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This review may contain spoilers
Be ready for the Emotional Damage
This drama is definitely not for everyone. As a Cheng Lei fan, of course I was going to watch it. But for the casual viewers who are only here for the story, I would like to issue a thousand warnings before you start.
This is a sickening, abusive, morally questionable kind of drama. You will hate the characters, question the story, and probably get frustrated with the production choices at some point. You can use Cheng Lei (like I did) as an excuse to keep watching, or you can simply walk away. After all, it's a fictional story with fictional characters, and the choice is yours. Just prepare yourself for a series of questionable scenes and dialogues, and brace yourself for the worst they can possibly deliver lol.
I had read the synopsis beforehand (but NOT the novel. Noooo, I'm definitely not ready for an even worse version of Yu Changxuan), and I had watched all the trailers and teasers, so I thought I was mentally prepared to see my favorite actor portray an abusive, sexually assaulting, walking red flag of a man. But no. If you thought Episode 13 was bad enough, just wait until Episode 23. LOL. I was practically speechless throughout the entire episode.
I mean, I have read some viewers' explanations about the historical setting and cultural (?) context behind why YCX dared to marry an unconscious woman, but still........ This psycho was really psycho-ing 😭. I was somewhat relieved when he finally let Pingjun go in Episode 20, only for him to pull THAT stunt three episodes later. NOOOOO. I kept reminding myself not to get emotionally invested in a fictional drama and to immerse myself in the Republican-era setting, but it wasn't that easy. Mind you, this isn't my first Republican-era drama, and I'm quite familiar with the stereotypes and the kind of toxic relationships that often come with this genre (and that sad ending, too) lol.
The emotional roller coaster was so torturous that I couldn't even fully enjoy their lovey-dovey scenes. The earlier episodes left such a strong impression that I genuinely couldn't imagine YCX as a good husband in the beginning lol. But then, when they were separated, I found myself wanting to cry along with them. DON'T PLAY WITH MY FEELINGS LIKE THAT, HUWEEEE.
Anyway, I somehow managed to survive all those devilish episodes and finish the drama. The entire 40-episode journey was essentially built around the character development of the male lead, and I think it delivered that development exceptionally well. It's a full-blown makjang story, but let's be honest, makjang is addictive lol. Sometimes you just need a little bit of chaos in your life. Such a guilty pleasure drama, and I am absolutely willing to sign up for more, ha!
When the express package came out, I watched the spoilers and initially thought YCX absolutely deserved that ending. But that was before I got past Episode 23, so my perspective was obviously incomplete. As I continued watching, my opinion changed. He still deserved that ending, but for an entirely different reason. By the end, he had truly become the hero that people needed 😭
And Episode 29... HOW HEARTBREAKING WAS THAT? How could you possibly make his brother's storyline even sadder than it already was? The episode was an absolute acting fest from Cheng Lei (and, of course, the entire cast). So many emotions packed into one episode. I was genuinely impressed.
Speaking of the supporting characters, why do I feel like Tao Ziyi's styling got so much better after she broke up with YCX? Lol. I actually started enjoying her scenes in the second half, perhaps because she became less evil and more tolerable. Who would've thought that Tao Ziyi would eventually play such a vital role in bringing the family back together? I think I can finally cross her name off my death note, just for that final act alone.
The storyline involving Lanqing, Old Jin, and Yu Mingxuan was equally irreplaceable. Their stories added another layer of emotional depth to the drama. It's always the war that ends up sacrificing people's peace, happiness, and future 😭
The Fourth Sister's storyline was another dramatic ride. We all know that Kuang Bingwen was, at least on a few occasions, genuinely sincere toward his wife. But seriously, the men in this drama need to attend a masterclass on how to love people properly because WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY FAILED EVERY SINGLE RELATIONSHIP ASSIGNMENT? EVERY. SINGLE. ONE!
By the way, the closure scene between Kuang Bingwen and the Third Madam was unexpectedly hilarious. The way he left her on the street, with the two practically killing each other (?), and then they both decided to put an end to their own drama while the Yu siblings watched from the sidelines... I WAS LAUGHING, oops. What a way to wrap things up.
One thing I genuinely appreciate is how the drama incorporates the historical narrative of the war against Japan. It serves as a history lesson for younger generations, reminding viewers of how cruel war can be and how deeply it shaped China and the rest of the world. I can see why the production team chose to use this drama as a medium to promote historical awareness and patriotism. The script also incorporates historical references and explicitly introduces communist ideology to the audience. Personally, I'm fine with that, especially considering the support and opportunities it brings to promote my man's work lol.
AND THE WAR SCENES WERE SO COOL. They were realistic, fit perfectly into the storyline, heightened the emotional impact, and were executed exceptionally well. The viral reactions to those scenes, especially the one in Episode 18, were absolutely deserved. They were so realistic that I actually felt sorry for the Chinese soldiers. WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY WERE FIGHTING TANKS AND MISSILE AIRCRAFT WITH JUST RIFLES AND BAYONETS? 😭😭 The imbalance was heartbreaking to watch. Anyway, war is never justified, guys. That's something we've all learned in history class.
The drama also boasts great cinematography. It captures the autumn atmosphere beautifully, with its sense of loneliness, tranquility, quietness, and cool-toned melancholy. The costumes, styling, camera work, and overall visual direction all complement the theme. You can tell that the production team put a lot of thought into the details. One minor complaint, though: the green screen in the port scene in Episode 32 was WAY too obvious. I expected better, you know?
As for Xu Ruohan, I had previously watched her in The Best Thing, and she looked absolutely gorgeous in TLOA. She fits Pingjun's character so well, with that combination of innocence and strong will. Her portrayal might come across as a little understated at times, but I think that was a deliberate choice for the character. Both leads have great chemistry and deliver solid performances, even though they're stuck in the wrong genre lol. YCX and YPJ, WHY DID YOU HAVE TO BE BORN IN SUCH A TURBULENT ERA?
And Pingjun, girl, I think you need to perform some serious rituals to ward off bad luck because HOW MANY TIMES CAN ONE WOMAN BE KIDNAPPED, TRAPPED, AND HELD HOSTAGE BY MEN WHO CLAIM TO LOVE HER? PLEASE😭
Now, let's talk about Cheng Lei. This drama was such a bold and risky career choice, but I genuinely appreciate his willingness to challenge himself with a character this complicated. This is his first first-billed drama (okay, the industry system has "changed" now, I know), and he has absolutely proven his worth. In a way, I feel like TLOA was made by Cheng Lei and, perhaps more importantly, made for Cheng Lei.
Yu Changxuan feels like a character tailored specifically for him: a charismatic military commander who gets lost in love but eventually has to confront reality and fulfill his duty to his country. The role gives him maximum screen time, maximum room to showcase his acting range, and maximum opportunities to serve LOOKS. I honestly cannot stop myself from praising his appearance every single time he shows up on my screen. The styling department deserves a raise because WHAT WAS THAT? Every outfit, every expression, every entrance. Wow, just WOW.
I can confidently say that TLOA is a good drama. It might be a little too experimental and emotionally exhausting for viewers who prefer lighthearted, feel-good stories, but the production team and the cast deserve the recognition and success they've received. It's a head-spinning, emotionally draining experience, but also an incredibly entertaining one. It's a drama that makes you question its characters, scream at your screen, suffer through 40 episodes, but somehow still leave you wanting more 😉
This is a sickening, abusive, morally questionable kind of drama. You will hate the characters, question the story, and probably get frustrated with the production choices at some point. You can use Cheng Lei (like I did) as an excuse to keep watching, or you can simply walk away. After all, it's a fictional story with fictional characters, and the choice is yours. Just prepare yourself for a series of questionable scenes and dialogues, and brace yourself for the worst they can possibly deliver lol.
I had read the synopsis beforehand (but NOT the novel. Noooo, I'm definitely not ready for an even worse version of Yu Changxuan), and I had watched all the trailers and teasers, so I thought I was mentally prepared to see my favorite actor portray an abusive, sexually assaulting, walking red flag of a man. But no. If you thought Episode 13 was bad enough, just wait until Episode 23. LOL. I was practically speechless throughout the entire episode.
I mean, I have read some viewers' explanations about the historical setting and cultural (?) context behind why YCX dared to marry an unconscious woman, but still........ This psycho was really psycho-ing 😭. I was somewhat relieved when he finally let Pingjun go in Episode 20, only for him to pull THAT stunt three episodes later. NOOOOO. I kept reminding myself not to get emotionally invested in a fictional drama and to immerse myself in the Republican-era setting, but it wasn't that easy. Mind you, this isn't my first Republican-era drama, and I'm quite familiar with the stereotypes and the kind of toxic relationships that often come with this genre (and that sad ending, too) lol.
The emotional roller coaster was so torturous that I couldn't even fully enjoy their lovey-dovey scenes. The earlier episodes left such a strong impression that I genuinely couldn't imagine YCX as a good husband in the beginning lol. But then, when they were separated, I found myself wanting to cry along with them. DON'T PLAY WITH MY FEELINGS LIKE THAT, HUWEEEE.
Anyway, I somehow managed to survive all those devilish episodes and finish the drama. The entire 40-episode journey was essentially built around the character development of the male lead, and I think it delivered that development exceptionally well. It's a full-blown makjang story, but let's be honest, makjang is addictive lol. Sometimes you just need a little bit of chaos in your life. Such a guilty pleasure drama, and I am absolutely willing to sign up for more, ha!
When the express package came out, I watched the spoilers and initially thought YCX absolutely deserved that ending. But that was before I got past Episode 23, so my perspective was obviously incomplete. As I continued watching, my opinion changed. He still deserved that ending, but for an entirely different reason. By the end, he had truly become the hero that people needed 😭
And Episode 29... HOW HEARTBREAKING WAS THAT? How could you possibly make his brother's storyline even sadder than it already was? The episode was an absolute acting fest from Cheng Lei (and, of course, the entire cast). So many emotions packed into one episode. I was genuinely impressed.
Speaking of the supporting characters, why do I feel like Tao Ziyi's styling got so much better after she broke up with YCX? Lol. I actually started enjoying her scenes in the second half, perhaps because she became less evil and more tolerable. Who would've thought that Tao Ziyi would eventually play such a vital role in bringing the family back together? I think I can finally cross her name off my death note, just for that final act alone.
The storyline involving Lanqing, Old Jin, and Yu Mingxuan was equally irreplaceable. Their stories added another layer of emotional depth to the drama. It's always the war that ends up sacrificing people's peace, happiness, and future 😭
The Fourth Sister's storyline was another dramatic ride. We all know that Kuang Bingwen was, at least on a few occasions, genuinely sincere toward his wife. But seriously, the men in this drama need to attend a masterclass on how to love people properly because WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY FAILED EVERY SINGLE RELATIONSHIP ASSIGNMENT? EVERY. SINGLE. ONE!
By the way, the closure scene between Kuang Bingwen and the Third Madam was unexpectedly hilarious. The way he left her on the street, with the two practically killing each other (?), and then they both decided to put an end to their own drama while the Yu siblings watched from the sidelines... I WAS LAUGHING, oops. What a way to wrap things up.
One thing I genuinely appreciate is how the drama incorporates the historical narrative of the war against Japan. It serves as a history lesson for younger generations, reminding viewers of how cruel war can be and how deeply it shaped China and the rest of the world. I can see why the production team chose to use this drama as a medium to promote historical awareness and patriotism. The script also incorporates historical references and explicitly introduces communist ideology to the audience. Personally, I'm fine with that, especially considering the support and opportunities it brings to promote my man's work lol.
AND THE WAR SCENES WERE SO COOL. They were realistic, fit perfectly into the storyline, heightened the emotional impact, and were executed exceptionally well. The viral reactions to those scenes, especially the one in Episode 18, were absolutely deserved. They were so realistic that I actually felt sorry for the Chinese soldiers. WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY WERE FIGHTING TANKS AND MISSILE AIRCRAFT WITH JUST RIFLES AND BAYONETS? 😭😭 The imbalance was heartbreaking to watch. Anyway, war is never justified, guys. That's something we've all learned in history class.
The drama also boasts great cinematography. It captures the autumn atmosphere beautifully, with its sense of loneliness, tranquility, quietness, and cool-toned melancholy. The costumes, styling, camera work, and overall visual direction all complement the theme. You can tell that the production team put a lot of thought into the details. One minor complaint, though: the green screen in the port scene in Episode 32 was WAY too obvious. I expected better, you know?
As for Xu Ruohan, I had previously watched her in The Best Thing, and she looked absolutely gorgeous in TLOA. She fits Pingjun's character so well, with that combination of innocence and strong will. Her portrayal might come across as a little understated at times, but I think that was a deliberate choice for the character. Both leads have great chemistry and deliver solid performances, even though they're stuck in the wrong genre lol. YCX and YPJ, WHY DID YOU HAVE TO BE BORN IN SUCH A TURBULENT ERA?
And Pingjun, girl, I think you need to perform some serious rituals to ward off bad luck because HOW MANY TIMES CAN ONE WOMAN BE KIDNAPPED, TRAPPED, AND HELD HOSTAGE BY MEN WHO CLAIM TO LOVE HER? PLEASE😭
Now, let's talk about Cheng Lei. This drama was such a bold and risky career choice, but I genuinely appreciate his willingness to challenge himself with a character this complicated. This is his first first-billed drama (okay, the industry system has "changed" now, I know), and he has absolutely proven his worth. In a way, I feel like TLOA was made by Cheng Lei and, perhaps more importantly, made for Cheng Lei.
Yu Changxuan feels like a character tailored specifically for him: a charismatic military commander who gets lost in love but eventually has to confront reality and fulfill his duty to his country. The role gives him maximum screen time, maximum room to showcase his acting range, and maximum opportunities to serve LOOKS. I honestly cannot stop myself from praising his appearance every single time he shows up on my screen. The styling department deserves a raise because WHAT WAS THAT? Every outfit, every expression, every entrance. Wow, just WOW.
I can confidently say that TLOA is a good drama. It might be a little too experimental and emotionally exhausting for viewers who prefer lighthearted, feel-good stories, but the production team and the cast deserve the recognition and success they've received. It's a head-spinning, emotionally draining experience, but also an incredibly entertaining one. It's a drama that makes you question its characters, scream at your screen, suffer through 40 episodes, but somehow still leave you wanting more 😉
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