I just feel that to be alive, to have the sun shining, and to have someone for me to call is so good

My review will be focused and divided on the story, acting/cast, music, re-watch value, pros (why you must watch), cons (why you will drop/not watch), overall opinion, similar drama suggestion.

Story:
The story start with us meet Zhou Zi Shu as the leader of an assassin organization. I straight up got hooked on the first scene as it is already interesting and somehow "dark". And at the end of the episode 1, we finally got a 10 seconds (i guess) appearance of mysterious Wen Ke Xing. After watching the first episode, I guess this drama will have a dark and maybe heavy plot like something as The Untamed. Yup, I come across this drama as it is another BL-adapted drama from China which is censored as "brotherhood". But as soon as episode 2 start, I dumbfounded lol as Wen Ke Xing without any warning suddenly start to "flirt" with Zhou Zi Shu. But it is interesting on how Wen Ke Xing somehow want to be "clingy" with Zhou Zi Shu and it is funny to watch. The first part of the drama (1/3) is an enjoyable watch for me as it filled with tons of light scene, which quite fun to re-watching some scenes, and to admire the poems/Chinese literature used in the drama! Around the second part of the drama, the main plot of the story started getting it place and a little bit scary too as we move from light to semi-serious watch. But I have to say that I didn't yet found any of unnecessary scenes, plot, story. All the scenes are naturally taking its place. But nah, around episode 22, the third/last part of the drama is quite a ride! We just got a bits of light/sweet/fun scenes as this part it focused more on the relationships. You will love all the relationships that appeared in this drama. All the relationship's stories are beautifully showed to us. It is amazing how I found myself rooting for each of the characters. I should say, it is hard to find this type of Chinese Wuxia Drama. And it is my first time watching a Chinese Wuxia Drama without getting confused with the story, characters relationship, and the plot. But I need to give this a 9 stars out of 10, rating, as this drama can definitely have more episode to elaborate, tell more about some part but it is okay already just like we (I) need more!

Acting/Cast:
First of all, I really didn't know any of the actors here. I have no idea who are the casts and what their previous works. It is my first time seeing them. I got curious so I searched each of them in the mid of watching, and I'm surprised! Most of them can be consider a newcomers in thee industry! But wow, theirs acting sure definitely didn't show any flaws or awkward or unnatural expression! It is as if they are made for the character the played in this drama! I loved all the characters even the supporting characters and the villains/antagonists. I want to praise all of them but I will just shortly mentioned a few to keep this review short. First, Zhang Zhe Han and Gong Jun, their characters feel alive, as if I can imagine ZZS and WKX exist in real life. And both of them sure have a eyes pleasing facial expressions! I got scared when they changed to "serious" side of them as it a bot scary because we got tons of theirs smiles but they did a great job! Zhou Ye as Gu Xiang, her character is such an apple to the eyes! I feel like watching my own daughter (i am 22 and still a single young miss). Zhou Ye showed a good type of mischievous yet caring sister to Cheng Ling, and her master, WKX. I really looking forward to her next work especially Back from The Brink. Next, our Ye Bai Yi which is by actor Huang You Ming, as expected he is really great! If you see her previous work list, you will be shocked as you always remembered his role in a few drama. I hope he can get more recognition. Lastly, you need to mention actor Li Dai Kun as the Scorpion King! WOW! That's all you need to say - WOW *applaud. However, I read many negative and critics comments regarding the casts. Well yes, most of the characters can easily be played by others veterans (aka popular, your bias) actors and might be more better, BUT our WOH casts really did their best and already portrayed perfectly theirs character. I can feel their efforts in delivering the character as I can felt and easily understand each character's background and feeling. I hope we can stop comparing actors as I'm sure, each actor definitely give their best in their own acting. (nah, i'm taking this opportunity to call out and remind you guys.)

Music:
I need to say that this drama is one of the drama with a lot of beautiful music and lyrics! And we got Liu Yu Ning to sing for this drama which I really love his voice and his songs! The song are just beautiful to hear too! And both Zhang Zhe Han and Gong Jun also participate to sing a OST! This drama have a whole of beautiful song! You guys really need to check out it, can search on Youku YouTube Channel as they created a playlist for the whole OST and it felt so good to listen to the playlist! PS: even if you not watching this drama, you will definitely wouldn't hate the playlist. Do give it a try!

Link to the audio compilation playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGIk2nSYexA

Here, I list the playlist of the OST for Word of Honor;
1. Liu Yu Ning (刘宇宁) ~ Heavenly Question (天问)
2. Zhang Zhe Han (张哲瀚) ~ Lonely Dream (孤梦)
3. Zhang Zhe Han (张哲瀚) & Gong Jun (龚俊) ~ Faraway Wanderers (天涯客)
4. Shuang Sheng (双笙) ~ Vanquished Fate (缘灭)
5. Henry Huo (霍尊) ~ Letter Forward (锦书来)
6. Hu Xia (胡夏) ~ Untitled (无题)
7. Wang Jia Cheng (王嘉诚) ~ Return (归)
8. Elvis Wang (王晰) ~ Blind (盲)
9. Ye Li (叶里) ~ Broken Heart (落心)
10. Xian Zi (弦子) ~ Drunken Moon (醉江月)
11. Man Shu Ke (满舒克) ~ Looking At The Jianghu With A Smile (笑看江湖)
12. Tian Ye Ke Boy Band (甜牙客男团) ~ Gazing At The Horizon (望天涯)
13. Steve Chou (周传雄) ~ Journey of Mountain And River (山河行)

Re-watch Value:
Nah, I re-watch this for 3 times already! And there are a few episode that I always replay. It is just good for re-watching as it is not a heavy plot drama. It plot just straight and simple to get through and also it is not complicated at all, be it the story or/and the characters' relationship. If you already done watching a 50-60 Chinese Historical or Wuxia or Xianxia drama which already make your head aches and felt sick after finishing it, you can return to WOH to ease the pain and so felt a light but pure Wuxia drama about martial arts practitioners and humans' relationship!

Pros (why you must watch and/or point that can turn you on):
- Handsome male lead (ZZS)
- Beautiful male lead (WKX)
- Bromance (BL *cough)
- Cute younger couple
- Handsome + cute villain (Scorpion King)
- Flirtingsssss
- A fine Immortal (Ye Bai Yi)
- Simple and light story
- Beautiful costume (especially WKX)
- Lot of Chinese poems, literary
- Beautiful women
- Can make you suddenly burst out crying

Cons (why you will drop/not watch and/or point that can turn you off):
- Cheap production
- Simple CGIs
- Plain
- Not familiar with the casts
- BL (Boys Love)
- Younger/side characters might come out annoying to you
- Expected another The Untamed

Overall Opinion:
Well, Word of Honor is definitely a recommended must watch drama in 2021 by me. This is just a story about what happened in martial arts world and practitioners. No other complicated or unnecessary drama/plot here that felt useless. And it was an enjoyable and great watch for me. I hope to see more of this type of drama in the future. Short, 36 episodes but consists all elements that you can found in 50+ episodes drama and leaving you a little lingering but high satisfaction feelings afterwards.

ATTENTION: THIS DRAMA HAVE 3 SPECIAL EPISODE WHICH CONTAIN ADDITIONAL SCENE AND 1 ADDITIONAL EPISODE WHICH THE EXTRA FOR THE ENDING. SPECIAL EPISODE FOR EPISODE 6, 12 & 17. YOU CAN WATCH IT ON YOUKU YOUTUBE CHANNEL. FOR EPISODE 37 (BONUS), YOU CAN WATCH ON YOUKU YOUTUBE ONLY IF YOU JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP BUT FOR FREE, YOU CAN JUST SEARCH ON YOUTUBE AS FANS MAYBE UPLOAD IT.

Similar Drama/Movie/ Show (Recommendation/Suggestion):
(PS: I recommend based on the similar feeling and vibe it give, with no regard to the genre or storyline)
- Killer and Healer
- Guardian
- The Untamed
- The Eternal Love
- The Ying Yang Master
- Hikaru No Go
- To Get Her

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