This review may contain spoilers
The dream duo
Is it just me or you can never go wrong with Lu Si and Yang Yang. I've aways loved watching their dramas and putting them together in one drama is like a dream come true. Love the story, love the acting and definitely the costume.
As per usual, I'll list down the things I love and the things I wish could have been done differently.
Things I love:
1. The chemistry between the main characters. It's as though they are written for each other. Both have double identities, both are from royalty, both great with martial arts, both have the same perspective when it comes to people of their country and both have a loyal group of people, willing to die for them. Their personalities, though slightly different, perfectly match each other.
2. Yu Wu Yuan. If you're looking for a villain that is extremely smart, good looking, skilled and pure evil, here's your perfect villain. I see a lot of comments about how Bai-Hei Feng Xi couldn't figure out that he's evil until late into the story, but that's exactly YWY's plan and he executed it perfectly. To be honest, put yourself in their shoes. You have a gazillion things on your plate - fire in your own backyard, enemies from other states - would you have the time to suspect the reputable, number 1 gentleman of the world? Besides, Feng Lanxi has always been suspicious of YWY and had people checking into his background. Would it be fun though, if he had found out so easily?
3. Gender equality. I like that element in this drama. Despite being based in ancient times, I like how they put a spotlight on women and their capabilities in politics. Starting from Feng Qiwu being an important minister in Yongzhou to Bai-Hei Fengxi being kings of their respective states, equal in power. This drama proves that there is no need to weaken men while glorifying women - both genders can be equal.
Things I wish can be done differently:
1. The one element that annoyed me most in the drama is Tianshuang, especially the sifu and Lang Hua. Honestly, other than Han Pu, I find the rest of them very pointless. Multiple times, you see plans spoilt because of the lack of trust. The sifu did not trust that Bai-Hei Fengxi are smart enough to get themselves out of their predicament in Yongzhou, ending up in Lanxi losing his internal power. Lang Hua did not trust Bai Fengxi when she said she did not kill the sifu despite growing up with her and stabbed her, which AGAIN ended up in Lanxi losing his internal power in order to save Bai Fengxi.
2. The ending is somewhat rushed to me. I mean, compared to many dramas I've been watching lately, it is kind of complete. I just wish there is more of the Bai-Hei Fengxi scenes and how their day to day lives turned out after giving up the throne.
BONUS
Satisfying scenes I would replay and replay:
1. The three most satisfying slaps ever shown on drama. When Lanxi slapped Feng Ju in the face three times, while scolding him for being stupid. Couldn't find a better way to execute Feng Ju's humiliation.
2. When Lanxi got pissed after seeing Bai Fengxi injured in the battlefield and went alone to attack Huang Chao. Even when he is being impulsive, he can still get away with it because he seems untouchable with his martial arts.
Would I rewatch this drama? Hell yes. Would I recommend to other people? It's on Netflix, it's not difficult to find places to watch.
As per usual, I'll list down the things I love and the things I wish could have been done differently.
Things I love:
1. The chemistry between the main characters. It's as though they are written for each other. Both have double identities, both are from royalty, both great with martial arts, both have the same perspective when it comes to people of their country and both have a loyal group of people, willing to die for them. Their personalities, though slightly different, perfectly match each other.
2. Yu Wu Yuan. If you're looking for a villain that is extremely smart, good looking, skilled and pure evil, here's your perfect villain. I see a lot of comments about how Bai-Hei Feng Xi couldn't figure out that he's evil until late into the story, but that's exactly YWY's plan and he executed it perfectly. To be honest, put yourself in their shoes. You have a gazillion things on your plate - fire in your own backyard, enemies from other states - would you have the time to suspect the reputable, number 1 gentleman of the world? Besides, Feng Lanxi has always been suspicious of YWY and had people checking into his background. Would it be fun though, if he had found out so easily?
3. Gender equality. I like that element in this drama. Despite being based in ancient times, I like how they put a spotlight on women and their capabilities in politics. Starting from Feng Qiwu being an important minister in Yongzhou to Bai-Hei Fengxi being kings of their respective states, equal in power. This drama proves that there is no need to weaken men while glorifying women - both genders can be equal.
Things I wish can be done differently:
1. The one element that annoyed me most in the drama is Tianshuang, especially the sifu and Lang Hua. Honestly, other than Han Pu, I find the rest of them very pointless. Multiple times, you see plans spoilt because of the lack of trust. The sifu did not trust that Bai-Hei Fengxi are smart enough to get themselves out of their predicament in Yongzhou, ending up in Lanxi losing his internal power. Lang Hua did not trust Bai Fengxi when she said she did not kill the sifu despite growing up with her and stabbed her, which AGAIN ended up in Lanxi losing his internal power in order to save Bai Fengxi.
2. The ending is somewhat rushed to me. I mean, compared to many dramas I've been watching lately, it is kind of complete. I just wish there is more of the Bai-Hei Fengxi scenes and how their day to day lives turned out after giving up the throne.
BONUS
Satisfying scenes I would replay and replay:
1. The three most satisfying slaps ever shown on drama. When Lanxi slapped Feng Ju in the face three times, while scolding him for being stupid. Couldn't find a better way to execute Feng Ju's humiliation.
2. When Lanxi got pissed after seeing Bai Fengxi injured in the battlefield and went alone to attack Huang Chao. Even when he is being impulsive, he can still get away with it because he seems untouchable with his martial arts.
Would I rewatch this drama? Hell yes. Would I recommend to other people? It's on Netflix, it's not difficult to find places to watch.
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