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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Recycled storyline Poor casting
1. I don't follow any artiste. Lead actress looks way too old and lead actor way too young. Despite the strong lighting and make up Together they still look like a young mother and son. Especially close up. Don't ever cheat your audience.2. There are many mini plots within Drama which is very good. However not all are nicely done. E.g the plot in which the lead actress was kidnapped by an old women and her tranvestite son, the plot was finished abruptly and over simplified.
3. OK the lead actor is good looking which is a good thing but he does have an accents and looks dumb and expressionless most of the time. When you combined him with an exoerienced aunty it really sucks. The actress is obviously good but predictable expression meaning limited maybe because of Botox. Luckily she didn't try to act cute.
4. My biggest frustration with drama be it any language is At the most urgent and drastic moment the actors or actresses stand there stood still and speak their lines of exchanged dialogue before they move. I don't think in real life anyone would act that way.
A drama is like a pot of soup with the correct combination of ingredients. The soup itself is the whole narrative. If you add too much salt or spice, or add an overdue ingredient or an undersize prawn your favorite soup can be disastrous.
That's my 3 cents worth. You don't like my opinion So be it I thought this would be a very good drama after reading reviews. Its still good to watch and I am slightly disappointed overall. I do hope there's improvement in the future for Chinese drama
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Defying Royalty
I was adamant to watch this because of the FL. I've seen her in other dramas such as WOL which I placed on hold and never pickup back. Watched it for Xu Kai. And this time watched for Zhang Wan Yi. This is my 3rd historical drama of his. I'm always mesmerized by his charm and enchanted by his voice. I love hearing him speak. It always feel like he's so close whispering to your ear. And so glad, I took the shot to check this out.I got hooked from ep. 1 . One reason I guess, the romance was more fired up here than The Glory, which I tried to watch simultaneously. I dropped The Glory at ep.19 for the lack of romance of that drama. I liked that this drama is quite fast paced. Got a kiss already at ep.9, which is a very rare case for historical dramas. I like Yu Qi's character for being bolder and not reserved. Though the development of romance is quite confusing because of the time sequence I guess. I'm not a fan of reborn characters tbh. So, the flashbacks makes the story quite confusing at times. Like, how she got to be a Saintess at the present times when she was supposedly a Saintess only in her past life.
I really did enjoy the first half of the drama. Specially the story of FL's brother which was so intense, yet, sometimes funny and sweet. While, FL's battered sister was another intense story. The violence made by that cruel husband was really unforgiveable. If it were in the modern times, that's considered a heinous crime either punishable by death or lifetime imprisonment. Well, justice has been served in the drama, thankfully. Despite that power and connections of the perpetrators father was strong. That made again, one of ML's strong points. He's really good in investigating crimes. Oh, and let me not forget the first crime solved which was FL's former fiancé who pushed her in the bridge which led to her almost death and got being reborn. She has a strong will character which is one of her good asset. She knows when to fight for her rights like the way she helped to seek justice both for her brother and the other 2 sisters of hers which has both failed marriages. The thing with her wicked Aunt is another story. Honestly, the aunt's character and the murderer husband of her sister who abducted lots of women are truly existing in our real cruel world. That depiction is so realistic which really happens in our society today. Sadly.
Because of jealousy, greed, lack of proper attention from parents upbringing makes these kind of evil people today. And yes, there are also extremely brat person like Ming Yue in the socitey today. Who'll do everything just to get what they want. Her character is really hateable. She never felt a single remorse in all her wrong doings. But, of course, who else to blame but the wicked Princess Royal, her mother, who share the same attitude as her. And yeah, partly to blame was the Emperor who spoiled his sister and abused their power. Though, I would prefer for Ming Yue to suffer more abit before her firepit death. It feels like FL has suffered more from Princess Royal's torture. The grandmother of FL is another villain for me. She's not a good rolemodel as a parent. Her entire family suffered because of her tbh.
Well, justice has been served for all the villains. But, I felt their deaths didn't justify all their wrong doings. I was hoping they suffer from torture before death to give them the same dose of meds they've done with their crimes. Anyways, I thought am gonna enjoy more the remaining half of the drama, but, not really much for me. Ever since Yu Qin became Yu Jin and was vested as the 7th Prince, everything became a mess. Though, I know the MC was already expecting how things will unfold for them and have designed in advance a counterplan for the troubles that will come their way. The marriage of the MC was sweet on their wedding night but come to think of it, it was the same night that Ming Yue died. Like, not really a good omen for the day of your marriage. Then , the finale....Like, after getting married that's the time MC has to separate and do their royal duties. Not a fan of LDR's honestly. And yes, I'm not happy of them being crowned as the Emperor and Empress. Probably, there are no other best candidate to take the position but them. But, from the start, they have always wished for an ordinary normal life together. I was hoping for them to have kids and live a normal happy family life. Being in the Palace is a start of a not so happy life even if they are together. Just stating facts.
Overall, story was good if only they just followed the current life and not correlate the past of being a Saintess and Yu Jin with another character as well. Romance is good. Kisses were there but not executed well. I've seen fish and angled kisses. I hope ZWY would work on his kisses. Hope he could do steamy kisses later on. And just why they didn't have kids at least in the finale? Still, this is recommendable. Specially for ZWY's fans. He's bolder this time compared to his other dramas.
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A muddled missed opportunity
My, where to begin?With better direction, this drama probably could have been more watchable - there appears to be at times a certain lack of attention made to guiding the performances and to creating a sense of a cohesive work of art.
But the real problem lies with the script. It tries to combine various elements that are common in idol period dramas these days but not always with good storytelling results. As a rebirth drama, not enough time is spent on establishing the "previous life" upfront. One spends most of the drama simply not understanding Jiang Si's relationship to Yu Jin or why we should care about Nanwu. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the drama's first half - when the story focuses on the domestic struggles of our female lead. Seeing her save her father, brother and sister from the previous fates was somewhat satisfying and had some emotional weight. But by the second half, as the semi-political plot takes hold, everything is a bit of a mess. The villainous mother-daughter duo of Grand Princess and her whiny Mingyue simply are not well-developed enough to carry my attention, and the rebellion plot was wildly unrealistic.
As a romance story, this too could have worked for me better with a director experienced enough in helping the actors to shape their performances for the better. Jing Tian and Zhang Wanyi are both capable of delivering far more layered and convincing performances, so it is truly baffling and frustrating to me what happened in this show. With so many other period dramas out there, I would probably skip this one unless one is an uber fan of any of the cast.
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Worth watching, but with some drawbacks
Si Jin tells the story of Jiang Si, who receives a second chance at life and attempts to alter not only her own fate but also the destinies of those around her.The plot initially captivated me, as Jiang Si skillfully used her wit and prior knowledge to protect herself and others. However, I found her surprisingly passive in her second life, failing to fully capitalize on the opportunity for significant change. This felt like a missed potential, especially that there are so many "second chance" genres these days. The latter episodes leading to the finale became predictable and somewhat stale compared to the engaging beginning. Nevertheless, the drama concluded on a satisfying note, which I appreciated.
Romantically, while the central couple was Jiang Si and Yu Qi, the inclusion of two additional charming couples ensured a well-rounded romantic experience.
Regarding the acting:
- Zhang Wan Yi (Yu Qi/ML): This marks my fifth drama featuring Zhang Wan Yi as the male lead since 2023. As always, he delivered a compelling performance, embodying his character perfectly. (However, I'm starting to wonder if he's being typecast in "noble" historical roles. I hope he explores diverse characters in the future.)
- Jing Tian (Jiang Si/FL): This is my third drama with Jing Tian as the female lead since 2023. Her performance was consistent, though she hasn't yet delivered a truly standout role for me. (This could also be influenced by my choice of dramas.)
- Supporting Cast: Zhang Chi (Jiang Zhan), Bai Bing Ke (Lu Chu Chu), and Cui Hang (Zhen Heng) all provided commendable performances.
- Special Mentions: Huang Yi (Princess Rong Yang) and Xu Hao (Cui Ming Yue) deserve recognition for their excellent portrayals of the villainesses.
OST Highlights:
My personal favorite: "Looking Forward to the Rest of My Life" (望余生) by Yisa Yu.
Notable mention: "In this Lifetime" (有生之年) by Ye Xuan Qing."
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The chemistry
This show was really good while others say it was slow paced I highly disagree because the way the drama was shown it was necessary for this kind of drama as a little slow burn can help you understand the characters more and their thoughts while also instead of just jumping into love they brought out the small things which needed to be there like how Jiang Si was being hesistant and why. I feel like the flow of the story was good but I wished that the Emperor had more of a back bone and wasn’t so forgiving because if it was the villains they would never spare him but everytime the Princess Royal and her daughter made a mistake nothing literally nothing was being done to them foreal and he was just foolish but overall the other characters carried the show because he really got on my nerves even his servant was more smarter than him but let’s not get into that nonetheless this show was good and I think everyone should give it a try because you might really like itWas this review helpful to you?
Redefining Destiny: A Second Chance at Life
Ever since China lifted its restrictions on time travel and reincarnation, there’s been an explosion of Chinese dramas revolving around these themes. While the concept may seem a bit overdone by now, it still captivates me every time. This latest drama marks the sixth in a growing list of similar shows I’ve watched. Among the standouts I’ve rated as top-tier are the Chinese dramas Til the End of the Moon, The Story of Kunning Palace, Princess Royale, and the Korean dramas Reborn and Marry my Husband. Each of them brings something unique, but what really keeps me hooked is the idea of reliving a life and having the chance to right the wrongs of the past. It’s a concept that never seems to get old.In this particular drama, Jiang Si is killed by her fiancé, Yu Qi, in a past life where she also served as the Saintess of Nanwu, a rival state. But when she wakes up in her present life, it’s just before the tragic events that claimed her loved ones — her father, her brother — have unfolded. Determined to change her fate, Jiang Si sets out to prevent these horrors from repeating. As she crosses paths with Yu Qi again, who has just returned from his post on the border, he begins investigating her, suspecting her to be a spy from Nanwu. Instead, he finds himself drawn to her, becoming infatuated. What follows is a rocky journey toward love, complicated by the ruthless Princess Cui Ming Yue, who has her eyes set on Yu Qi and is willing to do anything to make him her husband. Behind her stands her mother, the powerful Grand Princess RongYang, sister to the Emperor and notorious for her cruelty. Both mother and daughter are willing to commit murder to get what they want, blaming others for their own faults without hesitation.
What makes this drama stand out?
The Storyline: It’s absolutely gripping. You’re constantly on edge, wondering if Jiang Si can break free of her tragic fate, and the mystery behind some characters’ true identities keeps you hooked.
Karma: It’s sweet to see the villains meet their just desserts.
The Rightful Emperor: It’s refreshing that the deserving and righteous characters rise to power, rather than some clueless child or shady figure.
The Cast: Zhang Wan Yi, the lead actor, is superb. His performance really draws you in.
Zhang Chi: The second lead, who brings humor and lighthearted moments to balance the drama’s darker themes.
Eye Candy: The cast is filled with a beautiful array of actors and actresses. Call it shallow, but a bit of eye candy always makes the viewing experience that much more enjoyable.
Huang Yi: As the villain, Huang Yi delivers an unforgettable performance. Her portrayal of the ruthless, power-hungry Grand Princess RongYang makes you despise her, yet, in a tragic twist, when she’s killed by the man she loved, you can’t help but feel a shred of sympathy for her. It’s a testament to her exceptional acting.
In conclusion, I give this drama a solid 10 out of 10. If you’re into compelling stories with rich characters, stunning visuals, and a touch of karma, I highly recommend giving this one a watch.
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When two baddie met.
There's so much about this drama I liked, first of all hat's of to the cast for tremendously playing their role. A person who played villain in such a good way that you hate them really. Wow the emperor is not a deserving king, he knows everything still keeping himself in dark to spoil his sister, he is really spineless. Zhang Wanyi I am slowly becoming your fan, this is third drama (other are Rise of the Ning and Are you the one) I have watched back to back because of your handsome face and soothing voice. A actor with such a beautiful voice, it's music to my ear when you talk. This is the first fl drama of mine and she is baddie and beautiful. I loved that they never held back fl at any point, she always stood her ground even against powerful people than her. It's a must watch drama for me.Was this review helpful to you?
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Enjoyed it even thou
I enjoyed this even though the emperor was an idiot and was letting his evil sister and daughter do whatever they wanted and then everyone still came to save him. I had to look past that part and enjoy the other characters. It wrapped up pretty good as well explaining the two lives so it didn’t leave me hanging. Also a happy ending which is also rare!!Was this review helpful to you?
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entertaining start but felt flat overall
I dropped this drama at the 20th episode and must say the first 5 episodes or so where the most interesting and got you hooked. Especially the plot in the beginning was promising of the FL getting revenge in her past life only to get betrayed/killed by her husband. Doesn’t that sound really interesting? But somehow the plot lost this exicting factor where suddenly the FL is a “saintess” which added absolutely nothing to the plot or rather felt super random. Also as soon as she got reborn she completely forgot the “betrayal” of her husband and this was never even mentioned in later episodes or investigated by her. I think this part made me really disappointed but nevertheless if you forget the past-life part a bit and want to enjoy a mature husband-wife romance with some family drama dynamics and some investigation/cases subplot I think this would still ge good and I would recommend it.Was this review helpful to you?
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Fast Paced and Great Acting.
Many reviewers have written a lot about the plot. To me it is decent and quite refreshingly acted out. Rebirth is not overused. As I see it she might be a Saintress (like some spiritual thing due to her mother’s lineage). Hence she could tell the future and have a glimpse of her past live.FL lead actress has always been a good actress and chemistry queen with her MLs. This drama is no exception. If you have watched Glory of Tang Dynasty with her and Ren Jialun , her character in these two dramas have some similarities in their suffering and love for the eventual emperor. Many people love the ML actor. Truth is this is the first drama where I appreciate his acting. However it annoys me that he only whispers most of the time when everyone is talking at a normal tone. Wish Zhang Wanyi can dial back that unique speaking manner and not make it annoying instead. I am sure many are annoyed at some point.
Why is no one talking about Zhen official and the Princess Fuqing. This Zhen character is so charming. Steadfast. Smart. Pure in his love. Both he and Princess Fuqing really make my heart warm. Love these two.
I have throughly enjoyed this drama. Not to mentioned it’s beautiful sets and costumes. Love the head pieces
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