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Great Acting and Team chemistry, but Writing and Execution could have been better
It doesn’t seem like “The Seven Relics of Ill Omen” has attracted too much attention from viewers. Maybe the novel is not as popular as the other tomb raider series. This is usually not my usual genre and after watching “The Unwanted Detective” with an excellent investigative plot, this drama does fail in comparison.
What I Like about this drama:
1. Acting - The acting is great and it translates to excellent chemistry between the main cast. I’ve seen a few of Song Wei Long’s dramas before and this is his best so far for me. Also, after seeing Ao Rui Peng in a few recent costume dramas, it’s great to see him in a modern one and a very different character. Liu Hao Cun is cute as a button and her eyes can fill with tears whenever she wants it. She’s so much better here than in the disappointing “Derailment”. Wang Yi Ting and Zhang Yi Chi round up the five-some who are just as capable as the others.
2. Friendship/Phoenix Squad - For a drama such as this, the team chemistry is important and you come in expecting a great friendship. I’m happy to say that these guys are different yet complement each other. There’s no misunderstanding, jealousy or hidden agendas. The bromance between Jiang Zhao and Cao Yan Hua is especially fun, and they play off each other so well. Oh, let’s not forget about the chicken and the weird historian. They are a fun addition to the squad!
3. Main romance - The leads might not have a sexy or fluffy/sugary romance, but they are sweet and comfortable. Seeing them together makes me feel warm inside. With all that they go through, a relationship that feels safe, comfortable and grounded seems to be perfect for the pair. I won’t deny I want to see more romantic scenes, but I am only satisfied with what’s given me.
4. Fight scenes - Excellent fight choreography and action scenes by Song Wei Long and Liu Hao Cun. I didn’t know Song Wei Long actually studied martial arts. What was he doing in all those boring costume idol dramas? He needs to be in a wuxia to show us his athleticism. Liu Hao Cun is so petite, yet she’s nimble and quick with her moves. She was beautiful to watch. I wish there were more fight scenes throughout the drama and not just concentrated in the beginning and the end.
What I have Mixed feelings or dislike:
1. CGI/Production - After watching getting used to great CGI and green screen scenes, this drama disappoints. It reminded me of another recent drama that I watched, “The Immortal Ascension”. The sets look fake, the green screens are so noticeable and it’s overall very below average. I was a little confused about the set design. It's a modern drama with all the technology in the world, yet it has a very old school feel to it.
2. Dubbing - Even though I appreciate the actors dubbing their own voices, the actual dubbing is not done well. The movement of the mouths are not matching the lines. And gosh, that annoying Leopard and her English? Every time she speaks, my ears bleed. What is the point of her speaking in weird accented English when she could also speak in weird accented Chinese? If everyone understands her and responds in Chinese, what is the point?
3. Plot (esp ending) - I like how each member of the Phoenix Squad gets their time to shine through the investigation of the relics. We get to understand their backstory and see how far they have come. However, the ending arcs about the 6th and 7th relics, the past and the big villain, are a little confusing. I am not sure if it's my comprehension problem, or the writing seems choppy. Maybe some parts are edited out due to censorship. There’s a lot of explaining instead of showing. And even if they’re showing, it’s not done in a way that’s easy to follow. Of course, this could be a “me” problem.
4. Leopard - In addition to not liking her English, the writing of her character is over-the-top. Yes, she could have been just a psycho, but the way she moves, talks and enlarges her eyes make her seem like a cartoon character. If I am watching a Japanese anime adaptation, I can understand such overacting, but this is not it.
5. Secondary romance - is there a secondary romance? If so, the drama is doing a very poor job in showing that except for that one scene. It could have been developed more to contrast the dynamics of the main couple
I was enjoying the formation of the squad and the mystery of the first 5 relics. But towards the end, the drama lost my attention. “The Seven Relics of Ill Omen” might not have the tightest writing, but the acting and chemistry are good. It offers great fight scenes and very likable characters. It’s not a must watch but maybe for those who are fans of the leads.
Completed: 9/4/2025 Review #620
What I Like about this drama:
1. Acting - The acting is great and it translates to excellent chemistry between the main cast. I’ve seen a few of Song Wei Long’s dramas before and this is his best so far for me. Also, after seeing Ao Rui Peng in a few recent costume dramas, it’s great to see him in a modern one and a very different character. Liu Hao Cun is cute as a button and her eyes can fill with tears whenever she wants it. She’s so much better here than in the disappointing “Derailment”. Wang Yi Ting and Zhang Yi Chi round up the five-some who are just as capable as the others.
2. Friendship/Phoenix Squad - For a drama such as this, the team chemistry is important and you come in expecting a great friendship. I’m happy to say that these guys are different yet complement each other. There’s no misunderstanding, jealousy or hidden agendas. The bromance between Jiang Zhao and Cao Yan Hua is especially fun, and they play off each other so well. Oh, let’s not forget about the chicken and the weird historian. They are a fun addition to the squad!
3. Main romance - The leads might not have a sexy or fluffy/sugary romance, but they are sweet and comfortable. Seeing them together makes me feel warm inside. With all that they go through, a relationship that feels safe, comfortable and grounded seems to be perfect for the pair. I won’t deny I want to see more romantic scenes, but I am only satisfied with what’s given me.
4. Fight scenes - Excellent fight choreography and action scenes by Song Wei Long and Liu Hao Cun. I didn’t know Song Wei Long actually studied martial arts. What was he doing in all those boring costume idol dramas? He needs to be in a wuxia to show us his athleticism. Liu Hao Cun is so petite, yet she’s nimble and quick with her moves. She was beautiful to watch. I wish there were more fight scenes throughout the drama and not just concentrated in the beginning and the end.
What I have Mixed feelings or dislike:
1. CGI/Production - After watching getting used to great CGI and green screen scenes, this drama disappoints. It reminded me of another recent drama that I watched, “The Immortal Ascension”. The sets look fake, the green screens are so noticeable and it’s overall very below average. I was a little confused about the set design. It's a modern drama with all the technology in the world, yet it has a very old school feel to it.
2. Dubbing - Even though I appreciate the actors dubbing their own voices, the actual dubbing is not done well. The movement of the mouths are not matching the lines. And gosh, that annoying Leopard and her English? Every time she speaks, my ears bleed. What is the point of her speaking in weird accented English when she could also speak in weird accented Chinese? If everyone understands her and responds in Chinese, what is the point?
3. Plot (esp ending) - I like how each member of the Phoenix Squad gets their time to shine through the investigation of the relics. We get to understand their backstory and see how far they have come. However, the ending arcs about the 6th and 7th relics, the past and the big villain, are a little confusing. I am not sure if it's my comprehension problem, or the writing seems choppy. Maybe some parts are edited out due to censorship. There’s a lot of explaining instead of showing. And even if they’re showing, it’s not done in a way that’s easy to follow. Of course, this could be a “me” problem.
4. Leopard - In addition to not liking her English, the writing of her character is over-the-top. Yes, she could have been just a psycho, but the way she moves, talks and enlarges her eyes make her seem like a cartoon character. If I am watching a Japanese anime adaptation, I can understand such overacting, but this is not it.
5. Secondary romance - is there a secondary romance? If so, the drama is doing a very poor job in showing that except for that one scene. It could have been developed more to contrast the dynamics of the main couple
I was enjoying the formation of the squad and the mystery of the first 5 relics. But towards the end, the drama lost my attention. “The Seven Relics of Ill Omen” might not have the tightest writing, but the acting and chemistry are good. It offers great fight scenes and very likable characters. It’s not a must watch but maybe for those who are fans of the leads.
Completed: 9/4/2025 Review #620
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