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Let down during the final episodes
I wanted to like this drama so although it wasn’t outstanding during the first half, I still found joy in seeing the ML’s subtle expressions in keeping with his loner persona. Unfortunately, the last few episodes spoilt it for me.First, it had the classic mysterious open ending which is a pet peeve of mine.
Second, the storyline after the ML was resurrected felt very disjointed and forced. I would have rated this drama higher if they ended it then and tied up all the other loose strings for the other characters. But, the story decided to give another conflict for a dramatic ending which felt almost humorous when the evil spirit kept going into different bodies. The interaction between the ML & FL also suffered and I cringed every time they looked at each other in surprise or worry whenever they were faced with something new.
What I did like about the drama was the production quality. Sets looked good and outdoor scenery was gorgeous. CGI was a bit of hit and miss but generally ok especially during fighting scenes. I generally don’t comment on make up but really liked the eye make up for the Merfolk. Nice and subtle but enough to show they are different.
Another good thing about this drama is that it didn’t push the jealousies tropes. Although there was a SML, I liked his attitude towards and interaction with the FL. The character of the scheming princess was one I also liked as I enjoyed her being fleshed out as someone not purely evil but as someone who also does care. The actress playing this role did it wonderfully and I looked forward to watching her expressions to see this changes.
The FL’s acting was acceptable to me but I didn’t like her hairstyles and that kept getting in the way of me seeing her as a good match to the ML. When she had a fringe, she looked like a little school girl and it made her face look rounder. When it was swept to the side during the later episodes, it looked plastered down and like a wig instead…
As for the ML, I am biased as I am a fan from his work in the Untamed. While some see him as expressionless, I see the subtle changes in his eyes which the director does well in close ups. It was nicely contrasted with more carefree actions and expressions during the time he lost his memories. So if you are his fan, give this drama a go. Otherwise, best to skip it.
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“And further longing offered no respite…”
With these words uttered during the opening scene of the first episode, the wuxia seemed set to weave a heart wrenching tale. After the various twists and turns, the last episode ended with the same melancholic tone pulling me towards Part 2 in hopes of finding a happily every after ending.After having been blown away by Ten Miles of Peach Blossom, I can’t help but compare and wonder if I was overly generous with that drama’s rating because I was a newbie to wuxia back then.
Although this story had the usual jealousy and misunderstandings, it also had some unique elements and this drama was pretty decent overall. I loved the imagination of how the different realms looked along with the gorgeous costumes and headpieces. What it fell short of was logic (when someone is falling down, the clothes should flow upwards) and some messy wire work with landings and lift offs of the respective characters.
Kudos to the actress who played one of the villains. It is to her credit that I despised her and constantly wished she would get killed off. While the FL’s chirpy character reminded me of her other work in Ashes of Love, I am glad she showed better depth of love and sadness here. The ML as a deity was very similar to his other cool and serious self in Love and Redemption so it was good to see him be more expressive when he was a human in the Mortal Realm.
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Almost magical
A story unlike any I’ve watched before. Seeing the relationship grow between the Goblin and the Grim Reaper was the best part of the show for me - many funny moments and many touching ones as well.The acting was top notch and I was particularly touched by the overwhelming sadness conveyed by the Grim Reaper so I was glad he had a happy ending. His pale outlook fit his Grim Reaper look very well but I was happier to see him in his other character that had a moustache - so tormented but more handsome. The Goblin was a bit too quirky at times (drying his hair while acting like a teenager, singing a love song etc) which I found to be out of character. FL was spot on with her expressions and mannerisms which made for a believable high school student. Cinematography and story telling were well done, particularly how the Grim Reaper works.
But...
I was not comfortable seeing a romance between a student (19) and an older adult (39 for the last 900 years). Can’t be helped since the story relies on the age 9, 19, 29 explanation of when someone is the most vulnerable.
Thankfully, there was the romance of the second couple to pull me back into the show whenever I got a bit unsettled seeing the FL in her school uniform cozying up to the ML.
This drama’s theme song hit the right notes for me. It was haunting yet evoked a mystical aura which I feel really suited the show.
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A fun comedy that also tugs at your heart strings
A well done troupe of a modern day person sucked into a period drama with touches of ground hog day.Loved the comedy and the way the drama poked fun at all the usual period drama troupes. The best comedians were the ML’s general and Prince Nan Rui - perfect delivery and timing. I also enjoyed the performance of the handsome second boss of Moonshade.
FL was annoying at times but thankfully her voice helped to temper it. ML was fantastic and the way the story unfolded to show us his true person was beautifully done.
I was angry at the Emperor for hating the ML and torturing him at every turn then I realised this “bad writing” was consistent with the idea that the whole story was supposed to be just that - a drama with a typical script that doesn’t make sense such as the 3-person stabbing each other and 180 behaviour change of the emperor. Then it shows us that the parts of the world that unfolds on its own was better than the scriptwriter’s story such as Moonshade.
This drama ended well as the last few episodes surprised me by not being the typical loop. Loved it!
A must watch if you’re tired of all the recycled troupes that is common in many Chinese period dramas.
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What is love?
Cheeky, mischievous and lovable Zhao Lusi pulls it off again and is in her element when these traits are required of her character. She plays a very believable 15 year old who is figuring out what love is - be it family love or romantic love.The cinematography was superb and had those panning scenes which I enjoyed in A Dream of Splendor. Scenery was gorgeous and sets were very realistic. Casting for the extras was very well done and it was so good to see the black guards looking especially tough and rugged unlike some dramas where the guards looked like school boys.
The character growth for the FL was good and it was refreshing to see her figure out what love and marriage is. Her interactions with the 3 different love interests was nicely done. #1 annoyed her every time they met, #2 spoiled her with food and catered to her every whim and #3 sparked the embers of love every time he saved her.
Unfortunately, while I loved the FL, I would have preferred a different ML. Just personal preference on what I would consider handsome. His posture didn’t sit well with me either but other than that he was a good actor who rode the horse very well and had great fighting scenes.
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Part cute part dramatic
This was a typical all-in-one romcom that unfortunately didn’t just give us cute and fluffy but also added in heavy drama and the usual amnesia and linked childhood tropes as well.The cute parts were what I enjoyed most and seeing the FL as a fangirl made me smile. Her romance with the ML was more mature than most romcoms although there was some misunderstandings in the beginning to build a little bit of tension. Kissing was passionate and even led to the bedroom with sweet morning after scenes.
I would have been happier without all the darker elements in this story as I was in the mood for something light and fluffy. After having watched my fair share of modern Korean dramas, it is getting hard to find one that surprises me in a nice way. This drama used common elements to spice it up and I could predict what was coming next quite easily. A better watch if you’re new to Korean drama.
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Touching on so many levels
The way the relationship changed and grew between the ML and FL tugged at my heartstrings and so much was conveyed with just the way they looked at each other. Superb acting and brilliant writing!!Some of the side stories were interesting particularly the one with Jeong Hui and the one with the loan shark. Unfortunately, I didn’t connect much with the one involving the actress and found myself skipping those scenes. Without that side story, my rating would have been higher.
Cinematography and music suited the sentimental mood of this slice of life drama. I could understand the struggles of the ML and his wife and I am glad to see the story showed the wife’s view as well and how she tried to make amends with it. Realistically painful especially when they talked honestly with each other. I appreciated how the story refrained from going down the usual drama route of dragging on misunderstandings by lying or hiding the truth.
This was truly a case of melodrama done right.
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Sad Slice of Life
If you’ve lost someone to cancer…If someone dear to you is living with cancer…
This drama will be that much more painful to watch.
The friendship dynamics of the 3 friends were reminiscent of Sex in the City especially the way they had each other’s back and their honesty with each other. All 3 FLs excelled in displaying a myriad of emotions and expressions and while this drama focused on one of the FLs more than the other two, it didn’t detract from me being immersed in the way they lived their lives. The MLs had a tough act to follow and some of the couple moments lacked chemistry.
The drama was on the way to being great but unfortunately decided to overuse some typical drama tricks. A few coincidences that makes sense is ok but one that stuck out like a sore thumb was the doctor ML being friends with the other 2 MLs even though he grew up overseas. And these 3 MLs pair up nicely with the 3 FLs…
I was also annoyed at one scene which juxtapositioned one character suffering in pain while another character was enjoying a romantic moment.
Less is clearly more in this case. As it stands, this drama stopped short of being great and just settled at being good.
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Not a fan
Something about the ML’s acting is not connecting with me.Then the cgi overall is not very good although some sceneries are gorgeous. I thought it would get better but find myself constantly looking to start other dramas instead as I kept putting off watching this drama.
I am missing some relationship oomph whether it is romance or BL or brotherhood. Right not, it’s just a solo mission of the ML getting more powerful so not very engaging for me.
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As a male, perhaps. As a fighting general, not in my books.
Du-du - I cringe everything I hear the FL lead say it.I’ve loved the ML in his previous dramas and also like him here, however, I have a hard time immersing myself with their story as I also cannot see her as a general. Perhaps a pretty boy scholar at best but definitely not someone with the strength to slay enemies.
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Intriguing story with a touch of romance & passionate kisses!
I liked this unique storyline where the FL goes back in time and tries to undo all her previous mistakes. And for some events, no matter how much she tries to change it, it still happens anyway. But with perseverance, she continues to work against fate and changes the outcome of the people she cares about.Towards the end, it was no longer about her undoing her past misdeeds so the story fell flat for me. And when the ML and FL started to acknowledge their feelings for each other, it was very stingy on the romance but instead gives us some passionate kisses and even a bedroom scene before marriage.
Overall, it was entertaining if you don’t expect too much. Thankfully, the ending was an happy one.
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Zhao Lusi shines again
I’ve loved her ever since I saw her in Romance of Tiger & Rose. She gives us a diverse range of emotions but sadly, they made her too ladylike when she was Su Muzhe which seemed like too much of a departure from her original character.Another character who also suffered from this was the lady who dressed like a man - she was tough and tomboy-ish but when she dressed as a lady, her make up was like that of a courtesan and the way she walked and held herself was like a totally different person.
And it was yet another story of a lady who beat all odds becoming a super business person and holding her own in a world ruled by men, so many twists and turns that it got a bit tiring for me. It would have been better to simplify the story and have some focus on having a proper build of to show how the leads fall in love. Instead it happened too suddenly and conveniently in time for them to have a major misunderstanding to split up in the next episode.
Thankfully, they didn’t use a magical last minute cure so you were left hoping and wondering if there would be a happily ever after. So, a more realistic bittersweet happy ending is what you are left with.
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Lovely romance for more than half the drama!
The most captivating part of this drama is the romance. Seeing their hate & resentment grow to love & understanding was beautiful. A little bit of jealousy and backstabbing provided some necessary hurdles for them to overcome but thankfully not drawn out. It was really nice to see the FL understanding the ML so well but at the same time also have some flaws so as to not paint her as an unrealistic angel.With a backdrop of gorgeous sets, lavish costumes and some kind hearted family members, I was hoping for a strong finish to this drama. Unfortunately, the last few episodes fell into some common troupes and you could see who was going to die next all too easily. With the main couple already established in a loving relationship, the romance theme gave way to a more absurd storyline where the evil lady managed to do so much and got herself another love - how did that happen?
Everything happened so fast - betrayal, insanity, unexplained devotion, deaths then it was all wrapped up just as quickly to give us a happy ending.
It’s hard to find a drama these days that can have a strong end but at least I enjoyed more than half of the drama for the romance.
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What is going on??
I thought these type of totally senseless dramas only happened in the past and on less prominent platforms.Episode 1 started off very shaky but I persevered thinking the story might improve but it becomes more and more absurd as I reached Episode 3. The ministers are behaving like children demanding for the execution of the FL just because their daughters’ faces were injured using water from the the FL’s basin. (The basins of water was by the palace servants and each maiden had their own basin of water but a funny wind blew leaves into the other basins and only the FL’s water basin was unaffected and she kindly offered the other maidens the use of her water) Even common sense dictates an investigation but nope, this drama paints the ministers as imbeciles who need immediate action without any concrete proof.
This requirement for the maidens to wash their faces in the courtyard just before meeting the Prince in itself is very odd as I have never seen this in any other drama. Not to mention that the Prince is old around 50 and looking for a concubine just because he cannot forget his wife who died 30 years ago after giving birth to his heir. He didn’t look for a concubine earlier? Then where did his younger sons come from? Another possible plot loophole as it looks like he has remained single after the death of his wife… if this doesn’t get explained, it will be totally ridiculous.
Can it get better? I’ll try it out for a bit longer… one good thing about this drama is I am not sleeping late as I have no desire to binge watch!
Update: For the next episodes, the story moved on to the harem and becomes the typical so-so drama with lots of back stabbing and plotting. Thankfully not as senseless as Episode 2 & 3, but the story is choppy and I am not feeling it with the ML, FL or SML even after 5 more episodes so it’s time to drop it.
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