December 16, 2020

Legend of Fei | Recap and Review

 Legend of Fei
A girl’s journey to being a hero with a boy’s help. 
Notable Actors/Actresses
Zhao Li YingZhou Fei
Wang Yi BoXie Yun / Prince Duan
Scriptwriter
Li MinWang Hong (Author: Priest)
Chinese Title
有翡
GenresWuxiaRomance
NetworkTencent Video
Year2020
Episodes: 51
Recap Grade: D
First Impression: 1.9/5

Recapper
[Ep1-17] cynlynn
[Ep18-51] beautifuljangmi

Jump to Review

Mini Recaps

Note: You’ll get real recaps whenever I’m interested. 

[Ep1] The ML tells everyone, “Look, there’s an airplane! While every single person is distracted, only the FL has time to react in those very long seconds to hit someone to help the ML escape. Clap, clap, clap. Drama is so smart

Important: Wang Yi Bo went from playing qin to playing with leaves. Lethal guy. 

[Ep2] Because of Xie Yun, Zhou Fei’s father chooses to leave the mountain to help wherever he's supposed to help. Zhou Fei’s family is separated and it’s all because she saved Xie Yun. Well, that’s how she thinks of it. 

[Ep3] Mom teaches Zhou Fei a new move while battling her. The winner of the battle gets to leave the 48th mountain. Zhou Fei wins her mother. 

[Ep4]
[Ep5] Zhou Fei and Xie Yun meet again in prison. He gives her a mini wooden sword he carved. He promises her he’ll give her a real sword later. He also gives her a chance to escape but she comes back to save everyone. He asks her what’s more important: her life or her responsibility. Without hesitation, Zhou Fei answers: Responsibility. Xie Yun is surprised and impressed. 

[Ep6] Xie Yun tells Zhou Fei that the strongest aren’t those equipped with the best knowledge or martial arts, it’s in the heart. 

By the way, Xie Yun is the smart one (he’s also a prince in hiding) and Zhou Fei is the combat girl. 
[Ep7] Zhou Fei and Xie Yun drink together. It’s probably her first time drinking and she drinks too much at once that she falls asleep. Xie Yun smiles thinking she rested her head on him on purpose. When he realizes she’s just drunk, he still smiles. 

[Ep8]

[Ep9] Zhou Fei and Xie Yun are separated. He’s worried about her livelihood. She’s actually saved by this crazy lady who loved her grandfather. This lady is willing to teach her new moves. Isn’t it too easy for Zhou Fei to learn her martial arts from all sorts of power people by random? 

[Ep10] Zhou Fei is struggling with two different martial arts styles in her body. Xie Yun’s words about being strong at heart is what’s keeping her conscious. Meanwhile Xie Yun is thinking of her too while playing his recorder. 

[Ep11] Zhou Fei is no longer struggling internally. She's also reunited with Xie Yun. Just when he's in danger, she snaps out of her slumber. She quickly takes the sword he's carrying to attack the enemies. Her powers have increased immensely. She asks Xie Yun why he bothers carrying a sword around when he can't use it. He says the sword is for her. 

Zhou Fei makes her first significant kill. 

The crazy lady is no longer crazy. She also dies. In her death she sees the one person she loves the most (Zhou Fei's maternal grandfather) beckoning her to go with him. Um...a happy death for her, I guess.

[Ep12] Xie Yun bought Zhou Fei candy but she's having the toughest time chewing it. It's like this really sticky toffee. Her chewing a candy also royally offends a man who almost takes her life for chewing in front of him. O-kay

[Ep13] Zhou Fei accidentally hits her nose into Xie Yun shoulders. He teases her and taps her nose. 

[Ep14] Zhou Fei realizes she unconditionally trusts Xie Yun that he'll keep her safe.

[Ep15] Zhou Fei chooses to stay and fight. She wants to kill the baddie and improve her cultivation that a man promised to help her if she stays. Xie Yun isn’t happy. It’s dangerous here. She casually pats his back that she won’t let him die. He’s upset at her comment and broods over it. If he was afraid of death, he wouldn’t be with her. His anger doesn’t stop him from helping her. 

[Ep16]

[Ep17] Zhou Fei's grandfather is a Casanova. 

beautifuljanmiBefore I start my recap snippets I would like to add that this drama does a terrible job explaining the main synopsis. Imagine watching the Harry Potter movies for the first time, having no idea anything about them nor having read the books, and you begin your journey with The Half-blood Prince. Nothing would make sense and you would be extremely confused. This is exactly how this drama makes me feel! Lots of characters, lots of little stories and side quests, no idea what the main purpose is whatsoever. So on that note, enjoy!

[Ep18] All of the main cast are separated in groups of 2-3. And Chu Chu is the new Grandpa, getting all the love interests lol. Are we sure she’s not the lead?

[Ep19] Apparently, Zhou Fei is famous for all of her kills outside of the 48 stronghold and everyone wants to challenge her. Umm. I only saw her faint repeatedly but sure? 

[Ep20The age gap is too strange. If she was meant to be older (like a Go Go Squid- Apple Dog and DT vibe, first season), I think I would like it more. But then they have our female lead playing a character meant to be younger than our male lead; but in real life she is a decade older and it shows in their interactions constantly. I get respectful senior vibes from him, and little brother from her. 

[Ep21] This episode focuses on relationship building between (what I believe) are going to be our three main couples. 

The evil sect makes their move on the 48 Stronghold.

[Ep22] The people guarding the lower parts of the 48 Stronghold are slaughtered. With their leaders and best fighters away, they did not stand a chance.

[Ep23] More from the 48 Stronghold arrive and help defeat the enemy. For now

ZF decides to take a team with her down the mountain to finish what they started. 

[Ep24] We see our side couple get a little closer. 

More fighting ensues. The last three episodes have all blended together with how often they stop and start fighting the same people over and over. 

[Ep25] Our leads are forced to take drastic measures when Zhou Fei is betrayed by one of her mentors. 

[Ep26] Zhou Fei is tired of Xie Yun’s many secrets, but at the same time finds herself drawn to him. 

The 48 Stronghold finally has a moment of peace to honor their loved ones who had sacrificed themselves.

[Ep27] Xie Yun’s poison has resurfaced. He decides to leave Zhou Fei before she can discover that he is dying.  Men, smh. Lucky for XY, a poison master is following him. That’s convenient lol. ZF is also close on his heels. 

[Ep28] ZF finds XY and learns about the poison. Devastated and desperate to stop him from running away alone, she decides to lock him up. And unlike most dramas where they have the leads locked hand in hand, XY is locked to himself; right hand to left foot (¬‿¬ )

[Ep29] Locked and unable to escape, our leads begin to bond. Opposite Beauty and the Beast moment. 

[Ep30] The leaders of the martial arts world gather together to compete. Some are accused of colluding with the villain, Disha. 

[Ep31] XY uses his inner force to save ZF, releasing the poison in his body. Boy. You had ONE JOB!

[Ep32] They stay with a poison master/monk and brainstorm how to save XY.

[Ep33] ZF travels alone in search of a cure for XY. The journey is dangerous. Her friends and family also run into trouble with Disha. 

[Ep34This show is getting convoluted with side stories and characters. I had to watch this episode 3 times and I’m still uncertain why it couldn’t be condensed with the episode before. 

Chu Chu is being pursued by multiple bad guys; ZF works with a surprising friend (Vermillion Bird Master) to get the antidote needed for XY.

[Ep35] ZF reunites with her father. The others continue their search to hopefully cleanse XY of his poison. 

[Ep36] Disha continues to invade the different sects one by one but are so far met with defeat. 

[Ep37] Our leads are finally! reunited. 

[Ep38] Chu Chu and Li Sheng are engaged! Our leads also have more time to bond and dote on each other. I wish I could enjoy this cuteness more but my goodness it feels like it took forever to get here  ̄へ ̄
[Ep39They kiss! Zhou Fei and Xie Yun kiss! Li Sheng is also looked upon as a hero when he defeats the Iron Mask Demon. 

[Ep40] Hidden identities are revealed. Also, the Phoenix Pill our leads need for XY is gone. I feel like his illness has had multiple magical remedies that have done bupkis.. 

[Ep41] Zhou Fei is reunited with her mother, who she does not know is dying. Her mother jokes that everyone left the mountain only once and they all managed to return with partners. Yes, it is shocking that the children under her care all craved love and attention considering how affectionately she raised them ~~( ﹁ ﹁ )~~

[Ep42] The older generations drama and struggles are trickling down to the newer generation. Everyone attempts to change the fates they have been handed (or at least TALK about changing things, lots of talking/planning in this show).

[Ep43] The two with the biggest secrets, Xie Yun and his almost mother-in-law, decide to share their burdens with one another. They both are ready to die for the ones they love. 

But secrets are exposed when our blockhead lead and her friends realize that Disha is still running rampant. Why did you think they weren’t? All 40+ episodes have been you fighting Disha, why is it such a shock? WRITERS, EXPLAIN(╯‵□′)╯︵┴─┴

[Ep44] It is Zhou Fei’s turn to be poisoned and Xie Yun refuses to leave her side. I will admit him holding her by the bonfire was the most romantic they have looked throughout this entire show. Finally could believe they had genuine feelings for each other, but then she woke up. 

The always unhelpful Li Yan accidentally ‘rescues’ the Disha leader from Disha…

[Ep45] Our leads finally confront the Disha master who is upset that a group of ‘kids’ is beating him. The whole episode feels like I’m watching Scooby Doo lol, “I would have gotten away with it too if it weren’t for you meddling kids!!” (≧∇≦)/

[Ep46] All hope is not yet lost for Zhou Fei’s mother. With her father back at their side he assures ZF that another poison master may be able to assist. 

Did I say back at her side? Lol jk, he left. Again.

[Ep47] Disha imprisons an entire village. In hopes of rescuing them our leads must again part ways. Their lack of chemistry completely ruins any scene meant to be emotional. 

Chu Chu and Li Sheng continue to mature and grow stronger both as individuals and as a couple. They should teach our leads a thing or two…

[Ep48More Scooby Doo shenanigans continued . Magic art and hidden dangers await our leads as they race through tunnels against Disha.

[Ep49Xie Yun is taken by Disha. Once he is rescued by Zhou Fei they discover a maybe antidote to his fatal poison. ZF decides to be the guinea pig, behind XY’s back, risking her life for him.

[Ep50] Xie Yun finally dies from his poisoning. But then magically comes back to life and calls Zhou Fei his wife. I guess she saved him with her martial arts? This couple is so unrealistic I felt nothing during his death or their reunion ㄟ( ▔, ▔ )ㄏ

[Ep51] Disha makes its final play and unsurprisingly is unsuccessful. After the final battle our leads travel the world together, finally settling down at the 48 Stronghold.



Remarks

by cynlynn

[First Impression (Ep1-8)] A numerical expression of my impression for the first episode would be 0.5/5 but with Wang Yi Bo looking cool, I can double the score to a whopping 1/5. As for the total impression I have on the eight episodes I watched, it’s still not that great. It’s actually rather boring (the combat scenes are okay). This drama has no sinker. I don’t feel the FL’s need to be a hero and why she’s a stickler for responsibility. It’s not that I think Zhao Li Ying’s acting is lacking but more the fault of her character design during the setup phase. In fact, I don’t find the story setup engaging at all. 

I’m zoning in and out of this drama so hence the lack of a summary. I just know she’s on this journey to be a hero after leaving her mountain, her sword snapped twice and the male lead (who’s very smart but has his martial arts sealed) promises to replace her sword. And then there are bad guys in this pugilistic world. 

I probably won’t make a decision to drop this until I’m well into twenty episodes. I'm hoping this is one of those really, really slow to warm wuxia dramas. 

[Actors/Actresses] I love Zhao Li Ying but I haven’t watched all her dramas. I had gap years in cdramaland and that’s when she was at her peak. As an early fan, I miss her in the old days. She was bubblier. I kind of wished she acted Zhou Fei with a tad more friendliness. It’s easier to like someone smiling instead of pulling her brows together all the time. But then again that’s Zhou Fei’s personality, I guess. Wang Yi Bo is a hard working lad. I’m neutral about him but the more I see him, I can’t see why anyone would think of hating this boy. There’s nothing to nitpick about him. Supporting cast is rather forgettable. Zhou Jie Qiong suddenly doesn’t know how to act anymore since Miss Truth. She wasn’t amazing there but at least she wasn’t a sore thumb.  

[Dropped] I really tried. Quality is abysmal. It’s not just the set that is lacking. Frankly, that’s the thing I care about the least. I’m used to low budget dramas (and this isn’t even low budget) but this is bad. It’s the lacking story. There’s no direction, no focus. I don’t care at all for any of the characters. 

When I watch Zhao Li Ying as Zhou Fei, I always wonder if deep down she hates her character and the drama. Her expression or non-expression seems like a silent plea.  


Remarks

by beautifuljagmi


[Ending
Happy! (Mainly that it’s over but the leads get their HEA too).

[Review & Rating]
What did I just watch? No, really, can someone please tell me what it is I just watched?? This drama took an interesting and well written story and somehow managed to over simplify and complicate it all at once. So much screen time is spent on nonsense and filler with the main story hardly ever explained. Normally, I can look past a half-arsed script if the filming is done well and the actors are doing their best. However, none of the cast seemed interested/engrossed in their roles (and considering I have LOVED other dramas many of them have been in, I know they can do better), and the scenes were truly boring to look at. Overall a very dull and repetitive drama. 

Random Recommendation: Legend of Fu Yao; everything Legend of Fei should’ve been is what Legend of Fu Yao is

Rating: 1/5

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