Empress Phoenix
This review may contain spoilers
UNMEMORABLE BUT SWEET
The story is bringing women empowerment as Chef Ling Xiao Xiao faces discrimination, however the story is unmemorable.
Nutshell: Decent; laugh worthy; short; Lighthearted
PLOT
Chef Ling Xiao Xiao earns her place in the Delicacies Kitchen and befriends Crown Prince Zhu Shou Kui. Despite the Crown Prince known for being obnoxious and "violent" by throwing food around, the two eventually make a friendship which grows to something more. In the end, after facing the cruelty of the Empress and King, Chef Ling Xiao Xiao must pick between ever setting foot in the Delicacies Kitchen again or marrying Crown Prince Zhu Shou Kui. In the first ending, after she picks cooking, Crown Prince Zhu Shou Kui gives up the title of Crown Prince to chase after Ling Xiao Xiao. They later marry. The second ending consists of the two marrying, however Ling Xiao Xiao confessed to the Crown Prince after the Crown Princess selection, which has no “dramatic” decision between the kitchen and the Crown Prince.
PROPS:
The costumes and props were in the medium budget range. It has even made its way to Disney+.
OPINION
The drama was okay, and compared to other Chinese dramas, it is short at 16 episodes+1 Alternate ending. “Delicacies Destiny” was just okay because it didn’t offer a grand or extremely enticing plot, however it was funny and light hearted. Ling Xiao Xiao beats the bad guys (minimal) and is the classic “smart” female protagonist. Since the show is PG and light hearted, it does not feature the usual scheming palace.
CRITIQUES
The male lead throws "tantrums"—throwing food on the floor and flipping the table over which seems realistic for being a spoiled prince. However, it is a first bad impression because the question to pose is: An adult male who is throws food on the floor is supposed to be a good male lead? It is understandable for characters to have flaws, and we see less of his tantrums in the future, however it is not good for a habit like that to be featured. However, as the habit disappears, it may be showing his change.
AGE RATING
On Disney+, the show is rated PG, however it has minor elements that could make it more in the higher age range due to the little amount of “violence” of the Crown Prince’s tantrums (flipping over a table of food; spoiled Prince stuff but minimal) and a man trying to cause a scene to make Ling Xiao Xiao go home with him as his “wife.”
CONCLUSION
The story is good overall, however it is not the best and is obvious it is not striving for it. Despite the possible areas of improvement, the drama is enjoyable to watch, will bring smiles to your face, and will make you laugh.
Nutshell: Decent; laugh worthy; short; Lighthearted
PLOT
Chef Ling Xiao Xiao earns her place in the Delicacies Kitchen and befriends Crown Prince Zhu Shou Kui. Despite the Crown Prince known for being obnoxious and "violent" by throwing food around, the two eventually make a friendship which grows to something more. In the end, after facing the cruelty of the Empress and King, Chef Ling Xiao Xiao must pick between ever setting foot in the Delicacies Kitchen again or marrying Crown Prince Zhu Shou Kui. In the first ending, after she picks cooking, Crown Prince Zhu Shou Kui gives up the title of Crown Prince to chase after Ling Xiao Xiao. They later marry. The second ending consists of the two marrying, however Ling Xiao Xiao confessed to the Crown Prince after the Crown Princess selection, which has no “dramatic” decision between the kitchen and the Crown Prince.
PROPS:
The costumes and props were in the medium budget range. It has even made its way to Disney+.
OPINION
The drama was okay, and compared to other Chinese dramas, it is short at 16 episodes+1 Alternate ending. “Delicacies Destiny” was just okay because it didn’t offer a grand or extremely enticing plot, however it was funny and light hearted. Ling Xiao Xiao beats the bad guys (minimal) and is the classic “smart” female protagonist. Since the show is PG and light hearted, it does not feature the usual scheming palace.
CRITIQUES
The male lead throws "tantrums"—throwing food on the floor and flipping the table over which seems realistic for being a spoiled prince. However, it is a first bad impression because the question to pose is: An adult male who is throws food on the floor is supposed to be a good male lead? It is understandable for characters to have flaws, and we see less of his tantrums in the future, however it is not good for a habit like that to be featured. However, as the habit disappears, it may be showing his change.
AGE RATING
On Disney+, the show is rated PG, however it has minor elements that could make it more in the higher age range due to the little amount of “violence” of the Crown Prince’s tantrums (flipping over a table of food; spoiled Prince stuff but minimal) and a man trying to cause a scene to make Ling Xiao Xiao go home with him as his “wife.”
CONCLUSION
The story is good overall, however it is not the best and is obvious it is not striving for it. Despite the possible areas of improvement, the drama is enjoyable to watch, will bring smiles to your face, and will make you laugh.
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