Legend of the Yang Family and The Great General

Foreword
The story is divided into two parts, by rights I should be writing 2 reviews but I joined them together as not to break the link. Please forgive my poor memory too. I wanted to write a longer review but my memory is poor as I watched it in the same year it was produced.

It is a very righteous drama with clear and traditional dialogues. It has a strong cast. It has experienced story writers and thus it is a very detailed drama. I will compare some characters with ‘Heroine of the Yang’ since the roles are the same.

Title
Part 1 - The Legend of the Yang Family

Year produced
1994

How long
30 episodes

Story
The story is broken into 5 parts – 6 episodes for each. The first part is killing of the dragon. Pong Long refuses to send reinforcements to Yin Chiu at war. So the poor man dies at the battlefield. Mun Kwong is furious and tries to assassinate him. He fails and leaves his Duan Qing sword behind. Pong Long complains this to the emperor but Bao manages to settle the dispute.

Ling Er impersonates as a man and knocks into Mun Kwong. She kills the eunuch by mistake while trying to get the sword back for him. She becomes the Yangs' maid later. Zhong Bo ties Mun Kwong to see the emperor after knowing it. He is locked up in jail. Bao tells the emperor to reopen the case as he finds out that Long betrayed the country. Long is sentenced to death and Mun Kwong released. So Tai See orders Fung and Fu back to plan their revenge.

The second part is ‘Romance in the Wilds’. But it isn’t as romantic as it seems as one pair is enjoying while the other pair is suffering. The first will be Jien Chiu and Fung knowing each other and falling in love. She gets to know him when she returns to the capital. It is so romantic when both don’t know each other’s identity and they get along so well. But bitterness occurs when they are on opposite sides.

The other pair will be the emperor being captured by his mistress, Princess Mei Doi. Mei Doi is a dark palace princess from Mongolia. She gives birth to Ling Er after the emperor forsakes her. Despite him being tortured, Ling Er pities him although she doesn’t know her identity as yet. Later, he is rescued and publicly acknowledges her existence. Ling Er becomes a princess and marries Mun Kwong. Upon the emperor’s return, Fung is arranged to be the emperor’s favourite concubine. Sad as it is, both are forced to give up their love.

The third will be on Sei Long visiting his family. Since all know the story well through ‘Heroine of the Yang’, I will not relate it here.

The fourth story is ‘The real and the imposter Zhong Bo’. Zhong Bo returns from war and is a changed man. Many think that Kwai Ying is mad to kill him. How could she not tell that he is not her husband since they are married for so long? She finally saves him from Tai See’s hands upon knowing that he is poisoned and imprisoned. I like this story as it shows the strong love between the couple. Both are injured but yet they try to shield each other from danger using their own bodies.

The last will be Bik Huet Qing Tien – the title of the serial. Zhong Bo is framed to be the traitor before he could expose Tai See’s plot. Bao gets Tai Kuan to impersonate as the Liao empress. Tai See realizes his mistake and tries to hide in the toilet. Zhong Bo is so angry at being framed and seizes him out of the toilet. He and his son are beheaded but Fung is spared. On the way to pay respects to them, she meets Jien Chiu outside the temple. She ignores him and walks away. What a sad ending!

Introduction on characters

1. Bao Zheng – Jin Chao Qun
   He is the best choice so far. I am so glad that the Mandarin dubbed version that I watched leaves his voice intact. He really does it well.

2. Gong Sun Ce – Fung Kok
   A major change from his villain roles in other serials. He really mellows down to be a gentle advisor.

3. Yong Zhong Bo – Tsui Siu Keung
   Another perfect choice for the role. Still as gallant as before. What I dislike is his blind loyalty to the emperor. It is said that ATV boss, Mr Lam Bak Yan wanted the producers to put him in all period dramas in the two years. He never disappoints us. He is good as Jiao En Jun in the role.

4. Mok Kwai Ying – Mak Lai Hung
   She may look a bit weak but is so different when in the armour. She is so skilful with the spear. Not losing to Chan Sau Mun at all.

5. Yong Mun Kwong – Lee Yuen Kei
   ATV should get him to play the role again in ‘Heroine of the Yang’ instead of Tin Yu Lui. He displays Mun Kwong’s playfulness and is agile with the sword or spear. The producer is so right to give him a meat role in Part 1 but unfortunately, his role is reduced in Part 2.

6. Tai Guan – Lee Heung Kum
   The head of the home but she looks too old and tired here. Cho Chui Fun from ‘Heroine of the Yang’ makes a better choice.

7. Ye Luk Chung Yuen – Ng Yik Jeung
   He is still on the exaggerating track of acting as in other dramas. He doesn’t display the misery that Chung Yuen faces well. I still like Chung Yeung’s presentation better. His ending here is different, though. After Wan Lo gives birth to his daughter, he gives the child to the Yangs to raise her and retreats in the wilds with Wan Lo as he is torn between which side to choose for to fight in the war.

8. Yeung Yin Chiu – Ko Hung
   COOL is the word! Although he only appears for 10 minutes, the determination he shows to face death is so unforgettable. Moreover, he is well versed in martial arts. The scene is so tragic and he shows his chivalry well. Yeung Chak Lam really pales in comparison.

9. Pong Tai See – Chun Pui
   He is excellent! Don’t miss him in here and you will know why he is so well-respected for so many years. Tam Bing Mun’s presentation is also good although not that evil.

10. Pong Fung – Choi Hiu Yee
    She is a pawn in the political field. It is so depressing that she can’t be with Jien Chiu in the end. She loves him deeply but she is torn between him and her family. She can’t choose the route she wants to go. She even helps her father in influencing the emperor to harm the Yangs. Actually, I have wished to see more of them together but ATV doesn’t put the focus in here. What a pity as Choi has a lot of chemistry with Yan. Chu Yin Chan’s role is reduced and made to be kind to the Yangs. So there is no sharp contrast here.

11. Yong Pai Fung – Yuen King Dan
    She looks surprisingly young for the role and is very cute here. Not losing to Chung Han too.

12. Princess Choi – Bao Hei Jing
    She is in better form in here than in ‘Heroine of the Yang’. She is in her best in here.

13. Pong Fu – Ng Yin Lip
    He is a smiling tiger who is resourceful. He pretends to overlook the fact that Bao caused Lung’s death. He impresses Jien Chiu with his skills and pretends to be his friend. Jien Chiu is taken in at first but fortunately his constable sense reminds him and sure enough, he saves Bao from danger in time and kills him.

14. Pong Lung – Xien Ying Ying
    He is Tai See’s elder son and is a general who is impulsive. He plans the Yangs’ downfall but is killed when he nearly succeeds. He is too stupid to leave too many clues.

15. Princess Mei Doi – Choi Mei Lan
    She is skilled in martial arts, capable and beautiful. I wonder what she sees in the useless emperor to get cheated by him. She brings up Ling Yee and what keeps her going is the hatred for him. I forget how she dies. Maybe Jien Chiu had to kill her because she was getting mad and was about to kill the emperor.

16. Yong Sei Niong – Ng Yuen Yee
    She acts the same as in ‘Heroine of the Yang’ – no surprise at all as the role is the same.

17. The Emperor – Poon Chi Man
    He is the useless emperor who is over suspicious, know no martial arts and never trusts anyone. What he is good at is woman chasing. All will hate him more when he tries to kill his loyal subjects in Part 2. Poon is more serious while Long Gun Tin is more comical as he makes silly mistakes every now and then.

18. Jien Chiu – Yan Chi Keung
    He is impressive! I never expect such good performance from a newcomer. It is not easy to stand out from the crowd of veterans but he manages to do it! He is good in emotional scenes and fighting scenes too. Jien Chiu is careful and observant. Although he is tormented after knowing Fung’s identity, he never lets emotions rule him and is even more on his guard to make sure that Bao is well protected. However, his role is also reduced in Part 2.

19. Wai Ling Yee – Wong Yim Nah
    A pretty girl who is curious to know who her natural father is. So she sneaks away from home to look for him. She is daring and is very righteous. Although she knows how to use poison, she only uses it when necessary. Initially rebellious and mischievous, she is tamed after marriage to be a gentle and thoughtful person. Many will be sad to see her departure in the second episode of Part 2 but she manages to leave a lasting impression. Short but memorable.

20. Lee Wan Luo – Chan Jing Yu
    She supports her husband in whatever he does. So when he decides to retreat, she follows suit. She is only okay in the role. Lai See Kar is better because she has more scenes.

Favourite character
Ling Yee, because she is so cute and mischievous. Mun Kwong is already a headache but he finds her worse than him!

Most hated character
Tai See, for breaking up Fung and Jien Chiu. And always reminding her how her brothers die to seek revenge for him.

Interesting facts

The weather was too hot and the food was unsuitable when so many scenes were shot in Beijing. ATV invited China Central Station to help out. Because of the language barrier, all could not get along at first. The younger artistes needed more time to digest the traditional lines. The China station showed the serial all over China. To suit the China viewers’ taste, they cut down the false stories.

At first, many found it difficult to accept the story as Bao and the Yangs should never meet up in reality as the gap between them is 75 years. But later, they accepted it.

ATV initially wanted Chan Ting Wai to act as Jien Chiu. They took him off as he was rumoured to have poor working attitude. They had wanted him to be Zhong Bo at first but decided that his age didn’t match. Then he agreed to act as Jien Chiu but he wasted their time. All posters were printed but his photo wasn’t in it and they had to waste money to reprint when he didn’t give them an answer to sign the contract.

ATV called him in Taiwan and on the day of the character shoot, Chan wanted 30 over artistes to wait for him because he wanted to go to Singapore to promote his gambling telemovie that he invested. Of course, this reason was turned down as they had to finish the 30 episodes in 2 months to fit Jin’s schedule.

Yan Chi Keung was pressurized when he was picked. He knew many would compare him with Kar King. Still, he promised to give in his best. The result was good, isn’t it?

Many were amazed that Yuen Kei and Yim Nah could remember the lines and acted so well. Both replied that they had always been interested in Chinese history and did well in the subject during their school days.

Jin was so obsessed with the Hong Kong food that he had 6 meals a day. His weight grew from 91kg to 103 kg. He was required to prolong his contract due to extra filming but he didn’t mind it.

Many were bored with ‘Legend of Condor Heroes’ as they knew the story too well. Many watched this serial because of Jin and also the story on the Yangs are not filmed for more than 10 years.

The starting viewership was 26% which won Kwok Fu Shing’s ‘烈火狂奔’ and Mok Siu Chung’s “新父子时代”. Thus ATV decided to shoot a sequel －which is ‘The Great General’.

Conclusion
I find the Yangs stupid. If not for Bao, all would have been killed. Zhong Bo sending Mun Kwong to see the emperor and Yin Chiu staying in the battlefield till his last breath is stupid. This is blind loyalty. But you will be touched on how the Yangs place their country upon home interests.

I don’t find the stories that fascinating in Part 1 as they are very slow moving. Only the last is exciting. However, it is helped by the strong cast which gives great acting. Still worth your time

On acting : ***1/2 (Scale of 5)
On story : ***1/2 (Scale of 5)

Title
Part 2 - The Great General

Year produced
1995

How long
30 episodes

Foreword
This sequel is better than Part 1. The story has an unexpected plot and many will be won over by the great acting in here. You will like it as much as I do.

Story
Many years ago, Zhao Kuang Ying uses the Pearl flag to kill all enemies. He wins many battles but he retains the empress of the Su state, Madam Far Lui to be his concubine. She steals the flag and later jumps off the cliff with it. Many years later, Zhong Bo meets Meng who wishes to give the pearl flag to the emperor. It turns out that he wants to assassinate the emperor. Meng gets killed and the emperor suspects Zhong Bo of being an accomplice and locks him up. Bao asks for his release again.

Dik Ching is a wanderer and befriends Mun Kwong. Ling Er is attacked on her way to meet Mun Kwong. She dies after giving birth to his son. Dik Ching brings him home to the Yangs and is a benefactor to them. Prince Heung Yeung makes use of Prince Ying to assassinate the emperor. The poor man is killed and his innocent elder sister, Chiu Yeung is sent in exile to be a maid at Tiger Camp. She has tried in vain to dissuade him to abort his plan but has failed.

Siu Lien meets Yuen Ho who loses his memory on her way and keeps him as her servant. She even gives him the name ‘Fu Yee’ – which means the pitiful. They stay at the Yangs’ residence. Lam Wan abducts Siu Lien to threaten the Yangs. Prince Heung Yeung denies it but Siu Lien’s screams attract Yuen Ho to save her. The Yangs are amazed that he knows martial arts.

The emperor is afraid when the tomb has 3 cracks which is a bad sign, showing that his power is endangered. There are 3 who will threaten his position. He knows of the first two – Yuen Ho and Zhong Bo. He has yet to find out the third one. He is actually Prince Heung Yeung but he keeps it from the emperor. He tells the emperor to poison Zhong Bo. Luckily, Bao manages to discover the plot and gets Zhong Bo to spit out the wine on time. Kwai Ying is so mad that she nearly kills the emperor. The emperor knows that he is in the wrong and lets them off.

Still, he sends Zhong Bo to be in charge of the Tiger Camp in a rural area. All bully Chiu Yeung here. Dik Ching is one of the soldiers here and he protects her. Chung Bo is overjoyed to meet him here. Empress Dik pins for her long-lost nephew, Dik Ching. Prince Heung Yeung tells Lam Wan to impersonate Dik Ching. Sheng Nam joins forces with Heung Yeung and is ordered to kill Chiu Yeung.

Empress Dik knows that Dik Ching has ‘Tien Gong’ print on his thumbs. So Prince Heung Yeung does the change on Lam Wan’s thumbs. Empress Dik finds it strange that she doesn’t feel any closeness towards this ‘nephew’. Dik Ching rescues Chiu Yeung from Sheng Nam and his thumbprints are left on her clothes.

Empress Dik finds that the emperor is unfair to punish Chiu Yeung because of Prince Ying’s mistake. Chiu Yeung is freed from the camp and parts reluctantly with Dik Ching. She is killed on the way to capital. Prince Heung Yeung is afraid that she will reveal his involvement with Prince Ying.

Dik Ching is devastated to know the news as he has been deeply in love with her. Empress Dik is equally upset when she gets Chiu Yeung’s clothes. She realizes the suffering that Chiu Yeung has gone through to be a washerwoman to serve the soldiers. Upon seeing the thumbprints on a dress and reading the letters that she exchanges with Dik Ching on her way, she requests to see Dik Ching and they are reunited. Dik Ching is made a general. Lam Wan is executed for lying to her. Unknown to them, Lam Wan is Prince Heung Yeung’s son and he vows to seek revenge.

Yuen Ho sees Mun Kwong training and goes mad. He nearly kills him. Later, he regains his memory after meeting Chau Niong. So he decides to return to Sai Har with her and Siu Lien. Madam Far Lui is killed and reveals that the pearl flag is at Sai Har. She wants the 2 states to destroy each other. Yuen Ho, Siu Lien and Chau Niong seek refuge at Wong Yuet village. It is built by Yuen Ho’s sister who seizes his throne. Yuen Ho is angered.

Siu Lien knows of Yuen Ho’s past of being a tyrant. Dik Ching goes to meet Wong Yuet. She is angry that her messenger is killed so she refuses to see him. He is furious and gets impatient. He tries to grab it from the palace shrine. Wong Yuet tries to stop him and both are trapped in the dungeon by Yuen Ho.

Both are in danger and are poisoned. Dik Ching removes her veil and is stunned that she looks like Chiu Yeung. He misses her too much and spends the night with her in a trance. He is remorseful when he wakes up but the poison is cured. Wong Yuet falls for him but is disturbed when Yuen Ho gains control of the state. They manage to get Siu Lien to steal the pearl flag for them. Wong Yuet gets support from the people to overthrow it while Dik Ching sends the flag back to the state.

Chau Niong is suspected to be the traitor. She is so upset that Yuen Ho doesn’t trust her that she kills herself. Yuen Ho is furious upon finding out that Siu Lien is the traitor. Siu Lien kills herself. Due to extreme shock and grief, Yuen becomes mad and reverts to Fu Yee again. He carries her body to the top of the snowing cliff. He jumps in joy upon seeing the snow but is disappointed that she never opens her eyes to watch it. It is so tragic that he freezes to death with her. Chiu Yeung feels remorseful after the attack and seeing their dead bodies together. Dik Ching tries his best to console her.

However, the over suspicious emperor still doubts Bao and Ching’s loyalty towards him. He still sentences them to death. Luckily the Yangs save them on time. The Yangs, Bao and Dik Ching are so disappointed in him that they quit their posts and retreat to the wilds.

Introduction on characters
Most major characters stay except the addition of other characters below.

1. Dik Ching – Lau Chung Yan
   Many will say that it is unfair to give Lau such a major part to play in this serial But he is undoubtedly the star in the serial. He steals the show from all the rest. Dik Ching’s righteous and firm nature wins people hands down. He goes through the changing stages of Dik Ching well.

   He also manages many fighting scenes well and looks every inch a gallant general. Lau has scaled a higher acting performance than in ‘Ping Chung Hup Ying Luk’ although he is not that young. What a difference from his commoner outlook from the start. Lau’s acting is perfect. Absolutely flawless! Although he pairs up with Yuk Mui for the first time, both are matching in looks and acting.

   Dik Ching is initially reckless and doesn’t know how to control his temper. Thus he is involved in lots of trouble. But after knowing Chiu Yeung, he is more calm and analytical. Chiu Yeung’s death gives him a hard blow. Empress Dik has tried to introduce other royalties to him but he is uninterested. You will never forget Dik Ching’s expression upon seeing Wong Yuet. He is so afraid that he will wake up from the dream that he will not see her again that he hugs her tightly.

   After committing the act that he shouldn’t do, he is very remorseful. He takes a long time to accept Wong Yuet as she is completely different from Chiu Yeung in character. He keeps his secret from her and focuses on helping the emperor to deal with Yuen Ho. After finding that he is not worth helping and he is nearly beheaded with Bao, he becomes so disillusioned with the court affairs. So disappointed that he leaves in the white prison clothes to meet Wong Yuet immediately with Sai Har without turning back!

   

2. Lee Yuen Ho – Lui Chung Hin
   He is another lure factor to watch. Yuen Ho is the actual Sai Har emperor who loses his memory in a war. He becomes a beggar and Siu Lien saves him. Chung Hin shows his versatile acting. In one minute, he is so sweet, gentle and kind. In the next minute, he is so ruthless and unfeeling after regaining his memory.

   He may look awkward in most period dramas but he looks so outstanding in here with his loyalty outlook. He is the COREECT Yuen Ho that all will want to see. Lo Wai Kwong is so terrible in his acting and loses to Chung Hin by a few streets.

3. Prince Heung Yeung – Wang Yong
   What is there to expect when Tai See dies? ATV has to create another villain. Needless to say, this experienced Taiwanese actor also shows his best in here in showing the hunger for the throne and regret over his son’s death. Sad but I can’t remember how he is killed – maybe by Bao’s head chopper?

4. Lam Wan – Long Gun Tien
   His mother is a songstress and thus Prince Heung Yeung keeps his identity under wraps. I wonder why he isn’t that open as the emperor to acknowledge Ling Yee openly. This poor man feels so neglected and has to act like a bodyguard near his natural father’s side. His father tries to make up to him by getting him to be Empress Dik’s nephew. Till his death, he never has a moment of happiness.

5. Madam Far Lui – Nam Hong
   She is bent in seeking revenge and always reminds Sheng Nam of it till her death.

6. Meng Sheng Nam – Chan Lai See
   This poor woman is given the heavy burden. She looks ruthless but she falls for Zhong Bo and dies peacefully in his hands in the end.

7. Goo Siu Lien – Man Yee Mun
   She is excellent as the kind and pretty fortune teller. She is demure and knows no marital arts so she is always putting herself in danger. Too bad, she can’t predict Yuen Ho’s future and stop him from turning evil. Feeling that she is the cause of his downfall, she kills herself to atone for her mistake.

8. Prince Ying – Choi Zai Mun
   He is so gullible to think that Prince Heung Yeung is helping him to become the emperor. His father is the prince’s elder brother but he gives up the chance to be the emperor because of poor health. All along, Prince Ying has considered himself as the rightful heir to the throne. But his stupid and blind following not only ends his life it also causes misery for his elder sister, Chiu Heung.

9. Princess Chiu Yeung – Yeung Yuk Mui
   She is very gentle, easily contented and sweet. Despite being the princess, she has a very difficult life. Her romance is short lived but she will always have a place in Dik Ching’s heart.

   Yuk Mui is convincing a princess as she carries herself with gentle mannerism very well.

10. Princess Wong Yuet – Yeung Yuk Mui
    She is totally different from Chiu Yeung. She is kind, firm and strong. That is why the people find her a more suitable ruler than Yuen Ho. They even persuade her to overthrow him. For the sake of the country’s stability, she has no choice but to attack him by surprise. It is not said why she wears a veil all the time. This offends Dik Ching during their first meeting because he has not wanted to speak to a person who is so unwilling to reveal herself. But upon seeing her face, the bitter memories flood back to him.

    After the night they spend together, Wong Yuet is touched when Dik Ching tries to protect her from Yuen Ho’s poison arrows. She starts to fall for him. Although Yuen Ho gains power later, she isn’t worried and keeps her cool to group all her subordinates together to attack him by surprise again. Her capability is no less than Dik Ching. That is why he needs a long time to convince himself that Wong Yuet is another individual who loves him and she has no similarity with Chiu Yeung.

    What a change from the above character! She manages to show the arrogant yet observant side of Wong Yuet. She also does many fighting scenes well because of her Chinese dance background.

11. Empress Dik – Yam Bing Yee
    She is a caring person despite of her fierce looks. Knowing that the emperor has done Chiu Yeung an injustice, she tries very hard to persuade his mind. Dik Ching is her only kin from her family who has lost touch with her since young after a flood. She misses him very much but her motherly sense tells her that Lam Wan isn’t the right person because she finds him unfamiliar and lacks the touch that he should have. Luckily she doesn’t acknowledge the wrong person in the end.

12. Do Chau Niong – Wong Mei
    She is Yuen Ho’s empress and is faithful to him all along. When he goes missing, she travels everywhere to search for him. And when she finally knows where he is, he has not only lost his memory and also loves another woman. She tries so hard to make him remember her. In the end, he does but still insists of taking Siu Lien as his concubine. She suffers in silence. This is bad enough. Although she suspects Siu Lien of being Dik Ching’s spy, Yuen Ho doesn’t believe her as he trusts Siu Lien completely. What a tragic ending when she has to kill herself to prove her innocence when Yuen Ho suspects her instead!

13. Justice Bao – Tam Bing Mun
    Equally convincing in the role as Jin. Quite a surprise as I have only seen him as villains before this.

Favourite character
Siu Lien for trying to change Yuen Ho for the better. When she fails, she doesn’t hesitate to help her own countrymen to betray him.

Most hated character
Prince Heung Yeung to be so ruthless to acknowledge his own son. I remember a scene when Lam Wan can’t take it and cries to let out his sadness but he just walks away to ignore him.

Songs
The themesong ‘Howling to the sky and the moon’（ 吼天喝月）by double Yip is fascinating. Another masterpiece since their duet in ‘The Smiling Proud Wanderer’. ‘Never-changing love’(情未变) by newcomer Lam Chi Hou isn’t that good. Why couldn't they choose another song for double Yip?

Interesting facts
This serial was produced to hit TVB’s anniversary show. It used Lau Chung Yan as the lead. Tam Bing Mun replaced Bao since he also dubbed the voice. Lau’s acting was believed to be better than Tsui so all are betting all their hopes on him. With Chan Lai See and Taiwanese actor, Wang Yong to help out, ATV also spent more money on special effects too.

Lee Heung Kum didn’t wish to take up the role again. But Bao had a changed actor and it would look bad if Tai Kuan was also replaced. Moreover, the viewership for Part 1 was good plus her two close friends, Yam Bing Yee and Nam Hong were joining, so she agreed to it.

Lee was so tired that she felt asleep in a scene where Tai Kuan was supposed to be ill. Chung Hin was with her and wondered why she didn’t answer him when it was her turn to talk. Noticing that she was sleeping, he signaled to others to let her rest and they continued with other scenes.

Chung Hin and Yee Mun were ex-lovers. They were so convincing in here that all wondered whether both rekindled their love. It turned out that they had guessed wrongly.

Yuk Mui acted as 2 characters. She went 30 hours without sleep and 3 days without changing the clothes or a bath. She even sprained her leg and injured her breast. But she had no time to visit the hospital. What really scared her was the death scene of Chiu Yeung. She was a non-swimmer but she needed to film it in a dumping pond. She had skin irritation after that and had a close encounter with a water snake.

The Taiwanese serial ‘The Book and the Sword’ was shown before this serial with 75000 watching it with only 1/4 behind TVB’s ‘Legend of Condor Heroes of 100000. Later the viewership even rose from 41% to 48%. TVB lost money on the commercials and ATV had an astounding victory.

Conclusion
I doubt ATV can come up with such a strong cast with great acting anymore. It is sad that the standards of recent swordfighting dramas have dropped so drastically these days. This is considered one of the best dramas that ATV has produced in the 90s.

Many who act as villains in other serials get a chance to act in righteous roles here and they do well! ATV has made the right choice in choosing the people too. With an attractive storyline and offers great acting, this serial is not to be missed.

On acting : * * * * 1/2 (Scale of 5)
On story : * * * * (Scale of 5)