Surprisingly good
I was pleasantly surprised by this one. The dynamic between the leads was engaging, though i initially wasn’t a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, as I often find it overused and cliche. Despite that, i found myself enjoying it, even though there were moments when i wanted to skip scenes. It didn’t always feel like a true enemies-to-lovers story, as the fl often seemed disadvantaged in their interactions. Still, i couldn’t skip any episodes, which is impressive for me, especially in a political drama.I liked the fl’s character. she has this genuine desire to make people around her happy, and even though she helps others, she doesn’t come across as a pushover. She genuinely seems content with helping, which is heartwarming and made me connect with her on an emotional level.
That being said, some things bothered me. The ml’s initial treatment of the FL was frustrating. He acts like he’s going to kill her, using threats to keep himself safe and hidden, even though she’s a defenseless girl with no martial skills. His approach felt unnecessarily harsh. This is part of why i don’t typically enjoy the enemies-to-lovers trope—it often feels forced, with little thought given to why the characters are even at odds in the first place.
Also, the fl’s inconsistency with her principles was frustrating. She helps one person, then immediately goes back on her word just to reconcile with the ml. It made me wish she would stand up for herself more and follow through on her own path, rather than bending to fit his.
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Scheming, scheming and more scheming
I love watching scheming, political, fighting for the throne type of Chinese dramas so I had to give this one a shot.Where do I even begin with this. I mean, the storyline itself is mediocre at best. It's the typical political/framed hero type of storyline, so I am very used to this. However, what I like about it is that it has so many unlikable characters and people wanting the throne.
Of course, it has the two brothers fighting for the throne, but it also added the scorned ex lover who is crazy enough to believe that she deserves the throne after the emperor casted her aside. I mean, who even saw that coming.
Lets start with the main leads:
Wei Zhao/Xiao Wuxia: I like Allen Ren and I like how he plays this character. Don't get me wrong, he was not the nicest male lead. I mean, he tried to kill her every chance he got, so yeah, not the nicest man alive. Does he deserve her undying love? No, he does not. But I do understand where he is coming from. She was just at the wrong place at the wrong time and saw something she shouldn't have. And yes, he did also saved her a lot of times, but I don't think that makes up for the fact that he also tried killing her so many times either. I also like how him falling in love with Jiang Ci did not deter him from trying to reveal the truth behind his father's unjustified death. All he wanted to do was clear his father's name and restore Yueluo to its former glory while trying to serve the one person who is behind it all. One thing I would say about him is that for someone who is so smart and supposed to be one step ahead, he still fell into the emperor's trap. However, I really do like how they ended his arc. He died a hero to the Yueluo people. He was able to accomplish what he set up to do, even though the world may not know that the real truth, he was able to bring peace to Yueluo. And to me, that's the greatest thing he did by sacrificing himself, he protected the people he wanted to protect the most.
Pei Yan: Don't even get me started on him. Argh. He is my most hated second male lead. He's obsessive, controlling, and manipulative person ever. He used Jiang Ci for his own good and even tries to control her. He wants her to be trapped in a cage even though she only wanted to be free. AND he knew that, but yet, he wanted to control her. Every time he says that he's doing it to protect her, I just want to slap him because he's not doing anything for her. He is only pushing her further away from him. She respected him as her savior and he went and become someone she hated. I do feel pity for him because he grew up under his mother's reign. She used him and treated him like a puppet and her meal ticket to the throne. He deserved a better mother than that. However, that does not excuse him for trapping Jiang Ci because he was trapped by his mother. Even to the end, he foolishly protected her when she deserves death for staging a coup.
Jiang Ci/Princess Yong'an: I like her carefreeness, but boy, she got herself in a lot of trouble. She's always at the wrong place at the wrong time. Honestly, out of the three main leads, I wished they explored her childhood more. They barely touched based on her father and mother and her master/aunt. I mean, we met the master/aunt and then she disappears for more than half the drama and shows up towards the end and then she's dead. I wanted to get more of her background and stuff. As for her secret birth, I haven't read the novel, so I don't know if this was part of the original story, but I can go without it. I don't really think we needed her to be a princess but I guess it's just way to trap her even more. Who knows. I just wished they would have showed her being a doctor or something. Throughout the show, they showed her as someone who likes medicine and is knowledgable in it, but yet, they just ended it like that. I mean, don't get me wrong, I like that they gave her a child and she returned to her home with Wei Zhao/Xiao Wuxia, but at least make her a doctor or something. You know? Like give her something more than just being a mother.
Cui Zhiming: I don't have much to say about him, but I do feel like they kind of messed up his relationship. He was so cute with Miss Dong and they just ended like that. He deserves someone to be his side. He was the only one who treated Jiang Ci like a real person and not just someone they can used. He was nice to her and cared for her -- genuinely. I am glad that he is finally free from Pei Yan. So, I am happy with that. I really do like Gao Han since Falling Into Your Smile, I especially enjoyed him in Love Like the Galaxy, but I do wish that they gave him someone.
I'm not even going to talk about the emperor and Madam Rongguo, because they're just so unlikable. They make my blood boiled and at the end of it all, I was wishing for their deaths. So let's just leave it at that. Two of the most detestable persons in drama land.
Overall, I gave this an 8 out of 10. I feel that it could have been shorter and I wished they took some plot lines away that were not necessary at all to the main plot. I also wished that Wei Zhao/Xiao Wuxia or at least Pei Yan have evidence of what happened 20 years ago so the world can truly know that their "beloved" emperor was the cause of Prince Qi's death and the fall of Yueluo. Don't get me wrong, I am satisfied with how they wrapped that up, but I wished there was evidence to really let the world know what happened. Other than that, I am happy with how they wrap up the story.
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Good production and storyline, but leads lack chemistry making it a waste
The production of this drama is of high quality with right pacing. There isn’t any boring episodes although the last few episodes did drag out the fighting a little.For a fan of all 3 leads I was looking forward to this drama. But strangely when you put them together it falls so flat. Let me explain my thoughts
1) Ren Jialun was my first C drama super crush. I was so obsessed and charmed by him in The Glory of Tang Dynasty. But since then the only good acting and drama that came from him is Under The Power. I can’t finish anything else with him to the extent that I stopped liking him. The issue is, I think he has stagnated in his acting or has become too self-conscious. He constantly frowns and have this pout or stone face trying to act cool. Dude. Relax. You were so relax and good in GOTD. It has become so boring when he is on screen these days. Just same old single expression. And his chemistry with FL is hardly there. Like there is a barrier. Again in GOTD he was so natural and convincing that I thought he was really in love with Jing Tian. C
Jeremy Tsui is super charming in most dramas. I like him here too. Always deliver. Very expressive. But this script here is illogically making him obsessed over the FL at one stage. Perhaps it’s due to the lack of on screen chemistry and compatibility. He was so good with Andy An in Legend of Dugu and in Autumn Ballad. That’s how it should be. Something just lacks here. B+
Li Landi is very pretty. But she has lost her innocent or cute look. Maybe she has lost weight. Go watch her in Dreaming Back to Qing Dynasty with Wang Anyu. They were so young but so good. Even in the Starry Love, she was so convincing. I think she is miscast here and just not able to generate any spark with either men. This FL role needs someone with really strong character who can handle hurt and deception at a young age. She just cannot. B-
With the 3 leads together, the older casts like Lord Pei Yan’s mum and the Emperor became the real acting powerhouse, even convincingly conveyed the emotions of their young spurned love and sacrifice. Worth mentioning that minor actors that played Mr. Cui and Ms Dong had more sparks than the leads.
Overall the drama has a good story but falls very flat with the acting or lack of chemistry amongst the leads. I think RJL has run out of ideas on how to act and think too much. Maybe he needs to get some acting classes to learn more expressions. Even with a sad background surely the character can afford a smile and don’t need to knit his brows all the time.
Watch if you still like them. Otherwise it’s a torture watching your favourite actors ‘reading scripts’.
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Real enemies to lovers
Highly recommend 💓 they take enemies to lovers on a different level 😅❤️ and I love that ❤️ he's the person who have no one in his life he's living for his revenge for his people, family but later when he meet Jiang ci his life change like there is someone he wanting to protect and started caring about her like there is something special about them and there relationship 💓 sooo beautiful it's all a roller coaster ride .Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Brilliant drama script...
Can't believe I was crying when wei show died, this series is about politics, obsession and I would say romance...hmmm... starting from when wei Zhao and Jiang Ci met on the tree and let's consider what he went through in the past...the humiliation he and his sister went through...how his parents was killed....how is sister was killed by the emperor... The emperor is RUTHLESS....I dislike him... The chemistry between Jiang Ci and Wei Zhao was 🥰🥰. I love them both.. I recommend this series to everyone who hasn't watched it...Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Political intrigue
The plot centres around xiao wuxia who is eagerly seeking for justice for the people of yuelou,his father inclusiveI greatly enjoyed the first episode .the ml was focused on accomplishing his task of capturing teng rui which was ruined by the fl .
Pei Yans character initially was manipulative but later ,I was happy wen he decided to join hands with wei zhao .
All in all, the story was intriguing and I loved all the actors for the great work done .I liked the marital arts scene very clear and on point.
I too also liked Dr.cui character .for the first time , HE DESERVED THE BETTER
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Love of Nirvana
Okay this is the drama that made me fall in love, I don't know why but Chinese colossal dramas are really good they never fail. I highly recommend it, yes the characters and the storyline are really It's incredibly interesting. Not too contrived or overly dramatic, just right and enough. The song really supports all the moments, even the meaning of the song already explains the story From them.Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
From hate, to understanding, to mutual respect and love
Picture this: you've just selected the perfect perch to admire beautiful people and drink expensive wine. Little do you know, you've now infiltrated a carefully laid-out assassination plan, one which the lives of an entire city hinge on.A simple case of wrong place, wrong time pushes our happy-go-lucky heroine into dangerous waters, caught up in a high-stakes political chess game. This drama is dark, and unafraid of going to extremes!
For a country bumpkin, Jiang Ci really surprised me: she is innocent, but she is not naive. It takes a certain kind of mettle to hold your own (life—ahem, thanks to a certain masked man) between two powerful schemers. On one hand, she is kept in the mansion of Marquis Pei Yan as bait to lure out the culprit, while on the other, she is hurt and poisoned within an inch of her life by the assailant himself. Jiang Ci has no power, no connections and no martial arts, nor does she have anyone to rely on. Yet, she possesses a formidable inner strength and bravery. She is aware of her restricted agency, yet she persists in finding a way to escape, making her own moves without regret.
As you root for her, you cannot imagine ever understanding, let alone forgiving, Wei Zhao's cruelty towards her. This is when a second perspective emerges, and we learn not everything is so black-and-white as a chessboard— the reality is chillingly bloodstained, involving decades-long genocide and enslavement. It is Wei Zhao alone who carries this burden, dedicating his entire life solely to freeing his people from subjugation,
For viewers, this is a turning point in the story that seems to be polarising: the drama, true to its name, explores the fluidity of empathy and human nature. In truth, Jiang Ci is just sticking to the principles that have guided her since the beginning of the story: her concern and compassion for the people. When she realises it is not just a matter of her own life, she promises to protect the secret of his mission. At this point, our leads shift from "enemies" to "acquaintances no longer in each other's way".
The romance is subtle and slow-burn, progressing from mutual respect and helping each other in Nanling, to admiring and falling in love with each other in Yueluo. Li Landi and Ren Jialun's chemistry is so heart-fluttering that I didn't even care about the lack of skinship. Where Jiang Ci was flirtatious and forward, Wei Zhao is shy—but he is equally deep in yearning. He expresses his feelings in his own hidden ways: the way his eyes track her, smiling when she is happy and noticing when she isn't; when he returns her promises about their future; when he takes care of her while she's sick; and when he gives her his only family keepsake, again symbolic of his own secret promise to her.
There are a few annoying characters in the story: Pei Yan, who for the majority of the drama, is obsessed with keeping Jiang Ci trapped with him. He does get redeemed in the end though. The other is Jiang Ci's master, who mainly served to create more conflict and angst, but this is luckily wrapped up quite quickly.
The final arc in Qingkang is fast-paced, angsty and politics-heavy.
OVERALL: The drama is one of a kind, and the romance was a beautiful and rare, authentic portrayal of enemies to lovers. Wei Zhao is a complex, cunning and selfless character who I fear I will often be comparing to future male leads. He's just THAT guy! The same goes for Jiang Ci: her being a physician and playing an active role in the battles makes SO much sense for her character, because she is not the type to sit still in the face of others' suffering. In that sense, she is as much a protector of the weak as Wei Zhao, which is what incites their mutual attraction.
ENDING SPOILER:
I felt the ending was so unnecessary, and seemed to be directly contradicting all the buildup, foreshadowing and symbolism of the earlier episodes. But, I love this drama too much to give it a lower rating. With that being said: for those considering watching, don't let the ending scare you out of missing on this beautiful story. I don't regret watching it at all!
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عالی بود
به نظر من بین سریالای رن جیالون دتبه ی دوم و داره الان توی قلبم ( بعد از یکه و تنها ) نقش اصلی دختر کاراکترش رو مخم بود ولی نقش اصلی پسر رو خیلی دوست داشتم و تمام قسمت هایی که توی یوئه لو بودن با تک تک اشکاش و ناراحتی هاش منم گریه کردم و واقعا درد و ناراحتی شو با تمام وجودم حس کردم ، اهنگای سریالم خیلی قشنگ بودن و تا پخش میشدن اشک منو درمیوردنVond je deze recentie nuttig?
JUST WATCH IT.
I am so beyond picky with historical cdramas, and I don't know how to express in words just how much it takes for me to actually get through one. Even with ones I like, I can't help but skip through and watch the parts that only stick out to me more. With Love of Nirvana, this was not the case.I have some criteria that really determines whether I watch or not. The most important, is the characters. I am impressed with all three of our main leads in this drama. Truly, the actors did a phenomenal job as each was complex, flushed out, and most importantly, real. They aren't "perfect" people, which I tend to see in a lot of dramas. That makes it hard to connect with the characters but in this case, its clear that they are driven by their own motivations, conflicted, and so human I can actually sympathize with them all. Their intentions are not always clear, sometimes are questionable, but it makes it all the more intriguing to watch and remain captivated.
The FL is such a breath of fresh air. I really can't stand spineless characters as it just makes the show too draggy and I get impatient. While I do love a really badass FL too, sometimes cdramas fixate too much on that element which really washes out the character. Our FL has her strengths and weaknesses, but is overall quite clever and cheeky. I really love her character, and how she develops through the story.
Even our ML. Initially, I found him questionable but as the story unravels its interesting to learn more about him. Additionally, the progression of the relationships with this drama are more realistic and natural which makes them more believable. The side characters too are enjoyable. Sometimes cdramas focus only on the main cast, making the rest of the world more 2D but all the characters in this show played a role making the world feel more real.
Now the plot. Generally, I find it hard to really care and engage with the world in historical cdramas. Usually whatever is happening only processes on a very superficial level for me as I am more interested in the character dynamics and chemistry (which this drama definitely has). This drama keeps you on your toes. Along with the characters, things are unclear and only later revealed it just makes you want to keep watching. Scheming, plotting, unclear motivations, puzzles and mind games executed with characters who play the role just right. Some themes are heavier which I prefer especially when they are executed so brilliantly as in the case of this drama.
Even the music. Usually, I don't notice it but this drama did well in coupling the right music with certain scenes (seriously, I never really give this attention but this drama managed to make me notice).
Anyway, just watch it. I'm impressed with how sucked into the world I got with this drama. My watch style really doesn't mesh well with historical dramas as I find their plots to be too much effort and too lengthy to involve myself in. This drama really just hooked me though.
The only complaint I have is that it does start out stronger than it ends (I enjoyed the first half more than the second half).
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Crazy about Asian dramas
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Drama focused more on theme
I liked the beginning of the story where the male protagonist, with his face covered by a mask, infiltrates a place to carry out an attack. The female protagonist unknowingly intervenes in his mission, putting him in a tough spot. He even considers killing her because he doesn't want any obstacles, even innocent ones, in his path.This plot twist gave me goosebumps. Why? Because moments like this add spice and elevate the story.
As the story progresses, we see that the three main characters are all battling their personal struggles, each with a painful past. Their conflicts stem from these heart-wrenching histories. Initially, all three are suspicious of one another, dealing with each other cautiously. But later, we learn that two of their pasts are connected, and they then face emotions like revenge, hatred, jealousy, and love.
The drama doesn't have many romantic scenes, as it focuses more on the main theme. Except for two characters, the rest have happy endings.
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An awesome epic weeper
A really awesome watch. An epic 2-tissue-box weeper. A love triangle which will make you feel that all other love triangles are but shadowy caricatures of the real thing. The script overall is truly powerful, but this is a 10star watch because the plot, character arcs/characterization and the acting power of the leads are so magnificent that an 11stars would have been a nice option for them alone. Pay careful attention to the prophecies of the blind face-reader and the three cat metaphors (kitten, shameless and genuine/false clay). The lyrics of songs in a chinese soundtrack always carry extra clues to the plot -- I loved the opening credits particularly.The magnetic and charismatic Ren Jia Lun (as Wei Zhao/Wu Xia) can really act, even with his face in a half-mask for 1/4 of the movie -- watch him fall in love with his eyes. Landy Li (as Xie Jiang Ci) is the best actress I have seen in a long time -- across her face roll waves of love, fear, happiness, sorrow and the best glare ever. Jeremy Tsui (as Pei Yan) with the mellifluous voice (a separate v-actor?) has amazing stature and dignity; he also carries off beautifully a fine transition between obsessive love to facing reality; I also have never seen an actor do this so well.
The actors playing the most important 'supporting' roles, Zhang Feng Yi as the Emperor (Xie Che) and Wen Zhang Rong as the mother of Pei Yan (Rong Yu Die) give powerful, finely understated and magnificently ambiguous performances as the two poles of the "interesting times" in which our 3 true lovers are caught. Here is a question for you: how would the lives of Pei Yan and Wu Xia been different had Jiang Ci not left her master and mountain village behind to go see the world of 'rivers and lakes'?
I enjoyed the finely detailed and solid structure of the provincial corruption. I dont like battle scenes or overly confusing palace intrigue generally; less melodramatic and stereotypical than usual, these here held my attention. There were some very fine moments visually, but overall I think the battle scenes do not match the expertise of the rest of the series. The imperial intrigue, less claustrophobic than usual, was run from the outside of the palace. Wait for the most nerve-wracking 24 hour build-up to a wedding ever seen!
There are moments where the soundtrack, cinematography and script do not mesh well, marring an otherwise masterfully written and structured show. A few cheesy or schmaltzy moments during the two wars, mainly due to an out of control soundtrack which did not match the action. The impressionistic storyline of the wars was closer to a realistic experience than the usual easy-to-follow narrative. Many other minor sequences also had interesting, more modern storytelling structures. I think this might make the show a rewatch possibility.
The costuming was really intensely beautiful, very little of the standard pink and blue filmy drapery. The cinematography was overall excellent and professional with many really great shots. The director is only eight years into the business and was able to pull off this cast-of-thousands epic, so I look forward to his next shows.
simultaneously posted on viki
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