This review may contain spoilers
For the love of Mo Lian Cheng ♡ And stronger performance from the entire cast!
I half-heartedly continued with Season 2, as I was already at my limit with the FL. However, my curiosity about how Mo Lian Cheng would cope in the modern world kept me going. And I must admit, he looks extremely handsome in contemporary outfits!! That said, I initially found it very difficult to re-immerse myself in the drama, largely because modern-day Xiao Tan continued her loud, childish behavior. It quickly became grating.
Thankfully, the plot took a turn for the better when both were transported back to the Dong Yue kingdom. And this time with two Mo Lian Chengs hahaha! That twist immediately captured my attention and gave the story renewed momentum.
What worked for me in this season:
Face-Switching Plot - The introduction of face-switching to resolve the dilemma of having two Mo Lian Chengs was both clever and entertaining. It generated plenty of humorous moments and helped reduce the show’s heavy reliance on the FL’s exaggerated antics for comic relief. Chen You Wei brought a refreshing energy to the role, injecting new life into yet another time-travel trope.
Mo Lian Cheng - Xing Zhao Lin delivered a significantly stronger performance this season. His portrayal of Mo Lian Cheng was far more nuanced, particularly in how he differentiated between the “older” and “new” versions of the character through subtle facial expressions and behavioral shifts (though there were still moments when the distinction between the two felt blurred). Even so, watching the “older” Mo Lian Cheng attempt to guide his younger self away from past mistakes added meaningful emotional depth and brought greater structure to the overall plot. His efforts to win back the FL also peeled back layers beneath his seemingly cold exterior (in Season 1), offering glimpses into his inner conflicts and vulnerabilities. Altogether, this richer characterization only made Mo Lian Cheng even more charming!!!
Improved Acting Across the Cast - Most of the cast showed noticeable improvement in their acting. In particular, the Crown Prince and his consort demonstrated marked improvements, which allowed their perspectives and emotional arcs to feel more substantial. For the first time, I genuinely empathized with them, and their storyline became engaging, adding more dimensions to the plot.
Upgraded Production Quality - It’s obvious Season 2 had a higher budget as the sets, costumes, and overall production design all show significant improvement. The visual aesthetics are more polished, making the viewing experience far smoother and more immersive than in Season 1.
Plot - I found this season to be more dimensional, largely due to its more defined sub-storylines, all of which were supported by stronger performances from the entire cast. I found myself empathizing with the Crown Prince, the Consort, and even the Emperor this time, as their stories were explored more deeply with the audience. In the previous season, they often felt like NPCs. The show still maintained its signature quirky creativity, except it was woven into the narrative far more organically instead of being introduced abruptly. The plot itself is more complex this season and was initially a little confusing, but I appreciated how this added complexity elevated the drama beyond a simple rom-com. Instead, it gave the story greater depth and brought the series to another level altogether.
Major Turn-Off:
The Female Lead - While the FL was thankfully toned down this season, with noticeably less shouting and excessive cursing, she somehow became even more frustrating. Her character appeared increasingly naive and irrational, constantly making illogical decisions and repeatedly getting herself into trouble that others had to resolve or protect her from. It was exasperating for me that I had to fast-forward through most of her scenes so I could stay engaged with the other far more compelling storylines.
Overall, Season 2 felt more dimensional thanks to its more clearly defined sub-storylines and stronger performances from the entire cast. I enjoyed this season more, as the improved production quality, increased plot complexity, and inventive twists, such as the face-switching arc, made the story feel more engaging, ultimately elevating the series beyond a straightforward rom-com. That said, watching Season 1 remains essential for fully understanding the characters and narrative background.
Thankfully, the plot took a turn for the better when both were transported back to the Dong Yue kingdom. And this time with two Mo Lian Chengs hahaha! That twist immediately captured my attention and gave the story renewed momentum.
What worked for me in this season:
Face-Switching Plot - The introduction of face-switching to resolve the dilemma of having two Mo Lian Chengs was both clever and entertaining. It generated plenty of humorous moments and helped reduce the show’s heavy reliance on the FL’s exaggerated antics for comic relief. Chen You Wei brought a refreshing energy to the role, injecting new life into yet another time-travel trope.
Mo Lian Cheng - Xing Zhao Lin delivered a significantly stronger performance this season. His portrayal of Mo Lian Cheng was far more nuanced, particularly in how he differentiated between the “older” and “new” versions of the character through subtle facial expressions and behavioral shifts (though there were still moments when the distinction between the two felt blurred). Even so, watching the “older” Mo Lian Cheng attempt to guide his younger self away from past mistakes added meaningful emotional depth and brought greater structure to the overall plot. His efforts to win back the FL also peeled back layers beneath his seemingly cold exterior (in Season 1), offering glimpses into his inner conflicts and vulnerabilities. Altogether, this richer characterization only made Mo Lian Cheng even more charming!!!
Improved Acting Across the Cast - Most of the cast showed noticeable improvement in their acting. In particular, the Crown Prince and his consort demonstrated marked improvements, which allowed their perspectives and emotional arcs to feel more substantial. For the first time, I genuinely empathized with them, and their storyline became engaging, adding more dimensions to the plot.
Upgraded Production Quality - It’s obvious Season 2 had a higher budget as the sets, costumes, and overall production design all show significant improvement. The visual aesthetics are more polished, making the viewing experience far smoother and more immersive than in Season 1.
Plot - I found this season to be more dimensional, largely due to its more defined sub-storylines, all of which were supported by stronger performances from the entire cast. I found myself empathizing with the Crown Prince, the Consort, and even the Emperor this time, as their stories were explored more deeply with the audience. In the previous season, they often felt like NPCs. The show still maintained its signature quirky creativity, except it was woven into the narrative far more organically instead of being introduced abruptly. The plot itself is more complex this season and was initially a little confusing, but I appreciated how this added complexity elevated the drama beyond a simple rom-com. Instead, it gave the story greater depth and brought the series to another level altogether.
Major Turn-Off:
The Female Lead - While the FL was thankfully toned down this season, with noticeably less shouting and excessive cursing, she somehow became even more frustrating. Her character appeared increasingly naive and irrational, constantly making illogical decisions and repeatedly getting herself into trouble that others had to resolve or protect her from. It was exasperating for me that I had to fast-forward through most of her scenes so I could stay engaged with the other far more compelling storylines.
Overall, Season 2 felt more dimensional thanks to its more clearly defined sub-storylines and stronger performances from the entire cast. I enjoyed this season more, as the improved production quality, increased plot complexity, and inventive twists, such as the face-switching arc, made the story feel more engaging, ultimately elevating the series beyond a straightforward rom-com. That said, watching Season 1 remains essential for fully understanding the characters and narrative background.
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