This review may contain spoilers
Well-Written Characters, But When's the Sequel?!
Though I watched this drama quite some time ago, I've found myself rewatching it repeatedly, seeking the stress-free escape it provides from the typical damsel-in-distress female leads. This drama stands out as top-notch, with well-written characters, including the intriguing evil princes. However, the one aspect that left me hanging was the open ending. I can't help but wonder when they'll finally drop the second season. And, okay, call me sentimental, but I secretly wish the male lead would make a triumphant return – a resurrection wouldn't hurt, right?Was this review helpful to you?
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Love Zhao Liying and Yuwen Yue acting. though he never smiles, but that is his character, we can't fault him for that.
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Let me just say that i watched until the end just because of Yuwen Yue & Xing Er! I hated how the plot got messed up with too much on the revenge and side characters!! I mean, Xing Er's power got reactivated in the last few seconds of the final episode! and Yuwen Yueeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!! T_T
I watched this because of ZhaoLiYing and she never dissapoints me. Loved her character, bad-ass and all that.
Yuwen Yue x Xing Er's chemistry since the beginning was AMAZING! Yeah, he was THE ICE BLOCK (GENIUS TOO!) but eventually melted (lol). YY's love was selfless and was always there for XE with/ without her knowing. He was always there to protect her (ahhh...i miss YY already..haha) and only wanted her to be happy. He always look calm and composed in any situation but you can still feel his pain and love whenever it comes to XE. His character reminded me a lot of Yehua from TMOPB. (I miss YeHua too~~~^^) Became a fan of Lin GengXin after watching this.
Liked YanXun in the beginning but hated him during his revenge plan and always using Ah Chu's loyalty. Shawn did a great job potraying his character (that's why i hated YanXun..hahaha).
Overall, i have no problem with their acting (that is why my rating is 9/10..hahaha), even the side characters did a great job. Just HATED HOW THE STORY WENT!
So now to get my happy ending, I'm gonna go and read the novel because Season 2 might not happen!
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great, but you should steer clear of the final episode to avoid frustration
I have mixed feelings about this drama.The drama in question was absolutely captivating, and I was glued to my screen for hours on end watching it. Every aspect of the story was a masterpiece and had me on the edge of my seat. However, the last episode left me feeling disappointed and frustrated. If only they had removed the final episode, I would have given it a 10-star rating without hesitation. The hero died, but not before saving the woman he loved. Meanwhile, the other guy who also loved her tried to kill them both, but ultimately watched as the hero saved her. Unfortunately, there was no explanation or revelation regarding the woman's superpowers, leaving a lot of loose ends to be tied up. As a result, the final episode was a complete letdown that ruined an otherwise extraordinary drama.
The storyline of the drama was captivating and complex. It revolved around a love triangle, where the female protagonist found herself torn between two male leads. The first male lead was a fun-loving playboy, who eventually fell deeply in love with the main female lead, who was a maid. Their playful flirting and bickering were fun watching. However, things took a turn when the second part of the drama began, and the same actor portrayed a man who was seeking revenge.
In this part, I saw a man struggling with his love and losing her as he became more and more obsessed with revenge. He had witnessed all of his family members die, and this had pushed him to the brink of madness. His madness, in turn, increased his jealousy, doubts, and mistrust towards the only person who truly loved him—the main female lead.
The female protagonist's character is also complex. Her feelings for the other male were complex. He was her Kung Fu shoufu but his cold attitude didn't open any door for love. Eventually, after some secrets were revealed, she realized that she had developed feelings for him but was not sure if it was love until the very last minute when he died. She was conflicted with her feelings and found herself torn between the two men. It was the first drama I truly watched where the female protagonist loved two male leads, making the storyline unique and riveting.
I strongly disliked the epilogue as it left me with a lot of unanswered questions. It was disappointing to see a love story from the female lead only on the last episode. Additionally, the show lacked balance as it only focused on villains and drama without any friendship or romantic moments. What's more, the female lead's superpower was never utilized to save the hero, which was frustrating. Season 2 and the last episode were major letdowns.
However, I did enjoy the performances of the actors, both males and female. The first episode had me hooked from the start, and the first season as a whole was quite good. I particularly enjoyed the female lead's heroic kung fu moment, and both male leads were equally compelling.
It's worth noting the exceptional performance of the pawnshop uncle and his adorable pets. He added a much-needed dose of humor to the drama
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The drama in question was truly captivating, with an intricate plot that kept us all on the edge of our seats. However, it was unfortunate that the ending left a bitter taste in our mouths. It seemed to be a rushed and unfair conclusion to a story that had so much potential for further development.
The main male lead, who had been a central figure throughout the series, met his demise in a way that was confusing and unsatisfying. He drowned in icy water, apparently the only thing that could kill him. This left us scratching our heads, as the character was a highly skilled martial artist who had survived numerous battles and close calls.
To make matters worse, the other main male lead witnessed the drowning, and yet the female lead appeared unscathed and out of danger. This only added to the confusion and frustration of the viewers. All in all, the ending felt like a letdown and left us with more questions than answers.
Nevertheless, the lack of a happy ending left me feeling sad and disappointed. Despite this, this drama will stay with me for a while.
****
I came across the real story online after the disappointing ending. A blogger mentioned that we could find the complete translation of the book online, but I decided to read her blogs instead which gave me a satisfying conclusion to this drama. The story continues right before the epilogue, where the protagonist meets Yan, and they talk face-to-face on horses. It's then that she finally understands that he had used her love for him to fulfill his own ambitions to rule and conquer.
Happy ending!!
In the drama's final scene, the protagonist appears to die in a frozen lake, but he is rescued. His love interest, who believed him to be dead, leaves him behind. Two years later, they reunite, but she becomes emotionally shattered from leading her men to their deaths and realizing that her dream was merely an illusion. To make matters worse, the man she had followed for so many years, Yuan, betrayed her. When she finally realizes that her true love is Wen Yue and that he is still alive, she cannot open her heart to him due to her emotional turmoil. She let him go.
After another year, they met once more, and she finally realized that her heart healed. However, their love is still threatened by political wars, and they are separated once again. Finally, after many political conflicts and battles, they are able to find their happy ending.
***
Thank you to SueLee in the discussion section. The translation after the ice lake was cute and helped the closure of this drama.
Blogger, Ninja Reflexion, cut some book chapters but it helped to understand what happened after the ice lake. CREDIT to https://ninja-reflection.com/
https://ninja-reflection.com/2017/10/04/princess-agents-novel-translation-just-bits-not-whole-thing/
https://ninja-reflection.com/2018/03/28/princess-agent-novel-translation-part-2/
https://ninja-reflection.com/2018/04/05/princess-agents-novel-ending-translation-last-part/
MDL doesn't allow links in reviews, so you have to copy/paste ;)
***
The entire novel is truly a revelation. Season 2 will likely require a significant budget as it includes many wars and battles with millions of deaths starting from the lake scene in the last episode of season 1 until almost the last chapter of the novel. In addition to the intense action, there are beautiful love stories (plural) and a death that made me cry in a few chapters. The main couple is a genuine love story that fans will swoon over but with many twists and turns. The story spans 20 years.
In the TV show, the characters and plot were significantly altered from the original novel. While the novel does have villains, they are not as prominent as they are portrayed in season 1. The focus in the novel is more on a few characters who are seen in season 1. Therefore, I think the screenwriter and director might reduce the number of battles and instead focus on a smaller number of villains to control the budget. When I mention numerous wars and battles, it's probably about two-thirds of season 2 that is dedicated to battle scenes. . As per the novel, she doesn't have super powers except being a great martial artist and a genius war strategist.
I am completely certain that a major revelation will never be disclosed in a potential second season of the show. I had to carefully read the text multiple times to ensure I fully comprehended it. Yan Xun, when he became the most powerful emperor and assimilated Yan and Xia empires, way after she finally married Yue, Yan Xun had an affair with a male general. Many twists and turns. This is only the last 10 chapters of the novel. We discovered his life once he became emperor, married, and had hundreds of women in his harem. Yet only loved ah chu and this male general Xian Mo.
“Xuan Mo and he are good friends, and only so. Once the relationship changes from brotherly love to romantic love, it ceases to exist.”
So I am pretty sure season 2 will be different from novels except for a few major moments. It is a good thing because in the novel new secondary characters showed up and I could hardly remember who was who. Sadly the author did not give a lexicon
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I watch this because seeing the scene where Xing Er (XE) join the contest for Yu Wen Yue (YWY) bedchamber maid. Feel Intrigue i search for the title & find out turn out it main lead is Zanilia Zhao. Makes me really really want to watch this.Jeana's writing really really spot on. I can't write more beautiful than her. Yes I also like every one who watch this drama really frustrated with the cliffhanger ending in this drama. Hear from marcus sim @youtube there is no news also about the continue of this drama due to law suit. :(
The story actually really interesting. How a really low level slave can really grow forward. Stand to watch till the end actually just because wondering who XE will gonna choose in the end Yan Xun (YX) or YWY. :(
Like jeana's writing i also don't know who to cheer YX or YWY for to be together with XE. My feeling is more toward YWY than YX but that's just because YWY is more handsome than YX & I think the new character & emotion of YX is too strong for XE.
Shawn Dou really play YX perfectly. We really can feel the changing in his character from easy going to really hurtful person.
Like Jeana's writng i also really hate Yuan Chun. She is so selfish and childish. Li Qin really play her beautifully.
Really hate the king also. What the hell with that crazy decision and allegation...
Re-watch: Maybe someday before i watch the season 2. Just to make me remember what, how & who ;). But whole season.... I don't think so
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I would have given it a perfect 10 if...
This drama could have been rated in the same league as Ten Mile Peach Blossom or Nirvana in Fire and I would have given it a perfect 10 if...The drama would keep you chasing episode after episode. Story was intriguing. And the entire cast is first class - the main actors Kenny Lin, Zhao Liying, Li Qin and Shawn Duo were outstanding and though Allen Deng only appeared for a brief moment, his cheeky and comical acting brightened up the sombre drama. The chemistry between Liying and Kenny were amazing. Kenny acted this cold personality YuWen Yue who was softened by Xing'er acted by Liying. When the two were together, you could feel YuWen Yue's cold personality struggling to hide his growing affection for his slave girl, and left you wishing something would happen between the two of them.
There were times when I wanted to give Xing'er and Chun'er a slap in the face. Xing'er is an extremely stubborn character driven by her sense of righteousness. She might be a person of principle but her insistence in a crucial situation had indeed jeopardised Yun Xun's chance of a probable victory. Chun'er was this spoilt princess who wanted to get her way all the time and when things went wrong because of her willfulness, she blamed others for it.
Although this is fiction, the story is as complicated as the world's politics and indeed of China's politics. The emperor's narcissism and selfishness remind me of Donald Trump lol. The theme of a selfish emperor who is wary of his sons and ministers and purges them when suspicious of their motives is very common among contemporary Chinese dramas. I could see a shadow of Mao and the purges of his comrades before and during the cultural revolution. I hope I am not getting anyone in trouble here (the drama was already in a lot of trouble with copyrights.) What goes into fiction often is the influence of real life situations. This makes the story more believable and realistic.
With my eye for details and perfection, I cannot help but noticed that some Chinese actresses in period dramas dyed their hair but left the ends to grow, and Liying did that in this drama. This may be alright in modern settings but appears rather odd in period dramas when such fancy colour hair dye may not exist.
A rating of 8.3 on mydramalist.com is rather low for this drama. I think it was affected by two factors. It had a bad ending which deliberately left a door open for a sequel. Bad endings always leave a bad taste and a feeling of being letdown among the audience. Nirvana in Fire was an exception - unless you have that kind of emotional scenes displayed by Hu Ge and Liu Tao, and the intense story to match, it sets the rating back.
The second is some episodes were heavily and clumsily trimmed on some of the Asian drama websites, leaving the story rather disjointed and some important events poorly explained. Managing the duration seem to be a problem with Chinese dramas - this needs to start with the script. This series could have been split in two with a convenient ending at Yun Xun's escape to Yanbei. However, there is a recent addition to YouTube on the full untrimmed version - for this one, there is trade-offs, all the draggy bits are in it. Guess there is no win.
Look at what the Ten Mile Peach Blossom has done - it staged a comeback before the ending. That won it the applause - yes, you cry and then you brighten up and give it an excellent rating. This drama tried that too, but the effect was not strong enough to give a clear indication of that.
Heard that they are preparing a season 2. Hope they know how to end it properly.
So, if the ending has been better managed and the episodes were properly trimmed, it would be a perfect 10.
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Fail my expectations
I has watched this drama in the year 2022 and it was aired in 2017 . So may be one of the reason I didn't like the story . Because I expect more with the story as I already watched such theme based drama before.Secondly, I wanted to see the more chemistry between the male and female leads.
Thirdly, I watched this drama because of the first male lead but it had given not so important scenes ,it had done great in his part but his character though shown important but I didn't see anywhere . His character had always shown weak under someone control and always been helpless which I didn't really like it.
Fourthly, the way the story end the drama ,it looked like that there will be 2nd season but now it has been 5 years since and there is no clues of 2nd season and I don't think there will be second season . So it is an incomplete story.
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pretty bad show but i liked it
this is one of those things, because technically i can agree it is 'bad' but i still liked it a lot. this would've been higher if not for that awful ending with no season 2 but thats not the point. perhaps because this show feels nostalgic and holds a special place in my heart but i cant bring myself to hate it. the plot really got diverted and i was so annoyed that we were focusing on this yan xun storyline and rebellion bla bla instead of exploring chu qiao's past. everything changed so much and left me feeling weird and disappointed. also it just dragged on forever instead of getting to the point and i found myself skipping whole episodes at times... 😬 i didnt particularly like any of the characters consistently either apart from chu qiao and eventually that womaniser pervert guy. mr ice block was annoying and cannot communicate for his life (although i liked him more toward the end), yan xun just didnt care what she wanted in the end and went overboard for meaningless revenge, chun'er was naive, selfish, obsessive, delusional, misled and every other adjective you can think of. i can feel sorry for her for what she went through but i will never like her. anyway, i will probably rewatch just for the nostalgia and the story in the beginning because it actually started off quite well but if you're looking for a profoundly plot driven, engaging show with great visuals then i suggest you look elsewhere.Was this review helpful to you?
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Plotholes all over the place
I like Zhao LiYing. Her fight scenes are well done too. Lin Gengxin is also handsome but gosh, the story is all over the place??? Basically, male leads fall in love to Chu Qiao from head to toe just because she is fierce? Too unconvincing considering the society she is in. She gets out of trouble because ml saves the day. Her sister is also pathetic wtf. Suddenly she falls in love with the guy that allegedly kill their dad? And the ending wtf. Why would shawn dou's character suddenly wanted to kill Chu Qiao? His reason is too weak. Li Qin is thw only logically written character, fr sheltered to derranged princess.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
"Princess Agents" is a drama about Xing'er's journey, her quest to find herself.Yuwen Yue and Yan Xun have been friends since childhood, even though they are from opposing countries. Their friendship is tested when they meet Xing'er, a slave with great abilities, with whom they both fall in love. She begins working in Yuwen Yue's house as a maid, and he teaches her martial arts. When Yan Xun's family is murdered, Xing'er allies with him, seeking revenge, and becomes Yuwen Yue's enemy.
There is no real romance in the drama, as Xing'er ends up caught between the two men, like a chess piece. This was the story's biggest mistake, because Xing'er only realizes Yuwen Yue's true feelings at the end, that he was protecting her all along, that he was the person she should have followed.
She thought Yan Xun would give her the home she so desperately wanted, a family, but he changed completely when he gained a bit of power. It went to his head, and he became worse than the people who massacred his family, especially with what he did to Yuan Chun. The poor girl had only known love for Yan Xun since she was little, and he completely broke her, her heart and her body. That scene where Xing'er finds Yuan Chun after she was raped was painful to watch.
They focused too much on the wrong relationship, when the focus should have been on Yuwen Yue and Xing'er. Furthermore, since the drama spends so much time on Yan Xun's revenge, they completely neglected Xing'er's past, her true identity... They dropped some information at the end, which was left open-ended. What happened to this drama is a shame. They took a story with great potential but failed to develop it properly.
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