The Golden Bough's Scheme (2025)

Letdown by writing & Yang Shu Yu's acting

I was intrigued by this title after seeing a review on subreddit CShortDramas a few days ago. I didn't read the review in order to avoid spoilers. Last night I decided to watch the drama on iQIYI and hhhhmmm it was so-so. Intriguing start but second act onwards was boring for me.

What I liked:
1. Acting - Liu Yu Hang was excellent as he got to play two distinct characters. It was fun to watch the contrasting personalities.
2. Secret - I liked that both FL & ML knew about the twin switch by episode 11. I also liked that FL caught her boyfriend cheating on her in episode 20.
3. Lu Jingran - Silly, spoilt brat. He provided the comic relief.
4. Romance - There were good kisses & sweet and tender moments.
5. Styling - FL wore beautiful clothes. I loved the yellow canary dress. Her very high heels were pretty too. I also liked the contrasting styles for the twins.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonists - Song Qing An was a sick bastard & FL's mother was an accomplice. ML's father was an abusive & controlling father. I also disliked the betrothed fiancee to ML - she was delusional.
2. FL characterisation - I found her bland & at times infuriating. It was nice that writer gave her a career which she kept a secret from her family but she was backed up by secret investor (ML) so I don't think her success was attributed to her own capabilities. I disliked her for leaving ML without a proper discussion on their relationship.
3. Yang Shu Yu - Her dramatic acting was one-note. She should be in agony after finding out the truth about her father's death.
4. Chemistry - No chemistry between Yang Shu Yu & Liu Yu Hang.

Favourite scene
When Lu Jing Ran discovered FL & ML's relationship

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