Cheesy? Damn right.
Shameless bromance? Hell yes! I wouldn't miss a single moment of it.
This is one of those brainless, binge worthy dramas. It doesn't take itself too seriously and makes the most of its cheesiness. The many ways the hero tried to ingratiate himself with the dark lord had me rolling my eyes while laughing like a hyena. I love all the characters: From the dark lord's venomous foster brother to the hero's slightly dense senior brothers. From the sassy servant girl to the foxy courtesan. They are a hoot to watch in action.
Their hilarious absurdity aside. The drama pleasantly surprised me with its fighting scenes. They are pretty decent and I can honestly say this is a wuxia drama (comedy) and not a wuxia wannabe.
If you have a couple hours to kill and just want a lighthearted drama that gives you good belly laughs now and then, this is the drama to watch.
Was this review helpful to you?
Extremely funny and sweet BL adapted drama that you will enjoy
I started this drama because it is adapted from a BL novel, seems to have a good looking cast and is enjoying some good reviews. And I was not disappointed.Story: In order to bring peace to the country, the youngest apprentice from the righteous clan Zhao Qing Feng tries to infiltrate the evil clan by getting close to the demon lord Ji Chuan. As Zhao Qing Feng is a bit socially awkward he is learning the steps from his teacher's book "win someone's heart". However, it turns out that Zhao Qing Feng is actually the long lost brother of Ji Chuan and the two men got close.
The whole drama is just extremely cheesy, cute and funny. I almost fell from my chair from laughing after watching episode 1. There are some very sweet scenes between the two main leads - who are by the way both very good looking and have distinguished personalities that are very likable from the start. Although the drama is a comedy, characters don’t always just make fools of themselves - there is a serious plot running through this drama which makes the viewers pounder about the fate of the main leads and also for the supporting characters. Good news for all BL lovers, though there is the female lead A Fu who fell in love with Zhao Qing Feng, this does not disturb the two main leads. There are some slow moments in the middle and a bit of predictable ending, but overall I did enjoy the drama and found story convincing and sweet.
Acting: The characters are just all very loveable from the start to the end. The two main leads, despite having an idol background without professional acting school training, acted very naturally and brought the distinguished two main lead characters to life. Besides the two gorgeous leads also all other supporting roles have done great work. A Fu, played by Su Xiao Tong, is extremely strong and sweet at the same time. Then you have the cute youngster Xiao Lin who is in love with A Fu and therefore acts coquettishly all the time (there is a great scene in the drama between him and A Fu that made me cry); you also have the gorgeous Dr. Yan, played by Song Ji Yang from Untamed, but is extremely jealous of Zhao Qing Feng; you also have the beautiful Yue Qing Qing, who turns into a REAL MAN when she takes off her makeup and the masculine Wei Qi who has a Taiwanese accent. I am sure you will find one or several characters to your taste.
Production: you can see that this is a drama with a low budget: some outdoor sets can look a bit cheap, some of the props and costumes seem to be a bit off, there are not enough extras in some of the scenes; however I would say the drama did use the budget at the right areas: the most important sets (e.g. the bedroom of Ji Chuan, the kitchen, the entrance to the main hall, the main hall itself, etc.) are nicely created; the choice of colors not too bright red and green but just right, the lighting is well toned; I also very much like the fact that they are using the actual voices of the actors (though sometimes the tones are a bit difficult to hear). They add these cat and dog special sounds to the two main leads when they are fighting - this is just hilarious and brilliant.
This drama has a very funny and contagious title song and a very beautiful ending song which however only started to play by the middle of the drama - also some BGM also only started from the middle (did they suddenly have more money in the middle?).
There a few scenes which are almost good to be hung as a poster (e.g. the drunk scene at the lake, the brother scene at the entrance hall, the bamboo forest scene, the night festival scene, the fighting scenes (esp. the last one - which is very well done!). You can see the production really gave a lot of effort in making this drama and they have done this well with the budget they have - unfortunately they ended up not having enough for marketing so not many people know about this.
Summary: This is a funny, light-hearted drama full of sweet scenes and great acting that will make you smile for sure. This BL adaption has not challenged the Chinese censorship this much as Untamed as it is really only a bromance drama but has retained a lot of sugar for all the fans. I hope all future BL adaption will at least be at the level of the Birth of the Drama King.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
There is something so beautiful about a show in this time and age that solely focuses on brotherhood and what it truly means. When the moment Ji Chuan and Qingfeng met, their dynamics were so different and this is an interesting parallel when compared to Ji Chuan and Yan Dai Fu. The show shows how even with such differing dynamics, Ji Chuan considers both of them as his brothers and lives them both equally. Storyline wise, it was entertaining but rather convenient, especially how Yan Dai Fu poisons his father with skewers (really, where did it come from?) But then again it is a comedy so it’s to be expected. I found the side pairing of QingQing and Wei Qi to be unnecessary, but I liked that they included it in the show bc it adds to the overall enjoyment of the show. As for Ah Fu and Xiao Lin... they easily have one of the best chemistry between couples I’ve ever seen in a show. The show made me root for them since the beginning even though Qingfeng and Ah Fu had a thing going on.
I especially liked the characterisation of Xiao Lin. He was such an important and essential character to the show. He moved the plot forward while Just being his loveable self and that is truly amazing. I’m happy they kept his character as playful up until the very end (they did manage to trick me into thinking otherwise not gonna lie).
Also, kudos to Song Jiyang for playing the evil stepbrother. I hated and sympathised him at the same time and that’s really down to how scared he was portrayed around his father.
Was this review helpful to you?
THE HAIRRRRRRRRRR
This little gem right here.At first glance, it's definitely a drama that is completely and utterly cheesy and cute which is right but it grows to show it has a more serious plot to it. There is a solid plot behind it and it's quite enjoyable. It's got a ton of funny moments and is filled with shameless bromance. Yes, the plot is a little predictable at times but it's good if you've just got some time to spare and to have a few laughs without planning a million theories on the plot. It's a good dose of cuteness, humour and bromance.
The acting was very well done. I loved all the actors and I think they did an amazing job. The two main leads have done incredibly well even with no professional training. It looked natural and was convincing. The supporting roles were great and I especially loved the character, Xiao Lin. He was adorable with A Fu. Admittedly, I came for Song Jiyang (I actually ended up forgetting about him being in it and I just saw my watchlist and thought I should check it out lol don't even think I read the summary hah) but I stayed for everyone else in the series too. The leads are beautiful really, they're really, really cute when they smile lol.
Music was really nice. The opening is super catchy and the rest of the songs used throughout the drama was just great. Also, the sound effects of the cat and dog fighting used when the two mains were fighting was actually a really funny thing. I laughed a lot during their fights with those sounds.
Production wasn't very high-budget, we can see that but they did a really good job with what they had. I would just like to mention that I really loved the costumes and the hair. Like, the bloody hair was styled so beautifully. I literally could not concentrate because I was just staring at the hair. It just looked so much better than any other drama I had seen for some reason. It was so pretty? I don't understand, I've fallen in love with their hairstyles HAH.
Overall, this is great as a light-hearted little series for some laughs. It's filled with sweet moments and a strong, shameless bromance. This drama was really good. I know it was based on a BL novel so I actually decided to check it out and for once, I can see the similarities in the drama and novel. Also, I thought I would've ended up dropping the novel like I always do but I'm still reading it so like yeah, the novel's good too. While it's a true bromance, I like it better than some BLs honestly. So, if you ever have time, watch this. You won't regret it :)
Was this review helpful to you?
Bromance and Bromance
What a rare gem! One of those shows that I passed over countless times while wading through other more hyped dramas. This gave me an abundance of laughs and feels! Also my trademark lingering fondness for the "world" and characters which I attribute to the best shows. I didn't see this as purely comedic value as there were plenty more of my favorite dishes served, DRAMA, EMOTIONAL TURMOIL, BROMANCE. What a delightful watch, of course I will be rewatching!Jack Lok really helped to make this drama for me. I had never heard of him until he appeared as a side character in I've Fallen for You but that series didn't show his acting off like Drama King. Zhao Qing Feng's long, steady, melancholy gazes stole the show. I loved the cold and sarcastic older brother with a hidden heart of gold meets adorkable, righteous and naive younger brother. The constant back and forth of betrayal/guilt/brotherly bonds is enough to keep me glued to my phone for a two day marathon.
Is it the best drama in terms of this or that professional ratings? No. But, frankly, I do not care. Emotional investment in the characters is everything to me.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Silly humor (that some will like), but awkwardness result from censoring the BL
The translated title, "The Birth of the Drama King", seems not only inaccurate but also rather absurd. This is not unlike the series' brand of humor, especially at the start, before the story gets a tad more serious.I actually did enjoy the ridiculous humor quite a bit, though part of it may not exactly be intentional. Take for instance the way Zhao Qing Feng is tries to follow the instructions of a self-help manual to make friends with Ji Chuan, the evil sect's leader. The book, however, is more like a book of cheesy pick-up lines. You can imagine how silly this would be in the original novel where Qing Feng is supposed to be trying to seduce Ji Chuan and not merely befriend him. However, the absurd nature of the interactions is amplified as Qing Feng uses the same sort of lines to make friends without any intention of seducing him. The censoring of the BL, in a way, made the scenes funnier.
The censored BL does make the whole series rather awkward though. Firstly, the two main characters are turned into biological brothers. Yes, not they sort who have entirely different biological parents but become brothers by the marriage between two parents. Not the "bromance" or brotherhood sort of friendship. However, the affections also seem to be more like romance than brotherhood at times, especially when intimate friendships are depicted in the series quite differently. Ji Chuan has a very close relationship with A Fu and Wei Qi too, but the dynamics are too different. To make matters worse, there are parts when the two brothers seem to be mistaken for lovers, which is quite unnecessary when the BL has been censored. For instance, when the two men wake up in the same bed after a drinking session, it should actually be something trivial--even if one of them seems to have woken up with his shirt removed, right? But, no, it's made to seem as though it's scandalous, like the sect leader has just had sex with a man.
A better way of censoring the BL would have been to leave the relationship ambiguous or turn it into bromance between friends, and avoid making the characters end up with girlfriends.
Physician Yan's presence, however, makes things interesting. No matter how many times he refers to his relationship with Ji Chuan as brotherhood, his unconcealed jealousy when he sees Ji Chuan with Qing Feng (especially when the two are caught waking up in the same bed) makes the romantic affections quite blatant.
Despite the problems, the series doesn't take itself very seriously and isn't meant to be taken seriously. It's not great, but it's still entertaining in its own way. I guess it could still have been better overall if the BL did not have to be censored.
Was this review helpful to you?
A nice simple show to watch - Super Dorky and Sweet
This is my first time writing a review so bear with me ;-;Story:
The story itself was very predictable. That saved me a lot of heartache and headaches since the story is simple, straightforward so its suited for those that want to have a good laugh.
What I like a lot about the story is that every episode and character seem to be meaningful, the director didn’t drag out the plot (from what I can tell at least). This show is based on a BL novel and I never read the novel but I liked the show even though its a censored version (I don’t really like BL novel but I do like bromance and sweet friendship). All the character and relationship felt very sweet and had there own unique areas and interactions that makes you like them. For example the main duo Ji Chuan x Zhao Qing Feng, Ji Chuan x A fu etc.
What I dislike about the story the most is the ending (which I won’t say too much about or else it will be a major spoiler) as well as the random couple pairing of A Fu. My wish was that there were more scene with Ji Chuan x A fu x Wei Qi, they were one of my favourite group, only in episode 23 (second last episode) do we finally see there story and honestly that scene made me cry.
Acting/ Cast:
I think the director did a great job on casting and every actor did pretty well in my opinion (keeping in mind the production budget of the cast was very low and many of the actors are actually newbie or idols). All the actor brought there character to life and didn’t seem odd. I also like the child actor that played little Ji Chuan as well as Zhao Qing Fengs dorky clan brothers. Yes the story/ character may be cheesy but they didn’t make me cringe at all expect Xiao Lin (at time he seemed a bit cringy but still sweet)
One main reason I even watch this show was for Su Xiao Tong and Lou Ming Jie (saw him in I’ve Fallen for You and loved his dorky characteristic in that show too). A big surprise was Zhou Yan Chen was in this (I first saw him in Idol Producer and I really liked him), the actor for Xiao Lin was also in Idol producer. So I was very excited for this casting.
Despite the low budget, the costume and hair were really nice expect A Fu and Xiao Lin awkward sandal and bare legs (while the other main characters and most historical drama the costume usually covers the leg and wear covered toe shoes).
Music/ Audio/ Sound:
The music were nice and the selection of music for certain scenes were good too. One major problem with the show is that due to the low budge; the voice of the actors at time were muffle or not that soothing/smooth compared to other shows.
There were also animal sound effects added to match the 2 main character’s characteristic (Cat for Ji Chuan and Dog for Zhao Qing Feng), which I found to be really cute.
Overall:
I personal have a weak heart, I can’t stand there being tragic and unnecessary traumatic plots so this show was just right for me, there was drama/ conflict and slight misunderstanding but they were quickly and smoothing resolved, there was tragic but not so much that I would be depress for a long time. So this is a great light hearted simple story about growth, trust, family, and friends.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
NO BL ELEMENT. ONLY BROMANCE. NOT AS GOOD AS MOST REVIEW SAYS.
So I came across this drama while I was searching for historical BL/ bromance adapted from BL original work drama. Most of the Chinese dramas are adapted into bromance but while watching it we feel the intense chemistry and love between the MLs and THIS DRAMA HAS A LOT OF POSITIVE REVIEWS. SO, I DECIDED TO GIVE IT A WATCH.INITIALLY, IT WAS REALLY FUNNY. ITS A STORY ABOUT 2 LONG LOST BIOLOGICAL BROTHERS WHO ARE NOW IN ENEMY CLANS. AND THE ELDER ONE IS IN SEARCH OF THE YOUNGER ONE. AFTER THEY MEET, THERE WAS A GOOD BROMANCE BETWEEN THE TWO BUT SINCE THEY ARE BIOLOGICAL BROTHERS, WE CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE IT TO HAVE SOME BL ELEMENTS. But from the time Ji Chuan realises that Zhao might be his real younger brother, to the time he confirms and finally tells his brother felt like it was really dragging on. It got boring with a cliche plot. Ofcourse it doesn't make sense but even if we keep logic aside, some interesting things should have been added. But there was none. I felt like dropping the drama but I already downloaded it so I watched it for the sake of my data consumed. I WATCHED IT IN 1.75X SPEED. THE ENDING WAS FINE THOUGH. OVERALL IT WAS OKAY CONSIDERING THE 2 MLs were really CUTE. But, there's nothing special about the story.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Love TBOTDK!
I absolutely adore the cat and dog fight relationship between Ji Chuan (master of swords under heaven) and the "devil" Zhao Qing Feng! So touching how they were actually long lost brothers finally reunited back!!Brilliantly acted by Zhou Yan Chen and Luo Ming Jie.
A Fu and Xiao Lin were so adorable together! A Fu the mediator between Ji Chuan and her master Qing Feng! Xiao Lin on the side of Ji Chuan! (A Fu played by Su Xiao Tong) (Xiao Lin played by Roy Xie)
Then we get to my absolute favourite character who added the tension and drama: Qing Feng's lost and adopted brother Yan Da Fu (magically brought to life by Song JiYang) who had been abused and mind washed by the sick father figure by always putting him down over Qing Feng and despite all that going on, Yan really loves his adopted brother.
My wish for the show is: Ji Chuan and Yan could have spent more screen time together, getting to know each other and establishing a brotherly bond like Yan had with Qing Feng. Second wish is that Yan didn't get sent to prison for "crimes" he had been forced into. Ji Chuan and Qing Feng could have kept him with them and nurtured their adopted brother with love and compassion. I hate to think what Yan will face in his prison cell....
Over all! I highly recommend this to friends and family!! Love the music, love the acting, love the comedic touches, love the drama building!!
Was this review helpful to you?
