Si Jin

Great chemistry and fast paced

Everyone has different opinions, and that's why cdramas are so great because there's something for everyone.
This drama really suits what I like. The best point for me of this drama is the chemistry between the ML, FL and the FL's brother.
They make a great trio. You can immediately sense the chemistry between the ML and the FL. They look very natural and comfortable with each other. You can sense that the ML liked the FL at first sight, and that the FL only has eyes for the ML regardless of how many men chase her.
For me the flashbacks of the FL and ML's previous romance make me look forward to them getting back together even more. They both are very good at acting with their eyes, when they look at each other you can see their love and care for each other.
The FL's brother adds a nice comedic element to the main duo, and his character development is something you don't see much in similar dramas.

I've seen people say the ML's character is the same as in the rise of Ning (another drama which I liked a lot). Yes they do have similarities.
They are both scheming, have some sort of hidden agenda and control an influential group. However, in rise of Ning, his character is serious like 90% of the time, where as, while he is serious here, there are also a lot more moments where he plays a more comedic or relaxed role. I think his role in this drama is more similar to his role in 'are you the one.' There a more moments where he acts romantic, comedic or even foolish, that brings a lighter feel in my opinion.

One thing I think that sets this drama apart a little is the fast paced nature of the plot. Especially at the beginning, there are almost mini arcs regarding the FL's sisters that in another drama might take 5 or more episodes to see the problem or drama resolved. However in this drama, problems with the FL's sisters and problems the FL faces early on are resolved within 2 episodes normally. I like this fast paced nature as it keeps the plot engaging, but it can feel a little rushed and confusing at time due to the different characters being introduced in a short amount of time.

I also really like how for the most part any misunderstandings or secrets are cleared up explained quite fast, their communication and honesty is so refreshing (besides the FL's big secret, but that's understandable).

As for the main antagonist, I do think their overall 'reason' for hating the FL and her family is not really convincing, but they do sell it well and make it believable. I think this is due to the acting of the main antagonist. She does a great job of portraying her craziness but also calmness. As the main plot and main villains are revealed, I think the story continues to become more engaging.

I think overall, this drama blends romance, comedy and a bit of seriousness well. I really enjoyed the ML and FL's relationship and their trio with the FL's brother. To me, they really made this show. The villains are engaging and it's interesting to find out the reason they hate the FL, even though in the end some may consider her reason silly. The main villa does a good job of selling it. If you are a fan of the FL or the ML, you will definitely enjoy their romance and their chemistry, and will thus enjoy this drama, just like I did.

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Felt like watching a Cnovel: nonstop action, impeccable romance, extensive plot

If you like Cnovels and their immense plotlines, intricate world-building, and lovable side characters, SI JIN delivers on all fronts. I haven't read the novel it was based on (yet), but I've read many a Cnovel (a LOT that don't have drama adaptations) and this drama felt like a realistic interpretation from this type of regressor-revenge novel. Ofc, take my word with a grain of salt since I haven't read the source material. But I could definitely tell from the tropes, pacing, and plot arcs that the drama writers decided to highlight the best parts of the novel both from a storyline perspective and the audiences' perspectives.

Also, I LOVED THE FAST PACE.

Overall, loved it loads and it was a pleasure to see my fave actors working together. The light-hearted dialogue and character antics keep this an enjoyable and entertaining watch.

PROS:
❀ Women drive the plot | "But aren't you sick of these women empowerment stories???" NEVERR!! Listen, I grew up watching Cdramas where the FL always gets saved by the ML and they fall in love bc she's cutesy and annoying (and probably lied about her identity). I'm living for these Cnovel -> Cdrama adaptations with powerful FLs (whether it's through scheming or physical prowess), especially as they've existed in novelland for quite some time.
The first half of SI JIN explores our FL Jiang Si's family backyard with your classic evil aunt, concubine/legal daughter feuds, and matriarch favoritism. Unlike some other revenge stories, SI JIN keeps the goodness of the main leads - that is, even though revenge is happening, their overall values of seeing the good in people is maintained. Our FL strives, in this lifetime, to save her older brother, father, and older sister from their demises in the first lifetime.
The second half of the show brings our leads from the courtyard to the palace where we find that everything was interconnected in some way. I thought this half was VERY exciting and ended up binging it in a day lol.
Other relevant women: the main villain was def evil and selfish, but damn was she kinda cunty at times too. I enjoyed seeing women from all different walks of life supporting and uplifting each other (no matter how small their roles were): from troupe dancer to blind princess, everyone had unique characterizations and passions.

❀ LOVED THE FAM!! | Mostly the growth of the dad and older brother omg :,) They were so silly, supportive, and cute. And right when I thought the older bro was getting annoying, the storyline kicks his character into shape. You'll have to watch to see what happens!!

❀ A couple who supports each other through thick + thin and BONUS: I enjoyed alll the side couples too | I usually see the FL's actress in tough-girl roles, but it was a pleasure to see her as a noble woman. Another reviewer mentioned how it was unrealistic that her personality was so meek in her first lifetime but she's so pro-active in her second, but I feel like they missed the point... the show WANTED to emphasize that. It's called character development :') and most regressor stories are so enjoyable because we see the mc's utilize the knowledge from their previous lives to stand up for themselves + their loved ones to make a change in the new life. Anyway,,, Jiang Si's goal of justice coincides with the ML Yu Qi's goals as well, and they end up working in tacit understanding for most of the show. It was also quite sweet to see how they fell in love in both timelines. The FL is on the more serious side while our ML is a bit sillier (especially when he gets jealous hehe), but their devotion to each other manifests in many ways throughout the show which made their romance SOOO satisfying. Also, kiss scenes early on are always a plus for me!! No edging watchers here (thank god).
Side couples: all super cutesy and lovely; all with thoughtful development. For a show that bounces to various arcs quickly, I noticed they slowed down to develop the side characters' relationships quite well, whether it's romantic or familial.

❀ Lots of arcs, lots of characters | I was pleasantly surprised to see how quick this show addresses arcs and conflicts. The subplots were back-to-back, honestly at one point I was like "this FL can't catch a break" LOL. But nah I loved it. I think the writers did a great job in balancing the execution without making it feel THAT underdeveloped/rushed. And this quick pace is why I liken it to a Cnovel because unless it's a slice of life, they are also nonstop.

❀ Misunderstanding level: 2/10 | Ummm surprisingly low for the way the plot is set up? Especially given how the FL was seemingly killed by the ML in their first life, you would expect more indignation and suspicion on her part. Honestly I'm not complaining. I love how both the FL and ML gave each other chances to explain themselves, actually LISTEN, and overall support each others' decisions. I thought the ML treated the FL SO well, and his character/behaviors definitely made up for his fumble in the past life (1000%). Ofc this treatment was reciprocated by the FL, which is why I really enjoyed this couples' romance. Ugh, nothing like mutual pining/suffering for one another (not in a toxic way dw) to get a watcher giggling and feet kicking in the air!!

CONS:
✕ Sooo much more potential with world-building | This is a minor complaint but the drama introduces really cool characters and subplots that remain unexplored which I GET - we got more important things to address - but it would have been a cool addition. Especially the history and characterizations of the Nanwu people - there was definitelyyy some tension with one of the characters and whatnot. Again, I appreciate the show focusing on the main elements of the plot. But this would have been an added plus!

✕ Wouldn't have minded more exploration with the main antagonist's motives | This again was not necessary as the storyline did develop the Princess Royal and her past/relationships quite extensively, but it would have been an added plus. OH and also some more background on the FL's mother's story as well - I bet the novel had some additional details for that subplot.

✕ Got kinda bored with some of the fam subplots | Do I think it's important to highlight these familial relationships, especially the mother-daughter bonds? Yus for sure. Were they kinda boring? Honestly yes compared to the high-stakes plotting of our main leads. But honestly didn't hate it, I just thought they were the more drag-y parts of the show.

✕ Editing kinda takes time to get used to | Another small complaint, but I thought the scenes were abrupt in the beginning (especially the past life introduction) and some scenes weren't shown which makes the watcher make conjectures to fill in those gaps at times. It isn't the worst I've seen in Cdrama-land but I do think it could make the plot confusing for a casual watcher. (I personally thought the fill-in-the-blank scenes were fine and explained in other context clues.)

OVERALL
While this is a revenge story, the tone remains carefree and light with our quirky cast of characters, hilarious dialogue, and the main leads' just and upright values/morals. As a historical romance fan, this hits just the spot as our main leads are together for most of the drama and have unwavering trust and devotion. The backyard and palace schemes are just what you expect from a Cdrama and yes, predictable, but nonetheless enjoyable as the show takes careful consideration of the female characters' personalities and development. And I'm super happy with the ending too, so this was a hit from start to finish!

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It’s the baddies that perhaps make this show

Si Jin for most of its run was a consistent story that had much to offer viewers. The OTP were very good together. In fact, so much so, the ML never doubting the FL was refreshing.

The Royal Princess is hard to beat as the pick of the characters. Her performance was fabulous. It’s always pleasing to see such actors give it their all from beginning to end - a ver professional performance. Her daughter, was a mini me and one that even frustrated her mother.

The emperor’s character was criticised by many as he wasn’t the same as in the novel. However, I thought his character was flawed, as it should be, with a solid performance. Forgiving his sister continuously, the Royal Princess was a tiny bit frustrating but it seemed to keep the story moving.

The friendship between the ML, FL’s brother and the upright magistrate was delightful. The latter two also had very nice relationships with their partners.

As for the OST, I enjoyed the song that played over the closing credits of each episode. It very much is a subtle composition that has an ear wig melody going on.

The costuming was also very good.

However, the final four episodes were, although good, too condensed and over very quickly and perhaps diminished one of the key elements regarding the Saintess.

Si Jin is worth your time 😊

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A rebirth that… doesn’t really change much

You know how rebirth dramas usually go—revenge, a smart and capable female lead, and a second chance to rewrite fate. That’s what Si Jin seemed to promise. Jiang Si dies a tragic death, supposedly at the hands of Yu Jin, only to wake up years earlier, ready to take control of her life. She breaks off her engagement, protects her family, starts a business, and even gains the status of a Saintess. Sounds great on paper.

But while the setup brims with potential, the execution falters in crucial ways. Despite her rebirth, Jiang Si’s second chance changes surprisingly little. Sure, her family avoids ruin, but her own trajectory remains eerily familiar. The Saintess subplot could’ve added weight to the story, yet it’s barely explored, leaving it feeling more like a gimmick than a meaningful part of Jiang Si’s journey. For a drama that leans so heavily on rebirth as a premise, it sure does very little with it.

The writing falters even further when it comes to its characters, and no one exemplifies this more than the Emperor. I honestly can’t tell if he’s borderline bipolar or just plain incompetent because half the time, his decisions make zero sense. One moment, he’s taking a firm stance; the next, he’s doing a complete 180 like he has the political awareness of a rock. He’s the Emperor, for fuck’s sake—where are his guards? His informants? His advisors? Did he somehow lack the resources to keep his own family in check? No, he simply chose to remain blind, letting the Royal Princess and her spoiled daughter manipulate him at every turn. And not because they were particularly clever, but because he was just that easy to fool. Sighs sighs sighs. Jiang Si herself also suffers from this inconsistency. Some episodes make her out to be intelligent and composed, only for the next to show she’s acting completely out of character—like that scene where she suddenly held a gold hairpin to the Royal Princess’s neck. It came out of nowhere, so over-the-top that I almost laughed. Was it meant to be intense? Because it felt unintentionally comedic. And definitely makes it hard to fully root for her.

Then we have the villains. If you enjoy over-the-top antagonists, this drama delivers them in spades. The Royal Princess, in particular, quickly became exhausting to watch. Her entire character arc is fueled by insecurity and jealousy—fair enough, if it had any depth. But no, it’s the same tired cycle: she’s jealous, she lashes out, and then we do it all over again. The drama insists she’s some great, menacing force, but in reality? She’s just petty with a royal title. And while I can appreciate the whole motherly love angle, watching her willingly push her child down the same self-destructive path was frustrating.

Now my biggest question of all—Jiang Si’s death in her past life. The drama makes it clear that Yu Jin didn’t actually kill her and that, in some grand act of devotion, he sacrificed himself for her. But how? When? They never properly explain it. Either I missed something (entirely possible), or the drama just decided it wasn’t important enough to clarify.

Well as usual, I skipped the second leads’ romance—it rarely impresses me, and this drama was no exception. Every time their scenes came on, I found myself reaching for my phone without a shred of regret. (Though, I’ll admit I might be a little biased toward Jiang Si’s eldest sister. I kept wishing they’d give her more screen time—she was far more interesting than the other supporting casts.)

Yet, for all my complaints, I still found myself enjoying the ride. Maybe it was Zhang Wanyi’s performance that kept me hooked, or maybe it was those fleeting moments of brilliance buried beneath the inconsistencies. Si Jin may not have delivered the rebirth drama I hoped for, but despite its flaws, I kept watching. And in the end, that has to count for something.

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Lazy storytelling at its best

This show thrusts you into the life of Jiang Si and follows her as she struggles to change the fate she experienced in her previous life and save the ones she loves in order to live out her second chance at life in peace. As she encounters old foes and new plots she uses her knowledge of her past and newfound inner strength to counter those that would do her harm. Si Jin is a beautifully styled drama with elegant costuming and picturesque sets as the backdrop to what ultimately ends up becoming a drama about constant female maliciousness and blatant unchecked corruption leading the plot in circles around one villainous character after the other.

Simply saying this story is fast paced is a bit insulting to the art of story telling. It does move quickly but the change in scenes is frequently jarring and the lines connecting the plot are flimsy due to little background and characterization often rushing from one dramatic scheme to the next without providing any motivation or logic. The show gives flashbacks to Jiang Si's previous life but because the viewers are not provided with an understanding of the overall picture the flashbacks often feel superficial. The many villains provided are also portrayed in cartoonish ways with their behaviors driven purely by arrogance and privilege. They are not multifaceted characters and instead only have one trait that defines their personality which many times is just cruel for the sake of being cruel. The narrative also relies heavily on using the female lead's beauty as the reasoning for others to go against her making jealousy the lead trope. Episode 16 is a perfect example of the writers reliance on convenient story telling, ridiculous single minded villains, and cheap over the top drama. There are many instances but that episode specifically contains everything that is wrong with the way this show has been written, acted, and produced. The constant shifts from one scheme or crisis to the next without any character development or real life progression in the middle feels like lazy story telling.

I am familiar with the main leads and a handful of the older actors but there are a significant amount of new faces here and that is felt in the overall acting with scenes often feeling immature or incomplete due to overacting specifically with the villains and the people around them. The script also relies very heavily on convenient story telling where things just happen to make the story work but not because the actions are logical. Unfortunately the female lead also is unable to carry the emotional scenes. Her crying and sadness is unconvincing but so is her anger or indignation. The male lead is far more versatile and it is actually fun to watch him in this less mature role for once.

While I am invested in the two main leads story I still find this frustrating to watch and would not recommend it to others looking for an intelligent and cohesive plot. Having completed this series I can now confidently say that I would not recommend this and would instead provide a very long list of better dramas.

Small Spoilers-------------


Things I mean by convenient story telling: a character that is established to not be able to swim but manages to save himself from drowning; villains leaving large clues in writing behind when fleeing or people just saying confidential or important information not checking or caring where they are or who is around; a character being kidnapped and held in a secure location with many guards but is easily saved by another character that can then stay hidden, etc.

Jiang SI's character is also dramatically inconsistent. I like that she is strong and outspoken with the courage to go against others but then the flashbacks make her seem so incredibly meek that the two versions of her make it difficult for me to accept that it's really her in both lives. I also hate that they never give any real explanation for the flashbacks in the frontier and why Jiang Si is there and how they meet.

I'd also like to complain about the lack of reasoning for a majority of the choices made in this show. Can the villians not be given motive? Okay I can play off that the first guy was just after money to pay off his debts and wouldn't end the engagement, the second guy was just a psycho because his father was strict, but the princess does all this evil stuff just because she can and no one in the palace notices? There is a smuggling ring kidnapping not just poor women but also noble women that are traveling or are married and no one says or does anything after the county magistrate does shit about it? I'm supposed to believe that a devoted husband was suddenly seduced by a note to kill his wife without ever meeting the person he was doing it for?

And finally the lack of time perception in this show is astounding. The show makes it seem like little time passes between events but then things like opening a store, training to be a competent martial artist, healing from a deep wound, etc happen as if those things don't take weeks or months?

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Entertaining but rather weak in comparrison to other cdrama of this trope...

Si Jin offers a decent viewing experience, though it’s not without its flaws. The acting is quite solid across the board. Zhang Wan Yi brings his usual reliable performance to the role, though I wouldn’t call it his best work. Having watched most of his other projects, I feel he’s capable of more. The female lead, whose performance was my first full experience with her, actually surprised me in a good way. Previous dramas featuring her had either been dropped or indefinitely paused due to her acting or the lackluster plots. However, in Si Jin, I was able to finish it, and I can say she did a good job in this particular role. The supporting cast also deserves a mention for their performances.

When it comes to the script and editing, though, this is where Si Jin starts to falter. The character development of the emperor is inconsistent; he’s initially portrayed as a wise, cautious ruler, yet the plot forces him to make decisions that undermine that very characterization, particularly when it comes to his blind devotion to his sister, which makes him seem foolish. The random appearance and disappearance of the Namwu storyline and characters seemed like nothing more than a plot device, only there to fill time and create unnecessary drama. Similarly, the human trafficking subplot came out of nowhere and served little purpose other than to provide a reason to kill off side characters and add drama.

I also found the portrayal of the female lead’s family, especially her grandmother, troubling. While the grandmother is supposed to be respected due to her age, she repeatedly wronged the female lead, Jiang Si, with no consequences. Yet, she remains highly regarded and untouched by any repercussions. With only the aunt being turned into the villain and the grandma/2nd uncle getting away with all their minor misdeeds overlooked. So even though family drama and clichés are common in historical dramas and one of my fave parts in this type cdrama, here they were handled poorly at times.

On the plus side, the chemistry between the main couple was a highlight, and I found both the main and side couples sweet. The final episode was satisfying, and despite all the gaps in the middle of the drama, it delivered a proper conclusion. The show managed to pull it together in the end, making for an entertaining watch if you’re looking for something to pass the time or if you're a fan of rebirth historical storylines.

Ultimately, Si Jin is enjoyable as a one-time watch to pass the time, but it isn’t a drama that stands out enough to warrant rewatching. If you're someone who cares deeply about a well-crafted, meticulous plot, this one may not be for you. The acting might be strong, but it isn’t enough to redeem the weaknesses of the story and editing.

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World's biggest fool: The emperor

This show started off kind of slow but picked up towards the end and while there are some questionable parts, for the most part it was enjoyable to watch and I do recommend watching it. Especially since it has a happy ending and most of the important characters/characters we grow to love make it to the end/have a happy ending. So if that's the case, why did I rate it an 8/10 stars instead of 9? Well of course because of our wonderful FOOL of an emperor. The man sat there and allowed his sister to act recklessly and trample on the lives of his people. To top it off, he always believed all her lies and even towards the end after she kills some of his kids and tries to kill one of his wives, he tells his son to let her go only for her to try and kill him. Idiot. There's so much more I could write that this character has done but I'll let you guys watch to figure it out yourselves. It's to the point where I can't really even hate the eldest princess character like I did in the beginning of the show because honestly, how could she have grown wings like that if he didn't allow it?

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Once in Death, Twice in Love

I devoured that plot like a drink of water in the desert. Zhang Wan Yi? Man, I've seen him in other dramas before, and he owns that "cold to others, soft for wifey" character. Never gets old. And Jing Tian? She killed it. Now, about the ending, I don’t hate it. It was subtle but satisfying. The villains get what they deserve, and the MCs rise to power after their whole "saving the world" or "helping the emperor" arc. Classic. What’s crazy is how many dramas have this exact plot, yet this one still kept me hooked.

That said, Namwu and some other stuff felt way too rushed. We barely got to understand it. Du Er and the Namwu people should’ve had way more screen time. We legit saw Er Niu (the adorable dog) more than them. And the emperor? Not even gonna call him naive, he’s just stupid. Man refuses to see his sister’s faults and even says he’ll let it slide if she "realizes her mistakes." Like, really? Also, why does the court have only one minister that actually speaks? Zhen Heng is out there doing all the work while every other high-ranking, supposedly important minister is just... mentioned? Where were they when things went down? And Lu Chu Chu, where’s her father? Her backstory? All we got was "she ran away." That’s it? Jiang Qiao, too. Did I miss something? Because in the second life, she changed her behavour, and we got zero explanation.

But even with all those unanswered details, I'd still rewatch it and love every second. Because the MCs’ chemistry? Insane. Their steamy moments might be few, but they’re unforgettable.

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Not as good as I expected (even I'm a Zhang Wan Yi's fan)

PLOT: The vengeful FL kills the tyrannical Royal Princess (the emperor's sister), but is immediately killed by the ML (her lover). She wakes up 10 years earlier, as the hidden Nanwu saintess (an enemy neighbor), before her (catastrophic) wedding. She is determined to correct the mistakes of her previous life. The ML, the leader of the Imperial Guard (and the 7th Prince cursed by astrologers at birth), is intrigued by her saintess tattoo and helps her call off her engagement. She will confront (along with the ML, they are closer to closer) all the problems caused to her family by the super-powerful Royal Princess and her spoiled daughter.

+++ Zhang Wan Yi carries the entire series on his shoulders: he is talented, subtle, and versatile. Ji Tian plays a cold character, which suits her often expressionless face.
+++ Fast-paced production, with no downtime, well-executed suspense and beautiful cinematography (sets, costumes, etc.)
+++ OSTs well suited.

### Storyline often confusing, with many plot holes.
### The emperor is indeed completely unreasonable and naive in this series, sometimes understanding, sometimes angry.
### Ending too rushed: some issues are resolved too quickly, crucial points remain unexplained (flashbacks, previous life, the emperor's resignation, etc.).

=> A fairly good series (thanks to Zhang Wan Yi) with a somewhat worn-out plot, but it could have benefited from better writing.

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Plot 2nd chance with Zhang Wan Yi & Jin Tian

PLOT: La FL, vengeresse, tue la Princesse Royale tyrannique (sœur de l'empereur), mais est aussitôt tuée par son lover (ML). Elle se réveille 10 ans + tôt, sainteté cachée de Nanwu (pays voisin ennemi), avant son (catastrophique) mariage. Elle est bien décidée à corriger les erreurs de sa vie antérieure. Le ML, chef de la Garde impériale (et 7e Prince maudit par les astrologues à sa naissance), est intrigué par son tatouage de sainteté, et l'aide à annuler ses fiançailles. Elle va affronter (avec le ML de qui elle est de + en + proche) tous les pbs causés à sa famille par la Princesse Royale super puissante et sa fille pourrie gâtée.

+++ Zhang Wan Yi porte tte la série sur ses épaules : il est talentueux, subtile, versatile. Ji Tian incarne un personnage froid, ce qui convient à son attitude svt inexpressive.
+++ Réalis° rapide, sans temps mort, avec un suspense bien mené et une belle cinématographie (décors, costumes, etc.)
+++ OSTs OK

### Storyline svt confuse, avec bcp de plotholes.
### L'empereur est effectivement dans cette série, complètement déraisonnable, naïf, un moment compréhensif un moment colérique.
### Ending trop rush : certains pbs sont résolus trop rapidement, des points cruciaux restent inexpliqués (flash-backs, vie précédente, démission de l'empereur, etc.).

=> Assez bonne série (grâce à Zhang Wan Yi) sur un plot un peu usé, mais qui aurait pu bénéficier d'une meilleure écriture.

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Beautiful drama with great main leads Zhang Wanyi and Jing Tian!

During the first dozen of episodes a lot of flowers suffered, but then it got better. I thought the script writer had an issue with flowers.
Wanyi always plays great roles and ends up on the throne at the end, but this time it was especially wonderful that he had his lovely empress Jing Tian next to him. They were a good team together along with the second leads, Wanyi's assistant and the DOG of course! The lovely dog was such a warm touch of this drama, even through he did not do much. Chinese dramas did not yet get to the level of great animal trainers that we see in Western movies when they make movies involving various animals.
Overall, the drama was quite entertaining without a single boring moment. I may be biased because I love everything with Wanyi and Jing Tian, and this time they worked together! I jumped when I learned about the cast of this drama!
I highly recommend if you enjoy great actors playing very intelligent roles and active plot development. and pretty wise and fair emperor. I dislike it so much when the emperor even in a fictional drama is vicious and unkind! History is already full of such characters all around the world, so script writers please let us enjoy in peace our illusional kind and fair world from time to time!

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Another Decent Rebirth Drama

Don't get me wrong, it's not that this drama is bad at all, but I have to be honest that there hasn't been anything so far that makes this drama stand out amongst the dozens of rebirth dramas that have already been made. FL was killed in her last life, gets reborn 10 years into the past and tries her best to avoid all the conflict she met in her past life. She's reunited with her brother, her father, and her sister, all of which she ended up losing in her last life. But most importantly (to me, not to her), she meets her lover once again, but this time a lot earlier than expected. The beginning angst is that he was the one who killed her in her past life (gasp, I'm sure you've read the synopsis), but personally I'm still not sure if it was him because I THINK he didn't release his arrow and this was someone else's doing.

But without further ado, here's my review so far :)

First off, FL, Jiang Si, is an intelligent young lady and you can tell immediately as soon as she returns back to 10 years ago, she already has many plans to make sure things go her way this time, and she can brilliantly come up with different ideas on the spot when she faces the unseen difficulties as well. I would like to mention at the very beginning of the drama, it shows that she desperately wants her family to be safe, and that's all she worries about, but I felt like it lacked a bit of depth and emotion when she is able to see them again (and keep in mind the were wronged and killed off in her past life). I felt the same thing when she met the ML, Yu Jin (Yu Qi) again - her supposed lover who betrays her, yet she doesn't show any emotion after having spent many years with him in the past, or any indication that she has a lot of knowledge as to who he is as a person. It seems crazy to me that after spending all that time together, it's as if she wasn't able to learn a single thing about him. If she did, they aren't portraying this very well. Either way, Yu Qi is actually just his fake identity, and his real identity is the 7th prince, but he was framed as a bringer of misfortune since birth and had never wanted to reveal who he really is. Because of FL having a mysterious emblem on her neck in this life, what was supposed to be a quick trip turns into Yu Qi actually staying in Da Zhou to further investigate FL to see if she's secretly a traitor to their nation. He ends up working for the capital administration office and he and FL both work together to solve cases and capture the bad guys as their story unfolds.

I'm enjoying their little banters and it seems like it's a slowburn, but for a 40 episode drama I guess it technically isn't. Yu Qi is strong, intelligent, but also a little silly and petty, which really reminds me of his character in Are You the One. Whoever styled him with that long hair in the flashbacks needs a raise bc that man looks amazing in that hairstyle and I'm gonna have to see him in that style in a future drama (pretty please). FL is like I said, intelligent and able to stand on her own without the ML, but it's cute to see them worry and protect each other regardless. I can't say I love the actress' portrayal of Jiang Si, something seems a little off and I think she isn't delivering the lines as I would expect them to. Once again, there's a sort of emotional pull that this drama is lacking that doesn't allow me to empathize with, well everyone really. Zhang Wan Yi does a pretty good job though, I wonder how his future emotional scenes will play out.

Naturally, there are evil people that want the FL dead and that's the annoying ass princess royal and her daughter who don't have much character development as it seems they're just evil because they want to be. Trust me, you're gonna HATE them. I hope that little weasel actually gets whats coming to her in the end. Another thing I didn't expect was for some of the storylines to be so violent/aggressive. It reminds me a lot of western dramas, for example the portrayal of the abuse of women, women trafficking, etc., these are not things you see often in cdramas and when you do, they aren't as extreme as they're shown in this story. It doesn't necessarily add anything to the main plot, but perhaps it was just for more dramatic viewing?

Overall, really not that bad, an entertaining watch if you like period dramas with romance, but it really is another typical rebirth revenge plot.

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