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Liked the overall storyline. But did like the emperor and shi xueji characters. I understood why liu miantang didn’t chose the emperor, because he compromised his feelings for he desires, and didn’t let go of evil people who were around him so he could obtain the throne, and become emperor, even sun yun ‘er who he knew hurt the woman he supposedly loved( liu miantang). Such a hypocrite. Then without hesitation he gave sun yun’er a tile and may his other helper ‘s daughter the empress. Then stated he wanted to be a good ruler, comprising is part of getting things done and relationships but siding we evil people is a bit too much Was this review helpful to you?
Mega romance drama, I stayed for Zhang wan yi !!
I revised my initial review because i think it was too harsh. This drama was basically a film adaption of a book which must have been very romantic. There was honestly no huge war or any enemy to keep you interested in the plot. Watching the characters interact with each other & how they overcame a major grievance IS the drama.I picked this drama up because I loved Zhang Wan Yi in Lost you Forever. I honestly think he carries this show. He's great at expressions and makes me laugh. I finished it just for him, honestly i might have a crush and i don't even speak the language! If you aren't a fan of any of these actors you might be bored with the overall plot.
Story: The drama is split up into two parts. The first half is Fl being the sweet wife with slice of life vibe. Basically, by episode 20, FL has already figured out she mistook ML for her old lover because he was merely going along with it. She remembers her assassin identity, and also figures out that the organization is not the same as it once was. So CUE THE CLICHE of "i hate you now so let us break up and still think about each other every day".
So then there's a sudden time skip where the empress dowager and little boy king were dethroned. Lol what happened to them?
Watching the new Empress grow a wholesome relationship with the new king(FL's old lover) is interesting. Seeing him be able to finally let go of Liu miantang is something i didn't expect to enjoy.
Overall it's a good wholesome romance drama with some angst in the middle. If I can last through 40 episode of a cdrama nowadays, i'm giving it an 8.
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#TeamExpressionLord vs #TeamPerceptiveWife, who's your pick?
The show begins with the Lord Huaiyang pretending to be the spouse of Liu Miantang, his favorite adversary Lu Wen's alleged concubine. The plot revolves around this fake couple who are a perfect fit due to their lies and deception.The intellectual ability of the main characters, especially the female lead in the drama was one of its strong aspects. The lead characters were proficient at overcoming tricky situations. It also was surprising to secondary female characters being quick-witted. The acting was fantastic. I watched this drama primarily for Zhang Wang Yi, as I was captivated by his portrayal in Lost You Forever. His facial expressions were entertaining to watch. This was my first time watching this actress, and I thought her performance was great.
One of the weak elements was the pacing. The middle was dragged out, the early arcs were overly relaxed, and the conclusion was a little bit rushed. There had been some off-screen scenes, which would have been better shown with at least two episodes instead of secondary characters story. Some characters, in my opinion, were saved till the very end to add depth in areas that seemed to be lacking.
With its subtle wit and strong acting, the show is enjoyable. I wish that the main characters' backgrounds had been explored in greater detail throughout the story. Felt like LMT's past as Bandits wife wasn't given enough attention, and her acts were only talked about rather than shown. These inconsistencies could have been dealt in earlier episodes. Overall an enjoyable drama with comedy, romance, politics, intelligent characters. I rate it 8.5.
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Lovely chemistry between ML & FL
This is all about the romance between Cui Xingzhou (ML) and Liu Miantang (FL). It’s such a beautiful romantic tale. The ML and FL’s eyes and smiles emote all the necessary emotions that are needed to portray the characters. I watched the entire series because of these two. Zhang Wanqi (ML actor) and Wang Churan (FL actress) are really great. I liked Zhang Wanqi in Lost You Forever. He already displayed great acting in that show. I started watching this show largely because of him. I continued watching this show because of the chemistry he has with Wang Churan. I will pay more attention to both their shows now onwards.Was this review helpful to you?
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a pleasant surprise
I was committed and watching mostly daily. It has many good pointsWhat I liked :
- the acting was great
- I really like the cinematography and this drama was really beautifully filmed, great camera work too. I personally really liked the scenes at the waterfall and the one near the lake when they were throwing the piece (the colors looked beautiful here). Even the scenes with ML riding a horse, it looked great and good that he was actually riding a real horse
- the leads characters were the best. Strong and intelligent ML and FL, a perfect match. Their characters were well written and captivating. Badass couple, that complement each other.
- the chemistry was perfect, their relationship and skinship looked so natural. Their hugs always felt so comforting. The actors were also really expressive with their eyes, we could felt their emotions.
- I’m still marked with some really good scenes like :
-> when he left to war, the divorce letter and her going after him. them talking and hugging after that
-> the breakup scene at the waterfall
-> them fighting side by side in the last ep, that was awesome
etc….
- The side couples were also interesting to me at some level
- I liked watching ML slowly falling in love. Even if he was lying, he still treated her right and was a pretty good husband
- I really loved the music, the OST is beautiful
- the costumes were great
- I liked the empress character. She was kind and such a good person, she deserved the world
- Lord Zhao was funny, I liked his friendship with ML
- the emperor : was quite a bit annoying at first and he is actually pretty weak, but at least he is a good emperor and it was good to let go of his thing for FL, working with ML and finally maybe starting something with his empress
- I liked how ML’s mom gradually started to like her daughter-in-law
- the wedding: truly amazing. We spended a lot of screen time on the wedding-wedding night. That was perfect❤️and they looked stunning
- had some funny moments
- not really any stupid love triangle
- happy ending for all the couples, maybe I wished it would have been a longer epilogue, seeing kids could have been cute too
- I think the last fight and last few eps were exciting, their plan and how it went down. Maybe a bit basic for the villain, but not disappointing
On some other notes :
- it was quite annoying his aunt and cousin, at least some character development for the cousin. Her mom really ruined her
- Personally, the separation was too long…. and it was getting a bit annoying
- had some boring moments and the beginning was a bit slow (even if I enjoyed watching the leads and their chemistry, they got a lot of screen time together too)
- I wish past ep 31, when they got back together, we could have gotten another kiss or more romantic scenes ? maybe another cuddle in bed, I don’t know. We still got some good moments, but maybe I would have liked more. Or just more scenes with the leads
I would recommend, I liked it more than I thought I would
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Very Refreshing Drama
This show was light and absolutely beautiful. The second and third couples didn't dominate or take away from the ML and FL love story! The story did not drag out. The chemistry for all couples were totally in sync. I loved how they used the Empress' foodie habits as part of her character. I also didn't expect Zhang Wanyi to be so funny ?. After watching him in Lost You Forever, he was so serious but in this show he plays an entirely different character and does it so well. Wang Churan has grown on me... she's beautiful and talented. This is one of the best dramas for 2024. I saw people compared it to the Double. While I loved the double, it didn't really have alot of chemistry between the ML and FL. In this show the emotions between the ML and FL is on point.Was this review helpful to you?
Subtle comedy, perfect scriptwriter
Watch it in the context of comedy,deceit,politics, female inequality and you will enjoy it. It's not meant to be an epic story or Big twisted plot. The beauty is in the excellent script,the directing and editing.. The main leads were excellent actorsI thoroughly enjoyed the subtle humor. It's funny without the usual screaming whiny females or stupid scenes. This series is all about strong female characters, witty strategy and a bit of power politics
I think it would appeal to global audience rather than the traditional diehard mellow drama fans who expect pitiful crying or overdramatic deep plots. Just relax and enjoy the subtle humor and you will love it
Highly recommended
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Such a fun story!
There’s a lot to love about this one. ML is adorable. He’s a good guy who makes a mistake and just keeps digging himself deeper into trouble, even after he wants to correct it. Zhang’s facial expressions had me laughing- especially when his fake wife made moves on him. He’s usually so calm, but there are times that his face could tell the whole story. He was very fun to watch.I like that the female lead (and the secondary females) are very intelligent and competent while still remaining warm and compassionate. Too often the female leads are either cold or are just not smart. The women in this show are very well rounded and likable. I particularly enjoyed watching the empress grow into her role.
The men in the shadow guard were also fun to watch, trying to get out of the messes that their leader put them in, ha.
While some of it was predictable ,it was entertaining to watch the story unfold. And there were some unexpected twists. There was growth among all of the main characters, and that was heartwarming. It was a happy ending, with most of the loose ends tied up neatly, but not all of them. I enjoyed this one a lot.
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One of the best drama but the ending was so rushed, IMO ?
Honestly, I was totally obsessed with this drama at first! The cast was amazing, the cinematography was stunning, and the soundtrack was everything! The villains delivered impressive performances, making me love to hate them, lol. But around ep 22, things started to drag. I mean, Liu Mian Tang got her memory back and suddenly everything was just so... slow. And don't even get me started on Prince Sui. I was expecting this epic arch-nemesis, but he just ended up being a mama's boy. Like, what even was the point of their revenge plot? They could have easily done off with him from the first episode, duhhhOn the other hand, Marquis Zhennan was EVERYTHING. His humor was on point and kept me going even when I wanted to give up. And can we talk about Xue Ji and He Zhen's character development? I was so here for it! He Zhen went from potential rival to a loyal friend.
But, sadly, the drama just felt so rushed. Like, what happened to Prince Sui in the end? And his adopted daughter, Ms. Sun? And Lord Huaiyang's sister - why didn't she divorce that trash husband? The sudden dethroning of the puppy king and his mother without resistance was also unconvincing.
So many questions left unanswered. I'm giving it 9.5/10, mostly because of the amazing cast (WCR and ZWY, I'm looking at you!). They made the show worth watching, even if the pacing and plot fell short.
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The best Chinese drama in 2024
I initially aborted watching the drama as I was not familiar with the actor - Zhang Wan Yi. But I enjoyed his acting in another drama - The Rise of Ning. I decided to return and watch this series again. It was really entertaining seeing the chemistry between 2 leads and comical camaraderie between Zhang Chi (Marquis) and Zhang Wan Yi.The alluring beauty and acting skills of Wang Chu Ran certainly help maintain my interest. She has acted with many leading man in numerous romance dramas, but I very seldom completed an entire drama with her as lead. It is not because she can't act but rather because many of her dramas usually had weak storylines.
Having watched The Rise of Ning, this drama is far more enjoyable and better scripted.
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Good story, great acting!
As soon as I started the series, I was reminded of A dream of splendour, I found the two FLs resemble each other in looks and temperament. Both FLs had good business acumen, and were paired with warrior MLs. Although the similarity ended here, I found this drama to be equally entertaining, and it kept my interest going till the very end. Our leads get married for real in episode 36, and after their wedding, what I was truly hoping for was a romantic relationship between the emperor and the empress, though it wasn’t shown clearly in the end, but there were hints of a better relationship between the sovereign and his queen. That said, I would have liked to see more of them! The third couple were sweet too, and I liked their interactions. This drama had a strong female lead, a strong woman as an empress who unconditionally supports the emperor without asking anything in return, and a third FL who is a great businesswoman. The love triangle was interesting too, but I never saw myself supporting the love rival of the ML. The lead characters were equally matched in both martial strength and intelligence, and they deserved to end up together. The power struggle, the deceits, the plotting for throne were not something new, but one expects these in a period drama. It was my first time watching all three MLs and FLs, and neither of them disappointed. In all, it was an entertaining series that I might end up repeating soon enough.Was this review helpful to you?
Characters that are hard to leave behind. Kudos for the magic CL
PLOT: The ML, Prince, pretends to be the FL's husband, amnesiac concubine of a famous bandit, to capturing him. Over the course of events (surrender of the "bandit", murder attempts, war, etc.) they fall in love. But the lies come out and the FL's memoryies ends up returning.+++ A magic CL (Zhang Wan Yi & Wang Chu Ran), beautiful, talented, subtle. (ღ˘⌣˘ღ) Some scenes are prodigious. I would love to see this couple again in other dramas.
+++ Many excellent actors, interpreting their characters with finesse. (Doctor and his lover, Empress, ...)
+++ High budget production, effective, addictive, with superb fight scenes. All, sets, costumes, lighting, framing, ... at the TOP.
+++ Very suited OST.
+++ Coherent, realistic story (for this type of drama);
### The infantile, crazy behavior of the Great Villain (who has been planning his coup for years) when he fails, is not credible.
### The ending is a bit abrupt. I would have liked it to extend a little...
=> An EXCELLENT series, very addictive (devoured in 2 days :) with an awesome CL (ღ˘⌣˘ღ). Series i'll watch again in a while :)
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PLOT: Le ML, Prince, fait semblant d'être le mari de la FL, concubine amnésique d'un célèbre bandit, pour réussir à capturer celui-ci. Au fil des évènements (reddition du "bandit", tentatives de meurtre,guerre, ...) ils tombent amoureux. Mais les mensonges éclatent et la mémoire de la FL finit par revenir.
+++ Un Très great CL (Zhang Wan Yi & Wang Chu Ran), beaux, talentueux, subtiles. (ღ˘⌣˘ღ) Certaines scènes sont prodigieuses. J'adorerais revoir ce couple dans d'autres dramas.
+++ De nombreux excellents acteurs, interprétant leur personnage avec finesse. (Docteur et sa lover, Empress, ...)
+++ Réalis° haut budget, efficace, addictive, avec de superbes scènes de fight, des décors, costumes, lumières, cadrages, ... au TOP.
+++ OST très adaptées.
+++ Story cohérente, réaliste ( pour ce genre de drama);
### Le comportement infantile, fou du Great Villain (qui planifie son coup depuis des années) lorsqu'il échoue, n'est pas crédible.
### La ending est un peu brusque. J'aurai aimé qu'elle se prolonge un peu...
=> Une EXCELLENTE série, très addictive (dévorée en 2 jours :) avec un CL génial (ღ˘⌣˘ღ). A revoir dans quelques temps :)
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