Rebibug
MN
This review may contain spoilers
Shamans and peaches and portraits oh my
I enjoyed every minute of this drama. Like all great dramas, it starts with a flashback. The kids were cute, their story was unique, the supernatural characters were interesting, and it really got you interested to know what would happen next.
I love how they transformed Ha Ram to reveal Ma Wang. Very creepy, and the actor’s facial expressions and gestures made him completely transform. Also, I could have watched every scene with the ML on mute and I wouldn’t have noticed because he was so attractive. His charisma really jumps through the screen. **And extra points for sweaty shirtless workout scene**
The relationship between the FL and her father was endearing, though I did want to smack her when she turned down good opportunities, using her father’s health as an excuse. Did she really think no one would help her care for him? So frustrating.
For some reason, I love a good imperial exam/contest scene. The production crew must have included some very talented traditional artists because the close up shots of brush and ink on paper were simply mesmerizing. I loved the tension of each challenge and the artistry that resulted.
The second son has all the elements of a good villain: ongoing torment linked to past events, jealousy and entitlement as motivation, darkly handsome with a snarl when he speaks. I admit the plot suffered a bit when trying to maintain the tension between the brothers and the emperor in their battle for the throne and Ma Wang. And there were times when some plot holes miraculously resolved without any real explanation.
The ending…
I like seeing people happy and together, but when you spend 15.5 episodes with characters struggling with a disability, and somehow during a 5 year jump cut the disability is gone with no resolution showing us how/why?? I kept waiting for some clue, but it just ended and it bothered me as the credits rolled. It could have been fine, but that jarring incongruity made the ending more frustrating than sweet for me.
Overall, the actors were stellar, the visuals and artistry were top quality and unique, and it wasn’t such a heavy plot that it was hard to watch. In fact, I think this drama is highly rewatchable, and that is a rare quality, in my opinion.
I hope you all enjoy!!!
I love how they transformed Ha Ram to reveal Ma Wang. Very creepy, and the actor’s facial expressions and gestures made him completely transform. Also, I could have watched every scene with the ML on mute and I wouldn’t have noticed because he was so attractive. His charisma really jumps through the screen. **And extra points for sweaty shirtless workout scene**
The relationship between the FL and her father was endearing, though I did want to smack her when she turned down good opportunities, using her father’s health as an excuse. Did she really think no one would help her care for him? So frustrating.
For some reason, I love a good imperial exam/contest scene. The production crew must have included some very talented traditional artists because the close up shots of brush and ink on paper were simply mesmerizing. I loved the tension of each challenge and the artistry that resulted.
The second son has all the elements of a good villain: ongoing torment linked to past events, jealousy and entitlement as motivation, darkly handsome with a snarl when he speaks. I admit the plot suffered a bit when trying to maintain the tension between the brothers and the emperor in their battle for the throne and Ma Wang. And there were times when some plot holes miraculously resolved without any real explanation.
The ending…
I like seeing people happy and together, but when you spend 15.5 episodes with characters struggling with a disability, and somehow during a 5 year jump cut the disability is gone with no resolution showing us how/why?? I kept waiting for some clue, but it just ended and it bothered me as the credits rolled. It could have been fine, but that jarring incongruity made the ending more frustrating than sweet for me.
Overall, the actors were stellar, the visuals and artistry were top quality and unique, and it wasn’t such a heavy plot that it was hard to watch. In fact, I think this drama is highly rewatchable, and that is a rare quality, in my opinion.
I hope you all enjoy!!!
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