Fortunately.. the disappointment came quickly.
I've hit my quota of eight episodes, subjecting myself to watch through even when the drama fails to impress.Despite the lackluster description of "Love Like the Galaxy," buoyed only by positive reviews, I reluctantly gave it a shot.
And boy, did I rue the decision to ignore my instincts. Firstly, the narrative lacks any semblance of coherence, careening aimlessly without regard for structure.
Secondly, every character wallows in a pit of despair, displaying minimal emotional range.
Attempts at injecting levity fall flat, as the supposed "comedic relief" fails to elicit even a smirk. Slapping on humorous music doesn't magically transform a scene into a comedic goldmine.
In sum, the sole saving grace of this debacle is its cast. And when that's the highlight, it's a glaring sign of creative failure.
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This review may contain spoilers
Annoying female lead
This is the second time I've tried watching this series because I REALLY want to. But despite all the great things going for it, the character of the main female lead, Niao Niao, is just too infuriating to watch.Despite all the empathy or justification I've tried to muster up for NN due to her circumstances, her incessant self-pity and inability to empathize for others is just too irritating. It's hard to believe how much she's been "bullied" by her family when she acts like such a spoiled brat who is jealous of everyone for having a mother. Her parents were away risking their lives to support the family and although they had to leave her behind, you'd think she'd be happy to have both of them back alive. If she really were as clever as depicted, she should have known that her family were all liars and manipulators and anything they said about her parents were potentially false. Instead, she kicks into high manipulation gear the minute she sees them.
She acts like the biggest victim in the family but appreciates nothing and no one. Her father is loving and her cousins coddle her but she can't stop complaining about her mother disciplining her. Pouting and manipulating without putting any real effort into herself, and yet she just blames everything on everyone else. Her aunt physically and mentally abuses her husband and daughter but nope, NN is the only victim here. She makes it impossible to root for her.
It's such a shame because NN's parents are fantastic and have amazing chemistry with one another. The series initially won me over at the scene her mother rode in on a horse fully suited up in war gear. Her character is just so good. The male lead, Zi Sheng, is also intriguing so far, as well as the case he's working on. Even the family dynamics and drama are interesting.
I really wanted to try and just bear with NN's character until there was hopefully some severe character growth. But when within an episode, she had men falling for her left and right from their one and first encounters, it was game over. The score for her is almost nothing and an 8-9 for everything else about the series so far.
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A True QUALITY WATCH, A rare to be seen MASTERPIECE
OVERALL OPINION:In all my years as a drama addict i have yet to see such a quality watch as this. Although a few other masterpieces can be mentionned like Legend of Concubine Zhen Huan and A Dream of Splendor as well as TMOPB, i must say that so far this one seems to be promising the most and i truly hope it follows through till the end.
DETAILED OPINION:
+ Story/Plot:
Though i am still in the beginning of watching this, so far honestly it has been excellent plot and story wise. Nothing drags and i have been captivated every second of every episode, no filler scenes, it feels like every moment is necessary to the development of the story and to the understanding of the characters for future plot development. Having said that, not many series have many fillers in the beginning to start with. However as this one has around 30 episodes only (unlike dramas which drag the plot from 40 to 70 episodes), i am optimistic towards the unfolding of the scenes yet to come.
+ Acting/Cast:
I doubt i have seen all the characters yes but have definitely seen the main one and TBH so far so good.
I already like the main FEMALE LEAD from her other dramas she does not exaggerate or underplay her acting either.
The main lead's MOTHER is an excellent actress although her personality does seem to be wanted to be portrayed as strict and soldier like, i would like to see more of her motherly emotions which i am sure will not be omitted. Acting wise however so far i feel like she is a really good actress, you can tell from her silent facial expressions and eye movements.
The MAIN LEAD has so far not impressed me, although i am not sure if he is purposefully meant to be so monotonous because of the nature of his job but i have yet to see any facial expressions from him. which IF this continues would be disappointing because it would play into the usual cliche of mail leads that are expressionless in order for i dont know to make them seem more manly or something?
+ Direction:
*Clap Clap Clap* I honestly really ...truuuuly am IMPRESSED. like i said it is a rare watch and i believe all of that is due to the director. From the first scene i was already impressed from the entrance shot. from that i was able to tell that it was not yet another cliche drama following the same style as every other successful drama in order to collect viewership. GREAT EFFORT was put in by this director and even though the production value does not seem that extravagant, the director's efforts truly made the SCENES SHINE
+ Music:
i have not paid much attention to the music so far but i believe that to be A GOOD THING. It is neither overbearing the drama nor is it completely unpresent. I hate it most when they try and fail at manipulating the watchers with stupid music when it is so uncalled for in a scene. For example playing overly dramatic music in a scene that doesnt require so much drama just to exaggerate the effects and the emotions of the viewers in poorly written dramas. Because a well written and directed drama does not need the music to let us know how to feel but only to accessorise it.
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Excellent show till date as per my preferences
It has been so long since I have watched such a show which is Complete in every aspect. Each and every episode kept us entertained and did not let us feel any boredom even though the scenes were with a slow moving pace. Characterization needs to be appreciated and also the corresponding portrayal by the actors need a big round of applause.Not able to pick any actor for praising as all of them had exceeded expectations with their role performances.
Definitely a show which has high rewatch value according to my preferences.
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I cried buckets for this drama
I cried buckets for this drama!LLTG was highly recommended everywhere so it was on my list for such a long time. Overall, it’s not that great but it’s watchable. For historical fiction drama, I think Who Rules The World has better plot and pace.
The cast was good. Leo and Lusi, despite being in their early 20s during the filming, portrayed their character well. So does the supporting characters, I especially love Shaosang’s mother, Yuanyi. What an amazing actress. The relationship between this mother and daughter was done beautifully. For those who hated her mother, I truly feel her character as Asian parents at that time, and being a war general for 15 years. And she is probably the person that love Shaosang the most.
But the plot. Oh the plot. So many love story and revenge. And the pace is so slow. I had to play 1.25x speed to watch it. The villain’s character development is out of place, His Majesty the King and the crown prince is a joke. And poor Yuan Shanjian, can we get a better ending for that guy. He’s been waiting for Shaosang for so long and when they almost got married, FL old flame comes back. How unlucky is that.
Not to mention the ending. Its so lame. Would have been great if it fast forward to few years later, with ML & FL, got married and have a bunch of kids, since both of them grew up without love and family.
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Shaoshang and her mother's relationship is my favorite. It feels realistic and I love the complexity. Yes, her mother has wronged her but you can see her reasoning for her actions. There's so much to explore in a mother-daughter dynamic and when it's explored well I'm always blown away.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Great Option for a First Cdrama
Follow Zhao Lusi in another STELLAR performance as a smart indepent woman in a period drama. The kicker with this drama is that every single character is written and acted out so well that it's impossible not to like everyone. Even the mother who i disliked for abandoning her baby because of a fortune teller, we'd redeemable and still likeable.The queens were an absolute riot kicking the Emperor out as he went through a midlife crisis every time the ML went through any sort of character Growth. He was also the biggest shipper of the ML and FL.The amount of dad jokes the Emperor dropped would make any dad proud.
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What is love?
Cheeky, mischievous and lovable Zhao Lusi pulls it off again and is in her element when these traits are required of her character. She plays a very believable 15 year old who is figuring out what love is - be it family love or romantic love.The cinematography was superb and had those panning scenes which I enjoyed in A Dream of Splendor. Scenery was gorgeous and sets were very realistic. Casting for the extras was very well done and it was so good to see the black guards looking especially tough and rugged unlike some dramas where the guards looked like school boys.
The character growth for the FL was good and it was refreshing to see her figure out what love and marriage is. Her interactions with the 3 different love interests was nicely done. #1 annoyed her every time they met, #2 spoiled her with food and catered to her every whim and #3 sparked the embers of love every time he saved her.
Unfortunately, while I loved the FL, I would have preferred a different ML. Just personal preference on what I would consider handsome. His posture didn’t sit well with me either but other than that he was a good actor who rode the horse very well and had great fighting scenes.
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Filled with annoying supporting characters. Some of the main characters are decent.
Old Madame Cheng is the worst so far, I felt like I'm watching a comedy drama instead of historical or political one. She is a such a annoying character. Her, the caretaker, and the aunt-in-law, make me feel like I wont be able to tolerate such silly and insipid characters throughout the show and If I am better off dropping this. Apart from the FL & her maid, there seem to be no sensible female characters. Wait, the cousin and the aunt who raised her seem like decent people. Now it seems like the cousin is gonna loose her way as well.Xiao Yuan Yi should not have been a mother. The first thing she does when she comes home is "disciplines" her abused daughter. Yeah, why not, let's abuse her some more. That's what motherhood is all about. She gives me the ecks. I shudder thinking of little girls who only love their moms or desire a little bit of affection but have to deal with their authoritarian discipline. Only on 4th episode and she gets on my nerve. Not only is she not a good mother but also a poor teacher who doesn't understand what her pupil requires to learn.
I repeat what a horrible mother. She actually said let me beat you to establish my authority, how disgusting could she be. And then she has the guts to call her daughter cold. She has some screws loose for sure. She is fine with seeking comfort from her husband but can't see that her little girl needs comfort as well.
While her father seems to be an okay person, he always gives in to her mother. Whatever she does should be right and for her daughter's sake. They were fine maligning her in front of everyone, especially people who mocked and bullied her. I mean the story didn't even need other people to bully her when they have one of the strongest bully in their family.
The romance was under shadowed and mostly led by Ling Bu Yi. He fell first, he fell hard, and he stayed true. I know there's going to be a separation in part 2 but I'll deal with it when time comes.
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Extremely good Wu Xia mixed romance
LIKEThe jealous Yuan Shan Jian and Zi Sheng over Lou Yao
How Zi Sheng is always there to save Shao Shang
When Shao Shang and Xiao Yuan Yi argued with Lou Lin and Madam Lou
What Zi Sheng did for Shao Shang in front of Emperor Wen and Empress Xuan
DISLIKE
How Xiao Yuan Yi treated Shao Shang - that moment when Yuan Yi stood by Yang Yang's side
Felt sad for how unlucky Shao Shang is all her life
Shao Shang's relationship with Lou Yao which was... - I heart for them and cried a lot
MUSIC - personal fav
星河叹 Xing He Tan - 黄龄 Huang Ling
REWATCH VALUE
I have re-watched at least once
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The story also very good too
Though this story is very long but i never boring to watch because every episode is good to watch 😅
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A modern classic ?
**My review is based on having seen part 2 (no spoilers)**I think this is quite possibly the best thing I’ve watched on Viki. Here are some of the reasons why:
- high production values overall
- excellent attention to detail, well dressed sets
- costumes felt authentic in terms of colours and fabrics, very little that felt obviously modern like you get in some historicals
- great cinematography, lighting and framing, some shots you’d just want to frame large-scale
- excellent music and sound design
- appropriate use of time slips
- great characters that develop and grow through different experiences but always make believable choices
- huge range of tone from humour to pathos deftly handled
- well-thought out plot, I didn’t get annoyed at any last minute drama that often gets thrown in for no reason, the whole thing was very well paced
- satisfying ending
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