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4
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Unchained censorship and forbidden justice to the audience
Watching the initial episodes of this drama, I was honestly confused š¤: why canāt this drama cross the 8.5 rating mark for the quality it delivered? š¤· Up until episode 20, it truly felt like an 8.5+ banger. The plot moved with a smooth rhythm, weaving together clever twists, palace conspiracies, slow-burn romance, and that deliciously forbidden dynamic between consort and eunuch. Add some censored yet unapologetic gore, subtle comic relief, a solid supporting cast, and of course ā¤ļø ā¤ļø Dylan Wang ā¤ļø ā¤ļø as the lead, and youāve got a very promising ride.
But from episode 20 onward, the drama seems to trip over its own robes and fall straight down the palace stairs. Characters who were initially likable suddenly become unreasonable and irritating. š®āšØThe storyline starts wandering into chaos where logic quietly packs its bags and leaves the building.š©
1. The FLās sudden downgrade in brainpower
The FL begins as a brilliant survivor. This is a woman who outsmarted death three or four times, invented unconventional escape plans under pressure, and even marched into her enemyās territory during her own kidnappingā¦ only to leave victorious with extra cash after beating her in a card game. Absolute legend behavior.š... Yet in later episodes she somehow becomes helpless in front of a spineless coward king who murdered a nine-year-old child to take the throne. Then in the final episode she suddenly appears as the great messiah talking about saving the nation. Quite a dramatic promotion for someone who couldnāt even save her own maid. With each episode, the chaos around her becomes so unnecessary that her screen time turns from exciting to exhausting.š
2. The strange message about filial piety
The show also sends a rather questionable message. The FLās father sends his daughter to the palace as a concubine to gain royal favor, only for her to later be disposed of as a tribute woman and almost executed after the king dies. Father of the year, truly. But when that same father commits endless crimes, murders a child, and launches a rebellion that kills countless people, the FL still shields him in the name of filial piety. If she cares that deeply, why not share the punishment as a dutiful daughter instead of emotionally manipulating everyone to beg for mercy for him?āļøāļø
3. The villainās confusing ending
The closure for the villain king is baffling. The ML has every advantage: rebels at the gate, ministers opposing the tyrant, and clear evidence that the king murdered his own nephew to take power. Yet our saintly ML decides to save him. Why? What moral lesson was the writer aiming for here? Because the audience mostly heardā¦ š¦
4. Censorship cutting important scenes
Some impactful scenes were clearly removed due to censorship, which makes the narrative feel incomplete. This is puzzling because other dramas have shown far more intense action and romance, so itās unclear why this one got the scissors treatment.
Credit where itās due though. Dylan Wang absolutely carried the show. His charisma, presence, and acting were a solid 10/10. The FL also delivered a strong performance with expressive reactions and lively dialogue delivery (though a better makeup artist wouldnāt hurt).
The background music and OST were surprisingly soothing even without lyrics.
In the end, the drama probably should have wrapped up around episode 25, right after the ML resolved his brotherās murder. Everything afterward felt like unnecessary bonus content nobody asked forā¦ like an extra season of chaos stuffed into a few episodes.
But from episode 20 onward, the drama seems to trip over its own robes and fall straight down the palace stairs. Characters who were initially likable suddenly become unreasonable and irritating. š®āšØThe storyline starts wandering into chaos where logic quietly packs its bags and leaves the building.š©
1. The FLās sudden downgrade in brainpower
The FL begins as a brilliant survivor. This is a woman who outsmarted death three or four times, invented unconventional escape plans under pressure, and even marched into her enemyās territory during her own kidnappingā¦ only to leave victorious with extra cash after beating her in a card game. Absolute legend behavior.š... Yet in later episodes she somehow becomes helpless in front of a spineless coward king who murdered a nine-year-old child to take the throne. Then in the final episode she suddenly appears as the great messiah talking about saving the nation. Quite a dramatic promotion for someone who couldnāt even save her own maid. With each episode, the chaos around her becomes so unnecessary that her screen time turns from exciting to exhausting.š
2. The strange message about filial piety
The show also sends a rather questionable message. The FLās father sends his daughter to the palace as a concubine to gain royal favor, only for her to later be disposed of as a tribute woman and almost executed after the king dies. Father of the year, truly. But when that same father commits endless crimes, murders a child, and launches a rebellion that kills countless people, the FL still shields him in the name of filial piety. If she cares that deeply, why not share the punishment as a dutiful daughter instead of emotionally manipulating everyone to beg for mercy for him?āļøāļø
3. The villainās confusing ending
The closure for the villain king is baffling. The ML has every advantage: rebels at the gate, ministers opposing the tyrant, and clear evidence that the king murdered his own nephew to take power. Yet our saintly ML decides to save him. Why? What moral lesson was the writer aiming for here? Because the audience mostly heardā¦ š¦
4. Censorship cutting important scenes
Some impactful scenes were clearly removed due to censorship, which makes the narrative feel incomplete. This is puzzling because other dramas have shown far more intense action and romance, so itās unclear why this one got the scissors treatment.
Credit where itās due though. Dylan Wang absolutely carried the show. His charisma, presence, and acting were a solid 10/10. The FL also delivered a strong performance with expressive reactions and lively dialogue delivery (though a better makeup artist wouldnāt hurt).
The background music and OST were surprisingly soothing even without lyrics.
In the end, the drama probably should have wrapped up around episode 25, right after the ML resolved his brotherās murder. Everything afterward felt like unnecessary bonus content nobody asked forā¦ like an extra season of chaos stuffed into a few episodes.
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