Jun Jiu Ling (2021)

Una donna forte e la sua famiglia

Un drama molto piacevole che, a dispetto della relativa lunghezza, conosce pochi punti di noia e ha come plus un lieto fine. La trama si dipana senza troppi intoppi ed è molto avvincente. I legami famigliari vengono posti veramente al centro dell’opera, mettendo ben presto la vendetta in secondo piano. E’ veramente una novità, almeno per me, vedere fratelli e cugini così affettuosi e disposti a cooperare per uno scopo comune, con vero amore per la famiglia. Non guasta che la protagonista sia una delle donne più forti che abbia mai visto nel panorama dei drama. Salvo qualche momento di debolezza, probabilmente necessario ai fini della trama, la protagonista principale è una donna forte e risoluta, determinata, piena di coraggio e risorse.
Una piacevole ventata di freschezza, in mezzo a tante ragazzine piagnucolose sempre in attesa di essere salvate dal principe di turno.

Le musiche sono molto gradevoli, le ambientazioni sono ben fatte e diversi costumi sono molto belli, quelli di nonna Fang sono veramente magnifici. Le uniformi di Lu Yunqi e delle sue guardie sono spettacolari. Le scene di combattimento sono una gioia per gli occhi, tanto da scuotere le coscienze…

Ma quello che veramente “fa” questo drama è l’interpretazione degli attori. Sia i personaggi principali che le spalle sono splendidamente interpretati. Sul ML Jin Han ho letto mille commenti negativi, credo causati più che altro da fatto che possieda un fascino mascolino ben diverso dal ragazzino efebico che spopola ultimamente. Ha un viso molto interessante, che mi ricorda gli antichi Aztechi e, cosa anche più importante, è un ottimo interprete. La FL Peng Xiao Ran ha dato ottima prova di sé, così come le attrici che hanno interpretato la famiglia Fang. Una menzione d’onore va fatta per Du Ya Fei, magnifico interprete del suo primo marito. Ossessione, follia, crudeltà, ma anche amore e tenerezza sono così ben esternati che non si può rimanere indifferenti alla sua presenza sullo schermo. Un personaggio tormentato reso con vera maestria. Ma anche il resto del cast, sia maschile che femminile, ha fatto un lavoro molto spesso superiore alla norma.

Non ho dato il massimo dei voti perché ci sono diverse situazioni che mi hanno lasciata perplessa. Jiuling apprende le arti mediche veramente troppo in fretta per poter diventare il fenomeno che è. Ad un certo punto assistiamo ad una conversione stile San Paolo sulla via di Damasco che, benché gradita, è troppo improvvisa e poco motivata, e così via. Ma è una visione che veramente consiglio.

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To enjoy watching this drama, viewers are advised to watch it with a sense of humor, and not with your normal logic, for this drama that seems dead serious (no “comedy” tag), may seem to have loaded with bizarre and unfathomable logic. Many actions and scenes are over exaggerated with overacting which are also embellished with playful music. The pace is rather fast with many events taking place in each scene, only temporarily slowing down for the romance. If viewers can endure the first couple of the episodes which may seem farfetched, the later part is rather addictive. Therefore, sit back and let the story take you away, and enjoy.

This drama is said to have adapted from a web novel of the same name. However, according to some readers, the main female character has been drastically changed “to make her seem more relatable for audience consumption”. In the novel, her personality is said to be, to quote a reader, “the most endearing element of the storyline. She's casual in demeanor but absolutely savage in her plotting. They did such a disservice to the female lead.” Even with the altered toned down version, I still love the female lead character as I find her strong, determined, intelligent and devoted.

Princess Jiuling (Peng Xiaoran) is an inspiring character. Despite the horrendous change of her life including the loss of her family, her identity and her look, she is determined to stay low, strengthen her power, and make a comeback for revenge. Her patience and her endurance to injustices, at the same time, honing her skills and waiting for the right moment, are qualities that are commendable. She exudes confidence and composure even in the most trying conditions, and her dignified demeanor captures all hearts.

Peng Xiaoran who plays the Princess Jiuling role, is an amazing actor. I got to know her in Goodbye My Princess when she was relatively unknown and was chosen to play that role because of a clash in schedule for the original actor who was a lot more popular. I was so glad they made the switch then as it brought us another talented actor who would have been buried if not for the opportunity. Here, as in Goodbye My Princess, Peng Xiaoran is so natural, graceful and authentic, successfully bringing her character to live.

Despite Jiuling is surrounded by numerous men who are deeply in love with her, she has only one true love, Zhu Zan (Jin Han) whom she had spent a great deal of time with when they were growing up. Zhu Zan is now a general guarding the frontier with his father since their separation. Free spirited and unrestrained, Zhu Zan is humorous and chivalrous. He continues to care for orphans, finding shelter and providing food for the displaced people due to wars and disasters. It is these qualities that Jiuling falls in love with him again as they align with her own values. Zhu Zan is infatuated with Jiuling, and regardless of how the world sees him and what trouble he may get into, he goes all the way out for Jiuling and helps her overcome her obstacles.

Jin Han’s portrayal of Zhu Zan is adorable, making the character very lovable like a big cuddly teddy bear. Unfortunately, many viewers criticize the choice and complain that Jin Han is not good looking enough. Perhaps these viewers hope to see a more effeminate actor as this seem to be the trend in today’s historical dramas, and Jin Han’s physical appearance is the total opposite to that. Some viewers also complain that they cannot place Jin Han’s face as a protagonist as the actor has previously played some antagonistic roles in other dramas. Whatever the criticisms are, I feel we all need to give these young actors opportunities to prove themselves, and Jin Han has proved that he is a versatile actor.

My Verdict

Sure there are flaws everywhere like in most Chinese dramas. But if we look pass these flaws and be less critical, this is a rather decent drama. A lot of the story only happens in conversations instead of in scenes, hence non-native speakers may want to get proper English subs to ensure accurate conveyance of the messages. The development of the main characters is quite well done with very well acting by the whole cast including the supporting cast. The storyline may be serious but this is a very humorous drama.

Overall, this is a drama deserved to be watched. I have enjoyed it very much.

Recommended! Bravo!

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