MadelineMaureen

Production wise it's pretty standard quality. Nothing is overly outstanding about the show in appearance or storyline, BUT that doesn't make it a bad viewing experience. All the performances are good. Though it's definitely the same "hidden identity" "royal power struggle" "reborn/do-over" trope fest, it's an enjoyable watch. I watch too many dramas in this genre to say that it stands out, but so far it hasn't bored me. AKA if you have the time to watch it and you like the actors it will be worth it.
Now that we are finally past the halfway point the royal power struggle is only just beginning as his identity has been outed. As he holds military influence and the Emperor's favor the other princes and royals are acting accordingly. (again if you have watched enough period Cdramas the storyline isn't anything groundbreaking, doesn't take away the enjoyment of the performances)

dude...not her using his own dog behind his back...

yes. Might have been harsh but always with love & attention. I never got to en pointe because my turnout remained honestly...tragic. Was no way they were going to let me break myself attempting en pointe if I couldn't even get proper position in my ballet flats. Great teachers very mid student...aka me.

thank you 😊

I knew about not being able to marry into the same clan in Korea & Korea's roots in Chinese culture/rule. I got curious after watching a few period dramas.
European history is much shorter than Chinese history, and American(which is what I am) history is about the length of a sneeze in comparison to Chinese history.
If you have any English language Chinese history books that you recommend I would really like to learn more.

yeah that would have been the smarter thing to do.
I just dont want to come off too harsh in my review so I just keep rereading it and editing it like I'm turning it in for a grade. Even though an 8.5 isn't low(imo) a part of me feels the need to defend WHY I think it's an 8.5. Does that make sense?

Thank you for the breakdown of can marry vs can't marry. Very helpful. Also either you had this on lock or you are an extremely fast typer. either way thank you for the swift detailed response. 🥰

does anyone know if there is a way to save a draft of a review other than just typing it up in another place first like word or notebook? I wanted to sit with my thoughts before posting my finally review.

okay so im barely into this drama(episode wise) but I have a question. Am I correct in thinking that the ML's aunt makes FL jump off a cliff after writing a letter ending their relationship so that the ML can marry her daughter....aka his first cousin? am I getting that connection correct?
I've read Jane Austen I know first cousin marriages happened all the time, I just want to be clear about his relation to the psychos trying to get him married into their family.

The one used on Dramawiki is so much better.

Great drama. 10/10 for the actors portrayals of the characters.
8.5/10 overall because of certain production choices not being well executed.

Zhang Ruo Nan might have the figure of a ballerina, but she just didn't have the posture or hands/arms down. I can forgive the legs because they could have used a double easily for the closer shots. But the shoulders were always rolled in. I swear I could feel a poke in my back like my old dance teacher would give me anytime my shoulders rolled like that. Chest out, neck long, make your arm look like a feather. brought me back. 😂

Every dancer watching episode 29...aint no way...also PS she'd actually slip and twist an ankle without prepping her shoes first.

Couldn't figure out why my other show that dropped it's express this morning was an hour late until someone asked me if i remember to change my clocks in my room. (I have 3 clocks in my room only one automatically changes the other two are manually set, The one next to my bed in a manual one.)

Episode 28. There was a fight in front of their building around a time people are getting off work...lights and sirens would have been heard/seen from the building....not a single reporter or cameraman present when Yi Fan ran out of the building.
We've all seen how rabid reporters can be for content/stories and one happens in their front yard and not even a double take occurred. People just chillin in the lobby.
I realize that the office complex might house more that just reporters, but the building belongs to a television station. Someone would have notified the people upstairs about a story.

Once again...in front of a news station with no reporters outside reporting on the crime that took place on their property...sure Jan.

alright writer-nim....you get brownie points for her using Sang as her surname while in hiding. Still side-eyeing you....but you made me smile...so...you're still on probation, but out of writer jail.

They have his collars a bit too long(tall) for his neck length and shoulder width. It's only by like a few millimeters, but it messes with his proportions, as it sticks too high above the jacket.
Zhang Ling He specifically looks best with open collared shirts that are more blousy(loosely fitted in the chest and torso) with a taper at the waist aka tucked into pants that hit him at his hips.
In my defense I follow his Instagram and Chinese actors who do more fashion side of the entertainment industry have ample examples of different styles to look at.

men....do not wear the jackets with lapels that tip up toward your neck if your shoulders are on the narrower side. Unless you are shaped like a Dorito(insert image of Bia Jing Ting) it's going to look strange...honestly I don't even thing Bai Jing Ting's shoulders could make those two suit jackets work....Zhang Ling He can look good in almost anything....ill fitted suit jackets with weirdly proportioned lapels are apparently the only thing that looks bad on him. A sweater/cardigan over the button up and tie would have suited his shoulders better. I'm referring to the two suit jackets he wears to campus. For the thesis and first lecture.
Okay, fashion/wardrobe girlie out... 🫡

1. FL is in a relationship when they first meet(7 year relationship). Break up happens in ep2. I don't consider it a love triangle. If you want me to clarify this I will write another comment. There is an intern interested in the ML, but he doesn't "see" her really...until she steps over the line and ML firmly redraws said line and reinforces it with steel.
2. Leads get together in episode 18. (first kiss happens in episode 12)
3. No break up once they are together. Long distance relationship...solid.
4. Extremely happy