How to Implode a Drama in 30+ Episodes
Step 1: Decimate the Male Lead's character so much he becomes a shadow, a ghost, a forethought, leading to viewer chaos and anger. For me, the male lead must be established early. There can be some competition, but there should never be any doubt by the middle of the series, who the FL likes. By episode 37/40, I was still unsure. Here, the director/writer/producer created a mess of the boundaries between ML and SML. But that's okay. ZLH will rise from the ashes of the character they destroyed like the Phoenix that he is.Step 2. Make it as confusing as hell. If this story didn't have the MDL forum, it would probably have a much lower rating on here. The character's misunderstandings and motivations need to be frequently explained by those who have read the book. You lose me when I have to watch a drama where the story, the characters, the direction ARE NOT the one's letting me know what is going on. I keep reading in the comments, "Oh....I read the novel, so now I, forgive, understand, etc." I'm sorry....but I'm not an avid reader (don't judge), and I don't feel I should have to read anything to supplement me watching anything. A great TV drama should stand by itself. This, unfortunately, needs book legs. When I'm constantly pulled out to ask...why did he/she do this, it makes me want to give up watching.
Step 3. Make sure to lack direction regarding your actors. I've watched many of the ML's dramas, and I think he has played very diverse rolls. I am a fan. I'm not familiar too much with the FL except for one drama. I do like her; however, I believe ZLH is doing a better job at conveying his feelings, making me sympathize with him, etc. As for the FL, she's gorgeous, but sometimes, I said, sometimes, her unfitting-to-the-scene expressions actually pulls me out of the moment. During one scene, while the ML was crying and pouring his heart out, her rather blank expression didn’t match the passion of the scene. I wanted to be pulled in, engulfed in the moment with them. Instead, I was left drenched with disappointment in my living room. (Insert Michael Scott angry meme face here). This does not mean I don't like the actress. I think she has plenty of potential, and I was looking forward to watching her grow and mature into one of my favorite actresses.
Step 4. Rushed Production: The Boat Scene. I know we were all starving for some sort of amazing "skinship" between the main couple; however, I don't know if it was the angle and shakiness of the camera or the the reaction of the FL, but something about the VERY QUICK, almost overly aggressive interaction left me unsettled as opposed to enamored. The director should have taken more time to smooth this one out so it didn't look so uncomfortable to watch. (Some on Douban have echoed the same reaction).
This does have a happy ending, for the most part. Unfortunately, there was so much baggage you had to drag along with you to get there to actually enjoy it.
For the record, I tried to walk away from MDL earlier today, but after this last episode, I feel it's important to support ZLH more. What they did to his character was hard to watch. I do believe he will rise like a Phoenix from these ashes; however. As well he should.
This review pained me to write because all the other dramas the ML was in, I loved. There were just too many problems with this one.
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Honest review- Just so you know.. ML is a puppet to attract his fans for viewership.
The drama had potential. it started nice but along the way it's been shown that there is favoritism for SML. out of 45 mins.. whole 45 mins goes to SML forcefully. Barely 5-10mins goes to ML ZHL.The production house has done really dirty to ZHL. Ep 33 will boil your blood when you will see SML twirling with FL while falling off the cliff.. FL has moved on.. loves ML.. then why this the focus on SML?
If they love the SML so much, then why not make him ML.. because they wanted to use ZHL face to attract viewership.
We all gave benefit of doubt till the end only to realise that ZHL is unfairly treated and used in this drama.. while the focus and face of this drama was annoying and evil SML. The drama even tried to justify SML's evil intentions who doesn't even want to change and take the right road..
Anyways, Ep 33 is the most ridiculous one where they have stupid background OST, focus and full screentime on SML in a 40 episode drama where the ending is important.
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WHEN SML IS ACTUALLY A ML PORTEYED BY THE DIRECTOR
Ill not watch these type of drama anymore where the sml is treated as Ml and ML is treated as having a GUEST ROLE with FL.I cant understand why Li Rong had a conversation with a man(dying) who wanted to kill her husband in the present life and killed her in the past one... & wtf SRQ literally played 3 min song for her and she just watched it . it was my first Historical drama and it will be the last i rated it 10/10 but im giving it a 5 now . nothing wrong with the Acting (its a 10/10 from my pov)its the director who had a crack head. Even they show us 100+ special ep ill still begiving it a 5 and thats only for the acting section for the story ill be giving a 1 still its too much .DISAPPOINTED With the story and direction.
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Second chance in love and its chronicles!
This drama is very much typical ( Time travel elements, second chances, Second leads who want to destroy the main leads, etc). I love that the main focus is actually on romance and the relationship between two estranged lovers who lead a bitter life with a tragic end, yet they are given a second chance to fall in love again!Plot Summary:
This drama is about a couple in their early 40s who travel back in time to when they were 20 and about to get married again. They choose to get married again for the sake of politics and power, with divorce in mind. They go through ups and downs and so many trials, however, they fall in love again. They choose to be with each other despite the FL thinking she was in love with the SML. The ML, on the other hand, has always been in love with her but circumstances were not in his favor and he is willing to make this work this time.
First Impression:
The drama starts pretty simple as the plot suggests. The pacing is decent, since the leads find each other very early and despite their past grudge, they decide to use this second chance to their benefit and help each other out. The aesthetics is rather simple but the leads are very beautiful and have a wonderful chemistry. This drama is not as glamorous as most Xianxias with heavily decorated scenes and battles but is more focused on the leads and their whereabouts.
There is a very evil SML dressed in white and has an angelic voice. Some say he was given too much screen time compared to the rest( unlike in novel). I personally agree on this yet he had a story to tell and why he traveled back in time and the things he did. sadly he dug his own grave in the end.
Acting:
Zhao Jin Mai and Zhang Ling He create a very dynamic and beautiful couple. They are bickering and scornful at first but their love is deeper than they think and these two depict a wonderful couple. Chen He yi, aka SRQ, has done a good job depicting a villain yet he is being a little too much glamourized for being evil. we have to wait and see about that too. The rest of the cast did a pretty sufficient job as well.
Production, cinematography, and writing:
seems like the authors have taken a detour when writing it seems and the drama suddenly drifted. The main couple's on-screen time and relationship suddenly decreased till the end of the drama and the SML and the rest were focused on. yet, i liked the OTP and their chemistry was beautiful.
I like the decorations personally and since this drama doesn't show fights or battles, those who like a serene sort of historical drama will definitely love this drama.
Overall, if you're in for a good romantic historical drama with a nutjob SML and cute couple, this is for you! the leads are just very sweet and mature at the same. However, bear in mind the story does deviate at some point and it could've been written better but this doesn't mean It's of low quality. totally worth the watch.
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It's all about how to find your true self in power and politics
I think this is a good series the beginning was very good and interesting...It was difficult to not want another episode...but in between it became quite boring As the character Li Rong was in her own delusional world and just wanted her brother to get the throne so that she can live freely..but the love of PWX changed that I think that is the best part of this show.As for SRQ it was all about choices for him but he made the wrong ones even in the end he died instead of taking the responsibility of his actions..All the actors did a very good job in the drama...and this drama is the best example of showing how to win against power the way Li Chuan did and Li rong did in the end they both lived happy life in the end ...as Happiness is the most important thing everyone craves for and they got their happy ending...I especially liked the 39 episode those proud eyes of LR and the love of PWX was the thing that made me give this drama an overall 9/10 ratings. This is my first time writing a review for a drama so I hope this is helpful to the readers.Was this review helpful to you?
MY POV
In the past, the princess was wrong. She was ready to divorce Pei Wenxuan for Su Rong Qing. She never trusted him, even believed that he poisoned her and ordered to kill him. Even in the present, when the truth was revealed, there was no regret by her. She loved Su Rong Qing no matter what kind of character he had. But for Pei Wenxuan, she always hesitated. She just used him because Pei Wenxuan was clever, intelligent, and most importantly, had the sense of judgment which she lacked. She was more practical and realistic; she was ready to sacrifice Pei Wenxuan.If I were Pei Wenxuan, after getting the second chance, I would have cut ties with her completely.
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Not Your Typical Rebirth Drama. This is a Love Story Across 2 Life Times ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Amazing drama with interesting hypothesis. The who drama is based on the assertion where both main characters are reborn after been manipulated and killed by the people who they both saw as family, friend and lover. And this was right at the beginning of the drama whic added a nice twist to the typical reincarnation drama. After been reborn, the two of them face the truth of the day and had to decide on whether or not to repeat the events of the past where they both lost their lives.The drama was well casted with each character playing to their roll very wall. The main couple Zhao Jin Mai (FL) and Zhang Ling He (ML) had an amazing chemistry adding a little romantic fell to a more intense drama.
Zhan Ling He really symbolises his character Pei Wen Xuan very well as a sunny, handsome yet slightly scheming Person. Whilst Zhao Jin Mai as the Princess Royal showed elegance, slightly cold yet assertive and also calculating yet both complemented each other very well.
The drama was well paced and was nice to see Pei Wen Xuan and Li Rong slowly fall in love again and well with the obstacle ahead of them together. Amazing cast all around, excellent story, great cinematography, brilliant drama with great ending. 10/10. Highly Recommended. ???
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Loved every episode of this show
Its a great production, costumes, cinematography and casting were good. I loved the initial banter between ML and FL. Their push/pull relationship made it interesting to watch. The secondary couples were adorable and you find yourself rooting for them too.Acting wise, ZLH and ZJM were perfect for the roles and they were easy to watch and believable. The light moments where ML and his servant cracked me up many times too.
I was annoyed by too much air time given to the SML. The show pissed viewers off by making Li Rong look ambivalent about her feelings for Su Rongqing. I think she felt pity towards him in the end, though that was not portrayed better, letting viewers think she had some romantic feelings for him. Her feelings for him were complex, it also showed she was a sentimental person in the way she treated her brother and Shangguan Ya who had previously harmed her.
Pei Wenxuan is actually a really smart and decisive character, they showed some of his capabilities. It was a shame the script did not allow him more time to showcase his capabilities. Instead the screenplay gave Su Rongqing soooo much airtime despite us knowing he's a deluded villain who will never see the light.
Li Rong actually loved PWX a lot, but it was mostly through actions and not words. If you look at her every move, she was always protecting him and would go to great lengths just to keep him safe. I just wished there was a scene where she'd tell SRQ flat out that she would never choose him even in this life or the next.
Overall i liked the show as it didnt have any draggy moments or useless fillers and i didnt skip or FF any scenes. Just wish they spent the time developing ML's character more, rather than giving so much airtime to 2ML. I couldn't get enough of the romantic scenes between ML abd FL either, wished they could have shown more of them together in the last episode.
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The acting of Zhang Linghe and Zhao Jinmai is so captivating
I really like this drama because the cast is Zhang Linghe and Zhao Jinmai, they portray the characters Peiwenxuan and Lirong very well, I hope they can meet in their next project as a couple.For the story of this drama, it is actually very exciting, but the development of the relationship between Pei Wenxuan and Lirong takes so long, and there are very few scenes of Pei Wenxuan towards the end of the episodes, instead there are more scenes of Su Ronqing, and in my opinion, that is very annoying.
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Pei Wuxuan deserves better
No character (except maybe Pei Wuxuan), plotline, family, dynamic is really worth cheering for in this drama. Pei's only major flaw to me is how much of a simp he was for FL, who till the end of the drama didn't really convince me in her love for him. I would be so insecure in that relationship if I was PWX.Overall, I really didn't like how much importance and screen time was given to 2ML. FL also gave him way too much of her attention to the point that he had more of a presence than PWX in her life, imo. In terms of the romance plot bw FL and ML, i didnt truly feel the chemistry between the actors at all, their scenes were cute but it didnt come across entirely natural. In comparison to FLs previous hit, AASOL, the chemistry was deeeefinitely much lower. It was still okay, but just not great.
Almost everything I hate about cdramas was present in this drama- foolish Emperors, misunderstandings, delusional villains we have to watch justify their dumbass actions for the entirety of the series, poor family dynamics (relationship bw Li Rong and Li Chuan was almost good till it got ruined), and more. It's dissapointing cos this started off strong but began falling apart from Ep 33.
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I Love both lead of this drama.
This might be some bias review.The whole cast are so great for me. ZJM & ZLH got chemistry.. and ZJM acting getting more improved a lot!.. well she got different kind of roles vibes this time. For the first few episode it make me excited... but somewhat from episode 20 something I get bit bored.. so i decide to put it on hold and wait the drama completed to watch.. the ending are great..
Well there's time when you watch this you might get carried out.. sometimes I Cried,, get cringed.. annoyed, happy and thankful.
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Of 2nd chances and power corrupt!!.
That's the themes of this drama as most of us have regrets for with hindsight we wouldn't have done what we did or would do it diferrently. There's always the"what if..." question.3 main characters, ML,FL and 2ML of the drama were given this chance; to change their losing fate into a winner destiny.3 were given 2nd chances to be winners in life,
2 strived & gain while 1 made no effort, still a loser.
Spoilers Alert!
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The drama opened with the ML, the PM who has the authority to even barred the empress from seeing her dying husband.The infuriated empress ordered one of her maid to inform /2ML to get ready. The PM entered and the emperor ordered him to kill his sister, the princess royal,the PM's wife who he suspected of being the head of the nobles. The PM went to talk with his wife who was in falling health and living with her lover, 2ML.After their conversation ,she ordered him to be killed,while taking her medicine,.she collapsed and as she laid dying reflected how if things were different. She then woke 20 years back to the past.Same with the ML, they then allied together to find out who and why were tricked to be killed.
In order for readers to readily understand the characters, circumstances, and scenarios, the writer employed modern terms while describing the key characters. Additionally, during the drama, enjoyable and contemporary activities like portraying the damsel in distress, indirect kissing, and hard to get were explored! The ML and 2ML were referred to as "toy boys," men who gained prestige, riches, and influence by using their attractive appearances.FL is described as a pampered, pushy, forceful, and proud,woman with "princess syndromes," a strong sense of self-worth, and a position of rank, riches, and power. Given that even her name was Princess Pingyue, she was the embodiment of the Princess Taiping type—the powerful and politically astute daughter of Empress Wu ZeTian.
The theme of 2nd chance is linked to power corupts for it corrodes ibling love as the FL eventually discovered that it was her brother who ordered her to be killed out of fear that she would be the head of his enemies.Power corrupts the ethnics and moral responsibilities and obligations of marital bond,parental love, siblings love and government officials towards the people and country.The emperor viewed his wives and children as disposable pawns.A princess saw her brother as a puppet to control and not kill her, a mother could replace her dead son with a fake to become Queen Mother.A lover could stand by to watch his lover slowly poisoned so that his illegiminate nephew could be the crown prince; and friend killed a friend so that her illegiminate son could inherit the throne. Also a corruptor's visage can be benign, harmless, and unthreatening, similar to the 2ML, such that he bent and turned his lover into a adultress and a concubine into a murderess, killing the emperor. To curb corruption in the government the FL was appointed to head the Inspectorate Department which was an anti-corruption department. The nobles had siphoned money for themselves and will kill innocents who stand in their way.To weed out corruption was to choose a leader with integrity and incorruptibility, such as the 2FL, who will enforce the law inside her own clan should she discovered to be corrupt.
In the ending the writer also presented an intriguing, utterly improbable feminist dream for history buffs like me: what if Princess Taiping inherited thethrone like England's Elizabeth I ? !!
The flaws! !! The 2ML has too much screen time! !!!He even has a sorrowful, lost love song that is playing in the background that is just for him!! Its an overkill!! !! Just remark that he returned from the past and was sufficiently enough! The 2ML was to be a foil to the ML for he don't learn from past mistakes. He fallen for the princess during childhood and wanted to marry her. His 2nd chance came in the present time-line when she proposed to him during the Spring Banquent an offer he decline . His father cannot disagree as it was an imperial degree. He failed to see that as a consort he made himself strong enough to push through his older brother proposal to 2FL and subsequently no illegiminate prince hence his family will be saved.The frequent scenes between him and princess were totally uncessary, and showed the writer's flaw. She was supposed to be the arrogant ,proud and strong princess who wouldn't look twice again to a man who rebuffed her proposal and who conspired with others to kill her.
Aside from that, I enjoyed the drama ..My favorite artistes, Zhao Jinmai and Zhang Linghe are the major leads, and they did not disappoint in fact ZLH ' s portray as the epitome of a perfect princess consort was spot on.
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