Shi Qing Yi (2025)

weak character in a gloomy/melancholic story with disappointing ending

Not often do I see ML purposely portrayed as a weak or indecisive benevolent person who is being forced into another person's will but DOES NOT show that heroic determination to overcome his shortcomings. In most cases we see hero's journey from one characteristic to something different, but here ML stays the same.
This was underwhelming overall effort to show something but what - I have hard time to determine
Honestly the best part was ep 1 and 2 where I loved two virgins drugged and intimate and trying to figure out what to do with themselves. But after that - the FL remains the least expressive, which suits her characterization but makes the story boring. Likewise, ML actor did a great job playing wilted flower of disfranchised emperor. The royal brother was played well, but royal uncle meh. I really really liked the side story of the Empress but the ending was bleak and we are left with sad reinforcement of the old feudal rules regarding women, rape, pregnancy, shame and such.
I am moving on to watch Mission of the Heart where Meng En is another lead. Perhaps that one will be better.

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Role Reversal Female assassin vs Weak Emperor full of angst... I love it.

The story : Trained since her childhood to assassinate the Tyrant Emperor, FL enters the palace to find out that he is in reality a puppet Emperor. What will she do?

First of all. This drama is a Role Reversal Gender drama.
So ML plays the usual FL's part : Warm and emotional, whereas FL plays the usual ML's part : Cold and aloof. So keep that in mind and don't expect FL to be a "little miss sunshine" like in most of the dramas. You'll be disappointed.


Pros :
- The Leads become more and more strong as the drama progresses.

-Great character development for the former Emperor and for the Empress. I was proud of them in the end.

-Push and pulls, slowburn romance. Between threat and attraction. Sometimes FL aiming her dagger at ML seemed more like a cat and mouse game between them than a real threat.

- Good acting

- Good directing and visuals.

-Costumes are meaningful thus beautiful in this drama. FL being a waiting maid in charge of dressing and undressing the Emperor.

-Script is ok.

-Loved the climax in the end but the ending was less impactful.



Cons:
- ML and FL stay pretty much the same in term of character development.

- Some parts might seem draggy halfway because of the psychological arc, wich is the main subject of the drama : the heroes are torn between loyalty and love. It did not disturb me personally.

- Angsty.

- Ending seems rushed.



Overall:
I really loved this drama. I was waiting for every episode to be released, as it aired. Seeing an assassin becoming a protector was the best for me. And I liked to see a FL who is always strong and sticks to her principals and values. She is not a Mary Sue who become dumb when she is in love.
It was also refreshing to watch a cold FL tackeling dire situations with that cute and sweet ML. For me it was a treat.

So, if you like unconventional romance in wich a strong FL spends her time dressing and undressing ML, while strategizing with him and fighting enemies. You might like this drama.

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