The Long Ballad (2021)

This is an absolute must watch.

I've been wanting to write a review for this for a long time but I couldn't because I don't know where to start gushing about this drama. I absolutely LOVE LOVE this drama!! Each and every episode is worth watching.

This is not your kind of typical revenge drama. In summary, this drama is about Li Chang Ge, who initially set out to get revenge from the Tang empire ended up returning as a guarding angel to it instead.

My most favorite part of the drama is the relationship development between the 2 main characters. From being friends to fellow comrades and finally, to lovers, the transition is absolutely beautiful!! In the beginning, Li Chang Ge is like a loose cannon leaving chaos in her path and our male lead ( Ashile Sun ) pretty much cleans after her and saves her ass at every corner. and together they make an invincible team with brain and brawn. And I like how the male lead has eyes only on Li Chang Ge, which is so cute!! This drama is about how these two lost souls finding solace and family in each other.

And my second most favorite part is the transition of Li Chang Ge. Initially, she was just blind to revenge but gradually she realizes that the lives of people are more important than her revenge which transformed into a guardian angel of both Tang and the grasslands together with Ashile sun. This is why this story takes a whole new turn into revenge drama.

For me, this drama is on par with other great dramas like the legend of Fuyao, princess agents, etc. From the casting to ost to costumes everything is perfect. With Dilraba, Leo Wu, Rosy Zhao the drama can't get any perfect, and their acting blows you away. especially Leo Wu. The OST and soundtracks in this drama are absolutely beautiful. I once saw this video about the making of the soundtracks and it made me realize how much effort they put into making them.

I read the manhua and I love both versions of the drama and the manhua!!

All in all, this is one of the best period dramas and an absolute must-watch.

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definitely worth it!!

Even though this drama is still airing, I've become so attached to it. When I heard this Drama being announced with Dilraba and Leo as the Leads, many people, including myself, were very concerned about the age gap between these two actors, which was why I was hesitating to watch it. even so, I still decided to give this a shot since I'm a big fan of Dilraba, and it was totally worth it. These actors play their characters so well that you wouldn't be concerned about the age gap! I've already watched this many many times waiting for the new Eps to air, and the music perfectly illustrates the mood of the scene. there have definitely been dramas with this sort of plot made, but this one demonstrates the relationship and the character development so well, that it doesn't ever get boring.

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The Greatest Unproblematic and Non Toxic Couple

Absolutely adored our main 2 couples, very happy it was perfect from beginning to end. Ashile, Ashile, Ashile SUN!!!! WHAT A REMARKABLE MAN. Perfect for Any woman a man without a Toxic bone in his body. He is Considerate, Consistent, Understanding, Reassuring, a bit Arrogant but more Confident and rightfully so. The Leading Actor Leo did a Phenomenal Job portraying this powerful character. Dilraba was amazing as Li ChangGe she has stolen my heart completely. This character is misunderstood but she means well. Extremely Loyal, Dominant, Intelligent, Strategic and sometimes Hotheaded at times. Absolutely Adored GeSun!!!!
I wanted to also Add both leading ladies love and loyalty for each other were phenomenal. I loved their bond and sisterhood. I am so grateful for writers to show that 2 women can have a NON toxic REAL friendship and Sismance. Both Ladies are polar opposite but they respect and understand one another. They ride for each other and are Heroic in there own way. Thank you so much to the while Team for writing these characters and relationships. The Character growth from the start to end was great. Bravo, Encore I need a season 2 with ALL actors.

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Best costume drama for 2021 yet!

I love this drama! The chemistry between the leads is fantastic. The storyline is captivating from ep 1, no draggy scenes or sideplots. It is fast paced and full of action. The music is beautiful especially the ending theme song. Each story arc shows charcoal development and growth with good transition between scenes. This is my fav 2021 costume drama so far!

Leo as Ashile Sun is masculine, handsome and the perfect hero. His costume as Tegin is ?. Diralba as Change Ge is smart, beautiful and strong. I think it is her best drama so far, she has converted me (was not impressed with her previous projects) I love every moment they are on screen together. The acting is superb, all the subtle facial expressions, eye moments makes all the scenes stand out.

My only complaint is the input of additional cartoon scenes were annoying and wish there was more romance scenes between the leads. That’s just because I’m a sucker for romance and will never see enough.

Highly recommended drama for anyone who likes strong male/female lead, no whiny 3rd wheels and good choreography of martial arts and battle scenes.

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Loved the crew...hated the drama.

I can't believe my first review is to shit on my girl Dilraba whom I actually quite like. However, I must tell the truth, this is very bad drama. I do not understand why people are giving it such a high rating. It's so misleading. I'll try to keep it short but man this is bad:

1. THE CARTOON SCENES: In a bid to save money and time, they replaced all of the war fight scenes with cartoons/anime scenes...and it was so bad. Maybe there will be a time that this technique will work, but that is not the case here. You have to watch it for yourself to see just how bad it is. Even for scenes that were not big war fighting scenes that can eat a budget (like when they met the king of Mobei, or when Khatan's concubine enters the scene) were given the cartoon treatment. It reduces the quality of the drama tremendously to me. It did not feel like an artistic choice but more like a bunch of film school students winging it and trying to make up for messing around the whole semester. It did not pay off.

2. TRASH ROMANCE: The romance was very lacking. No heat no passion. Just lukewarm basura. As stated above I love Dilraba in almost all of the dramas she's been in (You Ahre My Glory is forever that girl). This is due to the fact that the girl could have chemistry with a rock if needed. She plays love scenes and flirtatious scenes so well... except in this drama. But it's not her fault, the screenwriting is just crap. Like, I'm sorry this drama is not some kind of big budget War blockbuster. It's no "The Longest night on Chang's an" or "Joy of Life". It's one step above an idol drama (look there is nothing wrong with that. I'm addicted to dramas. I will watch all of them no matter what lol). So, tell me why this drama was taking itself so seriously? We all came here for Dilraba and Leo (two beautiful people)...just give us the romance. But nooo. It took 20 some episodes to even reveal the romance. They wouldn't show them kissing until EP 40...and it wasn't even a traditional kissing scene. Honestly, I would have been fine with a lip press and a camera spin like they used to do it back in the day. Instead, we got that weird "bird kissing scene" and a bunch of stiff hugs. It was so bizarre. I knoooow some dramas don't have intimate scenes...I'm not western media rookie who is asking for more sex scene here . I wished they'd skipped all together. Because, what's with the freaking birds?

3. RIDICULOUS PLOT EVEN MORE RIDICULOUS LOGISTICS: I get that Leo is very young and I'm not gonna shit on him...but if you guys wanted to created some big serious war drama...he is not the guy...ok. His acting is very subpar and not at that level yet (and I don't believe it will ever be. Some people are like and it's ok. I'm still gonna watch his stuff. I have not issues with a cute actor with a nice body but low acting skills lol). Not that Dilraba is the greatest actress but with a good counterpart she can deliver. It felt that their goals and the casting and scriptwriting were not in alignment.

4. BAD FEMALE LEAD JOURNEY: This was a classic Mary Sue story (don't fight me on this please). This girl is just so pretty and so smart and so this and so that. But the thing is, if you were to actually sit down and examine her actions you'd realize all of it was so dumb. It's one thing to be thrusted into the political arena reluctantly...and it's a whole different story to plant yourself into the mix because of "revenge" or whatever but whenever the opportunity came to actually act on said revenge you either chicken out or you take the "high road". And as a storyline, it made no sense. Wanting revenge informed us of this girl's motivation and actions...but then doesn't. If someone killed your whole family and you're on a quest for revenge...why do you care about the country and its citizens? And if you do...then just admit you're not about that revenge life and keep it pushing. It's just all felt so silly. And like ...is this girl the only one around that can do things? Why do people just give her tasks and hand her high positions? It's not realistic.

If you reaaaaally wanna watch it, go for it I guess. But it's not good!

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100% worth watching story. dont think more just watch it

Short review .I was expecting very high with this drama...and it didnot disappoint me.the storyline is very good with full of emotion the acting done by everyone is perfect ...its just so good one and music every song of this drama is so so so good i listen to it every day and it gives me goosebumps of all those emotional scenes...their is some twist and turns so you will definetly not get bored and the chemistry betn leads is very good ...i would say just watch it ....it is a worth watching drama it gives u some deep message at the end so i find it a bit inspiring to .

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A great epic journey

Watching this show felt like you've lived through a lifetime... in a good way. A lot of things happened, the characters all went through hardships, they've been through one heck of a journey. It's really a fantastic show.

STORY
A lot of things happened and the progression of the story was good. I felt the pacing was just right, it wasn't too rushed or too dragging. Though there were times when I predicted what would happen with the leads (ex. will they survive, etc.) but there were times when I was on the edge of my seat. It was intense and I liked that you can understand the characters' motives. It wasn't all black and white, with the villains being bad for no reason. You can still sympathize with them.
It was smartly written, though I understand that the story came from a manhua, still, the way it was written as a TV show, they kept things interesting.

CINEMATOGRAPHY & EDITING
It really made you feel how big and how epic the scale of the production was. It was impressive how they captured the intensity of the war scenes, of the fight scenes and the emotions the characters were experiencing.
There were a couple of awkward shots though especially during the shift to the animated scenes. I don't know if it was purely for artistic choices or because the budget for shooting those war scenes would have been large but putting the actors in front of the animated backgrounds were awkward. They could've just left the animated scenes as is and not mix it with the live action ones.

ACTING/STUNTS
The actors were amazing, Dilraba was so bad-ass and believable as a great fighter and a smart princess. Though I felt the chemistry with her and Leo Wu was a bit lacking. But they were great when fighting and working together.
I've watched Zhao Lusi before as a strong character and seeing her as meek, I saw her differently. She's so effective and really great at crying scenes that she makes you want to cry with her.
Liu Yuning was also amazing. Even just a small change in his eyes, or a quirk of his lips, you can tell what he's feeling even without saying anything. Because of his acting, I was immediately hooked with his storyline and pay close attention whenever he's in a scene even if he's not the focus.

MUSIC
The soundtrack was epic that I never skipped an opening or closing. It really helped to hype me up with the scenes. And made me sad when Hao Du's theme song plays during his scenes.

OVERALL
Highly recommended! It's a great watch and a great journey to take with the characters. Though for people who's looking for romance, this show doesn't prioritize romantic scenes as much but it's okay because the story itself is interesting. You also have to be patient though and keep watching even with the awkward shifts to the animated scenes.
For me, I don't really see it as rewatchable except for certain scenes (like Hao Du's because he's my favorite haha) because there are too many things that happened and part of why the show is great is because you can't really predict the ending.
GREAT SHOW!

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This was a well made drama.

Dilraba shines again! As she shows her acting range as our heroine lead as Li Chang Ge.

She goes through loss, grief, growth and love through the story, making friends along the way.
They evolve her character as a immature tomboy who eventually grows to be a wise strong woman.

As she goes on a quest of revenge, and finding her purpose, she eventually learns the secret about her mother and her father+ uncle. She does everything for her country, even though they've gone after her life, persecuted her, out casted her. Eventually she's able to let go of the hate near the end, and is able to find peace & happiness with her life moving forward which was what her mother wished for early on.

It was confusing at first how they started the familial conflict leading to bloodshed, maybe it could've been explained better other than hinting that bad omen was coming.
Personally I've had some gripes initially of how they wrote Mimi's character, which was frustrating at first because of her actions/behavior but the writes in turn use that as a moment to evolve and build Chang Ge by using the situations as tactics and showing her resiliency.

Even Minister Du finds light, even though he was hell bent on getting rid of Chang Ge, even though some of the minsters probably knew what happened between Lady Jin & Li Simin's history. Not sure what his motivation was or how the point of going after Chang Ge with Hao Du (the adoptive son) drove the storyline other than the fact Chang Ge needed to keep moving from one place to another.

Wei Shu character is probably the only one that missed out, on one hand he was being crushed on by Princess Le Yan but only viewed her as a sister, on the other side he probably had feelings for Chang Ge but could not be honest with himself, and also leaned towards sense of duty than his own feelings.

They do payoff most of the storylines that were created, which gives the audience a sense of closure as well as peace.

If theres something to be learned is not to act rashly, not to let your ego get the best of you as it go to Chang Ge early on, and eventually led to Khatun's own downfall, as there is a much bigger picture that you probably can't grasp.

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Plot
Early stage this drama show Li changge as a independent and have good/decent martial art but along the drama its seem like she loose her martial art and doesnt know to defend herself. eventhough the characters said she so clever and women with tactics but in my opinion main leads always cover her reckless .

This drama dont have heavy revenge plot, I have seen other drama that have heavy plot of revenge. Li changge seems lost at the middle of the story and need Sun to give her direction.

This drama doest show how desperate/independent Li changge is because plot highlight more journey of Li Changge to find revenge or injustice for her family but its seems like she more closed with her cousin rather than her sibs . Its a bit confused.

Casting :
Ashile sun - that carry all the character and closed the weakness of li changge.
li changge - early story seems strong but kind loose along the story and depend more on her friend to protect her. What the used of her martial art ? Its a bit confusing when they have scene in war but Li changge face dont have any dust on her clean. She want to portray boyish chracter but zhou liying or yang mi have been better portray that.
Mimi Guli - she seems from noble family when look at her tantrum (at the market) Like WTF woman just let go . But she only a maid even zhou lusi is a princess know how to be humble.
Leyan - character like stupid and have nice heart . Doesnt know how to fight and so on but at some scene like when she got kidnapped and follow group of beggars she portray her character well .

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Team HouYan

I am proudly call myself as Team HouYan because of these two I stay this far for this drama. Hao Du and Le Yan had remarkable a love story, growing characters, ups and downs that life experiences thrown at them and made them more incline and devoted to each other. LeYan character grew wiser, smarter, stronger, bolder, kinder and humbler...just the opposite of Hou Du's personality. Hou Du learn a lot from Le Yan most of her kindness and simplicity - I think he has loved her longer than we anticipated...it's like instinct to protect the weaker female from the cruel world. Who knew, he had such romantic passionate on cold-exterior-reserved man. Hou Du became happier, smiles more, chatty, soft glances towards LeYan and she reproached it with her loving smiles too...they had the simplest wedding for royal princess but their happiness shines thru we all could see... I love Emperor Li ShiMin gave them blessing, I think that's remarkable that a Great Tang Royal Princess could marry down to a personal guard like Hou Du.

I also love Wei ShuYu I think his concern to his family and loyalty to the country say it all about his dedication and contribution. Alan Fang was most handsome man in this drama...soft spoken and always think the best from everyone. His character wasn't strong like the other 2 ML but his part was definitely not bad at all. Leo Wu Lei was good; Asheli Sun was an up-right, good and strong man, loyal, faithful, handsome, great leader. His love story as not as passionate as Hou Du but he had devotion that willing to follow the girl he love to the burning building. If there wasn't love story like Hou Du and LeYan, I didn't think I would watch this drama for 49 episodes.

Seriously, I skipped a lot where Li ChangGe appear because she didn't impress me, her character was conceited and bravely naive, she got lucky in so many instances - not because she's smart intelligent princes but people like her, the weak and timid LeYan went out to protect and save her - not to mention Asheli who loved her would do anything to take care and gave her protection, even the Emperor didn't want to hurt her but loved her as his niece as her own father didn't care for her even slightly. Li ChangGe's ambition all failed, she gave up everything finally as she realized that avenge intention was to the wrong man. I would give all 10 if I can just rate it for Liu YuNing, Zhao LuSi, Leo Wu Lei, Alan Fang Yi Lun.

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