My two favorite guys; Mark Chao and Wang Duo (not Deng Lun)

I was interested with this movie because of Mark Chao and Wang Duo..this is the two Chinese actor that surely bring out the best of characters, not that Deng Lun isn't good but he's more to romance gender kind of character. Mark has steady, quiet, sympathetic, strong personality that gives his character more weight while Wang Duo is best with his dramatic character, Deng Lun buffed up with his appearance. All actors did awesome, from the MLs to supporting actors, visual feast. Collaboration Visual/sound effect with acting skills from the actors made this movie over the top quality. The dragon thing wasn't my favorite though...but this one of two movies with the same titles and magic, action, flashy visual effect and weird creatures are part of this deal. Good and evil play the role of distinction in two character Qing Ming and Bo Ya, the two formed friendship from different side of opinions, with humor tricking/spying other opponents. Bo Ya was very fierce what he thought wrongdoings while Qing Ming was easy going on presumably black/white characters...while Wang Duo was Qing Ming's dead SiFu that loved and protected a woman to her evil doing no matter in what cost. ok I can't denied that I love Deng Lun here too...he wasn't Xu Feng anymore.

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3 Boys and 1 annoying girl at academy

I am not into school setting drama, modern or ancient one, it's over my time line. I watched this drama because of nothing else is better to do...between skipped...did chores...fast forward...I managed to finish this drama. What I like about this drama was Song Wei Long, he has depth and his melodramatic eyes that would tell how much he's been through in life. School setting for different age students in ancient times with boarding life....3 students in a room..one was an ass, a beautiful girl disguising as a boy, and a prime minister's son. The story line was all over the place, many holes on the plots, twists that fill in the gap...wth. Ju Jing Yi acting so boring...pretty annoying with so called 'cover up her disguised' behavior, as she has other dramas with Zhang Zhe Han, Ju JingYi's acting pretty juvenile good for teen girls. She has always that make-up 'pinkish or reddish' under the eye from too pale make up face that, to me, like she's sick or got bruise from a good slap. Nah....

This drama was adapted from Sungkyunkwan Scandal (Korean drama) the plot and characters about the same and don't like neither one. The story is kind of basic...both guys fight for girl's affection and competitive between students...girls from outside school likes these boys...alright we know all the drills...predictable.

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Business versus personal issues

I rated this drama 8 because overall the story was overboard, a beautiful independent amateur designer fallen in love with a high level e-commerce businessman that they met incidentally before they even got tangle with business dispute. I don't know why Chinese drama is so often portraying over the top personas with abundance wealth as the characteristic in so many dramas. The chemistry between Dilraba and Johnny Huang was so hot, they made out way better than other typical peck on the lips or cheeks. The struggle of being in the business was relatable, it isn't easy to own and manage business, I got it. Up and down in relationship happened in many ways, weather they're going to give time to the other party to reconcile true feeling and where they wanted to take the relationship further exploration. Although Johnny Huang character was pretty obvious, took him all effort to win her back. Struggling between business and personal issues, I can say Song Lin (Johnny Huang) was the real winner, because whatever hard reality hit him - he came out big and better. One thing I learn from this drama is their fashion statement, men wore something feminine/layers as so called fashion forward, I don't get it. Men being men..don't need to show off their manly beauty with something girls wear. Standard shoes/snicker, coat/suit, shirt/T-shirt, dress pant/jeans I think we girls dig in. That's probably I love Li YiFeng or Xiao Zhan so much...they don't over dress themselves. Johnny Huang is a handsome down-to-earth kind of guy...with that he won himself adoration from girls.

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The dullest of Zhao LuSi drama

I don't know about this drama. I think this was the most dullest drama Zhao LuSi ever been in, seriously though, she's not very herself like we knew her. Riley Wang was also...OMG...the dullest character ever. I mean if you're a quite reserve man, you don't have to extend it to become a painfully grumpy - like there wasn't any 'fire' in his eyes...couldn't see his passion to violin either. Even his parent (in the drama) stated to the same effect....for the money Bei Er Duo would do anything to fullfill her dreams to go to Japan for her further training for voice-over actress. Then, it became dismantling her character by rival Tang Li (whose in love with Ye ShuWei), very belittle Er'Duo personality because her side jobs. If they said about lively and funny cohabitant, well there's none funny or lively about it, it's all fallen flat! As we can see Riley Wang wasn't a violist for real because he didn't know how to hold it right even for an act. They both were looking good to each other...both cute...young...on the rise...perfect. Too bad they're both also making the most dullest drama...

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Love is so dang sweet..

Bai Lu and Leo Luo are two big names these days and proven in this drama; the chemistry were so on the spot, they're really kissing hugging and interaction as a couple genuinely authentic lovers. I watched Kido Gao from Legend of FuYao and he was great as he is in this drama, as well as Riley Wang. Ok the story was about a girl that has closest childhood friend that just gone for their remaining young life and came back as her boss (forget about allergy to tear - it's the rarest case), old debts and feeling came back as she tried to prove she's capable...the story developed and they lived together in the a few last episodes. Leo Luo, in my opinion (don't get mad) better in here than any of his costume dramas. He's more suitable in modern set up drama than ancient ones. Love is so dang sweet is a perfect title because it was just like cotton candy sweetest lovey love...

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My best gal Zhao LuSi

People said Lin YuShen is too old pairing him with Zhao LuSi but I think this is appropriately cast. As a businessman, been around the block for a while, YuShen age was great for the role. LuSi as a talented beginner chief was supposedly a younger girl. I like them both in this drama, they tried to develop their feeling to each other by conquering disapproval from domineering mother in law to be, differential financial/economy status, age difference (yes, it's addressed in the drama), as well friendship (LuSi was being loved by her peers while YuShen got no friends at all). I love it when he tried to do everything to win her over again and again...that's we call man with purpose. It made sense, man with his age (supposedly on his late 30th) that never been close to anyone, he won't let go the love that he just found. LuSi is always the cutest.

They took as a challenge when Mom who disapproved with their relationship, to prove they have genuine feeling for each other, that she loves him for himself not for the money or social standing, she's capable to earn Mother-in-law trust and approval, she has the strength against all odds. They have happy ending...

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BAD ASS WOMEN

The only word I'd said for this drama is love..love..love and eat. I love 2 fathers who love their children unconditionally regardless if they're biological children or not...their loves shone through times, reproach to all parties. Song Wei Long, Seven Tan, Steven Zhang dynamic brothers and little sister relationship with a lot of emotional struggles as family came from different abandonment, the best Dads Li Ba and Ling Ba, the sibling would dropped everything to help out the others trouble. Ling Xiao's mom was kind of crazy, chronic PTSD after the lost of her first daughter that traumatized Ling Xiao as he tried to deal with his Mom's possessiveness over his guilt. He ZiQui reconciled with his mom finally after so much heartaches. A lot of eating scenes as family and friendship, all looked so delicious foods that I would gladly sat with them eating Li HaiChao's cooking. I like the most was the way Ling Xiao declare his relationship with Li JianJian in front of their dad....and he hesitantly accepted the relationship - ZiQui was the one firstly asked for his permission. Anyway....He ZiQui gave Ling Xiao and Li JianJian an ultimatum in their boyfriend - girlfriend relationship not to mess up 'sibling relationship' if their love didn't work out. ZiQui's seeking for kinship to the family who raised him while Ling Xiao had loved JianJian since high school in desperation of a drowning boy/man from sinking psychological burdens.

All bad Ass women were all in this drama; the women who abandoned their young children, or women who're forcefully dictating their children to go to what their best vision to their kids. These women didn't allow their children to make mistakes and learn life lessons. Tolerate, love, understand, hopeful, forgiveness won over regret, disappointment, sadness, anger, bitterness of these women. They became one family....and that's the best ending ever.

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CHOOSE BETWEEN DRAMA OR NOVEL

I read the novel and watch the drama, they are two separate entities, same characters but totally different story line. Drama is more ambiguous than the book. Zhang Ping was a skinny 20 something scholar, dull personality and had little words to say whose involved with 2 murder cases, which he helped to solve them. To be survived in the capital, Zhang Ping's selling noodle where Lan Jue came for a bite and had little interaction. Chen Chao was Zhang Ping's roommate and a scholar from the same hometown, he's not selling noodle or help investigation and both failed in national examination. Lan Jue was a vice minister of Rites, a youthful look (matured) man with a son (single father) very smart and collected. He's there witnessing the proceeding and process of Zhang Ping involvement in every cases. Wang Yan was assistant Minister of Justice who helped Zhang Ping investigate cases, even the young Emperor gave him so much leeway and face.

Too bad the book was translated only up to chapter 27 (150 chapters more is delayed) while the drama went wild without any similarity (little to nothing) of story line. In my opinion, you either read the novel or watch the drama, because how different creativity on the plots not for the better though. Some hallucination, illusion of water work was uncalled for, some fantasy that didn't have any place on the book. Song WeiLong was acting 'bouncy', swinging when he walk- flap his hair, blah expression. While Jing BoRan wore generous lip gloss, sensitive, romantic and dreamy. If this is BL drama, for sure BoRan will be the feminine side of character, just the way he dressed up, hairdo, act flamboyantly. Wang Yan (Hong Yao) had better acting than these 2 ML, testosterone element than 2 ML. It's weird when this drama was about solving mystery while water illusion could make someone tell the truth, may as well use that ability than digging dirt and rumbles.

Ep 18 and haven't seen Wang Duo yet, his character as Gu QingZhang hasn't appeared (none mention on the book) I am more curious about Wang Duo's character and his part in the drama. Too many characters with mental disorders (don't like it), illusion (an instance of a wrong or misinterpreted perception of a sensory experience: Oxford dictionary). Story disconnected. Main actors miscast, mischaracterized of characters, full of fillers, editorial failed. It seem this drama was intended as BL but got butchered (censor) because of new rule that rendered as failure (big time) drama.

The book author Da Feng Gua Guo disassociated herself from the drama saying that the Show Team was only borrow the characters and title but the story lines was entirely the creation of drama screenwriter(s) which made sense with the impression I am getting. As the author blasted Song WeiLong, I can understand it the way I look into his poor performance. If the originality is the best, so novel is the choice, just be patient with the waiting for continuous chapters. I am down to it, Novel it is for me.

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2 PRINCES & 1 AVERAGE GIRL

An average looking sickly girl landed 2 handsome princes from Qian and Qi tribes, how could they be? By solving mystery of crimes, 1 Prince came to be her assistant and the other Prince interested in writing a scrip by learning her technique in solving mystery, and top of that the 2 Princes wanted to take her as partner for life. It's rather unusual story taking advantage of ridiculous fantasy world, the portrayal of her getting supply of energy was like 'orgasm'. The best character was her God Father; he's loving, accommodating, funny, loyal, protective, and cute. Their relation is best as father/daughter than God Father should be but too bad he's died - here it went the 'fun' character, the only character that worth watching.

Nothing really stood out on any episodes. Nothing memorable in acting (& all female were acting annoying). Lousy costumes. Colorful palace & houses interior/exterior which no particular dynasty representation. Cheap story. None literary mentioned. Seems like a contemporary ancient C-drama.

Liu YuNing sound tract song is always beautiful. I dropped this drama...I want something else better!!

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NOTHING WITHOUT GU QIAN FAN

This drama has nothing to offer without Chen Xiao (Gu Qian Fan), seriously what so good about 3 young women who's been abandoned by their respective spouses to opened a tea house? No matter how smart, beautiful or talented these 3 women they didn't offer the excitement and intrigue to what Gu QianFan has provided interesting story line by his jobs and involvements. Tea House wouldn't poke any interest, Liu YiFei was good as she was but without a good story she's nothing but a pretty face, by adding Gu QianFan things got better. Pan'Er a serious business woman who came from lower class got involve with Gu QianFan on his failed mission, they went through bad times together and got closer. As a commander in an elite Capital squadron nicknamed "Living Devil" he lived in dangerous nefarious scheme involving the imperial court.

By their association, Pan'Er involved in many of his troubles. He's fallen in love, they both had wide gap of status, but tried to work on their relationship in secrecy to avoid rumors and public judgement. Still ep 21, there are 29 more episodes, the story might get better, rather watching unworthy costumer's ruddiness, business competitors, brawl, doing accounting book, slow business scenes. Scenes with their exes were kind of boring...so would new men in their lives....3 single women were being wooed and all that sweet love declaration and adoration...it wasn't interesting to get me hook. Cookies, cooking, serving tea, playing instrument (although beautiful music), handling tea house business....really? Why would I watch this? Of course, It's beautiful a setting and directive...I think that's all making me stay this long. QianFeng is the sole interesting character on this drama but much less action since the director was focusing the fuzzy love affairs of 3 women. I finally decided to drop it...it's not for me. There are more interesting dramas coming up....yay!!

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BECAUSE OF HIS LAST NAME 'LI'

It isn't a bad drama, bit of comedy, action, deception, apparently survival. The story is about Li Wu, a cunning smart thief, steal the identity of Li Dong Fang. Li Wu was one of survivors of 10 years ago chaotic, during the 25th-year reign of Hong Wu, the Crown Prince suddenly died of illness. His position became vacant which caused upheaval in the country. So chaotic that everyone including children, was being sent to prison even for minor offenses. In jail with a girl Shu Tang and another boy Song Zheng, Young Li Wu witnessed the dead of Song HeMing - the real father of Lu Zheng (Song Zheng) - as one of imperial guard who got betrayed by his own subordinate because of a secret letter that he hide on Juwei lock. 10 years later, 3 teenagers grew up with new identities and life experience. Ep 12, we got little reveal, but it's getting darker and each episode has connection from a decade memories and Juwei Lock is the source of what they're fighting for.

LI WU/FAKE LI DONGFANG (ZHANG YUNLONG)
He was a thief, money grabber and opportunist, smart and kind, fluent with his speech - so smart he'd tell lies after lies just to survive in every crisis that got himself into. He changed identity to Li DongFang, a visiting Brocade-clad Sargent from the north - a high ranking Colonel in Night Scouts, so he can get into wealthy household to rob. He found a unique metal ball amongest jewelries, silver, bank notes, without thinking he pocket it and run to find way out. He meet Lu Zheng, a imperial brocade officer who suspicious about his name - he tails him - not knowing that this fake Li DongFang was nothing but a thief and a liar. They meet the assassin that kill Wang GuKong the homeowner for his secret Juwei lock, she got injured and hide at the same place where thief Li Wu rob the place. They strike a deal, he help her out and she won't kill him. By using Li Dong Fang's name, as a Sargent from different branch, Li Wu became one of the brocade guard work together with Lu Zheng to solve their childhood memories without telling the other one the truth. Although Lu Zheng suspect Li Dong Fang as Li Wu, the boy that he witnessed kill his biological father, Li Wu was too eloquent to object them all. In time they'd know their identities and decided they're good in working together.

LU ZHENG (CHEN RUO XUAN)
Very straight forward Brocade-clad detective, had not many friend, adopted son of Chief Commander Brocade Imperial Guard. Lu Zheng witnessed one of the boy that his father freed from the jail pulling bloody knife from his father's chest and Lu Zheng intensively looking for that boy as now as an adult like himself, determine to put him to jail serve the justice. Lu Zheng learned from his lesson of saving someone only to literally stabbed him in the back so now, when it is criminal, he sees it only in black and white. He met Li Dong Fang, rumored he'd be promoted, curiously he approached Li Dong Fang. He didn't know it was the 'fake' Li Dong Fang (Li Wu). Although he's suspicious Li Dong Fang as Li Wu, he has no prove. He's determine to find who really is this Li Dong Fang and his wife by move himself in and doing surveillance to every move. He wasn't concerned himself with Juwei lock, his goal was to find answer the death of his biological father, and Li Wu had the answer to that.

SHU TANG (SUN YI)
She's involved in 10 years ago chaotic among 3 teens. As an adult, she's one of Night Scouts whose mission was to killed Wang KeGong and find the Juwei lock but got injured by Lu Zheng on the middle of mission. She hide in the room where Li Wu robbing the home owner, she couldn't trust Li Wu as he told many version of stories on how/why/what. Li Wu said that he used Li Dong Fang's name (Shu Tang's superior) as he couldn't personally watch in the area while he has more important things to attend, so Shu Tang attached herself as a (fake) wife of Li Wu.

When Song HeMing put young Li Wu to jail, he said 'because of his name (Li), so what? Lots of identity changing, every twist of the plots got complicated - like someone who did this before becoming different persona different time.The real Li DongFang was an ambitious man, he got critical injured few times but came back strong to life . He's the one who initiated to rebel, the agitator, came from previous dynasty to take back power. A great drama, collaboration between actors, setting and background was very realistic, no cringe no crying no begging. Writing a review on this section doesn't do the justice of the drama. Might not everyone's favorite though.

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BLINDED BY HYUN BIN

Alright, I am pretty late found this drama - seems like everyone that I tried to share my intakes to this drama has already watch it way long before me. So, at first I wasn't interested with anything about North Korea but boy...proof me wrong this one. A South Korean heiress slash business executive crash lands in North Korea after her paraglider is caught in a typhoon, end up in North Korea side of the country and meet with the Army captain patrolling the area that's been destroyed by typhoon. Although, he tried to guide her thru back to South Korea, she was lost and went circle in the woods. She happened end up in his house...it's getting funny right then when his subordinates show up at his door; 1 drama fanatic fan, 1 an innocent young soldier, 1 die-hard socialist, 1 a handsome like male model soldier, this four become close confidants and trustee guards/friends.

Not only Main Leads are good in their acting but supporting actor are brilliant too....they are enriched the characters. Balance of humor, action/suspense, romance, realistic portrayal of village's people and their life, witty dialog, great OST, friendship as well as dysfunctional family relationship - all thrown in there to become the good CLOY. Although they portrayed the drama in a good light of North Korean life because in reality it's more harsher, also too many coincidental meetings in Switzerland that basically 'nah...' but I was blinded by the charms of Hyun Bin. He's looking good in any clothing; Army uniform, drab brown NK officer uniform, simple shirt and jacket. not too mention all the fancy suits.

I am not going to write more details as many has already done it. For sure I love this drama so much...it becomes classic to me.

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WHEN NO EXPECTATION

When you don't have any expectation from this drama, you'll get what wish for, no complication - no side story lines - no other supporting actors - no other setting venues - no other choice of outfits. Its pretty simple, take a nap and miss nothing of it, the story was circling about Lu Wan'Er and Huang Fu Yan...little bit of dynamic sister/brother in law Zhao Yuan Jun/Huang Fu Mu. There wasn't a bang of chemistry between the actors...it's pretty basic Chinese love story... means the ending is happy with no heartbreak or sadden last minute life decision....it's all good if that's considered as a 'spoiler'. I think this is low budged project, with limited location, no other supporting actor - a few casts, little to nothing change of clothing I can see this is 'a first time production' for this team. Do I want to rewatch it? I don't think so, this is one of them that you've enough watch it once, too bad I can't give 0 score.

Would I recommend it? When you have plenty time in your hand like me, go for it! Otherwise, keep flipping the remote find something else better and when we think there are many other more that better out there, this drama doesn't stand a chance to stay put.

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23 episodes I invested to this drama

This is a long series and I skipped, paused, jumped between episodes. Apparently I am not a big fan of Li Qin, every drama she was in I am not fond of, and this is one of them. She is a great actress, beautiful, great acting skill but I think she picked the wrong roles. I was hoping she'd better in 'the Wolf' but early episode as a young girl - she's faked childish girl in a her adult body. This drama, She's given an identity as Shen LiGe who had married into royalty. Her step sister Shen LeQing jealous because she wasn't selected, because of it she gave all hell and troubles to Shen LiGe. I think I admire her driven determination to ruin Shen LiGe, she's a tough cookie survived from all retributions even when fallen into the cliff. After alot people died at the end of drama, she still survived to send the last attack to this couple. I don't understand it, why a gentle young woman who knew nothing about martial art or strategy could survive in whole long 53 episodes just from hatred. Although this drama adapted from true story but the actors didn't deliver memorable acting. Too much go around the bushes, the queen was a very powerful woman there and people just sucked up on her. So, nothing's new...nothing interesting...nothing memorable...I gave it up after investing my time for 23 episodes (1,035 minutes of my life).

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GREAT DRAMA. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

"The drama tells the story of a group of individuals with different backgrounds who were unexpectedly drawn into a mysterious treasure-hunting journey during the late Qing Dynasty. Amidst the grand and tumultuous historical tide, they gradually strengthened their ideals of saving the country." 4 opposite side groups of people; Loyalist of Qing Imperial Guards lead by Irgen Gioro Mu Qing / "Men San Dao" (Qin Jun Jie), ambitious little RongTian Sword Sect lead by Zhuo Bu Fan (Liu Yu Ning), Single unnerving Dagu County Yamen constable Wang Jia Luo (Pang Han Chen), plus Japanese agents. In the beginning these people meet like domino effects: Men San Dao's people are pursuing traitor the WuZu Reformers, Wang Jia Luo is pursuing killers in his jurisdiction which're RongTian Sword Sect people, Zhuo Bu Fan's sect are pursuing treasure map helping Prince Qi the head of rebel, as wells as Japanese agents for treasury map.

They're colluded as their case are interconnected and interference in each other throats. They out smart each other, work in their group with each dilemmas and love interest, everyone has a spy around them to hijack the mission.
So far, I only watch up to ep 11 and still going on but....

What I love about this drama is the opening credit: Black and white videos of Chinese lifestyle in Shanghai, historical facts about concession of Japanese, English, France, American authorities in 19th century Shanghai. All actors acting remarkably good from the Main Leads and supporting actors, scripts is flowing flawless great, awesome action, subtle romances, setting and costumes are beautifully appropriate century, great angle cameramen, love the OST. It reminded me of movies in the 60th.

Liu Yu Ning is very good in here....I think his expression is on point.

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