This review may contain spoilers
It's very momerable, but at the same time there are many significant negative points.
In my review I'll mostly focus on the negatives, since I'm late to the party & the drama's abundant positive reviewers covered everything else. Though let me just say the main couple's chemistry & their acting performances are unprecedented in a cdrama, I don't think I have ever seen another cdrama that had such lively leads, with so much raw emotion etc..(It's not a criticism really, but I chuckled a little when I saw Lao Gao driving a Maybach, this is the real authentic Cwebnovel experience right here!)
Okay so the negatives in no particular order:
⌲ The drama is very long & there are some repetitive plots, it feels like I rewatched an extraordinarily good drama 4 times in a row, this shouldn't have been 36 episodes. (though I'm sure many people that watched it as the eps were released barely noticed this)
⌲ Zhu Yun should have explained many things to her mom, but that never happened. (+horrible mom with little plot relevance & screen time)
⌲ Lao Gao's character development makes no sense to me. (and the transition to crazed cartoon villain is especially jarring)
⌲ Why would Li Xun trust Gao with L&P? (Their friendship? is very poorly explained in the drama)
⌲ Why, just why would Li Xun a so called genius use brawn over brain to deal with Fang Zhi Jing?
⌲ I found Fang Zhi Jing's plot against LX's sister over the top silly.
⌲ Zhu Yun kept a so called childhood friend on the hook for years. (you are a bad girl ZY, though at least this is bearable for a triangle)
⌲ The misunderstanding about a certain marriage happening has never gotten resolved, despite there being a lot of tension about this for a while.
⌲ The English in the drama is just embarrassing . ("Lucky & Power", "Thank!")
⌲ Ren Di is such an underutilized character. (Her band was really cool for those 3 minutes)
⌲ Ren Di's briefly shown romance is rather horrible.
⌲ Zhu Yun pretending not to care for so long, even in her internal monologues makes no sense.
⌲ The storytelling and even the main romantic plot is quite jittery at times, there are also frequent twists of logic, though the latter could be attributed to the questionable subbing quality, I just don't know.
⌲ This drama features the ugliest breakup I've ever witnessed. Noble reasons or not, no self respecting woman would ever forgive this much. (and yes LX is rather toxic in the early episodes too)
⌲ There is an enormous shift in the drama's tonality where we go from a very serious twenteen startup attempt to a ridiculously silly situation at the Flying Network? whatever company.
⌲ Xu Li Na (Her plot is all over the place & then she suddenly cares about Gao in the final episodes following their super silly divorce)
⌲ The programming related segments are ridiculous at times.
⌲ I can accept LX being a wunderkind knowitall, but based on what I've seen of ZY's progress as a newbie, she is the (un)real genius here..
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Lonely King and hero Princess
Having consumed this drama very quickly, I can safely say it has gripped my attention and pleasantly surprised me in more ways than one. There may be slight spoilers in my review, so bear that in mind if you choose to continue reading.First of all, what seems to be a common type of story actually reveals profound characterizations that have been brought to life by gifted actors. The drama starts in the present and introduces the key characters who share a complicated and painful past. Then the flashback occurs and we see what led to the current circumstances.
The male protagonist Li Xun (LX) is an IT prodigy focused solely on his work and devoid of social skills. Or he can't be bothered to play the games of society, in this case university life. LX is a pioneer and thus attracts equal amounts of admiration and envy from peers. He gradually builds a circle of IT enthusiasts around him, but has uneasy relationships with most of them. Why? Because he is like an absolute ruler or king and the general approach is his way or the highway.
As the story unfolds, we understand why LX is emotionally closed off and that a series of traumatic and unfortunate events have deeply scarred him. He had to survive and then give himself a new start in life, based solely on his efforts and with no support from others. All these experiences are symbolized by the lighter often seen in his hands.
The one person LX seems to indulge is the female lead Zhu Yun (ZY), or 'princess' as he sometimes calls her. At first glance, ZY is a nice, intelligent and hard-working girl from a wealthy but loving family. Unfortunately, her rather domineering mother has charted ZY's life course, leaving her little free will and unaware of what she actually enjoys doing.
That is one reason why ZY is inevitably drawn to LX. Although they are fundamentally different and often bicker, she admires and respects his IT genius and slightly envies his devil-may-care attitude. ZY chooses to be inspired by LX and in the process discovers her passion for programming.
The romance/ coming of age background story in university is light with some substance. LX and ZY make a cute couple. My concern with LX's behaviour is that he is impulsive and tends to take things to the extreme, regardless of consequences. After LX starts his company, another series of tragic events renders him determined to push ZY away and deeply hurt her.
Fastforward a few years, the two meet again. LX has revenge in mind against those who betrayed him and ZY wants to help him. His development was derailed by time in prison, while she became a very successful professional. She goes above and beyond to support him, since his quest for justice is important to her as well.
Here for a while LX portrays someone very difficult for me to like or respect. I have compassion for his traumatic past, but that does not entitle him to use ZY as emotional punching bag. LX intentionally hurts her again and again, particularly when feelings of insecurity come up within him.
There seemed to be a dark side to his character cropping up when he deals with women who are emotionally vulnerable to him. There was a scene with Xu Li Na as well, which left me with the impression that LX enjoys the power trip of having the emotional upperhand. Unfortunately, these issues with both women were glossed over with a brief apology.
Meanwhile, I was very fond of ZY's character. Her success abroad hides many emotional wounds and her long time struggle with mental health. She has lingering feelings for LX, but it is her sense of responsibility to help right what went wrong which makes her stay, despite his very hurtful attitude. In the end, they know each other better than anyone, with good, bad and everything in between.
Gao - the former friend turned foe - is also a complex character. His poor choices, torment and obssessions were very convincingly interpreted.
All in all, a solid and engaging drama that was definitely worth my time.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Heartfelt Journey Through Youth and Growth ?
“Lighter and Princess” (2022)unfolds as a beautifully crafted Chinese drama that begins with the familiar setting of a college campus drama—a world where dreams and youthful romance collide. Yet, this 36-episode series evolves into something far more profound, delving into the complex terrain of human struggle and personal growth.Plot and Themes ✨:
Initially, 'Lighter and Princess' captures the light-hearted charm of youth, with its vibrant characters and their pursuit of dreams. But as the story progresses, it reveals a richer, darker undercurrent—a narrative that doesn't shy away from the rough edges of life. The drama is divided into two well-paced segments, each marked by impeccable cinematography and a soundtrack that perfectly complements its emotional beats.
At its core, the story is about the imperfections and struggles of its characters, which ultimately make them memorable. The journey of Li Xun (Chen FeiYu), Zhu Yun (Zhang JingYi), and Gao JianHong (Zhao ZhiWei) is a reflection of our own human quest to navigate flaws, seek redemption, and strive for personal growth.
Reflections and Insights ??:
Watching this drama brought to mind Mitch Albom's memoir, *Tuesdays with Morrie*. The recurring theme, "What’s wrong with being number two?" resonates throughout the series, particularly through Gao JianHong's journey. The drama explores why we chase after being the best and questions whether this pursuit is truly fulfilling.
In essence, the series suggests that personal growth is not about outshining others but about surpassing our past selves. It’s a journey of self-improvement and understanding what truly matters to us, rather than merely striving for external validation.
Characters and Development ?❤️:
- Li Xun: An introverted genius who struggles with loneliness and a desire to make a difference in the world. His character's evolution—from a solitary coder to a loving partner—highlights the complexities of balancing personal pain and relationships.
-Zhu Yun: The supportive and rebellious friend who learns to assert her independence. Her growth reflects the struggle of balancing personal dreams against societal expectations and familial control.
- Gao JianHong: The rival who battles envy and personal insecurities. His story is a powerful reminder of how destructive jealousy can be, and how true victory lies in personal self-acceptance and growth.
Acting and Cast ??:
The performances are exceptional. Chen FeiYu and Zhang JingYi embody their roles with such depth and authenticity that their chemistry is palpable. Each emotion, from joy to sorrow, feels genuine and compelling, drawing viewers deeply into their story.
Music and Cinematography ??:
The soundtrack of *Lighter and Princess* is a standout feature. The opening theme and the accompanying OSTs perfectly capture the emotional highs and lows of the drama. Combined with stunning cinematography, the music enhances the viewing experience, leaving a lasting impact.
Final Thoughts ??:
*Lighter and Princess
transcends the typical campus drama. It’s a poignant exploration of growing up, facing flaws, and the power of love. The addition of a cancer storyline in the final episodes serves as a powerful plot device, pushing characters to confront what truly matters in life.
In summary, this drama is more than just entertainment; it’s a profound reflection on life, growth, and the human condition. For anyone looking for a series that offers both emotional depth and insightful reflections, *Lighter and Princess* is a must-watch. It’s a gem that will stay with you long after the final episode ends.
Rating: 10/10 ⭐️
"May we all find the strength to love and be loved, and never forget what truly matters in our journey through life."
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Forever in My Heart
Just like Zhu Yun will forever have Li Xun in her heart and Li Xun will forever have Zhu Yun in his heart, Lighter & Princess will always have a special place in my heart. This is my 4th watch and I don't know why it has taken me so long to write a review. Every time I watch L&P, I am stunned by the sizzling chemistry and the depth of love the leads have for each other. If you have not watched this drama, do not believe the criticisms against the ML and the FL's character. They could not be any further from the truth. Watch for yourself.The ML's character is one that if you come to understand him the way Zhu Yun did, you will love him. He is not the usual sensitive ML but rather rough on the edges due to his rough life experiences. The way Zhu Yun softened Li Xun made their romance even more compelling and believable. Li Xun’s dream was the basis of the company he founded called L&P. His dream was to build a system to provide medical service to the public in order to reduce the cancer death rate. But due to circumstances, Li Xun ends up losing it all. After a break up and time skip, the couple works together to regain all that was lost and it is through this collaboration that we see how the couple's romance develops in their love for each. I watched every minute of Lighter and Princess with no desire to fast forward except through Gao and his wife's marital problems. And as Li Xun's back story is revealed, I loved him even more and it was entirely convincing that Zhu Yun would love him because she understood him. She was the light in his life, the "princess" who is someone innocent yet also someone willing to take risks.
The chemistry between the leads sizzles...and sizzles...and sizzles. The match between Chen Fei Yu and Zhang Jing Yi is amazing. The person who selected this cast deserves an award. They are comfortable with each other. I am a big fan of Zhang Jing Yi since Lighter and Princess. She makes it all believable because she is a natural actress who looks comfortable in intimate roles. The way she hugs and cuddles with her ML made me believe she loved him. You can feel the connection. Chen Fei Yu's gazes as he looked straight into his Jing Yi's eyes conveyed deep emotions of love. There is this yearning that is a mix of love and regret but one that said he loved this woman with all his heart and soul. His eyes deserve a special award for L&P! It is this chemistry that left me with the feeling that I never wanted it to end and now over a year since I watched L&P, I cannot move on. I feel it calling to me all the time because I miss this couple when I am not watching L&P.
Lighter & Princess is a masterpiece. You can watch it on the surface or look deep into significant details. Lighter & Princess. Two words you might wonder how they go together. The lighter Li Xun carried with him was his father's. It was broken at one time but Zhu Yun had it mended. But perhaps he no longer needed it as she became his light drawing out of his painful past and bringing him into her innocent fairy tale existence of a "princess." I loved the way he called her "Princess." And yet he didn't treat her as if she was nothing but a princess. He allowed her to grow and learn on her own by guiding her and giving her hints on how to achieve her goals. And she understood him.
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C-drama version of a Wattpad novel | Turn off your brain
★★★★★★★ 7/10 stars, C-drama version of a Wattpad novel written in 2015.You need to turn off your brain to watch this, and just enjoy the pretty people on screen.
I don't recommend watching unless you've been through other dog blood, toxic, Wattpad-esque mafia/bad boy x good girl stories and know what a healthy relationship should look like, lmao. If you have, then proceed, because this show was genuinely entertaining and unexpected.
The chemistry...was surprisingly good?
I expected this to be cliched, boring, and just have good-looking leads but no substance, but I was mistaken. Though the ending left me wanting for a lot more (at least an epilogue ???) it's still an OK drama, with amazing chemistry is great—def in the top 5 the best I've seen ever in a Chinese drama.
The ML is....complicated, manipulative, and i dont like how the story is written to frame everything the FL does around him, and that she must always be accommodating to him....this is a whole separate story, but its so poorly written and romanticizes selfish MLs, who rlly why r u working this hard for a man who never even returns half the effort or love, and is he a gemini?? (I'm mostly joking here but add another L to that, LOL). You shouldn't ever actually date someone like this irl.
I'd like to think of this as a C-Drama 365 Days, LMAOO, But without the mafia, not nearly as graphic, or extreme, or sexual. It just gives that Wattpad vibe, but with visuals and chemistry (and a dog blood, contrived, silly story to match). The ML sucks tho, in just that he's a selfish, genius, everyone must bow to him kind of thing.
BUT,,, good chemistry. if you turn off ur brain and just watch for that then...a good enough show to binge watch in like 3 days!
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Lighter and princess
“ If time could stop when we first meet ” . Greatest Green flag drama with best story line and setting high standards of love for both men and women.Definitely watch. Li xun and zhu yun setting highstandrands of love . It doesnt feel like fictional drama the it almost felt real every seen in the drama felt real its just not a drama its a real life story. 36 episodes are just not enough my wishful thinking it that i hope that this drama can continue until i die but the fact is thats not possible but still cant stop loving this drama and this drama will definitely have special place in my entire life and no one replace it like #1 drama of my lifetime
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Incredible drama and perfect romance
This drama was a masterpiece from start to finish, the main characters were incredible and super well developed. It's easy to understand Zhu Yun and agree with everything she does. As for Li Xun, whose behavior is unpleasant at first, we end up adoring him in the end, understanding all the suffering he has accumulated by being alone all these years.As for the plot twist, I really wasn't expecting it, I didn't think Lao Gao was going to end up betraying them, I really liked this trio, I really appreciated that it had a happy ending despite everything that happened, I think Lao Gao had every right to get nasty with what was going on even if it doesn't excuse everything he did, but you could really see his suffering through the screen despite the horrible actions he did.
The romance between Li Xun and Zhu Yun was, in my opinion, perfect, the directors developed their relationship superbly and didn't rush it, and I also liked that they had a happy ending with everything they'd been through, they deserved it.
I also loved the secondary characters, especially those we see in the second half of the drama when Li Xun gets out of prison, the "My Heart Flying" team were really funny and united against any obstacle.
For me, this drama was a masterpiece and everyone should watch it at least once in their life.
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HIGHLY SATISFYING, MUST-WATCH DRAMA!!
I first stumbled upon the trailers for 'Lighter and Princess' around a month or so before the drama's release, and I found the plot interesting, so I figured I would give it a watch when the drama started airing. What I found instead was one of the best dramas I've watched to date. The ending of the drama is SO SATISFYING, it is a 100% feel-good ending. Every person got what they deserved, it made sense, and it did not make me want to bang my head on my desk. So, if you want to watch a drama that is amazing from beginning to end, PLEASE WATCH THIS DRAMA!!!!What makes this drama unique is that it spans several years, following Zhu Yun and Li Xun from their university days all the way to their work days years later. I love dramas like this because we get to see character development. Also, shoutout to the costume crew in 1) having the characters dress in good outfits throughout the drama and 2) having the characters look different throughout the drama. Obviously Li Xun changed the most with all his hair changes (blonde to long brown to a buzz cut -- but they all literally looked so good?? like how??), but even Zhu Yun looked way older (in a good way) in her university days. This allowed me to immerse myself in the drama and actually feel like I was accompanying the characters during the ride.
Zhu Yun is literally the best character of this whole drama. She is absolutely beautiful inside and out, and her heart for others, especially Li Xun, is so amazing to see. She obviously has her flaws and realistic problems (i.e., with her parents), but she is a main character that everyone can stand with. She is not annoying in any way, THANK GOODNESS. All of her actions were logical.
I also loved the characters who worked at Feiyang. They were literally all so funny but it was so heartwarming to see them stand behind ZY and LX despite all the difficulties their animosity with L&P brought them.
The OSTs in this drama are also SUPER good, I am actually listening to them rn while writing this review!
I literally cannot recommend this drama more to anyone. At the very end all I thought about was how satisfying and CONSISTENT this drama was -- everyone made logical choices (except GJH but even his choices were consistent with his character) consistent with who they were. There were points where I cried, points where I laughed, and many points where I was like omgggg during the scenes with ZY and LX. So go do yourself a favor and watch this drama :)) I promise you will not regret it!!! <33
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MY TOP CHINESE DRAMA
NOT CLICHÉ DRAMA, I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR SO LONG. AFTER I WATCHED THE ANIMATION I JUST CAN’T GET OVER IT, WILL DEFINITELY RE WATCH A HUNDRED TIMES. SO IN LOVE WITH BOTH OF THE LEADS. ❤️ATHUR IS NOW ONE OF MY FAVORITE CHINESE ACTOR OF ALL TIME. LOVED IT FROM THE START, SOME SCENES WERE DIFFERENT FROM THE ANIMATION BUT IM NOT COMPLAINING, I JUST WISH THE LAST EPISODE SHOWED US A BIT MORE OF THEIR LIVES AFTER MARRIAGE. ? PLUS THEM HAVING A BABY, I WAS TOO EXCITED AND GOT DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE I WAS EXPECTING THEM TO FAST FORWARD NEAR THE END. ? OVERALL A VERY GOOD DRAMA FOR ME.
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Something Special
I don't typically write reviews, but I want to write this so that I can remember how much I truly enjoyed this show. I completely fell in love with the characters and the story. Each character has so many dimensions and these small details are given to each character.Li Xun- In the beginning of the show, he always turns his head towards the sun. He closes his eyes and just feels the sunlight. Later on, we find out that when his mother was in the hospital for cancer, she loved to stand by the window. She loved to feel the sun on her face and because of that Li Xun's goal was to let his mother just at least one more day so that she could feel the sun on her face even one more time. After she passed, Lin Xun feels the sun in place of his mother. Instead of his character simply going through a huge incident and moving on, he continues to feel the weight of her death and simply feels the sun in place of his mother. I also loved the fact that his lighter was not a purposeful gift. His father died when he was still a child and one day he randomly found the lighter. He uses the lighter throughout the entire show, because it's like an extension of him, it never truly leaves him. I love when there will be low audio of the lighter cap coming on and off even when it doesn't show him messing with the lighter.
Zhu Yun- The huge incident of seeing Li Xun almost murder someone and being unable to move or doing anything about it, didn't just go away. The shock of seeing him doing that and them him leaving her, made her begin to have depression. I do wish that would've been explored a bit more, but I love that they didn't have her character go through such a huge event and be totally fine.
Other little character details I enjoyed
Gao-his love of oranges. You can see him eating them all throughout the show, even in the background. At the end, those oranges are a sign of hope for him to live after his surgery. I also loved how it showed step by step how he turned into someone so twisted.
Li Lan-Buying a doll for her barely mentioned child.
How each period of our lives are spent surrounded by others. There will be people that change and people that stay the same. There will people that leave you out of choice and those that stay by you. With each period, you can start friendships and relationships, but not all of them will continue and that's not necessarily bad. You can have close classmates, lose them, then have good coworkers, then eventually lose them. Throughout it all, life changes and people change. You can become warmer or colder and that's up to you.
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Worth watching or not?
I started watching this drama after seeing some insta reels... Thinking its going to be very intresting...but i watched 20 episodes like ok something intresting will happen in nxt ep & i will like the next ep i should not skip the drama like this...Episodes are passing nothing intresting happened...it was totally totally BORING for me ,nothing funny & dead romancePeople are talking about their chemistry, Am i blind? Why i cant see any chemistry between them? FL has no expressions at all i really dont think she fits the role at all. Anyone can smile ,only smile is not expression!also the story is too much dragged it should be finished in 24 eps only but omg 36 too much waste of time dont watch the drama if you dont like first few episodes its going to be same till end! its overrated not at all worth watching.. its my opinion i write what i feel about it.
There are so many best dramas i would recommend also its very intresting
1: My Unicorn Girl (my SUPER fav) its very funny ,intresting ,enimies to lover
2: Love btw fairy & devil (fav) their chemistry and eternal love touched my heart
3:poisioned love (fav) enimies to lover
Dont watch Lighter and princess drama if you watched so many modern dramas there are chances you may not like it
Watch only if you are intrested in seeing and enjoying ML handsomeness or FL beauty...or in computers
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