Oh how close to being great
Oh how I wanted to give this show 10/10 but it just can't stick to the fun stuff that was the initial promise. For the first 20 or so episodes, it is a funny, happy gender bending rom-com but then in the middle stretch, it become a darker melodrama filled with court intrigues (2 kingdoms' worth!) and endless scheming and plotting. Not saying that it was bad writing per se but it totally sidelined the OTP and you only get the occasional scenes with them. I can understand that the writers needed to fill 60 episodes but that is so typical a problem with c-dramas, the mid show drag is real when the original story line runs out of steam and new plots are grafted on to keep things moving. The show does pick up towards the end but you can't recapture the earlier vibes. I would have much preferred the show to focus on the OTP and take them on more adventures and allow them to form a partnership that was always hinted at but never fully realised. If they did that, I can easily sit through 60 episodes, no problem. On the plus side, the acting is great all round and the fight scenes are good. The OTP is terrific. There were some issues with the OST earlier on but it was ok towards the end. I would definitely recommend it but if the exposition and cliché scheming gets too much then the fast forward button is recommended.Cet avis était-il utile?
Role Reversal at its Comedic Zenith
I'll keep this short since many other reviews have already hit high points and plot elements. Oh My General very, very silly at times and doesn't take itself very seriously (even makes fun of its own product placements by giving them an almost QVC feel), but there's just something so good about this show. I think it's Sandra Ma and Peter Sheng's performances. They both play the caricaturesque elements of their role (military meat-head and dandy) well but always there's enough there to support the idea that, despite their limitations - her lack of education and his lack of bravery and strength - they're not stupid. When depended on, they're both great at what they do. Even the brattier moments that I normally cringe at have me laughing instead, and I don't know if that's because of the role reversal or because the show consistently has them showing growth in both their personalities and the relationship - probably both. Either way, one of my favorite C Dramas. If I had to cite a flaw, it's not to do with the plot or acting but the sound quality. At many points, the background music is much, much louder than the dialogue, making it impossible to hear or just fluctuating so wildly that I had to toggle the volume up and down at various points. Doesn't detract from my enjoyment of the show, and I've rewatched this now many, many times.Cet avis était-il utile?
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You can never go wrong on a 60 episode with Ma Si Chun
Same as others I was quite hesitant to watch this and have been on my watchlist for some time, the reason is it is 60 episodes. At last, I was able to watch it before 2023 ended and all I could say is that it was one of the best series I have binge-watched for the year. I gave it a 9/10 because it could have been so perfect from episodes 1- 20 however after came the war plot and the side characters which made the story lengthy but predictable. I for one am a sucker for romance and plot twists, however, the war twists of the story are predictable. I could have moved some episodes because of the war plot it's just that at each episode the FL and ML show a little screentime and it was soooo good and sweet! and I ended up watching all episodes because I didn't want to miss their screen time.Ma Si Chun and Peter Sheng have an absolute chemistry! just the kiss smacks, the eye connection, their foolish air kissing and hugging each other is enough to sizzle. Until now I still think about how Ma Si Chun got the general role, she has a sweet face but she conquered the role! I liked that she wasn't portraying a manly man, she was a general but she has a soft and sweet side whenever she is with the ML. Peter Sheng on the other hand complemented the sweet side of Ma Si Chun. He is hilarious and at some point, it seems Ma Si Chun would smile because she finds it funny.
I have finished the series but I am watching it again however from episodes 1 - 20 only when the cousin arrived did it spoil the fun!
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A Quite Funny and Pleasant Experience
This was very enjoyable to watch, and a quite nice introduction to the genre (this was my very c-drama and Asian drama). The comedy is spot on, the acting and chemistry among the characters is great. It was nice to see a role reversal that did not feel forced, and was not quickly forgotten, as the female lead's role has a very big effect on the plot and her relation to other characters. Romance and plot between supporting characters was also very well-written and memorable.The costuming and music was absolutely stunning sometimes. I'm usually not a fan of dragged out slow-motion scenes, but there were some moments where these were well-warranted.
However, this has a tendency to drag out its episodes. While a lot of the drama surrounding the royal palace is very exciting, I feel that it took them way too long to resolve everything - not in the series time, but in the amount of episodes they made dedicated to that.
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Viewers deserved a better final episode
After investing time on 60 episodes of what was a pretty good story with great acting, likeable (and hateable) characters, the most disappointing thing about this drama was the way they ended the series. Whether they ran out of time, ran out of good ideas, or just plain didn't care about how it would affect the loyal viewers, that last scene was ridiculous and senseless and grossly unsatisfying.That being said, the ML & FL rocked in their roles. Loved the FL - very loveable (not so much in the first few episodes though). I started watching this series and dropped it, then came back after my sister highly recommended it. Loved the chemistry between the military characters, some of the royal family, and even though there was more tragedy than I liked throughout, I think the actors all did a phenomenal job of work. Enjoyed the humor, the familial bonds, and the side romances - although I think they deserved a little more screen time and development.
A lot of time was wasted on the politics - the petty bickering in the court, and on the immature frivolity of some of the male characters in particular. The writers tried to tie up all the stories, but there were still a lot of holes and storylines left hanging. The segments were choppy and did not flow well. Maybe if I rewatch I might see something(s) I might have missed.
The crappy way they ended the story really spoiled an otherwise entertaining series. The viewer is left to imagine their own series of events and guess what might or might not have happened. Assuming everybody ended up with who we wanted them to end up, it would have been nice to actually see what transpired through flashbacks or narrative, instead on two old geezers we don't know with two kids we don't know, making vague chatter.
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My new favorite drama!
This drama was so refreshing to watch. It not only flips every trope on it's head but also has a great plot and characters that you fall in love with. When I saw the summary I thought it sounded different but thought it wouldn't be a serious show. However it delivered a plot that was not repetitive or boring while also kept the main characters relationship developing all throughout the 60 episodes. It was a perfect balance between plot and romance. The non-lead characters were also amazing and not 2 dimensional. There are so many I loved and thought were so funny and interesting. I could truly tell this drama was made with care and I'm excited to recommend it to others and to rewatch it in the future.Cet avis était-il utile?
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Pure entertainment: for easy/relaxed viewing.
Love this one. At first, the love hate relationship of the ML and FL was mildly annoying. But as the story unfolds, with all the character development and plot twists and turns, it became really endearing.Liked that these was written with a strong FL and a pretty ML for a change. FL was a well respected and feared general, while ML was a bit of a scoundrel and a parasite of the royal family. She love him anyway. Even with ML's shallow personality, he learned to understand the hard exterior of FL and love her anyway.
Pure entertainment: easy/relaxed viewing, RomCom with a right dose of political intrigues, heart tugging moments and action packed fight scenes.
Love the onscreen chemistry of the cast. Good OST too. Although the series is a bit too long, I wouldn't mind rewatching this one.
Cet avis était-il utile?
Cet avis était-il utile?
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Ughhh...
I am not a fan of Peter Sheng full stop. His acting at best is 4; wooden, expressionless, monotone, fake beta male, and not interesting at all. Meanwhile, Sandra Ma character was a famous strong general that gathered admiration, loyalty, love, powerful, and smart. How could a beta male Zhao YuJin could compete with that Alpha female General Ye Zhao? Married by arrangement, 2 concubines, mother, sister in-law, brother all in the same premises giving this poor general how to be a good wife (and daughter in law) to a spoil-rotten weak Zhao YuJin. All things considered, scene where Zhao YuJin danced in female garments was scarier than bloody-gut wrenching fighting scene, worst than a drag queen...with clothing disarray with other beta male friends...not that he wasn't pretty enough...because he didn't know to act. He looked like having great time orgies. I stayed until episode 14, long enough to endured Peter Sheng, finally drop it. Not worth to watch...I move on to something else better.Cet avis était-il utile?
Hidden gem
This is one of my absolute favorite cdramas ever. That's why never trust ratings. A fl that doesn't need anyone's help a believable heroine not stick thin fl that looks she could breaks in two if she is touched by a finger and needs saving from the ml all the time. What a refreshing drama, to this day I can't find a similar drama and I am so sick of the baby like very feminine, very slim female characters in cdramas that are so overpowered by the mls like what's the fun in that!! I loved the ml supportive side and now their love story was a slow burn for him. We need more female badass generals. I love mulan and this is as close to mulan as it gets.. It has its quirky, comedy moments and it heartbreaking ones. Just perfectionCet avis était-il utile?
