Considering how much more malicious, annoying and horrible elders could be, when they are against someone... I'd…
I don't know if it is due to experience or too much C-Ent over the years, but I found Jiangyue rather tame and almost boring, because she has a simple one-track mind of jealousy and insecurity (which I deem very easy to handle). And is all too real.
In terms of being dragged back, I see it as stressful but something Li Zhen can cope with because whenever she is at the main Li family household, she's mostly busy helping the Li family stay alive and preventing further decline, ink-wise.
Having watched episode 20, the one I would want to slap is someone else (it's not the one getting slapped in this episode). But that one should wise up after episode 20, based on the previews of episodes 21 and 22 :D
"The Heir" is very soothing for me. Between lots of beautiful history pertaining to inkstones and creation, sumptuous food, negative characters I can easily tolerate, a strong easy main plotline to follow... Relishing ingenuity, perseverance, and relationships of strong female characters understanding each other is a great way to end the day XD
OH STRESS! F R U S T R A T I NG 😩😖😤🤬👊💥WHAT IS UP WITH THIS FAMILY PUSH AND PULL THING LIKE EVERY…
Considering how much more malicious, annoying and horrible elders could be, when they are against someone... I'd say the two Li family members against our FL are easily watchable for me, simply because they are merely pathetic, typically not bright, and much less-annoying than what I would expect (also because they are relatively incompetent). My sympathies though, since you're not used to this.
Traditions can be beautiful but also come with varying levels of tediousness. Incredibly outdated limiting traditions that cannot change can only change through two circumstances. And episode 20 is one of those circumstances.
Confucianism dictates that the elderly are to be revered with deep respect, and elders should be cared for unquestioningly. The parent-child relationship is the foundation of all virtues, where children are to care for and respect parents accordingly... Right there are two people who don't deserve any of this. Thankfully the circumstances in episode 20 should be sufficient catalyst for much-needed change to the Li family.
Thank you for your exercise of vocabulary. Also for the chuckles. I'd recommend your post as an example of how to sklifully maximise capslock XD
Set in 685 to 688 CE as per the settings of 周垂拱年, Di Renjie must tackle five cases, while balancing legal principles with feelings.
Changes in government are intertwined with folklore creating eerie atmosphere and supernatural elements, but this series is ultimately about human nature, where the human heart can be more frightening than monsters. In-depth investigations tackle the chaos created by strange forces, where reality via evidence dismantles fear and other uncertainties in the fog of the human heart. "妖鬼喻人心" is most apt for this series, where demons and ghosts are metaphors for the human psyche.
Nuo theatre, fox demons, water towns, temples- In rainy misty settings of the Jiangnan Circuit (south of the Yangtze River), cases must be unraveled to understand abuses of power, human desires, and potential conspiracy which lies behind their mysteries.
Adding to what one fellow MDL user shared earlier, traits of those who will help Di Renjie solve cases include:
Duan Shishi - Aids in the investigation, skilled at tracking, and skilled in changing disguises. Chu Qinglan - Helps in uncovering details of a case, and in the reasoning process of solving a case
Wu Zetian portrayed by Golden Horse Award-winner Vivian Wu will be quite fascinating and stirs my curiosity most, given her iconic roles such as Wen Xiu in the 1987 movie "The Last Emperor of China". Looking forward to enjoying all interactions of Feng Shaofeng with the veterans of the cast and his team, as tensions peak!
Bonus: If you want to enjoy the ending song MV of visuals as it is, with lyrics, and nothing else:
For those of you wondering where to watch "Minning Town" officially with English subs, NewTV热播剧场 curates the best of CCTV dramas. All 23 episodes are here:
There are major problems with the confrontation in episode 34, such as how CYY was so fixated on doing in his…
CYY is OOC for episode 33 IMO. I am quite displeased with the screenwriters for this. In order to eventually convey my point, I'll start with a small example.
I have explained using specific cultural context, as to why Chen Xuanqing has done everything I expect due to filial piety and family honour up until episode 9, including his supposedly-cowardly choice of standing up Gu Jinzhao, which Qingpu understandably misinterprets as playing with her young lady's feelings.
"Thank you for the birthday gift. One day, I hope to be as free and brave as you."
Superb piece of acting in episode 9: A man being crushed by family honour and filial piety, eyes reddened and almost bursting with pain while understanding what someone on a bridge wanted to convey and what could have been, but choosing to do what is right by his biological parents.
In the Ming Dynasty, protecting the family honour is considered a matter of life or death, and filial piety is strictly expected. A child who disgraces the parents has committed the ultimate betrayal of family duty. To do what is right is to first remember your roots and honour them.
Chen Xuanqing doesn't see his choice as brave, in how he stood up Gu Jinzhao. He sees it as necessary fulfilment of protecting his biological family's honour, through filial piety. And yes, that is the right choice to me. Disappoint her. Let her think the worse of you. Give her up.
1) You understood exactly why this is the right choice of actions from Chen Xuanqing in front of Yunlai Teahouse in episode 9, right?
2) I presume you're able to interpret the rest of the drama episodes with more than the bit of cultural context I have shared for just one event, yes?
The comment below adds further cultural context to Chen Xuanqing's behaviour until episode 29, where he continued to protect the Chen family honour and Chen Yanyun from a disgusting Fourth Uncle.
"A Splendid Match" is a Chinese Historical Fiction drama full of contextual mores that shape decisions, not a North American romance drama that is much easier to figure out and I tend to find mind-numbingly boring.
If you can agree with me on what I have shared about Chen Xuanqing, then we have a mutual understanding on how someone who grew up with this culture and speaking mandarin for more than 39 years would see this.
If not, then there's no point continuing this conversation if you want to unrealistically think of "A Splendid Match" as a western drama devoid of all relevant primary cultural connotations, to fit your beliefs.
BTW, these pyrotechnics are real, not CGI. I wrote a review, but that review contains spoilers. I hope you manage to get a blu-ray copy, when it comes out.
Even with modern additions such as CGI being limited, it is classic hardcore wuxia. Minimal fast-cut fancy spliced shots. Greenscreens- What greenscreens? The arrows are not the only real weapons being used. I shared approximately 20 updates on the BoTG page, including box office takings and the triumphant achievement of CPOPwave 2026 nomination :)
I saw many spoilers before episode 15 of the drama aired, but I'm not here to talk about spoilers. A good story…
I've not watched Ren Min before this drama, but those I know who have done so also said her acting has improved significantly from "The Rise Of Ning".
Cisha can micro-emote well but when it comes to longform dramas, IMHO having him in this role that limits his acting capability makes his character too dull for me. He does well at complex roles, and that's when his micro-emoting also expands significantly.
I have several issues with the screenwriting and editing, more so the former than the latter, which I commented on here after episode 33:
When Ye Xian first struck Gu Jinzhao with a short whip, I already knew what the writers would eventually go for, and my guesswork is all correct.
His transformation and development is the biggest and most drastic with an ending that steals the show for emotional impact and layers when his letters are revealed, which also understandably results in Ye Xian's character trending the most on social media (Chinese) for this drama. He had much more burdens to tackle at his age without his powerful clan willing to back him up and with a frail body, unlike ML.
He wanted to fulfill Gu Jinzhao's wishes. He already decided that he would lay down his life for her, when he looked at her sleeping on the table opposite him. And because he knew his own heart condition, he refused to make another woman a widow.
If we talk about character nobility, that makes Ye Xian more noble than Chen Yanyun in my eyes.
Chen Xuanqing can be seen as OOC or someone who finally is unable to repress (because he has been doing it for many years) something really emotional that strikes his heart. He's always put the Chen family first. Never put himself first. Never wanted something badly. And then he sacrificed it... Only to realise his uncle had lied to him all this while? His elder, the one he trusted and respected and wholeheartedly obeyed for being moral and upright- And to be bullied, struck, and told he doesn't deserve a promotion?
What was all that work and dedication to the Chen family for? What about his loyalty? So his uncle can punish him for a woman?
That his uncle can cost him his position anytime, while having to marry someone he doesn't love- The man he respects is actually an evil tyrant besotted with a woman and rewarded for lies, and that man can disregard everything that a nephew has done for the Chen family and for Chen Yanyun.
Too much pressure. Too much uncertainty. For once, I want to do something with all of myself. Be my own man. Stand against evil. Be brave and free. Stand up for myself. Even if I pay for it with everything, including my life. And Fu Hailian takes advantage of this.
The letters of Ye Xian were honestly one of the most painful and heartbreaking parts of A Splendid Match. They…
Considering she went from Zhang Wanyi (ML) and Cisha (2ML) in "The Rise of Ning" to Cisha (ML) and Winwin (2ML) in this drama, she and Winwin as leads together in a future drama would be doable and interesting.
She manages to convey two different types of chemistry between Cisha and herself plus herself and Winwin in this drama. Splendid acting from her.
Ye Xian is a role that could have gone terribly wrong but Winwin helped me enjoy, overall :)
Their conflict in Ep 33 and 34 kinda disgust me because Sir, you are old AF and were even married before. Why…
There are major problems with the confrontation in episode 34, such as how CYY was so fixated on doing in his nephew who obeyed him in everything for many years and also lied for him to Gu JInzhao as per his orders, to the point that CYY aggressively shoved away his very-sick wife who hence fell to the ground and had to plead with him from that position. I found that to be very OOC of Chen Yanyun based on the first 30 episodes and was going "Writers, what are you doing?" because the implications are shockingly bad, and makes some viewers question whether Chen Yanyun ever loved her properly or was majorly infatuated but not regarding her as she should be viewed prior to marrying her.
But that's not the only problem with the situation:
I’m so sad over yexian’s death :(( this drama is over for me
Your feelings are understandable, and I'm sure many other viewers feel the same way. They are way more vocal on sites like weibo than MDL. The writers butchered his novel character right from the beginning to make ML look much better, but they decided to ensure Ye Xian's development would ultimately be about family and country. After all, 2ML is FL's 知己 as per FL's words. Two peas in a pod. Her immense release of pain and grief was apt.
If FL had been in 2ML's place and also shouldered all his burdens and responsibilities and inferiority complex right from the start, she would wind up being just as magnanimous.
He really got you so bothered that you wrote up an entire paragraph lmao. Aint nobody reading allat. Also just…
Troll sockpuppet accounts can use a different account to reply to other users to defend a spamming account whose bot behaviour has been highlighted, because MDL has no safeguards. At one point another page saw at least seven sockpuppet accounts by one malicious troll account. We had to start highlighting the sockpuppet accounts.
Common traits of all such accounts include not contributing useful comments of any sort making pointless spam attacks, dropping more than 600 dramas and hardly finishing any dramas, etc... Very similar to the account you just replied to.
He really got you so bothered that you wrote up an entire paragraph lmao. Aint nobody reading allat. Also just…
People have also done public service announcements on other pages, after seeing constant spamming and replies to a troll account. I'm simply taking inspiration from those fellow MDL users who decided to let everyone know.
badgersupremo is a troll account displaying bot behaviour that has gone to many dramas to post the same spam, as highlighted here:
[ this account wrote the same line in all trending drama pages.check the trending drama list in mdl and all recent comment of those dramas have this account copy pasted this same line everywhere. probably a bot ]
Whether badgersupremo is a bot account and/or a sockpuppet account (there are troll sockpuppet accounts plaguing MDL, where the VOS page has nuked more than one such account): ignoring and not replying to badgersupremo is my advice.
Those who have blocked badgersupremo, you're not missing anything other than boring bot. May the rest of us carry on enjoying "Zhan Zhao Adventures" and sharing appreciation :D
The vets didn't learn a few days or months. It took years of training from project to project, the same will happen…
The OP doesn't know anything in-depth about this film, the reality facing classic wuxia films being produced, and wants to blare what they think makes them look authoritative and knowledgeable.
You(idol worshiper fans) think 6 months of training and pushing through harsh weather is some legendary achievement?…
When you have to resort to diminishing other viewers right off the bat to make your post look better, then you lose credibility. It's laughable that in the same paragraph, you indirectly insult people such as myself but no guts to name who you're targeting.
How many idol-drama watchers have been able to identify Jet Li's different schools of martial arts as a wushu prodigy when he was young, which I shared a bit on this page? And why must you insult idol drama watchers?
{ For me, I prefer early 1990s or older movies where Jet Li's best primary fighting styles were utilised against fellow martial arts actors. "Fist Of Legend" in 1994 had Jet Li fighting Chin Siu-ho to showcase 单手撑地后旋踢 alongside 戳腳 (Chuojiao) and his primary style of 翻子拳 (Fanzi quan): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JypP_UY0VgM ]
A majority of wuxia films have been struggling massively at the box office, even before Covid, and then it got significantly worse. Wu Jing refinanced his real estate to finish this movie when investors pulled out, because he wanted to honour Yuen Woo-ping's request and he knew very well that this movie's achievements or failure would decide the future of wuxia films. IPs are having trouble getting through. That is why Wu Jing also put money into the martial arts initiative Yingwutang, trying to train the future batches of martial artists that he will be producing seven movies with.
Dang Shanpeng and Ku Huen-chiu are martial arts advisors for "Blades Of The Guardians", who are also responsible for fight choreography. You don't know Yuen Woo-ping has worked with them previously while trying to pass to them as much as possible of his knowledge.
You dismiss the likes of Yue Opera veterans Chen Lijun and Li Yunxiao, who have been instrumental in reviving Yue Opera amongst younger generations and now bringing them into the world of classic wuxia. I highlighted their presence in posts and my review, because they also contribute to the movie's draw. Yuen Woo-ping knows a good or great classic wuxia movie needs artists who can act, plus artists who can fight and act.
[ Li Yunxiao as Yanzi-niang is perfect. Her Yue Opera background with specialty focus on Huadan role enables a wily charming female uniquely sharing Wu dialect with a cadence reminiscent of Suzhou pingtan... Chen Lijun has 20 years of experience in Yue Opera since age 13, domestically popular with Li Yunxiao in sell-out Yue Opera performances. Her training in various roles (specifically as xiaosheng, which includes martial arts training) enables her to express and flexibly adapt to physical demands and emotional extremes of Ayuya becoming a leader...
...Legendary HK screen-goddess Lin Ching-hsia did not know martial arts but incorporated what she learned about movements and elements of Peking opera into her performances, specifically the "Daomadan" (sword-and-horse female warrior) role in Peking opera which made fluid theatrical movements striking and convincing for sword fights and poses, including her titular portrayal of Mo Yan in “New Dragon Gate Inn”...
In an ever-changing world regardless of circumstances, love and loyalty are steadfast to define justice in chivalry ie 有情有义有侠义! Etymology of "镖" in the movie title enables one to understand the history, core of the film and crucial keypoint of the plot plus characters. ] - I can see you absolutely knowing nothing about what I previously shared, given how you have dismissed everyone younger then Zhang Jin.
You don't know how or why this wuxia film resonates with older domestic fans, or how Xu Xianzhe's work understanding wuxia is a huge draw.
At one point, Chen Lijun (as Ayuya) did not have confidence, and Wu Jing was the one who gave her courage. "I know you can do it, because traditional chinese opera artists have toiled and endured hardships. We have all endured hardships, so I know you can do it."
To enable wuxia films to succeed as much as possible, they need the next generations. Yuen Woo-ping and Wu Jing have made it clear they need to develop and pass on the necessary. They also need domestic and international visibility, which is where "Blades Of the Guardians" comes in. The younger actors you have been dissing don't merit your criticism, such as Cisha and Yu Shi. For you to dismiss younger artists for trying- That's incredibly idiotic arrogance completely oblivious to the challenges facing the state of wuxia productions today.
Yuen Woo-ping told Winwin that a martial arts actor must know how to act and fight. Yuen Woo-ping also asked him if he could take suffering, and Winwin said "Yes". They all stayed to learn. A new generation must be inspired. I praise them for being willing to do so and slog through very-gruellign conditions, when it is much easier to do a drama and shoot with greenscreens.
You obviously know nothing about how Wu Jing, Yuen Woo-ping and others have been trying to enable wuxia films to have a future, and you clearly have no idea how classic wuxia works. Your entire comment reflects a myopia flabbergasting to actual wuxia fans.
Oh yes, here is Onuta's review. They gave a higher score than me. How about you take a potshot at them too?
We each have different POVs, and it is nice for me to see another person who understands mandarin and classic wuxia:
[ Watching Blades of the Guardians is not just another wuxia film, it feels like a full-scale revival of martial arts cinema at its highest level. Exceptional fight choreography that Western films will never match: long, fluid sword fights with real weight and timing, emphasis on physical skill, rhythm, and spatial clarity. Large-scale battles (desert ambushes, duels in storms) feel organic, not like CGI-heavy spectacle. Here, every hit is readable and meaningful, almost like dance choreography with lethal consequences. The desert combat feels grounded and creates a level of tension many Hollywood blockbusters no longer achieve; you can feel the danger instead of just seeing effects. The film’s landscapes, deserts, ancient cities, war-torn borders are not just backgrounds; they function like characters. Sandstorms become battle arenas. Fire and dust shape the rhythm of combat. The cinematography leans into mythic, almost legendary imagery, which paradoxically feels like art rather than violence for the sake of it.
Blades of the Guardians offers visible technique and training, clear fight geography, real impact in every strike, emotion tied directly to combat, and a respect for martial arts as an art form, not just spectacle. It feels “more real,” “more intense,” and even “more cinematic” than most Hollywood action films today. It leans fully into what wuxia does best: honour, betrayal, survival across impossible landscapes, and combat that feels like storytelling itself. It is not just an action movie, it is a reminder that cinema action can still be handcrafted, elegant, and emotionally charged at the same time. If Western action represents controlled spectacle, Blades of the Guardians represents chaotic poetry with blades.
I loved it because the wuxia approach stays intimate even when the scale is large...
...The Chinese wuxia approach won me over because it treats action as expression rather than logistics. In wuxia, and in Blades of the Guardians, a fight is not just a way to move the plot forward, it is the emotional and narrative moment. You feel character, history, and philosophy inside the choreography itself. The pacing is slower, but that slowdown is intentional: it allows tension, body language, and spatial awareness to become part of the storytelling. Instead of cutting away from complexity, it leans into it. The rhythm is carefully balanced, with moments of wit and humour that lighten the intensity without breaking immersion.
There is also a stronger sense of visual clarity and craftsmanship. The choreography is designed so you can actually read what is happening: footwork, distance, weapon control, rhythm. That creates a different kind of engagement. You are not just reacting to explosions or edits; you are following a physical conversation between characters.
Western blockbusters often build tension through external stakes: preventing a global disaster, stopping a bomb, outrunning time. It’s exciting, but it’s structural. Chinese martial arts cinema often builds tension through internal codes, honour, loyalty, betrayal, destiny, sacrifice. That makes even smaller moments feel heavy, because the conflict is not just physical but moral and personal.
There is also a philosophical layer that I find richer. Wuxia traditions often come from ideas about discipline, balance, fate, and the meaning of violence itself. The action is not just spectacle; it is connected to identity and worldview.
That gives the film a kind of depth that feels less common in many Western action franchises, which are often more focused on momentum and entertainment efficiency, and for which is the reason I don’t go to the cinema anymore. ]
People like you are exactly why problems never get effectively tackled. Learn about reality, so you aren't inflated with self-grandeur? You need a good dose of humility first, which is absent in your comments. The entire cast and crew have been inspired and rewarded by all the achievements of BoTG, as I have posted above and over the past three months.
Classic wuxia isn't modern wuxia, where modern wuxia has guys hugging each other, bromance, and all that jazz which classic wuxia fans such as myself don't like and Onuta is talking about in their review.
Wu Jing strikes historical box office gold and gets the encouragement he needs, to continue.
I waited 30 years for a film like this to be made, and I am thankful Wu Jing and Yuen Woo-ping are doing their best to tackle ongoing wuxia film challenges and aiding future generations, which will take years. Many of us classic wuxia fans who watched martial arts films of the 70s, 80s, and 90s will be backing them every step of the way, as they handle these years... Unlike you.
I'm sure people are ignoring you on other pages, with your style of posting. Continue rattling off names to look oh-so-good but showing zero understanding of wuxia film challenges and what transpires in a movie today trying to reach the box office.
Your pathetic dissing of amazing efforts from martial arts veterans and younger artists aiming to recreate and revive an industry for classic wuxia films- Wow. So... Sad.
Classic wuxia fans will be giving obnoxious snobbish posers like you a wide berth.
The domestic run for "Blades Of The Guardians" ended yesterday, on 20 May. Grossing 1.448 billion yuan, turned a profit! Currently the second-highest grossing domestic film of China's box office for 2026.
On 1 April when news broke that "Blades of The Guardian" had become the highest grossing wuxia film of all time, the movie earned a CPOPwave 2026 nomination:
CPOPwave nominations are only given to chinese works outstanding in their field domestically and with significant impact internationally. Given the many praises this film has garnered overseas, with classic wuxia being revived amongst seasoned fans of wuxia while drawing in new viewers, this nomination is amazing.
What is CPOPwave? According to an article about CPOPwave 2025:
[ From epic science fiction films like "The Wandering Earth 2" to genre-defining games such as "Honor of Kings", visitors can expect a real-life encounter with the not-to-miss highlights of the internationally renowned Chinese IPs.
LIN YUE, Staff, Display section of the TV series "Till The End of The Moon" "The costumes we brought this time are highly characteristic of Dunhuang aesthetics, which is fully displayed in our TV series. The core of Chinese civilization, such as the aesthetic culture of Dunhuang, should be introduced to the larger world. We hope both Chinese and overseas audiences can learn more about our traditional dress culture." ]
Previous 2025 nominees include the massive hit video game "Black Myth: Sun Wukong", movie "Wandering Earth 2", dramas "Till The End Of The Moon" and "Joy Of Life" Season 2. Wu Jing will be happy yet another movie he leads has gained this prestigious nomination! I am happy for all the cast and crew of "Blades of The Guardians" <33
Wuxia films have been struggling massively, for years at the box office. Classic wuxia fans such as myself are not hot on modern wuxia films, and to see this succeed is to give hope to the future production of high-quality classic wuxia films.
Very happy that 99% of my predictions came true, and the cherry on the cake is this official recognition of the highest order :D
This is a fun interview (has English subs) with Cisha, Wu Jing and Sean Sun Yizhou :D
Cisha shares in this interview about how Wu Jing taught him to convincingly convey the full impact of raw arrogant cruelty from Heyi Xuan, on the first day of him filming a specific scene opposite Chen Lijun as Ayuya. Cisha initially wanted to be Dao Ma, and he loves the manhua by Xu Xianzhe. Wu Jing praises Cisha's equestrian skills. Sean Sun Yizhou talked about his mask, and portraying Zhishilang.
There are so many gems shared by these three gentleman, such as Ci Sha and Sean Sun talking about mobile phones and immersion of acting. The phone can be 100% charged at the start of the morning, and still be untouched as 95% battery life when filming ended for the day. Nobody wanted the filming to end.
I will never forget how the camera crew also had to have good horse-riding skills, to ride like mad to capture scenes of the actors and actresses riding hard:
I hate it when C-dramas take a character and give him a complete heel turn with only the thinnest of motivations…
There are significant problems with the pacing of this show. If someone likes family harem politics and romance, this will be satisfying.
For those of us who have watched C-Ent for at least 20 years or more and also understand mandarin, there are also a sizeable number of opinions out there about how the political intrigue portrayed as being significant for the first three episodes veered too much into Gu family harem politics that was asinine at times, for more than 12 episodes, and significantly or completely lost the momentum. The political intrigue hence looks more like salad dressing when a coup is suddenly over, and we never really get to see a competent capable villain when allusion is doing most of the work.
Episode 33 was problematic for Chen Yanyun's character (not Ci Sha's acting) to some viewers because his wife fell sick due to camping out for him for more than one night, when he refused to communicate with her. I am one of them.
As a result, she was unsteady on her feet. When Chen Xuanqing sees her unable to stand upright and obviously sick, he princess-carries her. Chen Yanyun loses his cool understandably, but viewers are uncomfortable with how Chen Yanyun aggressively shoves his very-sick wife away and she falls to ground. She initially threw her arms around him to try to stop him. She pleads from her position for him to stop. He is so fixated on doing in Chen Xuanqing that he has no consideration for her. Considering he has been married before and has far more life experience, some viewers question whether Chen Yanyun is in love with his wife or simply very infatuated and too arrogant to see his mistakes when he cannot accept her past while she accepts him without faulting his past. He is supposed to be an elder. Why is he not sitting Chen Xuanqing down and having the conversations that he previously did with him, instead wrongly using his power and status to make Chen Xuanqing believe all of Chen Xuanqing's developing fears and suspicions are true?
Another criticism is the unequal couple dynamics between the leads. I have no issues with the supposed age gap because this is a historical period drama, and the leads act very well. The inequality perception comes from the ongoing portrayal that where Gu Jinzhao can express herself in many ways with Ye Xian (including arguing in undignified ways), she is shy and coy and not the same around Chen Yanyun. If you are comfortable with someone, being able to behave in all ways should be the norm.
Ci Sha's character is understandably written to be a smart calculating official (which is why he can survive and flourish at court, where Ye Xian would have done himself in long ago) of experience usually careful with words and actions in being able to see angles and steps ahead, while Ye Xian's character is written to be swinging between maturity and immaturity due to how he has been treated and coddled by his family. In terms of directness which appears more straightforward and less calculating and hence equal, some people prefer the chemistry of Ye Xian and Gu Jinzhao. In terms of Chen Yanyun's approach which is measured and gradual, some people like the courtship process and how Gu Jinzhao falls for him. People also like both, as some viewers express.
The screenplay writing for this drama has made novel Gu Jinzhao less intelligent and scheming than the novel, and also significantly butchered novel 2ML to be OOC right from the beginning. This is why ML looks much better than 2ML from the beginning and has a significant advantage. Because of this drama, I actually felt relieved that in "Fated Hearts", at least the partial butchering of the best male character in the novel for the drama had him mostly behaving with strategic calm as a seasoned war veteran and prince, and consistent attitude towards the woman he had to marry. The screenwriters there did a much better job with drama-adaptation of the novel, while clearly having grasped the source material. (I had to explain novel differences versus drama differences over in the "Fated Hearts" forum).
Of course, there are ridiculous haters of the drama, Ren Min and Cisha. That said, I have shared valid issues which have resulted in people dropping this drama or FFWDing parts they don't like. The writing is the biggest issue of this drama, which affects the pacing. And depending on who you ask, it also affects positive perception of the relationship dynamics between the leads and how one perceives ML's character for 30 episodes versus certain WTF moments in episodes 33 and 34.
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In terms of being dragged back, I see it as stressful but something Li Zhen can cope with because whenever she is at the main Li family household, she's mostly busy helping the Li family stay alive and preventing further decline, ink-wise.
Having watched episode 20, the one I would want to slap is someone else (it's not the one getting slapped in this episode). But that one should wise up after episode 20, based on the previews of episodes 21 and 22 :D
"The Heir" is very soothing for me. Between lots of beautiful history pertaining to inkstones and creation, sumptuous food, negative characters I can easily tolerate, a strong easy main plotline to follow... Relishing ingenuity, perseverance, and relationships of strong female characters understanding each other is a great way to end the day XD
Traditions can be beautiful but also come with varying levels of tediousness. Incredibly outdated limiting traditions that cannot change can only change through two circumstances. And episode 20 is one of those circumstances.
Confucianism dictates that the elderly are to be revered with deep respect, and elders should be cared for unquestioningly. The parent-child relationship is the foundation of all virtues, where children are to care for and respect parents accordingly... Right there are two people who don't deserve any of this. Thankfully the circumstances in episode 20 should be sufficient catalyst for much-needed change to the Li family.
Thank you for your exercise of vocabulary. Also for the chuckles. I'd recommend your post as an example of how to sklifully maximise capslock XD
Changes in government are intertwined with folklore creating eerie atmosphere and supernatural elements, but this series is ultimately about human nature, where the human heart can be more frightening than monsters. In-depth investigations tackle the chaos created by strange forces, where reality via evidence dismantles fear and other uncertainties in the fog of the human heart. "妖鬼喻人心" is most apt for this series, where demons and ghosts are metaphors for the human psyche.
Nuo theatre, fox demons, water towns, temples- In rainy misty settings of the Jiangnan Circuit (south of the Yangtze River), cases must be unraveled to understand abuses of power, human desires, and potential conspiracy which lies behind their mysteries.
Adding to what one fellow MDL user shared earlier, traits of those who will help Di Renjie solve cases include:
Duan Shishi - Aids in the investigation, skilled at tracking, and skilled in changing disguises.
Chu Qinglan - Helps in uncovering details of a case, and in the reasoning process of solving a case
Wu Zetian portrayed by Golden Horse Award-winner Vivian Wu will be quite fascinating and stirs my curiosity most, given her iconic roles such as Wen Xiu in the 1987 movie "The Last Emperor of China". Looking forward to enjoying all interactions of Feng Shaofeng with the veterans of the cast and his team, as tensions peak!
Bonus: If you want to enjoy the ending song MV of visuals as it is, with lyrics, and nothing else:
https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1EEGv6cEPG/
Main theme song of this drama:《雾散》ie The Fog Disperses by 小时姑娘 as posted from her bilibili account
https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV172GL6gEV6/
Very suitably atmospheric and eerie!
Today:
"若儿, 我回来了 ｡ 我回来了 ｡"
"Qi Feng... Qi Feng..." Episode 2 opening scenes- Now that's a way to introduce an episode!
Posters of individual characters and scenes are gorgeously sublime:
https://www.weibo.com/8461676080/R0J1q12og
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpZqeVqtMKk&list=PLUg6CGAXr7pktTjLdLYzBtgpjUMgUfkaZ
I have explained using specific cultural context, as to why Chen Xuanqing has done everything I expect due to filial piety and family honour up until episode 9, including his supposedly-cowardly choice of standing up Gu Jinzhao, which Qingpu understandably misinterprets as playing with her young lady's feelings.
"Thank you for the birthday gift. One day, I hope to be as free and brave as you."
Superb piece of acting in episode 9: A man being crushed by family honour and filial piety, eyes reddened and almost bursting with pain while understanding what someone on a bridge wanted to convey and what could have been, but choosing to do what is right by his biological parents.
In the Ming Dynasty, protecting the family honour is considered a matter of life or death, and filial piety is strictly expected. A child who disgraces the parents has committed the ultimate betrayal of family duty. To do what is right is to first remember your roots and honour them.
Chen Xuanqing doesn't see his choice as brave, in how he stood up Gu Jinzhao. He sees it as necessary fulfilment of protecting his biological family's honour, through filial piety. And yes, that is the right choice to me. Disappoint her. Let her think the worse of you. Give her up.
1) You understood exactly why this is the right choice of actions from Chen Xuanqing in front of Yunlai Teahouse in episode 9, right?
2) I presume you're able to interpret the rest of the drama episodes with more than the bit of cultural context I have shared for just one event, yes?
The comment below adds further cultural context to Chen Xuanqing's behaviour until episode 29, where he continued to protect the Chen family honour and Chen Yanyun from a disgusting Fourth Uncle.
https://mydramalist.com/762395-liang-chen-mei-jin#comment-26184286
"A Splendid Match" is a Chinese Historical Fiction drama full of contextual mores that shape decisions, not a North American romance drama that is much easier to figure out and I tend to find mind-numbingly boring.
If you can agree with me on what I have shared about Chen Xuanqing, then we have a mutual understanding on how someone who grew up with this culture and speaking mandarin for more than 39 years would see this.
If not, then there's no point continuing this conversation if you want to unrealistically think of "A Splendid Match" as a western drama devoid of all relevant primary cultural connotations, to fit your beliefs.
This is one of the titanic fights in the movie, shared by the official weibo account:
https://www.weibo.com/detail/5269786259882957
BTW, these pyrotechnics are real, not CGI. I wrote a review, but that review contains spoilers. I hope you manage to get a blu-ray copy, when it comes out.
Even with modern additions such as CGI being limited, it is classic hardcore wuxia. Minimal fast-cut fancy spliced shots. Greenscreens- What greenscreens? The arrows are not the only real weapons being used. I shared approximately 20 updates on the BoTG page, including box office takings and the triumphant achievement of CPOPwave 2026 nomination :)
Cisha can micro-emote well but when it comes to longform dramas, IMHO having him in this role that limits his acting capability makes his character too dull for me. He does well at complex roles, and that's when his micro-emoting also expands significantly.
I have several issues with the screenwriting and editing, more so the former than the latter, which I commented on here after episode 33:
https://mydramalist.com/762395-liang-chen-mei-jin#comment-26209838
https://mydramalist.com/762395-liang-chen-mei-jin#comment-26200018
When Ye Xian first struck Gu Jinzhao with a short whip, I already knew what the writers would eventually go for, and my guesswork is all correct.
His transformation and development is the biggest and most drastic with an ending that steals the show for emotional impact and layers when his letters are revealed, which also understandably results in Ye Xian's character trending the most on social media (Chinese) for this drama. He had much more burdens to tackle at his age without his powerful clan willing to back him up and with a frail body, unlike ML.
He wanted to fulfill Gu Jinzhao's wishes. He already decided that he would lay down his life for her, when he looked at her sleeping on the table opposite him. And because he knew his own heart condition, he refused to make another woman a widow.
If we talk about character nobility, that makes Ye Xian more noble than Chen Yanyun in my eyes.
Chen Xuanqing can be seen as OOC or someone who finally is unable to repress (because he has been doing it for many years) something really emotional that strikes his heart. He's always put the Chen family first. Never put himself first. Never wanted something badly. And then he sacrificed it... Only to realise his uncle had lied to him all this while? His elder, the one he trusted and respected and wholeheartedly obeyed for being moral and upright- And to be bullied, struck, and told he doesn't deserve a promotion?
What was all that work and dedication to the Chen family for? What about his loyalty? So his uncle can punish him for a woman?
That his uncle can cost him his position anytime, while having to marry someone he doesn't love- The man he respects is actually an evil tyrant besotted with a woman and rewarded for lies, and that man can disregard everything that a nephew has done for the Chen family and for Chen Yanyun.
Too much pressure. Too much uncertainty. For once, I want to do something with all of myself. Be my own man. Stand against evil. Be brave and free. Stand up for myself. Even if I pay for it with everything, including my life. And Fu Hailian takes advantage of this.
She manages to convey two different types of chemistry between Cisha and herself plus herself and Winwin in this drama. Splendid acting from her.
Ye Xian is a role that could have gone terribly wrong but Winwin helped me enjoy, overall :)
But that's not the only problem with the situation:
https://mydramalist.com/762395-liang-chen-mei-jin#comment-26200018
If FL had been in 2ML's place and also shouldered all his burdens and responsibilities and inferiority complex right from the start, she would wind up being just as magnanimous.
Common traits of all such accounts include not contributing useful comments of any sort making pointless spam attacks, dropping more than 600 dramas and hardly finishing any dramas, etc... Very similar to the account you just replied to.
Thank you for letting me know you read this :D
badgersupremo is a troll account displaying bot behaviour that has gone to many dramas to post the same spam, as highlighted here:
[ this account wrote the same line in all trending drama pages.check the trending drama list in mdl and all recent comment of those dramas have this account copy pasted this same line everywhere. probably a bot ]
https://mydramalist.com/749951-zhan-zhao-adventures#comment-26177660
Your can find many examples of their bot-like spam on this page across the past 7 days.
Trolls can never be honest. And sure enough, less than 4 hours ago:
https://mydramalist.com/749951-zhan-zhao-adventures#comment-26199806
Whether badgersupremo is a bot account and/or a sockpuppet account (there are troll sockpuppet accounts plaguing MDL, where the VOS page has nuked more than one such account): ignoring and not replying to badgersupremo is my advice.
Those who have blocked badgersupremo, you're not missing anything other than boring bot.
May the rest of us carry on enjoying "Zhan Zhao Adventures" and sharing appreciation :D
https://mydramalist.com/767811-blades-of-the-guardians#comment-26200268
And oh, this interview is inspiring:
https://mydramalist.com/767811-blades-of-the-guardians#comment-26200166
I also recommend Onuta's review, which is the latest review:
https://mydramalist.com/profile/Onuta/review/559202
I have just posted a reply here:
https://mydramalist.com/767811-blades-of-the-guardians#comment-26200328
That will be far more informative and relevant than the posturing you have gotten.
Also, BoTG has made history in the best final way possible, as I have updated above :D
How many idol-drama watchers have been able to identify Jet Li's different schools of martial arts as a wushu prodigy when he was young, which I shared a bit on this page? And why must you insult idol drama watchers?
{ For me, I prefer early 1990s or older movies where Jet Li's best primary fighting styles were utilised against fellow martial arts actors. "Fist Of Legend" in 1994 had Jet Li fighting Chin Siu-ho to showcase 单手撑地后旋踢 alongside 戳腳 (Chuojiao) and his primary style of 翻子拳 (Fanzi quan): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JypP_UY0VgM ]
https://mydramalist.com/767811-blades-of-the-guardians#comment-25233458
A majority of wuxia films have been struggling massively at the box office, even before Covid, and then it got significantly worse. Wu Jing refinanced his real estate to finish this movie when investors pulled out, because he wanted to honour Yuen Woo-ping's request and he knew very well that this movie's achievements or failure would decide the future of wuxia films. IPs are having trouble getting through. That is why Wu Jing also put money into the martial arts initiative Yingwutang, trying to train the future batches of martial artists that he will be producing seven movies with.
Dang Shanpeng and Ku Huen-chiu are martial arts advisors for "Blades Of The Guardians", who are also responsible for fight choreography. You don't know Yuen Woo-ping has worked with them previously while trying to pass to them as much as possible of his knowledge.
You dismiss the likes of Yue Opera veterans Chen Lijun and Li Yunxiao, who have been instrumental in reviving Yue Opera amongst younger generations and now bringing them into the world of classic wuxia. I highlighted their presence in posts and my review, because they also contribute to the movie's draw. Yuen Woo-ping knows a good or great classic wuxia movie needs artists who can act, plus artists who can fight and act.
[ Li Yunxiao as Yanzi-niang is perfect. Her Yue Opera background with specialty focus on Huadan role enables a wily charming female uniquely sharing Wu dialect with a cadence reminiscent of Suzhou pingtan... Chen Lijun has 20 years of experience in Yue Opera since age 13, domestically popular with Li Yunxiao in sell-out Yue Opera performances. Her training in various roles (specifically as xiaosheng, which includes martial arts training) enables her to express and flexibly adapt to physical demands and emotional extremes of Ayuya becoming a leader...
...Legendary HK screen-goddess Lin Ching-hsia did not know martial arts but incorporated what she learned about movements and elements of Peking opera into her performances, specifically the "Daomadan" (sword-and-horse female warrior) role in Peking opera which made fluid theatrical movements striking and convincing for sword fights and poses, including her titular portrayal of Mo Yan in “New Dragon Gate Inn”...
In an ever-changing world regardless of circumstances, love and loyalty are steadfast to define justice in chivalry ie 有情有义有侠义! Etymology of "镖" in the movie title enables one to understand the history, core of the film and crucial keypoint of the plot plus characters. ] - I can see you absolutely knowing nothing about what I previously shared, given how you have dismissed everyone younger then Zhang Jin.
You don't know how or why this wuxia film resonates with older domestic fans, or how Xu Xianzhe's work understanding wuxia is a huge draw.
At one point, Chen Lijun (as Ayuya) did not have confidence, and Wu Jing was the one who gave her courage. "I know you can do it, because traditional chinese opera artists have toiled and endured hardships. We have all endured hardships, so I know you can do it."
https://mydramalist.com/767811-blades-of-the-guardians#comment-25308540
To enable wuxia films to succeed as much as possible, they need the next generations. Yuen Woo-ping and Wu Jing have made it clear they need to develop and pass on the necessary. They also need domestic and international visibility, which is where "Blades Of the Guardians" comes in. The younger actors you have been dissing don't merit your criticism, such as Cisha and Yu Shi. For you to dismiss younger artists for trying- That's incredibly idiotic arrogance completely oblivious to the challenges facing the state of wuxia productions today.
Yuen Woo-ping told Winwin that a martial arts actor must know how to act and fight. Yuen Woo-ping also asked him if he could take suffering, and Winwin said "Yes". They all stayed to learn. A new generation must be inspired. I praise them for being willing to do so and slog through very-gruellign conditions, when it is much easier to do a drama and shoot with greenscreens.
You obviously know nothing about how Wu Jing, Yuen Woo-ping and others have been trying to enable wuxia films to have a future, and you clearly have no idea how classic wuxia works.
Your entire comment reflects a myopia flabbergasting to actual wuxia fans.
Oh yes, here is Onuta's review.
They gave a higher score than me.
How about you take a potshot at them too?
We each have different POVs, and it is nice for me to see another person who understands mandarin and classic wuxia:
[ Watching Blades of the Guardians is not just another wuxia film, it feels like a full-scale revival of martial arts cinema at its highest level. Exceptional fight choreography that Western films will never match: long, fluid sword fights with real weight and timing, emphasis on physical skill, rhythm, and spatial clarity. Large-scale battles (desert ambushes, duels in storms) feel organic, not like CGI-heavy spectacle. Here, every hit is readable and meaningful, almost like dance choreography with lethal consequences. The desert combat feels grounded and creates a level of tension many Hollywood blockbusters no longer achieve; you can feel the danger instead of just seeing effects. The film’s landscapes, deserts, ancient cities, war-torn borders are not just backgrounds; they function like characters. Sandstorms become battle arenas. Fire and dust shape the rhythm of combat. The cinematography leans into mythic, almost legendary imagery, which paradoxically feels like art rather than violence for the sake of it.
Blades of the Guardians offers visible technique and training, clear fight geography, real impact in every strike, emotion tied directly to combat, and a respect for martial arts as an art form, not just spectacle. It feels “more real,” “more intense,” and even “more cinematic” than most Hollywood action films today. It leans fully into what wuxia does best: honour, betrayal, survival across impossible landscapes, and combat that feels like storytelling itself. It is not just an action movie, it is a reminder that cinema action can still be handcrafted, elegant, and emotionally charged at the same time. If Western action represents controlled spectacle, Blades of the Guardians represents chaotic poetry with blades.
I loved it because the wuxia approach stays intimate even when the scale is large...
...The Chinese wuxia approach won me over because it treats action as expression rather than logistics. In wuxia, and in Blades of the Guardians, a fight is not just a way to move the plot forward, it is the emotional and narrative moment. You feel character, history, and philosophy inside the choreography itself. The pacing is slower, but that slowdown is intentional: it allows tension, body language, and spatial awareness to become part of the storytelling. Instead of cutting away from complexity, it leans into it. The rhythm is carefully balanced, with moments of wit and humour that lighten the intensity without breaking immersion.
There is also a stronger sense of visual clarity and craftsmanship. The choreography is designed so you can actually read what is happening: footwork, distance, weapon control, rhythm. That creates a different kind of engagement. You are not just reacting to explosions or edits; you are following a physical conversation between characters.
Western blockbusters often build tension through external stakes: preventing a global disaster, stopping a bomb, outrunning time. It’s exciting, but it’s structural. Chinese martial arts cinema often builds tension through internal codes, honour, loyalty, betrayal, destiny, sacrifice. That makes even smaller moments feel heavy, because the conflict is not just physical but moral and personal.
There is also a philosophical layer that I find richer. Wuxia traditions often come from ideas about discipline, balance, fate, and the meaning of violence itself. The action is not just spectacle; it is connected to identity and worldview.
That gives the film a kind of depth that feels less common in many Western action franchises, which are often more focused on momentum and entertainment efficiency, and for which is the reason I don’t go to the cinema anymore. ]
People like you are exactly why problems never get effectively tackled. Learn about reality, so you aren't inflated with self-grandeur? You need a good dose of humility first, which is absent in your comments. The entire cast and crew have been inspired and rewarded by all the achievements of BoTG, as I have posted above and over the past three months.
Classic wuxia isn't modern wuxia, where modern wuxia has guys hugging each other, bromance, and all that jazz which classic wuxia fans such as myself don't like and Onuta is talking about in their review.
Wu Jing strikes historical box office gold and gets the encouragement he needs, to continue.
I waited 30 years for a film like this to be made, and I am thankful Wu Jing and Yuen Woo-ping are doing their best to tackle ongoing wuxia film challenges and aiding future generations, which will take years. Many of us classic wuxia fans who watched martial arts films of the 70s, 80s, and 90s will be backing them every step of the way, as they handle these years... Unlike you.
I'm sure people are ignoring you on other pages, with your style of posting. Continue rattling off names to look oh-so-good but showing zero understanding of wuxia film challenges and what transpires in a movie today trying to reach the box office.
Your pathetic dissing of amazing efforts from martial arts veterans and younger artists aiming to recreate and revive an industry for classic wuxia films- Wow. So... Sad.
Classic wuxia fans will be giving obnoxious snobbish posers like you a wide berth.
I'm done wasting my time on you.
On 1 April when news broke that "Blades of The Guardian" had become the highest grossing wuxia film of all time, the movie earned a CPOPwave 2026 nomination:
https://m.yangshipin.cn/portrait_video?vid=o00006558sp
CPOPwave nominations are only given to chinese works outstanding in their field domestically and with significant impact internationally. Given the many praises this film has garnered overseas, with classic wuxia being revived amongst seasoned fans of wuxia while drawing in new viewers, this nomination is amazing.
What is CPOPwave? According to an article about CPOPwave 2025:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-05-28/CPOPwave-Chinese-pop-culture-IPs-unite-in-Hangzhou-1DK7h6yZCa4/p.html
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-05-30/VHJhbnNjcmlwdDg0Njg2/index.html
[ From epic science fiction films like "The Wandering Earth 2" to genre-defining games such as "Honor of Kings", visitors can expect a real-life encounter with the not-to-miss highlights of the internationally renowned Chinese IPs.
LIN YUE, Staff, Display section of the TV series "Till The End of The Moon" "The costumes we brought this time are highly characteristic of Dunhuang aesthetics, which is fully displayed in our TV series. The core of Chinese civilization, such as the aesthetic culture of Dunhuang, should be introduced to the larger world. We hope both Chinese and overseas audiences can learn more about our traditional dress culture." ]
Previous 2025 nominees include the massive hit video game "Black Myth: Sun Wukong", movie "Wandering Earth 2", dramas "Till The End Of The Moon" and "Joy Of Life" Season 2. Wu Jing will be happy yet another movie he leads has gained this prestigious nomination! I am happy for all the cast and crew of "Blades of The Guardians" <33
Wuxia films have been struggling massively, for years at the box office. Classic wuxia fans such as myself are not hot on modern wuxia films, and to see this succeed is to give hope to the future production of high-quality classic wuxia films.
Very happy that 99% of my predictions came true, and the cherry on the cake is this official recognition of the highest order :D
Cisha shares in this interview about how Wu Jing taught him to convincingly convey the full impact of raw arrogant cruelty from Heyi Xuan, on the first day of him filming a specific scene opposite Chen Lijun as Ayuya. Cisha initially wanted to be Dao Ma, and he loves the manhua by Xu Xianzhe. Wu Jing praises Cisha's equestrian skills. Sean Sun Yizhou talked about his mask, and portraying Zhishilang.
There are so many gems shared by these three gentleman, such as Ci Sha and Sean Sun talking about mobile phones and immersion of acting. The phone can be 100% charged at the start of the morning, and still be untouched as 95% battery life when filming ended for the day. Nobody wanted the filming to end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1YmKjR6Zzk
I will never forget how the camera crew also had to have good horse-riding skills, to ride like mad to capture scenes of the actors and actresses riding hard:
https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5293115613119813
For those of us who have watched C-Ent for at least 20 years or more and also understand mandarin, there are also a sizeable number of opinions out there about how the political intrigue portrayed as being significant for the first three episodes veered too much into Gu family harem politics that was asinine at times, for more than 12 episodes, and significantly or completely lost the momentum. The political intrigue hence looks more like salad dressing when a coup is suddenly over, and we never really get to see a competent capable villain when allusion is doing most of the work.
Episode 33 was problematic for Chen Yanyun's character (not Ci Sha's acting) to some viewers because his wife fell sick due to camping out for him for more than one night, when he refused to communicate with her. I am one of them.
As a result, she was unsteady on her feet. When Chen Xuanqing sees her unable to stand upright and obviously sick, he princess-carries her. Chen Yanyun loses his cool understandably, but viewers are uncomfortable with how Chen Yanyun aggressively shoves his very-sick wife away and she falls to ground. She initially threw her arms around him to try to stop him. She pleads from her position for him to stop. He is so fixated on doing in Chen Xuanqing that he has no consideration for her. Considering he has been married before and has far more life experience, some viewers question whether Chen Yanyun is in love with his wife or simply very infatuated and too arrogant to see his mistakes when he cannot accept her past while she accepts him without faulting his past. He is supposed to be an elder. Why is he not sitting Chen Xuanqing down and having the conversations that he previously did with him, instead wrongly using his power and status to make Chen Xuanqing believe all of Chen Xuanqing's developing fears and suspicions are true?
Another criticism is the unequal couple dynamics between the leads. I have no issues with the supposed age gap because this is a historical period drama, and the leads act very well. The inequality perception comes from the ongoing portrayal that where Gu Jinzhao can express herself in many ways with Ye Xian (including arguing in undignified ways), she is shy and coy and not the same around Chen Yanyun. If you are comfortable with someone, being able to behave in all ways should be the norm.
Ci Sha's character is understandably written to be a smart calculating official (which is why he can survive and flourish at court, where Ye Xian would have done himself in long ago) of experience usually careful with words and actions in being able to see angles and steps ahead, while Ye Xian's character is written to be swinging between maturity and immaturity due to how he has been treated and coddled by his family. In terms of directness which appears more straightforward and less calculating and hence equal, some people prefer the chemistry of Ye Xian and Gu Jinzhao. In terms of Chen Yanyun's approach which is measured and gradual, some people like the courtship process and how Gu Jinzhao falls for him. People also like both, as some viewers express.
The screenplay writing for this drama has made novel Gu Jinzhao less intelligent and scheming than the novel, and also significantly butchered novel 2ML to be OOC right from the beginning. This is why ML looks much better than 2ML from the beginning and has a significant advantage. Because of this drama, I actually felt relieved that in "Fated Hearts", at least the partial butchering of the best male character in the novel for the drama had him mostly behaving with strategic calm as a seasoned war veteran and prince, and consistent attitude towards the woman he had to marry. The screenwriters there did a much better job with drama-adaptation of the novel, while clearly having grasped the source material. (I had to explain novel differences versus drama differences over in the "Fated Hearts" forum).
Of course, there are ridiculous haters of the drama, Ren Min and Cisha. That said, I have shared valid issues which have resulted in people dropping this drama or FFWDing parts they don't like. The writing is the biggest issue of this drama, which affects the pacing. And depending on who you ask, it also affects positive perception of the relationship dynamics between the leads and how one perceives ML's character for 30 episodes versus certain WTF moments in episodes 33 and 34.