DOWN TO EARTH CROWN PRINCE

I rewatch this drama that I have abandoned (on ep 6) for over a year and realize very late that I missed the good drama. The palace intrigues not just pulling our interest in the drama, seems like everyone wanted crown prince to die for their own benefits; crown princess (the wife), the step mother (the queen), and ministers. When crown prince was little he witnessed his first love's family being killed by his own father and his trustee/supporter...not to mention he also overheard his mother got kill for this bloody coup....since then he hated his father the King...he held the grudges and contempt. When he survived from the murder attempt, he saved by Hong Sim's adoptive dad Mr. Yeon but has amnesia. They married by crown prince's degree (himself), with amnesia he couldn't remember anything of his background - he became commoner Na Won Deuk who knew nothing and good for nothing husband until found out that he's literate and an expert of martial art.

I love the whole casts especially Kim Ki-Doo (Gu Do, husband of Keutt-nyeo) he has the cutest expression. The crown prince Lee Yul (Do Kyung-Soo) is a baby face handsome man, as crown prince he was a lonely sad arrogant harsh man but as Won-Deuk he learned common life in hard way who's also fallen in love with his (fake) wife. Won=Deuk has attitude problem and gentleman arrogant speech, bearing and demeanor that only suitable for high born rather common folks he's surrounded with. When Won-Deuk memory started to come back, he decided to live as a commoner instead of back to his royalty status and more interested to live with Hong-Sim and moved away hiding from everything.

The interaction between village people are really tight knitted big family - even supposedly mean shark money-lender was familiar with the whole family. Mr. Yeon was a very nice kind dad who loves his adopted daughter and son-in-law to no end...very proud to whatever Won-Deuk did or didn't do. The portion scenes of palace intrigue, relationship in ML, village people, local politicians were diversely balance tied to the story flawlessly. For the unborn royal baby all hell and deadly causes aiming the dead of crown prince. Great drama..overall score 10 is well earned and deserved, nothing that I don't like.

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UNEXPECTEDLY....GOOD.

Starting to like K-drama and this one is part of reason why. I love the acting, the best is the Court Lady Choi - with her 'exasperated' expression she's the most beloved. Its pretty funny, traditional ancient setting with modern slang in dialog. He's a famous chef from 21st century that transported to Joseon era in the future queen's body to King Cheoljong. A story about a man trap in a a girl's body that felt like she's misgendering herself still as a man - a man that's not interested with other man. As the wife of King Cheoljong - she's avoiding the King (husband) because she thinks herself as a man. On one drunken night, they sleep together, the husband is joyful finding his queen so willing while the wife sadden when she sober up.

This drama is about altercation power between dominant powerful families; Kim & Jo. These family wants the power to be on top of the game by manipulating people. While the King is an easy going and sweet person, he has secret ambition not to become a puppet king and want to do more good for his people. One thing about K-drama I like is they don't drag the episodes, the fight scenes more to real one than using fake visual effects, and nobody scratching-high-pinch little girl voice or men gazing mindlessly...the story line is pretty deep with modern touch in some of scenes.

The King and Queen has a relationship system 'no touch' which means (according to the King) live happily and peacefully (+ separately according to the queen), when the King is finally fallen hard in love with his queen but being trap in a woman's body - the man in her avoiding any kind of physical relationship and more dreaming about King's concubines. I like when one of the official said "the defeat is not a result but the cause." I don't really like ep 19 - she's been acting like a bravado man but when critical time demanded it - the man inside her acts more like a helpless spoiled girl. The end of drama ends pretty good, he came back to his old self again in the modern 21st century while the queen had his man back with baby on the way.

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My two favorite guys; Mark Chao and Wang Duo (not Deng Lun)

I was interested with this movie because of Mark Chao and Wang Duo..this is the two Chinese actor that surely bring out the best of characters, not that Deng Lun isn't good but he's more to romance gender kind of character. Mark has steady, quiet, sympathetic, strong personality that gives his character more weight while Wang Duo is best with his dramatic character, Deng Lun buffed up with his appearance. All actors did awesome, from the MLs to supporting actors, visual feast. Collaboration Visual/sound effect with acting skills from the actors made this movie over the top quality. The dragon thing wasn't my favorite though...but this one of two movies with the same titles and magic, action, flashy visual effect and weird creatures are part of this deal. Good and evil play the role of distinction in two character Qing Ming and Bo Ya, the two formed friendship from different side of opinions, with humor tricking/spying other opponents. Bo Ya was very fierce what he thought wrongdoings while Qing Ming was easy going on presumably black/white characters...while Wang Duo was Qing Ming's dead SiFu that loved and protected a woman to her evil doing no matter in what cost. ok I can't denied that I love Deng Lun here too...he wasn't Xu Feng anymore.

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3 Boys and 1 annoying girl at academy

I am not into school setting drama, modern or ancient one, it's over my time line. I watched this drama because of nothing else is better to do...between skipped...did chores...fast forward...I managed to finish this drama. What I like about this drama was Song Wei Long, he has depth and his melodramatic eyes that would tell how much he's been through in life. School setting for different age students in ancient times with boarding life....3 students in a room..one was an ass, a beautiful girl disguising as a boy, and a prime minister's son. The story line was all over the place, many holes on the plots, twists that fill in the gap...wth. Ju Jing Yi acting so boring...pretty annoying with so called 'cover up her disguised' behavior, as she has other dramas with Zhang Zhe Han, Ju JingYi's acting pretty juvenile good for teen girls. She has always that make-up 'pinkish or reddish' under the eye from too pale make up face that, to me, like she's sick or got bruise from a good slap. Nah....

This drama was adapted from Sungkyunkwan Scandal (Korean drama) the plot and characters about the same and don't like neither one. The story is kind of basic...both guys fight for girl's affection and competitive between students...girls from outside school likes these boys...alright we know all the drills...predictable.

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Business versus personal issues

I rated this drama 8 because overall the story was overboard, a beautiful independent amateur designer fallen in love with a high level e-commerce businessman that they met incidentally before they even got tangle with business dispute. I don't know why Chinese drama is so often portraying over the top personas with abundance wealth as the characteristic in so many dramas. The chemistry between Dilraba and Johnny Huang was so hot, they made out way better than other typical peck on the lips or cheeks. The struggle of being in the business was relatable, it isn't easy to own and manage business, I got it. Up and down in relationship happened in many ways, weather they're going to give time to the other party to reconcile true feeling and where they wanted to take the relationship further exploration. Although Johnny Huang character was pretty obvious, took him all effort to win her back. Struggling between business and personal issues, I can say Song Lin (Johnny Huang) was the real winner, because whatever hard reality hit him - he came out big and better. One thing I learn from this drama is their fashion statement, men wore something feminine/layers as so called fashion forward, I don't get it. Men being men..don't need to show off their manly beauty with something girls wear. Standard shoes/snicker, coat/suit, shirt/T-shirt, dress pant/jeans I think we girls dig in. That's probably I love Li YiFeng or Xiao Zhan so much...they don't over dress themselves. Johnny Huang is a handsome down-to-earth kind of guy...with that he won himself adoration from girls.

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The dullest of Zhao LuSi drama

I don't know about this drama. I think this was the most dullest drama Zhao LuSi ever been in, seriously though, she's not very herself like we knew her. Riley Wang was also...OMG...the dullest character ever. I mean if you're a quite reserve man, you don't have to extend it to become a painfully grumpy - like there wasn't any 'fire' in his eyes...couldn't see his passion to violin either. Even his parent (in the drama) stated to the same effect....for the money Bei Er Duo would do anything to fullfill her dreams to go to Japan for her further training for voice-over actress. Then, it became dismantling her character by rival Tang Li (whose in love with Ye ShuWei), very belittle Er'Duo personality because her side jobs. If they said about lively and funny cohabitant, well there's none funny or lively about it, it's all fallen flat! As we can see Riley Wang wasn't a violist for real because he didn't know how to hold it right even for an act. They both were looking good to each other...both cute...young...on the rise...perfect. Too bad they're both also making the most dullest drama...

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Love is so dang sweet..

Bai Lu and Leo Luo are two big names these days and proven in this drama; the chemistry were so on the spot, they're really kissing hugging and interaction as a couple genuinely authentic lovers. I watched Kido Gao from Legend of FuYao and he was great as he is in this drama, as well as Riley Wang. Ok the story was about a girl that has closest childhood friend that just gone for their remaining young life and came back as her boss (forget about allergy to tear - it's the rarest case), old debts and feeling came back as she tried to prove she's capable...the story developed and they lived together in the a few last episodes. Leo Luo, in my opinion (don't get mad) better in here than any of his costume dramas. He's more suitable in modern set up drama than ancient ones. Love is so dang sweet is a perfect title because it was just like cotton candy sweetest lovey love...

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My best gal Zhao LuSi

People said Lin YuShen is too old pairing him with Zhao LuSi but I think this is appropriately cast. As a businessman, been around the block for a while, YuShen age was great for the role. LuSi as a talented beginner chief was supposedly a younger girl. I like them both in this drama, they tried to develop their feeling to each other by conquering disapproval from domineering mother in law to be, differential financial/economy status, age difference (yes, it's addressed in the drama), as well friendship (LuSi was being loved by her peers while YuShen got no friends at all). I love it when he tried to do everything to win her over again and again...that's we call man with purpose. It made sense, man with his age (supposedly on his late 30th) that never been close to anyone, he won't let go the love that he just found. LuSi is always the cutest.

They took as a challenge when Mom who disapproved with their relationship, to prove they have genuine feeling for each other, that she loves him for himself not for the money or social standing, she's capable to earn Mother-in-law trust and approval, she has the strength against all odds. They have happy ending...

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BAD ASS WOMEN

The only word I'd said for this drama is love..love..love and eat. I love 2 fathers who love their children unconditionally regardless if they're biological children or not...their loves shone through times, reproach to all parties. Song Wei Long, Seven Tan, Steven Zhang dynamic brothers and little sister relationship with a lot of emotional struggles as family came from different abandonment, the best Dads Li Ba and Ling Ba, the sibling would dropped everything to help out the others trouble. Ling Xiao's mom was kind of crazy, chronic PTSD after the lost of her first daughter that traumatized Ling Xiao as he tried to deal with his Mom's possessiveness over his guilt. He ZiQui reconciled with his mom finally after so much heartaches. A lot of eating scenes as family and friendship, all looked so delicious foods that I would gladly sat with them eating Li HaiChao's cooking. I like the most was the way Ling Xiao declare his relationship with Li JianJian in front of their dad....and he hesitantly accepted the relationship - ZiQui was the one firstly asked for his permission. Anyway....He ZiQui gave Ling Xiao and Li JianJian an ultimatum in their boyfriend - girlfriend relationship not to mess up 'sibling relationship' if their love didn't work out. ZiQui's seeking for kinship to the family who raised him while Ling Xiao had loved JianJian since high school in desperation of a drowning boy/man from sinking psychological burdens.

All bad Ass women were all in this drama; the women who abandoned their young children, or women who're forcefully dictating their children to go to what their best vision to their kids. These women didn't allow their children to make mistakes and learn life lessons. Tolerate, love, understand, hopeful, forgiveness won over regret, disappointment, sadness, anger, bitterness of these women. They became one family....and that's the best ending ever.

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SLOW TURNOVER: EP23-ONWARD

Lu Si & Yu Ning by now knew each other pretty well so there's no hesitation and have strong familiarity in their acting. Their close friendship and the interaction is pretty comfortable so their chemistry is strong and abundance, their hugs are tighter and locking eyes without hesitant. Liu Yu Ning has gained experiences and involve in many great dramas recently, he is no longer a newbie because LuSi helped him to gain his notoriety in Long Ballad. Ep23-onwards, the big number of head-peace & trinkets start to overwhelm. What we can see are big hair and burst of colors bling ornaments/jewelries, LuSi natural beauty is replaced with cheesy show-girls beauty standard. Unfortunately, the story went down hill from there, no longer pulling interest and insignificant characters develop. Cui Shi Jui started with bravado, type A kind of girl, end up crazy. Her choice of life is apparently miscalculated and cost her unhappiness or unfulfilled. Not feeling sorry for her though...

This time around, we can enjoy maturity of YuNing's acting as Yan Zi Jing, his misty eyes are real, passionate glances and caresses on LuSi's shoulder shown affection. Nothing is fake - all sincere. Although he's over her head tall, he manage NOT to look giant over anybody. He can be cynical or sweet as well, his facial muscle seems to know how to work it, great expression. He smiles quite a lot in this drama (than Long Ballad). His life goal is to take revenge to those people who killed his family, a high-risk businessman on the side. After injury and live at 'Clear Mind' shop, he's like a domesticated house-husband.

Tang Xiao Tian (Zhang Jin Ran) came in joining 2nd ML whose in love with Duan Mu (LuSi) at the first sight although she's only a pearl diver aka a slave under duress. As a gentleman scholar who is Prince Ying's study buddy, he has job to go around the country to investigate crimes, bribery, thefts, all wrongs in the country so he can give recommendation and/or uphold justice for the Kingdom. He's a handsome guy & rightfully a scholar. While Yan ZiJing endeavor in revenge, Jin Ran works hard to find the bad guys, he's a bit partial to Su Mu Zhe so any 'justice' he does always benefit to duo Su Mu Zhe & Yan Zi Jing.

Zhao LuSi (Duan Mu/Su Mu Zhe) Her dance is seductively mesmerizing, her dive is what divers do, her terrified look on the abuse, tears that break heart. Her tiny figure seems the cutest besides tall LYN & TXT, she doesn't have muscle so when she did manual labor scenes she appears tiny fragile. I want details, if Duan Mu go through so much painful experience and ocean-diving - her appearance doesn't show that. She still has flawless skin, healthy hair, cherry smiles. Dry crack darker skin, dry rough shorter hair should be from frequent diving in to salty sea water. Because of the hardness of reality, she changed personality to pursue harsh business endeavor. One thing she needs to do better is she needs to take vocalization lesson, she's great when doing cutesy scenes otherwise she sound like misplaced. After ep 25 she's patronizing and becoming a 'mentor motherly-figure'.

I am pretty sure besides these 3 actors (& Kang Ju guy) the rest aren't worth mentioning. The story on the middle are pretty dragging, about business competition or jealousy (I want to slap Bai Niao, Zheng Si & Qin Mu guy the acting are so S***ty bad) This drama can actually shorten in to 28-30 episodes instead of 40.
What's wrong with this drama in the latest episodes:
1. Too much fillers, unnecessary scenes/plots
2. The Extras and supporting actors are terrible in acting, seems like they've recruited randomly without audition.
3. Main actors change characters/personality -change direction of mind-set.

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CHOOSE BETWEEN DRAMA OR NOVEL

I read the novel and watch the drama, they are two separate entities, same characters but totally different story line. Drama is more ambiguous than the book. Zhang Ping was a skinny 20 something scholar, dull personality and had little words to say whose involved with 2 murder cases, which he helped to solve them. To be survived in the capital, Zhang Ping's selling noodle where Lan Jue came for a bite and had little interaction. Chen Chao was Zhang Ping's roommate and a scholar from the same hometown, he's not selling noodle or help investigation and both failed in national examination. Lan Jue was a vice minister of Rites, a youthful look (matured) man with a son (single father) very smart and collected. He's there witnessing the proceeding and process of Zhang Ping involvement in every cases. Wang Yan was assistant Minister of Justice who helped Zhang Ping investigate cases, even the young Emperor gave him so much leeway and face.

Too bad the book was translated only up to chapter 27 (150 chapters more is delayed) while the drama went wild without any similarity (little to nothing) of story line. In my opinion, you either read the novel or watch the drama, because how different creativity on the plots not for the better though. Some hallucination, illusion of water work was uncalled for, some fantasy that didn't have any place on the book. Song WeiLong was acting 'bouncy', swinging when he walk- flap his hair, blah expression. While Jing BoRan wore generous lip gloss, sensitive, romantic and dreamy. If this is BL drama, for sure BoRan will be the feminine side of character, just the way he dressed up, hairdo, act flamboyantly. Wang Yan (Hong Yao) had better acting than these 2 ML, testosterone element than 2 ML. It's weird when this drama was about solving mystery while water illusion could make someone tell the truth, may as well use that ability than digging dirt and rumbles.

Ep 18 and haven't seen Wang Duo yet, his character as Gu QingZhang hasn't appeared (none mention on the book) I am more curious about Wang Duo's character and his part in the drama. Too many characters with mental disorders (don't like it), illusion (an instance of a wrong or misinterpreted perception of a sensory experience: Oxford dictionary). Story disconnected. Main actors miscast, mischaracterized of characters, full of fillers, editorial failed. It seem this drama was intended as BL but got butchered (censor) because of new rule that rendered as failure (big time) drama.

The book author Da Feng Gua Guo disassociated herself from the drama saying that the Show Team was only borrow the characters and title but the story lines was entirely the creation of drama screenwriter(s) which made sense with the impression I am getting. As the author blasted Song WeiLong, I can understand it the way I look into his poor performance. If the originality is the best, so novel is the choice, just be patient with the waiting for continuous chapters. I am down to it, Novel it is for me.

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NOT SO MUCH

Let me review things that aren't appeal to me:

Zhao Jin Mai (Li Rong/Rong Rong)
She's soft spoken, almost whisper, hard to hear what she said (I have to turn up the volume). She sighed a lot in every scenes regardless she's frustrated, sad, thinking, confuse, happy she'd take a deep breath and sighed. She can't dance unfortunately, She's beautiful, she shed tears few times but not feeling the sadness.....she smiled but didn't feel her happiness...she's just there recite her dialog without putting her heart out. I think Cheng Guo (Shangguan Ya) has better acting than Jin Mai.

Things I am not fond of
Too much taking about love & feeling on & on about it, about palace intrigues, little action, Harem women instigated for power struggles (like Empress, Consort Ning, Consort Rou). I think this plot is overly used by c-drama. How many times have we seen this kind of plot in previous dramas? Feel bad for the Emperor, the most powerful man but surrounded by manipulative people and the family who close to him wishes him dead.

What I like about this drama:

Good looking casts, gorgeous costumes, beautiful setting. The acting is good especially Zhang Ling He (Pei Wen Xuan), Chen He Yi (Su Rong Qing/Minister of Justice}, Wei Zi Xin (Tong Ye /Wen Xuan's attendant) I like him - his acting isn't forced.

The story is complicated, last 4 episodes started to reveal as to why how when who. I can't tell who's the heroes or perpetrators. They have sound reasoning, it's all started when Su RongHua fallen in love with Shangguan. Ya, three main characters reborn to their perspective life to young beginning of their life journey, avoiding last life miserable mistakes they vowed to change their 2nd life to support the good cause.

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2 PRINCES & 1 AVERAGE GIRL

An average looking sickly girl landed 2 handsome princes from Qian and Qi tribes, how could they be? By solving mystery of crimes, 1 Prince came to be her assistant and the other Prince interested in writing a scrip by learning her technique in solving mystery, and top of that the 2 Princes wanted to take her as partner for life. It's rather unusual story taking advantage of ridiculous fantasy world, the portrayal of her getting supply of energy was like 'orgasm'. The best character was her God Father; he's loving, accommodating, funny, loyal, protective, and cute. Their relation is best as father/daughter than God Father should be but too bad he's died - here it went the 'fun' character, the only character that worth watching.

Nothing really stood out on any episodes. Nothing memorable in acting (& all female were acting annoying). Lousy costumes. Colorful palace & houses interior/exterior which no particular dynasty representation. Cheap story. None literary mentioned. Seems like a contemporary ancient C-drama.

Liu YuNing sound tract song is always beautiful. I dropped this drama...I want something else better!!

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DRAMA FOR WOMEN

Perfect wife: Liu Ming Tang, couldn't be wrong! Besides she forgot about her past, she's the perfect dream wife for any men. Demure, smart, beautiful, docile, obedience, kind, loving, devoted, and all the wifey attributes. Wang Chu Ran as Liu Ming Tang is a beautiful woman but, man, she's boring!!! There's no passion in her eyes, no ingenuity! She would like "Husband, don't worry about anything, just go have fun, I'll take care the house the business the money and everything else." and then she'd say 'why don't you take concubine?" Wtf?? A bad example. All about love....sweet love...too much for me!!! While Zhang Wan Yi was good in his character, he's great in commanding personality as man in-charge (bits like his character in Lost You Forever), his posture and costume were perfect. He has better chemistry with his cousin physician Zhang Chi (Zhao Quan) than his wife. I would see them together more than any other scenes. Not to mention character Zi Yu / Lu Wen (Chang Hua Sen: this guy took in a similar character from Journey to Love) just too bad he picked same script as an obsessed man to a woman in his past.

What I like?
** Minimal hairdo or accessories which made them more beautiful/handsome
** Nice setting
There's nothing much I like so decided to drop it. I am not into BS love story...the story is numbing me. I don't know much after ep 18....if you're into love story this drama is for you.

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NOTHING WITHOUT GU QIAN FAN

This drama has nothing to offer without Chen Xiao (Gu Qian Fan), seriously what so good about 3 young women who's been abandoned by their respective spouses to opened a tea house? No matter how smart, beautiful or talented these 3 women they didn't offer the excitement and intrigue to what Gu QianFan has provided interesting story line by his jobs and involvements. Tea House wouldn't poke any interest, Liu YiFei was good as she was but without a good story she's nothing but a pretty face, by adding Gu QianFan things got better. Pan'Er a serious business woman who came from lower class got involve with Gu QianFan on his failed mission, they went through bad times together and got closer. As a commander in an elite Capital squadron nicknamed "Living Devil" he lived in dangerous nefarious scheme involving the imperial court.

By their association, Pan'Er involved in many of his troubles. He's fallen in love, they both had wide gap of status, but tried to work on their relationship in secrecy to avoid rumors and public judgement. Still ep 21, there are 29 more episodes, the story might get better, rather watching unworthy costumer's ruddiness, business competitors, brawl, doing accounting book, slow business scenes. Scenes with their exes were kind of boring...so would new men in their lives....3 single women were being wooed and all that sweet love declaration and adoration...it wasn't interesting to get me hook. Cookies, cooking, serving tea, playing instrument (although beautiful music), handling tea house business....really? Why would I watch this? Of course, It's beautiful a setting and directive...I think that's all making me stay this long. QianFeng is the sole interesting character on this drama but much less action since the director was focusing the fuzzy love affairs of 3 women. I finally decided to drop it...it's not for me. There are more interesting dramas coming up....yay!!

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