Excellent acting and costuming, meandering story
Costumes and makeup stand out - I haven't seen many other dramas that do period makeup, hairstyles, clothing, and accessories as well as this! I'm not an expert, but everything seems to fit what I've read about Tang dynasty aesthetics and fashion. Some of the wigs look a bit awkward, but nothing noticeable. The background scenes containing dancing, martial arts, wrestling, performers, etc. fill the show with color and interesting sights.
The actors all do a great job, but Miles Wei as Liu Chang is a standout. He plays his role with great subtlety and really brings the character to life. Most other "self-centered young master" characters are just boring and formulaic caricatures and they could never invoke so many disparate emotions - pity, fear, admiration, hate, disgust, and more. This is the most complex and interesting villain I've seen in a while. Tu Song Yan, playing Prince Ning, is also excellent. His acting and portrayal of the scheming royal are masterful and convincing.
The cinematography is nothing special, but the attention to detail is obvious. The care paid to the composition and juxtaposition of scenes was noticeable and lends aura to a drama without very many dramatic moments or emotional scenes.
The story is meandering and although many things happen it feels like there's little in terms of progression. It's quite realistic in a way, and it never really gets boring, but there's no "payoff".
The romance is understated and doesn't feel like a focus of the series. Women's rights and position in society, and the relations between nobles, merchants, commoners, and slaves, were brought to the fore many times. It's hard to tell where a storytelling with a commitment to historical accuracy ends and where modern social commentary begins, but these scenes don't feel pedantic or forced and are rather thought-provoking instead.
The actors all do a great job, but Miles Wei as Liu Chang is a standout. He plays his role with great subtlety and really brings the character to life. Most other "self-centered young master" characters are just boring and formulaic caricatures and they could never invoke so many disparate emotions - pity, fear, admiration, hate, disgust, and more. This is the most complex and interesting villain I've seen in a while. Tu Song Yan, playing Prince Ning, is also excellent. His acting and portrayal of the scheming royal are masterful and convincing.
The cinematography is nothing special, but the attention to detail is obvious. The care paid to the composition and juxtaposition of scenes was noticeable and lends aura to a drama without very many dramatic moments or emotional scenes.
The story is meandering and although many things happen it feels like there's little in terms of progression. It's quite realistic in a way, and it never really gets boring, but there's no "payoff".
The romance is understated and doesn't feel like a focus of the series. Women's rights and position in society, and the relations between nobles, merchants, commoners, and slaves, were brought to the fore many times. It's hard to tell where a storytelling with a commitment to historical accuracy ends and where modern social commentary begins, but these scenes don't feel pedantic or forced and are rather thought-provoking instead.
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