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Mostly Masterpiece but not Perfect drama
One of the best historical drama when it comes to director vision, fight sequences & the production set design, Ep. 1-27 = it's well written and very enetertaining, Ep. 28-53= deserve high praised indeed from its twist & turns storyline, Ep.54-56= it seems the series want to end so badly its just jump from one sequences to another, very ridiculous.*A pregnant character in labor fall inside a trap, climb very fast & flew on the floor from the huge explosion... it never mention whether her baby is ok or not.
*ZiSheng got to climb out from the trap but his leg got held by a woman, he didn't kick nor try to get out, he just freeze & the huge explosion explode inside but he's fine not a scratch and he just explain in words? thats just silly.
*After all what happened above, Zisheng still got time to save the third prince on time even though it took so much time when he stuck inside a trap, as we see that Lou Yao search for a doctor (because of his pregnant wife in labor) till night during rain, later he's not to be seen again.
Zhao & Leo were co-star (Zhao as 2nd Female Lead & Leo as 1st Lead) in The Long Ballad (2017) and their kissing scenes with their respective partners wasn't shown at all, maybe because of director decision
Anyway, worth to watch it indeed
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This was a trully drama, a must watch!
It was my first historical drama. I confess that I was a little hesitant to watch it because of the number of episodes and because I didn't like the story, but it surprised me SO MUCH! I can already say in advance that I recommend it to anyone who is still in doubt about whether or not to watch this drama: Just do it.The main couple delivered everything, especially the chemistry, the way Ling Buyi looked at Shaoshang, the way their feelings evolved over time, the scenes of the two together. I loved every part of this couple, except the part where they had some misunderstanding or were separated. I suffered with them in that part lol.
Shaoshang was an extraordinary character. I loved her from the beginning! Iconic, she never bowed her head to anyone, she showed herself to be strong, a big troublemaker LOL. I laughed so much with Lusi's acting in this drama. The best part of all was that Shaoshang wasn't just an "annoying" character. We could see her maturing as time and episodes went by, her attitude changing, and they managed to do this without ruining the essence of the character, which I thought was incredible.
Shaoshang's parents and family: At first I hated them all, her grandmother, her mother, but over time we began to understand her mother's point of view and concerns, why she acted that way. She loved Shaoshang and wanted to protect her. Over time, her own mother realized how much Shaoshang had matured and changed. As for her grandmother, even she changed too. She stopped being an insufferable character and had her "redemption" too. I usually don't like the involvement of the protagonists' families in the drama, but in the case of LLTG, they added a lot to the story without it being boring or bothersome.
The villains were very well written, with good intentions, the plots throughout the story, the fight scenes were great too.
What impressed me the most was that this was the first time I saw a good royal family that was in favor of the main couple lol (with the exception of some jealous princesses lmao), I simply LOVED the emperor and his two wives, the way he saw Ling Buyi as a son, and tried to bring him together with Shaoshang lol, I laughed so hard in some parts.
Ling Buyi managed to convey the true image of a cold and respected general, with traumas from the past, secrets that we discover over time with him, and a plot that... wow... left me speechless lol, I just loved the change in his expression when he was furious, jealous, being affectionate with Shaoshang, his acting was simply impeccable.
I was just a little sad because I expected at least one more final episode, it was a satisfactory ending, but a little rushed in my opinion, they could have done things more slowly, after all they went through so much suffering, and when they finally get to their happy end, everything is so rushed? That's the only reason I gave it a 9.5/10, except for that, everything was perfect.
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Except ending ,I like every part of the drama
He always wanted to marry her so I really wants to see their marriage but this can't be happened and this made me disappointed. About rest ,I must say it was an amazing drama . Leads were amazing and the chemistry between them also very good . I like both the leads , I enjoyed watching their acting . There were so many scenes of them which made me emotional. I liked female lead's family members . Their acting were amazing . Lovely drama must watch it .first time I had seen other face of King . First time I had seen he didn't bind with the rules of Kingdom . He did his best to prove innocence of good person . I liked the character of king .Was this review helpful to you?
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I will pretend that the last 3 episodes didn't really happen.
Up until the 53 eps, all was very well done and executed. The episodes leading up to the revelation of Buyi's true identity and his revenge was so perfectly written. The blood banquet episode was also giving me chilled. Leo Wu was very phenomenal right there. Him making the decision to abandon NiaoNiao, knowing that she was abandoned when she was a child was very cruel. That's why in my opinion, the last 3 episodes felt rushed and some were out of characters. They didn't felt organic, felt like some part were cut. I didn't really see how NiaoNiao can forgive Buyi for that. Really wished it could have a better ending execution. Also too bad that we didn't get a wedding scene. But overall, it was a one hell of viewing experience.Was this review helpful to you?
???
Ling Bu Yi, le fils adoptif de l'empereur Wen et un général talentueux et impitoyable de l'armée des armures noires, était en mission personnelle pour découvrir des vérités cachées sur le passé, qui avaient conduit au massacre d'une ville entière et de son clan quand il a rencontré Cheng Shao Shang lors d'une mission pour appréhender un fugitif dans un village rural. Le jeune Cheng Shao Shang avait été laissé pour compteparce que ses parents étaient partis combattre à la guerre. Négligée et sans instruction, elle avait été une épine dans le pied de sa tante et de sa grand-mère jusqu'au retour inattendu de ses parents après de nombreuses années passées au front. Ayant toujours manqué d'une famille aimante, Shao Shang avait hâte de retrouver ses parents, mais les nombreuses années de séparation ont inévitablement conduit à une certaine séparation. Shao Shang, cependant, est imperturbable et déterminée à vivre pour elle-même, et sa nature indisciplinée et audacieuse, ainsi que son esprit vif, commencent à attirer l'attention de pas mal de personnes dans la capitale, dont Ling Bu Yi. (Source : MyDramaList) ~~ Adapté du roman "Xing Han Can Lan, Xing Shen Zhi ZaWas this review helpful to you?
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Communication and trust in your partner are important.
Before I start, I hv to say... I didn't expect the instrumental playing throughout the drama was actually from the OST too. I thought it was just the sound effect because when it played, it was giving the anxiety vibes but I love it. This drama was telling story about how the FL overcame the difficulties she had growing up, how to reconcile with not doing it all by yourself and put your trust in your partner/spouse so they wouldn't be hurt by your decision alone without telling them. Also, about parents need to believe in their children, showers them with love and don't punish them over the line.ML, Ling Buyi, actually this was not his real name so I'm not going to spoil abt that but he was called Zisheng too. Until now I don't know why they called him by that name. I think I missed something. Anyway, our ML was a cold-blooded, ruthless general but a righteous man. He lived for avenging those who participated in Gu City tragedy that massacred that killed his mom's clan and his beloved uncle who was a general protecting that city. I like that Zisheng decided early on he wld know the one he was going to spend his life with and that wld be the only one. So he hold on tight to that principle and would harshly made it clear to the other ladies who clamour for his attention. He was very considerate, like sooo sooo supportive toward the one he fell in love with. Zisheng wld anything for FL even if it cost his life. Even to the point, helping his love rivals' situations so that his beloved would hv a peace of mind. He encouraged and gave freedom for the FL to shows her skills and capabilities. Although, he had his own umm flaw or weakness but he reflected on himself so he was man enough to admit he was in the wrong.
I actually don't believe the fall in love at first sight thing the ML said but I'm humouring this drama bcs well, it was not a reality.
FL, Cheng Shaoshang or affectionately called Niaoniao. At first, she was very stubborn young lady but there was a reason for that. She was abandoned from when she was born by her parents when they had to got to war, she was mistreated by her aunt and her grandmother growing up. Her aunt wanted to raise her as dumb, good for nothing young lady so she didn't learn anything about writing, reading the classics and etiquettes. Shaoshang had to relied on herself, her intelligent and wit to survive. She was good at numbers, interested in building things and machines. Although she tended to land herself in trouble when she decided to pay back the villainesses whom bullied her. When she thought she finally gonna get the love she craved when her parents was finally home from war, she didn't expect her mother wld not fulfil that and that drove the wedge between them. But bit by bit she changed for the better with the help of her gentle and understanding Third Aunt Shunhua, when she got engaged to Ling Buyi and receiving tutelage by the graceful Empress that believed in her. She was actually pursued by Ling Buyi, so she didn't believe in him at first but slowly with Buyi trust in her, she fell in love with his earnest self. They always communicated their differents which was very good thing for a couple to do to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding. It just Buyi also had his own challenges and that'll affect their relationship.
This drama had two love rivals of ML so the 2ndML would be Yuan Shanjian, the arrogant and intelligent scholar who love to push Niaoniao's button and Lou Yao, a young man who fell in love with Niaoniao's fearless personality and earnestly pursued her. I love in that in this drama the dynamic of relationship between the Emperor, his Empress and his one concubine was harmonious i would say?. I also love that they included other couple love stories.
The costumes in this drama were also different in a good way. I really like how the Emperor was dressed but idk why his style reminds me of Japanese ancient style too.
Tbh I don't quite understand how certain scenes suddenly appeared. Maybe that was why I was hesitating to give this 9.5 stars rating. Myb a rewatch in the future might change the rating so who knows.
The ending was fine for although I wish I cld see them get married but I'm okay when it ended like that.
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This review may contain spoilers
THIS REVIEW IS FOR BOTH PARTS 1 & 2. Such an entertaining drama, no less expected from one of the rising actors in China, Zhao Lu Si who chooses good scripts. Her portrayal of a smart but unruly young woman is a hoot, as she captured the interests of many highly eligible young men, including the icy, cold General Ling Bu Yi. Because of her antics, Shao Shang managed to irate many of the ladies that have been vying for Bu Yi's attention for years, as well many of her elders who thought they can undermine Shao Shang's "lowly" position in the society, despite being the youngest daughter of a general.
Though her father dotes on Shao Shang, perhaps feeling guilty for the years of abandonment, her mother, on the other hand, is very strict on her daughter, leaving the latter to think that she was unloved. For her part, Shao Shang does absolutely nothing to make up for loss time as she still held a grudge for the neglect and had become wary of anybody who shows her affection. Bu Yi is the same, as he plots and plans his revenge upon the death of his clan, even at the expense of others.
I loved the intricacy of the narrative and the political/familial/societal drama is riveting, aided by a talented ensemble and diverse characters. I also liked the show's attempt at humor, for example, Shao Shang's dad, the King and Bu Yi's sidekick serving as comedic relief. For all the people in the court that are conniving and greedy for power, I appreciated the fact the the Queen and the King's consort (mistress) get along well and respectful of each other.
The only drawback in this drama is that there are some instances where, to me, the happy ending seems forced and neatly tied in a bow. I would have been fine with Bu Yi's death, as it was for me, so farfetched that he managed to survive despite the dangers befalling him. Also for me was Shao Shang's self-righteousness and how she treated Bu Yi. Her character development seemed weak for me, and sometimes wished she was her bright, spritely self like she was in the beginning. Otherwise, a very good drama.
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Less would have been more
I would’ve rated this higher had it not dragged on in parts that were over fleshed out. It felt like Ling Buyi had to practically be half dead each time he rescues Shaoshang from something to show how epic their love is and how unique their struggles are. I’m not suggesting Shaoshang capitulate even when Buyi closes himself off but the off-repeated plot left something to be desired after several times.Deep love can run in many forms but nothing but epicness would have suited this couple.
Acting wise, Wu Lei and Zhao Lusi are good.
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This story had potential - the screenwriting & directing ruined it
Another drama I wanted to love and place firmly on my 'rewatch' list. I adore Wu Lei. Zhao Lusi, not so much, but when she finds a role that suits her, she does a fine job. The ensemble cast is the reason (and especially Wu Lei) that I rated this drama as highly as I did. For once, even the absence of smoking hot chemistry between the main leads didn't deter me.There were aspects of Part I which were slightly better than the disorganized mess that was Part II - but the second part also underwhelmed and disappointed.
I had trouble keeping track of who was who - so many princes, so many princesses, so many ministers, evil and not evil, so many random characters popping up when a plot needed justification... it became tedious trying to remember them all and what their story was. Hence, the holes in the stories. So much time was wasted on slow-motion shots, repetitious angle shots, and pushing the revenge and petty spitefulness to the max. I get that FL was wronged in her childhood. I get that ML was traumatized and also suffered. Those points were played out so much that it got tiresome to watch it. So much so, that when it came to wrapping up the storylines, in that last episode, the viewers really got sold out. Even mid-stream, in the years FL was in the palace - one group scene with everybody in red was supposed to indicate the couples and marriages. Press 'pause' to see who got married to who... disappointing! And that last scene in the last episode - supremely disappointing!
We waited so long for this series and so much hype went into it. Fans of the ML & FL watched, and many may praise it because of their loyalty to these two actors. My opinion might not be popular, but it is just that - my opinion. I was disappointed and underwhelmed with the way the story was told and with the performance of the screen writers and the director. They ruined the piece.
Can I just add my admiration for the great job that Tong Lei did as the Empress? She evoked the only tears I shed in this drama. Her gentle, generous spirit was truly brought out in this actor's performance. I really loved so many of the characters in this series because they did such a great job of bringing their roles to life, and that is the reason I could give this show the rating I did. I also have to mention Wu Lei's fight scenes - and how magnificent he looks on a horse! I look forward to his next historical drama.
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Best historical costume drama I ever watch
I rewatch this drama for each episode more than twice, special for epusode 22, 23 24 until season 2 (episode 36/or 9 for seasion 2) I rewatched uncountable. All cast give their best acting skill, a lot of episode but not make me boring and no skip sceen when I watched. The plot is reasonable, the setting, is good , the CGi is smooth, Lusi and wu lei have a good chemistry, and I think they reach the best acting skill in this drama. This drama make me laugh cry, touched and hate.Wu Lei is all out doing excercise to get the best body shape and strength so he can carry zhao lusi just with one hand.
Lusi that already have great acting skil, in this drama has the best acting, so natural and so cute.
Also all supporting role, like cheng grandma that make me laugh every time, saosang father that very hilarious, ss mother that very fit portrayed an asian mom, ha ha ha ha .
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A bit overrated - its just ok
I delayed watching this because the trailers all made is seem like a silly comedy, rather than a drama. I prefer dramas. The first 1/3 of the series was more comedic, but then it turned into a more serious, heavy drama. Pacing was off, took too long for the love story to build up. It seemed to dragged on too long after the climax of the series...it was like they just recycled random characters who had smaller parts earlier on, then disappeared for most of series...then suddenly reappeared towards the end just to continue the series? Felt forced and odd.My main issue w/ this series is the main couple - both the ML and FL fell flat in terms of chemistry. I didn't feel it, but you feel like you have to root for them because they are the main couple. I wasn't convinced of any deep, intense love between them.
Acting/Characters:
- Wu Lei / Ling Buyi (ML) - the only other series I saw him in was when he was a child actor in Nirvana in Fire. So it was hard for me to take him seriously as an adult actor in this series. His acting was a bit stiff.
- Zhao Lu Si / Chen Shao Shang (FL) - she plays the cute, funny role fine. She doesn't fit the image of the most beautiful maiden in the capital. Her sad/crying scenes did not tug at my heartstrings, except for 1 scene where she was bullied by the princesses and almost drowned in the pond - when Ling Buyi unaware of what happened came to visit her talking happily....she turned her back and cried out of self pity but tried to hold it in. That scene broke my heart.
- The Emperor - acting was fine. But the script writing for him seems off - I have never seen a period drama where the emperor was so funny and kind. Even if they are kind at hear, they usually appear serious, stern, intimidating.
- Imperial Consort Yue Fei and the Empress - I liked them, it was refreshing that they were genuinely kind people and not scheming like most royals. I liked the spunk and grit that Consort Yue Fei had, and her relationship w/ the Emperor was cute.
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THE CHEMESTRY AND THE LOVE STORY!!!
The best cdrama historical!!! The characters are fantastic, they are really well-developed, especially the male character. Also, the love story between the two protagonists is wonderful; they will face many situations, but they will always come out stronger. It's not a predictable drama, and the chemistry between the two leads is incredible. I've already done a rewatch. Those two will always be in my heart, and many other characters in the story are fun and interesting as well, like the emperor, the empress, and the concubine.Was this review helpful to you?