Story:
-The story is too disjointed from scene to scene, you don't develop a deep care for any character really except maybe ML cuz his family is killed and he is beaten to a pulp as a kid.
-Lots of dead time and scenes that could have been a faster pace which made it drag on in the middle
-It starts out with the cruelty of being a pearl diver which I appreciated the honesty of that situation but didn't like the ML being cruel to FL as well in such an abusive and violent way that it doesn't produce any bitterness or resentment...not humanly honest.
-Didn't produce too many new characters so it was easy to guess who the villains were even the "hidden" one - there's only one that they showcased in the desert.

Acting:
- I like Zhao Lusi but it just wasn't her best role. She was able to be emotional and cry well in many scenes. And you see some maturity and growth and appreciate the designers changing her hair/clothes to show the progression.
-However, the name changing wasn't really explained per se...so someone can just change it as they please to remake themselves? And yet she's a merchant dealing with legalities which doesn't make sense.
-Small details gave it away...as a pearl diver her nails looked like she had gel nail polish on-too nice and neat
-ML was good in his role but it didn't make you really like him til much later. His sidekick was someone you like Kang Ju.
- Good chemistry between ML and FL and some of the couples in this cdrama esp Cui and Zheng
-Supporting cast did a good job: 1st set was fun to watch and good performance. but second set...how they meet and become fast friends is a little too quick for me to develop a trust and fast friendship like that

Scenes
Lots of beautiful scenes in the movie
Costuming was gorgeous

Overall: I wouldn't watch it again, there wasn't any character that was significant nor was it unique. REvenge plot
And the ending was meh in my opinion...FL lead says not to leave and then we are left to assume he left
Or maybe they left together to the desert for him to die? Who knows

Subtitling: Andthe subtitling on Netflix was many times inaccurate and/or did not capture the Chinese meaning behind what was said. So those watching with subtitles may be cheated of some of the story or what the character was trying to convey in a scene.