2
This review may contain spoilers
The chaotic escape in pursuit of reclaiming riches, living a better life and obtaining true love. <3
"Paths are made by walking. No path is predetermined. If we don't want this path, we can choose another. Follow your heart, and reach where you wish." - Luo Lingyu
Stumbling upon and picking up this drama brought back great excitement and nostalgia to me. It took me back to the times when I was new to C-dramaland and was binge-watching idol dramas non-stop without much expectation or prejudice—just watching for fun, a good laugh, and a silly, cringey love story. It was a great reminder of how my obsession with C-dramas started and how much my tastes have matured since then—especially regarding production quality and value—after consuming countless S+ tier dramas.
Although this series exhibits the eccentric, unrestrained antics of a typical idol drama, what sets it apart—both past and present—is its narrative cohesiveness and impressive characterization. These elements feel like a long-lost art, especially since most costume idol dramas feel so hastily and carelessly put together nowadays.
Right from the start, the engaging plot piqued my interest. Even though it gets cringey at times due to typical idol drama tropes, I’ve never once felt irritated watching it. In fact, bingeing it episode by episode has been incredibly fun. It brings back a nostalgic feeling—something I've sorely missed. It feels like rediscovering a spark I thought was long lost, especially since the quality of costume idol dramas has plummeted over the years while my own standards have risen.
This show started strong and compelling, and it ended just as beautifully. Although there were occasional slip-ups, they were just minor plot holes that were resolved almost immediately within the same episode. So, whining and complaining about them feels nonsensical since they were literally addressed right away. Additionally, each plot point was indulgently thought out, resulting in a highly anticipated narrative that was incredibly entertaining to watch.
I had a lot of fun binge-watching the entirety of the story. Even though I found the entire Obsessive Ex-Husband (Fan Qing Chen) arc grating to watch, it actually wasn't bad at all. In fact, it flows and connects nicely to the main plot. If anything, my frustration stemmed from the choice of the final antagonist. I expected the climax and final conflict to revolve around defeating and convicting Prime Minister Chen and Mr. Kong of their crimes, not around Fan Qing Chen’s obsession and delusion regarding the female lead, Luo Ling Yu.
Anticipating a grand showdown with the story's true ultimate villains kept me on edge, so pivoting to a lovesick lunatic—who should have been dealt with ages ago—really ruined my mood. While Prime Minister Chen and Mr. Kong's downfalls were thoroughly satisfying, I still have a bitter taste in my mouth because they deserved to be the final hurdle—ending act. Imagine gearing up for a high-stakes chess match, only to end up in a psychological thriller about an ex-husband. *Exasperated sigh*
All things considered, having Fan Qingchen as the final antagonist worked surprisingly well. His aspirations and determination were entirely valid; he simply took the wrong path because he was oblivious to, or directly disregarded Luo Lingyu's feelings and predicaments. This ultimately led to his miserable situation and downfall. Furthermore, given that the romance spanned three-quarters of the plot alongside the heavy political intrigue, positioning him as the final enemy feels entirely justified upon reflection.
The ending, on the other hand, fascinated me and at the same time made me extremely happy. At last, she found herself a matrilocal husband—fitting what she was originally looking for—who was wholeheartedly willing to be one.
"From now on, I live as a member of the Luo clan, and in death, a spirit of your clan." - Lu Yun
Moving forward, let me mention the plot holes, flaws, and some other factors that affected my experience watching this show.
1. Her sister's age doesn't make sense. She said that it was 10 years ago when their parents sent them to their uncle in Shouzhou City. However, during that flashback, her sister looked like she was at least 3 to 5 years old. Therefore, her sister should be between 13 and 15 years old in the current timeline, but she appears to be around 6 to 9, which doesn't make sense at all.
2. I was so flabbergasted that despite their tough upbringing, this little sister (Luo Yun Hua) of hers remained spoiled and unable to read situations. She's reliable, I'll give her that, but her unruly behavior completely negates her good traits. It totally reminded me of the time Luo Lingyu lectured her on the boat. What a whiny, annoying kid.
3. I read a MyDramaList (MDL) review last month by someone hating on a child actress for her irritating portrayal. At the time, I found it harsh and unnecessary. But man, weeks later, here I am getting so irritated by this child actress (Li Zhi Mo) for being unbearably annoying as time passes! This is one of the reasons why I was grateful that she received little to almost no screentime at all during the second half of the show.
4. In episode 25, Lu Yun invading the enemy camp alone was just utterly stupid. It was a total suicide mission. I get that his emotions got the best of him, but wouldn't it be way wiser to actually plan things first instead of attacking blindly and unprepared? Gracious!
I read through several MDL reviews and noticed how some people hated the FL (Luo Ling Yu) for how brazen, shameless, unapologetic, and merciless she was during the first half of the show. However, by contrast, those exact qualities are what made me like her and drew me to her character. I view her behavior as a coping mechanism, given the harsh environment she grew up in after her parents passed away. She was simply hardened by her own tough experiences, which is entirely reasonable if you look at it from a different perspective. Moreover, her strange ways and beliefs made her more interesting in my eyes. She was unconventional, impertinent, and clever, which became the ultimate catalyst for her chemistry with the ML (Lu Yun), making them far more chaotically entertaining to watch.
In addition, one striking quality I genuinely love about her is her unwavering optimism. She views every problem as just a minor setback. She’s like a human power bank—someone you can always recharge your positivity and energy from during tough times.
"Face challenges bravely, and deal with obstacles wisely. We'll overcome all hardships. Things will be resolved." - Luo Lingyu
Lastly, I’m incredibly grateful that this production didn't force another CP into the story. That wise, magnificent decision let the two existing CPs truly shine without crowding the plot with too many pairings.
P.S. I really love the royal family in this drama. They are all on the same wavelength, characterized by a light vibe, a kind demeanor, and an innocence that leaves them blissfully oblivious to certain things—which makes them incredibly adorable and pleasant to watch.
Story - 9.0, I could have given it a higher rating if they hadn't messed up the final antagonists and the order in which they were supposed to be dealt with. This element was a total game-changer for me because it changed the trajectory of the story from a nerve-wracking match of wit to a psychological thriller about an ex-husband. Additionally, I wish they had controlled and balanced the facial expressions and actions of the child actress playing Luo Yun Hua. I'm sorry, but she was really annoying! Huhu
Acting/Cast - 9.5, I have decided to give this rating given that this is an idol drama and they should be acting silly, goofy, and playful most of the time. If anything, I want to commend our main cast—Allen Fang, Jelly Lin, Charles Lin, Zhao Qing, and Guo Jianan—for their exceptional execution of their characters. Dare I say that they're certified masters of idol drama acting. The reason why this is lacking that last 0.5 is because of Li Zhi Mo, the child actress. I am so sorry!
Music - 9.5, This show reminded me exactly what an idol drama OST sounds like. The entire playlist is the embodiment of the genre, perfectly capturing the vibe and complementing the mood of the show. The tracks exude a vibrant, playful, and beautiful energy that fits the drama perfectly.
Rewatch Value - 8.5, The story as a whole is nice and recommendable for people looking for a light and fun drama. Personally, I'm just not into idol dramas anymore and probably won't rewatch it. I'm giving it this rating because the plot is nice and it really is an enjoyable show to watch.
Overall - 9.0, It was truly an entertaining show to watch, and I think this score is the best rating I could give it, given my issues with it and considering my entire experience watching the show.
IF you find my review helpful please let me know.
Stumbling upon and picking up this drama brought back great excitement and nostalgia to me. It took me back to the times when I was new to C-dramaland and was binge-watching idol dramas non-stop without much expectation or prejudice—just watching for fun, a good laugh, and a silly, cringey love story. It was a great reminder of how my obsession with C-dramas started and how much my tastes have matured since then—especially regarding production quality and value—after consuming countless S+ tier dramas.
Although this series exhibits the eccentric, unrestrained antics of a typical idol drama, what sets it apart—both past and present—is its narrative cohesiveness and impressive characterization. These elements feel like a long-lost art, especially since most costume idol dramas feel so hastily and carelessly put together nowadays.
Right from the start, the engaging plot piqued my interest. Even though it gets cringey at times due to typical idol drama tropes, I’ve never once felt irritated watching it. In fact, bingeing it episode by episode has been incredibly fun. It brings back a nostalgic feeling—something I've sorely missed. It feels like rediscovering a spark I thought was long lost, especially since the quality of costume idol dramas has plummeted over the years while my own standards have risen.
This show started strong and compelling, and it ended just as beautifully. Although there were occasional slip-ups, they were just minor plot holes that were resolved almost immediately within the same episode. So, whining and complaining about them feels nonsensical since they were literally addressed right away. Additionally, each plot point was indulgently thought out, resulting in a highly anticipated narrative that was incredibly entertaining to watch.
I had a lot of fun binge-watching the entirety of the story. Even though I found the entire Obsessive Ex-Husband (Fan Qing Chen) arc grating to watch, it actually wasn't bad at all. In fact, it flows and connects nicely to the main plot. If anything, my frustration stemmed from the choice of the final antagonist. I expected the climax and final conflict to revolve around defeating and convicting Prime Minister Chen and Mr. Kong of their crimes, not around Fan Qing Chen’s obsession and delusion regarding the female lead, Luo Ling Yu.
Anticipating a grand showdown with the story's true ultimate villains kept me on edge, so pivoting to a lovesick lunatic—who should have been dealt with ages ago—really ruined my mood. While Prime Minister Chen and Mr. Kong's downfalls were thoroughly satisfying, I still have a bitter taste in my mouth because they deserved to be the final hurdle—ending act. Imagine gearing up for a high-stakes chess match, only to end up in a psychological thriller about an ex-husband. *Exasperated sigh*
All things considered, having Fan Qingchen as the final antagonist worked surprisingly well. His aspirations and determination were entirely valid; he simply took the wrong path because he was oblivious to, or directly disregarded Luo Lingyu's feelings and predicaments. This ultimately led to his miserable situation and downfall. Furthermore, given that the romance spanned three-quarters of the plot alongside the heavy political intrigue, positioning him as the final enemy feels entirely justified upon reflection.
The ending, on the other hand, fascinated me and at the same time made me extremely happy. At last, she found herself a matrilocal husband—fitting what she was originally looking for—who was wholeheartedly willing to be one.
"From now on, I live as a member of the Luo clan, and in death, a spirit of your clan." - Lu Yun
Moving forward, let me mention the plot holes, flaws, and some other factors that affected my experience watching this show.
1. Her sister's age doesn't make sense. She said that it was 10 years ago when their parents sent them to their uncle in Shouzhou City. However, during that flashback, her sister looked like she was at least 3 to 5 years old. Therefore, her sister should be between 13 and 15 years old in the current timeline, but she appears to be around 6 to 9, which doesn't make sense at all.
2. I was so flabbergasted that despite their tough upbringing, this little sister (Luo Yun Hua) of hers remained spoiled and unable to read situations. She's reliable, I'll give her that, but her unruly behavior completely negates her good traits. It totally reminded me of the time Luo Lingyu lectured her on the boat. What a whiny, annoying kid.
3. I read a MyDramaList (MDL) review last month by someone hating on a child actress for her irritating portrayal. At the time, I found it harsh and unnecessary. But man, weeks later, here I am getting so irritated by this child actress (Li Zhi Mo) for being unbearably annoying as time passes! This is one of the reasons why I was grateful that she received little to almost no screentime at all during the second half of the show.
4. In episode 25, Lu Yun invading the enemy camp alone was just utterly stupid. It was a total suicide mission. I get that his emotions got the best of him, but wouldn't it be way wiser to actually plan things first instead of attacking blindly and unprepared? Gracious!
I read through several MDL reviews and noticed how some people hated the FL (Luo Ling Yu) for how brazen, shameless, unapologetic, and merciless she was during the first half of the show. However, by contrast, those exact qualities are what made me like her and drew me to her character. I view her behavior as a coping mechanism, given the harsh environment she grew up in after her parents passed away. She was simply hardened by her own tough experiences, which is entirely reasonable if you look at it from a different perspective. Moreover, her strange ways and beliefs made her more interesting in my eyes. She was unconventional, impertinent, and clever, which became the ultimate catalyst for her chemistry with the ML (Lu Yun), making them far more chaotically entertaining to watch.
In addition, one striking quality I genuinely love about her is her unwavering optimism. She views every problem as just a minor setback. She’s like a human power bank—someone you can always recharge your positivity and energy from during tough times.
"Face challenges bravely, and deal with obstacles wisely. We'll overcome all hardships. Things will be resolved." - Luo Lingyu
Lastly, I’m incredibly grateful that this production didn't force another CP into the story. That wise, magnificent decision let the two existing CPs truly shine without crowding the plot with too many pairings.
P.S. I really love the royal family in this drama. They are all on the same wavelength, characterized by a light vibe, a kind demeanor, and an innocence that leaves them blissfully oblivious to certain things—which makes them incredibly adorable and pleasant to watch.
Story - 9.0, I could have given it a higher rating if they hadn't messed up the final antagonists and the order in which they were supposed to be dealt with. This element was a total game-changer for me because it changed the trajectory of the story from a nerve-wracking match of wit to a psychological thriller about an ex-husband. Additionally, I wish they had controlled and balanced the facial expressions and actions of the child actress playing Luo Yun Hua. I'm sorry, but she was really annoying! Huhu
Acting/Cast - 9.5, I have decided to give this rating given that this is an idol drama and they should be acting silly, goofy, and playful most of the time. If anything, I want to commend our main cast—Allen Fang, Jelly Lin, Charles Lin, Zhao Qing, and Guo Jianan—for their exceptional execution of their characters. Dare I say that they're certified masters of idol drama acting. The reason why this is lacking that last 0.5 is because of Li Zhi Mo, the child actress. I am so sorry!
Music - 9.5, This show reminded me exactly what an idol drama OST sounds like. The entire playlist is the embodiment of the genre, perfectly capturing the vibe and complementing the mood of the show. The tracks exude a vibrant, playful, and beautiful energy that fits the drama perfectly.
Rewatch Value - 8.5, The story as a whole is nice and recommendable for people looking for a light and fun drama. Personally, I'm just not into idol dramas anymore and probably won't rewatch it. I'm giving it this rating because the plot is nice and it really is an enjoyable show to watch.
Overall - 9.0, It was truly an entertaining show to watch, and I think this score is the best rating I could give it, given my issues with it and considering my entire experience watching the show.
IF you find my review helpful please let me know.
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