Si Jin

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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Over use of graphic violence much?!

It's rare for me to feel the need to call out a series for the use of violence because I have watched PLENTY of violent shows, many of them more violent than this one in fact but I feel compelled to say enough if ENOUGH. The way this series has brutalized women in such great detail is utterly unnecessary to the story and to me it smacks of relying on pedalling in shock rather than caring to create a quality story/script. It is troublesome to see. It's a good part of the reason why I stopped watching NA series because they were lazy and simply use sex and violence as entertainment. I had been enjoying greatly the refreshing change of vibe from the Asian series I've been watching for about five years now. Unfortunately, this show is really making me sad and disappointed. The actors are all extremely talented, I can see they are doing a wonderful job. I appreciate the costumes, the sets and the filming is often spectacular but I think the writers need to do better, MUCH better and I guess the producers and directors as well. Many, many fine series do have plenty of violence but it is within a level of dignity and relevance that this series has (for me) utterly missed the mark at discerning.

It could have been such an amazing and badass series with the cast it's flying and even though the story has been done before, it still could have been excellent. For me this one simply cannot be silently placed in my "did not enjoy" pile. I have to say, it's going in a direction I sincerely hope is NOT becoming a new trend to see who can outdo one another in the shocking violence scene.

I acknowledge the many, many talented people who made this series and it is NOT their fault.

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This Script Butchers Storytelling

I have great respect for the actors. However, no amount of acting talent can salvage a script that is fundamentally, irredeemably broken. The sheer incompetence of the writing isn’t just frustrating — it’s a grave insult. An insult to the intelligence of the audience, an insult to the craft of storytelling, and an insult to the very actors tasked with breathing life into this train wreck of a narrative.

We are expected to believe that an emperor —portrayed as wise and discerning — is somehow utterly blind to the blatant and unchecked villainy of the grand princess and her daughter. Worse still, this same emperor, who profess to be a loving and responsible father, inexplicably forces his son into marrying the grand princess's evil daughter as his principal wife, despite knowing that his son is already happily married to and deeply in love with the female lead. What kind of wisdom is this? It’s not just illogical — it’s downright idiotic.

The grandmother, presented as a strong matriarch and supposedly seasoned by a lifetime of experience — is crumbles into a gullible fool, mindless puppet, easily manipulated by her second daughter-in-law as if she were a clueless, naïve pawn. Did the writer forget their own characterizations halfway through the script, or did they just assume the audience wouldn’t notice the blatant inconsistency? These character inconsistencies are not just frustrating and nonsensical; they are an outright mockery of storytelling.

And then there’s the second branch’s wife and her ever-loyal, ever-deranged maid — two characters so cartoonishly malicious they might as well twirl a mustache while cackling in the sewer. They spends almost the entire series concocting one vile scheme after another to bring down the first branch, driven by nothing more than jealousy. They goes to horrifying lengths, even resorting to poisoning the first branch’s wife and daughter, yet somehow, They faces no real consequences. Their wickedness isn’t just tolerated — it’s actively prolonged, stretched to the point of absurdity, as if the writer truly believes that nonsensical, repetition over-the-top villainy is a substitute for meaningful depth and tension.

It’s painfully obvious that the writer is more interested in manufacturing cheap, exaggerated drama simply to grab attention than crafting a coherent, compelling, and intelligent story. The blatant disregard for character depth and consistency is nothing short of lazy, as if they believe the audience is dumb and will blindly accept whatever nonsense is thrown at them. Did the writer truly believe the audience wouldn’t see through these silly gaping plot holes?

A drama with this much potential deserved a writer who actually respected their craft. Instead, we’re left with a hollow, incoherent wreck that disrespects its characters, its audience, and the very essence of storytelling. This is not just bad writing; it’s insulting. It reduces storytelling to a mindless spectacle, squandering the potential of its actors and the patience of its audience. To call it a failure would be too generous — this is a masterclass in how not to write.

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WOMANHOOD: Ancient Stories, Timeless Struggles

SI JIN vividly portrays the heart-rending struggles of women in ancient times. Amidst a backdrop where women’s autonomy was often overlooked, Yu Qi stands out. He respects the authority women should hold over their own lives. Alongside Jiang Si, he helps them seek justice.

The series features several cases of “unhappy marriages,” trapping women in seemingly hopeless situations. Mothers and daughters were frequently not taken seriously, treated merely as objects or tools for social advancement. Some resorted to harming other mothers and daughters to protect themselves or seek revenge, while others protected others at great personal cost. There were also women so indoctrinated that they were too afraid to stand up for their fellow females. However, some were still steadfast in their pursuit of justice, despite the consequences they might face themselves.

While SI JIN was strong in displaying the struggles of womanhood and violent grievances, love entanglements were still evident and contributing to the overall perception of the TV drama. I could have appreciated a little more screen time of love, but GIVEN THE FRAMEWORK AND THE HISTORICAL ACCURACY of struggles that was aimed for, I respect their decision not to focus too much on romance.

ACTING 9.5
Jing Tian adeptly captures Jiang Si’s vulnerability, making the audience empathize with her character's plight. After her rebirth, Jiang Si becomes as sharp as a sword drawn from its sheath. Jing Tian masterfully depicts this transformation, especially in the scenes where she outwits her aunt; almost every glance and gesture exudes intelligence and determination.

Zhang Wan Yi‘s role was to my very liking as well. He portrays Yu Qi, a complex character who is a blend of warmth, respect, and scepticism. He treats people with consideration, showing respect for the rights of others and a genuine concern for their feelings, which makes him a likable character.

I‘d also be able to write many more paragraphs about each main and side character, as I think they are all well-written and unyieldingly imperfect. Especially for characters like Aunt Xiao and Royal Princess, the performances of these two characters were truly stunning. They were more than just „evil“. The Writer(s) made me understand their struggles and the misbeliefs that led their paths to become so crooked.

MUSIC 8.5
I downloaded some of the songs on Spotify and also added them to a playlist. I‘d say that’s enough of a sign to argue that the music was well composed and catching. I especially liked: „有生之年" by 叶炫清

Despite some minor flaws, I find this story truly unique and therefore can´t personally agree with the harsh dislike.

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He Shot Her, Then Shot His Shot

If second chances came with a user manual, Si Jin would probably toss it aside and say, “figure it out as you go.” And honestly, that chaotic energy kind of defines the whole ride.

The story follows Jiang Si, daughter of the Noble Earl of Dongping, who gets the ultimate reset button after being killed by her lover, Yu Jin, the abandoned 7th prince. Back in time, she decides this is her glow-up era, destiny rewrite edition. She breaks off her engagement, outsmarts her venomous aunt, builds a perfumery business like a boss, and somehow gets entangled in a string of mysterious crimes. Then enters Yu Jin again, bringing with him a confusing mix of suspicion, curiosity, and lowkey Romeo and Juliet tension. Are they enemies? Are they soulmates? Are they both just dramatic? The answer is yes.

One thing this drama does well is pacing. It moves fast, like it had too much coffee but in a good way. Conflicts do not drag, including the usual harem chaos in noble households. Jiang Si wastes no time seeing through schemes, and the story quickly shifts toward her efforts to save her father and brother. It keeps things engaging, but at times the transitions feel like the editor said “cut!” a bit too early. Some plot points just hang there like unfinished sentences.

Yu Jin’s character arc is where things get a bit… head scratching. He initially approaches Jiang Si because he suspects her of being a Nanwu spy, thanks to her totem and artistic skills. Sounds juicy, right? Except this whole investigation quietly disappears somewhere along the way. One moment he is suspicious, the next he is jealous of every man breathing near her, and suddenly he is full on shameless flirt mode. It is cute, yes. Butterflies delivered. Logic, however, has left the chat. There is no clear turning point, no “aha” moment, just vibes.

The same goes for their past life. We get glimpses, but not enough to fully understand how they met, fell in love, or why everything hurt so much. Even the most crucial moment, when Yu Jin shoots Jiang Si with an arrow, is wrapped in mystery. Did he know it was her? Was it sacrifice? Was it a misunderstanding? Was it just bad aim? The drama gives hints but never fully commits to explaining it. It feels like the writers handed us a puzzle and forgot to include half the pieces.

Jiang Si herself is an interesting mix. She is smart, determined, and capable of turning the tables, but also frustratingly passive at times. Given her second chance, you would expect a drastic transformation, but the changes are more subtle. She is more assertive and protective of her family, yet still hesitates in moments where you just want to yell, “girl, say something!” Her connection to Nanwu also feels underexplored, like a side quest that never got unlocked.

Despite all that, the drama remains ridiculously entertaining, and a huge reason is the cast. Jing Tian as Jiang Si delivers a performance that is both charming and convincing. This is easily her most likable role from what I have seen. She brings warmth, wit, and just enough vulnerability to make you root for her, even when her character tests your patience.

Then we have Zhang Wan Yi as Yu Jin, who honestly understood the assignment and then added extra credit. His performance is equal parts charismatic, hilarious, and emotionally gripping. His comedic timing is top tier, and the way he switches to intense, heartfelt scenes is chef’s kiss. There are several standout moments that hit hard, like when he kneels and begs the emperor to cancel his marriage, or when he publicly gives up his prince title just to choose love. Dramatic? Yes. Effective? Also yes. I was seated.

Their chemistry, while affected by jumpy writing, still manages to shine. When the script lets them breathe, their interactions feel natural and engaging. Unfortunately, the relationship progression often feels like it is on fast forward and rewind at the same time. One moment suspicion, next moment jealousy, then back to suspicion, then suddenly we are in close proximity romance territory. It is a rollercoaster with no seatbelt, but at least it is a fun one.

The supporting cast deserves their flowers too. The family dynamic between Jiang Si, her father, and her brother adds warmth and humor. Their scenes are genuinely funny, but also carry emotional weight when needed. The villains, on the other hand, understood that this is not a place for subtlety. From the calculating elegance of Princess Royal Rong Yang to the chaotic energy of Cui Ming Yue, the antagonists bring the drama with a capital D. Special mention to Aunt Xiao, who was so convincingly annoying that I wanted to throw hands through the screen.

The emperor, though, is a whole mood swing. One moment you respect him, the next you question every life decision he has ever made. He is caring yet easily manipulated, especially when it comes to Rong Yang. Watching him feels like emotional whiplash, but oddly enough, it adds a layer of unpredictability to the story.

When it comes to consequences, this drama plays it a bit safe. Some villains get off easier than they should, with karma served more like a light snack than a full course meal. Certain redemptions feel satisfying, but others leave you thinking, “that’s it?” It is not exactly justice served, more like justice politely suggested.

On the technical side, the drama looks pretty but does not fully maximize its potential. The visuals are clean, the costumes are nice, and the overall aesthetic is pleasing. But the cinematography and scene blocking sometimes fall flat. Moments that could have been visually stunning end up feeling a bit underwhelming. The action scenes are also surprisingly limited, and when they do happen, the camera work leans heavily on close ups, which takes away from the full impact.

And I cannot end this without mentioning the real star of the show, Er Niu the dog. Absolute scene stealer. Acting level: Oscar worthy. Emotional support: unmatched. Plot contribution: iconic. Give that dog a raise.

In the end, Si Jin is not perfect. The writing is messy, the character development can feel shallow, and some major questions remain unanswered. But somehow, it still works. It is funny, engaging, and carried by strong performances that make the whole experience worthwhile. It is the kind of drama that makes you laugh, makes you feel, and occasionally makes you go, “wait… what just happened?” but you keep watching anyway.

Messy but addictive. Confusing but charming. A little chaotic, a lot entertaining.

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So so

This, like many dramas, started great but fizzled out by the end. I loved the cast, the sets, costumes, and music were great, but the story just didn't completely deliver. I was completely onboard until around episode 36, then had trouble finishing it. The time travel/rebirth thing was underutilized and not explained well, and there were too many plot holes. That said, I did enjoy the side characters' stories and almost feel this might have done better in the format used in Perfect Match where each family member has a few episodes dedicated to telling their story. But, then again, that would undermine the whole time travel centric plot so...maybe not.

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Not fully fleshed out.

When Si Jin was first announced, I was really excited and I am not going to deny it was because Jing Tian and Zhang Wanyi are two of my favourite chinese actors working today. They were, for the most part, the best of this drama but that's to be expected considering they are the leads and need to carry a heavy storyline of family and court politics, and outsmarting not only our main villain but every pawn she puts in their way. On this, Si Jin was satisfying. The rest of the supporting cast was also really good with what they were given to work with.

But from the beginning Si Jin had some storytelling issues. It could be ignore at first but as the story progressed and revelations started, it started to look messy. I struggled to put my finger on it for a while, why wasn't Si Jin working as it should when it had all the right elements? I have narrowed it down to the combination of small and big things.

For starters, Si Jin's script is not exactly tight and coherent the whole time. As a consequence, for example, the main villain comes of as one-dimensional; so when she argues her talents were always were overlooked because of her gender or that she was in marriage without love, it simply leaves the viewer wondering "Am I supposed to feel bad for her?". Because I spent 39 episodes watching her murder indiscriminately, with the first point never being developed and the latter where it's clear as day she actually forced the man to marry her. Another key point, is that the mystery surrounding one of the leads' connection to another nation was put in the back burner for way too long, in favour of repetitive family conflicts.

All of this gets more obvious when you realize one of the drama's weakest points, its editing. There are harsh cuts and inconsistencies in the sequence of the story, so much so, that makes me think a studio suit (or censor?) put their hands on the show, cutting in order to achieve a certain amount of episodes, avoid some of the points the show was trying to make or the story it was trying to tell.

I googled the people responsible for this drama, behind the scenes, and while they are experienced, looking at their filmography makes me think perhaps this story was too big of a project to develop for them. Which it can be a reality that affected the drama's final cut.

Overall, Si Jin feels like the skeleton of what could have been a really great drama have they had the opportunity to be fully fleshed out. I still enjoyed it, tho, and it didn't drag at any minute. It's a solid 7 out of 10 stars.

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Average

I liked the beginning of the drama—she got a second chance. After all the wrongs that happened in her past life, she was given an opportunity to undo them. She did her best to correct the injustices faced by her and her family. However, after a promising start, the storyline became quite flat.

There were only a few scenes that I truly enjoyed, and they kept me watching. My favorite moment was when the male lead stood up against his father and firmly decided never to marry again because he deeply loved his wife and wouldn’t let anyone come between them.

The last episode was quite boring—he waited for her for too long, which felt dragged out.

Overall, I would only recommend this drama if you have nothing else to watch.

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A hit and miss

This “rebirth”drama had many glaring flaws but I managed to finish it so it did intrigue. It really was a hit and a miss for me. From the first few episodes I could already see that this wouldn’t win drama of the year. The overall story and direction is mediocre at best.

The hits:
Some really likable characters: I enjoyed a lot of the characters and their personalities, even some of the villains. FL and ML are overall strong in character and the kind that’s not frustrating to watch. Many side characters also added a lot of warmth and fun - like ZH and princess FQ were just rays of sunshine in a corrupt palace. At first I did wonder about some of the casting, like the brother, but eventually he grew on me. The women were also particularly delightful to watch as they were all just so pretty.
Some good storylines on its own: How they narrated some of the cases were a good watch. I also enjoyed how characters that appeared in the series at different stages all came together in the end - that was rather poetic. And the overall idea of the rebirth was more original than other rebirth plots.
Family and relationships: Rather than the typical tropes, it was refreshing to see the father put his children’s happiness above anything else. Instead of the typical miscommunications or distrust you see play out too long in mediocre dramas, it portrayed some beautiful relationships of trust and camaraderie.

The misses:
Directing and editing: I don’t know much about film but I find that the directors are critical to the success of a drama - and I think they did a poor job. The scenes sometimes just cut abruptly, some angles and scenes were taken with noticeable flaws - almost amateurish, the voiceovers/dubbing were almost comical sometimes (particularly the scene when XS had her monologue, I cringed). It’s one of those occasions where it really is the fault of the director that we find the acting bad.
Storylines, screenwriting and execution: While some storylines were good, there were also a lot more storylines/scenes and how things played out that were so unoriginal that laziness just shone through. Episodes 36+ were a big representation of that. The flashback scenes also didn’t really show us much - they could have really delved deeper into this aspect to make a good storytelling.
Surface level villains and motivations: I think one of the biggest failures of this drama was the main villain. For a character with so much screen time, they failed abysmally at showing why RY was the way she was. Were we meant to feel sorry for her or hate her? I was left feeling more confused than feeling any of those things (why below).

***spoiler***.

They failed to show why she always played the king and why she didn’t treat him sincerely as her brother - I couldn’t see why when they showed the king to be nothing but good to her. It makes her entire personality grown out of “villain for villains sake”. There was just no real backstory for her actions. This is so important to the story, especially because they were the reason all of this happened to the FL. Their overall demise was not near satisfactory - it was an insult to the suffering endured by everyone.

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Si and Jin (Jin completely adores Si)

Si Jin had everything I love in a drama and more of everything I love. Number one is romance: In addition to a good storyline, there was mystery, suspense, humor, a good dysfunctional family, lovable characters, an ML who is head over heels in love, and plenty of eye candy. The first episode starts with an epic cliffhanger where the FL dies, and we don’t know what happened. So, the audience is immediately drawn in, trying to piece together this puzzle. The episodes move at a quick pace, but getting to the heart of this mystery takes some time. While you are putting together the pieces, you will enjoy meeting the many characters, some of which are really good and others really bad.

I have no sense of the novel, so I cannot write my review with that in mind. This is purely from a dramatization perspective and my point of view.

The acting is good, not great, but it delivers a decent drama. There are some over-the-top moments with scream acting and then some demure postures. (acting without emotions) The casting was good. I found most of the characters played a good role and helped develop the story. With that being said, I felt that there could have been more back stories with some of the characters. Because the episodes move along quickly, I couldn’t get into the emotions of the drama. I think you will definitely love the leads and hate the villains.

The production is grand and beautiful, with what looks like a picturesque background, but the cinematography is somewhat lacking and feels closed in at times. (makes a big production look and feel small) There are also some editing issues where it feels like they left out chunks of information. It may be that they couldn’t fit in a lot of the novel. Whatever they left out, it does feel like it could have made a better drama. The costumes are well done and provide a large array of colors.

As far as the OST is concerned, I do not speak the language, but it sounded beautiful and fitting to the scene.

In conclusion, if you are a romance, family drama, crazy villains, smart, strategic and adoring FL, ML you will love this drama. If you need a more specific review, I thought this one was spot on https://kisskh.at/profile/DramaloverPanda, although the score is too low.

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