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This review may contain spoilers
An Equivalent Exchange: I received a captivating drama and return it with a perfect score.
Guardians of the Dafeng was a surprisingly charming discovery for me. I had always known of its existence, after all, it was a much-talked-about and popular drama, but I didn’t know anything about the plot or the novel that inspired it. When it was released, I didn’t even consider watching it because I was focused on other productions. However, earlier this month, I decided to give it a chance... And I’m so glad I did!
With a captivating blend of fantasy, humor, and mystery, we are transported into the journey of Yang Ling, a charismatic young man who graduated from the police academy, and, through twists of fate, ends up starting his career in real estate. Everything seemed to be going as planned until, after a seemingly ordinary game with his colleagues, his life takes an unexpected turn: Yang Ling awakens as Xu Qi An in Dafeng, a kingdom filled with hidden forces and supernatural events.
Armed with his modern knowledge and keen investigative deductive abilities, Xu Qi An quickly stands out, attracting the attention of powerful institutions in Dafeng. Initially, he seeks only a peaceful, financially comfortable life, but his strong sense of justice drives him to face the abuses and injustices he witnesses. What he didn’t expect was that all of this was part of a complex scheme, in which he had been carefully manipulated as a key piece in a much larger game.
For me, the strongest point of this drama lies in the development of its characters and the relationships formed throughout the story. Each bond, every interpersonal dynamic is developed so naturally that it was impossible not to get involved. On top of that, the cast delivers incredibly convincing performances. Dylan Wang truly stood out as Xu Qi An, with his portrayal being so immersive that at times, it felt like we were watching Dylan live that reality, rather than just playing a character.
Charismatic, silly, intelligent, impulsive, and kind, Xu Qi An won me over with his essence. One line that I think perfectly illustrates his character is: "It's not about worth. Some things in life are greater than life itself." This line reflects the depth of his worldview because, despite being human and flawed, he carries a high sense of justice. He understands that there are values, principles, and relationships that cannot be measured by individual worth, and that, above all, there are aspects of life that are greater than existence itself, such as justice, loyalty, and truth. Xu Qi An knows that what really matters is acting with integrity, even if it means making personal sacrifices.
His interactions with the other characters were captivating, especially with his chaotic and eccentric family. These scenes were among my favorites because they combined humor and affection. Despite being clearly dysfunctional haha, there was genuine warmth between them. Moreover, his relationship with the Guardians’ team was also full of comedic moments. His friendship with some of the group members, especially Guang Xiao and Ting Feng, was incredible, as they shared the same charming energy, almost like partners in mischief, haha.
Another touching highlight was his connection with Lord Wei. There was a relationship filled with affection and respect, almost like father and son. It was moving to see the mutual care between them, something that stood out because of the sincerity and emotional depth in the dialogues they had throughout the episodes. Xu Qi An’s interactions with the Astronomical Department and the Yu Lun Academy also added a dose of humor to the plot. The “equivalent exchange” dynamic, where he would always ask for something but it would always come with some kind of demand in return, created hilarious scenes.
And of course, I can’t forget to mention his relationship with Princess Li An, which brought the sweet and romantic moments to the drama. Notably, romance isn’t the main focus of this drama, but I enjoyed what was portrayed, as the two had personalities with some similar traits, which made their scenes together ridiculously cute. I understand that not everyone may have sympathized with the princess’s personality, but personally, I wasn’t bothered by it. I saw in her a young woman still searching for true purpose, someone who, despite being spoiled, was genuine, loyal, and sincere in her feelings, which made me grow fond of her character over the episodes.
The plot of this drama isn’t complicated, but it’s important to pay attention to the political and social events throughout the episodes. At first, it may seem like the challenges Xu Qi An faces are disconnected, but in reality, everything is intertwined by a power game, involving several characters who build this complex network of relationships. The production maintains an engaging pace, with well-crafted and immersive sets and CGI. The costumes and soundtrack added a memorable visual and auditory touch. Additionally, the cinematography stands out, especially in the fight scenes, which were executed impressively. Honestly, I wish there had been more of these scenes, haha.
With 40 episodes, the drama managed to answer all my questions, both directly and indirectly. While many might find the ending rushed or lacking a clear conclusion, I thought the approach was quite interesting because it left a compelling mystery, sparking my curiosity about how the characters will handle the cliffhanger left in the final episode. That cliffhanger promises to add new layers to the plot. Now, I can only hope for a new season.
If you’re looking for an adventure drama with hilarious comedy driven by the characters’ actions and a touch of fantasy, this might be a good recommendation for you. Guardians of the Dafeng won me over with its lightness, even when dealing with chaotic situations, the genuine love and care the characters have for Xu Qi An, and the way, despite his imperfections, Xu Qi An becomes a symbol of the fight against the injustices in the kingdom.
"You can easily oppress the commom people, but you can't fool the heavens." — Xu Qi An.
With a captivating blend of fantasy, humor, and mystery, we are transported into the journey of Yang Ling, a charismatic young man who graduated from the police academy, and, through twists of fate, ends up starting his career in real estate. Everything seemed to be going as planned until, after a seemingly ordinary game with his colleagues, his life takes an unexpected turn: Yang Ling awakens as Xu Qi An in Dafeng, a kingdom filled with hidden forces and supernatural events.
Armed with his modern knowledge and keen investigative deductive abilities, Xu Qi An quickly stands out, attracting the attention of powerful institutions in Dafeng. Initially, he seeks only a peaceful, financially comfortable life, but his strong sense of justice drives him to face the abuses and injustices he witnesses. What he didn’t expect was that all of this was part of a complex scheme, in which he had been carefully manipulated as a key piece in a much larger game.
For me, the strongest point of this drama lies in the development of its characters and the relationships formed throughout the story. Each bond, every interpersonal dynamic is developed so naturally that it was impossible not to get involved. On top of that, the cast delivers incredibly convincing performances. Dylan Wang truly stood out as Xu Qi An, with his portrayal being so immersive that at times, it felt like we were watching Dylan live that reality, rather than just playing a character.
Charismatic, silly, intelligent, impulsive, and kind, Xu Qi An won me over with his essence. One line that I think perfectly illustrates his character is: "It's not about worth. Some things in life are greater than life itself." This line reflects the depth of his worldview because, despite being human and flawed, he carries a high sense of justice. He understands that there are values, principles, and relationships that cannot be measured by individual worth, and that, above all, there are aspects of life that are greater than existence itself, such as justice, loyalty, and truth. Xu Qi An knows that what really matters is acting with integrity, even if it means making personal sacrifices.
His interactions with the other characters were captivating, especially with his chaotic and eccentric family. These scenes were among my favorites because they combined humor and affection. Despite being clearly dysfunctional haha, there was genuine warmth between them. Moreover, his relationship with the Guardians’ team was also full of comedic moments. His friendship with some of the group members, especially Guang Xiao and Ting Feng, was incredible, as they shared the same charming energy, almost like partners in mischief, haha.
Another touching highlight was his connection with Lord Wei. There was a relationship filled with affection and respect, almost like father and son. It was moving to see the mutual care between them, something that stood out because of the sincerity and emotional depth in the dialogues they had throughout the episodes. Xu Qi An’s interactions with the Astronomical Department and the Yu Lun Academy also added a dose of humor to the plot. The “equivalent exchange” dynamic, where he would always ask for something but it would always come with some kind of demand in return, created hilarious scenes.
And of course, I can’t forget to mention his relationship with Princess Li An, which brought the sweet and romantic moments to the drama. Notably, romance isn’t the main focus of this drama, but I enjoyed what was portrayed, as the two had personalities with some similar traits, which made their scenes together ridiculously cute. I understand that not everyone may have sympathized with the princess’s personality, but personally, I wasn’t bothered by it. I saw in her a young woman still searching for true purpose, someone who, despite being spoiled, was genuine, loyal, and sincere in her feelings, which made me grow fond of her character over the episodes.
The plot of this drama isn’t complicated, but it’s important to pay attention to the political and social events throughout the episodes. At first, it may seem like the challenges Xu Qi An faces are disconnected, but in reality, everything is intertwined by a power game, involving several characters who build this complex network of relationships. The production maintains an engaging pace, with well-crafted and immersive sets and CGI. The costumes and soundtrack added a memorable visual and auditory touch. Additionally, the cinematography stands out, especially in the fight scenes, which were executed impressively. Honestly, I wish there had been more of these scenes, haha.
With 40 episodes, the drama managed to answer all my questions, both directly and indirectly. While many might find the ending rushed or lacking a clear conclusion, I thought the approach was quite interesting because it left a compelling mystery, sparking my curiosity about how the characters will handle the cliffhanger left in the final episode. That cliffhanger promises to add new layers to the plot. Now, I can only hope for a new season.
If you’re looking for an adventure drama with hilarious comedy driven by the characters’ actions and a touch of fantasy, this might be a good recommendation for you. Guardians of the Dafeng won me over with its lightness, even when dealing with chaotic situations, the genuine love and care the characters have for Xu Qi An, and the way, despite his imperfections, Xu Qi An becomes a symbol of the fight against the injustices in the kingdom.
"You can easily oppress the commom people, but you can't fool the heavens." — Xu Qi An.
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