藏海傳
Legend of Zang Hai
The biggest wildcard here: our ML 😂. This isn’t for fans of competent leads (or maybe even Xiao Zhan fans? xD). First of all, he can be competent, but half all the fun is wondering whether he’s actually competent or just barely surviving 😂. I wouldn’t call it bad writing – in fact, I think it’s good writing that lets him screw up and face real consequences. Add in sharp, layered villains, and that unpredictability keeps the tension high. For me, the best part was freaking out for him.
Romantic folks – it’s not worth it. Good thing it’s not in the way. There is a full relationship, but it’s undercooked and zero on chemistry. That said, I liked why they fall for each other – he goes from clumsy to suddenly brilliant in front of her, and she seems like a challenge, but when she tests him, he instantly knows she’s someone worth trusting. Sometimes FL feels a ML swooping in. The romance builds on good intent.
Plot was like intense oatmeal. It's hearty and heavy, but not exactly flavourful. It's low on entertainment highs or emotional pull. But I can handle dry narratives, if the story holds—and this one does. The momentum is tight and content is packed. Aaaaand somehow it still runs dry. No idea how that works, but here we are.
The final boss fizzle. It is a bummer for someone enjoying the dry plot that the final villain is the weakest, especially since the first two were so strong – smart, dangerous, and well-motivated. That final arc is where my rating took a dip.
Miscellaneous: the discourse drain. The biggest bummer is that so much talk is stuck on Xiao Zhan. He’s fine. But the real merit is the story – it stands on its own.
Rating: 3/5 (Overall, I clearly enjoyed it despite clear limitations.)
Network: Youku
Cast
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| Xiao Zhan: Zang Hai |
Zhang Jing Yi: Xiang An Tu |
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| Huang Jue: Zhuang Lu Yin |
Zhou Qi: Zhuang Zhi Xing (Zhuang's 2nd son) |
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| Zhang Guo Qiang: Emperor |
Yu Nan: Mingyu Su Ti |
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| Wallace Chung: Kuai Duo (ML's father) |
Chen Yan Xi: Zhao Shang Xian (ML's mother) |
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| Zhang Duo: Grand Master Xing Dou (Shifu #1) |
Liang Chao: Gao Ming (Shifu #2) |
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| Bai Bing: Liu Chu |
Yang Yu Tong: Ba gongzi |
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| Shao Bao Liang Chu Huai Ming |
Liu Chao: Zhuang Zhi Fu (Zhuang's 1st son) |
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| Xu Ling Yue: Shen Wan (Zhuang's concubine) |
Zhao Zi Qi: Jiang Xiang (Zhuang's wife) |
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| Tian Xiao Jie: Zhao Bing Wen |
Wang Yun Zhi: Ming Xiang Yin Zhu |
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| Qiao Zhen Yu: Lord/Prince Yong Rong |
Xing Min Shan: Cao Jing Xian |
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| Tan Yang: Zhuang Shan (Zhuang's butler) |
Shao Wen: Yang Zhen (Zhuang's lackey) |
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| Yang Fan: Qu Jiao (Zhuang's lackey) |
Huang Jun Peng: Ji Qun |
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| Song Yuan Fu: Guan Feng |
Yang Bo Xiao: Shi Lei |
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| Wu Zhi Qiang: Lu Ran (Eunuch Cao's lackey) |
Li Jia Xin: Lu Yan (Eunuch Cao's lackey) |
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| Liu Ming Ming: Shi Quan |
Liu Hao Yu: Yu Xiang Hong |
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| Ying Shi Ming: Ying Qi |
Wu Jiao: Feng Liu |
Romcom/Romance Checklist
How much of the plot is angst/romance?
0 / 1 / 2 / 3.8 / 4 / 5The ML:
Cold–Lukewarm–Warm / Timid / Tsundere / Falls in Love First / Noble Idiot / CEO / GeneralThe FL:
Bold / Cute / Cool & Independent / Falls in Love First / Better than ML / Noble Idiot / Business-womanDescribe the Relationship (the tropes):
Annoying Love (F/M) Rivals +++ / Bickering Start / Childhood Connection / Cohabitation / Contract Marriage or Fake Couple / Enemies to Lovers / Hidden Identity / Harem / Love Triangle / Married Couple (Real) / Rebirth / Secretly in Love (F/ML) / School to Adulthood / Star-Crossed Lovers Relationship Progress (officially together; first (official) kiss; breakup*):
Ep 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30 / 31 / 32 / 33 / 34 / 35 / 36 / 37 / 38 / 39 / 40# of CPs (including main CP):
0 / 1 / 2 / 3
0 / 1 / 2 / 3
Ending:
Happy / Sad / Open Happy / Open Sad / Bad / Rushed+++Remarks
[Drama Info]
Director Zheng Xiao Long is best known for Empresses in the Palace (2011). Recently, however, only Always on the Move and The Story of Xing Fu have done well.
Author Xu Lei, famous for The Lost Tomb series (Grave Robbers' Chronicles, 盜墓筆記), has a bit of reputation. As long as he's involved in a drama adaptation, it's unlikely to turn out well. Fortunately, he isn't listed as screenwriter.
Wrapped on June 2, 2024
[Ending] Happy.
Review
by cynlynn
Thought it was funny how useless ML was at fighting, and FL and his MIL had to save him xD
Miscellaneous: the discourse drain. The biggest bummer is that so much talk is stuck on Xiao Zhan. He’s fine. But the real merit is the story – it stands on its own.
Rating: 3/5 (Overall, I clearly enjoyed it despite clear limitations.)
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