Despite Yanzhe being quite annoying and crossing boundaries, the reason I'm all for him is that at least he brings fun and laughter to the drama, his scenes are always entertaining. While the same (kind of, some scenes are boring) applies to Manting, I guess we all feel like her approach towards Yanzhe is more and too aggressive (though debatable). But really, Xie Xang is so boring, she's talking about dreams, but what even is her dream? What was she trying to aim at when applying to the academy? She wanted to live out the missed opportunity of her brother, but I think I remember she only wanted to do it for a some time. Though, she had been involved in some political conflict she only ever shows interest when directly confronted, she never really plans or thinks about it in her free time. What's she going to do after they graduate? How does she plan to go against the Japanese? Is she going to cross-dress for her whole life, living as a substitute of her brother? She has this whole annoying focus on Jun Shan, but does she even like him like that? Would she even want to approach him if not for her secret? Seeing how she freaked when he showed interest. What's the point of her character is what I'm trying to ask. Though, Jun Shan is just as boring, at least his character functions as a reason for the Japanese adopted daughter to go out of her way and principles. Though, I came for the romance - why is everybody's motivation only love? What is Manting's role for involvement in the political schemes? Why do we need her in the story? (I like her, but you could take out all the military and political drama, and she'd still had the same story) I feel like this drama has two plot points, and everything else is just filled with day to day nonsense, most of the things that keep happening are so quickly forgotten that is feels like nothing has relation to each other. Another point that really irks me is that not once did they hesitate to kill people, they even talk so highly of killing somebody. I mean, yes, different times, different mentality, and it's supposedly their job, but you'd just think that they'd even think about taking a life out of this world just once. Not even their first kill got any kind of attention. I've come this far, and I'll surely will finish this only for my love of Xu Kai, since he was the reason I started this. People kept praising him for his role here, and I understand why because even though he does some questionable things that would be received as rather problematic with any other male lead, he is the only really likeable character after all.
How bad is the love triangle ? And is there action/is the main lead strong in any way?
The love triangle is very dominant. I haven't finished it yet, but I'm still wondering if he even has a chance. There is a lot of action and the male lead has a few impressive scenes, but he's not the strongest character.
I have to say that I really appreciate that we have a male lead who, despite his aloof character, his handsome looks and outstanding qualifications, hasn't reached the expected success (yet) and is actually struggling over it (also, that he has multiple friend from different circles, what is also very realistic I think). I love that our female lead is actually the one not financially struggling. Though of course he has to teach her, I think their dynamic for once is nicely balanced. No one is getting forced or threatened to do anything, there was no degrading begging and everything is very consensual. They naturally became friends, and he's not being mean to her while teaching her, he's also not complaining over her progress or calling her dumb. There was only playful banter. Our female lead is cute, but she's not helpless, she's successful and professional on her own and realistically empathetic. I like that despite having her long time crush teaching her, she is really focussed on improving her skills and not constantly blushing every time they get to sit beside each other. Her interest in him but also her determination to become good at the game are realistically and well-balanced, but she's not pushing herself onto him, nor is she expecting anything.
I loved this. It is really the perfect feel-good drama. It was done so well. From building up the story, to character and relationship development, and every subplot has been resolved. Really excellent.
I'm going to take back what I said about no negativity in the comments, I just realized I just skipped every comment about Cheng Xiao's acting. While I don't think she's acting the best, I do think it's fitting for the role. I'm currently reading the novel, and so far I've been content with how Chen Xiao portrays Tong Yao.
I am going to stop analysing who is right and who is wrong because both of them have their faults, they both know what the other expects from them even if they don't talk about it, they're both smart and Nabi isn't being manipulated as I see it, she just can't resist the temptation of him. From now on, I will just go with the flow and take whatever they give me. If they end up together, amazing, if they don't, still amazing, if she goes with the childhood friend, I love it.
But really, Xie Xang is so boring, she's talking about dreams, but what even is her dream? What was she trying to aim at when applying to the academy? She wanted to live out the missed opportunity of her brother, but I think I remember she only wanted to do it for a some time. Though, she had been involved in some political conflict she only ever shows interest when directly confronted, she never really plans or thinks about it in her free time. What's she going to do after they graduate? How does she plan to go against the Japanese? Is she going to cross-dress for her whole life, living as a substitute of her brother?
She has this whole annoying focus on Jun Shan, but does she even like him like that? Would she even want to approach him if not for her secret? Seeing how she freaked when he showed interest. What's the point of her character is what I'm trying to ask.
Though, Jun Shan is just as boring, at least his character functions as a reason for the Japanese adopted daughter to go out of her way and principles.
Though, I came for the romance - why is everybody's motivation only love?
What is Manting's role for involvement in the political schemes? Why do we need her in the story? (I like her, but you could take out all the military and political drama, and she'd still had the same story)
I feel like this drama has two plot points, and everything else is just filled with day to day nonsense, most of the things that keep happening are so quickly forgotten that is feels like nothing has relation to each other.
Another point that really irks me is that not once did they hesitate to kill people, they even talk so highly of killing somebody. I mean, yes, different times, different mentality, and it's supposedly their job, but you'd just think that they'd even think about taking a life out of this world just once. Not even their first kill got any kind of attention.
I've come this far, and I'll surely will finish this only for my love of Xu Kai, since he was the reason I started this. People kept praising him for his role here, and I understand why because even though he does some questionable things that would be received as rather problematic with any other male lead, he is the only really likeable character after all.
Our female lead is cute, but she's not helpless, she's successful and professional on her own and realistically empathetic. I like that despite having her long time crush teaching her, she is really focussed on improving her skills and not constantly blushing every time they get to sit beside each other. Her interest in him but also her determination to become good at the game are realistically and well-balanced, but she's not pushing herself onto him, nor is she expecting anything.
While I don't think she's acting the best, I do think it's fitting for the role. I'm currently reading the novel, and so far I've been content with how Chen Xiao portrays Tong Yao.
From now on, I will just go with the flow and take whatever they give me. If they end up together, amazing, if they don't, still amazing, if she goes with the childhood friend, I love it.