This review may contain spoilers
Are you too happy with your life?
Are you too happy with your life? Have you never experienced depression? If so, then the Promise of Chang'an will provide just enough depressionium for a healthy, balanced lifestyle!Warning: Overdosing on the Promise of Chang'an will induce uncontrollable tears, insomnia, rage, and occasional suicidal thoughts. If you are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, please consult your physician immediately.
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This drama is set in a fictional Chinese era, which itself was heavily inspired, if not outright a remake of 2002's Xiaozhuang Epic, with a touch of 2014's Empress of China. This is a well-acted piece, with elaborate costumes and setting. Though the armors worn by characters still need some improvements as they seem ill-fitting and impractical, even if warfare is only of secondary importance in this series. The music is your standard Chinese fare and largely forgettable, and at times cringeworthy when characters are shown playing instruments when it was obvious that they were not.
The story focuses on two main characters, Helan Mingyu and Xiao Chengxu, who fell in love early on in the story and one would expect them to unite at the end of it. As this entire drama was a work of complete fiction without corresponding historical eras or characters, I had no reason to not expect a happy outcome. Except such outcome never came, and I only begin picking up the cues after one-third of the series gone by. At that point, the ending became rather clear, though I continued watching, because this series introduced a little nuisance called: hope.
Throughout this series, the main duo had ample opportunities to 'set things right', but they never acted on it. Each time, when such opportunity presented itself, the main duo decided that, for some reasons of fealty and loyalty, they should not act in their own self-interest, even if there were numerous ways to get around this myriad of palace etiquettes for their own well-being. I remember staring at the TV set with rage upon witnessing one missed opportunity after another. Near the end, when the main duo decided to finally grow a spine and rekindle their relationship, doom & gloom drops, murdering any hope of that coming into fruition. This was extremely frustrating, as the light at the end of the tunnel was never reached even after numerous hints peppered throughout the series. Despite the ending becoming obvious, producers of this series counted on hooking the audience for the duration of this series, and they succeeded to a large degree.
The end of the show left a rather bitter taste in my mouth, and no, there is no re-watch value, because I am not a masochist.
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This review may contain spoilers
character development
I have started watching this for Cheng yi. I like his acting and his character is indeed interesting, mature and well developed. Shame , from the other comments i understand he is going to die.. like in most of the cdrama he does... for this, i wont continue to watch it as i really feel this time, his character deserved a happy ending! I am not in the mood for tears and unjust events, i am in a moment in life where i appreciate when someone receive what should be deserved! And what is wrong with that? But many c-dramas seems to emphasise pain and sacrifice.. and many people like it... but not me. Well, if instead you are all for tears and sacrifice, please enjoy yourself as this cdrama is definitely worth it. Which is why i score it 9. It is just me that i cannot continue watching it as i don't like how it ends..Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Depressing but beautiful plot to people who love sad stories similar to real life disappointments
I've been spoiled to the ending of this drama before even I've considered watching itI've seen some scenes from the last episodes and I wanted to watch it just for Cheng Yi's another miserable drama
But to my surprise this drama is actually beautiful and well executed
the editing is perfect there are no jumpy scenes or confusing plot
the story is well paced no draggy scenes or boring episodes at all ,, even when I decided to skip episodes or scenes I couldn't because I wanted to know what will happen next
It's pure human interactions and emotions ,, you are watching actual people interacting with each other like real life
no fantasy aspect not romantic fluffy scenes ,, it's somewhat realistic
The evil people aren't just evil but they are regular humans who have their own justifications for their deeds and some people can relate to their justifications like the oldest brother who wanted to become the king no matter what or how also the girl who is in love with a prince who doesn't love her back so she forces him to marry her and destroy his every move with her obsessive love
There was a surprise relationship I didn't know I would be interested in watching in this drama
The Sismance between the female lead and her maid ,,, they have more than sisterhood relationship
they are more like soulmates ,, yes two females are soulmates very close friendship
the maid is serving her bestfriend with more love than any other character
If you watched it you will see how
For the first time in my life I actually loved their sisterhood and their love for each other even more than the romance story
This drama is about disappointments in life and failed romantic story to the end
But
It's really beautifully written and well executed ,,, every actor did a great job portraying his character
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A COPYCAT STORY OF HOW A WOMAN CLIMB UP TO BE EMPRESS USING A STUPID MAN.
THIS SHOW IS SAYING THE FATHER IS THE MOST STUPID THAN HIS SONS, BY NOT PREPARING FOR CHENG YI TO BE THE HEIR IF HE WANTED HIM TO BE. HE ALSO GOT MANY GENERALS WHY HE CANNOT PROTECT CHENG XU WHEN HE DIED.LAN MING YU IS A WOMAN WHO READ BOOKS ON STRATEGY AND PLANS N PLOTS TO WIN FOR HERSELF N HER SON, WHO IS HER EVERYTHING. SINCE SHE ALWAYS WINS THE EMPEROR IN CHESS WHY SHE CANNOT WIN HIM ON HIS PLOT. SHE PLANNED TO MAKE CHENG XU BE HER LACKEY ALL ALONG SHE DON'T INTEND TO LET HIM BE REGENT FOREVER. FROM EPS 47 HER ATTITUDE CHANGED. SHE WON'T GIVE HIM EVEN A LITTLE BIT OF POWER. WHEN SHE IS POISONED HE CAN DON'T HELP HER TELLS CHENG RUI TO GO BACK TO SAVE BOTH THE SISTERS. SHE IS THE ONE WHO SHD DIED EARLIER. SHE KEEPS CONTROLLING HIM BY GIVING HIM CRUMBS AND ASKING HIM TO SACRIFICE EVERYTHING FOR HER. WHAT SHE CARES FOR IS HER SON N THE KINGDOM. IN THE END, SHE GOT HER EMPRESS SEAT BUT SHE IS ALONE, WONDERING IF SHE IS HAPPY. WITHOUT ANYBODY TO HELP THEM, SOONER OR LATER THE KINGDOM ALSO WON'T LAST LONG.
CHENG XU IS STUBBORN CONTINUES LOVING MING YU EVEN IF HE IS NOT WELL TREATED BY HER, BEING BETRAYED AND USED BY THE ONE HE LOVED THE MOST. HE IS ALSO BETRAYED BY HIS WIFE WHO TELLS MING YU WHAT HE IS PLANNING TO DO. IN THE END, HE STILL WON'T GET WHAT HE WANTS. A SMART MAN WON'T BE SO STUPID TO TAKE ANOTHER MAN SON AS A SON EVEN IF HE LOVED THE WOMAN N LET THE SON TURNED AGAINST HIM. HE LIVED UNTIL EPS 47 STILL DON'T ACCEPT THE REALITY THAT HE WON'T GET HER. HE IS WILLING TO GIVE UP EVERYTHING FOR HER BUT SHE WON'T AGREE TO LEAVE WITH HER EVEN IF HE DIED. SO STUPID TO BELIEVE HER LIES. HIS IDEA TO LEAVE WITH HER IS ALSO STUPID, IT WON'T HAPPEN AS HE WISHED. HE ONLY HAS ONE-SIDED WISH N THINKING. HE SHD GAVE UP N LIVED HIS OWN LIFE NOT HELPING HER OR ANYONE. BUT HE NEVER LEARNT HIS LESSON. HE CARED TOO MUCH FOR MING YU WHO DON'T EVEN CARE IF HE DIED.
SINCE CHENG XU GAVE UP THE THRONE TO MING YU'S SON THAT DAY HE HAS ALREADY LOST TO HER, THINKING HE STILL CAN BE TOGETHER WITH HER N THE SON IS STUPID. SHE IS ONLY USING HIM TO STRENGTHEN HER SON POSITION UNTIL HE GROWS UP AND TAKES BACK THE THRONE. HE IS STUPID TO BELIEVE THAT HE CAN CONTROL HER OR ANYTHING. IF HE WANTS TO TAKE CONTROL HE SHOULD DO IT BEFORE THE SON GROWS UP INSTEAD OF WAITING UNTIL HE GROWS UP. HE GOT NO BRAINS AT ALL AS A GENERAL TO KEEP BELIEVING IN A WOMAN WHO DONT LOVED HIM AS MUCH AS HE LOVED HER. HE TREATS HER LIKE QUEEN BUT SHE ONLY TREATS HIM LIKE DOG SHIT. WHO WANTS THIS KIND OF WOMAN. SO STUPID OF HIM. HE NEVER THINKS FOR HIMSELF.
HE SHD NOT AGREE TO BE THE REGENT WITHOUT CONDITIONS AND ASK FOR SOMETHING IN RETURN. IF SHE LOVES HIM SHE WOULD GIVE HIM AT LEAST HALF THE KINGDOM FOR HIS OWN RULE. NO NEED TO BE HER REGENT. JUST DIVIDE THE LAND OR WHATEVER. NO NEED TO FIGHT. SHE IS JUST A SELFISH N GREEDY WOMAN PRETENDING TO BE GOOD.
IN THE END, ALSO DIED NEVER GET ANYTHING. FIGHT FOR WHOSE BENEFIT. STUPID N USELESS. AS MY TITLE SAYS MOST SCENES ARE COPYCATS FROM PAST STORIES.
JUST MY 2CENTS. ALTHOUGH ANYBODY CAN HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION OF THIS SHOW, YOU CAN SAY ALL SHE DOES IS FOR THE PEACE OF THE LAND, BUT I WANTED TO HAVE ANOTHER OPINION
NO FLAMING PLS.
CONCLUSION
ECCLESIASTES 1 :1-18
Ecclesiastes 1:1-18
[1]These are the words of the Philosopher, David's son, who was king in Jerusalem.
[2]It is useless, useless, said the Philosopher. Life is useless, all useless.
[3]You spend your life working, labouring, and what do you have to show for it?
[4]Generations come and generations go, but the world stays just the same.
[5]The sun still rises, and it still goes down, going wearily back to where it must start all over again.
[6]The wind blows south, the wind blows north — round and round and back again.
[7]Every river flows into the sea, but the sea is not yet full. The water returns to where the rivers began, and starts all over again.
[8]Everything leads to weariness — a weariness too great for words. Our eyes can never see enough to be satisfied; our ears can never hear enough.
[9]What has happened before will happen again. What has been done before will be done again. There is nothing new in the whole world.
[10]“Look,” they say, “here is something new!” But no, it has all happened before, long before we were born.
[11]No one remembers what has happened in the past, and no one in days to come will remember what happens between now and then.
[12]I, the Philosopher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.
[13]I determined that I would examine and study all the things that are done in this world.God has laid a miserable fate upon us.
[14]I have seen everything done in this world, and I tell you, it is all useless. It is like chasing the wind.
[15]You can't straighten out what is crooked; you can't count things that aren't there.
[16]I told myself, “I have become a great man, far wiser than anyone who ruled Jerusalem before me. I know what wisdom and knowledge really are.”
[17]I was determined to learn the difference between knowledge and foolishness, wisdom and madness. But I found out that I might as well be chasing the wind.
[18]The wiser you are, the more worries you have; the more you know, the more it hurts.
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not that it is not good, it just doesn't suit me ,,
I drop it,, I can't say this drama is bad because I didn't finish it, maybe it just doesn't suit with me, I don't like dramas that are too deliberate to be annoying,, I don't mind sad ending, but I don't like deliberate comedy, sad, etc.At first I tried to watch this drama because director love & redemption, listening snow tower, etc the style of filming very different
I just watched episode 7 but I have thought about dropping it 4 times ... episodes 1-3 are pretty good and interesting, but after then.., there are lots of jumping scenes, unseen scenes, and unmatches in timing ,, unfeel timeskips,, time just passes ,,,
skipping scenes that are necessary, but flashback scenes that are unnecessary
the type of story I don't like
SO i drop it : )
And about the story the intentions were too obvious ,, from the start it started with meaningless misunderstandings, and I read a little of wikipedia I think maybe there is no story in this drama that ends well, as there is a scriptwriter grudge against the character
usually I watch dramas looking at the details, editing, the way the story is expressed, and the acting ,, most dramas now don't show the story and skip the scenes story and only known the story through the character's dialogue that it already happened, i dont like it
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This review may contain spoilers
COULD HAVE BEEN GOOD?
i liked how it started and it was good, i also really really like the main characters (main leads and fl sis that "almost" married someone and third prince) but i also was still on a period where i just cant rlly seem to finish dramas, so i started watching clips which immediately made me not wanna watch it, many reasons, the characters action was kinda stupid, the direction the drama was heading to, etc. I RLLY WANT THEM TO REMAKE THIS BUT LIGHT HEARTED AND VERY SHORT, i just rlly like the main cp and kinda the second too, but i rlly couldnt watch it after those clips, so yea. not only that but they were trying to do one of those very painful long dramas, where everyone suffers but the fl suffers the most ;-; idk its just not rlly watchable, tho i rlly like the main cpWas this review helpful to you?
