worldkdramafan2025

Great news. I am glad she has found a worthy project. I hope she sells the international rights to a high profile international streamer so as to maintain her profile, and control of her property. Although I detest the ownership Netflix if she wants to maximize viewership - the series would make the Top 10 Global easily.

I only know He Qiu of this drama. She is very pretty and her acting was fine in the 2 dramas I have seen her in: The Princess Royal and Love Between Lines.

I know Zhang Miao Yi has had roles in dramas I have viewed but I don't remember her at all.

Someone needs to get a bio up for this actress. She has had some fine roles and her career is obviously prospering.

A fine actor. I suspect not many main role opportunities come up for a 50 yr old actor but every role I have seen viewed him in his onscreen presence is excellent.

OMG Lol, He is many things but a great actor is not one of them. He has improved over time at least.

I was interested until I saw Lin Yi was the lead male. Although his acting has improved somewhat over time. I think this drama will be relying heavily on Lu Yu Xiao to make it.

In an age of rating inflation this is a cdrama that generally deserves the high rating it has on MDL.

The acting performances were superb all round although I think a special shoutout is owing to Zhao Lu Si who delivered an incredible performance. Leo Woo was excellent although more often then not he was mainly required to have a straight face with a glare. Actress Zeng Li has us thinking we have to go into her back catalog and start viewing some of the dramas where she was first female lead. I have to think most of the lead and supporting talent have gone on to good opportunities since the 2022 release of Love Like The Galaxy.

Cinematography, direction, writing were all worthy.

The only place where this drama falls down is the final 3 episodes. It introduced one more plot which was not needed. It was also apparent they blew their budget and cobbled together the final episode. It did have a happy ending and ended on the same theme as it started: family. But I think the fans would have much preferred the production dispense of the last 3 episode plot and given us a more fulsome ending for the lead couple.

My MDL rating would be 8.8 which is rounded to 9.0. Earned and deserved.

I am coming off a run of viewing about 20 historical romance dramas and The Princess Royal is easily the top of the pack. There is none better especially if you value an intricate romance weaved with a crafty political plot and each of these characteristics impacts the other time and again. The 8.2 rating is absurd - this show is a high 8 drama at a minimum.

My second nod goes to The Moon Brightens For You (2020) starring Xing Fei. If you have not viewed it yet do so. Excellent Wuxia drama.

The review by Lfa in the reviews section is 100% hit the mark. The acting is fine, Tian Xi Wei is of course lovely and delivers a worthy character and the show is a pleasant watch but the main genre of romance is just not delivered meaningfully or convincingly. The high school era continues on far too long, is a bit boring in stretches and the showrunners did not leave themselves enough time for the adult portion of the drama.

I rate this drama an 8 as it is a good one time watch but it is not memorable nor would I rewatch. And I would only recommend as a watch if there was nothing "better" left to view - it is not a drama that one needs to push to the top of their list in anticipation of something superior. As it is not that at all.

Thank you for all these video links. My family are big Zhao Jin Mai fans and chomping at the bit for a new series from her.

Maybe this publication mixed up dates? I found it when doing a search for status of the show and this is what popped up with a current date.

Ha Young. Ignore the riff raff biting at your heels.

My family is Irish but fled due to the religious violence. I have aunts/uncles and cousins that were wounded or dead due to that violence. Yet do I go around castigating the children or grandchildren of the perpetrators because of it? Not a fucking chance.

I read all the "reasoning" described by others here and elsewhere. Juvenile. We can learn from the past but to blame someone in the present because of actions by a family member 3 generations previously? Cancel culture is so strong in Korea it amazes me.

According to this article filming only started today on this drama:

https://min.news/en/entertainment/14e036b36d69e80ad3358d581ccfde8e.html

She stepped away from acting for a few yrs although I don't know why. I think she was or is in a relationship but she has kept a very tight lid on her life outside of acting.

I am rating well at this moment 4 episodes into the show.

As I predicted Ha Young is leaving a positive impression. There are lots of pretty actresses but I find some have a good facecard but upon viewing I find them monotone. Not long ago I remarked that Ha Young reminds me of Xu Rou Han: they are not just pretty but very feminine and graceful, and have a "presence" when onscreen.

Just as The Best Thing has propelled Xu Rou Han's career upwards to a primary lead category I think this drama is going to do the same for Ha Young. Especially with international audiences.

Right now my rating 8 episodes in is 7.0. I feel it is about a 7.3-7.4. Which is certainly watchable, just not over the top. I will rerate upon completion if I feel the show warrants a higher rating, with some commentary.

I understand your point. My contention is that through much of 2025-2026 to date we have had hyperinflation of ratings. I would agree this drama fairs well against some other recent offerings.

This month I am noticing that generally we are finally witnessing some backlash against both the overuse of some actors and actresses and against quite repetitive storylines. Almost none of the new dramas from June to date have obscene high ratings.

Somewhat similar but less use of wuxia and better acting: The Moon Brightens For You.

I think your summation is accurate. Lead couple was cute. But not special. It is a good drama but not an incredible drama.

I agree. While I feel POJ is also overrated and a victim of the fan frenzying that has frequently been occurring in 2025 & 2026 I consider it a more epic drama and rate it above this drama.