MyLovelyPanda
Great plot, average execution
What I like.This drama has a great and convincing plot. I was not expecting the plotwist and it was a great surprise. Initially, I thought it was a cliche story about enemies turned lover however there is more to this story than that. It would be a great opportunity if the plot also evolved more around this but the drama focuses more on the romance so it kind-a fell flat.
What I don't like.
The acting and storyline does not live up to expectation. There are so many ways they can approach this movie but they choose to drag the romancy stuff. The banter couple plot was overused and it seemed redundant. If you need a good laugh on how cringy a drama can get, you can start with this one.
Verdict,
Its good entertainment if you have 90 minutes to spare.
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I actually liked the plot and general idea of the movie. However, the execution was quite subpar. The flow of the story are quite choppy and I felt like there is much more that can be added to further enhance the story.
The romance part are also quite jumpy but I wouldn't complain about the great kiss scene(s). Again, I felt that more can be fleshed out to show the relationship development between the characters.
In a nutshell, this movie makes me wanting more and I was quite disappointed when it ended. I kind of wished it is a part of a trilogy or some sort so I can see more. So that is a positive thing I guess.
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This review may contain spoilers
The X-factor for this drama is definitely the unique pairing of a masculine female lead and a feminine male lead. Both of them are not overreacting in portraying both characters and the progress of their relationship is so beautiful to watch. Story.
The pace of the story worked well with the story telling and in showing how the main leads bonded. Instead of a whirlwind romance, they started out as friends (even though they are married) solving crimes together which evolve into partnership and finally evolve into love. This steady pace in story telling makes it very much believe-able on the extent of the sacrifices they are willing to make for each other towards the end of the drama.
Another thing that this drama did well is the development arc of the characters. Not only main roles, but the supporting roles such as the Qiu sisters were also developed to some extent.
Acting/Cast.
The team did well by casting Ma Sichun and Shang Yi Lun for this drama. At first, I am not sure about the casting but after episode 4, their chemistry went off the roof. They really carried the drama on their backs.
Ma Sichun plays a general that does not only need to uphold the name of her household but also the country as her army guards the border. Any other actress would probably play the role as a tomboy but she managed to balance between the roughness needed for a general and the internal femininity of a woman. Her range is amazing in this drama and it shows.
Opposite her is Shang Yi Lun who plays a good-for-nothing nobleman famed for his beauty. I watched him in Pretty Li Huizen and are not impressed but he totally nailed this drama. He too managed to balance the act between a good- for -nothing pretty boy and a guy who is trying his best to protect the people he loves. My favorite scene of this drama is where he himself petitioned for his wife to be sent to war because he understands the responsibility she holds. That is the peak character development of any drama I've seen.
I repeated this drama more than three times because I can't get over it. It is definitely a different flavour of love story compared to common themes in c-drama. It is a story about accepting the person we love as they are and improving ourselves to protect them.
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The plot moves at an appropriate pace and the first 3-4 episodes really put a strong foundation for the rest of the drama. Since the premise is the characters being trapped in a video game, the use of lives and cheat codes were also inserted brilliantly in the story line to move the plot. The story telling is also hilarious AF but makes sense in a way. This is the thing that I love the most about the drama, the choices made by the characters may seem stupid but it was logical considering the circumstances.
The cast were also cute and able to carry the emotions needed for the drama. I would say the choice of casting were appropriate and the FL did justice to her character as the smart, capable character but destined to be the villain in the video game. The ML also carries his weight playing an innocent amnesiac prince that loves art but without the weak characteristics often associated with those type of characters.
The re-watch value is definitely 11/10. I love everything about this drama and it was well made beyond its price tag as a mid-tier web drama. You will definitely love this drama if you like a light, cutesy and hilarious drama.
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