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Not too good but also not bad
This drama is not such extraordinary kind but you won’t get disappointed for watching this because except how they executed the story everything is good enough to spend our valuable time like cinematography, background music and songs, chemistry and romance. Still why I am feeling unsatisfied is everything is easily predictable and also the ML who is 900+ years old acts like 10 years old child (may be to match the FL who is sooo bubbly), or may be because the ML is social outcast kind, if so it is still unacceptable because he was the general of his army and he was matured on that time.I must appreciate the cameraman, cinematography, choreography, music and songs, so many times I was stunned thinking that which special effect camera they are used in this drama and once again the music and songs with that situation is really heart-felting one. And one more thing what I felt disappointed is when ML disappears she went for some blind dates and she develops feelings to someone(even though he his her loved one but she didn’t knew on that time) even though she was unclear about her previous love and also she knew that she was the bride of some one whom she love very much or may be I interpreted it in a different or a wrong way may be the director intend to show that the love is that kind of magic even though you don’t have memory (about him) but you will have the same feeling with that right person.
In an over all I can only say this is good drama in all aspects but poorly executed.
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Only the second time seeing Kim Ju Hyuk (Heo Joon) in a drama but definitely a fan of both Nam Goong Min (Do Ji) and Park Jin Hee (Ye Ji). Go Doo Shim (as Heo Joon's mother) as always is a consummate actress. I was impressed with Park Eun Bin (Da Hee, Heo Joon's wife) because there is a 20 year difference in their age (yeah, I was shocked too) but she held her own from start to finish. The rest of the cast was great. There are a couple of the younger actors (who remain nameless) that I will be looking forward to in the future.
Overall, this is a drama only medical and sageuk watchers would possibly appreciate. I don't recommend it otherwise.
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Don't lose patience and keep watching. It may kinda seem boring in first few episode
When I first started watching it was pretty boring. But I challenged myself and got through first few episodes. OMG it was so beautiful after that. When you can understand all the things it seems so awesome to you. Please if you're thinking about watching it then please watch it. It's so good. You won't regret it. And about the age difference i think it's cute. I laughed and cried with this show. There was no unwanted scene. Every episode always ends at cliffhanger. There is some awesome twists in the drama. That's all there is to say. Everyone praises the OST of this show. But I didn't found it that amazing. I mean it was okay.Was this review helpful to you?
Forgiveness Love and Redemption
Weĺl this is my very first review, been watching cdrama for awhile, my last day of my 4 days off and i am happy that eventually i followed my instinct and watched this drama, i read some reviews as well, it is indeed a very long 41 ep it needs patience and time to watch, what i love about this show are the playfullness of both fmale leads and male leads, sure tears will flow, get upset with few characters but i love most the character transformation between the 2 leads, their journey to heal each others pain and eventually falling in love, sure there are no extravagant proposal at the end but they are together, it is an open ended ending, a happy one, what he said to her that whenver wherever she goes he will go, he will follow, he wants to watch the sunset with her till they are old, beautiful love story, the music is so sweet and yet sad to listen, definitely highly recommended ....Was this review helpful to you?
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woahh! i'am seriously smitten with mulan, such a powerful and inspiring character, this drama was such a great great drama, it's soo good and addictive, i have NO IDEA WHY ON EARTH IS THIS SOO UNDERATED!! the cast was perfect although i didn't like the heroine at first, she looked and had the air of a weak little girl while in fact she proved me wrong as her character develops, there is major character developement in this drama, the cast proves to us THEY CAN ACT!
the first part of the story is about this girl named hua mulan who is a great embroider, coincindentally, i have started an interest in embroidery just a week before, this was perfect for me, as a series of killing happens, you'll find yourself trying to solve the death myseries, which is THRILLING!! it'll give you such a thrill and a pleasure trying to solve the crimes, then the story develops to the upcoming of war, where mulan takes us to the battle field, and teaches us the value of comradeship, home and family as well as love, the most exciting part is that she will be leading an army of wei against her lover who will be the general of rouran, okay, no more spoilers....
you want to watch this:
because you're reading reviews about it :b
because mulan is not just fiction, but a real chinese heroine.
because you love thrill and this drama is soo good and so perfect for you.
the rewatch value is low because i don't rewatch dramas.
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The casting was perfect and everyone in their character did an awesome job, especially, Jin ki joo and Wi ha joon. Even though Wi ha joon's character's only job was to swear, hit people, manipulate everyone and getting away after doing some very impulsive actions that explicts shows that he is the serial killer. Honestly, I feel that the latter half could have been better if they didn't try to stretch the movie by showing a lot of unnecessary chase scenes and very predictable plots.
I didn't even notice that the movie had any music because I was just staring at the movie for the sake of finishing it. I really expected something better after watching the trailer and the teasers. I thought it was going to be an intense mystery and a psychological battle between the female lead and a serial killer as there aren't many K-movies that shows something like a mental fight with a female lead. But what happened was that they revealed the serial killer to everyone too soon. They should have gone for some more manipulation from Wi ha joon's character, instead of those impulsive actions. It would have created a fear in the viewer's heart(?).
I am not someone who like action scenes in thriller or mystery movies. So, it might not be for me. But if you are someone who likes action scenes and mystery, then it might be a good movie for you. I would recommend it. But the story didn't seem that interesting to me.
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I understand that most good books out there adapted into television will never quite be what its original created. Nor do I expect it to be as good, that's not a fair standard to judge any adaptations by. However it seems out of touch with the mood and style of the original, which is what sets and moves the story along all the developments and contrasting relationships between characters.
Moving on, I think the drama is inconsistent. It either gets UNNECESSARILY draggy (had no business being such for those parts) or it moves too fast on things that could use more development or elaboration to say the least. The only thing that remains constant throughout is that the series eventually gets better - the best parts of the series are near the end.
By far the weakest link is the chemistry. There is none between the leads, and that is the make or break factor for a story that bases heavily off that. You will find yourself much more impressed by the secondary characters and their relationships than the leads.This is Angelababy's first TV series and I actually think she does a fairly decent job although her acting leaves much to be desired. Unfortunately the chemistry with her two male leads is also affected because of it. There is no standout performance in this, but a few decent performances in particular among the supporting leads and other secondary characters.
It is a very visually stunning series, with gorgeous costumes, sets and people. However I will probably selectively rewatch this for the good parts near the end.
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Forever my favorite japanese bl ever..
Since i just watched the new movie that came out for them on kisskh with ai subtitles, it was kinda confusing at times since the caption wasn't always correct, but its really easy to understand after. This movie was as amazing as the series and i really don't care what anyone says, if its a toxic relationship, no its not, its just a lot more realistic and not all happy like some shows are. Its such a deep meaning inside of this movie and all the shows and i absolutely love it. I don't write reviews at all but i just had too. Please make sure to watch it ( after watching both series of my beautiful man though). It will forever have such a personal space in my heart and it kinda hurts knowing this is it and i have to let it go, but thank you so much for making such an incredible show/movie. Its a one of a kind experience i hope for everyone to enjoy, thank you so much whoever read this and i hope you enjoy as much as i did!Was this review helpful to you?
Cute
Everything about Blossom Through the Cloud is about flying: pilots, flight attendants, airlines, training, airplanes—you name it. And yes, once again, we have the familiar CEO-falls-for-his-employee storyline. Cliché? Absolutely. Tropey? Definitely.But it's also very easy to watch.
The whole drama is lavish and luxurious. After all, the bosses are mostly sons and daughters of tycoons. We get luxurious condos and offices, fancy meals, expensive cars, and all kinds of toys. It's basically a feel-good world where everything eventually works out, angst is kept to a minimum, and wealth seems to be everywhere. In a way, it gives viewers a little vacation from the hardships of real life.
Our main couple, Fu Ming Yu and Ruan Si Xian, are both serious and seem to have permanently stern expressions on their faces. They are attracted to each other, but instead of admitting it, they spend quite a bit of time bickering and putting each other down.
Then there's the side couple, who are even more amusing. Each is busy pursuing someone else without realizing that the person they're looking for is actually right in front of them.
The first ten episodes are mostly about Ruan Si Xian trying to become a pilot, and honestly, not much happens. I found those episodes rather boring.
But I stayed—and I'm glad I did.
One thing I really enjoyed throughout the drama was the subtle humor. A lot of the jokes aren't loud or obvious. They're often delivered with completely straight faces, which somehow makes them even funnier.
The story revolves around Fu Ming Yu and Ruan Si Xian. When Ruan Si Xian was working as a flight attendant, Fu Ming Yu misunderstood her. He thought she was trying to get close to him because of his wealth and position—that she was basically trying to sleep her way into career advancement.
The tables turn when he eventually falls for her after she becomes an excellent pilot and ranks at the top of her class. He finally realizes that she's actually very independent and ambitious. She doesn't need connections to advance her career, and she's certainly not looking for a wealthy husband.
I actually found that change in his attitude quite satisfying.
Ruan Si Xian (played by Liu Xie Ning)
Ruan Si Xian is cold and uptight on the outside, but once you get to know her, she's warm and caring. Most importantly, she genuinely loves flying. She loves airplanes and everything about being a pilot.
There are several things she says later in the drama that I found surprisingly touching. They show how much she has grown and how she's beginning to understand herself, her life, and her relationships differently.
I've come to like Liu Xie Ning recently, and I think she has a lot of potential. She still has some room to grow as an actress. Her facial expressions can be quite restrained, and at times she looks a little wooden. But overall, she gives us a very lovable Ruan Si Xian.
And I actually think the straight-faced humor works in her favor. Some of her funniest moments come from saying something amusing without changing her expression at all.
Having said that, Ruan Si Xian is supposed to be emotionally guarded because of her difficult childhood, so perhaps Liu Xie Ning's restrained performance is partly what the character requires.
Fu Ming Yu (played by Miles Wei)
Fu Ming Yu, the son of an airline tycoon, is handsome, aloof, and, at first, rather unpleasant toward Ruan Si Xian. Watching him go from thinking she's a gold digger to completely falling head over heels for her after she earns her pilot's license is actually quite endearing.
And then comes the transformation.
The cold and aloof CEO turns into a clingy koala once he falls in love.
That alone put quite a few smiles on my face.
Even more amusingly, despite running an airline company, Fu Ming Yu is afraid of flying. There's an episode where he's dressed in full aviator gear, looking every bit the confident aviation executive. But once he's actually on the airplane, he closes his eyes and looks like he's preparing to meet his maker.
The irony is hilarious.
Miles Wei makes Fu Ming Yu surprisingly lovable. Despite the character's rigid demeanor, he manages to bring out a subtle humor and adorableness that makes Fu Ming Yu much more enjoyable than I expected.
But perhaps one of my favorite characters is Fu Ming Yu's personal assistant, Bai Yang.
He's wise, capable, patient, and incredibly endearing. It's hilarious watching him constantly try to help his boss win over his new girlfriend and navigate the complicated world of romance.
Zhao Xuan does a wonderful job with the role. His scenes are some of the most enjoyable in the drama because everything feels natural and believable. He has great comic timing without overdoing it.
The side couple
The main side couple, Zheng You An and Yan An, is also cute and funny.
At one point, Yan An advises Fu Ming Yu that the only way to win a girl's heart is to kiss her like crazy. Naturally, he ends up learning his own lesson the hard way when Zheng You An bites him on the lips and refuses to let go.
That scene was hilarious and sweet at the same time.
There is some genuinely good acting in these side stories, and they provide a nice break from the seriousness of the main couple.
The second half gets better
Episode 20 is probably the climax of the drama. It's intense, emotional, and has some of the most elaborate production settings, with airport equipment, machinery, and all kinds of things moving around.
But interestingly, the drama doesn't simply lose steam after the climax.
Instead, it becomes more emotional and, surprisingly, more philosophical.
The story begins exploring different kinds of relationships: mother and daughter, father and son, friends, siblings, and, most importantly, lovers.
This is something I appreciated because many Chinese dramas start strongly but gradually lose their charm as they approach the ending. Blossom Through the Cloud actually became more meaningful for me as it wrapped up.
The characters grow. They learn from their mistakes. And, in their own ways, they become better versions of themselves.
The message
The biggest message of the drama is about failure and courage, especially for women.
Don't be afraid of failure. Keep moving forward.
One of the ideas that stayed with me is that failure's mother doesn't ask her children why they failed. She simply waits for them to come home.
I love that sentiment.
Go ahead and mess something up. Mess it up badly. You'll discover that the world still turns.
You don't have to be perfect to be loved.
Take that 50% chance of failure. Look at the world from a different angle. Accept your own ordinariness. Take charge of your life.
And perhaps most importantly, be kind to life. Let things happen as they will.
Overall
Blossom Through the Cloud is, at its heart, a typical boss-and-employee romance. The plot is cliché, the characters are familiar, and there isn't much angst or serious conflict.
But sometimes that's exactly what you need.
It's easy to watch, easy on the eyes, and full of beautiful people living in a very luxurious world. The characters are cute, the humor is subtle, the romance is sweet, and the story becomes more thoughtful toward the end.
It's not a drama that will change your life, but it can certainly put a smile on your face—and sometimes, that's enough.
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The story actually isn’t anything new or special and there’s no exciting moments or surprises/twists. You won’t laugh or experience gut wrenching emotions. The romance also isn't anything special. However, one thing that this drama does have is fascinating characters.
There are many main characters so a lot of the scenes are just them interacting. What makes that so fascinating is that all the characters come with a past their not proud of but together they overcome these pasts and loneliness to find their own happiness. To me that’s what the title means is trying to convey. As each episode passes by you want to know more about these characters. What brings these characters to life are the amazing actors portraying them. All 6 main actors did a very believable portrayal. I think the stand out though was Kim Min Hee. Her character kind of seems bi polar but she has this way of making Mi Ri make sense. Na Moon Hee plays Jalmoni that grounds the main characters. She plays a deaf/mute character and although she has no spoken lines her amazing acting shows through her facial expressions. She gives a very moving performance.
To some, this drama might not be their cup of tea but for people who want a more realistic drama with fascinating characters I dare you to give this a try. I usually don’t like realistic dramas like this one but I was pleasantly surprised and took away life lessons.
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Good to watch if you're bored
STORY: Way too rushed. It could've been more interesting if they handled it properly, and focus more on some points. The story had potential, but sadly they tried too much for the screen-time that some couples/actors had. There are 4 main couples (or maybe 3 main couples and one side couple, but I'm not sure since the cast says that all of them were main roles), which is too much even for the typical thai bl dramas, that usually consist of 13-15 1-hour episodes. This one, though, had 15 episodes of 25 minutes each. You see what I mean? Too little time for that, but they still tried to do it. Still, the drama was pretty cute and funny. If you look for something deep or with an unique storyline, this is definitely not the one, but if you just want some entertainment and fun, this should do it.I'm pretty sad that they didn't clarify the relationship beetwen Plod and Kaowkla at the end, they were my favourites (Plod is so cute I'm literally in love lol).
ACTING/CAST: For actors that are new to the industry, they did a pretty good job. They weren't the best, but since only Mark and Run (Kun and Thann in the series) had some experience, that was understandable. However, for the ones that hadn't any experience, I think Ohm (Plod) and the one that played Kavin (I don't know his name sorry) were the most outsanding. Mark and Run did a good job as well.
MUSIC: Nothing special, it was ok. It went well with the scenes, in my opinion.
REWATCH VALUE: Maybe I'll watch it again one year or two years later if I'm really bored lol.
OVERALL: It was ok, too rushed but fun if you've got nothing to do, even more with this whole corona situation if you are stuck at home like me. It is funny, and I liked the effects that they put sometimes on actors, they were funny as well. More comedy than romance honestly, but that was ok too.
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The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
This is the spy thriller that I will compare all other Republican period spy thrillers to going forward. It is that good. Each of the engrossing 61 episodes just flew by and I haven't been able to watch anything else since. I put this off for a long time due to poor reviews of the female lead's performance, which unfortunately is beyond dreadful. The rest of the cast however, is so phenomenal that they more than make up for it, to the point that the rating simply does not do justice to this drama.Set in 1940s Shanghai during the Wang Regime (Japanese puppet government), Chen Shen works for his best friend Bi Zhongliang who heads up the Special Operations Division. At surface, he is an indolent playboy, an aspiring barber until he was propelled into a position of favor and authority for saving Bi Zhongliang's life. In reality, he is a double agent loyal to the CPC. Things get complicated when his former student and true love Xu Bicheng and her husband Tang Shanhai are assigned to the Special Operations Division. The paranoid Bi Zhongliang eyes them with suspicion because Bicheng is his superior and rival Li Moqun's niece. He is already under growing pressure from both Li Moqun and their ultimate superiors, the Japanese for failing to capture the notorious communist spy Sparrow.
The overarching plot of this drama is rather simple and clean. The main communist and nationalist protagonists have just one mission; to steal the Return to Zero plan hidden within the Special Operations Division. The antagonists are aware of this and use this knowledge to try to trap them into revealing themselves and to capture Sparrow. The subplots and unpredictable way the storyline unravels with many twists along the way are largely driven by the characters as they react to stressful life and death situations that force perilous split second decisions. One of the weaknesses in storytelling is that the writers resort to coincidences and sheer luck a little bit too often to facilitate twists or bail the main protagonists out of tricky situations. Nonetheless it all comes together to deliver an intense aura of suspense that builds towards the thrill of unexpected victories, shocking betrayals, blindsiding plot twists and sudden death.
Chen Shen is the perfect spook - he is on the one hand an innocuous ladies man; a charming, stylish teetotaler who can't even bring himself to fire a gun. Yet he manipulates Bi Zhongliang masterfully; ruthlessly stoking and soothing his insecurities at the same time. This is by far the most fascinating relationship in the drama. Although he mistrusts Chen Shen, Bi Zhongliang is also touchingly sincere and protective of him. Chen Shen's feelings towards him are complex; they have an unusual bromance that pulls them together regardless of the fact they are on opposite sides. Chen Shen is not only the most intriguing character in the drama, he is also considerably more ruthless and manipulative than the main antagonists. This is by far Li Yifeng's most memorable role to date, well complemented by Zhang Luyi's disarming portrayal of Bi Zhongliang. The dialogue is sophisticated, pointed, witty and laced with sarcasm and dark humor that often relieves suspenseful tension with laugh out loud moments and encapsulates the complex character dynamics.
Even though I am a huge sucker for morally ambiguous characters like Chen Shen, there are almost too many moments where Zhang Ruoyan's Tang Shanhai eclipses him. And it is not just because he looks so incredibly scrumptious in a suit. Too often the second male lead is dumbed down to elevate the male lead. While it is true that Tang Shanhai is not quite the consummate spy that Chen Shen is, Zhang Ruoyun pulls this off without portraying Tang Shanhai as less intelligent; just a tad less ruthless, a tad less composed and a lot more heart. He is thrust into many parallel situations with Chen Shen but the way he processes and reacts to the situation, how he is clumsier at manipulation, how his remorse is more visible; makes it clear that he is a less hardened spy. His relationship with Chen Shen evolves from rivalry and distrust into mutual respect and a grudging friendship that compels the two to work together when their interests align. The enemy of my enemy is my friend is a recurring motivator in this drama that pits multiple characters alternately with and against each other.
The female lead, Xu Bicheng is by far the drama's weakest link. Unlike many, I don't think the writing is the problem; on the contrary I find the character to be one of the best written, most complex female roles out there. Bicheng is a flawed character; stubborn to the point of recklessness with a bleeding heart for lost causes who wears her heart on her sleeve. She is also often underestimated, can be very cunning, is a fantastic liar when cornered and is able to manipulate both Chen Shen, Tang Shanhai and Tao Dachun into doing what she wants and her character undergoes tremendous growth. None of these positive aspects are conveyed by the acting because Zhou Dongyu is a very limited actress who just lazily recycles the same four boring, mopey, terrified and pitiful expressions throughout the drama. The only things she does well is child ugly cry and child uninhibited smile from the heart. Which is wonderful... if she were playing a child. In this role, it is at odds with the role of a woman in her mid twenties, a spy and a married woman for crying out loud. It is also obvious no one ever told her it does not suit her naturally rather mature facial features and incredibly grown up styling in this drama. She fails so badly at projecting that je ne said quoi that has every man fall in love with her that its not even fitting to call her a Mary Sue even though she does need constant rescuing. I could not empathize with her at all and couldn't care less what happens to her.
Kan Qingzi was robbed - her Li Xiaonan stole the show and she really deserves top billing as female lead in this show. Her performance puts Zhou Dongyu's to shame even though the character is at surface, less complex and interesting. I normally loathe ditzy, lame characters like Li Xiaonan who are capable of loving wholeheartedly even when it is not reciprocated. But wow, she made me laugh, she made me cry, she made me respect her single-mindedness, I was 100 percent behind her. And that is what a good actor does, it is what every actor in this exceptional cast other than Zhou Dongyu managed to do - impress me with their acting and make me empathize with them even when they play dark or weak characters. Geez even Yin Zheng or especially Yin Zheng managed to make me empathize with his portrayal of the rabid, vicious, cruel and dangerous Su Sanxing.
A criticism of this drama is that love seems to have overshadowed the spy story; that the unrequited love trope is perhaps overused in this drama. While there is some truth to that, this is still very much a spy thriller that is chock full of excellent twists and turns. And the bigger point is that the unrequited love trope is used brilliantly to explore how each of the main characters bestows and responds to unrequited love in completely different ways. I normally approach Republican dramas with a stone cold heart - I go in pretty much expecting everyone to die it is just par for the course. In this one, too many characters still managed to steal my heart and made me bawl my eyes out. That said, the drama ends very fittingly after the final showdown.
My favorite line in the drama is Chen Shen's heartfelt "Please... don't tell anyone you were my student." This is by far the best Chinese spy thriller I have seen to date (August 2021). This is a 9.0 for me but I could easily rate it 9.5 were it not for the appalling execution of the female lead role.
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If you are looking for a drama that makes you feel butterflies, THIS IS THE ONE!
I truly recommend watching this cdrama!! A slow burn that will make you feel butterflies!The story is amazing, it is mainly a love story, however, it also has so many scenes where I laughed out loud. A classic romcom. It is also very is to empathise with the main roles, their acting is amazing, all of them. What I also like about this story is that you can feel the ML starting to fall in love slowly, however he is not mean, more like patient with the FL, since she is so playful (love both of them hehe).
If you are thinking of watching a cdrama and you don't know which one, THIS ONE'S FOR YOU! :D
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This review may contain spoilers
Shattered Dreams, Forged Alliances, Unyielding Love.
🍁OVERVIEW OF PLOT:-"Love of Nirvana" tells the story of Xiao Wu Xia, the young lord of Yueluo City, who spends years in hiding in Liang Kingdom, bearing humiliation and disguising himself as Wei Zhao. Driven by a quest for truth and justice, Wei Zhao seeks to capture the sole survivor of his family's downfall. However, his plan is foiled by Jiang Ci's unexpected arrival, throwing a wrench into his carefully laid plans. Pei Yan seizes the opportunity to shelter the injured Jiang Ci, aiming to uncover the hidden saboteur. As Wei Zhao and Jiang Ci interact, their shared experiences and values spark mutual affection. Ultimately, the trio - Wei Zhao, Jiang Ci, and Pei Yan - put aside personal vendettas and unite against Emperor Liang, fighting to protect Yueluo and establish a just dynasty.
🍁INTRODUCTION TO KEY CHARACTERS:-
🌿Wei Zhao/Xiao Wu Xia (Ren Jia Lun) :- The former young lord of Yueluo City, now the infamous Commander of the Dawn Guards of Liang State, is a cunning and ruthless man seeking revenge for his family's unjust downfall and striving to uncover the truth behind their wrongful label as 'traitors.' He walks a thin line between loyalty and betrayal, eliminating anyone who stands in his way. The weight of countless broken families in Yueluo City, forced to send their loved ones into slavery in Liang State as penalty for Prince Ci's death, rests heavily on his shoulders.
🌿Jiang Ci (Li Landy) :- Jiang Ci is a free-spirited, kind, and intelligent girl. Raised by her master in a remote mountain village far from the capital city, she grew up in peaceful solitude as an orphan. Her master, living with her identity hidden, is the most wanted assassin and suspected mastermind of Prince Ci's demise, relentlessly pursued by the Emperor of Liang State, Wei Zhao, and the powerful Pei Clan. Jiang Ci wears her heart on her sleeve, often to her own detriment. With expertise in herbs and medicine, she dreams of traveling the world unrestricted.
🌿Pei Yan (Jeremy Tsui) :- Leading the Pei Clan in the royal court, Lord of Jingding, a title passed down from his father, he wields significant influence. Equally cunning as Wei Zhao, he was groomed from a young age to put the interests of the Pei Clan first in all his decisions. He is renowned for his benevolence and military prowess among the public, but beneath the surface lies a complex web of motivations.
🍁MY VIEWS:-
The drama kicks off with an engaging plot, featuring a cunning and ruthless male lead and his equally formidable rival, the second male lead. Both are adept in manipulation and combat skills, holding influential positions in court. One is feared by the people, while the other is renowned for his benevolence. The drama was engaging, with their schemes against each other captivating until around episodes 10-12, but then it started to drag and get back on track in the last 10 episodes.
In their games of cat and mouse, it's always one winner and one loser, but it doesn't necessarily mean that only the male lead wins every time. Whoever loses pays a hefty price for their loss, and sometimes the price is the people they care for which actually made it more realistic and relatable.
In terms of romance tropes, it's an enemy-to-lovers storyline and a slow-burn, which is expected from Ren Jia Lun's dramas. Jiang Ci is introduced as a carefree and intelligent girl who has an unpleasant first meeting with the male lead Wei Zhao, one that nearly costs her her life. However, it's just the beginning. Saved by Pei Yan to serve his purposes, the danger to her life doesn't end; it's just started. She became the only witness to an assassination attempt, and her life is entangled between the two leads. She wants to leave and fly away from both of them, but she wasn't able.
Though intelligent, Jiang Ci is too trusting of Pei Yan and allows him to manipulate her. The interactions between Jiang Ci and Wei Zhao in the initial episodes are authentic enemies. However, their feelings shift abruptly. The ruthless Wei Zhao suddenly softens for her while she keeps messing with his plans, and Jiang Ci suddenly starts to understand and develops a soft spot for Wei Zhao, whom she even tried to kill a few episodes back. This abrupt change between them feels off initially, but as time passes and they interact more, I grew accustomed to it and started rooting for them.
I didn't like the writer's turn on Pei Yan, transforming him from a cunning and meticulous individual into a typical obsessive second male lead. However, the writers redeemed this by having him recognize and overcome his obsession.
The drama fearlessly tackles dark themes, including slavery and the ruthless pursuit of power. The lives of commoners become mere pawns in the games of the ambitious, who disregard the well-being of others. This thought-provoking exploration of politics and social injustice kept me utterly engrossed. A few scenes border on melodrama, but the overall tone remains balanced, walking a fine line between tension and emotional depth.
The cast delivers outstanding performances, masterfully conveying intense emotions that drew me deeply into the story. Their portrayals bring characters to life and evoked strong feelings, from tears to outrage, as I witnessed the characters' struggles against injustice. Ren Jia Lun shines as Wei Zhao/Xiao Wu Xia, masterfully conveying the complexity of his character's emotions. His portrayal effortlessly switches between ruthless determination and vulnerable introspection. Though it's my first time seeing her, Li Landy's portrayal of Jiang Ci is equally impressive, capturing her free-spirited nature and inner strength. Her chemistry with Ren Jia Lun is quite good.
The soundtracks are a highlight, with beautifully poignant scores that resonated deeply with me. The beautifully crafted scores perfectly complement each scene, elevating the tension, joy, and heartbreak. From haunting melodies to rousing battle themes, the OSTs masterfully amplify the emotional resonance. They've earned a permanent spot on my favorite playlist, serving as a reminder of the drama's unforgettable moments. My favourites are:
1. Far Away (by He Jie and Wang Yuexin)
2. Do Not (by Wang Heye)
3. Oath (by Curley Gao)
The costumes are stunning, clearly benefiting from a generous budget. The tribal outfits of Yueluo are particularly striking, complemented by exquisite hairstyling.
The action scenes in are meticulously choreographed, showcasing a perfect blend of elegance and intensity. The fight sequences are visually stunning, with each move precisely executed to convey the characters' skills and emotions. The action scenes are not just visually impressive but also emotionally charged, reflecting the characters' motivations and conflicts.
Tissue Alert! The ending is a tearjerker.
🍁CONCLUSION:-
In conclusion, "Love of Nirvana" is a solid historical drama that explores complex themes and features standout performances. It stumbles mid-series and the finale's emotional payoff left me wanting more. The stunning costumes, memorable soundtracks, and well-choreographed action scenes make it a worthwhile watch. Those interested in stories of power, loyalty, and redemption will find "Love of Nirvana" an enjoyable, if imperfect, viewing experience.
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