its an okay drama that feels like the best drama in the first 20-30ep
here is how I feel after giving this drama another chance
I just finished watching this drama, and wow—I have *a lot* of emotions. But I’ll try my best to stay unbiased.
TLDR (If you're lazy, skip to the last paragraph!)
At first, this drama feels like a masterpiece, but as it drags on, it starts to lose its charm. Visually, it’s stunning—great costumes, a gorgeous cast, and solid acting, especially from our “princess” Zhang Zi Yi. Now, I get why people criticize her playing a 16-year-old when she’s 44. Yes, she *does* look older than her “parents” and “aunts” (lol), but honestly? She was one of the best things about this drama, along with the male lead and her mother. If not for them, I might’ve dropped it halfway.
The Good Stuff ✨
The first few episodes *hooked* me. I binged 16 episodes in one sitting! It’s exciting, full of curiosity, and surprisingly unpredictable at times. As someone who’s watched tons of dramas, I thought I could guess every twist, but this script is weirdly *good* in some places and *horribly cliché* in others. It starts strong but gets predictable toward the end.
Oh, and the OST? Absolute nostalgia fuel. Loved it.
Now, about the title—**it doesn’t fit at all.** They call her "rebellious," but she’s honestly just a lighthearted sweetheart who loves her family more than anything. She’s not power-hungry like the other palace women, but she’s also not some grand rebel—she just wants peace and happiness.
The Romance? Meh.
Some people call it “slow-burn.” Nope. It starts fast and then stays *stuck* at the same stage for the entire show. It’s satisfying at first but *so* frustrating later on. And while the drama advertises itself as romantic, romance only makes up *35%* of the story—20% from the main leads and 15% from side characters (yep, even emperors and second leads get almost the same romance screentime).
The Not-So-Good Stuff 🚨
At its core, this is a story of **betrayal, lust, and power struggles** disguised in beautiful visuals. The drama is packed with backstabbing, selfish ambitions, and characters who switch between being *ruthlessly power-hungry* and *overcome with regret*. And let’s not forget the endless deaths—so many characters die that by the end, you stop caring. Also, there’s *zero* character development, which makes things *really* frustrating.
Final Verdict 🎭
Overall, I’d give it a **7/10**—mainly for the acting, costumes, and a strong start. But would I recommend it? *Not really.* If you’re a student, a busy person, or someone who rarely gets time to watch dramas, **skip it**—there are way better ones out there. If you’re new to palace dramas and have *lots* of free time, maybe give it a shot. But for me? I kinda feel like I wasted my time.
And just to be clear—I gave it a 7 *only* because of how much an ending means to me. No matter how amazing a drama starts, if the ending isn’t fulfilling, it’s an *immediate* no from me. And this ending? Let’s just say it left me staring at the screen wondering why I even invested all those hours. 😭
*Watch at your own risk!*😆
I just finished watching this drama, and wow—I have *a lot* of emotions. But I’ll try my best to stay unbiased.
TLDR (If you're lazy, skip to the last paragraph!)
At first, this drama feels like a masterpiece, but as it drags on, it starts to lose its charm. Visually, it’s stunning—great costumes, a gorgeous cast, and solid acting, especially from our “princess” Zhang Zi Yi. Now, I get why people criticize her playing a 16-year-old when she’s 44. Yes, she *does* look older than her “parents” and “aunts” (lol), but honestly? She was one of the best things about this drama, along with the male lead and her mother. If not for them, I might’ve dropped it halfway.
The Good Stuff ✨
The first few episodes *hooked* me. I binged 16 episodes in one sitting! It’s exciting, full of curiosity, and surprisingly unpredictable at times. As someone who’s watched tons of dramas, I thought I could guess every twist, but this script is weirdly *good* in some places and *horribly cliché* in others. It starts strong but gets predictable toward the end.
Oh, and the OST? Absolute nostalgia fuel. Loved it.
Now, about the title—**it doesn’t fit at all.** They call her "rebellious," but she’s honestly just a lighthearted sweetheart who loves her family more than anything. She’s not power-hungry like the other palace women, but she’s also not some grand rebel—she just wants peace and happiness.
The Romance? Meh.
Some people call it “slow-burn.” Nope. It starts fast and then stays *stuck* at the same stage for the entire show. It’s satisfying at first but *so* frustrating later on. And while the drama advertises itself as romantic, romance only makes up *35%* of the story—20% from the main leads and 15% from side characters (yep, even emperors and second leads get almost the same romance screentime).
The Not-So-Good Stuff 🚨
At its core, this is a story of **betrayal, lust, and power struggles** disguised in beautiful visuals. The drama is packed with backstabbing, selfish ambitions, and characters who switch between being *ruthlessly power-hungry* and *overcome with regret*. And let’s not forget the endless deaths—so many characters die that by the end, you stop caring. Also, there’s *zero* character development, which makes things *really* frustrating.
Final Verdict 🎭
Overall, I’d give it a **7/10**—mainly for the acting, costumes, and a strong start. But would I recommend it? *Not really.* If you’re a student, a busy person, or someone who rarely gets time to watch dramas, **skip it**—there are way better ones out there. If you’re new to palace dramas and have *lots* of free time, maybe give it a shot. But for me? I kinda feel like I wasted my time.
And just to be clear—I gave it a 7 *only* because of how much an ending means to me. No matter how amazing a drama starts, if the ending isn’t fulfilling, it’s an *immediate* no from me. And this ending? Let’s just say it left me staring at the screen wondering why I even invested all those hours. 😭
*Watch at your own risk!*😆
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