This review may contain spoilers
Definitely Recommend
Wow. Hmm. Where to start.Firstly, all the actors/actresses in the show seem to have such great chemistry with one another. For me, it was Gai Shu and Ling Lin that had great chemistry with not only one another but with the main leads as well. I always look forward to scenes where they appear with the main leads. Their presence never fail to make a scene so familial and full of care and concern for the main leads that I just feel like the show did them dirty by not giving them a proper conclusion.
Secondly, the soundtrack was great. Zhou Shen’s voice is heavenly. This is the only show where I sit through the theme song of every single episode because of how nice it was. Ren Jia Lun and Tan Song Yun also contributed to the OST and their songs fit the atmosphere of the scenes really well too. The instrumental OST are also pleasing to the ear.
Thirdly, the acting. The villain, Yan Shi Fan, was awesomely horrible. I’ve never been truly scared of any antagonist in my life but this one made me thank the lords I wasn’t born in the same era as him.
My favourite character has got to be Lu Yi. I’m totally smitten. Mind you, I have never fallen head over heels for any male characters from a drama before. Lu Yi is the first. I’m now officially a fan of Ren Jia Lun and will probably watch every other Gu Zhuang Xi he acted/will act in.
Other honorable mentions would be Jin Xia and Zhai Lan Ye. We all know Jin Xia is adorable and vivacious. But Zhai Lan Ye was another character that stood out for me. She is truly the human embodiment of the phrase “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”.
Lan Qing Xuan also stood out for me. However, I was under the impression he had a tragic back story related to Yan Jia that would reveal why he was so willing to help get rid of them. That back story never came so I am a bit confused? What was his motivation to bring them down? Was it because of what happened to his master and disciple? It didn’t feel like a strong enough reason to compel him to forsake his own life to do so though. Or maybe I just didn’t understand the story lol.
My only complaint with this show was that there were too many scenes of supporting characters like Shang Guan Xi and Yang Yue. Fortunately I could adjust the playback speed to 1.5x whenever they appeared or I would have died of boredom. Took her 30 episodes to stop simping for Xie Xiao, who was an equally irritating character. He also didn’t even take over his dad’s business in the end (and this was such a big deal in the show for his character) so my question is what happens to Wu An Bang now that both leaders are gone? The show also never really explained why Lu Yi’s mother had to die? I thought it’d be related to the main ordeal with the Xia Jia but it’s not?? Probably just a plot tool for Lu Yi to have a tragic back story I guess.
Finally, I think the whole series had a good and proper conclusion. The part where Jin Xia visited the prison every day in hopes to see Lu Yi was especially touching. This is a show I will never forget. 100% recommend! But would I ever rewatch? Not even my man, Lu Yi, can convince me to sit through the whole Yang Yue and Shang Guan Xi scenes again.
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Lovable leads & Amazing chemistry
This drama was almost perfect. The beginning was so fun, and it really drew me in. I love how Seven Tan portrayed Jin Xia in a way that was endearing instead of annoying. She brings us a FL with a truly unique personality I wish I saw more in dramas. And Lu Yi... *swoon* Allen Ren did such a good job here. He really brought the stern yet soft Lu Yi to life. The way Lu Yi looks at Jin Xia makes me wanna eat him up (iykyk ;) hehe). The middle of the drama was my favorite. It was full of such sweet fluff and angst that wasn't over the top. However, the last 10 episodes or so is where some of the magic was lost for me. It got a little trope-y and draggy. I stuck through purely out of loyalty to the main couple since the secondary couple(s) weren't anything to write home about.Overall, I definitely recommend this drama. The hilarious moments, slow-burn romance, and flaming-hot eye contact are definitely worth the sluggish ending. Not to mention, the opening song is so hauntingly beautiful it makes my heart ache... in a good way.
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Good Series
Watched this in: iQIYI[X ] As paid subscriber
[ ] Free
I consider this as
[ ] Excellent
[ X] Great
[ ] Good
[ ] Just Okay
[ ] My Mother taught me to be quiet rather than say anything bad.
As for recommendation:
[ ] Highly Recommended/Worth the Subscription Payment
[ X ] Add to your watch list
[ ] Watch if you need something to watch while waiting for a good one to release and can be seen for free.
[ ] Do not waste your time
What I like about this entire series:
[ X ] Production sets/Props used; attention to detail is evident
[ X] Wardrobes fitting scenes wellp
[ X] Artists portrayal of individual roles are good
[ ] Theme Music: opening credit, closing credit
[ X] Story and good way it was written for the screen
[ ] DIRECTOR'S creative vision and imagination translating the script into a visual form.
[ ] Awesome CGI
[ X ] Fight Choreographies are beautiful and synchronized.
What personally didn't work for me
[ ] Lead Actor's Role portrayal
[ ] Lead Actress Role Portrayal
[ ] Story
[ ] Costumes Used
[ ] Set Designs
[ ] Script Lines could have been better
[ ] Too many, too much corny & cliche scenes
[ ] Too many scenes that do not make sense at all. Inconsistencies
[ ] Too many fillers (useless scenes) to fill time.
[ ] The Director's work here can be described as "someone who got paid first, and did the bare minimum with didn't care attitude.
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Great Acting, Sweet Romance, Good Story
This drama has a very good combination of a good and interesting story that doesn't feel too draggy even though its 55 episodes. It has good character developments throughout these episodes. The story while overall has a serious plot, but also carries humour at certain moments. It has a very good combination of seriousness and funny moments.The lead actor and actress performed very well for their role, very natural and expressive of their character at the same time. I have seen this lead actor before, but he definitely out did himself in this drama with his subtle and natural acting and still expressing his feelings through its subtleness. I can feel how their emotions would be during those moments through watching them and carries me into their world. The action is decent too, not overly much, but enough to keep those who likes actions going.
The romance between the two is sweet and has a nice chemistry. Their sweet moments although often are short scenes here and there, but are all very sweet just makes you want more. The director also did well in adding the artistic side to it. Overall, It has a good balance of action, romance, decent story with a touch of comic relief and topped with great acting performance from the lead actor and lead actress.
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It's a 10!!!
I really love the main leads in the movie, amazing chemistry with great acting skills. Some movies have to rely on more affectionate scenes or kissing scenes to hook the audiences but the leads mainly eyef--- each other and that was enough to make the audiences swoon. You really see the transformation of both characters as they go through the hardships together. Over time, you can really feel the tenderness and affection they have for each other. Such tenderness is seen in their interactions and glances, not through words.Seven Tan is so good here as Jin Xia and she's terrifically funny, and I always think it's much harder to make people laugh than cry. She really made me care for her character, so lovable and also very independent, brave, loyal and caring. She's truly the heart of the movie. Allen Ren is also terrific here. He's perfect for this role, with his arrogant manners and intense gazes. He's also so dashing in his uniform; he looks the best when he's sneering at his interrogated prisoner (yum!!!). He looks even sexier in a black assassin outfit (tres sexy!!!). Both actors also refrained from overacting and their subtle glances and expressions really nailed the vital scenes.
I also love the relationships between all the characters (friendship between Jin Xia and Yang Yue, and her Sifu). Really love Madame Qui!!! What a badass!!!! I want to grow up to be like her lol. She's an mazing character and that episode with her in it was one of the best episodes of the entire movie.
The rest of the story was also entertaining, but I did have to FF some parts. It wasn't a perfect movie, like other viewers have said, there are definitely flaws, but I gave it a 10 because it's been such a long time since I felt this way about the main leads. I really fell for them!! Both of them!!
Overall, really recommend this movie!!! I have watched a lot of C-drama over the years and this is one of the few that I would rewatch!!
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Very fun to watch
This was so fun to watch. The plot was great. The acting was great and the chemistry between the two years was amazing. It’s I can honestly say that this is my first time saying that I had fun watching a series that is based on historical periods. Fact or fiction. This series was very upbeat and full of wits, adventure in a bit of mystery. There was a budding romance but it wasn’t overly romantic. It was more of that feelings developed over time and you could sense be love they have for each other and it was expressed openly so that made it even better.What I like most about this was that it was upbeat and the the truth is was absolutely fun to watch. Her personality was very lively and it stayed consistent throughout the series. Her sense of humor was perfect. I really liked it because I have seen some serious like this at force the humor but hers thing genuinely funny and her expressions were perfect as well.
I like the male lead. He stay consistent as well with his great acting as well as his demeanor throughout the series. He was loyal and very skilled. So that made it better.
I love the supporting cast as well. Be writers gave them enough screen time for you to discover who they were and how they got to where they were. You got enough information and Screen Time of them so you were able to develop an interest in them and will root for them. Overall I will be reviewing certain episodes because it was good.
20% romantic vibes
60% action
20% plotting
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A large part of why I adored this drama is Allen Ren's acting. At first, I was put off by how stone-cold and angry he looked all the time but it makes sense because he is an Imperial Guard. I really began to change my mind after watching his amazing micro-expressions that bring the character of Lu Yi to life. The way he begins to fall in love with Jin Xia is really adorable because he goes from stone-faced and furrowed brows to very slight smiles here and there. His expressions were often really on point and I replayed a lot of his scenes because of how nuanced they were. It is also really cute to see how Jin Xia begins to change his heart. I am officially an Allen Ren stan after this and plan on checking out his other dramas.
Seven Tan also did a great job playing a spunky bailiff who is strong-willed and stands her ground. The energy from her acting was great and her anguish was also conveyed well. I really like how youthful she was in the drama. My favorite thing about her is how sparkly her eyes are so when Lu Yi and Jin Xia make eye contact its really captivating. I think the romance was developed well between the leads although some may argue it is "slow" but I think the budding interactions between our leads were still cute and significant to watch and made it even better when they finally confessed to each other.
Overall, the storyline is well-developed and I did not feel like there was any filler episodes. The development of the plot from a cute rivalry between Lu Yi and Jin Xia over a missing map to a greater corruption conspiracy in the palace was well done. All the cases they investigated were relevant and all tied back together. However, I will say that the CGI was very whack and it was pretty obvious when a green screen was being used but that must be a budget thing and did not personally change how much I enjoyed the show. I would highly recommend this drama for people for people interested in strong female leads, historical dramas with a crime-solving aspect, palace corruption, and romance.
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historical, investigation, comedy drama
if you like investigation cdrama, you should watch this. allen run really acting is really legit. Allen Run play Lu Yi's role perfectly and Seven Tan play Jia Xin's role perfectly.really love the relationship between Seven Tan and Allen Run. its like watching sherlock in chinese version. THIS IS MY FIRST DRAMA OF RENJIALUN. since this drama, i started to love ren jia lun more and more.
in here, jia lun is a cold guy and jia xin is smart but playful girl.
Story: the story plot will get a little bit boring in the middle. but the opening episode is so wow. i am a type of person that continue to watch drama if the 1st episode is attracting.
after finished, this drama, the song playlist become my fav playlist for a week. can't stop replaying the OST. you guys should hear it.
this is one of the OST title: 心墙 - 任嘉伦
just google on youtube. you will find the lyrics with pinyin
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Venting on the persistently Irritating under the power
If there is a team of writers involved in the scripts for this extremely long series for something that is draggy and painful to watch some of the episodes. The series could have been great if they can condensed it to maybe 30 episodes, keep the story tight, and action fast and irritating scenes short. I am now pretty sure they have one writer dedicated to writing irritating personality and scenes for Xie Xiao another for Jin Xia, not to amuse but really to bug the audience. Many times I feel like borrowing the pistol from Jin Xia and shoot him in the mouth. That character has no important role in the series except for being a childish git, and by the way the actor is too old to play a 16 years old boy by the way, a note to the casting director. Some of the scenes just becomes repetitive, same fight but different places. Its like going to different parties and you see the same faces dancing to the same crappy music, even a hardcore party animal will eventually give up and stop hanging out with the same bunch of losers.I know the production houses wants these long draggy scenes because they can dragged into 55 episodes so that they can sell it for more money.
I have been trying to listen to reviews on Under the Power from my usual source, and guess what? Not one of them talked about this show. Now I know why? A bloody time waster. And I am shocked that the rating in MyDramaList is as high as 8.4!! I guess there are many bored people in here who will watch anything and enjoy every single crap the Chinese Production houses can ditched out! I heard there are over 500 series per year being released, and there are always idiots out there who will love them.
Lets have something ORIGINAL for once pleaseeeeeee. Why don't they make Heaven Official's Bleissing into a live action TV drama series, the animated version is excellent!!! It has all the original and entertaining elements.
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Still in the jinyi pit
I would recommend this one to anyone who just like to fall in love. Technical aspect is really a bit low but the acting is really superb. It's like Jin Xia and Lu Yi came out from a comics book. They don't look like they are acting when you watch them. It's like just watching two people flirting and you can't help rooting for them to end up together. I would say story is a bit simple unlike other investigation series. But grandma jinyis don't mind because I think the main goal of the series is to spread dog food 😭😂😭😍It's more than a year now but I still can't find a Chinese costume series that is half as good as under the power. Other shows have better effects and more good looking cast but only jinyi really captured my heart. I tried watching other costume series with good rating but the characters can't win me over. Either the female lead is too stupid or the male lead has facial paralysis so I have to stop watching for the sake of my sanity. I also tried to watch Ren Jialun other costume drama but the female leads made me cringe that's why I go back to the pit. I already read the novel and several fanwai but I still can't get enough. I hope we can have a season 2 or movie to show their life after master Lu came out from prison.
ATM I'm reading the novel of Jinxin si yu to at least start digging myself out from the pit. I really hope adaptation would be good so I would have new series on my playlist.
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I loved it!!!!!!!
There is so much romance!!! The story always surprises you, oh I absolutely loved this!!!!!!!!!!!! The romance is incredible! They have chemistry! I want to see them together in another series!!! This male lead in his uniform is completely astonishing!!! I love the female lead too, she is humble and powerful and great! I hope to see more series like this with the romance over the top and all of that. Some parts were a bit scary like when thr antagonist was in the screen but he is so scary! Hahaha still I just loved this series! There is action, great effects! Great actors, the music is magical! Thank you for this amazing series!!!!! I love all the actors. 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 The song is beautiful!!! I want to find it!Was this review helpful to you?
Off the charts chemistry
I just finished binging this show over 5 days, yes all 55 episodes and didn't skip anything. I know this drama has mixed reviews as some would prefer more romance, but I personally enjoyed the slow burn romance. The chemistry between Lu Yi and Jin Xia was truly off the charts, and even though I didn't go into the drama thinking that Ren Jia Lun was very attractive, I have now come out a huge fan. His gaze is irresistible.. I could've gone without some of the romance from the side characters but that's alright. Don't sleep on this drama!Was this review helpful to you?
