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A Beautiful Empty Shell
I have a love hate relationship with this one. This drama is like a beautiful empty shell. Zeng Qing Jie rocked this drama with its stunning visuals. The angles, color grading, lighting, color theories, visual effects, all work in synergy to create such an immersive visual feast. But that’s about it. This is too much of an idol drama that lacks depth, logic, and effort to its story and character development.Most of the drama centers around Fan Chang Yu and Xie Zheng’s fake marriage relationship in Xigu Lane. It was beautiful and sweet. It was a cliché kind of love story that high school me would have loved very much! There were mentions and hints of politics here and there but it was all talks without any real impact whatsoever. The politics mentioned during the Xigu Lane arc felt less like an introduction or teaser, but more like unimportant fillers. If this was a short drama, Xigu Lane arc would have been cute.
Once we move out of Xigu Lane, everything starts to falter. The writer needs to research on how to write political arcs, while the director needs to research how to shoot action scenes and war scenes because whT the hell was all that!
The politics feel so messy and careless. There was no real impact to the politics and even the solution felt flimsy. I don’t even want to bother laying it out but it was just so bad. Worst of all is the action scenes. While Chang Yu had two empowering action scenes, Xie Zheng’s felt like a commercial. No action, only visuals. Like an idol shooting their ending fairy shots. Also, what was episode 39! What is supposed to be an intense most climactic final battle turns out to look like a comical comedy. Why rent such a big space only for that little group of people.. no.. only a duel to take place. Everything was clean and bright! No smoke, no dirt, no blood, nothing. It’s more like a practice duel than a real battlefield.
The character writing also disappoints me. Does butchering pigs really give this tiny stick woman that much strength?! Also, Chang Yu is one country bumpkin. It’s so frustrating how she’s unable to connect the dots herself and act so impulsively at the army camp. I also can’t believe she just acts so imprudently and talk so freely in court. Xie Zheng is no good either. First of all, Zhang Ling He being cast as Xie Zheng is definitely for the visuals. I love ZLH but he does not look anything like this dark ruthless marquis. Also, Xie Zheng literally spends most of the drama being injured and sick.. Where is the commanding aura that his character is supposed to have?! He does have some impactful scenes but it’s not enough, and most of it are just stupid. One of the examples is the scene at the tent when he said commands are not a joke or something. The speech, impactful. But the context behind it is just dumb. Why would you hesitate to tell your woman who you are. Stupid logic. Also, why are all of Xie Zheng’s action scenes close ups of his face?! Agh.
I need to stop before I start spiraling. Do I enjoy it? Only Xigu Lane. Do I like it? Only the visuals. Do I recommend it? Only if you don’t care about story depth and logic.
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Missed Potential of a Perfect Crown
Perfect Crown is a cliché story about a prince and a commoner. The premise is set in Korea’s 21st century constitutional monarchy. It follows the story of rich businesswoman, Hui Ju, who has everything in the world but lacks one thing.. a noble status. She then enters into a contract marriage with Grand Prince, Yi An. Then, they fell in love.This has potential to be the cute, lightwatch, chick flick drama that can swoon! However, as the drama progresses, I don’t find any depth to Yi An’s character. Byeon Woo Seok does great in the acting but suffers from bad script. I feel like he’s just an ornament for visuals. Yi An’s love for Hui Ju also lacks backstory. I don’t get what makes him in love with her. The chemistry feels so staged. On the contrary, Jeong Woo’s chemistry with Hui Ju is way more memorable.
Hui Ju’s life has more backstory and depth though. IU delivered that to the upmost detail. I love how complex her character and backstory is. Empress Dowager, Yi Rang was one character that left a lasting impression me. Gong Seung Yeon really delivered her role. The commanding aura is hard to miss.
I’m contemplating whether to continue or drop this drama because I feel like they’re just love bombing without giving depth to the story.
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Immersive Experience in Hell
This was mental. It took me lots and lots of effort to finally complete this. Right from the start, this drama made me nauseous and extremely anxious. The set, the story, the visual effects, the mystery, the horror, the uncertainty, everything was anxiety and stress inducing. The revelation was sickening. I could not eat meat for some time. In the end, I admit this was a great drama for how it evoked so much terror. Worth giving a try but I recommend this be given a try on days when you’re mentally stable.Was this review helpful to you?
When You Get Another Chance At Life
I went in with no expectations and to my surprise, I love it! This drama makes me feel so satisfied. If you have regrets in life, this drama would feel fulfilling. The original Xia Xiaolan from both past and present are so common. The transmigrated Xiaolan is such a badass and I am loving it. But do remember that Xiaolan has a cheat sheet in life and she makes the most out of it. The drama moves at a fast pace but that’s understandable considering that they packed a long novel into a 36 episodes drama. The ending is expected due to the ban, but whatever with that. I just love how fulfilling this drama makes me feel.Was this review helpful to you?
