30
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6
1
1
4
1
4
3
2
4
1
1
1
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3
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5
Good general plot but suffers from uneven pacing and disappointing romances
Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75
The general premise and plot of “Fight for Love” is actually good. I was impressed with the first episode and was hooked. I then wondered, why is it only rated a 7.4? And then, I realize there are two big weaknesses in this drama, and the lack of screen time for Ding Yu Xi is NOT one of them.
Weakness #1 - Uneven pacing and dragged out storylines
Ep 1 started out with a bang and I was immediately hooked to a strong FL dressed in red, ready to scheme her way into the Wei family. But then the first half focuses on ML’s family and his forced rapid growth and maturity. The FL, who started everything, became a sidekick for a while. Still, the first half wasn’t bad and there’s enough background info, early enemies-to-comrades, family dynamics and investigation to keep me interested. But once the battles ended and everyone went back home, the second half started to drag when the focus shifted to the different romance storylines. I don’t mind slowburn romance, spending a little time with the ‘forbidden’ love and the challenges the leads have to face. I am more concerned about the other 2 side romances which took up too much time, repeating the same commentary over and over again. The action scenes also decrease in the second half with more talking and less fighting. This unfortunately drags on all the way to the end of the drama.
Weakness #2 - All the romances
I wasn’t aware that this is a jiejie/didi (older sis/younger bro) romance. I am usually not a fan and when Victoria Song looks so much more mature than the baby-faced Ding Yu Xi, I knew this is not going to work for me. In the drama, FL is 3 years older than ML. Victoria definitely looks more than 3 years older than DYX. On top of that, FL is away ahead of ML in life and love experiences. The chemistry between the leads is lacking. I wouldn’t say the acting is bad, I just don’t feel a lover’s romance but more of a sibling/comrades/friends relationship. I can see how ML could fall in love with FL, but I can’t see it the other way around. There are 3 other romances in the drama. Instead of focusing and executing 2 really good romances, I ended up feeling disappointed in all. The spoiled couple is the least interesting. Doc and General could be cute but it drags on for way too long, repeating the same concerns and pushy habits. The toxic relationship is supposed to be the most interesting, and even that is missing some hot, sizzling chemistry. If you are expecting a great romance in a drama titled “Fight for Love”, you will be disappointed.
Having said all that, there are still many things I like about the drama:
1) I love the initial setup and chemistry between FL and the Eldest Wei brother. Their beginning could be a whole drama itself. I can see a drama about them forming a partnership/marriage of convenience and then eventually fall in love, while investigating. In just a few episodes, I feel that Victoria Song has more chemistry with Zhang Tian Yang (eldest bro) than Ding Yun Xi.
2) I also love the fights especially with such a focus on spear fighting. We’ve seen enough swords in a battle, rarely do we see almost everyone uses a spear. Victoria actually looks pretty strong and believable as a soldier. But, there’s still too much slow motion, spinning and twirling for my taste, but not too bad.
3) Acting is actually pretty good overall. Ding Yu Xi is awesome as a young, spoiled and beloved youngest brother, a love sick loverboy, a traumatized and hurt son, and a tortured but fierce soldier. Many didn’t like Victoria’s acting but I am fine with it. She’s not amazing but also not as emotionless as others claimed. Her character requires her to keep her composure and she is more mature than ML. The supporting cast is not bad either except Liang Xue Feng (aka boytoy Xue Han Mei). I think because his acting is not quite up to par, thus, the toxic romance is lacking for me.
4) I like that all the characters are smart. The leads are both strong physically and emotionally. I enjoy seeing FL being the one coming in to save ML during a fight, and not the other way around. The supporting cast is also smart in their own ways, and no one really makes too many dumb decisions.
5) The drama doesn’t really focus on the use of CGI/green screen. Money is spent on good fights, big battles with real people, nice costumes and styling. Although disappointingly, all the actors are dubbed, they are dubbed well. No mismatched voices and mouths, or voices that I dislike.
Will I recommend “Fight for Love”? Only if you are a Ding Yu Xi fan. I think it’s best to skip it, especially if you are looking for romance. There are too many other period dramas out there right now, and viewers can be picky. I don’t regret watching because I do think the general plot is interesting. It’s just the execution could be better. As a disappointed romance watcher, I am rating this a 7.75 but rounding down to 7.5.
Completed: 11/26/2025 Review #645
The general premise and plot of “Fight for Love” is actually good. I was impressed with the first episode and was hooked. I then wondered, why is it only rated a 7.4? And then, I realize there are two big weaknesses in this drama, and the lack of screen time for Ding Yu Xi is NOT one of them.
Weakness #1 - Uneven pacing and dragged out storylines
Ep 1 started out with a bang and I was immediately hooked to a strong FL dressed in red, ready to scheme her way into the Wei family. But then the first half focuses on ML’s family and his forced rapid growth and maturity. The FL, who started everything, became a sidekick for a while. Still, the first half wasn’t bad and there’s enough background info, early enemies-to-comrades, family dynamics and investigation to keep me interested. But once the battles ended and everyone went back home, the second half started to drag when the focus shifted to the different romance storylines. I don’t mind slowburn romance, spending a little time with the ‘forbidden’ love and the challenges the leads have to face. I am more concerned about the other 2 side romances which took up too much time, repeating the same commentary over and over again. The action scenes also decrease in the second half with more talking and less fighting. This unfortunately drags on all the way to the end of the drama.
Weakness #2 - All the romances
I wasn’t aware that this is a jiejie/didi (older sis/younger bro) romance. I am usually not a fan and when Victoria Song looks so much more mature than the baby-faced Ding Yu Xi, I knew this is not going to work for me. In the drama, FL is 3 years older than ML. Victoria definitely looks more than 3 years older than DYX. On top of that, FL is away ahead of ML in life and love experiences. The chemistry between the leads is lacking. I wouldn’t say the acting is bad, I just don’t feel a lover’s romance but more of a sibling/comrades/friends relationship. I can see how ML could fall in love with FL, but I can’t see it the other way around. There are 3 other romances in the drama. Instead of focusing and executing 2 really good romances, I ended up feeling disappointed in all. The spoiled couple is the least interesting. Doc and General could be cute but it drags on for way too long, repeating the same concerns and pushy habits. The toxic relationship is supposed to be the most interesting, and even that is missing some hot, sizzling chemistry. If you are expecting a great romance in a drama titled “Fight for Love”, you will be disappointed.
Having said all that, there are still many things I like about the drama:
1) I love the initial setup and chemistry between FL and the Eldest Wei brother. Their beginning could be a whole drama itself. I can see a drama about them forming a partnership/marriage of convenience and then eventually fall in love, while investigating. In just a few episodes, I feel that Victoria Song has more chemistry with Zhang Tian Yang (eldest bro) than Ding Yun Xi.
2) I also love the fights especially with such a focus on spear fighting. We’ve seen enough swords in a battle, rarely do we see almost everyone uses a spear. Victoria actually looks pretty strong and believable as a soldier. But, there’s still too much slow motion, spinning and twirling for my taste, but not too bad.
3) Acting is actually pretty good overall. Ding Yu Xi is awesome as a young, spoiled and beloved youngest brother, a love sick loverboy, a traumatized and hurt son, and a tortured but fierce soldier. Many didn’t like Victoria’s acting but I am fine with it. She’s not amazing but also not as emotionless as others claimed. Her character requires her to keep her composure and she is more mature than ML. The supporting cast is not bad either except Liang Xue Feng (aka boytoy Xue Han Mei). I think because his acting is not quite up to par, thus, the toxic romance is lacking for me.
4) I like that all the characters are smart. The leads are both strong physically and emotionally. I enjoy seeing FL being the one coming in to save ML during a fight, and not the other way around. The supporting cast is also smart in their own ways, and no one really makes too many dumb decisions.
5) The drama doesn’t really focus on the use of CGI/green screen. Money is spent on good fights, big battles with real people, nice costumes and styling. Although disappointingly, all the actors are dubbed, they are dubbed well. No mismatched voices and mouths, or voices that I dislike.
Will I recommend “Fight for Love”? Only if you are a Ding Yu Xi fan. I think it’s best to skip it, especially if you are looking for romance. There are too many other period dramas out there right now, and viewers can be picky. I don’t regret watching because I do think the general plot is interesting. It’s just the execution could be better. As a disappointed romance watcher, I am rating this a 7.75 but rounding down to 7.5.
Completed: 11/26/2025 Review #645
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