Who rules the World (2022) - Final review

Final review/rating:  Who rules the World (2022) - The ultimate power couple take on jianghu and politics 

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

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

Who rules the World (2022) was marketed as a wuxia, but is really primarily a political drama with some jianghu elements thrown in. It is an ambitious top tier (S+) production and it shows in the glitz and glamour, sophisticated CGI, and the gorgeous no expenses spared production quality.  Alas the production quality is not matched by an equally good script.

Although the power couple of Yang Yang's Hei Feng Xi and Zhao Lu Si's Bai Feng Xi are an absolute joy to watch, the script is at best mediocre and spends too much time and energy on the tediously predictable power struggles within Youngzhou.  It really could have been called "Who rules Youngzhou" instead...  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Who rules the World (2022) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Who rules the World 

Chinese title: 且试天下

Episodes: 40

Genre: Wuxia, political, romance, historical

Original network: Tencent

Release date:        18 April 2022

Airing schedule:    18 April - 17 May 2022

Synopsis:

The Da Dong empire consists of six States, each ruled by a king swearing allegiance to Da Dong's emperor.  But when the imperial token is lost, unrest ripples across the political world because the token will lend legitimacy to any claim to be the next emperor, and the respective rulers of the six States do not lack ambition.  At the same time, an ancient evil sect long thought to be defeated resurfaces in jianghu, threatening to unleash destruction.    

Amidst this backdrop, jianghu's most powerful duo, the handsome and elegant Hei Feng Xi and the beautiful and carefree Bai Feng Xi join hands to uncover the conspiracy.  Both have hidden identities and must stay three steps ahead of their enemies, as they seek to unmask the hidden hand that is drawing all into a chaotic and bloody power struggle.  

But can Hei Feng Xi and Bai Feng Xi prevail against the odds? And who will ultimately rule the world? 

  

The Autumn Ballad (2022) - Final Review

Final review/rating: The Autumn Ballad (2022) - A surprisingly realistic take on relationships and a refreshingly flawed heroine 

This is 7.5/10 stars ✮✮✮✮✮✮✮ from Pandafan🐼

Overall rating:         7.5 Stars Plot:                       7 Stars Acting/cast:            7 Stars Couple chemistry:   7 stars Music:                    7 Stars Re-watch value:      7 Stars Enjoyment factor:   8 Stars

The Autumn Ballad (2022) provides a refreshingly flawed heroine in Qiu Yan and an equally deliciously flawed anti-hero Liang Yi, as well as a surprisingly realistic take on the enemies-to-lovers trope.  

The novelty factor of this alone make the drama a compelling watch.  However, be aware that while The Autumn Ballad starts with a bang and a well woven plot, the writing in the last third loses much steam and coherency, and the ending falls rather flat.  

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

The Autumn Ballad (2022) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  The Autumn Ballad

Chinese title: 嫣語賦 / 嫣语赋  (Translation: "Yan's poem")

Episodes:  34

Genre: Historical, mystery, romance

Original network: Tencent

Release date:      5 February 2022

Airing schedule:  5 Feb 2022 - 6 March 2022

Synopsis:

Qiu Yan is the clever but least favoured eldest daughter of the Qiu family.  On the day of her arranged marriage, her groom falls dead at the wedding, and her in-laws pressure her to remain widowed and to enter a nunnery.  

Qiu Yan is unwilling to concede to fate without a struggle and to give up her chance of happiness.  She fights to find a way out of her difficulties, including by investigating the truth of her ill-fated groom's death.  

Along the way, Qiu Yan meets the cold-faced duke Liang Yi, leader of the investigative bureau, and the gentle and kindhearted Qin Xuan, who falls in love with her.  However, it is between Qiu Yan and Liang Yi that sparks fly as they pitch their wits against one another whilst investigating various cases.  As understanding grows, mutual antagonism turns to mutual respect and true love.  

When the Qiu family fall from imperial grace, Qiu Yan's life is again endangered and she and Liang Yi must overcome overwhelming odds to secure their happiness...