Zhi fou zhi fou ying shi lü fei hong shou

Although I have not yet finished viewing all the episodes in this drama, it is obvious from the first 7 or 8 that this is a quality drama. Especially, regarding the mores and culture of the period. As I have yet to see all of the episodes then I must give it nine stars rather than ten. However, I have no doubt that after seeing all episodes I would give it a ten.

Feng Shaofeng will be familiar to many people who enjoy Chinese drama. His most well-known role is in the eponymous 'Prince of Lang Ling" TV production. Further, his performances in Tsui Hark's 'Young Inspector Dee" films has added to his reputation as one of the principle actors in today's Chinese Films. A further mention of Feng Shaofeng's virtuosity can also be seen as the sublime Monk in the equally entertaining 'Monkey King' productions.

In this drama he has an equally experienced female actor as his co-star. The inimitable; Zhao Liying. An impressive talent in her own right, Zhao has starred in many popular and critically acclaimed dramas. Many times being nominated and then won for her performances.

The costumes, mise-en-scene and direction all live up to making this one of the best dramas of 2019. I look forward to seeing further episodes of this excellent drama from China.

The start of the story is very slow. The director seems to try (too hard) to build the emotional connections of the characters. You need to watch until episode 20+ before it becomes very interesting to watch.

The ending is bad. It doesn't explain what happened to the Wang family nor to the 4th uncle of the Gu family who slanders Gu Tingye. But overall, it is 10/10.

Another cdrama that I almost dropped but drew me in completely by the second half. I got deeply attached to the characters that are fleshed out well. Sheng Minglan (Zhao Liying) is a feisty, intelligent and sensible illegitimate concubine-born girl of a government official. Gu Tingye (Feng Shaofeng) is the fearless, roguish legitimate son of a Marquis. Qi Heng (Zhu Yilong) is the proper doted son of a Duke. All are lovable. Minglan has great chemistry with her main romantic interests. The villains are evil to the core, not realizing they're evil and shamelessly complaining they're the ones wronged, twisting things around. The schemes and intrigues, both political and personal, are well written and implemented. I felt like I was part of the scenes, witnessing innocent people being wronged, villains trying to weasel their way out of sticky situations and justice being served. A satisfying watch.

There was such a dissonance between the story and the actors. Did the director and casting unit not read their own script before they congregated 40-year-old men to play the role of boys on the cusp of manhood? I could forgive most things but this one issue completely drew me out of the story. To compound that, wardrobe choices in the first half had the men in ill-fitting clothing and atrocious hair pieces. Again, that diluted the authenticity of the story.

The best part about this was watching the family dynamic, especially Minglan's relationship with her grandmother. So precious. Likewise, Ming's sizzling relationship with Gu Tingye in the second half. So hot. Yet, even these couldn't offset the evil that permeated the entire story. It was too much and it dragged on for far too long. Yes I know, the villain is very villainy but did we need to see her repeat the same playacting over the course of 40 or more episodes?

Did we need all that back and forth at the Gu mansions? Did we need to see the minutiae of their daily lives, especially the ubiquitous eating? Did the characters in the Sheng family have to speak obliquely when they all could have benefitted from some showdowns and home truths? Minglan's father was a waste of space and to think three women were actually fighting over him. Why would Tingye risk the lives of Minglan and his children just to save the Emperor? Have the heavens fallen?

Seventy-three episodes is a lot no matter how lovely or compelling the story and sadly this drama was unconvincing.

Anyone who hasn't watched past episode eighteen has no right to properly review this, in my honest opinion.

In order to really dive into this, you have to continue after episode eighteen-twenty and then decide. I know it's kind of a tall order for people who may not be invested initially to go for a full twenty episodes but it really is the kind of show you can't just watch five episodes and think you have it all figured out.

It's definitely a slow burn but well worth it. I've watched countless Korean and Chinese dramas and I can say that without a doubt this one is the most refreshing I've encountered. Seasoned actors that are very natural like, Feng Shaofeng, Liu Jun, Zhao Li Ying, Cao Cui Fen, Liu Lin and Gao Lu who shine in their roles. The lighting/cinematography is beautiful and relaxing and the family dynamics are so good. I wish blu-ray existed for this series. :(