Kazokuk5
Many people have wrote great reviews for this drama so I will just put in mine based on how I feel about it. At first I have zero knowledge about this story (drama, novel, anime, manga or audio drama). Never came across any of it until the drama airs. I have always like chinese xianxia costume drama so I thought "Well let's give this a shot" and I definitely have no regrets! In the end I watch and read all of the mediums available because it is so good.
Story:-
Story is great. Greatly applause to the original writer for this awesome story because it is not the typical type. I have also always like strong and smart leads rather than the innocent, naive, nice and stupid type. The story itself is funny, suspenseful, mystery, loving, warm and with life lessons. Originally it is about BL and when it is change to drama, all those scenes need to be cut. Although disappointed haha but I do understand the censorship in China. Plus this is a rated PG drama to be air across China, how can they air it if it is about BL? However the director did put some scenes here and there for some hints which I am really thankful for. Plus their friendship or bond is greatly shown in the drama so I am overall satisfied.
At the beginning the novel fans dislike it because there are some changes. When a drama is adapted from a novel, some details or part of the story have to be change to accommodate with the flow, environment, settings or props etc. Sometimes it is done so badly that it ruins the story (there are so many precedent) so the concern of the fans are understandable but as the drama continues to air, this definitely did not disappoint. Some parts are edited to make the flow of the story better. The most visible changes are the sequence of the story, the additional scenes for the side characters and some key point of the story but most part is still the same so I have no problem with that.
The novel sequence is quite confusing at times because it keeps changing between past and present while drama shows a little part of the present for like 2 eps then tell the past in one shot before showing the present again. The overall story still remained the same but this way viewers might understand the flow better especially those that did not read the novel. Additional scenes for the side characters are okay to me as long as they do not interrupt the main story. A lot of the details from novel are adapted in which I am quite surprised. There are not many drama out there adapting stories from novel can be this similar to it. So well done director and writers!
Some points like the “evil shoulder” in the beginning change to a sword is quite funny lol Plus they are suppose to look for the other body parts along the way but goes straight to the end and know who it belongs to. Since the conclusion is still the same, I just kinda ignore the process of it. One more point is that WWX did not willingly fall off the cliff in the novel. His death is suppose to cause by his power attack and reflect back on his body?? (I don't know how to explain it in english but is 反噬 in chinese) The point is it is not consider as suicide. However JC did stab him and other people did try to attack him and this is another fight 3 years later from what was shown in drama. He retreat safely from the first fight. Oh well, he is still dead but the meaning is kinda different though.
Cast:-
Xiao Zhan is definitely a great choice for Wei Wu Xian character. Same goes to Wang Yi Bo as Lan Wang Ji too. This is the first time I watch any of Xiao Zhan's project and his acting as WWX is great. I can't say that they are 100% perfect but they are great enough so the bad part can be forgotten. Yu Bin is also cute as Wen Ning. Xuan Lu as Jiang Yan Li is quite perfect because of her image, she really looks so kind, gentle and warm so even if her acting is bad (not saying it is) it doesn't really matter. Wang Zhuo Cheng as Jiang Cheng is a bit awkward, the way he cry or when he is angry or the action he did just feel a bit stiff to me. Most of the actors here are quite new especially those that act as the younger generation ones so I guess it is understandable for them to be awkward at times. Some did pretty well but still there are some scenes I just can't really stand it. At times even the older ones are really awkward like Jin Guang Shan or Lan Qi Ren. I am not sure if they are new but I cringed during some scenes when their acting is so awkward.
Music:-
Most of it are really nice especially the main song 'The Untamed' (无羁) sang by Xiao Zhan and Wang Yi Bo. The melody suits the drama a lot and it sounds so soothing when it is change to flute or zither sound. Both their character song Qu Jin Chen Qing (曲尽陈情) and Bu Wang (不忘) really sticks out for its lyrics as they are so applicable to their characters. Another special one is Jiang Yan Li's song Yi Nan Ping (意难平). But one thing I do want to point out is that their flute or zither playing are really awkward. I can't blame them as they do not know how to play in real life and the music may not be on while they are acting so when it is edited in, the music and hand are not sync ends up weird and awkward. Most of the time they apply the same songs to all the situation and some may not suit it well so it turns out unnatural.
Rewatch value:-
I rarely rewatch the show unless it is really nice and to my liking but this is definitely one of it. I totally would like to rewatch it over again now that I know the ending, some parts in the beginning makes more sense to me now. Also just to watch both the main leads and their friendship.
This is one of the few dramas out there with great storyline, casting and acting, edited nicely, great costume, props and settings, music and ending. Not that everything is perfect, but it is still great enough to give it a try. It is to my satisfaction so kudos to the directors, writers, all staffs and actors actress! Good job :)
Story:-
Story is great. Greatly applause to the original writer for this awesome story because it is not the typical type. I have also always like strong and smart leads rather than the innocent, naive, nice and stupid type. The story itself is funny, suspenseful, mystery, loving, warm and with life lessons. Originally it is about BL and when it is change to drama, all those scenes need to be cut. Although disappointed haha but I do understand the censorship in China. Plus this is a rated PG drama to be air across China, how can they air it if it is about BL? However the director did put some scenes here and there for some hints which I am really thankful for. Plus their friendship or bond is greatly shown in the drama so I am overall satisfied.
At the beginning the novel fans dislike it because there are some changes. When a drama is adapted from a novel, some details or part of the story have to be change to accommodate with the flow, environment, settings or props etc. Sometimes it is done so badly that it ruins the story (there are so many precedent) so the concern of the fans are understandable but as the drama continues to air, this definitely did not disappoint. Some parts are edited to make the flow of the story better. The most visible changes are the sequence of the story, the additional scenes for the side characters and some key point of the story but most part is still the same so I have no problem with that.
The novel sequence is quite confusing at times because it keeps changing between past and present while drama shows a little part of the present for like 2 eps then tell the past in one shot before showing the present again. The overall story still remained the same but this way viewers might understand the flow better especially those that did not read the novel. Additional scenes for the side characters are okay to me as long as they do not interrupt the main story. A lot of the details from novel are adapted in which I am quite surprised. There are not many drama out there adapting stories from novel can be this similar to it. So well done director and writers!
Some points like the “evil shoulder” in the beginning change to a sword is quite funny lol Plus they are suppose to look for the other body parts along the way but goes straight to the end and know who it belongs to. Since the conclusion is still the same, I just kinda ignore the process of it. One more point is that WWX did not willingly fall off the cliff in the novel. His death is suppose to cause by his power attack and reflect back on his body?? (I don't know how to explain it in english but is 反噬 in chinese) The point is it is not consider as suicide. However JC did stab him and other people did try to attack him and this is another fight 3 years later from what was shown in drama. He retreat safely from the first fight. Oh well, he is still dead but the meaning is kinda different though.
Cast:-
Xiao Zhan is definitely a great choice for Wei Wu Xian character. Same goes to Wang Yi Bo as Lan Wang Ji too. This is the first time I watch any of Xiao Zhan's project and his acting as WWX is great. I can't say that they are 100% perfect but they are great enough so the bad part can be forgotten. Yu Bin is also cute as Wen Ning. Xuan Lu as Jiang Yan Li is quite perfect because of her image, she really looks so kind, gentle and warm so even if her acting is bad (not saying it is) it doesn't really matter. Wang Zhuo Cheng as Jiang Cheng is a bit awkward, the way he cry or when he is angry or the action he did just feel a bit stiff to me. Most of the actors here are quite new especially those that act as the younger generation ones so I guess it is understandable for them to be awkward at times. Some did pretty well but still there are some scenes I just can't really stand it. At times even the older ones are really awkward like Jin Guang Shan or Lan Qi Ren. I am not sure if they are new but I cringed during some scenes when their acting is so awkward.
Music:-
Most of it are really nice especially the main song 'The Untamed' (无羁) sang by Xiao Zhan and Wang Yi Bo. The melody suits the drama a lot and it sounds so soothing when it is change to flute or zither sound. Both their character song Qu Jin Chen Qing (曲尽陈情) and Bu Wang (不忘) really sticks out for its lyrics as they are so applicable to their characters. Another special one is Jiang Yan Li's song Yi Nan Ping (意难平). But one thing I do want to point out is that their flute or zither playing are really awkward. I can't blame them as they do not know how to play in real life and the music may not be on while they are acting so when it is edited in, the music and hand are not sync ends up weird and awkward. Most of the time they apply the same songs to all the situation and some may not suit it well so it turns out unnatural.
Rewatch value:-
I rarely rewatch the show unless it is really nice and to my liking but this is definitely one of it. I totally would like to rewatch it over again now that I know the ending, some parts in the beginning makes more sense to me now. Also just to watch both the main leads and their friendship.
This is one of the few dramas out there with great storyline, casting and acting, edited nicely, great costume, props and settings, music and ending. Not that everything is perfect, but it is still great enough to give it a try. It is to my satisfaction so kudos to the directors, writers, all staffs and actors actress! Good job :)
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