A new favorite

Hello! I just finished watching this amazing show and headed straight over to join in on the conversations about it. 2022 is an exciting year for us with these new, wonderful dramas being released.
This show is definitely now a top pick for me right along with Long Ballad, Legend of Fei, Ashes of Love, Love and Redemption, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms, Etc. High quality content for sure. They put the budget to good use imo.

Story: good- ending was rushed due to new rule on only 40 episodes tho. I don’t blame them too much for that. Wish they shaved some off the middle instead of the end tho.
Music: great. The flow was really nice during the show. Sound effects were good. Nothing overpowered the conversations. I only remember one part that it had a odd little cut in music. Thumbs up?
Acting: top notch as expected from these two legends. Chemistry was so cute. They fit their roles really well too. Both serious and smiley from Yang Yang. I was so happy, pleased, proud of Zhao Lu Si for stepping into this strong female role. She fit it really well and compared to her other “sweet” characters I really enjoyed seeing this change. I think she liked doing something that people wouldn't consider “sweet” as well from what she said in the interviews.
Camera work/Editing: on point imo. It had an almost animated feel to it the in beginning that was so pleasant to see. Beautiful. CGI and other effects were great! Ending was a little less “high quality” than the beginning, but still nothing to complain about too much. I loved the silk as a weapon/tool. Haven’t seen too much of that.

The story is imo relatively original in some aspects and pretty common place in others. I definitely enjoyed the first half (more of the action, martial arts, more relaxed scenes) better than the latter. It was interesting that they had two very different identities and the responsibilities that came with that. I personally think we could have done with more martial arts world scenes and less political ones as those always feel kinda draggy.
I had some questions of logic for example- How did they first meet and why are they famous when no one seems to recognize them until they use their skills. If you know you might possibly give power over to another “good” ruler maybe sit down and talk first before killing a bunch of your soldiers playing power war. Etc.

Over all though I was very pleased and hung on to every word for the majority of the 40episodes. I’m super picky, detailed, and rewind about every five seconds FYI lol.

Definitely recommend. I will continue to come back and watch bits and pieces again. Get your tissues ready for the last few episodes though. Just fair warning. Enjoy! Round of applause ? to everyone for making this wonderful show.

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Pretty Good Watch

This was a decent watch, and I’m a super picky drama watcher. I love both of these actors especially ML. I think the acting was spot on for the characters. When the crazy minded psycho came out in the SML I was really impressed with his skill in portraying the crazed emotions. MFL was a little annoying for the first few episodes, but her character grew a lot and it was way more pleasant when she became mature. I was super sad and shocked at the villainizing of most of the characters in this show. Sad because I really shipped them as they were really cute. I was heartbroken about SML as he was so funny and cute the first half of the show…I enjoyed the twist though. Very creative. I wish there was a little bit more time to build the ML and MFL romance but it was cute while it lasted. I’m still a little confused about the ending tbh, but I get the main point I think. Overall worth a watch. I don’t know why people are saying to skip it. I personally enjoyed it more than a lot of dramas I watch. No love triangles. Both strong leads. Wasn’t too boring. I managed to binge watch through the night so it’s a thumbs up for me. Hope this helps!

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So worth the watch! Definitely a new classic for me.

Just finished! Awww I cried so much through the last few episodes. Grips your heartstrings for real! The director and story writer did a fantastic job with the ending. The ML and FL on point. I love them both so much. Chemistry out the roof especially from XZ side. So much talent from all the main characters mainly the parents and lead couple. The theme song is beautiful- I can’t believe they sang it.
Pros: Very well produced. Cinematography and editing are on point. Acting is top notch. I love XZ and YZ together. Great paring. So many realistic elements - not much like a normal romantic cringe drama at all in my opinion. Very refreshing to see that. They have flaws, problems, and embarrassing moments and some don’t get fixed. That’s life! I appreciate the realistic feel to the whole show. Music score is great! Especially the theme song and the song they played with the little band group. Definitely a rewatch. SFL and SML were not completely psycho thankfully! The love triangle was manageable. I hate hate hate love triangles. Not many dramas have normal second leads so this was also refreshing. They actually stood up to their controlling parents while still being respectful. Amazing! 10 stars just for that! I felt like I was a part of the “party” towards the end with the lower quality look of the camera work and selfie interviews. Super creative.

Cons: There honestly aren't many cons and that is saying something because I’m super picky about my dramas. The show does get a little depressing/slow at times towards the middle. A few unnecessary scenes here and there. A couple cringe moments. Not bad though - the end is worth pushing through it. A little too much time was spent on side couples and second leads imo. The ending for the main side couple was a little lacking, but alright. There have been lots of toxic trolls being negative about this dramas just because XZ and YZ being cast together. I think they were great. I’m a huge fan of both actors.

I hope they keep making dramas better and better like this. Big shout out THANK YOU to the directors, producers, cast, editing team, everyone for making this show!

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Unexpectedly amazing!

I didn’t think I would love this show so much when I first started watching it, but I quickly became surprised. If you are hesitating, just go for it!
Pros:
Second leads are supporting and don’t try to hurt the people they love. SML is obsessed for sure and that is a slight con, but the sfl is a doll.
The acting is on point! The way they carry their characters through the whole story without changing their personalities is so very rare to see in a drama. Loved it. Also they are super realistic. Like the (not to give spoilers) certain scene on top of the Ferris wheel was so good, realistic and funny.
Music, camera work, editing were all top notch.
I didn’t really get bored at all. There are a few episodes that drag out a bit, but over all it was a good pace and kept you wondering what was going to happen in the next episode.
Cons: SML is a little over obsessive. I get that it’s his character, but he didn’t need to be quite so clingy.
FL is a little demanding to ML especially when he was so patient with her for so many years. Not too horrible tho it mostly fits her character.
Over all a really great watch. I am super picky about the shows I watch too. ? from me! I want to see more shows produced like this in the future.

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Sappy

Hello! I’m a picky drama watcher so here is my review.
This show is :
24 episodes long but it’s still too long
Mostly flashbacks -honestly feels like almost more than actual scenes imo.
Doesn’t make sense at times
Cringe
Boring
No huge love triangles - that’s a positive!
Cute scenes occasionally
Nice second and third couple
Music is alright

Ok they are engaged from birth right and forced into this engagement…so why does her dad not approve of him at first and the ML have to gain his approval? Makes no sense. He proposed and everyone acts like they weren't already engaged including the parents. She thinks she’s pregnant, but gasps every time they hug and kiss like it’s their first time touching and is embarrassed to sleep in his bed … how did you get prego if you are so shy with him? I don’t get the acting choice to be so shy with each other like that. She uses the baby talk in 95% of every conversation and he says two words an episode. Guys that’s a little extreme imo. I’m upset because this show had great potential but it just fell flat. Really flat. At the end I was more excited to see the sister and SML get together than the Mcouple. They used 22 episodes to drag out every flashback ever, boring scenes, and some content but then the last two episodes to rush everyone into a fast marriage. Also I honestly thought the sister was in highschool the way she acted so immaturely with her baby talk, then poof she’s a mature college student ready to support her lover. What!

Anyway it was ok. I pushed myself to finish it just to say I did. I enjoyed the first half of the show. Thank you for no SFL being jealous the whole show. Other than that wouldn’t recommend too much unless you like sappy scenes and baby talk. Kisses were ok- I just couldn’t get past the gasping like it was the first time and the baby talk.
Hope this helped. Like I said I’m pretty picky about the dramas I watch.

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