First Impressions: Love in Flames of War (良辰好景知几何) | Chinese Drama

Love in Flames of War (良辰好景知几何)

Synopsis

A romance story set during the war struggles between Xiao Bei Chen and Lin Hang Jing. Xiao Bei Chen, son of renowned Commander Xiao, is a hotheaded and immature teenager. Lin Hang Jing, the daughter of Commander Xiao’s friend, comes to Bei Xin to live with the Xiao family. Lin Hang Jing’s involvement with the Xiao family causes a Bei Chen to bully her. However, her resilience and poise to his tricks lead him to fall for her.

Adapted from the novel Liang Chen Hao Jing Zhi Ji He (良辰好景知几何) by Ling Xi (灵希)

First Impressions:

Love in Flames of War (良辰好景知几何)

impressions based on episodes 1-12

Story

Love in Flames of War is a 2022 Chinese drama is adapted from Ling Xi’s (灵希) Liang Chen Hao Jing Zhi Ji He (良辰好景知几何). So far, the progression of Xiao Bei Chen’s character growth is triggered by Lin Hang Jing. His affection for her causes him to be more affectionate and forgiving; however, this isn’t enough for Lin Hang Jing to fall for Xiao Bei Chen. Being fed up with Xiao Bei Chen’s antics, his father sends him to military school. To prove his father and Lin Hang Jing wrong, Xiao Ben Chen goes to military school and, within five years, becomes a Major General. With Xiao Bei Chen away, Lin Hang Jing becomes acquaintances with Mu Zi Zheng, and their similar views lead them closer together.

Based on the different synopses I’ve read, the drama can be split between two parts. The first part will be focused on the romance between Xiao Bei Chen and Lin Hang Jing. So far, within the first twelve episodes, we have been introduced to the set up of powers within Bei Xin, the relationships of the leading and supporting characters, and the two protagonists have developed some sort of relationship. The second part and heavier aspect will focus on the war and politics. In fact, as of episode twelve, we are starting to see the effects of war, politics, and spies of the Republican era take place. It seems to steer into more of a serious drama that will be filled with angst. There is some voiceover dialogue as if Lin Hang Jing is telling the story in the past, though. I’m not sure if she’s telling the whole story or just a part of the story until we get to the “present” to continue with the rest of the drama. 

As a drama set in the Republican era, we see a lot of usage of green screens to capture areas that the set and props cannot fill. At times it looks a bit jarring, but the actual set looks pretty along with their outfits, though I can’t vouch for historical accuracies. It can easily be seen which part of the sets they wanted to spend more money on vs. others that they don’t. The schools and military academy scenes were shot in selected locations, like a certain room or yard, with little to be seen. However, the bustling Bei Xin, Luminous Jade, and the Xiao mansion had more to the set as they were the main locations that the characters frequent. 

Characters

Dou Xiao (窦骁) is known for his role in Princess Agents (2017) as Yan Xun. He portrays the hotheaded and immature Xiao Bei Chen. Xiao Bei Chen is the son of Commander Xiao, who is well respected in Bei Xin. Bei Chen’s rebellious nature towards his father stems from the lack of a father figure growing up, thus blaming the war. With his lack of understanding of what the war meant, Bei Chen never respected his father’s position, yet he uses the authority and position as the son of Commander Xiao to get what he wants. Bei Chen likes to spend his time at the Luminous Jade, an opera house, as it connects him to his late mother, who was an opera singer. Everything goes his way until he meets Lin Hang Jing, who resists him and shakes his heart. 

Chen Du Ling (陈都灵) is known for her role as Li’er in The Left Ear (2015) film. She portrays Lin Hang Jing, the smart, poised, and caring female protagonist. Her father, Lin Tang Sheng, was imprisoned by Warlord Cheng, and so she sought refuge with the Xiao family. Upon arriving in Bei Xin, she sees Bei Chen roughly treating a group of rowdy men and decides to step in to take action. This starts the conflict between Lin Hang Jing and Xiao Bei Chen. 

We have a handful of characters that may play an important role in future episodes. Yuan Hao (袁昊) from The Romance of Hua Rong (2019) plays Mu Zi Zheng, a poor man who sells kites. Mu Zi Zheng is part of the YMCA group and Xiao Bei Chen’s rival in love. Zhao Ying Ji (赵樱子) plays Zheng Feng Qi and has yet to make an appearance. I want to note and say that I always welcome Lai Yi (赖艺) on my screen. He plays Mo Wei Yi, a friend of Xiao Bei Chen. We have several veteran characters in the drama, such as Hu Jun (胡军), who plays Commander Xiao (Xiao Bei Chen’s father), and Wang Jin Song (王劲松), who portrays Warlord Jin.

Overall Impressions

The plot feels dated. The novel itself was published in May of 2010. While watching the drama, I felt many clichés from that time frame. We see several similar sets of older cliches from the get-go that reminded me of dramas around the late 2000s and even early 2010s. The development and characteristics of Xiao Bei Chen feel like many male leads of the 2000s era. The setup of Xiao Bei Chen, Mo Wei Yi, and Xu Zi Jun reminded me of the F4 boys with their popularity, social standing, and friendship dynamics. Xiao Bei Chen’s bet with his two friends to make Lin Hang Jing his girlfriend within a month reminded me of Autumn’s Concerto (2009). It brings a sense of nostalgia a decade later. 

Romance is lacking. The romance isn’t my cup of tea due to several reasons. First is the cliche way that the male lead falls in love with the female lead, with Lin Hang Jing being the only woman who stands out and stands up against him. She is so unique that Xiao Bei Chen falls fast and hard to the point that he’s willing to change himself, mope over her not liking him, and be aggressive towards Lin Hang Jing for not reciprocating his feelings. The second reason is how Lin Hang Jing makes the two males, Xiao Bei Chen and Mu Zi Zheng, dance around her. Though Lin Hang Jing never said out loud that she liked either of the two men, she never drew the line with them, especially when she knew they liked her. Then proceeds to tell both of them that she has no time for love as she needs to return to her father. At the same time, give them these sad eyes that hold some sort of possible double meaning. I guess it’s a pet peeve of mine when someone leads another person on. Don’t play with people’s feelings! 

Because we have yet to get to the more intense parts, I can’t really give an impression of what I feel about the war and politics. However, it hasn’t been too impressive if we talk about the suspense and intensity of what I have seen so far regarding the behind-the-scenes scheming and the YMCA spies. Though I’m not too impressed with the first twelve episodes, I do have to say I’m interested to see what’s in store for this one. There are forty-three episodes, and I just hope it doesn’t drag. I can see the main protagonists doing a whole push and pull with each other, and I’m already quite frustrated with their interactions and the sequence of events. If the drama can somehow keep me going until the end, a final review could be in the works. 

If you’re watching Love in Flames of War, and don’t mind sharing, let me know your thoughts and opinions! 

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