#toby lee

Arsenal Military Academy

Year : 2019 | Country : CN | Nb of episodes: 48

My rate: 9/10

Synopsis :

In the early years of the 20th century, Chinese military forces find themselves locked in a drawn-out, bloody conflict as they fight back again the Imperial Japanese army.

The government drafts young male conscripts to defend the besieged northeast of the country – but a woman named Xie Xiang also wants in on the action. She decides to cut her hair short and assume her brother’s identity in a bid to join the Chinese army. Xie Xiang quickly proves herself more than capable in soldiery, and soon wins herself a place in an elite military academy in Shanghai.

At the academy, she befriends a number of young male recruits, including quarrelsome rich kid Gu Yan Zheng and the gentle and introverted Shen Jun San. As the recruits begin to hone their skills, they grow in confidence – and decide to take measures of their own in an attempt to foil the invading forces.

But their struggle becomes more complicated when both Gu Yan Zheng and Shen Jun San begin to develop feelings for Xie Xiang. Will the comrades-in-arms survive the bitter ravages of military conflict? Will love derail Xie Xiang’s quest for justice? And will all really prove fair in love and war?

Main cast :

Bai Lu as Xie Xiang / Xie Liang Chen

Xu Kai as Gu Yan Zhen

Toby Lee as Shen Jun Shan

Wu Jia Yi as Qu Man Ting

My thoughts on this drama :

This is one of these dramas that make expectations for future ones extremely high…Because it is extremely good. Who cares about actual romance, gimme some heartfelt bromance instead! Almost everything was on point. I say almost because they had to use some overused tropes... Like political corruption... But considering the story, it was logical, just annoying. Bai Lu and Xu Kai once more showed their absolutely adorable chemistry. And damn! Xu Kai is so expressive, how does one even do that with one's face muscles?? His face is an open book, absolutely incredible. The story is superbly written, and if you manage not to be bothered by the very obvious Chinese propaganda and anti-Japanese discourses, you'll really enjoy the 48 episodes. For once, I did not think it was too much. A story that is that level of complex needs many episodes to untangle all plot lines. Considering that the actors are all pretty young (between 25 and 30 years old), I must say they all played their part perfectly. It is impossible not to get attached, even to the ever so annoying and clingy Manting (with the exception of Miss Zhitian maybe). If you are looking for intense romance though, well, try elsewhere. There are some background romances, but it's pretty lowkey, and the interactions are toned down. The few displayed scenes were beautiful though, very touching. The sets, the costumes, and the way it was filmed, with that slightly yellowish filter, it gave this drama a breathtaking authenticity. It was like jumping right in the past, and seeing the events unfold, one by one. There was joy, pain, laughter, tears, smiles, anger...It's an emotionally packed drama, and I loved every second of it. Now to find something at least as good... If you're hesitating because of the 'girl disguising as a boy' trope, then don't, really. Bai Lu actually pulls it off. She managed to give that tomboyish vibe and made her character very believable. Ouch, my hands are still sore from clapping too hard at the end of the final episode... I highly recommend this drama, really.

A Favorite ?

Cdrama: Miss Truth (2020)

Gifs of some scenes from the first episode of cdrama “Miss Truth”

Miss Truth (Chinese Drama) - Episode 1 (English Subs)

Title: #MissTruth #大唐女法医

Main Cast: #ZhouJieQiong #TobyLee #TimPei

Episodes: 36

This is for Arsenal Military Academy ✌️

I need to understand the characters better to do more but hopefully this is accurate :D

I’m just taking a shower with my clothes on.