potatocouch:
Some of those yummy scenes were worth it <3
Glad you enjoyed those! ^_^ Sorry it didn't work out for you in the long run. :( Agreed on FL's portrayal, I found myself wishing she'd gone harder on it since she's supposed to be an ex-general, and outside of some nice RR stuff, you're right that she doesn't drive the physical side as much as ML does which is a little disappointing. And yeah, the plot is so ambitious but the show didn't work out as well as it could've. Personally I love the premise of a scheming regent FL haha, I hope to see more verticals with that type of FL in the future.
You might want to skip ahead and watch the ending anyway, it's got some nice RR stuff! Up to you of course ^_^
jay:
Personally I love the premise of a scheming regent FL haha, I hope to see more verticals with that type of FL in the future.
Me too! After the first poisoning attempt, I wish the drama had focused on the FL actually trying to rule the kingdom, and different things she could implement to help people. And her slowly gaining respect + falling in love with the Emperor. That'd still leave plenty of room for the political intriguing while keeping the plot on track.
You might want to skip ahead and watch the ending anyway, it's got some nice RR stuff! Up to you of course ^_^
Oooh, do you happen to know the timestamps? I don't wanna miss out.
Oooh, do you happen to know the timestamps? I don't wanna miss out.
So you get to see FL take over as emperor and ML be her "mistress" (and consort) basically at the very end, I'd say about 2:02:50 onward is the big finale! Let me know what you think if you watch ^_^
Okay, thanks so much! Will do.
annice123:It pains me to say that the premise is interesting, and objectively it's a decent vertical drama, but for some reason it's not clicking with me emotionally.
I am honestly not shocked at all 😂 I was quite surprised when you said you were watching it, lmao
FL kissing ML in front of the ministers to assert dominance ✨
ML soaking himself in ice water to cool FL down when she was poisoned. Gollyyyyyy! The director knows what the people want~
That INSANE bath scene where SFL drugs ML and tries to sleep with him, but the FL comes and saves the day.
Definitely highlights 😌
I'm not sure if it's the way the character was written or the FL's delivery (leaning toward the latter)
It's both. The actress is not strong, and the character isn't what she should be either. She's way better than many other rebirth FLs I've seen but that's about it, really. And yeah, seeing her after seeing FL from The General and her Boytoy prolly didn't help xD
I also expected FL to be more assertive in the actual relationship.
Also something I found unfortunate. I saw those cage images and was expecting her to make use of them... I was crossing my fingers for some red-flag moments but there weren't any. But I didn't think you'd mind since ML was very needy and clingy, lol
It was starting to feel a little damsel-y.
FL and ML are separated for multiple episodes while FL goes to her bio dad's kingdom (?) to try and find the actual cure for the curse.
Agreed. I feel like this is prolly adapted from a novel and they crammed too much plot into the very short runtime of the drama. Esp compared to the drama we just finished which was 90% romance, 10% plot, this one feels plot-heavy in a bad way. It's not fully committed to the plot, but also not to the romance so it falls in the weird middle ground where it's just kinda boring. I skipped through most of the bullshit from her original kingdom 'cause I didn't care either, LOL (like I'm grateful for what it ended up setting up but I honestly... didn't think it needed to go in this direction at all. Focusing on his kingdom and her ruling as actual regent was MORE than enough for this drama). But after she ascends the throne and reunites with ML it's cute again.
I wish the drama had focused on the FL actually trying to rule the kingdom, and different things she could implement to help people. And her slowly gaining respect + falling in love with the Emperor. That'd still leave plenty of room for the political intriguing while keeping the plot on track.
My thoughts exactly. For a story with the premise of a FL forcing her way into being regent with a willing puppet emperor ML, they didn't do a whole lot of actual ruling together. I don't get why we got typical concubine-FL type scenes and arcs when her position is so uniquely different. Poor execution 😠Also exploring why ML had been so smitten with her and how FL slowly warms up to him as they spend more time together was a must.
I wish she would've been harsher on him at first. Mean, domineering, forcing her way, truly using him as a puppet, even though he was willing. And you know me and my adoration of good court scenes (though I never expect them to be good in a vertical, but ugh, I can just imagine how delicious this could've been). Then she could slowly start to lose her edge and start to be gentler with him.
Also just like @jay said, I recommend watching the ending. If you want after they reunite (01:42:35) but at least the finale where ML abdicates his throne to her. It's cute and we get to see ML be the coquettish consort he always wanted to be.
Personally I love the premise of a scheming regent FL haha, I hope to see more verticals with that type of FL in the future.
I'm the same! I absolutely loved this premise and hope we'll be getting more of it in the future 'cause the possibilities are endless!! A shame it wasn't as delicious as we could've gotten but I'm still happy it exists and liked it.
A Gentleman Is like a Mu
Shoutout to the goat @potatocouch for finding, recommending, and watching this drama with me cuz I would've completely missed it otherwise. This came out of NOWHERE but wow, for those who like and want something similar to My Lady General, this is it. And in my opinion... it might actually be MORE role reversal than MLG. (It's also not a comedy even though it's very melodramatic so this definitely adds points for me, lol)
The commitment to a bastard husband FL and a prissy wife ML was exquisite and persisted throughout the entire drama. I was having the time of my life watching the husband/wife role reversal with him sassing her constantly and her trying to coax him only to end in manhandling 😌 With only a couple of out-of-character moments in the middle for FL, it remains thoroughly RR. ML is such a delicate princess, he spends half the drama dramatically falling onto the floor and the other half sobbing buckets of tears.
The plot tho is basically nonexistent and you NEED to not think or care about any of it to have a good time but the role reversal is just so fun, you can't miss out!
My review for a bit more detail on the actual quality of the drama, lol
Arclei:
I was quite surprised when you said you were watching it, lmao
Really? But it's all the things I like. And I take Arclei endorsements very seriously 😤
It's both.
You're right.
And yeah, seeing her after seeing FL from The General and her Boytoy prolly didn't help xD
IT DID NOT HELP AT ALLLLL 😂 That drama has ruined me, and set the bar high when it comes to FL generals. I fear I will be disappointed often.
Zi Qi's FL general from "CEO, Your Wife Hits Hard" was also better even though I didn't like the drama. So was the ex-general from "Bow Before the Ruthless Princess", and the FL general in vertical I'm watching now "The Crimson General's Love Strategy". So yeah, Di Que did not catch me at a good time.
But I didn't think you'd mind since ML was very needy and clingy, lol
I mean, you know me well, so you were right to think this. My expectations for the FL were just too high.
this one feels plot-heavy in a bad way. It's not fully committed to the plot, but also not to the romance so it falls in the weird middle ground where it's just kinda boring.
You summed that up perfectly. These are my exact feelings. Because I can like plot-heavy dramas if they're executed well, and I'm invested in the characters' journeys. This was just an awkward in-between.
I honestly... didn't think it needed to go in this direction at all. Focusing on his kingdom and her ruling as actual regent was MORE than enough for this drama
I agree! That's what I was expecting!
But after she ascends the throne and reunites with ML it's cute again.
That's what @jay said, so I'm gonna go back and watch the end.
For a story with the premise of a FL forcing her way into being regent with a willing puppet emperor ML, they didn't do a whole lot of actual ruling together.
I know!!!! I was expecting to see a tense power struggle with a hurt, power-hungry regent and a willing albeit suspicious prince at the center, but we got none of that.
I don't get why we got typical concubine-FL type scenes and arcs when her position is so uniquely different.
THAT DIDN'T MAKE ANY SENSE!!!!! WHY ARE WE WASTING TIME SHOWING FL FIGHTING WITH ALL THESE WOMEN WHOSE POSITIONS ARE MUCH LOWER THAN HERS?????? I don't wanna see catty fights over the emperor in this kind of plot. They should've had her beefing with ministers, strategists, and high-ranking military officers who don't think a woman should have this kind of power. Enemy emperors and empresses...etc (I don't remember if her bio dad's kingdom was an enemy or not). Even the original dude who was supposed to be emperor could've been a lasting antagonist. But everything with that was resolved so quickly, I thought they had more sinister villains waiting in the wings, but nope...just scheming women who the FL could easily behead (and has more than enough reason to).
I wish she would've been harsher on him at first. Mean, domineering, forcing her way, truly using him as a puppet, even though he was willing.
Ugh, me toooooo. Would've been so satisfying, especially once she starts being gentler toward him.
the finale where
STAHP. That's so cute! Will definitely check it out.
ML is such a delicate princess, he spends half the drama dramatically falling onto the floor and the other half sobbing buckets of tears.
The prettiest damsel-crybaby ML there ever was! And the best FL general in a vertical drama. It was really fun watching it with you.
I suffered a mild vertical slump after watching it the first time because I enjoyed it so much, and we rarely see RR taken to this extent. Now I'm on the hunt again. If this gem exists, there must be more!
Ugh, I love your collages.
edit:
Btw, have you watched or heard about this drama?
https://kisskh.at/693323-just-want-to-pamper-you
Sounds interesting.
It was really fun watching it with you.
Agreed! <3 I had a blast!
I suffered a mild vertical slump after watching it the first time because I enjoyed it so much, and we rarely see RR taken to this extent. Now I'm on the hunt again. If this gem exists, there must be more!
Bestie is on a mission! I respect it! Always let me know your finds >:)
Ugh, I love your collages.
💖🥺
Btw, have you watched or heard about this drama?
I watched it years ago so my memory is a bit fuzzy but I have it marked as "not RR" with a generous rating of 2.5 on my list so that should give you an idea xD It delivered on nothing
My note: "FL manhandles ML like once or something iirc and she's a cold general while he's a flirty doctor (which is nice) but other than that, pretty standard coupling. Also the quality was so bad it was basically unwatchable t-t"
LMFAO
Always let me know your finds >:)
Of course. If I eat, you eat. If I suffer, you suffer XDDDDDD <3
My note: "FL manhandles ML like once or something iirc and she's a cold general while he's a flirty doctor (which is nice) but other than that, pretty standard coupling. Also the quality was so bad it was basically unwatchable t-t"
YIKES! This is why I wanted to run it by you. Thanks!
Of course. If I eat, you eat. If I suffer, you suffer XDDDDDD <3
I expect no less <3
YIKES! This is why I wanted to run it by you. Thanks!
Always glad to be of service 
Really? But it's all the things I like. And I take Arclei endorsements very seriously 😤
I knowwww, but you know me and my vibes- something was telling me it wasn't gonna be your scene xD
Zi Qi's FL general from "CEO, Your Wife Hits Hard" was also better even though I didn't like the drama. So was the ex-general from "Bow Before the Ruthless Princess", and the FL general in vertical I'm watching now "The Crimson General's Love Strategy". So yeah, Di Que did not catch me at a good time.
I'll have to check all of these out, then! Thanks for the reccs!
That's what @jay said, so I'm gonna go back and watch the end.
Let me know what you think!
I know!!!! I was expecting to see a tense power struggle with a hurt, power-hungry regent and a willing albeit suspicious prince at the center, but we got none of that.
Yeeeesss, it could've been so good 😩
WHY ARE WE WASTING TIME SHOWING FL FIGHTING WITH ALL THESE WOMEN WHOSE POSITIONS ARE MUCH LOWER THAN HERS?????? I don't wanna see catty fights over the emperor in this kind of plot. They should've had her beefing with ministers, strategists, and high-ranking military officers who don't think a woman should have this kind of power.
I have literally no idea... The empress dowager COULD'VE been a formidable foe, but they just kinda did the usual cliche boring stuff with her and don't even get me started on the rest. Like you said, FL should've been beefing with the outer court, not the inner court 😠Why even bother making her a regent if she's just gonna have consort problems?
Ugh, me toooooo. Would've been so satisfying, especially once she starts being gentler toward him.
The possibilities 😩
you know me and my vibes- something was telling me it wasn't gonna be your scene xD
Fair lol.
I'll have to check all of these out, then! Thanks for the reccs!
No problem!
"Bow Before the Ruthless Princess" is the one you were already excited to check out because the FL was a cool general with a male harem before transmigrating. I mentioned it as a recent RR watch a page or two ago, and you checked out the beginning. The ML also crossdresses for a few minutes.
Let me know what you think!
Will do!
The empress dowager COULD'VE been a formidable foe,
True. I didn't even consider her because the day they write a mother-in-law/daughter-in-law rivalry that isn't primarily about the son/husband is the day I win the lottery, and marry Yeonjun from TXT.
"Bow Before the Ruthless Princess" is the one you were already excited to check out because the FL was a cool general with a male harem before transmigrating. I mentioned it as a recent RR watch a page or two ago, and you checked out the beginning. The ML also crossdresses for a few minutes.
Ohhhhh, gotchaaaa!
I didn't even consider her because the day they write a mother-in-law/daughter-in-law rivalry that isn't primarily about the son/husband is the day I win the lottery, and marry Yeonjun from TXT.
You're so real for that. Don't forget my invite lol
Don't forget my invite lol
Invite? You'll be a bridesmaid.
Happy Monday! Hope everyone has a very RR week. Get that executive position at work, say what you've always wanted to say, and for God's sake KABEDON THAT MAN.
Anyway, I finished a solid RR last night called: The Crimson General's Love Strategy
General FL x Scholar ML
FL hates being married to ML, and gets betrayed by her own brother after taking his place in the army (Mulan, is that you???). She transmigrates back to before her wedding and vows to treat ML better, and get revenge on her brother and father.
There were a few scares where I thought the narrative was going to make FL withstand abuse just for fun (even though she's a powerful general and still has her physical prowess), but they were false alarms. Phew! The actress doesn't have the best acting chops, but the way her character's written saves her. FL's smart, keeps her cards close to her chest, kicks butt, and will whip/kill people if necessary.
ML is a cute pookie scholar who's expecting to be treated badly because he's from a lower class, so imagine his surprise when his wife actually likes him.
The leads have a cute RR dynamic where she doesn't get flustered and initiates most of their physical contact. And also says stuff like "Jiejie will teach you"—OOP. Yes, she will. ML is super shy at first, but slowly gains confidence. Fortunately, it never becomes and bait-and-switch, and FL even needs to save him at the end when he gets kidnapped.
ML is also really supportive of FL's strengths and talents, and I love that.
It's not a particularly steamy drama, but the leads have good chemistry and the kiss scenes were solid.
Overall, the drama is entertaining, but it doesn't do anything special than its "I transmigrated and now I appreciate my husband and will destroy my enemies" counterparts. The execution is quite generic, and the villainous brother is an idiot, so that kills any attempts at suspense. The drama also goes on for a bit too long, but all things considered, it's still a fun RR drama that's worth the watch.
