Rebel Princess
For a drama with 68 episodes, the pacing was very good. The costumes, cinematography, the acting are great. This drama has political power struggles, intense fight scenes, betrayal, romance, greed and an incestuous royal family.The cast is good. Even though it's not the popular baby faced regular eye candy, their performance was spectacular and each character has their own unique charm and attractiveness.
The ML and FL are both intelligent. ML is a powerful general and FL is initially a spoilt Princess that I find to be a bit naive throughout the drama. Both are determined to change their fate ( being pawns in the power struggle...which I guess makes her a rebel) and despite coming from different social backgrounds they grow to love and respect each other. They had good chemistry. The scenes with them together are limited, however when together the moments are usually sweet.
The major obvious villians have perished or were punished. However, I feel the end was a bit rushed and leaves some questions. We see that the FL' s brother is the new Prime Minister so he is obviously calling the shots, but who takes care of the infant emperor? What happened to those corrupt noble ministers? ( Did they just become saints and escape punishment) Will the emperor be required to still marry from the Wang family when he is of age?
The ML and FL get a happy ending, so overall its a good watch.
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It is also nice to see older and mature actors doing a movie that is currently pretty popular especially outside of China.
Too bad that the newer generation is not familiar with the ZZY great movie career.
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Episode 34: The Medicinal Kiss
episode #34:---------------------- between a handsome prince and a warrior husband with zest in romance (both have similar personality except the "zest") --- I'll take the husband without doubt. Husband got a humble face and that's the way I liked it. Ahhh and what a "MEDICINAL" kiss too --- where can I find a husband like this?????? I know, it's a make-believe relationship, but women dig it .............................................................................................................. warrior hubby soooooooo loving
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The premise: as long as you center your country and your family, contentment is possible even in the midst of adversity.
The male lead, Xiao Qi, enters the story already perfect and understanding this lesson, Wang Xuan (female lead) rapidly learns this as well within the first 20 episodes. Then they just perfectly go along, essentially completely in sync with each other as they try to deal with all the corrupt, insecure characters around them.
The acting is excellent and I was fully invested in them as characters. Even though there are dozens of characters, I could keep track of them all, and I was as interested in the side plot lines as I was the main ones. I will say, whether due to the script or direction, no acting scenes stand out to me.
The music is competent, I would not rewatch. I grade on other criteria as well:
Complex Themes: 6.5
Centering your country and your family is what results in a contented life and a dignified death, centering ones ego, ambition and desire leads to discontent and eventually catastrophe. The burdens of life are easier with a life partner.
Character Growth: 7
There is a fair amount of development early on as the care-free, childhood friends are tested by the stressors and complexity around them. Within the first 1/3 of the show, however, their characterizations grow rigid.
Relationships among Women: 7.5
There is a good amount of screen time for older women, and some decent friendship and interactions between women. They are almost always, however, about the men in their lives.
Production Budget/Cinematography: 8.5
A lot of money was spent, lots of outdoor scenes, as well as extravagant sets, constant costume changes, lots of extras etc. Oddly, however, it wasn't particularly creative or beautiful, scenes don't linger in my mind.
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Great Drama.
Great drama, definitely worth watching. I found it difficult to watch older actors playing their adolescent selves, to begin with, but once Awu got married the drama came into its own. The acting, costumes, plot, scenery, and locations are amazing. Really can't wait to watch the next episode, love it, definitely will be one of my favorite dramas. I think the prince and Awu are a perfectly well-balanced couple, I also like General Song, I thought him handsome and also a great actor, I hope nothing horrible happens to him, and also I am keeping my fingers crossed they defeat their enemies and the drama ends happily.Was this review helpful to you?
Just image
Great story that keeps me coming back for more. Do I agree the 15 year old part for the FL is not believable? yes- but you get past it. Zhang Li is a beautiful actress and a good actress! I am complaining so far that there are not enough love scenes in this drama but there is great acting and the story line is so worth it.I cant wait for more episodes. Why aren't people complaining about the three princes? They all look too old in the beginning too! I watch every day in anticipation because the plot keeps me hooked.
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lovely casts and stages .
Brilliant performance from the casts especially Zhang Zi yi , her performance was very natural and yet exciting. All the emotions on the different scenes be it happy , strong and innocent are portrayed nicely. Yes, that 30 and 15 year old question again.... no matter how it's just a movie/drqama so what do you expect ? her acting skill has greatly overcome the downfall of age difference . It didnt affect me as much , i still enjoyed the movie and the casts really well. Enjoyed every bits of it . Its one of the big production drama, not much dramas you'll find as detailed as this. Good scenery , clothes, colours.Was this review helpful to you?
Great drama!
Great drama! Perfect cast, beautiful music, costumes, and scenery. Extremely complex characters and relationships. After a looooong roller-coaster ride of drama, we get a very satisfying ending. I love that the main character isn't another rags to riches story, and instead and a deep and and long character arc.One of the best serious historical dramas I've seen.
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The series must have had a big budget, and looks the part with beautiful costumes, stunning sets/locations, and a huge cast. The production values might be the best I’ve seen in a Chinese drama to date.
The number of characters can make it confusing to keep track of their connections and allegiances at times, but it’s an epic story that stays engaging across 68 episodes thanks to a well-paced script and compelling performances from the cast. The length of the series leaves plenty of room for character development, and many of the arcs are fascinating. Most of the characters inhabit a gray area in terms of their motivations and morals, and the lengths people are willing to go to in pursuit of power and the effects of jealousy and greed are recurring themes.
Viewers should know that this is a serious drama with an intricate plot that rewards full attention. There’s little in the way of comic relief or lighthearted elements, but the characters are so complex and the world they inhabit so immersive that the story doesn’t feel unbalanced. Plus, the full-circle ending is a happy one for the leads.
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Casting
The actors in this drama were all great. The problem that I had with it was that they chose and almost 40-year-old woman to play the role of a 15 to 16-year-old princess, and you could tell. A'Wu never seem like she was in her teens, and as time went on she started looking much older than the age she was supposed to be. It's also applies to some of the mail actors And people she supposedly grew up with. The acting was great, It was visually stunning, the story was a little long but was fun to watch . A younger actress would have made the story much more compelling.Was this review helpful to you?
Zhang Zi Yi = My first time watching this actress and or the character of Wang Xuan / A'Wu, I felt she had to go through a lot of different acting being the love of 3 men. I felt bad for her because she did get injured in a fall.
Zhou Yi Wei= This is my 2nd time seeing him in Chinese Drama but he didn't leave an impression on my first go-round. His character Xiao Qi was impeccable. I am impressed now.
The cast of Supporting Roles: Did very well and as I always say, a drama wouldn't be a drama without the cast! I applaud them.
The directors and Producers, Designers were awesome.
I enjoyed the storyline. I feel that it was put together very well. The visuals, the set, the music, the costumes, I loved it!
Watching these types of Dramas in China, Korea, anywhere where they had Kings... People died for and to be King to sit on that throne!
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