Kotori
Singapore
Watch only if you are a fan of Zhang Ruo Yun
Story: ★★
The drama start of pretty promising with a good set up (from the Novoland book series) and interesting characters. Though some parts seemed to be a bit fast I was looking forward to the rest. However starting around ep. 10 the drama lost me esp. with a lot of artificially created scenes to make the drama “exciting” (e.g. scenes to create a series misunderstanding between the leads) but for me they achieve the opposite. Then the show continued with its plot holes (e.g. relationships were introduced that did not existed before), its not so convincing character development (e.g. actions that don’t fit to certain characters) and illogical story progress (e.g. no logical explanation for certain incidents and why the producers created them).
I really had a hard time continuing with this drama.
Then the drama ended as bad as one would expect - both endings were bad and predictable. Though the happy ending was slightly better, but the fact they created an alternative happy ending make it less good.
Acting/cast: ★★★★
The only reason why I continued with this drama (which I did not regret) is the over the top performance of Zhang Ruo Yun. I just finished watching Joy of Life and became a big fan of his acting. With this drama he showed other acting talents of his by depicting the arrogant and fiery tempered bird sect crown prince Feng Tian Yi. He was able to show the full range of human emotions such as ruthlessness, pride, anger, grief, pain or joy so naturally and convincing that just leaves me in awe. And the viewer can clearly see how his character smoothly developed to a more kinder version (which was his natural character) after falling in love with the female lead. On top of that I need to say that Feng Tian Yi probably the most beautiful male character I have ever seen in any (and I have watched many costume dramas!) dramas before!
The one star needs to be deducted due to the not so great job of the other leads, particularly the female lead, Guan Xiao Tong. Her acting was really below average, just not very natural.
There are scenes in which I was not able to distinguish that she was actually crying if not by her voice and tears cause her facial expression did not change. It feels like there is a certain barrier or constrain she is not able to break free from. Because of that I just did not feel the chemistry between her and Zhang Ruo Yun which bothers me during the entire show.
The second male lead Liu Chang played a very interesting human crown prince that had a lot to potential for great acting. But it might have been a bit too much for him and there was quiet a bit of room for improvement. What I liked though is his courage of not restrict himself by the “idol” way as opposed to the female lead. Though I found the character change towards end of the show not very natural (but perhaps it is the story that is to blame rather than his acting).
I really liked Cheng Ruo Xuan playing the skillful Yu Huan Zhen. His acting is very natural. He started off rather comical and cute but also underwent great development to a more mature character.
Production and music: ★★★
The landscape artworks are actually quiet nice. The CGI was very smooth and a good job. The two of them are key for a good fantasy/Xianxia drama. While I liked the designs, the sets and the costumes looked unfortunately very cheap and it is very noticeable (maybe they ran out of money...). The drama songs are nice, though nothing to be particularly remembered, except for the ending songs which is from a kids boy group that did not fit the theme of the drama at all. Really don’t understand how and why they have made this decision.
Summary: ★★★
I would have given a lower rating or even dropped it if it’s not for Zhang Ruo Yun’s acting. If you are a fan of his, like me, give it a go as you would even more fall in love with him (and particularly even more because a lot of other aspects are bad). If not, please pick another better drama to spend your precious time with.
The drama start of pretty promising with a good set up (from the Novoland book series) and interesting characters. Though some parts seemed to be a bit fast I was looking forward to the rest. However starting around ep. 10 the drama lost me esp. with a lot of artificially created scenes to make the drama “exciting” (e.g. scenes to create a series misunderstanding between the leads) but for me they achieve the opposite. Then the show continued with its plot holes (e.g. relationships were introduced that did not existed before), its not so convincing character development (e.g. actions that don’t fit to certain characters) and illogical story progress (e.g. no logical explanation for certain incidents and why the producers created them).
I really had a hard time continuing with this drama.
Then the drama ended as bad as one would expect - both endings were bad and predictable. Though the happy ending was slightly better, but the fact they created an alternative happy ending make it less good.
Acting/cast: ★★★★
The only reason why I continued with this drama (which I did not regret) is the over the top performance of Zhang Ruo Yun. I just finished watching Joy of Life and became a big fan of his acting. With this drama he showed other acting talents of his by depicting the arrogant and fiery tempered bird sect crown prince Feng Tian Yi. He was able to show the full range of human emotions such as ruthlessness, pride, anger, grief, pain or joy so naturally and convincing that just leaves me in awe. And the viewer can clearly see how his character smoothly developed to a more kinder version (which was his natural character) after falling in love with the female lead. On top of that I need to say that Feng Tian Yi probably the most beautiful male character I have ever seen in any (and I have watched many costume dramas!) dramas before!
The one star needs to be deducted due to the not so great job of the other leads, particularly the female lead, Guan Xiao Tong. Her acting was really below average, just not very natural.
There are scenes in which I was not able to distinguish that she was actually crying if not by her voice and tears cause her facial expression did not change. It feels like there is a certain barrier or constrain she is not able to break free from. Because of that I just did not feel the chemistry between her and Zhang Ruo Yun which bothers me during the entire show.
The second male lead Liu Chang played a very interesting human crown prince that had a lot to potential for great acting. But it might have been a bit too much for him and there was quiet a bit of room for improvement. What I liked though is his courage of not restrict himself by the “idol” way as opposed to the female lead. Though I found the character change towards end of the show not very natural (but perhaps it is the story that is to blame rather than his acting).
I really liked Cheng Ruo Xuan playing the skillful Yu Huan Zhen. His acting is very natural. He started off rather comical and cute but also underwent great development to a more mature character.
Production and music: ★★★
The landscape artworks are actually quiet nice. The CGI was very smooth and a good job. The two of them are key for a good fantasy/Xianxia drama. While I liked the designs, the sets and the costumes looked unfortunately very cheap and it is very noticeable (maybe they ran out of money...). The drama songs are nice, though nothing to be particularly remembered, except for the ending songs which is from a kids boy group that did not fit the theme of the drama at all. Really don’t understand how and why they have made this decision.
Summary: ★★★
I would have given a lower rating or even dropped it if it’s not for Zhang Ruo Yun’s acting. If you are a fan of his, like me, give it a go as you would even more fall in love with him (and particularly even more because a lot of other aspects are bad). If not, please pick another better drama to spend your precious time with.
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