Was this supposed to be the kid-friendly version of Squid Game? 😂
I honestly expected a lot more. I missed Gem so much, which is why I started this drama, but it just wasn't that interesting.
This drama's mdl rating is kind of surprising to me. The whole point of survival-game dramas is that people are forced to fight to stay alive, and that's when their true nature comes out. But in this , there was barely any tension, fear, or real sense of danger. Nothing felt serious enough to push the characters into making morally questionable choices or showing their darker sides.
It's such an easy and comforting drama to watch. I started it because I like the male lead. The female lead was great too, Also, their friend group was so lovable and fun to watch. Honestly, watching it made me wish companies like Animal Beauty actually existed in real life—a workplace with such a positive, supportive, and wholesome atmosphere would be a dream to work in lol
it is my second drama of CDL (first in till the end of the moon, dropped the glory and fangs of fortune and i didn't like her character as well)i like her acting here, i think this character suits her very well
First of all, I want to say that both the male and female leads did a really good job. You could tell they genuinely gave it their all and tried their best to deliver a great performance.
As for the drama itself, I've known this director and his team since The Long Ballad back in 2021, so I already knew there were some serious weaknesses when it comes to shots, especially in SOKP.
For the first ten episodes, I was mostly busy trying to get used to the filming style, the filter, and the dialogue. Around episode 10, though, it finally became interesting for me, and I watched it till episode 25 at once.
But then I started losing motivation to continue, mainly because of the story
The Prime Minister spent 25 episodes as the villain and even colluded with the enemy, only for it all to end with that funny ridiculous stunt? I honestly kept expecting there to be some bigger plan behind arranging the Princess's marriage to the enemy prince, but there was nothing at all.
Both the marquis and the Princess changed way too suddenly. The marquis had been helping everyone so sincerely all the time, but the moment he was put in that position, he turned on them without even a second of hesitation. He didn't deserve that fate or that ending. Princess too . She spent the whole drama talking about how much she loved him, then suddenly changed overnight without anything significant even happening. If I were the writer, I would've had that change happen after she found out about her father and brother being killed. At least that would've made some sense.
Even the Emperor suddenly went from being a good father who cared about his children to a selfish and negative character, and it felt completely unnecessary and forced.
My third issue was the main couple's storyline. I really liked their chemistry, but after Feng Sui ge got injured and the story went into the completely cliché amnesia plot, i get bored
On the other hand, in the end I really liked emperor of Jinxiu and his feelings for the Princess. I felt like he was actually changing and had some interesting character development. Unfortunately, I didn't like his ending at all, and I genuinely felt bad for him.
As for emperor of Jinxiu's Queen Mother, there's honestly not much to say. She was a truly stupid character who ended up doing nothing but ruining her own son.
Overall, the drama had some high points that helped keep the story engaging. Combined with the cast's strong performances and a great OST, I'd say the drama was overall good to average. Personally, I think it would've worked better as a 30-episode drama, and storylines like the Storm Alliance arc should've been much shorter.
One plot line that the novel helped me piercieve better was HanLinQui's . Because with the TV series I never truly…
yes in some point it was really good, like ep 10 it is my most favorite episode... but overly it could be much better, it had so much potential anyway i gave it 8/10
I honestly expected a lot more. I missed Gem so much, which is why I started this drama, but it just wasn't that interesting.
This drama's mdl rating is kind of surprising to me. The whole point of survival-game dramas is that people are forced to fight to stay alive, and that's when their true nature comes out. But in this , there was barely any tension, fear, or real sense of danger. Nothing felt serious enough to push the characters into making morally questionable choices or showing their darker sides.
I started it because I like the male lead. The female lead was great too, Also, their friend group was so lovable and fun to watch.
Honestly, watching it made me wish companies like Animal Beauty actually existed in real life—a workplace with such a positive, supportive, and wholesome atmosphere would be a dream to work in lol
As for the drama itself, I've known this director and his team since The Long Ballad back in 2021, so I already knew there were some serious weaknesses when it comes to shots, especially in SOKP.
For the first ten episodes, I was mostly busy trying to get used to the filming style, the filter, and the dialogue. Around episode 10, though, it finally became interesting for me, and I watched it till episode 25 at once.
But then I started losing motivation to continue, mainly because of the story
The Prime Minister spent 25 episodes as the villain and even colluded with the enemy, only for it all to end with that funny ridiculous stunt? I honestly kept expecting there to be some bigger plan behind arranging the Princess's marriage to the enemy prince, but there was nothing at all.
Both the marquis and the Princess changed way too suddenly.
The marquis had been helping everyone so sincerely all the time, but the moment he was put in that position, he turned on them without even a second of hesitation. He didn't deserve that fate or that ending. Princess too . She spent the whole drama talking about how much she loved him, then suddenly changed overnight without anything significant even happening. If I were the writer, I would've had that change happen after she found out about her father and brother being killed. At least that would've made some sense.
Even the Emperor suddenly went from being a good father who cared about his children to a selfish and negative character, and it felt completely unnecessary and forced.
My third issue was the main couple's storyline. I really liked their chemistry, but after Feng Sui ge got injured and the story went into the completely cliché amnesia plot, i get bored
On the other hand, in the end I really liked emperor of Jinxiu and his feelings for the Princess. I felt like he was actually changing and had some interesting character development. Unfortunately, I didn't like his ending at all, and I genuinely felt bad for him.
As for emperor of Jinxiu's Queen Mother, there's honestly not much to say. She was a truly stupid character who ended up doing nothing but ruining her own son.
Overall, the drama had some high points that helped keep the story engaging. Combined with the cast's strong performances and a great OST, I'd say the drama was overall good to average. Personally, I think it would've worked better as a 30-episode drama, and storylines like the Storm Alliance arc should've been much shorter.