Empress Dowager He... She was sneaky and vicious all the way. The actress nailed that role with flying colours. Casting choice for this drama is just brilliant. She doesn't strike me as someone who surrenders that easily. I kept guessing she was behind all the chaos after disappearing into retirement sort of. The actress portrayal of evil Dowager was that good.
Eagle King... He is a very good actor and quite attractive. He nailed every scene he had. He may have only a few scenes but they were memorable - archery competition with XWY, his grieve of losing LLJ, final battle with XWY. He was really good, I think he has potential and charisma to become a lead actor or at least second lead.
No drama or movie is perfect but KTTPH is still a brilliantly executed drama with satisfying ending. Memorable…
My goodness, how did I forget to add alley way fighting scene!! That was amazing 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Blindfold fight - not wanting to see his camarades get hurt from his sword. Another iconic scene
XWY's bodyguard couple... Love them both all the way to the end. They were always there whenever he needed them, extremely competence and loyal. Whenever I see them during crisis, I was like - yes! they are here, XWY's going to be okay. Both actor and actress did an excellent job, no over acting, just natural. I wonder if they end up together. I have a question - why is the lady bodyguard is not in the casting profile. She is so pretty and her acting was so natural.
Grand Tutor Xie Huai Gui... Peter Ho did a amazing job here, I mean he's a veteran actor. He nailed his role as a doting father to despicable scheming guy. His facial expressions are on point, he was just a brilliant villain. His action were kind of understandable, he was just scheming for his child to give him the best life. Li Mao had his sister and supposed father who loved him to death, literally..
Li Le Jun... She is one of the least likeable character for me. She was very much disliked when she killed XJY's mother. I can understand why she did what she did. Her priority always has been her brother and to fulfil his ambition at whatever price, even her life. As much as I disliked her, I felt sorry for her death and kind of a bit sad about her relationship with Eagle King. I think she had feeling for him because she said she wish to meet him in another life but with different identity. Ma Qiu Yuan did a very good job portraying LLJ. She is a beautiful actress.
Li Mao.... He started this sweet man whom XJY had a crush on. By half way through the drama he was doing my head in with hot and cold flip-flopping behaviour. In hindsight, he was doing all that for a reason.
I still don't forgive him for stubbing XWY in the prison even if it's an act. Come to think of it, as much as Li Mao is ambitious and wanted the throne, he may have some resentment against XWY for feeling like a puppet in his grand scheme. After all, it was XWY's scheming to deceive Northern Qin and Eagle King, and he called all the shots. So...
He didn't come out unscathed either, he's lost his dearest sister, Grand Tutor to death and XJY to XWY. That was a huge blow for him. He paid a huge price for this throne. I wonder if he ever regret it.
As per the last few episodes, he seems to be a decent emperor, considering he was just a follower to XWY's scheming pretty much until XWY was dying and gone into coma. Got to give him credit where it is due - he did great things too by saving XWY's life and keeping him safe within the palace while he's recovering. Rather than sending him to norther border, he brings XJY to the capital and let her decide their future. I guess XWY is not much of a threat now that he has lost all his martial art and declared to be dead. He may not want XJY blowing up his palace either. 🤭 Riley did a great job with this character. Hope he gets to work with Hou Ming Hao again in near future.
Xie Jia Yu... She was just a carefree, spoiled, smart with incredible talent for mechanical invention. I wonder what kind of life she would have led if she wasn't forced to be married XWY., may not be as complicated as this I guess. Her reaction and behaviour at the early stage of their relationship was realistic. In her point of view, XWY was notorious, ruthless and rough who was known to have many wives and lustful (her word). What kind of young girl would like that kind of guy. I like her character development through the drama - She has her naive moments of course. She became his voice and unknowingly or knowingly became the problem solver for his relationship with his family. She even started to feel pity for him (has three wives and no one liked him romantically). Confession scenes were so romantic and heart fluttering (these scenes prove that passionate kisses are not necessary to make the audience feel the affection between couple). She is definitely not a flaky character. When she realised and affirmed that she's in love with XWY, she never once wavered, kudo to the director and script writer. She did traveled away from XWY for couple of years but that's because she was not aware of his health condition. Her invention strengthen Ye military capability which took them to victory in the last battle with Eagle king. (XWY blown up to coma was a different story though) Although everyone else seemingly moved on after XWY supposed death, she still hangs on to her husband with little hope for his survival. Wearing her consort costume to the wishing tree was heart warming and so romantic. XWY is very lucky to have XJY was his wife for life. This girl is loyal. They absolutely deserve this happy ending.
Xiao Wu Yi... He's hardly lived for himself in his whole life. The unbearable amount of responsibility was put on his little shoulder since very young age just because he is a crown prince Wenxi. His adopted mother resents him for loss of her older son and cause of serious injury for younger one (I can sympathise with her - that's a lot to bear for a mother). On the other hand, XWY never asked for any of this, but was forced on him intentionally or unintentionally. He has spent most of his life protecting the border and fighting battle after battle. He's cold, cunning, calculated, scheming, ruthless and patriotic. All that he is and all that he's done was all for his country but what he's got in return was, being known to be notorious, feared and hated by many. His life has been full of loneliness, sadness and pain. He's given everything but never expected anything in return, not from the country, and not from XJY. He truly deserves happy ending.
When he met XJY, she has been living the life he was never able to - carefree. In my opinion, she intrigues him at first which turns into deep affection soon after. He is a green forest for her unless the matter is something to do with the country. I thank the director and production team so much, for not turning the ruthless general into love-sick weakling. That would have been an disaster.
I'm sure, I'll have more to say when I rewatch the whole thing.
No drama or movie is perfect but KTTPH is still a brilliantly executed drama with satisfying ending. Memorable fighting and horse riding scenes: Epic battle scene in the first episode - who cannot love this?! If this scene doesn't get you hooked, I don't know what will. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Horse riding and archery in the rain - I could feel his guilt, grief, heavy weight on his shoulder and suffocation from all this responsibility which was put on him since such young age. That scene was heartbreaking. 🥹🥹🥹 Blindfolded horse riding archery scene - amazingly done! it gave me the feeling of anticipation, anxiety, heart warming and hopefulness for XWY. 😰😰😱🔥🔥❤️💕
Last battle with Eagle King - wish this scene was longer than it was. It was beautifully done! XWY and Eagle King did an excellent job, so are Xiao father, brother and all the crew. 🔥🔥🔥😭😭 🔥🔥🔥 I love that shot when Eagle said "Xiao Wuyi, you lunatic! As a crown prince Wenxi, do you really have no regard for your own life?" and XWY reply was "Someone like you will never understand what I've been fighting for in this life." This scene highlights patriotic nature of determined XWY. To protect his country, he will do anything even betraying his most beloved XJY or disregard for his own life if that's what it takes. I think some commenters don't understand this kind of mindset. He may be soft hearted with XJY, but remember - he's a ruthless and feared general most of his life.
This drama focus more on political turmoil, sacrifices and patriotism of that dynasty with romance as a side dish (although it was done beautifully and tastefully). This is not a romance focus drama.
XWY is one of his most beloved characters, he poured everything into this role.
She was sneaky and vicious all the way. The actress nailed that role with flying colours. Casting choice for this drama is just brilliant.
She doesn't strike me as someone who surrenders that easily. I kept guessing she was behind all the chaos after disappearing into retirement sort of.
The actress portrayal of evil Dowager was that good.
ZYZ is one of his favourite characters.
Someone might be able to confirm. The costume and styling there look more like Dashing Youth.
I'm sure he will make me proud.
Let me go hunt for some video clips from super kind kiwis!
https://youtube.com/shorts/-MF4Lly_Qbg?is=YG_HFZZ83VUfxTUD
I still need to finish FoF and unclouded soul.
He is a very good actor and quite attractive. He nailed every scene he had. He may have only a few scenes but they were memorable - archery competition with XWY, his grieve of losing LLJ, final battle with XWY. He was really good, I think he has potential and charisma to become a lead actor or at least second lead.
That was amazing 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Blindfold fight - not wanting to see his camarades get hurt from his sword.
Another iconic scene
Love them both all the way to the end. They were always there whenever he needed them, extremely competence and loyal. Whenever I see them during crisis, I was like - yes! they are here, XWY's going to be okay.
Both actor and actress did an excellent job, no over acting, just natural. I wonder if they end up together.
I have a question - why is the lady bodyguard is not in the casting profile. She is so pretty and her acting was so natural.
Peter Ho did a amazing job here, I mean he's a veteran actor.
He nailed his role as a doting father to despicable scheming guy.
His facial expressions are on point, he was just a brilliant villain. His action were kind of understandable, he was just scheming for his child to give him the best life.
Li Mao had his sister and supposed father who loved him to death, literally..
She is one of the least likeable character for me. She was very much disliked when she killed XJY's mother. I can understand why she did what she did. Her priority always has been her brother and to fulfil his ambition at whatever price, even her life.
As much as I disliked her, I felt sorry for her death and kind of a bit sad about her relationship with Eagle King. I think she had feeling for him because she said she wish to meet him in another life but with different identity.
Ma Qiu Yuan did a very good job portraying LLJ. She is a beautiful actress.
He started this sweet man whom XJY had a crush on. By half way through the drama he was doing my head in with hot and cold flip-flopping behaviour. In hindsight, he was doing all that for a reason.
I still don't forgive him for stubbing XWY in the prison even if it's an act.
Come to think of it, as much as Li Mao is ambitious and wanted the throne, he may have some resentment against XWY for feeling like a puppet in his grand scheme. After all, it was XWY's scheming to deceive Northern Qin and Eagle King, and he called all the shots. So...
He didn't come out unscathed either, he's lost his dearest sister, Grand Tutor to death and XJY to XWY. That was a huge blow for him. He paid a huge price for this throne.
I wonder if he ever regret it.
As per the last few episodes, he seems to be a decent emperor, considering he was just a follower to XWY's scheming pretty much until XWY was dying and gone into coma.
Got to give him credit where it is due - he did great things too by saving XWY's life and keeping him safe within the palace while he's recovering. Rather than sending him to norther border, he brings XJY to the capital and let her decide their future.
I guess XWY is not much of a threat now that he has lost all his martial art and declared to be dead. He may not want XJY blowing up his palace either. 🤭
Riley did a great job with this character. Hope he gets to work with Hou Ming Hao again in near future.
She was just a carefree, spoiled, smart with incredible talent for mechanical invention. I wonder what kind of life she would have led if she wasn't forced to be married XWY., may not be as complicated as this I guess.
Her reaction and behaviour at the early stage of their relationship was realistic. In her point of view, XWY was notorious, ruthless and rough who was known to have many wives and lustful (her word). What kind of young girl would like that kind of guy.
I like her character development through the drama - She has her naive moments of course. She became his voice and unknowingly or knowingly became the problem solver for his relationship with his family. She even started to feel pity for him (has three wives and no one liked him romantically).
Confession scenes were so romantic and heart fluttering (these scenes prove that passionate kisses are not necessary to make the audience feel the affection between couple).
She is definitely not a flaky character. When she realised and affirmed that she's in love with XWY, she never once wavered, kudo to the director and script writer.
She did traveled away from XWY for couple of years but that's because she was not aware of his health condition.
Her invention strengthen Ye military capability which took them to victory in the last battle with Eagle king. (XWY blown up to coma was a different story though)
Although everyone else seemingly moved on after XWY supposed death, she still hangs on to her husband with little hope for his survival. Wearing her consort costume to the wishing tree was heart warming and so romantic. XWY is very lucky to have XJY was his wife for life. This girl is loyal.
They absolutely deserve this happy ending.
He's hardly lived for himself in his whole life. The unbearable amount of responsibility was put on his little shoulder since very young age just because he is a crown prince Wenxi.
His adopted mother resents him for loss of her older son and cause of serious injury for younger one (I can sympathise with her - that's a lot to bear for a mother). On the other hand, XWY never asked for any of this, but was forced on him intentionally or unintentionally. He has spent most of his life protecting the border and fighting battle after battle.
He's cold, cunning, calculated, scheming, ruthless and patriotic. All that he is and all that he's done was all for his country but what he's got in return was, being known to be notorious, feared and hated by many. His life has been full of loneliness, sadness and pain. He's given everything but never expected anything in return, not from the country, and not from XJY.
He truly deserves happy ending.
When he met XJY, she has been living the life he was never able to - carefree. In my opinion, she intrigues him at first which turns into deep affection soon after. He is a green forest for her unless the matter is something to do with the country.
I thank the director and production team so much, for not turning the ruthless general into love-sick weakling. That would have been an disaster.
I'm sure, I'll have more to say when I rewatch the whole thing.
Memorable fighting and horse riding scenes:
Epic battle scene in the first episode - who cannot love this?! If this scene doesn't get you hooked, I don't know what will. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Horse riding and archery in the rain - I could feel his guilt, grief, heavy weight on his shoulder and suffocation from all this responsibility which was put on him since such young age. That scene was heartbreaking. 🥹🥹🥹
Blindfolded horse riding archery scene - amazingly done! it gave me the feeling of anticipation, anxiety, heart warming and hopefulness for XWY. 😰😰😱🔥🔥❤️💕
Last battle with Eagle King - wish this scene was longer than it was. It was beautifully done!
XWY and Eagle King did an excellent job, so are Xiao father, brother and all the crew. 🔥🔥🔥😭😭 🔥🔥🔥
I love that shot when Eagle said "Xiao Wuyi, you lunatic! As a crown prince Wenxi, do you really have no regard for your own life?" and XWY reply was "Someone like you will never understand what I've been fighting for in this life." This scene highlights patriotic nature of determined XWY. To protect his country, he will do anything even betraying his most beloved XJY or disregard for his own life if that's what it takes. I think some commenters don't understand this kind of mindset. He may be soft hearted with XJY, but remember - he's a ruthless and feared general most of his life.
This drama focus more on political turmoil, sacrifices and patriotism of that dynasty with romance as a side dish (although it was done beautifully and tastefully). This is not a romance focus drama.