Reviews

Tears, Spears, and One Epic Entrance

Episode 22 had my emotions doing cardio, one moment tearing up, the next moment clutching my imaginary popcorn in pure excitement. The opening felt a little abrupt with Bao Er fleeing alongside Qi Min’s nanny while Yu Qian Qian is suddenly tied up and held captive in the Sui Mansion. It left me wondering what Qian Qian’s actual plan for Bao Er is and how she even came to trust the nanny in the first place. Then again, considering that in the previous episode she and Qi Min were basically having a romantic spa date in the bath pool and now she is trussed up like a suspicious dumpling, it pretty much confirms Qi Min already knew she would try to escape and never truly trusted her. Toxic Sui family dynamics aside, this episode also marks the glorious formation of what I would lovingly call the Pig Butcher Squad: Chang Yu, Ji Yuan Bao, Man Di, Man Wu, and Man Cang. The reveal that the old grandpa at the dam construction site is actually Grand Tutor Tao Yi, the former Minister of Works and also Xie Zheng’s mentor, was such a pleasant surprise. What made it hit harder was knowing he was fully aware that staying at the construction site was basically a death sentence since Xie Zheng and his army planned to blow up the dam to trap and annihilate Sui’s forces. Even when General Tang offered him a chance to leave under the excuse of going to the front lines, Grand Tutor Tao quietly gave that opportunity to Chang Yu instead, without telling her that it was actually to save her. That moment alone nearly broke my tear ducts, but the emotional damage did not stop there because Ji Yuan Bao immediately traded their stay slots so he could go with her, saying they are family. At that point they only thought they were heading to the front lines, and honestly those scenes made me cry like someone playing a sad violin right next to my heart. And then the ending came in like a cinematic mic drop. Xie Zheng arriving with the Blood Robe Cavalry Guard to rescue Chang Ning and lure the enemies into the soon to be flooded zone after the dam explodes was absolutely insane in the best way possible. The war action sequence was chef’s kiss. Aside from Zhang Ling He looking stunning and commanding as ever, the camera angles and the dark, tense mood of the shots were beautifully done. The storytelling in this segment flowed so well too. Xie Zheng’s battlefield entrance was straight up hot, the kind that radiates charisma from ten miles away. Chang Ning calling out “Jie Fu, save me!” was oddly adorable in the middle of all that chaos, and Sui Yuan Qing’s completely fooled expression was unintentionally hilarious. I also loved Xie Zheng’s expression when he saw Sui Yuan Qing grabbing Chang Ning’s face and tossing her aside, concerned but still composed, calculating his next move like the level headed strategist he is. It was nice to see the brother sister dynamic between Xie Zheng and Chang Ning again. The choreography of the moment when Sui Yuan Qing threw Chang Ning into the air to kill her and Xie Zheng saved her by pushing her with his spear toward his guard Xie Wu was pure gold. My adrenaline shot up instantly. Xie Zheng even got injured in a fatal spot while saving her, which honestly made the moment even better because it reminds us he is still human, and that Chang Yu being his weakness also means Chang Ning matters to him as family. But even injured, this man kept going like a war drama version of “I’m still standing.” After Chang Ning was safe, the real fireworks started with Xie Zheng and Sui Yuan Qing battling on horseback with their spears. I was practically screaming and fangirling at my screen like I was watching a live championship fight. And the image of the now pale but determined Xie Zheng deliberately luring the enemies toward the flood zone with Sui Yuan Qing chasing him on horseback was just wow. I have to give major applause to Director Zeng Qing Jie because the cinematography and framing in that entire sequence were absolutely fantastic. This episode did not just move the plot forward, it delivered emotion, tension, and action in one powerful package.

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Finally it happened!

This is really one of the best on-going Korean drama. What a fantastic episode. We finally got what we wanted at the end of episode.Loving the story between the Lead pair. Looking forward to how the relationship will turn out next week, given that the "variable" is now back in Korea. Was it really an accident that happened or is there some sinister plot involved? Hope our doubts get cleared and I hope the clarity doesn't affect their relationship.Why does COO always apologizes to the family grave? Does he feel responsible for her parents death? We know he was their family chauffer but was not present during the accident. So is it the survivor's guilt or is he really responsible for their death? Loving the chemistry between COO and second sister. The little sister story is quite interesting too. I love how this drama balanced all the stories of the sisters as well as their grandma very well. Fantastic writing so far. I hope the consistency remains throughout the drama.

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idk why or how this not got a higher rating…

idk why or how this not got a higher rating this is so good, the scene in the office kitchen where Ji Yu slips & they both get wet OMG but that was hot & butterfly inducing. that is a much hotter scene then actual sex scenes i've seen in BL's recently. as is the chemistry between the mains is smoking & love how Gi Hun has finally started to smile - he smiles so much cause of Ji Yu & is doing everything so they will be together throughout the day. i kinda love it & love also that Ji Yu is finally aware of Gi Hun. ugh i can't get enough! ***************************************************************************************************************but i find it weird that Ji Yu didn't ask Gi Hun what his hang-up with alcohol is, usually if someone acted like Gi Hun i would assume alcoholism & if it was something connected to work i would find a way to ask apologetically - but i would broach the subject. here that isn't even mentioned - so weird

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