Handsome Prince falls in love

This was an epic drama, in storyline and length. All the actors gave memorable acting performances. The costume designs were beautiful.



Poor Wei Young was targeted by every villain, who underestimated her survival skills. The Touba Jun/Wei Young romance was charming, until Tuoba Jun married Wei Young's arch-enemy #1, Changle. Arch-enemy #2, Changru, was even more dangerous and mad. Midway, the plot slowed down, and it was a great effort to keep watching Wei Young constantly being ridiculed, harrassed or tortured. My primary motivation was to see the end of the drama.



What made this epic drama effective, was the fact that 54 episodes were broadcast over a span of four weeks.

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Tombitis

Mystic Nine was my first longform C-drama. William Chan, Zhao Liying, Zhang Yixing, Ying Haoming and Zhang Mingen were perfectly cast in their roles. William's and Mingen's fight scenes/stunts were very impressive (their characters were highly skilled members of the mysterious Zhang family tree).

There were holes in the plot that was not clearly defined. There was some awkward editing, too much tomb filler or repetitive flashbacks. Sometimes two scenes were intercut, causing fidgets or short attention span, to get to the end of the episode. Some plotlines seemed interminable; time stood still in the tombs. Some deleted scenes should have been kept intact, that would have filled in the blanks.

If the drama had been edited properly with the existing film footage, the drama could have looked stellar. Instead of 48 episodes, they could have re-engineered it down to 40 episodes.

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A martial arts adventure costume drama

Sometimes, a 40 episode costume drama may seem to drag and lag, but this was not the case with Mysterious Lotus Casebook. It felt as if there were less than 40 episodes, and that the story should keep continuing. This was a fast track drama that did not hesitate, and flowed effortlessly to its conclusion.

Fluid scriptwriting, strong directing and action direction, professional acting skills, creative set designs, very good editing and costume designs, and songs and BGM that did not sound repetitive for the first time in a C-drama. The flashbacks looked subtle, and did not disrupt the concentration during the scenes.

The Three Musketeers Avengers impressed the viewers with their martial arts skills and their evolving comradeship. Blink, and you might miss their stunts on screen. Cheng Yi, Joseph Zeng and Xiao Shun Yao looked like professional martial artists while performing their fight scenes. I have seen their previous drama works, but they stood out in this drama.

The two delulu villains, Jiao Li Qiao and Shan Gu Dao, were OTP. Shan is arguably the best nutcase villain in C-dramas in recent years. He throws a shade on other drama villains.

Fox Spirit wins the Cutest Character in a Non-Speaking Role Award. Hire her for more dramas, please.

Overall rating: 9.5
.5 deduction for some odd editing toward the end of the drama, extraneous blood spitting, a somewhat ambiguous ending and a few dull supporting characters.

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I was very curious about this drama, because it referenced Wuthering Heights. I read the English Literature novel in school, and also watched a British drama and two British movies. I found the C-drama to be executed well. The director and screenwriter adapted the Literature novel into a Chinese melodrama, and did a very good job with the planning and execution. The production values are very good. The subtle use of flashbacks did not interrupt the flow of the story, and there was no blatant singing and overpowering BGM to stifle the characters' dialog. I give the film editor high marks for this drama, as well. The female director knew how to make good drama.

The casting was not impressive, except for the actor Wang Jin Song who played the Uncle. The actor, who has appeared in many series, including Nirvana in Fire, looked ageless. He filmed this drama while he was in the early 40s, and he looked like a teenager. He was the best looking actor in the entire cast. The ML and FL did a good acting job, but they were not the most photogenic or charismatic actors. Neither was the male SLS, or the "villain" Young Master. The ML's wardrobe, as an adult, was impeccable. His western suits and coats were tailored to his size, to perfection. Also, the male SLS dressed like he shopped on Saville Row.

The MDL cast list is very sparse. It shows less than 40% of the drama cast. The ML is missing from the list. Wang Yi is Wei Tianxi.

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Yet another Tomb installment

I started this drama on a whim last week, and did a marathon watch over five days. At the home stretch, I suspected that Ultimate Note would end at a dead end. The pacing was neither slow, nor fast. Some of the dialog was silly and unnecessary. I am disappointed that they did not finish the drama in thirty-six episodes. They should have added six episodes, and cut out the frills, to wrap up the Ultimate Note mystery. If the production company supports the project, they should start Season 2, and complete the story. They should keep the same cast for continuity.

I watched Mystic Nine, Tomb of the Sea and Time Raiders, so I was familiar with Nine Gates and a few of the characters. My favorite actors were Pacy Wan (Pan Zi), Liu Yu Han (Xie Yu Chen) and Joseph Zeng (Wu Xie).

The reason I picked the drama was because of Liu Yu Ning, who I have been watching in Long Ballad. His character is mysterious, but annoying.

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Idol historical costume drama

I had great difficulty keeping up with the plot, and sympathizing with the superficial characters and the storyline. It is more of a contemporary historical drama, with the K-POP fans as the target audience. This was touted as a pre-produced drama, but the planning and execution of a poor script, emotionless acting with excessive crying and average directing, shows in the end-result.

The scene stealers were Park Ban-ryu and Kim Soo-yeon (Do Ji-Han and Lee Da-in). The weakest link was Kim Ah-Ro(Go Ara). If they had strengthened her back-bone, and deleted 90% of the crying, she would have shined among the young cast. The two characters that I rank last, are the Queen of Shilla and Park Yeong-Shil. Queen Jiso sat on the throne to protect her son, but at some point, it seemed like she was on a power trip. Park was a sleazy villain, who wanted to rule Shilla.

This is a drama where I was impressed with the incidental music, more than with the cast, characters and story.

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Excellent desert adventure

Parallel World is one of the best desert sands drama, with very good production values in directing, casting, acting, editing, music, cinematography, special effects. Ni Ni's acting performance is exceptional. This is the second drama I seen her in. She and Bai Yu lit up the screen. The other actors did a very good job. Jin Han is one of the best character actors.

Ths Old Man and the Painter's random scenes disrupted the story flow. It might have been better if they were identified as writer and creator of the plot. Long Zhi looked pretty, but she didn't spark as the villain.

Final rating: 8.5

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Romance of Li Ge and Yi Kang

SOG was one of the few romance costume dramas with an actual love and romance story and chemistry between the ML and FL actors. The ML and FL started off, not on the same page, but the romance kicked in quickly, and maintained the momentum.

The writer and director should have kept the number of villains at two, and cut the drama length by 20%. Grand Consort stayed too long in the story line, backstabbing and front-stabbing Yi Kang, and stabbing herself in the process. Given the attention to detail and filler throughout the drama, the writer and director should have done a better job wrapping up the story. Instead, they gave us yet another ambiguous costume drama ending.

Cons: Too many villains, fillers and flashbacks, MV scenes, disruptive singing, editing, drama length
Pros: Acting and costumes

Favorite characters:
Shen Li Ge
Peng Cheng Yi Kang
San Bao
Shen Ting Zhang
Shen Zhi
Shen Feng
Xie Yun Zhi
Huo Yun
Wang Zi Jin
Chen Shao Xun

Least favorite characters:
Grand Consort Sun - villain
Wan Er - villain
Xiao Xin - Li Ge's maid
Madam Shen
Xue Qiu - villain
Lu Yuan - villain
Shen Le Qing - villain
Wang Mi An - villain

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The premise of the plot is not original since historical costume productions, movie or drama, seem to be repetitive. With so many centuries of dynastic rule, "history repeats itself".

I was surprised to see Zhao Li Ying as the female villain; a two-faced, manipulative servant who rises above her station. Her character's fate was also not surprising. The ending was happy, but one wonders if it was the FL's wishing thinking. Her hallucinations or visions might equate to daydreaming. I thought the female lead actress was weak. Her character was weak, so it was perfect casting. I liked the actor who played Thirteenth Prince, and recognized his name.

The music and editing were well done. The story flowed from beginning to end, with some unnecessary flashback filler. The historical costume C-drama production teams should use this as a benchmark for drama time management.

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Novoland adventure with the Winged Tribe

I watched Novoland Castle in the Sky #1 for Zhang Ruo Yun and Guan Xiao Tong.

Story:
Emperor Feng Tian Yi started out as megalomaniacal and arrogant, but he revealed his motives for acting like a young despot.  Fuling was the nucleus of the story.  Fuling was stiff, but her temperament seemed to be the perfect yang(bright) to Tian Yi's yin(dark). SLS Prince Bai Ting Jun was lackluster, but his temperament was most compatible with Fuling's personality.

Acting/Cast
Zhang Ruo Yun carried the show with his superb acting and his regal stature. He is one of the outstanding young actors in China. Guan Xiao Tong's acting was adequate, but still charming on screen.

Music:
Music moved the drama along adequately.

Overall:
The maniacal Queen and Fuling's father's side story was tedious, and a detriment to the plot.  The wingkind tribe seemed to function in a small space. CGI and props were cheesy,and reminiscent of the early Doctor Who days. The M-POP artist in the end credits seems disjointed with the drama setting.

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This light romantic comedy was entertaining and short (16 episodes only).

Story 8.5
The love story between  a rich egocentric charming heir of a conglomerate and apoor but kind-hearted school-teacher. Jae In's grandfather acted as matchmaker/fairy godfather, to bring the two seemly mismatched characters together.

Acting/Cast 8.5
Ha Suk Jin and Jeon So Min were perfectly cast as the lead characters.

Music 8.0
Music moved the drama  toward the conclusion.

Rewatch value 9
I watched this drama twice.  

Overall 8.5
The weekly scripts and the leading actors' performances kept my attention, as the romance continued on the incline.  I cringed at Jae In's fashion choices 90% of the time.  Ha Suk Jin/Jae In looked perfect, otherwise.

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Dreaming Back to the Wan Dynasty (LOL)

Spoiler alert:

I started this pilgrimage to Wan Village for Zhao Liying and Luo Jin. Watching the first episode, I was aggravated by the backward thinking and lackadaisical viewpoints of the Wan Village People. "Wedding hazing has been a tradition for generations, and the young people were just having fun", they said. WTF? Wan Village was rife with sycophants, including He Xingfu's MIL Mr. Wang, FIL Mrs. Lin (...Wang), Husband Qinglai, BIL Qingzhi and SIL Xiuyu.

The Wang and the Wans' fate lines were intertwined. The prosperous Wans were poison ivy vines that stifled the Wangs at every twist and turn, so the latter could not catch a break. Emperor Wan Shantang, Crown Prince Wan Chuanjia and Princess Wan Chuanmei abused their privileged status, undermining the Wang family at will. Luckily the middle child Wang Qingzhi had escaped the clutches of the Wans, when he moved to the city to pursue a university education and a subsequent civil service job. The outsider, He Xingfu, became the avenger for the Wang family, demanding justice for wrongdoings, while battling the usual apathy and sycophancy from Mr. and Mrs. Wang, who vacillated in every scene: sometimes sounding intelligent, sometimes sounding stupid. Mr. and Mrs. Wang win Most Sycophantic Stupid Bad Parents Award. He Xingfu wins the Best Daughter-in-Law Award.

Money comes at a price. The Wan business motto was “Rule by Intimidation and Reward the Peasant”. Chuanjia, the golden son, seized the lands that Qinglai and Xingfu were farming, and refused to compensate them for their financial losses. After kicking Qinglai in the balls, Mr Wan agreed to pay him the requested compensation. There were many incidents between the Wangs and the Wans, but the next damning might be Chuanmei's identity theft of her childhood friend Xiuyu. Chuanmei stole Xiuyu's university spot, and continued the masquerade throughout her professional career. Why did Karma take ten years for payback and redemption?

He Xingfu was the justice fighter, taking on new challenges, while her tunnel vision husband, Qinglai, remained stagnant. He was a clone of his parents, who had taken him out of school at a young age, to work on the farm. Uneducated most of his thirty-something years, he would admit to Xingfu that he did not choose this life, and he had no ambition. He never liked farming, but it was the only thing he knew. Mr. and Mrs. Wang slighted him for the prettier second son, Qingzhi, and supported Qingszhi's academic dreams. They looked down on their third child, Xiuyu, and would not support her when she was wronged by Princess Chuanmei. Mr. and Mrs. Wang win Most Callous Stupid Bad Parents Award.

This melodrama drama had family conflicts, social issues and environmental issues. The rich and powerful Wans were regarded as godlike benefactors by the Village People. The Wan's family sheen would tarnish at the end. Chuanjia was sent off to jail for polluting the well water with lead discharged from his wastewater treatment plant. Chuanmei revealed her duplicity in robbing Xiuyu of her academic education and her identity, and made a public apology. Wan Shantang resigned in shame, from his position of Village Leader. Thank you, Karma and Retribution, for finally visiting the Wans, even if it took you forty episodes.

As I predicted, He Xingfu was appointed the new Village Leader. She deserved the job because she was a champion of the people, and her ethics were outstanding. Long live Empress He Xingfu! Qinglai stepped out of his box, and implemented the Village Farm Cooperative.

It is not very often that I feel compelled to write a review of a drama I just watched. I usually retain 20% of the plot, by the time the drama comes to an end. Story of Xingfu was different. I might remember 70% of the plot, because of the realism aspect. Life in a far eastern village is not the same level as life in a small western town.

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Alternate title: Ballad of Yuhui

Slowmoving plot about Lin Yuhui and her extended family! It could easily have been related in 30 episodes. Very good production values in the directing, editing, acting, writing, music composition, costume design and set design departments. Hair and makeup were average. The open credits are virtually invisible which is a good sign, and flashbacks are used in the final episode only, which is also good filmmaking.

The underdog villain ML, Gao Jinbang, seemed to have too much screen time. Yuhui might be one of the saddest FL drama characters. She broke a smile occasionally. The senior actors did a good job.

Footnote: For a strange reason, the MDL cast list, as well as Dramawiki and IMDB are bare bones, missing about a dozen or more supporting actor credits.

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Almost flawless reality show

Excellent casting of Youn Yuh Jung, Lee Seo Jin, Jung Yu Mi, Park Seo Joon and Choi Woo Shik! This was one of the best examples of teamwork and collaboration. Language has no barriers. Many visitors from many countries came to Youn's Stay for a meal, laughter and fresh air. Thanks for the delicious foods and entertainment. Jung Yu Mi's portrait should be hung in the Museum of Modern Art.

This drama filmed before Youn Yuh Jung won the Academy Award. The B&B guests must have shouted with joy when they heard the news. First time in their life, meeting an Oscar winner.

The only flaw was the extraneous, intrusive loud singing and loud BGM in 90% of every episode. It became jarring and ear-splitting. How do Korean people function in their daily lives?

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