Only good thing is Liu Yuning
I honestly started this drama mainly because of Liu Yuning, and in the end, that was probably the biggest reason I managed to finish it. I really wanted to like this show. I even watched the first nine episodes very quickly, but then I dropped it, picked it up again during some free time, and from that point on… I truly struggled to finish it.
At first, I was fine. Then it became hard. Like really hard.
On paper, this drama has everything: a unique and creative storyline, beautiful production, strong visuals, great music, and solid acting. And yet, somehow, it just didn’t work for me. The story itself is actually very nice and very original, but it lacked that hook—that one compelling element that makes you desperate to watch the next episode. Instead, it felt like it kept going in circles.
I genuinely think this show should not have been 40 episodes. It dragged a lot, especially toward the end. The final episodes were painful for me to get through, and the pacing just didn’t justify the length.
One of my biggest issues was the characters. I hated almost all of them—except for the Seventh Prince, who was honestly the only character I truly loved. I also liked his sidekicks and the Eighteenth Prince’s bodyguard, Jixiang, but that’s about it. Everyone else irritated me, especially the female lead.
Now, let me be clear: the actress herself was incredible. She’s beautiful, talented, and I’ll definitely keep an eye on her future projects. But her character? Extremely frustrating. She knew the script from the beginning, yet she barely used that knowledge wisely. She kept repeating the same mistakes, going in circles over and over again, and even by the end, it just didn’t work for me. Her character should have been smarter, sharper, and more decisive.
That said, the production value is where this drama really shines.
The cinematography is beautiful.
The costumes are stunning.
The OST is amazing.
The fight scenes were well done.
I especially loved the visual aesthetic—the red tones, the hair styling, the outfits (particularly his). Everything looked gorgeous. The scenes where he keeps saving her were executed beautifully, and visually, the drama is very satisfying.
However, the emotional logic of the story often felt off. I hated how everyone despised him for so long, only to suddenly switch sides. The emperor’s behavior, in particular, felt completely irrational—hating him even before the Empress’s death, then suddenly waking up and acting like a loving father again. It just didn’t feel believable.
As for Liu Yuning—he was absolutely stunning, especially in his Mr. Li era. That version of him? Perfect. But beyond that, he was honestly the main reason I stayed.
I did like the ending, though. I liked that they met again, and I appreciated that reveal. That part worked for me.
Overall, this drama just wasn’t for me. I tried. I really did. I finished it, but I struggled. It lacked depth in execution and failed to fully captivate me despite having a good concept.
Would I recommend it?
If you’re just looking to pass time, don’t want to think too much, and enjoy something light, funny, and visually pleasing—then sure. But if you’re looking for something to binge, obsess over, or fall in love with emotionally, this isn’t it.
For me, it was enjoyable at times, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to watch it. I think it would’ve worked much better if it were shorter. In the end, I watched it mainly for Liu Yuning—and honestly, that’s probably the only reason I did.
At first, I was fine. Then it became hard. Like really hard.
On paper, this drama has everything: a unique and creative storyline, beautiful production, strong visuals, great music, and solid acting. And yet, somehow, it just didn’t work for me. The story itself is actually very nice and very original, but it lacked that hook—that one compelling element that makes you desperate to watch the next episode. Instead, it felt like it kept going in circles.
I genuinely think this show should not have been 40 episodes. It dragged a lot, especially toward the end. The final episodes were painful for me to get through, and the pacing just didn’t justify the length.
One of my biggest issues was the characters. I hated almost all of them—except for the Seventh Prince, who was honestly the only character I truly loved. I also liked his sidekicks and the Eighteenth Prince’s bodyguard, Jixiang, but that’s about it. Everyone else irritated me, especially the female lead.
Now, let me be clear: the actress herself was incredible. She’s beautiful, talented, and I’ll definitely keep an eye on her future projects. But her character? Extremely frustrating. She knew the script from the beginning, yet she barely used that knowledge wisely. She kept repeating the same mistakes, going in circles over and over again, and even by the end, it just didn’t work for me. Her character should have been smarter, sharper, and more decisive.
That said, the production value is where this drama really shines.
The cinematography is beautiful.
The costumes are stunning.
The OST is amazing.
The fight scenes were well done.
I especially loved the visual aesthetic—the red tones, the hair styling, the outfits (particularly his). Everything looked gorgeous. The scenes where he keeps saving her were executed beautifully, and visually, the drama is very satisfying.
However, the emotional logic of the story often felt off. I hated how everyone despised him for so long, only to suddenly switch sides. The emperor’s behavior, in particular, felt completely irrational—hating him even before the Empress’s death, then suddenly waking up and acting like a loving father again. It just didn’t feel believable.
As for Liu Yuning—he was absolutely stunning, especially in his Mr. Li era. That version of him? Perfect. But beyond that, he was honestly the main reason I stayed.
I did like the ending, though. I liked that they met again, and I appreciated that reveal. That part worked for me.
Overall, this drama just wasn’t for me. I tried. I really did. I finished it, but I struggled. It lacked depth in execution and failed to fully captivate me despite having a good concept.
Would I recommend it?
If you’re just looking to pass time, don’t want to think too much, and enjoy something light, funny, and visually pleasing—then sure. But if you’re looking for something to binge, obsess over, or fall in love with emotionally, this isn’t it.
For me, it was enjoyable at times, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to watch it. I think it would’ve worked much better if it were shorter. In the end, I watched it mainly for Liu Yuning—and honestly, that’s probably the only reason I did.
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