I like that this drama has no dumb character! Some characters are definitely way more intelligent than the others but almost every single character can be considered smart (in their own way). Although frustrating, having intelligent enemies enhances the storytelling and plot.
My god does this drama just know how to TELL a story! It's a huge part of why I'm enjoying it so much. Also a part of the reason why we couldn't always tell what would happen next was because of the way bits and pieces of it are woven in the most.....creative way possible. It's unfolding as if it's a mystery drama dressed as a revenge drama.
The deaths and character arcs, more importantly, are presented in the most poetic ways possible. Pu Nichuan died trying to settle his score with Liu Ziyan. Liu Ziyan died in a moving carriage, stabbed repeatedly by the son of the man he had repeatedly stabbed all those years ago, Di Lu died in irony, as what he had previously said about his feelings having nothing to do with needing to kill someone eventually applied to him. And now Han Ziling decided to die in that same place where they had originally buried Di Lu at the Hidden Soldier Alley, bringing things full circle between them. Kudos to the writer!
The last moments of EP 12 where Han Ziling didn't give Xie Huai An a choice and moved forward with the plan to lure the Huben Army away, up to the moment where Xie Huai An escaped, was done so beautifully I was crying the whole time. That OST just did it for me. And Xie Huai An's expressions when Han Ziling was stabbed were heartbreaking, but it showed us that he felt emotions very, very deeply. He feels pain, anger, happiness, amusement and sadness all very deeply. That's probably also why he has also been feeling worn down. But at the same time, Han Ziling's arc told us a lesson that Xie Huai An had to learn: he has to move forward. If he is readily carrying the burden of killing people to take revenge, then he also has to readily carry the spirit of the people who sacrifice themselves for him, and let them push him ahead. General Gu Yu understood that. I'm glad that Xie Huai An did too in the end. And Cheng Yi did amazing portraying that. I could definitely see that brief moment where he broke down, but he had no choice but to steel himself and step over that fence and escape. So amazing!
I’ve really come to love this trio, I hope they can all stay together in the end and Zhang Mo has really grown on me and I think Huai An cares about him to enough to want to trust him and I feel like he always testing him by giving him task that’s could jeopardize them if he decided to betray them randomly one day. Zhang no also seem to really care about him. But they are so funnny together the happy moments literally come from the 3 of them together so I hope nothing happens to them pls 🥹
What I love about this drama is how it keeps you glued to the screen,keeps you on edge,you’ll miss tiny details if you’re distracted for just a second. Cheng Yi is flooring his character cos DAMN! I’m always holding my breath in every episode. I need this man to keep taking such roles(whether it being thriller,mystery,psychological or political ,heck even horror suspense too will do) from now on,cos he’s absolutely killing it. By the way ep 11 is already available on Netflix 😘.
This drama feels like a grandmaster chess player going up against beginners 😌. Xie Huai An is a strategist and honestly, it’s hot 😆🔥❤️. I’m really enjoying this type of ML more than the usual physically strong fighter lol.
The entire cast is amazing too, with great character writing and directing.
Just a reminder again! This drama was cut down from 32 episodes to 28 episodes in order to pass censorship!! 4 full episodes worth of content being removed from such a political/strategical drama means that audiences will have to read between the lines more to understand the show.
This is NOBODY's fault but censorship. From the 8 episodes we have so far, we can easily tell that a lot of effort have been put into this drama! Please ask questions if there are any plot points or stuff that you don't understand. I'm sure many people will be eager to help :) Happy watching!
If you’re still doubting whether to start this drama or not, let this be your sign don’t miss it 🔥👏. I’ve never seen a revenge story executed like this before.
The ML did not come to play 🫡❤️. He doesn’t waste a single minute overthinking, he just acts. He already has his plans and strategies in place.
And the ML, Cheng Yi omg the acting here is some of the best I’ve ever seen. For me, it really clicked after episode 2. The story is going strong, and the budget and cinematography are absolutely top notch. So yeah, definitely give it a try 😁😁.
I think it’s better to watch this drama in peace without coming for comments.
The immature people who don’t understand genres and plot are wilding, even wanting to turn siblings into lovers. They wanna turn sibling “chemistry” into incest, agh!
The Vendetta of An achievement so far in the Mainland. ✅ Surpassed 100 million effective view after second day airing on Maoyan and also tops Maoyan TV Series Popularity Chart. ✅ Achieved 2 digit playback marketshare on Kuyun with 11.51% (ranking #2) 👏🏻🫰🏻
✅ Cheng Yi topped Most Popular Character for 2 days on Kuyun, Weibo & Vlinkage 🔥❣️
Despite the noise, made by haters before The Vendetta of An started (proof of how 'their brains work', attacking the wrong drama), more viewers shared their appreciating comments about Cheng Yi's Xie Huai An portrayal and how the drama has been very engaging with the well written storyline that is so unpredictable with the continuous plot-twists right from the beginning.
8.4 on MDL is nice (saying this with soft spoken voice, trying not to awake the trolls) although this drama definitely deserves a higher rating.
Has anyone else noticed that the use of music in this drama is actually amazing? It's used very efficiently and accurately, not spammed every other minute. Most importantly, the instruments and songs all vibe so well; this may be the first drama where I like all of the songs.
I love the ethereal vibes of Shan Yichun's song and the Sa Dingding+Chen Lijun combo, Liu Yuning's song is great, and Cheng Yi's song is written by a lyricist who works with Jay Chou haha. I can't wait for the other songs to be released.
Huaian has responsibility to take care of his sister since child and HE LOST HIS FATHER IN TRAUMATIZED WAY. LIVING IN DILAPIDATED HUT FOR YEARS and the only family he has is his sister. It's already traumatizing for him to lose another family.
The look he gave was "I am thankful my sister is alive and well and not live the way I did". Don't romanticize everything 😮💨
I think i saw some people comment on how it looks like outdated cinematography. But honestly I love this realistic approach. Remind me of the good old days when the cinematography relied on utilizing the actual surroundings and set to capture the beauty of a place rather than relying heavily on Cgi. Reminds me of the good old wuxia and historical movies back in the 90's and early 00's. A nostalgia feeling of watching these kind of dramas with my father.
So if you’re into fluffy, lovey-dovey vibes… this ain’t your drama .. The Vendetta of An is hardcore AF — grudges, revenge, blood, and zero softness..
Cheng Yi as XH… Cold. Ruthless. Icy. And he’s owning every second of it... Honestly, this role feels like a major career upgrade for him... Dude’s crushing his goals, leaving bodies in his wake, and the shocks just keep coming — ruthless AF...
And let me say this again for the romantic folks: The leads are siblings. BLOOD siblings. So stop imagining things… nope, not happening 😅
NOW… the cinematography and visuals are INSANE....color grading on point, soundtrack slaps, and the plot dropped perfectly... I’m not just invested — I’m INVESTED-invested..
Cheng Yi delivers one of his most powerful performances to date in this revenge-driven role. From the very first moment he appears on screen, he becomes Xie Huaian—not just in posture and expression, but in the way he carries every scene with a quiet, burning intensity. His performance is razor-sharp, controlled, and emotionally charged in a way that elevates the entire drama. . What makes his acting exceptional here is the dual-layered portrayal: • On the surface, he presents a calm, calculating strategist. • Beneath that, you can clearly sense the weight of a decade-long vengeance and the deep emotional scars that drive him. . Cheng Yi showcases an incredible ability to communicate internal struggle without saying a word. His micro-expressions—tightened jaw, shifting gaze, the subtle flicker in his eyes—are enough to tell a full story on their own. This is acting that demands attention. . The transformation into a man consumed by revenge feels painfully real. He doesn’t overact; instead, he uses precision and restraint. The more he holds back, the more explosive his presence becomes. You can feel the tension in every confrontation, every line he delivers, every silent moment before he strikes. . What stands out the most is how believable and grounded his vengeance feels. It’s not just anger; it’s intelligence, trauma, grief, and unwavering determination blended seamlessly. He makes you root for him even when his choices grow darker. . The emotional beats hit hard too. In scenes where the past resurfaces, Cheng Yi manages to crack open the character’s cold exterior just enough to show vulnerability—proof of how skilled he is at balancing complexity with subtlety. . In short: Cheng Yi doesn’t just play a character seeking revenge—he embodies it with a precision and depth that’s rare. This role is a masterclass in controlled intensity, and his performance is easily one of the strongest elements of the entire series. Epic. Stylish. Intense. This drama delivers on every promise. If the first 4 episodes are already this good, then we’re truly witnessing something special. I cannot wait for more. . Solid 10/10. Absolutely worth watching.
3 
1 
The deaths and character arcs, more importantly, are presented in the most poetic ways possible. Pu Nichuan died trying to settle his score with Liu Ziyan. Liu Ziyan died in a moving carriage, stabbed repeatedly by the son of the man he had repeatedly stabbed all those years ago, Di Lu died in irony, as what he had previously said about his feelings having nothing to do with needing to kill someone eventually applied to him. And now Han Ziling decided to die in that same place where they had originally buried Di Lu at the Hidden Soldier Alley, bringing things full circle between them. Kudos to the writer!
The last moments of EP 12 where Han Ziling didn't give Xie Huai An a choice and moved forward with the plan to lure the Huben Army away, up to the moment where Xie Huai An escaped, was done so beautifully I was crying the whole time. That OST just did it for me. And Xie Huai An's expressions when Han Ziling was stabbed were heartbreaking, but it showed us that he felt emotions very, very deeply. He feels pain, anger, happiness, amusement and sadness all very deeply. That's probably also why he has also been feeling worn down. But at the same time, Han Ziling's arc told us a lesson that Xie Huai An had to learn: he has to move forward. If he is readily carrying the burden of killing people to take revenge, then he also has to readily carry the spirit of the people who sacrifice themselves for him, and let them push him ahead. General Gu Yu understood that. I'm glad that Xie Huai An did too in the end. And Cheng Yi did amazing portraying that. I could definitely see that brief moment where he broke down, but he had no choice but to steel himself and step over that fence and escape. So amazing!
Puppy #1 : 😟
Puppy #2 : 😣
*rushes toward him*😂
I’ve really come to love this trio, I hope they can all stay together in the end and Zhang Mo has really grown on me and I think Huai An cares about him to enough to want to trust him and I feel like he always testing him by giving him task that’s could jeopardize them if he decided to betray them randomly one day. Zhang no also seem to really care about him. But they are so funnny together the happy moments literally come from the 3 of them together so I hope nothing happens to them pls 🥹
Cheng Yi is flooring his character cos DAMN! I’m always holding my breath in every episode. I need this man to keep taking such roles(whether it being thriller,mystery,psychological or political ,heck even horror suspense too will do) from now on,cos he’s absolutely killing it.
By the way ep 11 is already available on Netflix 😘.
The entire cast is amazing too, with great character writing and directing.
This is NOBODY's fault but censorship. From the 8 episodes we have so far, we can easily tell that a lot of effort have been put into this drama! Please ask questions if there are any plot points or stuff that you don't understand. I'm sure many people will be eager to help :) Happy watching!
The ML did not come to play 🫡❤️.
He doesn’t waste a single minute overthinking, he just acts. He already has his plans and strategies in place.
And the ML, Cheng Yi omg the acting here is some of the best I’ve ever seen. For me, it really clicked after episode 2. The story is going strong, and the budget and cinematography are absolutely top notch.
So yeah, definitely give it a try 😁😁.
The immature people who don’t understand genres and plot are wilding, even wanting to turn siblings into lovers. They wanna turn sibling “chemistry” into incest, agh!
✅ Surpassed 100 million effective view after second day airing on Maoyan and also tops Maoyan TV Series Popularity Chart.
✅ Achieved 2 digit playback marketshare on Kuyun with 11.51% (ranking #2) 👏🏻🫰🏻
✅ Cheng Yi topped Most Popular Character for 2 days on Kuyun, Weibo & Vlinkage 🔥❣️
Despite the noise, made by haters before The Vendetta of An started (proof of how 'their brains work', attacking the wrong drama), more viewers shared their appreciating comments about Cheng Yi's Xie Huai An portrayal and how the drama has been very engaging with the well written storyline that is so unpredictable with the continuous plot-twists right from the beginning.
8.4 on MDL is nice (saying this with soft spoken voice, trying not to awake the trolls) although this drama definitely deserves a higher rating.
I love the ethereal vibes of Shan Yichun's song and the Sa Dingding+Chen Lijun combo, Liu Yuning's song is great, and Cheng Yi's song is written by a lyricist who works with Jay Chou haha. I can't wait for the other songs to be released.
The look he gave was "I am thankful my sister is alive and well and not live the way I did". Don't romanticize everything 😮💨
So if you’re into fluffy, lovey-dovey vibes… this ain’t your drama .. The Vendetta of An is hardcore AF — grudges, revenge, blood, and zero softness..
Cheng Yi as XH… Cold. Ruthless. Icy. And he’s owning every second of it... Honestly, this role feels like a major career upgrade for him...
Dude’s crushing his goals, leaving bodies in his wake, and the shocks just keep coming — ruthless AF...
And let me say this again for the romantic folks:
The leads are siblings. BLOOD siblings.
So stop imagining things… nope, not happening 😅
NOW… the cinematography and visuals are INSANE....color grading on point, soundtrack slaps, and the plot dropped perfectly...
I’m not just invested — I’m INVESTED-invested..
From the very first moment he appears on screen, he becomes Xie Huaian—not just in posture and expression, but in the way he carries every scene with a quiet, burning intensity. His performance is razor-sharp, controlled, and emotionally charged in a way that elevates the entire drama.
.
What makes his acting exceptional here is the dual-layered portrayal:
• On the surface, he presents a calm, calculating strategist.
• Beneath that, you can clearly sense the weight of a decade-long vengeance and the deep emotional scars that drive him.
.
Cheng Yi showcases an incredible ability to communicate internal struggle without saying a word. His micro-expressions—tightened jaw, shifting gaze, the subtle flicker in his eyes—are enough to tell a full story on their own. This is acting that demands attention.
.
The transformation into a man consumed by revenge feels painfully real. He doesn’t overact; instead, he uses precision and restraint. The more he holds back, the more explosive his presence becomes. You can feel the tension in every confrontation, every line he delivers, every silent moment before he strikes.
.
What stands out the most is how believable and grounded his vengeance feels. It’s not just anger; it’s intelligence, trauma, grief, and unwavering determination blended seamlessly. He makes you root for him even when his choices grow darker.
.
The emotional beats hit hard too. In scenes where the past resurfaces, Cheng Yi manages to crack open the character’s cold exterior just enough to show vulnerability—proof of how skilled he is at balancing complexity with subtlety.
.
In short:
Cheng Yi doesn’t just play a character seeking revenge—he embodies it with a precision and depth that’s rare. This role is a masterclass in controlled intensity, and his performance is easily one of the strongest elements of the entire series. Epic. Stylish. Intense.
This drama delivers on every promise. If the first 4 episodes are already this good, then we’re truly witnessing something special. I cannot wait for more.
.
Solid 10/10. Absolutely worth watching.