Final Review - Heroes (2020)

Final review/rating - Heroes (2020):  A fitting homage to one of China's legendary heroes 

This is 8.5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         8.5 Stars Plot:                       9 Stars Acting/cast:            9 Stars Couple chemistry:   8 stars Music:                    8 Stars Re-watch value:      9 Stars Enjoyment factor:   9 Stars

This, my friends, is a truly fitting homage to one of China's legendary martial arts heroes! A thrilling, action packed, never-a-dull-moment gem of a drama, reminiscent of the days where kung fu/action drama relied on actual skill rather than CGI.  Definitely not your typical fluffy idol drama. 

And it's not just the stunningly choreographed fight scenes that will keep you glued to your seat (or jumping up and down in glee).  The plot and characters will definitely keep you glued to the screen...  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Heroes (2020) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title: Heroes 

Chinese title: 大侠霍元甲 (Translation: "The heroic Huo Yuan Jia") 

Episodes:  45

Genre: Historical, Martial Arts, Action

Original network: iQiyi

Release date:  28 July 2020 

Airing schedule: 28 July - 20 August 2020

Synopsis  

Heroes is a quasi biographical drama about the famous martial artist Huo Yuan Jia.  The drama begins with the 1898 Reform Movement, which resulted in the deaths of the "six heroes" and Huo Yuan Jia becomes embroiled in the fall out when he rushes to the rescue of his sworn brother, "Broadsword" Wang Wu.  

When Huo Yuan Jia's father and brother are murdered by the villainous Ying Si, Huo Yuan Jia embarks on a quest for vengeance.  

Thereafter, he makes a name for himself in Shanghai, establishing the prestigious Jing Wu martial arts school and demonstrating by word and deed that China is not "the sick man of Asia".    

  

Final Review - Jiu Liu Overlord (2020)

Final Review/rating -  Jiu Liu Overlord (2020): Pride and Prejudice in the Tang Dynasty which begins well but sadly fizzles out 

This is 6/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         6 Stars Plot:                       5 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   6 stars Music:                    6 Stars Re-watch value:      5 Stars Enjoyment factor:   6 Stars

I've finally finished Jiu Liu Overlord and have mixed feelings.  This started with such promise - think Pride and Prejudice in a Tang dynasty setting with a Darcy-like Li Qing Liu rethinking his prejudices and falling for the proud and carefree Lizzie-like Long Ai Yi. Unfortunately, the drama loses steam part way through and doesn't quite live up to its promising beginning.  That said, if you're a fan of Bai Lu, this is still worth watching for her alone.  

  

A Love so Romantic (2020) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  A Love so Romantic 

Chinese title: 少爷与我的罗曼史 (Translation: "The Romantic History of Young Master and I") 

Episodes:  32

Genre: Historical, Romcom 

Original network: Tencent

Release date:  24 December 2020 

Airing schedule:  24 December 2020 - 28 January 2021

Synopsis:

Plucky flower seller Su Xiao Wan needs money to help her younger brother regain use of his legs.  She meets Gu Yan Xi, the talented jewelry maker and young master of the prestigious Gu family and applies to be a maid at the Gu residence.  Due to a mix up, Su Xiao Wan ends up having to play the part of Gu Yan Xi's long lost younger sister, Gu Wan'er to keep his grandmother happy, much to Gu Yan Xi's exasperation. Gu Yan Xi insists that she pay her dues by serving as his personal maid servant.  They antagonise each other constantly but also start warming to each other... 

  

Jiu Liu Overlord (2020) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Jiu Liu Overlord 

Chinese title: 九流霸主

Episodes:  36

Genre: Historical, Romance, Palace, Mystery

Original network: Tencent

Release date:  23 October 2020 

Airing schedule:  23 October - 11 November 2020

Synopsis:

When haughty silk tycoon Li Qing Liu meets Long Ao Yi, the beautiful rough and tumble gang leader of the Longzhu Clan, the scene is set for a collision between the upper class/upper jiu liu and lower class/lower jiu liu of Silver City.  

  

Final Review - The Sleepless Princess (2020)

Final review/rating: The Sleepless Princess (2020) - Adorable couple chemistry and a Tale of Two Endings 

This is 8.5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         8.5 Stars Plot:                       7 Stars Acting/cast:            9 Stars Couple chemistry:   10 stars Music:                    9 Stars Re-watch value:      7 Stars Enjoyment factor:   8 Stars

The Sleepless Princess definitely lived up to the promise of the first few episodes. It's a squeal worthy romcom, which (fair warning) gets increasingly angst filled in the middle to end episodes.  For those who felt shortchanged by the open ending in episode 35, fear not, there is an epilogue episode that ties up the loose ends! 💕  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Final Review - Maiden Holmes (2020)

Final review/rating: Maiden Holmes (2020): Light hearted, satisfying romance between equals

This is 8/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         8 Stars Plot:                       7 Stars Acting/cast:            8 Stars Couple chemistry:   9 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      7 Stars Enjoyment factor:   8 Stars

A romance between intellectual equals💕

Maiden Holmes is so wholesomely satisfying! Finally, an intelligent heroine and an equally intelligent and high EQ hero, who isn't intimidated by having a smart lady by his side.  I get the feeling that Prince Qi would happily cook dinner and change the kid's nappies while his wife goes out and kicks baddies' butts, while also providing any backup she needs. In a word, ideal!