Xtinew

COMPLICATED LOVE STORY BY DESIGN

Complicated love story by design. King's mother was a very ambitious highly-motivated woman which would use all means to get what she wanted, including ordered Chief Shaman to deliver black magic blow to kill the young future queen of Crown Prince as they both young in love (13 & 15), she's heavily medicated to presumably died. As she awoken inside the coffin, traumatized by the experience she lost memory and recruited as a human mullet for the young King (her husband). The King recognized her but she didn't remember at all, she thought what she sees from King's memory was visions of her being a shaman or human mullet but all what she saw was their memory 8 years ago when both were together. Meanwhile King' step brother loved the same woman, wanted to take her away from the politic in the palace and be with her. The strong rivalry between brothers, not just regarding love but also throne and influences as many officials interested in him to abdicate the King. As they both brotherly love, character wise were totally different, one is the king who's dedicated and observant, the older brother was easy going and pleasant in which he have no ambition to take part of politics or royal life.

After the death of young Crown Princess, Crown Prince forced to marry the Prime Minister's daughter - the favorite choice of girl to become their future queen which related to King's mother. He's not interested in her, only despise and contempt he delivered to his bride. After 8 years of marriage, the Crown Prince became the King, she became the unhappy Queen. She tried with all mighty to get the husband to love her, pay attention to her, and sleep with her. None worked! Because the reason of pending consummation is King's illness - they brought back in Chief Shaman from isolation to the palace. The official kidnapped Shaman's successor as a human mullet to pick bad/ill vibes from the King while he's sleeping soundlessly. The Queen was a pathetic woman, sole focus was only her neglectful husband who she cried, begged, whined, pleaded, hurt just to get little solace. The King believed that she's the main reason on why his first love/young queen died, he hated her father the prime minister and won't give an opportunity for his grandmother the Dowager Regent grandmother more political influences (maternal political family). Their marriage is the sad one, the queen became paranoia and hateful. Her beautiful smile and face was strain with sadness and tearful hopelessness.

While finally the young rightful bride back to the King's life after so much terrible struggles and issues, they maintained a secret union in the closed room as he still the husband of the queen and keeping the secret of her existence from his officials and her broken-heart family. The King's little sister took part of her dying, in agreement with their grandmother to marry as she's deeply in love with Crown Princess's beautiful brother (Crown Prince's tutor) - she married the man of her dream but subconsciously sadden and guilt by her part of killing in seeing the sadness and broken of her in-laws. Yeah, all got tangle up. Lots of crying, anger and frustration over love story drama. The young King that has to fight his own family; overly ambitious grand mother, greedy/power hungry father in-law, unwanted wife the queen, step brother (over same woman), little sister who betrayed him for a man, as well of corrupted officials. Not in happy situation he was in....but end in happy reunion and he got the love and family he's been longing far too long.

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FAIL BUT DETERMINE

Reset was a great episodes of failure, start all over full of plans and determination with the cost of repetitive death from hard trying with doubts or half-baked plans that had to be reprogrammed and relearned the scenarios to get full extend of success which was to change the destiny of everyone else on the bus. The accident happened in about 20 times over before they got it right and fulled in motion. It's great drama with so much sadness and anger, reality of situation, self doubt, costly failures, and determination.
Bai Jing Ting (Xiao He Yun) and Zhao Jin Mai (Li Shi Qing) were amazing in here, Jing Ting who usually taking 'physical' role in other dramas - here he was kind of a geek who would rather save his own life than thinking about other passengers, only with the pressure from Shi Qing (Jin Mai) he'd do what she told him to do. Kind of different role which out of his usual box. Jin Mai was the hero of this drama, a young collage student who determined to change their fate against the past by recruiting He Yun, Lu Di and Polices. Her half-baked plan costed her death few times over until they got it right by planning to catch the bomber and complicit. When the time wasn't right to execute the plan, they reset and started over while He Yun got weaker by next trying.

Liu Yi Jun (Zhang Cheng) was also amazing here, he usually took in a 'bad guy' role but here he's a Head Detective investigate 2 young people who had 'weird' connecting of bus bombing, who his gut tells him that these 2 young people might not appear as what they said they were...who mingled the whole police dept into a mess of never ending time loops. All characters were terrific and the end everyone had their own happy ending...love their ending. The best part was everyone very much like their own selves. Watch it....I fully recommend it.

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Reunion for most of the actors

I love Vic Chou in here, he's older than Diraba but I think he appropriately cast since he supposedly an old man that been waiting for reincarnation of his beloved for many many years. For being a feminine male, he acted really beautifully, I can see his lip gives small smile and eye soften with hidden desperation. His luxurious hair fallen on his back just gives impression this man care for himself, secretly waiting for his beloved to mature and come out as a girl replicating her mother - the woman he's in love and want to be with forever. The patient he has to wait, wooing a girl who's in love with another guy, be there for her, all done he's doing it with maturity (not stupidity) of a mature man. The make up done well for him.

Yes, got twist of story here and there about misunderstanding Ru Ge and Zhan Feng, as well as intrigue to gain leadership and power in Flame's Lie Huo manor. One thing I don't like most of this drama most the actor was from '10 miles of peach blossom' so the actors were play different roles that contradicted to their previous roles in 10 miles PB such Zhang Bin Bin character married his sister in 10 miles PB or Yu Zi Han (Liu RuiLin) was so in love to Ru Ge, Lai Yi who's the bad guy, to name a few that picked to different roles from the same production company. Like they decided put these actors together again after famous collaboration of 10Miles Peach Blossom & Three Lives Three Worlds, the Pillow Book. Besides Vic Chao, this is just another lazy coordination of 'apple picks' actors.

Not a big fan of Dilraba, she's beautiful indeed, but I think Dilraba and Vin Zhang need to improve their acting - not the same old them again because we've seen their style of acting in 10 miles PB and not different at all. All compliments here are just basically for Vic Chao. The best of this drama was the soundtrack songs, Jason Zhang has a beautiful song, it's my favorite list.

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DIVINE PAINTER, MY FOOT.

It was interesting at the beginning of drama, like can't wait for the next episode, but as it progress...it became so unbearable. I finished the drama as I've already invested my time into this, water filler. The FL is so bad; fake panting..fake surprise..fake cry, she's not good at all in this drama. The line of story for being a divine painter is ridiculous, her father - the original divine painter went crazy for being a divine painter and all her elders worry she might get craze when she inherit the talent. She won the competition and appointed to repair the painting of the old king that hold the spirit of Ma Wang. But damn Ma Wang doesn't highlight as main antagonist because it's in the body of Male Lead. Screw that, we want to sympathy the Male Lead for being blind, kind, handsome, scholarly but he's the bad guy conspicuously as Ma Wang insipid his body. The problem is Ma Wang is nothing but bad spirit in the body of a good man - can't really fight it and here comes all the magic scenes unbelievably shitty. No one can fight the strong spirit of Ma Wang physically or using magic...but (this is why so boring) the weak hysterical divine painter and her dead (crazy) father and another spirits defeated Ma Wang back in to the painting!

The scenes talk about sickly Crown Prince but he isn't in the picture; the King, 1 ambitious prince, 1 kind prince, shamans, bunches of painters. So, there isn't glorious victory or even fulfillment defeating the enemy...none of those. Male Lead is good for being blind...he's alright. The love story is predictable - fallen in love when they both so young, reconcile when they both grow up with different status in social standing, they both recognize each other and renew the relationship. Besides all the rant, it has a good ending, and that's resolve it all. The best part is the OST, love to listen to it over.

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CROWN PRICE ALWAYS GET THE GIRL

I don't like the story line, in my opinion, it's stupid and dragging. A man with status of King couldn't get over the dead wife was the most idiot, not to mention he couldn't function to do his responsibilities and job as a King because of matter of heart. I want to slap his face and shout 'get hold of yourself.' It's fine when assuming the wife might get murdered and looking who's the culprit, it's ok to mourn the beloved wife and kept her in memory, it's personal choice if he wanted a Shaman to reach death world. I just couldn't understand the dragging of story to nowhere..on and on for harboring feeling after 7 years sorrow. Someone needs to tell him to 'get a grip' and give him some reality check. Well....looking forward for better story in future episodes.

The plot that I like was the 2nd ML was legally engaged 7 years before the ban edict. They had mutual feeling of their marriage arrangement and their relationship as friends were blooming after the fact. While the King was muddle-head over a dead woman...and any matters about Kingdom was ignored...only about tiring feeling and sadness. The dead queen was a boring woman too...both actors had weepy expression on their faces, teary eyes with glossy make up (BOTH OF THEM). You know what they said about Crown Prince has always get the girl. No matter 2nd ML engaged to the girl, she picked the Crown Prince instead of him - a humble minister's son but not too worry - Crown Prince's sister choose him (convenience wasn't it) well....

There's similar drama 'Blooming Youth' on air that has the exact plots. Not hoping to finish the series.

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XIAO ZHAN IS NOT GUO JING

STORY
As adapted from classic book "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" this movie doesn't bring the original story that we remember, most of scenes hand-picked based on theme not mirroring the original book. The main is to get it colossal, going big exaggeration scenes about war which definitely missing important elements to get where the story end to. Hate to see it twisted and missing all the important details. With focusing on Genghis Khan, the Mongol army marched westward to defeat the Jin dynasty and then planned to head south to eliminate the Song dynasty. Skilled martial artists from various schools of the Central Plains were involved in the fierce battles - this is far from the book - Jin dynasty is the traitor from ambition and greed of Guo Jing's sworn brother Yang Kang and his step-father Jin Prince Wanyan Hong Li but without mentioning these traitorous characters - the script writer(s) made up story connection to fill the gap or tie the dots and unfortunately it fails to grasp the beauty of whole concept of the book 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' as to why this is such a beloved classic. But I kind of understand too, with so many adaption/version of this novel into dramas/movies since 1958, the Team wants to focus it from different angle - so different than previous productions but I feel like they fail to capture it's manifestation.

ACTING
For sure Xiao Zhan isn't Guo Jing. Guo Jing is a bit retard, naive, innocent, slow, big boyish strong young man. Guo Jing isn't a handsome youngster unlike Xiao Zhan, his honesty and loyalty that pull Huang Rong heart. The previous drama The Legend of Heroes 'Hot Blooded' actors are more similar features (Ci Sha as Guo Jing) in the book. Guo Jing doesn't have commanding present of him, he follows what Huang Rong says because she's the genius one while Guo Jing is the physical force/brawny. Although Xiao Zhan doesn't have much of make-up on, he lives by his reputation 'pretty boy' so we can't see Guo Jing in him. Xiao Zhan leads all men in the country as man-perfection but Guo Jing is just a down to earth man - in some scenes Xiao Zhan is being male-idol Xiao Zhan not slow-Guo Jing. I think that's the mistake. The girl playing Huang Rong is alright, I like the hairdo and make up - pretty basic and minimal. It's good....don't need super neat hair and flawless make-up where they're at Gobi desert.

OVERALL
It hits and miss. The producer forget important part to be colossal movie, skipping early chapters to straight to the end chapter of the book, a colossal without (or little) beginning. Its bigger but not better. Not a good movie, scale 5 is generous.

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ONE MAN SHOW ZHAO LUSI

This is the worst drama Zhao LuSi has been in (even worst than Please Feel at Ease Mr Ling). Other actors did not do well, even Wu Gang did not shine his character through collaborating with LuSi, she's annoyingly overpowered the rest of the actors - like she's hyper - overacting - overly dramatic of characteristic, loud (appeared disrespectful to the elders) not in good way. The rest of actors were gloomily out of sort, serious, criticized Sun Tuo Tuo all the way, no interesting wordplay, no ingenuity.

Story was promising, I was curious about the science behind Chinese traditional medicine, what can we learn from such remarkable well-kept traditional healing methods. Unfortunately, the screen writer focused on remedy using human urine and animal dungs, wth. Health consultation was more common as anyone can give same advise to a friend. Remedy for poisonous snake bite? Lets's drink concoction instead bringing him to ER. Last stage of cancer? Healed (where there wasn't cure recorded medically) plots were credulous, being such a young age LuSi was already a senior (patriarchal system) which pathetic when uneducated, untrained, nonprofessional high school graduated forced to study medicine for someone else's ambition. For real though, even a medical genius doctor can't really treat patients without years of experiences and well conduct. While there're Pediatrician, doctors, lawyer Phd, those apprentice with medical degree background, as students. Funny too, a medical degree doctor couldn't find a job and working part time as masseur. A lawyer who suddenly inspired to learn medicine just because someone died beyond her ability. Giving praise testament how wonderful Prof Ren as a healer...such a BS. I felt like this drama had preaching vibes, superior above other mortals, giving high-horses attitude toward inferior minions. What's wrong with Sun Tuo Tuo always ready to took in the falls? Screen writer was a disaster, fire her.

LuSi has been partnered with most gorgeous and talented men in the industry; Yang Yang, Wu Lei, Neo Hou, Ryan Ding, Liu YuNing, Xiao Zhan, Then here he came Luo YiZhao where LuSi had to settle with a co-star that has (let me say it in a nice way) sparse promise of bright casting. He had a chance to prove his talent/acting skill in this drama but unfortunately he's not compatible with LuSi. Wu Gang is a veteran great actor, more suitable with antagonist role than light drama. With his tight lip, sharp and cold gazes, serious face, frowning, stern voice, forced smile, he went flat in this drama. LuSi couldn't lighten his serious personality with her overly cheerful and carefree demeanor, Wu Gang was like snuffing out of LuSi's exuberant. Not to mention Jiang Shan (Song Ling Lan) she's patronizing, criticizing, looking down people.

The last 2 episodes was pointless, nothing but discussion of old love bird Song Ling Lan and Ren Xi Zheng, clarifying their misunderstanding and forgiveness. It's cleared that Sun Tuo Tuo wasn't exactly Prof Ren's daughter but rather a perspective daughter in law. I would rather have them a tragic end rejection by Sun Tuo Tuo to accept inter-changing status with Ren family; student, inheritor, biological daughter, prospective daughter in law. But maybe Tuo Tuo think she hit the jackpot by integrating to Ren family since she's an orphan. Zhao LuSi did one man show, the rest of actors were not even worth mentioning. Disappointed, not a good drama, not good plots, not good castings.

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BELOW EXPECTATION

With 8.6 overall score, I expect this drama is beyond good but surprisingly it went flat, boring, nonsensical, irrational, unbelievable, beat around the bushes. He's a doom, every action he takes cost doom in someone's life and she's a a working editor that just diagnosed with throat cancer who has only 3 months life expectancy. They strike a deal 100 days to let her live the way she wants it, they live together and fallen in love., she's dying but she don't feel ill or hurt besides the wonder of fallen in love, family and friendship. This isn't a passionate love affair, they said love to each other, watch out and care for each other but there isn't physical or emotional connection between them. Too much fake 'ahh'...'wow'...'hey'.. too much faking gasps, panting, the FL not great. Two older ladies keep discussing a 'ghost' doctor...that never appear twice in patient, question is why these 2 ladies always in the waiting room of that hospital? Korean aunt who married Canadian man Kevin but they both speak their own language respectively, as normal husband/wife - don't they usually speak one or the other language to reach communication effectiveness? 100 days being alive will take 16 episodes of unworthy drama...

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2ND CHANCE AND REDEMPTION

A head strong Jiang Xue Ning (Bai Lu) who would do anything to become an Empress, who manipulated many people to do her bidding to stay in power and control, who died by killing herself of regret in exchange her life for someone else's life. The story of second chance and redemption of Jiang Xuening; to avoid herself get into the palace like her past life as the ambitious Empress. But she couldn't entirely escape from fate that's written to her, shifting her fates and people in the path of redemption. However some things were still end the same like invincible hand stirred to what fate have been. Ning'Er still end up joining the palace as a Princess's study companion and Xie Wei's (Zhang Ling He) student. As a new person, she still handled things with devious strategies to avoid certain fates that got her in trouble in previous life, with different approached she still manipulate people according to her wishes. The old feeling still hunted her to which decision made and wisdom came from. Relationship Xie Wei & Xue Ning were teacher and student, outside the circle they're conspirator.

Xie Wei/Xue Ding Fei (Zhang Ling He)
As the most scary person in Jiang Xue Ning's life - she most afraid and bitter toward him. Crown Prince's teacher and advisor to the Emperor, Xie Wei had every reason to be wary of. He hold most secrets as he's the sole survivor of 20 years old frightening 300 young lost souls originated, a 7 years young Viscount Xue Ding Fei was used to replace for (same age) Crown Prince's life to demanding rebel leader Prince Ping'An. Who knew he survived the massacre and became Prince Ping'An bullet to destroy Qian/Shen royal family, his hatred to his biological father Xue was no bound. His affection for Yan family where his mother was the beloved sister of Duke Yan (Yan Lin's father). This time around, he suffered from PTSD from early age trauma. His main goal was to destroy Xue which aligned with Xue Ning's mission and maneuver palace's politics to achieve goals. So much going on his calculating mind to achieve successful outcomes, he'd happily married Xue Ning and had twin children.

Yan Lin (Zhou Jun Wei)
In this new life Jiang Xuening redeemed her mistake by secretly plans to stop Yan Lin's bloody upcoming-age Crown Ceremony from happening, result of power struggle between 2 influential family Xue & Yan. With Jiang Xuening and Xie Wei's plan, the Yan family's lives were saved although they went exile for wrongful accusation. At point of time when Yan Lin lost his whole family during his coming-to age celebration from Xue and the day knowing Xue Ning rejecting his love. Her betrayal made Yan Lin obsess and furious. When he started to gain power to rebel, Yan Lin determined to make her his woman, but she killed herself to exchange life for a life. Xue Ning was forewarned Yan Lin that her feeling was friendship, none romantic, Yan Lin had to first hand knowing her true feeling to avoid obsession nor hatred as he's falling more deeper in love with her like in their previous life. He'd be a grand general and respected by whole country, Yan family all came back home.

Zhang Zhe ( Wang Xing Yue)
Jiang XueNing most precious person was Zhang Zhe. In previous life she was using him to cover up her many guilt of wrong doing, for the sake of love Zhang Zhe betrayed his conscience to make wrong judgement. He felt unworthy and guilt of the dead of his mother he wrote a letter to Justice Dept to sentence him to death. Xue Ning begged him to forgive himself and blame her instead. Few days before his death sentence, Xue Ning went to Xie Wei for his mercy and kill herself in exchange for his life. Second change, Zhang Zhe being an upright man was indeed love her, they had a chance to have their happy ending together, but his mother eventually died from the same cause and affect him the same guilt so Xue Ning decided to let go remembering how bad Zhang Zhe end up on their previous life. All in all Zhang Zhe assisted Xie Wei, Yan Lin, Xue Ning to reveal the truth of evil-doers Xue family.

Princess Le Yang/Shen Zhi Yi (Liu Xie Ning)
Jiang Xue Ning was her bestfriend, they're study mates. Jiang Xue Ning was successfully change their relationship dynamic into friendship rather as adversary in their previous life, but for sure Xue Ning knew that Princess Le Yang would be sent off to get married with enemy's prince and tragically died. In this life, Xue Ning would rush to save her from fatal outcome. Although she still had a bad marriage, faced abuse and imprisonment, she's finally free to come back home.

You Fang Yin (Melody Tang)
In previous life, she's the faithful attendant/maid to her Empress life, Fang Yin's been through too much during her reign so she felt guilty put her through. So, Jiang Xue Ning saved her from jealous bitter step sister and hateful You family. Xue Ning trusted her with business and independent. She married to a very nice man, handled businesses good, sadly died for loyalty.

Although the drama is heavy in political conflicts and intrigues, twisting fate for different outcomes might also be a little romance at the end. Great script, the intrigue wasn't boring, amazing costumes (everyone looks amazing), great coordination between flash back and new stories, good angle cameramen and directive. Zhang Ling He is great in here, shining in his acting (not convincing enough he's afraid of cat though), he'll have a long acting career. Bai Lu is so so as her usual self, as 27 yo she can't act like 19yo, we've seen her same acting in her other dramas. Zhou Jun Wei is pretty sleek as Yan Lin while Wang Xing Yue has character that's not special, I think he'd be more interesting as (previous life) Zhang Zhe when he broke many etiquette and laws - he'd lots of inner battles and emotion fight in within . Very good drama.

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SEASON 2

I see different atmosphere in Season 2 which's great bringing differ element of story. I am not a big fan of Yang Zhi and I think her acting is alright. Hate to see her acted cute with her usual cringe cute toddler voice, like calling 'Gege...' she's on her 30th but luckily there're 4 actors that supporting her character with different male dominant characters like boosting her persona. Let me describe each Male Leads brings different dynamic change in season 2. The last 5 episodes is the best. All 4 actors are awesome with their roles, while Yang Zhi is good but these 4 talented actors overshadowing her.

Xiyan Cang Xuan (Zhang Wan Yi) Ambitious, noble, fair.
He got his Emperor seat in small effort, basically both kingdoms handed over willingly to him because 1 king is his grandfather while the other king is his respected teacher. With the title of Xiyan Emperor. He has the commanding quality around him, his wardrobe is excellent suitable for his status, deposition qualities in his present. Everyone aware how much he loves and protect his cousin Xiao Yao, how close their relationship in regards to support and companionship, but only 2 people aware he loves her more than just as a cousin. Zhang Wan Yi brings that charisma, clear eye, smile indulgently to Xiao Yao, he's Cang Xuan who can't have everything eventhough he's the most powerful man in the kingdom. He could have if Xiao Yao would look at him as a man rather than a beloved cousin or as a ruler. Zhang Wan Yi acts convincingly as a man try to restrain his own intent, face expression changes in every feeling or what cross in his mind. Ep 19 is his best acting.

Tushan Jing / Ye Shi Qi (Deng Wei) Romantic, highly intelligent, rich, kind & down to earth.
So 'down to earth' Cang Xuan look down at him. He thought TuShan Jing isn't worthy enough for Xiao Yao. The beginning of their relationship, Cang Xuan knows Ye Shi Qi is devoted to Wen Xiao Liu and where their bond started. Season 2 Deng Wei acted like he's more cautious and permissive toward Xiao Yao and I understand it, because TuShan Jing disappointed Xiao Yao (by married to Yi Ying), he acted like he wants to redeemed himself for the 2nd chance he got. He's a bore though, he keep saying 'okey'...like a puppy and smile sweetly. I think he's the most unfortunate guy in this drama; he got beat up almost die by his brother, he's taken advantage by his family, he's gotten another beat up by his in-law closest to die. Basically he's almost die 3 times, poor guy. Tushan Jing unlikely friendship to Xiang Liu is for Xiao Yao, Xiang Liu is Tushan Jing partner in crime, gaining mutual profitable partnership. Deng Wei as Tushan Jing, the least ambitious amongst other 3 men, is the most attractive character. As character Deng Wei brings out the kindness and sincere smiles always don on his face. His beautiful face reflects Tushan Jing's true character and heart.

Xiang Liu (Tan Jian Ci) 9 heads demon, Logical, loyal, cynical, a loaner.
Being a rebel strategist (& occasional murderer for hire) is surprisingly a very loyal person. He's loyal to his rebel adopted father, his troop till the end of his life, he's loyal both to Xiao Yao & Tushan Jing when he helps Xiao Yao to stay alive twice. He's a loaner alright...with no one no family he likely treasure little friends that he has. Although he knew he loves Xiao Yao his logical thinking defying that as they both came from 2 totally different background, they're from 2 opposite political stands, there's noway they can be together even if he force it, especially Xiao Yao doesn't return his feeling. Tan Jian Ci embodied his role. Feng Fang Bei maybe a scoundrel steal someone's bride but he's Xiang Liu that would reason he do it for the compensation, his composure maintain although heartbreak. One thing I noticed, Tan Jian Ci is cute not a typical demon but his acting articulate Xiang Liu demonic character and that's a A+ from me. His terrifying laugh & cackle is spooky; chilling, deep, sinister. I think he's the best in delivering his dialog. His last scene is remarkable.

Chishui Feng Long (Wang Hong Yi) Ambitious & naive
Even though Feng Long is extremely ambitious, he's also a naive man, he look at thing base on his own perspective. He blindly allows his sister to influence and involve him to assassinate Xiao Yao, In what condition he wants to make his jealous sister happy (or stop nagging him), he just forgot that Xiao Yao is the apple heart of an Emperor. His guilty consciousness forces him beg Cang Xuan to be sent to war against Xiao Liu where he perished. He has bright future ahead of him, his guilty sister that send him to battle to die. Feng Long is the outsider of Xiao Yao's circle, he doesn't know much the link or connection surround Xiao Yao. Wang Hong Yi has been taking role as antagonist quite a few and he does good job with his roles. He doesn't have much of facial expression, his handsome face doesn't change much through inner struggle.

Honorable mention are Li Rong Chang (Shao Wei Tong), Ru Shou /Hao Shou (Ding Jia Wen), King of Xiyan (Hou Chang Rong), King of Haoling (Zheng Guo Lin), Haoling Yi /A Nian (Dai Lu Wa), Fangfeng Yi Ying (Huang Can Can), Tushan Hou (Ye Xiao Wei) do amazing with their respective roles. The last 5 episodes might be the best scenes but inconsistent with the novel, improvised scenes. As a reader, the end isn't what I expect it. In the novel, we don't know if Xiang Liu die, Xiao Yao beg Cang Xuan to be lenient. The marriage between Xiao Yao & TuShan Jing was the end of long 180 something chapters...

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Big question; Deng Kun.

The final episode of Word of Honor, episode 37, was only about 11 minutes that intended to sum up the whole episodes. I wish it was the whole 40-45 minutes of episode 37 but short 11 minutes did get us resolution for ending the drama. Big question is why focusing on Deng Kun's happy ending? He's happily married man with a son under Zhao ZhuXu guidance. For Deng Kun was only appeared in bit here and there of original 36 episodes. whom did Gao Xiao Lian married to? Deng Kun or Zhang ChengLing, I can't find the statement saying one or another. We all assumed Xiao Lian married to Deng Kun but whose little girl in Cheng Ling's arms? She called him 'father'...and no other female that suggested her mother besides Xiao Lian existence around the gathering. It puzzled me indeed, I looked up the book, the final wasn't the same adaptation as the drama.

Anyway, I am happy for Zhao ZhiXu and Wen KeXing final, they found happiness that they long deserve, live together for along time in the freezing cold high mountain cultivating without bother with outside word. I could imagine the life they have together, because Ah'Xu health (and Lao Wen's circumstances) they needed to be together to help each other with tying in what Ye BaiYi thought Wen KeXing one way only to treat Ah'Xu sickness. As Wen KeXing kept saying he wanted to grow old together with ZhuXu.....

The final of episode, we can see that Four Season Manor became prosperous where everyone live and study in Four Season Manor. Cheng Ling was the head of sect, not just he's the main disciple of Zhou ZhuXu and Wen Kexing but he's also the sole last disciple of Long Que (Master of Long Yuan Pavilion) and son of Zhang Yu Sen [Jing Hui Mountain Pavilion leader]. With starting up the sect (young-children students), apparently Deng Kun's son was the best promise amongst the youngens where Zhao ZhuXu gave him direct instruction and Wen KeXing different method. Love in both men shone in lifetime as we all assumed they'd live as long as Ye BaiYi or maybe longer if they'd stay on top of freezing mountain and only eat snow and drink cold water. Any hint about season 2 and 3? NO! It's declared by the Chief Producer Ma Tao in the interview, a concert was the last tribute to the fans...I am the big fan of Simon Gong Jun and see it now how beautiful Zhang Zhe Han is..he has the feature of delicate and beauty that we missed from his previous dramas. Love you, Simon Gong!!! He's amazing...awesome talent.

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First of Jacky Chan producing drama

We can sense this drama was produced by Jacky Chan with its wittiness, martial arts, comedic, and the moral story. Full of thrillers, funny dialog, reality of setting, and friendship between 3 main lead actors. I don't think this drama consider as BL type, its all about respect, trust, and friendship between them. Darren Chen as Tang Fan, Fu Meng Bo as Sui Zhao, Liu Yao Yuan as Wang Zhi, they brought in respective roles to the table creating such great chemistry together. Why not in love with Tang Fan? Such a cute brilliant smart magistrate while Sui Zhao had PTSD but his cooking skill and kindness won over the group, Wang zhi was the most calculative intelligent younger of the three that's his loyalty laid on Empress and Emperor foot. Wang Zhi was really kind and sweet to Tang Fan even though he's ruthless to subordinates, Tang Fan brought the best of Sui Zhao. I love every characters in the drama besides those 3; Li Zi Long, Ma Lin, Duo Er'La, Dong'Er, Dong Gu, Jia Kui, Pei Hu Ai, Wu Yun, no one I don't like. The best part was when Tang Fan gave many reason not to go for the mission (sick, got married, and even death) and Wang Zhi understandably giving him time until he made up his mind, When Wang Zhi kept saying "you know, you're the second person of..." (the first person he help someone was always the Emperor), Tang Fan crossed dressing as Mdm Gao and Wang Zhi laugh it endlessly. The ending was great..they bowed respectfully to each other saying good bye. I hope there will be season 2 but there isn't any talk yet...so finger cross.

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UNDERRATED GREAT DRAMA

The two male actors did a bang job. I love Wang Duo so much, I can go on write good things about him. The pain, loneliness, hate, determination, love, care, and deep thinking is in his eyes and smiles. When the door's closing at him during last scene, I can see the loneliness and abandonment he felt....losing everything he hold dear. So much so he overshadowed everyone else. Shawn Qu also remarkable too...as a submissive reserved man that would look at Wan Mei with such devotion - he loved Wan Mei tenderly and would do anything for her. Li YiTong is great, her character flipped flopped a lot depend on whether she successfully finished the mission or not. In the book Wen Mei slept with every men, kind of gross me, the adaption is more relatable and have better story line. So much memorable acting from Wang Duo and Shaw Qu, I put them on top of best performance and favorite.
The best scene was when both Wan Mei and Chan'An went separately, thru the river Chan'An left....with hundred of bright firework lit the dark night sky - Wan Mei cried and run toward the river. Gong Zi run after her just to found out how heart broken she was, memorable was the significant of explosion of fireworks as representing how Chan'An felt about.
The drawing illustrations fit in to drama, adding more dramatic than spoiling the scenes because they put it together nicely between drawing and alive scenes - not come in at very important epic scenes (Note: Long Ballad needs to learn this). It broke my heart with the ending...I demand season 2!! This drama is one of my favorite...and I don't have very many of them...

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JUSTICE DONE RiGHT

1. Not a big fan of any characters that has mental disorder. Whatever it is, hard enough for people who has mental disorder and for us to mimic them. They're genius in their own right, but also challenging as personality, socially awkwardness, unacceptably by social standard, misunderstood, entirely different than anyone of us. So, acting as one of them is hard and ZRY eyes was into Nystagmus wild and scary intense than innocent glances. I don't think ZRY portrayed it appropriately.

2. Four Counties overpaid 'Silk Poll' taxes since way back 100 year ago. The argument of 4 Magistrates were justified; none of them born yet, all 4 Magistrates worked hard for their district and seeing people's poor life condition in their counties, avoiding riots and anger from public, the intention of Shuai JiaMo to open up ancient case, no one knew how to resolve it. The solution came out brutally, 4 counties has to remeasure all lands, bigger land had bigger taxes. The riches and nobles had more land but paid small taxes as they manipulated the land measurement in order to pay less taxes, the common people outraged and rioting. Shuai JiaMo was a math genius, he's the best for advisor but not as a plaintiff. Because people would question his qualification, mental stability and articulation, the integrity of his intention. If I can change the story, that's what I am going for but since this one was based on true story during Ming Dynasty.

3. Setting was rustic and old (considering newly c-drama modern ancient setting) very traditional and preserved the cultural heritage of the buildings/interiors/set-up. All actors has no make up which's their natural beauty shone, costumes were simple and appropriate. ZRY joint again with Wang Yang and Wu Gang (JOL), they're great team together. The story were ended with great justice for all, done it right even for the modern perspective. Lucky Shuai JiaMo had a greatest best friend who's not lost hope and trust in him, defended him in any price even gambling it with his life. All was only 14 episodes, good numbers for good drama.

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Zhao MoSheng and He YiChen - film version

I love Yang Mi and Huang Xiao Ming in this romantic love story between Zhao Mosheng and He YiChen. This movie was way much better than the drama version. The powerful lawyer authoritarian He YiChen character is better with Huang XiaoMing personality than Wallace Chung on which he naturally very tight lips. The wrecker was He YiMei, He YiChen foster little sister, although they share same last name they weren't any blood relation but just closest family friend. Because of dispute in both family and some misunderstanding, they're separated ocean away to lead their own ways. 7 years later they met again by coincidental run in. Still single, He YiChen tried to pursue her again and tricked her to marry him. Who knew MoSheng was a divorcee and He YiChen tried to deal with that fact...he thought that MoSheng wasn't really love him and faithful when she's in the US (because marrying another man) without wanted to listen to her explanation. He met MoSheng's ex husband after collage's reunion and finally found out the reason MoSheng marriage and divorce. He YiChen also dealing with Pei FangMei (Joan Chen as Mo Sheng's step mom) as he believed she's the reason why his dad killed himself and ruined his family.

They finally got the happiness they deserved after long wait journey. I love it...beautiful ending.

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