One and Only (2021) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  One and Only

Chinese title:  周生如故 (Translation: "Zhou Sheng as of old")

Episodes:  24

Genre: Historical, romance, palace, tragedy 

Original network: iQiyi 

Release date:      10 August 2021

Airing schedule:  10 August 2021 - 27 August 2021

Synopsis:

Prince of Nang Chen, Zhou Sheng Chen is an undefeated general, loyal to king and country, and famed for his inner and outer beauty.  He faithfully guards the borders at the western frontier to protect the people, far from the seat of power and its political intrigues.  However, as the younger brother to the former Emperor and uncle to to the current one, and with the love and respect of the people and a formidable army at his command, he is seen as a threat to the royal house of Liu.  

To still the mouths of those who see him as a threat, he vows to spend his lifetime guarding the borders and to never marry or have children.  

  

Till the End of the Moon (2023) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Till the End of the Moon (2023) - A xianxia trolley dilemma and a Devil God that will break your heart

This is 9.5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         9.5 Stars Plot:                       9 Stars Acting/cast:            10 Stars Couple chemistry:   10 stars Music:                    8 Stars Re-watch value:      9.5 Stars Enjoyment factor:   10 Stars

It's fair to say that Till the End of the Moon (2023) (TTEOTM) opened to sky-high expectations, jumping from 1 million reservations on Youku in September 2022 to 5 million by 5 April, 2023, just prior to its premiere. After all, it is a S+ production, headed by the incomparable Luo Yun Xi and Bai Lu in their second collaboration, in a no expenses spared extravaganza of a xianxia drama.  It's also based on a deliciously dark source novel《黑月光拿稳BE剧本》"Black Moonlight holds the BE script", with a deliciously dark anti-hero.

So between censorship and expectations, it was probably never going to be all things for all people.  But from the moment the strains of a gothic-esque organ started blasting and the voice of Liu Yu Ning began to sing the opening theme, I was ready.  So, so ready.  

Is TTEOTM perfect? No. But is it entertaining? Hell yes! What a feast for the senses!  It will surely be hard to beat for sheer spectacle, state of the art CGI and special effects, and the rollercoaster of angst and anguish that it delivers with gorgeous leads who act their hearts out and share off-the-charts chemistry. Indeed, the truly god-level acting from Luo Yun Xi, who gives an intoxicating, heartbreakingly good, multi-faceted performance is worth the price of admission alone. That, and the way he rocks perfect eyeliner and his xianxia couture wardrobe with 360 degree perfection. And his voice... 

It is probably best to watch TTEOTM with the heart rather than the mind as there are way too many artefacts, parallel timelines, avoidable misunderstandings, and unanswered questions about predestination and free-will that are not always neatly resolved in the drama.  Just sit back, and let the addictive bitter-sweet angst of TTEOTM wash over you. It may break your heart, but I for one, do not regret letting it do that to mine.   

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Till the End of the Moon (2023) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Till the End of the Moon 

Chinese title:  长月烬明 / 長月燼明 (Eng translation: "Lengthy moon, ashes bright") 

Episodes: 40

Genre: Xianxia, fantasy, romance

Original network:  Youku

Release date:        6 April 2023

Airing schedule:    6 April 2023 - 9 May 2023

Synopsis:

The invincible devil god Tantai Jin rules supreme over a helpless world, wrecking havoc and destruction in the three realms.  

To save the the world, immortal Li Su Su travels 500 years back in time and assumes the identity of Ye Xi Wu, with the aim of destroying Tantai Jin before he can become the demon lord. But as Ye Xi Wu, she is married to the young Tantai Jin, a mortal hostage prince from the Jing kingdom whose tortured past and painful present give her pause. Her quest becomes complicated when she develops feelings for Tantai Jin, and he for her.

Three keys hold the fate of changing their destiny and that of the world: a dream, a teardrop, and a single love thread...   

  

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 (2020) 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.  

  

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.