Surprisingly entertaining, give it a try.

I just kinda feel the need to say this; maybe try rating a movie or a drama after you actually watched a few episodes.

Honestly, the sole reason I am watching this drama because of CZY― and that being said, I had no idea what to expect. In the first few episodes, there are indeed a lot of things to grasp, like who is who, how their 'world' works, the name of the sects and all that, but I think it was always like that with fantasy drama.

As the story goes, I found myself genuinely coalesce with the drama. It was somehow heartwarming to see the ML easily bemused by every little things he saw outside of Qingluan Peak. While people might say his character was rather childish, I think it was exactly what to expect from someone who grew up in isolation and never met anyone else except his father and the pig demon.

The interactions between the ML and FL also so funny to watch. One is sly and cunning, meanwhile the other one is kind yet naive and speaks whatever on his mind out loud. And their friendship evolves, I can't wait to see their character development!

Also, for the CGI, I think it was kind of decent. The fighting scenes were fine too. There was nothing big that bothers me so far. I hope it gets better!

[UPDATES AFTER FINISHED WATCHING.]

For this drama, I am kind of relieved that the journey has managed to steer clear of disappointment. (Though there are, of course, room for some improvements.)

But well, I could say, it's akin to the pride of a parent witnessing the growth of my children. Every second is a joy as I savor the unfolding story, relishing the arcs and development of each character. Every obstacle and setback that they encountered served as a tool― shaping the four main leads and their friendships into something beautiful. And even though their friendship might seem almost too perfect, I can't help but adore watching their dynamics. Where I could possibly find friends as genuine and supportive as them in real life? :[

Throughout the entire watching experience, not once did I feel the need to skip any part or conversation, as there were no unnecessary fillers. Every dialogue held significance for the plot. However, I must confess, the temptation to fast-forward arose during scenes featuring the infuriating villains who never failed to make my blood boil. (Side eyeing Su Yao and particular sect leaders as I type.)

(Here goes some small complains.)
To be entirely honest, I believe adding two or more episodes would have been perfect for this drama. There were certain aspects that left me puzzled. I personally believe it was essential to provide more details about what transpired after the great war. The abrupt one hundred-year time skip felt somewhat cruel, leaving me yearning for more insight into Lingsha's final moments with Tianhe― despite the inner conflict about my own emotional strength to witness it, a part of me still desired that closure. Also, I'm curious about how Tianhe lost his sight. Was it related to the divine bow? The connection remains unclear to me.

Towards the last few episodes, the CGI noticeably declined from the impressive quality seen at the beginning of the story. The fighting scenes, unfortunately, felt somehow rushed. I think, a bit more attention to details and time devoted to these aspects would have enhanced the overall watching experience.

In conclusion, it was a truly memorable journey. Zheyuan once again proving his acting prowess, leaving me in awe. His emotional performances drew me in completely, evoking my own tears and smiles in sync with his. While it was my first time watching the other three main leads in a drama, they portrayed their characters exceptionally well. And not to forget, the soundtracks have found a permanent spot on my playlist. Whenever these songs play, I can't resist replaying scenes in my mind. (Forgive me for the emotional indulgence.)

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Thrill ride

Truth be told, I don’t have extensive experience with this type of republican drama, which makes it difficult for me to draw comparisons with others in a similar genre. Nevertheless, I feel compelled to share more of my thoughts about this one.

From start to finish, the story was solid. There weren’t any unnecessary scenes or dialogue, and the pacing was just right—not too slow and not too fast. I initially watched this because of Zheyuan, and I was a bit worried about the potential political elements since they usually bore me to tears. Thankfully, this one steered clear of that.

The development of the characters was meticulously crafted, a step-by-step progression that led them to their current states, rather than experiencing sudden, overnight changes of heart. It was genuinely heartwarming to see Lin Shaobai evolve from a passionate (albeit a bit arrogant) young police officer into the reliable and thoughtful man he becomes in the second half of the story. At first, his bond with Lu Zhengyang was a bit frustrating since Lu Zhengyang was too stubborn to see things from Shaobai's perspective, but thankfully they manage to work through their issues. Given their age and generational gap, it made their differences a bit easier to handle.

Now, diving into the other characters, Shrike definitely deserved a more painful ending. He spent years torturing and ruining the lives of others, and it seemed far too easy for him to meet such a quick death; it felt almost merciful. As for his wife, she also deserved a more excruciating fate. While for Xu Wei, it seems they aimed to portray his death as heroic, but that approach didn’t resonate with me. While it’s true that Shaobai and Jin Yan wouldn’t have made it out alive without his assistance, he had several opportunities to redeem himself but chose not to. From the very beginning, he knew that his wife and child would remain in danger, regardless of how hard he worked for Shrike. Yet he was blinded by his pursuit of power and wealth. So, any so-called redemption arc or whatever they tried to push was total bullcrap. Xu Wei got no less than what he deserved, much like Jin Maochang. I could say I feel a bit sorry for him because the despicable deeds he committed weren’t for fun or simply for money and power, but rather out of love for his daughter. I dare say he’s better than Xu Wei, as he repeatedly tried to eliminate Shrike, even if it was also motivated by a desire to save himself. So, yeah, he better be dead.

As for the acting, bold italic and underline: top notch. And I can’t help but indulge myself by praising Zheyuan this time. Most of the cast consists of veteran actors and actresses, yet Zheyuan managed to hold his ground; there wasn’t a single moment in the entire 38 episodes where he seemed out of place. The scene where Shaobai and Jin Yan were crying in the car was absolutely off the charts; they needed no lines to convey their emotions. Jin Yan's crying scene after her father's death was also nothing short of terrific. Speaking of Shaobai and Jin Yan, I really don’t mind how their story unfolded. They might not be together (yet) by the end of the story, but it feels very fitting. If they had tossed in any hints of romance at the end, it would have felt way too sudden.

But, I have to say, I have a little complaint: the ending would’ve felt more realistic if Jin Yan wasn’t lying in the hospital bed. She only got stabbed once in the back, while Shaobai was shot multiple times, so how did she end up in worse condition than him? He even managed to go out and get a haircut. I really hope the reasoning behind this isn’t just because Shaobai is a man and Jin Yan is a woman.

Well overall, this drama was terrific. Amid all the seriousness and importance of their job, the comedic relief felt perfectly timed. Some scenes had me cracking up, and I loved every second of it. This whole viewing experience could very well be the catalyst that encourages me to explore more dramas in a similar genre in the future.

(Ps. Sending love and hugs to Huzi. In every drama, it feels like there’s always a need for a close friend or family member to be sacrificed toward the end. This time, it was Huzi who had the unfortunate honor of fulfilling that sentimental role.)

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I miss them already

I had zero expectation when I first watch this drama because I honestly only watch it for ZLS. The first few episodes were very cute though, especially the little water divine beast who had just hatch from the egg. However, as the story continued, the VFX was just so eeerrrr and it kinda irked me in some way. Maybe they were rushing with the entire thing, but it left so much to be desired from the VFX department. But then, overall, this drama got me crying, giggling, kicking my feet and rolling on the floor. The differences between A Yin and Feng Yin was so *chef's kiss* kudos to ZLS. <3

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As boring as watching paint dry

As the saying goes: "Expectations are the root of disappointment."

Despite the promising casts, this drama fell short of expectations, leaving me thoroughly disappointed. While it had an intriguing start, the narrative took a nosedive as it progressed. The perplexity of Dohee's decision to give up the fight for the company remains inexplicable to me. With a demon as her companion, what could possibly induce fear in her? :[

The narrative, midway through, hinted at potential plot twists surrounding the villains, aiming to engage the audience's imagination. However, this attempt at complexity fell flat once again, failing to deliver the anticipated twists and leaving the audience with unfulfilled expectations.

And... The final episodes added little novelty to the narrative, presenting a familiar plot that lacked originality. The forced happy ending for the couple felt like a repetitive trope. Truly a wasted potential. I feel bad for the casts.

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A gem I picked up on the journey

I originally wasn’t familiar with this drama, nor had it been on my watchlist for the longest time. One fine day, I accidentally clicked on the ad when I launched my iQIYI app, and now here I am, writing this review after spending the entire night sorting out my thoughts after finished watching. It was quite the rollercoaster ride with this one. It felt like so much was happening simultaneously, and simply judging this drama as good or bad doesn’t quite capture its essence.

Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of the journey. Here’s why:
The characters. While a few lack depth, the main characters served their purpose beautifully until the end. Wei Zhao, the poor guy who lost his parents and ran away from home with his sister, fought relentlessly for his family and his tribe. I’m not trying to ignore the bad deeds he committed, but he never wavered from his goal and was always clear about his intentions. Then there’s the happy-go-lucky girl, Jiang Ci. She found herself on the wrong tree at the wrong time, but somehow encountered the right person. Some may argue that Jiang Ci was foolish for caring about Wei Zhao and her Master the way she did, but it aligned perfectly with her personality. She also balanced the resolute and stern Wei Zhao with her own playfulness. And there's also the lovesick puppy, Pei Yan. Bro experienced love for the first time and lost himself for a moment—which honestly frustrated me. I’m glad he finally came to his senses and realized that forcing a marriage was never a good idea to begin with.

However, when it comes to characters like the Emperor, the Master, and Madam Rong, the writing was largely subpar. These characters seem completely disconnected from reality. It feels like there isn’t enough rationale behind their despicable actions. While it's true that the Emperor didn’t physically murder his brother, he undeniably played a significant role in pushing him to his death. The Master, on the other hand, was a source of frustration for me about 80% of the time she appeared on screen. For someone who is "supposed" to be an assassin, it’s baffling how she’s managed to survive this long given her sheer stupidity. As for Madam Rong, her character arc felt mired in petty grievances from two decades ago that she simply can’t seem to move past.

Another reason I enjoyed watching this drama is the acting. The actors and actresses did an outstanding job. Even with zero physical contact (yes, no kissing scenes) between Wei Zhao and Jiang Ci throughout all 40 episodes, their relationship still feels incredibly romantic. You can argue with the wall on this one, but the way they look at each other, their shared hugs, and the mutual pining are off the charts. Truly, you don’t need toe-curling kissing scenes to define a romance, do you? 😋

And, if we're discussing the ending, it would be a blatant lie to say I’m not the slightest bit sad or disappointed with how the story unfolded. However, upon reflection, Wei Zhao was doing what he believed was best for everyone involved. He single-handedly took the blame for the Emperor's death. If he had survived, there would still be people in the palace trying to pin the blame on him, which would only implicate his tribe further.

Well, I also couldn't stop myself from sobbing as I watched Wei Zhao prepare the 'gift' for Jiang Ci. Deep down, he knew he was embarking on a suicide mission, and there was no turning back for him. He was painfully aware of how slim his chances of surviving the poison were. And the way he decorated the house, incorporating the little details that Jiang Ci had shared during their time together, just made it all the more heartbreaking.

All in all, I’m really glad I stumbled upon this drama. While there were aspects I wasn't entirely satisfied with, it didn’t diminish my overall viewing experience. This drama has easily earned a spot on my favorites list.

And oh, extra credit goes to Wei Zhao's velvety robe when he entered the slave arena. That attire was pure elegance. He strutted in with such flair, fully confident that he would come out alive. 🥳

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I wish I had watched this sooner.

While this isn't my usual genre of Chinese drama, it was undeniably captivating. I began with minimal expectations, spurred by curiosity after watching Bai Jingting's performance in another drama.

It gripped me within the first 10 to 15 minutes, a rarity in my drama-watching experience, and I ended up finishing it in less than 24 hours.

The dynamics between the leads were impeccable. The dialogue was concise, with no unnecessary or cringeworthy moments. The romantic elements were delicately balanced, with their emotions unfolding beautifully. (And I may have been overly emotional, but that scene where they shared a warm embrace by the seashore brought tears to my eyes for reasons I couldn't quite explain.)

Midway through the drama though, I was convinced that Lu Di would become their ally. I imagined the three of them forming a chaotic, yet entertaining, trio whose journey would be delightful to watch. However, I was rather sad when this did not come to pass. :[

Overall, it was an enjoyable journey! While such cooperation is rare in real life, it was heartwarming to see all the passengers work together with strangers for mutual safety. My only complaint is that I craved more—15 episodes simply weren't enough.

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From thrills to lulls

Completing this 24-episode drama marked the longest duration I've ever spent on a series of its length. It took almost an entire week of my time to reach the final episode.

Right from the start, this drama kicked off with some thrilling moments that genuinely got me excited. I couldn't help but have high expectations because of how engaging it was initially. However, as the story unfolded, I caught myself yawning after a few episodes. Even resorting to playing the drama at 1.5x speed, I still found the need to skip through certain parts.

But well, let's delve into the pros and cons.
Pros :
― Wardrobe sorcery. The costume design team must have wielded some kind of sorcery because the outfits worn by the characters were incredibly stylish and visually stunning,
― Charming casts. The actors and actresses brought their characters to life with such charm that it's nearly impossible to pick a favorite.
― Enchanting sets. The settings, particularly those depicting the Gong Residence, were nothing short of breathtaking. Every detail in these locations was meticulously crafted. The attention to detail and the aesthetic appeal of the sets enhanced the immersion and realism of the storyline.
― Stunning fighting scenes. Nearly all the fighting scenes in the drama are a visual treat. The choreography and execution of these sequences are not just action-packed but also aesthetically pleasing.
― Comedic relief. Gong Zishang's presence on screen never failed to bring a smile to my face with her antics. I just wish there was more exploration of her character. While she was designated as the weapon expert, her character didn't receive enough depth or opportunity to shine beyond providing laughs.

Cons :
― Slow-paced. The narrative slows down significantly from the middle to the end, creating a somewhat draggy pace that tested my patience.
― Excessive close-ups. Initially, the close-up shots on faces added a cinematic touch, but their overuse became a distraction. As the saying goes, too much of anything is good for nothing.
― Makeup mishaps. Some male characters suffered from poorly done makeup, giving off an amateurish vibe. The colors used didn't complement their skin tones.
― Too many whispers and boring conversations. It felt unnecessarily drawn out and contributed to moments of boredom throughout the drama.
― Lackluster overall story. The narrative leaves much to be desired. Aside from assisting Gong Ziyu in becoming the Sword Wielder and eliminating elites from Wufeng, the plot lacks substantial development. Particularly, Yun Weishan's character deserved more attention and depth.
― The open ending. Generally, I don't mind open endings, but in this drama, I found it unnecessary. It left me pondering its purpose—was it an attempt at creating a cliffhanger or did it serve a narrative intention I missed? I don't know. Perhaps an open ending would make sense if the production team planned another season. However, rumors indicate otherwise. So, consequently, the open ending feels like a detriment to the story― it feels like it's just there to disrupt the narrative flow and test my patience.

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Gripping start, slippery finish

I'm not entirely sure where to begin because this drama left me with a whirlwind of mixed feelings. The first half was exhilarating, keeping me on the edge of my seat, but from episode 20 onward, it felt like everything started to unravel into a chaotic mess.

It’s as though the drama desperately wanted to inject more excitement with some unexpected plot twists, but unfortunately, they just didn’t hit the mark. Instead of adding depth, these twists only served to complicate the storyline, making it increasingly disjointed and hard to follow.

There were several aspects that really bothered me, but the worst offender was the depiction of the equipment in the control room. This was supposed to be a high-tech environment, where characters were dealing with the complexities of consciousness, the brain, and other advanced scientific concepts. Yet, the control room looked like it was cobbled together from a low-budget music or recording studio. It irked me to no end watching the characters randomly press and twist buttons, completely undermining the gravity of what they were supposed to be doing. It felt like a slap in the face to anyone expecting a serious portrayal of cutting-edge technology.

Another glaring issue was the sudden transfer of Chun Yu’s father’s consciousness to Uncle Lin. It made absolutely no sense—none at all. Sure, I get that it’s a sci-fi drama, but even within that genre, the reasoning they provided was absurdly weak. It felt like a lazy attempt to introduce a shocking twist, but without any solid foundation to back it up, it just came across as nonsensical.

It seems the writers were aiming for a dramatic revelation to explain the villain's motivations, but once again, it fell flat. The attempt at adding depth to the villain’s backstory was so poorly executed that it only highlighted the overall sloppiness of the writing.

By the time I hit episode 20, my patience had worn thin. I ended up watching everything at 2x speed, and even then, I found myself fast-forwarding through scenes that dragged on with no real purpose. It’s a shame because the drama started with so much potential, only to lose its way in such a disappointing manner.

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An appetizer, not a meal

With Ma Dong Seok as the main lead, not gonna lie, my expectations soared. And while I wasn't let down, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was so much more story to tell. A movie just didn't seem like enough; this tale deserved for a longer format, perhaps a 6 to 8 episode series, to truly dive into its depths.

I personally felt that the movie missed an opportunity to delve deeper into the aftermath of the earthquake, exploring the lives of the people affected and shedding more light on why the doctor descended into madness. The three-year time jump after the earthquake left me wanting more— craving a more thorough exploration of the characters' journeys.

Additionally, the movie could also have expanded on the mad doctor's research, providing a more detailed and scientifically grounded explanation for his actions. Perhaps I also missed a crucial detail, but I found myself confused about the significance of the laceration or whatever it was on the back of their ears. I think more explanation or context around this detail would have been helpful in understanding its importance to the story.

The part when they discussed the mission to rescue the girl, I couldn't help but anticipate one epic journey ahead. Yet, it felt a tad too short-lived. The irony wasn't lost on me when the military woman emphasized the tight security at the apartment, only for the team to effortlessly breach the building, adding a humorous twist to the situation.

Despite its brevity, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this movie. And of course, action-wise, Ma Dong Seok always delivers, never failing to captivate the audience with his prowess on screen.

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