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The only Cdrama I've seen that had good battle scenes with armies in my opinion was the second season of Nirvana in Fire.
I loved the development of the characters, and I liked how they gave plenty of indicators for why four dudes would like the FL--she was definitely a catch!
All the characters had flaws (some more than others) and moments where those flaws impacted others in harmful ways, and I liked the humanness of the characters shown in this way. It helped them feel more like real people (and I also enjoyed watching some of the more flawed characters improve).
It took me a little while to see the FL as a perfect match with the ML, but eventually, I very much saw it and was fully Team CYY. CYY was flawed, too, and had some moments that made him look less than stellar (I honestly thought he toed the line of integrity himself at times, despite realizing he ultimately disliked this quality in his mentor). But I liked how they showed the men falling for different facets of her character, and enjoyed watching Ye Xian and Chen Yan Yun get completely enamored by her quips, integrity, love for upholding what was right, and confidently speaking her mind when others wouldn't.
Jin Zhao had lovely connections with all four men, but only Chen Yan Yun was her match. Ye Xian grew up because of her, Xuan Qing just got flattered by her attention, and Ji Yao just loved her seflessly and devotedly simply for being herself. At first I was worried her deference toward Chen Yan Yun would shake out in a power imbalance in their relationship (I kinda liked the feeling of not knowing how he'd end up with her (even though I knew he would) since the other connections were made so much clearer and obvious from the get-go), but those fears gradually melted away as she warmed up to him and became more herself around him after realizing he was a sweet marshmallow under that official, imposing facade.
And wow, Ye Xian stole my heart. Will I get attacked for saying I thought his acting was more interesting than Ci Sha? He just had such good expressions while Ci Sha's beauty sometimes carried his scenes. It was a nice touch having Ye Xian save/tend to the kitten, Baopu--one might argue it was for visuals and such, but I think it was symbolic; Ye Xian was a lot like that cat--he had a simplicity about him that felt very pure, while also being wildly unpredictable at times when he'd turn on a dime if angry (cats do that! They'll lash out of nowhere when they get scared or anxious 😅). I usually don't get 2ML syndrome, and 2MLs in Cdramas are often narcissists and jerks, but Ye Xian was appropriately layered: adorable, infuriating, and pitiable all at the same time (and played very well by Win Win, I thought--he nailed the tender, prickly, spoiled brat (who's also ironically starved for love) perfectly). I also loved his relationship with CYY--how utterly trusting of CYY and good-hearted he always was, except when he loses his temper which is clearly a childish part of him that bursts out of him when he feels out of control and helpless. Even when he had good reason to mistrust CYY, he placed himself in the older man's steady hands again and again. And CYY never abandons him! Always fighting behind the scenes for him--first, out of kindness and thoughtfulness, and later because of Jin Zhao (despite knowing Ye Xian loved her!), which shows how generous and gracious CYY is towards him--and that he trusts, Ye Xian, too. Their unspoken alliance and friendship was one of the sweetest things in this, and the most unexpected, happy surprise of the drama.
Ye Xian's story was quite sad, but fitting. I don't agree with those who say the way his thread resolved was random or completely unnecessary. It was foreshadowed from the beginning.
Xuan Qing was more infuriating than anything else, but I'll admit he also had a difficult situation to navigate. Unlike Ye Xian's humble, childlike trust of CYY, Xuan Qing thinks a little too highly of himself, is actually more insecure and jealous of CYY (Ye Xian is like a wounded animal dying for love, affection and care--Xuan Qing is afraid to lose his image, and Ye Xian doesn't care about that AT ALL 😅), and tends paint himself as a victim. CXQ DOES have a tough hand of cards--who could argue he doesn't? But again, unlike Ye Xian, he refuses to recognize all CYY had done for him, and that was what led to his tragedy.
The end was not horrible (and not the dreadful thing I imagined from the comments). However, the last three episodes DID feel rushed and edited down to the bare bones of most necessary scenes which left huge gaps in the storytelling which did not exist in the earlier episodes (i.e. how/when did Jin Zhoa reunite with Qu Ping? Why did CYY HAVE to be the one to go to the north? etc.)-- it just raced to the end with scenes missing galore and let you fill in the gaps. It was clear the skeleton of an interesting ending and the beats of a good plot were there, they just didn't have time to develop it. I only felt like the rushing really affected the last three episodes, though.
Would have been a 9 but for the ending. An unexpectedly enjoyable Cdrama, and I also liked the BGMs. Definitely recommended!
I'm at Episode 17.
This one has more traditional couple dynamics so far, in the sense that the ML does save the FL quite a bit, haha, and while the FL starts out being kind of intimidated and in awe of the ML (he's older, buttoned-up, and has an aura about him that commands instant respect), he slowly invites her into realizing he's not someone to be afraid of, and gently treats her like his equal. He is very thoughtful of her, always thinking of what she needs. He falls first, for sure, but is very subtle and tender in his pursuit. She slowly starts to come round and get more comfortable/trusting of him, and less deferential.
In her interactions with the 2MLs (Xuan Qing and Ye Xian) she's just more aggressive, irreverant, fiesty and fiery because they are her age and even though Ye Xian is of a high rank, he doesn't command the same respect Lord Chen does, so she walks all over him and he kind of loves it and fights right back. 😅
So, it's only with the ML that she respects him in a way that would make a suitable match (at first I didn't know how felt because she looked up to him, but he's been slowly evening the playing field and beckoning her to his level); she admired Xuan Qing in a puppy love sort of way and admire him, and saw Ye Xian as a comrade, but Chen Yan Yun is truly her match (but she hasn't realized it yet, as of where I'm at 😉😅).
Lovely Runner is barely two years old. The score will drop over time. It's also a completely different genre, and many MDL users like fluffy romance dramas over action or slice of life.
This is by the same screenwriter, and that is a drama I'll never watch again even though it was very good. Hard to say I enjoyed it, though. It's the kind of drama where I get why people liked it, but it wasn't my thing.
It will explain how Chae Ni comes back to life. What it doesn't explain is why she was so sickly BEFORE she came back to life. You'll see what I mean as you keep watching.