The Double

I, absolutely, loved the storyline. Thank you to the writers for crafting such a compelling narrative. The costumes, martial arts, horses, time period, and sets were all fantastic. The soundtrack was beautiful and added so much to the experience.

My favorite scene was when the Qin was played during the testing – it was truly captivating. Wang Xing Yue was perfect in his role and is such a handsome actor. I have seen him in both non-historical and historical roles, and while his facial features may vary, his smile always gives him away. I think I prefer him in historical dramas.

Wu Jin Yan, who played the main female lead, did an excellent job portraying Li Jiang. The development of the romance was somewhat different from what I'm used to, but it was refreshing. This drama evoked all my emotions, which is a testament to its excellence.

Thank you to all the actors and actresses who brought this story to life.

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Great drama - skip second half of episode 40

HEED MY WARNING!!!

I reaaaaally never leave reviews but will just add a warning for this one, in general I loved it, acting, the story, even the evil guys had a reason and some even got character growth, even though the main couple was so slow burn it didn’t bother me…
I loved so very much Duke Su’s sidekicks

But seriously if you see other comments saying to skip everything after minute 31 of episode 40, DO IT

It was so unnecessary, we already had a happy ending, why kill off my 3 favorite characters all at once and in the last 10 minutes of the show

I had read somewhere this had a happy ending so wasn’t expecting this, I got surprised when Liu Ju was killed, caught me totally off guard, I loved him, so then I tried to make peace with it like okay, well Xiao Heng and Wen Ji will take him home… 30 seconds later Wen Ji is massacred with arrows, I literally screamed!! My funny and adorable Wen Ji!!! I wish I had a brother or best friend like him.

Then there was no question what was going to happen to our dearest Xiao Heng… outnumbered … not going back to A’Li after all. The last moments where he met her at the tree were definitely his last delusion before meeting his end, even in a white horse, he never rode white horses, only in the after life it seems.

And seriously that woman deserved happiness with her man after everything she went through, and finally chose the right man…

This will definitely leave me with traumas or either gonna try pretend I never saw those 25 minutes

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one of the best series I have ever watched! the cast, the story , the music.....woahh everything was dope! i enjoyed myself watching this....the only thing i don't like about the story is that Lu ji and Wen ji die...they were one my fav characters..i really wished for 3 of them to return together but it didn't come true.....sigh....overall this is the best drama of 2024 .....waiting for more amazing work from the cast. I wish we get another fabulous drama with Wang XIngyue, Wu Jinyan, Pan you cheng and Wang le fu. i really loved the trio of xiao heng lu ji and wen ji along with a'li. these together again would be really amazing!!!

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Stunning Display of Love, Life, and Loss

This was such a beautifully done drama. Everything is so tasteful and reminds me of exactly why I started watching dramas in the first place. The gripping plot, the intricate social dynamics, and the sweet, very well done romance. It's more of the subplot, but when it comes out, it is like a rose in full blossom. Both the main characters prioritize their ambitions but their love for each other slowly seeps into their beings. The director and screenwriter did an amazing job. All the casting was perfect for the characters played and the everything was done by showing and not telling. In small ways, like how the characters that were supposed to be related look like each other and the impeccable chemistry between the ML and MC. There are no silly misunderstandings, no stupid characters, each one has depth and meaning and significance to the plot. All in all, a beautiful example of a good Chinese drama, very tastefully made, and would definitely recommend you watch.

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Unique and comforting experience.

I have serious reservations about Chinese dramas, most of them have plot flaws, caricatured performances, and clearly the low budget is evident. However, "The Double" is an exceptional case where everything worked well, from the casting of the cast to the quality of set design, costumes, makeup, and landscapes, that is, YOUKU believed in the project and invested financial and intellectual resources for the drama to work and conquer not only the Chinese audience but also the Western one.
About the drama, I realize that the villains had a lamentable life due to their own weaknesses, as well as the weaknesses and bad character of those around them. I found the final scenes very delicate, coherent, and subliminal.

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Watch with patience

"For me, 'The Double' was the most anticipated drama after watching some of its clips. I was especially excited because of the first male lead, whose previous dramas I have enjoyed."

Though he is the male lead, he had less screen time compared to the female lead. The story primarily revolved around her, with his character appearing mostly when she was in trouble."

I eagerly awaited to see their chemistry, but their story developed at a slower pace. They expressed their feelings in indirect ways, which I found refreshing for the first time."
I also appreciated the acting of her ex-husband and the princess, who was obsessed with him."

The Double' had a unique story, with characters cautiously revealing the truth. At some points, it lost its charm and felt a bit boring, but the plot twists kept the viewers' attention, which was the beauty of the story.

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This is a must-watch.

Everything abt this drama is Literally so good, except for the editing honestly it was kinda bad that it nearly spoiled the mood, all the zooming in and out on everything and everyone was too much and the sudden cuts didn't help, but it eventually got better i tink after 15 or 20 eps. The chemistry between the main leads is so good, literally a match made in heaven.

Also there was something that didn't make any sense to me, when they attempt to jump, they don't. They literally FLY, it was so annoying to see that like they just go on as if there's no gravity. Why can't they just film normal scenes💀? But it's still okay tho especially if watched a lot of cdramas you'll get used to things like that.

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"Double heart heart to the handsome Duke"

My greatest escape after I watched the goodbye my princess. This is not just a drama to me..The purpose was to watch it in order to forget,but as the drama progressed I couldn't stop.But don't forget to carry ur brain cells with you,the two main characters loved to investigate like Sherlock. Sometimes,I got left behind,maybe I have low brain power or I was just enticed and focused on the handsome investigator (Duke Su) and not on the investigation.

Duke Su nailed my heart, I mean nailed his character.Love the nonchalant emotions..the matured love. The both the same level of quirkyness and affection.The mutual understanding of their feelings to each other hayst..love love

The romantic scenes were common,but I don't know how the two main characters made the ordinary scenes an extraordinary one..It was heart melting. The charisma of the Duke,the angst ,the sharp gaze,the calm face,okay the everything. It is hard to look away when the handsome duke is on the scene,but if you look at him for too long you would get drowned.Jiang Li's pain ughh,only a heartless human couldn't feel it. I was devastated watching her painful scene.

But the other irrelevant characters had more screen time than Duke Su. I mean hellow he is the male lead,but as I calculated it, during the 20 early episodes I only saw him,either, in the last part or first part,and then pshaw!! The psycho Wanning again. Or I am just obsessed with him that's why I feel like he had few scenes. But truth to be told,due to some irrelevant scenes of minor characters,some big moments of the two main characters were not being emphasized.

Duke Su's clothing,I honestly don't know if the costumes are all beautiful,or he was just good on wearing it,I mean he is dashingly handsome,whatever colors and styles he wore there,be it violet,red,black,and when he wore the warrior clothes,nahh kill me,he is one of the most beautiful soldiers I have ever seen in historical Chinese drama. One thing I noticed again,observed the way he walked,he wore the traditional Chinese shoes like loafers. He is damn cool...

Would I rewatch it again? absolutely there is no doubt,even during the time I was watching it I still kept replaying Duke Su's scene. I love all his sarcastic and poetic dialogue.

In C-drama revenge is everything. There were tragic endings on some valuable characters,and the ending, of Duke Su and Li, I was expecting a hug, but only a horse running,but as long as the Duke is alive,I will let myself be satisfied with the ending. I know he is alive,he was the one who was riding the horse,wearing his favorite red attire...

Lessons:
A sad fact, when the powerful one targets you the only way to escape is to challenge death and if u r not brave enough you will become their toys but like the message of the Female mc,she talked about heaven,that somehow there is a Big one up there who can manage the injustice and all our affairs.

Revenge is just unending battle for the restless soul. It is an expensive word that you need to pay, along the way while seeking it you will lose something or someone or worst you will lose urself.

Power is unending rat race...speaking of rat ..the most iconic funny scene of the two lead characters was the rat scene.

The thought that the world turned against you,but as the mc sooth revenge she found out,that she didn't lost her world,she just lost the wrong man.

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Dead Yet Alive, Alive Yet Dead

I was introduced to this drama by a fellow dramalist member and I must say that it is a wonderful recommendation! I love this drama! I wanted to give it a 10/10 actually but I think some minor issues with it took away 1 point.

What I Loved A Whole Bunch:
- The leads and (essentially) the entire cast were pretty amazing. They performed their roles well. Superb acting.
- The plot was intriguing and suspenseful. I was riveted and wanted to know more.
- The ML and FL were well cast. They played their roles well and had chemistry. It was pleasant and sweet to watch how their romance blossomed. I liked how sincere they were to each other and how ML expressed his jealousy and love for FL outright. No guessing games here which, to me, was great.
- There were several outstanding scenes — the scene in which FL played the guqin; how the people of Huaixiang came forward to help Magistrate Xue despite their fears; the sorrowful deaths of ML’s guards.
- The OST was lovely.

What I Didn’t Like a Wee Bit:
- There was a lot of bloodshed especially towards the end.
- Princess Wanning was princess with a bipolar disorder IMO. She toyed with people and that was hateful to me. After watching what she had to endure in Dai Country, I get why she turned out this way but I felt that she had a choice not to be thus ruthless. It was shocking to see that she killed her father. She was ‘cray cray’ from being abused and toyed with and she perpetuated what she had gone through. This was wrong.
- The very sad deaths of both ML’s best guards. I was shocked that they died in episode 40 (last episode). Why?! Oh, my heart. I guess drama wanted us to know that people die in wars.
- So many villains like the Li family and Prince Cheng and Ji Shuran and more … who had no qualms in killing others to protect themselves and to get ahead. The lack of morals is dumbfounding! (I know it’s show/ drama and such characters are needed… just saying…)
- The ending was a little frustrating because it wasn’t the kind of happy ending that I hoped for given that things seemed to be looking up for ML and FL in the end. Episode 40 was hard to get through. I had to watch the special episode - I hope I found the right one to watch - to get proper closure.

Nonetheless, this drama is top-notch and I highly recommend it! <3

Pls watch it! It’s great! Awesome production with fantastic cast, interesting plot and lovely music. <3 I know that I will be rewatching some scenes for sure! <3

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To Leave A Trail For Future Revenge Dramas

THE DOUBLE is WORTH all the hate, anger, tears, love, and time you will devote. Pinky swear.

I saw the first episode on YouTube as a pastime while having dinner. The opening scene where Xue Fang Fei in red, slowly running, enticed me. The way the camera slows down and she looks back was truly gripping. Then, she learned of her husband's betrayal. This was not just any betrayal. Her husband loved her very much, but he was unable to avert the circumstances, so he succumbed to cowardice. When I realized this was a revenge story to this extreme, I knew I wanted to watch it until the end. I've been wanting to watch one after I read The Rebirth of an Ill-Fated Consort which led me to read Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage. Then, I learned this is from the book Marriage of the Di Daughter. According to the book, it was a reincarnation, however, reincarnation stories are not allowed to air in China, so they had to change it. So, then, it turned out like Princess Weiyoung. Nevertheless, I was after the watching the book on screen part, so I continued.

CINEMATOGRAPHY
This movie is revolutionary when it comes to cinematography. The angles it offers to the audience give a really fresh perspective. From the opening scene to the part where Duke Su breaks the door and the umbrella raises to reveal his face, the slow motions in between, the fight scenes, and especially the use of close-ups to reveal every character's emotions were all on point. It's about time we put some more creativity into the mix.

CAST / CHARACTERS
I'm not very fond of the main leads tbh. I got bored in Yanxi Palace, so, I didn't finish. Don't even mention WXY!!!!! His horrible character in One and Only stuck to me and I hated it. So, them together got me meeehhhhh. But, I guess they did justice to their characters. It's good it's not focused so much on the romance part or it will be cringe. Anyway, I'll talk about the characters more than the cast.
1. JIANG LI: She reminds us that sometimes we have to crawl from hell before we can bring out the best in ourselves. As Xue Fang Fei, she had an angelic, almost perfect, character. As Jiang Li, she turned out almost the opposite. I mean, the hole here would be obvious that it took too long for her real identity to be exposed especially when she returned to and from Huaixiang. My favorite part would be that she embraced Jiang Li's family as her own, especially her father, and he embraced her as his Jiang Li.
2. DUKE SU: He is supposed to be perfect in skill, looks, and cunning, but has faced injustice in his family (just like all of them). His quest to find justice for his father's death added depth to his character and to the plot's roundness. He was not just there to assist the female lead, he also needed her at some point. He had an infallible character. He had to be, otherwise, he won't fit the Chinese standard of male lead hahahaha.
3. SHEN YURONG: Let's talk about tragic. Yes, that is him. Every time this man appeared, and he looked into the camera with red dead eyes, I flinch. I feel his love for his lost wife through the screen. The rage, the regret, and the longing all hurt. I know it would be terrible to choose him again after he didn't grab the chance to change but there's a small what if inside me. Liang Yong Qi, the actor, had a splendid performance. He was perfectly blank most times, but when he's angry, he is amazing, especially when he calls Wanning or Xue Fang Fei. Although I did not read the book, I think this drama made better alterations with the characters. I predict I would hate Shen Yurong so much in the book, but, in this drama, no I couldn't.
4. WANNING: Speak of terrible and she appears. She was twisted right from the onset. The more twisted she was, the greater was her retribution. Just like all villains, she had a tragic backstory. There was a point of sympathy on her character. She couldn't be totally blamed for how she turned out to be. The most scarring scheme done to her, however, was the fake pregnancy part. She deserved better. cryyyyy! But then again, it was her karma.

PLOT
The plot is something within my expectations. Jiang Li having an evil stepmother, stupid stepsisters, perfect mother, good maternal family background, and the schemes were all familiar. I badly wanted to watch what I read come to play, and it didn't disappoint me. Although I almost got disappointed when the marriage talks for Jiang Li and Shen Yurong and Duke Su and Juiyue were tossed in the mix. Thank goodness, they didn't last too long on that. Also, I admit I forwarded a few scenes which were unnecessary.
As for the ending, I expected this to end happily because both characters were too cunning. They already exposed their plans to subdue the rebellion 5 episodes before the ending. As for the REAL ending, I was only ever disappointed that Xiao Heng's right and left hand men died during the battle. C'mon. That battle was even unnecessary. I expected that we won't be indulged in an ending too detailed because this is C-drama, but, the poetic portrayal of the ending for Jiang Li and Xiao Heng was a cinematic treat. We always have to fill in the gaps.
I stayed up until 3 am for two nights for this hahaha. I think that explains why this is worth it.

MUSIC
Ohhhhhhh. Ohhhhhhhh!!!!! This is my favorite part. I need help looking for a copy of "Spring Fading Into White Blossoms" - the one Jiang Li performed during the exam. It sums up Shen Yurong and her's past love. All the sorrow and love were poured into the melody. My heart feels chills every time. It breaks my heart. Listening to it as we speak. Gonna have to keep playing the list for a while now. All the other songs were quite sad as well. They accompanied the story loyally.

OVERALL, this drama is highly recommendable!!! If you like revenge stories, this is THE ONE. It has a strong cinematic impact and a polished ensemble. If you are after the sounds like I am, try its soulful taste. If you're after strong female leads, Jiang Li x Xue Fang Fei won't disappoint.

Kudos to the whole production team.

PS. Crossing my fingers for The Rebirth of an Ill-Fated Consort and Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage to be filmed as well. Huhu. Do reply if you feel the same. :)

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