Lighter & Princess

What a show. Overall, I loved the complexity and flaws of the characters, the OST, the cinematography and whatever filter they used (it made the show look so pretty haha). The relationship of the leads is a true slow burn if I've ever seen one and at times a rollercoaster of emotions.

It took me a very long time to figure out the male lead, and I am actually happy the writers made Zhu Yun describe him because he truly is one of a kind. In a way, he had all the bad things that happened coming for him. He had a tough life, but his strict and cold treatment of others lead to those people disliking him.

Although Gao Jian Hong (GJH) went too far in my opinion. He turned into a monster by the time we came back to the present time, corrupted by money, greed and his hatred for Li Xun. On the one hand, I understand him. The way he was treated wasn't very kind. He had to give up things, he was the second choice and humiliated, but at the same time... that's what life is (or can be) like. Like my mom says: it doesn't matter that you were the best at something where you come from. Once you enter a new stage in life, e.g. college, you will see that there are so many people that are just as good as you, or in Li Xun's case, even better. The thing is... Li Xun was nonchalant about his talent; arrogant and stubborn, cocky and a show-off. Of course people would feel bad, annoyed, and defeated . On the other hand, how many hits did it take until he finally would have stopped? Gao Jian Hong put Li Xun in jail, took his company, changed the company's entire direction, cheated other companies, tried to ruin Li Xun, ... the list goes on. His thirst for revenge went as far as disregarding his health and not caring about his imminent death. I do think it's a bit meh they went that route to be honest, to have him nearly die for everyone to realize that they have strayed far, far away from one another. The eternal trio was no more, instead they were enemies. But whatever, it worked out in the end I guess.

Another thing that bothered me was Xu Li Na. This was woman was shameless; she met Li Xun once over a weekend and POOF she was in love ?? and has the audacity to say she doesn't like Zhu Yun, like girl. This ... isn't it. The leads were loyal to one another by that time, and had obvious crushes and she really thinks she has a chance. And continues to think to a certain point that she still has a chance after Li Xun is out of prison... be so for real. At least she stayed with GJH after his surgery, in a way they kind of deserved each other ...

I don't have the energy to talk about the parents. Zhu Yun's mom can catch my hands.

Lastly, Zhu Yun should have let Li Xun grovel so much more. He should have been on his knees and apologize for the way he hurt her. He literally emotionally damaged her, the way she blamed herself and fell into a deep depression, relying on medication for years because of him ... I know why he did what he did but damn there could have been better ways to do it without hurting her like that. Their relationship in the last couple of episodes was really cute though. Him teasing her lightheartedly was sweet and it should have always been like that. The development of their relationship is slow and complex, which I liked but it really was an up and down.

From rivals, to tolerating each other, to slowly working and understanding each other, to kinda friends, to friends with tight loyalty, to crushes, to lovers, to exes, to strangers, to slowly approaching each other, to another bump in their relationship, to appraoching each other once again, to crushes, to lovers - like WOW. At least, in the end, Zhu Yun finally spoke against her wicked mother in her and Li Xun's defense. That woman was so narrow-minded agh.

Anyway, this show was great overall though. As I said above, the OST, for one, was STUNNING. Always stuck in my head, beautiful melodies and voices, always played at the right moment, it was simply perfect. The leads in the show are quite young (99/00 liner like wow), but so talented. Chen Fei Yu had some good comedic timing and Zhang Jing Yi particularly nailed crying scenes (especially the one in ep. 31), she is also simply sssstunning to be honest (like on top of her great acting). The chemistry between the leads was really great, felt like I could have grabbed it. Also, their hugs looked so comfortable ...
The cinematography was great as well and the overall quality of the drama felt very high! All in all, thumbs up! :)

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Story

Great series with 2 amazing actors Chen and Jingyi..
ML and FL. A hard watch as I found Li xun everything I hate in a man ruthless.. coolly calculating and
manipulative to the extent he messed with zhu yuns head with his total disregard for any of her feelings.
I wanted her to tell him to get lost but she was so obsessed with him it took over her life. There was no excuse for his behaviour where he totally destroyed her self esteem that she felt worthless. He had his moments of showing his feelings for her but he was a Jekyl and Hyde character one minute loving next very cold. It was a great watch.. The storyline was good. All the actors
were excellent. It was a happy ending at least for both of them especially for Jingyi as her love for Li xun never faltered.

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Bit overrated drama

This drama is really amazing I loved it but somewhere female lead rejected her parents love and married to him without convincing her mother I mean her parents were not at fault all they wanted her to be happy but except that point everything was so good omg it’s like a long story with more plots more twisting scripts I loved it didn’t feel like 36 episodes was long I love actors they had great potential and script is awesome especially the musics and happy that everybody got happy ending even for gao he was just filled with ego which was stomping by main lead if he was good to him may be all this would t have happened I think story is mainly because of main lead arrogant character atleast he should have known at the end it was his fault but even at last episode he was same to female lead mother anyway I think this kind of characters should be stopped airing If not people get admired by such arrogant characters and I recommend everyone to watch this drama and definitely worth it❤all the best to the team

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Would I recommend this? Yes. Is this the top modern cdrama of 2022? Maybe.

Where do I even begin to describe L&P? I didn’t hear of it in 2022 but somehow it was one of the first few shows I heard about in 2023 so I decided to give it a shot after all the reviews. I seldom start on shows with leads I don’t even know but after this I can safely say I’ll be watching their future works!

The story is broken down into 2 parts and this storytelling is quite unique for a modern c-drama. It starts off in the present for the first part then goes back to the past and we’re back to the present for the last part. For me, points were deducted for the first part of the show - while I appreciate the elaborate set up and foundation of their relationship in college, I think it’s longer than it should’ve been. Maybe it’s because we already got a glimpse of what the present looks like so I feel like I was just waiting for the inevitable to happen. The first part could’ve been at least 5 eps shorter to focus more on the present imo.

I say this as I much prefer the ‘present’ storyline. Their matured selves and the story is just a lot more engaging and is also peppered with even more likeable side characters. There’s a lot more to unpack and focus on for the present timeline but I felt like they simply swept some things under the rug? Which is why I feel like it’s regretful they didn’t allocate more episodes for the present instead of the past. But maybe it’s on purpose cos it’s kindaaa apt?? Keeping the viewers focused on the past just like how our leads kept dwelling on history.

Li Xun is a controversial character but I like such male leads (it’s fictional after all) - not everyone is a knight in shining armour much as he liked to think of himself as one LOL. He’s not your clear-cut-good-guy male lead which imo is something different to watch!

It’s a bit of a slow burn romance but the leads spend a lot of time together. As such, much of it is 暧昧 but it’s quite realistic. I would also realistically say it’s a good show but not off the charts. Would I rewatch? Perhaps the key moments but definitely not the bulk of college. To be fair, it might be the top modern cdrama for 2022 simply due to the lack of competition! So yes, it’s worth the watch. Don’t forget the special episode as well, it has additional scenes

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Some of the Best Character Development

Used to be: 9.75 stars!
Now: 9.5
Reason for change: Although the character development was excellent, there were was a moment where I wanted to drop this drama (ep 21-25). So, because of that, I feel like 9.5 better captures the whole drama.

Warning: Spoilers in here will only spoil the first to second episode in the drama

Story:
-yes, it is a bit on the longer side, but I rarely skipped
-very good ending (one of the best I've watched)
-beautiful character development (for most characters, especially the villain)
-relationship between main leads was developed well. ml and fl really suit each other. Both've got their own strengths. Some people would call the fl (Zhu Yun) a doormat. I disagree. I believe she is what we would call "loyal to a fault". Our ml (Li Xun) has always been tricked, lied to, and betrayed all of his life, so he just pushed others away. The Zhu Yun suits him because she trusts Li Xun wholeheartedly and gains his trust as well.
-yes, they do get back together (after the initial break up) kinda late. But the pay off is soooooooo good, that you'd be to busy smiling to complain
-themes (like revenge) were clear and powerful
-a lot of dramas show how communication is very important in a relationship. This one showed it in a very sophisticated way
-dealt with a lot of harder topics
-found a good balance between heavy stuff and comedy relief
-I liked how they used jealousy to push the leads together. The fact that they barely used it made me happy because I'm sick of scheming 2ml and 2fls. Li Xun and Zhu Yun both had friends with the other gender that were purely platonic and I love that

small con:
-wish they had developed Li Lan (ml's sister) more.
-the breakup was way too much. I was literally in tears. The only reason why I stayed is because I trust Zhang Jing Yi to pick good characters

Acting:
-the natural chemistry between the Zhang Jing Yi and Chen Fei Yu is amazing. I love Zhang Jing Yi and watched many of her shows, but never have I seen her have so much chemistry with someone
Note: Lots of people say they were most impressed by the chemistry of the leads. Yes, it was good, but it wasn't the thing that made this drama stand out in my opinion.

-in general, everyone's acting was so beautiful, especially the main leads, but also it was just very well done
-the character's past self and present self had such a large difference (in the way they behaved, mannerisms, wisdom, maturity), that I'd really believe that they waited 7 years to then shoot the present. The outfits also made it obvious.

OST:
-the ost is pretty badass
-though, what really took the cake was the timings of each song. Like, they matched the scene so well each time, it was awesome

Rewatch:
-rewatching might be hard because there are some heavy themes, but still worth it

Anyway, what a good cdrama.

Note:
After reading some reviews, I have something to say. If we were to compare their love story to real life, yes there are a few red flags. Like, if I were Zhu Yun and Li Xun broke up with me, I'd leave him in my dust. But I have trust issues. Zhu Yun and I are completely different people. So, if we see the larger picture, the overall plot themes, and character arcs, you'll see that this is a really good drama.

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Entertaining, Romantic, Youth!

When this show came out, I was SO invested and obsessed. The first half really pulls you in and makes you fall in love with Li. Xun and Zhu Yun. I could see why this show attracted a lot of young viewers. In the beginning, the love is playful, curious, and passionate. Young love that steals your heart. The second half is more angsty and slow-burn, given what Li Xun has been through. Li Xun is a genius but fell behind opportunities due to setbacks. Zhu Yun is hardworking and loyal, and now has the background to support Li Xun. I found her character to be likable, and only she could put up with Li Xun. They contrast each other yet are compatible.

The themes of friendship and betrayal were predictable, as in many life dramas. Looking back, I enjoyed L&P and was impressed with Chen Feiyu's acting. His character was cold and believable, and his secret glances/actions tugged at your heart. This drama plot didn't give me a feeling that it was groundbreaking or revolutionary, but somehow gave me what I've been missing in dramas these days.

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Lighter and Princess – My Honest Review

At first, I really thought Lighter and Princess would be boring. The story seemed slow, and the male lead had this cold, emotionless attitude that made it hard to connect with him. He felt like someone who never looks back or cares deeply about anyone. But as I continued watching, the drama slowly pulled me in. The emotions built up naturally.

The chemistry between the leads became more intense and meaningful as the story went on. It wasn't a light fluffy romance—it had pain, growth, and passion for both love and career. What stood out to me most was how Zhu Yun didn’t give up on him she even quarrel with her parents although it was wrong but only she stood for him, even when things got really tough.

And I have to say, Tian Xiuzhu became one of my favorite character. He was quiet a painter, but he had such a peaceful and deep presence. He wasn’t in the spotlight all the time, but whenever he appeared, the atmosphere felt calm and warm. He was in love with her but he always choose her choice. His friendship with the main leads and his thoughtful nature made him really memorable. He's green flag.🤍

Zhu Yuns father and Dong siying they was in Go ahead drama which I watched before LAP and in the last episode of LAP they meet each other and ZYs father invited him for noodles it was quiet a coincidence for me like they're meeting each other in another era.

In the end, Lighter and Princess turned out way better than I expected. It's a drama that grows slowly but hits hard emotionally. If you give it time, it rewards you with a touching and meaningful story.

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Can you give yourself for love ? I can't, but can you ? Zhu Yun can.

It's a very good drama with very good actors and a good storyline. I really liked the overall feeling the story gave me and more importantly i loved the FL.

But there is one thing i can't understand about her and that's her unconditional love for Li Xun. This guy is such a red flag, he never gives anything first, never puts himself on the line for her. She's just endlessly giving and he's always receiving. The little he gives (dress, food or just a smile) lets her feel extatic and that's sad to see. He's like and iron door on an iceland and she needs to warm the whole island before he dares to look at her. I know some ppl will disagree saying "he has traumas" or "he has business in mind" but when you put yourself in her shoes and the guy you love treats you like this your love will quickly turn into disdain. I would've loved if she was feeling disgusted by him and made him crawl for her but no. Whatever it was really good either way.

My girlies reading this remember : never crawl for a man, as a woman society makes you crawl since birth and when you learn to stand up, you have to stand firm on your feet or less some man will want you on your knees again.

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Combustible Chemstry With Problematic Elements

I find myself rather torn on this show. Initially I didn't like the romance - I felt the male lead was bit too standoffish and remote, making is extremely challenging in determining if he actually liked Zhu Yun (especially in the earlier episodes). Some of his decisions, especially the middle section of the show, felt incredibly toxic and, well, mean. Like, mean boy mean. And I still stand by that assessment all of the months since watching the show, but I find myself returning to rewatch their romance time and again. These two actors had excellent chemstry with each other, which makes some of their more problematic moments as a couple, or even as friends, palatable. I also see definite character growth between them as individuals and as a couple. I recommend going into this show knowing these two are flawed and their development takes time and patience. It's ultimately worth it in the end.

The show does an excellent job with having a second male lead that is not actively vying romantically for the female lead. The female lead and second male lead are friends, but not romantically attracted to each other. It was refreshing to see the two male leads competing more so as friends, allies, and business partners rather than as potential love candidates. I can't remember the last time (or any time) a second male lead has not developed some sort of feelings for the female lead, and it was absolutely wonderful.

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At first I wasn't interested at all, but after a year, it managed to be somehow on my Netflix list. Watched a few episodes and it was good. Can't remember why i didn't like it last year. Anyway now I'm looking forward to more episodes. I hope this one ain't a waste of time.

After the first few episodes, the cycle of the FL chasing the ML while the ML pushed her away, got so tiresome.

Anyway, I guess the writer(s) did good in presenting human nature. They made plenty of recognizable characters: an underprivileged but gifted ML, a nice girl next door type from a picture perfect family, loyal friends, backstabbing envious friends (their hopes and dreams, their arrogance, greed, deception, discrimination).

All in all I think it's a good watch.
❤️

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