Princesa Changge (2021)

Too long, but still good overall

Damn. I finished this. The middle and the last couple episodes were… long, and I admit that I skipped a ton to get ahead. I think 35 episodes would have sufficed to tell the story; I don’t know why it was nearly 50😭.

HaoYan is indeed an incredible couple. Hao Du is like a pillar, a rock, that’s always been there to protect her. I think it’s because he was also so consistently there that she kind of didn’t think more of it. The competition changed everything though 😏. Even when their feelings weren’t as strong, his highest priority was ensuring her safety, something Wei Shu Yu simply didn’t do. He was so useless in general: losing Le Yan, losing the Crown Prince, losing Chang Ge, not speaking up when he should (Le Yan confessing her love and letting her think he accepts her feelings only to sister-zone her???) etc. Hao Du had to clean up WSY mess, AND he would die for Le Yan, and gladly so (as we see when he joins the competition for her marriage, he does so because he didn’t want her to marry someone she didn’t love – even if it meant she would reject him). Both Le Yan and Hao Du grew over the course of the show, they matured and learned to communicate their feelings and how to trust one another.

I also enjoyed Chang Ge’s and Ashile Sun’s relationship. They were each other’s safe place, and a very smart, calculated couple. It was nice to see them have some sweet moments towards the end of the show.

What I didn’t like:

- The camera work and editing felt very sloppy and unflattering sometimes. Very disappointed in that department. How do you make Dilireba, Wu Lei, Liu Yu Ning or Zhao Lu Si look kinda bad? And why would you waste pretty scenes with a weird light??? Shining brighter than the sun damn.

- The show was too long, and I really didn’t care about the Ashile tribe. I liked A’Sun, but the whole tribe and its inner politics?😬 After a while, I got tired of it, and I also felt like those parts of the middle dragged the most.

Overall, a really nice show that shines due to its stellar acting, great costumes and sets, and amazing music that underlines every situation perfectly. It should have been a little shorter though, and the camera work/editing could have been better….!

Leia Mais

To see and review without moderation!

A truly excellent historical drama, breathtaking, in which we stay hooked without getting bored for a second.

The story is well put together, embodied by great actors (Leo Wu ❤❤❤ et Dilraba Dilmurat). There are multiple twists and turns, but they are well put together and believable. The relationship that is built between the 2 heroes is strong and moving, we are wholeheartedly with them.

The secondary characters are not forgotten (again, the actors are great) and the secondary romances are too cute. Even Mimi's death is sad but consistent in context.

I love the concept of drawn passages (Manga side).

In short, to see and review without moderation!

Leia Mais

Revenge will not bring you peace, but friends and love can do it

The long ballad is one of the first Chinese dramas I've ever seen, and after watching it, I was sad that it was over.

+ The atmosphere that carried the story forced me to look further and further, and I don't remember an episode in which event wouldn't take place.
+ Plot almost didn't stand at all and it was very easy to find out where something was going on.
+ Most of the war scenes, as well as several others, were carried in a cartoon version, which only made the whole drama special.
+ There was not a single character that would obstract me at the end.
+ The chemistry between Li Chang Ge and Ashile Sun was evident.
+ Until the last moment, I wasn't know the end.
- At the beginning, Li Chang Ge was little bit annoying, but as I said before, I noticed a big change of herself in the end.

Leia Mais

This is perfection.

I finished this show within 3 days, then rewatched again right after. I love absolutely everything about this show to bits (oh well except Mimi!). It is a masterpiece. I have been looking with no success for something equally good or better. Nothing has come close..yet.

First of all, can we all just acknowledge that this show’s cast are not only beautiful but portrayed brilliantly in each of their own roles. I became aware of Dilreba in You Are My Glory, but her performance in The Long Ballad made me her fan. Great performance!

And then there’s Wu Lei, look he didn’t made much of an impression when I first saw him in Fight Break Sphere, and in fact I haven’t finished that show (I have to confess, I watched it because of Xiao Zhan and Gu Jia Cheng), but I kinda got bored. Then I tried TLB out of curiosity, and the the next thing I know I now worship Wu Lei. I never knew him as a child actor so that didn’t influence my bias. Contrary to whatever else were saying, I cannot imagine any other actor playing Ashile Sun. He is and will always be Ashile Sun. Period. Fantastic performance, I can watch him over and over again. The way he conveys his emotions with his eyes. If looks could kill. Oh my goodness. He perfected “the looook”. I also adore his Eagle Division brothers.

The story is phenomenal. Right from the first 15 minutes of the first episode, I felt the spark of excitement and I was hooked. It was truly riveting and every scene with Ashile Sun and Li Changge is impactful. That Cuju game was everything.
TLB had all the elements that I love in this genre, hidden identity, strong FL and ML, intrigue, hidden plots, revenge, war, politics, enemies to lovers. Amazing, it is just amazing. I cannot stress how beautiful the cinematography is as well. Episode 15 with Li Changge’s surrender to Ashile Sun, that scene is epic and beautiful. The soundtrack is also great.

A lot of the gripe that I have seen is the lack of romance. I personally think it just had the right amount of romance. Everytime Ashile Sun shows his love thru actions and words, it gives me the feels. I also wasn’t bothered by that blurred out kiss. And the ending, while everyone were wishing to have more lovey dovey at the end, I think its just fitting.

This must be the longest review I have written to date. Look, do yourself a favor and watch TLB. This one show with some serious epic chops. I haven’t seen anything yet that is just as good!

Leia Mais

Amazing Cast

I internally debated whether to watch this drama while it’s airing or watch it when it’s completed because I absolutely didn’t want to invest many hours into a 50 episodes drama and then be disappointed by the ending. However, there was just something about the cinematography that presses me to give it a shot and 18 episodes later, I am refreshing sites every hour just to get a glimpse of news, bts or spoilers on new episodes. I am neither a fan of the lead CP, but I am definitely a fan of their acting in this drama. Leo Wu is an amazing young experienced actor and I am so happy to see that he has grown up so well. The story line remains to be seen since we are only 1/3 into the journey, but it has been an amazing roller coaster ride so far. This is the only drama that has motivated me to leave a review, and that speaks volume of how much I am enjoying it.

Leia Mais

Okay to watch if you want to pass the time

Overall the drama was mediocre. A typical strong female revenge drama but failed to give much depth. The show lacks balance between the protagonists and the antagonists. The screen time was dominated with the main leads that it left no room for it's villains and secondary characters. This leaves me feeling disconnected with the drama. Without the focus on other characters the story tends to become irrational and ridiculous. I cannot for the life of me believe that during that era a Prime Minister would let a 15 year old girl command soldiers. Nor can I believe a King would only deploy one guard to find a Crown Princess. If you are willing to throw out your common sense and just want to indulge in looking at pretty people falling in love then this drama is for you. What this drama end up being was two beautiful main leads and their love story because that is the only thing that seems to be shot well in this drama but it's not enough to make me want to continue. The revenge aspect got lost by the middle of the drama and soon you're left with wondering what is the point in all this? Too many simple questions left unanswered throughout the entire drama. It's one of those dramas where you can just watch clips and be fine with it because the story as a whole was disappointing.

Leia Mais

Anticipating...

This is an amazing drama!!!!!
It is well portrayed and the storyline is well written. The characters are acted out so well and the cast is chosen perfectly and they have done justice to the characters. It is one of the few dramas that actually make you feels so engrossed into the story that you want to keep watching it to find out what happens next and I have got to hand it out to the scriptwriters and the manhua's author as they have written a great piece of work.
I loved every plot and line the actors spoke and how interesting it felt at every moment and scene. Though I've only watched a few episodes of what they have released but I can tell it will and is gonna be one of my favorite dramas out there. This may also be because I really like the male lead and his works but regardless it was worth the while and time.
The music and ost's were again chosen perfectly the were an amazing fit to the plot, they were made and directed very nicely. Tencent video is actually a very good online video streaming platform where almost all dramas are binge worthy(not too twisted).
I totally recommend watching this and if you want similar works just check out the recommendations I made on the recommendations page.
Hope ya'll definitely check this out!!!

Leia Mais

The Long Snore 无聊

This was one long boring Historical CDrama. GF and I kept trying to slog through it, finally throwing the towel in the thirtyish episode. Initially it was sort of decent, the FL is a strong character who is tough and has exceptional martial arts skills. She is hell bent on revenge for what was done to her and her family.

The memorable part of the FL's initial interaction with the ML is the competion with the ML in the Cuju match scene. I really enjoyed the Cuju match which is an ancient sports game going back to the Han Dynasty popular in the military and royalty. I felt it was executed beautifully although I cannot attest to the historical accuracy of the game play.

However, the story line and plotting became a big drag of revenge and messy plotting of political intrigue. Too many filler side stories and dragging things out un-necessarily. No chemistry between the leads, it felt like they would be better as siblings than lovers. The SML character who falls in love with the FL is annoying, not talking about the actor himself but the role. I don't know if the SML role was used as a contrast to the ML as a way to prop up the ML to the viewers; he was weak willed and undecisive. The princess SFL was also weak and fragile. It got annoying when she kept crying all the time, she does mature more later on as she goes through some hardships. The guard dude SML with the princess SFL chemistry was better and the love story between them was more engaging than the leads. You end up rooting more for them than anyone else.

Since its a big budget show, I need not say more on the production quality of the series. The acting was okay, the ML is on the stiff and wooden end of things. The FL and princess SFL did a pretty good job in their roles despite a messy drawn out storyline.

If one has insomnia and wants something to help them fall asleep, this might be the show for it.

Leia Mais

Great plot!

I only watched this because of Zhao Lusi lol. The story is good but I only cared for the Li Le Yan and Hao Du scenes. 🤣
Honestly, I skipped majority (knew enough about what was going on) and watched Le Yan and Hao Du. I LOVE them. They were adorable. The other main lead couple is cute as well.
I wish it showed more of Du and LeYan. They are considered main roles too. I figured it'd show more so....BUT their love story and how it happened. She could rely on Du and he never disappoints. Yeah he followed Le Yan cause of her sister etc but I could tell he really liked her. When she slapped him, I'm like oh s***, girllll but then he cried. I cried with him. 😭😭 I knew Du liked her from episode 1. The stank eyes he gives Wei Shu Yu throughout series was funny. Also, am AMAZING ending for them 🥰
Now Chang Ge and Ashile Sun had a good ending I suppose. I was hoping she would go back to at least visit and all instead of like basically gonna cut everyone out. I get it but she should also think of her sister, Li Le Yan. ☹️
Overall, I enjoyed it and will definitely be watching again. (Mainly for Li Le Yan and Hao Du)

Leia Mais

It's fine but misses on important beats

The Long Ballad is one of those stories where the princess who's only known royalty her whole life gets everything changed. She goes from princess to garrison leader to slave to the leader of a coalition. The story is focused on her journey and her romance with a general from the central plains. It's a fine story. The side characters such as the emperor, the crown princess, Haodu, and Sun's captains are all fine. My main problem is that Changge is too OP in this show. Like she literally gets shot in the chest with an arrow and falls off a cliff but we're supposed to believe she survives. Many other times she finds herself in dire situations and she gets out unscathed, either by herself or by getting saved. It's tiring seeing her get out of situations with no real consequence. What was the worst thing that happened to her after she left the capital? A kid she teamed up with for like 2 episodes died. Even when she becomes enslaved it doesn't really matter because she's protected by Sun. Speaking of Sun, the main romance in this show is not convincing in my opinion. Something about it doesn't work for me. The actors have chemistry, but it seems so rushed. They barely get any actual time together. They're always moving from one place to another and we're supposed to believe they develop a romance during that time. Ironically, the side romance between Leyan and Haodu was way more compelling. They get a lot of screen time and we can watch their relationship grow. When Haodu ultimately fights for Leyan's hand in marriage, it feels earned and there was a lot that built up to that moment. One of my favorite moments was when Haodu's adopted father finally made him an official member of the family so that he could marry into the royal bloodline. These are things missing from the main romance. There's just no time when they talk to each other about things that aren't plot related. But it's not all bad though. The plot, although bouncing from place to place too much, is pretty good. Whenever there were action scenes, they were done well. Although I really didn't like it when action scenes would be taken over by artwork and the actors were forced to stand in front of a green screen and shout their lines. I get the intent, but it's not fit for a live-action show. The acting was also really well done by the main actors. I didn't buy the main romance but it wasn't the fault of the actors. They sure did try. One last thing, the music is pretty good aside from one track that is basically completely plagiarized from "Up is Down" by Hans Zimmer. A couple of memorable melodies otherwise. There are still enough positives to make this a fine watch. I doubt I'll ever rewatch the entire series again, but there are definitely scenes that are worth revisiting. Solid drama.

Leia Mais

Best love story

OK I have to admit this is One amazing story. The characters, the story line, the costume, the plot, And the music. I don’t know how to say it, but it is so moving that my heart pounds every time I watch the next episode. all the characters in this were amazing. They’re acting were top-notch I have followed them, hoping to see more of them and other series. I fell in love with everyone of them. I absolutely love love this series. The plot in the story was in such amazing details. This is probably one of the top five of my series. I watched that I absolutely will watch over and over again.

Leia Mais