Who rules the world (Wrtw) is a diverse narrative based on the novel "Qie Shi Tian Xia" (且试天下) written by Qing Ling Yue that stays true to it's title. A full politics driven drama that revolves around the power struggle between 6 States and the main Imperial State of Dadong. And I have so much to talk about so forgive me, this is gonna be long…

I was super excited for this drama for many reasons… I had high expectations also considering the star studded cast, this plot, the posters and the trailer that was definitely so promising… so that was the only reason why I started watching this right from the first day it aired it's Episode 1.


The strengths/what I liked —

✧ The leads compliment each other so well. (Bai Fengxi and Hei Fengxi)

Bai Fengxi is a strong righteous woman who is hard not to be liked. she is a total foodie so I know where her energy comes from lol. As cute and cheerful she looks while talking, the more clever she is while fighting her enemies with her white cloth or her sword… she loves to live a carefree life, traveling… with Zhao Lusi acting in this role, this turned out to be my favorite character of Wrtw.

Hei Fengxi is a smart elegant man who has got both brains and beauty. He never gives a chance to others to outsmart him… he is kind at heart with an ambition of world peace… what I love about him ~ He trusts Bai Fengxi as wise and capable and as his equal. He helps her often but you will also hear him say "it feels nice to be protected."

✧ the chemistry between the leads. Beyond romance, they have a level of friendship, trust and respect for each other. You can observe that they spend 10 years with each other in the martial arts world because this is the kind of understanding that only comes with time… because their minds are so much in sync and they can read each other through… yet they become childishly jealous and bicker which gets you all smiling and blushing…

✧ Of course, the good looks/visuals of Yang Yang, Zhao lusi and cast helps a lot. I have to admit I was fascinated by how gorgeous Lusi looked in those simple robes and damn! that hairstyle of Yang Yang. Just who came up with his whole Hei Fengxi look. Oh! He looks so good. And I officially declare, I want Yang Yang in more historical dramas.

✧ martial arts. Bai Fengxi does it in quick-witted way while Hei Fengxi prefers looking graceful even at that. I liked how those enemies got kicked down here and there just by blow of air or a slight push.

✧ it's fun to watch opponents respecting each other for being smart and accepting their mistakes with honour.

✧ one of the best supporting female leads till now — Feng Qiwu (acted by Xuan Lu). Two beautiful strong women (Bai Fengxi & Feng Qiwu) appreciating each other and it was one of my favorite scenes when even Hei Fengxi felt like a "third wheel" between them. I just love strong women forming a good bonding.

✧ Acting couldn't have been any better. From fighting, body postures to expressions everything was top-notch. Yang Yang, Zhao lusi, Xuan Lu, Leon Lai, Leo Rui Lin, Zhang Hao Wei, Carman Lee, Zhang Tian Yang and others all did a great job.

✧ Powerful and soulful OSTs. My favorite was the opening theme song ♪Unparalleled♪ (无双) by Liu Yuning and ♪A Dream Come True♪ (梦浮生) by Silence Wang was also great. These two are the kind of songs I will like listening to even after the drama ends.


The weaknesses/what I didn't like —

⚘ The main theme is family + palace politics with some super annoying characters. The plot holes lies somewhere in the politics part only like how everyone is so intelligent yet not even doubting the villain for once… and I like villains with reasons and well built-up around his actions… but they rushed over that… I wish it was explained in a better way.

⚘ the names - Even the two main leads have similar name and looking at the complex court/palace characters, new people keep entering with a new name and even different identities. Even the city names made me go off…
( but I appreciate all those MDL'ers who cleared other's doubts in comments section and even that one discussion page with whole family/relation details )

Nevertheless Wrtw was a great drama, worth my wait for so long as I got to be so excited after a long time, the leads kept me hooked up. No matter how some plot holes affected me, at the end of the day, I still love the leads and will come back to watch Bai-Hei Fengxi and some other characters I loved. I will skip all the palace scenes though…