The Lotus Casebook (2023)

When I picked up this drama, I did not know the hype surrounding it. I just clicked because Cheng Yi is in it, though I was somewhat disappointed at first because it took me about 10 episodes to get used to Cheng Yi’s real voice. After overcoming that hump, it didn’t take long for me to be engaged in this intricate story about the once-glorified martial arts master becoming Sigu’s Sherlock Holmes. With unlikely side-kicks, Li Lian Hua traverses the pugilistic world, solving mysterious cases.

This is the third drama I’ve watched of Cheng Yi’s and he has proven again that he can definitely act. I loved how he portrayed Li Lian Hua’s brazenness with an ample amount of impertinence without coming across as arrogant. His comedic timing is impeccable without trying too hard. His facial micro-expressions were nuanced, but subtle. It was entertaining to watch him at work and the investigations were never dull.

For their part, both Joseph Zeng and Xiao Shun Yao delivered their roles respectively as Li Xiang Yi’s past rival and an ambitious wanna-be hero. It was funny to see how Di Fei Sheng stubbornly clings to their past conflict, to determine who is the best swordsman in the world, while begrudgingly admiring Lian Hua. Fang Duo Bing, on the other hand, is an over-eager neophyte trying to prove his mettle. Together, the three of them form an odd friendship that stands the test of time as they fight against the injustices of the world like the three musketeers.

The rest of the cast were not as memorable, but they were not one-dimensional and served their purpose. The major strength of this drama, aside from the trio, is the intricate plot. It’s thrilling but not too convoluted nor difficult to follow. Explanations brought forth by Lian Hua were plausible and not too farfetched. A drama that kept me on my toes and is not predictable is a plus in my books.

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ONE OF THE BEST WUXIA SHOWS EVER MADE!

I am absolutely speechless after watching this show. Though I haven't watched that many wuxia dramas, I am sure of one thing - this ought to be the best one out there!
Where do I even begin? Let's start with the actors. I have never seen any of the older works of the cast except for the actor who played as Zijin - I have seen him on Boss and Me. All the cast perfectly were made for the roles. And each one's acting was off charts. Cheng Yi's acting is impeccable - no wonder he won an award for his character. I was also impressed by the actress who played Jiao Liqiao, the female villain. I watched the BTS and I was surprised - Cheng Yi was the hyperactive kid, Joseph was the chill carefree guy and Shun Yao was the emotional man.
As for the story, it was a unique one with reasonable plot twists and suspense. I loved both Xiangyi and Lianhua - I am unbiased. Xiangyi was mysterious, playful, righteous, talented and cool guy. Lianhua was mature, calm, simple, kind and warm-hearted. Both of them have my heart. I immediately fell for Fang Doubing. He is so charming. And Afei - he is the cold CEO we see in office dramas. All the three shared immense bromance with each other. Loved to see their bond.
I loved the cases, but my favorites cases would be Girl's Mansion, Tianji Mountain Manor and of course, the last one Royal Palace case. The cases were all interconnected leading to the Nanyin secrets and the director had done an excellent job for paving the story. The real birth origins of Xiangyi while the drama neared its end shocked me. Normally, I am not a fan of fight or action scenes. But, I rewatched the action scenes here because the cinematography and editing were too good to be ignored. Kudos to the martial arts coach for the amazing action scenes and the costume designer for all the outfits worn by the cast. The real birth origins of Xiangyi while the drama neared its end shocked me.
I wish I could erase my memory to watch this all over again. Anyways, I will rewatch it soon. It is worth multiple watches.
Overall: 100/10

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Absolutely amazing story with one major issue

The best Cdrama I've ever seen. The story is really complex, you have to pay a lot of attention even on the little details so it can be a little bit hard for the first time, but it's very interesting, filled with lot of emotions. And even though there is a major plot twist, you can watch it multiple times.

Some people are angry about Li Xiangyi basically giving up on his life, but I think he wanted to erase the selfishness he suffered from. Even though he talks about his past self being arrogant, and selfish in reality he wasn't. But he is feeling that so he chose his path to be like this. I really liked how Li Xiangyi's and Li Lianhua's character was very different but still really similar to each other.
Forgiving the person who ruined his life by poisoning him was a little bit annoying but it's his life, his choice.

Fang Doubing was a little bit arrogantat the beginning but he wasn't full of himself at all. He always wanted to help others and his character development showed how much he doesn't resembles to his father.

Even though I gave 10 points to everything I had only 1 big problem with the story: Bicha poison.
It's so annoying we only know one thing about this poison: it's uncurable. But still we know nothing about how did the Demon lord made it. It seems to be a little bit stupid to make a poison without an antidote but still, it could have been used much more. Except for Li Xiangyi we never heard about anyone else who was poisoned with it. If it's the deadliest poison why didn't they use it more? Instead they are using Nanyin's poison wuxin huai which can be cured (for example De Feisheng). It would be much better to talk more about why is this poison so deadly, and to be honest why is it so rare they never made it again. For example they could have said it can be made only once bc it needs something so rare to make it. We didn't get answer for this.

Except this this series is really the best I've seen so far.

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Cheng Yi nailed it again....

I swear to God, Cheng Yi perfectly suits wuxia and xanxia roles. He plays each character as if they were made for him and seemed like his other selves in another world.

I rarely watch series without romance in it, but MLC was another exception. Instead of a fast-paced drama, they focused on solving each case, like a detective novel. My fave part was the Yipin Tomb. The martial arts scenes were on point. Was quite entertained everytime Fan Duo Bing got duped by Li Lian Hua, being the gullible and a kind-hearted guy that he is. Di Fei Sheng's character was a bit impressive as well, being the formidable leader of the Jinyuan Alliance but later on became friends with the two. Having highly skilled friends traveling along with you, LLH doesn't even have to lift a finger. They can wipe out any sect, honestly. If there's one thing I didn't like in this series, is Qiao Wan Mian. Her role may have been Li Xiang Yi's former lover, but she wasted a decade of her life pining for someone who might've been dead. She could've made use of the time to revive the Sigu Sect, as she was also considered a senior member and a master. I would've wanted her to become someone dependable, just like Shi Shui.

As for the open ending...Well, It would've been perfect if they just found a way where Styx flower grows and have Li Xiang Yi / Li Lian Hua take it. At least give him another couple decades to live and roam the martial arts world with his two buddies. Any maybe give Su Xiao Yong a chance to be LLH's end game? Haha.

Anyway, kudos to the staff and cast for a great show. Congratulations to MLC for bagging high spots in Weibo rankings as well.

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Can we release our inner Li Xiangyi and embrace the Li Lianhua within us?

I haven't written any reviews before, so please forgive me if this one comes across as a bit "sentimental." But I can't help it; my feelings for this incredible drama are overflowing, and I truly hope that everyone else can experience the same joy I have.

This is a wuxia drama that's packed with action and filled with intriguing mystery-solving cases. These cases gradually unravel the profound mysteries of Li Lianhua/Li Xiangyi's world, on life, friendship, and the struggle he face. The story is an enjoyable ride, largely thanks to the laid-back and charismatic character of Li Lianhua. His perspective on the world, his values, and his journey towards redemption are truly captivating.

In between, there's the pursuit of youthful spirit, Fang Dou Bing and the rivalry spirit, Di Fei Sheng. It's Li Lianhua who remains the central focus. Their interactions build a beautiful foundation of friendship, understanding, loyalty and unwavering support.

Ultimately, what this story conveys to me is the importance of letting go of things that are beyond our control. It encourages us to find the courage to forgive and forget. It emphasizes the value of friendship and loyalty. It delves into the internal struggles that all humans face in their daily lives. The question it poses is profound: Can we release our inner Li Xiangyi and embrace the Li Lianhua within us?

I ended my review with the quote below.

" The battle at the East Sea ten years ago was on this day. 27th of the twelfth month. It is today. I didn't expect after fighting to the death ten years ago, ten years later, we'd be drinking together like this. That day...That year... The moon that year was not as bright as today. The moon that year was just like today. It was just like today. Li Xiangyi is dead. But his sword is not dead." - LLH and DFS (in the wedding room of JLQ)

" Everyone in this world only wanted a divine god Li Xiangyi who could do anything, but at least there was someone who treated me as ordinary person Li Lianhua, persistently without fail. Then, that is enough." - LLH to FDB (off-screen - script excerpt, not in the drama)

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“Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.” ― John Lennon

This story is the perfect example for this because i was having a mini heat attack followed by a short deppression because of how the 40 th ep ended, and i have not been happy like that for years(well the time between untamed and this)to find that there was a special ep. the story is quite messed up unless you are interested in something less romantic and more thrilling if you are a sherlock homes fan i would ask you to have a go with this. it is indeed a mysterious story. the author talent is making things believable was what is to be mainly appreciated.
there aren't may too unusual "coincidences" like other xianxia and wuxia drama i have watched lately.
casting cheng yi as li xiang yi and li lianhua was so stupendous and he did a great job bringing the character to life.
although li xiangyi and li lianjua are the same person there is vast diffrence in their attitudes and the way ot show the transition of the world famous li sect leader of sigu sect, li xianyi to a wandering physician(fake)who doent seem to care about anything but about how to die.
he meets a person fang duobing, who claims to be li xiang yi's one and only disciple and ends up teaming up with li lianhu(who is li xianyi)and solves a bunch of myserious cases togather and finally becomes friends and confidents.
they solve that that are related to a 100 year old conspiracy that is related to li xiang yi himself and about his lineage.

IT IS NOT A ROMANCE DRAMA AND HAS GOT A LOT OF MYSTRIES AND THRILLS AND IT IS NOT FOR SOME ONE WHO WANTS UNBELIVABLE STORY AND TWISTS.
YOU CAN GIVE IT A TRY BUT CANNOT GUARANTY ANYTHING TO EVERY ONE BUT IS THE SECOND MOST FAVORATE DRAMA IN MY LIST.

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! MUST WATCH !

the more people ask me to tell them more about this show, the more i can’t stop talking about how amazing and breathtaking it is. music, acting, plot and everything is just too perfect. the ending was really bitter but i loved every part of it because Li Xiangyi finally got what he wanted and needed for 10 years. i did kind of wished for him to stay alive and see him with Fang Duobing and Di Feisheng but after all, he didn’t want to be saved. the friendship between the trio, Fang Duobing, Li Lianhua and Di Feisheng was everything for me,
the reason i watch this show over and over.

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a masterpiece

Mysterious Lotus Casebook (also known as The Lotus House) follows the journey of Li Lianhua (played by Cheng Yi), a wandering healer who lives in his humble home—a serene, simple life reminiscent of a peaceful lifestyle. For a decade, he's been traveling around and he's also known as the "miracle doctor" for his rumored ability to bring the dead back to life. However, Li Lianhua’s tranquil existence hides a deeper mystery tied to his past, which unravels as he gets drawn into solving complex cases.

The drama shines in its storytelling, particularly the clever handling of each case. From the beginning, the show pulls viewers in with intriguing mysteries that keep you guessing at the mastermind behind every twist. The cases start small but eventually grow into something much larger, all connecting back to Li Lianhua’s own history. The plot's biggest twist towards the end is especially jaw-dropping and well-executed, making it one of the drama’s strongest moments.

What sets Mysterious Lotus Casebook apart is its refreshing approach. While many dramas rely heavily on romance, this one focuses more on the action, investigation, and brotherhood. Romance may play a small role, but it doesn’t overshadow the story. The martial arts is top notch, and the story flows smoothly, keeping the audience engaged without dragging on for too long.

Overall, this drama is a great pick for fans of mystery, martial arts, and character-driven plots. The chemistry between the characters and the carefully crafted mysteries make it a thrilling watch from beginning to end!

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One the best Cdrama

Honestly this drama is so engaging and really well made and executed. Everything from the plotline to cast to story was perfectly executed. I loved the various fight scenes all the three male leads had throughout the series. I especially loved the two females cast as their acting was impeccable. The character of Jiao Liqiao and the actress who played the male leads love interest. Both the actressess did a really great job at portraying in what they do. Now I come down to the three male leads chemistry. And I must say it was a treat to watch them together. I only know the actor who played Fang Doubling cause I watched Ultimate Note and he really ia a cutie no doubt and really good at his job. The other two actors were great . The way they solve mysteries were intriguing to watch. I loved this all I can say it's a must watch.

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A Wuxia Detective Bromance Story Done Right!

When I first heard about this drama and saw the cast lineup, I didn't have much expectations so I didn't try it immediately. I waited until more episodes were out before finally giving it a try. And I was shocked at the quality! I could tell from episode 1 that this drama put a lot of attention on the story, characters, and sets. I felt such high potential for this drama that I slowly watched the available episodes and waited to binge after it was done airing. I haven't felt this excited watching a wuxia drama since Untamed.

There are so many good things to love about this drama. It may feel a bit slow-paced in the beginning but after going through their first case, the pace picks up.

1. Solving the Cases. I love watching a good crime story and this drama did a great job at telling interesting but not predictable cases throughout the drama. There were also some great plot twists that were unexpected as Li LianHua and Fang XiaoBao were solving the case. It was particularly interesting because of the cooperation between the 2 leads. Such great chemistry.

2. The Relationships/Characters. Every character was introduced nicely and I could see the motives behind their decisions. The main and supporting roles were built with a solid backstory which helped you see how they grew from the first episode. But Li LianHua would have to be the most interesting because it is not typical of a wuxia drama to show the strongest hero at such a low moment in their life. The bromance between Li LianHua and XiaoBao was done so well too. They have perfect balance of bickering and cute sweet moments. I slowly grew to love the two of them, as well as with Di Fei Sheng. There is not a boring moment when the 3 of them were on screen.

3. The Story. In the beginning, the drama felt a bit slow but each case was built so naturally to lead up to the climatic conflict at the end. There were no useless filler scenes to just add to the episode length because every moment was needed. Also, there were so many unexpected points in the story and it just pulled me deeper into this world. Ugh I'm so sad now that I finished this drama :(( It is also sad

4. The Fight Sequences. All the fight sequences were choreographed so amazing! It was thrilling to watch them fight and Cheng Yi is so great at pulling them off! It truly showed what makes wuxia dramas so fun to watch. I have to say that Li Xiang Yi is just so skilled though... all his fight sequences were so nice and that was only with 30% of his power. UGH THE TALENT.

Anyways, I recommend this drama to anyone who loves wuxia dramas with great crime-solving and bromance!

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