The Long Ballad (2021)

Almost perfect with story, acting, cinematography, OST, costumes & sets

It's been a while since I've been this invested in a drama of this length and high quality production and I was initially reluctant since I heard that this drama was based on an ongoing comic--and so I feared that the drama would not end satisfactorily since it didn't have the source material to rely on. However, I was pleasantly pleased that this ended up being one of my top dramas (so far) of 2021! And it even made me interested in the comic too.

This drama is an epic journey of Li Changge who seeks revenge for her family but, in the course of her perilous journey of survival and gathering strength, has to decide between personal enmity or national security. It's full of tragic deaths, heartbreaking scenes worthy of many awards, well paid-off reunions, and is a grand dramatic complex story weaving in politics, war, deceit, secrets, and romance.

There's (sometimes brief but) great action, perfect OST (especially haunting vocals accompanying instrumental tracks), strong acting from the famous "mainstream" actors (Dilreba, Leo Wu, Zhao Lusi, etc.) but especially the supporting (and older) characters who play the roles of fathers, mothers, uncles, masters, etc. They were also fantastic and deserve much praise. What ties this altogether is the great cinematography--reminding me of the great cinematography from Goodbye My Princess--as it is imbued with a lot of artistic and metaphor and there are several scenes that left a lasting impression.

I feel like this story and production was almost at the level of Goodbye My Princess--one of my absolute favorite dramas of all time--just that it's not a tragedy. It's hopeful and delivers, I think, a pretty good ending.

There were just a couple things that felt like it was at 98% and not 100% like the way I feel about Goodbye My Princess.

1) Dilraba: I can see that she's an experienced actress and performs everything with technical precision. She is indeed very good and I enjoyed her performance as our main FL. However, perhaps an unpopular opinion, I think the drama would've been at 100% quality if a different actress had embodied the aesthetic and physical look of Li Changge. This has been mentioned before I think but the signature long bangs of Li Changge, on Dilraba's face, made her naturally long face looked even longer and wasn't as pleasing to the eye. At a couple points they even felt annoying as they were just so, ugh. On the other hand, when the bangs were a bit shorter, she looked so much better. So, in my dreams, Dilraba's Li Changge would have shorter bangs for the entire drama or a different experienced actress with a shorter face would play Li Changge.

2) Mimi, Mu Jin--characters and their relationship: I understood their purposes in the story but I have to be honest that I skipped over a lot of their relationship arc. Nothing about their characters nor actors pulled me to care enough. Maybe different actors or if the characters were written a bit differently--I heard that Mimi in the comic is a lot better.

3) There are some emotional lines that didn't draw through to the very end or did not feel organic enough. Ashile Sun and his brother Ashile She'Er. Enjoyed the shift in their dynamic toward the latter half of the series but would've wanted a stronger emotional set-up.

4) The comic scenes: I wonder if this was just due to budget? But I doubt it since they had all these actors and production and sets. I think the comic scenes were intentional to pay homage to the original comic--but it was a bit off-putting because it was not consistent about when it would show up. It just showed up whenever it wanted and then disappear for a while. For the most part, it seemed to cover the war battles that might've cost the production too much or felt unnecessary to drag out. For that, I'm a bit grateful.

Overall, I enjoyed this drama so much, I unhealthily watched it for like three days straight as each episode's cliffhanger had me searching for the next one. I don't regret watching this drama and followed along the suspense each episode and also immensely enjoyed the main couple and second couple's romantic storylines. I hope these actors and production get to reunite again in another historical drama. If not, I definitely know that I've been impressed and will be watching out for their future projects.

Leia Mais

Amazing Drama

I never expected this drama to impress me but it really did. It's more like a political/power struggle/revenge kind of drama with a strong female lead. If you are looking for a lot of romantic scenes and butterflies, you won't find it in this drama but still i ended up loving Li Changge and Ashile Sun. From the very first episode I really liked the plot. The other characters were also really good. Acting was good. Talking about music, i really like the song by zhou shen.


I may not rewatch this drama but it has made it's mark on my mind and it will be on my top 5 drama list for sure.

Leia Mais

Recommended for those who like action drama

Overall, this drama has an interesting story. Each character has their own character development. Actors, and actresses also work hard to bring the characters to life. But even so, I'm sure everyone has their own opinion about the characters they like. Li Chang Ge is someone strong, and seriously, maybe she will be less liked by those who like the main character who is able to act funny. And in my opinion, the character that the audience will hate the most is not Li Shi Min or Gengis Khan but Khatun. Because Khatun is always cunning, and a hypocrite. The music is well done. I love the ending of the drama.

Leia Mais

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

This was an epic story that truly exceed my expectations.

Albeit some of it's shortcomings (a.k.a) this one scene i found quite predictable the rest of the story made up for it.

I did not expect much from Dilraba cause i've only seen her do romantic tv shows but oh my goodness her performance here was epic. I felt for her, cried with her was in pain with her, happy with her.... You get the point. I felt every damn emotion that she was trying to portray and to me that is something.

It's a pity that there is not one decent kissing scene from her and the main ML (i was looking forward to that or atleast some kind of skinship that will make me feel like they are desperate for each other) but there wasn't i guess that's the tiny bit of flaw that this series had. I wanted to feel the love between the FL and ML, but that fell short for me. I felt the longing when they were apart and there was always tension when they didn't know any better but when all was out in the open and they were constantly together, it went mehhhh. I guess i was expecting more.

But the rest was splendid! As usual, Rosy Zhao did amazing!! (Honestly did not expect any less from her), and to all the supporting cast. There was not a moment that i wanted to skip. I loved this and will definitely watch it again. Would've been a perfect 10 if the romance bit wasn't lacking but everything else...... SO GOOD. You wouldn't wanna miss it!!!

Leia Mais

Dilaraba great performance

This series is about our FL, Dilaraba, a princess that found herself orphaned and as a consequence she starts her journey wanting to revenge her family.. but between various difficulties and encounters, she divert her focus on helping the people she meets, interfering in situations that were sometimes taking her far from her original purpose... to the point her revenge gets moved aside to prioritise other situations... clever move that shows how the dynamic of life can take us naturally where less expected... and the FL was going with the flow. DILARABA is a well established actress with great expression skills of course, but the team she has been paired with is nothing less! The ML, Leo wu doesnt look his age, is very imposing in his role, and it is not just about his s muscles, but his expression, the way he speaks and the make up/costumes that makes him a very credible tribal prince. Another praise go to the second couple, which at times were stealing the trophy to the main couple as both actors are beautiful and great! I LOVE Zao Luzi, i have seen all her costume dramas and i love her cheekiness and comedy side, i find her funny, but this role was a different one for her.. she was perhaps crying too much at the beginning, but as her character was developing episode by episode, she became less of a cry baby and more of an adult able to support herself. Her man, liu Yuning,,, well i am in love with him and the series left me very satisfied with his character and his ending,, so much deserved! The series has a good start and development of events until episodes 40... you are really intrigued by what is happening, there are several unexpected twists of the story that makes the production a good one.. but note that i haven't read the comics where this series is based on, so i cannot comment on the genuinity of the story. From episode 40 i feel the story started to slow down a bit and had put too many details on situations or dialogues, that were not needed. The romance is there, you can see it and feel it... just a note that many have highlighted already... this series is described as historical and ROMANCE and the type of audience watching these type of drama are at least expecting a kiss... but for many reasons that many have already commented on, this was obscured/ covered. Which i disagree. It is satisfactory to watch a kiss, and you don't need to be a pervert to watch it!.. but we got to see nice BIRDS making out.. and if you have watched the series you get the funny reference 😆 🤣 😂 I agree that it is not a kiss that makes the series, but it would have been nice! You can still get the feeling.. but it is different. Overall i will advise people to watch this series if you like to see your favorite actors in this new drama.

Leia Mais

many first

This drama for me is so many first thing that makes me suck into this drama more and more.... The main reason I watched this drama of course dilireba. Usually I quite like her drama. I happy I can watch this drama.

The first thing for me:
- Many scene in here where it's usually CGI replaced by animation. I say it's quite charming & give us some new perspective. Yeah I know the one that became animation is not that important so it can be replace, but still it's also remind us this is from comic not novel like usual ^_^
- The first time I don't detest Rosy Zhao. Sorry for her fans, but usually I don't too like her acting, for me she act intentionally cute. But here I really have to give praise for her. Her acting growing a lot, I really like Le Yan Princess.
- No kiss scene... Hey I read in discussion still kinda not believe it. But after watch it, it's really no kiss scene, yeah the scene is very blurry or very closed, so you can concider it no kissing scene. Wonder what make the kissing scene disappear in this drama :p.

This drama is about journey to find friendship, love, justice, sacrifice for the greater good & most importantly discover yourself. I think in here half of the drama is about finding something/someone. Either it's find Le Yan (LY) or Chang Ge (CG).

Ok now about that character:
* Li Chang Ge (CG): Her journey start when her world crumbling with the assassination of her family by her uncle. In this drama she grow up & learn that not everything as seen by the eye. She grow up from a girl that only want to revenge to find companion & friendship along the way. She discover herself & find forgiveness when everything clear.
* Li Le Yan (LY): She grow up from naïve little girl, who is very protective, to a woman who have a voice & courage to chose her own way. She learn the truth about world outside palace & learn the truth about mankind.
* Hao Du (HD): He start as very robotic military man, who only know to obey his foster father word. Until later he learn to have his own judgment about the whole situation & start to doubt his foster father word. But from the first until the later what he want just for the good of Tang Dynasty so we can't too blamed him :P.
* Wei Shu Yu (SY): The first I saw him as a weak man who doesn't have like his opinion, he like just follow what other said, like his dad of even HD. But later I quite impressed by him when he say heart to heart word to LY before battle Ashile She Er (SE) to rescue LY from married him, his reason is simple because he can't let down LY with giving her hope of marriage with him. Hey not many character in the drama can say this kind of word, usually the writer just let him sacrifice himself in the name saving the beauty :D.
* And of course the last but not least our Ashile Sun (AS): Not many I want to write about this man. This man just the straight up as usual man lead. From the first until the last not much changing in his character.

What I like:
+ Even though not so much romance scene, but the relationship & chemistry between the cast quite there. Especially the determination between AS & CG we really can feel it, how they really respect each other space & decision.
+ Every cast growing from quite naïve about the world into something.

What quite confusing for me actually the politic. Especially in my eyes several minister is quite similar, so it's very hard to differentiate them apart :P.

Overall I really like this drama, but I don't think I'll gonna re-watch it.

Leia Mais

A MASTERPIECE

I have not read the manhua but i have to say, this drama is definitely in my list of all-time favourite dramas! Everything about this drama is just wonderful. All characters in this drama (from the main character up till a tiny supporting role) are so beautifully written. No characters were irrelevant or annoying and i have to say, the lineup of this drama is just 💯💯(they were all such eye candies i am in love).
And i absolutely love how they integrated acting with art!! The cinematography of The Long Ballad is super well done.
Kudos to the writer, director, producer, casts and crew for bringing this masterpiece to the world.
Definitely a must-watch!

Leia Mais

Does The Long Ballad show how powerful love can be, as lovers ignore the cost of love?

This post does contain small spoilers in the text.

The Long Ballad is unique in showing what power love has over a person. Many Korean Drama devotees will remember the Korean Drama ‘Nevertheless’ as a drama showing how one can ignore all the red flags which tells you that this is not a love pathway you need to travel. However, you also learn that your heart can so easily ignore all the warning signs as you steamroll over common sense. The story of The Long Ballad becomes a truly tumultuous journey of love for me of the true costs of love.

The Long Ballad (Song) centers around many true historic figures among the plot. The drama is a Romeo and Juliet story of star-crossed lovers from the Tang Dynasty Period (618-907) who should have been enemies, since their Tribes were enemies and were constantly clashing and fighting each other. Our lovers are Li Changge (Dilraba Dilmurat), a Royal Princess from the Tang Dynasty and A’ Shi Le Sun (Leo Wu) who is Commander of the Eagle Military Division of the A’ Shi Le Tribe. Being the only member to survive the loss of all her whole family in a coup for the Tang Dynasty Throne, heroine Li Changge sets out on a quest for revenge, as she remains loyal to her Tang Tribe no matter what the cost. Princess Li Changge is totally reckless in her quest, ready and willing to give up her life at any time. A’ Shi Le Sun becomes the one who wants that life for himself, and he refuses to let her sacrifice herself, as he constantly goes to her rescue. Li Changge and our hero A’ Shi Le Sun meet by chance while she is disguised as a man, who has full expertise in the Martial Arts. Later, when he finds out that she is a woman, love comes almost instantly, as he admires the bravery and skills of this powerful woman fighter. Even at the potential cost of the danger to his whole Military Division and potential disloyalty to his Tribe because of this love affair, A’ Shi Le Sun can not withdraw his heart to the side of reason.

A’ Shi Le Sun is often physically harmed, disgraced, and even loses his mother to death protecting the only woman he has ever loved romantically, as Li Changge continues on her reckless course. A’ Shi Le Sun tried many times to let go of his love for Li Changge, but he was not able to release himself from this burdened love. Love has full power over you, but so does Li Changge’s revenge and loyalty to her cause.

(When A’ Shi Le Sun’s mother was killed, all I could think of was “Release the Kraken”, as A’ Shi Le Sun went on a rampage of blood, ala Vincenzo.)

Along the way, Li Changge begins to realize the depth of the romantic love A’ Shi Le Sun has for her, as she slowly begins to return his endearing love. A’ Shi Le Sun’s love is like a third uncontrollable character in this love story of The Long Ballad. Every time Li Changge endangers herself A’ Shi Le Sun is forced to pay the cost of sanitizing her world to keep his love in this world. He could do no less. While the cost of loving Li Changge was great, losing Li Changge was a price A’ Shi Le Sun found unimaginable to pay.

Leia Mais

10/10 no doubt

Wow... I stopped watching dramas for a bit after I dropped "About is Love".

But here I am back again and this drama was literally amazing. Tbh, I really only chose this drama because of its cast, since I'm familiar with most of the actors/actresses. I have never loved historical dramas more :D

For these kinds of dramas, life and death are literally like breathing. Once someone dies in historical dramas, they no longer serve a purpose for the rest of the story, and often times aren't even mentioned at all after their presence is removed.

Personally, I'm someone who likes to see a little more romance, and the leads never had a "real kiss"- there were birds that did that stuff for them. (that may seem confusing, but if you watch the drama and get to that part you'll understand)
Even the support roles had a real kiss...

But the amazing plot and acting made up for the lack of romance. I really wish to see a part two, since I feel that some parts of the story were left unfinished. This drama was crazily good, and I'm glad I watched it. Typically, I don't like watching dramas that are more than 36 episodes long (36 episodes just seems really long for me), since I don't have that much free time. But I just want to say, this drama was definitely worth my time. 100% recommend!!

Leia Mais

Very intricate story plots, compelling cases and reasons

I think this is the best play of Dilraba Dilmurat (Princess Chang Ge) in all of her series so far. She has been progressing very well since I watched her first time in Ethernal Love 1st (with Yang Mi). Rosy Z Zhao playing Princes Le Yan is not bad either, she postures herself to always look beautiful, even though it is not naturally played as well as Dilraba. I'd think Leo Wu (Ashile Sun) and Kudousi (Ashile She Er), JIn Song (Khan) and Geng Le (Li Shimin Emperor) play the best among the actors. Alan Feng (Shu Yu) is the worst if I may say, I cannot see his affection shown to us nevertheless to who he like, this can also be by design. Liu Yining playing Hao Du is even better, we know how he is in agony in liking the one he loves.

I also like the progress of the characters that changes from one state to the other state with compelling reasons, as well as consistency of attitude to solve problems. How the romance been progressing between multiple couples are also storied very well. Kudos to the director that is able to cast the best characters. The writer did a great job with all the saying and discourses between and among characters that become the ground of how they see things, and what they do and accomplish. If you watch the series you will know what I mean!

Just like many Jiang Hu series, there are cases to solve. In this series, cases are separate cases and not much linked one another and never escalate from simple to complex or culmination. However, IMO, cases is built to make compelling reasons that change the characters and change the way the character solve problems and interact with one another. The flashbacks are good to explain many, imo, there are too many hidden plots presented to us. But these are what we like right? Many sweet surprises!

Leia Mais

Outstanding depiction of love and story building

This has to be one of the most rounded, best written dramas out there, with every single episode of 49 episodes enticing and engaging!

Starting off with an outstanding opening song, the story and the characters pull you in with real suspense, great character development and the best written and acted out depiction of a healthy love I have seen. Its a slow burner that gets so strong, that one can easily start to obsess about some of the characters.

Especially the male lead Ashile Sun was written so perfectly, that I can't remember a book, manga or series, where the male lead in a romance plot was written and/or acted out better. The writers outdid themselves and set a new standard.

There is so much to say about this drama. But to sum it up, it delivered something, that most dramas nowadays fail to: something real and a love story unbound to the clichées of late. It's fresh, relatable, admirable and so new. It seems like the whole production is teaching us, what a great story is all about and how it's meant to be done originally: not reheating the same old over and over again and letting fantastic characters unfold themselves naturally and come together naturally instead.

Spoiler:
If not for the missing scene of the two main leads kissing (they blurred it up and instead showed 2 cutesy little birds kissing instead), the missing wedding scene (though they declared each other their spouse, we didn't get to see their wedding) and the happy but half-open ending - I would have given this drama a straight 10.
Spoiler end.

Leia Mais