One of the Best!

This is my first ever review because I feel so compelled to do justice to this drama.

If you are a historical drama fan, you must watch this. Although the events and characters sometimes have some fictional elements (which I think they did on purpose to avoid censorship problems) the main plot and most of the events were played out nicely, down the the smallest details. As I watched this and read Wikipedia about each of these characters it really brought me joy in learning about Song Dynasty.

Some people don’t want to watch this due to bias against older actors/ actress (me included). But in the end I found them to be skillful and refreshing in telling this story. For those of us who knows the legend of Civet Cat replacing Crown Prince, this is the story itself but less vicious; more logical.

Wonderful to watch this without too much harem in-fighting and seeing a realistic portrayal of an Emperor, whom in spite of his status has a very hard life. He loves only one person and remains faithful through his embrace, gaze and need of spending time with her; yet he had to seduce other women in order to produce an heir (tastefully and sexily done …). He is also a fair person who doesn’t discard the women once he got his heir but to honor them best he could.

The main couple though in love evolved their love into a very mature relationship where they go through heart breaking decisions together. I sometimes feel so bad for them and wish they’re able to love like a normal couple.

Politically this drama also plays out the stress that the Emperor goes through and no wonder they die young whilst some ministers lived through 3 generations of Emperors. This is truly a bad for health job.

Everyone acts so well in their roles. Vic Zhou tends to have this pained , eye-squinting expression when he portrays the older weaker emperor. But he is very charming nonetheless. Even his consorts talk about his piercing eyes and good looks and how they all really love him. This includes the empress (Liu Tao) whom he loves so much.

This drama is a gem for people who likes to see a good quality set, high standards in acting, costumes, attention to every detail including etiquette and ceremonies. Amazing! Go watch it and you will be surprised how good it is. Some says initial editing was bad. I don’t think so. You just need to pay attention to the story. They make every episode counts and it’s paced so well that 61 episodes is not too long. I finally found something that is equal to Glory of Tang Dynasty which ‘wow’ me 3 years ago in a similar way.

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Realistic portrayal of love and regrets against modern China’s progress in last 5 decades

I came here to watch Zhou YiWei after discovering this charismatic actor in The Rebel Princess. Once again he has proven how great an actor he is. His realistic portrayal of the main lead made me wanna pick up the phone and call him to tell him to be nicer to the female lead! If only I could do that.

Storywise
This is an epic of love and regrets, amongst two best friends who fell for the same guy during their teenage years. Many of us have experienced this. Of course this is dramatised but the realism comes from the fact that at that age there is always an ultra popular guy whom everyone loves and he being immature, flirts back although he actually likes this very goody girl who ended up falling in love for the first and last time. The greatness of this simple story lies in the backdrop of how China progresses in past 40 years from Maoism to Socialism to now almost Capitalism in terms of wealth and power. Nice history class as a bonus here.
*Spoiler* ZYW portrayed this handsome attractive young man QiWei who messed up his relationship but got a second chance with the good woman ShuRong. Then he blew it again by rekindling his vulnerability for the other girl Xin Mei who is so selfish that we want her dead. Many people, hate QiWei for being heartless whilst watching this but I can see that QiWei instantly regretted what happened. The issue was he didn’t have the mental strength to deal with it . Instead, he succumbed to pressure and lost all his personality and became this guy who just wants to have some peace at home. He quietly blamed himself for breaking up his own little family and never dared to face ShuRong . So I don’t think he was heartless or didn’t love her anymore. He thought that Xinmei needed him more since she fights for his love openly. He didn’t realise ShuRong , not fighting for her man does not mean she was ok. Instead her heart breaks in silence everyday ever since. She is the typical good girl who is also very brave to walk away. Xinmei took advantage of both of their weaknesses and got what she wants. She even proposes to him and force it on him. He proposed to ShuRong and they looked genuinely happy. Even QiWei thought he had fallen in love totally with Xinmei but if you watch the last scene and think carefully he remembered his first date with ShuRong and he said ‘if he could start over….’ before stopping himself. Also I never figured out when he fell so hard for. Xinmei. He was more impressed by her pursuit of him and too proud to let it go when he was dumped by her after falling out of grace. He wanted the apology as his ego was hurt. This weakness caused him his entire life happiness. He is a pitiful character. Xinmei is plain selfish . She gets whatever she wants in whatever way she could. Lies, backstab and even sleep around to get her way. She had a crush on QiWei but I don’t think she loved him until maybe after many years together. He was more of a prize to show off and to spoil ShuRong’s life for she is so jealous of her friend who is happy and loved. She must see ShuRong suffer the loss of her one true love. She said it so many times as though QiWei is a prize.

Acting wise
Too good.. Zhou YiWei could make us remember our first loves and also make us wanna beat him up for giving up such a good woman and family for a selfish woman. Maybe it’s sex? Xinmei was always wearing more attractive clothing in her voluptuous body compared to ShuRong who dressed prettily but not sexy. Later he also slips into this old man look and personality who wants peace by being a ‘yes’ man at home. He and his reading glasses and slow gestures shows he was a trapped man who lost his fire. Great acting. I almost forgot this is the great general Xiao Qi in the Rebel Princess. A+

Mao Linlin was perfect as ShuRong. She is so pretty even as a grandmother. Omg. How did they think of her hairstyles and dresses .. so perfect. So sweet. And yet so strong to deal with the abuse and betrayal. Her hurt face and silent tears were on cue and last scene with QiWei was a perfect acting scene by two good actors. Why is this actress not more famous I am not sure. Maybe she married a real life Prince Charming after this drama. A

Ada Liu as Xinmei. Voluptous enough to show that she does use her looks to attract males and uses her tears to get her way. So many times! If it doesn’t work she lied and even used her own body to do it. Acting wise not bad but overact at times . Too evil. Not so realistic to always pick a fight and raise her voice. It could be more controlled. B

The rests. Average to good but the young actors portraying their grown up kids were not good. Need more acting school. C

Music is beautiful if you understand the lyrics. It actually questions when did QiWei even stopped loving ShuRong. I think the song is sang from ShuRong’s view point. She wonders…. That’s why she never stopped and could not stop loving the man. Too tired and good to fight and prefer to love from a distance.

Overall I think is a good drama if you can accept a realistic ending. In real life it is like this. Many people have to love from a distance. If you want a boy meet girl then breakup then marry other people then come back together drama then this is not for you. Anyway….how many people do that in real life? None I can think of.

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Like a Practice Drama for new comers

I watched this after all the hype. Some people may like it but I fail to see anything of value in this drama. All the actors apart from the FL is amateurish and look like they’re yet to graduate from acting school. ML
Is ok but still far from the normal actors we see on screen in terms of acting naturally.

Story wise there is not much to figure out. It’s like a story where you know exactly what happens because it has been used many times except that this is in fast forward mode.

Don’t waste your time even if you don’t know what to watch after a great drama. Be patient rather than wasting your 30 ep x 10 mins on this.

And I have heard comments that FL is voluptuous. I totally agree. Her body shape is non typical of any C drama actress … this is a plus for diversity. The only plus of this drama.

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Most beautiful OST

When I first watched this I only knew Vic Chou as someone from F4 fame. His initial appearance didn’t impress me; as he seemed a bit round in the face and his character Yin Xue is a bit strange and Yin Xue’s story didn’t seem to join properly with the plot’s timeline.

But wait… be patient and by the end of the drama I cried for Yin Xue (not because he died, don’t worry this is a happy ending drama) I kept rewatching the last episode to see his expression. This guy either knows he is very charming or he is quite playful by nature. So cute!

Story-wise at first it seemed like a typical jianghu drama with endless fighting to be the leader but the real story is a multi-layered story across lifetimes. Brotherhood, Insecurities. Ignorance, Selflessness, Obsession…all played out beautifully in the name of love.

Lastly the OST is so beautiful that I am so glad I know enough Chinese to read the lyrics and sing them everyday whilst driving my car ?

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