BLINDED BY HYUN BIN

Alright, I am pretty late found this drama - seems like everyone that I tried to share my intakes to this drama has already watch it way long before me. So, at first I wasn't interested with anything about North Korea but boy...proof me wrong this one. A South Korean heiress slash business executive crash lands in North Korea after her paraglider is caught in a typhoon, end up in North Korea side of the country and meet with the Army captain patrolling the area that's been destroyed by typhoon. Although, he tried to guide her thru back to South Korea, she was lost and went circle in the woods. She happened end up in his house...it's getting funny right then when his subordinates show up at his door; 1 drama fanatic fan, 1 an innocent young soldier, 1 die-hard socialist, 1 a handsome like male model soldier, this four become close confidants and trustee guards/friends.

Not only Main Leads are good in their acting but supporting actor are brilliant too....they are enriched the characters. Balance of humor, action/suspense, romance, realistic portrayal of village's people and their life, witty dialog, great OST, friendship as well as dysfunctional family relationship - all thrown in there to become the good CLOY. Although they portrayed the drama in a good light of North Korean life because in reality it's more harsher, also too many coincidental meetings in Switzerland that basically 'nah...' but I was blinded by the charms of Hyun Bin. He's looking good in any clothing; Army uniform, drab brown NK officer uniform, simple shirt and jacket. not too mention all the fancy suits.

I am not going to write more details as many has already done it. For sure I love this drama so much...it becomes classic to me.

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WHEN NO EXPECTATION

When you don't have any expectation from this drama, you'll get what wish for, no complication - no side story lines - no other supporting actors - no other setting venues - no other choice of outfits. Its pretty simple, take a nap and miss nothing of it, the story was circling about Lu Wan'Er and Huang Fu Yan...little bit of dynamic sister/brother in law Zhao Yuan Jun/Huang Fu Mu. There wasn't a bang of chemistry between the actors...it's pretty basic Chinese love story... means the ending is happy with no heartbreak or sadden last minute life decision....it's all good if that's considered as a 'spoiler'. I think this is low budged project, with limited location, no other supporting actor - a few casts, little to nothing change of clothing I can see this is 'a first time production' for this team. Do I want to rewatch it? I don't think so, this is one of them that you've enough watch it once, too bad I can't give 0 score.

Would I recommend it? When you have plenty time in your hand like me, go for it! Otherwise, keep flipping the remote find something else better and when we think there are many other more that better out there, this drama doesn't stand a chance to stay put.

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NOT AGAIN WANG XING YUE!

Wang Xing Yue has picked another synopsis not too far from his role in Scent of Time (as Zhong Xie Wu) a character who's attracted to someone else's wife. He's good in that character, powerful and noble, reserved & upright, but not challenging enough to bring out his best talent. Hope in his future project, he won't again taking in this kind of role. Okey, the story is about the most talented well-educated girl Xue Fang Fei (Wu Jin Yan) who took the identity of second miss Prime Minister Jiang Li in abandonment of 10 years seclusion in women's sect monastery.

Xue Fang Fei was the wife of a talented poor scholar Shen Yu Rong, because of his well manner and handsome face - a cruel grand Princess attracted to him and wanted him for herself. His ambitious mother and greedy sister insisted him to get rid of the wife Xue Fang Fei with accusation of infidelity and adultery in exchange of high position in the palace as trusted official ministry. With regret he dragged his wife to the wood and killed her, he believed his wife Xue Fang Fei dead and buried 6 feet under. He didn't know that she survive the killing - dug out her own grave and happened to meet Jiang Li - the abandon Prime Minister daughter and gave her a helping hand. On the way out to help Xue Fang Fei, Jiang Li got caught by the monastery and punished till she died. Before she died though she tell her story about her background and hopes to Xue Fang Fei. With no way out in her own personal life, she decided to take in Jiang Li identity and bring her out of situation; go back to the capital, claim Jiang Li's identity as respectable second miss and fullfil Jiang Li's wish to reality, she also wanted to get her revenge. She met Xiao Heng/Duke Su (Wang Xing Yue) while he's chasing after a criminal, with her intelligent to manipulate situation to get her home. Duke Su suspicious about her, he has seen her as Xue Fang Fei not as her claim as Jiang Li.

Too much dramatization of scenes that are not necessary (wind blowing exaggerate slow motion scenes or when she played music Gu Zheng), jealous hideous women, acting is 7 the most to all of them. I mean I've seen Wang Xing Yue's same acting to similar personalities in his previous dramas (Scent of Time as Zhong Xie Wu, One & Only as Liu Zi Xing, Story of Kunning Palace as Zhang Zhe). Wu Jin Yan is ordinarily gloomy & blank eyes. The story has potential if they cast someone else other than Wang Xie Yue, he's good but he should act in different character & story line. Actually the one that acting good is the jealous step-mother and cruel princess, just too bad their characters are so despicable, I just hate them but that's make them good actors. Face beauty accessory with pearls is like Trypophobia skin disease?? Not pretty as it intended to be.

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23 episodes I invested to this drama

This is a long series and I skipped, paused, jumped between episodes. Apparently I am not a big fan of Li Qin, every drama she was in I am not fond of, and this is one of them. She is a great actress, beautiful, great acting skill but I think she picked the wrong roles. I was hoping she'd better in 'the Wolf' but early episode as a young girl - she's faked childish girl in a her adult body. This drama, She's given an identity as Shen LiGe who had married into royalty. Her step sister Shen LeQing jealous because she wasn't selected, because of it she gave all hell and troubles to Shen LiGe. I think I admire her driven determination to ruin Shen LiGe, she's a tough cookie survived from all retributions even when fallen into the cliff. After alot people died at the end of drama, she still survived to send the last attack to this couple. I don't understand it, why a gentle young woman who knew nothing about martial art or strategy could survive in whole long 53 episodes just from hatred. Although this drama adapted from true story but the actors didn't deliver memorable acting. Too much go around the bushes, the queen was a very powerful woman there and people just sucked up on her. So, nothing's new...nothing interesting...nothing memorable...I gave it up after investing my time for 23 episodes (1,035 minutes of my life).

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GREAT DRAMA. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

"The drama tells the story of a group of individuals with different backgrounds who were unexpectedly drawn into a mysterious treasure-hunting journey during the late Qing Dynasty. Amidst the grand and tumultuous historical tide, they gradually strengthened their ideals of saving the country." 4 opposite side groups of people; Loyalist of Qing Imperial Guards lead by Irgen Gioro Mu Qing / "Men San Dao" (Qin Jun Jie), ambitious little RongTian Sword Sect lead by Zhuo Bu Fan (Liu Yu Ning), Single unnerving Dagu County Yamen constable Wang Jia Luo (Pang Han Chen), plus Japanese agents. In the beginning these people meet like domino effects: Men San Dao's people are pursuing traitor the WuZu Reformers, Wang Jia Luo is pursuing killers in his jurisdiction which're RongTian Sword Sect people, Zhuo Bu Fan's sect are pursuing treasure map helping Prince Qi the head of rebel, as wells as Japanese agents for treasury map.

They're colluded as their case are interconnected and interference in each other throats. They out smart each other, work in their group with each dilemmas and love interest, everyone has a spy around them to hijack the mission.
So far, I only watch up to ep 11 and still going on but....

What I love about this drama is the opening credit: Black and white videos of Chinese lifestyle in Shanghai, historical facts about concession of Japanese, English, France, American authorities in 19th century Shanghai. All actors acting remarkably good from the Main Leads and supporting actors, scripts is flowing flawless great, awesome action, subtle romances, setting and costumes are beautifully appropriate century, great angle cameramen, love the OST. It reminded me of movies in the 60th.

Liu Yu Ning is very good in here....I think his expression is on point.

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UNINTERESTING GAME THEME

I watch this drama for Yang Yang but anything about gaming theme (borrowed the term from what's in promotional preview) is always a blunder to me. We are watching their head lower playing games - what kind of acting is that? There isn't any acting skill needed if the requirement is only sitting in the couch and playing games or texting. Besides when a guy is an aerospace engineer, loads of free time in hand, still why would spend time nothing else but playing games and not to be productive as a genius AEROSPACE engineer (not a feat!) would usually do productive as an intelligence, creativity, ideas, critical thinking demands it....not making sense to me. I know I only watch it early episodes and no interest to watch it further....what romance/ career might develops between 2 MLs, - I am predicting that we all know the end of the drama without going through 32 episodes. Yang Yang and Dilraba are really gorgeous people....they are famous with unforgettably role box office drama in their belts. Dilraba's acting isn't improving....she still acts the same as any other of her dramas, it isn't hard to portray character like herself in real life 'beautiful celebrity' - it isn't a stretch skill and yet we get old same Dilli. Yang Yang is a handsome man but his acting didn't come out from his-Yang Yang-self, many other prominent actors that has grown and mature as actors but I don't see that in him. Yes, I am against the popular opinions and many has expressed it in most futile comments.

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SILLIEST SURGEON EVER

This is what I call the most unprofessional immature silliest doctor that comes with one of most difficult profession that requires so much education, professionalism, training, maturity and critical thinking but this woman blew it all by her ridiculous stupidity. I don't buy it...seriously...She's beautiful but so annoying acting...ugh! Drama was full exaggeration bad acting, so much sighing/panting, dialog delivered loud.

Story line was ridiculous, beyond dense fantasy imagination:
Oh Sung Moo the comic creator famous 'W', the father of residence cardiothoracic surgeon Oh Yeon Joo, mysteriously went missing while writing the last chapter of his webtoon "W". Yeon Joo went to his office looking, but a hand from his monitor suddenly pulled her in, and she found herself on the rooftop of a hotel, next to a bloodied man (Lee Jong-Suk). She managed to save the person, only to realized that he's Kang Cheol, the main character of her father's webtoon as she's transferred to the different dimension of comic life. Yeon Joo later discovered she can only enter and leave the webtoon depending on Kang Cheol's feelings. Some twists and adding plots, Kang Cheol went in to the reality world and learned that her father was the one who's been trying to kill him by any means to end webtoon. Some more twists and changing plots, they're together as married couple, then it wasn't - back and forth in both world.

Kang Cheol (Park Jung-Suk)
He's the eye candy, gorgeous young single rich man who looked for the murderer of his family, been through much in his younger self as he's being accused and jailed as the main suspect of murder. As a perfect sharpshooter, he gained his wealth by doing many businesses, life was great luxuries. He just didn't understand much when he did something he felt like the urge without sense, why someone kept trying to end his life without indication of traces. He then realized he's actually the main character of comic, authored by Oh Sung Moo whose intention to end the story as he wanted to stop getting pull into the comic himself. Mysteriously the comic created itself without the author knowing how and it kept 'to be continue' for the next chapter again and again magically. Some other intervention from different (ghostly) 'being' recreating this comic.....I would know if I'd continue watching. I think only Park Jung-Suk that wasn't yelling when he delivered his dialog, that's his positive beside his good look.

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LESS APPRECIATED

Well....speaking of Allen Ren's fake chest and his cosmetically-done beautiful face. Nothing real about Allen Ren, straining his face for expression of anger, pain, or screaming. I can see all fakes from the lightning-over board visual effects. All the layout were, nothing to impress here, all done digitally computerized designs. I could imagine how the actors did minimum acting with green background as if...
This genre isn't my cup of tea, in my opinion, visual effect belittle actors skill in acting or layout/setting creative department. I would never enjoy this kind of drama especially when the actor performed minimal skill because lightning and computer would do all the tricks for them. Nothing beautiful about human's (or fairies) evolution in their story of the drama. Why did I watch this anyway? Wasting time alright, gave in after 7 episodes. I gave overall score 5 for Trying. But nothing to hold my interest here, beautiful Dilraba didn't do anything interesting...story boring...layout fake..music so so. Season 2? Hmmm....NO. They lost me.

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GET SOUR AS EPISODE PROGRESS

I always love Li YiTong, she's one of the most talented one, there is her sparkly eyes and mischievous smiles that give her a trade mark. Pairing her with Xu Kai is apparently a great pair, Xu Kai has that look that compliment both of them together.
I am in ep 18 and found the drama progress to the side direction. Xu Kai is great in his character, as a spoil-rotten playboy good-for-nothing son of a famous General in Tang Dynasty, a care-free playboy that got knock off with love at the first sight.
His mom has wish that her 3 sons to enjoy life as much as possible for the reason of witnessing their dad has sacrificed for the country - the mom spoil them. Lots of garment for the ladies, big and complicated hairdos, beautiful costumes.

Li YiTong is a kind intelligent business-minded sweet 19 years old girl who hates playboys. She's fallen into Sheng ChuMu (Xu Kai) the guy that woo her tirelessly, the cuteness and tricks to get her, excitement of young love. To prove to her love, ChuMu trains himself to be a better and responsible man, went to war and promise to come back for a marriage proposal. As a court lady at the court, she's introduced the life of politic and intrigues in the palace while also trying to connect love interest.

The King's third son King Zhou who's fallen in love with Fu Ruo while Sheng ChuMu went for war. Pretty hard for me to which side am I on? Because I love these two ML and want them to be happy with Fu Ruo. The intrigues in the palace was depressing but I think everyone gave smooth sailing to guide Fu Ruo as imperial seamstress embroidery. Especially King Zhou is in always a step ahead of her..picked her up when she depress..guide her the life and maneuver politics in palace . The queen is a very strict one, the once a beautiful nice good-girl crown princess became so conceited, jealous, mean spirited, deceitful just to be on top of her game (her husbands heart, fullfill Empress expectation). As the episode progress...the story line is more in to palace politics than Sheng ChuMu and Fu Rao love story. Focus on Crown Prince character; he forgot he had a wife as he continue to had relationship with an actor that was forbidden by the law, he's so sad losing him - he became a different man. It soured me and still pending indefinitely watching the next episodes....55 episodes is a long way to go for me...I dropped it.

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RILEY WANG'S BEST EYEBROW

The one I catch with this drama is Riley Wang's eyebrow, it's the shape that we are girl dying for. Very pretty but don't think it's great for Riley Wang. Ok, the story was about a rich merchant girl who got married with Official Pei just to avoid an Emperor's harem, same as Pei to marry her avoiding 4th princess advances. While the Dowager Queen disagreed with their marriage union, she's tried to break them apart so she could manipulate situation to her benefits both ways. 2nd time around she decided to marry 3rd young master from Song family, a playboy merchant that had his reason to marry divorcee rich woman like her. Things happen when she got pregnant with possibility either of them, as both men claimed to be the father of the baby but surely confused with her pregnancy timing (2 or 4 months pregnancy). Was it still during her marriage to Pei 4 months ago or her recent marriage to Song 2.5 months ago. So, back and forth unknowingly....the most expert imperial gynecologist decided it was 3 months pregnancy which became more a mystery; whose baby was it? Decided she's rising the baby as Shen family where she's part of.

I like her step mother, aunt concubine, they're good to each other and very close relationship. The whole confusion of pregnancy was to understand 'don't get drunk and sleep with a guy' because after all the fuss....they still didn't know whose the father of the baby? Both men had the possibility and greatly happy to be the father.....while Shen Miao likes Pei more than Song they broke apart for safety reason. Shen Miao tried to divorce Song...and find another guy to be her 3rd. Why did so many men like to have her as a wife (including the Emperor)? Because she's an heir of rich merchant and her birth mother hide treasure that believed to be great amount and she's the only one who knew where it was....the wealth the Kingdom needed to finance war and power. Pei was a talented brilliant scholar, who's young Emperor trust to build and modernize the kingdom although he took low position just to avoid the eye from dowager Empress. I couldn't stand seeing the hairdo of little boy's hairstyle, so much ribbons for boys, don't you think?

Riley Wang was the sole businessman of Song family. He had few concubines and interested in Shen Miao for the same reason like other men'her wealth and businesses'. They tried appease dowager Empress for relationship and business licenses for they're in bed with problems in hand. Anyway, Riley Wang was act annoying, keep calling her name 'Miao Miao' sound cheesy. I want to kick his ass by every second 'Miao Miao...' sigh. Dropped it...

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AVERAGE

People concern about age gap but I think that's great. Liu Yan (Feng Shao Feng) is the younger brother of Emperor which has already been in many wars and he's famous as the God of War in Chen Dynasty (make-up dynasty of China). Being that powerful and great influence to the kingdom, we don't expect some 20 something actor to take the role but I can understand the review as Feng ShaoFeng acted like he's a dying 50 something yo General. Liu Yan had stubborn illness from the effect of previous war he went to, 30,000 brothers men-in arms wiped out from that war and he's the sole survivor. Of that reason, he investigated the reason behind mass massacre as to why and who's the main culprit. His suspicion was his closest relative who instigated the extermination of his soldiers for the reason of him holding too much power that might endangering Emperor authority (been in reign for 24 years). He didn't know yet but has suspicion. He's devoted to his brother Emperor, he's kind to his nephews and niece, he had no intention to overthrown the Emperor but why did the culprit want to get rid of him?

In one of his investigation he met Mu ZhuoHua (Jing Tian), a runaway bride to-be that had ambition to go for national examination to be an Imperial official, she succeed it and rank to 17th of other scholars . An intelligent woman that also good in medicine, just too bad Jing Tian was badly act especially the girl JuLi who played her maid, their voice-over were so damn annoying!!! Jing Tian didn't act convincingly, more like an amateur actress in her first attempt. These two need some acting class or need some strict directive acting. Every sentence she opened it with 'Wang Ye'...and other casts not any better acting. Elder Princess acted like she's Kwan Yin....Ep 16 was enough, finally dropped it.

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TERRY LIU ISN'T ON THE LUSI'S BEST MEN LIST

I felt like this drama is for 16 years old girl fan base...all too idealistic; handsome, rich, smart man came around accidentally who shower her with brand-name gifts and declaration of love...who makes some love sacrifices just to be together with the love of his life, who would easily say 'sorry' and promise to change his behavior (Spoil alert: For young Ladies, in real life it never happen that way) it's too perfect to be true but l would watch Zhao LuSi drama no matter how it is. I saw the commercial preview and seems interesting and funny, as the episodes progress the love is blooming and sweet but the story isn't catching. The story all over the place, one day they're on self discovery and the next live together and joining company. At the beginning Xiao Ba/Ling Yue (Terry Liu) lived in Gu AnXin (Zhao LuSi) apartment because she accidentally hit him on rainy winding road night, extorting AnXin to save himself from potential murder and buying time to investigate it, Xiao Ba/Ling Yue pretended to have amnesia.

Then moved up to AnXin has 5% stock in Ling's company, then everyone reveal - her adoptive brother has loved her since young, sister that has loved Ling Yue since school, bought apartment, co-owner of a company, someone sending threats, Ling Yue's jealousy, bla..bla..bla...the producing team wanted to cover the world problems into this drama. AnXin easy to misunderstood Ling Yue but quickly make up - like her upset didn't last and got resolve within half episode. There's scene when AnXin received a sexy lingerie or they make out at the office....all unfit because 2 MLs are so cute and innocent face, being naughty sexy isn't in their nature so it's kind out of place. I don't think I am fond of this drama and pretty sure, Terry Liu isn't going to be named as the best Zhao LuSi CP as 3 other previous co-stars; Zhang Ye Cheng, Ryan Ding Yu Xi, and Liu Yu Ning. Hmm....waiting for Yang Yang to come on the list.

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Back stabbing women...

Ok...this drama isn't my cup of tea..I watched this because of Seven Tan...she's a great actress. But oh boy....I can't stand it when women back stabbing, bad mouthing each other just to gain favor from the husband they share. 4 wives, mother in law, an over bearing mother, jealous sister Er Niang (not to mention a brother and sister in law at the same premises), inserted their influences with their charm or devious act or authority to this poor guy the good general Xu Ling Yi - he's overwhelmed. I guess he made the bed and he need to laid on it....no wonder he look so tired in every episode with the full house of women bickering. I guess Seven Tan was the recipient of all the bad vibes, defensive fort to stand guard against all strong willed and crazy craved women...so I gave up. In my opinion, we don't need to watch all these bad s**t characters and be the judged who's better than the other. Sorry....

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SINISTER BEHIND HIS BACK

I am watching this up to ep 10 and doesn't have a good impression of the drama, the story of Di Ziyuan ( Dilraba) and Crown Prince Han Ye (Gong Jun). Ten years ago, Di Ziyuan family was wiped out and she was the sole survivor. For the peace of the nation and to uncover the truth of how had the current imperial family ascended to the throne, she enters the imperial court under the name of Ren Anle. Ziyuan reacquainted with the Crown Prince and they began to work together to investigate cases of foreign aggression against the nation. But all done in sinister plan with the help of Luo Ming Xi (Liu YuNing) the minister of Justice with the purpose to take down royal family as Ziyuan'spay back . Anle proposed marriage to Han Yu with 30,000 pirates/naval as her dowry with that they put her in charge as assistant ministry - as well as they put her into consideration for selection of crown princess although her background was a chief pirate. All her sweetness and adoration toward Crown Prince was just a facade - as soon she turned around her impression was sinister and plan more conspiracy against the royal family. While Luo MingXi monitored the development of the relationship and further planning for their next moves, although he was the behind the scene conspirator, both AnLe & Han Ye trusted him in different purposes.

Flattery and cajoling to gain some access and trust, but behind Han Ye's back they were conspired against him. Not a good sign and I don't know how love starts to blossom between the two? Besides they both were promised to each other by previous Emperor (Han Ye's grandfather) in their childhood and he insisted to honor that engagement. Would the enmity between their families over the Di family massacre puts a tension on the relationship once they adult?. When Gong Jun smile, I could see him as Wen KeXing. I decided to drop this drama, it happens about 3 other historical dramas out, this one does not make the cut.

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Chinese Republican Era

I've never like Chinese Republican era. I don't know for sure but usually setting was too dark and this was the example - during that era where people struggled to live; poverty, war, politic and ideology division, starvation, darkest era for human's history. But I love the 2nd lead actors, Leon Zhang, saw him from different dramas and his funny side, Leon Zhang wasn't afraid for being silly, in here though his character was pretty serious - a cop who helped 1st ML to round up mystery. The land lady acted better than Shane Xiao - she nothing special. Different mysteries brought in different solutions just need to keep up what and when...there where I lost it....couldn't remember which mystery case when I had to pause or absent. I decided, after postpone it, to drop it. It wasn't interesting enough for me to get excited to watch it, curious enough want to finish the drama.

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