The Legend of the Dragon Pearl Season 1, needs Season 2 desperately!!!!

I watched this on Amazon Prime, so only 62 Episodes. I had to list 90 here so that it would mark that I completed watching the show.

CAST: The actors were amazing. They all played their parts well.

I have noticed that the female leads are not strong and this is a global dilemma. Female leads should have stronger character.

ENDING: The ending is a no ending - It is not shown that the emperor killed the people that tried to assassinate Li Yihuan in the palace. Additionally, it not shown that the emperor full fill his promise to Li Yihuan.

Additionally, to show Li Yihuan died/murdered mysteriously in the last episode, which is about two episodes where the Prince of Ming saves Li Yihuan for the countless time with giving almost all of the last breath is simply ridiculous.

The ending just leaves you hanging. So it appears, that there should be a season 2.

Hence, Season 1 needs Season 2 to accompany it, with the same cast, same role. I hope the Li Yihuan is still alive, but has not cheated the emperor. I would like her to return mature, stronger. and still a bit care free and light.

I rated the show based on the ending because the ending of season 1 makes the show pointless to watch, it makes you feel that one has wasted their time watching the show and actors wasted their acting skills.

If anyone has information regarding whether there is a season 2, please let me know. I searched for season 2, but could not find anything.

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Love the entire cast! Have seen some of the actors/actress before.

Superb acting and delivery by Li Yifeng (Zhang Xiaofan), Zhao Liying (Bi Yao), Mao Zijun (Qin Wuyan), Yang Zi (Lu Xueqi), Chen Yi (Lin Jingyu), Qin Junjie (Zhang Shushu)

The theme of the story was held from the beginning to the end, which is an extremely rare gem in any type of series shown globally. The creatives usually stray, but not here.

Li Yifeng rocks his character as Xiaofan. Xiaofan is good, strong physically and mentally, he possess the qualities of a good leader.

The boy who everyone looked down on, was the smartest of them all, he just need space to adapt. Zhang Xiaofan was the the light of good shining through the darkness of the righteous Sect, What an irony. The stage is set for the unraveling of the answer to the theme question, "What is righteous? What is evil? We see the answer unfold in so many ways. Even Xiaofan says it clearly, their is only good and bad; if you do bad, then you are bad, if you do good, then you are good. Your actions has to be for the better of the world. We see through the story how the little boy grows up in age and skills, both physical and mental evolving into a hero. He is clear on what it is right and what is wrong and he has a clear conscientious to do what is right and abide by it. Xiaofan demonstrates this time and time again. He even refuse his love, Bi Yao to give her the Heavenly Book or to leave his sect for her, with her.

I have seen a few show with Yang Zi and she definitely has acting skills, the versatility is there.

Lu Xueqi has a lot in her closet that comes out little by little. Seems that she also like Bi Yao has a connection with Xiaofan. Hidden under her cold personality is a somewhat free spirit trying to come out and play a little. She is smart and a good fighter. She is the first to recognize and acknowledge the growth and strength within Xiaofan, whom she has developed a good relationship with. You can tell by her actions, dialogue, and they way she looks at Xiaofan, that she love/falling in love with him.

Bi Yao is somewhat naive, but eloquent and knows who she loves. And her love for Xiaofan has no boundaries. Just like Xiaofan being caught in between his love for her, his sect; she is caught between her love for him, her father, and being the heir to the Ghost Sect. Her father is relentless in his plans of taking revenge for loosing a hundred year old war, his diabolical plan of resurrecting the beast god, to taking over the righteous sect, that he indeed fails to take good care of his daughter as Xiaofan so righteously told him.

Zhang Shushu was my comic relieve. However, his moments with his grandfather was heartfelt and I especially enjoyed the scene with him and his grandfather telling him a story at night. Zhang Shushu grows up after his grandfather's death. He is forced by this accept his place as City Leader of Yudu and he commits to it. His growth is also shown when he encounters Qin Wuyan.

I have seen Mao Zijun in a few shows and he definitely has versatility in his acting. Would like to see him in a lead role. He has already proven to be a good villain.

Qin Wuyan is cruel and manipulative. He is willing to do anything for himself by hook or by crook. He even after Bi Yao and her father for his and her marriage.

Lin Jingyu is a good friend indeed. He correct the mistake he made once for not believing Xiaofan. However, Jingyu has always been by Xiaofan's side. He is definitely an expert fighter, but unfortunately lost all his powers due to being framed by a so-called righteous sect member scheming to be the successor to lead the righteous sect and works with the evil sect. It is at this point that he realizes Xiaofan was right, you are good by deed and bad by deed, depending on which you choose to do. He later finds out the his teacher was actually a traitor to the righteous sect, that his teacher was actually from the evil sect.

Following the revelation of Jingyu's Teacher being the traitor. He airs the dirty laundry of the so-called righteous sect, where practically all of the leaders, are not so righteous including their own leader, who is bad by his actions and by his heart. He was always preaching of righteousness along with the others, but they and him were the biggest traitors to the righteous sect. The righteous sect leader want to punish Xiaofan for no reason and he breaks his promise to Xiaofan's teacher to wait a few days. The Fen Xiang Valley, another so-called righteous sect actually acts evil doing bad deeds in Yudu, and other places, yet they blame everything on Xiaofan. And Although Xiaofan saved them so many times, the righteous leader yet wanted to murder him in the midst of the biggest battle they were having. And it is here that Bi Yao sacrifices herself for Xiaofan. This leaves Xiaofan heartbroken on many different levels. He later helps a very much wounded father of Bi Yao to extend her life so he can take her to the sacred mountain. However, Qin Wuyan volunteers to go and help Xiaofan in Yudu. Will he really help or just create more issues as he is always scheming.

Bi Yao, who is from the evil sect, is actually good as she has not done any bad things whereas the righteous sect leader and Fen Valley whom are in the righteous sect are evil by doing bad deeds. What an irony!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And Zhang Xiaofan, who has always side with the truth and good was in the process of being killed by his sect leaders for his righteousness. What an irony!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoyed Ren Jialun (Liu wei) and his little brother.

Now to find Noble Aspirations II to see. However, it is very difficult to locate C-Drama with complete episodes and with English Subtitles.

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Revenge is Mine

In this series Allen Ren, who plays, Na Lan Yue / Lin Jing shows his diversity. The cast is pretty good; however, I am not fond of Zhang Hui Wen, who plays Rong Hua. She come across plastic and expressionless. Additionally, there is little to no chemistry between Allen Ren and Zhang Hui Wen.

The story itself starts off good with Nan Lan Yue investigating his father’s death in Dragon Howl City as Lin Jing. He manages to win the trust of Rong Hua’s father, Rong Jing Feng, played by Lu Xing Yu. He is a ruthless murderer. He wiped out Ling Shu Pavilion, Na Lan Yue’s home and stole the Wachau flower. As the story unfold, we get to know that Rong Jing Feng’s older daughter, Rong Su, played by Li Yi Tong, was once captured by Mo Huan / Ming Zun, played by Lin Yuan. She is the teacher of both Rong Jing Feng and Lin Ruo Han, played by Zhang Yan Yan, Nan Lan Yue’s mother. Rong Su was tortured and trained by Mo Huan, who herself has the Wachau in her. After Rong Su was reunited with her family, she found that she had to prove herself to her father, and nothing was good enough for him. This also spurred up animosity between the two sisters because Rong Hua was born sickly, and their mother died during childbirth. Rong Jing Feng was more caring to Rong Hua over Rong Su. As the story progress, we see that his daughters and everyone else are just his pawns. Rong Hua and Nan Lan Yue come to find out that the monster that killed his father and slayed the people of Ling Shu Pavilion was none other than Rong Jing Feng himself. And he does it a second time, and this time Nan Lan Yue not only lost his mother, but his mother saved him by giving him her Wachau. Mo Huan makes use of this to turn Nan Lan Yue into one of her soldiers and heir to her throne since she is his grandmaster. We see the motion and tribulations between Nan Lan Yue and Mo Huan. Nan Lan Yue manages and fights back and eventually conquers. The defeat of Mo Huan by Nan Lan Yue was quite unexpected.

And here comes the disappointment aside from Rong Hua being plastic and emotionless. The death of Lu Yi Zhou, played by Terry Guo. It was so unnecessary and would have added more to the show if he was not killed off. The so-called pregnancy and miscarriage. First all, I am not one that needs the consummation to elaborate and to be shown in detailed. However, if there is a pregnancy scene in a show, please show the woman pregnant and when there is a miscarriage, show the appropriate emotions. Nan Lan Yue and Rong Hua did not have the appropriate emotions for this scene.

And the incomprehensible, is how can Rong Hua expect her husband to forgive her father when he slaughtered her husband’s entire family and clan not once, but twice. And she only cares of Dragon Howl.

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Although the story line is simple, if developed further, this could have scored higher. Aside from the story line not being fully developed, we have the Main Lead, Alan Yu, who really needs to work on his expressions. It was painful for me to watch the first part of this series. It was even that I was busy or there was no more English subtitles or missing episode of the series; it was simply pain staking to see no chemistry between Jing Ci and Feng Manwan. There was more chemistry between Mu Beiyan and Feng Manwan/Yuan from the beginning to the end. And the delay on the romance did not help.

The story tells about how people in your life will love you only in the word love, hence they will use and abuse you by any extent for their own needs/wants, like Jing Ci's step father and Jing Ci's Emperor Father. Those who feel entitled and superior because of their birth not their deeds, like Jing Ci's step sister. Then there are those who love you so much, that they go to any extent to protect you, but in reality, they are hurting you and themselves unknowingly, like Jing Ci's Aunt. Finally, there are those who love you unconditionally and truly only want your happiness while sacrificing themselves on way or the other, like Feng Manwan/Yuan - intimate love. Then there is respect and love among friends and family, like Jing Ci, Lord Qing (New Emperor appointed by Jing Ci), the princess, and her guy, Mu Beiyan.

It is full of betrayal from all different directions along with all different shades of "love". The Emperor only has his best interest at hand then his family and friends come. Just about everyone is so devious in this series, it is crazy.

Disliked majorly that they murder Lu. And killed Zhao Yanxi and Tan.

The second part was a bit more endearing then the first part of the series.

The biggest let down though was the supposed fight out that did not happen.

Loved Yukee Chen!!!!!

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Superb acting and delivery by Li Yifeng (Zhang Xiaofan), Zhao Liying (Bi Yao), Mao Zijun (Qin Wuyan), Yang Zi (Lu Xueqi), Chen Yi (Lin Jingyu), Qin Junjie (Zhang Shushu)

The theme of the story was held from the beginning to the end, which is an extremely rare in any type of series shown globally. The creatives even manage to hold Xiao Fan and Bi Yao's love through out. No side stepping.

I will start with the villains first:

How cruel is the Ghost Sect Leader. His is nothing more than a power hungry monster. And a pretentious lover/husband and a pretentious father. He is all about power and Lu Wei's mother said it clearly that he does not love his wife or daughter and he has brought about all this disaster himself for power. He manipulates Xiao Fan to about the Heaven Book under the umbrella that is it to revive Bi Yao while all the planning is to revive the Beast god and if Bi Yao get revive too, then that is a plus.

Then followed by Qin Wu Yan, whose cruelty has not limits, no boundaries. He is the mastermind of tricky. I still think that his love for Bi Yao is more of obsession, a competition, for his power, his trump Card.

Xiao Yicai seemed have always have greed in his heart. He wanted the be the successor of Qing Yun Sect. The blood of the beast god only enhanced what was already there. His beast god revelation fell flat. His true self and intentions should have been brought forth. Especially since the Ghost Sect Leader mentioned that only if Xiao Yicai's teacher found out that he was behind the Chusen Sword. And the hint was given again when Xiao Yicai attached Xiao Fan, but it seemed only Xiao Fan heard it.

Last but not least, the Evil Leader of the Righteous Sect, Dao Xuan. His ideals, his thoughts are mostly bad and bias. Without the Chusen Sword and with it any foul play of the Chusen Sword, he was willing to slaughter Xiao Fan for having two types of cultivation. He becomes influenced very easily by others, shows he is not a good leader. Furthermore, in his conversation with Senior Brother Wan, there is a sense of animosity and self proclaimed entitlement. He is a weak and insecure leader.

Moving on...

Lu Xueqi fell in love with Xiao Fan ten years ago and the flames continues to burn strong ten years later. She indirectly says this ti Xiao Fan, but base on his facial expressions, he either didn't care, it didn't mean anything or he simply did not get it. Nonetheless Lu Xueqi stands steadfast in support of Guili/Xiao Fan. She herself seem to learn that the sect you belong to does not make you good or bad, but it is what you have in your heart and your actions determine whether you are good or bad.

Lin Jingyu is a brother in deed, who also stands steadfast behind Guili. The unspoken feelings between Lin Jingyu and Jin Ping'er is beautiful. I am definitely shipping for these two. He is caught up in his own beliefs and she is between a rock and a hard place and yet belonging to the demon sect, she is righteous in her actions and heart. My heart sunk when she was badly wounded. But she got wounded saving Lin Jingyu.

Zheng Shushu never fails to put a smile on my face, he is fun, serious, and caring. He is also a good brother and friend who is always supportive and stands 100% behind Guili/Xiao Fan.

Xiao Fan maintains his love for Bi Yao. He searches high, low, and in between to find a method to revive her. Although he joined the Ghost Sect and changed his name, HE STILL REMAINS ZHANG XIAO FAN! And this clearly shows that no matter where you are or what or name or affiliation is, as long as you are good by heart and deed, you are good. This is why his friends cannot turn their backs on him. And Xiao Fan breaks the stereotyping of if you are with a demon sect then you are bad. Xiao Fan helps his friends through out the journey, if it was not him, they probably would not have survived. Although the Ghost Sect Leader was able to take the Heaven Book from Xiao Fan, Xiao Fan was able to defeat the beast god. Now Xiao Fan is in the process of reviving Bi Yao, and now we wait.

I have to say there were too many flash backs of the same thing.

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The cast of this show were amazing. Yang Zi is really good at playing the innocent playful roles. Deng Lun has an awesome voice modulation, wow! Not only does the lead pair have excellent chemistry, but all the actors have amazing chemistry. There is love, fun, heartbreak, anxiety, frustration, hurt, and disaster.

I recently started watching Chinese Dramas and this one I really like and cannot wait for Ashes of Love 2. I am hoping same cast.

I would definitely watch this show again. I have actually re-watched a few of my fav epis already.

What I did not like is that the Chief of the Flower Realm did not tell Jin Mi's father about the perishing pellet considering that there was such a such arrangement made for marriage to the elder son of the heavenly emperor. Also, I did not like the fact that the relationship of the two bothers, Xu Feng and Run Yun were destroyed. I really liked their bond and chemistry.

The thing people would do for power, even ruin themselves without realizing it. Like what happened with Run Yun. Although after scheming, plotting, murdering, and obtaining the throne, he was still all alone. Base on his statement, the he got all that he wanted, but not what he demanded, seems like he truly never really loved or care for Jin Mi. His actions also did not illustrate that he loved or cared about Jin Mi as if it were all done, just for him to use Jin Mi, which is what he did.

Love Xu Feng and Jin Mi together. Their chemistry was definitely a wow factor.

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This started off good...

This drama series started off pretty good. Liked that the main leads did not fall all over each other right away. However, Jiang Jun (JJ) shows such disrespect for Yuan Shuai (YS) when she contacts Du to help YS's cousin knowing that the two share a dislike for each other. She later accepts a watch from him as her so-called gift for her promotion. Promotion gifts are given by the company and not individual boss and he brought such a personal gift on his trip for her. She does become arrogant not to see it isn't that YS wants her to quit her job for quitting sake, but because Du is overloading her with work and is undermining her. YS being given the dialogue in the ending of the series that he pressured her a little to quit was such a turn off.

The second lead was super annoying from beginning to end, no exception. Xu Li need some self respect written in her character. Loving someone and them not loving you back is definitely not the best feeling, but one should have self respect.

Although there is chemistry between the main leads, the scene of Du forcing himself on JJ being played down was the biggest turnoff and downer of this show.

He first pulled her into his hug tightly, which she clearly said no many times and struggle to break free. Then he tried kissing her, which she said no and still continue to break free. The fact that unwanted sexual advancements were made, it is was sexual harassment. And it should not have been played down like nothing happened, it should have been addressed. It was quite disgusting the way this track was handled.

At least five to six episodes were wasted, they could have ended the series at episode 30.

I low marked the story of the series and actors because to the mishandling of the sexual harassment scene.

I low marked the music because it played in, inappropriate places of the show.

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Developing Martial Artist

The cast jive very well together. The chemistry between Zhou Fei (Zanilia Zhao) and Xie Yun (Wang Yibo) was on point.
The series focus on the making of an upcoming young martial artist’s journey, which includes a range of life’s rainbow, family love and issues, love and love issues, obstacles and her own personal growth through all.

Zhou Fei grew up under the shelter of a stellar grandfather, who was a grandiose martial artist during his time. The she was under the wings of her parents. Her grandfather established, built, and protected the 48 Fortress. Many sects tried to breach Fortress but failed to do so because of Zhou Fei’s grandfather and her parents, specifically her mother. Her mother was extremely strict with reasons of course – survival. She was more so tough on Zhou Fei than others, as she was in the line up of being Young Master of the Fortress. Little did they know that they had their own little martial artist within their family.
The impenetrable Fortress was not so impenetrable for Xie Yun, the Prince of the former dynasty. He managed to not only break in but dazzle the occupants of the Fortress by breaking through one of their most secured entrance. Little did he a Zhou Fei know that they would end up lovers. Situations presented themselves in such a way that the rebellious Fei got what she had wanted for years, to venture out of 48 Fortress. However, little did she know that this journey will make her into a refined martial artist. Fei experiences many different aspects of the world of Martial Arts and was able to learn from many renounced teachers. We see her character growth throughout the journey, and we also treated to the subtle bloom of her and Xie Yun’s love story.

This series is not about an established martial artist, but a developing one. I like the fact that the creatives took the time to develop Fei’s character as such and were able to weave in her and Xie Yun ‘s love story without taking away from the actual story and everyone had enough screen space as needed and the interaction between the characters were on point.

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Bumps in the Journey

This series is about a young naive girl's life journey through the world as whole. On this path lies ahead, growth, love, betrayal, and bonds.

She is greeted by many visitors through out her journey, some who are family, some who are friends, and those who are out right enemies. She is Chong Xue Zhi, Leader, Hall of Flames, played by Yukee Chen. Xuezhi was brought up sheltered by the Hall of Flames elders and friends, who are like family to her. Her father Chong Ye, who commits suicide after mastering one of two of the hights martial arts, goes insane and slaughters many from the Marital Arts World. He also murders one of his best friend, who chose to sacrifice his life to save Chong Ye. With the burden being overly heavy, he commits suicide. Her fathers actions leaves a heavy price for Xuezhi to pay and everyone wants to collect with interest. On her way to the fighting assembly she and her group are ambushed throughout and she meets her savior and prince charming this way, Shangguan Tou, Master of Moon Valley and the Imperial Advisor's Son, who has his own family and Sect Drama. In the midst of everyone trying to kill her, Xuezhi falls in love with Tou, who was asked by her adopted father to protect her. Tou is played by Leo Lou. However, her knight and shinning armor goes beyond the call of duty to protect his lady love as he is ready to sacrifice everything for her at the drop of a hat, including himself. Tou is a man, who knows what he wants.

Not only does Tou loves Xuezhi, but here comes the love triangle. Childhood friend/brother and Chief Guardian, Hall of Flames, Yuwen Mu Yuan, played by Zhou Ting Wei is also in love with her. This of course causes issues to arises between him and Tou. However, in the long run, both end up working together for the protection of Xuezhi and the Martial Arts World. Muyuan sacrifices himself to protect Xuezhi.

Xuezhi quickly realizes that it is time for her to grow up. She enhances her martial art skills by mastering the Lotus Sutra, which adds a bigger bounty on her head. As if that was not enough, misunderstanding is on they way. Tou hides the mystery between him and Lin Fengzi, which initial seems like the slept together. However the dust is clear when the truth is let out of the bag, by Fengzi's Teacher. That is was her that drugged both Tou and Fengzi and set the stage to make it seem like the slept together. The conniving Teacher does this to get him kicked out of Sword Manor because she wanted to steal the Nine Lotus Moves, and Tou was onto to her devilish act. That storm ended, but the other is right there as Xuezhi and MuYuan are set up by none other than Xue Lie.

Xue Lie shuts the Hall of Flames down and makes Xuezhi and Muyuan criminals. With so many obstacles weaved throughout her journey, Xue Lie was the biggest of them call in every sense. Here comes Tou's father to the rescue, but doing so places his on Xue Lie target board. Xue Lie who has been trying to get both Tou and his father to work for him in his dirty scheme and has been bluntly turned down, does not take this lightly. Xue Lie has Tou's father arrested and murdered. The conversation between Tou and his father was beautiful and when Tou laid his head on his father's lap, says it all. The crowned prince was only able to save Tou and his sister. Upon learning Xue Lie's truth, his wife, Tou's sister kills herself and their unborn child, now this lady knows how to keep a secret. She smartly kept her pregnancy from Xue Lie to the end of her life. Xue Lie orders the execution of Tou, who is both stabbed by Muyuan at Xue Lie's command but also saved by Muyuan,who stab Tou away from his heart. The final rescue is done by the Crowned Prince.

Xuezhi mourns, cries her heart out for her love. She ends up at their spot Winehouse Fairyland. He encounters a look alike while she is drunk. Well it is let's fool Xuezhi that this is not Tou it is Yu Chuzhi. Well buddy, drunk or not, they woman knows her man. After a lot of back and forth between Xuezhi and Yu, Tou finally gets the slap he so deserves.

Tou, Xuezhi saves the day along with the Crown Prince. Xue Lie was caught red handed.

I am good with the story and acting to this point.

However, what really slaughtered this series for me, is the portrayal of Xue Lie in the end. He is shown more as having a mental disorder rather than the devil that he is. That was a big turn off for me. The actor was good on his part, but the story failed at this point.

Xuezhi and Tou have a happy ending.

Yukee Chen and Leo Luo has amazing chemistry, plus point of course. Yukee does an excellent job portraying her character from naive, to semi-naive, to adult. Her character growth was spaced well throughout the series, which was really good. Leo Luo is excellent and poised as Shangguan Tou and Yu Chuzhi. He is also good with his eye expressions. Zhou Ting Wei does a great job at portraying his character. Patrick Quan does a good job portray Xue Lie.

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Point of No Return

Autumn Cicada is beyond a disaster and beyond redemption.

The story seemed to have been thrown together without any thought process and no coherency throughout the story. Even the sections cut out of the series would not have helped. The story is poorly, no, horribly written with so many loose ends, undeveloped characters, unnecessary characters, too many voice overs, and an incredibly horrific ending. The direction was also bad.

It is such a shame because the series have a good cast, most of whom I have seen before. The eye candies did not help with this show. It was such a struggle to get through and many times I almost dropped it, but why should the cast suffer for poor writing.

The voice over was too much. I wanted to see Ye Chong's reactions, not hear about them. I wanted him to make the glass kisses the floor in a crashing manner. I wanted to see his frustrations instead of hearing about it.

I wanted to see the secret agent in Ye Chong not to just be reminded that he was a secret agent.

Li Man who plays He Ying, who is a college student, who is a revolutionist. He Ying, you just wanna knock her out of the frame, she is so annoying and useless. There was no need for her character, absolute waste. The love story that they tried to portray between her and Ye Chong, a Major in the Japanese Army, who is really a Chinese Secret Agent, Code Name Autumn Cicada, played by Ren Jialun. His character is semi-smart. Because, who rescues a person that just tried to kill them and then take that person to his house without to result of the reason he provided. That angle was to dragged out and useless in the show, just pointless. And to top it off He Ying and Ye Chong had absolutely no chemistry at all, at all!

He Ying had more chemistry with Lin Xiao Zhuang, Ye Chong's adopted Brother, played by Liu Xue Yi. He Ying just needed not to be in the series, no growth in her character at all.

Ye Chong and Zhuang were adopted by Japanese General Kiyoizumi , who he has a daughter of his own Junko. It is not shown how Kiyoizumi comes to adopt Zhuang. The dynamics between Ye Chong's mother and Kiyoizumi is left totally ambiguous although it seemed like they had a close relationship. And she asks Kiyoizumi to take care of Ye Chong. It also seems like Kiyoizumi killed Ye Chong's mother and then again it looks like she gets shot in a struggle for the gun, yet another ambiguous scenario. The voice over constantly states that Ye Chong was mistreated by Kiyoizumi, but it was never really shown. Junko in the meantime falls in love with Ye Chong, thinking he is her personal position.

Ye Chong and Zhuang bromance was nice and quite refreshing and I AM HAPPY THAT ZHUANG DID NOT TURN AGAINST Ye Chong.

Ye Chong is not truly shown as a secret agent, he shown more of someone trying to outwit Miyamoto's goal to prove that Ye Chong is a communist. Miyamoto is a Japanese Major. His character way OTT.

Liu Huan, who plays Chi Cheng, a prominent business man and a integrate part of the communist party is more

Chi Cheng seems to be more the agent and Ye Chong. Planning movements, sending intelligence to the Party and moving people of the party around defying the Japanese is a much better way than Ye Chong. His chemistry with his lady love, the feisty no nonsense, Jin Xiang played by He Du Juan is amazing. The rock together.

However, one of the most agonizing things about this series is the transparent misses between Ye Chong and Chi Cheng recognizing that Ye Chong is Autumn Cicada and Ye Chong recognizing that Chi Cheng is a communist. It is so awful. They do not find out about each other's true identity until the end of the series.

It was also disappointing that it was never shown, who the traitor was that released the information the Autumn Cicada was going to Hong Kong. And it was not show how Kiyoizumi ended up with Santalum's code book, which only him and Ye Chong knew about. It was also not revealed how Kiyoizumi came to know all the secret information about Ye Chong and Santalum.

Also, Junko's character was not needed and she is as crazy as her father to want to release poisonous gas. What kind of a legacy is that!

The ending of this series was beyond disappointing.

I have seen most of the actors and actress in that are in this show, in other shows and they can act. This series just does not do justice to them.

I rate the actors and actress based on their acting skills, not on this series because they should not be punished for bad writing and direction.

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Too Good To be True

The cast is good, and they acted well to whatever was given to them.

I got totally into the show because I like mystery and throw in the mystical powers and all, I am good to go. The show reminded me of the X-Men, Power Rangers, and Pokémon all roll up in one. The teamwork was great and the way the teachers pushed, but not abuse them was good. The Seven’s own efforts and desire to succeed was also intriguing just like Tang San’s mystery rendezvous with the mystery man. However, my excitement came crashing down on the last fight where Tang San fights but really doesn’t, I get that strategy is important, but a good fight was also needed. And the ending was just twisting the disappointment dagger even more.

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The entire cast of this series is beyond amazing!!!!!

Yang Zi as Hu Xiangxiang is mature, prominent, and profound. Yang Zi's ability to become Xiangxiang, I have no words to describe how beautifully she portray this character, better than any other than I have seen, given the dynamics and weight of Xiangxiang. Yang Zi wears her character well.

Wallace Huo is no less as Officer Gu Qingming. He is also profound and prominent and wears his character well.

Every single actor in this series owned their character and each actor jived beautifully together, which is a rare thing.

[Round of Applause]

The relationships were beautifully and exquisitely portrayed and intermingle to illustrate the depth of the relationship between everyone from family to friends to lovers to Chinese Officers to Japanese Officers, to Government, and last but not least to the Chinese and Japanese. The loves and likes were equally demonstrated as was the hatred amongst the Chinese and Japanese. Indeed a rainbow of emotions were clearly captured .

This series has fun, laughter, seriousness, love, hate, sibling bonding, pain, rebellion of sorts, angst, you name the emotion, it's there.

The Battle of Changsha is one of the best I have seen to depict not just the battle, but to demonstrate how it affect everyone and everything. The Battle of Changsha brings life to history.

The writer definitely put time and effort into writing the dialogues. They were impactful, hard hitting, full of reality of then and today. The delivery of the dialogues were executed beautifully with the right hand gestures to the right look, just flawless.

The creatives of this series did not hold back anything. The used very resource to make a magnificent series to illustrate what happened years ago.

The color scheme was on point, the clothing, the hairstyle all of it were on point.

I only have appreciation for this series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My heart ached throughout the series just as it did when I studied history.

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