silent_whispers
Dramaland
First of all I can definitely say that "season 2" needs to be on hand upon finishing season 1. I don't even know why they broke them up. Maybe a test to see if season 1 did okay they could have a season 2 and not sacrifice their story by shortening it? Speculation aside: you'll want season 2 on hand. It left on such a cliffhanger I feel it's my duty to mention itfor any drama fan looking to start Oh! My Emperor up.
Now for the review.
To be quite honest I bumped my rating up from 6 to 7 for story. Why? Because there is something super key here that most dramas do not have. Amazing women characters. Not just one! Three! Fei Fei our time traveling lead. The betrothed Lady to the Emperor/lead male, Yu Ran . The tomboy General, Sheng Nan. Who all break out of their stereotypes and actually become friends! Especially Yu Ran and Fei Fei. Because in a normal drama they'd be rivals looking to off each other. Well at least Yu Ran's character would be ready to off Fei Fei. Not here! Even when a common trope is brought in to ruin Fei Fei and Yu Ran's friendship it couldn't touch it. Because once Yu Ran calmed down she realized that Fei Fei is such a good friend she'd never betray her. That said I wanted to give this drama an 8 for story due to the amazing women and their friendships. Not to mention many stereotypes Oh! My Emperor breaks! Sadly it took a while for this drama to find it's footing.
Especially where Fei Fei was concerned. The first episodes were so focused on showing every character, their name, and Constellation title that it missed the mark completely on introducing characters. It was telling us without really imparting true information to the world. Fei Fei was used for the butt of every joke for a while. As the drama tried to find it's footing. Because without well established characters jokes and humor can't truly be established. So no other character could be made fun of or fool. Fei Fei took the brunt of it. So for 9 episodes she was—for the majority of it—the fool. They made her unlikable as a stupid/clumsy lead. Never establishing when she realized she had time traveled or her reaction to it. I mean suddenly viewers are like "Oh, so she has realized it's not a movie she has time traveled". At this time most of the other cast were developed. Then all of a sudden at episode 10 WHAM! THE BEST HUMOROUS NATURAL COMEDIC THINGS BEGAN TO HAPPEN. No really it was brilliant. Because despite it all Oh! My Emperor had broken molds and finally started to develop it's characters. IT WAS GLORIOUS. GLORIOUS. Soon this drama was rich with beautiful comedic timing and character chemistry.
Despite all that Oh! My Emperor missed it's mark on developing the world. If you're not familiar with Chinese lore and the constellations you're gonna be very confused. Do a quick google/wiki search to help feel in some blanks. Even then it's not enough. There's back history that is never mentioned or even hinted at until the final episodes. The goal of any story whether magical or modern, time travel, historical or present day/future day is to establish it's world. Pretend every viewer who is gonna watch it will not understand the time, world, lore, and it's people until it is explained. So on. Due to this and many places where I had to actually speed things up. (I normally don't speed up or skip!) Such as boring fights that lost there edge or gimmick due to the length of them. Many scenes that shouldn't have been cut, but others that should have been cut and weren't. Still Oh! My Emperor did have a decent flow and a fun world.
Overall I truly loved the cast and the actors are all brilliant. Right down to the cheesy crazed mobs! No really all of the leads and constellation holders were great. Once they were allowed to interact with each other and build rapport it was amazing. Especially episode 10!!!!! Oh, and 19! Of course other scenes throughout the series, but those to are my all time faves!
The music got super annoying. There was some fun light songs to fit this fun light drama. However, there were some super generic background music that I swear were pulled from other bad C-dramas I've tried to watch in the past. Which is fine not every drama can afford a decent music budget. It's just it was looped so poorly and so long sometimes I wanted to bang my head against my computer desk!!
Rewatch? You betcha! I'll probably be even more liberal with my fast forward and just focus on the good stuff, but this drama is definitely worth more than one viewing.
Overall this is a super light and fluffy drama! Charming! Time Travel Romantic Comedies are a favorite of mine. Especially since China basically owns this genre! The best part is that enough tropes aren't leaned into. Like what have could annoyingly turned into a love square was only a triangle. The female lead being allowed to have male friends and that's all they are. While looking out for each other. Not to mention women friends! Female characters that in a lesser drama would be enemies were buddies. I actually would even dare say a budding WOMANCE that must be explored in the next season. Most might not like the slow build up for the romance, but I like a well developed romance that builds up to the emotions. Not to mention a very engaging side romance, and I hope another side romance on the way! It must be said that the final episode troped it up so bad that I'm very annoyed. I feel like Fei Fei should not forgive and maybe get some righteous revenge. Because her actions should have spoken the loudest. I truly believe this series is definitely worth a look into. Especially if you're a fan of the genre! Or if you just need a break from *drama* and need some lighthearted laughs. Happy emotions on the way!
Now for the review.
To be quite honest I bumped my rating up from 6 to 7 for story. Why? Because there is something super key here that most dramas do not have. Amazing women characters. Not just one! Three! Fei Fei our time traveling lead. The betrothed Lady to the Emperor/lead male, Yu Ran . The tomboy General, Sheng Nan. Who all break out of their stereotypes and actually become friends! Especially Yu Ran and Fei Fei. Because in a normal drama they'd be rivals looking to off each other. Well at least Yu Ran's character would be ready to off Fei Fei. Not here! Even when a common trope is brought in to ruin Fei Fei and Yu Ran's friendship it couldn't touch it. Because once Yu Ran calmed down she realized that Fei Fei is such a good friend she'd never betray her. That said I wanted to give this drama an 8 for story due to the amazing women and their friendships. Not to mention many stereotypes Oh! My Emperor breaks! Sadly it took a while for this drama to find it's footing.
Especially where Fei Fei was concerned. The first episodes were so focused on showing every character, their name, and Constellation title that it missed the mark completely on introducing characters. It was telling us without really imparting true information to the world. Fei Fei was used for the butt of every joke for a while. As the drama tried to find it's footing. Because without well established characters jokes and humor can't truly be established. So no other character could be made fun of or fool. Fei Fei took the brunt of it. So for 9 episodes she was—for the majority of it—the fool. They made her unlikable as a stupid/clumsy lead. Never establishing when she realized she had time traveled or her reaction to it. I mean suddenly viewers are like "Oh, so she has realized it's not a movie she has time traveled". At this time most of the other cast were developed. Then all of a sudden at episode 10 WHAM! THE BEST HUMOROUS NATURAL COMEDIC THINGS BEGAN TO HAPPEN. No really it was brilliant. Because despite it all Oh! My Emperor had broken molds and finally started to develop it's characters. IT WAS GLORIOUS. GLORIOUS. Soon this drama was rich with beautiful comedic timing and character chemistry.
Despite all that Oh! My Emperor missed it's mark on developing the world. If you're not familiar with Chinese lore and the constellations you're gonna be very confused. Do a quick google/wiki search to help feel in some blanks. Even then it's not enough. There's back history that is never mentioned or even hinted at until the final episodes. The goal of any story whether magical or modern, time travel, historical or present day/future day is to establish it's world. Pretend every viewer who is gonna watch it will not understand the time, world, lore, and it's people until it is explained. So on. Due to this and many places where I had to actually speed things up. (I normally don't speed up or skip!) Such as boring fights that lost there edge or gimmick due to the length of them. Many scenes that shouldn't have been cut, but others that should have been cut and weren't. Still Oh! My Emperor did have a decent flow and a fun world.
Overall I truly loved the cast and the actors are all brilliant. Right down to the cheesy crazed mobs! No really all of the leads and constellation holders were great. Once they were allowed to interact with each other and build rapport it was amazing. Especially episode 10!!!!! Oh, and 19! Of course other scenes throughout the series, but those to are my all time faves!
The music got super annoying. There was some fun light songs to fit this fun light drama. However, there were some super generic background music that I swear were pulled from other bad C-dramas I've tried to watch in the past. Which is fine not every drama can afford a decent music budget. It's just it was looped so poorly and so long sometimes I wanted to bang my head against my computer desk!!
Rewatch? You betcha! I'll probably be even more liberal with my fast forward and just focus on the good stuff, but this drama is definitely worth more than one viewing.
Overall this is a super light and fluffy drama! Charming! Time Travel Romantic Comedies are a favorite of mine. Especially since China basically owns this genre! The best part is that enough tropes aren't leaned into. Like what have could annoyingly turned into a love square was only a triangle. The female lead being allowed to have male friends and that's all they are. While looking out for each other. Not to mention women friends! Female characters that in a lesser drama would be enemies were buddies. I actually would even dare say a budding WOMANCE that must be explored in the next season. Most might not like the slow build up for the romance, but I like a well developed romance that builds up to the emotions. Not to mention a very engaging side romance, and I hope another side romance on the way! It must be said that the final episode troped it up so bad that I'm very annoyed. I feel like Fei Fei should not forgive and maybe get some righteous revenge. Because her actions should have spoken the loudest. I truly believe this series is definitely worth a look into. Especially if you're a fan of the genre! Or if you just need a break from *drama* and need some lighthearted laughs. Happy emotions on the way!
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