This review may contain spoilers
"Sword and Fairy 1" is like a warm hug from an old friend, whisking me back to the golden days of Chinese fantasy dramas while adding a dash of new excitement. Even with a new cast, the magic of the original characters shines through, making me fall in love with them all over again.Credit must be given to He Yu for his portrayal of Xiao Yao, infusing the character with a rare blend of charm, vulnerability, and unwavering devotion. Xiao Yao's romance with Ling'er was adorable. Though I wasn't rooting for them, I love how in this version, he stayed loyal all till the end. His heart was set on Ling'er. Yang Yu Tong did great as Ling'er too. I couldn't help but compared her to LYF version, and though she was very beautiful and did well with the character, I still can't imagine anyone else playing Ling'er other than LYF. In the end, XY and LE has always been lovers, meant to find one another and fall in love all over again.
Now...on to my favorite character- From the moment Yue Ru graces the screen with her presence, she commands attention with her vibrant personality and unyielding spirit. Headstrong and loud, she was definitely a force to be reckoned with, unapologetically carving her own path. Something that had always stood out to me about Yue Ru in both version was her remarkable depth of character. Beneath her fiery exterior lies a heart of gold, brimming with kindness and unwavering loyalty to those she holds dear. Despite her flaws and imperfections, she remains true to herself, refusing to conform to societal norms or compromise her values for the sake of acceptance.
I have always rooted for XY and YR to be endgame. They're chemistry stole my heart. Xiao Yao and Yue Ru are like fire and ice—constantly bickering and bantering, yet undeniably drawn to each other like magnets. Xiao Yao and Yue Ru had unwavering loyalty and fierce determination to protect one another. Despite their differences and frequent squabbles, when push comes to shove, they stand side by side, ready to leap into action without a moment's hesitation. They may not be romantically involved, but in each other, they find a kindred spirit, a confidant, and a true soulmate.
*I loved that in episode 34, they used the same OST from the '05 version for LYR*
What this version did well was the trio's dynamic, XY, LE, and YR, is the unwavering support and devotion they show towards one another. No matter the obstacles they face or the dangers that lurk in the shadows, they stand united, ready to lend a helping hand or leap into action at a moment's notice. XY never wavers in his commitment to protect and support his friends, even if it means putting his own life on the line. Likewise, Ling'er and Yue Ru prove time and time again that they're more than just damsels in distress—they're formidable allies who can hold their own in the face of adversity.
Not every character's journey resonated with me quite as deeply as others. For instance, the romance between Tang Yu and Ah Nu failed to captivate my heart in the same way as the original version did. Perhaps it was the portrayal of Tang Yu by the actor, or maybe it was simply a matter of personal preference, but their love story didn't leave as lasting an impression on me as others did. However, amidst the myriad of characters, one stood out —Liu Jin Yuan. Despite his frail appearance, Liu Jin Yuan possesses a strength of character and wisdom that far surpasses his physical limitations. His intelligence, kindness, and unwavering courage make him a truly admirable figure, earning him a special place in my heart.
Let's talk about those fight scenes—nicely choreographed! The choreography is on point, the actors did great with all the moves. It's like watching a dance, but with swords. The OST's were great.
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A faithful adaptation of the original work
It is a drama adapted from the first Chinese game I played, and it has been over 25 years. Thanks to this drama, I have revisited the emotions of 25 years ago. For me, this drama is extraordinary.As for the Xianxia drama, this drama has the following advantages:
1. Fighting scenes, the combat part is better than the vast majority of XIAN XIA dramas
2. It is closer to the concept of chivalry in traditional Chinese culture, which is not found in the vast majority of XIAN XIA dramas nowadays
For those who haven't played games before, this drama may be a bit unfriendly
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This review may contain spoilers
50-50
I was disappointed with the ending of the drama, or rather, I found the ending to be unclear.While the beginning was promising, especially with the introduction of all the main characters, I only found the story truly interesting after 30th episode. Although there were some good scenes scattered throughout the drama, overall, I found it to be quite boring.
Personally, I found Tan Yu's love story more engaging than the main leads' storyline, but unfortunately, as a second lead couple, they didn't get as much screen time.
The actors and actresses did a great job, giving it their all, but the story itself didn't leave much of an impact.
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Unwavering Loyalty: Ling Yue Ru Shines as the True Heroine in Both Versions.
Okay, I'll start my rant...It deeply bothers me when a love story lacks a solid foundation; it simply doesn't resonate with me.
Many dramas begin their love stories with love at first sight, attempting to depict it as everlasting. They put the lead characters through numerous struggles and trials to sustain their love, showing unwavering commitment and determination to keep their relationship alive. They call it character development. The same formula is applied here, but disappointingly, there's minimal character development in the male lead even by the series' end.
The male lead, Li Xiao Yao, exhibits zero character growth:
What prompts the male lead to agree to marry FL in the first place? Just because he saw something about their past or future? Is that reason enough for marriage? He goes ahead and marries her without questioning further. Sure, Linger is adorable, but that's hardly a reason to accept her proposal outright. Their love story is established within the first few episodes, and the rest of the episodes show him falling for her more and more. That’s it...
He always makes fun of the SFL just because she strong , outspoken and is completely opposite to the FL. I dislike how he calls her a tomboy and always mocks her, making fun of her. Can't he see how hurt she feels? Has he ever considered her emotions? I'm not suggesting he should reciprocate her feelings, but even a small act of kindness could bring her some happiness. Whenever the trio is together, he always leaves her alone and have fun with the female lead. He fails to understand her true nature and wrongs her, saying he and Linger are burdened to her. Just imagine how she must feel after all she's done for them. I'm so invested in Yue Ru's character that I find myself moved to tears.
Yes, The grief he felt when SFL died is understandable because he never expected that she would sacrifice herself to save him and linger, and he can never make up to her for how he treated her because she is no more.
ML is not a horrible person, but he fails to see through people and understand them.
I don't understand why people hate the sSFL(Yue Ru). She is, without a doubt, the most remarkable character in the series. She remains true to herself, refusing to conform to societal expectations merely because she's a girl. Beneath her tough exterior lies a heart of gold, and her loyalty to her friends is unwavering. She's the only character in the drama with profound depth. Yes, she always sticks around the male lead, which many might find annoying, but she has a clear reason to do that. How can she leave her friends alone when they're in danger?
Now, let's talk about our female lead, Linger: She's by far the most frustrating character. She's constantly whining and crying over Xiao Yao. At one point, I found myself skipping her scenes altogether. She lacks the courage to openly communicate with him or confront him with her true self, always listening to others and leaving him in the name of saving him.
The difference between the original and this version:
Hu Ge's portrayal of Xiaoyao had a delightful comedic flair. We enjoyed the playful banter between him and the second female lead, and he was far more likable compared to this rendition.
The only redeeming aspect is that the storyline is better than SF4 and SF6. Everything else falls short...
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Friendship, brotherhood
I liked the series. I watched it with interest. Were there any parts I didn't like? Yes. Were there any mistakes? Yes. But I don't want to talk about these. Because I watched the series with interest until the end and generally liked it. First of all, friendship and brotherhood are discussed. It was very emotional in some parts. It made me sad that the heroes died. I was especially saddened by the death of Yueri's character. His words before he died seemed to indicate that he would die. Like let's always be together, never be apart, let's grow old together. Even the fact that the man she loved was excluded as a lover because he loved someone else did not affect her. He continued his friendship and brotherhood. This really impressed me. I am sad. The deaths of Tang Yu., the character who had to be bad but tried to be good because he loved him, the Female General, the immortal master winemaker, and the fairy butterfly, had an impact. Finally, Ling Er went to her death. The series ended before I could feel it. Looks like there's more to come. What I mean is that there were very emotional, sad scenes and an ending. But I felt the love, warmth and friendship in the series. I especially liked He Yu.'s performance. This kid has acted in good TV series lately and proven himself. I think he will be a sought-after star. I liked your game. It is also successful in activation. It suits me too. Yang Yu Tong, on the other hand, seems a little more subdued. I last saw him in a small role in the TV series Faithful. I liked it very much. Maybe that's why he was offered the lead role in this series, or maybe it was because of his bravery. Because there may have been some people who didn't want to shoot the snake scenes. In my opinion, the role may not have suited him. I do not know. I guess it wasn't the first name thought of. He also portrayed a good character as A Nu in Hu Yi Xuan from the TV series Faithful. I like. He was also very successful in Faithful. He was successful here too. Likewise, I also really liked Xu Hao, who played the character Yueru. Was very good. Overall the cast was good. But I would like to say that I did not find some of the actors, especially Yu Tong, good in this drama. For example, I couldn't understand what Zeng Li was doing. Why did you waste such an actor here, he was so funny in the role you gave him. I didn't like the role given. It didn't happen. I didn't like the actor playing the king. It didn't happen. There were deficiencies in CAST. You must fit the selected actor well into the role you have chosen. Suitable for his role. He should give his due. It's a shame to cast a good actor in an unfair role. Because the role isn't worth a damn. I have seen such shortcomings. But overall it was nice. Well done to those who worked hard. I recommend it to those who haven't watched it. Watch.Was this review helpful to you?
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Annoying screen presence for the 2nd lady's romance... loses big way to Hu Ge's Chinese Palladin 1
The graphics are so good in this tv show;I don't remember this annoying Miss Lin character in the Chinese paladin show... as she does not come this much in the shows. This is more from the Director's keen interest to bring the triangle love story and female drama.
If the genders are reversed, then its called Harassment... When you clearly know the other two are couple, what's the point of sticking around? When a man does this, he looks like a harasser ... and its the same for a women too...
Heroine is ok ... and Hero is ok and the Second Lady is ok. This mindset comes to the Ladies only...
For a male its ok, its very tempting to have more than one lady ... . but if this is about the deep romance, I will definitely be happy to let go the distractions and stick to my girl.
Its a sad thing, women can't make decision on their own and they need another girl to constantly make them work hard for the man... This is why this setup works ...
Other than this character screen presence this show... so I try to fast forward all her scenes :-)
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