The Story of Pearl Girl (2024)

Pirate twink sadist courts abused former slave girl

Yeah I don't know who wrote the review that I read before watching this, but it was complete nonsense. The story is good, it's good enough that I might consider watching it again in a few years. Basically the premise is that this pirate twink who is obsessed with revenge for his family meets the enslaved pearl diver. She's a slave that escapes her circumstances and sneaks on his ship. After he puts her through some more horrific abuse for a while, she joins the convoy and the story goes on from there. I think it's ridiculous for the audience to be expected to understand someone like the pirate twink, and forgive him for the cruelty he showed this former slave who already endured so much hardship and cruelty. This is not an appropriate romance lmao. Our victim, a typical abused girl, is convinced she can fix him and shows extreme loyalty. The FL is always a fantastic actress, I have always enjoyed watching her portray characters. This story is one of resilience, determination, and success despite having the odds against you. Around the midpoint of this drama, I had to take a break. Some seriously emotional events happened and I had to actually struggle to find the will to keep watching. I truly was so close to dropping this title because of it, I think a lot of these things were done for shock value and it could have certainly been written in a better way. But despite that, I am glad that I finished it and I think it was a pretty decent story.

Read More

The Story of Pearl Girl – A Profound Journey of Resilience, Love, and Identity.

｡ ₊°༺🎀༻°₊ ｡


♕ - 𝑰𝑵𝐓𝐑𝐎𝑫𝑼𝑪𝐓𝐈𝐎𝑵:
"𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐋 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒔𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒂 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒅𝒓𝒐𝒑 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒈𝒈𝒍𝒆, 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒕𝒉."


♕ - 𝐎𝐒𝐓
: 𝓪𝓷 𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓲𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓼𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓴 𝓲𝓼 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓹𝓾𝓵𝓼𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓪 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂, 𝓪𝓷 𝓲𝓷𝓿𝓲𝓼𝓲𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝔀𝓮𝓪𝓿𝓮𝓼 𝓽𝓱𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱 𝓮𝓪𝓬𝓱 𝓼𝓬𝓮𝓷𝓮, 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓻𝔂𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽𝓪𝓬𝓱𝓮, 𝓳𝓸𝔂, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓮𝓷𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓭𝓼 𝓪𝓵𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓬𝓪𝓷𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝓬𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓾𝓻

ִֶָꨄ Let’s start with the opening OST. I’ll admit, I’m usually the type to skip the opening credits—I don’t like to spoil myself with upcoming scenes or I’m just eager to dive right into the episode. But when I heard Jane Zhang’s 珠光重晔 in the show, I was completely captivated. Her voice has such a rich, emotional quality that draws you in right from the start. She has this unique ability to infuse her vocals with a rawness that instantly tugs at your heart, and the liquid gold art just flowing on the screen behind her vocals were so calming to look at. After that, I never skipped the opening again.

Curley Gao is one of the best voices of our generation. I’m always excited to hear anything she sings, 人间有时 particularly fits perfect with the sad & heartfelt moments throughout the drama. Then, there’s Liu Yuning. Does this man sing every song on the planet? If there’s an OST, you can bet he’s probably on the list. And honestly, I get it—his vocals bring so much emotion, and maybe it's because he's also the male lead, but there’s something uniquely powerful about his contributions to the soundtrack.

♕ - 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘
: 𝓪 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂 𝓲𝓼 𝓪 𝓶𝓲𝓻𝓻𝓸𝓻, 𝓻𝓮𝓯𝓵𝓮𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓽𝓻𝓾𝓽𝓱𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝔀𝓮 𝓪𝓻𝓮, 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝔀𝓮 𝔀𝓮𝓻𝓮, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝔀𝓮 𝓱𝓸𝓹𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓫𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓮.

ꨄ The Story Of Pearl Girl, opens with an ethereal image—a young girl diving into treacherous waters to collect pearls. It’s an ethereal and stunning visual that rivals that of The Little Mermaid, quickly shifting into something much darker. The transition is jarring, taking us from a place of serenity to the bleakest of settings. A grim, dystopian world unfolds, where life is nothing more than a struggle for survival. Zhao Lusi immediately demonstrates her acting chops, embodying the heavy burden of a young girl trapped in a hellish reality. The atmosphere is suffocating, with enslaved people locked in cages, half-submerged in water—an image so haunting that it stays with you long after the scene fades. The harshness of her circumstances is palpable, making her determination to escape feel both desperate and relatable.

I’ve watched a lot of dramas, but The Story of Pearl Girl is unlike anything I’ve seen before. Most dramas haven’t been from the perspective of a slave worker, but this show’s unique approach—much more put-together in nature—provides a raw and powerful view into a life shaped by harsh realities. She has lived a life defined by pain, survival, and sacrifice.

The story takes a pivotal turn when Duan Wu encounters two very different men, each of whom plays a crucial role in her journey toward freedom. First, there’s Yan Zi Jing, a wealthy businessman whose cold, smoldering gaze hides an intense inner turmoil. His attraction to Duan Wu isn’t purely romantic—there’s an undercurrent of vengeance tied to his past, and his feelings for her are as much about satisfying that desire for retribution as they are about his growing admiration for her strength. The complexity of his emotions makes his motivations unclear at times, leaving Duan Wu (and the audience) questioning whether his intentions are genuine or masked by darker desires.

On the other hand, Zhang Jin Ran, a humble scholar with a quiet presence, offers a stark contrast. His feelings for Duan Wu are grounded in compassion, offering a refreshing sense of hope in the midst of the bleak world she inhabits. His sincerity stands in opposition to the harsh world around them, and his genuine care for Duan Wu slowly builds as he witnesses the depth of her pain and determination. Where Yan Zi Jing embodies a mix of passion and vengeance, Zhang Jin Ran represents the quiet strength of love and empathy, offering Duan Wu a different kind of salvation.

The dynamic between these two men—and Duan Wu—becomes a key aspect of the narrative, as both offer her different paths forward. But their contrasting motivations create a deep tension in Duan Wu’s heart. She is torn between them, struggling to navigate the emotional minefield they present. While Yan Zi Jing pulls her toward a dangerous quest for vengeance, Zhang Jin Ran offers her the chance for healing and hope. This complex triangle forms a significant part of her emotional growth, pushing Duan Wu to confront not only her own past but her capacity for love, trust, and forgiveness.

One of the pivotal moments comes when Duan Wu is given a dangerous choice: dive into the depths of the ocean to retrieve a giant pearl, with the promise of manumission for those who succeed. This high-risk endeavor represents not just a literal dive into peril, but a symbolic plunge into the depths of her own fate. Duan Wu stakes her future on securing a freedom document, not only for herself but for her friend Lala as well. The tension between survival and sacrifice runs deep as the drama unfolds, and the pearl—beautiful and deadly—becomes both a literal and metaphorical prize.

The true turning point in Duan Wu’s journey occurs when she uncovers the devastating truth about her mother, Lady Eight, who has secretly been watching over her all along. The revelation that Lady Eight has been secretly watching over her all these years is a blow, but it’s the shock of witnessing her mother’s selfless sacrifice that truly changes the course of Duan Wu’s life. The emotional weight of that loss is undeniable—it propels her toward a deeper understanding of her own strength and her capacity to fight not only for her freedom but for justice.

As Duan Wu joins Yan Zi Jing’s caravan, she embarks on a perilous journey filled with secrets, betrayals, and a quest for revenge that intertwines with her own. Her venture into the jewelry world brings her into contact with dangerous figures, and her struggle for freedom intensifies as she gets closer to unraveling the truth about her life. Along the way, she navigates complicated relationships with both male leads—Yan Zi Jing, whose thirst for vengeance intertwines with his feelings for her, and Zhang Jin Ran, whose presence offers Duan Wu a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. Both men’s admiration for her grows as they witness her strength, courage, and resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity.

In the end, The Story of Pearl Girl is a powerful journey of transformation. What begins as a struggle for survival evolves into a tale of vengeance, love, and self-discovery, as Duan Wu rises from despair to reclaim her destiny.


♕ - 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑 & 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑
: 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝔂 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓷𝓪𝓻𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓿𝓮, 𝓹𝓾𝓵𝓼𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓮𝓶𝓸𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼, 𝓯𝓵𝓪𝔀𝓼, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓭𝓮𝓼𝓲𝓻𝓮𝓼.

𝒁𝒉𝒂𝒐 𝑳𝒖𝒔𝒊 𝒂𝒔 𝑫𝒖𝒂𝒏 𝑾𝒖/ 𝑺𝒖 𝑴𝒖𝒛𝒉𝒆:
☆ Zhao Lusi is, as always, a revelation in her role as Duan Wu. She fully embodies the character’s pain and struggles, making them resonate deeply with the audience. Zhao’s ability to convey complex emotions—from vulnerability to strength—makes her performance stand out. You can literally watch her character evolve, growing from a young girl into a woman, with every change in her stature, the way she walks, and the grace she carries. Her portrayal is so captivating that it’s impossible not to become emotionally attached to her.

What I love most is the perfect balance she strikes between bravery and vulnerability. Duan Wu’s intelligence and determination are perfectly complemented by her flaws and emotional depth, creating a well-rounded and relatable character. Zhao Lusi’s performance is a masterclass in emotional expression, and she effortlessly captivates the screen in every scene.

𝑳𝒊𝒖 𝒀𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝒀𝒂𝒏 𝒁𝒊 𝑱𝒊𝒏𝒈:
☆ Liu Yuning delivers a stellar performance as Yan Zi Jing, a character whose complex layers unfold as the series progresses. At first, his behavior towards Duan Wu is exactly what you’d expect from someone who has clawed his way to the top: cold, calculated, and detached. He isn’t interested in coddling her; they have no prior relationship, and his focus is on business and profit. What’s refreshing, however, is how their relationship develops—not in the typical love-at-first-sight fashion, but through mutual respect and intellectual admiration. The chemistry between them is built on a foundation of mind, not just attraction, and it makes their eventual connection far more compelling. It’s a relationship where the emotional depth is earned, and that makes it all the more satisfying to watch.

He brings both an icy exterior and the hidden vulnerabilities of his character to life, making Mr.Yan a fascinating, multifaceted lead. His acting in this drama is equally impressive. he not only towers over people just in height but in emotional weight, his every gesture and glance carrying immense significance. His acting elevates the subtle nuances of Yan Zi Jing which i really appreciated.

𝑻𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝑿𝒊𝒂𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒔 𝒁𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝑱𝒊𝒏 𝑹𝒂𝒏:
☆ At first glance, Zhang Jin Ran might appear to be the typical second male lead—quiet, self-righteous, and idealistic. However, as the series progresses, Tang Xiaotian masterfully develops this character, showing his growth from someone who’s almost too rigid in his beliefs to someone who learns to adapt and confront his own vulnerabilities.

Zhang Jin Ran’s quiet strength offers Duan Wu a rare sense of peace amidst the chaos, and the chemistry between them is palpable. It’s his character’s journey toward maturity and understanding that enriches the emotional depth of the drama. as a character, Zhang Jin Ran provides Duan Wu with a sense of peace and quiet strength—a respite from the tumultuous world they live in.

Their chemistry, though subtle, is undeniable, and it’s through his character arc that we see how trauma and personal growth can redefine one’s path. Tang Xiaotian's performance transforms what could’ve been a one-dimensional second male lead into a deeply sympathetic figure.

𝑪𝒉𝒍𝒐𝒆 𝑿𝒊 𝒂𝒔 𝑪𝒖𝒊 𝑺𝒉𝒊 𝑱𝒖 / 𝑪𝒖𝒊 𝒁𝒉𝒐𝒖 𝑯𝒖𝒂:
☆ Chloe Xi’s portrayal of Cui Shi Ju / Cui Zhou Hua is nothing short of captivating. At first glance, she might seem like a classic antagonist, but Chloe infuses her character with such depth that you can't help but sympathize with her struggles. Cui Shi Ju/Cui Zhou Hua is a woman of power, driven by the need to prove herself in a world that constantly tries to tear her down.

Chloe portrays her with a ruthless arrogance, but it’s not without reason. Her ambition stems from a place of survival, and her journey is filled with both heartbreak and devastating choices. I loved to hate her—a testament to Chloe’s ability to make you root for and resent the same character. She’s so striking and complex, and I truly believe she deserves a lead role. Her presence in the drama was electric.

𝑻𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑻𝒂𝒐 𝒂𝒔 𝒁𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒈 𝒁𝒉𝒊 𝑯𝒆𝒏𝒈:
☆ I first saw Tang Chen Tao in LGIEF, where he played a lovesick, rich nobleman. I honestly didn’t expect him to be so effective in a role like Zheng Zhi Heng’s, but his performance in The Story of Pearl Girl completely took me by surprise. As a villain, Zheng Zhi Heng is driven by loss, desperation, and a deep desire for control, and Tang Chen Tao brings so much nuance to the character. He skillfully portrays the internal conflict of a man caught between his ambitions and the harsh realities around him. And him dying such a tragic death while still protecting his love till his last breath.


♕ - 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐒𝐎𝐏𝐆
ꨄThe world is built upon the beauty and rarity of pearls and gemstones—treasures that people fight, scheme, and sacrifice for. These precious gems are more than just currency; they represent power, status, and the dreams of those who dare to acquire them. The dazzling jewelry, headpieces, and intricate designs are stunning visual representations of the characters' desires and aspirations. I've always been captivated by the extravagant headpieces and jewelry that often appear in historical dramas, and this show doesn’t disappoint.

One of the most enchanting aspects of this world is the pearls themselves, coveted by so many, yet so elusive. It's not just about the gems but the lives intertwined with them—women like the top beauties, whose beauty and grace are unparalleled, often wearing intricate creations that take your breath away. I truly wish we could’ve had more moments like the talent show, where the girls showcased their designs. The competition added such a fun and dynamic element to the show.

One of the most breathtaking moments occurs when our leads share their first kiss surrounded by colorful flowers in full bloom making it seem like for a moment one them wasn't dying from being poisoned.

After Duan Wu gets hurt by Yan Zi Jing’s arrow, her journey across the scorching deserts, vast prairies, and snow-covered mountains is visually stunning. Each environment feels like its own world. And the wide shot where she stood by looking over the water you could just feel the stillness - everything seemed like it stopped for her; she just watched everyone she cared about die & the love of her life potentially tried to kill her, it was just so wonderfully shot.


♕ - 𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐄𝐍'𝐒 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒:

♕♕♕ The Story of Pearl Girl is so much more than a tale of love and revenge—it’s a profound exploration of resilience, identity, and the emotional costs of survival. What truly sets TSOPG apart is its rich character development. Every major character—whether hero or villain—undergoes a significant transformation, becoming far more than just plot devices. Each character is molded by their experiences, and their growth is the driving force behind the narrative. The story is an emotional journey that’s shaped by their struggles, and it’s through these trials that we come to understand their true depth.

As for the ending, I know lot's of viewers had their opinions; though bittersweet, I always believed Duan Wu would end her journey alone, given that she started it alone. Her finding love amidst all the chaos was simply the cherry on top of a journey that was her's to walk. Still, it was a beautiful reminder that even in the harshest of circumstances, a person can find moments of light.

I also want to mention that I truly hope Liu Yuning and Zhao Lusi work together again. This was their second time collaborating, and their chemistry was one of the best i've seen. you could genuinely see how much they enjoyed working together. Imagine how amazing their third project together could be! I’ll definitely be looking forward to it.

If you’re a fan of historical dramas filled with strong, character-driven narratives, I highly recommend it. Zhao Lusi and Liu Yuning’s chemistry, along with the emotional depth of the characters, make this a standout drama for those who love intricate relationships and the personal struggles that come with ambition, revenge, and self-discovery. The series balances action and emotional moments, making it a perfect watch for anyone who enjoys a mix of historical intrigue, romance, and drama that tugs at the heartstrings. Whether you're a fan of historical settings or emotional, character-focused storytelling, TSOPG offers a compelling journey worth experiencing.♕♕♕




｡ ₊°༺🎀༻°₊ ｡

Read More

If Pirates of the Caribbean had a baby with a C-drama. One of the best drama's of 2024!

The Story of Pearl Girl had me hooked from the first episode. I give a lot of credit to Zhao Lusi for learning to swim for this role because the under water shots were amazing. I'm not going to rip apart the CGI because I could really care less how the waves look or how realistic the sharks looked. The budget was used in the right places. Everything looked stunning and I give credit to all the set and costume designers for making this a truly beautiful drama to watch.

The story: ... This drama took risks! So a lot of people are hating on it. But I personally loved it. Duanwu's story grabbed me instantly but her tenacity and sincerity is what really made her character so likeable. Then the romance between her and Yan Zijing was a sweet addition. The show was definitely dark and did not sugarcoat anything but I found it refreshing. But it also wasn't so dark that it made me depressed and the characters still showed so much relatable emotions that kept it interesting. I think it was a good balance. Sometimes when dramas are too serious the characters are too cold and emotionless, but all the characters here did amazing at showing all sides of the human heart. I'll admit that I almost quit watching midway after what I like to call the "red wedding" episode. And it's because of this episode where we lost Shrimp that this drama doesn't get a 10/10. I'm still grieving! But I'm glad I came back and finished this drama because it was truly a great watch.

Lead characters: Duanwu started out as my favorite but YZ took that spot once their romance started. He was one of those male leads that is obviously pleasant looking but his looks didn't really strike me at first. But by the end of the drama I found him to be one of the most handsome and charming male leads. I give credit to the actor for that. I'm familiar with Liu Yuning's songs but his acting here was top notch. He gave life to this character. I particularly love YZ because although he is cold-hearted in his decision making and hell bent on revenge, he is not the typical robotic tsundere. He has a cheeky/playful side from the beginning which makes him more human and likeable.

Supporting characters: I didn't love Cu Shiju. She is beautiful but her acting was just okay, she wasn't evil enough to be a memorable antagonist so I didn't hate her either. Her ending was lackluster for all her efforts throughout the show. I actually loved the second male lead, which I usually don't care for. He was just adorable, sweet and earnest without being too pushy or annoying. Shrimp and the others grabbed my heart in the first half but Lady Shi Qui and the others in the second half took over that spot by the end.

The ending: I did not mind the ending. They set the precedence from the very beginning that this story world was cruel and no one was getting free lunch. We knew from the first few episodes that YZ was sick. I think that if they had showed him as a domesticated man in the end it would discredit his character. He was never going to be a loving husband and father. He was lucky enough to have found love in an unexpected place. And I'm glad they didn't show his death either because I didn't need to see it. The only alternate ending I would have liked to see was if DW had a baby with him and that baby could grow up and carry on the Yan family name and business as well.

Read More

A Missed Opportunity

had the potential to be a gripping historical drama, but it falls short due to weak storytelling, inconsistent pacing, and underdeveloped characters. While the premise of a pearl diver escaping slavery and navigating the ruthless world of commerce is intriguing, the execution feels shallow and repetitive.

One of the biggest issues is the lack of depth in character development. Duanwu, the protagonist, starts strong but quickly becomes a passive figure, constantly reacting to events rather than driving the story forward. Yan Zijing, the supposed complex and ruthless merchant, ends up being a predictable and cliché male lead whose interactions with Duanwu rely too much on forced tension rather than genuine chemistry.

The pacing is another major flaw. Some episodes feel dragged out with unnecessary subplots, while crucial moments of character growth are glossed over. Betrayals and conflicts are introduced but resolved too quickly, reducing their emotional impact. Moreover, the dialogue often leans into excessive melodrama, making it difficult to take key moments seriously.

While the cinematography and costumes are visually appealing, they can’t make up for the lackluster writing .

Read More

My success is nothing without you | Love that is true & intense but is short lived.

First of all, I want to thank this drama for not slapping me with such a heartbreaking ending—when I know for a fact that it's going to be a sorrowful one no matter what.

I truly appreciate the thought and consideration of whoever is behind this idea of minimizing the impact of YZJ death by giving us lowkey signs instead of shoving it in front of our faces. Like, thank you so much for going easy on us by delivering that tragic scene in a milder and less distressing way. I totally commend you for not using it as a clickbait to gain more attention and views for the finale of this story.

Diving into the story itself, am I the only one expecting Duanwu to go pearl diving again? Like, I waited patiently for it to come but it never happened. Then it finally occured to me after 30 episodes that she'll never gonna go back doing that job again as it's the sole reminder of how rough and painful her life was growing up, and how she had to work hard in order to vouch herself out of that predicament. It also made me realize that there are people who stops doing things they excelled the most not because they want to but simply because doing so suffocates them. So they would rather choose to avoid and completely abandon it by honing their other skills in order to gain more experience and transition to other things they have potential in doing.

Another thing I want to talk about is the exceptional execution of our main and supporting leads of their characters' role in the show—Yan Zi Jing as the revengful soul, Duanwu as the hardworking, wise and clever individual who want success and comfort in life, Zhang Jin Ran as the upstanding official who values justice and righteousness above everything else and Cui Shi Jiu as the redeemed villain who went through a handful of agonizing event which taught her to how to love and appreciate life better. This drama revolved around these characters and how they face their own demons and traumas in order to achieve their dreams and goals in life. They're the core elements of this drama who molded and animated it to be the outstanding show it is right now.

Love stories/relationships on this drama are one of the most sweet, memorable yet heart-rending for me. I totally appreciate the healthy rivalry and friendship between the Yan Zi Jing and Zhang Jin Ran so I never really expect them to pull off Yan Zi Jing dying and Duan Wu getting left behind. Specially after what they've done with Cui Shi Jiu and Zheng Zhi Heng...the progress of their love story was promising only for them to slaughter ZZH mercilessly—it was truly heroic and valiant though so I will give them credits for that—nonetheless, I would say that this drama is a tragic-themed story intricately enveloped in an enticing love story.

Phasing overall is good as they were able to highlight each stage of the main leads progress in terms of their personal growth and their romantic relationship. I even think that they did great in arranging the sequence of events in a logical and natural way on how they have to go through the trials and hardships in their respective lives to obtain the position and success they're trying to achieve.

Design, Costume, Colour Scheme, Editing and everything related to effects - are mostly nicely done aside from the Ship scenes. LOL I was never against of green screen utilization so I find it rather clumsy and funny whenever I spot some unpolished details but I am sure it's going to be big deal for others. In addition to that, the size of the ship doesn't add up to the number and size of the rooms being showed. Like, what do you mean multiple rooms of approx. 20sqft+ can fit that mid size looking ship? are you kidding me? When the ships interior is bigger than its exterior. Hahaha!

Lastly, I just wanna mention how crazy Zhao Lusi and Liu Yuning's chemistry is. Everytime they're on screen, it feels like they're some kind of breathtakingly gorgeous scenary I can't stop looking and taking a picture at. Their spark is so vibrant that I feel like they're illuminating the entire screen which makes me smile unconciously. + The thumb kissing scene on Ep.31 was the most phenomenal, romantic and iconic kissing scene I have ever seen for a couple or so of years now. Dang! They really got me rolling over my bed, all cramped up because of how thrilled I was during that scene.

I just wanna say here as well that I have watched Tang Xiao Tian as the 2nd male lead for multiple times now that I have automatically branded him that way in my head. I would love to see him take some cool and amazing main lead role cause right now I still can't see the main lead aura in him.

P.S. Cui Shi Jiu and Zheng Zhi Heng's love story is the dark horse of this story...too bad they killed ZZH. I still feel bad and regretful about that. Grr! What a bad decision!!!

Story - 9.5, Don't get me wrong, the plot and how it unfolds was good. It's just that the ending made me a bit disheartened, and not to mention how I see so much potential with CSJ and ZZH romance but they ended up using him as a plot device to redeem Cui Shi Jiu. Additionally, I feel like something's really off towards the end when Zhang Jin Ran was dealing with Prince Ying. It feels like he's got too much authority and power in him while the "Prince" felt powerless which made me watch those scenes with critical doubtful eyes.

Acting/Cast - 10, No words needed! I love every artists in this production and I would never have them any other way. Liu Yu Ning here was insane!!—his acting is so suave to me that all of his facial expressions, specially when he's smiling and mad are so attractive. Love him a lot. <3 + I would love to see Chloe Xie's other acting projects too. My attention was so drawn to her during the end.

Music - 10, I honestly didn't pay much attention to the music but the opening was exceptionally done. + I never felt bothered by any of the insert songs during my entire watch experience. I even feel like it helped heightened the emotions of the events at some point.

Rewatch Value - 10, Will definitely re-watch this drama if I happen to have some more spare time to do so. + This is the fastest drama I finished this year (I only procrastinated watching the last episode because I got no time to write my review) Hehehe...

Overall - 10, An overall good drama to watch for sure. I highly recommend this specially to those people who loves to watch empowered and skilled women succeed through their hardwork, ingenuity and dedication.

IF you find my review helpful please let me know.

Read More

DuanWu (“Rosy” Zhao Lusi ) and her adventures

Big fan of Zhao Lusi (FL Duan Wu/Su Mu Zhe)~ Don’t know her, but was impressed with Xie Ke Yin ( Cui Zhuo Hua). Male Leads were ok, but obviously played 2nd fiddle to the Pearl Girl. …
Romance was light… due to the storyline,… I understand, but wished it was~ different. .. I feel without romance as a primary point.. aside from their goals/character development… there could have been more detail about her achievement/s.
Big shoutout to the wonderful supporting cast, most Especially the seasoned veteran actors! :) I love it when I see veteran actors in roles that are supposedly secondary, but their skills really bring the performances together more seamlessly!
I would recommend this drama series.

Read More

How to recover......

Watched on Netflix, I was interested when this title came up on screen enough to watch the trailer. I was hooked when I realised Liu Yu Ning and Zhao Lu Si were the main actors, I was still so fond of their pairing from the The Long Ballad. 40 episodes committed for them.

Personally I hate the ending, I was sick to death of losing people through the series in the light of "growth". I would agree with many reviews that the series went down hill after half way.

This had such potential to be SO MUCH BETTER!!

The music, sets, designs, and costumes 100%

I'm exhausted from holding out the whole time -hopeful.

Not for not appreciating female empowerment as the title does say the story of pearl girl, her character progresses and grows, but would it really have been so bad not to kill the ML.

I feel like I should have expected as much.........

Read More

It had potential

I became obsessed with Liu Yuning after finishing this drama. I loved how the story started but after episode 20, I felt it fell flat for me. They built up the side characters midway only to do away with them. I felt cheated. The "breakup" they had was for the dumbest reason/misunderstanding.

The chemistry between the main leads should have been explored more and they should have left out the 10 eps of angst. I get it, this drama is about "pearl girl" but Liu Yuning's character had so much potential to be more.

Oh and by the way, how could he just leave her at the end?! I get it why but why? I don't mind sad endings but he could've stayed with her until his illness took his life and that would have been so much more than the betrayal. That last scene of her asking him not to leave her, still breaks my heart each time.

Read More

Female Resilience!

Zhao Lu Si, my beloved flower💗🌸

This drama was such a masterclass in terms of acting, cinematography, styling, music, just everything was so splendid. I loved the cast, the complexity of the characters. Duan Wu’s fighting spirit and determination, but also her sensible side and strength, her resilience, her love, her loyalty. What a wonderful character, Zhao Lu Si played her to perfection. Cui Shi Jiu was an interesting character as well, who I pitied by the end of the show. CSJ was in some ways similar to Duan Wu, but she was so much more aggressive, hot-tempered and rash in her decisions. The ending… let’s not talk about it, I cried too many tears😭🤚🏻 My only criticism would be the non-stop problems befalling Clear Mind once Duan Wu set up her business. It was repetitive: she takes care of one person sabotaging her and her business, and whoops: next person coming to mess with her. Regardless, this drama was wonderful. It puts female characters at the center and shows their strength and resilience, their intelligence and sensibility. Truly, a great show. 💗

Read More

Strong start and fizzled out

This series had such great potential. It started out really strong then fizzled out even before the half way mark. It became a chore to finish the series. It's watchable w/ a lot of skipping.

The Good:
- Cinematography, production quality
- Started out strong and engaging from episode 1, no slow build up which is usually the case w/ drama series
- Good storyline
- 2nd male lead was very likeable
- Cui Shi Jiu started off extremely annoying w/ her over-acting like a man, felt so forced and contrived, but her character went thru the most growth & development in a very interesting way

The Bad:
- Main couple lacked chemistry. They could not recreate the strong chemistry that they had as the 2nd lead couple in The Long Ballad. I felt no emotional reactions to their coupling, reunions, or separations.
- Plot became too repetitive w/ the FL Duan Wu/Su Muzhe overcoming business venture obstacles. The ML Yan Zijing became almost like a support character to the FL Su Muzhe's storyline.
- They swapped out the support characters midway. As another reviewer stated - we were invested in the initial support characters, you felt the sense of loyalty, love and humor with their connections to the lead couple. But after the arc of the tragic massacre in desert region, the writers wanted you to re-invest in a whole new set of support characters for the FL, it just flopped.

Read More