This was a 58 episode drama divided nominally into 2 parts which are quite different so I'm going to review them separately.
Plot : What happens when two flawed people meet and fall in love?
Ling buyi ( Wu lei) is a young high ranking general from a powerful clan all of whom were extinguished by a violent act of betrayal. He is the emperor's adopted adored son, and the dream husband of every young lady in the city (of course). Despite this he's hell bent on avenging his family, cold, ruthless and not above being manipulative to fulfill his mission. Chen shaoshang is the daughter of a minor general who was abandoned by her parents to the mercies of her neglectful grandma since young. She grows up being bitter, petty , ignorant and self absorbed because of this.
Part 1 : This part is almost entirely focused on the family dynamics of Cheng shaoshang with her parents return home . Okay, we get that she was neglected by her family but the repetitive family scenes are almost obsessively focused on justifying to the viewers that she isn't to blame for why she is so unlikeable. However the strong supporting cast made for some hilarious scenes that are watchable.
However, this is at the expense of Ling Buyi's backstory, and the mystery surrounding Ling Buyi which I personally was intrigued by and which I consider unforgivable for a drama of this length. Leo wu stole the scenes he was in despite him being relegated to being Cheng Shaoshang's secret admirer for most of them.
Part 2: This is when the story really picks up, and Ling buyi's backstory and grey, sometimes manipulative character are revealed. Him being torn between his lifelong dedication to avenging his family and his love for Chenshao Shang, and Cheng Shaoshang trust issues and stubborn behavior results in some very stormy scenes. In the end, despite being torn apart and ALSO choosing to be apart ,they find that they cannot be without each other. This is Love.
Pros: Cinematography, storytelling,direction, background music and Wu lei's amazing performance as Ling buyi. Also the stellar supporting cast. The revenge scene of Ling Buyi in part 2 and the aftermath of it was really spectacular and cinematic. Truly edge of your seat stuff.
Cons: The Love story is honestly a bit unrelatable to me because Ling Buyi falls in love at first sight with the FL despite her unlikeable and stubborn character, and I felt that the drama was trying very hard to push the viewers to sympathize with the FL against the ML despite * SPOILER * him abandoning her in the end only to save her and her family from the repercussions of his own actions * I did not find this to be as unforgivable as it was portrayed to be and found the FL's stubborn refusal to forgive him exhausting and dramatic. However I get the premise of two flawed individuals.
Repetitive scenes with the FL family should have been edited out.
The ending and reconciliation were a bit rushed ( and it shouldn't have been for a drama of this length ) so they could've edited out most of the unnecessary scenes.
I feel they could've lengthened the story after the time lapse of 6 years to display how the characters have matured and are reconciled to each others flaws.
The lead actress was quite ok in part 1 playing a stubborn and willful girl but in part 2 she really failed to bring the subtle emotions of a grown woman who is still pining for her love despite also hating him. However I feel like Cheng Shao Shang would have been more palatable and relatably acted throughout the series.
I really recommend this drama for its great storytelling and chemistry despite its flaws. This was a young cast of actors and kudos to them for being able to act out a dramatic drama like this.
Plot : What happens when two flawed people meet and fall in love?
Ling buyi ( Wu lei) is a young high ranking general from a powerful clan all of whom were extinguished by a violent act of betrayal. He is the emperor's adopted adored son, and the dream husband of every young lady in the city (of course). Despite this he's hell bent on avenging his family, cold, ruthless and not above being manipulative to fulfill his mission. Chen shaoshang is the daughter of a minor general who was abandoned by her parents to the mercies of her neglectful grandma since young. She grows up being bitter, petty , ignorant and self absorbed because of this.
Part 1 : This part is almost entirely focused on the family dynamics of Cheng shaoshang with her parents return home . Okay, we get that she was neglected by her family but the repetitive family scenes are almost obsessively focused on justifying to the viewers that she isn't to blame for why she is so unlikeable. However the strong supporting cast made for some hilarious scenes that are watchable.
However, this is at the expense of Ling Buyi's backstory, and the mystery surrounding Ling Buyi which I personally was intrigued by and which I consider unforgivable for a drama of this length. Leo wu stole the scenes he was in despite him being relegated to being Cheng Shaoshang's secret admirer for most of them.
Part 2: This is when the story really picks up, and Ling buyi's backstory and grey, sometimes manipulative character are revealed. Him being torn between his lifelong dedication to avenging his family and his love for Chenshao Shang, and Cheng Shaoshang trust issues and stubborn behavior results in some very stormy scenes. In the end, despite being torn apart and ALSO choosing to be apart ,they find that they cannot be without each other. This is Love.
Pros: Cinematography, storytelling,direction, background music and Wu lei's amazing performance as Ling buyi. Also the stellar supporting cast. The revenge scene of Ling Buyi in part 2 and the aftermath of it was really spectacular and cinematic. Truly edge of your seat stuff.
Cons: The Love story is honestly a bit unrelatable to me because Ling Buyi falls in love at first sight with the FL despite her unlikeable and stubborn character, and I felt that the drama was trying very hard to push the viewers to sympathize with the FL against the ML despite * SPOILER * him abandoning her in the end only to save her and her family from the repercussions of his own actions * I did not find this to be as unforgivable as it was portrayed to be and found the FL's stubborn refusal to forgive him exhausting and dramatic. However I get the premise of two flawed individuals.
Repetitive scenes with the FL family should have been edited out.
The ending and reconciliation were a bit rushed ( and it shouldn't have been for a drama of this length ) so they could've edited out most of the unnecessary scenes.
I feel they could've lengthened the story after the time lapse of 6 years to display how the characters have matured and are reconciled to each others flaws.
The lead actress was quite ok in part 1 playing a stubborn and willful girl but in part 2 she really failed to bring the subtle emotions of a grown woman who is still pining for her love despite also hating him. However I feel like Cheng Shao Shang would have been more palatable and relatably acted throughout the series.
I really recommend this drama for its great storytelling and chemistry despite its flaws. This was a young cast of actors and kudos to them for being able to act out a dramatic drama like this.