Série U-Prince: O Mafioso Ambicioso (2017)

I sincerely hope Mantou doesn't choose either of them

I wasn't planning to write a review since it's been years since I watched this, but I noticed there were only positive reviews, and I thought I’d share my perspective.
The plot, in theory, is actually quite good. Mantou is betrothed to Li Tang and in love with him, but Li Tang doesn’t reciprocate her feelings. To make matters more complicated, her parents arrange a marriage for her with Brian. Then, in a typical love triangle twist, Li Tang starts to realize that he might actually like Mantou after all. It’s a classic love triangle setup, and I have to admit, I’m a fan of love triangles — even though they tend to frustrate and anger me, that’s what makes them so captivating. I probably would have really enjoyed this drama if it wasn’t for the fact that both potential love interests are complete jerks.
Both Li Tang and Brian treat Mantou like an object to be won, constantly objectifying her and making her the center of their competition. Many people criticized Mantou for being stupid and dense, and yes, I can see why they’d say that. But the beauty of the story lies in Mantou's journey. At the beginning, she’s desperately trying to win the love of the man she likes, only to realize by the end that her worth doesn’t depend on pleasing anyone else — least of all some mediocre guy. She ultimately grows and changes for herself, which I really appreciated.
As for the acting, it’s decent — not the best I’ve seen, but certainly not the worst either. None of the performances really stood out to me in a remarkable way, though they were serviceable for the story being told.
I don’t think I’d rewatch this drama, mainly because Li Tang and Brian just annoy me so much. However, I did really enjoy Mantou’s character development, so if I were to watch it again, it would probably be for her storyline alone.
Overall, this drama has all the ingredients of a good love triangle, but it's ultimately let down by the frustratingly terrible love interests. That said, it does offer a compelling story about a woman who starts out seeking love from others but ultimately finds herself. It’s a shame that the love interests are so disappointing, because the message of self-growth and empowerment is really a redeeming quality.

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