This review may contain spoilers
The Wei of Life Through the Lens of Marriage
For my enemies to lovers enthusiasts, this is our drama to watch.
For my people who love forced/contract marriages, this is our drama to watch.
Who doesn’t love enemies to lovers and having to see them get married??? *raises hand*
From the very first gripping episode, I was completely locked in!
Liu Yuning portrays Wei Shao, our leading man. And let me tell you, the look of disgust and hate from Wei Shao was done so well that it sent chills down my spine, but at the same time I wanted more of it.
Song Zuer portrays Manman/Qiao Man our leading lady who ends up as our Lady Wei. From first glance she looks timid and obviously a beauty but do not let looks fool you, she’s calculating but also so gracious.
We’ve all seen dramas where the first look from both leads says a lot, but their first time seeing each other was explosive and left me wanting more of their interactions after that. The first time their eyes locked together, we the viewers just knew this was gonna be good. When you get to that part, you’ll understand what I mean. You just felt the vibes already.
Despite Wei Shao being fickle and pretentious for a lot of the beginning moments between him and Manman, I felt like Manman met his energy and he didn’t like that lol. Many moments where Wei Shao would openly admit he cannot out argue Manman, but this is coming from a man who is deemed scary and in charge of the Wei people. These are the first couple of signs where I see Wei Shao slowly giving in a little bit to Manman, but not fully. He’s not used to having someone go up against him, Manman is someone who tested him in the best way possible.
As the show progresses you can tell he is softening up to Manman yet he’s still testing her. Just because he’s married to her doesn’t mean he’s gotta accept her. Wei Shao needs to know where her loyalty lies — because from my understanding, yes she has the last name of Wei but is her heart still a Qiao? Wei Shao’s past left him super guarded and rightfully so. Because from his perspective this an enemy in his territory and he didn’t want to be caught with his guards down if he accepted her just because they share the same name now.
Manman becomes Wei Shao’s wife, the Lady Wei, but I gotta say, I would call her Lady Grace. She’s graceful in everything she does, she’s smart, she perseveres. She isn’t your typical weak female lead who needs saving all the time. It’s always nice to not see a damsel in distress. Despite being wronged by the Wei family a couple times, especially by some people like the mother in law, she always showed grace even she has to defend herself. Manman held herself in much dignity, that’s why I would call her Lady Grace, the way she spoke was eloquently even if she was basically calling someone out. I like this type of female lead a lot. She reminds me a lot of my aunt: soft spoken but you wouldn’t know she was calling you out due to the graceful and soft tone. 🥲
Manman in my opinion was well written and perfectly suitable for Wei Shao. Although both are flawed characters, I think that’s what makes the viewers drawn towards them as in visuals and eventually as a power couple.
Wei Shao to me was never someone heartless, he just has an edge to him that he purposely put out, get too close and you’ll get cut. I mean, if your family met the same fate as his, you’d be the same but at the same time you’d think someone with his type of trauma and history would be a monster but he actually isn’t. He cares a lot for his people and Manman saw through his hard shell, with that, she was able to help him grow with her.
We often get shows where one character helps the other grow and overcome obstacles. However they both helped each other, Wei Shao and Manman are two people who both didn’t want to yield. But with time, they both learn that in order to keep living, in order to help maintain structure and peace over a nation, you must yield and not always do things your way.
They both pushed each other to their limits and I think this is where their characters are developing the most. Despite never wanting to marry each other, in the end they realize how much they need each other. The love they have is the perfect slow burn, which is just my type of romance.
I think I pretty much rambled a lot and I’m sorry if my thoughts about this show is all over the place. But I need you guys to give this a chance if you’re a fan of the leads, and even if you’re not, you will surely become fans after watching.
The supporting characters are so funny and all precious, mainly the Wei generals and Manman’s maidservants. Their bicker and bantering were always fun to watch, you’ll enjoy it very much.
The OST is great, it captivates you into their world of ancient China, I currently got it on repeat on Spotify.
And overall, great show, if you like to see two people who are forced together and develop trust and love over time then this is for you.
At the end of the day, I’m just a sucker for handsome generals and strong female leads who take charge with her general, this show fits the bill.
Happy watching.
For my people who love forced/contract marriages, this is our drama to watch.
Who doesn’t love enemies to lovers and having to see them get married??? *raises hand*
From the very first gripping episode, I was completely locked in!
Liu Yuning portrays Wei Shao, our leading man. And let me tell you, the look of disgust and hate from Wei Shao was done so well that it sent chills down my spine, but at the same time I wanted more of it.
Song Zuer portrays Manman/Qiao Man our leading lady who ends up as our Lady Wei. From first glance she looks timid and obviously a beauty but do not let looks fool you, she’s calculating but also so gracious.
We’ve all seen dramas where the first look from both leads says a lot, but their first time seeing each other was explosive and left me wanting more of their interactions after that. The first time their eyes locked together, we the viewers just knew this was gonna be good. When you get to that part, you’ll understand what I mean. You just felt the vibes already.
Despite Wei Shao being fickle and pretentious for a lot of the beginning moments between him and Manman, I felt like Manman met his energy and he didn’t like that lol. Many moments where Wei Shao would openly admit he cannot out argue Manman, but this is coming from a man who is deemed scary and in charge of the Wei people. These are the first couple of signs where I see Wei Shao slowly giving in a little bit to Manman, but not fully. He’s not used to having someone go up against him, Manman is someone who tested him in the best way possible.
As the show progresses you can tell he is softening up to Manman yet he’s still testing her. Just because he’s married to her doesn’t mean he’s gotta accept her. Wei Shao needs to know where her loyalty lies — because from my understanding, yes she has the last name of Wei but is her heart still a Qiao? Wei Shao’s past left him super guarded and rightfully so. Because from his perspective this an enemy in his territory and he didn’t want to be caught with his guards down if he accepted her just because they share the same name now.
Manman becomes Wei Shao’s wife, the Lady Wei, but I gotta say, I would call her Lady Grace. She’s graceful in everything she does, she’s smart, she perseveres. She isn’t your typical weak female lead who needs saving all the time. It’s always nice to not see a damsel in distress. Despite being wronged by the Wei family a couple times, especially by some people like the mother in law, she always showed grace even she has to defend herself. Manman held herself in much dignity, that’s why I would call her Lady Grace, the way she spoke was eloquently even if she was basically calling someone out. I like this type of female lead a lot. She reminds me a lot of my aunt: soft spoken but you wouldn’t know she was calling you out due to the graceful and soft tone. 🥲
Manman in my opinion was well written and perfectly suitable for Wei Shao. Although both are flawed characters, I think that’s what makes the viewers drawn towards them as in visuals and eventually as a power couple.
Wei Shao to me was never someone heartless, he just has an edge to him that he purposely put out, get too close and you’ll get cut. I mean, if your family met the same fate as his, you’d be the same but at the same time you’d think someone with his type of trauma and history would be a monster but he actually isn’t. He cares a lot for his people and Manman saw through his hard shell, with that, she was able to help him grow with her.
We often get shows where one character helps the other grow and overcome obstacles. However they both helped each other, Wei Shao and Manman are two people who both didn’t want to yield. But with time, they both learn that in order to keep living, in order to help maintain structure and peace over a nation, you must yield and not always do things your way.
They both pushed each other to their limits and I think this is where their characters are developing the most. Despite never wanting to marry each other, in the end they realize how much they need each other. The love they have is the perfect slow burn, which is just my type of romance.
I think I pretty much rambled a lot and I’m sorry if my thoughts about this show is all over the place. But I need you guys to give this a chance if you’re a fan of the leads, and even if you’re not, you will surely become fans after watching.
The supporting characters are so funny and all precious, mainly the Wei generals and Manman’s maidservants. Their bicker and bantering were always fun to watch, you’ll enjoy it very much.
The OST is great, it captivates you into their world of ancient China, I currently got it on repeat on Spotify.
And overall, great show, if you like to see two people who are forced together and develop trust and love over time then this is for you.
At the end of the day, I’m just a sucker for handsome generals and strong female leads who take charge with her general, this show fits the bill.
Happy watching.
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