Strong Female Lead Movie

Story of two young ladies who want to get back their family blade that their father, a Chief Commander, used while valiantly fighting against the Liao during war. The Liao took the blade as a trophy winning against the brave Chief Commander.

The story entirety revolved within 2 days; from the time the blade was taken back by the 2 sisters then fighting the Liao soldiers who went after them.

The fight choreographies were good and theres a lot of them. Set scenes were done convincingly. Costumes matches the story told. There was just a quirky scene wherein the fight was turned into a staged production complete with spotlight so it threw me off. A serious story that has this made me scratch my head.
No beautiful costumes, emperor's, or palace shown in this story so don't expect them.
Overall, I can recommend it for viewing if you are into period action movies that has a good plot a strong female lead.

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Blending Old & New

The lack of promotion for this series, plus the lack of proper subtitles, made it difficult for viewers to discover & enjoy this series. A unique story of blending new & old arts, plus the hurdles of keeping and maintaining an old culture not only by the older generation but also the new generation. This series not only offered entertainment but also education on China's exquisite entertainment culture. I came out of it learning a lot. It also depicted brotherhood and sisterhood in different ways. It's a good watch if you can get through the rough subs. I had to use a translator 80% of the series for better understanding so it took me longer to watch it.
There's no synopsis nor list of artists who participated here. Some of the main artists are
Liu Yi Hun, Mu Hao, Yang Jun, Yang Wen, Liu Xiao Li, Li Xuaner and other veteran artists.
Its a story of a young man with a family entertainers in Peking Opera. He excels as a performer in this field and could follow his grandfather's footsteps as an international awarded Peking Opera performer but his focus is on his rock band. Upon stumbling on the opera's situation after returning home with him bandmates, he was grapling on how to continue his path in the rock band, and help salvage his family's Peking Opera group.
Whole production did good in setting, scenes, and props but could improve in wardrobes for the characters. Repeat and recycled wardrobes are always easy to catch. The opera costumes and headress were exquisite though. Love the little information shared about it.

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Unique Plot

Story is unique involving mental health issue. Learned that in Japan, there is a label for this. Love a series that teaches me new things.

As I mentioned, the plot got me interested. It is refreshing to watch a story different from the typical plot. There's a little of mystery, comedy, & romance for this short series.

Casting: I am not well versed with Japanese artists since I can hardly access J-Drama from platforms I subscribe in. I don't feel the artist playing the FL fits the character well. It just felt like there's something missing or not fitting. I don't even think that those are the right words for it.
The rest of the artists did well in portraying their characters.
My favorite is the relationship between father and daughter. It is adorable.
YU is the only artist I am familiar with in this series and I think he is improving really well with his acting skills.

Actor Junhai (I hope I spelled it right), is quite interesting in the way he portrayed his role as a famous writer with his own mental issues.

Wardrobe: It's great to see an entire series with no recycled/repeat wardrobe. Well chosen sets for each character.

Sets and Props: Nothing out of the ordinary nor out of place. Very well suited for each scenes.

Overall, I was surprised that it kept me glued and checking how many more episodes left each time I finish an episode. I embarrassingly hoped for a magical transformation on the amount of episodes because I wanted the story to evolve more. Maybe expand the romance part.

It is hard to find this with English sub just like most Japanese drama. I wish more diverse Japanese series will be easily accessible and available for international viewers with Eng sub even with subscriptions. We are missing out on a lot of great Japanese series and movies.

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Exquisitely directed

This is a hidden gem. I am two years late watching this short film. It’s a shame that this wasn’t promoted well because everything about this film is exceptionally great. Newcomer actors portrayed their role really well you can’t tell that they are still new actors.

It has a dark and mysterious theme but done jn an exquisite way. The director is known for dark themed work that leaves a viewer enthralled.

The entire production did well with wardrobe, scene sets and props. It will not disappoint.
You need to focus on every detail to truly grasp the story and watch til the very end to explain few things.

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#MeToo version of the past

The story revolves around 9 people who touched or passed Ru Lan's life during the time she bravely sought justice against all odds. The characters are put together and linked for revenge 7 years later.

It is comparable to the #MeToo movement that got started by one victim rendering courage to other victims years later. Ru Lan's best friend is the one in the middle of the revenge and insists on justice for Ru Lan, herself and all other victims.

The last episode provided an alternative story of how it could have been if the Embroidery incident never happened.

Episode 24 is where finally justice was served. Sadly, it took the highest person sitting in the position of an emperor to get this accomplished.

This got me emotionally drained. It felt like an up amd down roller coaster of triumph and defeat. As I rejoice for the victims getting ahead, I would be brought back down by the villain getting away or being ahead.

Personally, I don't think I am capable of watching this again even tho the ending was a win for the victims. 23 episodes of humiliation, abuse, bullying, trickery, lying and death for one glorifying triumphant ending is too much for me.

Production-I love the simplicity of the wardrobes and costume fitting the sceneries chosen for this series. The BGM is nice and soothing, applicable to the story.
Casts were done quite well and worked excellently. Every artists did so well in portraying their roles. The romance aspect is no heavily focused here so if you like romance, this is not a series you'll enjoy. There is not much humor or comedy, hardly any. So this gives you an idea if this is something you will enjoy.

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I am biased here so heads up

Where to watch: iQIYI

Where to watch: iQIYI

Yang Xu Wen - character is too arrogant that sometimes I think the writer overdid this character (or the director maybe?)
Lu Ling Feng - his character role


Yang Zhi Gang - disciple of Det. Dee, already love the character. He played his character so well that I’m hoping there’s a sequel to this series. (After writing this, i found out sequel is currently in production and filming Yay!)
Su Wu Ming


I enjoyed this series a lot. I am partial to period/costume series that is more mystery, thriller, and/or political than romance.
The ending truly made viewers aware that there is a sequel. Although the ending solved the mystery, it still left me wondering about the emperor.
The production is excellent from wardrobe to props. Everything got arranged and set perfectly.

I highly recommend and since the sequel is already being filmed, best to watch this now and be ready for the sequel.
As to rewatch value, i rewayched this 3 times and still enjoying it.

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Surpisingly Good

This series started slow, fun, and light and transitioned gradually & smoothly to serious heavy drama.

I enjoy the plot showing women power during a period that women are a minority. It was part of the story from start to end of the series highlighting women capabilities in raising a family, business and even in military. How hard it must be during this period when woem doesnt carry half the value of a man during this time.

I enjoyed the relationship of the lead character as husband and wife. They were married not liking each other but ended up having the tightest, loyal bond ever. The support they provided each other at all times and at the same time learnkng from each other. It is model relationship that any cour would aspire. Although there is romance and relationship in this series, it was balanced with the story regarding business, family, politics and friendships. It is not the main focus of the story.

The wardrobe for this series is exceptional and perfect for each scenes. Production showed serious attention to details adding to the authenticity of the story. The director did an excellent job in telling the story. The transition was smooth and solid. The war scenes were choreographed well and the locations used were the typical locations for period setting series. Most of them looked familiar being used in other series.
I am not very familiar with the lead actors but it is nice to see some support actors I am familiar with watching many period dramas.

I highly recommend this series. My opinion it is a great watch.

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Best Period Series side by side with The Untamed

This series is exceptionally good. The entire production is great. Love the progression of the story. Not boring. Well balanced. Each characters have their own story that connects to the plot. Very well made series.
36 episodes and they added 37th episode for 11 minutes. Sadly, due to the controversy involving Zhang Zhehan, I am unable to find it in Youku anymore. It can be found in YT with commentary.
This is exceptional just like The Untamed, there is no boring scenes. Viewers payed attention for every small detail that helps enlighten the viewers.
The actors are exceptional in portraying their characters. All artists involved worked harmoniously together and fit the role they are playing. Wardrobe is exceptional. I noticed the pattern in the wardrobe during lead actors first meeting and their last shot in episode 37. Nice touch!

Additional Note:
Watched this series for the 3rd time and it felt like I am watching again for the first time. As concentrated i was in previous times i watched, I still found things i missed or forgotten. I still enjoyed watching this in Netflix (7/12/2023)

Enjoyed this a lot.

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This is much more that a BL genre

I believe I Told Sunset About You is more than just a BL series. It is more than a LGBTQ agenda but at the same time told in the most positive way. It's about being confused, conflicted, understanding, and finally accepting an identity and 'coming out' at the time one accepts and in his/her own way. It depicted individuals are they are - very realistic. This series enlightens us that about the emotional turmoil one goes through dealing with the realization; someone who feels they can hurt and hurt others they love for being who they are.
It is a very beautiful story and exquisitely directed.
I learned to be satisfied with Thai BL series thinking what I normally watch is the norm. This series taught me that with exceptional screenwriter and Director, a Thai BL drama can be so much more.

I find that there’s a lot of scenes that were a bit slow to start or with extended silence, however the overall series made up for this small detail.

It is my opinion that everyone give this series a chance and experience Thai BL series in a different way.

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A “Must” Watch

Despite the show's lacklustre ratings, I decided to give it a try expecting to be satisfied even for it having Park Bogum. Shame on me because this show turned out to be excellent from production to actors.

The plot is excellent and each episode was well directed. There was no dragging moments that I never pressed fast forward even once. I rewatched couple of episodes to make sure I didn’t miss anything. The story
progressed excellently leaving watcher glued and eagerly following.

It is a well balanced & blended mystery, romance, family, thriller, comedy. It was emotional for me at one point, making me think the writers were successful in conveying empathy and sympathy.

It is one of those series that you will not regret watching even if it is not the genre you prefer.

If there is anything that can be improved, in my opinion it is the ending.

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Many facets & not focused on one thing

I started watching this because as a start for multiple series of Novoland.
Watched in on Viki.
This is 56 episodes and rightfully so. By the end of the series I am left needing more episodes because of many unanswered questions.
Who won the final battle at the end? Who’s left in charge of YuRan's clan? What happened to Yung WuYi? His daughter got lost in the story too. The princess in the capital-what became of her? Is Jie Ye leading Tian Ju?
Needing answers to this questions just showed I was invested and interested in this series. The actors perfectly portrayed their characters. They acted their role so I won’t penalize them for the outcome of this series. The writers and director I believe could have done better with ending status of each character they introduced and gave story.

This series didn’t focus on the three main leads but told story of each characters in the story that is well connected to the main characters.

Production is huge and amazing. From costumes to props, everything fits perfectly. I can just imagine the hard work put on this especially scenes done in the snow. Just the hard work for this series shown doesn’t warrant a rating of 1 by some.

I love how the relationship of the three main lead were written. There’s no childish weird assumptions on it and it was tackled like a wise adult.

I also love the lead female character that balanced the two main lead’s serious side.

I will say it is worth investing time watching. Long series like this I normally will skip episodes or fast forward but I watched all episode without doing such. I even rewatched some again.

Because of missing end story for some characters and the way ending was done you may feel disappointed but I hope the overall aspect will make up for that as it did for me. I’m hoping for a sequel. 😁
Time to now watch other Novoland series.

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Interesting Gem Found

Came across this show by accident. I think it needs more promotions because if not for exploring MyDramaList, I wouldn't have come across this show. I truly love the concept. It provides us a glimpse of Korean life in the raw. How does another culture's society handle the truth that gender is not just male & female? They are not actors with scripts to follow although they may be following a guideline & this may have caused some awkwardness and the video is edited. Though they are all men, if we watch gender blind, we will witness human emotions and reactions caused by disappointments and achievements. I hope this show gets more tracking because it is really a kind of show that will help society see and learn what these brave men are trying to show us.
I think the first half of the series is needing more group activity. I love the group bonding moment
Promotions such as group live streaming, or interviews can be helpful in generating viewers and at the same time fill the weekly anticipation of waiting for the next episode that only comes once a week although episodes 6 & 7 were shown in the same week. wherein they honestly shared their experiences being gay in Korean society. My heart ached for these young men. Looking at all of them, these experiences made them stronger and more resilient.
Thank You for Creating this show. I bow to the producer, production staff, and casts for courageously doing their part in improving and educating society by bravely showing what and how it really is to be a man and be gay in South Korea even in a small way.

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Worth the chance

I like Japanese BL even though it is not consistent in defining BL.
This series started and progressed slow for 8 episodes but it has an endearing story that did not get written well in my opinion.
Chemistry seems lacking at first for the main actors but towards the end, it felt like the story needed to evolve before the chemistry bloomed.
I have no complaints in how these artists did their job. I find all of them (from lead to support) expressed their characters well.
It is not on my top Japanese BL series but it is still a good watch for me.
I just wished the wardrobe for this series was done alittle better.

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Great last 2023 summer series from iQIYI

Dark and mysterious Wuxia costume series.
Very interesting and will keep you glued til the end. Best choreographed martial arts fight I have ever watched. Awesome wardrobe line-up and location.
The director for this series is same one who directed Wuliang and Painted Skin which are both excellent dark costume series.
I am surprise that he added a humorous character in this series. He balanced it out perfectly this time.

Highly recommended to watch.
Is it worth the subscription fee? A big YES.

Tho it almost didn't air due to the a criminal charge of one of the minor artist playing a support role, it still ended up being one of the top favorite release for this summer entertainment of C-drama. Quite a few disappointed viewers as to the ending. It wasn't as bad I think, it's more like being left open for possible season 2. Sadly, the new Chinese entertainment law will not approve release of sequels within12 (or is it 24?) months of airing.

Note:
As to which artist was charged, according to news release, it is the artist who played the role of Xue GongZi, the friend companion to the young child Xue TongZi, in the back hill who aided the first real trial/test of the Sword Wielder.
Xue Gong Zi [Xue Tong Zi's servant & aide]

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