Not what I expected
Do I recommend this drama:If you like light-hearted shows, this is NOT for you.
Story:
is a drama that focuses on Xiao Bei Chen (Shawn Dou) and Lin Hang Jing (Chen Du Ling)’s lives during the 20th century.
I had high hopes for this drama but was pretty disappointed as the plot progresses. The constant misunderstanding between Xiao Bei Chen and Lin Hang Jing made it rather hard to watch. Given the genre, I know it would be difficult to place emphasise on the romance between the main leads. However, having them pit against each other for almost every other episode; repetitively didn’t made the drama enjoyable at all.
The actions made by the characters as well for some part of the drama was questionable as well. Lin Hang Jing’s character in the drama made me puzzled half of the time.
Cast:
The cast is superb and have done a splendid job. Personally I love Shawn’s acting in this; especially towards the end of the drama, where he needs to portray a lot of raw emotions. In fact, Shawn’s acting throughout the entire drama was what kept me going, more so from the 2nd half of the drama when I was getting tired of the series.
Notable mentions also include: Leon Lai, Hu Jun, Dong Xuan.
Note:
Perhaps I was expecting too much for a drama that was set in the 20th century so I was hoping for a slightly better ending (with some fluff). I might have to watch other dramas with similar genre to see if genre works for me.
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Mix of cliche/often used settings
After the good ratings, I was really disappointed by the storyline.This drama is a mix of settings and clichés you see in different dramas. I seldom see such a mix that is almost done like a recipe (s.u.).
ML actor saved the scene more than once. The music is fine, too. Just tells you which emotions to have without being noisy. The overall cinematographic quality is quite good, and the storyline is made for being popular.
If you like this kind of recipe, it is something for you, but don't expect really something new. Sometimes, you could really expect what would come next and just wait and see: it happens exactly that way.
I might have enjoyed it for just being a good drama. Not excellent, but good. But I kind of lost interest already with the second time jump. Why is it that popular for the FL to leave and become a different person, resulting in an "old flame" storyline? It is not really the same story, not even the FL we knew anymore. Never understood that. Also, I made the mistake to just want to watch the last episodes before going to sleep. Don't, if you want to sleep afterwards.
Recipe (spoiler alert):
- Take a rich good for nothing/bully and add a "tragic" past like dead parent or parent not there for him when needed.
Add a female, who does not fawn over him like everyone else.
- Make it a bet turn real love for the good-for-nothing until he wants to prove himself to the FL.
- JUMP IN TIME -> FL has a good male friend, ML is successful and overbearing (boss in city).
- Contract marriage turn real,
- salted with a jealous "ex-girlfriend"/trusted friend, a lot of misunderstandings, trust issues etc., similar story lines (FL acts, ML saves, ML jealous, FL angry) in a loop, until the FL can't handle it anymore and leaves.
- One more JUMP IN TIME. ML never forgot, FL comes back as a different person.
- Old flame, old misunderstandings get cleared.
- Fast-paced and tragic ending, turning the situation within just a couple of episodes completely.
The most creative part was choosing this setting int time (although not new, at least not as often as the other elements) and his parent's military power struggle (ok, untrusting superior, rival/enemy of same rank, mole - not too new either).
I have to correct myself: Most creative is mixing everything into one drama.
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Honest review
I loved this show. Best series ever!!!!!!!!! The story is amazing. I loved the male lead. A lot of things going on and you never get bored. The script and storyline was amazing. The best thing is that the male lead truly loved one girl and never liked anyone else. He's love was true and never gave up. Female lead and supporting characters was also amazing and made show better. The music and location was beautiful and suited the story. Beeeeeeeeeesssssssssstttttttttttttttt showwwwwwwwwww evvvvvvveeeeeeerrrrrrrrrr.Was this review helpful to you?
Well worth watching
First of all, I rarely ever watch period dramas, but this one is in more recent times. The male lead character is what kept me watching. He is pure eye candy for one, but the character he portrayed was what held the entire story together. Whether on display with his military prowess or as the romantic with his undying love for the female lead his acting was exceptional. I won’t lie, the character of the female lead gave me fits. Her acting was very good, but the character the writers created was frustrating to watch, as she went back and forth with the treatment of her devoted husband. The never ending stream of misunderstandings almost drove me to walk away from the drama. I hung in there because of the stellar performance of the male lead and I am glad I did. Along with all of the emotional, romantic and war torn drama came some history that those outside of Asia know little of. All in all, I’m glad I watched it.Was this review helpful to you?
The strongest CP of the year
The strongest CP of the yearLin Hang Jing is beautiful, innocent, smart, proud and vulnerable.
Xiao Bei Chen is cynical, arrogant, and handsome. You can get everything you want,but to your own loss, Lin Hang Jing wants it.
The recipe for the drama: Two friends and a reception. A man’s second wheel, a woman’s second wheel, a silly sister, and a country facing social change.
Can the two young people become a couple? To understand the power and essence of true love in a country and era where China and Japan are drifting towards war.
Check it out if you love tearful romance, heroism, character development if you’re not afraid to ride an emotional roller coaster.
Don’t check it out if you crave an easy romantic comedy. If you think a woman should be happy and grateful to be put in a gold cage by a handsome man.
Wonderful music, great actors and cast. Spectacular scenery and costumes. And tears and tears and tears ....
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a great one indeed!
I have watched tens of chinese dramas, but this is the first time I bawl my eyes out while watching!! I got a serious heartache from watching this. The whole drama has been an emotional roller coaster for me. Even though there were way too many misunderstandings in the middle episodes that they even got me pissed off, I think those storylines were needed after all. One of the great aspects of this drama is that there are MANY lovable characters that will make you feel like supporting them to stay alive, such as Mo Wei Yi, Du Heng, and many others. The character development for Xiao Bei Chen and his two sworn brothers can also be seen clearly throughout the episodes. Plus, the OSTs are just WOW! Painted Heart and Abyss are my top 2 soundtracks of this drama. The OSTs suit the drama's vibe perfectly. Whenever I listen to Abyss, those sad scenes in the drama just suddenly flash through my mind and got me feeling emotional again.Lastly, if you are not the type of person who can stand watching sad drama, this is not for you.
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It's not a great drama, but it has excellent performances.
After reading a lot of negative reviews about this drama, I decided to give it a go and create my own opinion.The scripts about this sad period in China are always filled with pain, disagreements and struggles (which are usually not victorious). Although the director emphasizes the protagonist's romance, the basis of the drama was not romance, but a man's responsibility to defend his people and his country against a heinous aggressor. Dramas about the republic period, when at least one of the likeable characters survives, is already a big victory.
The script could be more of the same for those who are used to this segment of drama, but the screenwriter decided to innovate by creating an absolutely idiotic female protagonist (if it weren't for the character of Xiao Bei Chen, who was truly in love with her, I would have rooted for her if go wrong, because the level of stupidity of this character is odd). After more than thirthy chapters, the stupid character becomes someone super smart. Pff! this change made the female protagonist even less likable, but actress Chen Du Ling composed this difficult character, in all its phases, in a satisfactory way.
The screenwriter created several detestable characters and with varying levels of cruelty, but the real villain is not any character on the scene, but the greedy imperialism that wanted to dominate a Nation. The script also features many lovable characters and a lot of emotion in the farewell to each of them.
The cast performed extremely well. The protagonist Shawn Dou, as in all his works, had a consistent performance. Leon Lai is that supporting character (with enough charisma to be a protagonist), who always draws attention with the naturalness of his interpretation.
It's not the best story and it's far from an excellent drama, but within the context of the writer's chosen era, it's quite acceptable. The direction made mistakes in the editing, forgot to age the actors (the takes place over several years, but most of the actors have not visual modification), but managed to produce good scenes, thanks to the acting ability of the cast . In my opinion, one of the best scenes is the goodbye to that chaotic world of the master character Zhao, lived by the actor Yao An Lian. He was a minor supporting actor throughout the drama, but at the critical moment, he led the opera's actors and ended his participation in with a beautiful message of friendship and devotion to Bei Chen.
The open ending as the directors' choice is really not the most pleasant, but each one can let their imagination travel towards the outcome that suits them best.
The costumes are adequate and the is good soundtrack.
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Dashing ML and a complicated romance
I was drawn to this drama mostly because of the cast and I was curious how the romance would unfold, since the protagonists have such different personalities and they clash from the very beginning. The military plot was not particularly interesting to me, but I stayed for the relationships and characters' development. The Chinese opera elements were also a highlight throughout the story.The romance is complicated, fraught with lack of trust and communication, lots of misunderstandings, jealousy - overall not a pretty picture. ML's feelings bordered on obsession and controlling the woman he desperately loved. The FL fell in love with him at some point, but it was not shown how her feelings changed from reluctant acceptance of their marriage.
Shawn Dou was very charismatic in his role and the life long friendship between the 3 ''brothers'' was well portrayed. The acting in general was pleasant and immersive. I found the plot more engaging in the second half, after both leads experienced life changing events and substantial growth. I had also hoped for a clearer happy ending, but it was at least a tentative and hopeful one.
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Around 40 episodes of misunderstandings
Don’t watch this drama if you don’t like a push-and-pull romance, there are many romantic drama couples out there that have healthy relationships and ended up happy. It’s easy to get frustrated when you watch the leads succumb to their own prejudice and immaturity. For me though, that’s what makes it entertaining because of how incredibly dumb yet dramatic their misunderstandings are. Over time, we can see how they mature with the tragic war in the background. I’m stumped with the ending, I don’t know if I should like it or not but it’s definitely not satisfying. I’m obsessed with Dou Xiao as Xiao Bei Chen and Yuan Hao as Mu Zi Zheng, they were great to watch. Zi Zheng’s character arc was most interesting to me but I think the writers didn’t quite hit the mark and his storyline was lacking something. If you’re willing to watch 40+ episodes of misunderstandings, give this a try.Was this review helpful to you?
Have serious 'Gone with the wind' vibes
This is a series where you just can't seem to understand the FL nor sympathize with her but can't help but root for the ML.If you don't like contemplative dialogues, you might find this boring but the details in the scenes and costumes were top class and immersed me in this drama world. Set in a time of war, this drama gives you a visual of the struggles people experienced and a love story that was full of misunderstandings. Expect a lot of deaths, some of which can really make you reach out for tissues.
There's mutual attraction the first time the leads set their eyes on each other and when they accidentally kissed but lack of communication and misunderstandings led to a toxic relationship. The FL was too headstrong and blind to the love the ML gave her, she also frequently blamed the ML for things he didn't do. She also said that she did not love him and thought of him as her brother when he confessed his feelings, when in truth, she was just unsure of her feelings. She also never explicitly said that she loved him. No wonder the ML was so insecure and thought she was hung up on the SML. The ML tried to make the relationship work but he was not perfect, he did some things I did not like, like the frequent shoulder grabs and smashing things during arguments. It was like he was forcing the FL to love him back. The SML was a pitiful character that imagined that the FL loved him and could not let go of his grudge against the ML, even going so far as betraying his own principles. The SFL was a typical scheming villain who thought she can have the ML if she can only get rid of the FL. The last few episodes showed how the leads finally resolved their issues and calmly TALKED about their past and realize that they care for each other and just wants the safety of their partner. Since this is a period piece, there were a lot of side characters but my favorite were the male friends of the ML. They were smart, loyal and brave. As for the ending, I liked that it was realistic but hopeful at the same time.
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MAIN LEADS ARE COMPLEX CHARACTERS, DON'T WATCH IT IF YOU'RE TOO STUPID TO COMPREHEND THEM!
I've seen few CDramas before on historical genre but this is the only series that I was able to finished, rewatched and finally made me a CDrama fan! I totally fell in love with Shawn Dou and my girl Chen Duling! Their acting is really good, perfect for the series, and they look perfect together! I would watch any drama they are in even if it's support roles!This drama isn't for everyone, and I see a lot of misogynistic comments about the FL which is so funny, cause this comments obviously coming from miserable haters of CDL or plain janes that have no love for themselves! So if you're more into romance drama, and is too stupid to understand that humans are not 1 dimensional, you shouldn't watch this series!
FL here isn't male centered character and is very soft hearted for poor people and she have goals to make contribution in her society + marriage and love is never on her mind. ML is a complete opposite of her but the FL's influence to him is great. They love each other but their relationship isn't perfect at all, they are both flawed yet they compliment each other. I wouldn't give any spoilers but I would say they were both immature at some point.
I love how they made every sweet and loving moments of FL and ML very light hearted and a little funny, but then there's a sudden switch of vibes when the scene isn't about them. I love how both leads + 2nd ml have purpose in their lives and not perfect at all. If you love historical, political dramas with patriotism you would appreciate this series. If not, you better watch another series cause this isn't purely about romance.
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This review may contain spoilers
Charming ML, Frustrating FL
I really liked this drama. The production values, costumes, acting and music were all top-notch. But I found the characterization of the female lead too problematic. She was wholly toxic as a character- stubborn, selfish, insensitive, cold and simply hateful. I don’t think she apologized even once during the whole drama or tried to make amends for anything she did wrong.She takes the ML to task for every little thing he does but gives the 2ML a pass for everything. Even when 2ML tries to assassinate someone at her loving adoptive family’s home or is being shot for participating in nefarious activities she doesn’t say one sharp word to him and instead rescues him but if the ML did one silly little thing she found objectionable she would give him the silent treatment for a month or simply run away and leave him . She never thought of all the times he saved her life while punishing him - only the one petty little thing he did. How could he trust her when she never behaved in a trustworthy way? You just don’t believe in her love for him at all. I know the script probably means to portray the 2 ML as an ordinary friend but her actions are very misleading - no wonder the ML, 2ML and even some of ML’s family think she loves 2 ML.
And also the ML why oh why would he continue to obsessively love such a woman? I don’t think in real life anybody would put up with a woman like that. Especially a guy so rich, powerful and good looking with options - are you telling me he wouldn’t be able to replace this sorry excuse for a wife in one hot minute with someone much better? He deserved someone like Aunt Qi - supportive,loyal, loving and understanding.
Seriously though I don’t understand why they write characters like this FL? Wouldn’t the audience like to see her doing some loving and supportive things for her husband and then maybe a big misunderstanding tearing them apart instead of having the FL always being cold , hard hearted and oppositional? I think she once makes gloves for him - that’s the only nice thing she did for him the entirety of their marriage until the last couple of episodes. Wouldn’t making the FL less selfish and more supportive be a better selling point to audiences than a cold , hard hearted woman who had no problem constantly chasing after the 2 ML and doing things for him that she wouldn’t have done for the ML.?They really did the actress dirty on this one. And the actor too because you have to wonder what kind of nut job would continue to chase after such a woman.
I found the details on the war and their strategizing interesting. I wouldn’t rewatch this but I liked watching it the first time despite all the frustration.
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