Jun Jiu Ling (2021)

An Exciting and exuberant drama with a kissass FL

WOW 😲 what a beautiful drama. The cast was brilliant couldn't have ask for a better FL Jiuling/Zhenzhen played by Peng xiao ran was a very strong, smart and beautiful cleaver girl who was a quick planner. She was out for revenge towards her Uncle Chu rang who killed her father the Emperor. He made it look like he was sick and ascended the thrown, but on her wedding day she finds out from her father maid that he was actually strangled by her uncle and shes being chased. So upon approach to the alter she pulls out a knife and swears to kill her uncle who murdered her dad "and he whispered what can you do" but the groom Lu yun qi stopped her and state it for her safety and they take her to prison. In prison they torched her badly scaring her face and body then her father friend Dr. Jun and his daughter Jun zhen zhen (jiuling friend) come to rescue her and while sneaking out they hear the guards and so zhen zhen decided to change places so the princess could live. Dr. Jun uses magic medicine and changing Jiuling face to look like zhen zhen and change her voice due to the massive facial injuries. Dr. Jun then continued to teach jinling medicine until 1 fatal day and a accident happens and he tells her to go south to the Fang family thats where zhen zhen grandmother lives and he gives family token. She goes and upon arrival she has to convince the families members that she truly zhen zhen as time goes on and she helps a family member thats been slowly poisen since the age of 5-15 and finds out who did it. Now she has the total backing of the family and decides to reopen the family medical business that was know as "Jiuling" for centuries. She accidentally see a imperial seal and cargo slip hidden in GM box theses are put on cargo boxes from the Palace and looks exactly like the one her father left for her. So she starts to learn about accounting so she can look at the book from 10years ago, but she finds a few errors in them and they learn someone is fixing the book and stealing a nad it relates to the stores in the capital. She decides to go back to the capital as a doctor and open up her own shop "JuiLing" on her birthday and gets attn of her ex-lu yun qi he starts to cause her problems as he wants her to change name and she refuses. Now that shes has cured many mysterious diseases so she can investigate quietly, but she has many obstacles to overcome as alot of crooked Dr. are against her so they keep setting her up to fail. She finally gets noticed by curing a few wives of officals that the imperial dr. couldn't and finally gets the attention of the palce and lu yun qi to treat Prince huai and her sister as he starts to question if she Chu jiu ling reincarnated. She meets her childhood friend Chen zhun zan who is devastated over her death as he thought they would marry someday and slowly he saved her a few times and he notices that she acts quite alot like jiuling. With the help of alot of good friends, family, officals and there children they are slowing accomplishing her plan to show that the current emperor chu rang murdered his brother who found out his secret. It all started the 3rd year of tauyan there was suppose to be an exchange and deal made with the emperor of beigi silver bar for Emperor's Brothers and father who where captured and in the end the beigi emperor killed them and the war begins. General Zhu shan has been fighting in the north for years and has finally its been quite, but Minister huang cheng has it in for General shan and is making the court and emperor believes hes trying to win the people heart and rebel. The general is told to come back to capital apx 10X, but doesn't due too the recent treaty signed was to give beigi 3 states to stop fighting, but jiuling see that the people are not being protected. Beigi is making them slaves or worse so with the general they rescue the peopl aboute 100,000 and incorporate them with the army and head back to the capital. Without them noticing men from the armour are trying to catch jiuling alive and kill zhu zan and huang cheng is paying people to bad mouth the general as trying to gain more military powerand doesn't really care for the people. Jiu ling and zhu zan split up and sneak back into the capital and make arrangements for the general and people safe return. Once back gen'l decides to retire and leaves then in court cheng tells emperor he has proof that gen'l is rebellion and the idiot emperor believe and so order him back dead or alive. Upon all of this beigi is actually planning to uproot the capital with 60,000 men and with jiuling smarts she starts to plan, but the emperor ran away so she need help from her uncle Prince xian and her brother prince jiuli to get the help from the people waiting on the 2 General to return. In the intern zhu zan sneaks into beigi and kills the emperor and so beigi has to retreat with the crown prince to not loose his thorne and is meet with our army on the way back. Now getting back to normal the emporer returns worried as the people will see him as a coward and so they fake the excuse for his return and instead hes planning on killing jiu ling for always being in the way in court. Once the two gen'l- zhu zan-jiu ling appear the excitement begins explaining that minister cheng faked everything on the gen'l and the emporer just believe it and also he missing when door open and hes been caught by prince xian and the truth starts coming out about her father's murder and the 3rd year of tayun. I will not go further with the ending as this was a Great drama and alot of it i didnt write about tried to give basic ideas. For 40 episodes it was full of so much excitement, romance, love and funny humor. A must watch

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Worth watching

I see a lot of reviews of people saying that the drama is quite unrealistic with scenes that don't quite make sense, which I do agree. However, what is a drama (historical drama at that) if it's completely realistic? I'm going to skip the parts where they don't make sense and jump to the parts where I do think are pretty well executed.

1) Peng Xiao Ran did an excellent job in portraying the female character. She manage to showcase the personalities of the character and bring it to life. You can practically how the character feels at the moment through her expressions - when she is angry, when she is thinking, when she is panicking and when she is determined. One thing's for sure is she definitely carried the drama.

2) Parts whereby the female lead had to manoeuvre through obstacles. I think the scriptwriter did a pretty good job at creating these storylines and completing them creatively. However, after a year of good dramas with really intelligent plots, this drama probably needs a bit more hard work to catch up to that standard.

3) The four male suitors (a bit of an overkill) display very different personalities and have different significance to the female lead's life. I like how the four of them display very different roles and have different perspectives to how they portray affection and love. Also, the female lead wasn't leading any of them on, there weren't much love triangle, square, or however the shape turns out with four suitors and she was firm from the start as to what she wants, which I think is appropriate for the drama because I don't peg this as a romance drama.

--- Spoilers Alert ---

One thing I really, really, really wish will turn out differently is that the female lead ends up with Ning Yun Zhao instead. Don't you think they are a better couple - character wise, thinking and the vibe they give out?

Not that I dislike Zhu Zan but he doesn't really have the male lead vibe as compared to Ning Yun Zhao. This is really my personal preference.

In overall, I do think it's a pretty decent drama but I have seen better dramas, the plot for this one is not exactly extraordinary.

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Such a Good Watch

This is such a well-told story. There were some sweet moments that had me reaching for a Kleenex. The acting is superb, and the music was great too. The cinematography was excellent - some great close ups and shots of expressions on faces, and external cues. The watcher can almost feel the emotions at times. The villains were awful but believable - the good guys were admirable and even loveable. The leads were spectacular. I really liked this series. I liked that there were no senseless deaths, a lot of heroes, and a whole lot of love - lasting love, not just fluff. If you're looking for something you can sink your teeth into, this is it.

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Princess Seeks Justice Through Messy Plot

This is a nonsense melodrama that is meant to make no sense and doesn't have a single interesting character except for the lovesick antagonist. The ML is boring, the FL is missing a personality, there is a charming scholar guy in there, but he gets rejected. I don't like the actor that plays the main lead. I have seen him in several other dramas, and he always plays the same boring, wealthy nobleman character, and I don't even find him good looking at all! Anyway, the plot is all over the place, the characters are largely boring, except the two I mentioned, which were secondary characters in any case. If melodramas are your thing, you might like this one. Otherwise, skip it.

3 knocked over candle stands out of 10

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Too many holes in the story lines.

“Jun Jiu Ling” has all the hallmarks and characteristics of “Goodbye My Princess” – Peng Xiaoran’s (PXR) breakout drama and one of the best productions of 2019. It propelled PXR into the list of A-grade actress and highly sought after in the industry. "Jun Jiu Ling" is a heart-wrenching and sad tale focusing around revenge interspersed with your obligatory romance between the two leads, eternal friendship, love quadrangle, etc. There is nothing unique or ground-breaking about the main theme, and its subsequent sub-plots, but nonetheless, I was excited to watch this historical period drama because it is Peng Xiaoran’s first drama after her highly successful “Goodbye My Princess”, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

At the end of the first episode, I was left gobsmacked. I try not to be utterly critical of the storylines, but some of the scenes just defy logics. These are just some of the disjointed, incoherent and convoluted scenes happening in the first episode alone:
• The female protagonist could walk towards the Emperor without any actions from the guards until she was inches away from the Emperor.
• The doctor and her daughter could walk into the prison at ease and got the princess out of a locked cell room.
• The doctor’s daughter suddenly offered herself as a sacrifice when all of them could escape out of the prison. It does not matter whether the burning building contains a body or not.
• The doctor performed surgery on the princess face and change it to that of her dead daughter. Huh? And she got vocal chord change as well for convenience. And where is the injury?
• The doctor accidentally killed himself falling off a cliff. How convenient. And he only died after having the last words with the female lead.
• A supposedly heart-wrenching moment when the male lead finds out about the death of the female lead becomes comedy gold. It was awkward seeing Jin Han crying the way he did by cupping his mouth rather unnaturally.
• And what about ML meeting FL for the first time. Slow motion flying scene from the top of the roof that looks like a botched job. The flying speed was irregular making it looks like the ML was hoist from the rope.

OK you get the gist. I stopped watching after the first episode. 7 days hiatus and lack of any good c-drama currently premiering forced me to watch episode 2 of "Jun Jiu Ling". Now I am already 30 episodes into the series. But it still has a crappy illogical storyline. On episode 25, Jun JiuLing saved the granddaughter of a minister who killed Huang Ziqing, by giving Wan Qing a drug that stopped her breathing for a few hours. How is it possible for JiuLing to give the victim the drug when she was constantly being stomped and kicked upon by at least two (2) guards during the commotion? And in the next scene, the Emperor ordered Zhu Zan to be flogged 100 times, and after the beating, Zhu Zan’s face looked like he just came out from a facial treatment. It could not get any more ludicrous.

Anyway, I will still finish this costume c-drama because there are no good period dramas currently airing worth my time. Zhao Lusi’s latest costume drama – A female Student Arrives at Imperial College – is equally crappy too. While Peng XiaoRan is the star attraction here, I can’t but think she should not have taken this role. The male lead, Jin Han, is not suitable in his lead role too. Something about his acting is amiss and I just don’t find the two main characters having the chemistry. I just can’t see it after 30 episodes. And what is with Peng XiaoRan make-up. Sometimes, it looks like she has 1 inch of foundation on her face!!!

Since I am going to complete watching this train wreck, my rating is a commendable 7.0/10.0 for this series. I wish I could just stop after episode 1.

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Sweet romance with an revenge plot

Very good historical drama (with a nice romance) recounting the setbacks of a princess whose father, emperor, was assassinated by his brother who wanted to accede to the throne. She returns, with 1 other face, to avenge him. Her childhood friend (ML son of a Duke-General) does not recognize her but helps her in her quest.

The story is well written and coherent. The actors are excellent (even the secondary characters, overplayed to give a comic touch) and their psychological development is (almost) believable. The realization is lively (despite some lengths in the last part of the drama).
But, the great asset of this drama is the CL!! With a solid, cliché-free romance, a strong and intelligent FL and a super warlike and very protective ML. I was already a fan of Ji Han, but I discovered Peng Xiao Ran, who holds the whole series on his shoulders.

Apart from a few cult dramas, I rarely rewatch them, but I might watch this series again in a few months.
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Très bon drama historique (avec une jolie romance) relatant les déboires d'une princesse dont le père, empereur, a été assassiné par son frère qui voulait accéder au trône. Elle revient, avec 1 autre visage, pour le venger. Son ami d'enfance (ML fils d'un duc-général) ne la reconnait pas mais l'aide dans sa quête.

L'histoire est bien écrite, cohérente. Les acteurs sont excellents (même les personnages secondaires, surjoués pour donner une touche comique) et leur évolution psychologique est (à peu près) crédible. La réalisation est vive (malgré quelques longueurs dans la dernière partie du drama).
Mais, le grand atout de ce drama, c'est le CL !! Avec une romance solide, sans cliché, une FL strong et intelligente et un ML super guerrier et très protecteur. J'étais déjà fan de Ji Han, mais j'ai découvert Peng Xiao Ran, qui tient toute la série sur ses épaules.

A part quelques dramas culte, j'en revisionne rarement, mais je regarderai peut-être cette série à nouveau dans quelques mois.

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This is a very good historical romance drama that has great action scenes, a nice steadfast romance, wonderful camaraderie amongst friends and family, palace antics, an obsessed antagonist, and a bizarre and unrealistic imaginative plot involving plastic surgery that, if the viewer can overcome this far-fetched part of the story, then, it will be easier to enjoy the rest of the drama. The leading couple has a fantastic, playful, and intense chemistry that gets better once they get together as a couple. Although there was not a lot of romantic intimacy, it is very pleasant to see the way they gaze at each other, their embraces, tenderness, mutual understanding, and a devoted love that was constant throughout the drama. The female and male lead on this drama are of equal emotional, social, and intellectual standing and it is very entertaining seeing them working as individuals as well as a couple as they confronted issues and found resolutions. The drama is not flawless, but it is exceptionally entertaining. Enjoy it!

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Sweet Revenge from Lovely Physician

It was very outstanding & touching drama for me. JJL is intelligent and caring physician that carefully plan her revenge against the evil emperor to avenge the death of her father. I like how she resolved her family issue without too much violence and help civilians fought for justice. Surprisingly, she seems to forgive LYQ after all the wrongdoings he done. However, all her pursuers did assist her until the end which you don't see that a lot in cdrama. Still I cried for NYZ for supporting her yet he doesn't get her love. The ML isn't that handsome with that pull back, tight braided hairstyle but his acting makes up for it. Chemistry is good. Nice scenery and decent supporting characters! Will recommend this cdrama to anyone that like romance and strong FL. Yes, it is underrated. <3 <3

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Suspend Disbelief and Enjoy the Exhilarating Ride that Jun Jiu Ling Brings

I came to this drama (which aired in 2021) late (in 2024) but better late than never. For those who have not watched it yet, I urge you to start. Right from the get-go, I was hooked and the entire ride of 40 episodes was highly enjoyable and riveting.

What I Loved:
- This was the first time watching the FL and I was blown away by her charming and beguiling beauty. She is certainly a good-looker! More than being a pretty face, she was excellent as JJL. She fitted the role and she delivered.
- Perhaps other actors/ actresses will suit the roles here but I felt that the chosen cast was great and performed excellently. Zhu Zan might not have been the most handsome and perhaps, a more good-looking actor might have been a better choice but he was definitely manly and tough. An effeminate actor would not have done a good job.
- The plot was excellent. Suspend disbelief and just believe! Doing so enabled me to be fully invested in the drama and to just enjoy the very crazy (in a good way) and wild ride! I loved the interesting plot and how things were explained and linked and wrapped up in the best possible ways (despite the plot being somewhat overly amazing, that is, illogical at several points).
- The OST, while not remarkable, was suitable.
- The interactions that JJL had with her suitors and the other characters was interesting and exciting. The drama was full of exciting moments.
- I liked how her suitors all turned out to be (generally) nice people. Well, no one is perfect but her suitors all genuinely loved her deeply. I liked that she did not toy with anyone's feelings and that she was communicative about her sincere romantic feelings towards ZZ and ZZ was also sincere towards her. It was lovely!
- While I kind of did not like Lu Yun Qi at first, I found myself rooting for him and this actor towards the end of the drama. This actor is a fine one who can use his facial expressions and eyes to convey his different emotions or be deadpan and hide his emotions. I loved how he was brutally vicious towards those whom he hated/ were malicious but yet, he was loyal and true to his subordinates and his lady love. It was extremely cathartic and gratifying to see the obnoxious Imperial Doctor get locked up for wanting to be evil towards his lady love, JJL. I loved that scene. Good riddance to the awful doctor, indeed!
- Happy ending whereby lovebirds got together, good people were still alive and recognised for being good, bad people were dead or were receiving their just deserts.
- Everything was tied up quite nicely! Thumbs-up!

What I Didn't Like:
- Chu Rang who usurped the throne was all sorts of insecure and crazy. He crippled all his loyal and brave subjects and listened to the bad ones who had their own ulterior motives.
- Huang Cheng was revolting to the max. Good riddance to bad rubbish in the end. He was so disgusting.
- Crazy potential mother-in-law in the form of Ning Yuanzhou's mother and his mad sister with bad intentions.

Overall, I rate this drama as a "must-watch" and I am very pleased to generously give this drama a Perfect Score of 10/10!

It took me on a very enjoyable and exciting wild ride and brightened up my drama nights. I looked forward to every single episode and nothing felt draggy or boring. Of course, many parts were rather illogical and unfathomable but as I said, suspend disbelief. The ending felt "just right" as everything was wrapped up well.

I highly recommend that you dive right in and enjoy this delightfully dramatic gem of a drama! :o)
<3 <3 <3

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