[First Impression] The Flame’s Daughter

Title: The Flame’s Daughter (烈火如歌)

Episodes: 52

Starring: Dilireba Dilmurat, Vic Zhou, Vin Zhang, and Liu Ruilin

Where to watch: Viki (eng sub), Youtube (raw). Broadcast on Youku 5 episode every Monday and Thursday.

Synopsis: WARNING: synopsis contains spoilers!!! 

In the ancient times, Anhe Palace was in a position of placing the country into jeopardy. The owner of the palace, An Yeluo was in love with his senior An Yeming but An Yeming married a wandering warrior named Zhan Feitian. In order to take revenge on Zhan Feitian, An Yeluo switched his daughter with the son of Lie Mingjing, the master of Liehuo Pavilion.

Lie Mingjing named the girl Lie Ruge and Zhan Feitian named the boy Zhan Feng. After Zhan Feitian’s death, Lie Mingjing took custody of Zhan Feng. Lie Ruge grew up with her seniors, Zhan Feng and Yu Zihan. Lie Ruge and Zhan Feng fell in love but An Yeluo, seeing Liehuo Pavilion growing in strength and power, tricked Zhan Feng into believing that Lie Mingjing killed his father Zhan Feitian. This resulted in Zhan Feng breaking up with Lie Ruge, who eventually became acquainted with Yin Xue, somebody who grew to protect her.

Zhan Feng eventually killed Lie Mingjing but shifted the blame to Pili Sect. Eventually, through the housekeeper at Liehuo Pavilion, Zhan Feng learned the truth and decided to get revenge on An Yeluo. Together with Lie Ruge, Yu Zihan, and Yin Xue, they were able to defeat An Yeluo and restore peace to the nation.

First impression:

Wow. It has been awhile since I last watched a drama! The wuxia setting was definitely a motivation (>.< have always have a soft heart for wuxia dramas. Hahah).
I started reading the novel, which this drama was adapted from, a while back and Xue and Ruge’s background story was pretty much the hook to continue reading. But unfortunately, I never got the chance to finish the novel or even to where they reveal the “truth”. (I was close though to the point where I think I know the whole story already). But you can imagine how happy I was when I found out that they were going to make a drama out of it!

The story pretty much revolves around one main female character, Lie Ruge, and three male characters: Yin Xue, Zhan Feng, and Yu Zihan. Most dramas lead viewers to develop second lead syndrome but in this drama, I think I was rooting more for Yu Zihan, our third lead instead. Though each character has their pros and cons.

Ruge is the only daughter of the powerful Lie Huo manor with a bright personality (though you don’t really feel it in the first few episodes).  I like that even though she was madly in love with Zhan Feng, she was able to let him go when she realizes that she can no longer win him back. She wasn’t crying and begging for him to be with her. She gave it her last shot by trying to learn how to win him back in Ping Hua Lou and when all else failed, she let go. Dilireba really brings out the essence of Ruge. That was how I imagined Ruge was when I was reading the novle (minus the archy eyebrows…).

Yin Xue is a mysterious pretty boy with powerful martial arts as well as connections. He is the beloved disciple of Piao Miao sect and someone who hasn’t aged one bit. Not much to say about his character yet. Honestly, I was shocked when I found out that Vic Zhou was going play Xue. Though I have no complained yet. Still have to get used to seeing him as Xue since I was imaging someone younger. Even though Xue is a character filled with mystery, for some reason, his story intrigued me less than the other two.

Zhang Feng is the oldest disciple in Lie Huo manor and a cold guy that is just filled with hate at the moment. Vin Zhang has so much potential as an actor. You can literally see the hate he has in his eyes and his struggle to mask his love for Ruge in his expression. This marks his 4th drama with Dilireba already. I hope Jay Walk Studio will branch out their actors and actresses a little. Vin Zhang definitely have the potential to be a very versatile actor.

Yu Zihan, the second disciple of Lie Huo manor, is a calm and collected guy who cares a lot of Ruge and is always there for her as an older brother figure. He was born with a weak physique and been confined to the wheelchair since young. In addition, he also can’t hear or speak (at least in the book). I’m glad that the production changed it where he can actually talk in the drama. The actor, Liu Ruilin, is doing an amazing job with this character. That subtle care Yu Zihan has for Ruge is perfect! The only other drama I’ve seen him in is Eternal Love. (He played Zi Lan!). Hopefully this drama will be a good stepping stone for him.

The drama so far? Not bad so far. The beginning kept me intrigued, the storyline is interesting enough, though not the most original, and there are potentials for character development (especially Ruge and Yu Zilan) but not sure how they will drive it. 5 episodes in, and the storyline is moving forward at a good pace. I like where the story is headed so far. They’re aligning pretty well with the novel. Hopefully, they don’t drag it in the end…cause 52 episodes seem long for this drama…