This should be called The Emperor’s First and Last Love.

Ah, Cheng Yi. Now I must pick up Love and Redemption even though I hated the first episode, just because of you.
I haven’t written a review for a while, but damn that was good.

That aside, Cheng Yi as three different characters is an absolute feast. Visually and emotionally. I love him best as Xuan Ye, and to be honest I am more invested in the Xuan Ye x Ran Qing story, it deserves a show of its own.

The story has the complete plethora of Xianxia tropes executed in the signature Xianxia angst in a forbidden love between a lowly but naughty immortal and an upright but also naughty emperor in the heavenly realm. I thoroughly enjoyed the first 10 episodes between Yan Dan and Ying Yuan.

The mortal arc became a bit tiring and I was really hoping that they could have delved a bit more in Ying Yuan’s as the Asura heir. Nevertheless we still had Xuan Ye, and just couldn’t get enough.

I think it had a lot of fillers and the drama could have gotten away with 45-50 episodes. I personally loved the ending and the 2 special episodes. I was completely satisfied. My next wish drama gods is for Cheng Yi to have another show and play a devil or demon lord.. that would be wonderful treat!

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My heart ached a beautiful ache.

It’s raw, it’s real and it’s beautiful. I am so in love with this film and it’s portrayal of teenage angst and growing up. It brought me back when I was 17.

It started with a lie that almost felt too real. The story is layered with family drama, first love, unrequited love, first heartbreak, first kiss, actions and consequences. I personally love how electronic music is instrumental in this film.

Wu Lei’s acting is “chef’s kiss”. He is so beautiful to watch. He truly brought XYZ to life. I felt all his emotions. The lead actress isn’t bad either, but Wu Lei is just brought it.

I have to admit, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen a full movie. This had my interest from start to finish. And while my heart ached a little bit with what happened in the film, I personally liked how it ended. It is realistic yet wonderful.

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Underrated show with awesome acting and interesting plot

I really really liked No Boundary (Season 1&2) no matter how unbelievably everything escalates from one thing to another. You live, you die, then you live again and then die again to live another day. Besides this is a Xianxia, so remind yourself that logic and your sense of reality should be taking the backseat here. I don’t particularly prefer this genre, but No Boundary seemed to be the exception.
This show is underrated, my guess is that since it was broken to two seasons there was a gap in between and earlier watchers had to wait for the next season.

But no matter, the characters was awesomeu and acting was great! I find Darren Chen and Zhang Yi Shang trully enthralling. Darren played the perfect weak-but-not-so-weak mortal sheriff who is completely devoted to our most beautiful deity of the three realms, which was played to perfection by Yi Shang. I am most impressed though with the actor who played Wengu. He almost portrayed 4 personas in the show, and you can actually see the distinction of each. If anything, Wengu had the most character development out of everyone else. The character I feel most sorry for is Hong Luan, and once again the actress did really well here (notice she always gets typecasted to these roles?).

The plot is interesting. There are obvious plotholes but I think it still kept a steady pace while a whole range of unbelievable things happen (remember the peach blossom tree will never die!). This drama has a mixture of everything, it has crime x supernatural investigation, demons, deities, forbidden love, time travel, war, you name it they’ve got it. The show which is 52 episodes in total is mainly divided to 4 arcs, and may not be entirely accurate but these are:

Ep 1-16 Zhan Yan x Duanmu Cui solving crimes/got together then Zhan Yan’s noble idiocy
Ep 17-28 Still solving crimes/Duanmu dies/Wengu turns villain/Zhan Yan unlocks Duanmu’s memories then lives again
Ep 29 -32 Duanmu’s turn for noble idiocy/Wengue dies/Duanmu and Zhanyan goes to the abyss which is basically 1000 years ago/Duanmu’s past
Ep 33-45 Demon vs Mortal war while Zhan Yan trying to change the past/General Duanmu falls in love with Zhan Yan/ the godfather turns villain/Duanmu dies again
Ep 36-52 Out of the Abyss/mortal world saved/Penglai invasion by evil godfather/Mortal world in trouble again/final battle/happily ever after

So that’s it in a nutshell. As to why the deities of Penglai are weaklings and the peach blossom never dies is still a mystery to me. No rush ending too, we got all what we are hoping for the ML and FL, perhaps just a small thing that I wished that our dear brother Magistrate also got his happy ending. Give it a try, you might also like it!

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Absolute boyfriend with a twist, I want a Xu Nian for myself.

Like everyone else who reviewed Love Crossed, this show had a few unexpected twists and turns. It’s not your typical watch and its fast paced. Ignore a few plotholes and you’ll be fine. It reminded me just a tiny bit of a popular Japanese manga, Absolute Boyfriend mixed up with F4.

I enjoyed the show, but I personally think that the pairing of Lu Xiao and Jang Kele should have taken the backseat and the main focus of the show is on Xu Nian and Guan Xianya. I was bored with LX and JK, it is as bland and stale as day old bread.

The story of Guan Qianya and Xu Nian is way more interesting, engaging and could have offered more to the plot and the overall character development of the show. For instance, the one on one virtual encounters between the XN and GQ would have been perfect for a slowburn, lovers then enemies romance. Then the angle where they become known to each other in real life then became enemies would have been so good. Then developing to real lovers. I think these two kept the show going, specially Xu Nian.

I also find quite a disservice to the other two supporting love boys. They seem to be just there and then ended up with girlfriends right at the end. And how the main villain’s ending a bit anticlimactic.

The ending is okay. Everything wrapped up pretty well with a neat bow on top. It did get corny at times, but still enjoyable!

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Unpretentious partner switch drama that is full of sugar!

Super fun and lighthearted show that I chanced upon and it’s all so satisfying.

Okay so its the basic switcheroo, with a princess ended up with a mountain bandit and a common street performer with a junior general. While there’s this swapped partners problem going on, we still got the usual main plot mystery happening that kept things interesting. Don’t take anything seriously, it’s a fluffy romantic comedy.

The leads are all adorable. I slightly liked the second couple (princess x bandit) better and perhaps they could have used more screen time. I still enjoyed the first couple though, very cute. Watch for a stress free show. It actually got me out of my cdrama slump.

Uncomplicated with minimal angst, and a very happy ending. Enjoy!

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Started out strong then it lost its momentum, but gave us a happily ever after at the end of it all.

This show started out strong and exciting. The moment the twin brother was killed and the girl became the Crown Prince, I was hooked and committed. Bring it on, I was really into it.

I liked the main plot. I am into hidden identities, cross dressing, forbidden love, politics and war. I lap those tropes up. I didn’t care much about the childhood sweethearts connection. It was great first 15 episodes.. then it sort of lost its way then fizzled out until the last episode.

The FL actually did a good job, but you can never ever convince me that she is male. But anyway, that’s neither here nor there. It was an okay portrayal, I just didn’t think she had much going on with the ML. Now, let’s talk about the ML. I think I am biased to say, that I wish he was not a scholar or physician but rather the bodyguard. I think in the manhua, the ML is the bodyguard or soldier. It was just an injustice to his character. He was always this useless, weak character that can’t do much for the King. It is quite annoying to watch. If he wasn’t her teacher then her secretary and rather some badass character, I think it could have been better… although I think another actor will be suitable for this…Then Roowon, I am sorry to say was rather bland in his portrayal. He has mastered the look of hopelessness.

I love the secondary characters, or what I think of as her “harem”. The cousin Prince Hyun and Eunsoo, the most beautiful bodyguard in the face of the Joseon era. Eunsoo, what another injustice, not much screen time and I just wished he got more parts into the story. To be honest, these two guys had more going on for them with the FL than the actual ML.

I was actually satisfied with the ending, not because the FL and ML got their happily ever after, but Prince Hyun becoming King. If there was one outcome I was hoping for this was it. Oh, and I need this hot bodyguard to have his own show.

All in all, it was a steady and okay watch.

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Literally a feast for the eyes.

First things first. Absolutely everyone and everything looks amazing in this movie. The grand production, the costumes and the effects. It is visuals 10/10. A real feast for the eyes. Oh, did I already say hot guys everywhere?! Special mention Killing Stone!

The story was quite simple yet I still found compelling. There are few things I didn’t expect and came as a surprise. I was totally captivated by the Princess and Shoyue. The tragic undertone was beautiful. If there’s any criticism, I wish there was more of it.

I struggle with watching movies these days, but I thoroughly enjoyed this fanfare. It is very straightforward, delivered an awesome climax and gave a satsifying ending. The fights were choreographed to perfection.

Watch it for pure entertainment value. Don’t take it too seriously and you will not be disappointed.

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I am somewhat satisfied but I wish the ending wasn’t rushed

This is a review of Season 1 & 2. I mean it could all just be one season but nevertheless..

Look I didn’t cate much about the FL per se. I didn’t hate her but didn’t like her as much. She is funny though. I came to watch this because I am on a Jason Gu train at the moment and its an added bonus that Xian Zhao is in it as well. I like them both, although I have touch of SLS.. I think there is an injustice done to Prince Chen’s character.

This lighthearted story are full of plotholes. Don’t take it too seriously and you’ll be alright. I feel like the writer was a fan of GoT particularly The Red Wedding.. that is penultimate episode, if you get what I mean. But don’t you worry, our girl revives everyone and disappears into the ether, then back to her present time.

Now, I was really eager for the “present” episode. I would have loved to see all zodiac lords and ladies in modern day, not just a glimpse of them!

I am just speculating that they are immortals? And live through the modern times? They all retained their memories.

Overall I enjoyed this however I just wished like everyone else here that the ending could have been better.

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Absolutely adored this show! This gave all the feels!

This is one of the best modern cdrama I have seen. Mature storyline, wonderful characters and beautiful relationships. Xing Kelei and Mi Ka are adorable! I cannot get enought of them.

I was pleasantly surprised by this drama. I am so glad I gave it a chance and watched it. It was pretty good and addictive from the get go. And whoever wrote the script or translated the subtitles just did an amazing job. The lines, it just gave all the feels. Best on screen proposal. Great blend of action and medical drama. They couldn’t have casted this show any better. Wishing for a season 2!

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Beautiful suffering.

Oh boy, I am still reeling from the last few episodes down until the Emperor’s last breath. I honestly lost so much sleep, bingeing this show. I must be a masochist (and more of a Cheng Yi fan now) that while this show no doubt pained me, Qi Yan and Cheng Rouyu brought out the best feels amongst any character pair I have ever watched in any cdrama. Evertime they are on screen, even though you know it’s gonna hurt, you cannot help but watch how every scene will unfold. Alas, their beautiful suffering.

This is a riveting imperial court drama playing a game of thrones. It is very interesting how they used chess as the show’s plot tool. Equally interesting is the menagerie of characters, the plotting, the maneuvering, the twists and the turns. It will keep you hooked or at the very least you wanted to see Qi Yan and Cheng Rouyu together.

I cannot say enough how great Cheng Yi played Qi Yan here. He is a brooding tainted emperor, a loner and a stab-happy brilliant strategist oozing with sensuality. Zhang Yu Xi was beautiful, naive but loyal to a fault. Both devoted to each other.

This show isn’t for the faint of heart. I like to think that at the very end, Qi Yan faked his death and he is the one Cheng Rouyu was smiling at. I also like to think that their next life is portrayed in their modern drama “South Wind Knows My Mood”, but knowing how Cheng Yi chooses his shows, prepare your heart once more, you might be in a for another heartbreak ?.

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I am throwing in the towel. This is ridiculous.

Where do I start?

First off, this is another show that is really popular and highly rated. So much hype going on for this. So I gave it a good go, but after 5 episodes I am giving up. 5 episodes in and nothing happened. The plot kept muddling around and I was bored AF. Not to mention the shallow and annoying side characters. Even the villains are ridiculous.

Even the story doesn’t make any sense. How is this even good to watch?

I like Dilreba and I think she is a pretty decent actress. I have seen some of her works, but what the heck is her role here? Her character is so nauseating. She all just giggles, being cutesy patootsy and being stupid around the equally nauseating ML. And the fox shape shifting is cringey.

Again, this show is not my cup of tea. Don’t go anywhere near this show if you like Reba’s character in The Long Ballad. But if you want to torture yourself, then give it a go.

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I don’t understand the hype.

I surely am in the minority here. I tried this out of interest. It’s rated 8.8 here and with raving reviews… so why not.

Holy hell, what was that all about? I cannot even finish episode 1. I am just cringing all throughout. I have had my fair share of chinese dramas, and this probably is the worst one I’ve seen. The FL is annoying off the bat. The ML seems to be as interesting as a doorknob. Then everyone seems to be annoying and irritating all at the same time, throwing a tantrum.

I think this is not my cup of tea.

If you are looking for a strong ML or FL, with the least annoying set of characters, then stop ?, this is not for you. Dropped this after episode 1. Next!

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