This review may contain spoilers
Amazing without a doubt!!
This drama felt like a breath of fresh air. It seamlessly incorporated the matriarchal characteristics with the period/historical background and plot without coming off as a caricature. It never came off as forced, not even for a minute. It seemed so organic and effortless, though I'm sure it wasn't an easy task for the directors and scriptwriters.
I really liked Rong Shan Bao as a character. She knows what's expected of her but she also knows what she wants and doesn't lose her sense of self. She's cold and strict, but she is also kind. She's ruthless with her enemies, but she's also just and depending on what the other person's done/whether they deserve it, she gives a chance for change and repentance. She's truly very intelligent, hardworking and her presence commands the room. She's deeply respected because she really deserves it. I really wish to see more characters and dramas like this in the future, with a perfect blend of the matriarchal elements and a truly powerful female lead with strong presence. Gulnezer Bextiyar was great as Shen Bao, she portrayed really well the character's intelligence, inner strength and calm demeanor even in the face of the storm, she had quite an imposing presence which suited the character perfectly. At the same time though, I must admit that she did leave me wanting a bit more acting-wise at some points in the story (e.g. her crying for Rong Yun Wan and other parts). She did really great overall though.
Hou Ming Hao was honestly amazing as Lu Jiang Lai / Lu Fu Sheng, seriously his portrayal was super natural and realistic!! I also love how he never came off as subservient to Shan Bao, even when he had amnesia. He would sometimes pretend, but he never really lost himself even when he forgot everything. The protagonists behaved like equals, both hid things at times, sometimes it was the fl who was ahead, other times it was the opposite. I really enjoyed how Jiang Lai and Shen Bao were both really intelligent AND really in love with each other. These two characteristics were blended really well without countering each other. Neither would magically lose their brain just because they were in love.
I do have to mention that around the 3/5ths of the story, it got a bit tiring, maybe a bit boring as well and I did skip quite a bit. But overall this was a very interesting drama.
The rest of the cast did really great as well, I especially loved Leanne Liu as Old Madame Rong! I also really enjoyed Zhao Jia Min as Rong Yun Yin, Liu Qin as Yang Ding Chen, Zhao Yi Qin as Yan Bai Luo, Li Fei as He Xing Ming and Zhang Nan as Rong Yun Shu.
Overall I liked how intriguing the story was, how everyone received their just punishment, how the Rong heiresses came to support each other so well, and how strong both leads were. I honestly wish to see more characters like these (especially Shen Bao) with this type of dynamic between them, in the future. I am especially looking forward to watch more dramas like this where the matriarchal characteristics were seamlessly incorporated with the plot. Though I'm not one to easily rewatch dramas, something tells me that I'll probably watch this again in the future.
I really liked Rong Shan Bao as a character. She knows what's expected of her but she also knows what she wants and doesn't lose her sense of self. She's cold and strict, but she is also kind. She's ruthless with her enemies, but she's also just and depending on what the other person's done/whether they deserve it, she gives a chance for change and repentance. She's truly very intelligent, hardworking and her presence commands the room. She's deeply respected because she really deserves it. I really wish to see more characters and dramas like this in the future, with a perfect blend of the matriarchal elements and a truly powerful female lead with strong presence. Gulnezer Bextiyar was great as Shen Bao, she portrayed really well the character's intelligence, inner strength and calm demeanor even in the face of the storm, she had quite an imposing presence which suited the character perfectly. At the same time though, I must admit that she did leave me wanting a bit more acting-wise at some points in the story (e.g. her crying for Rong Yun Wan and other parts). She did really great overall though.
Hou Ming Hao was honestly amazing as Lu Jiang Lai / Lu Fu Sheng, seriously his portrayal was super natural and realistic!! I also love how he never came off as subservient to Shan Bao, even when he had amnesia. He would sometimes pretend, but he never really lost himself even when he forgot everything. The protagonists behaved like equals, both hid things at times, sometimes it was the fl who was ahead, other times it was the opposite. I really enjoyed how Jiang Lai and Shen Bao were both really intelligent AND really in love with each other. These two characteristics were blended really well without countering each other. Neither would magically lose their brain just because they were in love.
I do have to mention that around the 3/5ths of the story, it got a bit tiring, maybe a bit boring as well and I did skip quite a bit. But overall this was a very interesting drama.
The rest of the cast did really great as well, I especially loved Leanne Liu as Old Madame Rong! I also really enjoyed Zhao Jia Min as Rong Yun Yin, Liu Qin as Yang Ding Chen, Zhao Yi Qin as Yan Bai Luo, Li Fei as He Xing Ming and Zhang Nan as Rong Yun Shu.
Overall I liked how intriguing the story was, how everyone received their just punishment, how the Rong heiresses came to support each other so well, and how strong both leads were. I honestly wish to see more characters like these (especially Shen Bao) with this type of dynamic between them, in the future. I am especially looking forward to watch more dramas like this where the matriarchal characteristics were seamlessly incorporated with the plot. Though I'm not one to easily rewatch dramas, something tells me that I'll probably watch this again in the future.
Was this review helpful to you?
