CameliaIspir
This review may contain spoilers
Probably best historical drama in 2022
After enjoying Who Rules The World ( first / only Cdrama to enter Netflix Top 100), I searched similar costume dramas with the same leads, and this is how I stumbled upon Love Like The Galaxy.I believe from all I've seen, this is the best wuxia of 2022 - in a galaxy of dramas, this one shines the brightest !
Story - epic, based on the novel Splendid Stars
Cinematography - spectacular, and note that some of the images you will think are CGI are actually real ! For instance, the fire at the Lantern festival - they built the restaurant frame and burned it..
Director Fei's attention ti details of the era, from costume, to different hair style girls/ ladies, up to the small pieces placed on the floor to hold the mats - it's amazing !
Casting - perfect ! I can not say there is any actor evrn lowest support role, that does not fit the character described in the novel.
OST matching the atmosphere of the drama, has just been released on youtubd fir your listening pleasure..add ti it the flute songs played by the FL.
Acting - best performance award goes to Wu Lei and Zhao Lusi, who succeeded in portraying very complex characters. From microexressions to grand fighting scenes, from stunts performed by themselves to riding horses, they did it without fail - and they are in their early 20's !
Their characters are totally original for Cdrama - both are " damaged" from tgeir childhood and had to rely on themselves, ehich made them smart, cunning, secretive, untrustfull and revengefull. Kindness from others is always viewed with suspicion in the beginning, but their heart is in the right place, discerning right from wrong, irrespective of being family or strangers, they don't condone injustice and betrayal from anyone.
In the midst of rebellion, war, palace fights, family disasters, these two learn to trust and love each oth - their romance is slow burn, but it sets the screen on fire !
The side characters are well developed, bringing both comic relief ( in good taste) like her village grandmother and his sidekicks, tragedy and even misstreatement from her mother ( tough love?!), the array of emotions in each episode range from tears to angst, hate, frustration, pity, laugh until you tear again.
Rewatching value - 10 ! I already rewatched the first season, even changed the setting fir lower speed, because are so many magic moments I might miss while reading the subtitles.
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No sparks
After Alicd and Tomorrow, I was really looking firward to a new drama with Kim Hee Seon. While actors offered a solid performance, the plot was pretty weak abd the music did not offer any help to underline the " dramatic" moments. Not even the love triangle saved the drama, since there was no chemistry whatsoever and this is because KHS made no effort ! She kept looking like an average housewife / mother, and we all know she can do better ! Not even a look showing she is interested, no holding hands or at least a hug to let het cry...And we are talking about mature people, not teenagers..Talking about makjang - Love, ft Marriage & Divorce was 10 times better, and after 3 seasons I keep hoping for the 4th..
For this, I only regret it took such good actors to make a rather unsatisfying show.
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A star is born
The story is rather complex, that's why they needed two seasons yo complete it, and I believe it would have been a greater succesd if Xiao Zhan played the ML, since his sexappeal and romantic prowess is by far better than the emperor's.FL character was well played and did fullfilled the expectations of innocent, playfull, sensitive hurt - vdry expressive without any of the cringey stuff seen in so many dramas.
Considering the age of the actrors / actress, I think we can surely say " a star is born" and we expect from them a galaxy of good dramas !
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Lovely story
Thd plot is really intriguing, abd the costumes are beautiful ( heard the actress brought 300 costumes herself !). Heaven forgive me, but I liked the Devil, the actor really git thd script perfectly. Fairy was nice and sweet, but her voice really destroyed all the romantic feeling. Very beautiful CGI, colours amazing and very exciting gof a xanxia. Nice OST, complementing the story, though I will not save any to listen to it later. I think it eon viewers in comparison with other xanxias released at the same time because of the original plot and costumes, also very clever marketing team . Worth watching !Was this review helpful to you?
Best mom ever
I don't think there are many actresses out there able to pull a believable 17 years old school girl and a 32 years old mom at the same time, but Kim Hee Seon did it with flying colours !Loved her a rebelious teenager who overcame tragedy and sacrificed herself to provide a good family for her daughter at the cost of a sublevel husband and hag of a mother inlaw. Then she comes to life as her feisty young self and goes back to school under assumed identity to protect her daughter from bullies.
A beautuful, complex story, dark abd comedic, brave and heartbreaking, with unexpected romance,
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A girl like her
Found this drama while browsing YouTube, and was really positively impressed. While a bit reluctant at first, I got to like the heroine for her no nonsense approach to love and life, for bravely admitting who she is and what she likes, for not submitting to those who tried to make her sumissive.Her choice in courting is direct and open, she speaks her mind always.
He family brings the comic relief in s pleasant way, no half/ fake smiles here..
Male lead is scholarly, handsome, cunning, much alike the character of Hei Fenxi from Who rules the world..and also gets smitten with the female lead. However his dark past will get in the way of their happiness for a while, until finally reunited in a happy ending.
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A drama like no other
It's first time I see a drama after reading the novel, and like it even if it deviates from the novel !The script is so good because it makes it easier for viewers to understand the characters.. and these characters are so complex : Shaoshang has become selfish and scheming, smart and cunning, because she needed to survive unprotected since birth, and after reunited with her family 15 years later she is met with disdain and more punishmentd from her mother. This is why the drama's first 5 episodes seem slow but they actually build the backbone of the story and are essential - episode 6 already has the plot going ! Cinematography is beautiful, and so are the costume and make'up, no brilliant red lips thank you very much !
Casting is on point, I can not say " that one was a bad choice", the comedy scenes are in the VILLAGE this is why actors play like silly village people, including grandmother and comp.. Very impressed with FL acting, considering one needs to express subdued dissapointment, anger and sorrow within the limitations of the era rigid attitude for women, and respect for elders..the way she realises her choice to stand up even to her mother or continue to be bullied, that desperate painful bravery without melodrama, is simply unique in cdrama.. I will stop here before revealing more..
Be patient until ep 6, and don't miss this show, as will be your loss !
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Heroic resistance
Very excited about the ratings/ ranking, I have stubbornly clinged on until ep 6, hoping it will get better ..It happened that in some cases, like Faith, for instance - where it took the FL 4 eps to adjust , but after that it was a rush !!!Here however the cringe was too much, with the screeching and jumping of " young" character clever child-like playfullness..Sirry, not enough "."
Make a mash of Love and redemption and add a bit of Ashes of Love , let it slowly slowly cook until you are bored, and call it Immortal .
After all the wait and hype , such a bitter dissapointment !
Watch it for visuals of the actors, if you wish - or better rewatch one of their earlier, better dramas.
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Beyond unbelievable
The story and characters are nowhere near reality , meaning it was impossible to believe this can happen on any level - dream, fantasy etcAt one point I was tempted to fast forward to see if I could find a relatable scene to watch..a good fight, or some romantic scene, or a hillarious one, or some witty banter..
Unfortunately is a two seasons, so too much fast forwarding - not worth my time..
It is obviously "acted", and looking fake.
The cinematography is dull, the images are dark and i get this foreboding feel...
Maybe I should get skipp to the last couple of episodes to see how it's ended..or maybe I should try it again when in a different state of mind..
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