enemies to lovers done right <3
In my opinion this drama is one of the few ones that really nails the enemies-to-lovers trope. While most of those storylines start out with the main characters hating each other, there is also the element of physical attraction pretty early on, which I really dislike. This makes it so easy to turn hate into love but it feels flat and forced at the same time.
However, I do think this show executes this flawlessly. Because at first, there is just fear and plain hate between Feng Suige and Fu Yixiao, then there is reluctant collaboration, sprinkled with some enmity before they slowly adapt this fierce protectiveness towards each other. This very naturally develops into love and care and as soon as they realize it, it’s a done deal and it’s loud. Even in the quiet, emotional scenes, they support each other and they trust each other deeply. In this drama you get equal sacrifices from ML for the FL AND vice versa. it’s a power couple navigating through challenges full of betrayal, grief, suffering, amnesia and war. AND the best thing: they communicate. No misunderstandings. No unnecessary couple drama. Just them, some amnesia and “ I got yo back” as their couple motto.
Li Qin, the queen of generals. LITERALLY , THE BEST embodiment of a female general. She delivers a powerful performance and convincingly portrayed the firm, determined, strong female general who loves deeply, loyally and with so much understanding. Her costumes and fighting scenes are STUNNING. Man, she must have prepared so much for this role. Additionally, she makes a very beautiful couple with Chen Zheyuan. I think her mature look and sharp features really gives Fu Yixiao credibility as a seasoned general. But I also love how soft she can be with her lover and how vulnerable she was the first story arc. She has gone through hell and still preserved the goodness in her. Loved how the series gives her a fair portion of time dealing with PTSD. It shows realistically that even the strongest characters are human and it shows how much perseverance Fu Yixiao has. Her characteristics really live up to the meaning of her name.
Chen Zheyuan. Man this dude. His eyeliner, his hair, his costume. on point. His best styling so far. He also really shone in this drama because man, this guy can act with his eyes. I felt every emotion in his gaze and tremble, the way his jaw works and how his chest heaves. He pulled off being a cold & ruthless general, a smug prince, a mature and loving big brother, a supportive and vulnerable lover AND underneath all, just someone who has also gone through hell. Feng Suige ftw.
Also his eyeliner does things with me. I would like to appreciate how physically fit he had to be for this role because Chen Zhenyuan just jumped on top of his horse one handed. It looked smooth and very at ease and honestly ALL of his fight scenes just seemed to be that way. That’s how well he did them.
I watched him in Hidden Love and compared to his character there, Feng Suige is a much more complex and layered character. A walking red flag and very morally grey but even though I still had the image of green flag Duan Jiaxu in my head, he really managed to strip himself completely of that role. I am so glad he isn’t getting typecasted.
Generally, I really loved their mature relationship and how fast paced the storyline is. Sa Dingding’s OST has been playing on repeat this week and it fits the overall vibe of the drama.
As for the Jinxiu storyline…I just have to say that while our main couple was red flag turned green flag, the Xia Jingshi/Jingyan/Feng Xiyang arc was just NUTS. I guess it was just red flags everywhere.
It didn’t captivate me all that much. To me the Emperor was some crazy dude, who was violent and the way he was for no reason??? Feng Xiyang was very annoying and stupidly naive. i understood that the whole plot was to server as her character growth story arc though. The OST they play in her scenes suits her incredibly well! i really enjoyed that little detail.
And Xia Jingshi really is a heartless little piece of shsh. He is cruel, a hypocrite and hella obsessed. His backstory is super rough and I somewhat sympathize with him. His revenge felt satisfying for me tbh which is why his whole story and demeanor really made me question if I would have liked him if he were the MC/ if he had the MC POV.
I like Chen Heyi though and really like his styling here, so I have to admit to some occasional swooning.
The ending of that arc made sense to me but unfortunately, Xiyang’s character development was underwhelming and unconvincing to me till the end. I really could not stand her and felt really sorry for Suige. His love and empathy for his sister makes him a good person but when I watched the final scenes I just got sooo angry because she had nobody to blame but herself (like she also correctly realizes).
Many comments criticized how boring the Storm Alliance bit was. I didn’t mind it, it wasn’t draggy and only went on for a few episodes. Albeit they probably were intended as filler episodes to bridge the final arc and serve as a way out for Suige.
I will be rewatching for Fu Yixiao / Feng Suige and for all the loyal side kicks (especially Ning Fei). Please give this drama a chance if you like fast paced, action packed stories, beautiful cinematography and costumes, a beautiful cast ( all of them fit so well), occasional overpowering soundtracks and happy endings. ✨
However, I do think this show executes this flawlessly. Because at first, there is just fear and plain hate between Feng Suige and Fu Yixiao, then there is reluctant collaboration, sprinkled with some enmity before they slowly adapt this fierce protectiveness towards each other. This very naturally develops into love and care and as soon as they realize it, it’s a done deal and it’s loud. Even in the quiet, emotional scenes, they support each other and they trust each other deeply. In this drama you get equal sacrifices from ML for the FL AND vice versa. it’s a power couple navigating through challenges full of betrayal, grief, suffering, amnesia and war. AND the best thing: they communicate. No misunderstandings. No unnecessary couple drama. Just them, some amnesia and “ I got yo back” as their couple motto.
Li Qin, the queen of generals. LITERALLY , THE BEST embodiment of a female general. She delivers a powerful performance and convincingly portrayed the firm, determined, strong female general who loves deeply, loyally and with so much understanding. Her costumes and fighting scenes are STUNNING. Man, she must have prepared so much for this role. Additionally, she makes a very beautiful couple with Chen Zheyuan. I think her mature look and sharp features really gives Fu Yixiao credibility as a seasoned general. But I also love how soft she can be with her lover and how vulnerable she was the first story arc. She has gone through hell and still preserved the goodness in her. Loved how the series gives her a fair portion of time dealing with PTSD. It shows realistically that even the strongest characters are human and it shows how much perseverance Fu Yixiao has. Her characteristics really live up to the meaning of her name.
Chen Zheyuan. Man this dude. His eyeliner, his hair, his costume. on point. His best styling so far. He also really shone in this drama because man, this guy can act with his eyes. I felt every emotion in his gaze and tremble, the way his jaw works and how his chest heaves. He pulled off being a cold & ruthless general, a smug prince, a mature and loving big brother, a supportive and vulnerable lover AND underneath all, just someone who has also gone through hell. Feng Suige ftw.
Also his eyeliner does things with me. I would like to appreciate how physically fit he had to be for this role because Chen Zhenyuan just jumped on top of his horse one handed. It looked smooth and very at ease and honestly ALL of his fight scenes just seemed to be that way. That’s how well he did them.
I watched him in Hidden Love and compared to his character there, Feng Suige is a much more complex and layered character. A walking red flag and very morally grey but even though I still had the image of green flag Duan Jiaxu in my head, he really managed to strip himself completely of that role. I am so glad he isn’t getting typecasted.
Generally, I really loved their mature relationship and how fast paced the storyline is. Sa Dingding’s OST has been playing on repeat this week and it fits the overall vibe of the drama.
As for the Jinxiu storyline…I just have to say that while our main couple was red flag turned green flag, the Xia Jingshi/Jingyan/Feng Xiyang arc was just NUTS. I guess it was just red flags everywhere.
It didn’t captivate me all that much. To me the Emperor was some crazy dude, who was violent and the way he was for no reason??? Feng Xiyang was very annoying and stupidly naive. i understood that the whole plot was to server as her character growth story arc though. The OST they play in her scenes suits her incredibly well! i really enjoyed that little detail.
And Xia Jingshi really is a heartless little piece of shsh. He is cruel, a hypocrite and hella obsessed. His backstory is super rough and I somewhat sympathize with him. His revenge felt satisfying for me tbh which is why his whole story and demeanor really made me question if I would have liked him if he were the MC/ if he had the MC POV.
I like Chen Heyi though and really like his styling here, so I have to admit to some occasional swooning.
The ending of that arc made sense to me but unfortunately, Xiyang’s character development was underwhelming and unconvincing to me till the end. I really could not stand her and felt really sorry for Suige. His love and empathy for his sister makes him a good person but when I watched the final scenes I just got sooo angry because she had nobody to blame but herself (like she also correctly realizes).
Many comments criticized how boring the Storm Alliance bit was. I didn’t mind it, it wasn’t draggy and only went on for a few episodes. Albeit they probably were intended as filler episodes to bridge the final arc and serve as a way out for Suige.
I will be rewatching for Fu Yixiao / Feng Suige and for all the loyal side kicks (especially Ning Fei). Please give this drama a chance if you like fast paced, action packed stories, beautiful cinematography and costumes, a beautiful cast ( all of them fit so well), occasional overpowering soundtracks and happy endings. ✨
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