Nelly
Canada
Amazing cinematography, not so amazing screenplay
OVERALL
This drama may be imperfect, but it's still a very well-produced historical mystery series, which we just don't get enough off. Watch if 1) you're looking for several fighting scenes and well-made mystery, 2) you don't need much else. Think twice if 1) you're craving a good love story, 2) you need likable characters, 3) you can't stand flaws.
THE STORY
I started this drama, dropped it, picked it up again, dropped it, picked it up again and finally ended it, after weeks. It's definitely not binge material; in my opinion, the drama has ups but also lots of downs that make you want to give it up. That being said, it was worth watching.
The Good
- The cinematography is top of the game. Luoyang was produced like a movie, which is just beau-ti-ful!
- This is essentially an action/mystery drama, and it does the genre justice. It kind of has an episodic feel to it (as in, there are small mysteries lasting a few episodes), but every case is part of a bigger one, so the action/mystery plot feels coherent and every smaller mystery has a purpose. I don't have much to complain about in this department, except that some plot twists towards the end were kind of predictable and not all that believable.
The Bad
- None of the main characters are really likable. Baili Erlang feels a bit too aloof. When he's in trouble there's always someone to help, but when others are in trouble he's always out there doing his own thing. The way Gao Bingzhu treats Wu Sijue for most of the drama is infuriating, he also feels inconsiderate and obviously doesn't know what communication is. Sijue is a huge disappointment; she's one of those fake strong female leads that are in vogue in C-dramas (you know, girls who are technically capable but really are useless, because everything is always done by the boys and they always need saving). And the second female lead is absolutely unbearable; one of those silly, childish female characters C-dramas just don't want to let go.
- The love stories also leave much to be desired in this drama. Granted, Luoyang isn't really about romance so you can always just skip them, but it's crazy how a drama that does a very decent job with the mystery plots can do so poorly with the love lines. Feelings start out of nowhere, couples can't seem to make any progress unless someone is about to die...
- The ending is rushed and cliché.
THE ACTING
Great. It's what impressed me the most after the production. Maybe because I had low expectations, I was surprised by Victoria's acting (Siyue), which in a couple of scenes actually got me (even though in general, I wasn't emotionally invested in the drama). However, the boys also did quite a good job, and even 2nd female lead (the role sucked, but she did it the best she could).
THE MUSIC
Very good use of sound in this drama, but that's not surprising, because it has a film aesthetic. The songs were also quite good!
REWATCH VALUE
Honestly, not very high. When I rewatch a drama, it's because I'm dying to relive it. I don't think I'll ever be dying to re-experience Luoyang. It was fun though, while it lasted!
This drama may be imperfect, but it's still a very well-produced historical mystery series, which we just don't get enough off. Watch if 1) you're looking for several fighting scenes and well-made mystery, 2) you don't need much else. Think twice if 1) you're craving a good love story, 2) you need likable characters, 3) you can't stand flaws.
THE STORY
I started this drama, dropped it, picked it up again, dropped it, picked it up again and finally ended it, after weeks. It's definitely not binge material; in my opinion, the drama has ups but also lots of downs that make you want to give it up. That being said, it was worth watching.
The Good
- The cinematography is top of the game. Luoyang was produced like a movie, which is just beau-ti-ful!
- This is essentially an action/mystery drama, and it does the genre justice. It kind of has an episodic feel to it (as in, there are small mysteries lasting a few episodes), but every case is part of a bigger one, so the action/mystery plot feels coherent and every smaller mystery has a purpose. I don't have much to complain about in this department, except that some plot twists towards the end were kind of predictable and not all that believable.
The Bad
- None of the main characters are really likable. Baili Erlang feels a bit too aloof. When he's in trouble there's always someone to help, but when others are in trouble he's always out there doing his own thing. The way Gao Bingzhu treats Wu Sijue for most of the drama is infuriating, he also feels inconsiderate and obviously doesn't know what communication is. Sijue is a huge disappointment; she's one of those fake strong female leads that are in vogue in C-dramas (you know, girls who are technically capable but really are useless, because everything is always done by the boys and they always need saving). And the second female lead is absolutely unbearable; one of those silly, childish female characters C-dramas just don't want to let go.
- The love stories also leave much to be desired in this drama. Granted, Luoyang isn't really about romance so you can always just skip them, but it's crazy how a drama that does a very decent job with the mystery plots can do so poorly with the love lines. Feelings start out of nowhere, couples can't seem to make any progress unless someone is about to die...
- The ending is rushed and cliché.
THE ACTING
Great. It's what impressed me the most after the production. Maybe because I had low expectations, I was surprised by Victoria's acting (Siyue), which in a couple of scenes actually got me (even though in general, I wasn't emotionally invested in the drama). However, the boys also did quite a good job, and even 2nd female lead (the role sucked, but she did it the best she could).
THE MUSIC
Very good use of sound in this drama, but that's not surprising, because it has a film aesthetic. The songs were also quite good!
REWATCH VALUE
Honestly, not very high. When I rewatch a drama, it's because I'm dying to relive it. I don't think I'll ever be dying to re-experience Luoyang. It was fun though, while it lasted!
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