Zhi fou zhi fou ying shi lü fei hong shou

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. :(

I wrote both an article and a much longer review for mydramalist.

I don't think this show is for people who want action or more epic-ness like Eternal Love. This is a historical love story with meticulous attention to detail, character development, and growth. All the characters are important. It is filmed beautifully.

A lot of viewers have compared it to nirvana in fire in terms of quality. Others to masterpiece BBC pieces like Jane Eyre. It is incredibly done. I say give it ten episodes, if you don't like it, then maybe it isn't for you, but if it isn't your type don't give it a bad review--I only give dramas that aren't my 'type' a bad review if they do a poor job executing whatever plot device/trope/type of story they are trying to deliver.

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.

Too many characters, watched the first time did not remember the characters, now is watching the second time... The heroine's acting is not good, and sometimes I am confused if I have a wrong understanding of the plot, and then go back ten minutes before to reconfirm.

The character setting of the hero has problems, early is a playboy, and later become a good husband.