Try the World (2022)

Flawed adaptation with some pros and various cons

The leads have a strong bond and a healthy, drama-free relationship. WRTW is very suitable as a show without misunderstandings and draggy triangles.

What starts with the promise of an interesting empire-level power conflict quickly shifts focus to palace intrigue in just one of the empire's six states, the type of endless (endlessly repetitive) squabbles in which the baddies can never be stopped for good.
(From other comments online, I've learned that this was added by the drama writers, and in the actual novel there are "only a few paragraphs" of the palace intrigue that makes up a big portion of the show.)

Since she's an excellent fighter, little Lusi doesn't always need to be rescued. Except when she needs to be rescued.
Most of the time she's just hungry, which is terribly unimaginative. (Eventually the writers forget that. Just like they regularly forget the whole 'falcon' technology.)

95% of the show, FL and especially ML are super mega smart. The only times one of the leads is in serious peril, it is because they devolve into truly moronic drama leads that make nonsensical decisions without consulting the other – otherwise the writers have no way of plausibly getting them into danger. Every time this happens (admittedly rarely), this is somewhere between disappointing and infuriating.

The villain(s) and the "token" plotline don't make a lot of sense to me. I don't know how much of that is because of Netflix's usual so-so translation quality, or how much stems from the drama adaption vs the original work.

I feel it must be mentioned how unpleasant Yang Yang's hairstyle he wears for most of the show is ("hair up" doesn't work with his face), and how poorly the matter of double identities is handled, especially with regards to revealing them.

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One Flaw in This Series

First of all, this is such a good drama. The visual effects and acting are superb. I waited for this because I'm a big fan of Yang Yang and the acting here did not disappoint.

THERE IS ONE FLAW.

After watching, I went and looked for the translated novel and the series pails in comparison. Don't get me wrong there weren't a lot of changes in the series that was in the novel, BUT the things that weren't incorporated could have made the series BETTER.

In the translated novel, the story of the Bai Feng Xi is more detailed and focused, unlike the series where we only get a glimpse of her life as a princess towards the end. It's not that I didn't enjoy Hei Feng Xi's life in the series, but it's usually the life of the guy as the warrior prince that we see. In the novel, Bai Feng Xi, as princess Feng Xi Yun, ACTUALLY created the army in Qingzhou before disappearing to travel the world of martial arts. She also has the full trust of 6 generals who are detailed and discussed in the book unlike in the series where it focus on Hei Feng Xi.

Maybe I'm biased because I am a girl and a warrior princess appeals more to me. BUT watching the series first actually helped me visualize everything in the book so that's one pro :))

I do like both versions, but if I were made to choose, the translated novel reigns SUPREME <3

Also, a caveat that I only found the translated version in wattpad so that is what I am basing it of off.

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half point taken off because of Yang Yang's stiff acting.

ML lead actor's attempts at regalness consists of lifting his shoulders and chin and sticking his chest out. YY is great when he's portraying the crushing heartbreak over his father's treatment of him and , he has enough chemistry with Zhou Lu Si (name any actor who's ever worked with her who doesn't -- maybe the side table lamp in that one scene...) to make us swoon for them both. (the scene where she rescues him from the water, case in point) . But once they get together, he really shows no emotion with the exception of him sometimes patronizingly putting his chin down to kiss her head to show deep caring. I know he's a good actor -- haven't seen a lot of his work where he really lets loose his emotions, but I know they're out there, so I believe it was the director's decision, but for me it keeps it from reaching epic love story level that it could otherwise be. Other than that, it's wonderful. Zhou Lu Si schools everyone, once again,

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Who rules the world is so lovable and entertaining that viewers become hooked to each character, forming strong bonds with each of the series' characters is very fun.  The director and creator did an outstanding job.While casting, direction, screenplay, cinematography, performances, music, and editing are all excellent 5/5. It's completely obvious by now that the writing, casting, acting, and execution of this drama are top notch and an example for others to follow. It's streamlined story telling but never feels rushed, with flawless threading of storylines and careful attention to their own laws of their universe. As with any notable piece in any creative medium, some of the directions they take will not be loved by everyone, but the majority of what I see is praise. Even those who are looking for flaws, are anti-popular, or have a very narrow, specific taste appear to be a tiny minority; there is no split audience here.Who rules the world is one of my favorite drama.The people included in that drama is beyond excellent actors/actress ,their acting is on point. The plot is very interesting and the way they dress is pleasing in the eyes.I hope I can see more of Zhao Lusi amazing acting performance in the future.

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Who Rules the World: A Journey of Love and Power"

Introduction:
"Who Rules the World" unfolds as a decent series, immersing viewers in a plot revolving around Bai Feng Xi and Hei Feng Xi, two formidable martial arts fighters concealing their true identities as royalty. Their journey from foes to lovers, characterized by mutual understanding and support, offers a refreshing take on relationships with equal strength and status for the main leads.

Plot and Pacing:
The plot delves into the complexities of Bai Feng Xi and Hei Feng Xi's identities, crafting a narrative that balances martial arts prowess with a romantic subplot. The pacing of the series is decent, maintaining engagement throughout.

Conclusion and Anticlimax:
However, the conclusion feels somewhat anticlimactic, particularly in how they defeat the main villain. Numerous unexplored aspects leave viewers wanting more, making it evident that some elements could have been further developed.

Gender Dynamics and Character Exploration:
The series leans towards a male-centric focus, predominantly unfolding in the male lead's kingdom. Unfortunately, the female lead's arc is relatively short, leaving her story insufficiently explored, a source of frustration for the audience. Bai Feng Xi emerges as a well-defined character with a cool temperament and exceptional skills, her other identity, Feng Xi Yun, revealing the poignant responsibility she must shoulder after her family's demise. Hei Feng Xi, a reserved man with a romantic side, brings depth to the narrative with his dual identity as the Prince of Yong Zhou.

Acting and Music:
Zhao Lu Si's remarkable performance, especially in emotional scenes, stands out, while Yang Yang's acting, though decent, may come across as slightly stiff. The series benefits from a well-curated music playlist, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

Conclusion:
"Who Rules the World" provides an intriguing blend of fantasy, romance, and martial arts. While it excels in character dynamics and offers a unique take on power and love, it leaves room for improvement in terms of conclusion and gender balance.

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"Who rules the world" is the drama which could have did much better than it is now if it was more concentrated on the later part of the script. I would say the first 30 episodes >> last 10 episodes. For me the highlight is episode 29, Yang Yang slayed with his acting there. I indeed feel the scriptwriter messed up too much & missed some points to add for Feng Lanxi.
I would like to add the people who read here if this was your yang yang's first drama, plz watch his 'glory of special forces'(100/10), the kings avatar and you are my glory. I would say yang yang, his acting and the script did justice to one another in glory of special forces. You would see a totally different Yang Yang there.

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politics and finance

2021 Chinese drama that explores the dynamics of power, politics, and family in modern-day China. The drama tells the story of a powerful family, the Gu family, who own a successful business and have immense influence in the world of politics and finance.
The drama explores the struggles and challenges that come with being part of a wealthy and powerful family, including the pressure to conform, the temptation of corruption, and the burden of responsibility. It also touches upon themes of betrayal, loyalty, and the importance of standing up for what is right.

The drama also features stunning cinematography, with beautiful shots of Shanghai's skyline and the opulent lifestyle of the Gu family.

Overall, "Who Rules the World" is a well-crafted drama that offers an intriguing look into the world of power, politics, and wealth in modern-day China. The strong performances, engaging storyline, and insightful commentary on Chinese society make it a must-watch

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Worlds Collide

"Who Rules the World" is a captivating Chinese drama that offers a perfect blend of romance, action, and political intrigue. Yang Yang and Zhao Lusi deliver standout performances as Hei Fengxi and Bai Fengxi, bringing depth and chemistry to their roles. The plot is engaging, intertwining political maneuverings with heartfelt romance, and the visuals are stunning, featuring elaborate costumes and well-choreographed action scenes.

However, the drama isn’t without its flaws. Some plot points can feel a bit predictable, and certain character arcs may seem underdeveloped or rushed. Additionally, the pacing occasionally slows down, which might test the patience of some viewers.

Despite these shortcomings, "Who Rules the World" remains a compelling watch for fans of epic tales with a romantic twist. Its strong performances and impressive production values make it worth checking out.

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Beautiful mature story, so much I had more hopes for the FL

Beautiful story! Wish there were more episodes…
I watched it initially because of the great and believable FL.
As the show progressed, I held that character among the top FL characters I’ve ever seen until her relationship with the ML evolved, where I felt she wasn’t given enough space even if their relationship feels mature !
The story is well paced in the beginning, and feels rushed in the end. I did love the story and the characters. Action, friendship, love, character development and elegance included.

One of my fav historical dramas so far!

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Great idea- disappointing execution

Who rules the world in my mind will always remain as a drama that failed to live up to expectations and the potential it had. the foundation of the story was solid: two famous martial artists in the jianghu world that are actually secretly royalty bond as they engage in a game of thrones in a bid to see who will rule the world
unfortunately the writers failed to match up and deliver a coherent script. i will discuss the cons first and then talk about what i liked about the show

cons:
1. false marketing. i doubt its just me but this show was very much promoted as a wuxia show and the initial eps had all the makings of one as it was featuring two wuxia heroes one from a cultivating sect. however it quickly abandoned its classic wuxia settings for a palace political storyline. it went against expectations and jarred a lot of people including me.

2. the writers are obv not familiar with writing intriguing political conflict coz literally all of the politics in this is incoherent. random alliances, random wars, random resolutions. ofc there were a few fun but not necessarily well written political games like when heifengbaixi went undercover or feng ju's coup but the moments were few and far between

3. the latter half was just a mess of weird pacing, editing, ooc behavior of supporting characters, plot holes after plot holes. just a whole mess. langhua almost killing bai fengxi for no reason, huang chao's unnecessary proposal to bfx, how the trio finally managed to break into imperial capital even tho huang chao failed coz yu wuyuan was using innocent people as buffer to hold him at bay. ywy randomly finding out bai fengxi is feng xiyun. they elevated the scenes that didnt require an elevation and suppressed the reveals that required an elevation. so many logical fails throughout this show that even a watcher like me that likes to switch off my brain for entertainment couldn't stop noticing the plot holes

pros:
1. heifengbaixi: this ties in to the cons. the writers were unable to recognize their strengths ie, romance. since they are incapable of producing a thrilling political drama they should have done what theyre best at and given more space to romantic relationship between the two leads. cdramas rarely have this kinda couple that have no stupid misunderstandings, no third act breakup. this is one of the best heterosexual cps ever coz they're twin flames, equal in every way with a relationship built on mutual respect, tacit understanding and deep friendship.

2. yang yang and zhao lusi have great chemistry and work well off each other. with the script being a snooze, the main attraction of the show remains these two people. they fit their roles and theyre engaging to watch. i doubt anyone would continue this show past ep 20 if these two werent the leads

3. the budget was proved via set design and cinematography. everything looked really royal and the shots were really pretty

4. since i have lambasted the writers this entire review, i want to end it on a positive note and give them kudos for the one thing they did right: foreshadowing. right from the chess game with old taiyin the script already insinuated that feng lanxi would never be the ruler of the world. in the chess game machination when faced with the question of what all he can sacrifice he cut all the strings surrounding his life except one: bai fengxi. once again in the chess game with huang chao, he lost to him on purpose coz his priority will always be bai fengxi. this is what makes the love story at the core of wrtw such an admirable one coz as ambitious as feng lanxi is, his greatest ambition will always be to be by his lady love's side. so even tho the ending is a bittersweet one as he hands over his whole life's work and dreams and ambitions to huang chao and retires to spend what little time he has left with his wife, it is an understandable choice as he has always been telling us in very unsubtle subtext that his greatest dream is not the world, it is bai fengxi.

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