Chinese Paladin (2005)

Story: This drama was one of the the first dramas I've ever watched when I was younger and it was always memorable. The story revolves around the male protagonist who starts off mischievous and carefree but an event which required him to save his aunt's life embarks him on a journey where he meets many friends and learns martial arts. Throughout the story, you'll witness their friendship and each character's development. In the love triangle between the two female leads and the male lead, I found it hard to set sail in either ship because I was fine with either one surprisingly ^^. I enjoyed the side couple as well because they were super cute! There will be times where you will laugh and times where you will cry.

Acting/Cast: I really love the cast and I think each of them did a really great job with their character. You can really see their development from the beginning until the end. Because of this drama, I discovered many amazing actors and actresses like Hu Ge and Ady An. I really loved Eddie Peng and Esther Liu in this too! (They were the super cute couple I was talking about ^^) Crystal is a beauty and I've always thought she fitted ancient/ wuxia dramas. I remember reading somewhere that the main actors/actresses were very young (around 17-20s) when they were cast. They were considered as the new generation of actors/actresses at that time. (Look at them now ^.^)

Music: I really really loved the soundtracks in this drama. I think that the soundtracks suited the atmosphere of the drama. I also really liked the instrumentals that was played in the background during a certain scene. Some songs were sang by Hu Ge as well.

Rewatch: Since this is a childhood drama of mine, I would go back and watch some of my favorite episodes but I would skip some as well.

Overall: This was one of the dramas that made me fall in love with wuxia/xianxia genre dramas. I really liked how the story developed and the closures for each character. The CGIs of this drama was not amazing and the production quality may be considered low for some, but this was one of the very first drama with CGI effects. Therefore, I think they did a really good job. There are some loopholes in the story and the characters as well, but I was able to overlook them and enjoy it. I think it's worth trying it out :)

(This is my first review. ^^' I apologize if some of my comments are inaccurate or flawed!)

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Almost Masterpiece

Positive:
I enjoyed every episodes without skipping even though the picture quality is not great like nowadays until episode 28.
I think martial art before 2010 were better and cooler. Nowadays, most martial art sect leader and his disciples lose very easily to villain leader and his disciples. Most of good sect win by luck. Didn't show how main leads learned new tricks/martial arts.
Negative:
After watching my childhood drama again, I understand the story better now. But killing off so many main characters and female lead is ridiculous! The writer should have let Ling Er lives after killing off water/fish monster.
What's the point of killing off Lin Yue Ru now? I would wholeheartedly vote Li Xiao Yao with Lin Yue Ru if not for the baby. If the female lead is going to die anyway, at least let Lin Yue Ru live cos she is not bound by anything!
Useless Taoist, Sage of sword just watch? Interfere when not necessary which caused Lin Yue Ru dead but when necessary to kill off main villain, no where to be found! Why did those sects even exist? Bully the good and let evil do as they like.
Sage of sword and Queen, Qing are the worst in my opinion cos 'how can someone love all equally'! What a rubbish! Love is difference between others and love one!
Why the heck is Sage of sword staying in his sect and not help at all if he loves all equally?
Everything is good until episode 28 (where Lin Yue Ru died).
Deity of sword and Nu are just too crazy. I hate them sometime.

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Love is dirty

The only thing that I really liked here is Baby Tangyu and Nu couple the rest I can barely watch. Hu Ge is good here too tho. The female lead is one of the worst I ever saw in dramas, clingy and dumb.

So many obscene side couples(guest roles), the side stories were always something l u s t related.

Everybody is always spelling nonsense theories about life. The villain is ridiculous as the actor acting. The first episodes were almost good, but the plot was scarce with too many monster hunting episodes.

The last episodes finally was plot related and brings the classic wuxia characteristics, so I will rate this 8/10.

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The young may enjoy this.

This drama was produced over a decade ago. It is high quality for its time. I think young people would love this story as it is highly idealistic and portrait a bunch of young high-spirited lovely people setting on a journey to discover the world, and finding the love of their lives.

This is the first drama Hu Ge acted in. I must say he was good but he has got better over time. His acting in later years was outstanding as shown in Nirvana in Fire and Sound of the Desert - his portrayal of emotions was heart-wrenching. By comparison to his later Chinese dramas, this is more of the older wuxia story and style - entertaining but does not show much depth.

I think a young cast set it back as the expression of emotions is rather superficial and does not bring out the emotional reaction in me. However, young viewers may like it more as the young good-looking heartthrobs (at that time) are definitely appealing.

However, if you have not watched the newer epic Chinese drama production, you may still appreciate and enjoy this, and be less critical.

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