Crack Humour, Perfect Marks for the Commitment!

I. Introduction
This drama is proof that if the production team commits to the theme, no matter how ludicrous the storyline is or how substandard the costume looks, the drama can still score almost perfect marks. Everything, from the characters' names to the plot to the costumes and makeup to the music, was eccentric crack. Zhangsun Wuhen (the FL, whose name is literally 'eldest grandson no hatred') is granted the title Commandery Princess and sent to Xiangxiong (literally, Elephant Bear) for a political marriage. After 3 years, she arrives in Xiangxiong alone as her entourage has been beaten and eaten by monsters during the journey. There, she finds out that Xiangxiong practises polyandry in addition to polygyny, and thus, she is to marry all 5 brothers of the Kun family: Prime Minister Nima Yixi, Defence General Heima Renzeng (literally, 'black horse, increasing benevolence'), businessman Duojin Zhandui (literally, 'lots of gold, to possess heaps'), top idol Baima Jiacuo (literally, 'white horse, excellent measures'), and child prodigy Gaerben Dalongwajiong (literally, 'karma you fool, attain (and) gather distant roof tiles'). The FL tries to strategise a way out of the polygamous marriage, but in the meantime she must comply with Xiangxiong's laws.

I enjoyed this drama so much because of its constant subversion of expectations. The writing team took every single costume, political-marriage-themed drama and inverted the plot points, resulting in a highly entertaining work product. Because they fully committed to the crack humour theme, every scene is judge by that standard and no mistake could be found.

II. Story and Plot
The drama mostly focusses on the FL's daily life being married to the 5 brothers. There really isn't a single plot thread connecting the episodes, and each episode could be watched in isolation of the others without much mental gymnastics. Some episodes are pure crack (subverting common palace romance/ palace intrigue tropes) while others are sardonic about modern day politics and society. In the first few episodes, it would appear that the 5 brothers are not too pleased about having the FL as their wife but this is later negated. In episode 5 they sweetly cheer her up after realising she may be homesick, and episode 9 hints that there was a reason the FL is chosen as the political marriage victim. In episode 11, the truth is revealed. Episode 12 leaves an opening for season 2, but considering this was aired in 2021, I hold zero hopes for a second season.

III. Characters
ZXB is a FL who is trying to navigate life being essentially a political hostage in a foreign nation, while LBY, WHX, YHM, LMJ, and PJQ are parodies of the male leads in costume/ palace romance dramas.
Here's the thing: ZXB, LBY, WHX, YHM, LMJ are all very good looking people in real life/ other dramas. Due to the concept of this drama, certain aspects of their facial features were magnified to create cartoonish images. The only one who looks normal in this drama is PJQ as Gaerben Dalongwajiong. In terms of acting chops, kudos must be given to the cast; they fully committed to the theme and delivered not just cracked pots but pots smashed to smithereens.

IV. Production Aspects
Production oscillates between seriously good quality investments, e.g., the FL's costumes, the Xiangxiong queen's costumes, and the animated parts, and seriously cheap quality trash, e.g., Heima Renzeng's costume, the Xiangxiong king's costume, the Xiangxiong imperial greeting room. The theme song plays up the crack pot humour.

V. Conclusion
If you need something light-hearted, easy to watch, this is the drama for you. However, do not expect any intelligence from it, as the production team was clearly taking the mickey out of everything and everyone, and in some episodes, highly un-PC-ed (unpolitically-corrected).

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Model Student for Short-length Dramas

I. Introduction
This is what all short-length/ web dramas should aspire to. The synopsis above is incorrect as this isn't a transmigration story, but a rebirth one. In the first life, the FL married the ML and they were affectionate but not deeply in love (as alluded to in later episodes). However, the ML plotted a rebellion and the couple was granted a peaceful death by poisoned wine. The FL drinks the poisoned wine, but finds herself waking up on the morning the rebellion is scheduled to take place. She manages to knock the ML out, but they are again granted death by poisoned wine when the ML's accomplices proceed with the rebellion in his absence. So the FL drinks the poisoned wine again, and finds herself waking up the day the emperor granted an engagement between the FL and the ML. This time, by hook or by crook, she plans to avoid the ML and all palace intrigues to save her life and her sanity.

The plot device is allowed to flourish at an adequate pace, without random scenes or continuity issues. The performance, while not perfect, still draws you in to believe the characters' feelings and perception. The setting, staging, music, and clean happy ending all come together to create a worthwhile ~4-hour diversion.

II. Storyline/ Plot
I absolutely loved the storyline. Let me count the whys: (1) The FL showed deep character development. She starts off as a 胆小怕死 blasé twit, intent at avoiding the ML at all costs, but grows braver once she understands her feelings for him. (2) There are hints sprinkled throughout the episodes that the ML remembers his first two lives, and the grand reveal in the final episode compelled me to rewatch the series from the start to review the hints. (3) There is subversion of expectations--I expected the ML to be an overbearing twat, but in episode 12 he vehemently argued that even if he was interested in the FL, the FL had to be willing to accept his interests (before he pursued her). Even the timely comedic scenes subverted expectations, e.g., when the FL trusses the ML up like a turkey in episode 1, when the second prince only wants the ML to lose his crown prince position but not his life or his reputation, when the betrothal gifts were pushed back and forth, when they argued in episode 13 and the ML pauses in storming out when he realised he was storming out of his own palace, when the FL's parents leave her at the mercy of the ML, etc. (4) The romance was not forced, and the development of the characters' feelings were paced well. (5) The ending wrapped up loose ends really well, even if there were some openings to keep viewers guessing, just none that were too frustrating.

Points are deducted for the use of modern gaming slang (e.g., 老六, 猪队友), causing confusion that this is a transmigration story instead of a rebirth story, and for the mess that is episode 23. I mean, if he could fling the sword like that, why didn't he do so from the start?

III. Characters
ZJM is a beautiful, mischievous FL trying to get out of the clutches of the ML. LF is better at expressing obstinacy, care, mischief, and cunning here, than he was in My Villain Husband. The chemistry between ZJM and LF is adorable, leaving me gushing and squealing at times. The ML's rivalry and brotherly affection with his brother (the second prince) is humorous and touching-- they are allowed to kick their brother in the nuts but nobody else is allowed to insult (or make use of) their sibling. This drama definitely made good use of the ~4 hours to showcase good character development for the FL and ML, and explore facets of the second prince rather than taking the easy path of making him a one-dimensional villain. The supporting cast did so well in their roles--even the geese in the betrothal gifts were paid actors!

IV. Production Aspects
The drama boasts impressive production value with a well-designed, visually-appealing set. My word, the costumes are gorgeous-- the delicate details that went into the FL's and ML's costumes and makeup! The production team also invested in two songs that elevate the drama to almost full-length drama quality, and are complete ear worms.

V. Conclusion
A must watch and a must rewatch for the times when you need something simple and simply gratifying.

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Light-hearted Comedy, Satisfying Ending

I. Introduction

This is an easy breezy short-length drama with minimal angst and misunderstandings, and a satisfying ending. TYY (FL) meets ZYB (ML) when she tries to brain her ex-fiance for cheating on her with her ex-bestie and her ex-fiance uses ML as a meat shield. ML suffers from a (hand-wavey) chemical reaction that causes him to assume the physical appearances of the person who touches him longer than 5 seconds, but the antidote is found when the FL accidentally face plants on his lips. ML then seeks to keep FL by his side through various ways and means, supposedly because she is his curative. Its simple narrative and opportunistic humour earned it a solid overall 9/10 stars.

II. Story and Plot

Given the whimsical nature of the plot, you must suspend disbelief if you choose to watch this. Don't bother trying to figure out the 'whys'. This also extends to why the FL attempts multiple times to betray the ML's secret transformation disease to her pop idol played by JYT (2ML) since she wasn't being held hostage or blackmailed into remaining by ML's side. There were some other fudging of plot points (the 2ML suddenly being less annoying and the 2FL suddenly being less spiteful), which I deducted points for. But generally the story progressed at a good pace, there were good chuckles to be had, and there was an interesting plot reveal (albeit somewhat expected) towards the end.

III. Characters

TYY and ZYB portrayed their roles well, and I couldn't help but still maintain a liking for the FL even when she attempts to betray the ML. They had an 'older couple' chemistry-- not the hot, steamy chemistry of a young couple in the passionate throes of an early relationship, but more of the comfortable, affectionate chemistry of an older couple who have a deep friendship. Kudos must be given to JYT for being able to distinguish when he was playing himself as the 2ML and when he was playing the ML who had transformed into the 2ML. He had nailed the ML's speech patterns and body language admirably.

IV. Production Aspects

Given that this is a modern day drama, the costumes and set aren't anything to shout about. The soundtrack is predictably sweet to match the tone of the drama.

V. Conclusion

This drama offers a light and breezy escape into a Cinderella-esque world of mistaken identities and sweet romance. It is a worthwhile watch for those seeking a quick and fun romantic escape.

VI. Bonus

1) There is some hilarious BL and GL mischief due to the ML's condition, which will tickle the more deviant of audiences.
2) The 'morning after' scene is word-for-word is exactly the same as the 'morning after' scene in Circle of Love.

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