mimi0108
This review may contain spoilers
One of the most complete, well-constructed and interesting historical c-dramas ever!
This drama is a story of adventure and coming of age.
GENERAL:
The drama is well constructed from start to finish. There is a beautiful progression and evolution of the story. The characters will experience many diverse and varied, sad and happy adventures. They will meet new characters, learn new things, lose and win.
This is not a harem drama, nor a political drama, nor a wuxia drama. So it really stands out from other historical dramas.
There aren't countless characters to follow nor a lot of complicated and noxious storylines. Above all, we follow the leads and the people around them. This drama is written with great intelligence and respect.
It is a drama which wants to be accessible to a young audience therefore, it is not dark while being serious at times.
The episodes follow one another smoothly, the story moves forward without dragging too long. The script can sound classic yet smart and dynamic which makes it better than a lot of other stories.
CHARACTERS:
The 2 female leads are cousins and, unlike many dramas, are not going to fight. They sincerely love each other and will each live their own adventure, their own romance and their own trial in life. This is one of the most positive things about this story. There is no toxic second lead or unbearable love triangle.
Each girl represents in her own way a version of a woman (the "traditional" and the "rebel"). But each has her strength, each has her weaknesses and each will show that she is courageous.
The same goes for the 2 male leads which have their own evolution without any ridiculous rivalry. We follow two talented and cold young men who, in contact with the two cousins, will gradually show the sensitivity they hid in their heart and learn to impose their point of view instead of being blindly obedient soldiers.
The FL is really well done: strong, intelligent, capable, knows how to be restrained, sensitive, courageous etc... She's not perfect, she knows she's too impulsive. She also still has a lot to learn. But unlike some "revenge drama", this character doesn't let herself be consumed by hatred and rage. Her character is writted so accurately, it's really nice.
The ML is really well written and performed. We feel all his nobility, his leadership, his intelligence. We understand from his gaze all his doubts, his fears, his thoughts, his love for the FL... It is really the best Male Character to follow because he is all in relief and, above all, he is extremely respectful of the FL. He does not try to impose his wishes and opinions on her, he respects her abilities, her objectives, her convictions.
It's nice to see two main leads with their own belief, their own goal, their own obstacle respecting each other. They have common values as well as an intelligence and capacity on the same level.
The SFL may be quite innocent and unconscious of the world, but she is not made stupid or incapable like some can be. Her young age and her life in her golden cage make her inexperience understandable. But we see that she is fundamentally kind, that she is capable of taking initiatives to help others or to survive. And it's interesting and cute to watch her gradually discover the real world that people of her lineage come to rule.
Her trial of life will last for some episodes but it is really useful for her evolution and to break the cliché of the "weak girl in distress".
ROMANCE:
Romances are slow burns but they are built from the first episode and were really wonderful! The main couple spoiled us with beautiful scenes and incredible dialogue throughout the drama.
The characters support, respect, admire and protect each other. There is real equity in the relationship between men and women and it is great to see!
OST:
It is certainly one of the most beautiful OST there is. All the songs fit wonderfully into the drama.
ACTING:
The older actors are pretty much all very talented (with the exception of the main villain whose I didn't like the acting).
The main actors are also at their best. Dilreba is playing one of her best (if not the best) roles. Her playing is convincing, she aptly mixes rage, determination, hesitation, doubt and timidity. Even if it is clear that she is not 16 like her character, we sincerely come to believe that she is a young girl.
Wu Lei is an extraordinary actor. He carries a lot of the tension and stakes of drama on his shoulders and he does it to perfection. He also achieved the feat of making us forget the age gap between him and Dilreba. At no time did I have the impression that she was older than him. I sincerely believed in their character's age and in him being the oldest. That he was able to do that is great.
The rest of the cast play their roles well and none of them seemed over-acted.
WHAT I DISLIKED:
I really struggled with the way of speaking of the main villain.
ADVICE:
The drama is inspired by a manhua. Due to the covid and out of respect for the original work, several scenes are animated. There aren't that many either. It is mainly at the very beginning of the drama and sometimes during flashbacks or battles. But, if you have prepared for it in advance, apart from a few scenes, it's not disturbing at all, on the contrary, it gives a style to the drama.
REWATCH:
This drama is so complete (whether by its story, its romances, the evolution of the characters, the many adventures lived) that it clearly deserves to be seen again and again.
This is definitely one of the dramas that I would have no problem seeing more than twice.
CONCLUSION:
I highly recommend this drama!
If you like action, adventures, battles, healthy relationships, beautiful friendships, life lessons, great romances, go for it!
It has it all. The editing is very well done, the music is magnificent, there are also beautiful views. The characters are all diverse, varied and interesting to follow. The main romance is one of the best there is.
This drama is lighter than the usual historical dramas. If you like intrigue, politics, mature characters from the start, this might not be the drama for you. Here, the cast is quite young as we follow their entry into adulthood. But there is a maturity in the writing and in the evolution of the characters that makes this drama a success. I'm an adult and I loved it!
GENERAL:
The drama is well constructed from start to finish. There is a beautiful progression and evolution of the story. The characters will experience many diverse and varied, sad and happy adventures. They will meet new characters, learn new things, lose and win.
This is not a harem drama, nor a political drama, nor a wuxia drama. So it really stands out from other historical dramas.
There aren't countless characters to follow nor a lot of complicated and noxious storylines. Above all, we follow the leads and the people around them. This drama is written with great intelligence and respect.
It is a drama which wants to be accessible to a young audience therefore, it is not dark while being serious at times.
The episodes follow one another smoothly, the story moves forward without dragging too long. The script can sound classic yet smart and dynamic which makes it better than a lot of other stories.
CHARACTERS:
The 2 female leads are cousins and, unlike many dramas, are not going to fight. They sincerely love each other and will each live their own adventure, their own romance and their own trial in life. This is one of the most positive things about this story. There is no toxic second lead or unbearable love triangle.
Each girl represents in her own way a version of a woman (the "traditional" and the "rebel"). But each has her strength, each has her weaknesses and each will show that she is courageous.
The same goes for the 2 male leads which have their own evolution without any ridiculous rivalry. We follow two talented and cold young men who, in contact with the two cousins, will gradually show the sensitivity they hid in their heart and learn to impose their point of view instead of being blindly obedient soldiers.
The FL is really well done: strong, intelligent, capable, knows how to be restrained, sensitive, courageous etc... She's not perfect, she knows she's too impulsive. She also still has a lot to learn. But unlike some "revenge drama", this character doesn't let herself be consumed by hatred and rage. Her character is writted so accurately, it's really nice.
The ML is really well written and performed. We feel all his nobility, his leadership, his intelligence. We understand from his gaze all his doubts, his fears, his thoughts, his love for the FL... It is really the best Male Character to follow because he is all in relief and, above all, he is extremely respectful of the FL. He does not try to impose his wishes and opinions on her, he respects her abilities, her objectives, her convictions.
It's nice to see two main leads with their own belief, their own goal, their own obstacle respecting each other. They have common values as well as an intelligence and capacity on the same level.
The SFL may be quite innocent and unconscious of the world, but she is not made stupid or incapable like some can be. Her young age and her life in her golden cage make her inexperience understandable. But we see that she is fundamentally kind, that she is capable of taking initiatives to help others or to survive. And it's interesting and cute to watch her gradually discover the real world that people of her lineage come to rule.
Her trial of life will last for some episodes but it is really useful for her evolution and to break the cliché of the "weak girl in distress".
ROMANCE:
Romances are slow burns but they are built from the first episode and were really wonderful! The main couple spoiled us with beautiful scenes and incredible dialogue throughout the drama.
The characters support, respect, admire and protect each other. There is real equity in the relationship between men and women and it is great to see!
OST:
It is certainly one of the most beautiful OST there is. All the songs fit wonderfully into the drama.
ACTING:
The older actors are pretty much all very talented (with the exception of the main villain whose I didn't like the acting).
The main actors are also at their best. Dilreba is playing one of her best (if not the best) roles. Her playing is convincing, she aptly mixes rage, determination, hesitation, doubt and timidity. Even if it is clear that she is not 16 like her character, we sincerely come to believe that she is a young girl.
Wu Lei is an extraordinary actor. He carries a lot of the tension and stakes of drama on his shoulders and he does it to perfection. He also achieved the feat of making us forget the age gap between him and Dilreba. At no time did I have the impression that she was older than him. I sincerely believed in their character's age and in him being the oldest. That he was able to do that is great.
The rest of the cast play their roles well and none of them seemed over-acted.
WHAT I DISLIKED:
I really struggled with the way of speaking of the main villain.
ADVICE:
The drama is inspired by a manhua. Due to the covid and out of respect for the original work, several scenes are animated. There aren't that many either. It is mainly at the very beginning of the drama and sometimes during flashbacks or battles. But, if you have prepared for it in advance, apart from a few scenes, it's not disturbing at all, on the contrary, it gives a style to the drama.
REWATCH:
This drama is so complete (whether by its story, its romances, the evolution of the characters, the many adventures lived) that it clearly deserves to be seen again and again.
This is definitely one of the dramas that I would have no problem seeing more than twice.
CONCLUSION:
I highly recommend this drama!
If you like action, adventures, battles, healthy relationships, beautiful friendships, life lessons, great romances, go for it!
It has it all. The editing is very well done, the music is magnificent, there are also beautiful views. The characters are all diverse, varied and interesting to follow. The main romance is one of the best there is.
This drama is lighter than the usual historical dramas. If you like intrigue, politics, mature characters from the start, this might not be the drama for you. Here, the cast is quite young as we follow their entry into adulthood. But there is a maturity in the writing and in the evolution of the characters that makes this drama a success. I'm an adult and I loved it!
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