Wonderland of Love (2023) - Final Review

Final review/rating: Wonderland of Love (2023) - A perfectly paired power couple match wits and take on the world 

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

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

Wonderland of Love (2023) is a delightful romance. It gives us an engaging power couple in Xu Kai's Li Ni (aka Shi Qi Lang) and Jing Tian's Cui Lin (aka A'Ying), who are perfectly matched in intellect, skill, and everything else. Honestly their sizzling chemistry light up the screen and there was so much flirtatious sweetness going on that I wondered if it was possible to get diabetes from watching a drama😅 

That said, it is not without flaws.  There are some problems with plot and characterisation, and more 'green tea' characters and machinations than I care for. In consequence, the first half is much better than the second.  However, I still enjoyed Wonderland of Love. It showcases Xu Kai's range as an actor when given the right part, and his fight scenes are outstanding!  

I think the drama probably got less love and attention from viewers because it came out at the same time as Story of Kunning Palace (2023). 

It also doesn't help that the English title of the drama Wonderland of Love sounds like a cheesy knockoff of Disneyland or a risqué establishment. This is unfortunate as the Chinese title《樂遊原》Le You Plains is both poetic and apt, derived from a poem of the same name regarding a place of that name. A deeper dive into the background of the place, and a commentary and my attempt at translation of the poem 👉here.  

But suffice to say that if you have been put off by the English title to date, you need not be, and that if power couples are your jam, this may be your kind of drama😊

SPOILERS AHEADS

  

Wonderland of Love (2023) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Wonderland of Love

Chinese title:  樂遊原 / 乐游原  (Eng translation: "You Le plains") 

Episodes: 40 

Genre: Romance, historical, political  

Original network:  Tencent 

Release date:        6 Nov 2023

Airing schedule:    6 Nov 2023 - 24 Nov 2023

Synopsis:

The Emperor's grandson, Li Ni (aka Shi Qi Lang) is a talented general who guards the border along with his loyal Zhen Xi army, eschewing the political intrigues of the court. Hiding his royal identity, he and his men spend share carefree days of comradeship at Lao Lan pass instead.  

When a military coup results in the death of the Emperor and Crown Prince, Shi Qi Lang takes on the burden of quelling the rebellion.  Along the way, Shi Qi Lang meets 'Lieutenant He' (aka A'Ying), a wily and beautiful member of the mighty Cui family army.  As the two go toe-to-toe matching wits on the battlefield and off, sparks fly, and love blossoms.  

  

Ancient Love Poetry (2021) - Synopsis

Drama info:

Title:  Ancient Love Poetry

Chinese title: 千古玦塵 / 千古玦尘 (Translation: "Ancient Dust") 

Episodes:  49

Genre: Xianxia, fantasy, romance

Original network: Tencent

Release date:      17 June 2021

Airing schedule:  17 June 2021 - 28 July 2021

Synopsis:

Mortals can ask the gods for help, but who can the gods seek help from? 

In the ancient realm上古界, the four true gods are Shang Gu (the god of chaos),  Bai Jue (the god of war), Tian Qi (the god of demons) and Zhi Yang (god of heavens).  

Shang Gu is the supreme god over all the ancient realm.  But despite her high status, her spiritual power is low and she lives a carefree existence.  Under the tutelage of the austere Bai Jue, Shang Gu later comes into her true powers, mastering the power of chaos to truly become a supreme god who can uphold and protect the three realms.   

An enduring love blossoms between Shang Gu and Bai Jue, but the tribulation of chaos is Shang Gu's inescapable fate. To save the three realms she must sacrifice herself to the power of chaos, never to be reincarnated.