the producer/writer must be happy because their drama becomes a hot discussion, even as a bad one mixed with cursing.
250 mil yuan spent, 0 sponsors per episode on both platforms, less than 2 mil viewers per episode on average and 3.0 rating on douban. This drama is both a commercial and a critical flop, there is nothing to celebrate.
the producer/writer must be happy because their drama becomes a hot discussion, even as a bad one mixed with cursing.
Yes, I'm sure he is partying for making history with a 3.0 Douban rating. More like drinking alone in a dark basement, while hiding from the pissed-off investors.
Someone above also mentioned popular actress needs to carry male rookies while popular actor get popular actress…
exactly, that’s because of their huge pay gap, actresses are paid less than actors. a popular A-list actor who gets first billing can easily bring in another A-list actress as his co-star, but the same doesn’t usually apply when an actress has first billing
If an actress is cast first, it usually means she’s top-billed lead and her co-star is more likely to be a rising, rookie, younger actor without a major breakthrough yet. But when an actor is cast first, he can often secure a trendy, popular, high-profile actress as his co-star.
I think the same approach should be applied to actors, pair them with promising, rising, rookie actresses. There are many beautiful, talented actress, like Lee E-dam who is clearly lead material, just waiting for the right opportunity. She should be cast as a lead alongside a top-tier, popular actor in a potential hit drama as soon as possible.
I haven't started this yet , is it worth watching??
Depends entirely what kinda person you are. Chinese fans haven't really received this drama well. International fans are divided: some say they like it, some absolutely hate it. If you are a fan of Princess Agents or the novel that the story is based on, then maybe you might not like this drama. But if you have no emotional connection to those, then you might think this drama is interesting. Some say their acting is good, some say their acting is bad. It really has been dividing opinions. In China it has gotten a super low rating on Douban, usually dramas don't drop that low even on Douban, but on the other hand, Douban scores can be low even for dramas that were a hit (not this low, though, this is historically low). So really there's nothing that can be said except check it out yourself, nobody else knows what is to your liking except you yourself. If you like, then enjoy, if you don't, just drop it and find something more to your liking, never mind what others say. I myself didn't like it but I am watching it to support the actors because the filming industry in China has been having hard times so I am doing what little I can to support.
A 3.0 rating on Douban for a high-budget drama with so much promotion is honestly shocking—and not in a good way. It shows that no matter how much money and hype are behind a project, the audience won’t be convinced if the final result doesn’t deliver. When a production at this level scores even lower than low-budget dramas, it’s clear something went wrong at the core—whether it’s a weak script, poor direction, or lack of chemistry in the cast. Strong marketing can’t save a story that fails to engage. This ends up being one of the biggest surprises of the year for Tencent and iQIYI, but for all the wrong reasons. In the end, the audience decides—and this time, the response was harsh.
Why doesn’t mdl add a love triangle tag for dramas? They use so many obscure tags but leave out the important love triangle tag. Many viewers are beyond tired of this over used trope. Not everyone watches a trailer before starting a new drama and would benefit from a warning tag for this stale trope.
I got annoyed with the FL in ep. 1 and found her obnoxious in ep. 2 - not sure I'll be able to complete watching…
It’s weird that she is written as being capable and nice at work, but is dumb and rude at the farm. Pick a lane, writers. You don’t have to dumb down a FL to write a drama.
More like drinking alone in a dark basement, while hiding from the pissed-off investors.
I think the same approach should be applied to actors, pair them with promising, rising, rookie actresses. There are many beautiful, talented actress, like Lee E-dam who is clearly lead material, just waiting for the right opportunity. She should be cast as a lead alongside a top-tier, popular actor in a potential hit drama as soon as possible.
they should’ve just kept this in their drafts
When a production at this level scores even lower than low-budget dramas, it’s clear something went wrong at the core—whether it’s a weak script, poor direction, or lack of chemistry in the cast. Strong marketing can’t save a story that fails to engage.
This ends up being one of the biggest surprises of the year for Tencent and iQIYI, but for all the wrong reasons. In the end, the audience decides—and this time, the response was harsh.