I Will Rewatch it for a long time
so good.. i hooked even in first episode. i read a manga too, they put some scene to other eps so i feel bit confused. but really, in this 3 episode(sept 2th) i already rewatch more than 10 times! i prefer to rewatch a good drama than watch a new drama that didin't good. but this drama actually so good. even this drama did'nt complated yet, but i really like it so bad!! しかも、キッスもあるからびっくりした😅😅😅 でもいいんじゃない。めっちゃいいね！お楽しみに❗i hope we can get the sequel or season 2🙏🏻
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This review may contain spoilers
There are weeks where I watched this, and I get a good sense of enjoyment and then there are other weeks where I'm like why the writer wanted to include this? Started off pretty good with the whole concept of this drama, getting to know the ones who passed away and grant them their final wishes but then they added some things to this drama (like the ex-girlfriend returning arc) that I just wasn't a fan and at times ruin the flow of what this drama was about. Though the romance was somewhat lacking towards the end, the drama does wrap up loose ends and show a connection for all of the side stories. So at least I can give points to that.What I like:
* Some heartwarming stories of the ones who passed.
* Good osts playing just at the right moment
* Chemistry between the leads
* Good amount of funny scenes (a lot with the uncles).
* A bittersweet ending that makes you treasure your love ones even more
What I didn't like:
* There were 21 spirits with wishes to be granted but I felt like some spirits didn't get a full satisfying ending. Some stories ended properly while others didn't have full conclusion. I mean at least show each spirit walking to the afterlife, but they didn't even do that.
* The ex-girlfriend arc. I felt like there were too many wasted episodes on this. Nothing meaningful occurred with this arc and even the conclusion of this arc seemed very lacking, as in it didn't felt like anything was resolved.
* Turning a good friend to an evil one: Honestly, I hated the direction the writer decided to take for this character. It was a twist I didn't expect but also one I didn't like. I would've preferred the story where he had to choose who to save first and he chose his older brother instead of the ML's brother. Then followed with guilt and eventually a broken bro-ship once the truth was revealed.
* Just not enough romance scenes with the leads - After they officially get together, it just seemed like there wasn't many scenes of sweet moments together. Even towards the end seemed lacking.
Overall, not a bad drama. Despite some story arcs I wasn't a fan of, it does have a good overall message, treasure the ones you love. You never know when it's going to be their last.
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A typical feel good romance but BETTER...!!
so I have waited for few weeks to write a review of this drama in case it disappoints me... But boy was I wrong.... Believe me, it has its elements where it feels like it will take a turn into typical cliched drama but it surprises you in the best way possible.The characters at a first glance are not new, a hot-headed filled with mood swings having broken past ML, can't help herself a damsel in distress FL and jealous out for revenge second male lead. BUT the characters have depth, they change except (second female lead, but let's pretend she doesn't exist), they are shown to be more than just their initial characteristics.
Both the leads have really good chaotic, continuous bickering chemistry and I have a bias for such trope.
So watch this drama if you want to enjoy the good old butterflies along with their actions having certain logic and reason.
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1All Warfare Is Based on Deception
The Vendetta of An (or The Twenty-Four Strategies of Chang’an/长安二十四计) is an intense, fast-paced suspense thriller with an intricate plot full of twists and reversals. Set in a fictional dynasty, feudal lord Xiao Wuyang marches into Chang’an and deposes his brother, puppet emperor Xiao Wenjing. Yet his grip on the throne remains tenuous until the tyrannical General Yan Fengshan is captured and his elite shadow army, the Huben, is disbanded. If anyone is up to this perilous task, it must be the son of the Huben’s founder. Finally, the stage is set for Xie Huai’an to return to the capital to demand an accounting for his family’s massacre fifteen years earlier.Though Huai’an is driven by revenge, as the Chinese title suggests, the plot unfolds along the lines of art of war. It is an intriguing and sophisticated conspiracy where the devil is in the details, and the chessboard is not fully visible to all players. These schemes play out amid the daily lives of ordinary people in Chang’an—an innovative take on the classic “empty fort strategy” (空城計, kōng chéng jì). Ultimately, all warfare is based on deception, and Chang’an is the battlefield where hidden protagonists and antagonists attempt to outwit each other with complex, multi-layered stratagems. This drama demands full attention; its dialogue carries literary depth and is laden with clues that hint at complex character motivations.
This is without a doubt one of the most engaging and best-written dramas I’ve watched in 2025. However, across 28 episodes, the drama packs in too many ideas and themes. There is a profound sense of foreshadowing and symmetry, of cause and effect and “an eye for an eye,” that underlies the plot arcs and character outcomes. But it succumbs to the overdose of melodrama and excessive twists that have weighed down too many 2025 dramas—often at the cost of both character and logic. Vendetta takes “falling off a cliff” to new levels in how unbelievably incompetent every character seems at stabbing someone in the guts. The breakneck pace and multiple reversals successfully distract from how certain aspects of the plot and characters don’t fully hold together. It’s high entertainment, but it pushes the limits of suspension of disbelief and doesn’t withstand close scrutiny.
Although Huai’an is widely touted as a brilliant strategist several steps ahead of everyone else, his wins are few and far between. They come at a high cost, often by adopting the “self-injury stratagem” (苦肉計, kǔ ròu jì). This is fitting—the stakes are sky-high, and Huai’an is under-resourced and outmanoeuvred by hidden foes who, like him, play the long game. In this story, characters are allowed to fail, with real consequences. While Huai’an has loyal allies, they make mistakes and, worse, need rescuing at pivotal moments. Often, the antagonists seem smarter, more competent and more ruthless. Yet they, too, are grounded in reality; miscalculate and possess flaws that can be exploited to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. With such well-matched players, the margin between victory and defeat is razor-thin, turning on a dime.
Plot-wise, the narrative builds through multiple exciting twists to a thrilling and satisfying climax about two-thirds of the way through. Lurking in the shadows are Tiemo sleeper cells, ready to “loot a burning house” (趁火打劫, chèn huǒ dǎ jié) by exploiting Chang’an’s internal strife. Huai’an is taken by surprise, routed, and trapped at a disadvantage as hidden enemies emerge from the woodwork and barbarians gather at the gates. This story arc contains so many double- and triple-crosses, schemes within schemes, and bombshells that the plot becomes slightly deformed. For me, the best subplot was Wang Pu’s short arc, a masterclass in psychological warfare. In contrast, Baiwan’s arc felt unnecessary, adding little beyond forced angst while artificially lowering the intelligence of Huai’an’s team. That time would have been better spent deepening more interesting characters and tying up loose ends.
Cheng Yi navigates Xie Huai’an’s introspective transitions well, particularly as he reins in his obsession with an unchangeable past and finds a higher cause in a changeable future. The main aspect of his portrayal that missed the mark for me was its overly maudlin tone. The frequent waterworks made it seem as though he was the only character who had ever suffered loss during chaotic times. It’s also difficult to root for a protagonist so world-weary and single-minded in purpose. Thus, for me, Li Lianhua remains Cheng Yi’s best role, even though Vendetta of An has the stronger plot.
The main characters are multifaceted, with interesting backstories anchored by an impressive roster of veterans and solid performances all around. I found Wenjing’s duality—the twists and turns of his journey and his struggle against his true nature—most compelling. Unfortunately, his character was eventually dumbed down and squandered for shock value and cheap angst. Among the younger cast, Liu Yitong's Han Ziling was memorable. While I can’t fault the acting, Wang Jinsong’s gentle aura felt mismatched to his role. Yan Fengshan emerges as a more intense and menacing villain than the primary antagonist.
The finale builds to another exciting, action-packed, high-stakes climax in which Huai’an deftly “lures the tiger down the mountain” (調虎離山, diào hǔ lí shān) with yet another self-injury stratagem, then “shuts the door to catch the thief” (關門捉賊, guān mén zhuō zéi) and “borrows a corpse to resurrect the soul” (借屍還魂, jiè shī huán hún). There’s much to unpack in the excellent finale, though it leaves several loose ends only partly tied up in the special episode. The ending was more clear on a second watch—more on that in the spoiler section below. Most importantly, Huai’an’s final epiphany brings his character journey to a fitting close.
Overall, this drama that is a feast for the eyes and a boot camp for the little gray cells would have benefited from fewer themes and narrative curveballs. A tighter plot with fewer logic holes could have earned a 9.0 from me, but as it stands, it’s a highly recommended 8.5/10.
ENDING SPOILERS & ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
(Do not scroll further if you have not finished the drama.)
On a second watch, I realized the final episode is far more definitive than I initially believed. To begin with, Huai’an’s hair did not magically turn white overnight; he dyed it again, just as he did before infiltrating Hidden Soldier Valley. According to Cen Weizong’s reading of his natal chart, Baitou's hair would not turn white again until the end of his lifespan (83 years). He was playing to the Tiemo King's superstition by suggesting he was at death’s door.
As Huai’an is stabbed and his life flashes before his eyes, he finally admits he still wants to live—if only to remember his family a little longer. He breaks free from his obsession with revenge and reclaims his identity as Liu Zhi, a Huben shadow guard sworn to protect Chang’an. When he triggers the explosion, he discards his identity as Xie Huai’an, who stays in the granary and dies in the blast. Liu Zhi, however emerges and takes a day or two to live as an ordinary person. One could argue Liu Zhi never walked out of the granary either, but what matters more is that the character’s journey comes full circle. It’s a good ending, even without the special.
The special episode ties up loose ends and is clearly a prelude to a second season. Wuyang ends up on the throne, while Wenjing remains officially dead, choosing to serve the court incognito as the former pageboy Zhang Mo. Ye Zheng leaves to court his love Zhaolu, and Xiaoqing becomes a doctor.
The mysterious figure in Yulong Ridge is quite obviously Liu Zhi. He lets his hair down and imprisons himself there among his Huben guard—much like the Tiemo King did—to manipulate events from the shadows. He owes Cen a favor (likely a quid pro quo for luring the Tiemo King to the granary), after which they are square. This sets up the next season involving a mysterious figure at Mt. Shiluoman in Tiemo. Liu Zhi's work is not done; 200,000 Tiemo troops can still be deployed at any time. Until that threat is neutralized and lasting peace is achieved, it’s convenient to let the world believe Huai’an/Liu Zhi is dead. The person at Mt. Shiluoman is likely a high priest—probably Cen’s superior. When Huai’an kidnapped the Tiemo envoy, he mentions an altar at Mt. Shiluoman where nobles undergo a ceremony to receive the token around his neck. A new king should soon be chosen in Tiemo. It is in Liu Zhi/Chang'an's interest to try to influence the process.
One of the larger open plot holes for me is what drove Liu Ziyan and Yan Fengshan to turn on Liu Zhiwei. The only explanation that makes some sense is that they blamed him for the disastrous mission to rescue a high-ranking Huben spy captured by the Tiemo King 25 years earlier. I don’t believe that spy was Liu Zhi’s mother, as the timeline doesn’t align: she couldn’t have given birth to Liu Li/Baiwan if she died 25 years ago, and it contradicts Huai’an’s statement that his mother died when he was ten. I also find it difficult to believe that two uneducated Tiemo slaves raised as wolf bait could rise to become two of the most erudite and high-ranking officials in Chang’an. I could go on but I will stop here because I did enjoy this drama quite a bit despite the logic holes.
WANG PU ARC SPOILERS
Wang Pu made a fatal mistake when he couldn't resist meeting with Huai'an. He lost the moment he went to that temple by himself. He wasn't alone of course but he didn't realize Huai'an's men would kill all of his men that were following him there.
When Wang Pu learned of that YFS murdered his parents, he didn't care at all. The problem is YFS would NEVER believe that and would never trust him the same way again. This is the brilliance of Huai'an's trap - he ruined their relationship simply by meeting alone with Wang Pu to tell him his origin story. It is his nature - YFS would never be able to trust Wang Pu again. This left poor Stockholm Syndrom Wang Pu no choice but to prove his loyalty by killing himself. But YFS is a sick son-of-a-bitch. He could have refused to confirm what Huai'an told Wang Pu. But instead he told him in bloody detail anyway and when he was finished Wang Pu started eating the poisoned dumplings.
Huai'an already said Checkmate to Wang Pu at the end, both knowing how this would play out. But Wang Pu thought he would be able to deliver YFS a final win by luring Huai'an to watch his downfall. But even in this, he was outplayed bc Huai'an never showed up. It was an eye for an eye for Bai Wan's death.
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This review may contain spoilers
I'm gonna say this straight up: this is probably the best wuxia/fantasy/adventure/epic drama I've watched. Multiple factors add to this such as cast, script, BEAUTIFUL cinematography, actually good CGI and so on. Story: The story was very fleshed out and complex, and did the novel justice. Each character, even the minor ones felt like they were placed wherever they were for a purpose and not just as a tool for the plot to move on. The plot was a little draggy in some parts but as I don't really pay attention to these things I didn't take any points off for it. One thing I can say is that I never felt like I wanted to take a break from the series (as I do with a LOT of Chinese and Korean dramas) or drop it. In fact, if I ever missed something accidentally, I would go back and rewatch it in case I missed something important. I also fast forward and speed up my other dramas, but I didn't for this one which I think expresses my devotion haha. The plot is also quite original and there are certain things that set it apart from other wuxia fantasy shows. For example, the fight scenes are very realistic. The opening scene really shocked me as you can see the work the crew and actors have done to make it look and feel real (it worked). Also, the regular tropes that other dramas used are completely changed in this drama. For example, in one of the scenes, the Emperor says (I can't remember exactly what he said oops) "A child born of royalty can live and take revenge, but the child of a doorkeeper can't? What sort of rubbish idea is this?" And this actually made me think...
Acting/Cast: Chen Feiyu, being quite young, filled the shoes of the complicated NingQue very well. He was good at expressing happiness, shamelessness, and quick-fire retaliation with his words. His smug face when he won something from someone is so endearing. I would give him personally a 9.5 for acting as just a few scenes (mostly of negative emotions) felt off. Song Yiren was absolutely amazing, and I would say she is the best main character of the show, She was perfect at expressing child-like dependence and admiration for NingQue as SangSang. She also showed off SangSang's practicality and work ethic very well, as well as her underlying love for NingQue. The romance between the two is extremely subtle in the first half, but from episode 40 or so when NingQue returns with Mo ShanShan, it begins to show as the two are forced to confront each other with what they really want from each other. I loved the endearing way NingQue treated SangSang, you could tell that even though he made fun of her and treated her as a maid sometimes, he really cared for her and would do anything for her. In one scene, he says "SangSang isn't the door to my life, she is my life." Oh God. The other side characters did very well in their roles. I found YanSe and WeiGuangMing particularly astounding, and I'm glad some veteran actors had big roles in the drama (unlike some dramas which only focus on the young actors to attract more audiences). Other characters I loved were ChenPiPi (and his bromance with NingQue and his cuteness), YeHongYu (as NingQue said: "You are THE strongest woman I've ever met."), LiYu (the princess of Tang, an ambitious woman) and every person in the Upper Story.
Music: I like most of the songs in the OST and some of them are very suited to a particular character or setting. For example back in the army they would sing the song "Take your life" and so on. However there would be a song for a particular character but then used for another character which was awkward (but it was a nice song so I didn't mind).
Rewatch value: Okay so the only reason I won't rewatch this is because it's kinda long. Also there's a second season, so I'll just wait for that. BUT the second season won't have Chen Feiyu, which is a shame as I grew used to his face and acting style. The romance and other relationships won't be the same... I've heard news that the main lead in the second season is going to be Dylan Wang, who played DaoMingSi in Meteor Garden. I found his character childish in that and kind of restricted to a few emotions (I didn't even finish, stopped at episode 30) so we'll see how it goes.
10/10 recommend!!
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Fortune favors the bold.
Flourished Peony 国色芳华 is the first part of a sweeping two part story about a woman's quest to restore her mother's legacy and control her own destiny. It is set during China's cultural golden age when peonies were sought after as the "Queen of Flowers", a symbol of beauty and prosperity. He Weifang or Mudan (Peony) is a merchant's daughter with a rare talent for cultivating exquisite peonies. She is exploited by her grasping in-laws who have designs on her dowry and disdained by her husband Liu Chang, who pines for a county princess. She intrigues corrupt Flower Envoy Jiang Changyang when he overhears her wickedly praying her husband be plagued with piles, baldness, unfaithful concubines and bomb out in the imperial exams. Amused and empathetic, he helps her end her loveless marriage and finances her business ventures. Cheering her on from the sidelines, he lends the rare helping hand when she is in over her head. She gets him out of a tight spot and an unspoken trust, friendship and romance flowers between them.Mudan’s journey—from a submissive daughter-in-law to an independent businesswoman—unfolds amidst feudal Tang society, where class divisions, filial piety, and arranged marriages were societal constraints on both men and women. While the narrative highlights the systematic nature of women's subjugation and their lack of legal rights and agency, it is framed in the context of a feudal society where no one truly has free will. Thus, a promising scholar from an official family cannot hope to marry a county princess, a county princess can no more choose her husband than a merchant's daughter, and even an insouciant Flower Envoy must entertain a union not of his choosing. I really appreciate this kind of social commentary that is sharp, yet balanced and contextual.
Mudan has fantastic business instincts and is a confident, persuasive, and a savvy risk-taker that dares to seize the moment.She is ahead of her time and champions modern values in terms of women's rights and roles. While the obstacles women faced are realistically depicted, fortune favors the bold and Mudan overcomes them confidently and resourcefully. This kind of too capable, superwoman character would be suffocating and alienating if Mudan's resourcefulness and confidence were not also flaws that drive the plot. Anyone else would keep a low profile upon learning that Liu Chang and his dreadful parents are in Chang'an. Not Mudan!. With a misplaced sense of invincibility, she glories in her success and growing reputation, inevitably bringing herself to the vengful Lius and the jealous Youzhen's attention. Fear not, her plot armor is so thick that some poor patsy inevitably pops up just in time run into the white truck of doom for her! Thus she never truly suffers the consequences of her miscalculations and over-confidence.
Even though Sheng Yi's arc could have been tighter, her story is moving, realistic and compellingly portrayed. She is the most miserable and oppressed character in this story as a result of both her low status, her gender and her upbringing. Even though her actions are controversial and frustrating, I empathised with and rooted for her the whole way. Unlike Mudan, Sheng Yi is a product of her times; it is natural for her goals to be aligned with prevailing social norms. Whereas Mudan's modern values and opinions don't quite fit with the ancient Tang society. Sheng Yi makes a passionate case that not every woman wants or needs to be Mudan. Sadly, Mudan cannot fathom how given a chance to be free, a woman would choose to cling to traditional roles. Her tone deaf conversation with Sheng Yi where they both talk past each other highlights how two people can care deeply for each other without understanding one another. This is one of Mudan's blind spots as learning nothing from Sheng Yi, she blithely steamrollers Lv Gengchun into turning her medical practice into a for profit business.
This storyline unfolds at a slow pace that is barely noticeable as the atmospheric set and costumes, the rich dialogue and the tension between the deep and complex characters is immersive. Even though many plot arcs are quite cliche, the characters are captivatingly written, with flaws that can lead to significant setbacks and/or their downfalls. Both Liu Chang and Youzhen are insufferably arrogant characters who go to extreme lengths to get what they want only to learn they don't want what they get. Wei Zheming is persuasive as Liu Chang, an erudite but weak character who genuinely believes himself to be a better man than her really is. While the antagonists are smart or powerful enough to pose a credible threat, they spiral downhill into cliched obsessive archetypes for the convenience of the plot or to elevate Mudan or Changyang. But their stories are not over and there could be a reversal in the second part of the story that delivers a more nuanced and complex antagonist than what we have seen so far.
As someone who is no fan of romance, I find the delightful slow-burn connection between Mudan and Changyang to be the highlight of the drama. Unlike too many other stories that rush into love, this relationship develops organically and leisurely. The chemistry between Yang Zi and Li Xian is palpable and their bond feels deep, mature and authentic. They are both consummate actors that skilfully convey how their characters are savoring that delicious, giddy moment where they know they will be lovers but they are in no hurry to take that next step. Instead they are just basking in the strong foundation of their mutual trust and friendship while anticipating the passion that lies ahead. I love how Yang Zi has disappeared into this role and is not just Yang Zi being Yang Zi. And it has been too long since I have seen Li Xian's crooked smile and how he effortlessly conveys that there a lot more to Jiang Changyang than what meets the eye with just a few subtle expressions. I can't wait for the second part, which should reveal more of our enigmatic Flower Envoys and take his relationship with Mudan from confidantes to lovers.
The first part of the story ends somewhat anti-climatically with Mudan almost too effortlessly accomplishing what she sets out to do and with many sub-plots left open. The profound social insight, engaging storytelling and fantastic acting papers over some of the more predictable sub-plots. Unlike most empowerment dramas, it avoids separating the male and female lead but still indulges in some contrived plot points just to prove that women can make it with minimal help from men. Even though Mudan and Changyang's story is unfinished, I like it well enough so far to rate it an 8.5/10.0. If everything ties up well, my final rating for this story can be a 9.0 or even better.
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Acting was great though, characters and the band itself were soo wholesome! It's nice to take a break from dramas with too many shitty characters. Anyways, as I always say, I base my ratings on overall enjoyment. The show was not the best of the year but it was a comfortable and cozy watch. 7.5.
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James:- i loved watching the dashing he looked very handsome dressed up in suit. he pulled out the character of Nai very well he was very supportive caring and helpful towards everyone in the show. though he was insulted many a times by Nok he still cared for her in her hard times.
Taew:- she was very looking very beautiful in the show, her dressing sense was amazing. she loved her family very much and was ready to go to any extent to keep her family together. at times she was very rude and arrogant towards Nai as she was jealous of him to be as she thought her father valued him more and said him hurting words but later she really cared for him as she got to know him.
As for the other cast they were amazing the office colleagues were amazing they cracked jokes and it was fun watching it. Also Noks's mother was fab she was caring towards Nai and loved him like her own son and her scenes were delightful and the scenes between Nok's parents was funny when they argue with each other . Everyone was amazing in the show except of Penny(the servant's daughter) i have no idea why did she hate Nok so much though Nok was rude her her but it was because of her own behavior. she was jealous of Nok to such an extent that she kidnapped her, crated misunderstanding with Nai.
As for the story everyone knows about it the romantic scenes between Nai and Nok were beautiful specially after marriage. the patience Nai had for Nok is amazing
Though the title of show is game sanaeha but i cannot see any game being played Nok started this game to snatch everything that Nai had the position in company, her family love but she ended falling in love with him
As for the re-watch value there are some scenes which you will like to watch many times like office scenes romantic scenes honeymoon scene or the first month anniversary scene or baby scenes.
So i waited for this series for a long time and i really enjoyed it watching!!!!!
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Cast: My favorite character was Dal Bong (Hyung Sik) I think he resembled his father in personality and traits the most - he was the most caring kid this guy had - even in his immaturity he was still pretty mature lol His character brings life to this drama with all his charm, cuteness, emotions, temper, awkwardness & that "fake laughter" of his that was so similar to his dads^^ Seol Woo the country bumpkin as I call her is my second favorite. Kang Shim & Tae Joo were the hilarious couple - man that guy can make lots of weird, crazy, strange ugly funny faces lol - but he was quite charming when he was serious <3 & KS can sure make a person cry :'( The Dad is my next favorite - his only fault - being a little too self-less. Then we have the cousin Young Sul - always looking for trouble might I say lol The rest are all on equal boats for me - I never really liked Kang Jae (the older brother) he was way too emotion-less and distant but there were a couple scenes where he made me cry. He's arrogant and I've never liked arrogant people - they rub me the wrong way... oh and Dal Bong's "friend" Eun Ho was a great part of the cast too, he really riles Dal Bong's feathers up and it was entertaining most of the time, a few times I got mad at him but that quickly dissipated every time :P
Music: On the Road by Choi Baek Ho, I Told You by Yozoh, Father's Youth by ? (I really like this song but I don't know the artist)
Re-watch Value: 9/10 I really enjoyed it and will re-watch it again someday.
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Usually in J-dramas the topic of sex is one that is not addressed at all; in this drama, it is there and openly seen, but not in a lewd and raunchy manner (unfortunately which is seen far too much in American dramas) so that is a relief. We see characters actually acting like adults and not middle school students that are afraid to hold hands. There are actually kiss scenes that are quite believable and not overly awkward to watch. The romance scenes are not too steamy to the point that you would get uncomfortable if someone were to walk into the room when you were watching.
Another positive point is the music, setting, and atmosphere. This drama was beautifully shot and has a great soundtrack of memorable songs that get stuck in your head for the entire week after watching an episode. I myself have been listening to the soundtrack a lot. Ken Arai did a great job in capturing the perfect compositions for the various moments in the drama. I also like how the theme of chocolate was included in the drama. It is not strictly a food drama but the importance of this beloved treat in the various love interest's lives is an interesting and apt addition, without overriding the other aspects of the plot and making it another culinary porn type of series.
Things I did not like about the drama were the lack of characterization for certain characters, especially Rikudou and Sekiya , and to an extent Saeko. Rikudou could have been a very memorable character if utilized properly, but unfortunately his presence was one that contributed very little to the drama as a whole. Sato Ryuuta did a great job in all of the scenes that he was in. Sekiya was just a pointless throwaway character. The actor's performance was not memorable and neither was the character. As for Saeko, I feel like we could have seen more what makes her the person she is, like a bit of her past, her hopes, dreams, ambitions. Instead, she is regulated to an empty manic pixie dream girl who really is defined by the men she is with. Sure, there were some good instances of female bonding with Kaoruko , but the character was not developed enough. The same can be said about Olivier as well.
Also, the drama does a poor job of addressing heavy subjects such as domestic violence and infidelity. I feel the characters have done things that are taboos and generally accepted as wrongs, but very little repentance is shown. It really sends a clouded message. As for the ending, I very much though that it summed things up nicely, apart from certain unrealistic and overly optimistic aspects. I'm glad the ending wasn't the typical drama ending, but this opinion may not be shared by others.
All in all, it was a entertaining drama from start to finish, though definitely not perfect. So for that, I give it an 8 overall.
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Where was this Sword and Fairy?
Like the many others I thought that you'd have to watch the other Chinese Paladin series to start this one. Luckily you don't have to do that! The series is based off of video games, and each series pretty much stands alone.This adaptation of Chinese Paladin 6 is called Sword and Fairy, and weirdly enough it's airing at the same time of another Chinese Paladin series. Between the two I chose to watch this one because of Xu Kai,
It's not extraordinary (but it had the makings of a fantastic drama. At the beginning drama is fun and not too dense with mellow, and I can go either way honestly. I like a lot of different dramas and was skeptical because of the wondrous nature of this one. A handful of episodes in and I'm buying into how the world works and where the drama seems to lead. Which is an interesting place considering its main premise is surrounding a looming disaster brought by a demon lord that may or may not be our FL? What is even better than that is the cult that worships this Lord Ming and hilariously mistaken our FL, Qi, played by Esther Yu, as this demon lord. So her and her sworn brother (lol not buying that) are in the middle of it all trying to reclaim their (mainly Qi's identity). Surely enough handfuls of more episodes and there is a lot I can't buy into so easily. I think the show started being bad when a certain someone found out their origins. Then it was a lot of back and forth between two settings and not a lot of organic sets. I am someone that is more into real life settings and weather and etc.
I haven't seen anything like it honestly. It's unique with the costumes, and especially the dynamic between the FL and the ML. Qi is very dumb and I see the complaints about the dubbing and the 'annoying' voice, but be serious with yourself on this. This character only knows three years of life other than a reoccurring dream. She is naive and how she sounds equals to that, I have always been wary of Esther Yu because of the voice but why? It works so well here and she is hilarious. She doesn't phone in what she is playing and make it annoying, she has charm and the acting chops to fill in many diverse roles and funny and naive ones alike. Xu Kai who plays the ML, Jin Zhao, isn't as naive as her, but they are both as unfortunate honestly. They both know nothing about their whereabouts, other than that they woke up together so that makes them to be born on the same day. He is protective of her and just as skeptical as anyone that wants anything to do with her. I am loving the dynamic between them, their teasing is great to watch and that makes me excited for a potential romance at the beginning slowly falls into a mess. Their relationship isn't developed and instead you watch the other characters and their relationships. I really didn't get what I bargained for.
The mystery behind the leads is interesting, as. you don't know exactly what the two even are. Are they human? Demon? Are they bound by fate? Again, I don't know how the Chinese Paladin series really work, but I see a lot of fights, characters, and wonder if it will get heavy into plot or if they will just go place to place. The latter is what happens.. honestly a mix of both. It is hard to take seriously at times with how fake everything looks.. the effort is there but it just overall seems cheap by the end of 36 episodes.
I think about what the drama is trying to accomplish and rate based on that. So if this drama is appealing to the demographic in China it is doing very well. People are happy and better than that, this drama has been acknowledged by one of the producers from the source material. So that alone tells me it is doing something right.
Although upon watching the whole series it seems I am asking myself... what really happened? What was the point? All of these pretty faces in this drama can't amount to anything if they are barely in it by the time the series ends. Xu Kai and Esther Yu are still great.. but unfortunate.
There is a lot of what I care about and nothing of what I do. So that is really less Xu Kai and more side characters. The chemistry between the leads is the best it can do I guess.. but it's not electric when comparing to much better dramas with much better performances. It is due to the script.. because I know the leads have it in them. This story is just convuluted. There is so much happening and it is hard to keep up, but it is pretty entertaining. In the end I am wishing for more stories with more heart. This one was just a video game adaptation, that really didn't have its own unique narrative to tell. There was only so much that could happen and in the end it was pretty stale.. but it had Xu Kai and I love him to death.
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NOTE: The official YouTube channel does not have subtitles and blocked Fruitylads's posts. Try Google. Also, these episodes average 25 minutes with a staggering 5.5 minutes of opening/closing credits!
ACTING/CAST: The ENTIRE cast are all very HOT! You will see a scene where Lu Bai does Cosplay; I am at a loss for words to explain how amazing he looks. There's so much good chemistry here, especially between Xiao Mo and Lu Bai. The cast are young and inexperienced, and it shows.
MUSIC: I like the main theme and the credits and there's some good background music, like the haunting piano melody when something bad is happening.
REWATCH VALUE: Yes. Already have. I simply love the story and concept even if all the BL was cut out of it.
OVERALL: I love fantasy but wish there was more focus on a bromance instead of just fan service. Watch the prequel movies too.
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First I'll mention what worked, and for me that was Choi Daniel. This is the part where I confess that I probably kept watching because I was developing a crush on Nam Chi Won at the same time Yoon Yi was. Being handsome has a lot to do with it, but he really was great in his role. I loved finding out more weird and adorkable things about him hiding behind his rigid and serious exterior. I also thought Yoon Yi was cute without crossing too far over into annoyingville. I think the romance between these too really worked well, and carried the show. There are lots of cute, sweet, and even some sexy moments. Some moments were a bit too cheesy for me, but that goes back to the bad writing, not the acting.
I think the same can be said for Lee Won Keun and Kang Hye Jung. Their relationship was definitely weird, but adorable. Although I liked watching how their characters became closer, and think their relationship arc was better than the main couple, I still feel like making them deal with stupid storylines made them a little less appealing.
The rest of the supporting cast was mostly good. I liked the office worker cast, though they were mainly there for quick commentary, and comic relief. I was a little less impressed with the 4 girl friends. Their scenes all together were pretty boring, and since their friendship is a large part of the plot, that's not a good thing. I especially wish that they gave her coffee making friend more of a story besides just being the mediator. Then there are the villainous bosses, who were so over the top that I couldn't take that part of the story seriously. Some situations were funny, but they got to be so repetitive, that I could no longer laugh without cringing a little. They also waited too long to add depth to some of the characters. The last episode is way to late to try to make me sympathize with a person who's been in jerk mode for 15 episodes. Too many of the supporting characters were written to be one note.
I think some of the disconnect with me and this drama may be also cultural. I can't really relate to dating scandal plots, and I don't see the big deal about divorce, or being an older employee... So what were major issues for the characters didn't seem so major to me. The office rivalries also couldn't hold my interest, and I was often tempted to skip scenes. Obviously that means a low rewatch score from me too.
Overall, I enjoyed enough of it to keep watching till the very end, but I can't quite recommend it, or say that it was good. It took a while to grow on me, then managed to hold my interest, but I can see myself forgetting all about this drama in a few months. If you like romance dramas, and you don't have anything exciting in your queue, this could be a good way to fill the time. It's probably much better to binge watch too, so you don't get bored, or tempted to drop it. At the very least you've got Daniel being as cute as possible for 16 episodes, and for me that was good enough!
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Falling High School Girl and Irresponsible Teacher
43 people found this review helpful
two people being each others light
ill start by saying this drama handled the subject of su*c*de very well for being such a short drama. shows that just a simple encounter can change your mindset and your outlook on life. our ML was there for our FL every time it mattered most.. Haiba was just the light in Mokotos life that she needed and must i say that she was what he needed as well. they were adorable and the chemistry was on point. their little moments were everything.even if you're not a fan of student x teacher relationships i would till give it a try. it doesn't have those creepy vibes that some dramas have with those tags. this was so well done. just wish it was longer, that's why im hoping for S2! :')
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It is my cup of tea
"Do you like Brahms?" is a drama that teaches me about the things that makes life so graceful. This drama may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for me, journeying with this drama is like sipping my fine tea on a lovely afternoon. Like my green tea, this drama wont give a strong and special impression, just simple and sweet feeling. That moment when you hear people playing their instruments somehow relates to that nice warm feeling when you smell from the aroma of the tea leaves. Its that kind of magic.
The story itself is something I would love to enjoy like how I would enjoy my tea. One sip at a time, feeling its flavor as the aroma engulfs your soul. I love how it was subtle and slow, that as I went through it, I gradually feel its elegance from the bits and pieces of emotion finally settling in towards the end. As tea comes with different unique flavors, so was the characters in the drama. Everyone character was like those different type of flavors, others were more bitter than sweet and some are too sweet to be bitter. But even for me, I appreciate all of them, no matter how bitter and sweet they are.
What made it special to me was because it was not special.
Its a mundane drama that reminds me of my love for tea.
I love it.
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