Faith Black
Up close and a little personal
I got served something I didn't expect. Unlike many ...I came and stayed for Hu Bingqing. She is quite the action star but what she's great at is emotive acting. She's definitely one of those actors who acts with their whole body. Her eyes tell you more than what she says. I thought this was her story ...turns out she had seven sisters and six brothers. Telling a group story is tough and purely up to the director's vision. How much time do you spend on everyone? How much time do you spend on action and training? If you're familiar with commando films ...you expect certain things.The representation of military women was the focus and I would say this production team did a great job. BTW...these operators are not teenagers. Most are career military with personal achievements in marksmanship, martial arts, communications, linguistics, tactics, munitions, demolitions and medicine. We still don't know what Gu Xiaowei specialty was outside of talking trash?...lol. These women are fiercely proud and self aware. Females in the military walk a different path than their brothers. I wanted to see if this production would represent the female POV without the silly cdrama troupes. They did pretty well except for a few things. I reminded me of GI Jane mostly due to the FL and ML relationship.
The brothers were impossible not to love. They were incredibly supportive and uplifting. All they cared about is having each others back. If you could do that...then you're family. Their continued support for each other as brothers and sisters...speaks louder about their sense of community than any flag or anthem. That's where they got us and that's why we stayed to watch this drama.
I would agree that the villain was unorganized. Someone forgot to tell them ...they're an organized crime syndicate. Organized being key. It made the counter attack seem excessive...police tactical could have handled them just fine to me. Blue Lighting didn't seem necessary. China has 1.5 billion people and a long history with bandits. They also have extreme and long established criminal organizations which deal arms, drugs, human trafficking and treason. So much crime to pick from and they chose energy...? I don't even know what they were trying to do.
It's a good watch for 35 episodes. Definitely want a season 2 with a bigger villain. I miss everyone already...
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The drama overall was well done, if you had asked me to watch a time traveling wuxia. I would have said HELL no. I hate those dramas. They are never done well. Mostly due to the nonchalance of the historical versus the modern. The historical part of the story never has any weight to it. Its glossed over. This drama, I completely forgot the plot. It pulls you deep into the historical and you LOVE these people and want to stay forever. Great writing hands down. Great cast hands down. Great director hands down....
So what's NOT perfect, the most glaring. Li Qin, the supposed female lead. I have no idea about the book but they need change her character soon. As of now, she is literally just a pretty face. The male lead is supposedly the boy who inherits the kingdom and he shows all signs of capability. However, the female lead is sickly, soft and unaware of most of the political machinations around her. This disturbs me the most. I also came here for Li Qin and was apalled at her character. Sure she's not an idiot but she's not clever enough to be Empress either. I'm worried at where this is going. I am one that believes in a great man should have a great woman next to him not behind him OR vice versa. The burden of the kingdom must be shared otherwise you will go crazy.
That takes me to Duo Duo....LOL. Her name is hilarious. Translation may be off. Haitung....the ninth level master from Qi Kingdom. I hate to LOVE her because it feels like I'm cheating on Waner but she is PERFECT for him. So perfect its embarrassing to his family and friends when they're seen together. Sigh....what to do....what to do....Fan Xian is in a serious dilemma. Keep in mind he is young and his journey is long and arduous.
For those who love Xiao Zhan, NO worries. He obviously has a major role in the upcoming seasons. Definitely more face time in the works. Speaking of upcoming seasons, I can't tell you how disappointed I am they are not shooting back to back. Let's be for real. Cdramas have a bad record in sequels. Either they are not done or actors are changed. What's up with that??? If the world can wait for Avengers over 12 years. This shouldn't be that hard. So let's get this done with the same actors and proctuction team...Good luck
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This is Not the Love Story You Were Looking For...
I am a sucker for medical dramas...so I was in regardless. This had Victoria Song and Wang Chenxiao so I clicked and followed the algorithm...lol. What all the reviews said are true...I won't repeat character analysis. The leads are the female doctors for sure and the males are the support. They laughed, they cried, they raged and they cried again. Dudi and Rui relationship was almost exactly like the famous Dr. Meredith Grey and Dr. Christina Yang from Grey's Anatomy. Yang being Dudi of course and Meredith is Rui. They are each other's person. They will be old surgeons retelling stories to young recruits and still be together. They will never abandon each other.The patient family stories was as if China opened a long buried chest of terrible secrets and wanted to come clean. They wanted to let us know they are fighting the good fight for women's rights physically and mentally. Not only are they fighting...they also have formidable soldiers like Dudi and XiaoBai that will drag them into light come what may. I loved the revealing look at their culture and its dynamics. What I take away from this drama...is with 1.2 billion people in its population...each life is connected and causes impact...those coming and going. Do they have a long way to go...yes. However, if there is some truth to this drama...they are on their way.
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Who can resist Chen Kun?
So we all finished at the same time...lol Days after I've finished this I'm perplexed. Shouldn't be surprised...It's a Chen Kun drama. I definitely see his style infused with this. Xin Zhi Lei really brought it and no I'm not talking about her sneezing and binge eating. I'm talking about her eyes. Very few actors can act with no words. Chen Kun is a tough actor to play against. He played the homely unassuming IT guy really well. I really thought he was a sleeping tiger ...but alas he really was just a scientist.Their relationship was tumultuous...sorry this word is used alot in romance novels...lol. However, everyone's relationship was somewhat insane. I felt like the director was giving a reprimand ...but for whom? Women for being too emotional when it come to business versus love...or men for always choosing business over love. However, just to get glimpse of the main leads love connections was worth it...definitely a meeting of the minds.
Then the IT side. One ...I don't think China wants to advertise they're behind on IT technology or behind on anything. So is this a wake up call to the tech world? Have no idea...I do know it was interesting just for the acting. No doubt Chen Kun is a huge magnet...I don't know if I needed 40 more episodes or 20 less episodes. You decide for yourself.
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Not What We Expected...?
The Master Seamstress...her character was steadfast and resolute. All of which was beautifully packaged. I truly thought she would come off like a maid but she became a Madam and it fit her well. I also love that they didn't fix her most powerful story arc. If you reached the end you know why.The Khan...strong and lovable fit him the best. Where can you find a guy with such a beautiful heart? Totally free of corruption combined with extraordinary intelligence. He was a bird kicked out of the nest and it broke my heart to see the look of fear on his face. Not because of the mission ...because he realized he was never coming home. However, he feared disappointing his master the most...so he went. There he found as a child of two worlds...he became his own master.
The Empress...The Consort...I've stated why I hate doppelganger love stories in a rant. So I'll take the other side in the review. Cdramas usually have true love stories in regards to looking within...seeing a person's soul. So if you truly love someone...their exterior may initially attract you but their soul is what keeps you. This storyline was believable in the end. It was done well.
The Emperor...I stopped watching initially because I was like... what is he supposed to add to this story? However, I pushed through and came back. I wanted to hate him...we all wanted to hate him. But...How can you possibly hate the ONLY voice of reason in Fan Jianming's head? Fan Jianming was intractable in the worst and best of ways. The Emperor was the only one to truly get through to him. He was also the biggest advocate for Fan Hiashi...her greatest fan outside of her brother...so I needed him here. Otherwise I would have hated Fan Jianming...
Fan Hiashi...It's been awhile since I've detested a couple being together. I literally wanted her to walk and never look back. I was in turmoil over this. Last time was "Royal Nirvana"....good watch btw. I was in disbelief of how out of sync she was with her "shifu". She didn't understand him or know what he was doing. She didn't even know he was rich...but she loved him. Why? Sure...he's beautiful but if you speak to him over a period of time...his condescension was overbearing. She acknowledged this in the end and grew from it...but it was like being raked over the coals for 35 episodes. Did I ever come to love them as a couple?...No. Until, the end I felt they were out of sync.
Fan Jianming...sigh. Truthfully...this drama seemed to be his story. He also tested the limits of overbearing for me. He never yelled...he barely fought. He was just a mountain...quiet, looming and immovable. His worst quote for me was..."Go rest now." If he didn't want to talk about it ...he would tell people to go to sleep. Everytime he said it ...I wanted to slap him. This was the height of his condescending attitude. Gotta love William Chan...it's also the first time I've hated his character ...until episode 47. I also have to love William Chan for barely using Hiashi name in dialoge...unlike Yang Mi and "shifu". I do not want to hear that word for a long while...I mean it. He did end up growing emotionally at least...because he was too young to be this way.
I honestly couldn't wait for this drama to end. There was no mystery...no surprises. We knew where this was going...plus I wanted a resolution to their character development. However...when Fan Jianming sat quietly with a pleading look in his eyes at Fan Hiashi waiting for her to make the decision that would ultimately change their life forever...I was moved truly moved. He didn't command or entrap her. He waited. It's also the moment I was breathlessly waiting for without realizing it. His acknowledgment of Fan Hiashi...as an equal.
I am a true fan of William Chan and Yang Mi. I've seen many of their works. I would recommend seeing their other works if this is a first for you. See you then...
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The Legend of Liu Wenjing
I call it legend because if this was a historical that's what they would title it. Its rags to riches and if you've ever read a rich person's rags to riches story then I would say they did ok. I will tell you right now ...modern women will relate to her struggle with relationships and career choices. Summarizing, she wins some and she loses some over a decade. To the story, I had no issue with her struggle with relationships. I applaud the director for not zoning her onto the ML lead. I was shocked by the shaming from some discussion boards because its 2021 and women still have to endure this double standard. The double standard that was perpuated by cdramas.Let's address the issues that some struggle with...Why wasn't she only with the ML? The ML is high academic society and she came from rural country with no high school education. She thought he pitied her for some time. He is called the professor for a reason. By the time she knew he liked her, her best friend was in love with him. Its important to address because many say they would never do what she did. Actually many women would and have stepped aside if their friends like the same person. Her best friend...gawd Hua Hua!...lol.
Hua Hua was not just her friend...she was her sister...period. She loved that girl. Why ? ...Hua Hua was city poor, educated and sophisticated. She was the only female that completely accepts Liu Wenjing ...not even Xu Wei did this. How do I know ?...Hua Hua and Liu Wenjing brought each other home to their impovershed houses. Those who have lived poor tend to protect and hide their space from others to avoid shame. This is why all is forgiven with these two...they are family.
Why was she with the second ML?...Why not? I'll tell you the turning point for him and it's not when he came to her hometown. It's the day our Ye Hui met her ex fiancee Wan Shanji in the middle of night while walking home. Ye Hui is super rich, modern and intelligent. He walks with an entourage...lol and personifies the playboy lifestyle to the hilt and so she couldn't stand him... until that night. Their relationship speaks volumes and had me in tears. So many times loving someone is not enough...compromises and change must occur and still it fails. Their pairing is the hardest to watch because it's all to real for many couples. Their courtship was for years...this was not an idle pairing. He knew her almost as long as the professor...
The professor was not the ML we expected. Cdramas had us programmed for the aloof, ingenius and ambitious ML...We didnt get that ...lol. It was refreshing because I laughed and cried more with this ML than I usually do. Geniuses are notoriously hard to work ...because they think everyone else is wrong...lol. I rooted for him but he summarized himself well in the end. Do we suffer in silence ?...Yes many actually do but there is a time to speak regardless of the consequences. He was lucky this time but he almost didn't get the girl...
Liu Wenjing is the not so perfect FL that I loved. She wasn't the mary sue or the female boss. She was a mix of everything. She suffered in silence. She saw what she wanted to see...of which we're all guilty. She knew her place but wanted to break free. She tried to balance her gratitude to her friends without becoming beholden to them. No one achieves greatness alone. She was well aware there was a machine behind her. She opened her heart to those who were true to her...and when it wasn't enough... she let it go. Her family was always her family regardless...that includes her extended family. By the end when she overlooks the city in true cdrama fashion...I applaud her success. She earned it...clean.
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Don't expect too much
I will keep it short. What we expected from S2 was a more complete story. What we got was alot of lackluster moments. I truly expected a grand face off between the demon and the king in battle...but nothing happened there. I expected a true face off between Jing and his brother but also nothing happened there. I expected more people to try to kill the king...also nothing. I expected less moments directed to toward Xiaoyue especially since a war is going on. I expected more cultivation moments of power...they are immortal but they acted extremely human.Honestly, I expected some grand moments but it was all okay. The only surprising moment was when Xiaoyue and Cang tried to kill each other. It woke me up. Look it ended the way we thought but if this had been in the hands of lesser actors ...it would have failed. The biggest surprise was the ML incredible acting...everything showed on his face and then nothing showed on his face. The ML and FL actors truly fostered each talents. I liked the story but it lacks the do or die moments that cdramas are famous for however the actors did their best to make up for it.
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So...you're here because of Squid Games...lol
I won't be long. The Netflix algorithm sent this my way. I clicked because its bionics. Who doesn't like bionics?....The cast is beautiful. Hero is a hero, anti hero is an anti hero, sidekick is sidekick and female heroine checks female heroine box....All boxes checked...so what's the problem?...simply ...its dumb. The writing is so dated. Full of useless characters and incredible amount of useless scenes...yes I mean the Argos chairwoman and company. The ONLY thing to make this tolerable....I mean the ONLY thing...is the villain...Dude thank you for saving this show....sigh. They will get a second season because of him.
So if you're a screen writer that thinks you can write a superhero movie....think hard...think really hard...because everyone can't. So how do I define a hero?...They're usually dedicated to service from the beginning of their lives to the end of their life. Hence the male lead was a cop...super soldier...investigator...and so on. It's what they do. Give it a try...see if you like it
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A Freaking Wild Ride
I'll tell you...most fantasy genres are freaking disappointments. Why? They never go far enough. They talk the talk but don't walk the walk. Hence, why translating from book to screen takes imagination.Whether, you liked the storyline. You cannot say the director didn't have vision. I believe everything is covered in this drama. Insect armies, giant fights, mass destruction, kaijus, Buddha palm ...WHAT? I was never bored. I kept thinking ...I bet they won't kill them...nope....I bet they won't destroy it...nope...Are we going to the underworld?...yep...Will we see the books?...yep
Gotta love the writing room. They went all out for the action. This is an action packed fantasy drama. This has more action than dramas that are 40-60 episodes. The actors were good enough. Were they Mark Chao, Yang Mi or Ethan Juan, Hu Ge, Tiffany Tang caliber?...Heck nah. But don't y'all forget Chinese Paladin...Our great ones all started somewhere.
If you want to stay up for days binging excessively on 36 episodes waiting breathlessly for the next episode to load. This is your drama. However, if you want to sleep...this is not for you...
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This is a Tough One
I have to say I agree with previous reviews. This drama is really hard to swallow. It starts off well with a simple premise. Then it gets absurdly complicated. You can feel the desperation of this drama to be epic but the director did not know what they were doing.So many cast members, how ridiculous. I say this after watching Snow Tower and Lost Love in Times. I did not think anyone could beat those dramas on extra cast members but this drama certainly did. You could feel the money go down the drain. The acting out of the gate is bad. FL "genius" is terrible and then becomes annoying because she is so freaking terrible. You just want her to stop. She has moments of glory but it doesn't match her overall character. This is the director's fault, they saw how bad she was but kept filming without coaching. ML has no connection to anyone not even playing two faces. He doesn't work at all. He's totally overshadowed by the second leads. FL "purple eyes" kept us watching because she's good but not great but her story follows the usual cdrama plotlines and her interactions played well with other characters. You even forget about her eyes after awhile. She's why the audience stays.
I'm sure the studio regretted the money they poured into this because it does look expensive. Next time keep it simple. Beauty does NOT equate to acting skill. This is the lowest score I have ever given to a cdrama but it honestly deserves it because it's such a mess.
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