The Heart of Jade (2021)

Simplicity at its Finest

The story is revolving about the government, mainly looking for the stolen money of the government then with that the plot started to branch, and the love connections between each of the characters… the story was really good because it does not mainly talk about romance all the time so I did not get bored of watching it at all, the only thing that I’m going to comment was that in the story we are looking for the stolen money but sometimes it is being forgotten and another topic/issue they’ve come across and is driving unto another issue to be solved while the stolen money thing is being dragged along and it’s just being delayed making the story long, but then that’s how story plot works I still enjoyed it anyway.

Now let’s talk about the characters for me I like with pairing of Caesar Wu and Hui Wen they both really did well as for the Hui Wen’s character Mo Yan some don’t like it but for me I think it’s just okay and that they we’re saying that she has no improvement and childish, will I think for the first few episodes it’s just cute for me to watch her character because it’s so much and even if she’s childish I read something from the comment section that she is I think around 18 and more younger on the novel so I think that explains why, but then as the story go by I noticed that she became more mature.

For the other characters I loved them as well they made the story more fun.

The OSTs are good, their opening sound track is the best for me.

I recommend that you watch this drama, especially if you’re looking for a balanced plot and also this drama is not so heavy and not super complicated.

Leia Mais

The story basically revolves around the political issues and the stolen money.
It was good at the beginning, i like how they resolve the mystery. But then focus of the story shifted to something else and makes it too draggy.

Romance doesn't seem to be the main plot, the leads were cute, but they don't have much chemistry.
The misunderstanding between them doesn't dragged for too long. But throughout the drama, they keep lying and pushing each other 'for their own good'. When i thought, 'they finally understand that they need to be honest with each other', they lied and hide again. It's just a tiring circle.

Instead i like the side couple, like xiao chen - ying yu and su zui - princess yu they got better chemistry in my opinion. Prince Ning was also a good character, he comes off as clumsy most times but was smart when needed.

There are some annoying characters, but they didn't bother much.

The acting were okay. I think the problem lies within the script. Don't expect much from the cgi and fighting scenes.

Conclusion; it's not bad, but not good
I do like the comedic part. But overall, it's not my favorite.

Leia Mais

Good but unexceptional

I just finished watching and I'd say that overall, it was good but not great.

Being a huge fan of the crime/mystery genre, a part of me was hoping that it would be a detective drama along the lines of Maiden Holmes or The Imperial Coroner. In that sense, it was a disappointment, as our leads spend negligible screen time investigating. The only "cases" that matter are the ones directly related to the major conspiracy that the plot revolves around, and said conspiracy isn't particularly complicated or impressive at that. In this sense, the storyline is rather similar to The Love Lasts Two Minds, with a little bit of Under The Power thrown in, but the story here isn't nearly as sophisticated as those two dramas, and thus comes off as less engaging to watch.

I can't help but feel like they oversold us on the FL's abilities. Sure, she's smart, and also unbearably cute (I just want to pinch her cheeks every time she appears on the screen lol), but not quite the genius that the synopsis had me believe. After all, a character can only be as smart as the writer(s). As is the case with all too many dramas these days, it's also clear that the writers intentionally gave her various handicaps that serve no purpose other than to put her in situations where she's helpless and needs to be saved by the ML.

The acting was fine, although I didn't feel much chemistry between the leads. The lead actor just failed to convince me with his (admittedly very handsome) poker face that he's in love with FL. The side couples had more chemistry to me. Zhang Huiwen did fine, being one of the most talented actresses of her generation, and given what she had to work with, but she's often stuck in subpar roles in less than ideal projects (a fate shared by my other favorite actress, the criminally underrated Sun Xuening). The Flaming Heart was definitely a flop, though I've heard good things about her role in Marvelous Woman, which finished airing recently.

All in all, everything about this drama is fine, just unexceptional. Worth a watch, but probably not worth rewatching, and definitely won't be winning any awards.

Leia Mais

Heart of Loyalty Is Worth It If You Are Not Too Nitpicky

So ... I just finished Heart of Loyalty and ... sigh ... I still have a grin on my face....

It started kinda slow, but things picked up when the male lead decided to go to Liao as the princess' bodyguard. The plot is an attractive blend of political intrigue, detective fiction, action and romance that keeps it from sagging much. Even the inevitable "walking through the market" scenes usually had some plot teaser embedded.

One thing I liked about this drama is the way it portrays female characters as equal to / the equivalent of their male counterparts without making them at all "manly". For example, the best female martial artist in the drama is a married woman with a baby. Additionally, the younger female characters all showed some character development as the plot progressed, which was quite a plus compared to some other dramas I've seen.

There were also some other genuinely notable features. One was the development of romantic sub-plots that kept the drama sweet without making it overly so. Along with the main leads, the drama developed three other romantic relationships. I also liked some specific characters a lot, in particular the princes [Prince Ning of Song and Prince HongJi of Liao] and Second Brother, who was the coolest and most bada** guy in the entire drama.

My biggest problem is that there are some awkward scene cuts and transitions, but I suspect that has more to do with censored scenes than anything else. I've also seen some people who complained about the FL, but I don't see her acting as any worse than a lot of the "prettier" female actors out there.

I would definitely recommend this one if you like your historical drama with a little bit of everything ... oh, and Wu Xize / Li Hongi ... lol

Leia Mais

Took all my strength to finish this!

Hmmm where to start? Actually, i’ve finished this a while back and has been putting off writing review to mellow back my disappointment from being too reflective on the review. Lol. I’ve even finished another 29 episodes drama in the mean time (which i scored 9, so at least that is quite healing. Lol)

I have quite an issue with this drama. Almost drop it at many point during watching, but since the idea of having to scroll thru list of dramas trying to found a new one to watch is not that appealing to me at that time, i kept watching this, one step at a time. Lol

Ok. First thing first, my biggest pet peeve of this drama is the FL. Tbh, i’ve quite a not-so-nice experience with the FL’s drama in her Flaming Heart. In that drama, i thought it was her character that annoys me so much and i decided to give the actress a second chance this time (since i like the ML, so maybe this time i can change my view?), my oh my, how wrong it turns out to be. Sorry to say, watching her for the second time, i now know that i have a problem with her acting. ZHW is pretty in a way, but she has very little expression when acting. Sometimes she appears very much wooden, i just cant get into her scenes! When she cries, it was like having someone who shed tears due to cutting onions rather than being heartbroken. I am soooo disappointed! You dont even get a vibe
of a crying scene whatsoever! Another major thing i’ve noticed, she lacks imagination in scenes that needed such, for example, during a scene of drowning, the way she acts, we know that it’s all added cgi and everything after, but for god’s sake! please act like you are in the water and trying to steal a breath, rather than appearing so comfortable and la la la. *facepalmed. Same goes to manyyy other scenes that we know will be CGI-ed or added post-production, i just cant help but cringe everytime. Also, in this drama, her voice actor has a voice which has mischievous lilt to it, i assume it was chosen because mo yan’s character was supposed to be a happy go lucky cheeky girl who is mischievous and free while being a genius at the same time. However, once again ZHW just cannot deliver. Her stiff acting and the mischievous voice just doesnt go well together imho. And im sorry. I will probably steer completely clear of her future works (unless her leading man is someone i am veryyyy much in love with. Lol)

As for the ML, tbh, i gave the FL a second chance due to Caeser Wu. Lo and behold, as how gong jun cant help during flaming heart, CW fails to counter zhw’s effect on me as well *sigh
In fact, i find that it even cause me to have quite an issue with CW’s acting this time. I mean, i love him in General’s Lady but here, his acting falls flat, there is no chemistry whatsoever, not too mention, flaws are everywhere you just cannot close one eye on it. I miss his chemistry with his FL in general’s lady and this goes to show, no matter how good an actor you are, if the other lead is not up to par, it can drag you down as well.

Other things I remember that is worth mentioning: (good and bad)

-fight scenes are cringey and lame. The slow mo effect definitely dont work!!!!
-cgi is bad. Arghhhhh
-the prince’s character is the only plus thing imo
-the second love story between liu ge and the princess is more catchy and worthwhile though at first i just cannot get the princess vibe from the actress, her acting as Jiuling’s maidservant in Jun Jiuling still fresh in my mind 😅😂
-i think there is more, but i just dont have energy to recall more bad scenes from this drama

All in all, this really took all my strength and will power to finish till the end. It scores just above 6 nonetheless because i’ve never scored anything less if i can finish a series. It helps that it is only 24episodes, if it is anymore than that, i think i may have drop it tbh.

Leia Mais

Strong start, arcs, & endearing characters; satisfying ending even if some things are questionable

This was a drama that took unexpected hold on me. I wasn't specifically attached to any of the actors in this production but I gave this a shot and it was pretty enjoyable. It's pretty logical for the most part but toward the end, it starts to get a little questionable and leaves some aspects that I wished was answered or shown, but overall, I enjoyed the characters the most and their adorable relationships. Of course, you do have to suspend your disbelief for certain things to occur, like the main female lead joining Kaifeng office despite being a woman. Maybe realistically, it wouldn't happen, but I enjoyed that she joined and everyone was pretty chill about it.

I think what makes this a good drama is the characters. Like, the serious & political plot is okay, it had a strong first arc villain, it's good enough for a 24-episode romcom detective period drama, but the characters are what makes this show worth watching. I really liked that Mo Yan's weakness isn't forgotten after one time, but consistently shows up throughout the show and becomes a reason why a later plot point happens. I LOVE that the main couple consistently talks through their issues and rarely do anything stupid that endanger their loved ones. The side couples, I enjoyed greatly too. There weren't any characters that I thought was too annoying and I was empathetic toward characters who were going through a hard time--so I think the actors did well in this aspect. I am especially proud of the second male lead who has a lot of growth and becomes very competent and reliable.

Toward the end, it did feel like the drama was stretching some of the angst while not giving us enough scenes of some characters/couples, so the show felt like it was too long and too short at the same time. There was also a plot move that I questioned and didn't like. However, I think the ending was satisfying, so I had a good time. This show helped me like Caesar Wu a lot when I previously didn't care much about him. I wished the OST was a bit stronger with more memorable choruses, but in the moment of the scene, it worked. The best track for me is the instrumental track that plays during the detective or suspenseful scenes! There were also a lot of strong cinematic scenes--such as a continuous scene that moved with the characters throughout the office--that was cool.

Overall, a solid romantic comedy detective drama. Not the greatest of all time, not the worst, with good character growth and adorable characters.

Leia Mais

I love these kinds of drama. I had to watch it twice before I reviewed it. I love that Li Hong Yi is in this story but as a supporting actor, he did awesome playing the part of Su Zui. Kudos to Li Hong Yi! Zhang Hui Wen, I loved her character Mo Yan, and her acting skills as a Martial Artist, I loved her, she was awesome. Caesar Wu, I didn't think I see this actor before but he played in Meteor Garden which was an excellent drama. So I need to rewatch. He did very well playing Zhan Zhao and I mean he was seriously playing the part. I felt his character didn't have a heart for a minute. But that quickly changed. Zi Fan
(Ning Jin) and Chen Fang Tong (Zhao Yu) played interesting characters... I loved the Martial Arts and the romance scenes. Thanking the writers, producers, and the rest of the supporting cast. I will rewatch it again for a third time. Thanking the rest of the Heart of Loyalty team which is the staff behind the scenes.

Leia Mais

Nice one

Just finished heart of loyalty or heart of Jade I guess the third or fourth drama that I watch of Zhang Hui Wen, she is lovely chubby as always having the cutest face ever but not the best in acting, sometimes to looks serious she looks cuter but anyways that how her face shape is , and the third drama that watch for Caesar Wu , always having that poker face as disguise but it was nice to see him fight alot since in alll is dramas is good in kung fu and sword skills , that how it supposed to be for his chosen roles

The story sometimes I am lost but I don't really care to follow the politics and the mysteries I can act dumb until they reveal everything , its good with having loyal court in the palace for once a emperor is not a bad one with evil decisions , and after all I don't know what the protagonist was after the whole time , maybe the crown with power and money... not sure

But in general what I liked the personality of FM and her relationship with her sisters and brothers , shout out the very handsome 6th brother what wasn't revealed until ep 18-19 , anyways I liked the secondary couples and my fav scenes its the one that they saved to the very end the wedding and the departure to their homeland

For rewatch maybe : 5/10 , I don't like to rewatch dramas but I fo highly suggest this one to everyone who just enjoy watching beautiful faces with making efforts to understand the whole plot

Leia Mais

I like it but not

It took me 3 days to finish the whole series because I have a feeling that the story wasn’t really good. But I tried because of Cesar (ML) I missed him in Wuxia world after General’s lady. There are missing part and the editing was a bit terrible. I hope the editor and the director executed the series well. I’m about to drop the series but again, Cesar really really good in portraying as a swordsman and I discovered that Li Hong Yi was also part in the mid story. Auhhh girl! I can’t drop it!!! FL was a bit annoying on the small screen and I think she has a bit problem on her eyes? Idy, I hope i was wrong! Anyway, overall I like it but NOT . But still recommending to those who wants to sit and relax! There’s is no big conflict between the love story of the couple, no super bad villain, so-so!

Leia Mais

Childish but cute

This is a light-hearted and family-friendly drama that I'd recommend if you enjoy gentle entertainment. The script is the only letdown here, not the performances by the actors. The series has a happy ending for three couples and spans across 24 episodes.

The series has some childish and unbelievable moments, but the martial arts scenes are well done and visually stunning. It has plenty of humor throughout. Overall, it's important to note that if you're expecting something like "The Imperial Cononer," this drama is quite different – it's full of inconsistencies and geared towards viewers who enjoy lighthearted drama, sweet romance, and tidy, happy endings for all.

I found the childish characters in the drama quite off-putting, but surprisingly, the female lead was enjoyable to watch. I felt that she had good chemistry with the male lead, and both of them portrayed their characters convincingly. The supporting cast also delivered solid performances, which added to the overall quality of the drama.

In my opinion, while the drama may not be exceptionally memorable, it could serve as a nice change of pace after watching a more intense or serious series.

Leia Mais