An exercise in frustration if you don't speak Chinese

If I could follow the dialog in English, I am certain I would have given this title a higher rating. Trying to figure out what is going on and what the characters are saying is frustrating because of the crappy subtitling. And then, after episode 16, there was NO subtitling at all! In fact, I had trouble even finding the last two episodes of Season 1. I hate to think of what Season 2 is going to be like if/when I can find it.

The storyline seems to be interesting. The characters seem to be interesting. The relationships seem to work - the chemistry between the ML & FL was endearing and believable. However, Non-Chinese-speaking viewers really get screwed trying to watch these dramas, and that is unfortunate.

Out of desperation I watched the last two episodes and just had to be clueless as to any explanation of what was happening and why - and the way it ended was obviously to set you up for Season 2! So, I will go into Season 2 clueless, and hope for the best. However, if Season 2 is like Season 1, it might be a hard pass.

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A Disappointing Tale of Dysfunction and Delusion

The writer really dropped the ball on this one. Extremely unappealing characters with little or no redeeming qualities; absolutely no chemistry between any of the couples; no friendships or relationships that could be described as healthy or rewarding. This one was just a mixed bag of dysfunctional relationships and delusional behavior.

I like the ML - a lot - but in other dramas, not this one! I didn't much care for any of the other characters, however, to be fair, the actors played the (badly-written) roles they were given so this is not a criticism of the actors themselves. If I had friends like these characters, I would cut them all out of my life. The guys were less than loyal, and the FL's best friend was just plain self-centered and selfish, and gave really useless advice! The parents! OMG what is it with the portrayal of these interfering parents who would sell their children's happiness for financial or career gain!? And the FL! Her character was just plain weak, confused and unrealistic. BUT - The most dysfunctional and delusional character was the unaccepting ex-boyfriend. Wow! What a psycho!

There was nothing appealing about this story. Nothing that really made me want to invest in any of the characters. I wasn't even hoping for a happy ending for the lead couple, the second couple, or the young ones with health issues. This was just like watching a train wreck but not being able to stop watching because you just have to see how badly it will end. That the shoddy writing wrapped the story up with some sort of pseudo 'happy' ending - or hint of one depending on how delusional the viewer is - made no difference. Not even a 'happy ending' could save this one.

Since I have come this far with the story, I will complete the episodes - with NO chance of a rewatch and will try desperately to avoid the awful OST. It's really too late for redemption or salvation.

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How the Actors Save the Day

The story was just ok for me. The writing wasn't spectacular. The story dragged in parts, but I was so invested in the characters and their relationships that I kept coming back for more. Some of the villains were a little poorly written, no depth really. The same old ploy with the ministers - give them a fake story and they run with it, and in this case, an emperor who was that and worse. Still, the cast did a wonderful job in bringing their characters to life. I loathed the bad guys, loved the good guys.

Liked the camaraderie of the soldiers - and wished for a happier ending for them. The ending was nicely tied up for the most part, but I like to see what's happening and not get a narrative. So, I would have liked to see the young emperor with his two older mentors come back to the palace, and I would have liked to see a family (or even a wedding) for Chang'er & Taozi. And hey, what happened to Pei Yuan?!

And of course, the real draw for me... Xu Kai. That face! His expressions! OMG he is absolutely gorgeous in historical garb, especially the military uniforms! WOWZA! And he's a god on a horse! The chemistry between he and Jing Tian was sweet. Their bantering was cute and funny - and oddly enough for me, because I don't usually care for fight scenes, theirs were nicely coordinated and executed. They looked great, especially fighting together against a common foe. The way they got the evil minister *perfect*!

I didn't expect to like this drama as much as I did, and I might even go back and watch it again if I had time on my hands and just wanted a good dose of eye-candy (Xu Kai) and a little romance. If there had been better writing perhaps, I could have given this a higher score - but the acting earned all the points.

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What Rain?

I have to say that despite a few hiccups, I enjoyed this drama. So much time wasted on side stories and characters who contributed very little to the overall plot. The war and fighting scenes were overdone and took up too much time for my liking. This whole drama could have been told in less episodes with less fillers.

First time seeing most of these lead actors. I realized the chemistry between the ML & FL immediately. The 2ML was handsome and all that, but despite her goo goo eyes at him, I felt little or no chemistry between them, so I had no problem with 2ML syndrome. I liked the pairing of 2FL & 2ML and how it kind of developed as their personalities and backgrounds were more appropriately aligned. BUT - that character of FengYao OMG! If she shouted, called out, called after, or moaned Mo Xi one more time I was going to throw something at the screen! Helpless, simple-minded and just plain useless! I'm glad she had some redemption in the end.

The FL is beautiful - even when she was scowling or making faces, she has a very pretty face. The ML was rugged and rough and scoundrel-ish, and I grew to like him. I kept mixing up the 'bad guys' and couldn't really keep track of the plots and who's working with who. And that gender-bender general was downright nasty! That actress played the part so well that was the one character I genuinely hated with a passion.

OST was pretty.

I might rewatch if I wanted to kill some time on a weekend. I'd still fast-forward through some of the scenes, but there are some scenes I enjoyed and would watch again.

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Couple Chemistry Saved This One!

The drama was just ok. Too much business-speak and meaningless interactions between characters who didn't have a lot to contribute to the main story. Just a lot of fillers. Still, the acting was pretty good - no silly, overly dramatic characters, no villains to seek revenge, just overall a fair characterization of ambitious, overworked professionals in the big city. The episodes tended to drag in places where there really was no importance to the storyline, and that time could have been better spent on the lead and side couples' relationship development and wrap up. The last episode was quite underwhelming with a lot of repetitious babble, but we still got the happy ending we deserved.

The real star of this drama was the chemistry between Elvis & Elvira. While too much time was wasted on the bantering back and forth and the ambiguous exchanges at times, there is absolutely no doubt about the electricity between these two. Those soulful stares from Elvis and Elvira's response to him just sizzled. I liked the sister and her young boyfriend, but really felt sorry for the first guy with the psychological problems. He really played his part well, my heart bled for him even when I tried to see him as creepy. I also liked the love story of the pretentious client and her childhood friend, and the second boss and her guy. All-in-all, while I could have used a little more PDA all-around, the romance part scored.

OST was beautiful and added to the story.

Worth a re-watch on a lazy weekend with nothing to do and kill time. I'm a fan of Elvis Han now. I liked him in Three Kingdoms - but not near as much as in this modern-day role. Will also take a look at Elvira's work as well.

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Lies, Lies, and More Lies!

The story was interesting and was well told. The writers and director got it right. The actors were superb. You loved the characters, or you hated them - this is the proof of a great performance. The chemistry between the ML & FL was so sweet, and I even liked the chemistry of the second couple too. No loose ends as far as I could see, and everything wrapped up nicely in the end; their story was not rushed or short-changed.

But...

For the first time since I started watching CDramas, I actually hoped the ML's character would get some comeuppance. I really got angry at all the lies he told - and kept on telling. He seemed not to have any conscience about lying, especially to someone he was supposed to love. I found similar fault with SFL's character, whom I found to be singularly annoying! Both characters seemed so dishonest and just flat out lied their way into the hearts of the FL's character and the SML's character. As much as the last couple of episodes tried to give them redemption, I just could not get past how much they both lied so much in the beginning! At one point I kept hoping one (or both) would succumb to a sword or fall off a cliff or something! Anyway, all's well that ends well, and the writers gave them both happy endings.

As it is with any MangoTV production, the English subtitling was terrible. Some of the translations made it impossible to figure out what was happening, what the history or backstory of some events were, and even some explanations that would have made the story make complete sense. Some things were left up to the viewer to try to figure out or decipher... or not know why but just accept that something had happened.

Rewatch? I doubt it with those subtitles - and I don't think I could manage watching the lies fall from those lovely lips another time.

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Almost a masterpiece

But for the decimation by the censors, I would have given this drama a perfect score. The editing due to the new censorship guidelines bordered on massacre and made the story choppy. That being said, there were no unnecessary sidelines, no petty spats and tantrums. No brainless ninnies (if you don't count the FL's maid). And you could still get the gist of the story even with the obvious chops.

Wang He Di & Chen Yu Qi were great together. Even without the PDA and kissing scenes (which we, the viewers who watch for the romance want more of) their chemistry was evident, and the tenderness they managed to portray, endearing and believable. I was backing them all the way. It was refreshing to see a couple trust and believe in each other, still express doubt, anger, even jealousy, without the silly, immature pouting and mind-games. The supporting characters were awesome too. Even the evil characters were played to perfection. And here, I must single out possibly the best performance of the drama, by Peter Ho. As the fanatical emperor, he was totally hateful and deranged, terribly flawed and pitiable, without conscience or restraint - but still self-doubting and simple-minded at times. He was magnificent!

Some say the ending was rushed, but I think it was satisfying. I would have liked a little more closure for some of the characters, but it didn't ruin the story for me. I'm glad the bad guys got their comeuppance in the end - I'm happier that the lead couple lived happily ever after - but I still have lingering questions about some of the other characters I liked and got attached to. Oh well, guess you can't have everything!

This one is a definite re-watch.

Oh, and one more thing... Wang He Di's fight scenes. I'm not big on the technicality of action scenes, but boy! was he a thing of beauty to watch in some of those sequences. Truth be told, he's a thing of beauty no matter what he's doing, but... those fight scenes! Wow! This young man has a bright future ahead of him.

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What an absolute waste of time!

The premise of this story was initially interesting. I kept waiting (hoping) for the characters to develop. They never did. The only one who was worth watching and who was not a complete airhead was the warrior woman who had the most tragic end to her story. I had such hopes for her. The FL was underwhelming - neither intelligent nor independent - just vapid and shallow. The businesswoman/inventor was boring and predictable. The other spoiled brat concubine obsessing over the emperor was a wailing ninny - irritating as hell! Most entertaining character in this show? Eunuch Wu! I kid you not!

There really wasn't any point to the story - the characters were doing the same silly things: crying, screaming, eating, being childish and just plain annoying. The ML was complacent and long-suffering. There was no romantic value to lead couple's story at all - they were almost like siblings. This story was very disappointing because of the absence of romance.

This isn't even worth a second look let alone a rewatch. What a waste of time, money, and actors.

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A story cute enough to keep me watching

I really liked the ML. The FL was ok in moderation, and irritatingly dumb sometimes. Or maybe she was just playing dumb? I don't know, but I didn't find it endearing (as some viewers did). There was definitely chemistry between the two leads, and I wish the director had used that to their advantage more. The second couple had chemistry from the get-go, but their story was just kind of thrown together instead of developed.

Some characters deserved some Karma, which they never got. It seemed like the writers were intoxicated with happy endings, so they gave them to everybody - even the undeserving! That disgusting stepmother & stepsister, that equally disgusting sister-in-law and her servant. I like some comeuppance in my dramas.

The story itself was simple but had too many holes - and jumped from one scene to something totally different with no segue in between. There was a lot of potential in this story, and the actors would have been great playing the characters with more substance in the drama. Maybe that's why I watched all the way through - because I liked the actors a lot and hope to see them in other productions (preferably costume or historical dramas which are my favourites).

Would I rewatch this? I might. It was ok enough for me.

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Not Disappointed. I loved This Drama!

The story was pretty straightforward. and flowed relatively smoothly. There were a few parts that threatened to get draggy, but they didn't happen too many times and they didn't last, so I didn't fast-forward through the scenes. There were a few holes and loose ends, but not sufficient to spoil anything for me.

The characters were likeable, and the actors did a phenomenal job in portraying them. The ensemble worked so well together so their relationships were believable, and I actually liked most of them. However, the couple that made the entire story worth it for me were the ML & FL. Chen Xiao & Liu Yifei were electric!!! They portrayed a depth to their relationship that I have not seen in many Cdramas, and which I found to be very refreshing and endearing. They expressed so many emotions without words - a look, a touch - their romance felt 'real'. Even with the chaste kisses, they smoldered. Their embraces felt warm and real. They did a superior job in this drama.

I wish that a little more time would have been invested in the supporting couples' relationships. Much was left to the viewer (except for the obvious wedding, of course) and I would have liked to have seen a wedding for the main couple. As I mentioned before, a few loose ends... what happened to Gu Qian Fan's father and brother? Was Qi Mu served with his comeuppance? Why did San Niang's son suddenly come back to find his mother? Did Song Yin Zhang and Chi Yan become a couple?

Loved this drama - and will probably rewatch it at some point.

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Not Worth the Effort * Second Chance - I tried this again and changed my mind

I found a better-quality feed and watched this through. I'm glad I did. The annoying music was still there, and for the record, Producers, that wrecked the chances of a better review for your production. BUT listening to the OST in the second feed - some great music. And I could follow the storyline better. Chemistry between the ML & FL and characters was good too. Sometimes you just have to give something a second chance, and I am glad I did! The subtitles and quality of the feed make a big difference.

Original Review**I can't even get into the story line properly. The crappy (EXTREMELY CRAPPY) music in the middle of a scene, in the middle of a fight scene, in the middle of ANY scene is utterly ridiculous! The fact that I am watching with sub-titles makes it possible to continue to follow the conversations, but seriously takes away from the acting and the story itself. If they would cut the music and let the dialogue continue, even with the subtitles - I'd watch the show through to its conclusion, but I just can't take that music.

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I Don't Want it to End!

After The Sword & the Brocade and The Rebel Princess I didn't think I would find another drama I loved as much. But I did. I love the closing theme 'Cocoon' the most. The story has a few holes (which ones don't) but I can live with that. I love the characters so much, well-acted and so endearing. The story arcs draw you in. The villains are believable but not over-the-top.
The chemistry between the players is great, however the director must be Victorian, because the silliness they did with the kissing scenes really spoiled the moments and the atmosphere for me. That misdirection bordered on ridiculous.
That being said, however, the real star of this piece for me is Leo Wu. Just WOW! As popular as she is, the FL was just ok - and the second couple were so darling. ML took the whole show. I will re-watch just to look at him, his expressions - his fighting - and of course, that shirtless scene. GREAT drama, worth the watch. I'm taking it slowly for the last few episodes because I just don't want it to end.

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The FL ruined this Drama for me!

After the first episode I knew that it was going to be hard to watch this FL. First of all, she looked like a pre-teen trying to be an adult, worse of all, a kick-ass heroine. Her movements reminded me of an ungainly newborn colt, not the smooth precise movements of a real martial artist. (I'm tired of these delusional heroine wanna-be's). Her acting left much to be desired, and her facial expressions made her look even more immature and almost comical in some scenes. Sorry, no more Song Yiren dramas for me - one and done!

I didn't mind the ML, but his storyline left a lot to be desired also. I was really not enjoying the 'idiot' phase. And was it just me who couldn't find the FL's 'falling in love with him' and her pretended devotion to him appealing? Didn't SHE cause him to become that way from poisoning him? Did she ever own up to it and did the ML know it was her who made him an idiot in the first place? That's a pretty big loophole for one drama!

I liked the He family and their dynamic, and for me, the real tragedy of this tale was their demise - and the FL escaping their destiny. It was probably the most touching and heart-wrenching story arc, and the best acting of the entire drama. Pity they didn't know her part in the downfall of the ML.

Such a disappointment this drama was. The leads didn't even have any chemistry really. And what the heck was that ending?! I read a couple of reviews that said there was a bonus episode after Episode 26, but I have yet to find it. One review said it tied up loose ends and made the ending in Episode 26 make sense. I guess I have to go hunt that down to see if it can redeem the ending and make up for wasting all that time on this travesty.

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How to Mess Up a Good Thing

The story was promising. A tale of revenge with the most compelling of intentions, thrown off the tracks by 'true love'. The acting in this piece, with one glaring exception, was stellar! The ML played his role to perfection. The intensity of his hatred and desire for vengeance. The way he held on for dear life when he realized his feelings were changing - and he was falling in love. The confusion, the indecision, the turmoil... he did a great job bringing Yiting to life. The supporting players did a great job also. Their interactions, their emotions, drew the viewers in and made us a part of their struggles and their personal situations. I would have loved to know more of their own stories and see them developed more. I'm so glad the promise of happy endings for Yiting's brother and the best friend were given to us. I especially liked that the writers didn't just sugar coat the mother's wrongdoings - and even the bitchy ex-girlfriend got some measure of redemption.

Now as to what messed this drama up for me... I cannot determine whether the writers meant for the leading female character to be so dumb, or to act like a first-class fool. I get that she was supposed to have grown up spoiled and protected and naïve but come on! This girl behaved like a three-year-old (apologies to three-year-olds everywhere) for most of the series! If the actress was portraying clueless, she sure did a convincing job. Surely there was another way to make this character a little more appealing and a lot less annoying! Even if she started out dumb and stupid but grew up through adversity and pain and became a strong, independent, intelligent adult! At one point I was rooting for the bad guy to kidnap her and throw her over a cliff (we know that cliffs are never the 'end' in CDrama)... and frankly, I would have been ok with a happy ending for the ML without her! I have never not liked a FL character this much. She had ZERO redeeming qualities except maybe a little chemistry with the ML (but to be fair, even a rock would have chemistry with one as hot as him). I want to say I would take a look at other works of this actress, but if this one is any indication of her acting ability, no thanks!

Absolutely NO rewatch value, which is a shame for the other actors I liked so much, and the ML - but I will look at their other dramas to be fair and give them a chance.

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More Finance - Not Romance

While this was a pretty good series, I did not enjoy it as much as I had hoped to. The story was just mediocre and stretched out a little too long for me with no real appeal (I'm always in it for the romance factor, folks) and this one was not even a slow burn. We almost missed the romance completely! However, almost at the end when we got our PDA fix, it was fleeting at best. There were noble deaths, but characters we lost, nonetheless. I'm all about Karma, and for me, there wasn't enough development in the characters who deserved comeuppance. A couple of the storylines felt incomplete or not explained as much as I would have liked so as to get the intent and see the impact on the overall story.

The actors delivered good performances, the relationships were relatable and believable. They gave us a gamut of emotions and tugged at our heartstrings. They made us love them, hate them, grieve with them, celebrate with them. There was obvious chemistry between the ML & FL, but for me, it was a pity that there was no sizzling romance (what I look for in the dramas I watch).

But the real star of this drama was Liu Xue Yi. I like this actor a lot. I have seen him in other productions, and love when he plays a good guy. He put in a stellar performance in this drama - making it possible to despise his character and not even feel bad when he met his end. As touching as it was meant to be, his evilness was etched in my mind because of the superb acting of Liu Xue Yi.

Rewatch? Probably not. Too many episodes with not enough romance for my liking. However, this was a good series, worth watching to the end.

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