Word of Honor is one of the best dramas I've ever watched.

This isn't a coming-of-age story. The protagonists have already seen their share of the world and are journeying to leave their past lives behind. At an age where it's hard to open up to new people, they decide to give their all to this relationship and end up finding solace in each other. Throughout these 36 episodes, the characters grapple with their pasts, try to come to terms with their trauma, and make mistakes. Sometimes their moral compasses are questionable, but in the end, they're good people-- very human-- and find redemption in each other.

The strength of this story really lies in its characters. Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing are both incredibly complex and flawed characters, and really bring out the best in each other.

The leading actors, Zhang Zhehan and Gong Jun, really blew me away. I had reservations at first, but by the end they'd convinced me they were meant to play their respective roles-- I can't imagine having anyone else play these characters. I was especially impressed by Zhang Zhehan. Although Zhou Zishu is such a restrained, introverted, and complex character, Zhang Zhehan managed to bring so much life into him. Not to mention, he has the most gorgeous smile ever-- his eyes turn into little half moons, and his features soften-- it's like he's a completely different person! I wasn’t a fan of Gong Jun’s acting before, but it’s like he unlocked another dimension of his acting working with Zhang Zhehan. Together, their chemistry is incredible-- they make one of the best pairings I’ve ever seen on-screen. The support cast is wonderful as well, and I especially loved Zhou Ye's portrayal of Gu Xiang-- she's another young actress I'll have to watch out for!

The script shocked me at first, because it was so bold. I was surprised they managed to slip everything past censorship. Flirting, hand-holding, hugging-- it's all in there. Although not stated explicitly, I interpreted the relationship between the two leads as more than friends, more than lovers even-- they really bring a new definition to the word "soulmate".

The fighting scenes are well-choreographed and beautifully shot, and the cinematography is gorgeous throughout. There are many references to Chinese poetry in the script, which I feel was a nice touch. The costumes are amazing. Despite not having the highest budget, they really spent money on the right things.

The drama isn't perfect by any means. I found the pacing to be a little off in some later episodes (too slow around 21-27 and too fast around 31-32), and there are a few stray plot holes. In my opinion, too much screen time was given to Zhao Jing / the Scorpion King and scheming villains, when I would have preferred more WenZhou scenes. However, I think everything else about this production makes up for its few imperfections. I’ve already gone back and rewatched episodes, and it’s indeed the type of story that’s so detailed you take away something new each time.

Thank you to the cast and crew for giving us Word of Honor. This is the first piece of work in a while that has made me cry and laugh and feel so many emotions at the same time. This is a story that's going to stay with me for a long time.