Belated but still enjoyable climax of a drawn-out story showing its weaknesses
I was initially glad the drama could keep its 56 episodes length, but after finishing the second part I'm not so sure it was the best decision after all. FP lost its momentum after the break and rehashed the same leftover plots, like Mu Dan's business being dragged through the mud before flourishing again (it became a running gag, they even use the same inspirational song every single time). The princess and Lui Chang were never letting go of their obsession whatever happened, running around in circles, while our main couple was still pretending that they were not into each other, totally platonic friends for sure, which, after almost 45 episodes, was not fresh anymore. Thankfully once romantic rivals came to spice things up, the show was back in business, gorgeous, fun and well-acted, and the slow-burn romance finally paid off (it came so late I was starting to ship her with her asshole ex). The plot's weaknesses were more apparent this time, some arcs felt overly preachy, Mu Dan kept saving people with the power of business left and right, and the villain was still a cackeling cliche straight from a kid's cartoon. I longed for a more nuanced version of this story, less naïve, but overall I would lie if I said I didn't have a blast. It's just not that clever or deep. I am also ashamed to admit that Miles Wei as an obssessive, violent and possessive ex-husband awoke something in me and now I kinda want to watch a romance where he's a problematic lead.
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