The Long Ballad (2021)

Dilraba Dilmurat, Leo Wu, these two talented Chinese celebrities, grabbed at my heart in this drama. Another strong woman Chinese drama role for Dilraba Dilmurat. Amazingly well done! Leo Wu, OMG, so skilled at his job. I love both!
Liu Yu Ning who played Hao Du had me scared and I wasn't even in this drama. He was so convincing but he turned out awesome. Rosy Zhao Le Yan did great, she was perky but knew how to change from being perky to very serious. I applaud her. I was amazed at the actor who Mu Jin. I will be looking for dramas with the above cast. The rest of the cast made the storyline happened, I have to thank them. Everything else, the sound, the fantasy, the visuals, costume, set design.... just perfection.

I understand why they put in the cartoon (comic book). I am pretty sure this was a high-budget drama and I blame it all on the Pandemic. Sometimes you gotta do with what you have to make it work. I applaud the whole team!

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Just finished last month but I wanna rewatch!!

I was actually hesitant at first because it was too long, but my cousin strongly recommended it to me so I thought it wouldn't be that bad. Good thing I gave it a go.

It was my first time watching Reba's so I don't really have any data to compare with. As for Lusi, I've watched almost all her shows (I'm a huge fan) and I wholeheartedly believe that this is (by far) her most praiseworthy work. Though she might not be the first FL in this series, it showed her full acting potential (the anticipation for her upcoming works is killing me!; especially waiting for WRTW and Hu Tong). Also, her (Leyan) short yet sweet interactions with (Hao Du) Yuning are just wow! I once thought that I wouldn't be able to ship Lusi with anyone else other than Ryan (Han Shuo) but guess I was wrong (NingLu's way too cute).

As for the story, all I can say is that it was really good. You can see the growth of each character as episodes passed. Hence, it wouldn't be an overstatement to say that this is the best historical drama I've ever watched!

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Good cast but not good production

Story: When I saw the synopsis, I thought this will be heavy political war badass drama. But it turned out more like another fantasy idol drama. The setting of this drama actually could be made a grandeur historical one, yet the production team only put half-hearted effort to create an impressive drama. I really dislike the comical editing, make this drama looks like low budget product. The plot is average, has some interesting point but it's easy to forget.

Acting: This drama is one of Tencent big production, recently there were many critics about Tencent drama which are mostly rely on popular actor but taking cheap script and low budget production. Almost all the actors in this drama have done well in presenting their characters, specially the two lead actors. I always thought that Dilraba has a good acting skill, but she always ended taking an unimpressive drama. Leo Wu is not much different, his only big drama was Nirvana in Fire. The one I thought was not good enough is Liu Yu Ning who played as Hao Du. However he still have a room to improve his acting skill, since this drama is his first acting experience.

Music: I have no complain about the soundtrack and music in this drama, it's suitable and the ending theme which is sung by Zhou Shen is beautiful.

Overall: I wish this drama could focus more on one point, either the political, war-action or romance, thus make this drama has unforgettable point. For me, the plus points of this drama are Dilraba, Leo Wu and Rosy Zhao, they all delivered their acting skill very well.

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It’s really a long ballad (just not a good ballad)

TLDR: like most ballads, it’s long and its attempt to tug your heartstrings but most of the time, it fell short, boring and bland.

Watch for your favourite actor and actress, and once you pass Leo’s best part in the middle, you can just drop it really.

Story: started ok, best part was the middle where major events happened to Leo’s character, and then it’s flat line :/

Acting: award acting to the king uncle to Chang Ge when he received the knife again, and Leo in his lost scenes. Everyone else is meh. No offend but I felt asleep with the SL CP, their story is pretty stock standard, and while their acting is suited for the characters, it’s pretty meh. The SML is the usual cold and turn super puppy once he’s in love >_> DD’s acting is ok, but her character is just so boring >_< she’s pretty but yup, they managed to make her not pretty, boring, tired and pretty meh lol. I do get her character but uh, just relax? She always so serious, it’s tiresome after 30eps lol. Also while I love Leo, he’s a bit stiff/overact in the pouting department ?

Music: it’s great, but just watch the MV, it saves you time and make you actually like the series more than watching it, watching it might just make you hate it lawl.

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best costume drama of 2021 so far

story - 10/10

the story is not based on the love story of the leads and was super interesting itself. i liked how almost every character was explained well, so there was not anything unreasonable in the series and you can not directly tell who is black and who is white. another thing to mention is that the drama was not dragged, which is an uncommon thing for chinese costume dramas.

acting/cast - 10/10

overall acting was amazing, and i'm gonna say a few words about the main characters:

changge - i was not a big fan of dilraba, but i really loved her there.
a'sun - it is my first drama of wu lei, and he did so good (i mean, who didn't cry on alir's death scene?). from cold and introverted general to an actually caring and sentimental person, his character development is underrated.
le yan - the biggest character development there. from a shy and timid girl to a matured and caring princess. also, the most kind-hearted person out there: even when she faced all that hardship, she never let hatred to take over her mind and remembered only good in people. even if she is not physically strong, i think she has a strong personality. as always, the role suited zhao lusi so well and she had a great chemistry with hao du.
hao du - as a person who initially started watching because of lyn, i totally fell in love with hao du there. hao du was a person who hides his feeling deep inside himself and i find him really selfless (not only his love for leyan, but also the fact that he placed his adoptive father's orders above his values), and liu yuning did really AMAZING, i mean, all these microexpressions---
and as for wei shuyu, one of the few characters that i didn't like. he is indeed spineless, but i can understand him, as it was quite a common thing for the member of a political family at that time tho.
i also liked the side characters as well, my favs were li shimin, du ruhui, a'dou :_), gongsun heng, mu jin, xu feng, etc etc etc (even she'er). it is the first time for me when i liked almost all characters sm, feels like i can write mini essay about each of them, lol.

music - 10/10

osts for this show were extremely good, i mean we had zhou shen, sa dingding and liu yuning for this. i especially loved "cocoon", "a love like before" and "falling sand", they suited the drama so well and helped to understand the characters. personally, i liked all ost's of the drama, and all six of them are in my playist now.

rewatch value: 10/10

it is the best costume drama of 2021 for me so far and i'm surely gonna rewatch it number of times for sure (been doing it whike waiting for new series to air). mb one thing which was quite annoying was cartoon scenes lol.

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Good story and perfect actor

Story is female lead story that is very empower women !

Story
The story is a good consistent of situations. The circumstances happen with female in this story is very pity but as a result is very powerful. I think this drama show the real human are, what will they do if they face some situation. It made me feel reflect to myself as well. Every characters are growing not flat. Especially two female lead characters.

Actor/ actress
I like Delileba and Zhao Lusi from many drama and this drama they show perfectly improvement. Lusi from previous drama is lively and funny but this drama she can change the characters of herself completely. For male lead is good, handsome and clever. However, I don’t think that main couple have good chemistry but another couple is good chemistry. Overall of actors of his drama is good everyone can show the mood and expression well.

I minus one point because some scene should using people not cartoon.

Last, this drama is good, exciting every ep and all actor are perfect including you will learn many thing from it !! Don’t miss this it.

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Chang Ge Xing

Tsuyu-SEI's Review !
I MADE AN ACCOUNT TO WRITE THIS TODAY !
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As a manhua-reader :
I actually cannot believe I've finished watching this. I still remember first reading the manhua and being absolutely stunned but the art and interesting storyline. I was so saddened by the fact that there was a complication and the manhua had to dropped. Then fast forward a few years later, this actually became a live-action. I've never been so happy to be able to see one of my most most favorite manhua get made into a drama TwT////
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Storyline Pacing :
Overall great pacing and each episode seemed well planned and didn't play on too much cliffhanger feel, it was rather straightforward and the way the war strategies were explained were also easy to understand.
For the first part of the plot, it was slightly weird to see them play kind of football/soccer ? I do wish they hadn't tried pushing the main leads to meet so early as it was much more interesting in the manhua where Changge is able to show her intelligence to Sun and they became "brothers". It was much more realistic build-up to their relationship for me.

They would have met after the war in "Shouzhou" and it would have showed how Changge was able to handle and take care of herself in tough situations even without Sun's help but I guess they wanted to put the main leads together early or it may have been the author's input or so.
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Character:
The changes in the characters as the story progresses is great ! I loved the selection of cast, each handled their role well !The way the main couple respects each other is so lovely !
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Plot : As there was never a conclusion in manhua, the way they wrapped it up and the ending of the drama is really perfect for me. They showed with the "Khatun" of a side that Changge could've have become had she kept going for revenge, but they also added in how she didn't just give up her revenge, but she was able to find out the truth and learn from it.
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Bad Scene : The " parrots " scene was reaalllyyy weird ! I think a fade out would have been better than watching that.....
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Good Scene / Favorites : The scene where changge says " uncle " is the best for me, they really did it so so perfectly ! I loved the tension of the scene !
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Ost : Godbless the songs, they're sooooo gooooood !!! really wonderful and the added sounds for all the scenes were so well done !
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Extras : I actually really liked how it wasn't too in your face, lovey-dovey for changge and sun but it was sprinkled here and there ! Though there was a bit much on the side couples ? I did feel it dragged a bit to add so many scenes for these, I wished the budget could have went to the fight scenes and costumes because I did feel they cut costs on that.
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One of the best Ancient drama for me! Chang Ge and Sun, I miss you!

I never thought that 49 episodes is not enough for an ancient drama, I always try my best to stay away from Chinese Ancient dramas as they're too long, tedious, traumatic and sometimes boring. But who would've thought that I enjoyed, loved and appreciated all of the 49 episodes of this series. Not an episode did I skipped nor fast forwarded as I find it tedious nor boring! Every episode is interesting, breathtaking, will leave you off edge and wanting for more! I laugh, cry, got scared for them, angry and frustrated and just simply amazed and excited for this series. It's my 2nd time watching Reba's drama (from YMG to this) and 1st time watching Leo! Such a powerful couple and fitted with their respective roles. They both give their characters depth, life and just simply amazing skills in acting. I loved all their scenes together, their conversation/interactions and just mainly everything. How I appreciated all the actors in this drama, their characters, from the main cast to the supporting roles, to the villains and to the production team.


You'll find Chang Ge's character at first frustrating and just wanted to smack her at times, but you'll learned to understand and appreciate where she's coming from. In the long run, she'll learn to grow and realized what's more important for her.

I love Sun, everything about him is such a dream come true. Leo gave his all in performing this character and for this, I will be a new fan of him.

I love the executions of fight scenes, it's breathtaking and exciting! It's sooo good and looks real! My gosh! Will definitely watch this again! Until then, will be missing Chang Ge and Sun.

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Best Chinese Drama. Totally awesome.

I totally enjoyed this drama. Did a marathon of 49 episodes. I have never been addicted or rewatched any Chinese dramas but I did for The Long Ballad. All the pros and cons have been written on other reviews so Im not going to write them again. But there weren't any cons for me because I totally love it. I totally love the animation part too. It is something different and I think it is a wise choice too since we are in the middle of pandemic. Although there were no hot or sweet kiss scenes from both leads but I actually love the chemistry between both leads. They way they look at each other, the love, the trust, the faith, the understanding, loyalty they have for each other make all the lovey dovey scenes insignificant because they are already on another level where they trust each other with their lives.
I recommended this drama to my mother in law and she totally loved it. She is now asking for a drama similar and as enjoyable as The Long Ballad. She did a marathon of 49episodes as well. After watching this, other dramas seem mediocre to me now.
Those who haven't watch The Long Ballad, it is a MUST Watch. Thanks to all the cast and team involved in this drama. I initially watch this for Dilraba but totally fell for Wu Lei's acting despite his young age. He is one talented actor.

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A beautiful journey!

I really felt taken in by this story. Loss and hardship countered by the resilience of the human heart when it is met with support and care. I found it entirely relatable and so wonderfully woven through all the story lines that were unfolding.

The entire cast deserves a BIG shout out for expressing the myriad of challenges involved in growing up, slowly gaining grace and wisdom and ultimately how to let go of past grievances. I didn't feel is was overly heavy handed in getting those messages across. For me it was just the right amount of seriousness, tension and intrigue. Normally I do enjoy lots of the lovey dovey moments in the shows I choose but this one was completely okay with me being just how it was. The love and affection was inherent through their actions and did not require it to be in the spotlight. It all just came together so well and I loved the overall story as well as all the complimentary characters with their own challenges.

The soundtrack was spectacular and spot on. I'm listening to it as I write this review and I can say for me they absolutely NAILED the tone and vibe of ALL the moods and moments. It just flowed and supported the story so perfectly.

Overall the outfits were great and I tell you Ashile Sun in his full Eagle tribe regalia was stunning. Well done young man! You won my heart in Nirvana In Fire and I am SO happy to see you've come into your own in such a complex and courageous role. Of course Li Changge was equally lovely but it was even better to see her as a fierce, spirited and wounded soul who found her way through despite all the difficulties from within and around her. I loved seeing her grow and learn because then her physical beauty was matched by her glorious heart and spirit. I have to confess that I entirely fell in love with Hao Du's rather difficult and confusing path. I have another actor to keep an eye on which is always lovely to come away with because ending my time spent with these characters is rough. I wanted to keep watching them all live their good lives. Alas...

The scenery was spectacular, smooth transitions through the various areas. The pace felt just right...not too fast and didn't drag. I enjoyed the fighting scenes and the way the battles were depicted, very new and fresh to me.

I really am glad I watched this series and I think everyone involved did an excellent job of putting together a really good quality experience!

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A Solid Female-centric Historical Piece

The main reason I started on this show was for Reba & Lusi because they both are pretty good when it comes to acting. I have seen Leo in some of his past works, mostly as child counterpart, so I was curious to see how his transition would be here as well. For Yuning, I had never watched any of his works. I had only followed his songs closely as he is one of the household names when it comes to OST. Hence, it was a pleasant surprise watch him act.

Story
I guess most of the reviews had gave a summary of the entire story. I came in with not much knowledge about the history, but from the portrayal, it was evident that Li Shi Min was a great King. The story revolves around Changge's ambitions for revenge at the start when her family was killed in the Xuan Wu Men troupe. Li Shi Min then ascended the throne and while he adored Changge as one of his own, his people are concerned of Changge's existence as a potential threat to the Tang Dynasty. We can see how Changge grew through her adventures from her ordeals in the different states and how she comes to a conclusion herself that her so-called revenge isn't the best option. While she did not fully reconciled with Li Shi Min, she acknowledged his abilities as a King and eventually gave up on her assassination for the greater good of Tang. Her pairing with Leo was cute, but I was hoping there was more deeper scenes between their interactions. I do understand this is a female centric drama revolving around history and fighting for a peaceful era, hence there were lesser background development for some of the male leads in this drama I feel. Overall, the main lead portrayed their roles really well, I will just think that it's the lack of episodes that is limiting their romantic development (though they of course ended up with e/o in the end).

I personally felt the most wholesome developed character will be Leyan. From an innocent and timid Sheriff, to Tang's Princess overnight. I really enjoyed her scenes with Changge and their sisterly bond really touched me. I am glad they didn't let their family fued get in the way of their relationship in the end. Leyan was timid but brave and her transition was evident from the experiences and ordeals she faced as a refugee. She came to realize the importance of her title and vowed to become a great princess for the people of Tang. I personally felt her loveline was the most wholesome and complete one out of the 3 CPs in this drama. She started of having a crush for Shuyu and ended up realizing the one she truly love was Haodou. I guess it's the contrast in their personalities that made them such a good couple despite their limited screentime in the series. Haodou also had his growth from an emotionless, unopinionated imperial guard to someone who can make decisions for himself and eventually able to be with the one he loves. His inferior complex and of course Shuyu had gotten in the way of his feelings for Leyan, otherwise I believed they would have ended up earlier together. Overall, i think Yuning acted out his role on point despite being relatively new in this industry and I really enjoyed his scenes with his father & Leyan. Having watch a few of Lusi's drama, I enjoyed her character portrayal as I have never seen her in a character like this. I really liked Leyan's character as she was an extra character that wasn't included in the novel, but enjoyed the one of the most wholeseome development from all aspects.

Probably the only awkward part I felt for the show will be the use of animations. I fully understand that the rational behind this was to pay tribute to the manhwa author and of course because filming took place during trying times. but i felt, they could have lessen these as it was pretty anti-climatic. Also, i did felt a tad awkward for the 3rd CP whom was the only one that had a "real" kiss scene. somehow i am thankful that the other 2 CP had not had a "real" kiss scene since the 3rd CP ended up being the only one with bad ending lol.

Overall, I would say it's a good watch. It is really a classic female centric story and all the characters are written for a purpose for Changge's growth and development. I personally hope the 2 main couples will have another chance for collaboration in a less historically heavy series because their chemistry is simply over the roof!

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A very compelling storyline with a great cast

***SPOILER ALERT, PROCEED READING AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION***

I didn't have any expectations for The Long Ballad because I stumbled across the drama without knowing anything about it; however, the storyline really blew me away. This drama took many unexpected turns and it really kept me on my toes the entire time. At first, the assassination of Li Changge's family and her struggle to survive for revenge drew me in. As the story progresses, we witness the growth of Changge as she realizes the consequences of pursuing her revenge plot. This is one reason why I enjoyed watching this drama so much, there are many lessons to be learned and someone has to bear the consequences of every action. It's not only a story of great victories but also of great loss.

I also appreciate that although the plot follows Changge, we are introduced to a lot of incredibly virtuous and charming characters. Each of these characters have their own struggles and as we witness their sacrifices, we learn the depth of one's love for their family, for their lover, or for their country. Later, Changge understands that her love for her country is greater than her resentment and this holds her back from taking catastrophic actions before finding out the truth about her family's murder. It's developments like these that really keep me engrossed and we witness many among the characters throughout drama. The only tiny change I would want for the story is in the main couple's love story. Having been through thick and thin, I would have liked to see more physical affection. In my opinion, it would be more realistic for two people who are madly in love with each other to take it further than hugs and one questionable kiss.

That aside, the music was top notch. I liked many of the songs and I have to say my favorite is the one sung by Zhou Shen. His voice is majestic and I think good dramas follow him because every drama I've watched with him singing the ost was good. I also watched a bts video about the music production and the producer was very meticulous in making music that fit the drama's theme and I believe his hard work paid off because he gave us several unforgettable songs that tug at our heartstrings.

Last but not least, all of the actors did an incredible job portraying their characters. At first, I couldn't get into Rosy Zhao's character, Princess Yongan/Leyan. This is not because Rosy falls short as an actress, rather I have watched several of her dramas and bts videos in which she is nothing like the quiet, docile Leyan whom she portrays here. However, as I continued watching, her character grew on me and I was reminded again what an incredible actress she is (at such a young age too). My favorite scene of Leyan was when she reminded Hao Du of all of Changge's sacrifices for Tang dynasty. I was very impressed with Rosy's acting in that scene. I was also introduced to Leo Wu, who plays Ashile Sun, in this drama and was surprised when I found out his age (21). Likewise, he did a great job portraying his character. These two actors are a reminder that talent comes in all ages.

Needless to say, I highly recommend this drama if you're looking for an action-packed, original war story involving poverty, resentment, sacrifice, and devotion.

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