Wrong Carriage, Right Groom (2023)

A little too light, but not bad

The good:
- the main leads healthy relationship is nice to watch, they are actually smart resourceful characters and had an ok chemistry
- it's an easy watch, light-hearted and not too long

The not so good:
- The romance is very underdeveloped for all couples. Everything stays very surface level. The one actual kiss they try to put in there for the main couple did not convince me at all. The second main couple does not even kiss.
- The dialogues were at times very stiff and unnatural, making the characters seem rather simple minded.
- The plot was not interesting enough to keep me engaged and I skipped so so many scenes.

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Satisfying, fun and romantic!

This is the first historical Chinese drama I've watched, and also the first Chinese drama I've watched that didn't have at least 30 episodes or more. It was a very pleasant surprise nonetheless!

Besides the obvious premise of the story, the plot is split in two different settings to show each bride's situation with the "wrong" groom.
Li Yu Hu's side revolves around the conflicts and mysteries in the Qi family. It feels very similar to a soap opera, with lots of secrets, lots of eavesdropping, lots of tricky situations and malicious family members. Despite this, the atmosphere feels light and fun most of the time, mainly thanks to Qi Tian Lei and Li Yu Hu's couple dynamic.
Du Bing Yan's side is more about her trying her best to finally see her husband and clarify the misunderstanding. Her share of screentime was always more thrilling and dynamic and brought most of the action to the story.
Overall, the plot was nice and well-balanced: it kept a lighthearted and fun tone most of the time and didn't have many dramatic elements. Li Yu Hu and Qi Tian Lei's story started to feel a little too static and redundant after a while, but thankfully it wasn't too bad - mostly because their moments together were absolutely adorable. Du Bing Yan's story was quite interesting, but she and Yuan Bu Qu didn't have nearly as much time on screen as the other main couple, so I can't say I was entirely satisfied with them. Personally, I wish we got to see them more, and could have easily done without one or two of the side couples that were introduced in the story little by little.

It's a fun drama, nothing mind-blowing or exceptional by any means, but it was still an enjoyable watch for me. Recommended if you're looking for something with little angst, lots of fluff, and mostly relaxing!

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Sweet, light historical romcom with endearing ships

If you're looking for a lighter Cdrama without too much angst but lots of couples, I recommend this one!

It features:
- Sismance between two girls as they head towards unlikely marriages
- Physically strong and direct FL x "sickly" but intelligent ML
- Scholarly, quick-witted second couple FL x loyal, military second couple ML
- Light scheming both within the family and within the palace
- Sweet storyline that doesn't require too much thought

PROS
❀ Couples EVERYWHERE and they are all so cute
In order of screen time, it would probably be: (if my memory serves correct)
1. Li Yu Hu x Qi Tian Lei: main couple that work together to save the family from a scheming cousin. I loveeed the scenes where they practiced martial arts together hehe.
2. Du Bing Yan x Yuan Bu Qu: second couple that (also) work together to defeat the enemies at the border. She dresses up as a male physician to help out while he's the beloved general at the camp.
3. Princess Chang Ping x Sha Ping Wei: they're both the younger side couple that the show devotes some extra time towards. He's the lieutenant/right hand man of Yuan Bu Qu while she's the princess engaged to the general.
4. Liu Ruo Qian x Shu Da Niang: (I THINK that's her name...) basically the older couple that gets reunited after a fight. Teacher Liu is pretty much everyone's master/sensei/godfather/mentor/fortune-teller/shipper/matchmaker in the story LOL
5. Yan Sheng x Ji Jing Tang: another younger side couple between the apothecary's son and ML's family member that helps them out
6. Empress x Liu's senior brother: additional tale of a past romance and the empress getting closure about it
I like how the romances were the main highlight of the drama and it doesn't shy away from them. They develop quite quickly and the couples stay true to each other. By ep 8, the main 2 couples have already confessed and we get some kissing scenes already hehe. I would have to note, the romances are all super wholesome and lean towards the "cutesy" theme rather than anything sensual or deep. It matches the drama's theme since everything stays light, but I wanted to let future viewers know so they have the right expectations going in.

❀ Interesting (enough) side conflicts
Again, there isn't anything too deep with any of the schemes going on but it keeps viewers watching. The first couple has to deal with an instigator in the house (the ML's cousin) while the second couple has to deal with getting approval for their marriage after the general gets promoted and catches the eye of the empress. The drama's overall theme is pretty low-stakes though, so I wouldn't say these conflicts are *gripping*; they're good for a light watch to see the couples succeed despite all odds. Also it's cute how all the characters help each other out.
However, I would highlight that viewers shouldn't come in with high expectations when it comes to how the schemes pan out because there's a good bit of deus ex machina where someone pops out of nowhere to "save the day."

CONS
✕ Uneven distribution of screen time
The drama pretty much goes all in on one couple over another, but I think it would have been more enjoyable to see more equal parts of each as each episode continues. For example, we focus more on the first couple towards the beginning and I low key forgot about the second couple, lol. I would have been a more attentive watcher if the show decided to split the couples more evenly - or at least not wholly focus on just one couple for an extended period of time. This would have kept me engaged on all the characters equally.

✕ Second couple could have been more
While I liked this couple, I feel like their lack of screen time hindered their relationship. First, we never figure out why the general had two past wives (rip to this dropped plot point). Second, they have to deal with this empress for SO many episodes which had them separate for a while (rip to their relationship development). I feel like their relationship had potential that just wasn't utilized.

✕ Misunderstanding level: 2/10
Happy to report that the bride mix-up storyline doesn't drag too long and the grooms figure things out pretty quickly lol. The couples are true to each other from beginning to end.

OVERALL
I think this drama checks all the boxes for a light, historical romcom that'll leave viewers satisfied. Although nothing particularly makes WRONG CARRIAGE, RIGHT GROOM a "stand-out," the happy ending and journey towards it (featuring all the cute couples) make it worth the watch.

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Actors' potential wasted; story is a mess

I liked the initial 6 episodes a lot. I was looking forward to more episodes. But as more episodes passed, I thought "what am I watching?"

The positive: The actors did a pretty good job I feel. They kept me hooked initially and I watched till 11th episode only because the acting is good. But acting solely can't carry the show.

The negatives: Everything apart from acting.
The OST doesn't stand out. They did spend money on set and costumes but what's the point? The story is a mess. There are too many couples and the focus keeps shifting every now and then. The direction is similar to the story.

Overall, I didn't feel I should invest more time beyond 11 episodes due to the above mentioned reasons.

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Bad Guy Ke.

I couldn't bear it anymore. Even though there are very few episodes left, I left the actors even though I liked them. Because it was so simple that I couldn't resist. The character called Ke does all the bad things. It will most likely come out eventually, but it is surprising that nothing is done even though it is known. I think he's a person who was brought in because the qi family was a distant relative and the old woman's own grandchildren were dying, and the other was pretending to be sick because she was afraid of death. All the work is done by the grandmother. But Ke has been given so much authority that he even commands the family's housekeeper. He directs the men. He shoots and kills. They do not listen to other people in the mansion. Even the third young master. He was brought in by that grandmother to run the business. Why is the young master in the Mansion commanding the housekeeper, who is a more influential and inherited character than Ke? She comes after grandma. Haven't you had a haircut? In fact, Grandma's maid speaks for this Mr. Ke whenever she comes across it. He leads the grandmother. It poisons the tea. But even though it is known, he is not even investigated for "Come and see here. Why are you doing it like that?" There is no need to look for witnesses, for example, if they pressed this maid. Why doesn't he investigate this maid when you know? You don't question. Even though the grandmother said to her grandson, people do not listen to her grandson, daughter-in-law, or those who come, but listen to Mr. Ke, even though they say they are beaten, robbed, killed? I couldn't solve this in 14 chapters. Everyone knows, but they keep saying they need a witness, they need proof. Question the men next to you. question the maid. No. I guess they say they will do it all at the end of the episode. It will be like this after all. They even kidnapped the blind woman because she died. They had fun from the back. So it's a very inconsistent series. The Lieutenant, who comes after the general, is shown to be an idiot, but commands the unit. Inconsistent. His mouth doesn't stop. He's talking nonsense. He's gossiping. Such a rank soldier. What is this joke show? On the contrary, the general is also very serious. The one who runs away from home takes his breath away in this camp on the border. I don't understand A lot of pointless stuff has happened. If only they had brought the woman they would bring as a witness and kept them in a room instead of leaving them in a room. Now, at the suggestion of Mr. Ke, a childhood sweetheart is given a room with the newlyweds. I am shocked. The more I say I try to disrupt the series, the more I break it as an outsider. Meaningless things. the man is married. If you want to get married. The person proposing to remarry with a married man is also single, and he is also supposedly a member of the qi family. Albeit from afar. Don't they tell the man? You should marry me instead of trying to do this to me. Or what if the grandmother said, instead of saying we'll find someone for you, take it, Mr. KE is single, moreover, he's at work, he'll do your job, too. No. They're all idiots. The third master, Mr. Ke, does not say why should you marry instead of suggesting it to us. Why doesn't Cingöz say bride? They're all idiots. He will surely seduce the married third young master. The atmosphere will deteriorate, the couple will break up and so on. They will feast. Who? Evil Ke and Maid xiaqio. Give up. I couldn't stand it. I couldn't stand this stupidity anymore. Written by the screenwriter, how did the director who didn't film it, how did they endure such stupidity? Shame on the players. Especially Tian Xi Wei acting cute, sweet, very beautiful. I felt sorry for him. Shame on him in such a production. It was great. My CAST note to him.

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NO WORDS JUST LOVEE THIS!!

i have no words to say for this drama.It’s just *perfect*
i think this is far most satisfied chinese drama i watch the progress between the two couple is fast and the misunderstanding resolves very fast between them not like other drama where they resolves the misunderstanding 5 eps bfr ending.Also this drama where the brides got switched the groom already found out on the 5th eps not like other dramas where they realised when the story near the ending.THIS DRAMA IS REALLY FUN TO WATCH I REALLY RECOMMEND TO WATCH.It wont make your blood boil cause the character have chemistry and they always communicate when they encounter problem.Thank you soo much for the person that make this drama i love it soo much

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[DNF] Ep 8 is the end of the story to me!

Reasons?

1. Questionable Concept: Wrong Carriage, “Right” Groom?
It seems that all the information before the weddings they have about each other is the background of the brides/grooms and some bad rumors surrounding the grooms. But it turns out all 4 characters are too likable or too perfect. So basically just good people easily get along with each other, thus, If Right Carriage, I bet it's still Right Groom anyway. So what is the point?

2. Annoying/Questionable Soundtrack:
They use the ending ost for every single emotional scene when a couple gets a moment together. In ep 7, when Du Bin takes care of the general, only viewers know that Du Bin is a “she” not a “he”. But the general doesn’t know that at all. In this case, the background music represents a little GAY moment to me which is so inappropriate!
Then 20 minutes later when Du Bin talking with his master, here is the ending ost once again?? Maybe they just use this music whenever they feel like!

3. Quick love confession, Quick ending:
Again, just good people who meet up together in special situations could quickly enjoy another’s company. But to me, nowhere near affection.
But the director wants them to confess in Ep 8 so that viewers could save some time for other dramas.

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Light Hearted, Feel Good Drama

I wasn’t familiar with the cast when I started watching, just gave it a go since it was recommended on YOUKU. It was a sweet and lighthearted drama. Story plot was new and refreshing so it was interesting to watch. I didnt watch the older one released in year 2010 so it felt good to watch. Mid way it got a bit draggy , too much unnecessary dialogs and too long to capture the antagonist. As an overall it was a fairly nice watch with the cast, all of them played their role well. I liked all the different couples as they all had good chemistry overall. Very rare in a drama that everyone’s scenes were nice and well done.

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Midsummer Night's Dream meets Twelfth Night (kind of)

I absolutely loved this show. Usually I find C-Dramas overly dramatic and way too long. This was 24 45-min episodes which was totally manageable.

The characters were cute and loveable - especially the sickly groom and the martial-arts bride and their super cute interactions. The noble bride and military groom were also very loveable, and added an element of maturity to the show. I loved the side characters too - like pingwei, the bride's handmaiden, the apothecary boy and his adoptive mom, the mute sister and master Liu.

The motivations of the villian and his accomplices were a little unbelievable IMO. Especially given that his grandma doted on him and gave him whatever he wanted.

Fun fact, Juan Zi who played the queen in the 2023 version played princess chang ping in the 2001 series.

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