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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A heartwarming drama to de-stress with.

I really enjoyed watching this drama. This is a nice drama to watch if you're looking for something that is relaxing and cute to pass time. This is a drama where you don't have to be frustrated by huge misunderstandings and toxic characters because the leads deal with their problems maturely.

The transition from friendship to relationship felt natural and the drama does a good job showcasing the lead's moments through a substantial length of time, allowing the leads to develop a believable, unbreakable love for each other. I also liked how the leads learned each other's love languages. It wasn't about how much you can sacrifice for your significant other but about how you both should listen to each other's needs, rely on each other, and grow together. Seeing both characters chasing their dreams successfully was encouraging to me and probably to many other viewers.

Although I really didn't want the drama to end, the ending left me satisfied. It didn't feel rushed or feel like there were still loose ends to tie up. When they went back to their high school and showed flashbacks of their youth, it really brought everything full circle.

I think the actors did an excellent job portraying their characters. Let me just say that Ding Xian has the most beautiful smile, it's like sunshine. Who would not fall for her irresistible smile? Further, the lead couple's chemistry felt real. It's as if I could feel their love for each other through the screen, their acting was well executed. I only met the actors through this drama and am so glad to have found them. Looking forward to other great projects with them!

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Highly recommend, like please watch.

This is a really great drama. I loved how realistic the storyline and love story was. I liked how the whole drama didn't solely focus on the lead couple where every scenario revolved around them. It reserved a fair amount of screen time to show the responsibilities of each of their professions. I thought this made the plot and characters more realistic and relatable to the average viewer. It's not some fairytale story where some girl gets swept off her feet by a CEO or smart guy. Both leads are heroes in this drama. The pace was good and the leads have great chemistry. There is also much to learn about life and how to love someone. You can see genuine growth and understanding between the leads with every obstacle they face. The supporting characters were also enjoyable to watch. I've watched all 40 episodes and never got bored along the way. There is a good balance between serious and funny scenes. I can't recommend this drama enough! My favorite drama of 2021 so far and it has become my favorite Chinese drama too. A huge thank you to the writers, actors, and production staff for creating a masterpiece that felt like a warm embrace throughout.

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