The Rise of Phoenixes (2018)

The Best Drama Ever!

This is my #1 favorite Drama! Yes it is lengthy but it is so very good! Ni Ni and Aloys Chen (Chen Kun) instantly became my favorite actress and actor. Believe it or not I have watched this more than once. Tiny spoiler alert.........I'm telling you now if you are a must have a happy ending kinda person, this is not for you. If you like omg what the heck just happened kind of endings this one is definitely the one! This entire series had me on my toes. I literally lost hours and hours of sleep. I even went to work a couple of times with no sleep at all. I have never done that before or since. The entire cast were phenomenal! The writers, producers, designers, make up artists, camera and set crew, the entire team did an amazing job with this one. I'm sure I will watch it several more times. There are only two other Dramas that I have watched more than once and now this is the 3rd. <3

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If you want to watch a fight for power with tints of romance mixed within, this is the shit. The summary isn't suited btw. This is mainly about Ning Yi's battle against his royal family.

Lots of people have a problem with the pacing, but I don't find anything wrong with it at all. Every character is introduced properly and every plan/ruse is explained thoroughly, and the main story directly starts at ep 1.
I see ppl say that you need a bit of brain with this story. Common sense you mean.
Yes, the wording the characters use is difficult, but guys we have English subtitles come on.

The plot is entertaining and not draggy at all. A power fight between princes with lots of conspiracies. I don't mind slow/too little romance. This is indeed about the relationship between Ning Yi and WeiZhi, but there is much more between them than only romance. I also can't stand too much sugar so thank god.
I guess too many people are used to dog blood shit 24/7, aka that either someone dies or some love affair happens every chapter. Well excuse you because this is some mature and realistic shit. Not saying that those dog blood stuff are bad, but don't rate this bad because you don't like these types of serious stories. It's like talking bad about a romance story while not liking romance.

The plot starts great, gets better in the middle but towards the end it declines. At the beginning you mainly see Ning Yi succeeding, and just as I was so done with the MC-only-wins stuff, he finally encountered trouble which made everything more exciting. But as the ending neared, I could feel that characters without proper backgrounds were added just to fulfil certain events of the story, and that events happened for literally no reason at all (aka the ending) just because the scriptwriter wanted it to end that way. But thank god all this rush only happened at the end.


There are many good written characters, with proper background and development. Especially Ning Yi, who's a multilayered anti-hero, who accepts and respects the FL's decisions instead of planning out her life for her.
But some characters annoyed tf out of me. Do guys like girls (aka Shaoning and Si Yanle or smthn) who are stupid and ask for trouble all the time, and thinks that everybody should listen to them? Cuz if that's the case I can at least understand.
Another down point was ZhiWei's character. She's like book-smart but not practise-smart, which rly annoyed me bc like choose a side, u stupid or not? Her storyline had 0 contribution to the powerplay in the beginning, which is why it bored me. But that's just my personal preference. She did develop a bit in the practise-smart area, but that still couldn't save my annoyance.


The acting is so on point. I can't talk enough about Chen Kun's acting. Apparently people find his acting overdone in the beginning. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE OVERDONE BC NING YI IS ACTING LIKE THAT IN FRONT OF HIS BROTHERS ON PURPOSE FOR FUCKS SAKE.
As said before, Ning Yi is ultra multi-layered, and Chen Kun is able to act out all those layers while making sure that he is still playing ONE character (with that I mean that he doesn't act every layer individually as if he's acting lots of characters). Ning Yi's fake crying is funny af, while his true crying looks so real it makes your heart ache.
Chen Kun's acting in this drama is phenomenal, especially towards the end when Ning Yi let out all his emotions.

Other major character's actors are on point too. Ni Ni's WeiZhi looks real. You know someone is good when they can repeatedly cry and make it look real (cuz crying seems rly difficult in the industry cough cough).
Also I never knew Bai Jingting could act so well.
HOWEVER some actors weren't good at al. I hate it when producers (aka all producers) don't make an effort to regulate the acting of small side characters.

I have nothing to say about the music. It wasn't bad, wasn't ear-catching either. It suited and supported the story normally when it could.

9.5/10.
Would've been a 10 if WeiZhi's character didn't bore/annoy me in the beginning and if the ending wasn't rushed.

To conclude I love the tenth prince.

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this is a story about abstraction

tiansheng is a country, but its name is repeated so often that it becomes more of a symbol, and then nothing at all. and so does dacheng, bloody pagoda, the title of emperor, the fight for the throne. it’s a 70 episode long journey with the sole purpose of telling us that every step we watch our characters take is meaningless.

as a result you kind of feel the length once the show touches the 55 mark, and various characters who played fairly significant roles get little more than 4 seconds for their death scene and then forgotten shortly after. otherwise i feel like it’s really self-aware? there’s plotholes and details overlooked but the overall story doesn’t get lost. it’s stunningly consistent in tone, in its writing, in its cinematography.

the best part of this production is, in my opinion, feng zhiwei. every character is doomed to a sort of inevitable and cyclical doom, and she’s not any exception, but there are parts of her character arc where she is instead a source of clarity. she knows how everything will end, and she wants no part. she is so surprising and complex…i don’t think we’ll have another feng zhiwei for a long time. anyway yes! it was a worthwhile watch but for certain things more than others.

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So memorable that I can't remember

Throughout the entire series, the most memorable part of the series is how unmemorable the series was. Maybe I wasn't entirely invested in the drama like other people, but I went through the drama in such a daze. Now, don't get me wrong, the drama had an intricate plot and is overall great, there's a lot of things happening that made me get - essentially- "lost in the sauce." This drama requires so much attention and thought to follow up with the plot that it can sometimes become more tiresome than enjoyable. BUT keep in mind this is my experience WHILE WATCHING the drama. Looking back on it as a whole, I can confidently say this drama IS WORTH THE WATCH. The settings/sets are spectacular, the costumes are superb, and the acting is simply top-notch. (There is a little overacting from the ML, but it's honestly not a big deal). As a lover of historical dramas in general, this drama is one of the best I've watched in a while. A lot of historical dramas nowadays incorporate wuxia (which I really don't like), but this drama kept it real (real as in no guys flying all over the place). But a disclaimer: although there is a romance tag, it's more political and a lot less romance.
If you've read up to here, you might have thought "wow this person just said its a bad drama but also a good drama? like wtheck?" And yes, I did give this drama a high rating because of the quality of it. Simply my experience was not good in the beginning but as the drama slowly came to an end, I came to enjoy it fully. It definitely takes time to grow on you but push through till the end. You may or may not be satisfied, but still, give it a shot and you'll understand.

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A gripping story

This is a gripping story told at a good pace. The twists and turns of the plot and the action have a good flow. One can see that great attention was paid to the period costumes and sets, the palaces are beautiful and the houses are genuine rather than computer generated.
It is not just a love story, it's mostly a political story which encompasses vicious struggle for power, misplaced loyalties and fatalistic acceptances, but there it has humour too.
Handsome Ning Yi is an almost neurotic prince with lofty ideals and clever scheming with the collusion of the superb Head of Qingming Academy, Xin Zi Yan. One particular highlight is his return from Minhai to the capital as he rushes to and enters the palace to save the woman he loves, Zhi Wei. She's an interesting character, strong and independent, at times irritating, ugly when impersonating a man and yet beautiful when she is herself. The tormented Gu Yan is a quiet but powerful character and Zhi Wei's bodyguard, Gu Nan Yi, is very huggable. The not so likeable Emperor character is excellently played by Ni Da Hong.
I have not read the book, but I understand this ending is not the same as in the book. In my humble opinion the chosen ending is hurried and it feels like a let down.

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My lowest review ever, unfortunately.

So, where should i begin. I was minding my own business enjoying this 70 episode Cdrama, and then the final episode came, and the last 5 mins of the show, and that ruined everything for me.

This could has easily become one if the great historical drama out there, the acting was phenomenal, i loved the ML and i loved the FL, i loved the story, i loved the chemistry and relationship between the leads as well. i loved the costumes and all the political stuff too, and I don't usually like those, but it was great.

But.... like are you kidding me, after everything that happened, the way it ended was sooo sad and disappointing. I kinda understand that there was too much animosity between the fallen kingdom and the current one, but to end like that, after all the ML did to save and protect her, after so many people died for her, I couldn't think anything else but that I ⁷wasted 70 hours of my life for such a sad and depressing ending. Maybe if it had been done a different way, but the way it was done, it wasnt worth it for me. That last scene with FL it ruined all for me and i felt like i wasted my time. They went through way too much and too many people died for her to end that way.

We all have our own preference, so the ending isn't a happy one, not only that its just tragic so watch on your own accord.

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After 3L3WTMPB, i never expected to watch a drama even better in many ways!

First of all, it was different from any other Chinese drama ive watched so far. It was kind of Hollywood way, great photography, no fake CGIs, great montage, minimal clothing, hair and scenery, but yet impressive!

As for the male lead, Chen Kun he rocked! I mean, he gave the character its full lenght, and even more! Charming, expressive, handsome in every way. He is also very interesting as a person as ive seen in some interviews.

I recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone who wants to see quality drama and i ll definitely rewatch!

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This drama is the one time you should trust bad reviews. HANG IT UP FLAT SCREEN!

I have been watching dramas for years but this is my first ever review on this site I’m sorry I had to drop at ep 20. The drama was getting a bit too ridiculous for me. I think the cast was really good all the actors you can tell were seasoned and took their jobs seriously. However, in the end the nonsensical ass script made a mockery of that talent. Also for all the ppl swooning and crying over the ML and FL chemistry and connection are delusional. There was nothing there to root for and I’m sorry I think the two were toxic for one another more so the ML to FL. To me she did not grow at all in 20 eps even though she lost ppl and went through trials and tribulations, so what of the remaining 50 I couldn’t put myself through that. They couldn’t decide if they wanted her to be outstanding and badass or an idiot who is brash and always falls into others traps. It made me sad bc I feel like she really wasn’t the focus here and was just a prop as women usually are. They decorated her with some fighting skills and wisdom to bait us and then gave us a huge F U as the series went on. ALSO I didn’t get the deal with the ML maybe I’m slow but he seemed mentally unstable and y’all was shipping her with him ????

Also everyone cries the whole drama about fighting for the ppl saving the innocent but they kill ppl off likes flies in this thing and most time for no reason or as a plot device to push the story and it’s weird. Like if you can’t propel your story w/o killing ppl every damn 5 eps what’s the point?

Music was okay….Maybe bc I didn’t get far enough so there may have been a change in OST but the ones I heard were a bit uninspired. I love Chinese dramas for their OST bc they really show out and are usually stylistically creative but this one lacked character.

I’ve seen spoiler comments and ppl are saying don’t watch last 5 mins otherwise everything else is good. No they are lying bc last 5 is very representative of the shitshow this drama was and to me it made sense. It was just so very boring I was zoning out. I may seem like a hater but I actually was quite excited for this but here’s just another example of an overhyped netflix dramalist pick. Ratings should be much lower. Good day and good luck.

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It had the potential to be a 10 out of 10, but...

I rate the first 39 episodes a 10/10, episodes 40-48 a 8.5/10, and episodes 49-58 a 7.5/10! I am not yet done watching all 70 episodes. I hope episodes 59-70 are better than 40-58.

I'm back, and episodes 59-70 are much better than the previous episodes. However, after episode 58, I dislike the female lead character. To understand the reason why, continue reading this review. BTW, I give episodes 59-70 a rating of 9/10. The beginning and end of this drama was very good, but the middle had a lot of bad writing. Thus, overall, I rate this drama a 9/10.

This drama is fantastic; the sets are beautiful, and is well produced. However, there are flaws in the writing. It had the potential to be a 10 out of 10 but the female lead character (not the actress, but the character) is not consistent. Yes, in real life we respond to situations differently, but even within the way that we respond to situations there will be a level of consistency. For example, the female lead is known to be brave and daring, but repeatedly said that her life is valuable to her. In episode 47, she drinks from a cup that is contaminated with the plague just because Prince of Chu is contaminated. Love shouldn't make you stupid, but wise. The intent behind the character doing this was to show how she wanted to help the doctor find a cure for Prince of Chu because he was really sick. However, the writers could have written a better storyline & solution. Perhaps, it would have been better for both of them to get sick at the same time, and the writers could have used 3 episodes to highlight the romance between the two while both leads presumed they would be dying, so they finally decide to open up to one another. Around episode 47 is when I start to lose interest in this drama. For me it's very hard to watch a 70 episode drama and not lose interest before episode 50. The romance between the female and male lead finally is shown after episode 40, but there isn't a conversation or moment that makes it make sense to us. Out of the blue, they begin to be touchy-feely. Yes, we know that they had feelings for one another but both characters swept it under the rug; both characters spent 39 episodes liking one another but not showing it, and then boom, the next episode they are touchy feely, and we're supposed to buy into the romance? We needed a better transition.

All the actors did a great job, but the male lead acted his butt off (meaning he did extremely well). In terms of favorite character, I love his character the most. The least favorite character was the female lead younger brother, who acted like he was 12. I believe the writers could have changed his character to be a strong character who act impulsive, as opposed to someone who acts like he is 12, and is totally clueless. It could have been an opportunity to use this character for a stronger storyline. The female and male lead actors are very attractive btw. I really like the fact that both leads look like adults, and not like they are in middle/high school.

I am not sure if I am going to drop this drama or keep watching it, but I am curious to know how it will end.

Edited after the review above:
I am glad that someone commented on my review and encouraged me to continue to watch it. I am on episode 70, and the storyline gets a lot better after episode 48, but then between episodes 57-59 it takes another turn in the wrong direction. The female lead is so shameless, as she disrespects King Helian, the same king who was willing to take her in, in order to save her life. We get that you love the Prince of Chu but like dang, why be ruthless to King Helian who is willing to accept you as you are (in love with someone else). The script writer should have written this better because now I am starting to like the female lead character less and less. Especially because of her selfishness in episode 66 (30 minute-35 minute mark). How can anyone like her character anymore? So she used a king ( King Helian) to protect her and the people around her, but then she kept going back and forth to the one that she really love, not caring at all about how she involved another person into her drama. If the female lead really had integrity, she should have offered to be killed, rather than to hurt someone else, in order to save herself and try to pursue love with the person she really love. This goes back to what I said at the beginning of this review... "It had the potential to be a 10 out of 10 but the female lead character (not the actress, but the character) is not consistent. " The ending made up for the middle! I am glad that this drama ended the way that it did. The new emperor basically becomes like his father, the old emperor... Realistically, there's no way that the female lead would have wanted to be the new emperor's, empress, with everything that happened between her family and his family. I would never want to marry someone whose immediate family killed my mother, and brothers. It wouldn't have been the same romance and love as it was in the beginning because too much happened for it to go back there.

BTW, one of the directors is an actor who plays the female lead older brother (Liu Hai Bo).

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PSA on the Dangers of Method Acting

The plot of this show seems complex and intriguing. I love dramas with politics, intrigue, and schemes galore. But this drama showed me I have a firm line on crazy. ***SPOILER**** I get acting like you've lost it when playing the long game. hell yeah. do you scheme it up. but my dude - it's too far. THOSE CRAZY EYES HAUNT ME. He didn't just dip his toe in crazy he did a full belly flop in the deep end of lunatic. There's absolutely no subltety or nuance to the performance. Just absolutely insane, creepy eyes. His unhinged acting takes me out of the story. I'm so distracted from the overacting I can't enjoy or focus on anything else than his one-dimensional portrayal. It's painful to watch.
I don't know if this was method acting gone wrong (the actor or the character) but fam this is not it.

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I expected a lot but i'm so disappointed

I finished watching the first 8 episodes. Still I can't really love this drama as much as the previous 5 cdramas i watched before. I cant get excited each episodes unlike other cdramas i have watched. The episodes are full of conversations. Like the fighting is once in a blue moon. I think I may stop watching at episode 8. I downloaded the eps via netflix up to episode 10. It is such a waste to delete the remaining episodes. But i really expected a lot from it, since i have seen lot of good reviews here on mydramalist and comments on youtube but I just don't like the plot. I also read, this drama has lot of restrictions from the government? Such a waste.

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