Best drama EVER
This is the very first C-drama when I started watching Chinese dramas about 2 years ago... And also the best drama i've watched so far.To be honest, I didn't understand the drama at all when I first watched it but when I understood it, it felt very touching.
Especially the ending OST ' Tan YunXi (叹云兮) ' is extremely touching.
I'll only say a single sentence about my jie @ Ju Jingyi. : She is really, really good.
About ZZH, I don't have any opinion on him.
All in all, this is a top drama and worth watching many times over and over again (i've watched it 6 times)!
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The plot was fine until the last ~10 episodes where things became convoluted. I also admittedly skimmed through a lot of the emperor and harem parts, and some of the various princes' scenes, because clearly I was here for the romance. Aside from the lead couple, I enjoyed Ning Jing and Tang Li's storyline - maybe she was a little over-the-top at times but they were a funny and cute pair. I loved Xi Feng, because I can never resist a loyal right-hand man. I didn't care for Qi Shao either way, but I disliked him in the end when he tried to make Yun Xi's choice for her.
Speaking of the ending, I have to say that I prefer the epilogue episode 50 version of the ending. I find the actual ending too contrived. Still, overall I loved this drama and I couldn't stop watching it!
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Head-over-heels in love with this! Cried out like a river and swooned like a teenager! LOL
What made this drama most special for me was that it really hit me hard I couldn't imagine it would. The storyline maybe long and seemingly complex at the start with all the politics ; but, it's all worth it as how the story develops! The main leads chemistry is undeniably strong I find them so perfect! Casting truly plays a significant role in a romance drama and the team did a perfect job here! I recall started watching this drama at night and when I reached ep3 during the main leads first encounter, I couldn't stop anymore LOL.This is my all-time fave!
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This review may contain spoilers
So many emotions after watching this show. Wow. I’ll be blunt and say that this drama took me a while to finish. It was not something that I could continuously just binge. I had to binge a few episodes, take a couple days or a week off, and then binge some more. This drama started off very well, lost me a bit in the middle, and then picked it back up towards the end. I liked the interactions between both the main male lead/ female lead and 2nd lead/female lead. I liked the character progression between both sets and the way the writers fleshed it out. One thing I will say is that this drama had a more realistic love story progression when compared to other Chinese period historical dramas. The leads had an arranged marriage that was set by the emperor’s mother and their love story progressed AFTER their marriage. While some people may not like this, I thought the direction that the writers took it in was good.
The actors portrayed their roles very well. You could see Yun Xi’s growing admiration + love for Long Fei Ye, Fei Ye’s jealousy whenever Yun Xi interacted with Gu Qi Shao, and Gu Qi Shao’s unattainable yet irrevocable love for Yun Xi. The chemistry between all of the leads was great and that’s part of the reason I continued to watch beyond the first few episodes. The side couples (Tang Li and Ninjing) also had great chemistry, especially towards the end. The main reason that I said that the ending recaptured my interest was because of this pair. Their interactions, and Tang Li finally realizing that he loved Ninjing was probably one of my top scenes in this show. The villains did their job well and made us all hate them and root for their downfall. The side characters (nanny Zhao, Fei Ye’s mother, Xifeng) all did their role and helped move along the plot in a positive direction.
The music for the most part was great as well. The actress that played the female lead (Ju Jing Yi) sang the main songs and they were absolutely beautiful. I actually went and purchased the songs on iTunes so that I could listen to them whenever I wanted to. However, there is this one bit of retro music (you’ll know it when you here it) that was played at random intervals and scenes that ruined the scenes a bit and took away the attention from the actual drama.
However, I think it’s only fair that I address the weak points of this drama as well for this to be an honest review. There were more than a few WTF moments in this drama. Scenes were Yun Xi JUST forgave Fei Ye with no explanation whatsoever and got mad at other characters for smaller reasons or scenes were the solution would just magically appear in a rushed way, or scenes where there was so much miscommunication and lack of conversation between the lead pair and the side pairs are just a few examples. These scenes, while they didn’t ruin the drama for me, definitely made the drama a bit annoying to watch. I also wish there were more cute moments between the main leads. I am not saying to make every episode all romantic and cute, but I would’ve liked more interactions between the leads instead of having like 5 episodes at a time where they wouldn’t talk to one another or be in the same vicinity as each other.
All in all, I think everyone should give this drama a chance. A lot of people don’t want to start watching it because of the ending. If that is the reason, it shouldn’t stop you. The one good thing about this ending is that you can essentially pick your ending. If you want closure, watch EP. 50 ending on YouTube (sad ending). If you want a happy yet ambiguous ending, watch EP. 48 on YouTube. If you want a happy and more explained ending (which is what I chose) watch EP. 49 on YouTube that includes the bracelet explanation.
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if you're reading this wondering if you should watch, i think you should! this isn't the kind of drama i usually watch, actually i think this is my first time watching this kind of drama, and i enjoyed it very much.
there are so many things i was thinking when i was about writing my review but now i find it hard to put in words how much i loved this drama. from the plot to the characters to the music it was really fun to watch (even though i cried a lot) and 48 episodes didn't feel long at all. there are some parts that are a little bit boring and also a lot of sad stuff that i found unnecessary and that's why i am giving it a 8.5 overall.
but still, i strongly recommend it to anyone! also the main couple is one of the cutest i've seen; they have a beautiful relationship despite of going through so much to be together. i love them very much ^^
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This review may contain spoilers
When everything is stupid
Watching this show was truly a chore. All of the characters were unlikable with no real motivation or common sense. The show used every cliche, trope, stereotype under the sun - dorky FL, a jealous side chick, misunderstandings, withholding information, separating for no reason, mother-in-law from hell, accusations without any evidence. Everything was stupid.I am glad I watched Ju Jing Yi's work in backwards chronological order starting with In Blossom. Otherwise, I'd stop on this show. Yunxi was a carbon copy of Fu Rong from The Blooms at Ruyi Pavilion, the same clueless turd who became bffs with a man with questionable motivations and identity. She completely trusted him and was blissfully unaware of his feelings for her while being married to someone else. I cringed when silly Ningjing had to explain to her that running around with a man who wasn't her husband was problematic. Moreover, Yunxi was portrayed as kind and intelligent. Apparently, feeding one person diarrhea poison and threatening another with bad marriage was considered "kind". Just no.
Most of the secondary characters were either forgettable or annoying. Ningjing and Tang Li were unbearable together. They bickered constantly for no reason whatsoever because the writers decided that two adults acting like toddlers was funny. Ningjing was only tolerable when she was in the company of other people. Telling Yunxi that running around with Qishao was no bueno was probably the highlight of her character development.
The plot was a directionless mess. Most of it consisted of forced tension based on the characters' complete lack of common sense. All this nonsensical drama could've been easily avoided if everyone did the obvious, like telling the truth. Watching characters consistently making stupid decisions caused me nothing but second-hand embarrassment. Their actions ranged from withholding important information because reasons, bringing jealous side chicks into a married couple's home, refusing to be rescued, and so on. Feiye never seemed to know where his wife was. They kept separating for nonsensical reasons again and again because we needed more tension. "How did we end up like this?" You literally did not. All you needed was to talk to each other. None of their angst was justified because the problems were laughably superficial. It's like the drama was written by high school students. Stupid tropes everywhere.
You won't be missing much if you skip most scenes in the last 15 episodes. The show was just so damn boring. Most conversations were filled with fluff and should've been cut by half to get the point across. If there was urgency to do anything, the characters ended up not doing it and talked about their feelings instead. Nothing made sense and everything was stupid.
Romantic chemistry between ML and FL was passable, even though romance was not the main focus of the story. This brings us to the incomprehensible Chinese censorship. Mature romantic chemistry between a married couple that goes beyond grade school antics is problematic, but Long Feiye's naked a** is totally fine. Is anyone else confused? I know I am.
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This is a triangular romance story, although it is clear who the heroine would choose a few episodes into the story. I think Chinese drama is highly predictable in this element. The hero and heroine would not make a choice outside of questionable moral principles.
The weakness in Chinese dramas is always in the story - may I say unrealistic. The heros and heroines are often near perfect: good-looking (although this is an important factor), kind-hearted, untainted, filial, smart and capable. Sacrificing for their love is always a common theme, and they are always faithful to each other. Life is not quite like this. Keeping secrets that leads to misunderstanding and a big mess up is another - perhaps this is a cultural element since Chinese is not a very communicative race. There were scenes in this drama which would make you question the realism of it. In this case, it is Baili MingXiang - she was always there at the right moment to overhear the important secrets.
The drama had a young cast who did very well. I must add I find the second male lead, Merxat, very handsome. It seems the Uyghur province produces some very good looking actors and actresses, Diraba being the female actress I can quickly recall.
It seems readers only read the early reviews. I am not sure if anyone would read this far down. Click the find it useful button if you do, so I would know.
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I really liked how the main lead (Yun Xi) has a specialty with poison and is able to stand up for herself based on this ability. She has the guts to do what she thinks she's right and she doesn't need a man to block all the arrows for her. Even so, it's still so heart-warming when the Duke comes to help her :").
Every episode contains something important and is worth watching every minute of it. To me, Yun Xi's ability to transform the Duke from being cold-hearted and domineering to a caring husband is the most... interesting. This may be because of Zhang Zhe Han's acting, which is really commendable. His eyes gave me the feeling that he is a very distant person with a lot of secrets (and I guess that's true).
This drama has piqued my interest and I'm currently reading the Chinese book - ????? Comparatively, to the drama, the book is much more exciting (and complicated) due to the long story plot. If you're missing Yun Xi and Fei Ye, try reading the book!
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This review may contain spoilers
Plot holes galore
There's a dearth of good historical palace dramas which is why I latched on to this after it popped up on many lists of dramas to watch. Initially, I liked the plot and how the main leads were introduced to the audience, however, by episode 20, everything felt flat, repetitive, and stupid. In particular, I disliked the actress who played the female lead (a character that seemed to lose brain cells as the drama progressed) who is one of these fluffy, limp noodle actresses who litter the c drama landscape like a weed. She's not pretty and her acting is laughable. Seriously, I wonder how the female industry veterans feel having to watch these no-talent, stick-thin barbies get multiple jobs. Aside from the FL, there were many characters who either overacted (i.e the Emperor) while some were clearly coasting (the guy who played the Crown Prince).Why is it so difficult to find solid palace dramas with smart/intelligent heroines?
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✰The cast: The main characters Ju Jing Yi and Zhang Zhe Han has such a good chemistry oh my god. Not to mention, they are both beautiful and great at acting. Lin Si Yi is also another actress that just makes me love re-watching the drama over and over again, she is so cute and supportive.
✰How did I find this drama: To be honest, I did not hear about this drama from my drama group or anywhere until I clicked on the tag 'arranged marriage'. I read many novels on arranged marriages before but it is rare to find a drama/movie where arranged marriages are actually good. This one is perfect.
✰What I love the most about this drama: I really liked watching Fei Ye's coldness slowly melt as he spends time with Yun Xi. I'm not even going to get started on how cute he was when he got jealous- IT WAS SO CUTE IAFDVDFK HELP
✰The theme song: It matched very well with the drama. I love it a lot, especially the ending song. The ending song is titled "Sigh" and is by Ju Jingyi if anyone is curious. It's very beautiful and the lyrics makes me more emotional lmao.
✰The ending: I won't lie, I cried for a good 2 minutes. I got really attached to the characters and seeing them separate made me very sad and emotional. Please watch the drama, you won't regret it. It is a beautiful drama that is fun to watch and will make you feel soft at some point. Thanks for reading my review, have a nice day/night!
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