It will do for a slow day
I guess I would still recommend this drama but I would definitely not re-watch it. It checks all the usual and basic boxes. But TBH nothing really dazzling about it. Maybe it's because it has simply not satisfied the hype it received being one of the most awaited dramas of its genre in 2022. The CGI is atrocious, the story unimaginative. The chemistry between the leads is so so. The acting is however decent although a little stiff in some scenes. I am watching Love between Fairy and Devil at the same time and while it was a dark horse coming into the year, I rate much much higher than this drama, it has outshined this drama in every way possible. So perhaps the contrast also biased me from giving this a higher rating.Was this review helpful to you?
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Went right to the top of my list!!!
I went into this drama with modest expectations, as I'm not usually drawn to the typical "pretty boy" aesthetic. I was therefore blown away by how much I enjoyed it. It's one of the rare series that maintains its energy and quality straight through to the final episode. The writing is superb: the plot is well-paced, filled with healthy communication, and refreshingly free of contrived misunderstandings. I was especially impressed that it avoided pitting siblings against each other for cheap drama.Both leads were genuinely compelling and capable. The female lead, in particular, is a masterclass in how to write a true bad-ass female general—this was authentic strength, not tokenism. She was consistently "standing on business," and I loved that she was never a damsel in distress; if anything, she rescued him more often than not. An incredibly refreshing drama that has easily earned a spot at the top of my list.
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Really Good!
Nothing new about this storyline, but I love that they did not let it drag out. Things move pretty quickly and it shows the growth and development of the characters. I love anti-hero stories and this is one of those. The visuals are fantastic and the CGI's better than I have seen elsewhere. You might want to brace yourself for the first few episodes because the female lead needs some getting used to, but by episode 28 she is just fantastic. Many sweet and tender moments. I was really waiting for Immortal Samsara this year but in comparison, it pales to this drama completely.Was this review helpful to you?
Too early for a rating but so far so good!
Stellar casting, great acting, an intriguing story, and a genuinely capable female lead. Right up my alley. So far so good at episode 5 and while I'm enjoying it, the pacing feels completely off. It almost feels like ten vertical dramas stitched together into a single episode. There's barely any time for backstory or for the tension to build before we're thrown into what should be major, climactic moments. The result is that I haven't had the chance to truly love or hate any of the characters because the story rushes from one dramatic reveal to the next. Every episode feels like an extended trailer rather than a fully told chapter. Maybe the writers are trying to squeeze hundreds of novel chapters into the opening episodes, but if that's the case, when does the story finally slow down, breathe, and let us go on the journey with these characters?Will be updating this review.
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