Shu Zhong Gong Zi Shi Wu Shuang (2025)

A Wuxia Rom-Com That Starts with a Bang and Ends with a Fizzle

This short C-drama was a surprisingly entertaining watch—at least for the first two-thirds. Blending wuxia, romantic comedy, and slapstick, it kicks off with a fresh and humorous tone. The female lead, a smart and sassy young princess (played by Bao Shang En), literally falls into a storybook world and crosses paths with the resident villain (played by Zhang Jun Ning), a brooding martial artist burdened with emotional baggage.

The FL’s modern way of thinking and casual speech contrast comically with the costume drama setting. She brings a self-aware tone to the show that keeps things light. The ML is more reserved, though his abs get more screentime than his inner world—which, to be fair, fits the drama's wink-wink approach to genre tropes.

While the chemistry between the leads is nothing to write home about, it doesn’t hurt the overall experience too much, since romance takes a backseat to comedy. There’s a constant stream of familiar tropes and occasionally predictable dialogue, but somehow it stays fun rather than stale. The supporting cast does a lot of heavy lifting here—especially Cui Shao Yang as Baili Xingchen, who steals scenes with a mix of hilarity and heart.

The production value is quite solid for what seems to be a low-budget drama. Costumes are sometimes a bit off but the cinematography is visually pleasing, and the BGM is excellent—alternating between traditional Chinese melodies and more modern, playful sounds. The OST matches the genre-blending tone, further elevating the experience.

For the first 14 episodes, I was mostly laughing and thoroughly enjoying myself. But then... the story lost its footing.

The final stretch shifts from playful parody to melodramatic slog. The plot goes in circles, with the ML repeatedly deceiving and abandoning the FL, dragging us through long, overwrought monologues and emotional back-and-forths. Flashbacks take over. The once-sharp humor fades, and a weird ending wraps things up with little satisfaction.

In short: This drama starts with charm, creativity, and comedy—but stumbles hard near the end. Still, it’s worth a watch for the early episodes and supporting cast. Just don’t expect a strong emotional payoff.

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A satirical isekai (historical-to-historical) comedy with absurd, even mindless humor.

PLOT: The FL, a capricious incense-making princess, is sent to the world of a novel, alongside the ML, leader of a sect considered cruel and demonic. Navigating the rivalries of the martial arts world in search of two volumes of a book of secret techniques, she marries the ML and realizes he isn't the Great Villain everyone describes. How can she prevent him from being killed? How can she return to her own world?

+++ Johnny Zhang as the ML and some good actors (such as Cui Shao Yang)
+++ Pleasant OSTs

### The tone is very light, and it's clearly a satire of the genre: the behaviors are inconsistent and absurd; the characters aren't developed enough and aren't engaging (except for the ML). The FL character, capricious, childish, and bossy, is unbearable!
### The storyline is poorly written and full of nonsense.
### Low-budget production (plastic sets, etc.)

=> I watched this series for Johnny Zhang, but if you're not a fan, you can save your time.
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Comédie satyrique d'isekai (hist->hist) au comique absurde, voire brainless

PLOT: La FL, princesse capricieuse fabricante d'encens, est envoyée ds le monde d'1 roman, aux côtés du ML, chef d'1 secte considéré comme cruel & démoniaque. Navigant au milieu des rivalités du monde martial à la recherche des 2 tomes d'1 livre de techniques secrètes, elle épouse le ML et s'aperçoit qu'il n'est pas le Great Villain que tt le monde décrit. Comment lui éviter d'être tué ? Comment retourner ds son monde ?

+++ Johnny Zhang en ML et qq bons acteurs (tels que Cui Shao Yang)
+++ OSTs agréables

### Le ton est très léger et on sent qu'il s'agit d'1 satyre du genre : les comportements sont incohérents, absurdes ; les personnages ne sont pas assez développés et ne sont pas attachants (sauf le ML). Le personnage de la FL, capricieuse, puérile et autoritaire, est insupportable !
### la storyline est mal écrite, bourrée de non-sens.
### production petit budget (décors plastiques, etc.)

=> Série regardée pourJohnny Zhang, mais si vous n'êtes pas fan, vous pouvez éviter de gâcher votre temps.

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