The Prisoner of Beauty

Finally! A costume drama worth watching in recent years!

While I will admit that this may not be a critic's choice in terms of masterful script-writing and artistic expression, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and did not even skip through at all. Every episode was so engaging. Pacing was done very well. It evokes all the necessary feelings that makes a good drama - at times you feel stressful angst, some parts make you laugh or cry, and in the end you walk away feeling satisfied to have invested all that time. Although I do wish it kept going to 40 episodes, I felt 36 was too short!

ACTING:
- FL Song Zu Er) is my favorite actress. I've been long awaiting the release of her dramas that were put on hold, and this one did not disappoint! This is her best role ever. Every aspect was perfection. Her tortured crying scenes broke your heart, her natural comedic charm shines, and her beauty was perfectly accentuated in her character styling.
- ML (Liu Yu Ning) This was the typical role that he's type-casted for. So it's not anything new or diverse of a role for him. But he did well as expected.
- Lead couple chemistry was on fire! Not just with the passion and loyalty, but the comedic fighting and the tense mistrust and hatred. They made you FEEL it with them.
- Support characters were all amazing! The 4 generals and their comradery, while very standard and tropey - it was just so endearing and funny, especially General Wei Liang (the chubby one). And his chemistry/brotherhood with the more stoic General Wei Qu was funny and heartfelt.
- Another standout performance was Wei Yan (ML's cousin). He was the most complex 4-dimensional character. He had me on the edge of my seat and guessing from start to finish...is he good? Is he evil? Is he a fence-sitter? Is he loyal or a traitor?
- I liked that all the actors used their own voices rather than out-of-place dubbed voices, and it worked rather well

COSTUME/PRODUCTION QUALITY
- Not the most high-budget production, but it did not take away from the experience. It certainly did not look low budget at all.
- Costume - one of the best I've seen in a long time. The main characters had so many costume changes that I lost track of how many outfits they had. And they were all high quality.
- Makeup and hair was very well done. The women looked flawless, not just the main female lead (just stunning), but even the support characters were all well put together. The wigs were amazing for both male and female characters.

OST
- The music was good, but I can't say that music stands out or is memorable

Overall I would watch this again just to watch the main couple on screen together.

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It starts big, it remains strong and it ends big! Consistently perfect!

From the very first episode, the scene is set. We meet characters and we know who's gonna be nice, who's gonna cause trouble and who we are to dislike forever. There are twists and turns obviously and there are surprises and shocks. But no one acts out of character, no one does things just for the plot going against their characterization.

An exceedingly well-written drama, beautifully shot and excellently well acted. There are no flaws, there are no lulls, there is no weak arc or filler episodes. I didn't like all the storylines, unfortunately, but this is where the lead couple shine. Even in the most frustrating moments the lead couple keep the viewers engaged in their personal and marital journey. I could not have loved this drama had I not fallen in love with the Lord and Lady of Wei.

I just wish there was one more episode, the last one seemed a bit rushed and a bit incomplete. We need reunions, we need funerals, we need celebrations, we need apologies and reconciliations. There are plenty of conversations that I needed to see.

Alas this is the issue with writing and directing an amazing story- the readers are often left wanting for more.

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Best C-Drama of 2025 – The Best Enemies-to-Lovers Ever

This is the best C-drama I’ve watched, especially this year.
It’s definitely the best 2025 C-drama. Everything about it is amazing, and I’m so happy Liu Yuning is finally getting the recognition he deserves. It just makes me so happy — and finally, he gets a happy ending! We haven’t seen him in a happy ending much, and my boy truly deserved this one.

However, I wish the last episodes were longer. At the very least, we should’ve had a special episode where we could see more of the couple. I really wish we had seen his reaction when he saw his child for the first time, or scenes of her being pregnant and him taking care of her — showing concern, being gentle. I would’ve loved to see him care for her more.

The last few episodes didn’t have much screen time for the couple, but overall, everything about this drama is perfect. The costumes, the acting… the chemistry is off the charts — honestly, the best I’ve seen this year. I also loved how mature they were as a married couple. They cleared up misunderstandings quickly, actually communicated, and even apologized to each other — such a refreshing dynamic.

There was no storyline that dragged on too long, which was great. I appreciated how understanding they were toward each other, and how he didn’t accept her so easily. It took him more than 25 episodes to recognize his feelings, and I found that realistic. At the end of the day, she is his enemy’s daughter — so him letting go of all the revenge he’d been holding onto for years instantly would’ve felt out of character.

Everything was just on point. The story was unique — not the usual dynastic plot, but more clan-based, which was a nice change if you watch a lot of historical C-dramas like I do. I was also really surprised by how much sarcasm and comedy was in it. When I first saw the trailer, I thought it would be a dark show, but it turned out to be lighthearted and fun. Honestly, I laughed more than I have at actual rom-coms!

I loved how they were always willing to say “I was wrong” and take responsibility — that’s such a beautiful thing.

I felt bad for Bi Zhi when Fan died, because he never actually wanted to be a commander. He only took that position to protect her and build a life with her. But in the end, he lost her and had to raise their son alone. That was really sad. Although I didn’t really like her character, I understood her — I just wasn’t very emotionally invested in her.

Also, F4 deserved to get a happy endings :(
So happy Zu Er was cleared so we were able to finally see this masterpiece. Wish we got a special episode so we could’ve enjoyed them one last time.
I keep finding myself repeating scenes as there are truely amazing memorable scenes. I would say it’s a rewatchable cdrama for sure. Not too heavy and full of romance.

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The Beauty Trap: She Came, He Saw, and She Conquered

Prisoner of Beauty is an enemies-to-lovers romance set in a fictional world loosely inspired by the Three Kingdoms period. Despite a misleadingly serious start, this is best enjoyed as a romantic comedy—and a playful parody of both the era and The Beauty Trap (Měirén Jì 美人计) from the Thirty-Six Stratagems.

Yanzhou is in crisis. Fourteen years ago, to save themselves the Qiaos betrayed their alliance with the Weis with devastating losses for the Wei clan. Now the fierce young warlord Wei Shou has come of age —and he’s out for blood. Facing certain annihilation, the cunning (and cowardly) Qiaos do what anyone would do: they sacrificed a virgin. But not just any virgin—a jaw-droppingly beautiful one! Which couldn't work better when the male lead is Liu Yuning, who is a natural at jaw dropping. In short, she came, he saw and she conquered.

Jokes aside, romance fans will find plenty to gush about. Song Zu'er inhabits her character Manman; wrapping Wei Shao around her fingers while she quietly manipulates events in her clan's favor. Liu Yuning and Song Zu'er share a magnetic chemistry and their slow burn romance builds their tension into swoon-worthy passionate moments. Wei Shao is smitten at first sight and poses no real threat yet Manman treads carefully, speaking softly while wielding a hidden stick . Her presence divides his household: the women resent her and a close brother covets her. Wei Shao is quickly reduced to a love-struck fool.

Unfortunately, this is where the story stumbles. Wei Shao’s guard drops too fast, leaving him out of sync with Manman, who remains focused on her political mission. Their relationship is tested by petty domestic squabbles rather than high-stakes conflicts, and the political intrigue promised early on fizzles into comedic detours. The narrative meanders through farcical subplots—some amusing, some recycled (Deng Ke outright plagiarizes himself with a routine from My Heroic Husband)—before abruptly rushing toward a bloody, uneven finale.

Still, the drama shines in its character arcs. Manman and Daqiao are opposite characters in terms of world views. Their confrontation is one of the most thought-provoking scenes in the series. Wei Yan (Liu Duanduan’s best role to date) is a fascinating, tormented wildcard, impossible to predict. He compelled to me to root for him and I was repeatedly gripped with dread that he would do the wrong thing. While Liu Yuning delivers a charismatic performance, I wish like Wei Yan, Wei Shao had been written with more skepticism and depth especially with respect to the evolution of his feelings for Manman. The excellent supporting cast elevates the material, particularly Wu Haochen’s hilariously nuanced Wei Qu and Wei Zixin’s dryly witty Gongsun Yang.

The biggest flaw? There’s no real plot. After a strong start, the story devolves into comedy and one increasingly absurd sub-plot after another. There are powerful villains but none of them are cunning enough to pose a credible threat in this story (the best one dies by slow slicing in Episode 1). After that, all we get are repetitive scheming by uninteresting, cartoonish villains who seek power for the sake of being powerful. Our "brilliant" lead repeatedly allows the main antagonist, a vain and shallow creature to escape to force the completely unnecessary ending bloodbath. The ending, while packed with smoking hot romantic fan service, feels rushed and littered with plot holes.

Yet, thanks to its stellar cast and addictive romance, Prisoner of Beauty earns a 8.0/10. It’s a flawed but entertaining parody of Three Kingdoms tropes—perfect for viewers who enjoy romance and comedy over complex political plots. Just expect more Romance than Three Kingdoms with few stratagems beyond The Beauty Trap.

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Enemies to lovers finally done right

Rarely comment on dramas but after some serious ongoing withdrawal symptoms, I had to express how much I enjoyed this drama.

Definitely not a 'light rom com watch'. This was an intense, emotional roller-coaster with enemies to lovers done right. The political intrigue fits well into the plot without being overdone and needing to be fast forwarded (like most cdramas). The chemistry and the intensity between the leads and the fun banter between the second leads stole the show. The side characters all had some roles to play with their own quirks and personalities.

I am a sucker for happy endings so for the ML to gradually fall in love with the FL was a delight to watch. He has been through horrible trauma and lost loved ones due to broken promises by the FL's clan.

However, after they are married, he never mistreats her due to her family. He's closed off, cold and very suspicious of the FL which is of course, natural but he also appreciates and admires her (secretly and then openly later).

The FL is also no pushover, she fights and stands up for herself diplomatically. Her strength is in the steadfastness of her character, akin to flowing water eroding rocks over time. She has trust issues in the beginning too and tries to protect her clan from a waging war by the ML. This is a very reasonable reaction given how the ML first treated her and makes a promise to destroy her people. She later regrets her decision and reforms her thinking but I think this just humanises her character.

What made this drama different from other enemies to lovers is that you see the trauma, the hatred, the vengeance for revenge and gradually breaking down of walls, trust developing, the endless yearning for something forbidden and the care and attention they both show to each other in little gestures that they do later transforming to love. Drama aside, you want a partner in life, who just gets you without you having to spell everything out. You can share your deepest and darkest past and trauma and they will listen and never use that against you (confidant for life). They will help you heal and move past it. In the end, this is what happened to the ML. He was so helpless in front of the FL's care and love for everyone including him that he had no space for hatred and revenge in his heart. This doesn't mean he easily accepts her and let's her in, but rather he is too helpless to resist her. I loved, in particular, that despite what her grandfather did, he also accepted her family, visited her clan and people and wanted to understand why she was the way she was. To me, that was true selfless love.

If you've read this far, kudos to you. I just needed to get this off my chest so I can move past this drama without comparing all other dramas to this (as that would be unfair). This drama will take some time to leave my system and I can't say I hate that.

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My first Historizal cdrama.....

This was my first historical cdrama and I absolutely loved everything about it.

Both the leads had such great chemistry with each other that it's no wonder many are "shipping" them to be together IRL.

I loved how the story wasn't riddled with too many complicated political issues. More often than not, dramas like these, (be it Kdrama or cdrama), have too many characters and wrought with intrigues. Sometimes it's too hard for me to follow. It doesn't help that these robed characters almost always look alike. LOL

And just because I adored the ML, I will try to watch his other dramas because I simply cannot get enough of his screen presence :)

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Prisoner of Beauty - just WOW!

I’m honestly blown away. I’ve never been a huge fan of period dramas, but I decided to give this one a try after seeing the good reviews. I honestly expected to drop it after ep 1 - but I was completely hooked from the very beginning.

Acting is top-notch, and visually an absolute feast for the eyes. Very palpable chemistry between the leads. The way they looked at each other melted my insides each time without fail. Despite the lack of skinship until the last few ep, it was still insanely romantic - every episode made my heart flutter like crazy.

Plus, plenty of funny moments to balance out the drama. Honestly, I either giggled, ugly cried, or sat on the edge of my seat biting my nails through all 36 episodes - but mostly giggled.

What I loved most was the strength of both main characters and their unwavering devotion to each other. They went through so many challenges, but their love just kept growing stronger. The awful things they endured only made them closer. No silly misunderstandings or over the top drama - just two people who were refreshingly honest about their feelings and never afraid to express them.

I’m the kind of person who usually skips the side plots or any scene not involving the main leads, but not this time. I watched all 36 episodes straight through, no skipping, no fast-forwarding - which is quite rare for me. That hasn’t happened since Hidden Love. Every second of this drama is pure gold. Pacing is just right. Binged all 36 episodes in 3 days, while working full time - well worth my panda eyes.

This is going straight into my rewatch list.

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Phenomenal casting

I admittedly am not a historical Cdrama fan usually. but I am a fan of Liu Yuning, so I started watching this drama for him. Needless to say, he did not disappoint. What truly drew me in however, was the caliber of acting from this whole crew. Of particular note for me was Song Zuer, Xuan Lu, and Li Xue Qin. I'm used to seeing the first two in modern dramas, and while their performances have always been solid -- this drama allowed them to showcase the depth of their skills and range. Song Zuer embodied her role as the ethereal yet strong maiden perfectly; and Xuan Lu was her equally compelling counterpart -- a woman who appeared strong on the outside, but was so fragile and desperate on the inside. I rooted for one, and hated the other -- which meant that they all portrayed their roles 1000% convincingly.
Li Xue Qin blew me away! She's well-known as a crosstalk (Chinese stand-up) and Chinese variety show star -- but she absolutely held her own in this drama, and was adorable as Xiao Tao. She was expectedly funny as always, and I was absolutely heartbroken for how her story ended, but the depth of emotion she brought to the role was astounding. So incredibly talented!

This drama was the first time of only a few where I was immersed into the olden world of these characters, and didn't want it to end. I applaud the casting director of this drama. Putting the right person into the right role makes for a phenomenal story!

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Oh, My Goodness, Liu Yuning!

I had to give this drama high marks, but not a perfect score because I felt cheated out of happy endings that some of the characters deserved. I know, I know, life isn't all happy endings, but this one should have and could have been all around (except for the bad guys, of course!)

That being said, Liu Yuning! His expressions! His fierce persona, his gentle persona. The battle to let his feelings grow and come to fruition. His performance in this one was masterful! And it helped that he had such great chemistry with his FL. I don't know why some haters get on him so much. He is drop dead gorgeous and looks smoking hot in historical army gear, and he is a good actor!

This one definitely deserves rewatch, for me, if only to stare at Liu Yuning and watch him fall in love with his leading lady.

I think Prisoner of Beauty merits all the high ratings and accolades it has gotten. The story was well written; the characters were well-casted and very well played. I loved the 4 Wei generals. Loved Bai Zhi. Loved Qiao Ci and Qiao Ping. Absolutely loved Wei Shao's military advisor Gongsun Yang - his expressions were delightful! Even the villains deserved to be despised. Great acting from the entire ensemble!

(Did I mention how sizzling hot and gorgeous Liu Yuning is in this one?) 😉

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Thousands have lived without love but not without water

First of all the headline is a bit tacky but the whole story is kind of on the water channels that are built by the Wei and Qiao.

So the story starts when Wei and Qiao were like brothers but Qiao betrayed Wei 14 yrs back. Now after 14 years there stands a contract marriage between their grandchildren that were arranged by the Lady Xu and the Lordship Qiao.
Here the story starts,
Lord Wei doesn’t want to marry and make things hard for her but eventually he falls for her.

The difference :-
1. In these kind of troops either the ML or FL is over bearing and always anyone of the leads bounties are over stepped but in TPOB both of the leads though schemed against each other for the very first few months of their marriage but were never overbearing all the grudges and anger was shown correctly and understandable . Even being on the opposite clan they never insulted each other which is the most sweetest thing I loved about this drama.

2. In this drama every character had their role who were mature and as the drama went by there was character development .

3. The MOST thing I Loved about TPOB is there was not portrayal of any dumb, immature character all were responsible appropriately to their age.There was no nonsense part where the couple would break up and then patch up after some time , which is one of the reason I kept on going with this drama with out skipping. There was no unnecessary love triangle, ML and FL acted mature enough which was the best part to watch.

4. Like other dramas where the grandmother and mother in law are too overworked about how to create problem in the life of the newly weds ; in TPOB there was not such case. Yes in the start the mother in law framed FL but that was bearable and reasonable. The grandmother Lady Xu was always very intelligent and always giving correct advise to ML and FL without any unnecessary drama.

5. Over all this drama had some parts that’s made me cry and laugh.

6. People act sensible and not on impluse.

Usually I do not write reviews after the drama but this is fabulous so I need to put in some words and appreciate all the people who made this drama and presented us.

Acting :- 100/10
Songs :- 10/10

I love the simplicity of this drama how people were down to earth and always had unity.

I would totally recommend to pls watch this.

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In the end, it was me who became the prisoner.

FAVE QUOTE: “Even if peace lasts only for a moment, a sincere heart can make its echo endure for generations.” – Ep. 20.

To be honest, I wasn’t planning on watching any new releases at the moment, since I wanted to focus on the dramas that had already been on my planning list for a while. Besides, I had never watched any drama starring the leads of this production, nor did I know the plot or the novel. I only knew Liu Yu Ning from his music, but I knew nothing about Song Zu Er, so I truly didn’t know what to expect. However, for some reason, I ended up starting the drama and, without any expectations, I fell in love with it.

The plot tells the story of an old conflict between the Wei and Qiao clans. two families that, in the past, shared a strong alliance. However, this bond was broken when the Qiao clan failed to fulfill a crucial promise: to send soldiers to support the Wei clan in battle. This mistake resulted in the deaths of important members of the Wei family, sparking the rivalry between the two clans. Fourteen years later, hatred and the desire for revenge remained deeply rooted in the hearts and minds of the Wei clan, especially in Wei Shao, who swore to avenge his death relatives by bringing disgrace to the Qiao family. However, fate had other plans, and through an arranged marriage, Wei Shao finds himself tied to Xiao Qiao, a beautiful, intelligent, and strategic woman from the enemy family. As the two live together, the mistrust that once kept them apart begins to give way to love and forgiveness.

The premise of the plot is particularly simple, with few twists, and events that are easy to follow, as it revolves around the love journey of two characters who, at first glance, are enemies with different goals, acting and scheming with caution. Both have their own motivations, but throughout the episodes, they begin to uncover the complexities of their feelings. All of this is set against a backdrop of striving for the well-being of the population, reflected in the mission to build water channels between the States. So, it’s not a heavy story, filled with endless political intrigues or complex, dark plots with multiple subplots and villains. There are no prolonged misunderstandings or overly exhausting tensions. In fact, it’s a much lighter, more humorous, and romantic drama than expected, especially when compared to other dramas with similar themes. With cute moments, it's a story that warms the heart, holding its own beauty: simple, yet enchanting.

The development of the protagonists is interesting due to the contrast between their personalities. Wei Shao is a man shaped by war and adversity, with a cold demeanor that hides a warm heart. Despite a childhood marked by trauma and little affection, he deeply values family. Outwardly, he appears strong, but inside, he carries purity and kindness. On the other hand, Manman grew up in a loving, supportive family environment. Although her image conveys fragility, she is, in truth, a fortress. Her strength doesn’t come from physical weapons or brute force, but from the eloquence of her words and actions. I was positively surprised to discover how warm and genuine Wei Shao was with his feelings despite the hatred he had carried for 14 years, and also to see how wise and understanding Manman was, with a keen sense of perception regarding others.

The highlight of the drama, in my opinion, is exactly the way the romance was built and the chemistry between Wei Shao and Manman. Their relationship was carefully developed over the episodes, and the way their feelings grew gradually and naturally was beautiful, making their connection come alive on screen. Due to their contrasting personalities, each dealt with their emotions differently, facing the complexities of family dilemas. Wei Shao was enchanted by Manman at first sight, but burdened by emotional trauma, filial piety, distrust, and a desire for revenge, he tried to suppress his feelings for a long time. His inner struggle between the pain of the past and the possibility of finding happiness with Manman is particularly compelling, because whether he liked it or not, he was already “bound” to her.

Manman, on the other hand, determined to protect her clan from possible destruction, treats Wei Shao with care and attention, initially out of marital duty. However, as their relationship develops, her feelings for him begin to blossom. She starts off strategic and cautious, but ends up being moved by Wei Shao’s vulnerability and the way he gradually trusts her, turning their relationship into something increasingly deep. The light-heartedness of the more comedic scenes, the moments of tension, and the emotional dialogues made their chemistry magnetic, intense, and tangible.

The casting, for me, was very pleasant, with charismatic characters that brought an interesting dynamic and a good dose of humor and lightness, like the Wei generals, Counselor Gongsun, and the scholar Gao Hen, alongside more intriguing figures like Wei Yan, that while his initial behavior seemed questionable, we gradually come to understand his motivations and vulnerabilities, which added unexpected emotional depth. This development made me realize he was actually a good person, and I came to understand and even sympathize with him as the story progressed.

On the other hand, the villains of the story, Su E Huang and Liu Yan, played roles in the unfolding of political events, with well-defined goals, especially Su E Huang, whose main motivation was to destabilize the relationship between Wei Shao and Manman as a way to weaken the alliance between the Wei and Qiao clans. However, I didn’t find them psychologically complex or strategically brilliant antagonists, as their attempts often failed due to their blind pursuit of power. Perhaps many viewers expected opponents with military power on par with Wei Shao and tactical intelligence equal to Manman, which would have certainly intensified the political aspect of the narrative, and that would have been great, too. Still, I appreciated the approach taken. I believe the choice to portray antagonists this way made complete sense within the style and rhythm proposed by the screenwriter, contributing to a story more focused on interpersonal relationships and emotions, with few political intrigue elements.

As for the pacing, it suited my style. I’d describe it as moderate, balancing the development of the main couple’s romance with a few moments of tension. The drama begins with strong events, has a calmer middle centered on the relationship and family life, and a more frantic ending. Some might have found the middle part slow or expected a faster pace, with more action scenes or intense twists. However, for me, the overall pacing worked well. The more measured flow allowed me to connect with the characters without feeling overwhelmed by constant conflict.

I can’t go without highlighting the performance of the entire cast, which was truly remarkable. Liu Yu Ning and Song Zu Er, as the leads, delivered amazing performances, capturing the essence of their characters with sensitivity and authenticity. Besides them, the supporting actors were also crucial to the production’s success, as each brought their characters to life convincingly.

The visual and sound aspects of the drama were also excellent. The soft makeup, beautiful accessories, and detailed costumes enriched the narrative’s beauty, especially the protagonists. Wei Shao’s dark-toned outfits reinforced his authority and power. Meanwhile, Manman wore light-colored garments—white, blue, and pink—which emphasized her delicacy and subtly reflected her personality. I really liked the opening song (Lone Hero) and the ending song (Blazing Moon). The setting was immersive, and the CGI was well-balanced. The cinematography was spot-on regarding color palette, lighting, and camera movement.

Despite everything mentioned, there are a few aspects I would change:
(1) The way Bi Zhi’s character was developed gave me mixed feelings. Even though he was a good person, his arc seemed to lack initiative. His actions were always driven by others, as if he had no autonomy. It would've been more interesting if he had more personality.
(2) The events leading to the death of Wei Dian, in my view, had little impact on the overall plot and could have been handled more meaningfully. It lacked direct relevance to the story’s progression.
(3) The dramatic tension in the final episodes was frantic, but I felt it could have been better executed and paced. The delivery of the events deserved a more orchestrated and scripted buildup, with more detailed and impactful conflict scenes. I would’ve loved to see more battle scenes showcasing Wei Shao’s combat skills, as well as his generals and Wei Yan. I believe the episode cuts may have compromised the editing and development of these scenes.
(4) Regarding Wei Liang’s death, I don’t think it was necessary. It would have been more satisfying to see him fighting bravely and surviving, albeit injured. His death, like Da Qiao's, felt more like a tool to create dramatic tension. I wish both had had more positive outcomes. Also, I missed having more focus on the main couple at the end. After everything they went through, especially because of the war, they deserved more screen time for a more emotionally complete conclusion.
(5) The deaths of Su E Huang and Liu Yan were portrayed in a mild way considering all the chaos and suffering they caused throughout the story. It would’ve been much more satisfying if they had faced harsher and more proportional consequences for their actions.

Overall, "The Prisoner of Beauty" is a refreshing drama that gave me moments of emotion, laughter, tears, and celebration. The story sensitively builds a romance between two people from rival clans, with performances were well delivered, contributing to a truly captivating narrative.

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