Michelle Topham

I like both equally well as they're completely different genres. Parody versus true historical romance. Both are also very well-written, directed and acted.

If I had to choose, for me it would be Prisoner of Beauty as my favorite (loved everything about that from the first minute and, before watching I was NOT a Song Zu Er fan at all :), but enjoying this just as much.

Leads in both are also superb, and am pleasantly surprised with both FLs. Song Zu Er used to rub me the wrong way, but I have a completely different opinion of her work after that and will be watching the rest of her dramas. Will even be repicking up The Demon Hunter's Romance after dropping it mid-way through as she annoyed me so much :)

And haven't seen Li Yi Tong in anything before this, but she's spectacular in the role -- amazing comedic timing, knows just when to over act and when not to, even uses overly exaggerated facial expressions that are perfect for this genre without looking fake. Incredibly impressed with her acting abilities and, again, will now be watching her earlier work.

Of course, Liu Yu Ning is just a master at what he does, so in this or PoB, he's perfectly cast.

Overall, I rarely rewatch any drama, but these two would be on a potential rewatch list for me. Both so incredibly well done in directing, writing, acting, cinematography, sets, costumes etc -- but are particularly stand out for their scripts and performances.

You said it. Not me.

I was dropping this after ep 1, but followed someone's advice on here to "keep watching thru ep4" before dropping.

Just finished ep9, and can honestly say I haven't watched a more cleverly written drama in quite a while. It's brilliant, and I'm now "all in". 😅

So thank you to the person who told me to persevere. So glad I did, or I would have missed something fabulous. 🥰

The overacting is literally done on purpose.

I've read thru half of the recent comments, and it's obvious some of you have no idea what a parody is or what constitutes one.

But the plot is literally parodying every single one of those tropes you mentioned.

That's WHY they're in the plot.

Yep, so many people seem to have missed that, but it's obvious he's now in love with her. Just doesn't know how to show it :)

Zhen Zhen's father too is a superb actor. Brilliant in this role.

Oh, and if you're still not convinced. Notice where he put the arrow that hit her.

In his hidden drawer with his mother's sleeve, and his most precious things. :)

I don't know what episode you're at but, by EP15, no it's not an act.

He's showing he's in love with her by the way he now treats her, because he's not used to having feelings for anyone so he can't tell her outright :)

But he's asked the palace for permission to buy her embroideries fit for a princess, has everyone now call her 'Your Highness', worries over if her health is getting better, stops the carriage to buy her special pastries, orders special silk pillows for her, tells his attendant to buy her flowers and fruit etc. In other words, he's showering her with gifts.

Men not in love don't do that.

His attendant even says to him "You don't show concern like this for anyone," and he replies" She's not just anyone". (Remember, he's 100% honest with his attendant, when he's not honest with anyone else).

And when the attendant asks him why he doesn't tell her himself how he feels, he replies "Are you trying to say Her Highness is slow-witted, and so needs those feelings explaining"

Even his wife says to the maid "He's fallen for her".

Remember, he's cold-hearted, never been in love, doesn't know how to properly show it, so giving her material things and making sure she's comfortable and well-taken care of is his way of doing that.

It's patently obvious he's in love with her. It's just that he's the one that's a bit slow-witted when it comes to his own feelings :) He's slowly figuring it out, but just needs a bit more time.

Meanwhile, she's not sure what the hell is going on all of a sudden :)

I don't think she ever wanted to be one. She was just pushed into it by her father.

Yep. I was not a fan from about EPs 7 thru 12 or so. But Eps 14 and 15 have been superb. Well worth sticking with it.

I've been complaining about the scripts from about EP7 onwards, as the drama has really devolved in quality when it comes to the writing and the plot.

But... just wanted to point out, if you haven't watched EP14 yet, the writing is MUCH better and MUCH tighter -- almost as if the writer suddenly got their mojo back :) -- Hopefully this continues, as it's a thoroughly enjoyable episode.

And btw, as despicable a character as his is, actor Zhu Jian does a phenomenal job as Prince Wugou.

EDIT: EP15 as well -- MUCH better writing. Looks like we're on the way up again :)

The script is what's killing it, IMO. It's very badly-written and with a heavy reliance on trope after trope after trope.

I am not likely to drop it, as it's still entertaining enough to me, and Liu Xue Yi is doing a brilliant job, even with his voice dub not being his own, but it could have been superb if a better screenwriter had been chosen. Will probably end up giving it an 8 out of 10 if it doesn't devolve further, rather than the 10 out of 10 the first 6 episodes or so warranted.

And yep, Meng Zi Yi's voice dubbing really isn't great.

EDIT: Just watched EP14 and the writing is MUCH tighter and MUCH better. Fingers crossed we're on the way up from here :)

One episode. Starts with 2 more tomorrow. EDIT: Sorry, didn't see Tencent's changed schedule -- yes, they've now added an extra episode, so 2 today rather than the 1 they first publicized. Yay!

Hahahaha, well at least we all have our favorites. And yep. It started out SO damn well and now we've descended into WTF this is!!!??? :)

I'm at the point where, every time another "terrible thing" happens, I laugh, as it's just so badly done as the writer shoves trope after trope after trope into the plot.

Again, no plans to drop it, as I'm still highly entertained and.. it IS Liu Xue Yi. :)

But, man, what it could have been if it had been developed by a decent writer.

Opposite for me. Only watching for Liu Xue Yi :) If he wasn't in it, I would have dropped it by now as the "writing" has just become stupid.

I've replayed both those scenes about 12 times each. Funniest thing ever :) Those, and the Empress's slap scene :)

"I win". Hahahahaha.

Hahahaha, now that's even weirder :)

It's weird, isn't it? It's definitely dubbed with another actor's voice, but I swear they've also used his voice in some episodes.

1 today, 1 tomorrow, and Wednesday, then back to 2 on Thursday. Supposedly.