1
It feels like another recycled historical drama, borrowing too much from recent productions.
I've liked Chen Zhe Yuan ever since Hidden Love, but it was Fated Hearts that truly made me admire him as an actor. So, of course, I wasn't going to miss Royal Betrothal.
And Wu Jin Yan is simply beyond praise. I love her performances, especially in Story of Yanxi Palace, and she was absolutely magnificent in The Double.
Unfortunately, after seven episodes, this drama still hasn't lived up to my expectations. An intense plot, a powerful male lead, a clever female lead, revenge, political intrigue, and a struggle for power—on paper, it has all the ingredients for an outstanding story. So where does it go wrong? Why does nothing about this drama captivate me?
I've been asking myself that question, and I've come to one conclusion: this is yet another repetitive story, too similar to countless dramas we've seen in recent years.
Not even Wu Jin Yan's remarkable acting can save such an unappealing female character. Despite her tragic past, her determination to survive, and her relentless pursuit of revenge against a cruel and unjust world, she leaves me emotionally untouched. I feel no empathy for her shattered soul or her broken heart. The hardships she has endured have turned her into someone cold, harsh, and manipulative, making it difficult for me to connect with her.
As if that weren't enough, her styling is simply awful. The pale makeup and pinkish eye contour make her look tired, swollen, and much older than she should. The costumes do her no favors either. She appears far too mature for the role and noticeably older than her male counterpart. So far, there is absolutely no chemistry between her and the emperor.
I'm honestly growing tired of seeing the same formulas repeated over and over again. I'll give this drama a few more episodes, but I'm not sure even Chen Zhe Yuan's charm will be enough to keep me watching.
What a disappointment.
And Wu Jin Yan is simply beyond praise. I love her performances, especially in Story of Yanxi Palace, and she was absolutely magnificent in The Double.
Unfortunately, after seven episodes, this drama still hasn't lived up to my expectations. An intense plot, a powerful male lead, a clever female lead, revenge, political intrigue, and a struggle for power—on paper, it has all the ingredients for an outstanding story. So where does it go wrong? Why does nothing about this drama captivate me?
I've been asking myself that question, and I've come to one conclusion: this is yet another repetitive story, too similar to countless dramas we've seen in recent years.
Not even Wu Jin Yan's remarkable acting can save such an unappealing female character. Despite her tragic past, her determination to survive, and her relentless pursuit of revenge against a cruel and unjust world, she leaves me emotionally untouched. I feel no empathy for her shattered soul or her broken heart. The hardships she has endured have turned her into someone cold, harsh, and manipulative, making it difficult for me to connect with her.
As if that weren't enough, her styling is simply awful. The pale makeup and pinkish eye contour make her look tired, swollen, and much older than she should. The costumes do her no favors either. She appears far too mature for the role and noticeably older than her male counterpart. So far, there is absolutely no chemistry between her and the emperor.
I'm honestly growing tired of seeing the same formulas repeated over and over again. I'll give this drama a few more episodes, but I'm not sure even Chen Zhe Yuan's charm will be enough to keep me watching.
What a disappointment.
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