CROWN PRICE ALWAYS GET THE GIRL

I don't like the story line, in my opinion, it's stupid and dragging. A man with status of King couldn't get over the dead wife was the most idiot, not to mention he couldn't function to do his responsibilities and job as a King because of matter of heart. I want to slap his face and shout 'get hold of yourself.' It's fine when assuming the wife might get murdered and looking who's the culprit, it's ok to mourn the beloved wife and kept her in memory, it's personal choice if he wanted a Shaman to reach death world. I just couldn't understand the dragging of story to nowhere..on and on for harboring feeling after 7 years sorrow. Someone needs to tell him to 'get a grip' and give him some reality check. Well....looking forward for better story in future episodes.

The plot that I like was the 2nd ML was legally engaged 7 years before the ban edict. They had mutual feeling of their marriage arrangement and their relationship as friends were blooming after the fact. While the King was muddle-head over a dead woman...and any matters about Kingdom was ignored...only about tiring feeling and sadness. The dead queen was a boring woman too...both actors had weepy expression on their faces, teary eyes with glossy make up (BOTH OF THEM). You know what they said about Crown Prince has always get the girl. No matter 2nd ML engaged to the girl, she picked the Crown Prince instead of him - a humble minister's son but not too worry - Crown Prince's sister choose him (convenience wasn't it) well....

There's similar drama 'Blooming Youth' on air that has the exact plots. Not hoping to finish the series.

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2ND CHANCE AND REDEMPTION

A head strong Jiang Xue Ning (Bai Lu) who would do anything to become an Empress, who manipulated many people to do her bidding to stay in power and control, who died by killing herself of regret in exchange her life for someone else's life. The story of second chance and redemption of Jiang Xuening; to avoid herself get into the palace like her past life as the ambitious Empress. But she couldn't entirely escape from fate that's written to her, shifting her fates and people in the path of redemption. However some things were still end the same like invincible hand stirred to what fate have been. Ning'Er still end up joining the palace as a Princess's study companion and Xie Wei's (Zhang Ling He) student. As a new person, she still handled things with devious strategies to avoid certain fates that got her in trouble in previous life, with different approached she still manipulate people according to her wishes. The old feeling still hunted her to which decision made and wisdom came from. Relationship Xie Wei & Xue Ning were teacher and student, outside the circle they're conspirator.

Xie Wei/Xue Ding Fei (Zhang Ling He)
As the most scary person in Jiang Xue Ning's life - she most afraid and bitter toward him. Crown Prince's teacher and advisor to the Emperor, Xie Wei had every reason to be wary of. He hold most secrets as he's the sole survivor of 20 years old frightening 300 young lost souls originated, a 7 years young Viscount Xue Ding Fei was used to replace for (same age) Crown Prince's life to demanding rebel leader Prince Ping'An. Who knew he survived the massacre and became Prince Ping'An bullet to destroy Qian/Shen royal family, his hatred to his biological father Xue was no bound. His affection for Yan family where his mother was the beloved sister of Duke Yan (Yan Lin's father). This time around, he suffered from PTSD from early age trauma. His main goal was to destroy Xue which aligned with Xue Ning's mission and maneuver palace's politics to achieve goals. So much going on his calculating mind to achieve successful outcomes, he'd happily married Xue Ning and had twin children.

Yan Lin (Zhou Jun Wei)
In this new life Jiang Xuening redeemed her mistake by secretly plans to stop Yan Lin's bloody upcoming-age Crown Ceremony from happening, result of power struggle between 2 influential family Xue & Yan. With Jiang Xuening and Xie Wei's plan, the Yan family's lives were saved although they went exile for wrongful accusation. At point of time when Yan Lin lost his whole family during his coming-to age celebration from Xue and the day knowing Xue Ning rejecting his love. Her betrayal made Yan Lin obsess and furious. When he started to gain power to rebel, Yan Lin determined to make her his woman, but she killed herself to exchange life for a life. Xue Ning was forewarned Yan Lin that her feeling was friendship, none romantic, Yan Lin had to first hand knowing her true feeling to avoid obsession nor hatred as he's falling more deeper in love with her like in their previous life. He'd be a grand general and respected by whole country, Yan family all came back home.

Zhang Zhe ( Wang Xing Yue)
Jiang XueNing most precious person was Zhang Zhe. In previous life she was using him to cover up her many guilt of wrong doing, for the sake of love Zhang Zhe betrayed his conscience to make wrong judgement. He felt unworthy and guilt of the dead of his mother he wrote a letter to Justice Dept to sentence him to death. Xue Ning begged him to forgive himself and blame her instead. Few days before his death sentence, Xue Ning went to Xie Wei for his mercy and kill herself in exchange for his life. Second change, Zhang Zhe being an upright man was indeed love her, they had a chance to have their happy ending together, but his mother eventually died from the same cause and affect him the same guilt so Xue Ning decided to let go remembering how bad Zhang Zhe end up on their previous life. All in all Zhang Zhe assisted Xie Wei, Yan Lin, Xue Ning to reveal the truth of evil-doers Xue family.

Princess Le Yang/Shen Zhi Yi (Liu Xie Ning)
Jiang Xue Ning was her bestfriend, they're study mates. Jiang Xue Ning was successfully change their relationship dynamic into friendship rather as adversary in their previous life, but for sure Xue Ning knew that Princess Le Yang would be sent off to get married with enemy's prince and tragically died. In this life, Xue Ning would rush to save her from fatal outcome. Although she still had a bad marriage, faced abuse and imprisonment, she's finally free to come back home.

You Fang Yin (Melody Tang)
In previous life, she's the faithful attendant/maid to her Empress life, Fang Yin's been through too much during her reign so she felt guilty put her through. So, Jiang Xue Ning saved her from jealous bitter step sister and hateful You family. Xue Ning trusted her with business and independent. She married to a very nice man, handled businesses good, sadly died for loyalty.

Although the drama is heavy in political conflicts and intrigues, twisting fate for different outcomes might also be a little romance at the end. Great script, the intrigue wasn't boring, amazing costumes (everyone looks amazing), great coordination between flash back and new stories, good angle cameramen and directive. Zhang Ling He is great in here, shining in his acting (not convincing enough he's afraid of cat though), he'll have a long acting career. Bai Lu is so so as her usual self, as 27 yo she can't act like 19yo, we've seen her same acting in her other dramas. Zhou Jun Wei is pretty sleek as Yan Lin while Wang Xing Yue has character that's not special, I think he'd be more interesting as (previous life) Zhang Zhe when he broke many etiquette and laws - he'd lots of inner battles and emotion fight in within . Very good drama.

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ONE MAN SHOW ZHAO LUSI

This is the worst drama Zhao LuSi has been in (even worst than Please Feel at Ease Mr Ling). Other actors did not do well, even Wu Gang did not shine his character through collaborating with LuSi, she's annoyingly overpowered the rest of the actors - like she's hyper - overacting - overly dramatic of characteristic, loud (appeared disrespectful to the elders) not in good way. The rest of actors were gloomily out of sort, serious, criticized Sun Tuo Tuo all the way, no interesting wordplay, no ingenuity.

Story was promising, I was curious about the science behind Chinese traditional medicine, what can we learn from such remarkable well-kept traditional healing methods. Unfortunately, the screen writer focused on remedy using human urine and animal dungs, wth. Health consultation was more common as anyone can give same advise to a friend. Remedy for poisonous snake bite? Lets's drink concoction instead bringing him to ER. Last stage of cancer? Healed (where there wasn't cure recorded medically) plots were credulous, being such a young age LuSi was already a senior (patriarchal system) which pathetic when uneducated, untrained, nonprofessional high school graduated forced to study medicine for someone else's ambition. For real though, even a medical genius doctor can't really treat patients without years of experiences and well conduct. While there're Pediatrician, doctors, lawyer Phd, those apprentice with medical degree background, as students. Funny too, a medical degree doctor couldn't find a job and working part time as masseur. A lawyer who suddenly inspired to learn medicine just because someone died beyond her ability. Giving praise testament how wonderful Prof Ren as a healer...such a BS. I felt like this drama had preaching vibes, superior above other mortals, giving high-horses attitude toward inferior minions. What's wrong with Sun Tuo Tuo always ready to took in the falls? Screen writer was a disaster, fire her.

LuSi has been partnered with most gorgeous and talented men in the industry; Yang Yang, Wu Lei, Neo Hou, Ryan Ding, Liu YuNing, Xiao Zhan, Then here he came Luo YiZhao where LuSi had to settle with a co-star that has (let me say it in a nice way) sparse promise of bright casting. He had a chance to prove his talent/acting skill in this drama but unfortunately he's not compatible with LuSi. Wu Gang is a veteran great actor, more suitable with antagonist role than light drama. With his tight lip, sharp and cold gazes, serious face, frowning, stern voice, forced smile, he went flat in this drama. LuSi couldn't lighten his serious personality with her overly cheerful and carefree demeanor, Wu Gang was like snuffing out of LuSi's exuberant. Not to mention Jiang Shan (Song Ling Lan) she's patronizing, criticizing, looking down people.

The last 2 episodes was pointless, nothing but discussion of old love bird Song Ling Lan and Ren Xi Zheng, clarifying their misunderstanding and forgiveness. It's cleared that Sun Tuo Tuo wasn't exactly Prof Ren's daughter but rather a perspective daughter in law. I would rather have them a tragic end rejection by Sun Tuo Tuo to accept inter-changing status with Ren family; student, inheritor, biological daughter, prospective daughter in law. But maybe Tuo Tuo think she hit the jackpot by integrating to Ren family since she's an orphan. Zhao LuSi did one man show, the rest of actors were not even worth mentioning. Disappointed, not a good drama, not good plots, not good castings.

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BELOW EXPECTATION

With 8.6 overall score, I expect this drama is beyond good but surprisingly it went flat, boring, nonsensical, irrational, unbelievable, beat around the bushes. He's a doom, every action he takes cost doom in someone's life and she's a a working editor that just diagnosed with throat cancer who has only 3 months life expectancy. They strike a deal 100 days to let her live the way she wants it, they live together and fallen in love., she's dying but she don't feel ill or hurt besides the wonder of fallen in love, family and friendship. This isn't a passionate love affair, they said love to each other, watch out and care for each other but there isn't physical or emotional connection between them. Too much fake 'ahh'...'wow'...'hey'.. too much faking gasps, panting, the FL not great. Two older ladies keep discussing a 'ghost' doctor...that never appear twice in patient, question is why these 2 ladies always in the waiting room of that hospital? Korean aunt who married Canadian man Kevin but they both speak their own language respectively, as normal husband/wife - don't they usually speak one or the other language to reach communication effectiveness? 100 days being alive will take 16 episodes of unworthy drama...

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Big question; Deng Kun.

The final episode of Word of Honor, episode 37, was only about 11 minutes that intended to sum up the whole episodes. I wish it was the whole 40-45 minutes of episode 37 but short 11 minutes did get us resolution for ending the drama. Big question is why focusing on Deng Kun's happy ending? He's happily married man with a son under Zhao ZhuXu guidance. For Deng Kun was only appeared in bit here and there of original 36 episodes. whom did Gao Xiao Lian married to? Deng Kun or Zhang ChengLing, I can't find the statement saying one or another. We all assumed Xiao Lian married to Deng Kun but whose little girl in Cheng Ling's arms? She called him 'father'...and no other female that suggested her mother besides Xiao Lian existence around the gathering. It puzzled me indeed, I looked up the book, the final wasn't the same adaptation as the drama.

Anyway, I am happy for Zhao ZhiXu and Wen KeXing final, they found happiness that they long deserve, live together for along time in the freezing cold high mountain cultivating without bother with outside word. I could imagine the life they have together, because Ah'Xu health (and Lao Wen's circumstances) they needed to be together to help each other with tying in what Ye BaiYi thought Wen KeXing one way only to treat Ah'Xu sickness. As Wen KeXing kept saying he wanted to grow old together with ZhuXu.....

The final of episode, we can see that Four Season Manor became prosperous where everyone live and study in Four Season Manor. Cheng Ling was the head of sect, not just he's the main disciple of Zhou ZhuXu and Wen Kexing but he's also the sole last disciple of Long Que (Master of Long Yuan Pavilion) and son of Zhang Yu Sen [Jing Hui Mountain Pavilion leader]. With starting up the sect (young-children students), apparently Deng Kun's son was the best promise amongst the youngens where Zhao ZhuXu gave him direct instruction and Wen KeXing different method. Love in both men shone in lifetime as we all assumed they'd live as long as Ye BaiYi or maybe longer if they'd stay on top of freezing mountain and only eat snow and drink cold water. Any hint about season 2 and 3? NO! It's declared by the Chief Producer Ma Tao in the interview, a concert was the last tribute to the fans...I am the big fan of Simon Gong Jun and see it now how beautiful Zhang Zhe Han is..he has the feature of delicate and beauty that we missed from his previous dramas. Love you, Simon Gong!!! He's amazing...awesome talent.

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First of Jacky Chan producing drama

We can sense this drama was produced by Jacky Chan with its wittiness, martial arts, comedic, and the moral story. Full of thrillers, funny dialog, reality of setting, and friendship between 3 main lead actors. I don't think this drama consider as BL type, its all about respect, trust, and friendship between them. Darren Chen as Tang Fan, Fu Meng Bo as Sui Zhao, Liu Yao Yuan as Wang Zhi, they brought in respective roles to the table creating such great chemistry together. Why not in love with Tang Fan? Such a cute brilliant smart magistrate while Sui Zhao had PTSD but his cooking skill and kindness won over the group, Wang zhi was the most calculative intelligent younger of the three that's his loyalty laid on Empress and Emperor foot. Wang Zhi was really kind and sweet to Tang Fan even though he's ruthless to subordinates, Tang Fan brought the best of Sui Zhao. I love every characters in the drama besides those 3; Li Zi Long, Ma Lin, Duo Er'La, Dong'Er, Dong Gu, Jia Kui, Pei Hu Ai, Wu Yun, no one I don't like. The best part was when Tang Fan gave many reason not to go for the mission (sick, got married, and even death) and Wang Zhi understandably giving him time until he made up his mind, When Wang Zhi kept saying "you know, you're the second person of..." (the first person he help someone was always the Emperor), Tang Fan crossed dressing as Mdm Gao and Wang Zhi laugh it endlessly. The ending was great..they bowed respectfully to each other saying good bye. I hope there will be season 2 but there isn't any talk yet...so finger cross.

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ONE OF MY BEST FAVORITE

Legend of FuYao is one of my favorite. Ethan Ruan, Yang Mi had strong chemistry together (Just like Yang Mi with Mark Chao). I love Ethan Ruan here who's manipulative, loyal, high intelligent, sexy, flirty. 66 episodes is a long one, honestly I didn't watch the last 10-8 episodes, skipped till the end. The best episode was ep 17, 21, you know what I meant....lol. But in serious note, the story was great, acting amazing, Soundtrack awesome, a lot of outdoor scenes. Although so many so in visual effect that I don't like, I can over look it as part of enrichment in scenes. Ethan Ruan fitted as Emperor, very imposing figure with distinguish appearance, fallen in love with him just because he did an amazing acts. Ethan Ruan and Yang Mi dynamic - they're compatible in their performance, although I've never seen Ethan in any drama before so to me he was beyond expectation. Fu Yao and Zhang Sun Wu Ji's love affair is a bitter sweet courting.
Gao Wei Guan was kind of a naive but an excellent general...the girl that he married to, is kind of match with his character, serious battle-worn general with happy go lucky dedicated princess who's been in love, adore and follow him around.

Huang YaoMing do great here, first love of FuYao but he betrayed her love for ambition encourage by his father, sorry but he end up dead. So many memorable characters - the supporting actors did tremendous good job - good or bad guys - what a team work. Final scene though is quite disappointing, it still great but wish it ended better.....were they live happily in heaven or mortal world? I mean it's a 'sad ending' if they're dead and happily in heaven as appears in the background sets. I gave 10 overall score just because you don't see a costume drama leading man bared flirting with a girl at the pool...kind of awesome scene. Yang Mi took the credit for Ethan Ruan skill to flirt!!

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4 POINTS I PICKED UP IN 22 EPISODES

Ning Yuan Zhao (Liu YuNing) is the wise leader of Six Dao Hall Wu State on mission to escort young naive Prince(ss) Yang Ying to enemy kingdom to bring ransom money and to free jailed-king. He took 4 accomplish able men which are Yu Shi San (Alen Fang) is a good friend, handsome and flamboyant. Playboy and easy going personality (very different character from he used to) very attractive, he's crème de la crème. Yuan Lu (Chen You Wei) 18 yo loyal follower of Yuan Zhao, famous with his mechanical device creations. Qian Zhao (Wang Yi Zhe) a trusted guard of the Empress and old friend of Yuan Zhao, his expertise are cooking, medicine & poison. Sun Lang (Li Huan) most trusty guard from Human Division from Six Dao Hall incharge with guards & attendants. A long the way, Yuan Zhao realize that he needs a female preceptor to teach naive Prince(ss) Yang Ying how to navigate politic, manner, deportment so he invites Ren RuYi (Liu Shi Shi) to tag along, the former left envoy of the State of An Zhu Yiwai that has her own reason to agree. The story is the long journey (up to ep 18) they're still in the border Wu State and An State. She finds love, friendship, understanding, & brotherhood.

4 points I pick up from this drama:

FIGHTING CHOREOGRAPHY/MARTIAL ART
It's entertaining. I don't know how the choreographer did, but it's nice to look at to. It might just a show, edit here and there and voila. With hair blowing, robes flying, smile coldly, vivid color, wind blow, artful movement, dramatic background music, yeah we get all the package of perfect visual feast. The choreography is so smooth and artful that like real.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT
As she wants a baby from him, she inserted herself to his personal space, pestering him to do the deeds. Although he refused, he can't barely escape her charm. She tries every trick to get him to sleep with her, coerced him, if that's not a sexual harassment so what is it call (in a nice way). From physical attraction because he's tall and excellent in martial art, she thinks she doesn't need a husband to have a baby with, just his cooperation. After fail persuasion, she then appreciate him more in personal level because he tells his subordinates to respect her and he's most considerate for her well being and happiness. With the advise from Yu Shi San, she changes the method of persuasion, by acting not care.

GOSSIPING MEN
Not only us women infamously known to gossiping, apparently these nothing-to-do men loves to gossip about what's going on with Ning Yuan Zhao & Ren Ru Yi. Giggling, whispering, guessing, talk amongst them, speculate their relationship during long journey to the enemy line, this is what they're filled their time with. Of course, they also has confrontation from ambush. The team work build thru misunderstanding to test their loyalty, character and strength. Since Ru Yi is the only female and a new comer on the group, she's the recipient of unwanted attention or distrust. No one know yet the deal she's making with Yuan Zhao (beside the baby business) which asking Six Dao Hall to investigate the death of her benefactor - the late dowager empress. Yu Shi San is the women's expert where everyone appreciate his expertise in women's need to get his good advise. Ep 6 is touching, Yuan Zhao shows Yang Ying's desperate question; why? Because of the country, the people, the lost, duty, loyalty and the price of privileges. Ep 11 Yuan Zhao proved to be a great leader, gives himself 10 lashes for the mistake his subordinates failing to guard the safety of Prince Yang Ying.

TEDIOUS ROMANCE SCENES/CRINGE LOVE
I notice, never fail, we get tension scenes - very critical - fighting - crisis- stressful situation but then the next scenes will be all lovey dovey all about love and sweet promises like come on....get on already!! Never fail! Too much sweetness and expression of love gets me really sick. Nah....too dreary. After the heart break and injuries Ep 12 Yuan Zhao agrees to her baby request but ask her to wait till the mission completes. All flirt, promise, and baby agreement isn't up to my fav....too much distraction and stir up the mission because of jealousy and couple's disagreement, too much PDA in my opinion. She would threaten 'baby is out of the table if you don't do this' and his face blank like 'ehhhh?' The love is too clingy...so cringe stare each other looking into their eyes..like in Jr High first love. I skip most of it. I think this is just fillers to prolong the episodes.

But all casts do great job with their character. Liu Shi Shi is seductive, she doesn't need to be arrogant as cold-bloody killer, she smiles suggestively and touches lightly, she approaches to corner him with dew eyes. Liu Yu Ning being single 30yo veteran leader is pretty fascinated with her attention, only his top mission priorities hanging on his head he manage to scud away the temptation. Alan Fang is great, really funny, the joker in the group, he should do more comedy. Between Liu Yu Ning and Alan Fang character in Long Ballad, I like their social dynamic in here. Decided to drop it, stuck on ep 22, it's great story but I don't care about their love story (on and on so tiring) they should cut down the love portion between Liu Yu Ning and Liu Shi Shi, not too mention love Li TongGuan to Ren RuYi....another on and on about them. Ugh...enough already. I heard the end is disappointment, not making into the end of episodes.

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MUNDANE DIALOG

Don't get to watch Jing BoRan much, in 'The League of Noblemen' he's kind of a flamboyant character - not liking his character so much. But I always adore Seven Tan, in her many drama I love her more.

The story went back to Junior High, Seven Tan was always great as a young student while to BoRan looked too muscle up and older compare with other students around. They've fallen in love and promised each other not to breaking up, as they grew older with their choice of education, they grew apart and broke up permanently. One was to becoming a financial-investor who live in Beijing while the other as a Captain in SWAT Elite Team in Qining City. They met again and rekindle the relationship. There're hurdle about debts, family dynamic for both, long friendship, fostering a child, and work.

Jing BoRan is hot but a lousy man (in love), pretty serious character and little (or boring) conversationalist. They both still love each other but with nothing much to talk about, I wonder how this relationship going. He's though pretty straight forward 'do you like me' and 'do you still love me' and 'I'll save money to marry you', besides all that was mundane dialog. Thus, Seven Tan character wasn't any better!! Didn't say much. I don't know about the novel, I think the screen writer needs more practice to make dialog more witty and lively, lots of time they both were just staring each other without much exchange. Still ep 15, done trying to watch this drama. Cute puppy though..

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TEPID CHEMISTRY

An typical average K-drama. They have no chemistry, the guy wasn't great, they both had tepid eyes and smiles to each other, dialog was simple and petty, the supporting actors were even worst. The story was about a girl that could hear lies from people, she met this guy who couldn't tell lies. This guy was a famous composer, hide his face behind the mask and real identity. He supposed to be the main suspect of the murder of his ex-girlfriend 5 years earlier. He hide himself at the apartment next door to this girl, no personal connection whatsoever but eventually got to know each other over favorite British soccer teams, this girl helped him to open up to himself and took on challenges. If they've fallen in love, we wouldn't know, there wasn't any warms or sweetness on the relationship. Shy? that was not, it's more like lack of talent. It got worst when the plot started to focus on community approach in which supporting actors didn't do well (annoying acting) and investigation on murder accusation. It was interesting what lies the girl try to detect when many VIP clients hired her (she earned lots of money with this job) while not so when he went on for personal vendetta looking for the real murderer.

So, that wasn't only about Pretty Lies but fillers about combination of one sided 'gay love', vendor's community in area, famous singers and her fans, mysterious famous composer, his vindictive ambitious political mother, her greedy mother and reclusive father, victim's brother who went berserk every single scenes, involvement polices or reporters. Yeah too much mingled all over the plots, so it's forgotten the main (on the title) synopsis about 'HEARING PEOPLE LIES!'

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GOOD TO WATCH

Woo Do-Hwan is hot, steaming with his smiles and comical acting. He's good with his character portraying an attorney Kang Han Soo to help common Jeseon people seeking justice, money is always his motivation but he also had a soft spot for unfair treatment of rich/noble people to the poor. He has an assistant slash childhood friend Dong Chi whose been through up and down together reaching the goal to find justice of the death of Han Soo's parent. His sister, though, went for different route as misconception who's the killer of her parent's death or misconstrued the deeper reason of manipulator minister Yu as he used her as prostitute to get information from his rivals. At the end, she choose dead after being accused of multiple infidelity to her dead husband (apparently it's strict law during Joseon time), a way of minister Yu to get rid of her.

So-Won who's a princess Lee Yeon-Joo in disguise applied for the job to help him find clients, promoting his service in her restaurant, but she intentionally tried to recruit him to help her brother the King solving domestic injustices and get rid of corruption in the kingdom. They struck friendship, without knowing her real status, he proposed to her. Low and behold, the princess was involved with his parent's death, after the reveal of her status, he's heart broken because the woman he love was the person he's been despised. I got irritated with this actress, she's always vacantly open mouth, not cute. 'close your mouth off'...if I may.

Mayor Yu was Minister Yu's only son. He's kind and gentle, he loved Yeon-Joo and disagreed with his father's action and support Kang Han-Soo anger. He also hold dear Han Soo's sister who lived in his place to become his father's bait. Kang Soo solved cases brilliantly, his revenge against Minister Yu paid off, but Princess Lee Yeon-Joo died in pursue justice for him by taking poison. Good ending..

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ALL FOR SELECTION OF THE BRIDE

We got this genre of drama a lot, nothing is new. But the execution is different, a marriage proposal after the first blind date because Kang Tae-Mu (Ahn Hyo-Seop) just wouldn't bother with the 'wife selection dating' scheme his grandfather strive to excel. The best of this drama is the family dynamic, a loving and kind grandfather that want everything the best for his grandson, and an adoptive grandson that he doted on. Shin Ha-Ri (Kim Se-Jeong) though kind of over reacting the whole 'disguise' or pretense situation, her acting kind of fake by covering face with her hair....all the stupid she did just to cover herself from disaster and I think that's the down part of this drama. The friendship between Shin Ha-Ri and Jin Young-seo were great, that's the kind of friendship that we all want. The brotherhood love between Kang Tae-Mu and Cha Sung-hoon were awesome, there's no bitterness that came between their position, after work ended they're just as close as brothers.

Otherwise, it's funny and entertaining.

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FAN XIAN OR XU FENG NIAN

If people love this drama, I am not one of them, I like it ok but I think Zhang Ruo Yun oversell Fan Xian character-like Joy of Life. The actors came from JOL casts, many of them, collaboration between actors like 'My Heroic Husband' which were from JOL casts. Xu Feng Nian is another type of Fan Xian (JOL) background; handsome, likable/lovable, promising/bright future, don't care about position/status, ladies man, the son of powerful man/family, highly intelligent, scheming and political genius. I think Zhang RuoYun makes another staple of dual figure with similarities; Fan Xian and Xu Feng Nian, We can obviously notice that Feng Nian is Fan Xian were all in one. Alright besides all that, what I love about this drama is Xu Xiao. A powerful despicable man who scares of his own kids; 2nd daughter and Feng Nian. Who would beg his kids to do his bidding rather using a punitive or authoritative orders to get them do what he wants them to do. His children has voice to say 'nay' or 'ye' although the end his children would do what he wishes them (reluctantly) to enhance the power of Xu family in North Liang. I was wondering, by the age of 19 he started to learn how to fight and dream about winning the fight against second best martial artist in the world.

I love Old Huang, his character is cut short but he's unforgettable character, he's an excellent acting - very natural, relax, cute, genuine, and lovable. Another noted is the love between siblings, no rivalry no jealousy no anger. Every sibling wants to protect, care and love the other brother or sister...that's nice for a change rather many of C-drama portray hatred between sibling. Li Chun Gang/God of Sword (Qiu Xin Zhi) is likable character but he clean his dirty dusty smelly foot a lot - like 'eueww!'

There are too many martial art masters like everybody has specialty of over the top abilities that like 'really?'. Too much fake visual effects, Jiang Ni looks like the youngest actress and she's doing a great job there. Outdoor scenes has beautiful view but can see the white foundation in actors faces - the cosmetic job is obvious, total of 36 episodes does not bring out the best of Zhang RuoYun skills. I don't think there is a need to wait for season 2 or 3. This is the kind of watching one time and move on.

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THE ONLY BEST PART IS TOBY LEE

As I said the only best part of this drama is Toby Lee, he's as an Minister of Justice, a type A man with so much power and authority who loves the 3rd wife deeply but patiently wait for her to come to him. Xiao Song (Toby Lee) is the only one who act good, descent, and reliable while the rest of crews are so bad in acting - it becomes painfully to watch. Ran Yan (Zhou Jie Qiong) needs another 3 years for acting class; wooden, slow, expressionless, she does not know what to do with her hand, and her beautiful face is more like a grimace than a smile. 2nd male lead Su Fu barely has dialog, ep 20 I think he starts to talk a bit more but then as his character supposedly a reserved man. Actually, the story is pretty good, a female forensic examiner that got tangle with series of murders....back and forth love story between 1st & 2nd male choice... an intelligent female that actually need to celebrate - its too bad she is not the right actress to take the part.

From so many actors, Toby Lee is actually do better than the rest. He smiles when he needs to, stern face when needs to be, seducing voice when try to coax, soft eyes when declaring love, all that we can see. No, I don't want season 2, what I want is another drama from Toby Lee and this is the first act I saw in him.

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CLANDESTINE BETWEEN AN EUNUCH AND CROWN PRINCE

The love story develops from being together everyday as a Crown Prince and a Eunuch, attraction from mutual wittiness and youthful cleverness to face challenges and goal together, although the rumor spread in the palace as Crown Prince liked men (gay). Lee Yeong (Park Bo Gum) is a Crown Prince, he lived at Poo Pavilion and famous as reputable as a temperamental single unpredictable young handsome Prince to his underlings. He meet Hong Sam-Nom (Kim Yoo-Jung) a female disguise as a man about a romantic letter sent out to Prince's sister, thru funny encounter they fell in to a deep hole together, Sam-Nom got out leave the Crown Prince behind - pissed! They met again as Sam-Nom enter Palace as eunuch, for the intention to take revenge (of being abandoned in hole) Crown Prince choose him as a new hired Eunuch to serve him. Although Sam-Nom tries to 'fail' 3 tests to determine her abilities and prove of castration, by no effort she passed and got into service, serve Crown Prince at a private study room attendance. At first she doesn't know Lee Yeong was a Crown Prince, she treated him more like a 'friend'.

I think ep 9 the Crown Prince found out Sam-Nom was a girl, ep 11 he told that he loves her and wanted her to stay beside him forever. He knows how to charm a girl. All this clandestine interaction between them were too sweet, as Kim Yoo-Jung acted more terrified than in love to Crown Prince, as we all know it...when we're young and in love...we're more giggly and nervous regardless the situation between them than afraid to the guy who said 'I love you' but NO! Every time BoGum came closer to her, she shrunk herself in and wild eyes, give a vibe this girl didn't know how to act appropriately to return someone's heartfelt declaration. I am not buying Kim Yoo-Jung's acting...BoGum wasn't even touch or hug or kiss her....

The palace intrigue was like every others, the Prime Minister using tactic to scare the king while he also discouraged Crown Prince to come into power as a Regent. While Crown Prince busy juggling politic, he also busy charms Sam-Nom which her girly name was Hong Ra-On. The Kings wanted him to marry a noble girl for politic alliance while Prime Minister grandson has loved Hong Ra-On/Sam-Nom. It's a great sweet drama.....Chinese drama adapted it in 'Oops! The King is in Love'...pretty much same story line. But speaking of Park Bo-Gum, we can't have any better man than him...his smile makes me smile back.

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