Novoland: The Castle in the Sky 2 (2020)

Ba dum tss....
I have a lot to say about this show - good and the bad both. I hope you stick till the end of the review ಠ‿↼

Story: 7/10
As someone who's watched season 1 and loved Feng Tian Yi, I was looking forward to this one since forever so, started it as soon as it started airing which, in my opinion, wasn't a good idea. Anyway, the base of the story and the way it connected with its prequel was 'a job very well done'. The start of the drama was awesome, enough that I ditched other dramas on my CW-list to focus on it. Where friendships were fantastic, romance sucked. Big time and since romance was one of the MAIN ELEMENTS of the show, I was disappointed. Till around episode 25, the pace was good before the writers/producers/directors or whoever realized that they only have 9 episodes left to wrap it up and so, they did everything to collect the scattered pieces of the plot. You can imagine what became of the story. It was chaos. I was confused and then I was angry. They shouldn't have dragged the plot in the first place. They wasted so many episodes on FL's character development, which were necessary, I know that but they could've shown it without teeny-tiny details. And not to mention, the Cdrama/Kdrama cliches the writers pulled. Will there ever be a romance story WITHOUT THOSE DAMN CLICHES?

Characters: 6/10
In my opinion, this figure is just because of 4 characters only. 4 for whom I watched the drama till the very end. Feng Ru Che, Fang Qi Mo, Lian Yi and Lin Yue Cong.
Feng Ru Che has one of the BEST character developments in the history of character developments. Her journey and development was worth it. From the girl on streets to the throne and from there, to the camp and then back towards her throne. Damn, I was in love with her. The only time I DID NOT like her was when she was with the ML. I get it, that she had to be different with him but both of them made me uncomfortable in a way. Xue Jing Kong was a century old magician and watching him act like a teenage boy in love with a teenage girl was weird. Somehow, I didn't feel the chemistry between the two or maybe their romance wasn't the kind I enjoy? Well, whatever it was, sucked. BIG TIME.
Then comes Fang Qi Mo. Poor guy. He was an amazing friend and matured faster than the ML. I didn't feel any SLS for his part because he deserved better. Sorry Feng Ru Che, he's better as a friend.
Then comes Lin Yue Cong. From overachiever mean girl to Feng Ru Che's best friend. I loved her. I loved how mature she was, how understanding. If you hate her at the beginning, just hold on. You're gonna love this badass fighter.
Then comes Lian Yi. I loved her the moment she came on screen. But I pitied her more and was furious because of the injustice the writers delivered to this precious girl. She was emotional and an angry girl, begging others to just look at her. Mainly only one person but I can't give spoiler, now can I? The people around her weren't ready for her, tbh. They did not deserve this precious being.
Rest of the characters were good but lacked certain details. The characters I despised(strong word but even this isn't enough to show how I feel for them! AGGH!): Yun Mun Yang & Du Xian Yin & Xuan Ji. God, I was so, so angry because of these characters. They're the kinds of characters that make you want to break things. They just got on my nerves. One of the reasons why I rated the drama so low is because of all the screen-time WASTED on these three!!! Enough said.....

Acting: 7/10
Sadly, no one's acting stood out for me but Xu Xiao Nu who played Lin Yue Cong, maybe? I was looking forward to Daisy Li's acting since she's so pretty and was so cool in King's Avatar but I'd say she still has room for improvement. Other than these two ladies, our FL's actress Uvin Wang was really good if not 'the' best. Acting was good but not remarkable enough to leave an impression. And I'd love it if Jeremy doesn't play such roles again, like NO.

Music: 7/10
OOooooo boy! I don't care about the OSTs but the background music tracks were SO BADASS and SO ON SPOT. There are certain scenes where the music was simply EPIC!!! I'm rating it 7/10 just because of these background tracks otherwise the OSTs were simple for my taste. Same tone as other such dramas. None out of ordinary.

Re-watch Value: 6/10
I'd certainly never sit down and watch all 34 episodes again but there are a few episodes and clips that I've saved and definitely will watch from time to time. Heck, they kinda inspired me in my own story writing. I can't list the scenes because I don't want to post spoilers but if you want to know, you know just in case, you can ask!

Conclusion:
I'm more disappointed than happy after seeing third drama in the Novoland universe (I love the concept of this universe) just because of all those stupid cliches. I hope writers take a step out of those and give us something worth the concept and cinematography they've shown us in the dramas based on Novoland universe.

Thanks for reading too darn long review and putting up with my curses for the story that you MIGHT love.

Leia Mais

Du Xian Yin character stole the show for me.

This was my first Novoland drama, I had ever watched. I didn't really have any expectations, mostly I wanted something fun to watch that wouldn't be too demanding on my emotions.

Overall I really enjoyed the series. The leads have a nice chemistry and the story while not quite logical flowed really nicely. It's a fantasy series so I chose to not to be too logical in watching this. The story of the wizard and the empress was sweet and much of the drama covers the growth and maturity of the FL. She was very likeable and kind leader.

But having said all of the above the character I really loved was Du Xian Yin. As the second FL she was complex, conflicted and lovable and detestable at the same time. As an avid watcher of dramas it was really nice to have a villainess be so rich.

I can't really say the same about her love interest. He was a loyal dolt. He didn't seem to be able know right from wrong, and sometimes I felt he was undeserving of all the love and loyalty he got from the women in his life. Yun Mu Yang was blind as a general and faithless as a lover.

Xue Jing Kong, the lead of this drama is what I would call the typical, self sacrificing ML, ready to die for his love at any given time. He was dashing as the sage old merlin-esque character. For an old guy he was very cute in his romancing of the FL.

Dislikes: the political manoeuvrings, an ever growing list of villains was sometimes tiresome. At some point I lost interest on who, was on which side. There is a lot of back stabbing in this plot. You can't trust any character really.

In the end I would say "Novoland : Castle in the Sky 2" was a fun watch. Don't expect too much and enjoy.

Leia Mais

After watching upto episode 22 i really start feeling worried like will ML or FL die??? since female lead was kinda resurrected like 3 times due to ML Blood and heard something like a monster in it who will break loose .. Those military training was too harsh for female Lead. Getting stabbed by the Fake winged princess and even if the FL Tells that fake princess that she would keep quite gosh she is still attempting to kill her using mercenaries like wtf.
Is there Tragedy in this drama? i felt it like that since the ML is more worried that something will happen to him or the FL lead who is the real winged princess

Leia Mais

So far this series made me want my own wings!!! The story line is good and the actress is soo funny. She is also cute and refreshing in the eye. While the male lead is handsome, he can easily make a serious expression look funny too..
Costumes are superb and the setting is a like an exact pick up from imagination. If I am to imagine a place of winged people, this will definitely portray my imagination.
Also I love the accessories of the female lead. Hope this drama rates so much, that production may start to resell accessories. ?? Wishful thinking ??
The music choice is good. Since I'm having a comedy vibe from this, the songs set ups the drama part and I like the songs.. ??
Well all in all I'm thrilled with the story line and this for me is a break from this crazy times.. :)
❤️❤️❤️

Leia Mais