cassiopeiastars
This review may contain spoilers
Great idea for a fantasy drama, but horrible storytelling
OVERALL (vague ending spoilers)
I think a 5.5 is too nice of a rating, but I think the actors and music were well done, so I can't be biased on giving it a lower score because the story and ending were horrible.
I want to be clear that I started this drama when it aired in 2017 and dropped it because Dramafever went down. I recently picked it back up again because I was thinking back to Zhou Yi Wei's works of Shuofeng He Ye and wanted to see how his story went down. I was utterly disappointed with this "ending," even though many comments forewarned me. Even if the producers wanted a second season, if it's not in the works, I don't think it's fair to leave everything as open-ended as it did. Sure, it was a closure to their current predicament, but they closed the ending by introducing new plans and information. All of these new ideas are given to us within the last episode. Then they don't even close it up with some of our other supporting casts like Muyun Yan Shuang or the tribes.
STORY
I won't go into details because there were so many unnecessary details in this drama. I felt like I saw all of the side characters more than the main cast at times. The schemes' details did not seem necessary to are dragged onto a 5-10 minute conversation. The side characters that were involved and then were gone, or killed off. Why did they make me watch so many scenes of those characters for nothing?
This drama had three main characters, and each included their love stories, background story as children, and character development scenes as grown-ups. There was so much to show, say, and do with these characters. Instead, the writers decided that I must see more of the side characters.
Then we have essential scenes that were dragged out a good 3-5 episodes. For example, Han Jiang would be stuck in a situation, and we wouldn't see how he got out of that situation until 3-5 episodes later because they were showing other parts of the show. I was waiting so long for the war to happen with the tribes and the Muru clan, and it just kept going and going. Even when the war happened, it got dragged out for so long.
I would have been happy watching three separate dramas of these characters and having references between the dramas. At least then, the focus wouldn't feel like it was being thrown all over the place. The big issue is that when you have three main characters and their stories aren't involved, they're not all on-screen together, meaning that you would have to put in chunks of their story separately, which is what happened here and was not well done.
I hate how they are all prophesized and destined to do something/create calamity, and they all want to change it. This could have been a great drama about how destiny and prophecies don't determine your path. However, their means to change it are the dumbest way to deal with it, hence the dragging.
I understand that because this is a Chinese drama, the theme of fighting for your country and people, even if it is right or wrong, means honor. So, I understand why this is something some of the characters struggle with. This also applies to their family honor as well.
Love was a theme that brought most of these characters into a downfall, even the smaller roles. I guess we can't even get one happy love story in this drama.
I won't even get to the loopholes or questionable aspects of everything else. This could get long and ugly.
ACTING/CAST/CHARACTERS
I think as actors and actresses, they all did so well. There were only minor things that I could point out, but I don't believe that it's necessary. Let's head into the likes and dislikes of the characters.
Muyun Sheng was probably one of the worst main leads that I have seen in a drama. I'm okay with a weak protagonist turned strong, but he was literally weak throughout the drama until one scene, and then that was it. The writers made him so useless until the very end. I feel like if there was a second season and the plot was well written, he could be a strong protagonist.
Muru Hang Jiang was a passable main lead. I think some of his decisions weren't the best, but I feel like I can see his character try. Even when he is a little selfish, he tries, so I give him credit for that. He never gives up and continues to do what he thinks is right. He just never really grew as a character, even if his family relationship got a bit better.
Shuofeng He Ye was such an extraordinary character to me. I applaud Zhou Yi Wei for bringing Shuofeng He Ye to life. Zhou Yi Wei had so much passion that his character became stuck in my mind for years. I loved his resilience to survive and take revenge could be felt as we watch him fight his way through the drama. The way he growls in anguish and anger then contrasts it to when he cries in pain, all of that could be felt through the screen. His character was so well put together in terms of growth. He went from a boy that went through slavery and injustice to a man who fights for the freedom of his tribe. He continues to love his people and honor the relationships he creates. I mean, there's so much to say about this character. I need all of his clips from the drama nicely compiled into one video.
Honorable mention to the whole cast, especially the minor ones that showed up in only a few episodes but made a lasting impression.
MUSIC
The music was phenomenal and well thought out. The big orchestra opening and the ending added to the dramatic feel of the drama. I loved how when they are out in the Han prefecture, and nature sounds were well incorporated. They weren't trying to add unrealistic background noise. They layered it well with instrumentals on top of those nature sounds.
RE-WATCH VALUE
Would I recommend you put yourself through 75 hours of torture again? The answer is no. There was just too much going on for me to try to find my favorite scenes to re-watch.
This drama does have beautiful, stunning cinematography, one of the best I have seen, and great music. Some of the characters are well written. The overall idea of the story is excellent, but it's just not well done. If you're into that and don't mind slow and draggy dramas that have some potential, do check it out!
I think a 5.5 is too nice of a rating, but I think the actors and music were well done, so I can't be biased on giving it a lower score because the story and ending were horrible.
I want to be clear that I started this drama when it aired in 2017 and dropped it because Dramafever went down. I recently picked it back up again because I was thinking back to Zhou Yi Wei's works of Shuofeng He Ye and wanted to see how his story went down. I was utterly disappointed with this "ending," even though many comments forewarned me. Even if the producers wanted a second season, if it's not in the works, I don't think it's fair to leave everything as open-ended as it did. Sure, it was a closure to their current predicament, but they closed the ending by introducing new plans and information. All of these new ideas are given to us within the last episode. Then they don't even close it up with some of our other supporting casts like Muyun Yan Shuang or the tribes.
STORY
I won't go into details because there were so many unnecessary details in this drama. I felt like I saw all of the side characters more than the main cast at times. The schemes' details did not seem necessary to are dragged onto a 5-10 minute conversation. The side characters that were involved and then were gone, or killed off. Why did they make me watch so many scenes of those characters for nothing?
This drama had three main characters, and each included their love stories, background story as children, and character development scenes as grown-ups. There was so much to show, say, and do with these characters. Instead, the writers decided that I must see more of the side characters.
Then we have essential scenes that were dragged out a good 3-5 episodes. For example, Han Jiang would be stuck in a situation, and we wouldn't see how he got out of that situation until 3-5 episodes later because they were showing other parts of the show. I was waiting so long for the war to happen with the tribes and the Muru clan, and it just kept going and going. Even when the war happened, it got dragged out for so long.
I would have been happy watching three separate dramas of these characters and having references between the dramas. At least then, the focus wouldn't feel like it was being thrown all over the place. The big issue is that when you have three main characters and their stories aren't involved, they're not all on-screen together, meaning that you would have to put in chunks of their story separately, which is what happened here and was not well done.
I hate how they are all prophesized and destined to do something/create calamity, and they all want to change it. This could have been a great drama about how destiny and prophecies don't determine your path. However, their means to change it are the dumbest way to deal with it, hence the dragging.
I understand that because this is a Chinese drama, the theme of fighting for your country and people, even if it is right or wrong, means honor. So, I understand why this is something some of the characters struggle with. This also applies to their family honor as well.
Love was a theme that brought most of these characters into a downfall, even the smaller roles. I guess we can't even get one happy love story in this drama.
I won't even get to the loopholes or questionable aspects of everything else. This could get long and ugly.
ACTING/CAST/CHARACTERS
I think as actors and actresses, they all did so well. There were only minor things that I could point out, but I don't believe that it's necessary. Let's head into the likes and dislikes of the characters.
Muyun Sheng was probably one of the worst main leads that I have seen in a drama. I'm okay with a weak protagonist turned strong, but he was literally weak throughout the drama until one scene, and then that was it. The writers made him so useless until the very end. I feel like if there was a second season and the plot was well written, he could be a strong protagonist.
Muru Hang Jiang was a passable main lead. I think some of his decisions weren't the best, but I feel like I can see his character try. Even when he is a little selfish, he tries, so I give him credit for that. He never gives up and continues to do what he thinks is right. He just never really grew as a character, even if his family relationship got a bit better.
Shuofeng He Ye was such an extraordinary character to me. I applaud Zhou Yi Wei for bringing Shuofeng He Ye to life. Zhou Yi Wei had so much passion that his character became stuck in my mind for years. I loved his resilience to survive and take revenge could be felt as we watch him fight his way through the drama. The way he growls in anguish and anger then contrasts it to when he cries in pain, all of that could be felt through the screen. His character was so well put together in terms of growth. He went from a boy that went through slavery and injustice to a man who fights for the freedom of his tribe. He continues to love his people and honor the relationships he creates. I mean, there's so much to say about this character. I need all of his clips from the drama nicely compiled into one video.
Honorable mention to the whole cast, especially the minor ones that showed up in only a few episodes but made a lasting impression.
MUSIC
The music was phenomenal and well thought out. The big orchestra opening and the ending added to the dramatic feel of the drama. I loved how when they are out in the Han prefecture, and nature sounds were well incorporated. They weren't trying to add unrealistic background noise. They layered it well with instrumentals on top of those nature sounds.
RE-WATCH VALUE
Would I recommend you put yourself through 75 hours of torture again? The answer is no. There was just too much going on for me to try to find my favorite scenes to re-watch.
This drama does have beautiful, stunning cinematography, one of the best I have seen, and great music. Some of the characters are well written. The overall idea of the story is excellent, but it's just not well done. If you're into that and don't mind slow and draggy dramas that have some potential, do check it out!
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