especially given how naturally good-looking the actor is. The 2ML also got the overly made-up treatment (those bright red lips…). Combine that with occasionally odd lighting choices, and some scenes felt more xianxia than wuxia.
Weak Antagonists:
The motivations behind the antagonists — from the Emperor of Susha to Murong Yao — felt underdeveloped. I was hoping for deeper political intrigue, but their arcs came off a bit flat and one-dimensional.
2ML’s Character Arc:
This character had a lot of potential but ended up feeling inconsistent and underutilized. I’m not sure whether it was the writing or the performance, but his development had too many gaps and loose ends. It’s a shame, because he could’ve added a lot more to the story.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, this drama was a hidden gem. From what I heard about the novel, I'm glad they made the changes that they did (especially with the main leads). The chemistry between the leads, solid action, and a few standout characters (shoutout again to XJY) made it a memorable watch. While it had its flaws — particularly with visuals and some uneven character writing — it delivered where it mattered most. Definitely worth watching if you’re a fan of strong leads and well-paced romance.
I especially love stories with a powerful female lead paired with an equally compelling male lead — much like The Long Ballad and A Journey to Love (except, let’s be real, this drama gave me the ending I wanted for AJTL... iykyk).
Highlights:
The Main Couple:
This was surprisingly my first time seeing CZY in a drama, so I wasn’t sure how his chemistry with Li Qin would play out — but they absolutely delivered. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic added the perfect amount of tension and spice. I loved how fierce and evenly matched they were from the start, and how their relationship grew stronger over time without relying on petty misunderstandings or drawn-out conflicts. Their chemistry was genuine, and the acting from both leads was great.
Sibling Bond (FSG/FXY/FCY):
The relationship between the siblings was heartwarming. It was refreshing to see a bond that remained strong and unshaken, no matter what challenges they faced.
Action Scenes:
The action was consistently well-executed throughout the drama. Li Qin was so graceful in combat scenes, and CZY mounting a horse with one handed? Effortlessly cool. The choreography and execution made the fight scenes genuinely exciting to watch.
XJY — The Scene Stealer:
The character I thought I’d hate ended up stealing the show. XJY was chaotic, unhinged, and somehow hard to hate. He made the later episodes especially enjoyable. The actor brought him to life with such intensity that it's no surprise he's become a fan favorite. His unexpected dynamic with FXY added a fascinating contrast to FXY and FSG’s relationship — definitely not something I saw coming, but it worked.
Lows:
Makeup & Visuals:
The makeup, especially on the male lead, was way too heavy in the early episodes. The orange-toned contour, glossy lips, and dark liner were distracting — especially given how naturally good-looking the actor is. The 2ML also got the overly made-up treatment (those bright red lips…). Combine that with occasionally odd lighting choices, and some scenes felt more xianxia than wuxia.
Weak Antagonists:
The motivations behind the antagonists — from the Emperor of Susha to Murong Yao — felt underdeveloped. I was hoping for deeper political intrigue, but their arcs came off a bit flat and one-dimensional.
2ML’s Character Arc:
This character had a lot of potential but ended up feeling inconsistent and underutilized. I’m not sure whether it was the writing or the performance, but his development had too many gaps and loose ends. It’s a shame, because he could’ve added a lot more to the story.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, this drama was a hidden gem. From what I heard about the novel, I'm glad they made the changes that they did (especially with the main leads). The chemistry between the leads, solid action, and a few standout characters (shoutout again to XJY) made it a memorable watch. While it had its flaws — particularly with visuals and some uneven character writing — it delivered where it mattered most. Definitely worth watching if you’re a fan of strong leads and well-paced romance.
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