I'll just keep it short & to the point:

This has gotta be the best historical c-drama I've seen.

Why?
Because unlike majority of c-dramas, or any drama, really, Eternal Love - Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms didn't have the boring/super annoying part! Which usually lasts for more than 10 eps!
Every freaking historical/fantasy drama (especially if it's adapted from novel) has either a ruined middle or ending or even both. Case in point, Journey of Flower (totally ruined the ending), General and I (managed to ruin both middle and ending) and those are only the first ones (or rather, the most recent ones) that come to mind, there's a whole other bunch just the same!

Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms? Nope, didn't have it! I loved every single bit of it! Even the heartbreaking bits!

It:
1. Didn't have endless stupid misunderstandings.
2. Male lead YeHua knew right away when the evil bitch consort aka SuckJin was scheming and his looks said it all, like - keep lying bitch I knew it ain't truth.
Hands down YeHua is the best male lead ever, not falling for the annoying/evil consorts schemes and seeing right trough them!
3.And the female lead BaiQian is all for revenge on said SuckJin. Our high goddess ain't gonna let some puny deity make her suffer and even when she had to suffer some, she won't just let it rest or be all merciful, revenge it is! Kick her ass! Take back those eyes! No more sweet, kind fucking merciful & forgiving aka weak female leads, oh no, no one's gonna step on this girl!

All in all, loved every bit of it & it kept having you excited for what's gonna happen next. This happened and then you kept waiting to see when that happened and so on. It really had me interested trough out all 58 episodes! Not once did I stray to another drama, once Eternal Love got me it had me till the last minute.



As for acting, whoever cast them struck gold, both with main leads & supporting cast.
Especially liked: Chao Mark as Ye Hua, his every expression was so heartfelt; Dilmurat Dilraba as the little fox princess & Gao Vengo as Dong Hua.

Story was also fascinating. I'm so buying & reading the novel & gotta find those pillow books too!

Music rather awesome actually, gotta get my hands on that ost.

Re-watch value? I'm already re-watching it and saving to my computer, gotta have this on hand whenever I'll feel like re-watching it, which's gonna be often.

Overall a rare 10-10 rating from me. Whatever little faults it might have, the overall greatness of not having the annoying middle or ruined ending more than compensates for what might not be as great. In fact, it's so good that I can't even think of anything that is not good.
Eternal Love - Ten Miles of Peach Blossom is a rare gem of a drama.

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A gem that must definitely be seen

I'll keep it short - this drama is a gem.

10/10, binge watched it in one go (good thing I had next day free XD), it's that good - got me hooked with 1st ep and kept me going to each next episode because the mystery/process of it & the plot and how it will unravel kept my interest 100%

Excellent writing and execution.
Not everything needs an explanation, but what does need to be found out, will be.

Also, an excellent example of how not to judge a book by it's cover, the damage a single person can cause and the suffering of loved ones due to other's & society's uncaring & cruel attitude.
I'd almost say this is a slice of life because it sure does showcase a lot of the bad & good of our society and one can learn to be a better person.
I'm already ready for a re-watch.

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Personally, I loved this drama!

Why I loved it and would recommend/think it's worth watching:

1. the male leads character does have an actual development ~.^
And while he's still jerk-ish around ep 5 and 6 you can start to see his doom, that is, development coming XD After that you'll come to love him more and more.
So for those who dislike him at the beginning, totally understandable, but you might be willing to give it another try until later episodes, because it is so worth it.

2. Strong female lead character - that is such a rare jewel in dramas. I can actually count the strong female leads on my fingers, which is sad. But King2Hearts does have it, so yay

3. No love triangles. For me this is a super big bonus because I hate triangles and not only did the drama not have it, the supporting cast couple was also truly great.
I want more dramas with main couples like this one - no wavering, they trust and stay true to each other. What more could a girl want, right?

4. The story was original and kept going nicely, wasn't dragging anywhere and neither was the ending rushed which is also a rarity, another yay
The plot did go a little (ok, maybe a lot?), well, a tad overboard with all the war stuff and who'd attack whom based on what. I truly doubt it'd be that easy in our time considering that the governments do realise the consequences it'd have for us all (...at least I sincerely hope they do)

5. The cast really did portray their characters very well. Liked the ones I'm supposed to like, hated the ones I'm supposed to hate. Brought tear in my eye when needed, made me happy and smiling when called for it. No one left me feeling like this character was lacking or this one was too much.
Except, the only bad thing I can say about casting are the foreigner characters. They (the characters), the acting and their English was awful. Asian dramas really need to start hiring better actors for their foreign characters. Nuff said.

6. Music. Nothing special, but was good. Beautiful even. I will look up two main themes that were played most of the time because they really were great.
Actually, except for some dramatic moments, when it called for those two themes (or is it one?), I didn't really notice it and neither was it needed. The plot and acting kept me captivated, so music really was more just of a background in this one except the few scenes where it added the emotional high, so it was very well done.

Overall I'd say that this drama was great and portrayed very nicely how not to give up and just talk. Communication is important and could solve so many problems.
King2Hearts had plenty of action, politics, drama and romance.

Re-watch value? I've already re-watched it and totally will later on in the future ^^
Thou I'll just skip the horrible foreign actor parts :D

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A really good standalone 2nd movie

I absolutely loved the masterpiece that was Train to Busan - it had cool & interesting zombies, good plot, excellent characters & actors and also managed to completely tear our hearts apart and make us a sobbing mess by the end.

So going into Peninsula I didn't expect it to come even close to 1st one but was still optimistic thanx to the trailers.

Just saw it in the cinema and gotta say - for a 2nd movie it did really great! Actually didn't expect it to be so good, so that was a really nice surprise. The optimism paid off for once.

First movie broke our hearts, this one is more of an action movie and had more fun while still being part emotional here & there.

Character wise it's not a sequel, but zombie & South korea wise it is a sequel - you can take it as a standalone with the prequel set setting...lolz, that became a mouthful XD

The zombies were already familiar, but now we had new ways to deal with them and they were real funny.
Plot was also good and characters & actors did ok and the writers really managed to bring out...how to say it...PTSD from 1st movie at the end? This one's gonna die, no that ones gonna die...the writers really knew how to toy with us and totally bring out the fear/heartbreak of first movie's end, so I for one liked that 'cuz you think you know how it's gonna end, but that's not it.

All in all, it's a good one, I had fun, which did not expect.

Would I recommend to watch it? Totally, it's worth the time :D

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Ok, seems like the movie has mainly followed the novel's way of storytelling, that is, we get everything from Bai Qian's perspective with flashbacks.

But gotta say, it's tad hectic, the way scenes just change and not because of flashbacks, simply not enough time in a movie to tell it all fully, so if one has not read the novel or seen the drama it might be somewhat confusing, but I'd need someones take on it who has seen only the movie, no novel & drama - was the plot easy to follow/understand? If you have read novel or seen drama, piece of cake, everything was clear.

That aside, whoa, the cgi and cinematography is breathtakingly gorgeous! The sets & clothes too! I do believe it's one of the best I've seen if not the best from China! Like, whoaaaaaaaa, a feast for eyes!

And the music is also good!

Even thou the scene changes & plot are somewhat fast forward & and the end was super abrupt, I'm still loving this movie. Wouldn't have thought I would, but I do.


Sooo:
Story: obviously difficult to stuff a whole books contents and little nuances into less than 2 hour movie, but they did pretty good.
Acting/cast: I'd say there were 4 main roles: The lead roles Liu Crystal as Bai Qian & Yang Yang as Ye Hua did great. And Luo Jin as Zhe Yan was also great. Li Frida as Su Jin I'd also consider among the main cast, she was ok.
As for other roles, the actors did ok as well, considering how little screen time there was and the kind of characters they had.
Music: music was actually very good, great even, I'm gonna find that soundtrack.
Re-watch value: It's worth re-watching now and then, definitely gonna do it myself.

Overall: the movie did very good.
Acting was great. Visuals/cinematography was spectacular. Plot was ok considering it's a book to movie adaption. Music was nice too.

In the end:
Loved the novel, loved the drama and loving the movie too ;D Each is great in it's own way ^^

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A masterful gem

I'm not sure if it's a hidden gem, but it's definitely a gem and a 10/10 in everything.

#1 It has gorgeous cinematography. They really put thought into directing and what would be best angles and scenery. Simply pure beauty to watch.
2# The writing & plot was excellent. Not a thing too much or too little & thoroughly riveting. Each character had a role to play. If I didn't have to go to work next day, would've binge watched it all in one go - it's that good. Keeps you on your toes and excited for what will happen next.
#3 The music:
1. The opening title itself already has lovely music & the animation also is great.
2. The drama had few notable pieces throughout the drama but they were truly captivating and used perfectly for each scene that it had your complete attention and only heightened the emotions to the very top.
#4 They picked the right actors, that's for sure and boy did they deliver. Top notch acting & performance.

And miscellaneous #5:
1. The overall pace...while exciting, I'd say was rather measured and calm, yet kept you on your toes.
2. The good, the bad, the morals? The drama was, I'd even say, a good moral portrayal of human nature & society - there is no white or black - it's all gray. One can not always choose what to do, the situation may push you into it, or in fact, it may mold you to be what is needed even if afterwards you get cursed for it.
3. The many varied relationships & their changes.
Honestly, the drama had such excellent interactions & exchanges between the characters and how it changes & develops with the story... it's so good to watch.
I'm not gonna go into spoilers, but once you're halfway into the drama, you'll realise that our female lead & a certain minister have excellent chemistry - be it between the characters or the actors, and I don't mean it in a romantic way, but the two of them together make you wanna go - yasss, burn them all, if those two are together, nothing can stop them.

And a special mention deserves our female lead. Sadly, rarely do we get such excellently written female leads. That's who women are and can be. You think you control her, yet in the end she's the one to control you.
A true queen indeed.

Bloody Heart is a rare excellent & riveting drama that does not often come by. A must watch for sure.

And I didn't even mentioned romance, because while it is there & actually plays a rather huge part...everything else is so amazing that it actually kind of overshadows the romance if you start to think about it. The cinematography, the plot, the characters & their relationships...that takes precedence. Because it's simply that great.

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It's not just an action movie, it's human nature.

I'm finding it quite hard to review the movie 'because...wow...just wow...pretty much says it all.
It's truly a rare great one that needs to have more recognition.
If you're put off by the fact it's from 1975, forget about that, it's better than majority of movies made nowadays, be it story, acting or directing and will remain an amazing piece of work even 100 years from now.

Started watching it with the thought that it'll be a fun(more or less) action movie.
It was not fun.
It did have great action & suspense 'thou.
But more than anything - it's a heavy one.
2.5 hours and not a moment of it did my attention stray away from the screen. It had me the whole time.
The story, the acting, the directing, music...it really is shown in a way that makes you stop and think.

Don't want to give away any spoilers, but just know while it does have great action/suspense, it also showcases human nature at it's best & worst. Mostly the worst from all points of view one could imagine - how being down on luck can accumulate and lead to tough decisions, how panic makes the masses foolish, how government is willing to sacrifice, how something planned to go without any bloodshed can go so very wrong.

Story definitely is a 10.
Acting/cast also deserves a 10.
Music got 8 because while overall it did fit and add to the scenes, nothing memorable, moreover, the last one at the very end was like...wth. I understand why they did it, but still...kind of agree with the choice while also disagree.
Actually...conflicted is a pretty good way to describe the movie, it leaves me kind of conflicted inside.
Re-watch value...7, but not because it's not worth a re-watch, it is...but bear in mind, it's a heavy one, so not an easy re-watch. I'll need some fluffy/fun drama/movie now that I've finished watching The Bullet Train to cheer me up and shake off this heaviness.
Overall - a solid 10.
Go watch it.
It's worth it.
Most definitely.

Leggi di Più

A brilliant gem

Honestly, it feels like this drama is underrated and deserves so much more attention, because it is quite simply - brilliant. The characters. The story. It's masterfully portrayed.

Wasn't quite sure what to expect going into it but by the middle it was clear that Battle of Changsha will leave a deep impression and it most certainly did.

It is by no means a light watch, yet manages to bring in humour. At a certain point it becomes unbearably heavy and you truly start to feel the consequences of war and it's impact on the simple citizens. You feel for them, you live with them.
I rarely cry, but this made me cry several times, so be warned, prepare the tissues.

The story may seem simple enough - we follow the Hu family during a time of war.
But...it is not so simple as that.
I'm really having trouble describing just how...emotional it is.
The writer, director and cast truly manage to bring you in into the story - they've done a spectacular job.

The characters are so well written...they truly have depth. They feel real.
Battle of Changsha is one of the rare dramas where the whole story is carried by the characters, their relationships and their growth alone.
It does not focus on the war or how one might expect the Japanese to be the evil ones in this case, that's no the point of the drama - the point is how a family lives through it all. War is no black and white.

I've seen Yang Zi and Wallace Huo in other dramas and knew they'd do good, but their characters here...I truly do believe this might very well be their best work. It certainly is in my eyes.
Individually - their character growth is a thing to behold, both actors were amazing in their portrayals.
And together - one might think the age difference is too big for the actors, but for their characters it's perfect - as the characters slowly change and romance starts to grow and you see the relationship start to form for the characters and naturally develop - it's a lovely thing to watch.
You no longer see the actors, you forget the age gap, you simply see the characters they are and rejoice in their relationship.

Once the story starts to hit heavy I'd advise taking a little break and watch something else that is more light and then come back. Battle of Changsha is not the kind of drama that can be easily marathoned. It really brings out the feelings.

All in all, I say this is a must watch:
The story is fantasticaly written.
The characters are flesh & blood - they have their faults, they're human and you know it's real.
The actors have outdone themselves - all of the cast were truly amazing.
The music fit the mood and while not exceedingly memorable, knew which strings to pick to get the desired emotion. Or at times, silence was all it took.
Re-watch value...only reason I give it an 8 is because this is no easy re-watch material, it needs time to settle down and then may watch again for sure.

Leggi di Più

Even the butchering of editing couldn't defeat this gem of a drama

I''ll keep this short:

Honestly, I want to give the drama a 10 'cuz the storyline and acting were damn good and had me captivated with first episodes and even got me to watch the raws, buuuut...

#1 The editing...it's like the editing department tried to butcher it and nearly succeeded. This is the most horrendous editing I have ever seen - misplaced and cut scenes, forgotten cgi effects, forgotten light/darkness...like...wtf???
So damn sad. They're ruining the actors, director's and so forth work put in.
In fact, the editing is so bad, fans are attempting to fix it!
So 9.5 down it goes.

#2 Then to me personally, there were too much scenes for secondary characters later on, honestly, I didn't care for them. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
So 9 it is for me.

Can't give the drama a lower rating despite the butchering 'cuz it does deserve those 9 stars for sure - the plot and actors earned it.

Music was ok - love the ed song ;D

Definitely re-watching, but totally skipping the secondary characters scenes XD

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Wow, they sure gathered an impressive cast, even for the smaller roles and the excellent writing certainly lets it show. No one's talents were left unused.
It was quite a joy to see all these familiar faces show up one after another and watch them perform the roles completely in character.

Seems like for majority of people onions were being cut while watching this one, and even thou it does make ones heart feel like it's being tad squeezed at times...in a nice painful way, well, no one's cutting onions around me - but the movie was very well done. Worth the time. I'm very glad I saw it.
"Always" has a certain kind of beauty for it. The flow of it was very nice & calm.

I'm only worried for the turtle...

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This was a trademark k-drama so further review can't really be considered spoilery as it happens in basically every drama.

However, If you can live with or it doesn't bother you that:
1. The good ones, as usual, get all walked over by bad ones who don't get any punishment or retribution, everyone's all friends afterwards instead of getting burned alive.
2. Drama adds totally unnecessary drama just to drag it longer and so it certainly dragged the last 3 eps instead of flowing nicely (thou not that the added drama was draggy, it went well... but could've done without it)
3. The completely unreasonable break up. I'm not even gonna comment on that one.

THEN if you can overlook those 3 above, I would recommend watching it cuz I truly enjoyed Heartstrings up till end of ep 12 when noble idiocy took place and it annoyed me to anger. Had someone warned me of it I would've been prepared & not as angry, could've just rolled my eyes and munched on popcorn while cussing them XD

It was fun, the music was great & the main leads were great :)
Even with the trademark wide eyed & stiff act from heroine whenever kiss is involved.

#3 has now made me rather vengeful, cuz I don't even remember which drama it is by now that has all the 3, well, 4 if we count stiffness too, trademarks that could totally be done without as it only ruins the drama for me. I really wanna find a drama where for once when the idiot who breaks up with their loved one for their own good aka so that loved one could achieve whatever, they wouldn't get back together and the loved one would find new love & live happily ever after, while the idiot who decided to break up for the better & let go instead of holding on & not letting go, would then wallow in misery. Would totally serve him/her right.

So yeah, while I liked the drama, the #1-3 has ruined it for me and not gonna watch it again.
Goody two shoes are overrated, stand up for yourself and don't be a well meaning sacrificial idiot either!
If they had left out the mess and had this ending, I would've re-watched it again, but now it's barely worth watching once.
Plot was good, actors did good, music was good too, so I'd say watch it once and see for yourself. At least till ep 12 and if you can tolerate not breaking your laptop (which I somehow managed) watch the last 3 eps too just to see them on screen or if you're already used to this kind of k-drama or maybe if you like the added drama :p

And also watch it cuz Shin really was a great boyfriend, for that alone it's worth to see ;D

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