Nelly
Canada
Alternative title: Love in Times of Royal Conflicts
OVERALL
This is a feel-good drama, not because of fluff or comedy (there's literally none in here!) but because it has a "good always wins" plot that gives you little frustration, and as a bonus, is actually gripping enough to binge. Watch it if 1) you like strong female leads, 2) you're picky about production and you need good cinematography, 3) you enjoy political intrigues. Think twice about it if 1) you like well-written and emotional love stories, 2) you like when the good guys sweat a bit, 3) you prefer dramas with a light mood/feel.
THE STORY
The best thing about this drama is its production. You can tell this was produced by someone used to film production because they really made clever, significant choices with lighting, sound and décor. All of it converges to create a dark and depressing mood/feel, which echoes the claustrophobic and tragic environment of nobility and royalty. And that's what the story is essentially about; the toxicity of the political sphere in Great Cheng era. (Just needed to fangirl over technical stuff!)
The plot is also, for the most part, quite fine. Political intrigues are coherent and they level up as the drama progresses (which is great because sometimes schemes get dumber as the story evolves). Characters have depth too, even (and especially) secondary ones. The title is misleading, main girl isn't really rebellious (she sometimes even comes off as submissive), but she is definitely strong and mature. Main guy is quiet but he's not the cold brooding type (yay!), he's actually pretty nurturing and kind. The biggest problem with The Rebel Princess is that the romance is meant to be an important part of the drama but it doesn't convince at all. Part of it is lack of chemistry between the leads, but part of it is the fact that the love story is SO underdeveloped. The protagonists go from strangers to lovers in the space of...1 episode? And then spend the rest of the drama being deeply in love. We definitely needed to see the process of them learning to care for one another. Plus, conflicts are important for relationship growth, and it doesn't feel like there's any growth in the OTP because they literally never fight.
Apart from the relationship, another downside to the drama is the way the good guys ALWAYS win. Except for once in the drama, you never really get the impression that they took on a serious blow. This isn't terrible, it makes for a more enjoyable watch, but it feels somewhat unrealistic. The ending (second half of the last episode) is also very rushed and incoherent. THAT BEING SAID, the drama is totally binge material. It's gorgeous and the never-ending schemes keep you watching until the last minute. Even though the OTP isn't swoon-worthy, you still end up rooting for them.
THE ACTING
Other reviews already mentioned the age situation, so I won't - plus, to be honest, I don't think it matters. Sure, the cast is older than the characters they play, but they look compatible with one another, so what's the problem? In general, the cast did well, especially Zhang Ziyi, but in terms of chemistry between actors (not just between the main leads but also with the secondary cast) I didn't feel much. Dramas like this highlight how acting isn't just about individual performance, it's also about the dynamics with other actors. In this case, they weren't that great. It doesn't stop you from enjoying the drama, though, so I guess it's okay.
THE MUSIC
It was fine, though there wasn't any song I felt like listening to on my own. Honestly, I was just grateful the music wasn't excessive and loud like in some other C-dramas (*cough* Oh My General *cough*).
REWATCH VALUE
It's quite high. Not super high because the drama is lowkey depressing, but it does end well and it is an enjoyable watch so I just know I'll watch it again.
This is a feel-good drama, not because of fluff or comedy (there's literally none in here!) but because it has a "good always wins" plot that gives you little frustration, and as a bonus, is actually gripping enough to binge. Watch it if 1) you like strong female leads, 2) you're picky about production and you need good cinematography, 3) you enjoy political intrigues. Think twice about it if 1) you like well-written and emotional love stories, 2) you like when the good guys sweat a bit, 3) you prefer dramas with a light mood/feel.
THE STORY
The best thing about this drama is its production. You can tell this was produced by someone used to film production because they really made clever, significant choices with lighting, sound and décor. All of it converges to create a dark and depressing mood/feel, which echoes the claustrophobic and tragic environment of nobility and royalty. And that's what the story is essentially about; the toxicity of the political sphere in Great Cheng era. (Just needed to fangirl over technical stuff!)
The plot is also, for the most part, quite fine. Political intrigues are coherent and they level up as the drama progresses (which is great because sometimes schemes get dumber as the story evolves). Characters have depth too, even (and especially) secondary ones. The title is misleading, main girl isn't really rebellious (she sometimes even comes off as submissive), but she is definitely strong and mature. Main guy is quiet but he's not the cold brooding type (yay!), he's actually pretty nurturing and kind. The biggest problem with The Rebel Princess is that the romance is meant to be an important part of the drama but it doesn't convince at all. Part of it is lack of chemistry between the leads, but part of it is the fact that the love story is SO underdeveloped. The protagonists go from strangers to lovers in the space of...1 episode? And then spend the rest of the drama being deeply in love. We definitely needed to see the process of them learning to care for one another. Plus, conflicts are important for relationship growth, and it doesn't feel like there's any growth in the OTP because they literally never fight.
Apart from the relationship, another downside to the drama is the way the good guys ALWAYS win. Except for once in the drama, you never really get the impression that they took on a serious blow. This isn't terrible, it makes for a more enjoyable watch, but it feels somewhat unrealistic. The ending (second half of the last episode) is also very rushed and incoherent. THAT BEING SAID, the drama is totally binge material. It's gorgeous and the never-ending schemes keep you watching until the last minute. Even though the OTP isn't swoon-worthy, you still end up rooting for them.
THE ACTING
Other reviews already mentioned the age situation, so I won't - plus, to be honest, I don't think it matters. Sure, the cast is older than the characters they play, but they look compatible with one another, so what's the problem? In general, the cast did well, especially Zhang Ziyi, but in terms of chemistry between actors (not just between the main leads but also with the secondary cast) I didn't feel much. Dramas like this highlight how acting isn't just about individual performance, it's also about the dynamics with other actors. In this case, they weren't that great. It doesn't stop you from enjoying the drama, though, so I guess it's okay.
THE MUSIC
It was fine, though there wasn't any song I felt like listening to on my own. Honestly, I was just grateful the music wasn't excessive and loud like in some other C-dramas (*cough* Oh My General *cough*).
REWATCH VALUE
It's quite high. Not super high because the drama is lowkey depressing, but it does end well and it is an enjoyable watch so I just know I'll watch it again.
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