Charming & Excellent actors

I watched this on Viki Rakuten

Engaging & charming story
It contains LBTQ+ realness that’s hardly present in most BL series
Talented casts, always a plus when I come across a BL series that has actors who can actually act.
Charming casts
Awesome wardrobe
For its budget, the soundtrack, cinematography and editing is exceptional
You can tell a good production team from this series
The series credit sound/song is truly catchy.

What I didn’t favor:
The way the Director started the series in a confusing manner when it wasn’t necessary.
Relationship evolved at a perfect phase but showcased at the end: it felt short

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Director needs training

Dropped: Unable to continue watching.

2 CPs, scene started in Japan for location. Great location setting that gives viewer a look of Japan.
first 10 minutes is truly nothing worth watching. It was mostly nonsense chat. Scene transition isn't smooth on most. Acting by actors - I felt like watching a HS freshman school play. However, I believe this is on Director's shoulder. A good & talented director would only film an acceptable, good and excellent depiction of character/s. An artist will continue the way they act if they aren't told to correct or improve. Sadly, the artists are the ones who gets the judgment. The finish product was allowed by the executive producer.

I have to commend the production staff and the artists for their effort and work for this series. I may revisit this series later and start watching mid series to see if there's a reason to edit this review and rating.

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New Face for Bao

iQIYI has this under the title: The Mystery of Jade
Awesome choice for the new face of Judge Bao - Joe Xu Hai Qiao played the character excellently. Li Ming Xuan as Bao sidekick kicked butt with the fight choreography. There aren't a lot of fight scene but I think its just right for the story.
Just like Dee Renjie movies and series changing actors who play the role, Judge Bao series, however far in between, is always a satisfying watch for mystery genre viewers. The entire production: sets, scene props, wardrobes, lighting, effects, fight choreography and especially camera work were all done well.
Recommended viewing for Mystery lovers. If you are a Dee Renjie fan, you wouldn't be disappointed with Judge Bao selections.

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Watch out for the boom mic

I enjoyed the start of this series although it was a bit confusing. The ending became like a filler for time.
Couple of episode, the boom mic was showing. I am sure editing saw this but probably due to budget, and scheduling, reshooting these scenes weren't an option.

There were 3 couples wherein their stories were told.

I am however, still confuse as to the guy jumping from the rooftop. It wasnt even explained how he survived it, and what happened after suriving his jump. Where was he all that time that he just suddenly showed up. Did I miss it?
Last two episodes were like added just to make it 10 episodes. There were awkward, senseless scenes.

The acting is good and roles were portrayed well.
I think this series could have been directed and edited better. Script and Screenplay need a lot of improvements.

As for recommending this series, yes as something to fill your cravings without high expectations while waiting for a well produced BL series.

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A hidden gem

I came across this short film after watching Wuliang. I never thought a short film would have much impact and my expectations were low but like Wuliang, I was surprised that a short film like this would be on same level as any good full length film.
The story will have you stay and watch with anticipation. Focusing well is needed to have a better grasp of what it is all about. The acting is excellent, the screenplay was great, and the narration, although theres quite a bit compared to any full length film, is good and necessary. I believe due to the shortness of the film, the narration was necessary. I hope the director of Wuliang and this film continue directing this kind of film. I am out of words for how good this and Wuliang film are. The lack of adequate promotion for these two films caused a lot of people to miss this great hidden gem.

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Speechless

Production - paid a lot of attention to details and set was appropriately in synched with the scenes.
Story - Light and simple that makes viewers reminisce about their youth: first love, family and school. This series madenme feel sorry for not having an older brother to bicker with and love me the way the sibling relationship was shown here.
Directing - well directed, smooth transition of story, stayed faithful to the origonal manhua story. It is well balanced romance, family, friendship and colleague relationship. It isnt just a story about first love but also family dynamics, cultural & societal impacts, relationships, struggles, and much more that were interconnected.
Wardrobe - this isbthe area that is most times producers limit the budget. It throws viewers for a loop when wardrobe doesnt match the scenes [next day or another day scene but same outfit worn by casts]. Appropriate wardrobe shows honest goal of providing best portrayal of story that assist viewers in being able to follow the story.
Artists - the entire casts worked harmoniously together. Zhao Lusi's versatility as an actress got shown here.
I paid for Youku subscription to watch this then found out thisbjs available in Netflix which I already have.
I dont regret it because the series is worth the subscription I paid. It is very good and worth watching. I plan to watch again in Netflix.

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Best Series so far for 2022 for me

Startled for a series that got me hooked just on first two episodes.
Kangmin and Woohyun Did an awesome job portraying their roles. Their chemistry is solid. There’s no awkwardness even their BTS showed how comfortable they are with each other. This contributed to the sense of realness of the relationship portrayed on this series. The Director used tricks to make viewers feel hate, sadness then cry for the happy emotional ending. Great job Director. The writer must have suffered due to the way the story was written until episode 9. Writer did an awesome job. Don’t hate the haters 🙏🏻 It just means the work was done well to get that kind of reaction.
If this series wasn’t great, it wouldn’t produce fans who expressed hate towards Kangmin and emphatic towards Woo Hyun. To have that, the actors, writers, director and staff have done a really great job.
It is worth the time to watch but I suggest watch first season first before watching this one.
Congratulations Kangmin and Woohyun
Congratulation to all supporting casts!!!
Thank You to the production staff, producers and agency staff.
Hopefully there will be another season🙏🏻

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I love Wang Xuan since coming across him in Who Rules the World. He acts well and he has this different kind of charm but this project isn't for him. The FL ruined this series for me. It would have been good at least if she portrayed the character better. The director worked hard to make this humorous but it backfired due to the Female Lead not fitted for comedic role.

The bulk of my rating is meant for Wang Xuan and the production staff for their hard work. Scene set is beautifully done and wardrobe is good.

If there is a separate rating for Female Lead, and director, it would be 2 for the effort.

Rewatch value is zero for me. I don't recommend this series to be worth the subscription fee but if you can watchvit for free then it can be a time filler while waiting for a good one to air.

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A new twist for Wuxia

Read the synopsis to get the plot.
Production, role portrayal, location, especially wardrobe, are great. I enjoyed a new twist for Wuxia in this series. Casting is great except for Lin Bo Yang. I have her character portrayal a chance and until the end, I didn't find contentment or satisfaction with her playing the character. She didnt seem to fit the role. This is my personal opinion only.
Otherwise, everything else is fun, exciting and interesting. I hope to watch another Wuxia series like this. I enjoyed it til the end and craving for another season.
Thabk you to the producers.

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Excellent Production Quality

Being directed by Lu Yang, I couldn't resist anticipating the release of this series. Director Lu Yang excels in costume and period dramas.
Though this has a plot of tackling an epidemic during the end of Ming Dynasty, this is more of a mix between science fiction and mystery.

I like the way the story unfolded here allowing viewers to use their imagination in deducting clues sporadically given throughout the series. Viewers are captivated by the unraveling mystery, and top quality production.

This show didn't fail my expectation for a mystery series.

I have to also say, Huang Xuan simply did what he had done in Mining Town and Luo Yang - excellent role portrayal. I believe period costume series is really his Forte.
Wu Yea have proven time and time again that his versatility in acting and perfectly handling different roles have made him a top notch actor. Being paired with Huang Xuan, they highlighted each other and made the series



The entire production was marvelous producing top quality set and scenes. Lighting fitted the scenes, wardrobe complimented the timeliness, camera works provided a better understanding of the scenes.

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Highly Recommend for Costume Series

The story revolves around a top martial arts man (Li Lixian) who started his clan with the help of his older brother who he has been since he was little begging onnthe street. They were adopted bybtheir master and his wife and both were taught martial arts. The youngest consistently triumphs and win over the older brother. The younger is arrogant and self assured but always thought the love of his brother wasnt affected by his excellence over everything.
Another sect leader who was focused on being the best (Dei Fang), genuinely fixated on beating Li Lixian on an fair ground.
Betrayal caused the two sect to collide with Li Lixian ending up with 10% of his power. He changed hisnlife drastically after surviving the sects great turmoil but dedicated to find his senior brothers dead body even thou he has limited time to live.
He formed a frienship with the young Duo Bang and found out he is his seniors son.
The relationship between the two is comical and heartwarming at the same time. It is a birderline bromance that is endearing.
I love that this series isnt fixated on romance. If you are a Wuxia Romance lover, this isnt for you. The romance of the male lead was glossed over and didnt pan out to anything but it was beautifully done. I truly love it.
It is infuriating that iQIYI has the last 5 episodes as paid viewing even for iQIYI paid membership. However, with so many hooked on this after starting to watch it, there is a huge chance a lot of viewers paid the extra fee to watch the last 5 episodes.
The ending is a bit vague for me which is probanly thebonly disappointment for this drama. It may be alright for such an ending if there will be another season for it. I heard that the novel has a better ending than the series but I havent read the novel to be certain.
The wardrobe was magnificent and in qeue with each scenes.
The characters all have their own interesting story td. Some may even be considered as a branch off for this drama.
The martial arts choreography is on point and elegant. I wish there was more but as I see it, it was well balanced.
Lotus tower is SICK! I wish they ventured to shoot more scenes in different part of the tower.
There are couple of minor characters that were not addressed so viewers are left wondering as to what happened.
I am very happy with this series. I get tired of so much romantic period dramas back to back that this is a refreshing break. It is highly recommend for anyone looking for a smooth, intriguing, interesting, Wuxia series versatility. The actors portrayed eachbkf their characters so well. My most favorite is the Mom and Aunt. I hope the Aunt gets with the handsome untied hair martial arts guy (sorry forgot the name).
Please try this series if you are into costume and period series.

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Yay for the scriptwriter ??

A period drama that allowed a female to be able to almost be equal to men and doesn’t get punished for it. It is a well balanced story of romance, comedy and action. Male actors are all beautiful & charismatic. I was rooting for the Second male lead I think because he has a better chemistry with the FL. There’s section of the story that was rushed and don’t have clear explanation but not enough to dislike this series. The story is light but well balanced. The costumes were beautiful. The series ending left viewers hanging so I am seriously hoping there will be another season. 🙏🏻It’s worth bingeing and you won’t regret it. And last note: those two male actors ARE SO GORGEOUS!!!

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Not bad at all but plenty of room for improvement

I have seen UWMA and that’s how I came across Hemp Rope. Expectations were built from 3 year wait for this series.
For new artists, the two lead obviously improved in their acting from UWMA. Facial expressions and the pauses in speaking need to improve for all casts. Find it common with Thai series the weird pauses before speaking like they are waiting for a cue to speak and this is during emotionally driven scenes. Awkward to look at. Team being a cutesy, whiny character seems not fitting - it is a college setting. The whining could have been toned down.
The story is good - relating to mental issues and it’s effect on people around us and our own life.
I became a shipper for the WinTeam because of the excellent fan-service these two provide. They are being r their real selves while honestly providing fanservice.
The production for this is great. The hard work is obvious. I believe wardrobe is alright. I just wish they were dressed appropriately for some of the scenes. This is supposed to be college scenario but in some scenes wardrobe is more for teenagers.
Tattoo art is a great addition in character.

Scene when Win was over Teams place and it’s really out there that Team is introducing Win to his parents when they are already about to eat.🤷🏼‍♀️

Overall, I enjoyed this series. Don’t expect anything exemplary. Just enjoy it for what it is - a light story BL series.

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Multiple adaptations with slight twists

If you like period and costume series this is highly recommended
To starts of, there’s already multiple adaptations of this series and you can judge for yourself which you feel is the best one.
Things I like about this adaptation:
✔️the casts - except for couple of them like Yukee playing Zhao Min, and Xudan playing Zhirou, all actors fit the characters perfectly and played it well. Yukee to me overplayed the role with excessive facial gestures that half way through I started fast forwarding scenes that has her in it. Xudan just seemed not fitted for the role. I am thinking the actress who played Xiaozhao would have been more fitted for the Zhao Min role. This is just my personal opinion
✔️the small difference from previous adaptations made this more interesting
✔️the production truly did a way better job than pervious adaptations but that’s also because of advancement in technology and designs
✔️Costumes used are better
✔️Dialogue is simpler and better

It is 50 episodes only reason I lowered rewatch value.
I enjoyed watching the series and hoping more of this kind and value gets produced.
Joseph Zheng is a gifted young actor and hasn’t failed me yet in any movies or series he is in.

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