Wholesome drama, great acting, great storyline, great villain and a really mischievious Xu Kai!
What more could a drama asked for??

While we were served with so many good woman-pretend-to-be-man drama like the legendary hanazakarino kimitachie (both Japanese- Horikita Maki and Taiwanese ver -Ella Chen), to the beautiful you (kor- park shinhye) and sunkyunkwan scandal (kor- park minyoung), NOBODY, I REPEAT, NOBODY DOING IT LIKE BAI LU!

From the swag, and the way Xie Liangchen carry herself, you would think she is truly a man. Just you know, a little bit shorter and smaller. The way her voice tone also perfect for the character. It give an appearance of a calm but principle man. Even when she became Xie Xiang, it doesn't look ridiculous.

Xu kai oh xu kai. When I wrote this, I have just finished The Legends and I wholeheartedly like Xu Kai better in this. Guy can act, I give him that. He made the show entertaining. Although sometimes he can get annoying, especially when it comes to teasing Liangchen. His facial expression and gesture is to die for, (ya know when he winked???)

Worthy mentioned about this drama is the roller coaster unrequited love.

Gu Yanzhen > Xie Xiang
Shen Junshan > Xie Xiang
Shen Tingbai > Qu Manting
Qu Manting > Gu Yanzhen
Huang Song > Xie Xiang

Half through this drama, I was wondering if the pairing ever got together and luckily, they did! In a manner that just flow naturally, it felt like they just come back to where they belong.

Storyline:
The reason why it wasn't a ten because this damn storyline on the first half of the series. While I venture into the drama knowing who the main CP is, even I got confused of the Shen Junshan-Xie Xiang and Gu Yanzhen-Qu Manting. They seems to have more screentime and moment with the 2nd lead than with each other. At one time, I swore I felt guilty rooting for Qu Manting and Gu Yanzhen.

I'm not someone who like slowburn but suprisingly, I can deal with this one voluntarily. I didn't even skipped or fast forward. It just that the drama kinda failed to tell us exactly how Xie Xiang ended up discovering her love for Gu Yanzhen. I mean, what was the specific moment?
I know she never really like Shen Junshan like that. We all see that she only like him for reminding of her brother. But half of the drama, I did wonder if Xie Xiang/Liangchen is going to fall for our male lead or not. And when she decided she is, I just couldn't pin point why. Like YOU FIND THAT GUY ABSOLUTELY ANNOYING BEFORE AND NOW YOU LIKE HIM?? WHY?

Anyway, as a period drama enthusiast, I find this drama very good and worth remembering. The costume is great, the idea of patriotism is superb. You had people of all walk of life fighting for their country whether its the military soldier, bussinessman, students, or secret society. It is a good reminder on what it was like during that time. And I appreciate that a lot.