2
9
1
1
Depressing
"Faithful" serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by women throughout history, from ancient times to the present day. In eras past, when a woman faced violation, the blame often fell squarely on her shoulders, while the perpetrators went unpunished. Though progress has been made in the modern world, women still bear the burden of proof, while powerful individuals can wield influence and wealth to evade accountability, even in the face of multiple accusations. This injustice persists in our society, regardless of cultural or temporal context.Following the loss of her best friend, Lin Rulan (Hu Yixuan), Meng Wan (Janice Wu) seeks retribution for the wrongs committed by Wu Lian (Qiao Zhenyu) against Lin Rulan, herself, and numerous other girls at the Embroidery Academy. Meng Wan patiently awaits seven years to attain the status necessary to infiltrate the influential circle of individuals crucial to her plan to bring down Wu Lian.
Meng Wan assembles a group of six like-minded individuals, all of whom have crossed paths with Wu Lian and are determined to settle their scores with him. Their collective goal is to ensure that Wu Lian faces justice and to prevent him from causing further harm to young girls. Despite his history of abhorrent behavior, Wu Lian has thus far evaded punishment. Meng Wan is resolute in her mission to hold him accountable, so that he can no longer inflict harm on anyone else.
The story unfolds in a captivating back-and-forth timeline, blending present-day events with pertinent pieces of the past for added depth and context. This approach not only maintains clarity but also infuses an extra layer of intrigue compared to conventional storytelling formats. As the drama approaches its climactic confrontation with the villain, the narrative attempts to provide a rationale for his actions based on his traumatic childhood experiences. While his eventual fate is anticipated, this attempt at justification seems unnecessary to me and, for some viewers, could even be deemed offensive as this is an obvious case of whitewashing.
The Chinese title, "The Nine Virtuous Ones," encompasses the first seven individuals, while the additional two remain less evident, having not initially stood alongside the others. The acting is generally commendable, though certain scenes suffer from lackluster execution. Notably, during a pivotal moment involving a burning of one of the “seven”, the urgency to save her is blatantly missing. Some logical inconsistencies and plot holes are apparent.
The primary story concludes at episode 24, with episode 25 presenting an alternate tale centered on the same characters, exploring a what-if scenario. Everything in this alternate reality hinges on Wu Lian, speculating how events might have unfolded differently had he not experienced a troubled upbringing. The notion that predatory behavior may be attributed to a traumatic childhood is a subject of ongoing debate. Personally, I find such a narrative unconvincing and, at times, chauvinistic.
My Verdict
The story mirrors a present-day "Me Too" scenario, wherein a predator of young women enjoys impunity through collusion with corrupt officials. The powerful evade justice, while the victims are left voiceless, shattered, and even deceased. Sadly, this system still persists in our lives today, where wrongdoers often evade consequences and show no remorse. Due to potentially distressing content, viewer discretion is advised.
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Decent Story, Tropey & Cliche, Acting Lacks Depth
Adapted from the novel "The Stolen Bride" by Xi Juan, the series takes significant liberties, straying far from its source material. The Chinese title, 相思令 (Xiang Si Ling), suggests a poignant tale of longing between separated lovers, yet this theme is poorly executed in the drama. The prevalence of forced marriages—whether mutually unwanted or one-sided—leaves a bitter taste. The use of blackmail to manipulate characters detracts from any semblance of romance, casting a shadow over the relationships portrayed.Storyline
Set in a fictional era across three neighboring kingdoms—Nan Yan in the South, Bei Xuan in the North, and Xi Xiang in the West—"Everlasting Longing" spins a tale of intrigue and romance. In Nan Yan, a genius girl from a merchant family disguises herself as a man to run her family business. She’s also the secretive descendant of a master craftsman known for designing advanced machinery and weapons. In her search for a metal-like granite to craft a unique arrow, she travels to Bei Xuan, where she meets and falls in love with a man seeking answers about his parents’ death twelve years prior. The arrow found in his father’s body was designed by her family, making her a crucial clue. While he finds ways to keep her in Bei Xuan, she remains until her king, suspecting betrayal, arrests her family and threatens their lives unless she returns. At the same time, the man she loves is coerced into marrying another woman, forcing her to leave, heartbroken.
Characters and Acting
Jun Qi Luo / Jun Fei Fan:
As a woman, she is known as Jun Qi Luo; as a man, Jun Fei Fan. Intelligent, beautiful, courageous, and calm under pressure, Jun Qi Luo is a compelling character. However, Angelababy’s portrayal falls short, with unsynchronized facial expressions that fail to capture the character's essence, often making her more irritating than endearing.
Xuan Lie:
Despite being from a bloodthirsty tribe, Xuan Lie is kind and intelligent. As the general of his tribe, he strives to unite the other four tribes to strengthen the Bei Xuan kingdom. While Song Wei Long’s commanding presence fits the role, his acting leaves room for improvement. Styled like a wolf, his towering presence and fur coat do evoke a fearsome wolf master vibe, but the heavy makeup, emphasizing his hooked nose, gives him more of an eagle-like appearance.
Other Main Characters:
Surprisingly, I found other main characters like Shao Qi Min and Luo Zhi Zhou and their respective actors more convincing than the leads. Bai Bing Ke deserves praise for her portrayal of Princess Xuan Qing Kou, nailing the high-pitched, staccato voice that makes the character utterly irritating. My favorite side character, though, is Luo Qi (Chen Tao), Xuan Lie’s sidekick and almost a brother to him. Chen Tao's acting is commendable with fine facial expressions that compliment Xuan Lie's cold appearance greatly. The character I found most grating was Jun Yu Jue, Jun Qi Luo’s first cousin. Greedy, evil, and cartoonishly exaggerated, Wu Yi Jia’s performance, while over-the-top, captures the despicable nature of the role.
OST
The original soundtrack is a pleasant surprise, enhancing the emotions of key scenes, adding a layer of depth that the story itself at times lacks.
Final Thoughts
"Everlasting Longing" leans heavily on well-worn clichés and predictable tropes—falling off cliffs, women disguising themselves as men, and forced political marriages. The story unfolds in two halves, with the first set in Bei Xuan and the latter in Nan Yan, centering on the dilemma of love versus duty. While Xuan Lie prioritizes love above all, Jun Qi Luo believes that without harmony between nations, there can be no foundation for love.
Despite featuring real kissing scenes, the chemistry between Song Wei Long and Angelababy falls flat, with Song Wei Long showing more passion than his co-star. The plot twists often defy logic, making the storyline feel like a patchwork of forced developments. One of such weird logic is Jun Qi Luo’s decision to split her own family in pursuit of peace, and the illogical timeline at the end only adds to the disconnect.
That said, credit is due to the elaborate settings and the strong performances from the supporting cast, who ultimately breathe life into the drama.
If you are either a hardcore fan of Angelababy or Song Wei Long, or an armchair romance buff like me, you may still enjoy this drama despite its many shortcomings—but if you're looking for a well-crafted, emotionally resonant story, you might find it lacking in depth and coherence.
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No Kisses? No Problem
Kissing scenes? Yeah, don't hold your breath. It's Ren Jia Lun. What do you expect? The guy is basically famous for not kissing his co-stars—except for maybe one or two dramas I can think of. But you know what? I still totally loved this series. And I say that as someone who usually craves romance. For me, the love here is quiet and real. It's in the way they care for each other, not in big passionate moments. Lu Qian Qiao's love for Xin Mei, and her love for him? Undeniable.The story itself is completely captivating. It starts as a xianxia fantasy, but its message hits close to home today: how the powerful and greedy elites will tear apart the world just to live forever. That part really sticks with the audience.
Lu Qian Qiao is a war ghost—an immortal with insane physical strength. But the trade-off is, he can't taste, feel, or see the way humans do. His world has no color. Even though he loves painting, everything he creates is gray. Food tastes disgusting to him—except wine. He can't feel pain. His wounds heal instantly. And worst of all, he doesn't die. He just watches the people he cares about grow old and slip away, over and over. That's his torture. So while others fight to become immortals, he fights to become human. It's such a beautiful, heartbreaking role reversal.
Xin Mei's first encounter with him is both hilarious and heartwarming. She has this curse: marry three men, and each one will die young. But she's kind-hearted. So instead of letting a good, worthy man be her third husband and die, she chooses a sinful one. At that moment, Lu Qian Qiao is in prison waiting for his execution. To her, he's perfect. And coincidentally, he's also looking for a bride as the first step in his plan to become human.
So the knot is tied early. It's a marriage of convenience—each with their own secret goal. But very quickly, it becomes so much more. Love. Trust. A deep yearning for each other.
Ren Jia Lun as Lu Qian Qiao is wonderful. His costumes and hairstyling are gorgeous (no weird helmet head), and his fight choreography is clean, sharp, and believable. His dialogue is simple, but every word feels honest and meaningful. His character is so powerful that every time he shows up, you just know everything's going to be okay.
Wang He Run as Xin Mei is amazing too. She has this sweet, innocent smile you won't forget. Unlike the other cultivators, she's genuinely kind. But when she needs to protect the people she loves, her eyes turn sharp—almost unrecognizable. And when she unleashes her full power, she becomes this fierce, brutal force of justice, cutting down evil without mercy. Wang He Run played that transformation perfectly.
All the good guys are incredibly lovable, and the villains, truly awful (in the best way). Every actor made their role believable. Bravo to the whole cast. You can also see the detail and hard work in every scene setting—it just adds to the viewing pleasure.
Overall, this is a drama rather well done. Don't let the current 8.0 rating fool you. Honestly? Though the storyline may be a bit predictable, that score doesn't do it justice—especially when you see other, weaker shows rated higher.
Don't miss this one!
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When You Live, I Live
This is a long awaited drama of Ren Jialun after Under The Power. Ren Jialun’s characters have normally been cold, few words, serious and somber. In this drama, Ren Jialun plays a totally different character from what he normally does. Nalan Yue (Ren Jialun aka Allen Ren) is chatty, silly, and playful. It’s really fun to watch the other side of the actor and I have enjoyed this face of him.The story is about two young people from two very powerful but opposition sect families falling in love. Her family has annihilated his whole family and he wants revenge, but they’re so in love with each other and they’re in a dilemma. As the events unfold, we begin to see how much the two leads’ love for each other, making the title Love A Lifetime very appropriate.
At the beginning episodes, I was totally flummoxed. I wasn’t sure if I were watching a rom-com or a serious wuxia/xianxia story; I had expected a more somber drama. Things, including deaths, are taken lightly. There are a lot of comedic scenes. As the story progresses, plot holes surface everywhere with low level logic. The plot is in fact quite shallow and predictable, made worse by the poor editing which is disjointed and confusing. I’m utterly confused by the characters. Their actions do not match how the characters have been developed. When the situation calls for seriousness, the people act funny and silly; when it's supposed to be light-hearted, they talk as if they are in mourning. Most of the comic relieves are mis-timed. Their dialogues are shallow and simplistic, lacking common sense and not matching up to the situations. By the end of the drama, I still can’t bring myself to hate the supposedly most vile character – Mo Huan. In fact, she’s my most favorite character. To me, she’s a badass, despite how fearful everyone are feeling towards her and how despicable she is from their mouths. She’s supposed to be evil and atrocious, however her actions on screen contradict that. Even though she has her ulterior motive, she has rescued almost everyone. I would rather she kills or dismembers those who betray her to fit into her fearsome title, instead, we get her telling them to go and whack themselves 20 times.
Until the end of the drama, I still cannot say I love the 2 main leads. Their personalities are simply confusing. I do enjoy watching Nalan Yue – at least he’s everywhere rescuing everyone (everyone seems to have the ability to teleport). But I can’t say the same for Rong Hua (Zhang Hui Wen). Her acting is lacking. Her facial expression is plainly blank, and she’s stiff; she’s so unnatural that her body language is all wrong. Despite they’re lovers, I don’t feel any romance between them. There's no passion and the relationship feels platonic.
I do enjoy a lot of the sword fighting scenes by Ren Jia Lun and Lin Yuan. Their wirefu scenes are very good especially for Lin Yuan, descending from above like an ominous devil in red. I have also enjoyed some of the dark humors.
All in all, I have not relished this drama as much as I would like to have. Though I love the underlying message – power blinds – which applies appropriately even to today’s politics, the plot is all over the place. Poor screen play, poor script writing, poor logic, this drama has failed to capture my emotions, hence, a disappointment for me.
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Light-hearted with Laughter and Tears
Watching The Starry Love in the context of today’s discord world of hegemony, I couldn’t help but relate it as a satire of the current world’s geo-politics: everyone wants to be the hegemon. The heavenly and the demonic realms are the two superpowers here in the story, trying to take on each other to dominate. The heavenly emperor is selfish, corrupt, and atrocious (sounds familiar?) while the demonic king is the equivalent but with a different ending (you may ask why).Despite its heavy undertone of geo-politics, this drama is light-hearted. Along with its main plot, it also depicts the issues faced by many parents today: even the god, demon and beast people have parenting problems. Shao Dian You Qin (Chen Xingxu) falls in love with Princess Li Guang Ye Tan (Li Landi aka Landy Li) whom he couldn’t wed because of a bridal switch; he defies his father and runs away (kind of). The Third Prince of the demonic realm, Chao Feng (Chen Hailiang aka Luke Chen), falls in love with Princess Li Guang Qing Kui (He Xuanlin) who is meant for the regent, and they elope. Even the crown prince of the animal realm, Di Lan Jue (Qin Tianyu), constantly defies his father and leaves home. (Therefore parents, you are not alone.)
The ideas of bridal switches and cross racial marriages (in this case, cross realms) are not new. How all these are being put together with heaven switching into hell, or mortal switching into animal realm, takes some imagination, brilliant storytelling, acting and cinematography. As the story develops its characters, jokes almost take over to show the audience the individuals' personalities. It captures various human relationships, such as the kind and loving mothers as in the heavenly queen and the demonic concubine (Chao Feng’s mom) with their sons, contrasting the atrocious fathers as in the heavenly emperor and demonic king, the bonded sisterly relationship, the friendship and platonic love between the main characters etc. The drama is full of funny dialogs (the dialogs between Chao Feng and his side kick are some of the funniest and loveliest) and paradoxes, and yet it also comes with heart-felt wrenching pains in separation and deaths.
In terms of acting, a big applause for the whole cast for putting up a brilliant performance, from the main leads to the supporting. I fell in love with Chen Xingxu (Shao Dian You Qin, Mei You Qin, La Mu, Wen Ren) in “Goodbye My Princess” and here, he lives up to his expectation. He has matured a lot since then (Goodbye My Princess). Playing five distinctive characters, Chen Xingxu aces them all, with the final character an embodiment of all the previous four. As always, he is totally immersed in his roles. Though not listed on the Top 10 most popular Chinese actors, Chen Xingxu is one of the best young Chinese actors.
Li Landi’s acting is convincing and she has an adorable badass charisma which viewers love. As Ye Tan, Li Landi makes the viewers empathize with all her misfortunes and cheer for her courage. She has delivered a very lovable Ye Tan and has an undeniable chemistry with Chen Xingxu.
The second couple’s story is well developed and beautiful. As the ever-loving sister, Qing Kui is graceful and beautiful. I really love He Xuanlin’s portrayal of the character whose love and sacrifice are very convincing. Last but not least, I want to commend Chen Hailiang’s portrayal as Chao Feng. This is his first role as a main lead. He exudes the charisma as a kind, but at times, not so nice, dark prince (like a bad boy), and I love it. This is a complex character stuck in a tormenting environment for survival and Chen Hailiang nails it, with a lot of ironies and humors. Bravo!
My Verdict
The Starry Love is a very enjoyable drama that captures laughter and tears. Most of the characters are lovable and the selection of actors for the roles is appropriate. The costumes are beautiful - ethereal looking for the heavenly realm, dark and gothic for the demon sect, animalistic for the animal kingdom. The use of CGI is heavy but done realistically and appropriately.
Overall, a drama well done for all to enjoy.
Don't miss it. Bravo!
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Bland & Predictable
I have always loved a badass female lead, but despite the female lead in this drama who is said to be sassy, I can’t stand her. Therefore the first few episodes are very hard to watch for me. As the story unfolds, her character develops and grows, and becomes less annoying towards the end, but she is still not totally lovable as far as I'm concerned. I stick with the drama because it’s a very short one at only 22 episodes and I like Zheng Yecheng.What I like
1). Zheng Yecheng, as Shen Yan, looks gorgeous in this drama in his uniform and informal wear.
2). Though not a fan of Merxat, I like his character here as Shen Yan’s brother, Shen Yu.
3). I like Shen Yan’s relationship with his brother. Despite they always throw sarcasms at each other, they love each other. They work together and help each other out, especially Shen Yu helping his little brother in all his dangerous assignments. I like both brothers being unmatchable great martial arts fighters.
4). Unlike other Chinese dramas, this drama doesn't kill off all the side characters at the end.
5). The official sound tracks (OSTs) are beautiful.
6). It is a very short series at only 22 episodes.
7). I love the beautiful embroidered guard uniform. Both Shen brothers look gorgeous in it.
8). Acceptable acting, props, camera work, script writing and editing.
9). There are no love triangles.
What I don’t like
1). The female lead character played by Yuan Bingyan is supposed to be lively, cheeky, bold, and full of spirit, but instead here, she is perverted, flamboyant, outrageous, cringey, clingy, unreasonable, inconsiderate, unbashful, and when she feels helpless, she cries. Her suggestive and coming-on-hard behavior is really a put off though it is just her facade. To me, this type of character is not really a strong female character because she has no dignity and is not fearless. Fortunately, the character grows and she becomes less blatant, and she knows how to use her status to her advantage and to help others.
2). As much as I like Zheng Yecheng, he lacks the cold, stonehearted look as the Lord of the Netherworld; Zheng Yecheng is too soft looking and his eyes are not piercing enough.
3). The romance in the beginning is rather tiring to watch: the female coming on hard, and the male is irresponsive; but when the male’s heart is melted, the female intentionally hurts him to make him leave “for his own good” – this kind of line is really overused and ineffective in capturing the viewers’ hearts anymore.
3). Rather bland story with no surprises nor twists.
4). Not much humor.
My Verdict
The plot is rather simple. All the antagonists are in the open in plain sight. There’s a conspiracy to usurp the throne. The perverted princess becomes rather useful after she falls in love with the supposed stonehearted commander-in-chief for the Jinlin Guards. There are some conflicts in the relationship and both characters are in turmoil every now and then, with the princess crying a lot that doesn’t capture my heart. The overall writing and editing are acceptable with not too many plot holes nor questionable logic. Overall, this is not a terrible series, but nothing special either. Watch it if you’re a Zheng Yecheng’s or Yuan Binyan’s fan but do not have too high expectations.
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Navigating a Betrayed Relationship: Empowering Steps for Women
While I typically steer clear of dramas centered around betrayed relationships, as I find them to be emotionally taxing, showcasing the turmoil of a straying husband and a beleaguered wife, this drama paints betrayal with a stark realism that hits close to home for many around us. Too often, the wife finds herself adrift, battling depression, and tragically, some even contemplate self-harm. However, tears and self-destruction need not be the path. The author offers a more empowering approach.It's entirely natural for most women to desire knowledge about the other woman in such situations. This inclination is quite understandable. Therefore, the author suggests locating the other woman. This isn't to coerce her to sever ties with the husband, for continuing such a relationship with a cheating spouse is futile; divorce is inevitable. Before initiating divorce proceedings, there are precautionary measures a woman can take to safeguard her interests and secure the best outcome possible. Lin Shuang (Zhang Xiaofei) takes the initiative to identify her husband's lover, Jiang Xi (Jenny Zhang). She establishes a camaraderie, imparting the realization that their mutual adversary is the unfaithful husband, not each other. This bond blossoms into a genuine friendship, with both extending a helping hand in times of need.
Next, it's crucial to reevaluate one's life goals. Revisit those initial aspirations. Lin Shuang recalls her days as a top-tier student, even outperforming the best of her peers. Nurtured by supportive parents who instilled invaluable values, she possessed a resolute strength of character. Recognizing the need to rediscover herself becomes paramount.
Returning to the workforce after several years devoted to family is undeniably challenging, but far from insurmountable. Lin Shuang confronts rejection in her job interviews, grappling with either being deemed too mature for entry-level positions or lacking the experience for mid-tier roles. Starting with a modest role and progressing upward is a viable strategy. Lin Shuang opts to become a ride-hailing driver, meticulously selecting routes that afford her insights into the job market and potential employers.
Furthering one's education is pivotal. The pursuit of knowledge and honing of skills should be a perpetual endeavor. Lin Shuang embarks on this journey, juggling responsibilities as a mother, daughter-in-law, and caretaker of the household. Through tenacity and diligence, she attains the qualifications and skills requisite for employment. This marks the initial stride towards financial independence, a pivotal factor in securing custody of her child post-divorce.
Securing the services of a proficient divorce lawyer is essential. Lin Shuang's legal counsel imparts crucial advice on uncovering her husband's concealed assets, ensuring she receives her rightful share.
Initially beset by low self-esteem due to her circumstances, Lin Shuang receives a wake-up call from Gu Xu (Huang Xiaoming), a childhood acquaintance and academic rival. He admonishes her for failing to appreciate her privileged family background (her father being a professor) and her innate talents, which consequently led to a lack of respect. This revelation prompts Lin Shuang to understand that self-love precedes garnering respect.
Throughout her preparation for divorce, Lin Shuang grasps a fundamental truth: reliance on oneself, rather than others, is the linchpin to attaining one's desires. Placing hope in external sources is futile; true agency resides within one's own hands. There are no shortcuts in this world; success hinges on self-reliance. True security emanates from within; it's a gift one grants oneself. Once you've bestowed this sense of security upon yourself, none can wrest it away. Marriage isn't a sanctuary; it's imperative to first cultivate independence. Marriage isn't a panacea for life's troubles either; it, too, presents its own set of challenges. The onus to resolve these challenges invariably falls on us. Life mirrors the act of washing dishes: one washes, the other dries, achieving synchronicity.
My Verdict
This story weaves a tapestry of marriage, family, friendship, and work, resonating deeply with many women who've grappled with sacrificing their careers and ideals for the sake of family. Life, much like a game of cards, doesn't guarantee a winning hand every time. Yet, possessing the courage to play even the weakest cards can transform adversity into opportunity.
This drama serves as a guide for women facing similar circumstances, offering insights on protecting oneself from a cheating spouse, strategizing for divorce, and navigating the process.
As for the performances, the entire cast delivers commendable portrayals, with Zhang Xiaofei standing out for her portrayal of turmoil, struggle, shame, heartbreak, and vulnerability. Jenny Zhang's transformation from a clandestine lover to a soulmate is equally convincing. While Li Zefeng's portrayal of Wei Ming falls somewhat short, as he tends to maintain the same expressions regardless of circumstance, a touch of variety in his emotional range would have enhanced the portrayal. Huang Xiaoming playing Gu Xu, makes his first appearance on screen a few episodes later. Remarkably, he maintains a background presence even after Lin Shuang's divorce. I take pleasure in observing the authentic dynamic between Gu Xu and Lin Shuang. They share a genuine rapport, even though she becomes somewhat authoritative with him at times and he complains she bullies him. The overall performance is commendable.
This is a compelling watch, resonating with viewers who can empathize with the characters.
Great watch! Recommended!
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Back To The Future
This drama is similar to Michael Fox's Back to the Future movie in the 80s whereby he returns to his parents' teenage years and tries to fix his parents' meeting of each other. In this drama, Li Jinbu (Sabrina Zhuang) is also trying to fix her mother's choices so that she (her mother) could turn out to be a more achievement oriented person, and eventually chooses the right partner who doesn't abandon her when she has a child (Li Jinbu).Li Jinbu's mother, Li Qingtong (Amy Chen), is a single parent. As a 17 year old high school girl, Li Jinbu (Sabrina Zhuang) is angry at her mother for messing up her own life by not working hard enough while at school and for going out with an irresponsible man who impregnates and abandons her. For unexplained reason, Li Jinbu returns to the time when her mother was also a 17 year old teenager in high school. She determines to fix her mother's life which she figures will eventually translate to the betterment of her own life in future.
However, things are not what she thinks and don't work out how she plans. Through spending time with her teenage mother, Li Jinbu comes to understand the experiences her mother has gone through that has made her what she is today. In the end, she learns to appreciate her mother for her determination to provide a better life for her.
The story is heart-warming and delightful. It depicts school days and youth, family and dreams, friendship and puppy love, growing up and, overall, life. The acting by the whole cast is fabulous, especially Amy Chen, and the cinematography is excellent. The character building is one of the best I've seen. The story telling is simply marvelous. This is a wonderful drama that makes one feel good and helps us to look deeper into ourselves. It deserves our time. Don't miss it.
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Lying or Not Revealing the Truth
Is there a difference between lying and not revealing the truth? To me, there is. Do articulation and lying mean the same thing? To me, they don’t. However, in this drama, it takes a broad stroke to cover the meaning of lying: not revealing the truth is lying, and articulation is lying. I do not agree with the writer and find this as flaw which permeates throughout the story. Having said that, I have still enjoyed this drama because of the male lead character’s frankness, and the female lead character’s diplomatic approaches.One of the many flaws we have in us is we love flattery languages. We often feel hurt when we hear the truth about ourselves. Fang Zhi You (Xin Yun Lai) is a very frank and direct person. He doesn’t like to beat around the bush or use flowery language to flatter; he just says things as they are. To many, he’s crude. Though he doesn’t have a face that melts hearts immediately, Xin Yun Lai’s acting is to the point as a dull, unflattering Fang Zhi You. He maintains a serious looking face with few facial expressions. His ‘no cheating’ quality persuades everyone around him, including Xu Yi Ren (Liang Jie), to trust and love him. Deep inside, he is a sweet and kind man.
Xu Yi Ren on the other hand is very diplomatic. She can defuse a tensed situation with her quick wit and a few kind and diplomatic words. She helps others to save face and step down without escalating matters further. I feel she has been wrongly labelled as a girl who likes to lie. To me, such qualities should not be considered as dishonesty but a very precious diplomatic skill. As a new actor, Liang Jie has played this role very well.
Both Fang Zhi You and Xu Yi Ren have qualities that complement and supplement each other, and enable them to start their love relationship from the very beginning through the end of the drama. Their relationship has never flinched. She is his pillar supporting him all the time without conditions, and he’s always there protecting her. They trust and are devoted to each other.
This is a very easy drama to watch, not too many conflicts to resolve, and a very cute and intelligent little sister to love. There are multiple love triangles, a second couple and an evil sister. The storyline is a bit cliche and some scenes are tropey as expected in Chinese dramas. Not outstanding but sweet and enough chemistry to make viewers feel the love and loved.
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Honor & Dignity
Ip Man 4 is the fourth and latest sequel (most likely also the last) of the Ip Man movies by Donnie Yen.All Donnie Yen’s Ip Man movies take the same format – Ip Man would be challenged to prove his Yong Chun Quan (or Wing Chun Kuen in Cantonese) is just as good as the other Chinese wushu (martial arts). After he has proven himself, comes a foreign power or non-Chinese martial art challenger, challenging the Chinese wushu. All various sects would then unite and try to ward off the challenger. However, during the unjust process, all Chinese wushu falters; Ip Man is the only one left standing and he stands up for all.
In the first Ip Man movie we see Ip Man fighting a Japanese Colonist Karate expert; in Ip Man 2, Ip Man fights against a British boxer; in Ip Man 3, again he fights a boxer, this time the American Mike Tyson; and in the latest Ip Man 4, after proving himself in the San Francisco China Town with the Tai Chi Grandmaster, he stands up to the American bullies and fights a US military Karate expert. And of course Ip Man wins in all the challenges.
Coincidentally, Ip Man 4 was released during the pandemic crisis. Many countries, especially the western nations, have started to blame China for the crisis and demanded hefty reparation costs. As the whole pandemic begins to unfold, the accusation becomes obvious - it seems that most western nations feel threatened by China and the pandemic crisis serves as a perfect excuse to banish China in order to stymie its amazing growth, albeit temporarily. Unwittingly, the story in Ip Man 4 becomes a heroic story standing up against the bullies, and is enjoyed by many.
I fell in love with Donnie Yen’s first Ip Man movie. Donnie Yen has a stoic and calm charisma and portraying Ip Man as a Yong Chun (Wing Chun) Grandmaster, he brings Chinese wushu to its ultimate pinnacle. Donnie Yen is believable, giving everyone around him a sense of trust and security. One can really depend on Donnie Yen’s Ip Man to protect one’s life. All Donnie Yen's fighting actions and moves are just breath-taking, authentic and amazing. With the calm and somber look on his face when under threats, Donnie Yen's portrayal of Ip Man is confident and composed with honor and dignity - an unmistakably proud Chinese spirit. One doesn’t grow tired of watching him. In his traditional Chinese Cheongsam (long robe), Donnie Yen has the best authentic look of a Chinaman whom I have come to love watching.
As Ip Man 4 has become the epitome of East versus West, Chinese versus Whites, The Bullied versus The Bullies, it silently depicts the current standoff positions of China and America. In the movie, it has a short reprise of Bruce Lee when he was still Ip Man's student living in California (Bruce Lee was an American).
Overall, Donnie Yen is indisputably one of the best Chinese wushu master actors. His fighting scenes are authentic and believable. He commands an air of honor, trust and compassion. Watching him fight is perhaps the most exhilarating experience a viewer can enjoy from the screen. For myself, I still consider the first Donnie Yen's Ip Man movie to be the best of all the Ip Man stories.
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Wonderful Acting by Sun Qian
This is a wonderful little drama out of my expectations. I didn't quite like it when I first started watching with episode 1 because I found it kind of cartoonish. But very quickly, the story moves away from the comical acts and becomes more serious without losing the humors. I was glued to the screen and completed the whole drama as it's aired.The storyline is simple and straightforward with not many twists. Even the twists are easy to follow and the results are satisfactory. Although there are some kind of triangular love affairs, these do not impede the main relationship and doesn't leave a bad taste in the viewers' mouth.
Though the setting is outside of an imperial royal palace, it is very similar but at a very small scale; I would liken it to be an aristocratic manor house with soldiers and guards. To become an imperial doctor, Tian Qi (played by Sun Qian) has to disguise as a man. In most Chinese historical dramas when a woman disguises as a man, I'd roll my eyes for how gullible the public is for not recognizing such obvious womanly features in the disguise. Not in Tian Qi's case. I think Sun Qian has the best disguise ever done in this genre. Her chest is flattened, her demeanor is rougher than a girl during the period. With her chubby face and virtually no make-up (at least not obvious), Tian Qi can easily pass as a young boy with no suspicion. Indeed I want to commend how well Sun Qian has played this role. She's hilarious and authentic. I love watching her whenever she comes on screen. I can't say the same when it comes to Ji Heng (played by Huang Jun Jie). The character Ji Heng is supposed to be a ruthless, cold, authoritative figure feared by all; he's the ultimate superior of his region. Unfortunately Huang Jun Jie has not brought out that personality, or he tries too hard to do so by giving the character a stiff, constipated look all the time. What's worse is when Ji Heng meets the love of his life, all of a sudden, he becomes lovey dovey which is totally out of character. Though very good looking, I feel Huang Jun Jie has not performed as well as the other actors in this series. It is such a pity because this could have had a much higher rating had the character being done correctly.
Overall, I still feel this drama worth being watched for its entertainment value, especially performances by Sun Qian.
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Real Wuxia Story Like the Old Days
I’m a wuxia novel fan, and Gu Long was one of my earlier favorite authors during my growing up years. However, I’ve not read this particular novel, Juedai Shuangjiao (Legendary Twins) which is supposed to be a great novel that has been adapted in this drama. When I stumbled across this drama, I was ecstatic because I recognized Hu Yitian and has wanted to watch his new dramas.For the first few episodes, I was disappointed with the quality of the drama. I was not only disappointed with the acting and the overall plot, I found it hard to understand the logic of the characters. Everyone seemed stupid and gullible. The heroes could easily give up their own lives for some very trivial and unreal reasons. They could also fall into the tricks of the same villains over and over again. Everything was noisy with obnoxious and over exaggerated characters. I was stuck at episode 8 and found myself unable to move on.
I couldn’t understand the high rating on MDL; I thought I must be missing something. So I returned to the series and continued. As I began watching it with a mindset of simple logic, and seeing the impossibilities as possibilities, I began to follow the mood and flow of the story, and in fact rather enjoyed it till the end.
The story is a typical story from Gu Long’s novel - a whole maze of characters that can be confusing and hard to remember, the heroes always get the shorter ends whereas the villains triumph (initially), all the pretty girls tend to fall in love at first sight with the protagonist. Admittedly, the drama is tropey and the consequences are as expected. Nonetheless, embracing its shortcomings, I found the drama rather entertaining after I got passed the first 10 episodes.
This is a story of two twin brothers separated at birth, their parents murdered. One twin is adopted by the killers and the other is raised by a group of villains. 18 years later, the brothers meet and are told to kill each other for no reasons provided. The story revolves around the two brothers who go through all the adventures together and separately, and eventually learn about their own story and meet the loves of their lives.
The twins have totally opposite characteristics: one is dull and righteous (played by Hu Yitian), whereas the other street smart, jovial, bombastic and mischievous (played by Chen Zhi Yuan). It is hard to assess Hu Yitian’s acting because the character he plays is quiet with little emotion (he’s been brought up with not much affection). On the other hand, I really enjoy Chen Zhi Yuan’s acting, which is cute, funny and natural. Chen Zhi Yuan has a young boyish face which really helps in his portrayal of Xiao Yu’er (little fish) that brings out his playfulness.
To my surprise, the official sound tracks are very nice. They are composed with an air of authentic Chinese wuxia tunes; the music is soothing and the lyrics are moving.
Overall, I can’t say I love this drama. But to be fair, it is an interesting drama that deals deep into the relationship of a pair of separated brothers, and in the end the righteous wins over the evil.
If you’re a wuxia or Gu Long fan, you may thoroughly enjoy this drama. If you’re not so familiar with the author and his work, you may find it overwhelming and unrealistic. All in all, this is not as bad as I have originally thought. In fact, I have enjoyed the sword fighting and qinggong (wire fu) scenes pretty well.
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Great Characters, Fine Acting, Wonderful Story
When I started watching Blossom, I had no prior attachment to any of the actors. I picked it as a filler between other dramas I was following, but to my surprise, it captivated me right from the beginning. By the fourth episode, I was completely engrossed, and I rated it a solid 10/10. The compelling storyline and standout characters, particularly Song Mo, made me seriously consider naming it my costume drama of 2024.What I Loved
The plot revolves around the concept of a second chance at life, taking different actions to alter past events, and ultimately changing the fates of key characters. While the characters’ previous lives ended in tragedy, Dou Zhao (played by Meng Zi Yi) uses hindsight to navigate her new life. Her strategic decisions reshape not only her fate but also the lives of those she cares about, even though she cannot reverse her mother’s tragic circumstances.
The two main characters, Dou Zhao and Song Mo, were exceptionally engaging, but the supporting cast also stood out. Characters like the grandmother, Ji Yong, Song Mo’s loyal sidekicks, and even the Crown Prince’s wife (who makes a brief yet memorable appearance at the end) added richness to the story.
Li Yun Rui’s portrayal of Song Mo deserves special mention. While this was my first time watching him in a leading role, his acting had already impressed me in Love Like the Galaxy, particularly the unforgettable scene where he reacts with shock as Niao Niao punches herself. His nuanced performance in Blossom further solidified his fine acting skills.
The drama is filled with details and subtle humor that make it even more enjoyable. One of my favorite scenes is when Song Mo and Ji Yong end up together in a bridal carriage. Another standout moment is when the Crown Prince’s wife scolds her husband with sharp wit. These instances reflect the charm and depth of the storytelling.
What Could Be Improved
As much as I adore Blossom, I found the second half of the drama overly smooth for the main couple, Dou Zhao and Song Mo. Once they marry, the narrative becomes more of a romance, with fewer twists and challenges. The pace slows considerably, and the lack of angst makes it feel predictable at times. While it’s heartwarming to watch Dou Zhao thrive in business and Song Mo succeed politically despite his enemies’ schemes, the absence of significant tension left the latter half feeling less dynamic.
A Word of Caution
If you’re planning to watch Blossom, I’d recommend not pairing it with Story of Kunning Palace. That was a mistake I made, as the two dramas share several similarities. For instance, both male leads are estranged from their fathers, while the female leads have troubled relationships with their mothers. Both female leads are also business-savvy, and their respective male leads share close bonds with maternal uncles who serve as top generals. Switching between these dramas occasionally caused confusion for me, so it’s best to watch them separately.
Final Thoughts
Blossom is an easy-to-follow drama with a satisfying storyline and minimal angst. The main couple gets together midway through the series, and their journey afterward is relatively smooth. Dou Zhao achieves financial success, and Song Mo triumphs politically, making this an ideal pick for romance enthusiasts.
The title "Blossom" feels somewhat uninspired compared to the Chinese title, which references a hardy wildflower capable of thriving in any environment—much like Dou Zhao herself, who grows resiliently despite her lack of a sheltered upbringing.
Overall, Blossom is a delightful watch, particularly for fans of romance and character-driven storytelling. While it may not be perfect, its charm and heart more than make up for its flaws.
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Talk and More Talk
When this drama was released, I had such high hope because I had wanted to watch Luo Yunxi as the first male lead in a drama. The initial scenes were beautiful with Luo Yunxi portraying Shangguan Tuo in white robes with a fan. However, 10 episodes in, I was greatly disappointed. The pace of the drama was snail-pace slow with a lot of to and forth dialogues that had been repeated umpteen times. The plot was shallow if at all developed, and there were hardly any worthwhile actions despite its wuxia tag. For me, it’s a great let down.Accordingly, this drama was adapted from a novel, but readers have claimed that the adaptation has almost totally changed the story and definitely changed many of its characters. Half way through the drama, I realized there wasn’t much material to make up the 48 episodes, so the production team used plenty of slow dialogues of ‘repeat and reflect’ to fill up the episodes. The whole story felt like a broken record, going round and round and round, with talks and more talks, no ends coming. The director tried to tell the viewers that Shangguan Tuo (Luo Yunxi) and Chong Xue Zhi (Chen Yu Qi) were the One True Pair and how much they loved each other. Unfortunately, he overdid it by running it through almost 40 episodes just for this confirmation. He (the director) also tried to play with our emotions by capturing our tears (there's a ton of crying). For some reasons, I just couldn’t empathize with the characters, probably because how badly they were developed. I'm sure the gist of the story was beautiful, and I loved the 2 main leads. It's just the composition of the story, among other things, that was not right for me.
Painfully, I stuck up with this drama till the end because I had felt the two main characters, being powerful with their respective cultivation, had great potential in bringing out some real fireworks in combating their adversary hand-in-hand. To my disappointment, my coveted epic scene had never realized and the whole story eventually fizzled into oblivion.
My final verdict – If you’re a fan of Luo Yunxi or Chen Yuqi (Yukee Chen) or Zhou Ting Wei, you may want to check this out. Luo Yunxi, despite his extremely thin body and white face, is an amazing watch from afar, with a fan in hand, hair flying and robes floating. However, if you’re into wuxia and want some action, you’d probably be greatly disappointed because the fighting is pathetic to say the least, as one viewer commented, “No one knows how to fight.” It's a pity that there were so many details in the dialogues (talks and more talks) but they skimmed through the plot. Though it (the plot) thickened slightly for the final 10 episodes, the execution of it was rudimentary and childish.
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Good Story, High Quality Production
When I first came across this drama, I was ecstatic - another xianxia (historical fantasy) story which is one of my favorite genres. But when I checked out the cast, my heart sank. I was disappointed with the choice of the main male and female leads. Over the months, I’ve accustomed to young, beautiful male and female actors. I couldn’t fathom why the directors had selected these two, Chang Chen is in his 40s and NiNi 30s. A kind viewer explained the rationale of the selection to me. It finally dawned on me that such choices are intentional and this drama is going to be great. She is right.Jiu Chen, the God of War, is supposedly 190,000 years old. Had a younger actor been chosen, it may not have played out so well. Chang Chen perfectly fits into the role of Jiu Chen as an ancient god with his stern and serious look; he is emotionless. Compared with the God of War, Ling Xi is a very young girl at 50,000 years old. Initially, I was not very convinced to see NiNi playing that role, despite that she is an amazing actress. However, I came to realize that she is the perfect choice as she goes so well with Chang Chen visually. Had a younger actress been chosen for this role, I think it would have been a mis-match.
As the God of War, Jiu Chen is supposedly not to have any emotions nor to fall in love with anyone. And yet he does. His clumsiness in handling a relationship is most hilarious to say the least. Ling Xi, warm and kind, melts away his harden cold heart. The relationship between the pair is open and loving. As both characters grow over time, the actors fit perfectly into their roles with their maturity and seriousness. I’m totally convinced with the directors’ brilliant choices.
There are a few very lovable side couples. My favorite pair is Si Ming with 13 (her real name). Their relationship is cute, funny and spontaneous. I also love the Yun Feng character, Jiu Chen’s little brother, who is care-free and does not hide his passion for the girl he loves. For her, he would do anything, landing himself in trouble and embarrassed.
I don’t usually fall in love with an antagonist as I do in this drama. The Jing Xiu character is very complex. He is feared but also loved by many, even Ling Xi also falls for him for his apparent kindness. Despite being evil, he is at the same time open about his mis-deeds and ruthlessness. The make-up and costume for this character are one of the most impressive, and Li Yuan is just amazing with his very unique good look.
Overall, this drama has a vibe similar to that of Eternal Love – Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms. Many viewers are confused by this. Some think this is a prequel while others think it is a sequel. In fact, both dramas have nothing to do with each other, except for the similarities of the theme, the background settings among a few other things. Both dramas talk about the heavenly realm with gods and grand palaces, the animal/bird realm, the peach blossoms Shangri-la, the mortal realm, to name a few. Needless to say, both dramas were also directed by the same people.
The OSTs are beautiful and memorable as in most Chinese historical dramas. The editing, sound and visual effects, costumes, CGI are all high quality production, with a perfect pacing and good story telling. Although it has not given me the same deep emotional impression as the Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms has, this is still a very fine production.
I strongly recommend it.
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