Xtinew

ONE OF MY BEST FAVORITE

Legend of FuYao is one of my favorite. Ethan Ruan, Yang Mi had strong chemistry together (Just like Yang Mi with Mark Chao). I love Ethan Ruan here who's manipulative, loyal, high intelligent, sexy, flirty. 66 episodes is a long one, honestly I didn't watch the last 10-8 episodes, skipped till the end. The best episode was ep 17, 21, you know what I meant....lol. But in serious note, the story was great, acting amazing, Soundtrack awesome, a lot of outdoor scenes. Although so many so in visual effect that I don't like, I can over look it as part of enrichment in scenes. Ethan Ruan fitted as Emperor, very imposing figure with distinguish appearance, fallen in love with him just because he did an amazing acts. Ethan Ruan and Yang Mi dynamic - they're compatible in their performance, although I've never seen Ethan in any drama before so to me he was beyond expectation. Fu Yao and Zhang Sun Wu Ji's love affair is a bitter sweet courting.
Gao Wei Guan was kind of a naive but an excellent general...the girl that he married to, is kind of match with his character, serious battle-worn general with happy go lucky dedicated princess who's been in love, adore and follow him around.

Huang YaoMing do great here, first love of FuYao but he betrayed her love for ambition encourage by his father, sorry but he end up dead. So many memorable characters - the supporting actors did tremendous good job - good or bad guys - what a team work. Final scene though is quite disappointing, it still great but wish it ended better.....were they live happily in heaven or mortal world? I mean it's a 'sad ending' if they're dead and happily in heaven as appears in the background sets. I gave 10 overall score just because you don't see a costume drama leading man bared flirting with a girl at the pool...kind of awesome scene. Yang Mi took the credit for Ethan Ruan skill to flirt!!

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IT STARTED STRONG BUT PROGRESS DISAPPOINTED: EP20-ONWARD

Lu Si & Yu Ning by now knew each other pretty well so there's no hesitation and have strong familiarity in their acting. Their close friendship and the interaction is pretty comfortable so their chemistry is strong and abundance, their hugs are tighter and locking eyes without hesitant. Liu Yu Ning has gained experiences and involve in many great dramas recently, he is no longer a newbie because LuSi helped him to gain his notoriety in Long Ballad. Ep23-onwards, the big number of head-peaces & trinkets start to overwhelm. What we can see are big hair and burst of colors bling, ornaments, flowers, jewelries, LuSi natural beauty is replaced with cheesy show-girls beauty standard. Unfortunately, the story went down hill from there, no longer pulling interest and insignificant characters develop. Cui Shi Jui started with bravado, type A kind of girl, why are we watching her? Her choice of life is apparently miscalculated and cost her unhappiness or unfulfilled. Not feeling sorry for her though...

This time around, we can enjoy maturity of YuNing's acting as Yan Zi Jing, his misty eyes are real, passionate glances and caresses on LuSi's shoulder shows affection. Nothing is fake - all sincere. Although he's over her head tall, he manage NOT to look giant over anybody. He can be cynical or sweet as well, his facial muscle seems to know how to work it, great expression. He smiles quite a lot in this drama (than Long Ballad). His life goal is to take revenge to those people who killed his family, a high-risk businessman on the side. After injury and live at 'Clear Mind' shop, he's like a domesticated house-husband.

Tang Xiao Tian (Zhang Jin Ran) came in joining 2nd ML whose in love with Duan Mu (LuSi) at the first sight although she's only a pearl diver aka a slave under duress. As a gentleman scholar who is Prince Ying's study buddy, he has job to go around the country to investigate crimes, bribery, thefts, all wrongs in the country so he can give recommendation and/or uphold justice for the Kingdom. He's a handsome guy & rightfully a scholar. While Yan ZiJing endeavor in revenge, Jin Ran works hard to find the bad guys, he's partial to Su Mu Zhe so any 'justice' he's done always benefited to the duo Su Mu Zhe & Yan Zi Jing.

Zhao LuSi (Duan Mu/Su Mu Zhe) Her dance is seductively mesmerizing, her dive is what divers do, her terrified look on the abuse, tears that break heart. Her tiny figure seems the cutest besides tall LYN & TXT, she doesn't have muscle so when she did manual labor scenes she appears tiny fragile. I want details, if Duan Mu go through so much painful life experience and ocean-diving - her appearance doesn't show that. She still has flawless skin, healthy hair, cherry smiles. Dry crack darker skin, dry rough shorter hair should be from frequent diving in to salty sea water. Because of the hardness of reality, she changed personality to pursue harsh business endeavor. One thing she needs to do better is she needs to take vocalization lesson, she's great when doing cutesy scenes otherwise she sound like misplaced. After ep 25 she's patronizing and becoming a 'mentor motherly-figure', a sober personality like she's 50yo woman (supposedly she's on her 20th). Duan Mu is leading the way while Yan Zi Jing sit back, his male dominance is gone, becoming a subjugated man in hiding.

I am pretty sure besides these 3 actors (& Kang Ju guy) the rest aren't worth mentioning. The story on the middle are pretty dragging, about business competition or jealousy (I want to slap Bai Niao, Zheng Si & Qin Mu guy the acting are so S***ty bad) This drama can actually be shorten in to 28-30 episodes instead of 40, I bet the producer(s) is milking this production taking advantage of LuSi's popularity to make more money for this drama than some quality deliverance.
1. Too much fillers, unnecessary scenes/plots
2. The Extras and supporting actors are terrible in acting, seems like they've recruited randomly without audition.
3. Main actors change characters/personality -change direction of mind-set.
4. Not cheerful/hopeful (happy) ending.
I think because of these four main causes, this drama lost audience and getting lower score as it progress. LuSi can't save this drama because quality negligence from the director & producer. I think they should know that good traffic actors should also be supported by the whole crews, scrips, and directors. Too bad, it was started so well.

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4 POINTS I PICKED UP IN 22 EPISODES

Ning Yuan Zhao (Liu YuNing) is the wise leader of Six Dao Hall Wu State on mission to escort young naive Prince(ss) Yang Ying to enemy kingdom to bring ransom money and to free jailed-king. He took 4 accomplish able men which are Yu Shi San (Alen Fang) is a good friend, handsome and flamboyant. Playboy and easy going personality (very different character from he used to) very attractive, he's crème de la crème. Yuan Lu (Chen You Wei) 18 yo loyal follower of Yuan Zhao, famous with his mechanical device creations. Qian Zhao (Wang Yi Zhe) a trusted guard of the Empress and old friend of Yuan Zhao, his expertise are cooking, medicine & poison. Sun Lang (Li Huan) most trusty guard from Human Division from Six Dao Hall incharge with guards & attendants. A long the way, Yuan Zhao realize that he needs a female preceptor to teach naive Prince(ss) Yang Ying how to navigate politic, manner, deportment so he invites Ren RuYi (Liu Shi Shi) to tag along, the former left envoy of the State of An Zhu Yiwai that has her own reason to agree. The story is the long journey (up to ep 18) they're still in the border Wu State and An State. She finds love, friendship, understanding, & brotherhood.

4 points I pick up from this drama:

FIGHTING CHOREOGRAPHY/MARTIAL ART
It's entertaining. I don't know how the choreographer did, but it's nice to look at to. It might just a show, edit here and there and voila. With hair blowing, robes flying, smile coldly, vivid color, wind blow, artful movement, dramatic background music, yeah we get all the package of perfect visual feast. The choreography is so smooth and artful that like real.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT
As she wants a baby from him, she inserted herself to his personal space, pestering him to do the deeds. Although he refused, he can't barely escape her charm. She tries every trick to get him to sleep with her, coerced him, if that's not a sexual harassment so what is it call (in a nice way). From physical attraction because he's tall and excellent in martial art, she thinks she doesn't need a husband to have a baby with, just his cooperation. After fail persuasion, she then appreciate him more in personal level because he tells his subordinates to respect her and he's most considerate for her well being and happiness. With the advise from Yu Shi San, she changes the method of persuasion, by acting not care.

GOSSIPING MEN
Not only us women infamously known to gossiping, apparently these nothing-to-do men loves to gossip about what's going on with Ning Yuan Zhao & Ren Ru Yi. Giggling, whispering, guessing, talk amongst them, speculate their relationship during long journey to the enemy line, this is what they're filled their time with. Of course, they also has confrontation from ambush. The team work build thru misunderstanding to test their loyalty, character and strength. Since Ru Yi is the only female and a new comer on the group, she's the recipient of unwanted attention or distrust. No one know yet the deal she's making with Yuan Zhao (beside the baby business) which asking Six Dao Hall to investigate the death of her benefactor - the late dowager empress. Yu Shi San is the women's expert where everyone appreciate his expertise in women's need to get his good advise. Ep 6 is touching, Yuan Zhao shows Yang Ying's desperate question; why? Because of the country, the people, the lost, duty, loyalty and the price of privileges. Ep 11 Yuan Zhao proved to be a great leader, gives himself 10 lashes for the mistake his subordinates failing to guard the safety of Prince Yang Ying.

TEDIOUS ROMANCE SCENES/CRINGE LOVE
I notice, never fail, we get tension scenes - very critical - fighting - crisis- stressful situation but then the next scenes will be all lovey dovey all about love and sweet promises like come on....get on already!! Never fail! Too much sweetness and expression of love gets me really sick. Nah....too dreary. After the heart break and injuries Ep 12 Yuan Zhao agrees to her baby request but ask her to wait till the mission completes. All flirt, promise, and baby agreement isn't up to my fav....too much distraction and stir up the mission because of jealousy and couple's disagreement, too much PDA in my opinion. She would threaten 'baby is out of the table if you don't do this' and his face blank like 'ehhhh?' The love is too clingy...so cringe stare each other looking into their eyes..like in Jr High first love. I skip most of it. I think this is just fillers to prolong the episodes.

But all casts do great job with their character. Liu Shi Shi is seductive, she doesn't need to be arrogant as cold-bloody killer, she smiles suggestively and touches lightly, she approaches to corner him with dew eyes. Liu Yu Ning being single 30yo veteran leader is pretty fascinated with her attention, only his top mission priorities hanging on his head he manage to scud away the temptation. Alan Fang is great, really funny, the joker in the group, he should do more comedy. Between Liu Yu Ning and Alan Fang character in Long Ballad, I like their social dynamic in here. Decided to drop it, stuck on ep 22, it's great story but I don't care about their love story (on and on so tiring) they should cut down the love portion between Liu Yu Ning and Liu Shi Shi, not too mention love Li TongGuan to Ren RuYi....another on and on about them. Ugh...enough already. I heard the end is disappointment, not making into the end of episodes.

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MUNDANE DIALOG

Don't get to watch Jing BoRan much, in 'The League of Noblemen' he's kind of a flamboyant character - not liking his character so much. But I always adore Seven Tan, in her many drama I love her more.

The story went back to Junior High, Seven Tan was always great as a young student while to BoRan looked too muscle up and older compare with other students around. They've fallen in love and promised each other not to breaking up, as they grew older with their choice of education, they grew apart and broke up permanently. One was to becoming a financial-investor who live in Beijing while the other as a Captain in SWAT Elite Team in Qining City. They met again and rekindle the relationship. There're hurdle about debts, family dynamic for both, long friendship, fostering a child, and work.

Jing BoRan is hot but a lousy man (in love), pretty serious character and little (or boring) conversationalist. They both still love each other but with nothing much to talk about, I wonder how this relationship going. He's though pretty straight forward 'do you like me' and 'do you still love me' and 'I'll save money to marry you', besides all that was mundane dialog. Thus, Seven Tan character wasn't any better!! Didn't say much. I don't know about the novel, I think the screen writer needs more practice to make dialog more witty and lively, lots of time they both were just staring each other without much exchange. Still ep 15, done trying to watch this drama. Cute puppy though..

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NOT A PERFECT 10 LIKE THE 1ST SEASON

The 2nd season of JOL is good but not the best in my opinion. Time goes, people change and my higher expectation with long-waited anticipation doesn't pay off. The actors changed; 5 years older, some are chubbier and Fan Xian (Zhao Ruo Yun) depleted than looking back of himself in previous season. Fan Xian, a Nepo baby has 5 father/mentor figures and heavenly mother that increase his chances of best life not to mention his good look and intelligent. Emperor Qing (Biological father), Fan Jian (Adopted father), Fei Jie (Teacher/Mentor), Lin Ru Fu (Father-in-law), Wu Zhu (Teacher/Mentor) all outstanding and powerful men that give Fan Xian capability to achieve endless ambition in the world. Money, power, support, advise, love, knowledge, name it he got all. Not to mention he has a wife that come from a powerful family, friendship and love Hai Tang Duo Duo a beautiful independent a master, adoration from Emperor of Northern Qi, Fan Xian a perfect kind of young man who got everything going on in his life. He has top position, power, beautiful dutiful wife, girlfriends, money, friendship, support, who doesn't want to be Fan Xian? ZRY has great portrayal of Fan Xian, great fighting choreography, good dialog, setting is awesome. The actresses are beautiful; I love Li Xiao Ran (Li Yun Rui), Xin Zhi Lei (Hai Tang Duo Duo), Wang Chu Ran (Sang Wen), Wang Xiao Chen (Yuan Meng), Faye Yu (Empress) and great with their acting - just too bad their have limited air time. Let me breakdown why I don't give this popular drama JOL a 10 score:

Li Qin (Lin Wan'Er)
She has tepid chemistry with ZRY, her acting is appropriate according to the script but she doesn't bring her endgame. Lin Wan'Er is the weakest character in Fan Xian life. Her family is basically demoted/casted out because of Fan Xian, yet her devotion and love hasn't changed, her lack of principles and weak character is her best asset to FX. If she has a strong will and independent as Hai Tang or even Ruo Ruo, Wan'Er won't marry FX because it's just too much of bad blood between them. Basically, ZRY & Li Qin has cold-warm relationship especially after the marriage, they both didn't express their deep love to mostly a newly-wed couple.

Tian Yu (Wang Qi Nian) & Missing favorite characters from S1?
I love Wang Qi Nian, he's a loyal sidekick that trust FX v.v but in 2nd season he's kissing a** too much. He flattered FX too many times, cringe like overly sweeten the deals. Where is Gao Da (Li Jun Xian) he's one of my favorite but he barely has screen time. Limited appearance of Hai Tang, Fei Jie, Yan Bin Yun, Wu Zhu all important characters that isn't develop in Season 2. Especially Yan Bin Yun, he is the most important man who execute Fan Xian's strategies/action in Overwatch Council.

Costumes/hair piece & Background music
Shiny fabric, bad choice of hair piece but I like Yuan Meng/Sang Wen flowery head piece. Yodeling as part of background music isn't good, they should use any playful tone of Chinese music.

Ending
3 last episodes concentration in Ming Family before ending the drama in last quarter of ep 36. The director should have make 2-4 more episodes to elaborate the story but they're on and on about Ming Family. The screen writer should have developed the reunion between Hai Tang & Fan Xian that fans looking forward to. In the book though there're lots of people involve in FX open chest self-operating so he's declared not only God of Poetry but earned new title as Medical genius. Anyway, last scene is great, a promise 'Iam back' to next Season 3 which will have to wait again for 2-3 years before premier.

My prediction in Season 3 (base on novel)
Hai Tang Duo Duo will have more screen time. Hai Tang love journey will start on S3 with no happy ending. Wu Zhu will have more part as Fan Xian defender. Ruo Ruo will study medicine in Northern Qi and become a doctor (she'll break the engagement), Li Cheng Heng will try to win her heart and compete with despicable He Zong Wei. Country will be in turmoil, change in leadership, dead of Princes, family break up & Fan Xian as a family man.

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20 EPISODES FULL OF FILLERS

I'd say that this drama can finish in 10-12 episodes instead of 20 episodes which they filled it with more twists, plots, confusion over feeling or self-realization, back-on-forth love (or not to love). The main idea of every damn 'Choi' family created such terrible connection that every 'Shin' had to bear hardship and sadness. Yeah...every plots went around about these 2 family names.

Shin Joon-young (Kim Woo-bin) and No-Eul (Bae Suzy) were high school classmates who were separated during their teenage years due to an ill-fated relationship, but later meet each other in adulthood. Shin Joon-young is now a top actor-singer (Jerk, rude, devilish gorgeous, rich, sickly, cold), while No-Eul (emotional, unlucky, beautiful, poor, pity, money minded) was a documentary producer. No-Eul had a tough childhood; her father died in a hit-and-run, prompting No-Eul to quit school and make a living for herself and her brother. Shin Joon-young, had his life planned out for him. His mother wanted him to become a prosecutor to follow in the footsteps of his estranged father, but an incident caused him to quit law school and become a singer-actor. His mother disowned him, couldn't understand why he quit law, she hated his celebrity status. She had him when she's 22 and impregnated by boyfriend Choi Hyeon-joon which he left her for another woman and became the source of suffering for all characters in this drama.

The two later reunite when No-Eul is tasked to film Shin Joon-young's documentary. She convinced the producer that she can obtain his consent for the documentary shoot. Initially, Joon-young gave No-Eul a hard time, but he eventually agrees to participate in the documentary. Working together didn't give them solitude, more like battle of heart, like one pulling rope tight and lose, never ending confusion because of circumstances. Joon-Young didn't give shit to anything (breaking contracts, change mind in last minute, rude, dismiss press), nothing to lose demeanor that made every person frustrated, but he had secrets that he wouldn't admit...he's terminally ill - a cancer that only allowed him 3 months to live...he's also guilty on action he caused car accident to No-Eul 5 years earlier....and he's the son of congressman Choi Hyeon-joon out of wedlock.

Okay, I think Kim Woo-Bin is gorgeous and he has the cold eyes good for a rude guy character while he also could be a charmer for his mom. Bae Suzy....she often delivered her dialog screaming on top of her lung! Not to mention her acting cute (ackh...) I don't understand where they supposedly madly in love each other but there wasn't warmness in relationship, she didn't hug him back, kiss on peck, no tender glances. I can shorten the episode by suggesting some changes in plots: give No-Eul compensation for the death of her father, move away and move on, be transparent (seems everybody loves to held grudges and keeping secrets). Of course, this is drama, the more melodramatic the longer episode becomes. At the end though, did Shin Joon-Yong died from his cancer? As No-Eul wishing to see him tomorrow? Possibly season 2? Hope not but I don't mind to see Kim Woo-BIn again. LOL

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GOOD TO WATCH

Woo Do-Hwan is hot, steaming with his smiles and comical acting. He's good with his character portraying an attorney Kang Han Soo to help common Jeseon people seeking justice, money is always his motivation but he also had a soft spot for unfair treatment of rich/noble people to the poor. He has an assistant slash childhood friend Dong Chi whose been through up and down together reaching the goal to find justice of the death of Han Soo's parent. His sister, though, went for different route as misconception who's the killer of her parent's death or misconstrued the deeper reason of manipulator minister Yu as he used her as prostitute to get information from his rivals. At the end, she choose dead after being accused of multiple infidelity to her dead husband (apparently it's strict law during Joseon time), a way of minister Yu to get rid of her.

So-Won who's a princess Lee Yeon-Joo in disguise applied for the job to help him find clients, promoting his service in her restaurant, but she intentionally tried to recruit him to help her brother the King solving domestic injustices and get rid of corruption in the kingdom. They struck friendship, without knowing her real status, he proposed to her. Low and behold, the princess was involved with his parent's death, after the reveal of her status, he's heart broken because the woman he love was the person he's been despised. I got irritated with this actress, she's always vacantly open mouth, not cute. 'close your mouth off'...if I may.

Mayor Yu was Minister Yu's only son. He's kind and gentle, he loved Yeon-Joo and disagreed with his father's action and support Kang Han-Soo anger. He also hold dear Han Soo's sister who lived in his place to become his father's bait. Kang Soo solved cases brilliantly, his revenge against Minister Yu paid off, but Princess Lee Yeon-Joo died in pursue justice for him by taking poison. Good ending..

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DEAD PEOPLE ON A VILLAGE

Surprisingly this is a good drama that I can recommend to anyone. A village of dead people who're still undiscovered their dead bodies. Some of them leaving the village spiritually within days but some were longer than 27 years as no one hadn't find their bodies in physical world, their souls still stuck in this village. Like Thomas, the leader of village who might have been there for over 100 years. An old man with young body of 22 years, the age when he died. He opened a cafe where everyone gather and visit, there's a special room when new undiscovered (bodies) came and regroup with the rest of them. Kim Wook who happened to run into this village thought a bit weird, he met a young boy that cried for his mother, he thought these village people kidnap this boy - he promised to find his mom. After called in the police and show them where the boy was, they couldn't see the village nor the boy, determined he's a lunatic.

After being rescued by Jang Joon-Ho the night before, he came back to him to find answer. He explained and started to understand that he could see spirits of dead people while other people didn't see them. With his realization, we wanted the fullfill his promise to the little boy to find his mother and succeeded, by doing that he'd discovered the malice of crime done. The boy saw his mother with happiness and his spirit evaporated. Since then, he determined to help every single spirit in the village would be found their dead bodies so their spirit move on. His friendship with Jang Joon-Ho who's initially been done that expand their investigations by searching and finding evidence to send criminals into jail and where to find victim's bodies. While Jang Joon-Ho had to find his own missing daughter, Kim Wook had also missing mother - which he found her as one of the dead villager.

Three people died on accidents, one end up in dead village Choi Yeo-Na who supposed to get married with Detective Shin within a month. Their love story that make this drama a bit emotional, the construction company involved with this many disappearances was about the inheritance of a sole will. A greedy man that killed everyone from a certain orphanage just to get their DNA and wipe out the possibly a heir grandchild of construction company. Kim Wook's mother as one of the victim was finally found so was everyone else. The ending was great, Kim Wook & Jang Joon-Ha at the end couldn't see the Deon village anymore as their tie to the village was being resolved. Thomas, after 100 years in dead village, his body finally was found and he's gone too to heaven. Great drama, unique story, great acting from Lead & supporting Actors.

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ALL FOR SELECTION OF THE BRIDE

We got this genre of drama a lot, nothing is new. But the execution is different, a marriage proposal after the first blind date because Kang Tae-Mu (Ahn Hyo-Seop) just wouldn't bother with the 'wife selection dating' scheme his grandfather strive to excel. The best of this drama is the family dynamic, a loving and kind grandfather that want everything the best for his grandson, and an adoptive grandson that he doted on. Shin Ha-Ri (Kim Se-Jeong) though kind of over reacting the whole 'disguise' or pretense situation, her acting kind of fake by covering face with her hair....all the stupid she did just to cover herself from disaster and I think that's the down part of this drama. The friendship between Shin Ha-Ri and Jin Young-seo were great, that's the kind of friendship that we all want. The brotherhood love between Kang Tae-Mu and Cha Sung-hoon were awesome, there's no bitterness that came between their position, after work ended they're just as close as brothers.

Otherwise, it's funny and entertaining.

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FAN XIAN OR XU FENG NIAN

If people love this drama, I am not one of them, I like it ok but I think Zhang Ruo Yun oversell Fan Xian character-like Joy of Life. The actors came from JOL casts, many of them, collaboration between actors like 'My Heroic Husband' which were from JOL casts. Xu Feng Nian is another type of Fan Xian (JOL) background; handsome, likable/lovable, promising/bright future, don't care about position/status, ladies man, the son of powerful man/family, highly intelligent, scheming and political genius. I think Zhang RuoYun makes another staple of dual figure with similarities; Fan Xian and Xu Feng Nian, We can obviously notice that Feng Nian is Fan Xian were all in one. Alright besides all that, what I love about this drama is Xu Xiao. A powerful despicable man who scares of his own kids; 2nd daughter and Feng Nian. Who would beg his kids to do his bidding rather using a punitive or authoritative orders to get them do what he wants them to do. His children has voice to say 'nay' or 'ye' although the end his children would do what he wishes them (reluctantly) to enhance the power of Xu family in North Liang. I was wondering, by the age of 19 he started to learn how to fight and dream about winning the fight against second best martial artist in the world.

I love Old Huang, his character is cut short but he's unforgettable character, he's an excellent acting - very natural, relax, cute, genuine, and lovable. Another noted is the love between siblings, no rivalry no jealousy no anger. Every sibling wants to protect, care and love the other brother or sister...that's nice for a change rather many of C-drama portray hatred between sibling. Li Chun Gang/God of Sword (Qiu Xin Zhi) is likable character but he clean his dirty dusty smelly foot a lot - like 'eueww!'

There are too many martial art masters like everybody has specialty of over the top abilities that like 'really?'. Too much fake visual effects, Jiang Ni looks like the youngest actress and she's doing a great job there. Outdoor scenes has beautiful view but can see the white foundation in actors faces - the cosmetic job is obvious, total of 36 episodes does not bring out the best of Zhang RuoYun skills. I don't think there is a need to wait for season 2 or 3. This is the kind of watching one time and move on.

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NOT YOUR TYPICAL PRIEST

I love love this drama. He's pretty straight forward and not a typical Priest that we all know. First, Fr Michael Kim will scold, bark, pouch, yell, impatient, giving so much attitude to his parishioners. Second, he is handsome and has dark secret past. Third, he is loyal, kind, intelligent, and capable. Besides he isn't going to put up with s**t, fight back in what he believes in, temperamental and will stick his gun for the people who dear to him. A lot of dramas/movies portrayed religious people as weaklings or type of people who will take in the (bad) fates which kind of tiring but not Fr Kim, he wants justice serve without prejudices. I like that...different from normal portrayals...

Kim Hae-il / Michael Kim (Kim Nam-Gil) retired NIS agent became a priest after a heart-stopping accident on the job, on the pinnacle of his self destruction, he's rescued by Father Lee and became his father figure and mentor. He respect and love Fr. Lee but the cartels kill and name-smear him. He's in range, try to get help from the polices but got nothing. Until he wrote a letter to the Pope and beg for re-investigation, he got Goo Dae-young (Kim Sung-kyun) a reluctant police to help him with the investigation - the cop that so bad on the job and clumsy - the Police Chief set this to fail Fr. Kim's reinvestigation. The interaction between two men is hilarious, altercation, friendship, respect, butt head. Park Kyung-sun (Lee Ha-Nee) A corrupt prosecutor who covered up the crimes of Gudam's administrators including the police chief and head borough, she is one of the parishioner and love Fr. Lee but forbid to come to the mass because Fr. Kim believes she isn't good enough to enter the church with the way she practice the law and handling Fr. Lee's dead situation. They both bicker, argue, distrust each other.

No romance, no heart break, all straight to action & fun.

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CLANDESTINE BETWEEN AN EUNUCH AND CROWN PRINCE

The love story develops from being together everyday as a Crown Prince and a Eunuch, attraction from mutual wittiness and youthful cleverness to face challenges and goal together, although the rumor spread in the palace as Crown Prince liked men (gay). Lee Yeong (Park Bo Gum) is a Crown Prince, he lived at Poo Pavilion and famous as reputable as a temperamental single unpredictable young handsome Prince to his underlings. He meet Hong Sam-Nom (Kim Yoo-Jung) a female disguise as a man about a romantic letter sent out to Prince's sister, thru funny encounter they fell in to a deep hole together, Sam-Nom got out leave the Crown Prince behind - pissed! They met again as Sam-Nom enter Palace as eunuch, for the intention to take revenge (of being abandoned in hole) Crown Prince choose him as a new hired Eunuch to serve him. Although Sam-Nom tries to 'fail' 3 tests to determine her abilities and prove of castration, by no effort she passed and got into service, serve Crown Prince at a private study room attendance. At first she doesn't know Lee Yeong was a Crown Prince, she treated him more like a 'friend'.

I think ep 9 the Crown Prince found out Sam-Nom was a girl, ep 11 he told that he loves her and wanted her to stay beside him forever. He knows how to charm a girl. All this clandestine interaction between them were too sweet, as Kim Yoo-Jung acted more terrified than in love to Crown Prince, as we all know it...when we're young and in love...we're more giggly and nervous regardless the situation between them than afraid to the guy who said 'I love you' but NO! Every time BoGum came closer to her, she shrunk herself in and wild eyes, give a vibe this girl didn't know how to act appropriately to return someone's heartfelt declaration. I am not buying Kim Yoo-Jung's acting...BoGum wasn't even touch or hug or kiss her....

The palace intrigue was like every others, the Prime Minister using tactic to scare the king while he also discouraged Crown Prince to come into power as a Regent. While Crown Prince busy juggling politic, he also busy charms Sam-Nom which her girly name was Hong Ra-On. The Kings wanted him to marry a noble girl for politic alliance while Prime Minister grandson has loved Hong Ra-On/Sam-Nom. It's a great sweet drama.....Chinese drama adapted it in 'Oops! The King is in Love'...pretty much same story line. But speaking of Park Bo-Gum, we can't have any better man than him...his smile makes me smile back.

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A SLOW LONG 78 EPISODES OF NOBILITY LIVES

I felt like I deserve a pat on my back after finally finish watching long 78 episodes of Shen Ming Lan and Gu TingYe. Their life full of challenges, turmoils, as well as happiness and heart breaks. A lot of begging, kneeling, whining, crying, screaming and yelling between womenfolks. There're many poisonous snakes in the form of beautiful nobility women, which none of them is male antagonist - all about jealousy, greedy, bitter, blind ambition, and muddle-head women. Its probably the protagonist is a female, the production created abundance of sick-bitter-full of hatred women to ruin her life and happiness. 3 men love her, they would go above and beyond to have her, and she reproach them separately in different circumstances. I felt bad for Qi Heng - he earned my sympathy. Family is divided for the prestige of title and a kingdom divided for the power between newly appointed Emperor and Dowager Empress from previous dynasty. There are life lesson I learn from this drama...how basic human nature thought me to survive the most critical situation by switching hatred with sweet manipulation....how communication should be delivered in certain way to warrant peaceful solution - no matter how unresolved situation becomes worst just by smiling and bowing. Women who lives in so much restriction, confinement, constriction, they would device such a way using provocation to manipulate circumstances to their advantage, risking their life and name for the greater ambition. Rewatch value of this drama is 4 because I don't think I can go all over 78 episodes again.

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Season 1 and 2

This is what happen when I don't have anything to do in my free time, clicked here and there, and saw Seven Tan drama so I stumbled upon this one. Did I like it? Hmm....no comedy romance that they're talking about...but if I am a teenager or on my early 20th I would probably like this drama too. I couldn't believe this actors (and drama) won the awards, I wouldn't award them with my broom metaphorically. Gu JinYu the legal heir of a big business was kind of a flamboyant man, wonder how he got reputation as a playboy from? Gu ChengZe as an adopted son oblige to pay back the gratitude and filial obligation towards his adopted family by working hard, super dedicated to the family business, loyal, and respect. Li YanShu (Seven Tan SongYun) on the other hand lied a lot, provoke situation into awkwardness, said what's in her mind, put herself in Gu ChengZe apartment free rent and ate his foods, she's kind of a free loader that I would kick her out...who knew she's a famous designer from LA by the name Karen something...that fashionable people look for her famous clothing designs...or any major designer house would be honored to hire Li YanShu. She's being hired by the ChengZhe to pursue JinYu so he'd concentrate on the family business instead of a lazy heir....at the end though different result. A good thing about this drama was easy, critical thinking wasn't necessary, IN if you like it - OUT if you don't....I stayed on season 1 and 2!!

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4 EXES...IS THE BEST OF STORY

Alright, I admire this girl, she's married twice (going on 3) and has 4 handsome exes....that's an achievement especially for a girl from many century ago...a busy girl. She's beautiful, poise, kind, intelligent, strong will, determine, mature thinking, and has mind of brilliant strategist. BUT the story line was suck...badly. 1st & 2nd episode didn't make sense, she married with full blessing of Emperor but she tried to kill the Emperor with accusation of him murdered her father, in to jail she went for attempted murder, and her friend save her. Friend sacrificed herself in replace her burn to dead. Then, her friend's dad the genius doctor took her out of town - done up her face and voice cord, she miraculously changed into her friend's identity (Hmmm...modern genius surgeon won't able to do all that miracle just for one night) The writer(s) has done terrible job in writing a scrip for this drama; lazy writing full of short cut - not making sense - uninteresting dialog - a lot of plot holes.

But again I like every men she's with, they're special in their own way but who I like the most is Ning Yun Zhao (Wang You Shuo) he's polite, handsome, smart, dignify, well dressed, scholarly and kind. We don't get that kind of guy nowadays. The ML Zhu Zan (Jin Han) is kind of hot headed, loyal, martial artist, a prince, playful...he stick his face too close to the FL. They're child sweetheart but get separated, he loves her and thinking about love declaration when she reach 15. He blame himself for coming late to the capital after the dead of Princess Jun Jiu Ling on her marital ceremony to the trusted imperial guard Lu YunQi (Du Ya Fei) who had loved FL with mix of gratitude, admiration, obsession, love, respect and sacrifice. He's misunderstood, he came out wrong in his action, no body seems to understand his good intention - the dead wife treated him as a step stone although he laid his heart down...he remarried to the oldest sister with the intention to protect his in-laws family for the Emperor. His love to Jun Ling is boundless...

Fang ChengYu, 2nd husband is 15 years old boy who's sick and disable - she married him using her Bf's name (Jun ZhenZhen) for the reason of treatment option that requires intimate (medicated bathing) that only a wife can perform. He's a young cute rich boy, very delicate, smart, dedicated cousin as " ex-husband" out of respect, trust, young love and gratitude. She cures his illness and he's able to walk again. He divorced her after knowing the truth about their marriage but keep supporting and waiting for her. His young love is kind of innocent and always thinking the best for FL and Fang's family,

Her medical expertise is well-known and famous as a miracle doctor in which this story's making a detour to focus on rather her intention to take on revenge. The Emperor more interested in killing her and husband Lu YunQi had to deliver the order. The hatred she has to the current Emperor wasn't a big deal when she has 4 guys to mingle - she especially has a problem with Lu YunQi but to me he has the most legal authority to claim her - she married him using her legal status and name although she presumably dead on the day of their marriage - by right he's still her husband. Ok, she changed her identity and name a lot, can't keep up..Stuck on ep 20 as I started to get bore of the story line...

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