
You know you are a total drama addict when you start watching a new Chinese drama, in this case,
**Disclaimer**This is a one time recap. We wanted to do more but our insane schedules did not work out. We highly recommend continuing the drama though since it is very good.
Just a quick note before we start squealing over this story… We are not doing a traditional recap. Instead, we enjoy picking apart our favorite moments and characters and discussing them as if we were on the phone as we watch. So there is a good chance that we will not be going into great detail over various politicking and side characters… unless it catches our fancy of course. If there is some aspect that you want to chat about
A not so impressive introduction

We meet

His foster mother is murdered, and it is only when someone is about to kill/pillage his foster sister, that


Kmuse: I found it very interesting that
Kdrama Jen: I also could not help but wonder…isn’t that kind of jumping the gun a bit? I mean, can they REALLY guarantee he will be the youngest? I mean, not to share too much personal stuff, but I kind of thought our child #3 was going to be the youngest. So…stuff happens. Not that we don’t love #4 dearly or anything, but if we were playing by the Qingyang rules, we would have a new heir apparent.
Kmuse: On a more shallow note, I am so glad that those horrible weak prince bangs don’t last overly long. They make Asule look super pouty and young. Not at all someone that I am going to be crushing on. It also was very effective in making him look puny compared to his father and brothers. They have very manly, might I say burly, beards and braided hair. Their clothes and hair make them look double the size of the poor bang ridden
Kdrama Jen: I felt like the first episodes dragged on… Maybe it was just the bangs!
Crown Prince Asule

People, especially his four older brothers, are not thrilled that

Not everyone is anti-

Of course, this leads to him being magically poisoned by his own power or some such kind of situation, and a mysterious shaman comes and saves the Prince. I’m sure that will come into play in the future.
Kmuse: This was a lot of setup to get through. Especially when I hadn’t really hooked on to any characters yet. The closest I got was being in awe over the Dad King’s braids and head gear. I chuckled imagining that whoever had the burliest manly hair is who got to be king and he obviously won. You know you are a manly man if you can pull off a bear head hat.
Kdrama Jen: So much setup. I’m glad we finally moved forward with the plot.
Honored hostage
Kmuse: I love Da Hesa. The visuals of him with the white landscape behind is just so eye-catching. I’m also glad that

Kdrama Jen: See? Definitely looking better without the bangs!


Kmuse: If I am totally honest I wasn’t really sad when Asule’s foster sister died. The character kind of annoyed me and I was thankful that she wasn’t supposed to be the female half of the OTP (One True Pairing)
Kdrama Jen: We sound cold and heartless, but…yeah. I did not shed a tear.
Kmuse: I’m also a fan of the new pulled back braid look for
A fateful meeting

We have finally reached the capital of Hetang and it is time to meet our other two leads. First, we see Ji Ye. The illegitimate older son of a noble house who is forced to be a bodyguard for his pampered younger brother and his friends. He fights with a staff that has been handed down in his family for generations.

Ji Ye’s brother picks a fight with a performer at the local cavern and that is our introduction to the tomboy Princess Yu Ran. She is the honorary daughter of the Hetang King and has been allowed to roam wild within the capital. She loves dressing as a man and stealing items from the local idiot nobility.

The two get into a full-blown chase when Yu Ran steals an item from Ji Ye’s brother. Their battle lands them literally in the lap of a startled Asule, and a lasting friendship begins.
Kmuse: These three together are just flipping adorable and there was nothing I didn’t love about this whole scene. The directing was so well done during the chase scene. I really felt transported to the marketplace where two delinquents were causing trouble. This also distracted Asule from his moping over his foster sister which was a great relief. I could not go through 60+ episodes of him being all sad and angsty.
Kdrama Jen: Not gonna lie… I forced myself to watch the first few episodes because Kmuse really needed a binge-buddy. However, I was pretty sure I was going to have to fast-forward and then lie when she asked me about it. Luckily, the moping prince suddenly fell in with two awesome potential hijink-partners. This saved the show for me. From the moment they came on my screen, I was hooked!
Not love at first sight

Poor

In order to still get the union without sacrificing his beloved and pampered daughter, the King decides to formally adopt Princess Yu Ran so he can marry her off. Yu Ran is not thrilled and Asule is more or less indifferent. While the two are not instantly enamored, they are able to create the beginnings of a friendship.
Kmuse: I am a huge fan of Yu Ran. She is just a pixie sized princess of awesomeness. She is just so likable.
Kdrama Jen: I love her quirky brand of bubbly ferocity. Yeah, I know. It’s an odd combination, but I think it describes her.
A family secret

Our third part of our trio is dealing with a lot of disappointment and neglect from his family. They treat Ji Ye horrible and ignore his loyalty.

One night a mysterious stranger (Let’s just call him Fu Zzziii—Kdrama Jen) arrives to honor the tablet of his departed grandfather. We learn that the family used to be part of a secret organization called the

Kmuse: After watching some of these cool battle moves with the spear, I am ready for some serious spear fighting. Who knew it would look so cool?
Kdrama Jen: I have watched some fun fight scenes in my life, but I don’t think I have ever seen masterful spear action. I had no idea I needed this in my life, but I do!
Well, there you have our thoughts on the first four episodes. What do you think? Are you getting as hooked as we are? Let us know in the comments and be sure subscribe to the blog so you won’t miss any of our Novoland: Eagle Flag fun.
See you next recap,
Kmuse & Kdrama Jen
Dramas With a Side of Kimchi
I’m so glad you are doing this recap! There’s so little chatter on this awesome show. Will you be doing podcasts on this show?
There is a good chance that Kdrama Jen and I will do a review of the show after it is finished or possibly at the half way point. We just have to make it through the back to school stress first. So glad you are enjoying the drama.
At episode 16 the English subtitles disappear leaving many so disappointed- Can’t wait for your recaps to help make sense of it all
Thanks
We will do our best to clarify! I watched without subtitles, but it definitely challenged my elementary level Chinese!
I”m on episode 7. I’m watching because of your first impression, so glad I did, am loving the threesome! I first was not on board with the crown prince, but he has since grown on me. I love how he is so openly sincere and honest on how he lives his not so easy life. This and your other recommendation of Longest Day in Chang’an is helping to fill the void of The Untamed.
Oooh. I loved ep 7! SpSglad we helped you find some good dramas!