So many comments about hating the SML, the producers did a number on the audience. They probably wanted to try something new and forgot about the fantasy part since this is not real history.
Usually viewers would sympathise with seconds leads on their own, but here the producers wanted to force the sympathy and it’s not working.
I think it’s because of the FL, remember this is a romantic drama, people don’t like triangles especially…
My response was based on the comparison of the two. The reason Duke Su’ screen time was “short“ (of which I didn’t think it was) was because the plot was not about him. The title says “The Double”, it’s only the FL that had double life not the ML, thus, the focus was not on him more but the FL. But people who liked the ML more than the story itself will think his screen time was short, I think.
Also, The Double had many tags which include romance, so it was partly romance but not the major focus. It was written beautifully to cater for all those who like romance, politics, strategy and intrigue.
Since watching Cdramas from last, I’ve noticed that Chinese writers have it hard to make money. Due to the majority of the audience loving romance, they have to include it even if it’s not needed for their original plot.
Masterpieces like The Rise of the Phoenixes didn’t make buzz because of romance and people wanting everything to have happy ending.
The Double was not gonna have happy ending but they knew they won’t make more money so, they had to give it as an extra bonus episode for 5 minutes. That tells you it wasn’t originally planned like that.
Less people commenting . This drama is not double. People come here with same expectation of double. Double is…
I think it’s because of the FL, remember this is a romantic drama, people don’t like triangles especially when the FL does this kind of push and pull making the ML a simp.
Her feelings are not certain, and confusing. People don’t like the villain, but it would be tolerable if her feelings for ML were certain to the audience so they can root for them more.
The writer created a complicated character to an audience that’s not used to it.
On the double it was clear from early that the FL likes the ML, we could tell the ML is also attracted to her without saying it.
Here the ML is being weakened, he’s an ML known to be strong in other characters, so fans don’t like it when their faves are being weakened without certainty or clear happy ending.
1 
Usually viewers would sympathise with seconds leads on their own, but here the producers wanted to force the sympathy and it’s not working.
Maybe they are confused by their own script.
I’ve seen that in cdramaland this what matters the most even if the story doesn’t require one.
The producer’s love for SML is telling.
I skipped from 15 to 20🙈
The reason Duke Su’ screen time was “short“ (of which I didn’t think it was) was because the plot was not about him. The title says “The Double”, it’s only the FL that had double life not the ML, thus, the focus was not on him more but the FL. But people who liked the ML more than the story itself will think his screen time was short, I think.
Also, The Double had many tags which include romance, so it was partly romance but not the major focus. It was written beautifully to cater for all those who like romance, politics, strategy and intrigue.
Since watching Cdramas from last, I’ve noticed that Chinese writers have it hard to make money. Due to the majority of the audience loving romance, they have to include it even if it’s not needed for their original plot.
Masterpieces like The Rise of the Phoenixes didn’t make buzz because of romance and people wanting everything to have happy ending.
The Double was not gonna have happy ending but they knew they won’t make more money so, they had to give it as an extra bonus episode for 5 minutes. That tells you it wasn’t originally planned like that.
Are they not supposed to get investors before filming or it’s how the industry works?
Her feelings are not certain, and confusing. People don’t like the villain, but it would be tolerable if her feelings for ML were certain to the audience so they can root for them more.
The writer created a complicated character to an audience that’s not used to it.
On the double it was clear from early that the FL likes the ML, we could tell the ML is also attracted to her without saying it.
Here the ML is being weakened, he’s an ML known to be strong in other characters, so fans don’t like it when their faves are being weakened without certainty or clear happy ending.
I don’t like this pull and push she does.
I think I should wait until all the episodes are out.