1This review may contain spoilers
Ice Queen wrapped in Candy
This drama surprised me on many levels.
It might be the only drama I know where the FL is actually smarter and more calculating than the ML.
Surely, it’s still a chinese drama so for the first half it’s a cat and mouse game but you already get glimpses into the true strength of the female lead.
The more you watch, the better it gets.
But now to the good vs the bad (spoilers ahead)
Good parts:
- the audio / dubbing is much better than I expected from a low budget drama like this
- The female lead, her deep voice and capacity to actually kill and rule like a man. Never saw this actress before but I‘ll closely follow her upcoming projects now because she is very good at looking cold and dominating. She sees through everyone and for once in cdramaland it’s actually believable that she grew up pretending to be a man. She doesn’t turn into a cutesy girl, and although in the earlier episodes she isn’t as calculating as later on, I‘d say preserve because it’s worth it :)
- The eye candy. Let’s be honest there was no actual need for the guys to be shirtless that much, but nonetheless I enjoyed it ;))
- the comedy is very slapstick funny and the crossdressing of the ML made me laugh out loud, he truly is a beauty
- the chemistry between all characters was good
About the romance part (spoiler territory):
I loved that the roles are reversed here, especially once they become a couple.
He is very devoted to her, following her advice and she holds the reins. The kisses are often steamy and unique (hint: stairway kiss).
Also: a couple that reads smut together, stays together- enough said ;D
The not so good parts:
- Love triangle. I‘m just not a fan of them, especially when the SML has a similar character to FL and you know they‘d fit together perfectly.
- The animal cruelty. It’s 2023. Do we still need to talk about how it’s not okay to hold up a bunny by its ears and putting in water, visibly struggling? Same goes for the rat. And the horse that was pulling a carriage, which was turned 180degrees in an instant and made it trip multiple times? ~ there was a disclaimer at the end but we have eyes 👀 especially after WRTW we know that "no animals were hurt" means absolutely nothing in cdramas.
- sometimes I loved the ML acting, sometimes I hated it. I loved his grin/wink at FL but I‘m still on the fence about him. I do like the actor in other dramas tho.
Lastly, it does suffer from a rushed (happy) ending - it’s good and all but given the post credits we might get a s2, who knows :)
All in all it was way better than expected and although it was it’s flaws it now belongs to the 10% of dramas that I didn’t drop half way, which means a lot.
The female lead deserves a 10/10 and will go down as the one FL in my opinion that was stronger than the ML, despite both being lords.
Was this review helpful to you?
Outrageously Over The Top but the fan service is giving
There's a lot of bathing scenes and General Jin Fu for some reasons really likes to go topless. And by god the kisses are hot.The story itself is actually quite interesting. I was quite invested in the beginning but now kind of looking forward for the charade to be over. It is so satisfying to see the FL being a powerful personality and doesn't hesitate to kill.
The acting is not the best and the script can be cringey. Plotholes so big they are more like plotcaves, but this show is kind of addictive. I'll be watching it till the end.
Was this review helpful to you?
good visuals, inconsistent whatever ahh scripwriting
the good: the setting, the clothing, the chemistrythe bad: the depth, the plot, the depth of the plot
> the screenplay gets more and more template and predictable towards the end;
> ends up indesicive between being a cold-toned or happy go lucky show;
> makes me feel like they did the characters injustice because of inconsistency;
> could've made better a story anyway with the same message they wanted to convey (gender equality)
> please stop making relationships on the foundation of nothing
> please stop flashbacking
Was this review helpful to you?
It’s refreshing to see Physical comedy in a RomCom genre
My Uncanny Destiny is a surprising and fun RomCom. I have not seen many good physical comedy-drama from China, so it is refreshing to see one.My first time watching Yan Zi Xian and Zhang Yue Nan in leading roles. They both did a decent job in this drama. The supporting cast was fun too. There are quite a few kissing scenes for the main CP and two supporting CPs.
I find it enjoyable, and there are a few laughable moments. I can't wait to see how Liu Xuan Ming feels when he discovers that Ye Zhao Nan is his enemy and is a woman.
I have watched 16 episodes already and can't wait to see how it reveals in the end. The production quality is not bad either.
I am changing my rating from 7.5 to 7,0 because I did not like the last two episodes.
Was this review helpful to you?
hilarious, fantastic
favourite c-drama of all time. i’m still trying to fill that void now. spunky fl, brooding ml who is distant but is so in love once it happens. undeniable chemistry. Humour was really good, and didn’t feel cliche and almost killed me from suffocation. i love how it didn’t have episodes going into 40s like lots of c-dramas so it didn’t drag out which is why i’m often wary of c-dramas because i don’t know if i’ll be able to finish. i love the dynamic between the two and i usually don’t like misunderstandings drawn out but the drama did it well so it was really for comedic effect mostly, not just poorwriting meant lengthen series.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A lightweight drama
Of all the "female general" themes where the woman disguises herself as a man, this isn't the best but it's also far from the worst. And the female actress did a pretty fantastic job in being believable in her different personality modes. The story itself is relatively straight-forward with a decent plot pace. You have a few tropes here and there with a doppelganger and situations that just happen to be placed perfectly with everyone happening to come across someone. But it's also a series that you aren't supposed to take too seriously and one to just enjoy for the characters and their interactions.While it's slightly a little too heavy handed on the number of couples and their romances for me personally, it was still at least done in an acceptable way. It's also one of the few series where I really think the 2ML is a much better fit for the FL. There is some chemistry with the main ML and the FL but there was just so much more with the 2ML. Especially because he's far more capable and was also the only one who immediately appreciated her for herself unlike the main ML. So the few drops of tears that fell from the series were for the 2ML.
I think this is a good series to try if you're looking for a good balance of genres between politics, romance, humor, etc. There isn't anything that is done too heavy-handed and there aren't excessive melodramatic tragedies to sit through. Most of the actors did a really good job in bringing out their characters and while the series isn't one to be the most memorable, I still appreciated its entertainment.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
It's ok
This show should really be taken with a grain of salt. It is funny and it doesn't take itself seriously. That's why it is so ridiculous.One thing that I didn't like about it was that it didn't stay consistent with the genre. It's a romantic comedy. Therefore, it should be light and upbeat. General Jin Fu's sister dying was completely unexpected and unnecessary. There should've been another way to find out that the wedding dress was poisoned without breaking out of the genre. Unfortunately, this happens a lot in Asian dramas. They often mix comedy, tragedy, and drama into a muddy mess.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Wacky drama but with depth and great acting
I came across this drama on reddit and decided to watch after reading good reviews and knowing that Yan Zi Xian starred in this drama. I was highly entertained by this series.What I liked:
1. Ye Zhao Nan / Guan San Mei characterisation - Wow, the character had so much depth & growth. I love the contrast between San Mei and Zhao Nan but there was at least one similar trait - intelligence. I love how she is quick thinking, likeable, funny and compassionate.
2. Romance - I love how romance developed between San Mei and Liu Xuan Ming. They were hostile towards each other at first but then slowly developed friendship and later love. I also enjoyed the secondary romance in particular the assassin Tan Rang and Princess Yun Luo. There are plenty of hot kisses in this drama and not just from main couple.
3. Acting - I was impressed by acting from Zhang Yue Nan, Yu Xuan Chen and Han Yu Tong. I am familiar with Han Yu Tong because of her work in vertical shot dramas but gosh it's so fun watching her played a scheming love rival.
4. Yi Yang Jun characterisation - What a rice development for this character. I find him compelling because Yu Xuan Chen had such presence and aura, sometimes he outshined Yan Zi Xian.
5. Comedy - This drama is one of the funniest Chinese dramas that I have watched & enjoyed.
6. Supporting characters - There were many characters that I enjoyed watching in this drama e.g. The Three Stooges, General Jin Fu (damn his body was hot!), Ke Qian Yue, Yao Hu.
7. Role reversal - I like how this was showcased in the drama because we see both sides. I also enjoyed female empowerment trope in this drama.
What I disliked:
1. Princess Qi Meng / Qian Hui Rou - Great way to use Fan Wei's talent but I found the two separate individuals were very similar. I also couldn't figure out servant Bai Lu's loyalty toward Qian Hui Rou because Hui Rou's past.
2. Zhao Jin's love arc - I also didn't enjoy his love arc because it didn't seem natural.
Favourite scene
The start of the sisterhood and the kissing that follow suit
Was this review helpful to you?
Conquering Cities and Hearts
A fun romp that didn't take itself seriously, a love triangle done right, some truly funny moments (especially male jealousy), and a charismatic cast made for a pleasant experience.The Good
• The romance between the leads felt natural, and their interactions were charming. I got the feeling the actors enjoyed making this drama. It may have been due to their acting skills, but when actors convey that enjoyment to their audience, everyone has a good time.
• The comedic timing was delectable, and I say that as someone who generally doesn't enjoy over-the-top slapstick.
• The FL played the role of a man better than most actresses.
• I so appreciated the FL was intelligent and not easily deceived. The IQ of most of the leads was appreciably higher than in most comedies.
The Bad
• There is a bit too much bathroom humor, but I've dealt with plenty of children, so I'm probably jaded in that area.
• Logic wasn't the point, so little was explained and not everything made sense. Cut to a kissing scene and the viewer won't notice.
Extra half star for the inventive way each episode was introduced. I appreciate originality.
Was this review helpful to you?
For the first three episodes, I kept wondering why I was putting myself through this. The throne alone in the first episode shows just how cheap this drama looks. The wallpaper on the throne is badly pasted on, and you can even see the assembly joints. So I almost dropped the drama.But the story made me want to keep watching for a little longer, and in the end, I found myself starting to enjoy the two main characters, especially the FL.
Let’s not lie to ourselves, though: this is still a drama with quite a few rookie actors and some pretty bad ones. The drama is clearly going for a very comedic tone, and in some ways, it works at times, but the direction is pretty poor. I’m not used to this kind of drama, so maybe that’s exactly what people who watch these dramas are looking for.
I think the main positive takeaway for me will be the FL, who, with a bit more experience and better opportunities, deserves to be in a bigger production.
Was this review helpful to you?
What am I watching and why do I like it?
This is my first "short" drama. I usually go for ones with at least a 45 min run time per episode at a total of too many episodes and then I wonder why I drop half of them. Thanks to Zogitt's review, I decided to give this drama a chance. I normally do not like cheesy, over the top dramas but for some reason, this one works. Some scenes, I was laughing so hard that my family asked what the heck I was watching. The ML and FL had good chemistry and you can tell sometimes they were trying hard not to laugh while filming, that's how serious this drama is. Thought the FL played her role really well alternating between a male and female characters. I liked the messaging behind the drama in terms of gender equality.This is the drama where I discovered ML, Yan Zi Xian and I might go on a binge watch of all his dramas now. I want to believe I am not that shallow but damn, he is fine and maybe it's his kiss scenes that I appreciate. It's not boring. Like the one where he kisses the FL going up the stairs. He made it adorable and HOT at the same time!
Someone else reviewed this drama negatively and compared it to not living up to The Romance of Tiger and Rose. I love Zhao Lusi and watched TROTAR when it first came out and loved it, thought it was funny, fresh and different. However, I recently tried to rewatch it and was bored out of my mind. I don't think it's fair to compare the two dramas as they are really different. I certainly didn't regret giving this drama a try. Plus the bloopers at the end of the drama made it even more enjoyable.
Was this review helpful to you?
Hilarious farce with ridiculous scenarios
This is like a French Farce x Shakespeare x A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum drama with crossdressing, silly misunderstandings, and mistaken identities throughout. If you take this as a complete fantasy where people will be shoved into closets, be mistaken for dead and put into a coffin, and where the best assassin in the world falls for a princess who likes a bit of torture, you'll love the ride.I enjoyed 99.9% of it and it would be a strong rewatch for me. The show keeps a strong pace throughout, with an ensemble cast that really make each episode hilarious.
I've never seen a C-drama that had so many guys stripped down to their waist! LOL The main lead spends a LOT of time in his bathtub which isn't a bad view at all from my viewpoint. Although there are a few pursed lip kisses, the kissing scenes get better as the FL and ML spend more time together. The romance is between equals and there are some playful moments with the woman being in charge which the hero seems to be more than fine with.
The FL (Zhang Yue Nan) had a way of changing the intensity of her gaze when she was in lord-mode that was really good. Some of her standout scenes for me was when she regained her memory and sits on ML's throne telling him who she really is; when she is standing next to the ML and counsels him when the prospective bride shows up (a great moment showing the FL's game level); when she kills the first villain (bow-and-arrow scene); and multiple scenes of her working with the trio of Muxi spies who she calls father and brother.
It can be hard to pair a good male lead with a strong female character, but the ML in this show does an excellent job. I liked that he had a touch of vanity paired with his arrogance and none of the cold cruelty. The dialogue teasing between the two of them was easy to enjoy, and you could see them being not only lovers but good friends.
The story itself doesn't surprise but it's all played for laughs. There is some bathroom-potty humor which I usually dislike but this time it made me laugh as it was so ridiculous. A slight touch of noble idiocy at the end which gets quickly resolved.
What I didn't like: at the end there is a notice that "no animals were harmed" but let's face it - the villain picked up a rabbit by its ears (!) and a rat by its back (!). I honestly don't see how these scenes could have been filmed without some rough handling. Well, at least I didn't have to watch horses going down with a trip wire.
I also didn't like the ? mark ending with the implication that the villain would rise again, but that can be easily ignored.
Was this review helpful to you?
