Li_An2021
This show is epic and deserves better reviews!
Super high budget, the settings, costumes and cinematography are outstanding, a visual pleasure.Liu Haoran is fantastic in his role I have no idea what people mean when they complained he wasn't good enough for the part he's perfect! Chen Ruoxuan is the best Ji Ye you could ask for and while Song Zuer's Yu Ran does start out as very childish and immature at the beginning her character development is very satisfying and she grows into a well-rounded character who knows how to accept responsibility and the importance of sacrifice. Most importantly, this love triangle is far from conventional and I'm very grateful for that.
It's a slow-burn plot, but not in a boring way! The production team takes their time in unfolding the mysteries and every question has its answer. There are a few subtle plot holes that could have been handled better and taken this show from epic to truly legendary but they have no effect on the main plot.
The first half of the show is by far the most light-hearted and the second half is gritty, bloody and full of suspense! Once again I don't know what people meant when they said the second half of the show let it down, the second half is where all the excitement is!
I give the music and rewatch value just a 8* each because I wish the show's OST had been used more often but when it is used its spellbinding, and the rewatch value simply because once you know the answers to the mysteries it removes a lot of suspense. I wish I could watch it again for the first time.
Give this show a try it deserves your attention!
Was this review helpful to you?
8/10 Because Of Episodes 34-48
Here's some answers to some questions that I had while watching the show:The Bromance/Sismance Ratio
Other reviews have been misleading over the imbalanced bromance/sismance ratio. They say the bromance/sismance is 30/70% which implies that this is the only thing going on, however over half of the show just the juniors going on missions and Leya and Spectre narrating those missions and calling it 'plotting'. Unless you count the friendship that all the female disciples seem to have with Qi Ling as sismance, there really isn't a lot of bromance or sismance in this show. Even Lotus and Rosemary don't have a lot of sisterly-chemistry onscreen. Most of the bromance is between Qi Ling and Yang Ze. It's unfortunate that Qi Ling and Yin Chen don't spend much time together throughout the show, Qi Ling spends most of his time with Shen Yin, Lotus and Rosemary.
Does Qi Ling Ever Grow Up?
Yes he does... eventually. Qi Ling starts to put away his goofiness around episode 28 and is actually kind of bad-ass, though the part where he actually learns something from Yin Chen is skipped and now he is just good at magic. However, it's not until episode 34 that Qi Ling really grows up and starts acting like a disciple. Up until now he's just been messing around having a good time with his friends and slacking off because he's lazy, but episode 34 is when the production team remembers that they still have a plot to follow and they're going to get back to it now.
The CGI
Yes it's bad. Enough said.
The Plot
More holes than Swiss cheese and half the show is just for amusement. If the production team had stayed anchored on the plot and exchanged episodes 5-33 with actual plot, a second season's story arc could have fit into the episode budget, we would have gotten a much better story and a lot less time-wasting, and perhaps the show could have ended in a more satisfying way.
The Emotion!
As of episode 36, Zhang Min En's (Qi Ling) acting gets much better and Qi Ling gets a lot more interesting. This episode is particularly emotional and Zhang Min En does a great job with it. We've gone so long seeing a comedic character that the emotional depths he can reach are all the more shocking. It's a shame that it took so long to get there.
Genuinely Sad When It Ended
From episode 34 the story really gains traction. As soon as Qi Ling and Yin Chen have established their relationship at the start you can skip to episode 34 and it wouldn't make an awfully great difference to your understanding of the show. The only thing that you might miss is why Qi La is important at the end. Even though half of the show felt like little disciples going on little missions that made no great contribution to the main story arc or even individual character development, I was genuinely sad when the show ended.
Second Season
It was set up for a second season but you aren't left hanging on a critical moment, you're only showed which direction the characters plan to go next and you can imagine the rest.
Watch Or Not?
This show was enjoyable because of the characters, even in their underdeveloped state. If you've got the patience and can ignore the poor CGI and fight choreography, then you can coast through this show and just have a pleasant time, until you get nearer the end and can start enjoying the story. Just take it for what it is, and I imagine if you do watch the whole thing you'll probably want a second season for these characters just like everyone else, even if the CGI doesn't improve. By the end we have some good characters and a decent plot we can follow so if there was a second season I would definitely give it a watch. It did make me want to read the book and I'm going to watch the animated films
Rewatch Value?
I would only bother to rewatch episodes 34-48 and only if there was a second season.
Was this review helpful to you?
This show NEEDS a higher rating!!
Kinnporsche is absolutely phenomenal I don't know how this show is only an 8.1 I've watched shows rated 9.0 and above that weren't as good as this! It was a thrill from beginning to end. Every single actor aced their characters and when you watch the special clips between episodes on iQiyi you can see just how much time and dedication went into making this show. I am so grateful for everything the actors and producers did to create such a masterpiece. It delivers way more than the synopsis promises.Reviews on Twitter, Instagram and Youtube raved about this show I knew it was going to be a good one and held off watching it for a while so that I didn't peak in the BL genre too soon - but this has got to be the peak right?? I binged this show for 2 days, just couldn't leave it alone. The plot is so strong and full of action and there is no direction it doesn't take you in. Shows that aren't afraid to show you the darker side of their characters and their world only serve to draw you in much deeper and that's exactly what you get with this show.
BDSM warning - ep 12 there is some BDSM between one of the supporting couples so if you're not a fan you can skip past it, it doesn't impact the story in a big way if you do and they make a short reference to it later so you know that it happened and its relevance to the characters.
There is major character development for the main and supporting cast and you are carried through all the highs and lows with the characters. And as some other reviews may suggest there is plenty of intimacy on screen (if you're watching the 'La Forte' version as I think the 'TV version' removes the sex scenes). I enjoyed the imtimacy and it was some of the best I've seen in the BL genre so far but even without it the story is so freaking amazing you don't need it there to enjoy the show.
Just watch it, you won't regret it!
Was this review helpful to you?
It's not what you expect...
I wanted to give this show a slightly better rating than it usually gets as the show, and characters especially, were very good, but it's not quite what you expect.This show has, by far, the most passionate scenes of intimacy I have seen in any BL drama so far, and that's quite exciting, though in other parts of the show it gets almost cute between Mangkorn and Yai (that's the unexpected part) - basically, the 'rivalry' that the synopsis is based on doesn't last long.
That isn't to say that the show doesn't have any plot at all as some viewers have commented: the plot is the relationship between Mangkorn and Yai and their (rather speedy) journey from rivals to lovers. If the show had been a few episodes longer there is a lot more that could have been explored between the two leads, but unfortunately there just wasn't time for that, so you'll have to fill in the blanks for yourself. However, on the plus side, that meant that the faster pace kept boredom at bay as we got to see all the most important parts one after the other.
The actors were terrific, and I especially loved the supporting characters P'Park and P'Pong. Though they represent the 'comedic' side of the drama (that you never expected to be there) they are one of the best parts of the show and I thoroughly enjoyed every one of their scenes (and their suits and slicked-back hair and are just a visual feast for the audience)
In summary, anybody coming into this drama will just need to adjust their expectations and they will still be able to enjoy it despite the synopsis dressing it up as something that it's not. I honestly hope there will be a season 2 because I will definitely be coming back to see what's next for these wonderful characters!
Was this review helpful to you?
This show deserves a better rating
It's actually 43 episodes.I give this show a 10 to contribute to raising its rating, it certainly deserves more than a 7.9. At least 8.2 at a minimum. I've watched an 8.7 (One and Only) & an 8.9 (Love Like The Galaxy) that were down-right boring compared to this.
I read in another review it's a "refreshing take on xianxia" and I agree. The two leading characters are mortal, which makes a change for a xianxia, and makes their time all the more precious (as well as their sacrifices). The story, too, is refreshing in it's way and full of suspense. The disciple-master relationship developing into something romantic is nothing new but this one seems different.
Zhu Yan has some very satisfying character development from her childish younger self and a good deal of independence. Shi Ying is the seemingly aloof master while still being very in-touch with his emotional side. And Zhi Yuan is the selfless, gentle but powerful third lead who carried half the show. His character is so endearing you never tire of seeing him, with a sprinkle of Chong Ming to keep things lively.
The story starts a little cliche but gets a lot better later on and becomes something to be truly invested in and enchanted by. The ending was a little rushed and some explanation was lacking, but the final fight was a pleasant suprise as the show goes into full xianxia mode.
My only qualm is that Ren Min and Xiao Zhan sometimes failed to convey strong-enough emotion in their expressions for the circumstances they were in. But I love the whole cast, Alen Feng was a favourite in this one and it's great to see Xiao Zhan in a fantasy show again. I only give the rewatch value a 6.5 because a lot of what holds you in on this show is the suspense which is gone on a rewatch.
Was this review helpful to you?
