Rating this a 4/10 because the producers and the team failed to write a good story when they good bare bones. They have extremely talented actors but they don't utilize well and I'm so salty about the lack of carving out story lines and giving them proper archs. Most importantly I am mad about not getting a lot of Li Chuan his perspective and his love intest zhen zhen and of course where are the kids?. Where is the 2nd big grand wedding. This is reminding me off game of thrones, one of my fav IP where they butchered 2 of the main characters story arcs. John Snow went from being a strong intelligent valliant self sacrificing man to nearlg every sentence "my queen "😭 PWX reminds me of this. And the fandom we are still salty to this day about the butchering of the characters and story. Let me go re-read the book coz it's cute. I hope the directing team, producing team and writing team learn from this and become better in the future😭. Where it is terrible story wise and directorial wise, the drama makes up with strong acting and interaction between LR and PWX.
This had the potential to be an epic hit because the comedy, drama and politics was the right amount but the production team and writing team just decided to say wth let's fuck it all up coz we can.
It started of well then in the middle the story archs are not well developed. A lot of characters were not given airtime to develop their stories all because of SRQ screen time to make him into something he was not and palatable. I wanted to see more of the other clans, the crown prince, SRQ brother and his love interest. And the conflict between the concubines and empress which spilled to the children. But no the writers were like SRQ is the one you need to see like 😡
SRQ is not anti hero or someone who was a good person who happened to make bad decisions. He is a downright evil selfish person who seeks his own benefit not even his family's shame . He lacks self reflection, accountability and thinks he is the smartest person on earth when he is not. In the 1st life his bad decisions affected his family in the 2nd life he made the same dumb decisions affecting his family and putting them again at the risks of being rebels, but the producers were like nope this is the person you should focus on and love.
Its not lost on me that the whole lighting on him and LR is cinematography meant to highlight that these are the main characters that are meant to be for each other. And there was nothing for PWX the so called real love interest for LR. The shared screentime with longing gazes, slow motion shots and the soft romantic music and the stupid twirl to the bottom of the lake all meant to say this is the real cp that you should look at and ship. Now let's look into the characteristics of the person person I am supposed to support
SRQ
1st life time he manipulated everyone to kill the king and the so called woman he loved LR . Reason: he wanted to put on the throne a bastard child not belonging to the king and the Li clan. Qualification of the child he is the nephew to SRQ and has Su bloodline. And this is precisely why the noble clans were dangerous and needed to be dealt with. This type of bs they are capable of pulling. Mind you let's forget that the child was conceived out of adultery and making the king a cuckold. That does not matter coz the child is a Su everyone else be damned 😂😂. Mind you it was these actions from these people that made Li Chuan make the extreme decisions he made. Also he happily came in between LR and PWX. Exacerbated their issues and essentially killed PWX and LR to get ultimate power. But yes he is a good guy 😭.
In the 2nd life time again he wants to kill the future king who is really just a sweetheart, pure and kind and genuinely loves his family and sister. He is caught in the power struggle and he is powerless but of course let's forget about all this but I SRQ I want again to put on the throne a substitute who knows where this fake prince comes from. The fact that he is commiting treason that leads to a clans death is treated like eating ice cream. He supports the consort who hates his so called love of his life and wants to put a fake prince on the throne. How is this even acceptable morally. Let's say this had worked out did he stop to think the implications of his actions on LR. Every change of dynasty means the losing side gets killed LR and her whole clan would potentially have been murdered of that concubine fake son sat on the throne and the writers are selling me this as a long enduring love.
This is f'd up big time. They must be mad and on shrooms. I want what they are smoking. There is nothing good and reedamable about SRQ and the fact that the producers and writers liked his characters is a cause for concern. He is not a morally grey character he is an outright evil person who manages to convince himself that he is good therefore continually makes wrong decisions placing everyone around him in danger. He even says it that he can't be wrong like with his own mouth. His path is the only right one. He is beyond mad. He is a downright psychopath and they tried to romanticize him with all those shots and wanted the public to feel for him and root for him. I'm sorry I don't root for evil people who show no remorse or repentance. Goodbye my princess is how you write a good antihero.
For Pei Wen xuan I have no words except I hope in your next life you make smarter choices in your love life and fall in love with a better person with better morals, virtue who is willing to give the same amount you give out and not a person just wants to receive.
I will never understand LR justification for her treatment of PWX and demanding of PWX love, trust and affection. She was not the only one betrayed by her family so was PWX, they murdered his father and tried to kill him too. Yet he remained a beautiful soul, who kept giving his best unconditionally. PWX deserves the same from the person he chooses to love it's a shame LR did not deserve PWX at all. I found LR character very selfish, unwilling to take accountability for her actions and extremely entitled especially towards his brother.
In the 1st life she played a major part, shaping the environment that turned Li Chuan into the person he was. She never listened to him yet made decisions saying they were the best for him. How can they be the best when you don't listen to your brother or understand him. I am very salty about this part becauseLi Chuan was a good person but had an overbearing father, mother and sister. Worse I t he 1st life she never accepted his love and LR hated her brother's child who came from the love of his life. Please spare me I would never ever want a sister like LR.
LR and SRQ deserved each other if we are going to be honest. Both were extremely delusional they made extremely terrible decisions that affected heavily people around them but they think they are smart and are doing making the best decisions. The only thing that saved LR was PWX decisions that gave LR a safe environment to have character development and girl was not even grateful I'm looking at your stupid decisions in the last episodes.
The only good thing about this drama is I discovered Zhao Jin Mai and girl can she act. She deserves everything the other characters I know them from other dramas. The crazy concubine from the Xiao clan is sublime in joy of life. The way she was directed in this drama you would never think she is that amazing of a veteran actor. Zhang Linghe showed a different side of himself and he has such great comedic timing. It's something that cannot be taught it's either you have it or you don't. And he has it in spades. I was pleasantly surprised. He should try a full on comedic drama. The character I desperately wanted to see more of was the crown prince but damn that production crew. SRQ was a downright terrible person and character and I probably would have loved him more if he was played by a person with better acting chops like the bad guy in the double.
Watching this again because there is nothing good in C-drama land😌 and I feel the same like j felt when I watched it the 1st time. Drama is Soo good.
Yu Wei Shan portrayal of an intelligent lethal assain hidden under that soft none threatening vulnerable air is 🤌 chef's kiss. Can't praise Yu Yuxin portrayal enough. She was the cast for the role. Can't get over Gong Ziyu's puppy love stares, soft bumbling new heir, trying to find his feet, unsure yet incredibly smart and brave. The complexity of this role and he nailed it. Give the leads all the awards they nailed their parts.
Jin Fan 😘 my absolute love in this drama. He was so good and loved his portrayal of the different relationships he had with Gong family. Love his camaraderie with Gong Ziyu and Gong Zi Shang. Break out star in MJTY and deserves so much more love. I will give it to you don't worry. Boy deserves his flowers 💐
Very late to the party but this was by far one of the best dramas to come out in 2023. Acting was superb from everyone. The leads were just outstanding, now I'm foraging to find more of their work. The comedy was done just right. What I really loved was the story line which was very good and compact. All the side characters stories were done well. My pet peeve with Asian dramas is they tend to forget the rest of the characters and just focus on the leads. If you want a drama with just 2 people then just have those 2 people and leave the others out. Special shout out to the cute lovable Beast Animal KingdomPrince. I was pleasantly surprised that I love it at much as I did. A 100/10 for me.
Gong Ziyu crying over the death of his brother and father broke me. They have left him and that flashback to him requesting his brother not to leave him the same way his mama did when he was young. That is just sad. Poor boy. His acting when he is grieving his family.PEAK CINEMA.
One of the absolute insane moments of episode 3 is the fight at 50min at the river between Ziyu and Weishan. The visuals, the score, the background. Everything just worked. One word ...Stunning. Didn't help that the The leads gathered everyone with their chemistry that flirting/fighting they had going on had me on my toes.
Was Going Ziyu interrogating a potential assassin or was he just flirting and clearing his suspicions of her up to make way for a future romance because boy is clearly whipped 🤭. I died when Weishan looks at him when she is swinging underneath him ...Weishan and Gong Ziyu were serving visuals. Love, love the chemistry between female lead and male lead. There is just a pure innocence about them. They can take my money.
Once again I find myself wanting to throttle Gong Yuanzhi. The little twerp Everyone has just lost the sword wielder and next in line and all you can think of is fighting Ziyu. And the disrespect rolling of him. No matter how much you disdain the sword wielder this was was one time/ one moment to show empathy.Gong Ziyu is a better man than me I would have cut off his head as soon as I was sword wielder.
Obviously Ziyu is smarter, more tolerant and has a better heart than me. And I can't help feel sorry for Gong Ziyu tied to an oath of loyalty to fulfill duties he never chose for himself for a family that does not treat him as worthy of anything. Please free my Gong Ziyu. The stupid idiot with a heart of 🥺Gold is probably going to take the mantle of the sword Wielder seriously.
I can recognise a rigged game when I see one. That other lady came in with too much information and backing. Haven't forgotten that the 1st assassin was asked to give her life to protect her. She is saving Weishan only to use her as a cover. She has already tired to trip her over the issue if the tea. I can tell her target is Going Shangjue as he is the person who appears after she says her target is trickier.
Highlight ✨
I'm really enjoying that both Ziyu and Weishan are not only quite nice and lovely people but they are so incredibly smart. Ziyu is asking all the right questions surrounding his father's and brothers death. And he is so quick he would be difficult to fool. Already he knows there is something fishy with Weishan but those love lorn looks he throws at her are going to be a problem in the future
The best actors of the episode were the billowing wind fans and costumes. They are the true heroes. The opening fight scene was so bad. That wire work was so atrocious I could visibly see when the actors were being picked up, just ruined the opening fight scene for me. The only thing right were costumes. Those coats were billowing and flapping around like rent was due. Best cast members goes to the coats.
The fans were also mothering when they blew those wisps of hair from Gong Shangue when he is passing master Gong Ziyu. Those wisps of her billowing in the wind deserve their Oscars.
What I loved
1. Again I loved the cinematography ( minus the fight scene one) and the music score it was really really good.
Outstanding elements
(a) the acting of everyone. The leads are mothering so hard, they are leaving no crumbs. They are eating everyone up it's crazy. The acting of the male lead was absolutely outstanding when he is being berated by his father in the hall. It was heartbreaking to watch Gong Ziyu fight tears and reign in his anger. I felt for him. I wanted to smack the smarminess off the Gong Yuanzhi dude. Sword Wielder/ Ziyu's father is trying me so bad. He is so cruel to his own children. He is rude to the eldest. Gong Ziyu is only trying to make a contribution and saying what he saw wrong and that father's reaction was so unwarranted. He could have corrected him in a good way. He can talk in a nice way as evidenced by him conversation with Gong Shanjue but he reserves smoke and heat for his own kids. What a father. The father never tells Gong Ziyu anything but tells everyone else so that he can embarrass him like that. The father even uses his own son to his own end. At least when Going Ziyu made his plan he did not use anyone. He doesn't tell him nothing constantly embarrasses him but berates him for not taking a more active role in the family. Like why would I when you are all so condescending. I would react like Gong Ziyu. If you are all so great and I am bad well do it your damn selves then, leave me out of the clown show. I literally cried watching this scene. That is how good it was.
PS: They never stop to think that perhaps Gong Ziyu's plan could have been better than the one they came up with after all they didn't get rid of the real assassins and the favoured Gong Shangue even settled an assassin in the residence 😑 but he is supposed to be clever and feared.
(b) 2nd best scene was when lead female is trying to act all nonchalant with the other women when they are discussing the Gong men. You ain't fooling nobody boo you need to marry the young lord. Female lead was giving face, she was giving I am an actooorrr. Loved this part. She killed it.
(c) 3rd best scene is a tie between the interaction of male lead and female lead when he comes to take his mask and male lead and his guard. Gong Ziyu was so cute looking at female lead with those puppy eyes and she was feigning seriousness. Female lead well done for getting his attention via a clever way. Gong Ziyu is giving I love this woman on sight and I'm head over heels for her and I'm loving it. Just this interaction alone can sustain me for days. They are so cute together
Interaction between guard and Gong Ziyu is giving me life. They are so funny and their comedic timing is so spot on and it slides into very serious conversation back to comedy at any given moment. Loved when he says my conscience was eaten by a dog, gong Ziyu are u the dog he is referring to lol. And he is the only one who loves Gong Ziyu with any form of true sincerity.
(d) the eldest lady is just a trip and her crush on the guard is hella funny.
(e) another outstanding moment was the ride back to the house after being called by elders. The fun sibling rivalry between cousins was so funny to watch. These 3 can actually do a comedy period drama and I would watch it. the chemistry of the 3 is off the charts.
I see why the female lead and the male lead are drawn to each other. They are beautiful people who managed to maintain pure hearts in environments that only encourage jealousy, competitivenes and death. How they remain pure in the these environments is a testament to their characters and should be applauded.
The last beautiful heart wrenching scene I loved was when the female lead gives her token 1st to the other assassin in the pit and then looks for another one. Female lead is an angel and you can't tell me otherwise 😤.
ZL studio seems to be in overdrive of feeding us with ZL bts footage.
I am not complaining I love it.
Strange they were not doing this when the drama started and they are only doing this now.
I saw this really cute video of ZL playing make believe tea party with the babies on set. It was so cute. He is so cute with the little girl he would make such a great girl dad. I wasn't able to put the link here coz my account is still being verified 😔. But it's so cute
Ahh you GET his character 👏 and only after 2 episodes, which means the rest of the drama will be a breeze for…
He was an electrical engineer with a super high IQ 😳. Now why don't they give him a drama with a premise of someone super intelligent. Something like Prison Break/Suits/ The good doctor. Not remakes but a series centering on a male lead with a super high IQ. I don't care if he is saving the world or doing questionable things, i would eat it up. With his background the promotions for it would be off the kilter. He would be so good in the drama as he has already shown a propensity to nail complex different characters.
He is acting is great because honestly he is making me feel like he so misunderstood and a lost boy trying to figure out who he is and what part he has to play in life and his family that seems to have no space for a person with his heart and empathy . I'm watching him and I'm going: come my boy let me give you a great big hug. You is good, you is kind, you is perfect. Lol. + The way the female lead keeps wanting to get his attention has me on ten pins lol. 🤭
His guard seems to understand him and loves him. Because I see more than ,"you are my young master and I serve you" type of relationship between them. There is genuine mutual love and respect and camaraderie despite their different stations in life.
When I take this into consideration I so get what you are saying when you say the director purposely chose to destroy his own male lead. Which is weird because you would want your film to do well. You are right in that if his acting is not flat. It was not as people responded to it. However they did not receive it well then it is the directors fault, in terms of direction ZL and what footage he decided to use and put as the final cut.
On your comment that people called him stupid, when a person uses the heart and not the head which gong ziyi is doing they are considered foolish. Because they are so good they make arbitrary decisions, so I get the fans complaint. But the it is the responsibility of the director to show it in a way that you root for the male lead, despite short comings Since I'm coming from the western market, your statement reminds me.of Smallville. The series shows Superman as young adult till he gets to be Superman. He is another bleeding heart and makes outright stupid decisions. Some of the decisions i would face palm every episode yet the director made you side with him and made you feel you had to bear with him, forgive him because he is young he is going to make mistakes and we should grow with him You can make a character lovable despite everything else going on. It is a shame that ZL had to face that so early in his career before he has cemented himself. It's so cruel though. Can they just give him time to shine like they give other's. He deserves it.
Haven’t watched it myself but here are the summary of the media campaign around the time it was airing:1 - ML…
Thank you for the background information. Fan wars are not so nice I'm sorry he went through that. So far I have no complaints about the story. I wonder if people actually took the time to get to know the characters and the story. So far I'm loving lead girl potrayal. Like her face is the one you want in a spy's face it gives nothing. And ZL is nailing his part. If there was anticipation from Love between fairy and devil I can get the disappointment. This is so different from that genre. There are definitely no swoon worthy moments. But I love dark political complex dramas. They are like a little puzzle I have to finish. Loving it so far.
Well said 💯 .. I agree about their cinematography. The dark vibe is increasingly felt since the opening scenes…
So this is called wuxia I didn't know I'm knew to C Drama land so my take it has been so they fly in too of leaves and have swords that are like belts. Very different type of unbelievable fantasy but since it's fantasy why not I will just suspend my imagination. But the fight scenes here are more realist, robust and in your face and I like it 😌
I'm naturally a person who loves a dialogue heavy political intrigue so paying attention to what is going on is a must lest I miss something. I already love the whole wufeng shrouded in mystery. Like who are those elders and who is running the show.
Sorry guys not related. So me being new generally to C Dramas this being my 1st Zhang Linghe drama I have watched someone recommended My Journey to You. I didn't know that was also Zhang Linghe but thank you. You are all so kind and cute here. I get to ZL twice. My confusion is why did people hate Zhang Linghe in my journey to you. I have finished the first 2 episodes and I'm so shocked that he had such a complex character to protest and he did so well.
Of the bat without being told I can see he is supposed to be a young lord, unsure of himself. His confidence issues further increased by an uncompromising father, a high achieving brother. It's in the way he tentatively walks and hesitates to speak. And he has a foolishly good heart. Like who releases a group of assassins targeting your home because you don't want to see innocent people suffer. He is a going to be the type that is super foolish in love and goes all in. And he wears his vulnerability on his face like that innocence he has. And I was reading here that he didn't go to acting school like how is he doing this. I think I pick Gong Ziyu over Xie Wei but Xie Wei is a close second. I just want to protect him in my journey to you. After this going to MJTY and rave about his acting 😤
Coming From SOKP and just have finished the 1st episode and my thought are:
1. The cinematography of this drama series is A+. This is something China fails to deliver except a few dramas the cinematography in most C Dramas looks like bad CGI making it difficult to digest. But the cinematography in just the opening episode is beyond stunning and I dare say the director took a page out of Zack Snyder. especially the directorial direction of the fight scene in the pit with the wufeng female assassins.
2. The pacing is amazing nothing is dragging and they are filling out parts quickly so that I don't have to fill it out like a puzzle. And the opening fight sequence wow. No words. It was everything and more. The men were going for it. I liked that the fights stunts looked real not people flying like they are about to break into ballet in mid air. Beautiful fight choreography.
3. I have to give my hat up to Zhang Linghe boy can act. Of the bat without being told he is portraying a young lord unsure of himself because of how he is treated with disrespect by his family. He is trying to find his place and has a bleeding heart which is out of place in such a dark themed drama. He wears his heart and feelings in the chest. Such a brilliant potrayal of vulnerability especially when he uses his whole face. I just want to tell him don't worry I love you it will be ok.
4. Female Lead is stunning and on point with her potrayal of determined yet vulnerable woman. Loved her controlled face when they are faced with arrows as a welcome present by the Gong family. Dare I say she is giving intelligent. I wonder if down the line that is going to be how she is comes across.And it's going to be an interesting fight with the other bride who thanked male lead. It obvious that she wants to be noticed and stand out so I dare say she is the other assassin. I feel like I'm behind set up for a show down between the two . Lastly those looks with male Lead. I'm so seated for that. They have so much meaning.
5. Jin Fan is such a trip. The best body guard and partner to the male Lead and seems like the only person who genuinely treats male Lead with any form of respect. I dare say their relationship is more it goes beyond master and guard. They feel like brothers and the way Jin Fan goes along with all the crazy decisions of the young master. He is is loyal. I love the pair already they are precious.
6. The sister is just hilarious. I couldn't stop laughing when she walks in the training people. That is what you call an entrance. I won't be forgetting about her definitely would be on the lookout for her in the drama
7. The minder and trainer of female lead is so good. You can tell he cares for female lead and that is not a wise decision that is what I'm getting from his potrayal. This is directly contradicts the shaven trainer. He just looks like he loves his job of killing people 😭. Both are have been cast brilliantly
8. This is going to be one drama with the battle for looks. The entrance of the beautiful boy with a poisonous bomb and the way they are looking at each other fighting. Yaaaas.
9. The brother and the father seems to be very hard hearted people but I get it
10. The first time I have seen a Chinese drama with costumes being dirty. The brides dresses are dirty at the bottom and I was like yes. Chinese dramas have people fighting in white, on dust roads and the clothes be spick and span.
Lastly CINEMATOGRAPHY CINEMATOGRAPHY here is stunning. Love the story so far looks intricate. The COSTUMES 🔥. Just from the opening I feel this is going to be great.
It started of well then in the middle the story archs are not well developed. A lot of characters were not given airtime to develop their stories all because of SRQ screen time to make him into something he was not and palatable. I wanted to see more of the other clans, the crown prince, SRQ brother and his love interest. And the conflict between the concubines and empress which spilled to the children. But no the writers were like SRQ is the one you need to see like 😡
SRQ is not anti hero or someone who was a good person who happened to make bad decisions. He is a downright evil selfish person who seeks his own benefit not even his family's shame . He lacks self reflection, accountability and thinks he is the smartest person on earth when he is not. In the 1st life his bad decisions affected his family in the 2nd life he made the same dumb decisions affecting his family and putting them again at the risks of being rebels, but the producers were like nope this is the person you should focus on and love.
Its not lost on me that the whole lighting on him and LR is cinematography meant to highlight that these are the main characters that are meant to be for each other. And there was nothing for PWX the so called real love interest for LR. The shared screentime with longing gazes, slow motion shots and the soft romantic music and the stupid twirl to the bottom of the lake all meant to say this is the real cp that you should look at and ship. Now let's look into the characteristics of the person person I am supposed to support
SRQ
1st life time he manipulated everyone to kill the king and the so called woman he loved LR . Reason: he wanted to put on the throne a bastard child not belonging to the king and the Li clan. Qualification of the child he is the nephew to SRQ and has Su bloodline. And this is precisely why the noble clans were dangerous and needed to be dealt with. This type of bs they are capable of pulling. Mind you let's forget that the child was conceived out of adultery and making the king a cuckold. That does not matter coz the child is a Su everyone else be damned 😂😂. Mind you it was these actions from these people that made Li Chuan make the extreme decisions he made. Also he happily came in between LR and PWX. Exacerbated their issues and essentially killed PWX and LR to get ultimate power. But yes he is a good guy 😭.
In the 2nd life time again he wants to kill the future king who is really just a sweetheart, pure and kind and genuinely loves his family and sister. He is caught in the power struggle and he is powerless but of course let's forget about all this but I SRQ I want again to put on the throne a substitute who knows where this fake prince comes from. The fact that he is commiting treason that leads to a clans death is treated like eating ice cream. He supports the consort who hates his so called love of his life and wants to put a fake prince on the throne. How is this even acceptable morally. Let's say this had worked out did he stop to think the implications of his actions on LR. Every change of dynasty means the losing side gets killed LR and her whole clan would potentially have been murdered of that concubine fake son sat on the throne and the writers are selling me this as a long enduring love.
This is f'd up big time. They must be mad and on shrooms. I want what they are smoking. There is nothing good and reedamable about SRQ and the fact that the producers and writers liked his characters is a cause for concern. He is not a morally grey character he is an outright evil person who manages to convince himself that he is good therefore continually makes wrong decisions placing everyone around him in danger. He even says it that he can't be wrong like with his own mouth. His path is the only right one. He is beyond mad. He is a downright psychopath and they tried to romanticize him with all those shots and wanted the public to feel for him and root for him. I'm sorry I don't root for evil people who show no remorse or repentance. Goodbye my princess is how you write a good antihero.
For Pei Wen xuan I have no words except I hope in your next life you make smarter choices in your love life and fall in love with a better person with better morals, virtue who is willing to give the same amount you give out and not a person just wants to receive.
I will never understand LR justification for her treatment of PWX and demanding of PWX love, trust and affection. She was not the only one betrayed by her family so was PWX, they murdered his father and tried to kill him too. Yet he remained a beautiful soul, who kept giving his best unconditionally. PWX deserves the same from the person he chooses to love it's a shame LR did not deserve PWX at all. I found LR character very selfish, unwilling to take accountability for her actions and extremely entitled especially towards his brother.
In the 1st life she played a major part, shaping the environment that turned Li Chuan into the person he was. She never listened to him yet made decisions saying they were the best for him. How can they be the best when you don't listen to your brother or understand him. I am very salty about this part becauseLi Chuan was a good person but had an overbearing father, mother and sister. Worse I t he 1st life she never accepted his love and LR hated her brother's child who came from the love of his life. Please spare me I would never ever want a sister like LR.
LR and SRQ deserved each other if we are going to be honest. Both were extremely delusional they made extremely terrible decisions that affected heavily people around them but they think they are smart and are doing making the best decisions. The only thing that saved LR was PWX decisions that gave LR a safe environment to have character development and girl was not even grateful I'm looking at your stupid decisions in the last episodes.
The only good thing about this drama is I discovered Zhao Jin Mai and girl can she act. She deserves everything the other characters I know them from other dramas. The crazy concubine from the Xiao clan is sublime in joy of life. The way she was directed in this drama you would never think she is that amazing of a veteran actor. Zhang Linghe showed a different side of himself and he has such great comedic timing. It's something that cannot be taught it's either you have it or you don't. And he has it in spades. I was pleasantly surprised. He should try a full on comedic drama. The character I desperately wanted to see more of was the crown prince but damn that production crew. SRQ was a downright terrible person and character and I probably would have loved him more if he was played by a person with better acting chops like the bad guy in the double.
Yu Wei Shan portrayal of an intelligent lethal assain hidden under that soft none threatening vulnerable air is 🤌 chef's kiss. Can't praise Yu Yuxin portrayal enough. She was the cast for the role. Can't get over Gong Ziyu's puppy love stares, soft bumbling new heir, trying to find his feet, unsure yet incredibly smart and brave. The complexity of this role and he nailed it. Give the leads all the awards they nailed their parts.
Jin Fan 😘 my absolute love in this drama. He was so good and loved his portrayal of the different relationships he had with Gong family. Love his camaraderie with Gong Ziyu and Gong Zi Shang. Break out star in MJTY and deserves so much more love. I will give it to you don't worry. Boy deserves his flowers 💐
Outstanding elements
Gong Ziyu crying over the death of his brother and father broke me. They have left him and that flashback to him requesting his brother not to leave him the same way his mama did when he was young. That is just sad. Poor boy. His acting when he is grieving his family.PEAK CINEMA.
One of the absolute insane moments of episode 3 is the fight at 50min at the river between Ziyu and Weishan. The visuals, the score, the background. Everything just worked. One word ...Stunning. Didn't help that the The leads gathered everyone with their chemistry that flirting/fighting they had going on had me on my toes.
Was Going Ziyu interrogating a potential assassin or was he just flirting and clearing his suspicions of her up to make way for a future romance because boy is clearly whipped 🤭. I died when Weishan looks at him when she is swinging underneath him ...Weishan and Gong Ziyu were serving visuals. Love, love the chemistry between female lead and male lead. There is just a pure innocence about them. They can take my money.
Once again I find myself wanting to throttle Gong Yuanzhi. The little twerp Everyone has just lost the sword wielder and next in line and all you can think of is fighting Ziyu. And the disrespect rolling of him. No matter how much you disdain the sword wielder this was was one time/ one moment to show empathy.Gong Ziyu is a better man than me I would have cut off his head as soon as I was sword wielder.
Obviously Ziyu is smarter, more tolerant and has a better heart than me. And I can't help feel sorry for Gong Ziyu tied to an oath of loyalty to fulfill duties he never chose for himself for a family that does not treat him as worthy of anything. Please free my Gong Ziyu. The stupid idiot with a heart of 🥺Gold is probably going to take the mantle of the sword Wielder seriously.
I can recognise a rigged game when I see one. That other lady came in with too much information and backing. Haven't forgotten that the 1st assassin was asked to give her life to protect her. She is saving Weishan only to use her as a cover. She has already tired to trip her over the issue if the tea. I can tell her target is Going Shangjue as he is the person who appears after she says her target is trickier.
Highlight ✨
I'm really enjoying that both Ziyu and Weishan are not only quite nice and lovely people but they are so incredibly smart. Ziyu is asking all the right questions surrounding his father's and brothers death. And he is so quick he would be difficult to fool. Already he knows there is something fishy with Weishan but those love lorn looks he throws at her are going to be a problem in the future
Still an excellent 👌 drama so far
The best actors of the episode were the billowing wind fans and costumes. They are the true heroes. The opening fight scene was so bad. That wire work was so atrocious I could visibly see when the actors were being picked up, just ruined the opening fight scene for me. The only thing right were costumes. Those coats were billowing and flapping around like rent was due. Best cast members goes to the coats.
The fans were also mothering when they blew those wisps of hair from Gong Shangue when he is passing master Gong Ziyu. Those wisps of her billowing in the wind deserve their Oscars.
What I loved
1. Again I loved the cinematography ( minus the fight scene one) and the music score it was really really good.
Outstanding elements
(a) the acting of everyone. The leads are mothering so hard, they are leaving no crumbs. They are eating everyone up it's crazy. The acting of the male lead was absolutely outstanding when he is being berated by his father in the hall. It was heartbreaking to watch Gong Ziyu fight tears and reign in his anger. I felt for him. I wanted to smack the smarminess off the Gong Yuanzhi dude. Sword Wielder/ Ziyu's father is trying me so bad. He is so cruel to his own children. He is rude to the eldest. Gong Ziyu is only trying to make a contribution and saying what he saw wrong and that father's reaction was so unwarranted. He could have corrected him in a good way. He can talk in a nice way as evidenced by him conversation with Gong Shanjue but he reserves smoke and heat for his own kids. What a father. The father never tells Gong Ziyu anything but tells everyone else so that he can embarrass him like that. The father even uses his own son to his own end. At least when Going Ziyu made his plan he did not use anyone. He doesn't tell him nothing constantly embarrasses him but berates him for not taking a more active role in the family. Like why would I when you are all so condescending. I would react like Gong Ziyu. If you are all so great and I am bad well do it your damn selves then, leave me out of the clown show. I literally cried watching this scene. That is how good it was.
PS: They never stop to think that perhaps Gong Ziyu's plan could have been better than the one they came up with after all they didn't get rid of the real assassins and the favoured Gong Shangue even settled an assassin in the residence 😑 but he is supposed to be clever and feared.
(b) 2nd best scene was when lead female is trying to act all nonchalant with the other women when they are discussing the Gong men. You ain't fooling nobody boo you need to marry the young lord. Female lead was giving face, she was giving I am an actooorrr. Loved this part. She killed it.
(c) 3rd best scene is a tie between the interaction of male lead and female lead when he comes to take his mask and male lead and his guard. Gong Ziyu was so cute looking at female lead with those puppy eyes and she was feigning seriousness. Female lead well done for getting his attention via a clever way. Gong Ziyu is giving I love this woman on sight and I'm head over heels for her and I'm loving it. Just this interaction alone can sustain me for days. They are so cute together
Interaction between guard and Gong Ziyu is giving me life. They are so funny and their comedic timing is so spot on and it slides into very serious conversation back to comedy at any given moment. Loved when he says my conscience was eaten by a dog, gong Ziyu are u the dog he is referring to lol. And he is the only one who loves Gong Ziyu with any form of true sincerity.
(d) the eldest lady is just a trip and her crush on the guard is hella funny.
(e) another outstanding moment was the ride back to the house after being called by elders. The fun sibling rivalry between cousins was so funny to watch. These 3 can actually do a comedy period drama and I would watch it. the chemistry of the 3 is off the charts.
I see why the female lead and the male lead are drawn to each other. They are beautiful people who managed to maintain pure hearts in environments that only encourage jealousy, competitivenes and death. How they remain pure in the these environments is a testament to their characters and should be applauded.
The last beautiful heart wrenching scene I loved was when the female lead gives her token 1st to the other assassin in the pit and then looks for another one. Female lead is an angel and you can't tell me otherwise 😤.
I am not complaining I love it.
Strange they were not doing this when the drama started and they are only doing this now.
I saw this really cute video of ZL playing make believe tea party with the babies on set. It was so cute. He is so cute with the little girl he would make such a great girl dad. I wasn't able to put the link here coz my account is still being verified 😔. But it's so cute
He is acting is great because honestly he is making me feel like he so misunderstood and a lost boy trying to figure out who he is and what part he has to play in life and his family that seems to have no space for a person with his heart and empathy . I'm watching him and I'm going: come my boy let me give you a great big hug. You is good, you is kind, you is perfect. Lol. + The way the female lead keeps wanting to get his attention has me on ten pins lol. 🤭
His guard seems to understand him and loves him. Because I see more than ,"you are my young master and I serve you" type of relationship between them. There is genuine mutual love and respect and camaraderie despite their different stations in life.
When I take this into consideration I so get what you are saying when you say the director purposely chose to destroy his own male lead. Which is weird because you would want your film to do well. You are right in that if his acting is not flat. It was not as people responded to it. However they did not receive it well then it is the directors fault, in terms of direction ZL and what footage he decided to use and put as the final cut.
On your comment that people called him stupid, when a person uses the heart and not the head which gong ziyi is doing they are considered foolish. Because they are so good they make arbitrary decisions, so I get the fans complaint. But the it is the responsibility of the director to show it in a way that you root for the male lead, despite short comings
Since I'm coming from the western market, your statement reminds me.of Smallville. The series shows Superman as young adult till he gets to be Superman. He is another bleeding heart and makes outright stupid decisions. Some of the decisions i would face palm every episode yet the director made you side with him and made you feel you had to bear with him, forgive him because he is young he is going to make mistakes and we should grow with him You can make a character lovable despite everything else going on. It is a shame that ZL had to face that so early in his career before he has cemented himself. It's so cruel though. Can they just give him time to shine like they give other's. He deserves it.
I'm naturally a person who loves a dialogue heavy political intrigue so paying attention to what is going on is a must lest I miss something. I already love the whole wufeng shrouded in mystery. Like who are those elders and who is running the show.
Of the bat without being told I can see he is supposed to be a young lord, unsure of himself. His confidence issues further increased by an uncompromising father, a high achieving brother. It's in the way he tentatively walks and hesitates to speak. And he has a foolishly good heart. Like who releases a group of assassins targeting your home because you don't want to see innocent people suffer. He is a going to be the type that is super foolish in love and goes all in. And he wears his vulnerability on his face like that innocence he has. And I was reading here that he didn't go to acting school like how is he doing this. I think I pick Gong Ziyu over Xie Wei but Xie Wei is a close second. I just want to protect him in my journey to you. After this going to MJTY and rave about his acting 😤
1. The cinematography of this drama series is A+. This is something China fails to deliver except a few dramas the cinematography in most C Dramas looks like bad CGI making it difficult to digest. But the cinematography in just the opening episode is beyond stunning and I dare say the director took a page out of Zack Snyder. especially the directorial direction of the fight scene in the pit with the wufeng female assassins.
2. The pacing is amazing nothing is dragging and they are filling out parts quickly so that I don't have to fill it out like a puzzle. And the opening fight sequence wow. No words. It was everything and more. The men were going for it. I liked that the fights stunts looked real not people flying like they are about to break into ballet in mid air. Beautiful fight choreography.
3. I have to give my hat up to Zhang Linghe boy can act. Of the bat without being told he is portraying a young lord unsure of himself because of how he is treated with disrespect by his family. He is trying to find his place and has a bleeding heart which is out of place in such a dark themed drama. He wears his heart and feelings in the chest. Such a brilliant potrayal of vulnerability especially when he uses his whole face. I just want to tell him don't worry I love you it will be ok.
4. Female Lead is stunning and on point with her potrayal of determined yet vulnerable woman. Loved her controlled face when they are faced with arrows as a welcome present by the Gong family. Dare I say she is giving intelligent. I wonder if down the line that is going to be how she is comes across.And it's going to be an interesting fight with the other bride who thanked male lead. It obvious that she wants to be noticed and stand out so I dare say she is the other assassin. I feel like I'm behind set up for a show down between the two . Lastly those looks with male Lead. I'm so seated for that. They have so much meaning.
5. Jin Fan is such a trip. The best body guard and partner to the male Lead and seems like the only person who genuinely treats male Lead with any form of respect. I dare say their relationship is more it goes beyond master and guard. They feel like brothers and the way Jin Fan goes along with all the crazy decisions of the young master. He is is loyal. I love the pair already they are precious.
6. The sister is just hilarious. I couldn't stop laughing when she walks in the training people. That is what you call an entrance. I won't be forgetting about her definitely would be on the lookout for her in the drama
7. The minder and trainer of female lead is so good. You can tell he cares for female lead and that is not a wise decision that is what I'm getting from his potrayal. This is directly contradicts the shaven trainer. He just looks like he loves his job of killing people 😭. Both are have been cast brilliantly
8. This is going to be one drama with the battle for looks. The entrance of the beautiful boy with a poisonous bomb and the way they are looking at each other fighting. Yaaaas.
9. The brother and the father seems to be very hard hearted people but I get it
10. The first time I have seen a Chinese drama with costumes being dirty. The brides dresses are dirty at the bottom and I was like yes. Chinese dramas have people fighting in white, on dust roads and the clothes be spick and span.
Lastly CINEMATOGRAPHY CINEMATOGRAPHY here is stunning. Love the story so far looks intricate. The COSTUMES 🔥. Just from the opening I feel this is going to be great.