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Amazing Acting | Brilliant Ending
This is the story of Liu Yikang, a real historical figure in the Liu Song Dynasty (420-479 AD). It was one of the most tumultuous eras of Chinese history. The aristocrats were wealthy and powerful, and the commoners were poor and suppressed. Parricides, filicides and fratricides were rampant. Historically Liu Yikang’s life ended tragically, killed by his own beloved and trusted brother The Emperor. The drama stops short of his tragic end (fortunately or unfortunately?).In this drama, a lot of the events and villains are fictionalized. Though Liu Yikang (played by Qin Hao) is a real figure historically, his beloved wife Shen Li Ge (played by Li Qin) and her family are fictional. Despite their more than 10 years age difference, Qin Hao and Li Qin have very courteous chemistry together as a couple as there are no passionate kisses nor hugs (just a peck on the lips or a lean on the shoulder). Nonetheless, such chemistry doesn’t reduce our enjoyment of the plot and story. There are quite a few nail-biting close calls and frustrating near misses scenes throughout the drama, keeping the viewers sitting at the edge of the couch and captivating our full attention.
The drama starts with a bang, introducing Shen Li Ge as a beautiful and talented assassin. Li Qin is so beautiful that she looks amazing in every costume and hairstyle that she wears. As a fearless badass, Li Qin is convincing without losing her elegance. Her acting is on the notch.
Qin Hao is a veteran actor. He has the charisma as a powerful ruler. At the beginning of the drama, many viewers complain that Qin Hao is too mature to play the role. But Liu Yikang was exactly as this age during the time of the story. As the story develops, Qin Hao melts together as the Liu Yikang character; he gives a very convincing performance.
Both Shen Li Ge and Liu Yikang are facing a faceless mastermind. Despite taking down various powerful aristocrats who conspire to hurt them and their family, the plot continues to the very end, eventually revealing the identity of the mastermind behind all the destruction and killings, and his motivation for doing so. Though going through a lot of hardship and heartaches, Shen Li Ge and Liu Yikang combat the villains hand in hand and continue to outwit them with their determination and conviction.
This drama is filled with tropes, such as evil sister, falling off cliff (but not dead), loss of memory, accidentally kisses etc. There are also multiple unnecessary deaths just to make the characters martyrs. Many of the logic is illogical with flaws and plot holes. By the end of the story, there are still multiple unexplained loose strings.
I believe the visual director has had a field day with the palace décor. This is the first time I have ever seen such European inspired décor of the palaces with giant statues and water fountains. The mother consort’s clothing even matches her walls and furniture which may be a bit on the wild side of the imagination.
The ending is very typical of Chinese dramas – open to interpretations. Overall, if you like slimy infallible villains who always seem to outsmart the good guys, you may find this an exciting watch. If you’re an emotional person and have a tendency to invest deeply into likable characters, you may be in for some heartaches. For me, this is quite a good watch mainly because of the two main characters, Shen Li Ge and Liu Yikang and the fine acting of the actors.
With my epiphany which came one day later after the final episode, I find the ending brilliant. This is a drama strongly recommended (despite the tropes).
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This review may contain spoilers
My impression of "My Annoying Brother" is that its a great family type of movie, at least in my opinion...I expected a sad story about how Du Yeong(D.O Kyungsoo)becomes blind and deals with his brother Ko Doo Shik(Jo Jung Suk)who goes out of prison(i remind you,a SAD story(its worse XD)). Well...it was actually really different from what i imagined. First the swearing is a lot, i dont know if Korea sees this as a family movie, considering they blur out knives and guns...And i like how they delivered the story! There was Comedy, swearing, family drama, sadness and tragedy(duh!what can you expect from the peson who made it)brotherly bonding and love, i'm glad the movie is not another sad tragedy movie hit ;) , which i expected from the person who made it(well....proved my expectations kinda....). The reason im giving the story 9.5 is because i feel something was missing, just a little in the beginning. Im still in shock from the ending, i did not expect it at all. So im not gonna give you a spoiler, watch it and see if your gonna be just as shocked.
The acting was great. The bromance made me scream, cry and laugh. It was funny to see the swearing which is really really a lot more than in any drama you have ever seen. Jo Jung Suk is one of my favorite actors because of this movie(in my top 3). His acting is out of this world, i did not doubt his acting for a second. Next lead D.O Kyungsoo: I was worried about D.O because, since "I Remember You" i havent seen him in a lot of dramas or movies. Gladly there was nothing to worry about,he is just as good as always. Lets hope we can see him in more dramas and movies.
Next: Park Shin Hye(Lee Soo Hyeon) was a big suprise for me when i found out about the cast. Her acting was great i'm so glad she was in this movie i cant imagine another female in this role (that's not an A list actress) to grab my attention. Otherwise the role would be very simple, bland and waste of screen time. She delivered the role of caring for Du Yeong so well, that felt it! I dont know why i expected romance between her and the brothers. I shiped her and Du Yeong so hard, but i have a feeling, that if it was a romance movie she would go to Ko Doo Shik and Du Yeong would be the sad second lead who is blind.... so maybe its not good to have romance in this movie after all but just cute, lovely-dovey bromance. The acting is a 10, best cast ever!
Now to the topic about the music in the drama. Its the only thing that didn't stick out enough to
impress me. I dont get it they had D.O Kyungsoo of EXO and Jo Jong Suk(they sang one song at the ending which was good) who can both sing couldnt they make them sing the songs or at least give the signers better songs! They werent bad dont get me wrong but they were not on the same level as the story,acting and visual of the cast and scenery. That's why im giving it 8.5.
As a rewatch value i would soo watch it again. Yes, yes and yes. I only wish i could watch it with my family but they don't even understand english. Thankfully i can watch it with my sister because its a great family movie that plays with your emotions. Even if there are a little shirtless scenes XD. 9.5
Overall its a great movie it had comedy it wasn't all sad like i expected it to be.(Thou from the discription is missing a few generes besides those "Comedy, Drama, Family, Life". Well what happens in the movie can be summed up in genre ''Life'' i guess.)The relationship between the brothers really made my legs jelly. I really liked it! Even if i gave the music 7.5 im still giving it a 10 for overall impression because the other movies that could hold my attention that long without me spacing off are only Train to Busan, Miracle in Cell No. 7 and Werewolf Boy. And as i said in the beginning SAD....prepare food and prepare a place where you can blow your nose and hang your face to dry after the movie...my face is still drying from all the tears....
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1. STORY :
Okay, so before it even started to air, based on the trailers I could guess what the story will be about and I was right. A police officer has his daughter kidnapped by a bad guy A, but when he catches the bad guy A he actually discovers....it's a good guy B. Are they brothers? No, they can't be. The story is perfectly made, that it always entertains you. With each episode, you get closer and closer to the cause of the whole chaos. I really applaud the writer, because u can't see such dramas just anywhere. The plot is really unique and with unique twists.
2. ACTING :
I knew that this drama would be dope thanks to Yang Se Jong who I encountered first in The romantic doctor Kim ....and I was right. In this drama Se Jong played 3 characters and everytime I saw them, I had feeling that they are different people. To achieve such feeling in other person, it's very hard thing to do! I never saw other actors jobs so I can't really say whether they were bad before or not, but in this drama EVERY character showed emotions, as if it was a real story and not just acting. Everyone started to LIVE their role for real and that's how this masterpiece was created.
3. MUSIC :
Since it's action/sci-fi drama, u don't get much of the OST but there is one song which I fell in love and it's the ''Nightmare''. Currently it's the most played song on my Playlist, so I really recommend it!
4. REWATCH VALUE :
I don't really rewatch dramas, but I think this could be rewatched (?)
Look, in romantic dramas people rewatch it to see the romance and cheesy dates of main couple, but in crime dramas it's a bit hard cause the audience already KNOWS what will happen next, so it's not as thrilling as the first time.
5. OVERALL :
Amazing and unique plot, fantastic acting, good music, the plot-twists are the real killers
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A Satire of the Ming Dynasty Society
Watching this drama from a satirical perspective of the society during the Ming Dynasty, when Confucianism was practiced at its utmost height, decorum and protocols were strict, harsh and repressive especially for the women, makes it a very enjoyable watch for me. Seemingly unlikely, we get a couple of very strong female characters in particular a know-it-all Mary Sue who always saves the day. All the characters and their relationships have realistically captured life in that orthodox and conservative society, and that can even be relevant in today’s world.This story takes a bold look into the Ming dynasty society, its orthodoxy and conservatism, its inequality, protocol, manners, expectations, and consequences, with the hidden criticisms that all these had led to the slow decline of the society and the ending of the dynasty.
Accordingly, the drama draws its inspirations from the great classical “Dream of the Red Chamber” with several of the characters deriving their names in a combination of words from the classic novel. The whole story revolves around the high status, wealthy and powerful Sun (pronounced Soon) family, narrated from the perspective of the youngest son, Sun Yulou (Wang Yizhe) who has a high powered father, a doting mother, three brothers and four sisters, each has a story to tell.
Like in the classical “Dream of the Red Chamber”, this story also hints at “truth becomes fiction when the fiction’s true; real becomes not-real where the unreal’s real” by the use of a puppet show in telling the story. Cleverly constructed, there are hints and cross-references to hidden (and obvious) meanings throughout. Truth and falsity, reality and illusion are constant displays.
Undoubtedly marriages by the order of the parents tend to be the most painful experiences for almost every couple even in a society where filial piety is held as the highest order of all. In the high society, statuses and face are always the forefront consideration of any marriages which are used to advance the careers of family members, usually at the expense of daughters, though some sons don’t fare too well either. The consequences are expected: extra marital affair, adultery, love triangle, elope, rebellion - all brilliantly captured in the story.
Sun Yulou rebels against his stern father and the social barriers of the time. He and Lin Shaochun (Bai Lu) pursue individual freedom, gender equality and to marry the partner of one’s choice. This couple has an initial sense of democracy, a rebellious spirit and courageous pursuit of love. Though well-read with traditional books of morals and ethics, Lin Shaochun toes the line from time to time. She convinces Sun Yulou to pass the Imperial exam so that he could become a government official and ask for her hand in marriage.
This is the first drama for Wang Yizhe as the main male lead. Many viewers don't feel he deserves such a role. For me, I would like to give him a chance without looking at him through tinted lenses. I feel his acting has brilliantly brought out the youthfulness of the character. He can look serious when he needs to, but in front of the family, especially his wife, he's just a big sunny boy that can be silly and Wang Yizhe delivers. Despite this being a main lead, it feels more like a supporting role because of how the character is being written, shot and edited.
Many viewers feel the main couple don't have the chemistry. Though they are both of the same age at 18, Lin Shaochun is more mature compared with Sun Yulou, and he always lets her have the final say. With that, it does feel that Sun Yulou a little brother who depends heavily on Lin Shaochun the big sister. For me, the lacking perhaps lies more on Bai Lu as she seems to be less enthusiastic and doesn’t share the same adoration and affection towards her supposedly husband as he has on her.
My Verdict
Despite some flaws here and there, this is a very enjoyable story with a series of side stories which are very well developed and in fact more interesting than the lead couple’s story. It consists a blend of realism and romance, psychological motivation and fate, and daily life with a grand plot hidden and span across multi side storyline. It can be hilarious at times, yet, bitter and resigned when it comes to the fate of some characters. The first episode is comedic and funny. I thought it's going to be light and laughable, but by episode 8, it becomes heavy and bitter.
This is a satire about misogyny, hypocrisy, class system, conservatism, inequality, all told in a very humorous way. Some parts are so funny that I laugh so hard.
The final narrative about how people make choices that determine their eventual endings: take kindness one ends well, take hatred one loses everything, seems to be a just decoy for the deeper meaning of the overall story – a silent criticism of the paternalistic system of the country.
Great story telling. Don’t miss it!
BRAVO!
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First, this show was too long for its story. Some episodes were an hour and a half, and there were 21 in total. If the show's length were to be shorter, R1994 would've benefited a lot. It began to drag halfway through, and it even got boring at times.
Also, this focused way too much on the husband mystery. The rest of the characters had nice stories, but since most of the show was about the husband's mystery id, their stories couldn't develop as smoothly as they should've. Instead, they were wrapped up out of nowhere in one episode. For example, Binggeure's.
Some people have also pointed out that Najung was quite empty, and it's true. She's the main lead, and the only thing she did in the drama was pine for Trash's love. The secondary characters had better stories than her.
I was also disappointed with the husband's ID, if it was just going to be like that, then why cause the dumped guy so much trouble and angst? The writers should've at least given him a better story, and maybe developed his character more, so it wouldn't feel as if he was just placed in the drama to make the main couple's story more interesting. I feel it was such a waste of a likable character.
I don't think I would recommend this to my friends, especially the ones who watched and loved R1997. There were good things in this show, but the flaws overshadowed them. At least for me.
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This review may contain spoilers
The Fine Line Between Love And Obssetion
Okay, let me just say, this show was like a rollercoaster of emotions from the very first episode, and I am still processing everything that happened. The characters are wild, the drama is next level, and let’s be honest — I couldn’t stop watching. It’s honestly like an addiction; I didn’t know if I was watching for the romance, the suspense, or just for the pure chaos of it all. Let’s break it down, character by character.Daon
Daon is probably one of the most complex characters I've ever seen in a KBL. From the very beginning, you feel his vulnerability. He's trying to find his way in a world where he's constantly manipulated by people he cares about. The whole situation with Jaemin, Suhyeon, and Seong Hyeon just traps him in this toxic cycle, and it’s brutal to watch. Yet, the thing that makes Daon such a relatable and well-written character is that he isn’t perfect. He makes mistakes, he’s naive at times, and he falls for people who are clearly bad for him, but you can’t help but root for him.
Daon is caught between two worlds: the manipulation of Jaemin and the toxicity of Suhyeon, with Seong Hyeon being a much-needed anchor in his life. His relationship with Seong Hyeon was the only place where he could find peace, but it was also the place where he had to face his own trauma. Daon didn’t have a clear sense of what he wanted for a while because of all the chaos in his life, but once he started realizing what really mattered to him, he stepped up and fought for himself and for Seong Hyeon.
By the end, Daon chooses to live for himself, and the development is so satisfying. He moves beyond the toxic love Jaemin forced on him, rejects Suhyeon’s obsessive behavior, and starts to heal. He grows so much, and it’s honestly a beautiful moment when he realizes that he deserves better than all the manipulative crap he had to deal with. The final scenes with Seong Hyeon? Absolutely beautiful and heartfelt. It was everything he deserved after all the pain.
Jaemin
Jaemin is insane. No, seriously, I don’t know how anyone can watch his descent into madness and not be slightly terrified. At first, he seems like the perfect, charming person — the guy who has your back and is always there to help. But when you look closer, the truth starts to seep through, and it’s dark. His obsession with Daon is palpable from the very beginning. He manipulates Daon’s life, giving him money, tutoring him, and even going so far as to buy off Daon’s family — all in an attempt to control him. Jaemin doesn’t just want Daon; he needs him to stay under his thumb. It’s disturbing, but so well done as a character arc.
As the show progresses, Jaemin becomes more and more twisted, especially after he starts playing mind games with Daon, making him feel guilty, using his manipulative skills to control Daon’s feelings. He has this whole “I love you so much that I’ll do anything for you” mentality, but what he’s really doing is controlling Daon’s life and trapping him in a cycle of emotional abuse. The scene where Jaemin literally stabs himself to get Daon’s attention? Yeah, that's the point where I knew he was beyond help. He doesn’t care about anyone else’s feelings — he just wants to possess Daon at any cost.
Jaemin’s final breakdown was a mix of regret and rage, and it’s honestly chilling how far he’s willing to go to keep Daon close. The whole “if I can’t have you, no one can” vibe was real. His final moments, when he’s arrested in that wedding suit and laughing like a maniac, were the perfect ending for such a manipulative, obsessive character. You almost pity him for how broken he is, but then you remember everything he did, and it’s impossible to sympathize with him. He’s a master manipulator, and it was satisfying to see him lose everything in the end.
Suhyeon
Suhyeon is a more interesting character than I expected him to be. He's just as messed up as Jaemin, just in a different way. Suhyeon is emotionally driven, and while he might have had Daon’s best interests at heart at times, he’s also selfish and manipulative. His jealousy and desire to control Daon is just as toxic as Jaemin’s, though his methods are different.
What I found most frustrating about Suhyeon is that he constantly thinks he knows what’s best for Daon, even when it’s clear he doesn’t. He tries to push Daon away from Seong Hyeon, even though the bond between the two is genuine and healthy. His whole mindset is, “I know what you need, so let me take control,” and honestly? That gets old real fast.
However, I have to give Suhyeon some credit for the way he does eventually come around. In the end, he realizes the damage he’s caused and tries to make amends. He helps Daon, even though it’s too little, too late. He knows he can't control Daon’s life anymore and admits that he was wrong. But honestly, by the end, I was just ready for Daon to let him go for good and move on with Seong Hyeon.
Seong Hyeon
Seong Hyeon is everything. He’s the literal light in Daon’s life and the one person who never pushed Daon into anything he wasn’t ready for. He’s patient, kind, and so emotionally intelligent, it’s crazy. The fact that Seong Hyeon sees Daon’s pain and doesn’t force him to make decisions before he’s ready is one of the most mature and respectful things we see in the whole show. He’s the rock Daon needed to survive all the drama surrounding him.
What I love about Seong Hyeon is that he’s not perfect. He makes mistakes, he gets jealous, and he misjudges things at times (like the whole hickey situation), but his growth throughout the series is real. He learns to communicate, to trust Daon, and to support him through the trauma. His willingness to wait for Daon and understand that it’s not an easy path is really what makes him so lovable.
The relationship between Seong Hyeon and Daon is a beautiful evolution. They go from being two people with a shared history to two people who genuinely love and care for each other. It’s not rushed, and it’s not forced; it’s gradual, like two souls learning to be together. By the end of the show, Seong Hyeon and Daon have the kind of relationship that you can’t help but root for — two people who can truly heal and grow together.
Daon’s sister was honestly one of the highlights for me, and I can’t believe how underappreciated she is. She’s the only one in the show with any sense at all. Her role is crucial in calling out the emotional manipulation from Jaemin and Suhyeon. She’s the first one who saw through all the nonsense and even pushed Daon to stop feeling guilty for choosing his own happiness. It’s not easy being in Daon’s shoes, and she’s there for him without any strings attached. Her advice and care are a steadying force, and I loved the moments when she had to step in and remind Daon that he deserved to make choices that were right for him.
Cinematography and Visuals
The cinematography in this show deserves a standing ovation. From the very first scene, you can tell that this isn’t just your average KBL. The color palette is gorgeous, with muted tones that perfectly match the somber and emotional tone of the drama. There’s a lot of focus on shadows and contrasts, which really adds to the intensity of the emotional moments.
The lighting is so effective in setting the mood. The dark, moody lighting during the more tense scenes, like when Jaemin goes full psycho or when Daon is struggling, creates a sense of unease and anticipation. On the flip side, when Daon and Seong Hyeon are together, the lighting softens, and the colors brighten up, reflecting the warmth and comfort they bring to each other. The stark contrast between the cold, harsh lighting in the scenes with Jaemin and the cozy, intimate moments between Daon and Seong Hyeon really highlights the emotional differences between these relationships.
The camera work also deserves praise. The close-ups on Daon’s face when he’s torn between his emotions, or the lingering shots on his expressions when he’s confronted with Jaemin’s madness, really let you feel everything he’s going through. The slow transitions between scenes and the occasional flashbacks help convey the passage of time and show the depth of Daon’s internal struggle.
The entire cast did an incredible job. Each of them brought their character to life—whether it was Jaemin’s chilling manipulation, Suhyeon’s obsession, Daon’s struggle, or Puppy’s warmth. Their performances made every moment hit even harder. The four of them were not in the same room for many scenes but the chemistry was just there!
Let’s talk about the kisses. These weren’t just any KBL kisses. The chemistry, the passion, and the emotional depth were all there. The kisses between Daon and Seong Hyeon were genuine, tender, and full of love. But there’s also a darker side to this story.
There’s an instance of sexual assault (SA) with Jaemin forcing a kiss on Daon. It's a deeply uncomfortable and disturbing scene that highlights Jaemin’s possessive and toxic love. Daon’s inability to reject Jaemin in that moment shows how trapped he feels, unable to break free due to fear and manipulation.
Similarly, Suhyeon also crosses boundaries with Daon, in a way that feels like another form of manipulation. Daon doesn’t fully reject Suhyeon either, because he’s scared of the consequences and doesn't know how to stand up for himself. These moments are crucial in showing the emotional and psychological struggles Daon faces as he navigates these toxic relationships.
Final Thoughts This show was wild from start to finish. It had so many twists, so much tension, and so much emotional depth. The characters — even the toxic ones — were so well-developed and complex that I couldn’t help but feel invested in each of them. Jaemin was terrifyingly fascinating as a manipulator, Suhyeon was equally toxic in his own way, and Seong Hyeon? Seong Hyeon was the kind of partner Daon needed. He didn’t force Daon to choose between him and the others; he gave him the space to figure it out.
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It's very good, but that ending...
The acting in this is superb - all the actors did an excellent job, even all the minor parts. Some of that is good directing - there are actors in this that have been mediocre elsewhere that were fantastic in this. Standouts for me were Off, who had way more star power than he has in the past (and he's gotten mighty fine, I must say). There's a scene with Gawin that's an 11/10 - you won't be able to breathe (although some of that is beauty). Gunn has always been good, so no surprises there.The Music is pretty good. It didn't really stand out to me very much, but it avoided tired cliches, never got in the way, and supported the story.
The story... this is a tough one. With the number of plot threads introduced, I kind of expected some of them to be dropped, but not ALL of them. The ending of this wasn't an ending - it just stopped, and it was way, way too happy for the story. It even ends with the tired cliche that this series had avoided up to that point, the triple-take kiss, which made me LOL it was so silly. I don't like sad endings, but come on. The only thing it was missing was a rainbow and unicorn. What was the point of Todd's character? He never did anything that was important to the plot, except for one thing before the series starts, and we never find out why he did it. He never does anything of consequence again (except look sexy).
The 2 BL romances were good, the straight ones just chewed up time and had nothing to do with the story. There's a lot of violence in this - a lot of it is necessary, but there's a lot that's just eye-rolling machismo and wasn't needed at all. For example there's a scene where someone hurts someone emotionally - it would have been a lot stronger if it was all words and not lots of punching. In another, a decision is made by an actual physical fight between the two viewpoints. This is never done again despte there being a huge number of times there was no consensus, so why that one time? There's another case where a character deliberately beats someone into a coma. How on earth do you calculate how much beating to administer that leads to worse than unconsciousness, but not quite death? Dumb and unnecessary.
All-in-all, this was a refreshingly different series - I just wish it could have been more nuanced than rich=bad and poor=good. Evil powerful people tend to be wealthy because evil poor people don't have the means to gain power (except in revolutions), not because rich people are inherently evil. Although to be fair the ending was so abrupt that it's not entirely clear even the main villain was a villain. In any case, you don't get points for including social issues if you having nothing to say.
I guess the secret to enjoying this is to not take it very seriously. Let's face it - this is a story about a law student who replaces his evil twin in a marxist motorcycle gang. (I know Black isn't evil, but he's definitely not the good twin). In the end, it contains some really good romance with great chemistry in both couples, and that's what saves it from it's total lack of plot. (Before anyone says it - consider a rope ladder. If you use excellent materials and fashion it with skill and artistry, but you never hang it up, is it a ladder, or an expensive pile of rope?)
I don't think I would rewatch this, but there are scenes I might go back to - there were several that were in the top handful in all of BL.
Overall: 8. It would have been a 9 or 9.5 if it had an ending.
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The Patriot
Poignant, riveting, suspenseful, thrilling, emotional, shocking, heart wrenching, and extremely gratifying. The Rebel is one of the best C-dramas I’ve watched this year or any year, for that matter. In terms of the production quality, technical execution, performances of the cast and music, this drama is close to perfection. It’s not flawless by any means, for there are some quibbles here and there but it’s good enough for me to give it a 9.5 rating.Based on the novel, The Traitor (叛逆者) by multiple award winning and prolific author Bi Yu (畀愚), The Rebel is set during the Republican era primarily in Shanghai while certain arcs transpired in Hong Kong and Chongqing. Spanning the course of more than a decade, from 1936 to the creation of the PRC in 1949, the story revolves around the main character of Lin Nan Sheng during the tumultuous period of the Chinese civil war between the Nationalists (Kuomintang) and Communists, as well as the second Sino-Japanese war. It chronicles his personal growth as he matures from a naive young military recruit to an experienced intelligence operative, while charting the trajectory of his “journey of self-actualisation”.
This drama features espionage, war and romance with certain elements of slice-of-life, socio and geopolitics, while exploring themes of family, friendship, betrayal, and sacrifice. It exudes vibes of The Infernal Affairs (HK, 2002) and Decoded (2016) due to the counterintelligence aspects involving sophisticated networks of covert activities operating within a complicated web of deceit and subterfuge as well as via trademark spycraft, notably undercover agents, double agents, coded transmissions and assassinations, among many others. A number of viewers have also made direct comparisons to Fearless Whispers (2020) due to the romantic entanglements between the leads who stand on opposite sides of the great political divide.
This drama may not be universally lauded because of the subject matter, which is not everyone’s cup of tea. Aside from the usual tragic endings, Republican era dramas in general are associated with Communist propaganda and jingoism. In this case, such concerns are magnified because of its intended release to coincide with the Chinese Communist Party’s centenary celebrations on 1 July 2021. Additionally, there are those who might not even appreciate the appeal of the slowburn nature of the storytelling or the lack of action-packed choreographed sequences.
However, the masterful delivery of the entire production based upon a compellingly written screenplay makes this drama arguably one of the best of the genre. The overarching plot is cohesively structured and integrated seamlessly with the intricately woven subplots and character arcs. The simmering pace - imbued with many an eventful moment, palpable tension and unpredictable twists and turns - is consistently sustained through linear storytelling via multiple points-of-views, albeit the emphasis always remains on the main protagonist. The exceptionally well constructed major characters are brought to life by the outstanding stellar cast, who deliver profoundly compelling interpretations of immense character developments as the drama unfolds. As far as the flag-waving is concerned, the subtle and layered approach is conveyed by these multifaceted characters seemingly with various shades of grey.
The attention to detail in the overall production design and art direction is exemplary in this joint production between iQiyi and CCTV. Principal photography took place entirely at the famous Shanghai Film Park in Shanghai, which wrapped up filming in August 2020. The ready-made filming locale oozes Old Shanghai atmospherics, along with the electric trams and the countless Buick cars on display. The use of interior props such as the antiquated rotary-dial telephones, vintage radios, gramophones and telegraph, to name a few, all give credence to the authenticity of the depiction. The exquisite costumes are equally worthy of praise, where the ladies appear elegantly dressed in fashionable qipao while the men are smartly attired in military uniforms or bespoke suits. These aspects enhance the general sense of realism which are visually framed by the excellent cinematography, as can be seen throughout the drama.
The main cast is certainly deserving of at least a nomination for acting honours, whether it be for Golden Eagle, Feitian or Magnolia Awards. In preparation for the main role of Lin Nan Sheng, the critically acclaimed Zhu Yi Long lost a massive amount of body weight and reportedly weighed a mere 64kg during filming. In addition to his efforts and dedication to his craft, his immense talent undoubtedly shines through in his portrayal of the evolution that his character undergoes in the drama. He very much reminds me of a young Tony Leung Chiu Wai here, in terms of the acting and the looks, where his characterisation is both understated and nuanced.
The award-winning Tong Yao plays the love interest, Zhu Yi Zhen. Although credited as the female lead, her character does appear to be more of a supporting role and, at times, somewhat overshadowed by the dynamic performance of her leading co-star. In fairness, she possesses less overall screen time and I have enjoyed Tong Yao’s interpretation of the role, as an independent, strong willed and fearless revolutionary in the face of adversity and challenges. The character also undergoes tremendous development and together with Lin Nan Sheng, they both showcase such convincing chemistry and connection with each other, even when they are far apart. It is almost a surreal and spiritual kind of long-distance relationship that transcends physical boundaries. Her uncanny resemblance to Zhang Zi Yi makes her screen presence with Zhu Yi Long unintentionally appear as though Leung Chiu Wai and Zhang Zi Yi are the main leads for this drama.
This production is further elevated by the presence of experienced veterans Wang Zhi Wen and Wang Yang, who play Gu Shen Yan and Chen Mo Qun respectively. Without these two distinguished actors, the drama would not have been as credible, evocative and visceral. Chen Mo Qun, in particular, emits such a powerful aura not unlike say Darth Vader to the point that I would actually include him as one of my favourite “villains” of C-Dramas. These two actors should have their own spin-off Republican drama, seriously.
It’s my third time seeing Zhu Zhu since Qin Dynasty Epic and Breath of Destiny. Despite being perfect for the role of Lan Xin Jie, I sometimes do feel that she’s typecast as a sultry seductress and femme fatale type of characters. She is amazingly versatile, a quality which hopefully garners her more varied roles in future projects. The rest of the supporting cast represent good value for their depictions, particularly Zhang Zi Xian and Dai Xu who give a decent portrayal of the unscrupulous Wang Shi An and the suave Zuo Qiu Ming respectively.
I cannot emphasize enough how incredibly fitting and beautiful the soundtrack for this drama is. The original score featuring piano pieces by the celebrated Chinese pianist, Lang Lang expresses the mood and emotion of pivotal scenes in the drama. In particular, the signature theme, Tchaikovsky’s The Seasons, op. 37a: VI. June "Barcarolle" is played throughout. OST listing as follows:
1. Zhu Yi Long, Lang Lang - The Rebel (main theme)
2. Ayanga - Shadow Behind
3. Sara - Candid
4. Lang Lang - The Seasons, op. 37a: VI. June "Barcarolle"
Having espoused the positives, there are certain issues I noted but which does not diminish the overall quality of the production. Firstly, towards the tail end of the drama, there is a somewhat melodramatic undertone involving “misunderstanding and contract marriage tropes” that gradually builds up to briefly occupy some screen time. However it does eventually get tied up during the final phase of the story. Secondly, in the parting scene at the Hong Kong pier, the overdub process must have been overlooked during post-production because two distinct pieces of music were inserted, thus ruining what was supposed to be a deeply emotional moment. Last but not least, I do feel that the unexpected manner in which the final action sequence plays out creates unnecessary confusion, as the story transitions to the ending.
All things considered, The Rebel is a top-tier production that probably does not but should receive the appreciation and recognition that it truly deserves for the quality of the production, writing and acting. With a Douban rating of 8.3 at the time of writing, the numbers speak for themselves. I have utterly enjoyed the worthwhile experience of being immersed in this fantastic drama and if you do decide to give this a try, perhaps you would be too.
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This review may contain spoilers
I think that this is my first review in MyDramalist. I decided to write this review because I really like Mr. Fighting, and wanted to share my feelings with othersThe story itself is actually not complicated, and could be considered as simple actually. It's about an actor who was popular when he was in teens, and then become the "washed-up" actor after 10 years, where no one actually know him (or remember his name anymore). With the help of the people he called as "Family" he stepped back onto the road of an actor once again
When i first read the summary, I think that the story is just too simple. Like, there's not much going on. I have predicted that there would be struggle to achieve stardom, but it will be the usual happy-go-lucky story. But when I watched the first episode, I know i'm wrong
The story is not heavy but it's also not fluffy. The drama might tell the story of Hao Zeyu and his road to stardom, but it's the story behind the scene that makes this drama so worth watching. His interaction with the people who he considered as his family, with Fu Zi, and also his struggle to become an actor. What I like is the simplicity of the story, that there's no actual "evil" person in the story (even agent Shi), and that they're just so human. They felt realistic and felt close to me, and that's why I could relate to each of them personally. I also think that the conflict is actually pretty real
This drama actually make me rethink about the word "happiness" itself. What do happiness actually means? Is it having a lot of money and could buy anything you want? Or is happiness the way you're able to be with the person you love and care most and laugh with them everyday? Just like what Fu Zi said, that she wanted normal and realistic romance, and this is what makes their separation, and then their eventual break-up, make me very emotional. I think I didn't stop crying since episode 43, and I continue to cry until the end of episode 44
The story is not gloomy, but it's also not the "fairy tale" story where everything will magically be okay even after a big conflict. And that's what makes me love the story so much
Acting/Cast
All the actors portray their parts properly and amazingly, even the supporting characters like Mr Gu (who like Niu Meili). Their wonderful action makes the drama felt even real to me
Rewatch value
I might not be able to rewatch this because there's just too much heartache. I could only go through this drama once. If I have to sit through this emotional drama again, I might not be able to hold on
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One thing I can say about this show is that it was amazing at making me emotional. I don't cry often when watching dramas unless I'm really touched, but I found myself in tears often while watching this show. Future shows like this need to pay attention to this show. Hiring actors instead of idols makes a world of difference.
That being said, while I enjoyed most of this, there were some things that bugged me constantly. The one thing that never sat right with me about this show was how the class was portrayed. When you listen to K-Pop for a long time, one thing you notice a lot is that music videos about school get banned instantly the second someone thinks they see even a hint of violence. I'm not a fan of hypocrites, so to see a show aired where school violence is such a major event (even though I understand this is how schools are there), it's incredibly irritating.
Another thing that bugged me a lot was the way the writers went about making certain things happen. In order to make sure misunderstandings would occur, they'd always set it up in a way that was horrible to watch because it made absolutely no sense. Somebody would suddenly do something they would never do otherwise, and you just know that it's happening for the sole reason of making the misunderstanding seem true.
Now then, as much as I disliked all of that (and some other things that I feel are too small to be mentioned), I was absolutely in love with this cast. Their chemistry and the ways they interacted with each other were a joy to watch. I had absolutely no trouble believing any of it. It really helped that almost the entire cast was given a backstory of their own. When you give an actor a reason to act like they do, it lets you connect with them and that, in turn, makes their acting believable.
The music for this show was okay. I wasn't blown away by anything, but it wasn't horrible either.
If I were going to rewatch this, it would be in the distant future, and I'd be doing a lot of skipping. Especially the ending. The ending for this drama was, by far, one of the least satisfying endings I have ever seen. That alone almost had me giving this drama a score of 7 instead of the 8 I gave it.
Overall, the drama wasn't as mind-blowing as people were making it out to be. There were a lot of times during the first 2-4 episodes where I was seriously considering dropping it. If I had watched this as it was airing instead of waiting as long as I had to start it, I can almost guarantee that I wouldn't have finished.
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This review may contain spoilers
When a Stellar Cast Can't Save a Sinking Script
There’s a particular kind of grief reserved for a drama that had absolutely everything going for it and still managed to crumble into something nearly unwatchable. That’s the bitter taste "The Legend of Rosy Clouds" left behind, a lingering frustration that has nothing to do with a lack of talent or resources and everything to do with a story that seemed determined to sabotage itself at every turn. After years of waiting and a cast that promised sparkle and depth, I sat through all thirty-six episodes hoping for a turnaround that never came. The rating I’d give it now is a reluctant foive out of ten, and even that feels generous once you’ve catalogued all the ways it went wrong.Let’s start with the tragedy of the casting, because that’s where the disappointment cuts deepest. These actors were visually arresting, charismatic, and fully capable of greatness, but they were handed material that kept yanking the rug out from under them. Yi Tong’s Fan Yun was introduced as a noblewoman thrust into a political marriage who would supposedly blossom into a sharp, capable official. Instead, the writing made her a contradiction in human form. One moment she was clever enough to see straight through her husband’s disguise and manipulate cunning merchants; the next she was stumbling into traps so obvious you wanted to reach through the screen and shake her. Her growth into a gate commander felt like a checkbox the plot ticked rather than a journey she actually undertook, and the romance at the center of it all was built on a shaky foundation of lies and manipulation that never evolved into the genuine partnership the story kept insisting it was.
Zeng Shunxi fared no better as Qi Zheng, the supposedly brilliant governor pretending to be a frivolous playboy. I’ve seen what he can do with the right script, and that knowledge made watching him here a mournful experience. His intelligence was told to us far more often than it was shown; the political manoeuvring came off less as strategic genius and more as the writers conveniently opening doors for him. The flatness wasn’t his failing; it was a failure of direction and a script that asked him to play the same few notes on a loop. When you compare this performance to his recent work, it’s like watching a gifted musician handed an instrument that’s out of tune.
And then there’s Deng Wei’s Zheng Shi, the second male lead whose arc I will carry with me as a cautionary tale about how to destroy a promising character. In a proper love triangle, you should feel torn, aching over two equally compelling choices. What we got instead was a slow-motion transformation into an obsessive, emotionally unhinged figure who progressed from charming suitor to manipulative “nice guy” to someone who literally tried to force marriage at swordpoint. He became the shadow master of a terrorist group, deceived his own family for power, and still the drama wanted us to find his final sacrifice tragic. By the time he refused the antidote and slipped away, I felt only relief. Not because the performance was bad—Deng Wei did what he could—but because the character had become a psychological horror subplot wearing the mask of a romantic rival.
The production itself seemed to be fighting its own battle behind the scenes. For a drama that spent three years in limbo between filming and release, the post-production cracks were glaring. Scenes were snipped mid-breath, transitions jarred, and the visual quality lurched from episode to episode as if different teams had worked on them without speaking. There were moments of genuine beauty, of course: the phoenix flowers blazing against a twilight sky, snow dusting the rooftops, costumes that deserved their own applause. But they were islands in a sea of inconsistency. The action choreography often felt weightless, lighting could change within a single conversation, and far too many sequences carried the cramped, hurried energy of a low-budget web drama rather than a full-length historical production. The comedy bits, especially the governor’s antics, belonged in a sketch show and clashed violently with the serious political undertones, creating a tonal whiplash that made it impossible to settle into either mood.
And the plot. The plot deserves its own elegy, because I have rarely seen a story so committed to shooting itself in the foot. The early episodes had a spark—Fan Yun seeing through Qi Zheng’s disguise right away, a poisoning attempt that seemed to promise intrigue—but soon the narrative started piling absurdity upon absurdity. There was the baffling subplot where the couple faked a divorce by pretending Qi Zheng suffered from erectile dysfunction, a creative choice so bewildering it felt like a dare. A simple piece of cloth somehow became an infallible disguise that fooled entire armies, the drama’s own version of Superman’s glasses. And then, gloriously, infamously, the dreaded Crow Army that had been built up as an unstoppable force was defeated with fireworks. Birds. Fireworks. All that tension dissolved into a puff of colored smoke.
Character motivations shifted like sand. Problems were solved through coincidence or a single miraculous discovery, the plague in Tong City being the prime example—a devastating pandemic that evaporated with one herbal remedy. The central relationship cycled through “we trust each other” and “we don’t trust each other” so many times that I lost count, and the political reform storyline, which had genuine conceptual merit, crawled along only to be wrapped up in a rush that made the entire arc feel weightless. The symbolism of the sweet dew tea was hauled out for love declarations, poison antidotes, and marriage rituals alike until it meant nothing at all. The show tried so desperately to make us cry over deaths and sacrifices, but you cannot mourn a character whose soul the script already hollowed out.
In all this wreckage, there was exactly one thing that kept me watching, and it was the second lead couple. Gao Ran and Wei Shisan had a quiet, unforced chemistry that made every shared glance feel like a secret. Their dynamic was built on earned intimacy, a slow-burn understanding that the main romance never managed to replicate. When they worked together, the air shifted, and I found myself resenting every cut back to the central pair. Their subplot wasn’t just a consolation prize; it was the proof that this drama knew how to write a compelling connection and simply chose not to give that gift to the leads. Giving them more screen time or a spin-off wouldn’t just be a treat—it would be a quiet act of justice.
What makes the whole experience so haunting is how clearly you can see the shape of the masterpiece that might have been. The cast, the visual ambition, the kernel of a story about class mobility and women stepping into governance—all the ingredients were measured and waiting. But the execution was a cascade of wrong turns. A love triangle with real stakes, where the second lead was genuinely good and the choice genuinely painful, would have anchored the emotional core. Smarter political manoeuvring that let the characters earn their victories would have given the reform plotline the gravity it aimed for. Consistent characterisation and a steady hand on the tonal rudder would have turned chaos into purpose.
As it stands, the recommendation is narrow. If you are a diehard fan of the cast, you might find enough flickers of their talent to keep you going, though frustration will be your constant companion. If you are someone who finds grim pleasure in watching a beautiful disaster unfold, there is material here in abundance. And if you care only about a side couple and can fast-forward through the rest, you will find a diamond in the rubble. But for anyone seeking a satisfying romance, a coherent political drama, or simply a story that follows its own internal logic, this is a warning, not an invitation.
The final image I’ll hold isn’t of the Phoenix Tree or the snow-dusted farewell, but of a production that had the wind at its back and still steered straight into the rocks. Fan Yun and Qi Zheng should have been a couple to root for; instead, they exhausted me. Zheng Shi started as someone I might have loved and ended as a cautionary tale about what happens when writers mistake obsession for passion. And Gao Ran and Wei Shisan, the true emotional centre, were sidelined in their own show. Five out of ten feels right, a score for the ghost of something wonderful that never quite materialised. What a waste, truly.
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1THE MOST beautiful and realest chemistry
When you watch a series the most important thing is the chemistry between the leads then the story ,and when the story is one and only it will always leave a mark on your heart , and this series is the first real omegaverse series so it will always be in our heart .as a someone who have read the novel , i just can't describe how good the novel is and the show gives justice to the novel despite losing some important points which will affect those who don't know anything about ABO , but if you are intersted in the show it's not hard to ask the questions you have anywhere to be answered .
-if i talk about the chemistry and the beauty of the actors , words will never be enough ,the way actors love each other outside the show is enough to know how good the chemistry is .
-so this show is definetly 10/10
it deserves no less than 10
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A new bar for xianxia genre
Never have I ever written a review for a drama despite having watched 1000+ dramas/movies in my life.So here are the 5 things I love about this show:
1. No draggy plot, no silly misunderstanding, a handful of supportive characters. No irritating conventional tropes. Fresh stories in the mortal realm. Of course there is still room for improvement, but in general, the plot is logical and coherent. You don't have to ask yourself frequently why the characters behave in a certain way or why a particular event occurs. I also love the writer's formula to match the leads and the second leads. It would have been less fun or more destructive if they had been paired up the other way around. And that is how relationships in real life usually are.
2. The acting of the leads is top-notch. I cannot imagine anyone who can play these roles better than Chen Xingxu and Li Landy. I have watched two previous famous dramas of Chen Xingxu (Goodbye my princess and Fall in love). He was already outstanding in those dramas, yet he even brought his A-game here. He delivers skillfully nuances and perfection in many scenes that I cannot delve into here to avoid giving spoilers. In short, he succeeds in nailing another challenging role. Also, this is the first show of Li Landy that I've watched, and she does a good job bringing out the depth of her character. Besides, her acting is very natural, and her crying scenes are probably the best among all the Chinese actresses I have watched. The remaining cast's acting is solid and spot on too, especially the second leads, despite their little acting experiences. Moreover, the show is overflowing with the cast's strong chemistry and synergy.
3. Great character development. If for some reasons you find the female lead childish in the first episode, give her a bit more time, and normally, you should change your mind around ep 6, 7, although Li Landy has already done an excellent job handling this kind of character from the very beginning. Similarly, if somehow you find the male lead quite plain in the first few episodes, don't stop because he will eventually become the best ML in the xianxia genre. He is simply a breadth of fresh air who can strike a terrific balance between duty and love, between being ordinary and exceptional, between being innocent and cunning. If you still disagree with these after finishing the drama, come and discuss with me ;)
4. The soundtracks are beautiful and addictive. They elevate so many scenes.
5. So many hilarious scenes, which is rare in this genre. Moreover, these scenes were properly performed and not overdone. This is a big plus as this is the type of show that you can enjoy with your partner (if he/she is into fantasy and comedy). Hence, the re-watch value is very high.
In summary, I thought no drama could exceed Eternal love or Ashes of love, but The starry love has set a new bar in my heart for the xianxia genre. Thank you the production team and the cast for delivering a magnificent show. I will cherish this show for a long long time.
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Flawed message
Korean dramas should really stop depicting people who committed suicide as selfish jerks who just didn't try their best and start talking about mental health issues and self-care. For me, this very reductive view of the problem negatively affects the whole story and makes the premise a bit ridiculous. The other aspects of the series are just ok. The series has several very good actors, but unfortunately the story does not live up to their talent. Some episodes were entertaining, but not enough to watch them again.Was this review helpful to you?
1This review may contain spoilers
Righteousness Wins Over Profit in Jianghu
A bet set in the beginning of the show had its answer at the end. I wanted to watch a Wuxia but this had a lot of elements that didn't quite align with that. I knew the majority of the cast and they did a good job with what they were given. This time I won't write pros/cons but combine them.For starters the show got the rating it got for the awesome martial arts, the fact that other then the draggy family feud like episodes, it was in fact quite entertaining and out of the 3 CY characters my favorite was LCZ because he had a quiet grace along with his wife and theirs wasn't a showy type of love but as you watched, it resonated. Even theirs deaths were beautiful and fit the characters perfectly. I liked QS as he grew from a foolish youth to a moral driven young martial artist; his issues were that they literally gave him a VERSACE sized wardrobe fit for a runway while everyone else got a few (his brothers notwithstanding). Also that he gained his strength and whatnot not always from practicing martial arts nonstop but from a monk here, an invincible pill and spirit snake there, then a total of 8 masters infused him with their energies/legacies randomly before he himself started integrating everything. He used his smarts on other things. Least useful character was XMM, in fact that entire modern world AI transmigration with a stolen copyright by some government secrets selling senior was completely out of left field. It completely took away from the real Wuxia or storytelling portion of it.
Why couldn't it just be a happy family of 5 living their lives until trouble called? Who needed the senior jumping into XKY's body a la Agent Smith from the Matrix? First we were made to believe the power gang were the bad guys and ok we could go with that until it was no longer true and there was a 3rd evil loose in the world creating chaos so he could take over the world because how innovative was that? 🙄🤦🏻♀️ The power gang with LCZ as its chief (for whom other than him being a royal, we never got a back story), were essentially double agents; appearing bad to the world but really a collection of kings and other people sending money and clothing to the border to fight the northern westerlanders which were constantly threatening Daxi where they lived. But even there, there were traitors left and right; on both sides to this third side. You didn’t know who to trust.
While this was going on, the Xiao family has to escape to their Sword Manor because someone originally thought to be the power gang had infiltrated their ranks and is trying to get to a rare artifact saved for a general. The real culprits in poisoning the water (and later massacring everyone parents included) is some whistle gang run by a masked man who we all suspected to be XKY with LN (the senior) in his body but he also had 2nd child syndrome and a lifetime of jealousy of both of his brothers who were better then him because they were proficient in different things with a major crush on his adopted sister, whom he later tried to force to marry him and then when she tried to hurt him, killed her instead. I wasn't sure after which did he plan to sleep with her corpse (eww)? She did leave vital information that saved the world for QS at the cost of her life.
Continuing, he and his siblings and their disciples plus sworn brothers and friends run away leaving their parents behind one last time alive to find help only for QS to realize their few sources of help have betrayed them but before he could convince his older brother, he was framed so badly and crippled and still his older brother didn't believe him. I have a theory on the older brother's costume; throughout the entire series he only got one but he had plenty of screen time and I feel that that was because he never evolved; he was narrow minded, he never believed his own brother but believed strangers that either humiliated him or laughed in his face. He was one of those people that was totally fine when he was surrounded by his parents who were in charge, but when the massacre happened, everything fell in his lap and he did not know how to cope. Do I excuse his actions? Absolutely not, but I feel that because he never changed and stayed exactly the same and hurt QS so much without an ounce of apology or repentance until his dying moment at the hands of his second brother did Eureka 💡 happen is why he only got one costume for the entire series.
After family feud we got the game of faces GoT style with XKY wearing a mask where he could become become whomever he chose to become to trap people in order to kill them or have them make horrendous mistakes like in the case of LSF and the huge Sect's where he pretended to be LCZ and ordered the deaths of two monks; when that was found out obviously Power Gang was screwed but LSF was determined to make amends to the man who saved his life. This was another character with a very fragmented backstory where he misplaced his rage on one person when in reality that person being QS's father saved his life. And we never quite got to solving that entire issue. LSF also never made amends with any of the other people he killed without mercy, even though power gang only killed those that betrayed them to align with the enemy.
Another character that was a waste of time was the emperor who poisoned his own half brother "to keep him in check" because he was supposedly doing something wrong and being greedy when all LCZ did was provide for the border. But yet when the border is secure, something that the emperor doesn't even know or just found out that the general was kidnapped and he ordered LCZ to save the general and is informed that the border is secure and they have a victory and that the bad guys won't invade for 50 years. He says "everyone has to be rewarded including LCZ; bring him here!" is when he finds out that LCZ died already trying to rescue the general, and the emperor is all shocked and taken aback like he doesn't even understand how it could be possible; hello moron you have been poisoning him with wine ever so often that has basically rendered him all, but an invalid and you're surprised he's dead? On top of that he actually saw the fake mask that XKY brought him with the fake promise of truce with the northern enemies that he himself was leading and the emperor bought it hook, line, and sinker. It makes you think that considering how supposedly large his country is, isn't he supposed to have a broad spectrum of intelligence to tell him what's right and what's wrong instead of him just hastily making decisions without anything actual nor factual.
I have to say that my favorite fight out of all of them, and there were quite a few was the one at thunderdome where we met crazy Yan for the first time. Now talk about knowing how to enter an arena this dude showed up, screaming some bad guy's name like Drogon entering the Colosseum roaring. It was awesome! All the fights together were spectacular there and then naming QS as the world leader of martial arts in order to rescue the general and repel the northern enemy was also great. QS' two sworn brothers (as we lost the third very early on) were there from the beginning to the back in the mortal world. Crazy Yan turned out to be Xuyue's biological brother. Even those four thugs that just seemed so out of place did work and the two that QS met while searching for the abducted TF. It seemed that after his family and the disciples were massacred, he was determined to establish a sector with a rag tag family of his own. One of those people who became my second favorite was Prince Liang; this man had enough benevolence, empathy, and sympathy for both his half brother, LCZ to even attempt to stop the emperor from poisoning him to giving both quiet and physical strength to QS when he thought he had had lost absolutely everything, including that hug that I will probably remember when thinking about this series that no one in his actual family ever thought to give him. He was there for every strategy, for every fight and the way he treated QS seemed like one would treat his own flesh and blood; a brotherly love. It made you tear up quite a lot. Even though there were a lot of problems with LSF's character and his assistant/girlfriend with his storyline overall in the end, he finally understood that QS had won their bet of righteousness over profit, and he fought with the good guys and then left the celebration scene quietly with her vowing to meet again in the future on better terms.
Now let me give my thought process overall on how I thought things ended; I think that 2 out of 3CY characters did in fact die, and that part was obvious. If you look closely, you can see XMM shedding a tear as LN information was being told to him so he can hear them and then you slowly see his blood pressure start to go down and doctors racing into the room, but because it was so badly edited, you couldn't really tell what was happening as it kept fading to black, but I do not believe that he died as well because he did not flatline nor did he go into cardiac arrest. His blood pressure just went down and it was enough to signal the doctors that he was in distress. Distress does not mean death and is very much survivable. I do have to ask what was up with those weird fireworks that turned into colorful smoke that made you think that you were in a Bollywood film in the photo? As for people discussing which character it was that walked away with the Qin and the sword in the historical clothing toward the light, I think it's QS because it wouldn't make sense for a modern day person to walk toward the light carrying all of that and wearing all of that. So I do think that, even though this was an OE, XMM survived.
Would I recommend it? Only for fans of actors and if you want to be entertained. This is not a memorable story because the storyline was all over the place and that's the fault of production. So decide for yourselves.
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