Love the main ML, disappointing FL!!
I don’t usually write reviews… but omg I’m so disappointed in the casting for the female FL :/I have been looking forward to this costume drama since it was announced and with all the delay in airing… I was so happy to finally be able to see as I enjoy a good costume drama especially with actor Xiao Zhan, he is not only a good actor, his role is clearly depicted in his acting. On the other hand we have the main FL I dunno what they were thinking but acting skills is on a total different level - she acts like a B-rated actress, like i those cheesy dramas. I just find her acting annoying, it doesn’t flow, sounds more like a spoiled brat in her lines.
I will watch further to see if her acting improves but I’m not crossing my fingers….uuugh
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Unquestionably bad Chemistry
The storyline with the first 20 episodes is ok, but the most debilitating aspect to this show is the Chemistry.The main actress is cute in the first few episodes and when she supposedly matured in some scenes, she still has a tendency to look down the ground like a waif.
The main guy is supposedly her master but he doesn’t seem to have ‘that’ presence. Chemistry is hard to manufacture. The screen may show if there is chemistry in the characters.
Cinematography is cool. Acting is plain so-so.
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This review may contain spoilers
Disappointing
Not sure if I'll drop a spoiler, so I'm putting the warning up.Ok, I love Chinese costume drama.... and of course I have some favorite actors. I have only stuck around this long because of the ML. The FL though is grating on my last nerve.
I don't know if I'm the only one, but she greatly portrays the same characteristics of female villains. I find her pretty unlikeable.
I'm still trying to finish this, only because I have nothing else to watch right now.
Maybe things will improve, doubtful though.
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DILEMMA WITH XIAO ZHAN (HE IS TOO BEAUTIFUL)
Alright before everyone slap me with vicious comment, I think Xiao Zhan is way too handsome for any female actresses to become his compatible co-star. That's it, but at least the production team should have choose a skill actress as a FL rather than this one. As banished Royal Prince Shi Ying, Xiao Zhan was immaculate, dignified, serene, preserved, a perfect gentleman for a prince. Cultivated in seclusion, once solely focused on his tasks, he develops romantic feelings for his disciple Zhu Yan but their student/teacher relationship prevents either from expressing their true feelings. The thing is Ren Min not up to the task, with a big nose and raspy bangs she wasn't a typical female that would melt an outstanding prince's heart to have a happily ever after. She's okey when doing modern drama but poorly not this. I might be over estimated Shi Ying a reclusive young handsome prince might not be down to any girl but he's fallen to the silliest girl. Someone that wearing her heart (on her sleeve) is more suitable actress to partner with Xiao Zhan's beautiful romantic feature. I can't think anyone better suitable as his co-star. I do think they miscast the FL, her acting was average, her character (& voice) was annoying, the plots weren't new. OR if it wasn't Xiao Zhan, Ren Min might have a better luck with this drama, IDK.Of course, I dropped this drama soon after realize that this duo didn't bring emotional drive that they intended to, it's mismatch casting. Ep 1-8 wasn't interesting, I think I gave them enough chance. I also find Xian Xia genre doesn't catch my attention. All that flashes, magic, and all the stint, it loses integrity of acting skill and creativity, it's all about digital works. The concept of story line is overly used. Xiao Zhan should do better in choosing script.
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The cinematography and CGI of this fantasy drama are superb!!
The premise is not new but the acting of the male and female leads are very good!! The supporting roles are also quite good! The CGI is the best!! I have watch 10 episodes in WETV and could not wait the next ones! I don't care about the appearance of the actors as long as they act very well in the drama and the plot is not outrageous. This drama has a very good plot IMO! The cinematography is absolutely wonderful and excellent!! The CGI is also the best so far compared to previous fantasy drama that I have watch!Was this review helpful to you?
Visual feast
Beautiful to watch! The attention to detail in the costumes, sets, props and cinematography makes for an exquisite visual experience. Superbly shot scenes such as flower bridge, dance, sword play, bird flight, magic and xianxia are feasts for the eyes. Excellent acting . Xiao Zhan as Shi Ying and Ren Min as Zhu Yan plus fine job by other cast, especially Li Ming De as Chongming, Fang Yilun as Zhi Yuan and Wang Zi Qi as Qing Gang.Cold and aloof priest Shi Ying lived an isolated life on JuiYi mountain until bubbly princess Zhu Yan intruded into his solitary life. I'm loving everything about this drama and look forward to how the fateful love story unfolds. Have already rewatched every episode on Tencent WeTV and will rewatch again on Netflix.
Synopsis from Tencent app:
The series tells the story of the lonely and indifferent Kongsang prince Shiying and the passionate and righteous princess Zhu Yan of the Chi nationality who form a long-term relationship, stay together and overcome difficulties together. The story of the play takes place in a fantasy continent called "Yunhuang" … a fantasy mountain scene with grand architectural scale and profound Zen for the audience. As the narrative unfolds, the emotional line and the career line run parallel. Not only there is a romantic story of fateful love, but also elements such as family and country righteousness and inspirational growth run through it, explaining the righteous mission of the main characters to protect the common people and set their hearts for all things.
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The Longest Promise - great storyline, acting, CGI...
I have finished 6 episodes of its 40 episodes and so glad it has 40 episodes because I can't get enough of it. Since The Longest Promise is a xianxia genre, there will be lots of CGI. So far, it has not disappoint. It's realistically done and not exaggerated. As for the acting, the cast is doing a fabulous job, especially Xiao Zhan who portrays Shi Ying. His acting is impeccable, and I appreciate that he's using his own voice! The costumes look exquisite, heavenly, and luxurious with their details. The story flows at a nice pace. Like I said, I can't get enough of this drama. Looking forward to each day of its airing.Was this review helpful to you?
My all time favorite drama
The Longest Promise is finally here, the excitement, I have been waiting everyday for this drama to air!I can’t believe I watched 6 episodes in a blink and thirsty for more. This is my first time watching Ren Min and she is great, I find her cute with natural beauty, she is not that type of annoying typical female lead always getting male lead in trouble. Her acting are natural not too cringe or awkward.
Of course, I am here for Xiao Zhan, he is never disappointed, his visual are over the top sometimes I got so distracted, how could a man so mesmerizing and ethereal. I am enjoying every moment and no time for skipping.
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請留下惡意評論，他們有什麼理由？對鄰居沒有任何價值或愛的空虛之人不應該傷害那些只做自己喜歡做的事情的人的思想。肖戰和整個演員陣容都很棒。我喜歡這個故事和服裝。事實是，我關注XZ的事業好幾年了，每次他都成為更好的演員、歌手，但是
請留下惡意評論，他們有什麼理由？對鄰居沒有任何價值或愛的空虛之人不應該傷害那些只做自己喜歡做的事情的人的思想。 ♥️
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Decide to continue watching
I watched this drama to 6 episode so far and I like to write my review. First, I like the story so far ,some part make you laugh ( not like the type that unreasonable force laugh ) and some part may make you really sad and grief for ML . Second is acting part, all member portraying their part really well and I feel like this drama deserve to give high point ( not sure about later part though ) . It's disappointing that CG part is not so good in some part ( especially Chong Min bird 😑 ) but it doesn't bother me from watching 😁. To be conclude ,I like this drama a lot ( ML is so handsome and MC is cute 😁😁😁 )Was this review helpful to you?
disappointing and confusing
Since Xiao Zhan is a popular idol I thought they would put more work into this drama but it's pretty disappointing everywhere from script to acting to production. A whole 6 episodes have gone by like this and it's simply not up to standard given the budget they are working with.Plot as always is the biggest problem and it is very confusing if you haven't read the book. We start off episode 1 in the middle of a major plot point which is given no introduction. Sometimes this can work but the necessary background to the mermaid race, the lore of the way magic works, and so on are only vaguely implied through side character monologues instead of clearly explained. Further, each successive episode keeps piling on a handful of new characters from the source material and quickly jumping between them. It's hard to remember faces let alone backstory. Thus a whole bunch of people die in opening episodes without eliciting any emotional connection, which is just poor planning. Let me add that the source material is itself full of plot holes but the adaptation does not fix them, and all sorts of crazy coincidences and illogical decisions happen in order for the story to advance.
Central to the plot is supposed to be the romance but it's extremely strange due to the age gap and bad acting. Xiao Zhan has a very mature feeling from the beginning, after all he is thirty. Meanwhile Ren Ming as Zhu Yan very clearly is meant to be a young girl and spends her first few episodes dealing with teenager level cat fights. There's nothing inherently wrong with that but it makes it very strange that she becomes his only love interest. It doesn't help that the acting of the leads is lacking. Ren Ming is ok but her character is girly so can come across as tedious. However Xiao Zhan is also very limited, he is fine when he is acting like a cool guy but no good at expressing emotion in a natural way, e.g. the tribulation scene was so awkward.
The drama also has many embarrassing production details for something of this budget. For example, a villain speaks with a darth vader sound effect; it's very clear from the dance scenes none of the actresses have meaningful dance training (one of them was visibly struggling to maintain an upright pose in episode 5) but they insist on all of these long dance scenes; and low quality CGI animals are used.
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Storyline and acting
The longest promise really delivered the long awaited promise. The drama is packed with stellar acting from Xiao Zhan, Ren Min and other costars who worked hard to convey the beautiful storyline. You won't find a dull moment, because every characters do justice. There is no dull stoic male lead here, Xiao Zhan carries the drama alongside Ren Min bringing you a more dynamic love story. I totally recommend you to watch Shiying and Zhu Yan's extraordinary story and top quality acting from all the casts. Happy Watching and Re-watching!!Was this review helpful to you?
