Lan Ling Wang (2013)

Lan Ling Wang

A prophecy foretold that victory goes to the one who has the priestess blessing. Yang Xue Wu, the last priestess of her clan, unwittingly embroiled in a war between Northern Qi and Northern Zhou. Although she foresees a tragic fate for the Prince of Lan Ling, the military general of Northern Qi, she nonetheless falls in love with him and helps him win the war against Yuwen Yong, the Emperor of Northern Zhou. However, her action only brings him closer to his fate. As his standing among his people grows, so does the murderous jealousy in Crown prince’s heart. Can she protect him when it’s family who wants him dead?

The prince Lan Ling, Gao Changgong, is said to be one of the four most handsome men in ancient Chinese history. Lan Ling Wang, was general during the Northern Qi dynasty and was known for this bravery and kindness. Lan Ling Wang lead his soldiers through many battles but always wore a fearsome mask to hide his beauty.

I had been listening to "Hearts of Palms" by Ding Della without knowing that it was attached to anything until I saw the video and recognized Ariel Lin from the show Seventh Fairy from Wonderland (that show's title is a bit...), Legend of the Condor Heroes also with Hu Ge and It Started with a Kiss I and II. Despite this it took a while for me to start the show. 

William Feng as Gao Changong, Lan Ling Wang

Lan Ling Wang also called "The beautiful God of War" is a great general who cares and treats everyone with kindness, but to fight battles that he hopes is necessary in bringing world peace, he wears a mask that hides his beauty and helps him to face his enemies fearlessly. 

I liked Gao Changgong, I could understand his character but it was also said because you knew that is flaws got him into a lot of trouble though he was always trying to help people and be a good person.

Ariel Lin as Yang Xue Wu

Yang Xue Wu is a young girl, who is the last of a line of female seers they call Heavenly Maiden.  Yang Xue Wu has lived her life hidden away in village on White Mountain until the day she meets Lan Ling Wang.  I liked Yang Xue Wu, she was smart, innocent and naive, always trying to help, but never went against what she believed in even if her life was in danger. Yet another of Ariel Lin's character that I liked. I think she is a very good actress. 

Daniel Chan as Yuwen Yong

Yuwen Yong is the young Emperor of Northern Zhou, who is intelligent and wise but is under the control of another. Things begin to change when he becomes trapped in Northern Qi and has a chance encounter with Yang Xue Wu.  Yuwen Yong changes through out the show but is always such a ruthless person if you dare try to cross him.  It was such a feeling just a imaging what a great team him and Lan Ling Wang could make if the situation was different. 

Nikita Mao as Zheng'er

Zheng'er was a character that I initially felt sorry for how the Queen and the Astrologer had used her. However, after a point she had just turned evil. Though, I feel that the actress did a good job, because even after she had done some horrible things and looked as if she might be remorseful, you started to maybe think differently of her. 

This show was very good. It had a good story and focused on characters and what were compelling about them.  It also had a good pace, I did not really get bored or stopped watching when I didn't have too. I also really liked the songs. 

One of the best part of the show for me were the relationships. Particularly between Lan Ling Wang and Yang Xue Wu.  It was fun and interesting watching them together, their interaction, their separation, then reunion.  I also liked that they had well done and real scenes of affection.  It was fun watching the Lan Ling Wang group together, especially when they got together to tease him.

 Though it was a very good show, there are things for me that stopped it becoming great. There were some tiny things, but I think the main thing that annoyed me was a little bit in how the world was constructed and some of the logic that was followed.  When the world is established magic or supernatural power is shown to be a real part of the world of Lan Ling Wang.  The village, the bird and the grandmother, not only is magic real but people believe in it. They even made a huge deal out of the prophesy about what would happen to Lan Ling Wang. That is why I don't understand why they detoured from it. Yang Xue Wu is a very smart and clever girl there is no taking that from her, but it was just too convenient and incredible some of the things she could come up with. When she goes to Lan Ling Wang's manor and she sees that old woman that was suppose to be the old nanny, I thought they would explain by saying that because Xue Wu's grandmother did not teach her how to be a seer then her powers manifested itself in other ways. Which is why she was able to come up with filtering water and prosthetic. But then that was shown to be false.  I could completely understand the fireworks, because at the beginning she is experimenting with it and the growing of crops, she learned from her books and studies.  But coming up with how to filter water by just seeing water dripping in a cave is a bit of a stretch.   So they either should have continued with the world having some magic or just have there be no magic and the title Heavenly Maiden is given to her by the people because of how she came to their aid.