I remember building a boat in AP Physics to get across the high school pool was the highlight of the year. Sure it was ramshackle but if it got across the pond completely it was a win. Period C-drama Legend of Anle was a boat that kept taking on water and disintegrated probably 2/3 into the paddling but the two leads climbed out of the pool intact and won’t look back. There are worst reviewed high profile C-dramas of the summer of 2023 (Fireworks of My Heart imma looking at you) but looking comparatively better than that dumpster fire isn’t a feat in and of itself. I found the first few episodes of Anle interesting enough and the low budget CGI and set pieces didn’t bother me, Dilraba Dilmurat was trying hard to be all sassy, perky, rule-breaking and what not and it was refreshing seeing Gong Jun not being the tryhard one of the relationship and taking the passive role. But then the story got stupider exposing the flimsy foundation and with it Dilraba’s charm and light dimmed and she seemed to be going through the motions while Gong Jun never did more than just be there, like a really handsome coat hanger. Liu Yu Ning was even worse off, a turd of a character and his performance was even more lethargic and wan than second half Dilraba. The ending was somehow even more stupid then I was already expecting – he goes blind, her hair turns white, magic herb restores his eyesight, they mope until he forgives her after being tricked that she was marrying someone else, and they get married and rule the kingdom while her hair turns back to black, THE END.