Lighter & Princess

the chemistry between the main actors are top-notch!

i've watched countless of chinese modern drama and when i tell you, most of them do not have a very natural chemistry between the main leads and their romance scenes seemed forced and unnatural. but with L&P, you can obviously feel the chemistry and i loveee how natural both the actors, fengyu & jingyi, are in this drama. their romance scenes flow smoothly and natural; the hugs, the kisses etc. most importantly, i like how fengyu gives us the butterflies with his stare and how cute jingyi is in this drama.

The plot is also excellent; it depicts the progression of young college love (youthful, innocent, big dream achiever) to more mature adult love (complexity, hardships, trust, loyalty). It's refreshing honestly.

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Lighter & Princess: Love Beyond the Surface

I didn’t watch this drama looking for a happy ending. I watched it for a complex story with a difficult male lead, and it delivered beautifully.

The male lead is far from immediately lovable. He is cold, strategic, and emotionally restrained, often frustrating but always compelling. He calculates, endures, and observes, revealing depth in small, meaningful moments rather than overt displays. His emotional shifts, especially around the female lead, are subtle but impactful, making each moment of vulnerability feel earned.

The female lead begins curious and independent, and their initial interactions are playful and teasing rather than romantic. But the turning point, the presentation scene, changes everything. She sees him not just as cold or distant, but as intelligent, capable, and strategic. That shift from mere curiosity to true admiration forms the foundation of their entire relationship. The romance isn’t based on instant attraction; it grows from trust, observation, and understanding.

Character development is consistent and satisfying. He remains true to his core personality: composed, rational, and occasionally harsh, but with glimpses of tenderness. She grows stronger with each challenge, eventually matching his emotional resilience. By the end, they stand on equal footing, both mature and self-aware.

The emotional climax, particularly in episode 35, is earned. Her willingness to risk her own reputation for his future, and his assertion that he would never suffer a loss as long as she stayed by his side, encapsulates the depth of their bond. Their intimacy feels real and well-built, not rushed.

The ending is calm and satisfying rather than dramatic. Friends, a new home, marriage, and a promise of a future together create a sense of completion without unnecessary fan service. While I would have loved one more intimate moment to close the story, the finale remains emotionally grounded and fitting.

This drama left me with a quiet emptiness, the kind that comes from a story that fulfilled its purpose completely. If you enjoy complex male leads, strategic storytelling, and romance built on admiration rather than instant passion, this drama is a must-watch.

Overall Rating: 9.5/10

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Ctrl + Love

Li Xun is the kind of brilliant, arrogant coding prodigy who couldn’t care less about fitting into college norms, and that attitude quickly puts him at odds with everyone around him. Zhu Yun is a warm, well-behaved girl who believes in rules, routines, and doing things the “right” way. Their worlds collide, and despite being unsettled by Li Xun’s rebellious streak, Zhu Yun finds herself irresistibly pulled into his orbit. Just as their connection begins to deepen, a devastating turning point crashes into their lives, forcing them apart and putting their fragile romance through a brutal test.

Lighter & Princess is one of those dramas that slowly pulls you in, then refuses to let go. The opening is admittedly a bit unhurried, but the story doesn’t linger too long before reuniting Li Xun and Zhu Yun, which immediately grounds the narrative emotionally. Once their paths cross again, the drama finds its footing and begins unfolding with surprising depth.

Visually, this drama deserves serious praise. The styling does a fantastic job distinguishing timelines without being over-the-top. From college to their mid-twenties, Li Xun and Zhu Yun’s appearances subtly evolve in ways that reflect who they’ve become. It’s especially effective with Li Xun, whose sharper, more guarded look mirrors his emotional walls, while Zhu Yun’s styling reflects her quiet growth into someone more self-assured. These details add to the storytelling rather than distracting from it.

What truly elevates Lighter & Princess, though, is its characters. For an idol drama, the writing goes far deeper than expected. Li Xun isn’t a typical genius who succeeds effortlessly. His brilliance is paired with relentless effort, stubborn pride, and real consequences, including prison time, which is rare for the genre. He’s rough, domineering at times, emotionally guarded, but that sharpness often masks a deeply kind and loyal heart. Ironically, his biggest flaw might be how much he trusts. His faith in people like Gao Jian Hong, despite obvious red flags, speaks to his decency, even if it leads to painful betrayal. Gao Jian Hong himself is a frustratingly pathetic character, and while he’s infuriating to watch, he serves as a stark contrast to Li Xun’s sincerity. Watching Li Xun's journey, especially how he slowly softens, is one of the drama’s biggest strengths.

Zhu Yun is just as compelling. She’s not the fragile, passive female lead waiting to be rescued. While she has lived under her mother’s control for most of her life, she knows who she is and what she believes in. She takes charge, makes difficult decisions, and isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Unlike many female leads who shy away from using their background or privilege, Zhu Yun acknowledges what she has and uses it decisively when her team is in trouble. Her courage shows not through loud rebellion, but through consistent action. She steps out of her comfort zone for Li Xun, protects him, challenges him, and gives him a kind of care he’s never really had. Also, her relationship with her mother can be suffocating and frustrating to watch, especially given how controlling it is, but that tension makes her quiet acts of rebellion feel meaningful. In contrast, her relationship with her father is genuinely heartwarming, particularly moments where he subtly shields her, like during New Year.

Li Xun and Zhu Yun's romance is where the drama truly shines. The pacing is deliberate, and thankfully so. They don’t fall into instant sweetness. They bicker, clash, and misunderstand each other before slowly learning how the other thinks and feels. That slow burn is what makes the payoff so satisfying, allowing the audience to enjoy the humor of their bickering, the tension beneath their growing care, and eventually the heart-fluttering moments when that care becomes impossible to hide. Their affection builds quietly, through small gestures and lingering looks, until it becomes undeniable. Episodes 15 and 16 are especially memorable. Their affection is subtle but loud. Moments like Zhu Yun’s first hug and Li Xun instinctively caressing her head carry more emotional weight than any dramatic confession could. The way Zhu Yun looks at Li Xun while he rewrites code feels like silent devotion, while his softened gaze toward her says everything about trust and commitment. Even the scene where he repeatedly asks “why” when she invites him to join the competition doesn’t feel domineering so much as him wanting to understand her heart better.

Li Xun’s jealousy moments add a surprising softness to his character. Beneath the cold exterior is someone deeply insecure about love, and watching him spiral over Zhu Yun’s admirer is both funny and endearing. His way of expressing care can be rough, even domineering, but it’s clear that this is how he gives attention to those he holds close. Zhu Yun understands this, meeting him at his pace instead of trying to change him. That mutual understanding makes their connection feel natural and earned.

Despite their bickering, Li Xun treats Zhu Yun like a princess in his own understated way. Whether it’s sneaking practice questions into a game he made for her, showing up sick just to see her on New Year, or delivering the iconic “did it for love” confession, his love is quiet but intentional. Zhu Yun, on the other hand, loves through action. She steps out of her comfort zone, becomes rebellious in the healthiest way, and offers Li Xun protection, care, and constant presence, things he has rarely experienced.

Once they officially get together, their relationship feels incredibly real. Their dating era is filled with skinship, teasing, clinginess, and playful banter that doesn’t feel scripted. Li Xun’s love language leans heavily toward physical affection, while Zhu Yun expresses hers through constant care and acts of service. The scene where they discuss the company name stands out, especially with Li Xun teasing Zhu Yun’s English pronunciation, a moment that feels less like acting and more like genuine affection slipping through. The three-year time skip is handled with warmth and intention. Rather than feeling like lost time, it feels as though their emotional clock paused and resumed when they reunited.

That said, the drama isn’t without flaws. Li Xun’s sudden closeness with Ren Di feels abrupt. One moment we’re watching Ren Di perform with her band, and the next Li Xun is investing in her and speaking like an old friend. A few teaser scenes or earlier interactions would have made that bond feel more organic. Another miss is how some emotional beats don’t land as strongly as they should. Li Xun’s reaction to learning about Zhu Yun’s struggles during his time in prison feels oddly restrained. Considering how strongly he reacts to jealousy, his relatively muted response to her depression lessens what could have been a powerful emotional payoff. His injury arc also suffers from inconsistent writing, shifting from something serious to something almost nonexistent as the story progresses. From a technical standpoint, there are minor production slips as well, such as an unsmooth camera movement toward the end of episode 35, something noticeable especially if you pay attention to filming details. These moments are noticeable, but they don’t significantly impact the viewing experience.

The ending leaves a bittersweet impression. Most characters receive closure, and the final scene brings everyone together in a warm, celebratory moment that marks Li Xun and Zhu Yun’s new beginning. However, the wrap-up feels slightly rushed, and Zhu Yun’s unresolved relationship with her mother lingers. Still, the emotional journey as a whole feels complete.

In the end, Lighter & Princess is more than just a romance. It’s a story about growth, timing, resilience, and choosing someone even when it’s difficult. It has its flaws, but its sincerity, layered characters, and emotionally grounded love story make it unforgettable. When it ends, it leaves behind that quiet emptiness reserved for stories that felt a little too real.

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L&P - Loyalty and Persistence

May 2, 2023

Lighter and Princess was Cdrama that I was bit hesitant to watch at first. Although the plot seemed intriguing, I didn’t think that I would be that hooked into watching this show.

I just want to say the the plot is pretty damn solid and strong. I will start off with the cons first. The reason I gave the plot section a 9.5/10 was that, I just felt like the ending of the show kind off fell flat. Especially in the revenge arc or around the climax. Aside from this issue I had, everything else from ep 1- 33 was solid. It was good.

As for the romance, I love the FL, Zhu Yun the most. She is so loyal and persistent with Xi Lun. After all the things that she went through. Zhu Yun and Xi Lun really deserves the best. Poor souls, my heart ached and broke for them.

I didn’t realize how heavy this drama will go into. I also can't believe that it only took me like 3 days to finish this whole series.

I love it. It's just good to watch so I hope yall can give it a try too! Still a solid 10/10 Cdrama for me!!!!

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Second chance at love done right

Lighter and princess (03.06.2026)
It is such a shame I finished this drama. I find myself stupid for not watching it earlier but at the same time I felt sad as I watched episodes after episodes. I have seen so many videos, spoilers and unsure if I should give it a try. People called Male lead a red flag so I was about to give up. Watched an episode and abandoned. That was until recently that I finished it. This ruined me, should have expected that (of course in a good way but also I was really emotional). Don’t let the title fool you like crazy. Thankfully I knew the brief summary of the plot so I was prepared to be emotionally tortured. I can only imagine I would go crazy not knowing all of the stuff going to happen. I seriously feel bad for people who came here for cute moments because it tears your heart to pieces like the picture Zhu Yun tore after the break up (or even worse)

Rate of survival: very high if you have already spoiled yourself or if you are as good at hiding your emotions as Li Xun. Very low if you surprise watched or you are an emotional one

I think I should start the reviews with saying how much I appreciate the characters. They are not cardboard cutout characters. When I watch the drama I think to myself “Oh right, he/she is not that kind of person she would never do that” or “That’s so him/her”. Their personality stands out; they don’t do something for the sake of plot but it is because who they are. In my view, they all represent different kinds of people. For example: Zhu Yun – looks fragile and even softhearted but she is deep down very strong, Li Xun seems cold and distant even arrogant but he cares and loves profoundly.

When I write reviews I lose track very often but it is because I’m too excited to write out my thoughts. My thoughts are quicker than my hands. Drama reviews usually help me move on from after-drama sadness. This one is harder to move on from, I think. It just overwhelmed me with wave of emotions (again in a good way). I enjoy dramas that make me “feel” feel.

Short summary:
Typical bad boy and a good girl trope until it is not. Li Xun and Zhu Yun are collage students that happen to have a rivalry between them but we gotta follow the trope. The “bad boy” is annoying at first then starts to tease the FL, teasing turns to flirting until he realizes he is completely head over heels. The story doesn’t end here because us viewers weren’t tortured enough so we welcome the 2nd chance at love trope thanks to the main lead being imprisoned.

I think this drama has lots of psychological sides and so many life teaching. Also it teacher consequences of your actions. Let’s take Li Xun he is very closed off and aloof but if you pay attention to his past, you can clearly see why he is like that. He simply has no time to waste but at the same time he cares for everyone even if it appears like he doesn’t. He doesn’t want to be burden to anyone because he learned to be that way when his father passed away early, his mother got sick and his sister, as a brother or a son he felt the responsibility. I really admire his character. One moment you think he doesn’t care but it always turns out he has found a solution for your trouble. He also appears very mature compared to his peers also due to his past. He was forced to be mature. He seemingly appears to have solution for everything but when Zhu Yun appears in his life, he sees her as light of his life (aka Princess). He only tries to treat her like a princess. I can imagine the first time he saw her in her birthday party, he knew she was fragile and grew up in a loving family without a trouble so he always wanted to give her that environment and not let her suffer. As he also mentions that she does the worrying and he will solve it for her. He loves her enough to let her go. He knew he gonna get in trouble and I know he didn’t make the decision of hurting a person on impulse. He already made up his mind and planned to break up with her where there are no ties left. If he hadn’t done that, he wouldn’t get justice for his sister but if he does, his princess has to stay safe and have no ties to a “criminal.”. How he does, yes, hurts the female lead but after some thinking you will understand he left a bad impression on her parents, pretended to cheat on purpose. That way Zhu Yun wouldn’t come back after a break compared to a regular break up. I can’t totally justify what he did as he is bit of a jerk after coming out of prison. In short he just wanted to treat her like a princess (as cheesy as it sounds). That was who he saw her for the first time ever. He knew how much things would hurt her so he wanted her to stay away from ruining her future. I also feel bad for him because when they were in a base, he wanted to help everyone out but everyone just turned away. The only 2 people he trusted his plans with, one betrayed him.

Zhu Yun is the most likable character. It is true that she is gentle, fragile and soft hearted but behind this image is a Zhu Yun who is capable of standing up for herself and others. Where there is injustice, she fights. In their college and office era she was a heart of the group. She wouldn’t let people misunderstand each other , keeping them in harmony. I really love her character so much. She can be delicate but also strong in a time of difficulty. She is also very admirable. She works hard to achieve her goals and end what she started. I especially admire her part in reviving the relationship. She always understood Li Xun even if he kept most things to himself. She wanted to know more. Even when he was betrayed, she stood by him because she understood he had his reasons. He appeared unreasonable to everyone but she knew things weren’t like that. She was against her family for him, dropped her career for him because she believed in him so much. She was the most important person in his life as I said a light in his life. Li Xun at the end of the episodes imagines what life would be like if time stopped when they first met and says that all people close to him are here thanks to her. She opened him up because of that he was no longer alone. She dealt with depression while still putting on a smile. Zhu Yun the woman you are! I don’t think not many can be as strong or as faithful as her. When she said she would never betray him, she wasn’t lying. She kept that promise for lifetime

Li Xun and Zhu Yun complement each other so much. She was very much lost about what she should do and was being indecisive and Li Xun taught her to be brave and “bold” and to take things seriously when they were in a base. Zhu Yun truly understood him and knew what he needed. In a way, they both grew together because they are only right for each other
I talked so much about their romance but it wasn’t for the sake of romance, they are admirable and realistic couple. They give you a sense of safety. They teach not be afraid of making mistakes and to keep learning. This drama motivates me so much. I also really like that people can’t escape consequences of their actions. Li Xun was imprisoned and he doesn’t get a pass because he is the male lead. Fang Zhijing gets arrested for things he has done though I find that Li Xun was the one who got justice and gave a proper punishment for his heinous actions. Gao Jian Hong, dare I say he is the biggest asshole? Even worse than Fang in every aspect because he caused Li Xun’s sister’s death, wasn’t a good husband (beating her wife and even using her and saying she has to get close to a man she used to like? Pathetic). Was a terrible friend. His pride couldn’t handle. He always thought they were trying to one up him when they were reaching out their hands to help. He was blinded and took everything for competition even when they were the same group. It just doesn’t make sense how he tries to compete his own team. That said Fang caused 2 people’s death, that was his worst aspect but Gao checked every single possible asshole behavior. The time when he faced Li Xun to say he was the one who told his sister’s location, the one who took the company too. I think after all that he still got happy ending but he wasn’t very worthy. He is the character that makes me think of “what if” questions. What if he never betrayed him? Would he be enjoying success with Li Xun? Would Li Xun not be in prison? Maybe the trio (Zhu Yun, Gao and Li Xun) would be as strong as it was in the past. However I also think that the events that happened taught him something important which is jealousy ruins the person who is jealous not the person you are jealous of and that competition is not worth it, everyone has their own way.

After so much depressing topics I would like to discuss the romance (I admit I was here for romance but got something so much deeper instead). I kind of did that in the heading above discussing the dynamic between Li Xun and Zhu Yun. I very much appreciate the eye contact. You can see love pouring from their eyes (that wasn’t the best way to describe it). You can see they care for one another even when they are concealing their feelings sometimes. The small things they did for each other (like giving umbrella, caring for him when he is sick, putting on a coat when they are sleeping). Best doggy and piggy couple. There is one line in the OST “My princess will not be sad anymore” I can’t express how much I love this line as well. The time when she repaired his lighter, the time when she gave piggy USB flash drive (so cute!!) The scene right after they broke up broke me too. When she was on the rooftop crying while he was watching her cry. You can see in his face how much he wants go to her, hug her, comfort her but he is restrained. It was so hurtful in that scene. Poor couple suffer too much. At last Zhu Yun’s dream of marrying her first love comes true

I have so much to complain or talk about but I don’t think I can write this long. There are many other characters I wanted to talk about but I just decided to take two best character and two worst characters in one place.
I regret starting this drama because it led me to finish it. I would love to watch it and still have the “first time watch” feelings, so upsetting this won’t happen . (This review was kind of all over the place but it was also first time I expressed myself more clearly and with a bit of humor)

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Needs patience but is absolutely worth it

My first time watching a Cdrama that didn't feel boring around the ending but only kept me hooked up more and more. The flow is just different than usual, the feelings it shows, everything is just UNIQUE!
It does have so many flaws, either in production or some of the supporting cast, but the mains were excellent, the chemistry chemistrying. No annoying SL like other campus dramas.
THE OST IS JUST 💖💖💖Not a single bad song, it's so good to the point that I replayed some scenes only bc of the ost.
I'm normally a kdrama person, and while I had a kdrama slump I was recommended to watch this and I don't regret atarting it, I'm in looooooove
It was slow around the beginning, but the more I watched the better things got. It was balanced from every side.
I don't know if I'll ever find something like this in the future, but what I know for sure is that this one already secured its place in my heart.

I don't like to write much normally, so I was going to only write a comment, to find myself writing a whole paragraph.
Thank you @iamkalai for recommending this amazing drama!

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sentirei saudades desse drama

muito bom! Podem assistir, vocês não vão se arrepender. Vou continuar a acompanhar os atores principais, eles são muito talentosos.
Esse drama me surpreendeu positivamente, não é como outros dramas, esse drama mostra como a vida é difícil as vezes e que nem tudo é perfeito, você passará por dificuldades, mas seguindo o caminho do bem, haverá coisas boas a sua espera. Uma verdadeira lição de vida.

Não conhecia os atores, mas devo dizer que são muito bons e tem muito futuro.

Essa é a primeira vez que falo aqui o que eu achei de um drama, decidi fazer isso agora, para mostrar o quão bom foi assistir essa história. Geralmente eu paro de assistir na metade os dramas pois acabo me desinteressando, mas esse não, esse me prendeu do começo ao fim. Esse drama mostra como o relacionamento pode ser difícil as vezes, msm existindo amor, se você quer ver casais irreais onde não existem brigas, discordâncias, discussões ou magoas, esse drama então não é pra você. E para àqueles que falam que esse drama é tóxico, personagens ou a relação entre esses personagens, eu lhe pergunto: Você é perfeito? Sua vida é perfeita? As pessoas que você convive são perfeitas?

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Deserves more hype and love

I have never been so obsessed with a Cdrama like I am with this one. I have been rewatching this show over and over. Nothing has come close to the chemistry that Chen Feiyu and Zhang Jingyi have.

Feiyu's dedication to Li Xun's character, having to bleach his hair blonde, then color it chestnut brown and then finally giving himself a buzz cut. He rocked all 3 hairstyles btw. Love his micro expressions - the little smirk, the "hmm" when he agrees but is too "lazy" to say "yes" ^_^. when he raises his eyebrows every time he teases her. The puppy eyes that just makes you melt. He was perfectly casted as LiXun.

Jingyi was also the best actress to be casted as Zhuyun. I cried when she cries. I felt the sadness, the happiness, the love. She was not annoying. Her voice (probably VA) was perfect as she does not have the usual "baby voice" most FL would have. She was not the damsel in distress. She was the breath of fresh air in all the FLs in Cdramas. She wasn't waiting to be saved and I loved that. It was also so amusing to me that she literally blushes everytime they have an intimate scene (you can clearly see this in episode 36 when they were at the sofa in LiXun's apartment. ^_^

Now, the story. I love the fact that they tackled the prison life during and after he got out. That's usually a sensitive topic and I love that the writers handled it with grace - how people who went to prison can be judged after getting out, how they will find a job and how they can have the tendency to be imprisoned again. I love that they closely followed the lines in the novel and improved the story (**** Novel Spoiler ***** LiXun was a playboy in the novel and Zhuyun was irritatingly helpless at times) T_T

The OST is chef's kiss. Hands down the best out of all the Cdramas I've seen. Each song was played at the right moment capturing the feeling that that scene has so it becomes more powerful and creates that memory. It wasn't just the opening or the ending OST, there were a lot of other songs playing at the right moment to give you the right feels like "Upside Down" by Zhen Xueran during the snow scene when he started to call her "Princess" again. And "Left Unsaid" by the same artist played when they were in the elevator going to Flying Heart office.

Overall, the best. Worth every time you rewatch. <3

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solid story line - if it’s in ur list pls DONT MISS IT

Not your typical cold guy + FL drama
I’m not sure how to put this into words but the whole show from story line to acting is a masterpiece I’ve been waiting for this drama for maybe about 2 years and rly it did not disappoint .
Watched it half way but I know that I will get too upset so I paused it for awhile to wait for everyth to finish uploading before I continue .

Good character development
Unique story line
Easily the top cdrama I’ve ever watched not kidding..

I think after watching thiS show I’m a huge Chen fei Yu fan his portrayal of the whole cool cold bad guy is chef kisses……..
the story also kind of shows how every person has their own fate ( which I believe) so it’s rly interesting to show how everyth comes to play
Also I rly rly rly hope that they end up tgt if not I’ll be so torn …..
Im at ep 23 currently and I purposely paused it bec I don’t want to get too overly affected by the drama and cry endlessly.. but trust me ITS DAMN DAMN GOOD PLS GIVE IT A WATCH.. I’m on my knees

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There's simply a lot you have to ignore to enjoy this drama.

I cant get through to the later episodes simply because they seem to be going down the path of a melodrama and to be frank, I can't find it in myself to care.

1) Li Xun at his best seems annoying to deal with. Yes he is written in the image of the 'bad boy trope'. However the writers forget the most important thing while writing any classic enemies to lovers. It is the change in the "bad boy" which convinces the female lead to fall in love with him or realize that he was not the person whom she had initially though he was. There is no change seen here.
To be fair, that may be unfair on my part for writers may not have written with the intention of writing such a relationship. Rather one where the female lead "changes" the male lead" or simply that the "female lead lead simply bears with the male lead and his wishes". From.what I have seen, it seems like its following the path of the latter. I may be wrong about later episodes. However my point still stands as he hadn't changed before or during their relationship.

2)The trajectory of their relationship isn't believable. I can't think of any reason why Zhu yun and Li xun would feel attracted to each other. From Zhu yun's perspective she has seen his disrespectful behaviour to fellow colleagues and his arrogant attitude. Li xun's perspective is a mystery to me. I can't think of any possible reason for him to feel attraction towards Zhu yun other than possibly familiarity

For this reason I knew I wouldn't be able to bear show's later heavy conflicts when I could care less about what happens to the main couple or any of the characters


On the other hand, you can treat the first few episodes as a guilty pleasure and with a few (a lot) suspensions of disbelief, this might work out for you. It worked out for me until a certain point in the story. In the end don't look for anything substantial to take from this drama. This is fine. We all have our guilty pleasures. If this seems like what you are looking for go ahead.

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