Clever story with great humor, Romance of Banana and Orange is the total package
Such a solid drama. It is such a refreshing plot, especially with the way it's handled. The humor really shines.Zhao Lusi is so cute as the amateur writer who is now stuck in her own cliche script as a throwaway side character.
Her chemistry with the ML is a treat and even the villain is actually sympathetic.
The two servants for the leads are a hilarious pair, especially Bai Ji. His comedic timing and expressions are so funny to watch.
I love how it's not a serious drama. Because it's so light and fluffy, i actually started rewatching it again a few days ago when I couldn't find anything enjoyable to watch.
Can't wait for season 2!
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Thought I’d like it but it left me feeling sad and wanting it to end
Maybe I came at this drama with the wrong expectations. I think it should have been called the trials and tribulations of Tiger and Rose. Every episode things went wrong, people became meaner, Qian qian couldn't make up her mind on how she felt and then she was all of 5he sudden entranced with the male lead. Everybody made choices for the wrong stupid reasons. The ending was so fast and silly. I finished the series feeling angry, disappointed and sad.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The Romance of Tiger and RoseIt’s actually really cool to go back and watch this drama because it was first made in 2020, so quite a long time ago. Ding Yuxi and Zhao Lusi looked so young back then and you can really see how they have progressed as actors/actresses and just their overall development.
Overall, my thoughts are conflicted. The last like 5 episodes were great and I binged them all in 1 day, like I couldn’t stop. But, the first like 15 episodes were dragging on for me. I mean, there were definitely some good and cute and funny parts, but overall, there was nothing really interesting in those parts for me so I struggled to get into it a little bit. I think I realized that for historical dramas, I need some action. I really like fantasy genres, wuxia, xianxia, but I need more action than what this drama gave. To be fair, there were some fighting scenes and everything but I wanted more. It was ok - final opinion.
First impressions of this drama are very conflicted. What the heck was I watching was a question that came through my mind? How the heck did she get transported into her own script? I did not expect it to be like this. It was a lot more dramatic and comedic than I thought. I don't know how I feel about it yet, but I've only finished episode 1 at the time that I'm typing this so, hopefully the story gets deeper and more emotional as we get to see the characters’ true feelings. I’m not gonna lie, after episode 2, I’m still like super bored. I hope that this drama picks up and more exciting things start to happen. It’s still just comedic for the most part and sometimes, even a little bit cringey or like I get second-hand embarrasment.
I did love when Qianqian showed her strength though. The lengths that she will go to in order to protect her family. She got whipped 27 times in order to help her sister work hard and rehabilitate her legs. She would not give up until she either drew or won, she will not accept defeat. Also, that scene just showed how Han Shuo understands the real Qianqian. He knew her wish wasn’t to give up because she’s hurting, but it was to fight all the way.
Really? It took Qianqian 13 episodes to realize what a good man Han Shuo was and that she probably likes him back. After all, she did write the character, so shouldn’t she realize this sooner? Does the sister truly want him or is this a power play to make Qianqian realize how lucky she is to have him? Because it’s so clear that Han Shuo likes Qianqian and not the second princess. I mean, he confessed already. I loved the scene where Han Shuo fought the drug and didn’t violate Qianqian’s privacy. Instead, he hurt himself to keep himself grounded through pain and didn’t do anything that Qianqian felt uncomfortable with.
It’s already episode 15 and I still don’t like QianQian’s character. She keeps on thinking about herself only and her situation, not taking Han Shuo’s feelings or emotions into account. He withstood so much pain for her from that iron hot bracelet, but she turned him down and didn’t even let him explain what he felt. She’s so dismissive and almost egotistical so far and I really feel bad for Han Shuo because she doesn’t deserve his kindness and good grace. I lied, she realized her mistake like 20 minutes after I wrote this out. The fireworks were so cute and I loved how Han Shuo realized the importance of her mother to her and killing the mother would not help Qianqian and his relationship. Finally, everyone had started to accept them as a real couple.
Bro when they started actually dating, tell me why I got so much secondhand embarrassment from their clingy-ness. I felt like I was watching some kindergartners.
Han Shuo is willing to give Qianqian his life, his own safety, and everything he has to make her feel better about her position within her own city, while leaving himself vulenrable. Meanwhile, Qianqian is planning to get rid of Han Shuo in this story to “keep him safe.” She’s making plans without telling him which is exactly what she said she wouldn’t do. Although idk if she really has a choice, cus she can’t explain to him how she’s the scriptwriter and not the actual person. Like, it’s such a unique situation to explain. Ultimately, though, Han Shuo is the more understanding and reliable one in this relationship definitely.
Bro episode 18 broke me. Why the heck was Qianqian so mean? She broke their ink pad and got rid of any meaning that their relationship had. When she broke the ink pad and their moments were passing by and recollected, I felt so bad for Han Shuo. He even tore off the bracelet despite the pain. “I thought you were a rose with thorns and wanted to put you on. Now looks like you’re jsut a thorn.”🌹🥀 awww…he’s so disappointed. His face of betrayal. I know she had good intentions too, trying to save him, but it’s always better to talk things through instead of making plans alone. She caused way too much pain necessary for what she was trying to accomplish. Why is everything crashing and burning this episode? Su Mu having to leave his love too, her being able to stand up and walk to try to stop him, but ultimately, he left.
Even after Han Shuo besieged the city and said he wanted to take his revenge on Qianqian, I can still see the love he has. He is still caring and compassionate for her at the end of the day. Even if he didn’t say it, you can tell that he is still very reserved and not bringing any harm to her.
What the heck is happening? How is Qianqian dead at episode 21? What is going to happen for the rest of the drama? Although this was the first time that I truly saw Qianqian’s devotion for Han Shuo the way he was toward her. She gave herself up for her and ended up killing herself in his place. The screams when she killed herself were devastating though. Bro, she can’t actually be dead. I’m predicting she’s either going to be reborn in her past life and get with Han Shuo’s actor that way or she had some trick and staged her own death. I KNEW IT. 5 MINUTES LATER AND SHE IS ALIVE AGAIN. This drama is actually so comedic bro.
WHAT. NO. EPISODE 26. ALL OF THAT FOR HAN SHUO TO DIE IN THE SAME WAY AS THE ORIGINAL STORY WHILE CHUCHU GETS TO LIVE!? Oh nevermind, bro this drama is giving me a headache. It made it seem like he was dead bro. Ig now he’s alive but actively dying. I’m so confused how this drama is going to end. Still, at the end though it’s Han Shuo that gives up what he has for her. He struggles and makes it so that everyone knows that Qianqian is the one that is supposed to rule. That way, she can return to her old life even if it means giving her up in this one. He’s the selfless one in this drama time after time again. I really hope they show them 2 meeting in the modern life though and getting married happily ever after. Aw, the ending was cute. I wouldnt have guessed that Han Shuo came back too and its the same dude. I wanted to see more of them in the end though, like 1 more episode of the modern world.
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hmm
I just recently started this, So far I am enjoying this series, mostly because of the side characters, I find my self either smiling or laughing, not really a fan of the leads but their interactions are enjoyable to watch. I’ll probably update this review once I get deeper into the whole series, but again so far it is enjoyable to watch because of the antics, and the side characters are so interestingly funny (in a good way)so far it’s lights so I’m not sure if there will be any serious scenes along the upcoming episodes, if you want something light, & not too heavily dramatic, I think this is a good watch, evidently I haven’t dropped it so I really find it fun and amusing.
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Great, original storyline
There were a number of things I enjoyed about this drama, mainly the storyline. I mean it's definitely original, and doesn't adhere to any (that I can think of currently) drama tropes. None of it is cringey and the leads never do idiotic things, or if they do something, it can be understood why they did it. Both the female and male are strong leads, which is really great, because I'm tired of the female always being dumb in Chinese dramas. I also love how the characters don't do exactly what is expected, which adds a surprise element for both us and Chen Qianqian herself in the drama.Another thing I loved were the actors/actresses! Main leads have so much chemistry (ofc I'm biased to Ding Yuxi), watching their interactions was so enjoyable! The villain part was played superbly, as well as the supporting cast. They really made me feel and understand what the characters were feeling.
The ending did leave a bit to be desired, but was overall a happy one.
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This review may contain spoilers
RomCom With No Real Drama!
20/01/2023
If you are after something light and not too heavy then this romcom is for you!
We more or less have a cute couple brought together through a written script...oooops...through fate - trying to kill one another off only to fall in love after a few misunderstandings and compromises in a city where women are the reigning rulers.
I actually kept coming back to watch this over a week or so rather than binge watch it as for me it was good to pass the time, but wasn't really my kind of drama.
And it wasn't because the female was a screaming hyena, damsel in distress, baby voiced Miss Cuteness or serial killing Psychopath, but rather because there was nothing about the series that made it outstanding for me. In fact, some of it was plain stupid like the martial arts challenge which I found embarrassing as it degraded such a fine sport.
What I did like was the initial banter between the two main characters in the parallel world and the continuous interactions between the two throughout each episode as well as both of their man servants as the man servants were quite funny!
It's an okay enough series to pass the time as it is light with no heavy angst or melodramatic scenarios, but isn't one that would be in my top 200.
Highly recommended for those that don't want to go through an entire box of tissues or over exert themselves thinking too much.
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Entertaining Hilarious with Few Flaws
Chen Xiaoqian is a screenwriter stumbling a block when the future lead actor for her story, Mr Han criticizes her work saying it unrealistic and forced her to rewrite it. She pushed through the night and made changes to her story while having a cold, and fell asleep after her wrote the final touch. Opening her eyes next, she could not believe that she had woken up in her own story as a supporting character, the unruly and reckless Third Princess Chen Qianqian who would die on episode 3 of the script she wrote after being poisoned by the groom she stole, Crown Prince of neighbouring city Xuanhu, Han Shou. When she managed to avoid being killed cuz she basically know everything about the plot, she realized the key to her escaping the story is to stay alive til the end of the plot, falling in love with Han Shou in the process.Looks like typical transmigration plot, and it is quite cliche, but i must say the show managed to keep my attention with the amazing performance of its actors. I usually hate whiny characters like Chen Qianqian, but somehow the way Zhao Lusi executed her role isnt cringy at all. And i think this is the second co star of Ding Yuxi that I saw didnt make me cringe and hate them. The first being Victoria Song from Fight for Love.
The plot is okay although rather typical, only the last 2 episodes made me roll my eyes when the heroine-turned-villain usurped the minister of war position and somehow able to rule the city. Like whaaat? 🙄
I liked the plot twists, loved how much chemistry the mainleads had, and loved how smooth the story was. Action was so-so since this is a romance-centric show after all. The songs were catchy, though i wont be adding them to my playlist. Overal, it’s an okay show and i didnt regret the time spent.
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One of my all time favourites
This was one of the first chinese historical dramas I watched and it totally got me hooked, now its my favourite genre. This series made me absolutely fall in love with Zhao Lusi and she is now my number 1 favourite actor, or atleast one of them, if we count other actors shes sharing the stool with my childhood favoutire, Johnny Depp. Trying to talk about the plot without spoiling is hard as for any drama so all I will say is that I loved the ending and this is in my all time favourits 10/10 list.Was this review helpful to you?
One of the funny and light historical C-dramas!
To anyone who's hesitated of watching historical C-dramas, I gotchu! You're on the right page. Romance of tiger and rose was the 1st history C-drama that I've completed watching. Love every bit and pieces of this drama. Both ML and FL acted very well. Their assistances were also funny! 🤣 The plot and characters were clear and easy to carry for beginners like us. This series tells about two people from different cities that eventually fall into each other. They have contradict ways of thinking, making this drama hilarious! My Banana Orange couple 🍌🍊Was this review helpful to you?
Light hearted romantic comedy with a unique story line
The first wuxia I watched last year and it brought back many fond memories of kungfu shows that I watched in my teens.Zhao Lu Si was cute and charming and had wonderful chemistry with her male lead. The story line was unique and entertaining. Seeing women in charge and men as subordinates made for many a good chuckle.
Do not watch this expecting an epic story with super realistic props and settings. This was a low budget drama which was well made.
This drama is perfect for those wanting a simple story that is entertaining with some romance and laughter.
Rewatched in April 2025 and it is even better than I remembered!!
No other drama has given me this beautiful combination of romance and comedy. Episode 16 when the couple take forever to say goodnight to each other much to the chagrin of their assistants is something I have not seen to this day and no other drama has made me feel so warm, fuzzy and funny at the same time like this scene does.
So while this drama’s wigs, make up and costumes are a bit lacking, it is easily overlooked when it delivers so much more in return with the couple’s chemistry and unique story.
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This review may contain spoilers
I loved this, this was my first like historical drama. Not sure how I came across it! But I'm really glad I did.What I found the most interesting and like really smart, is how they created the different sides, like how Chen QianQian, like woke up like and all the workers were men. And then the Male Lead, Han Shou who like was born in a culture where all the workers were women! I just thought that was soo smart, and I love the storyline of it as well.
I'd like to admit. At first glance, I didn't think Ding Yuxi, who played Han Shou was that good looking, but I think the more you watch him and his acting, he does end up being like really good looking.
I love the character Chen QianQian, and how like everyone just thought she changed soo much since it was literally her writing her own character, and how like at the end she changed and grew into what she was writing. I actually loved this show because of all the historical outfits as well! It was one of the reasons why I still love watching historical dramas, just because of the outfits!
Definitely worth a watch! It's a really cute romance-comedy show! And the storyline was really good. Wonder if they'll make a sequel to this, but if not I still really enjoyed this.
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