This review may contain spoilers
From Women Empowerment to Power Imbalance
Started this because of the star cast, but the first four episodes were so boring that I dropped it. I restarted only because there was no other drama that held my interest. I’m glad I restarted because the story did get interesting—but unfortunately, it nose-dived again toward the last few episodes.
The first four episodes introduce the ML as a fearless, justice-serving imperial inspector sent to clear out corruption, and the FL as part of the most influential Rong family, the biggest name in the tea business with the best plantations. The FL is the eldest daughter, with the entire responsibility of the family on her shoulders, guided by her grandmother. The Rongs are matrilineal , but men in the family are treated with respect and equality- this promised a refreshing balance.
This opening arc focuses on families visiting the Rong household to be selected as husbands for the FL. These episodes are overly invested in showing how the FL is beautiful, strict, just, strong, and diligently running the tea business, while the other sisters are scheming for her place.The ML is ambushed by corrupt officials, nearly loses his life, is saved by the FL, and develops amnesia. This felt like a known trope and is what made me drop the drama initially.
After restarting, the drama became more engaging. The different schemes by suitors from prominent families, along with the sisters’ internal politics, and how the FL navigates all of this with poise and grace, were a treat to watch. At this point, it felt like a perfect women-empowerment drama. The ML slowly regains his memory, and together they form a team, remove corrupt officials, and bring justice to the region.
The ML also advises the FL to soften toward her sisters and guide them gently rather than ruling with an iron fist. She integrates this advice, and the sisters become softer and more inclusive of one another—another positive point for sisterhood.
This is where the problems start. Instead of continuing this character development and integration, the script begins to fail. The FL’s role becomes too perfect and overly self-reliant. In one case, she should have taken the ML’s help to arrest a convict, but instead she does everything herself and even locks the ML in a room. This goes against the narrative built so far. The ML has proven himself trustworthy, and while the FL is a capable businesswoman, her stepping into law enforcement shifts the tone from grounded women empowerment to toxicity.
The ML’s role, which initially seemed progressive and promising, gets sidelined until he almost becomes an obedient simp. The entire capital arc feels unnecessary. The arc where the ML is pining, again goes completely against the character that was originally introduced. The FL solving everything while the ML—introduced as an intelligent, fearless investigator—does nothing except admire her, is incoherent. Unfortunately, the drama moves from women empowerment to a narrative where the woman does everything.
The FL’s acting was good in the beginning. Her poise and grace matched the character well initially, but the lack of emotional range later makes the performance look wooden and performative. Episode 22, where she stands up to her grandmother, should have been a turning point. Instead of feeling integrated and transformative, it fails to add depth. The ML’s acting is good, but the writing completely fails him. The blind sister’s acting stands out the most—she appears humble, while the direction clearly shows that she is scheming. Both the writing and direction strongly support her role.
Production value is good. The story starts strong after the initial slump but nosedives later.
Female centric drama from tea business or career perspective is actually 9.5/10
But from relationship perspective it became 1/10 .
Overall, what could have been a 9 became an 8 for me.
The first four episodes introduce the ML as a fearless, justice-serving imperial inspector sent to clear out corruption, and the FL as part of the most influential Rong family, the biggest name in the tea business with the best plantations. The FL is the eldest daughter, with the entire responsibility of the family on her shoulders, guided by her grandmother. The Rongs are matrilineal , but men in the family are treated with respect and equality- this promised a refreshing balance.
This opening arc focuses on families visiting the Rong household to be selected as husbands for the FL. These episodes are overly invested in showing how the FL is beautiful, strict, just, strong, and diligently running the tea business, while the other sisters are scheming for her place.The ML is ambushed by corrupt officials, nearly loses his life, is saved by the FL, and develops amnesia. This felt like a known trope and is what made me drop the drama initially.
After restarting, the drama became more engaging. The different schemes by suitors from prominent families, along with the sisters’ internal politics, and how the FL navigates all of this with poise and grace, were a treat to watch. At this point, it felt like a perfect women-empowerment drama. The ML slowly regains his memory, and together they form a team, remove corrupt officials, and bring justice to the region.
The ML also advises the FL to soften toward her sisters and guide them gently rather than ruling with an iron fist. She integrates this advice, and the sisters become softer and more inclusive of one another—another positive point for sisterhood.
This is where the problems start. Instead of continuing this character development and integration, the script begins to fail. The FL’s role becomes too perfect and overly self-reliant. In one case, she should have taken the ML’s help to arrest a convict, but instead she does everything herself and even locks the ML in a room. This goes against the narrative built so far. The ML has proven himself trustworthy, and while the FL is a capable businesswoman, her stepping into law enforcement shifts the tone from grounded women empowerment to toxicity.
The ML’s role, which initially seemed progressive and promising, gets sidelined until he almost becomes an obedient simp. The entire capital arc feels unnecessary. The arc where the ML is pining, again goes completely against the character that was originally introduced. The FL solving everything while the ML—introduced as an intelligent, fearless investigator—does nothing except admire her, is incoherent. Unfortunately, the drama moves from women empowerment to a narrative where the woman does everything.
The FL’s acting was good in the beginning. Her poise and grace matched the character well initially, but the lack of emotional range later makes the performance look wooden and performative. Episode 22, where she stands up to her grandmother, should have been a turning point. Instead of feeling integrated and transformative, it fails to add depth. The ML’s acting is good, but the writing completely fails him. The blind sister’s acting stands out the most—she appears humble, while the direction clearly shows that she is scheming. Both the writing and direction strongly support her role.
Production value is good. The story starts strong after the initial slump but nosedives later.
Female centric drama from tea business or career perspective is actually 9.5/10
But from relationship perspective it became 1/10 .
Overall, what could have been a 9 became an 8 for me.
Was this review helpful to you?
