What a thrilling and emotional journey, action-packed and so inspirational. Props to a stellar acting cast, our two main leads did so well, particularly Xu Kai. The story, the premise, the historical setting, the characters were so on-point, I fell in love the first few episodes and couldn’t stop. Literally binged the whole thing in less than a week - it was that good. I rarely touch dramas with more than 30 episodes, but I was hooked on this one. Xu Kai for eye candy haha. Be warned the last 10ish episodes goes to shits and falls apart - structurally - it gets so messy and so much unnecessary death. Let’s break it down:

Story
Commend, love the idea and concept. Gender bender’s usually are meh, the girl tries too hard and ends up coming across super phony. But this was good, I was convinced and she held her ground. I loved the premise of military school and going on trips and training exercises, bunking and what not. Liked the little missions, heists and just general school interactions. The good first half is stellar and I would rewatch over and over. Then... come 35 it starts to go shits up and I have no idea what’s happening. Suddenly these subplots come into play and I’m like what..? And then to top it off people start dying left right and centre, for no reason then just because oh yeah there should be a death about now. The whole ending story was super contrived, unbelievable and illogical, with no proper explanation and a lot of plot holes. So please be warned, as you enter the last episodes it gets a bit confusing and feels out of place. I feel like they could have ended it about 40 - just to the bit where they graduate. And then from beyond, it all turns to shit and becomes super unbelievable and muddled.

The romantic side of it is definitely more restrained than what you’d find. It’s more about friendship, commanderie and protecting/caring about others. The love triangles drove me crazy but it was a guilty pleasure watching them, loved all the interactions XLC had with GYZ and SJS. I personally would have liked more from XLC and GYZ, like many others if you didn’t know before, while watching the drama you’d think XLC and SJS are the mains.

Production
Just have to note what style and fashion! Loved the beautiful costume design and get ups, it fit the characters so well: Pinstripe suits with silver chains for SJS; Body length leather jackets and black boots for GYZ; Trench coats and neck ties for XLC.

Acting
Bai Lu held her ground and was amazing in her role. She totally immersed herself as a male and did it very well. Props to her. If I’m nitpicking, two things, her most common phrases are: I can’t be bothered to talk to you and what should we do now? Just came up repetitive and needed more script polishing. I thought her acting was rigid at times and I wanted more from her especially in her emotional scenes, and also because Xu Kai was doing an absolutely amazing job. I fell in love with Xu Kai slowly. He was your typical jokey, playboy, never taking anything serious. But boy did I fall. Seeing him grow, realise his feelings, fight for her, care for her and love her. His acting was superb. From his eyes, I felt what he felt and cried along with him.
Although I have to give SJS some props for his acting, what a tease he wast. He started off super cold and distant, but then started smiling and became so warm. Amazing support cast, they did a spectacular job and it all fell into place. Great characters, great team, lovable.

OST playing on repeat, fit in so well.

Rewatch Value, yes but I’d have to stop at around the 35 mark and end it there. Just felt like the ending few episodes were so messy it ruined a lot of things for me. And it would have just been better if we ended it sooner.

Overall, this drama had me laughing out loud, grinning like an idiot, sobbing like a baby and constantly on my toes with the tension. I commend everything about this drama and would 100% recommend just to watch our two main lead interactions. Keen to hear your thoughts! xx

*SPOILERS* Things to watch for I loved:
- Every time GYZ thinks he has lost her and then finds her again. That relief, care and love made me so emotional. Just from his eyes, I could feel everything he felt. He did it so well in being able to portray that emotion. He just had so much love, it was impossible to contain. And the thought of losing her was just too much, it would impossible to comprehend losing someone you love so much.
- Everytime GYZ protects her identity being blown e.g. shower scene, medical examination
- Everytime GYZ shoots on point
- SJS’s teasing moves to win her over and when he smiles at her
- Piano scene - that did it for me
- When he comes back and tells her it’s because of you I’m in love with you.
- When they’re holding hands at the dinner table
- Button scene