Many reviews already gave this series a well deserved praise for acting, plot, and many more and I agree with them. So I have to point to something else, which I haven't seen discussed yet - the series' themes. This show is absolutely devoid of typical c-drama's flaws: empty promise of violence, lack of consequences, perfect lovebirds, etc. The setting is the most violent period of China's history and in this series it lives up to its name. There are no "good" characters, everyone, including main leads, are truly psychopathic in unimaginable ways. People destroy each other just because, slaves - because it's easy, equals - because it's a good challenge. Everyone kills without remorse. Women destroy men they claim to love, men betray women they claim to love. Desire (which is sold under the name of "love") changes people for worse. Any sentimentality is meaningless and will be outweighed by what really moves characters - greed, revenge, ambition. I've never seen characters this devoid of gratitude and this cold to any traditional human values. They won't spare anyone, a game is a game. This show also breaks the illusion that a virtuous and good woman will raise a good son. One woman, regardless of her personal virtues, cannot change society and her son will grow up to be unruly, brutal and misogynistic man. That said, no woman in Legend of Haolan is virtuous, it's an impressive assemble of awful female characters, each is poisonous in her own way. From cruel bullies to manic cutthroats, from homicidal lunatics to vile liars, this show has it all.
It's unusual story with beguiling characters. I recommend those of you who dislikes bland historical fiction to watch it!