Unchained Love (2022)

XIAO DUO & BU YINLOU DESERVE A BETTER ENDING!

Okay, so this is the first Cdrama I've watched this year, so I'm going to write my review about it. I just finished watching this a while ago, so here are my thoughts. When I first watched the first episode, I was shocked because the character was so familiar to me. That's when I realized it was Dylan Wang, so it gave me more reason to watch this drama. The first episode is kind of boring for me, maybe because I'm not fond of watching historical cdrama, so it's very new to me. But I'm glad because the next episodes are getting more interesting as I watch them. 

I love the acting of the cast and how they portray their characters very well, especially Dylan Wang and Yukee Chen. I also love how smart their characters are, they fully understand each other just by looking at each other, and I'll just be surprised that they knew each other's plan all along and it's just all an act. Bu Yin Lou is one of my favorite characters in the show. I love how she stands up for herself and for the people around her; she knows what she wants, and she's not afraid to express who she really is. This kind of FL is rare, so I love her for that because I'm satisfied with how she roasts and fights with the people who keep forcing and controlling her. 

Next is Xiao Dou, portrayed by Dylan Wang. I have loved him since Meteor Garden, and I must say that this kind of role really suits him the most. His postures, facial expressions, and fighting skills nailed it. I also admire how he will do everything just for BYL. He's willing to sacrifice everything just to be with her. We need this kind of man in real life. He is also smart, like BYL, and I must say their chemistry is also good. I also admire their relationship; their trust and love for each other are too good to be true. And maybe that is why they have never had a misunderstanding since the beginning because they trust each other so much. 

The storyline is about a forbidden love between an eunuch and an emperor's woman. I didn't expect that the emperor would be a tyrant because I felt bad for him in the first episode. But well, I guess love really makes us crazy, or, should I say, obsession makes people go crazy. But overall, I love the actor's acting; he portrayed the emperor so well that my head boiled because of him.

Now for the ending. Well, it's 50/50 for me. I really think XIAO DUO AND BU YINLOU DESERVE A BETTER ENDING! They have been suffering too much, and making the ending like that is just nah for me. They deserved better and lived happily without worrying about anything involving the emperor. 

That's all, but besides the ending, this show is a must-watch. Overall, the plot is good, and I have already recommended it to some of my friends. So I hope they will like it. 
 
 

Read More

Refreshing, I like it

Tired of dominant ,controlling ,aloof CEO type of story?
Tired of time travel story?
Tired of the typical love scene, male lead catching the female lead on time and then spinning or she fell right on his lips?
I am , so this story is refreshing for me. An eunuch with a woman whom emperor has eyes on.
It started in more serious mode, but I do like the lovey scenes toward the middle of the show. Finally , this is something different - different characters, unexpected dialog and reaction, not some typical scenes we had seen many times. lol, I enjoy the show especially middle part so much.
I like YinLo's character- bold, witty, she knows what she wants and she will follow her heart.
Honestly, Dylan Wang's acting has improved a lot, richer emotion and expression.
I hope it will only get better.
*They shouldn't have cut some of the scenes, I will wait for the version with uncut scenes if there is any

Read More

The freedom that comes with loving you

This drama has a very promising start. Initially I thought it was going to be light and fun, a romcom that would be more of a slice of life. I was wrong, and it was a very pleasant surprise .

The first few episodes I’ve seen are gripping and the story is setting itself up nicely to be a revenge story focusing on Dylan Wang’s character. I’m interested in seeing to how he became to head Eunuch and I really like his attitude. He clearly isn’t swayed and intimidated by anyone, even with all the gaslighting within the palace he knows that others all have their weaknesses. He’s a cold man, but he isn’t mean- he’s off putting and scary but I believe he is just heavily misunderstood and a victim of circumstance. If this drama delivers with his backstory he could become an even better character and round himself- he has a lot of room for character development. Lots of potential with both the main characters here.

Bu Yin is also a good character. There isn’t too much I can say with it just being the few episodes I’ve watched. So far she claims herself to be dumb and not anyone to be obsessed over, so I like her self awareness. She really isn’t too stupid- it’s just the nice banter she has with Xiao Duo. She is refreshingly honest with herself and her feelings to Xiao Duo. Their chemistry is able to thrive with the playful nature of her character compared to Xuo Duo. He isn't too stoic, and he softens up but in an adorable and non cliche way.

So far he is pretty much using her for his benefit, as it seems he climbed his way up to his position. Their story should unfold nicely; and hopefully it won’t be filled with tropes. Maybe it will be a hate to love, but Bu Yin is only intimidated by Xiao Duo. I can’t see him hating her as he doesn’t have a need to, he is resourceful and doesn’t waste time.

The complaint I have is that I don’t think Dylan Wang is dubbing over his voice. That’s not his fault thought, I wish he could’ve.

What makes this drama better than others to me is the tone. It is a lot darker as I said before. The first episode shows how gruesome and brutal this show is willing to go. That goes to the world building of the king firing and all his consorts being sent to death with him. Honestly I thought Bu Yin could die, even though I knew she wouldn’t, I almost could see her firing in that situation. It was really keeping me on the edge of my seat. With that being only the first episode I can see a lot of trauma happening later also; and I can see our characters learning from each one. I’m genuinely intrigued by this drama because of the potential it has.

I love the tone of the show, it’s not too dark but it isn’t afraid to be. The humor comes and goes but for the most part this drama is surpassingly funny without that humor overstaying its welcome. It makes you wonder with all the fluffy moments if it will get really intense soon, which is good compared to thinking this drama is too fluffy to go deep into the plot. The sets are beautiful and the lighting is so good. It doesn’t look cheap and I can see this as an actual setting without telling myself it’s a drama. Dylan Wang comes in and is very handsome, but he isn’t just a cold and handsome face here. He is very intimidating and has a lot to work with here and he is giving what the script offers and makes acts so well. The same goes to his costar and the other supporting cast. This show is just well done and hopefully it fastens any loose ends to become truly one of a kind.

Beneath the surface of this drama I find it VERY dark. The transition of the second lead, Fu Wang, threw me off. In a good way. He is given some sort of reverse character ark, to become a twisted and possessive person. I find it to be one of the most interesting parts of this drama. To see this man changed by the position he is in, but it was always him. It just makes sense.

So I love the relationship between the leads. Still it isn't all romantic, it's scary that they pretty much are faced with dying for each other.

Read More

Fantastic cdrama

This drama’s name supposed to be named “forbidden love” Because their love was chained 🤧Nothing like “unchained love” I love the drama
It kept me going, I couldn’t even miss an episode cuz each episode has some event that happened. The Ml and Fl were great 😊 the portray their characters very well. Gosh I love there smartness especially Bu yinluo
Loved how the emperor lost everything, but wished the could have killed him off😒 will be very happy
In anyways loved how it ended cuz I was scared if this will be sad ending . The writer could at least show us where the gave birth to twins🙃 and also wan wan love story, it’s a pity the didn’t get there ending.
I love the brotherhood between the Xiao duo and his Godson, Also the respect and friendship between xiao duo and his zhoding bureau.
The music was very good, fits in with mood
Don’t think I can rewatch it again cuz other drama will keep me busy.
Felt pity for enuch sun, but then he deserves it somehow
All the hateful characters got their rewards
Am happy

Read More

How crazy are you willing to do for 'love'?

Finally finished watch this after delay it for quite sometimes. Thinking & thinking to watch or not because of Chen Yu Qi. For me this girl is no FL material yet. I love her character in ashes, but as long as she play the lead role / FL, almost feel lack of something. Sorry for her fans. But at the same time I want to watch Dylan Wang after Love Between Fairy and Devil, so yeah finally I decided to watch this & hang till the end because of Dylan & Peter Ho.

How crazy are you willing to do for 'love'? Here we have Murong Gao Gong (GG) that willing to do anything just to make sure Bu Yin Lou (YL) be his, even with the lack of cooperative & willingness from YL herself. GG is an unfavored princes that have opportunities to take the throne, due to all his relative is dead & he is as the closest heir. GG himself has very week personality & when he takes the throne he became quite insecure. Unfortunately he choose the wrong way & pick power to control everyone that don't obey him.

At the same time we have Xiao Duo (XD), head eunuch & have all the power to control the military & court. He has one purpose to find his brother killer & take revenge. With time he encounter YL & fall in love with her. In the end they found out the one killed XD's brother is related to YL & he decided to just give up the revenge in the name of love. And last he finally give every thing that he has just to be with YL....

OK. Now our girl, Bu Yin Lou (YL). She is one free spirited girl that love freedom, she is smart & witty. She is falling in love with XD, the man that up & down try to do everything for her & give his best to give her freedom. Unfortunately we got Chen Yu Qi as YL, she can't portray YL perfectly. Although I quite like her in the end, where she like crazy & the talk with GG is done well. But maybe if someone else be YL, it's gonna be better...

What I love:
+ The chemistry between Dylan Wang & Chen Yu Qi not as bad as I imagine. Quite like to see them together.
+ Peter Ho give amazing performance as GG. We can see how insecure he is, how he crave love from YL, and every little feeling that GG has we can feel it.
+ The adorable Tong Yun & Cao Chun Ang

Overall this drama pulled by Dylan Wang & Peter Ho performance.

Read More

Good story but very unfortunate finally untidy

The beginning has shown the cheerful, intelligent and independent FL (Bu yinlo) character. The romantic story of the duo Xiao and Buyinlo is also described as sweet, funny, adorable, most of the audience will like it. The main theme of this story is not a conflict of political feud to seize power in the kingdom, but focuses on the struggle of love between 卡西姆皇家 and the widow of the previous Emperor, there really is a rebellion scene to replace the Emperor but many scenes tell love stories and challenges from FL and ML. Acting from Yukee Chen is very successful in being a BuYinlo character, she is very good to play a cheerful, independent, and very good character being a strong female character, Maybe in my opinion, this is the most successful character played by Yukee Chen among the other series that she is the main role. Charisma Dylan is undoubtedly to attract the audience from this series. Lifting thumbs up for Peter Ho, he is very good to play the character of the emperor who is psychopathic, selfish, cruel but even though he is basically timid, he is very good to make the audience upset and angry with him. But unfortunately this series many scenes are cut, especially kissing scenes, this makes the audience disappointed. Overall this series has described an interesting and good story but at the end of this story it is less epic and does not illustrate the end of the romantic story that ends but still leaves a question mark for the audience

Read More

Great potential but terrible miscast of FL

This was a good series, pretty engaging. It had great potential to score an 8 or 9 (I rarely give those scores). But I took points off mainly because of the terrible miscasting of the female lead. This was not the role for this actress. She just could not not pull off the comedy, emotional range or screen presence. This if the first time I've seen this actress in a lead role, and I don't think she's ready to be the main lead in a series and is better suited for 2nd lead or supporting role. She did fine in her 2nd lead in Ashes of Love, but this was not the role for her.

Two actresses come to mind whom this Bu Yin Lou role was written for: 1) Song Zu Er from Legally Romance, Cupid's Kitchen, The Bond; or 2) Zhao Lu Si from Romance of Tiger & Rose, and Love Like the Galaxy. If either of these actresses played the FL role this series would've been one of my top favorites.

Pros:
- The ML (Dylan Wang) was perfect in this role. I watched this series after seeing how great he was in Love Between Fairy & Devil. His facial expressions and body language are perfectly conveyed for every emotion. You want to smile when he's happy, your heart breaks for him when he's sad.
- The 2nd ML / Villain Emperor (Peter Ho) - he was totally believable in how he evolved from of a kind hearted, cowardly prince to a sadistic, egomaniac tyrant. I pitied him when he was trampled on as the kind and gullible prince, but then my skin crawled anticipating what he would do next when he became the villainous emperor.
- Overall the support characters were good, nothing terrible or too annoying about them.

Cons:
- Terrible miscast of the FL. He facial expressions were over-the-top but could not quite convey true emotions - her eyes mainly just bulged widely with eyebrows furrowed. Her comedic abilities did not come natural at all, very forced.
- Some plot holes, but none too major that you can't overlook.

Read More

I didn't like the ending

I liked the series overall. However, there were many mistakes. There were childish things. Mistakes that I said would not be made were made. Mistakes were made. Why did the screenwriter think of writing this, how did the director shoot this? I put a lot of effort into this in some places. I looked for the reason and couldn't find it. It seemed illogical. There were so many that I wish I could write them down. My comment will be very long and will not fit into the pages. I had set my grade as 9 from the beginning. However, I made a note. I gave it 8. In that anger, I thought of giving it a 6. There were mistakes that shouldn't have happened that depressed me so much that I even stopped watching. I didn't like the ending scenes either. It could have ended better and more positively. An emperor who was so ungrateful, unworthy of the throne, and shot everyone behind his back should at least have been sent away. Those who supported him in his shadow had to flee. Such an ending did not suit the finale. What I liked. I liked the actors. I liked the shot. The images were beautiful. The scenes were shot well. The story was well thought out, but great mistakes, irresponsibility and simplicity were made while scripting it. I do not like. But still, for the sake of integrity, it was a good watch for me.
I liked the acting of the master actor Peter Ho. the most. He added to his role. He played well. Even a reward may be given. Some may find it simple. He showed such an acting. I liked it very much. He was the real lead of the series. Zeng Li. I love him very much. It seemed very little to me, but even in that little view he proved his mastery. Was very good. Dylan Wang looks older than he is. It looks like that. He has very smooth facial features and knows how to make himself look great, proud and arrogant. Maybe I expected better from Chen Yu qi, one of my favorite actors, but he was still good in my opinion. No bad. It may have fallen below expectations. I loved. I wish it were better.Guan Chang. was very good. He knows how to show himself off. He assimilated his role and played it well. Veteran actor Shi Yu, for example, did that eunuch role very well. He successfully portrayed the scenes of the emperor's death as a result of his manipulation of the emperor, regretting his mistakes, and eventually deviating from the emperor's personality due to his mistakes. I like those who add role to their role. That's how I saw it. That's why I liked it. These actors are the ones who enlarge their simple roles. I also liked Wang Yu Xin. He Nan.da was exceptionally good at the beginning of the drama. Then his role ended and he disappeared. So the players were good. Would I watch it again? Very difficult. I was a little angry at the mistakes and simplicity made. I probably won't watch it. Have a nice time.

Read More

Cruel and sadistic at times but a great watch for lovers of forbidden romance . . .

A thrilling story of two people following their hearts in a dangerous, toxic imperial palace. The first episodes are violent, overacted and aesthetically ugly, but these issues mostly resolve and settle in.
The plot is unique, you are dropped right into the middle of the conflict and the characters have to fight hard for control over their fates. The ultimate strength of the drama is both people in the romance are skilled and strategic, personable, and have great chemistry.

Dylan Wang from Love between Fairy and Devil continues excellence at conveying menacing, brooding protectiveness. He also succeeds this time in softening and adding some humor and teasing. Chen Yu Qi excels at moving between humor and pranks, to righteous anger, to deep sadness. I was really cheering for them to overcome the odds.

The music is fairly one note, and some of the romance scenes may be worth a rewatch.

I grade on other criteria as well:

Complex Themes: 8.5
Obsession and jealousy are soul destroying - healthy love is completely different. Holding firm to simple principles avoids corruption. Fighting for what you want leads to less regret. Being unafraid of death provides courage and a life with dignity.

Complex Characters/Growth: 7.0
The emperor is a simplistic fool who lets his irrational fantasies and desires run wild. While not a complex characterisation the character is welcome: more dramas should explore obsession v. care and love. Similarly, I liked how the main characters leaned in to stereotypes and tropes to deceive and trick their way to freedom. It was a refreshing take on what is considered a moral and dignified way of life when you have no power and it worked for me: what is crying, faking illness, lying etc. compared to protecting the people you love?

Complex Women/Interactions Between Women: 7.5
Chen Yu Qi is complex: while she desires a simple and carefree life, she is fully capable of initiating her own strategies and power plays. She is making a conscious, active choice to not lead a life full of power struggle - not because she couldn't hack it, but because it's not what she wants. Besides her though, the other women characters are simple and mostly discuss the male characters.

Cinematography/Production Values: 7.5
On one hand, the fight scenes are well done, and there are a few cinematic moments. On the other hand, it really is shot like a drama from 5 - 10 years ago.

Read More

Go in with no expectations

I have been waiting for this drama forever. So, when IQIYI announced that it was to be released on 27th December 2022 I was euphoric. Special mention to all the trailers, they were just amazing.

It is the story of Xiao Duo a eunuch who works for the emperor and Bu Yin Luo the concubine whom the emperor loves. Their relationship is forbidden (Hence the name), so the problems they discover form the story.

Characters:

Xiao Duo played by Dylan Wang. I must say that I expected a lot after LBFaD but he was not up to the mark. Mostly he did a fair job, but he fails to show emotions through certain scenes. Especially some emotional scenes between Yukee and him. The lack of chemistry between him and Yukee was showing through. He looks amazing as always with the beautiful and intricate wardrobe, especially the Black ones. Dylan has few but some excellent fight scenes, which I absolutely love. Also, his general controlling, stern and clever attitude is noteworthy.

Bu Yin Luo played by Yukee Chen. Yukee Chen was not bad but one could not help but see a lot of recycled actions across different emotions. She is wide-eyed in several scenes which feels out of place. Most emotional scenes could not be related to. She not only lacks chemistry with Xiao Duo but also with Li Ping Ru and Tong Yun. There is a lack of build-up between her and Li Ping Ru, which makes the emotional scenes just so-so. At times one cannot help but question if she has any feelings for Xiao Duo or if she is okay with spending time holding hands with Fu Wang. She also has a good wardrobe.

Murong Gao Gong/Fu Wang played by Peter Ho. He does a good job of a know-nothing, want-nothing prince who by chance became an emperor. His love for Yin Luo is blind and selfish. The character build-up is fair.

So Far:
If you have time and want to binge-watch a costume drama or miss Dylan after LBFaD you can watch it. The drama is one-time watchable with some amazing shots and beautiful costumes. It lacks some character build-ups, story build-ups and lead pair chemistry. The first few episodes lack the charm but as you go on the story does become quite interesting. If you can bear with the problems do give it a try.

Read More