Bonkers
I very much like the two leads in this drama, but in places the plot got so bizarre it took me right out of the story. At times, the over-the-top silliness just broke my brain. Of course not everything has to be high art, but at some point I could no longer suspend my disbelief.There’s one scene in particular on a plane where our whack–a--doodle FL passes herself off as a doctor and volunteers to heal a rando patient who turns out to be... sorry, not going to spill the beans here. Let’s just say, it’s quite a coincidence.
And that’s just the tip of the bonkers berg. I couldn’t really get what the ML, a rich, spoiled dude, saw in someone who was obviously cuckoo for cocoa puffs–pretty enough, but spouting the language and folkways of Joseon Korea. Wouldn’t your average bro be turned off just a little? And, for that matter, what did the FL see in a guy who alternated between concern, contempt, and even bullying to get his way. I guess I’m not sure the writers did the work of making the attraction between these two believable.
This drama makes me think that we women are trading the exercise of our intelligence for romantic fantasies and mindless baloney. But maybe that’s not always such a bad thing--if you keep part of your brain in the real world.
So in spite of the foregoing, if you’re not opposed to a (sometimes unbelievable) series where an arrogant, supercilious chaebol gets kicked around by a feisty female--you’ll probably enjoy MY ROYAL NEMESIS.
And, by the way, the actress who plays Grandma is amazing and lovable. Who wouldn't want to have a grandma like her.
In my case, ngl (not gonna lie), I kinda liked it.
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Superb drama
Lots of cultural details hinted at but not sufficiently explained in the first several episodes–which dump a lot of information on the viewer. I read recaps and rewatched the first two episodes several times and still had trouble understanding the plot.Outstanding composition, cinematography and costuming–the best I’ve seen this year.
Here’s what you should know: In imperial China salt was immensely valuable. The state’s economy and national security depended on it, and it was heavily taxed. In some periods, these taxes provided 80% to 90% of the entire state's operating budget. There was a huge black market for "private salt" (si yan) smuggled by underground networks.
Chastity arches – Historically, these were grand, elaborately carved archways erected by imperial decree to publicly honor women who showed extreme devotion to their deceased husbands, either by refusing to remarry or by committing suicide upon their husband's death.
If an unmarried virgin's fiancé died before they married, she was expected to "marry" his tablet or memory and live out her life in celibacy—or kill herself to secure honor for her family. For the family, arches were the ultimate status symbol–providing glory and wealth to a clan. Young widows were therefore often pushed into suicide against their will.
Lapis Lazuli – this was a stone that was extremely valuable and restricted to high nobility in ancient China. "Does that lapis lazuli bracelet feel smooth in your hand?" asks Grand Secretary Yu reminding Zhao Ling of the dual nature of his new life--full of ease and comfort, but surrounded by treachery.
To be continued...
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Schizophrenic
I watched this drama to the end. Many viewers will probably like it, but for me it was too contrived – with a unpalatable mixture of silly hijinks, gratuitous violence, sadism, ridiculous wishes, and bogus profundity. It had a convoluted plot with too many secondary characters, and a lot of elements that just didn’t come together in a cohesive whole.In the beginning, the ML is a a big goof ball of a genie who can do anything with a snap of his fingers. Somehow he’s also Satan. He can put out a raging fire or catch someone who’s fallen off a tall building, He can appear and disappear and travel through time. He can fly, burst through the walls of buildings, and deflect bullets. No problemo.
As for the FL, she just doesn’t give two figs about anything because she’s a psychopath (or maybe not). She’s trying to be decent, but she has the soul of a killer. Why should the viewers care about either of these absurd characters? There’s nothing at stake. Neither of them want anything–-or anything substantive–-either from the world or from each other.
As the story progresses, wishes are granted, wishes are postponed, unforeseen circumstances arise. When a romance develops, it seems completely unmotivated.
When are the good people at Netflix going to hire writers who can actually construct a story with heart and nuance–one that doesn’t rely on gimmicks?
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Slow to start...
People have told me that LOVE LIKE THE GALAXY is a fantastic drama. I believe those people. I read the reviews, and they all said the same thing.In Episode 1, we meet the cast of characters, a large, unpleasant, bickering family. A war’s raging on the border, and Mom and Dad are just back from the frontlines. They haven’t seen their daughter Cheng Shao Shang for ten years--nor have they made any real attempt to contact her. Why?
It’s not clear. We’re told that Chen Shao Shang has been cared for by neglectful relatives. She’s been starved, mistreated, and deprived of an education. The poor girl’s health is supposedly precarious.
But with a couple of winks, the girl lets the audience know that she’s faking it. Also, the actress in question looks particularly well-fed–so, not to worry.
We hear over and over about the travails of Old Madame Cheng–the blubbering, melodramatic grandma. I counted twelve(!) different speeches made by this woman in the first two episodes. She whines and complains incessantly. There’s also a thoroughly wretched uncle who’s been embezzling armaments–and a stone-faced general who comes to investigate the crime. Everyone argues about who’s filial and who isn’t.
There’s no hook, nothing to convince me to keep watching this series.
In addition, this entire series is 56 episodes long! Judging by the first two episodes the pacing is going to be sloooowww. I'm sorry. I can only go by what I’ve seen so far. Your mileage may differ.
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Too Gimicky
So far, this series seems to aim to be cute. It doesn't take itself seriously or cohere as a story. I'll give it some time. The acting is performative and leaves a lot to be desired. Too much male posturing and displays of virility in the first episode.The kidnapped female is too coy and coquettish. After two episodes, nothing in this story is convincing.Was this review helpful to you?
I fell asleep three times
I tried to like this series–but I just didn’t–mostly because of the FL. During the first few episodes, she had a never-ending bored smirk on her face, as if she could hardly take this production seriously. If you want to see a top-notch Arthur Chen drama, I suggest you watch LOVE STORY IN THE 1970s–one of the best of the year.Was this review helpful to you?
Life's too short...
This one's not for me. Let me give you the low-lights. In episode one, the ML, who's a doctor, keeps sneaking furtive glances at the FL. She wonders what he looks like without his surgical mask. Other people comment on her beauty and his good looks. She brings a friend to her next appointment, so the friend can evaluate Dr. McDreamy. But he isn't there. Instead there's an older doctor substituting for the younger guy. Horrors! A betrayal. She sees McDreamy on the street and lashes out at him for "standing her up!" As if the whole medical thing is some kind of a dating service. He seems to buy into it. (Oh, and why does she care anyway? She already has a boyfriend--supposedly.)It's true that a lot of series don't catch fire until the second or third episodes. But I'm just not curious about either of these people. I need something more substantial to keep me watching-the hint of a mystery, some depth of character, an intriguing plot device.
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