Excellent Production

[Note to fans of Yanxi Palace: Please treat this drama as a separate story from Yanxi. If you have seen production spoilers on the internet, please ignore them. It's best to view this drama FRESH.]

The story takes place around the end of the Warring States Period in China (475-221BC) and it highlights the conflicts between the Qin and Zhao States. The three main characters enter the story as Li Hao Lan (born to the imperial censor in Zhao) is banished from home and sold to the merchant Lǚ Bu Wei. Later, they meet the prince from Qin who is kept as a hostage in Zhao, Ying Yi Ren. With their help, Ying Yi Ren escapes Zhao, becomes the King of Qin, and later passes the throne to his son and heir, Ying Zheng (later known as Qin Shi Huang -- the first Emperor to unify China). Li Hao Lan is Ying Zheng's mother and she later becomes the Empress Dowager.

This drama is high-quality and unique: story, cast, costume, setting, music, etc. The characters are complex and have layers/depth. The story is for members in the audience who enjoy thinking about the story and characters , long after the episodes reach their conclusion. This drama has several complex hidden messages for the viewers. Each main and supporting character has their own lessons to share. The main story and its deeper meanings are clear for everyone in the audience to interpret in their own way...

There are many memorable characters in this drama -- main and supporting roles. Their story lines and subplots are highly enjoyable!

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To sum it up, the story is about the innocence of youth, illusions of love, loyalty, and loss. Very poignant.

This drama tells the heart-wrenching story of a group of young dancers who were part of the military during the 1970s. And the story follows their lives until the 2000-2015 (but ended too soon). The narrator is a member of the dance troupe who focuses on the main characters and tells their stories from a detached third person's point of view. This is a classical approach to storytelling but, at times, this approach felt somewhat outdated for a production from 2017...

Overall, this production is good quality. Wish the story took more time to expand and develop (into a mini-series perhaps?). Specifically, the last 20-minutes (or so) felt rushed, as did the ending scenes.

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Bittersweet Coming-of-Age Story

Unlike viewers who have either read the original novel (in Chinese) or watched the movie, I came to this drama without any expectations or biased perceptions. This is a coming-of-age story for the main lead characters (Qi Ming and Yi Yao), and the story has a set of supporting characters who enrich the main story with their own storylines (== family members, friends, co-workers, etc).

The main plot is about Qi Ming and Yi Yao -- childhood friends who grew up together and tried to find a way to become partners in life. Qi Ming is almost considered as a "perfect guy" -- smart, successful, and well-liked. Yi Yao comes from a dysfunctional family with a tragic story of its own; she is portrayed as stubborn, defensive (at times), but kindhearted. Can they overcome all of the differences and "opposing forces" between them and become partners? Do they succeed in the end? (No spoilers!).

Favorite supporting characters:
1) Hao Tian and Du Du -- sweetest and possibly the most compatible couple in this story.
2) Gu Sen Xi -- a good guy with a kind heart; he tries to be a "Robin Hood" in real life.
3) Yi Yao's mother -- a kindhearted woman with a tragic story of her own; she has a sharp tongue.

The songs/OSTs in this drama are AMAZING! Check them out for yourself!

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Good story

As a production, it is good. Actors are very good, in fact. The only issues about this production would be the ending (last ~10 episodes or so). The plot drifted and seemed unfocused (after Episode 38 or so), even though I enjoyed watching the 3 main characters and their story lines unfold. It is really regrettable that the last 2 episodes seemed so fragmented for the characters. (I know there may be another season! And, that's good news indeed.).

The main challenge here is whether the plot follows character development. I personally feel like the three main characters' developments aren't explicitly shown to the audience. That's regrettable. There is a lot of change in their lives. They must be changing as people. But, it is unclear...

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Typically, inner harem dramas are skipped for me. But, Yanxi was unique. It is a high-quality production.
Main characters are memorable, even though the story seems highly fictional.

It is unclear if Wei Ying Luo had true affections for Emperor QianLong. Personally, I'm not convinced. There seems to be too much at stake between them, always trying to outwit the other person.... Ying Luo's true affections for FuHeng and Fucha Empress are real and deep.

This drama is a refreshing take on the usual palace drama plot. Music, costumes, and sets are beautifully executed.

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Beautiful story

This "current/modern version" of the famous Chinese folklore legend --Legend of the White Snake--is an impressive update from the original tale. It is a poignant adaptation.

Several aspects of the story are quite captivating (aka., binge watching warning here!! LOL):
1) Story brings forth "destiny" as a source of conflict for Xu Xian and Bai Yao Yao -- they must struggle against their predetermined destinies in order to be together. At times, it means they have to break celestial laws and receive grave punishments from the Immortals.
2) Story focuses on the Taoism concept of immortality --how to obtain it, whether it is worth pursuing, etc? And whether experiencing the emotional life of mortals is worth it?
3) Excellent supporting characters with their own story lines: Xiao Qing and Qi Qing, Bai Di and Qing Di, Shang Di and Yao Di, Leng Ni, Tao Ti, etc
4) Good balance of comic parts and heart-wrenching parts of the story.
5) Excellent Acting!

***Before I forget to mention: the songs are so lyrical.***

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