tsuyoi_hikari

However, despite the clever schemes and everything else, I cant really give high rating for this one due to the uneven balance of storyline. Here, all we have is the good guys trying to get away from the bad guys without really achieving anything at all except saving their lives. Spy dramas supposed to be balanced where the spies actually caused real damage to the enemies but this drama just focused of them getting out from mess / enemies' scheming each and everytime.

Also, the drama has the most stupid female lead I have ever seen in any dramas. I'm really scarred and I'm not even kidding. Usually, my tolerance for stupid characters are pretty high if you look at my reviews but even I cant handle this one. Its almost like the writer hate her that he put all these unlikable qualities/traits in her that I couldn't believe it myself. The most jarring thing of it all is that all the other characters are so smart (even the other females such as Xiaonan or Meina) so her stupidity really shines like a sore thumb. Just when I thought she couldn't be that stupid, but she REALLY IS to my horror. The icing on the cake is when she exchanged her partner's life with 2 unknown communists that she has never met. I think the only redeeming quality that I can see from her stupidity is seeing the 2 male leads using their brains and skills to get her out each time. So it was still fun in a way? The script would be so much better without her character. I never wish bad thing to happen to good character but I really did this time. I just wish she just disappear so she stop being a burden or mess any brilliant schemes with her stupidity.

7.5/10 - One of the most nerve-wrecking and addicting dramas in my book. I think any spy/espionage dramas are bound to be nerve-wrecking like this lol. The 2 male leads are really brilliant and smart and the villains are equally clever as well. Its a really nice cat & mouse game where comradery, brotherhood, friendship, deception, & betrayals are the main themes.

I thought Zhang Ruoyun is really fantastic in this role. His subtle expressions to express the calmness, anguish, frustration and also guilt are so phenomenal. He stole my heart with his portrayal of Tang Shanhai.

I dont understand. How come you said she only like that 20 episodes? She was dumb through the end. She actually exchanged Shanhai's lives with the lives of 2 unknown communists that she has never met. All 3 are innocent but apparently the lives of the 2 communists are more important that her partner. SMH I have never seen a more dumb character in my life...

One thing about Fan Xian is that he is not perfect and has his flaws -- which make him more human and you can relate to him and his struggles. So being 'immature' is one of the traits he has in the beginning since he didnt know the extensive on how cunning and cruel the world out there at that time. But as the drama progressed, you can see the immaturity slowly gone and his decisions started to be more mature and careful despite still maintaining his original intention and resolute.

I think part of the things to show how others sometimes saving him is crucial to the plot to show how despite he's being a bastard, he is indeed live a privileged life where he has many supports. Why I said it is crucial? Because no one without support can rise up to the ranks without having being killed or falsely accused. He needs to have strong supports and backup other than his own ability to survive the schemes and cunning plots of the game of throne. I wouldn't say he constantly being saved since he is great at martial art as well so without the help, he can mostly survive all the assassination attempts on his own. I think the only one he got truly lucky would be the one where Uncle Wu is the one who killed Wan'er's brother. He truly dodge a bullet at that time.

No doubt about the sexual tension between Fan Xian and Si Lili (she actually my fave female character in JOL). And Haitang & him more like bestfriend kind of relationship -- the only girl in the drama who can take Fan Xian heads on.

Interesting! From our POV as viewers, we know he wont give his maids because he loves and want to protect them. But from the enemies' POV, it might be because of his ego. Very possible. :)

And yes yes! I soooo agree with your analogy lol, It is so spot on haha. With Fan Xian, enemies wouldn't even know that they died lol. Fan Xian literally my fave drama character ever existed. He is like what you always want in your drama character but more. Just when I thought I know him, he will always surprise me with his actions -- there are so many layers & depth to his character. :DDD I always bring him whenever I watch a drama, when ML/FL make some stupid mistakes/decisions I was like ''Fan Xian will NEVER!!!'' lol

I agree, I dont know how to point it out but both Fan Xian and Fengnian is indeed very different despite being almost similar. ZRY did so amazingly. I was in awe with his character in Sparrow as well -- there are so many emotions being shown on his face with very little face movements/expressions. I was in awe. A very talented actor without a doubt. Definitely the letter, I dont think anyone could translate his characters into text without losing their charms. You just have to watch him on screen to fully understand it.

Oh yes! Both are very unpredictable. If you read my original comment, I put 'unpredictable' as the third characteristics that both Fan Xian & Fengnian shares with each other.

When I wrote ' his enemies can know and predict his moves', I refer to his character where he seemed to care too much about the people that he loves that even his enemies know that weakness. Thats why when one of the plot have the enemy request to take one of his maids, Zhao Kai know Fengnian will not give his maids to anyone even at the expense of his life. He will instead fight for both; his life and his maid lol

I truly get what you mean. But I seen it from other POV where she is indeed special in Fan Xian's eyes. For an example, she also lead a lonely live as Fan Xian (as both are born out of wedlock) so Fan Xian relate a lot to her sadness and loneliness. Or her wanting to revenge his brother but dislike war since it will kill many people. Or the fact when Fan Xian at his lowest, she is the one who console him and pointed out that his guard think him as his family thats why he is willing to die for him. Or when Fan Xian drives her mother out of the country, she stays by him and willing to be his support regardless of his decision since she know he is a good man so his choice will always lead to a greater good. I think in term of character's depth, Wan'er is special but the actress who is playing her probably didnt have much chemistry with Zhang Ruoyun.

It wasnt for me. I guess it depends on the people and their priority. Like Fan Xian, he also need to chose between 2 choices; a life of happiness with no worry or the life with power and money. And we know what he will chose in seconds.

Not knowing the divine secret is not that hard esp when knowing it can took the lives of many people esp the one that you love. But when you are the Emperor, and you have this big dream for your country, the choice is very obvious.

lol! I also always has problem with how some scriptwriters do not know how to put baby/kid plot in their stories. Their characters ended up looking like irresponsible parents OTL

What a very long but well written article. It must take you a lot of time to write this. :D

I love friendship in dramas since irl, people are too busy living their lives esp those who are working and already married so friendship is not their priority anymore. My fave portrayal of friendship in dramas is no doubt Reply 1988. I love how all the 5 of them are so close like real siblings that they even sleep together and gather all the time and knew each other families like their own.

If you enjoyed this. Then you will enjoy Joy of Life as well. Joy of Life has the same clever script but a bit lighter and funnier. And the romance in Joy of Life is a bit more than Nirvana in Fire.

Yes there is but very minimal. The focus of the drama is the political schemes.

Dramas that I usually watched do not contain harem. I think many writer avoid that plot for the audiences to like the story. I think harem story usually in dramas during the the forbidden city era ala Ruyi Love in the Palace. I dislike those era so I dont watch dramas in that era. I really hate when girls against each other for a man esp an unworthy one hahaha.

What harem dramas that you have watched so far?

He left? I'm surely out of loop with J&A news these days

So far interested with Kingyo Tsuma. And finally Yamapi returns to dramaland. :D

He is really charismatic and super nice to everyone -- men and women alike so technically everyone like him including men (eventhough not romantically). TBH, I think all the women in the drama likes/admire him (even the enemies) but he only love one person.

Ohh there are many different ways Zhang Ruoyun differentiate between this 2 characters but the most obvious to me is this one. How about you?

I will forever cannot do this. I think if I put dramas as a challenge, I will lose the joy of watching it. I watch dramas for fun and for relaxing purpose thus I just watch whatever I want to watch and do a rewatch when I feel like rewatching an old dramas that made me happy.

Late last year, I was kind in a slump and I was watching a highly popular drama that everyone seemed to love but finishing it seemed like a real drag. I was wondering what happened? Did I lose interest in drama watching already after 15++ years (lol)? I was kind of in a slump. Then I watch a great drama after that then my addiction comes again at full force haha. It turned out that the slump was caused because I didnt enjoy the drama and not because I lose interest in watching in general to my relief. :D

I think regarding the Heart VS Reason part, those can be done for veteran watcher imo. This is because some actors do not have awesome discography all through their career. Try to watch their whole filmography might make you lose interest in watching all together. Taking variety of dramas are to go if you are new to Asian dramaland. For an example, I'm a big Hyun Bin fan and I honestly think he's a really excellent actor but only a handful of his dramas and movies that I enjoy and like. Though the his post-military works (esp his movies) has been constantly good which make me happy as a fan.

I find him more interesting as the Second Prince in Joy of Life. I dont want to say it but his role in Joy of Life is more enigmatic and awesome