PastelRose
United States
Overall: 9.5
Story: 9.5
I know this story has already been made into a film, I have yet to see by the time I have finished watching this drama, but I find the complexity of the plot to be more suited for the format of a drama. There are many romances and plotlines going on at once that it almost seemed like it needed to be so many episodes and so much time. For all intentions purposes I can break this series down into three parts.
Part One, where she is a disciple - I thought this part was the slowest of the three. I am not a huge fan of the gender-bender sort of story lines mostly because I lack the mind to ever think that they can’t obviously see that she is fact a female, but this drama got over that, by having the first (second?) love interest see through the magic, that others couldn’t. So I was won over by the portrayal. The plot for this point was very clear, and forward, inducing the viewers to the complex world of the drama. The back story that you really needed for the rest of the drama, and the main setup for the love story to come.
Part Two, where she is Su Su - I find the plot twist to be exciting! Coming from a viewer who hadn’t known about the plot twist, it was very exciting. I have not read the book, nor had I thought that, that wasn’t coming, even though it was in the description. I thought she was going to be a reincarnation, or differently I guess. Though in a way she was. This plot point, I think showed both mains acting ability to adapt to a change of character.
The third part Bai Qian again - Where she becomes a high god, a queen, feared by those who were cruel to her in her mortal form. It was actually enjoyable to see her back at her position, though I do think the amnesia plot line is over used on dramas, for this one it worked well. This part had you falling in love all over again with the main couple, wishing that it will work out in the end for them.
The second romance line that I really enjoyed was the one between The little princess and the ex-heavenly lord. I honestly could watch an entire drama with these two. I can understand why some people didn’t enjoy this storyline, but after watching Dilmurat Dilraba in previous dramas, I enjoyed seeing her in a not as serious role, a mix between her characters in Pretty Li Hui Zhen & The King’s Woman. The ending for them is sad, but you leave knowing that he truly loves her, he just can’t be with her.
Overall, the plot of this drama never dwindled down, and there never felt an episode was meant to be a filler. Every episode was packed with information, if not for the one lead story then the other smaller ones. Even the small romance between the 16th disciple and the Ghost Princess was enough to keep you wanting more. I think that was the best thing that this drama could accomplished, even though it wrapped things up brilliantly and didn’t leave loose ends, (maybe some really minor ones), you made you want more. This puts it on my top 3 Favorite Chinese dramas along with Love 020.
Acting/Casting: 10.0
This is by far one of the best casted Chinese dramas I’ve seen of an historical/fantasy genre. Though when I mean historical it isn’t the usual based on a history, more so the scenes of a period drama through the use of costumes in this matter. I was a little hesitant at first just because I thought the male lead was a bit awkward, but I got over the initial awkwardness once I realized that, was the type of character he just was. A royal, pain in the ass, yet had the ability to love. The way he played the twins’ was at first a little shocking at how similar they are, but than when it come to the subtle differences I thought he portrayed the two characters very well.
I had seen Yang Mi act before in the interpreter, which was one of those dramas where it had good acting but a very convoluted plot and story premise. I believe that this series is a better representation of her acting abilities then The interpreter. In this I enjoyed the characterization of Qian Qian and Su Su. Both were her. Su Su was more like Si Yan in the beginning not having to abide by so many rules yet kept her wits about her like Bai Qian. The portrayal of a mortal being pushed around by gods had me fuming, and when Bai Qian came back for repayment, you were happy about it.
I know some people found Feng jiu’s character a little bratty and childish, but that was something that I actually loved. Instead of bratty I found her headstrong and stubborn taking after her Aunt Bai Qian when she first arrived at the Kunlun Mountain. I also liked her Childish demeanor that she out grew over time yet still kept that young naivety about her throughout. It was a good contrast to the high strung elder Dong Hua. I found both character’s to be one of my favorite pairings. I could watch an entire series just based on these two. I honestly hope that vengo Gao and Dilraba Dilmurat will get a chance to work together in the future, maybe one not as tragic.
Overall the supporting characters are really fantastic, you hated the villains, yet felt bad for them in the end, and could related to the others struggles and pains. Throughout it felt like a watching a greek tragedy off the past loves. One last note, Ah Li is the cutest purest thing to come out of these series and will make you laugh, cry, and say he is just like his mother.
Music: 10.0
As I am not a music expert, I will keep this brief. This series music fit very well for the drama. In fact it was one of the best fit I’ve seen for a while. I love instrumental music and this piece was filled with Chinese classical instrumentals throughout the background. I enjoyed that the music throughout the drama never once took me out and only kept me engaged. It set the right tones, and helped you follow along to the multiple different plots.
Rewatch Value: 9.0
Rewatch value is always open to the viewer themselves. I find that there is so much going on this drama, that rewatching it again wouldn’t bore you as much as others because you would be finding something new to watch and see each time. Between the multiple romances, the storyline, the graphic design, and the fantastic costumes, This is a wonderful show you could watch over and over again.
Story: 9.5
I know this story has already been made into a film, I have yet to see by the time I have finished watching this drama, but I find the complexity of the plot to be more suited for the format of a drama. There are many romances and plotlines going on at once that it almost seemed like it needed to be so many episodes and so much time. For all intentions purposes I can break this series down into three parts.
Part One, where she is a disciple - I thought this part was the slowest of the three. I am not a huge fan of the gender-bender sort of story lines mostly because I lack the mind to ever think that they can’t obviously see that she is fact a female, but this drama got over that, by having the first (second?) love interest see through the magic, that others couldn’t. So I was won over by the portrayal. The plot for this point was very clear, and forward, inducing the viewers to the complex world of the drama. The back story that you really needed for the rest of the drama, and the main setup for the love story to come.
Part Two, where she is Su Su - I find the plot twist to be exciting! Coming from a viewer who hadn’t known about the plot twist, it was very exciting. I have not read the book, nor had I thought that, that wasn’t coming, even though it was in the description. I thought she was going to be a reincarnation, or differently I guess. Though in a way she was. This plot point, I think showed both mains acting ability to adapt to a change of character.
The third part Bai Qian again - Where she becomes a high god, a queen, feared by those who were cruel to her in her mortal form. It was actually enjoyable to see her back at her position, though I do think the amnesia plot line is over used on dramas, for this one it worked well. This part had you falling in love all over again with the main couple, wishing that it will work out in the end for them.
The second romance line that I really enjoyed was the one between The little princess and the ex-heavenly lord. I honestly could watch an entire drama with these two. I can understand why some people didn’t enjoy this storyline, but after watching Dilmurat Dilraba in previous dramas, I enjoyed seeing her in a not as serious role, a mix between her characters in Pretty Li Hui Zhen & The King’s Woman. The ending for them is sad, but you leave knowing that he truly loves her, he just can’t be with her.
Overall, the plot of this drama never dwindled down, and there never felt an episode was meant to be a filler. Every episode was packed with information, if not for the one lead story then the other smaller ones. Even the small romance between the 16th disciple and the Ghost Princess was enough to keep you wanting more. I think that was the best thing that this drama could accomplished, even though it wrapped things up brilliantly and didn’t leave loose ends, (maybe some really minor ones), you made you want more. This puts it on my top 3 Favorite Chinese dramas along with Love 020.
Acting/Casting: 10.0
This is by far one of the best casted Chinese dramas I’ve seen of an historical/fantasy genre. Though when I mean historical it isn’t the usual based on a history, more so the scenes of a period drama through the use of costumes in this matter. I was a little hesitant at first just because I thought the male lead was a bit awkward, but I got over the initial awkwardness once I realized that, was the type of character he just was. A royal, pain in the ass, yet had the ability to love. The way he played the twins’ was at first a little shocking at how similar they are, but than when it come to the subtle differences I thought he portrayed the two characters very well.
I had seen Yang Mi act before in the interpreter, which was one of those dramas where it had good acting but a very convoluted plot and story premise. I believe that this series is a better representation of her acting abilities then The interpreter. In this I enjoyed the characterization of Qian Qian and Su Su. Both were her. Su Su was more like Si Yan in the beginning not having to abide by so many rules yet kept her wits about her like Bai Qian. The portrayal of a mortal being pushed around by gods had me fuming, and when Bai Qian came back for repayment, you were happy about it.
I know some people found Feng jiu’s character a little bratty and childish, but that was something that I actually loved. Instead of bratty I found her headstrong and stubborn taking after her Aunt Bai Qian when she first arrived at the Kunlun Mountain. I also liked her Childish demeanor that she out grew over time yet still kept that young naivety about her throughout. It was a good contrast to the high strung elder Dong Hua. I found both character’s to be one of my favorite pairings. I could watch an entire series just based on these two. I honestly hope that vengo Gao and Dilraba Dilmurat will get a chance to work together in the future, maybe one not as tragic.
Overall the supporting characters are really fantastic, you hated the villains, yet felt bad for them in the end, and could related to the others struggles and pains. Throughout it felt like a watching a greek tragedy off the past loves. One last note, Ah Li is the cutest purest thing to come out of these series and will make you laugh, cry, and say he is just like his mother.
Music: 10.0
As I am not a music expert, I will keep this brief. This series music fit very well for the drama. In fact it was one of the best fit I’ve seen for a while. I love instrumental music and this piece was filled with Chinese classical instrumentals throughout the background. I enjoyed that the music throughout the drama never once took me out and only kept me engaged. It set the right tones, and helped you follow along to the multiple different plots.
Rewatch Value: 9.0
Rewatch value is always open to the viewer themselves. I find that there is so much going on this drama, that rewatching it again wouldn’t bore you as much as others because you would be finding something new to watch and see each time. Between the multiple romances, the storyline, the graphic design, and the fantastic costumes, This is a wonderful show you could watch over and over again.
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