EP 1-24 BAD, EP 25-40 BETTER

Xian Xia genre drama isn't making sense. Including this one here regardless who's in it, ep 1-24 is so disappointing, nothing's good. A typical Xian Xia drama is script all imaginary ridiculous synopsis, overwhelm with digital works; flashing fake power, flying here and there, trees/flowers/heavenly animals backdrop are cheap fake illustration, colorful background screams phony, fighting scene is a big joke. Not to mention everything looks so perfect, not a ruffle of hair or smear of make up, dangling hair piece are still in place beautifully, light flowing gown. I guess that's what immortal living with perfection in the cloud but wait .....immortals doing bad things are exist too, perfect appearance but morality/action of immortals are still corrupt (lost the common sense of the plots). The director use digital generic special effects, same replica from other (same genre) dramas. The digital landscape is almost the same in every other Xian Xia genre dramas; colorful landscape & waterfall, birds flying over between the mountains, hanging rocks in the air, obvious plastic green leaves/flowers, rainbow clouds.

LuSi is overacting it; enlarging her pupils, child annoying voice, heavy make up, dangling hair accessories, innocent child expression, not good - appear superficial act. While An Yu & Yun Rui bounce their hair so much and their acting is in the minus, the peacock girl is a kill-joy & Yuan Shuang is boring. When LuSi said she won't do another school drama in the future (after Hidden Love) I hope she won't do another fantasy Xian Xia drama ever again. I hope she won't act this stupid in future dramas ever again, her beauty and talent gets her far enough without employing to act adolescence. The whole team is a disaster; Scrip writer, director, editor, music director awful (change swapping background music on the middle scenes) and choral symphony as background music (rather using their own OST)? bad CGI work, lack of creative ideas.

Ep 25 onward, ZLS starts to act better but have stiff neck and the story start to come into place, besides that production sadly hasn't change a bit (still lousy). If the production team would have shorten A Yin & Gu Jin and all combine vile efforts peacock clan/devil only to 10 episodes but more focus in developing characters of Feng Yin & Yuan Qi, this drama might have a better feedback. Highlight the reason on why and how Yuan Qi did for A Yin earlier instead of revealing it on ep 35 & 38 we might have better sense of the plots. Ep 1-24 is bad (I rate it 4) & ep 25-40 is better (I rate it 7). As the Devil King intends to try his tribulation to the mortal world, his coming down bring all chaos that need salvation. He shouldn't be ascendant gracing our life (just a thought...lol) but I hope Wang AnYu & Zhao LuSi will collaborate another drama in modern setting someday. I am more in love with their chemistry in the promotional photo shots/interview.

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ENTANGLEMENT CHENG SHAOSHANG, LING BUYI, LUO YAO, YUAN SHANJIAN

Ep 1-5 were nothing but petty family disputes and issues, visualizing Cheng ShaoShang (Zhao LuSi) was being verbally abused and abandoned by 2nd aunt and grandmother, the arrival of parent after 15 years absent from her life for defending border and wars. Her mom learned her attitudes and personality but rather determined to discipline her like one of her soldier than as a daughter because mom thought CSS was lazy, unruly, uneducated, no manner, liar that caused CSS lost her respect and love toward her own mother. Her mother looked her down, disqualified, belittle her in many way unimaginable. There're a lot funny dialog/scenes, beautiful setting, great background music, awesome costume and natural make up. Let me introduce each episodes that pulling my interest why I love with this drama so much.

Episode 6: When CSS went to the light festival and turned 3 men fallen in love with her on the first sight. 3 different way that started this drama more twists and turns. Luo Yao, accident meeting in the crowd when he was there with his childhood fiancee, He's amazed by her wittiness, beauty and cleverness. Yuan ShanJian/Yuan Shan fall in love by surprise and admiration as CSS had cleverly solved his riddle fast, he saw a beautiful young intelligent girl that didn't care so much about his famous charms. Ling BuYi a tough General that fall in love at first sight by only her delicate hand as he then saw how remarkably beautiful girl he's been noticing to. Burning building on blazing fire made scene so beautiful with fire sparks all over the air...adding remarkable dangerous situation into romantic background. The setting was beautiful, the camera has taken great angles, the scenes were perfect.

Episode 10: Fallen Bridge scene. I love this scene where LBY and CSS colluded for a grand hilarious scheme, a well thought scheme to get revenge to mean girls, the best part was they facilitate the device but suggestion came from different girl so the blame wouldn't point out to CSS or Wan Family, only LY (witness) and Grandma Wan (deduce) know exactly the culprit. Orchestra as background music, the fake laugh between LBY/YS, in slow motion the overexcited girls were waving hand and running toward the bridge , counting down San-Er-Yi and closed her eyes to savor the sweet revenge, smiled mischievously then laugh like she had a funny secret, joyous skip and little dance, after the mean girls fallen to the water- the guys that they've been parading on weren't even slightly care - and the adults shocked of the turn of event. It's hilarious and smart, I could feel CSS's brilliant witty and naughtiness. The best revenge ever...

Episode 12: CSS pulled arrow on LBY. This scene was full of beautiful sensual intensity and physical naked vulnerability closeness between love and pain, full of heart warming and mesmerism of tender love, seductive, passionate in LBY's glances - we all can feel his pouring of love and passion. Soft voice spoken in gratitude, encouragement, a distraction from his throbbing pain.........all in one of LBY best scene. While CSS wasn't sure, her concern face knocked all LBY self control, he laid down his already admiration heart - pouring all he could to express his affection and trust to the young lady in front of him. As we audience watched the scene, quiet stillness - hold our breath as the intensity persisted. Amazing scene...

Episode 18: Decree for Chang ShaoShang. A decree given by His Majesty Emperor bestowed to CSS during her engagement to Luo Yao, a way of Ling BuYi elevated her status in the eye of 1st branch of Luo Family. The magnetism of the scene was when CSS fallen into LBY arms as she tried to stand up, they looked each other; her bewilderment and his desperate longing. Then, LBY pursued to meet her alone in private, last attempt to see the last of her, he then realized that he had no chance with her.

Episode 25: Scene where YuanShan provoked LBY about his engagement with CSS, both men back forth argued in dignify politeness; a mix of threats, snarky, sinister comment about CSS. YS stated unbelievably untrustworthy CSS while LBY praised his luck marrying her, LY said 'CSS is the best girl of whole country'....YS said 'shut up' while LBY said 'Of course' at same time to LY. I could sense the jealousy in YS, protectiveness in LBY, while LY sensed awkwardness in whole situation. I think the only one that wasn't afraid of LBY was Yuan Shan. He wasn't afraid to provoke, refute, argue, confront, even threaten him. It added the flavor of insecurity in edgy way...

Ended in ep 27 and continues to next episodes soon after...huray! Niao Niao's relationship to Luo Yao was a childish sweetheart, Niao Niao's to Ling BuYi was all passionate intensity, while with Yuan Shan was a bickering competitive partner. Wu Lei voice intonation and pronunciation was perfect; passionate, soft, clear, and precise. He didn't rush it, overly dramatic, slurry or plain. He put word by word with soul on connotation, every single syllable we can hear his emotion. Knowing He's passionately in love was when he converse close up with CSS - he'd looked at her lip, longing in his eyes, desperation and always found a way to get closer, adding it with his acting, music background, impression, he could even win an Oscar.

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AWARD WORTHY - BRAVO FOR WU LEI & ZHAO LUSI

I would nominate this drama for the best drama of 2022 and probably all time. Hoping all the crews get the awards and appreciation they deserve. Perfect music, directing, camera angles, screen writer, make up/costumes, editing, setting and lighting, main or supporting actors. Wu Lei & Zhao LuSi raised the bar of acting, comparing with other dramas - I can't find anyone more brilliant than these 2 young actors - they'll have most promising future as long as they'd find the good team in the industry - Chinese acting school should have this drama in their curriculum because of the epic scenes and actors should take this as their standard of good acting. There're cute, funny, romantic, beautiful scenes in every episodes that passed quickly. Let me breakdown the most remarkable scene of season 2 that I think Wu Lei and Zhao LuSi deserve some awards.

Ep 29 You're the brightest star in my eyes. A romantic kissing scene that sent thousand butterfly to weak hearts, but that wasn't kissing part that so memorable to me. It's editing part, when Ling BuYi kissed and PAUSED.....5 seconds paused that's stop the moment of love and blooming beautiful romance - not to mention the music to set the mood.

Ep 39 Beating 100 strokes. LBY intention to be willingly beaten up 100 strokes was to understand CSS true feeling while the Emperor tried to give CSS a life lesson. CSS appeared to be scared and mortified to witness the beating of love ones, the urgency of her voice under the snowing blizzard. That's not what make this scene memorable but the comedic side of otherwise horrible beating scene, the Emperor with his two wives arguing and his eagerness to see love declaration from CSS, or the 3rd Prince who miscounting the strokes purposely. The best acting in here was the supporting actors like Emperor, 3rd Prince, 2 queens, or even the executioner soldiers, they're remarkably firing up the atmosphere of heart-broken begging and cries from CSS. The other was the camera took such great angle and music to add some flares but yes it was sad but also funny....unexpected chuckle f, that's the best of this episode.

Ep 48 Revenge scene. While CSS predicted what LBY's going to do in the night of rehearsal two days before their wedding day. When LBY had no other choice but to murder Ling Yi the killer of his father Huo Chong and Huo Clan. He had to keep the secret of his real identity for 15 years before finally taking avenge after the death of his aunt (mom). The scene was brutal bloody violence but the director left it to our own imagination, with closing door shadowy flying fallen figures, blood spreading all to windows, dead bodies piled up high aftermath, background orchestra gave the unforgettable epic scene. Aftermath, LBY laughed hysterically between relieved and reality set in and CSS witnessing what he's done. Fallen tears she questioned 'why?'

Ep 49 Fallen down the mountain. CSS came to rescue LBY, galloping fast braving arrows but cornered at the end of cliff. With her red wedding gown, messy hair blowing amidst snow flakes, pale lips, scare and determination wet eyes, LBY decided to throw himself down the mountain after saying goodbye. Horrific scare of CSS realizing LBY flew down leaving her, screaming calling his name in desperation and fainted in mental shock. The best of this was the setting and ZLS acting..

One thing that I don't like about Chang ShaoShang character was she meddling into Palace's politics, she's being 15 inexperience new comer in the palace, she's taking side to none of her business just because she'd like certain person. For a girl that wanted to be care free and outspoken, Ling BuYi was the one who always clean her mess, came to her rescue, defending and protecting, so much patience and fully compromise to her. It beat the purpose of demanding free will but showing stubbornness spoil naive clueless impudent burden she was, when making mistake she'd blame it to someone or circumstantial. As she apologized endlessly, she'd do the same recklessness the next breath.....so disappointed of her. As she became the most powerful influencer....she could talk/argue over her elders (including Emperor) and she could charm her way to the most powerful people in the palace. ep 34 didn't sit well with me, with their influence, Emperor and 2 queens had to resolve their disputes over engagement and resolved somebody thrown in jail or temple. Besides all these, ShaoShang was pretty cute, determine, smart, kind, lovable, and straight forward. I could imagined the happiness for both LBY/CSS union. Personal opinion, I'd rather have her married Yuan ShanJian, they had the same temperamental.

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TOURISM PROMOTIONAL DRAMA

In my opinion, this drama was like a Tourism Promotional segment as that's the main story. Very slow and dragging, can fallen asleep watching it, Li Xian was the only one that has sparkle in his eyes - the rest of the actors were boring (Wait... Grandma Xie was sweet and cute) the OST slow too. Beautiful country site, rustic but colorful houses and interior, dilemma of villagers, relationship between people, personal hope and struggle of occupants. If we talk about living quiet and harmonious, this is it, don't expect something hilarious and jolt of character. Liu YiFei as usual delivered her dialog in soft whisper voice (turn up the volume) while Li Xian had smiles more than his other dramas which refreshing. Question: the fact that they had horse barn at the same location of residential/office, reality smell of horse dung is nothing to enjoy to. Lot of eating scenes but only saw them nibble little here and there, busy body aunties (I skipped these scenes), Mr. Ma was between flip his hair/doing tea ceremony & meditation (ugh...I skipped him too), a lot of self-reflection and self discovery on every characters (which means a lot of day dreaming, spacing out, talked within, back flashing memories...skipped!), nothing really jolly.

Xu Hong Dou (Liu YiFei), a hard working big-city woman, suddenly hit a bump in her life when her best friend fell ill from cancer and passed away. Distraught and unable to reconcile with her friend's death, Xu met difficulties in continuing her working life in the city. She decided to take a vacation in a China's rural village of Yun Miao, near Dali, in Yunnan Province – to break away from the distressing urban life and to find peace and quiet, she met Xie ZieYao, a president of every businesses in the area including the place she stayed in. As he tried to navigate the businesses, he proposed to Hong Duo to volunteer to improve hospitality service at where she stayed, with Grandma Xie persuasion she finally decided to help out till time for her to move on (3 months stay). Got better in ep 25 onward when the love started to bloom but still many skipping...

Well, I can understand why the Producer drag this drama so boring, how to develop scenes to more lively and interesting? For a simple synopsis drama, 40 episodes is too long stretch to be completed. If I knew better, I should have started this drama from ep 20 (better yet ep 24).

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ENTERTAINING, LIGHT FAMILY DRAMA

I love this drama. It's entertaining light family drama, like on the title it's hilarious and warm fuzzy story. It isn't complicated, budged friendly, flowing story, but definitely bring out the best of each characters into the screen. Every actors did awesome job in their characters, the director seems to know how to create humorous scenes without overdo it. Only 24 episodes suitable for laugh at the end of our stressful day. The Story is about Du Ru Yu has been a widowed single mother for the past 18 years, raising four daughters with very different personalities. She's tough on the outside but soft-hearted on the inside, constantly worrying about her daughters' marriages.

Liu Lin as Du Ru Yu/mom
An ex-tofu seller moved in to JiangLin town for better chance for her daughters to find husbands. A mother who tries to stay afloat in managing daughters who's different personalities and interests. After moving to Jiang Lin, she enthusiastically engages with matchmakers and participates in blind dates. Dealing with troublesome daughters, potential suitors who are still pending, and infatuated pursuers like Guo Zhen Sheng (Yang Hao Yu), a doctor and pharmacist (Ban Xia's teacher), loved Ru Yu and willing to share 90-10% profit from his pharmacy as long he allowed to live with her (and family) in which RuYu treated him badly.

Han Yun Yun as Chun Jin Rong/Oldest daughter
29 and 18 months yo, single and love luxury life, lazy, looking for prospect marrying a wealthy husband. Mom was trying to get her married but after a few attempt she remains single. Here came Shi Zi (Chang Long), a young Lord that had no intention nor interest whatsoever intertwined with her. Shi Zi mistakenly thought that Chun Jin Rong was the object of affection for the Fourth Prince and tried to form an alliance with her, which leading Chun Jin Rong to mistakenly believed that the Shi Zi like her. Of course, Jin Rong encouraged him just because he's single and the son of rich official. Unfortunately, Shi Zi's father against Jin Rong because of different social standing.

Jackie Li as Chun Pei Lan/2nd oldest
She loved to take care of her family, kind, frugal, very domestic, filial. She brought in Lu Bu Ping (Ren Hao) into her household, because he helped knock out the gang leader. However, he mistakenly thought he has killed someone and forced to work as a low-level servant in the Chun family. This poor guy worked so hard, not getting pay, just to be allowed a shelter and meals. Her family treated him as a servant, only on ep 13 revealed he's the son of the martial arts alliance leader. He learned from most amazing Stewart Xiu to appease Mrs. Chun's house-warming party.

Wu Jia Yi as Chun Ban Xia/3rd daughter
She's the smartest one in the family, very knowledgeable and learned to be a doctor from Guo Zhen Sheng, kind non-sense personality. She got to know a strong-willed Shen Wang Yan, a 3rd rank graduated scholar who came to the household in thinking the house was still belong to Sheng family for him to give tutorial. She didn't trust him, her opinion of him was very low while Wan Yan teased her mercilessly.

Li Jia Qi as Chun Ke Ling/youngest daughter
Tomboy, interested in martial art, lively, willful, and enjoys helping the weak while opposing the strong, often absent from home. the leader of Jianglin youth gang which only had 3 members. Accidentally she met 4th Prince (Gu ZiCheng) as he called himself A-Si, no one know he's the best candidate for Crown Prince, but he's very naive and innocent. He moved in to Shi Zi's mansion just to persuading KeLing and learned how commoners live.

Why I like this drama because there're instances that we Asians can relate to, family values that we cherish. I can see that the daughters are getting their suitable choice of good men and they'll end well.

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JIN YONG NOVEL SERIES

First 4th episodes were so great, amazing fighting choreography, great setting, realistic personas, minimum make up, reminded me so much of Hongkong Cinematography. But then Female lead came out and she's so roboty and plainly blah, I dropped it. Liang Ji (FL) was so bad, she needs to take up more acting classes; expressionless, aunty face, iron posture, weird hairdo. As recommended from a friend, decided to continue watch it again. Glad I did, it turned out this drama worth to watch. Like other Jin Yong's books, all full of action and dynamic from martial art world. Some Kungfu masters who had strong characters,
ambition to win the world of truest hero(s), reproachable unconditional love. I love JIn Yong, I grew up reading his novels, proficient with his style of background and characteristic of his characters and story. I can feel his style was being manifested visually into an action drama but pretty sure the girls didn't hold up the candle.

There are many veteran actors supporting this drama, setting on early Qing Dynasty on 18th century (about 1776) backdrops - the costume and hairstyle were very distinguished which in my opinion is the worst costume in Chinese dynasties, Imperial strategy to weaken the Martial Art world by manipulating heroes to kill each other, planting misunderstanding and hatred to their amidst, promoting fighting competition to be named number 1 hero in the world as the imperialism strive to becoming stronger. The story line was based on overly ambitious men of power, fame and greed. The complication of love interest that were not reciprocal for reasons...

For I think this one is one of the best fighting choreography. Realistic setting, costumes and make up, great soundtracks. Although there wasn't a happy ending, no expectation of marriage or kissing scene - it just straight men's competition of Martial Art World with so many coincident, luck, sorrow, greed, ambition, manipulation, or even downfall. Plain ending..

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Adaptation from Love in the Moonlight

This drama is Chinese version of Park BoGum K-drama "Love in the Moonlight' which was a good original drama. When I first knew this drama from promotional preview and thinking this might be as good like 'LitM'. Not so much comedy as I first thought. Ash Zhu did good for an emperor; confident, smart, manipulative, secretive, tried to prove himself as a worthy emperor instead of being a puppet for dowager Empress. Fu Wei Lun, Tang Xiao Fan need acting class badly, I think they butchered the characters. The end of story didn't sit well for me, why..oh why...three pairs of brides/grooms met and rode horses together on the beach? Didn't symbolize of anything besides identifying who married to whom. But I like the relationship between Ma Meng Wei and Ash Zhu. I like best was Meng Wei's mom...I think she's a better actress than any actresses in this drama. The adaptation didn't do as well as Korean counterpart, disappointing and cheap.

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Neo Hou is a handsome man...very gorgeous but he did a lot of 'space out' acting style. I think the drama was okey....kind of different from typical C-dramas but when character Shi Fei Xian came to the picture - it became so predictable. Ban Hua (Gabrielle Guan) was loved and spoiled by her family, her temperament and behavior wasn't acceptable as a noble girl at that time period but got a way a lot. Had engagement to 4 men but so unlucky enough to end up marrying to none of them. She had many dreams predicting the down-fall of herself and family. She figured how to avoid the disaster of falling-out in Royal family, being a cousin of royal family and a beloved niece of Emperor she had the freedom of princess around the palace.

Ban Hua was the most popular and beautiful Nobel lady while Scholar Rong Xia (Neo Hou) was the most handsome intelligent court First Gentleman that all girls dream to have him candidate for a husband, one of admirer was spiteful Shi Fei Xia which she created havoc in jealousy and bitterness after rejection from scholar Ron Xia. So, this is this the story about, Shi Fei Xia and a prince were collaborated to ruin blossom couple Rong Xia & Ban Hua in every way as well as taking away the reign.

I think somebody need to tell directors and ators not to act like 'gazing mindlessly' to the surrounding because I saw too much of it in C-drama. Act 'thoughtful' is more appropriate than just 'space-out gazing'....ask Mark Chao...he's good at acting 'thoughtful'. Yes, I finished the drama just to know how they ended the story. It's an okey, could be better though.

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No More Peter Sheng please..

Have never seen Dilraba with such an ugly face, talkative, uneducated but kind (she did pretty good). Peter Sheng was so badly out of character - he couldn't barely act. Intonation of his voice were so monotone and robotic, acting wooden, smile forced, expression zero. I know he supposedly a cold and reserve man but (this is the big trick) lesson 1: some real cold/reserve person usually have expressive eyes - and this guy had none but blank stare like trying hard to remembering dialog, Lesson 2: learn from Mark Chao or Shawn Qu or Wang Duo or take another acting class again. That's prove something, relay on a pretty face isn't guarantee the man doing a good job.

I think Dilraba tried to cover his flaws by doing more in acting (looks more like over acting). The rest of casts (supporting actors) were actually pretty awesome. The star of this drama was Zhang Bin Bin, a free spirit editor who liked Li Hui Zhen the way she was without question. The story line isn't bad, has potential that need more collaboration from the MLs, the ending is pretty pathetic in which supposedly a happy ending, a picture of happy couple with a child walking hand in hand lovingly at the park. What appeared was a overly chatty wife dragging hand of stern husband behind their daughter.

Good thing is Dilraba not her-beautiful-self, acting it out of her usual character that's kind of overplay it, as we can see that she's capable doing other acting that's not typically her genre. Although not a good drama, appreciation doing her best is noticed. I rated 3 all for Peter Sheng...he didn't give his best shot while the rest of crews run their best efforts.

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A GREAT SHORT DRAMA

Only 12 episodes all together. A realistic set up, less make-up and none beautification (great!), great flowing story, good acting for every actors. Setting in the 37th year of the Wan Li Time of the Ming Administration, there were progressive homicides in the region seat of Jiangnan District. The personalities of the dead were unique and inconsequential to one another but they had similarity; intention, message left in the dead bodies, all pointing to the fire burning accident to Lu family 20 years earlier. As a apprentice Qu San Geng (Bai YuFan) of his dead teacher Captain Leng, he was a bailiff who try to decoding the murder mystery of his teacher and other unrelated victims. With the help of his friends Gao Shi Cong (Liu YiTong), Feng Ke Zhui (Zhang Hao Wei), Leng Gui Er (Julia Xiang) Captain Leng's only daughter. They uncovered (figuratively) worm-box of 20 years old secret; one clue and one witness at a time, victim's dark pasts, the connection of victims to each other. Song Chen (Ning Li) was an upright well-respected official who became Qu SanGeng mentor, He's the County Judge who appointed by the Emperor because of the error judgement when he was much younger, so much tortures for wrong conviction, experience injustices, he became disable - his mind though still as bright as his younger-self, he's now uphold justice for other people.

Background of the crime
The sad story about 3 teenager best friends, because of the greed and anger 20 years ago that cause destructive motivation. Unlikely best friend were young Lu Zhi, Xiao Bao, Lu Bu Yao came from different social status background; Lu Zhi was the servant of Lu family, Lu Bu Yao was his young master, Xiao Bao was attendant for a brothel. The Lu elder humiliated and punished Lu Zhi that drove him to seek revenge and gained some money with the encouragement from Mr. Zhong the steward, with the help of other 4 helpers they killed the whole Lu family with poison and burned down the house. Lu Zhi as adopted son Of Lu elder claimed the wealth of Lu family and divided between them. After stay away and low, they came back to town as rich merchants and respected by people in town. Recently, they've been murdered of those individuals connected with devastating fire. Captain Leng, murdered for involvement in cold-closed case. Lin Si Niang murdered for where was all started, Dr. Cheng murdered for fake prescription poison all Lu's, Wang Chen the gambler murdered for killing the mother Lu and Lu baby girl, other 3 victims related to the accident. Although Qu SanGeng knew the identity of the culprits, he made the choice to pick one of 2 devious killers to take on his revenge .

The setting was same location as 'Under Microscope' or 'Pledge of Allegiance' so for those who love those 2 dramas, we're getting the same vibes - same genre with different plots.

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JUSTICE DONE RiGHT

1. Not a big fan of any characters that has mental disorder. Whatever it is, hard enough for people who has mental disorder and for us to mimic them. They're genius in their own right, but also challenging as personality, socially awkwardness, unacceptably by social standard, misunderstood, entirely different than anyone of us. So, acting as one of them is hard and ZRY eyes was into Nystagmus wild and scary intense than innocent glances. I don't think ZRY portrayed it appropriately.

2. Four Counties overpaid 'Silk Poll' taxes since way back 100 year ago. The argument of 4 Magistrates were justified; none of them born yet, all 4 Magistrates worked hard for their district and seeing people's poor life condition in their counties, avoiding riots and anger from public, the intention of Shuai JiaMo to open up ancient case, no one knew how to resolve it. The solution came out brutally, 4 counties has to remeasure all lands, bigger land had bigger taxes. The riches and nobles had more land but paid small taxes as they manipulated the land measurement in order to pay less taxes, the common people outraged and rioting. Shuai JiaMo was a math genius, he's the best for advisor but not as a plaintiff. Because people would question his qualification, mental stability and articulation, the integrity of his intention. If I can change the story, that's what I am going for but since this one was based on true story during Ming Dynasty.

3. Setting was rustic and old (considering newly c-drama modern ancient setting) very traditional and preserved the cultural heritage of the buildings/interiors/set-up. All actors has no make up which's their natural beauty shone, costumes were simple and appropriate. ZRY joint again with Wang Yang and Wu Gang (JOL), they're great team together. The story were ended with great justice for all, done it right even for the modern perspective. Lucky Shuai JiaMo had a greatest best friend who's not lost hope and trust in him, defended him in any price even gambling it with his life. All was only 14 episodes, good numbers for good drama.

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COMPLICATED LOVE STORY BY DESIGN

Complicated love story by design. King's mother was a very ambitious highly-motivated woman which would use all means to get what she wanted, including ordered Chief Shaman to deliver black magic blow to kill the young future queen of Crown Prince as they both young in love (13 & 15), she's heavily medicated to presumably died. As she awoken inside the coffin, traumatized by the experience she lost memory and recruited as a human mullet for the young King (her husband). The King recognized her but she didn't remember at all, she thought what she sees from King's memory was visions of her being a shaman or human mullet but all what she saw was their memory 8 years ago when both were together. Meanwhile King' step brother loved the same woman, wanted to take her away from the politic in the palace and be with her. The strong rivalry between brothers, not just regarding love but also throne and influences as many officials interested in him to abdicate the King. As they both brotherly love, character wise were totally different, one is the king who's dedicated and observant, the older brother was easy going and pleasant in which he have no ambition to take part of politics or royal life.

After the death of young Crown Princess, Crown Prince forced to marry the Prime Minister's daughter - the favorite choice of girl to become their future queen which related to King's mother. He's not interested in her, only despise and contempt he delivered to his bride. After 8 years of marriage, the Crown Prince became the King, she became the unhappy Queen. She tried with all mighty to get the husband to love her, pay attention to her, and sleep with her. None worked! Because the reason of pending consummation is King's illness - they brought back in Chief Shaman from isolation to the palace. The official kidnapped Shaman's successor as a human mullet to pick bad/ill vibes from the King while he's sleeping soundlessly. The Queen was a pathetic woman, sole focus was only her neglectful husband who she cried, begged, whined, pleaded, hurt just to get little solace. The King believed that she's the main reason on why his first love/young queen died, he hated her father the prime minister and won't give an opportunity for his grandmother the Dowager Regent grandmother more political influences (maternal political family). Their marriage is the sad one, the queen became paranoia and hateful. Her beautiful smile and face was strain with sadness and tearful hopelessness.

While finally the young rightful bride back to the King's life after so much terrible struggles and issues, they maintained a secret union in the closed room as he still the husband of the queen and keeping the secret of her existence from his officials and her broken-heart family. The King's little sister took part of her dying, in agreement with their grandmother to marry as she's deeply in love with Crown Princess's beautiful brother (Crown Prince's tutor) - she married the man of her dream but subconsciously sadden and guilt by her part of killing in seeing the sadness and broken of her in-laws. Yeah, all got tangle up. Lots of crying, anger and frustration over love story drama. The young King that has to fight his own family; overly ambitious grand mother, greedy/power hungry father in-law, unwanted wife the queen, step brother (over same woman), little sister who betrayed him for a man, as well of corrupted officials. Not in happy situation he was in....but end in happy reunion and he got the love and family he's been longing far too long.

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FAIL BUT DETERMINE

Reset was a great episodes of failure, start all over full of plans and determination with the cost of repetitive death from hard trying with doubts or half-baked plans that had to be reprogrammed and relearned the scenarios to get full extend of success which was to change the destiny of everyone else on the bus. The accident happened in about 20 times over before they got it right and fulled in motion. It's great drama with so much sadness and anger, reality of situation, self doubt, costly failures, and determination.
Bai Jing Ting (Xiao He Yun) and Zhao Jin Mai (Li Shi Qing) were amazing in here, Jing Ting who usually taking 'physical' role in other dramas - here he was kind of a geek who would rather save his own life than thinking about other passengers, only with the pressure from Shi Qing (Jin Mai) he'd do what she told him to do. Kind of different role which out of his usual box. Jin Mai was the hero of this drama, a young collage student who determined to change their fate against the past by recruiting He Yun, Lu Di and Polices. Her half-baked plan costed her death few times over until they got it right by planning to catch the bomber and complicit. When the time wasn't right to execute the plan, they reset and started over while He Yun got weaker by next trying.

Liu Yi Jun (Zhang Cheng) was also amazing here, he usually took in a 'bad guy' role but here he's a Head Detective investigate 2 young people who had 'weird' connecting of bus bombing, who his gut tells him that these 2 young people might not appear as what they said they were...who mingled the whole police dept into a mess of never ending time loops. All characters were terrific and the end everyone had their own happy ending...love their ending. The best part was everyone very much like their own selves. Watch it....I fully recommend it.

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Reunion for most of the actors

I love Vic Chou in here, he's older than Diraba but I think he appropriately cast since he supposedly an old man that been waiting for reincarnation of his beloved for many many years. For being a feminine male, he acted really beautifully, I can see his lip gives small smile and eye soften with hidden desperation. His luxurious hair fallen on his back just gives impression this man care for himself, secretly waiting for his beloved to mature and come out as a girl replicating her mother - the woman he's in love and want to be with forever. The patient he has to wait, wooing a girl who's in love with another guy, be there for her, all done he's doing it with maturity (not stupidity) of a mature man. The make up done well for him.

Yes, got twist of story here and there about misunderstanding Ru Ge and Zhan Feng, as well as intrigue to gain leadership and power in Flame's Lie Huo manor. One thing I don't like most of this drama most the actor was from '10 miles of peach blossom' so the actors were play different roles that contradicted to their previous roles in 10 miles PB such Zhang Bin Bin character married his sister in 10 miles PB or Yu Zi Han (Liu RuiLin) was so in love to Ru Ge, Lai Yi who's the bad guy, to name a few that picked to different roles from the same production company. Like they decided put these actors together again after famous collaboration of 10Miles Peach Blossom & Three Lives Three Worlds, the Pillow Book. Besides Vic Chao, this is just another lazy coordination of 'apple picks' actors.

Not a big fan of Dilraba, she's beautiful indeed, but I think Dilraba and Vin Zhang need to improve their acting - not the same old them again because we've seen their style of acting in 10 miles PB and not different at all. All compliments here are just basically for Vic Chao. The best of this drama was the soundtrack songs, Jason Zhang has a beautiful song, it's my favorite list.

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DIVINE PAINTER, MY FOOT.

It was interesting at the beginning of drama, like can't wait for the next episode, but as it progress...it became so unbearable. I finished the drama as I've already invested my time into this, water filler. The FL is so bad; fake panting..fake surprise..fake cry, she's not good at all in this drama. The line of story for being a divine painter is ridiculous, her father - the original divine painter went crazy for being a divine painter and all her elders worry she might get craze when she inherit the talent. She won the competition and appointed to repair the painting of the old king that hold the spirit of Ma Wang. But damn Ma Wang doesn't highlight as main antagonist because it's in the body of Male Lead. Screw that, we want to sympathy the Male Lead for being blind, kind, handsome, scholarly but he's the bad guy conspicuously as Ma Wang insipid his body. The problem is Ma Wang is nothing but bad spirit in the body of a good man - can't really fight it and here comes all the magic scenes unbelievably shitty. No one can fight the strong spirit of Ma Wang physically or using magic...but (this is why so boring) the weak hysterical divine painter and her dead (crazy) father and another spirits defeated Ma Wang back in to the painting!

The scenes talk about sickly Crown Prince but he isn't in the picture; the King, 1 ambitious prince, 1 kind prince, shamans, bunches of painters. So, there isn't glorious victory or even fulfillment defeating the enemy...none of those. Male Lead is good for being blind...he's alright. The love story is predictable - fallen in love when they both so young, reconcile when they both grow up with different status in social standing, they both recognize each other and renew the relationship. Besides all the rant, it has a good ending, and that's resolve it all. The best part is the OST, love to listen to it over.

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