Xtinew

KIDNAPPING WIDOWS

A man making his source of income by kidnapping widows, "Bossam" is a term to a customary remarry procedure that took place during the Joseon period, means a widow could not remarry unless a bachelor wrapped up a widow in a blanket and marry her then. So, Ba-Woo would get hired to kidnap an intended widow by some other man who intended to marry the widow, he mistakenly kidnaps Yi Su-Kyong (Kwon Yu-Ri) the King's widowed daughter (and daughter in-law of Lee Jae-yong Left State Councillor Yi I-cheom). While the brother in-law Dae-Yeop also loves her but he's on the wrong side of opposition - they stand on different path as his father Lee Jae-Yong try to kill her and revolt the King. This poor guy is in difficult situation..his family hates him (to always appose them)....the girl he loves refuse him...the King wants him to stay loyal (against filial obligation to family), he got stabbed alot, this guy is tormented by the contradiction of his life.

The princess is wanted by her father the king, but her father in-law would rather have her killed because of political ambition. By the ep 17 it's revealed that Dae-Yeop is actually direct legal heir of the kingdom that current king took away, the uncle Lee Jae-Yong (Left State Councillor) acts as his father want him take the crown back and organize the rebellion. Princess Su-Kyong went hide in just-installed Ba-Woo's name and house as his wife as well hide from the threat of her murder, they fall in love gradually and have a private wedding. The acting is awesome, the story original, the setting is natural as it gets - there isn't trace of overdo make up or over acting.

Read More

THE GOOD UNDER RATED DRAMA

I love love this drama so much. I would recommend it to anyone...I saw genuinely ordinary person..no one over the top, no one had heavy cosmetic on, middle class families, all looked so realistic based on the life in early 1999 to 2005. Young people who just the characters wanted to be on top of the games....the journey of young people with failures, struggles, competition, friendship, dedication and hard work to aim high to their dreams.

The story is about a little boy Shi Guan (Hu Xian Xu) who happened to bump in to the soul of Chu Ying (Zhang Chao), God of Chinese board Go games from 1500 years ago, they're destined to play Go together as mentor and student. Chu Ying who always thirst of Go competition pushed 9yo Shi Guan to play against the son of most influential Go player Yu Liang (Hao Fu Shen). With guidance of Chu Ying Shi Guan won the game which made Yu Liang sad and more determined than ever. Because of that 2 little boys intertwine fates brought their teen life into 2 different direction in the name of Go. Along the way, they met friends and competitors, life as teenagers and family dynamics. Chu Ying the lost soul from many dynasty ago influenced Shi Guan in his daily life, became a Go mentor and best supporter but then he suddenly disappeared and Shi Guan was broken heart. Against all odds, Shi Guan came back to win the Youth Go International tournament paired up with Yu Liang.

I love every characters in this drama, everyone were good to each other...no one biting the competitor (Iam wrong in one; Shen Yi Lang lost his job to Wang Chong). I love Hong He, he's kind of the best friend we all want to have or He Jia Jia & Wu Di that's pretty understanding and supportive as High school friends. I love the last 2 episodes when Shi Guan rose back to the surface and how Yu Liang supported him - they live together to synchronize two minds for the game. Every actors did splendid job...the best part was most of the actors were young and new in the business but they did all unforgettable characters.

Read More

EP 1-24 BAD, EP 25-40 LITTLE BETTER

Xian Xia genre drama isn't making sense. Including this one here regardless who's in it, ep 1-24 is so disappointing, nothing's good. A typical Xian Xia drama is script all imaginary ridiculous synopsis, overwhelm with digital works; flashing fake power, flying here and there, trees/flowers/heavenly animals backdrop are cheap fake illustration, colorful background screams phony, fighting scene is a big joke. Not to mention everything looks so perfect, not a ruffle of hair or smear of make up, dangling hair piece are still in place beautifully, light flowing gown. I guess that's what immortal living with perfection in the cloud but wait .....immortals doing bad things are exist too, perfect appearance but morality/action of immortals are still corrupt (lost the common sense of the plots). The director use digital generic special effects, same replica from other (same genre) dramas. The digital landscape is almost the same in every other Xian Xia genre dramas; colorful landscape & waterfall, birds flying over between the mountains, hanging rocks in the air, obvious plastic green leaves/flowers, rainbow clouds.

LuSi is overacting it; enlarging her pupils, child annoying voice, heavy make up, dangling hair accessories, innocent child expression, not good - appear superficial act. While An Yu & Yun Rui bounce their hair so much and their acting is in the minus, the peacock girl is a kill-joy & Yuan Shuang is boring. When LuSi said she won't do another school drama in the future (after Hidden Love) I hope she won't do another fantasy Xian Xia drama ever again. I hope she won't act this stupid in future dramas ever again, her beauty and talent gets her far enough without employing to act adolescence. The whole team is a disaster; Scrip writer, director, editor, music director awful (change swapping background music on the middle scenes) and choral symphony as background music (rather using their own OST)? bad CGI work, lack of creative ideas.

Ep 25 onward, ZLS starts to act better but have stiff neck and the story start to come into place, besides that production sadly hasn't change a bit (still lousy). If the production team would have shorten A Yin & Gu Jin and all combine vile efforts peacock clan/devil only to 10 episodes but more focus in developing characters of Feng Yin & Yuan Qi, this drama might have a better feedback. Highlight the reason on why and how Yuan Qi did for A Yin earlier instead of revealing it on ep 35 & 38 we might have better sense of the plots. Ep 1-24 is bad (I rate it 4) & ep 25-40 is better (I rate it 7). As the Devil King intends to try his tribulation to the mortal world, his coming down bring all chaos that need salvation. He shouldn't be ascendant gracing our life (just a thought...lol) but I hope Wang AnYu & Zhao LuSi will collaborate another drama in modern setting someday. I am more in love with their chemistry in the promotional photo shots/interview.

Read More

TOURISM PROMOTIONAL DRAMA

In my opinion, this drama was like a Tourism Promotional segment as that's the main story. Very slow and dragging, can fallen asleep watching it, Li Xian was the only one that has sparkle in his eyes - the rest of the actors were boring (Wait... Grandma Xie was sweet and cute) the OST slow too. Beautiful country site, rustic but colorful houses and interior, dilemma of villagers, relationship between people, personal hope and struggle of occupants. If we talk about living quiet and harmonious, this is it, don't expect something hilarious and jolt of character. Liu YiFei as usual delivered her dialog in soft whisper voice (turn up the volume) while Li Xian had smiles more than his other dramas which refreshing. Question: the fact that they had horse barn at the same location of residential/office, reality smell of horse dung is nothing to enjoy to. Lot of eating scenes but only saw them nibble little here and there, busy body aunties (I skipped these scenes), Mr. Ma was between flip his hair/doing tea ceremony & meditation (ugh...I skipped him too), a lot of self-reflection and self discovery on every characters (which means a lot of day dreaming, spacing out, talked within, back flashing memories...skipped!), nothing really jolly.

Xu Hong Dou (Liu YiFei), a hard working big-city woman, suddenly hit a bump in her life when her best friend fell ill from cancer and passed away. Distraught and unable to reconcile with her friend's death, Xu met difficulties in continuing her working life in the city. She decided to take a vacation in a China's rural village of Yun Miao, near Dali, in Yunnan Province – to break away from the distressing urban life and to find peace and quiet, she met Xie ZieYao, a president of every businesses in the area including the place she stayed in. As he tried to navigate the businesses, he proposed to Hong Duo to volunteer to improve hospitality service at where she stayed, with Grandma Xie persuasion she finally decided to help out till time for her to move on (3 months stay). Got better in ep 25 onward when the love started to bloom but still many skipping...

Well, I can understand why the Producer drag this drama so boring, how to develop scenes to more lively and interesting? For a simple synopsis drama, 40 episodes is too long stretch to be completed. If I knew better, I should have started this drama from ep 20 (better yet ep 24).

Read More

MULTIPLE ENDINGS

This drama is very entertaining, you'll get comedy and suspense love the soundtracks and OST every single one of them, I love Li YiTong & Liu YuNing in their characters, Wang You Shuo is great too. The director and script writer do good job, flowing story-lines. One thing I am not fond of is over the top head-pieces on Song Yi Meng (Li YiTong) hairdo; dangling gold hairpins overwhelms her, just wondering with her active-moving-self, how those dangling jewelries not getting caught of something. Her costumes aren't pretty, red tiny flowers glued to her robes - it looks cheap So in female costumes dept it isn't flattering. It's a story about pre-destined fate base on a drama script between Nang Heng and Song Yi Meng that none of them can get away with, something pulling their strings to do what fate drive them to without consent, an accidental trap on scripted fates.

LIU YU NING (Nan Heng 7th Prince/Li Shi Liu/Nan Feng)
I think this guy has remarkable expressive face. He can be looking cynical, shy, weep, emotional, prying, cruel, tempted within seconds (I can guess he's very sensitive in real life). His tall figure gives great posture wearing costumes for period drama, sense of powerful and dignify persona. He is good looking, has the charisma that bring out strong character and accomplishment better than any other actors. From King of OST to a good actor, he has filmed various characters. I can see his hard work through his many dramas....I can see he's learning his skill and perfecting it. Nothing but praises for him in this drama.. Character: His life hasn't been easy, since childhood he's been a 'sore' in his father's (Emperor) eyes & heart. He's been accused with so many terrible things; the killer of Empress, God of death, responsible of killing 20 thousands Ching-Yu Army, ambitious to be a Crown Prince, rumor to abdicate his father for kingdom, & deflowering Song Ying Ting . His father the Emperor hates & despise him, his stupid little brother 18th Prince team-up with Jr Gen Chu Gui Hong to get rid of him, he got beat up (punish) alot just because of a girl Song Yi Meng. He endures it with grinding teeth and pain in his sad heart. No one understand his true-self, a loaner who deals with negativity.

Li Yi Tong (Song Yi Meng/Song Xiao Yu)
She's pretty in here. Too much jewelries on her, oversize gowns so she drag it up, so distracting. she's a hyper-active that analyze her new life transformation as a modern girl trap in a script, her demeanor is free and unconventional. Although some scenes she acted sweet full of falseness, I think she did it to contradicting situation. She believes her life is pre-scripted such as being engaged to Jr Gen Chu Gui Hong since childhood, little sister Song Yi Ting would destroy her marriage, the end of her family's life in Nan Heng's hand, rebellion to take over kingdom, one-sided love Yi Meng has toward Nan Heng which would end up dead in 3-ways-stabbing scene. Believes she need to change pre-scripted scenes to avoid dying. Yi Meng encounter Li Shi Liu, a mysterious wanderer who rescue her many times - a masked Moonshade leader as her confident. She said many hurtful things about Nan Heng when recruiting Shi Liu to kill Nan Heng. Ep 25 she figure out that Nan Heng is actually Li Shi Liu and she's up-set about it, unforgiving for deceitful bastard Nan Heng. The anticipate wedding 3 ways-stabbing scene is delivered with beautiful act from Li Yi Tong on ep 32.

Wang You Shuo (Chu Gui Hong/Jr General)
Engaged with Song Yi Meng since childhood, he loves her too much, he stays faithful and looking forward for the union of marriage - just too bad YiMeng is involved with Nan Heng. He hates Nan Heng, he believes Nan Heng killed his aunt the Empress accidentally with a bow. He accused Nan Heng's refusal for reinforcement that cause the lost of his 20K Army soldiers he commanded and his father died in front of him. So much grudges in his heart he determine to take Nan Heng down by every means. Wang You Shuo handsome face can be soften in front of Yi Meng, his acting spots on as an angry abandoned-fiance. His teary eyes shines with coldness, ready to defy his ending. I feel his frustration and stubbornness as he angrily asking "why do I need to die just because Iam the 2nd ML?" He feels that what Nan Heng has done to him, he don't deserve to end well. Where is the fairness of that? He wants to become an Emperor, determine to rewrite his own fate. Win or die trying. I can understand his feeling. My bet is Wang You Shuo will get more offers for future projects.

There're 3 different version of endings. Watching 1st ending I was moved, shed tears, so sad! But then there's 2nd ending and 3rd ending, I was like.....'no way! Don't trick me to shed tears again.' The guy who plays Chu Qing Yu (Gui Hong's dad) is pretty good, matured evil in youthful energy - he has God syndrome for the screen-writer incarnation. I have invested my emotion into this drama but then....Nan Heng, Song Yi Meng, Chu Gui Hong are just characters within characters. Dang!!!

Read More

ENTANGLEMENT CHENG SHAOSHANG, LING BUYI, LUO YAO, YUAN SHANJIAN

Ep 1-5 were nothing but petty family disputes and issues, visualizing Cheng ShaoShang (Zhao LuSi) was being verbally abused and abandoned by 2nd aunt and grandmother, the arrival of parent after 15 years absent from her life for defending border and wars. Her mom learned her attitudes and personality but rather determined to discipline her like one of her soldier than as a daughter because mom thought CSS was lazy, unruly, uneducated, no manner, liar that caused CSS lost her respect and love toward her own mother. Her mother looked her down, disqualified, belittle her in many way unimaginable. There're a lot funny dialog/scenes, beautiful setting, great background music, awesome costume and natural make up. Let me introduce each episodes that pulling my interest why I love with this drama so much.

Episode 6: When CSS went to the light festival and turned 3 men fallen in love with her on the first sight. 3 different way that started this drama more twists and turns. Luo Yao, accident meeting in the crowd when he was there with his childhood fiancee, He's amazed by her wittiness, beauty and cleverness. Yuan ShanJian/Yuan Shan fall in love by surprise and admiration as CSS had cleverly solved his riddle fast, he saw a beautiful young intelligent girl that didn't care so much about his famous charms. Ling BuYi a tough General that fall in love at first sight by only her delicate hand as he then saw how remarkably beautiful girl he's been noticing to. Burning building on blazing fire made scene so beautiful with fire sparks all over the air...adding remarkable dangerous situation into romantic background. The setting was beautiful, the camera has taken great angles, the scenes were perfect.

Episode 10: Fallen Bridge scene. I love this scene where LBY and CSS colluded for a grand hilarious scheme, a well thought scheme to get revenge to mean girls, the best part was they facilitate the device but suggestion came from different girl so the blame wouldn't point out to CSS or Wan Family, only LY (witness) and Grandma Wan (deduce) know exactly the culprit. Orchestra as background music, the fake laugh between LBY/YS, in slow motion the overexcited girls were waving hand and running toward the bridge , counting down San-Er-Yi and closed her eyes to savor the sweet revenge, smiled mischievously then laugh like she had a funny secret, joyous skip and little dance, after the mean girls fallen to the water- the guys that they've been parading on weren't even slightly care - and the adults shocked of the turn of event. It's hilarious and smart, I could feel CSS's brilliant witty and naughtiness. The best revenge ever...

Episode 12: CSS pulled arrow on LBY. This scene was full of beautiful sensual intensity and physical naked vulnerability closeness between love and pain, full of heart warming and mesmerism of tender love, seductive, passionate in LBY's glances - we all can feel his pouring of love and passion. Soft voice spoken in gratitude, encouragement, a distraction from his throbbing pain.........all in one of LBY best scene. While CSS wasn't sure, her concern face knocked all LBY self control, he laid down his already admiration heart - pouring all he could to express his affection and trust to the young lady in front of him. As we audience watched the scene, quiet stillness - hold our breath as the intensity persisted. Amazing scene...

Episode 18: Decree for Chang ShaoShang. A decree given by His Majesty Emperor bestowed to CSS during her engagement to Luo Yao, a way of Ling BuYi elevated her status in the eye of 1st branch of Luo Family. The magnetism of the scene was when CSS fallen into LBY arms as she tried to stand up, they looked each other; her bewilderment and his desperate longing. Then, LBY pursued to meet her alone in private, last attempt to see the last of her, he then realized that he had no chance with her.

Episode 25: Scene where YuanShan provoked LBY about his engagement with CSS, both men back forth argued in dignify politeness; a mix of threats, snarky, sinister comment about CSS. YS stated unbelievably untrustworthy CSS while LBY praised his luck marrying her, LY said 'CSS is the best girl of whole country'....YS said 'shut up' while LBY said 'Of course' at same time to LY. I could sense the jealousy in YS, protectiveness in LBY, while LY sensed awkwardness in whole situation. I think the only one that wasn't afraid of LBY was Yuan Shan. He wasn't afraid to provoke, refute, argue, confront, even threaten him. It added the flavor of insecurity in edgy way...

Ended in ep 27 and continues to next episodes soon after...huray! Niao Niao's relationship to Luo Yao was a childish sweetheart, Niao Niao's to Ling BuYi was all passionate intensity, while with Yuan Shan was a bickering competitive partner. Wu Lei voice intonation and pronunciation was perfect; passionate, soft, clear, and precise. He didn't rush it, overly dramatic, slurry or plain. He put word by word with soul on connotation, every single syllable we can hear his emotion. Knowing He's passionately in love was when he converse close up with CSS - he'd looked at her lip, longing in his eyes, desperation and always found a way to get closer, adding it with his acting, music background, impression, he could even win an Oscar.

Read More

Neo Hou is a handsome man...very gorgeous but he did a lot of 'space out' acting style. I think the drama was okey....kind of different from typical C-dramas but when character Shi Fei Xian came to the picture - it became so predictable. Ban Hua (Gabrielle Guan) was loved and spoiled by her family, her temperament and behavior wasn't acceptable as a noble girl at that time period but got a way a lot. Had engagement to 4 men but so unlucky enough to end up marrying to none of them. She had many dreams predicting the down-fall of herself and family. She figured how to avoid the disaster of falling-out in Royal family, being a cousin of royal family and a beloved niece of Emperor she had the freedom of princess around the palace.

Ban Hua was the most popular and beautiful Nobel lady while Scholar Rong Xia (Neo Hou) was the most handsome intelligent court First Gentleman that all girls dream to have him candidate for a husband, one of admirer was spiteful Shi Fei Xia which she created havoc in jealousy and bitterness after rejection from scholar Ron Xia. So, this is this the story about, Shi Fei Xia and a prince were collaborated to ruin blossom couple Rong Xia & Ban Hua in every way as well as taking away the reign.

I think somebody need to tell directors and ators not to act like 'gazing mindlessly' to the surrounding because I saw too much of it in C-drama. Act 'thoughtful' is more appropriate than just 'space-out gazing'....ask Mark Chao...he's good at acting 'thoughtful'. Yes, I finished the drama just to know how they ended the story. It's an okey, could be better though.

Read More

AWARD WORTHY - BRAVO FOR WU LEI & ZHAO LUSI

I would nominate this drama for the best drama of 2022 and probably all time. Hoping all the crews get the awards and appreciation they deserve. Perfect music, directing, camera angles, screen writer, make up/costumes, editing, setting and lighting, main or supporting actors. Wu Lei & Zhao LuSi raised the bar of acting, comparing with other dramas - I can't find anyone more brilliant than these 2 young actors - they'll have most promising future as long as they'd find the good team in the industry - Chinese acting school should have this drama in their curriculum because of the epic scenes and actors should take this as their standard of good acting. There're cute, funny, romantic, beautiful scenes in every episodes that passed quickly. Let me breakdown the most remarkable scene of season 2 that I think Wu Lei and Zhao LuSi deserve some awards.

Ep 29 You're the brightest star in my eyes. A romantic kissing scene that sent thousand butterfly to weak hearts, but that wasn't kissing part that so memorable to me. It's editing part, when Ling BuYi kissed and PAUSED.....5 seconds paused that's stop the moment of love and blooming beautiful romance - not to mention the music to set the mood.

Ep 39 Beating 100 strokes. LBY intention to be willingly beaten up 100 strokes was to understand CSS true feeling while the Emperor tried to give CSS a life lesson. CSS appeared to be scared and mortified to witness the beating of love ones, the urgency of her voice under the snowing blizzard. That's not what make this scene memorable but the comedic side of otherwise horrible beating scene, the Emperor with his two wives arguing and his eagerness to see love declaration from CSS, or the 3rd Prince who miscounting the strokes purposely. The best acting in here was the supporting actors like Emperor, 3rd Prince, 2 queens, or even the executioner soldiers, they're remarkably firing up the atmosphere of heart-broken begging and cries from CSS. The other was the camera took such great angle and music to add some flares but yes it was sad but also funny....unexpected chuckle f, that's the best of this episode.

Ep 48 Revenge scene. While CSS predicted what LBY's going to do in the night of rehearsal two days before their wedding day. When LBY had no other choice but to murder Ling Yi the killer of his father Huo Chong and Huo Clan. He had to keep the secret of his real identity for 15 years before finally taking avenge after the death of his aunt (mom). The scene was brutal bloody violence but the director left it to our own imagination, with closing door shadowy flying fallen figures, blood spreading all to windows, dead bodies piled up high aftermath, background orchestra gave the unforgettable epic scene. Aftermath, LBY laughed hysterically between relieved and reality set in and CSS witnessing what he's done. Fallen tears she questioned 'why?'

Ep 49 Fallen down the mountain. CSS came to rescue LBY, galloping fast braving arrows but cornered at the end of cliff. With her red wedding gown, messy hair blowing amidst snow flakes, pale lips, scare and determination wet eyes, LBY decided to throw himself down the mountain after saying goodbye. Horrific scare of CSS realizing LBY flew down leaving her, screaming calling his name in desperation and fainted in mental shock. The best of this was the setting and ZLS acting..

One thing that I don't like about Chang ShaoShang character was she meddling into Palace's politics, she's being 15 inexperience new comer in the palace, she's taking side to none of her business just because she'd like certain person. For a girl that wanted to be care free and outspoken, Ling BuYi was the one who always clean her mess, came to her rescue, defending and protecting, so much patience and fully compromise to her. It beat the purpose of demanding free will but showing stubbornness spoil naive clueless impudent burden she was, when making mistake she'd blame it to someone or circumstantial. As she apologized endlessly, she'd do the same recklessness the next breath.....so disappointed of her. As she became the most powerful influencer....she could talk/argue over her elders (including Emperor) and she could charm her way to the most powerful people in the palace. ep 34 didn't sit well with me, with their influence, Emperor and 2 queens had to resolve their disputes over engagement and resolved somebody thrown in jail or temple. Besides all these, ShaoShang was pretty cute, determine, smart, kind, lovable, and straight forward. I could imagined the happiness for both LBY/CSS union. Personal opinion, I'd rather have her married Yuan ShanJian, they had the same temperamental.

Read More

ENTERTAINING, LIGHT FAMILY DRAMA

I love this drama. It's entertaining light family drama, like on the title it's hilarious and warm fuzzy story. It isn't complicated, budged friendly, flowing story, but definitely bring out the best of each characters into the screen. Every actors did awesome job in their characters, the director seems to know how to create humorous scenes without overdo it. Only 24 episodes suitable for laugh at the end of our stressful day. The Story is about Du Ru Yu has been a widowed single mother for the past 18 years, raising four daughters with very different personalities. She's tough on the outside but soft-hearted on the inside, constantly worrying about her daughters' marriages.

Liu Lin as Du Ru Yu/mom
An ex-tofu seller moved in to JiangLin town for better chance for her daughters to find husbands. A mother who tries to stay afloat in managing daughters who's different personalities and interests. After moving to Jiang Lin, she enthusiastically engages with matchmakers and participates in blind dates. Dealing with troublesome daughters, potential suitors who are still pending, and infatuated pursuers like Guo Zhen Sheng (Yang Hao Yu), a doctor and pharmacist (Ban Xia's teacher), loved Ru Yu and willing to share 90-10% profit from his pharmacy as long he allowed to live with her (and family) in which RuYu treated him badly.

Han Yun Yun as Chun Jin Rong/Oldest daughter
29 and 18 months yo, single and love luxury life, lazy, looking for prospect marrying a wealthy husband. Mom was trying to get her married but after a few attempt she remains single. Here came Shi Zi (Chang Long), a young Lord that had no intention nor interest whatsoever intertwined with her. Shi Zi mistakenly thought that Chun Jin Rong was the object of affection for the Fourth Prince and tried to form an alliance with her, which leading Chun Jin Rong to mistakenly believed that the Shi Zi like her. Of course, Jin Rong encouraged him just because he's single and the son of rich official. Unfortunately, Shi Zi's father against Jin Rong because of different social standing.

Jackie Li as Chun Pei Lan/2nd oldest
She loved to take care of her family, kind, frugal, very domestic, filial. She brought in Lu Bu Ping (Ren Hao) into her household, because he helped knock out the gang leader. However, he mistakenly thought he has killed someone and forced to work as a low-level servant in the Chun family. This poor guy worked so hard, not getting pay, just to be allowed a shelter and meals. Her family treated him as a servant, only on ep 13 revealed he's the son of the martial arts alliance leader. He learned from most amazing Stewart Xiu to appease Mrs. Chun's house-warming party.

Wu Jia Yi as Chun Ban Xia/3rd daughter
She's the smartest one in the family, very knowledgeable and learned to be a doctor from Guo Zhen Sheng, kind non-sense personality. She got to know a strong-willed Shen Wang Yan, a 3rd rank graduated scholar who came to the household in thinking the house was still belong to Sheng family for him to give tutorial. She didn't trust him, her opinion of him was very low while Wan Yan teased her mercilessly.

Li Jia Qi as Chun Ke Ling/youngest daughter
Tomboy, interested in martial art, lively, willful, and enjoys helping the weak while opposing the strong, often absent from home. the leader of Jianglin youth gang which only had 3 members. Accidentally she met 4th Prince (Gu ZiCheng) as he called himself A-Si, no one know he's the best candidate for Crown Prince, but he's very naive and innocent. He moved in to Shi Zi's mansion just to persuading KeLing and learned how commoners live.

Why I like this drama because there're instances that we Asians can relate to, family values that we cherish. I can see that the daughters are getting their suitable choice of good men and they'll end well.

Read More

JIN YONG NOVEL SERIES

First 4th episodes were so great, amazing fighting choreography, great setting, realistic personas, minimum make up, reminded me so much of Hongkong Cinematography. But then Female lead came out and she's so roboty and plainly blah, I dropped it. Liang Ji (FL) was so bad, she needs to take up more acting classes; expressionless, aunty face, iron posture, weird hairdo. As recommended from a friend, decided to continue watch it again. Glad I did, it turned out this drama worth to watch. Like other Jin Yong's books, all full of action and dynamic from martial art world. Some Kungfu masters who had strong characters,
ambition to win the world of truest hero(s), reproachable unconditional love. I love JIn Yong, I grew up reading his novels, proficient with his style of background and characteristic of his characters and story. I can feel his style was being manifested visually into an action drama but pretty sure the girls didn't hold up the candle.

There are many veteran actors supporting this drama, setting on early Qing Dynasty on 18th century (about 1776) backdrops - the costume and hairstyle were very distinguished which in my opinion is the worst costume in Chinese dynasties, Imperial strategy to weaken the Martial Art world by manipulating heroes to kill each other, planting misunderstanding and hatred to their amidst, promoting fighting competition to be named number 1 hero in the world as the imperialism strive to becoming stronger. The story line was based on overly ambitious men of power, fame and greed. The complication of love interest that were not reciprocal for reasons...

For I think this one is one of the best fighting choreography. Realistic setting, costumes and make up, great soundtracks. Although there wasn't a happy ending, no expectation of marriage or kissing scene - it just straight men's competition of Martial Art World with so many coincident, luck, sorrow, greed, ambition, manipulation, or even downfall. Plain ending..

Read More

I always like Liu Yu Ning, recently he has great dramas that impressible but as it progress might not as good as I thought it would be (like the Pearl Girl with Zhao LuSi). Enough suspense, character development is very poise, story flows very smoothly, everybody seems to know how to act and what their character should be. It's the story of Xiao Qiao Man, a clever girl from the Qiao family, marries Wei Shao, the sharp and kind master of the Wei family, as part of a family alliance. Wei family has hatred for the last 14 years as Qiao family betrayed Wei and their brotherhood, with option to create peace in two powerful families, they're agree to form marriage alliance. The title of this drama is fitting with the synopsis; they both prisoners of each other. As a wife Xiao Qiao is restricted and she's under surveillance because of her birth name, trust must be earned. Wei Shao is captivated by her beauty, a prisoner in domesticate way.

The two started with distrust, wary but they know their marriage will eventually happen. Wei Shao would rather get rid of her than marrying her that bring out the saddest memory of losing his grandfather, father, & brother. Liu Yu Ning has great posture with power and charisma, looking real good with his costumes, he has preserved face expression. I love the ep 1 when he open curtain to see ManMan (Song Zu'Er) for the first time, he has that little jolt on his eyes indicating he surprise seeing her beautiful face. Liu Yu Ning is great on that. Song Zu'Er also has young cute voice, beautiful make up. She came toward to her grandfather, give an approval of marriage arrangement with Wei by blinking her eyes as signal. I think she did well.

As episode progress, it's too much of PDA for me. I am okey with little romance but not too much of it. I am kind of pull back with so much 'wooing' or 'bonding' or 'courting' the love interest. Ep 15 on ward slows me down, start tiring me with all loving scenes, they spent too much air-time in romance & domestic scenes. I think her cousin Da QIao Fan (He Hong Shan) has great acting on ep 30 when she refused to lend her husband's soldiers to help Wei Shao because she presumed it's a hopeless war she didn't want to lose a husband General. No longer loving cousins they were after that. This drama has postpone it's airing by few years because of Song Zu'Er tax scandal so it just suddenly premier. I like her, she has 2 dramas back to back, she also did good with Allen Ren in the Demon Hunter's Romance' too. One thing though, she cute but can't dance can't do fighting scenes....she's stiff like wood.

Read More

NOT SO MUCH

Let me review things that aren't appeal to me:

Zhao Jin Mai (Li Rong/Rong Rong)
She's soft spoken, almost whisper, hard to hear what she said (I have to turn up the volume). She sighed a lot in every scenes regardless she's frustrated, sad, thinking, confuse, happy she'd take a deep breath and sighed. She can't dance unfortunately, She's beautiful, she shed tears few times but not feeling the sadness.....she smiled but didn't feel her happiness...she's just there recite her dialog without putting her heart out. I think Cheng Guo (Shangguan Ya) has better acting than Jin Mai.

Things I am not fond of
Too much taking about love & feeling on & on about it, about palace intrigues, little action, Harem women instigated for power struggles (like Empress, Consort Ning, Consort Rou). I think this plot is overly used by c-drama. How many times have we seen this kind of plot in previous dramas? Feel bad for the Emperor, the most powerful man but surrounded by manipulative people and the family who close to him wishes him dead.

What I like about this drama:

Good looking casts, gorgeous costumes, beautiful setting. The acting is good especially Zhang Ling He (Pei Wen Xuan), Chen He Yi (Su Rong Qing/Minister of Justice}, Wei Zi Xin (Tong Ye /Wen Xuan's attendant) I like him - his acting isn't forced.

The story is complicated, last 4 episodes started to reveal as to why how when who. I can't tell who's the heroes or perpetrators. They have sound reasoning, it's all started when Su RongHua fallen in love with Shangguan. Ya, three main characters reborn to their perspective life to young beginning of their life journey, avoiding last life miserable mistakes they vowed to change their 2nd life to support the good cause.

Read More

Adaptation from Love in the Moonlight

This drama is Chinese version of Park BoGum K-drama "Love in the Moonlight' which was a good original drama. When I first knew this drama from promotional preview and thinking this might be as good like 'LitM'. Not so much comedy as I first thought. Ash Zhu did good for an emperor; confident, smart, manipulative, secretive, tried to prove himself as a worthy emperor instead of being a puppet for dowager Empress. Fu Wei Lun, Tang Xiao Fan need acting class badly, I think they butchered the characters. The end of story didn't sit well for me, why..oh why...three pairs of brides/grooms met and rode horses together on the beach? Didn't symbolize of anything besides identifying who married to whom. But I like the relationship between Ma Meng Wei and Ash Zhu. I like best was Meng Wei's mom...I think she's a better actress than any actresses in this drama. The adaptation didn't do as well as Korean counterpart, disappointing and cheap.

Read More

No More Peter Sheng please..

Have never seen Dilraba with such an ugly face, talkative, uneducated but kind (she did pretty good). Peter Sheng was so badly out of character - he couldn't barely act. Intonation of his voice were so monotone and robotic, acting wooden, smile forced, expression zero. I know he supposedly a cold and reserve man but (this is the big trick) lesson 1: some real cold/reserve person usually have expressive eyes - and this guy had none but blank stare like trying hard to remembering dialog, Lesson 2: learn from Mark Chao or Shawn Qu or Wang Duo or take another acting class again. That's prove something, relay on a pretty face isn't guarantee the man doing a good job.

I think Dilraba tried to cover his flaws by doing more in acting (looks more like over acting). The rest of casts (supporting actors) were actually pretty awesome. The star of this drama was Zhang Bin Bin, a free spirit editor who liked Li Hui Zhen the way she was without question. The story line isn't bad, has potential that need more collaboration from the MLs, the ending is pretty pathetic in which supposedly a happy ending, a picture of happy couple with a child walking hand in hand lovingly at the park. What appeared was a overly chatty wife dragging hand of stern husband behind their daughter.

Good thing is Dilraba not her-beautiful-self, acting it out of her usual character that's kind of overplay it, as we can see that she's capable doing other acting that's not typically her genre. Although not a good drama, appreciation doing her best is noticed. I rated 3 all for Peter Sheng...he didn't give his best shot while the rest of crews run their best efforts.

Read More

A GREAT SHORT DRAMA

Only 12 episodes all together. A realistic set up, less make-up and none beautification (great!), great flowing story, good acting for every actors. Setting in the 37th year of the Wan Li Time of the Ming Administration, there were progressive homicides in the region seat of Jiangnan District. The personalities of the dead were unique and inconsequential to one another but they had similarity; intention, message left in the dead bodies, all pointing to the fire burning accident to Lu family 20 years earlier. As a apprentice Qu San Geng (Bai YuFan) of his dead teacher Captain Leng, he was a bailiff who try to decoding the murder mystery of his teacher and other unrelated victims. With the help of his friends Gao Shi Cong (Liu YiTong), Feng Ke Zhui (Zhang Hao Wei), Leng Gui Er (Julia Xiang) Captain Leng's only daughter. They uncovered (figuratively) worm-box of 20 years old secret; one clue and one witness at a time, victim's dark pasts, the connection of victims to each other. Song Chen (Ning Li) was an upright well-respected official who became Qu SanGeng mentor, He's the County Judge who appointed by the Emperor because of the error judgement when he was much younger, so much tortures for wrong conviction, experience injustices, he became disable - his mind though still as bright as his younger-self, he's now uphold justice for other people.

Background of the crime
The sad story about 3 teenager best friends, because of the greed and anger 20 years ago that cause destructive motivation. Unlikely best friend were young Lu Zhi, Xiao Bao, Lu Bu Yao came from different social status background; Lu Zhi was the servant of Lu family, Lu Bu Yao was his young master, Xiao Bao was attendant for a brothel. The Lu elder humiliated and punished Lu Zhi that drove him to seek revenge and gained some money with the encouragement from Mr. Zhong the steward, with the help of other 4 helpers they killed the whole Lu family with poison and burned down the house. Lu Zhi as adopted son Of Lu elder claimed the wealth of Lu family and divided between them. After stay away and low, they came back to town as rich merchants and respected by people in town. Recently, they've been murdered of those individuals connected with devastating fire. Captain Leng, murdered for involvement in cold-closed case. Lin Si Niang murdered for where was all started, Dr. Cheng murdered for fake prescription poison all Lu's, Wang Chen the gambler murdered for killing the mother Lu and Lu baby girl, other 3 victims related to the accident. Although Qu SanGeng knew the identity of the culprits, he made the choice to pick one of 2 devious killers to take on his revenge .

The setting was same location as 'Under Microscope' or 'Pledge of Allegiance' so for those who love those 2 dramas, we're getting the same vibes - same genre with different plots.

Read More