KimSamson

I had never considered China's position in World War 2 and this drama really forces you to confront that. Between the internal strife of the Communist vs Nationalist parties, Japan's occupation of China and the realities of world war 2, there is plenty of action in this show. Despite that, it is quite slow-paced. The drama focuses on a group of scholars from Fuhua university and the Hanguang Squadron in the Chinese Air Force. Despite a big cast, the series does a good job of getting you to care about all the characters.

I really enjoyed how heatfelt the story was, and how much intrigue was wrapped into it. I would not have usually picked this style of show, but I was pleasantly surprised by it. Themes of loyalty, stife and corruption were deeply interweaved, and of course, a deep sense of patriotic pride which cannot be escaped when one encounters a war drama.

** Spoilers below **
Meng Haitang and Zhang Qi were so endearing, and while they did not have a lot of screen time their love story is so endearing. Haitang was such a resolute character, and I really enjoyed her quiet resilience. Also, in my opinion, she is made of iron because what do you MEAN she walked from Beiping to Kunming in the midst of a war? She's incredible.

I really appreciated the tension of Zhang Qi being an incredible pilot and not being able to fly. I think the writers really encapsulated what some soldiers who were injured may have felt. Zheng Nianqiao's consistent and fierce loyalty was my favorite part about him. He was a stellar chacracter and I was rooting for Qianying the whole time.

For a war drama almost solely focused on the impacts of the war, this drama did a great job of pulling you into the lives of these characters and their various stories. Of course, it's still a drama and it had its' melodramatic moments but all in all I enjoyed it.