Sssnoopyyy

I still can't believe this drama is over! I'm still processing everything that happened, and I’m finding it hard to put my thoughts into words.

First and foremost, this was such a refreshing story—it felt like a mix between a Disney-like fairytale and Inception, with a touch of satire and intentional absurdity. It was so nice to watch something with an original script—not adapted from a novel or webtoon—because you truly never knew what to expect. I was surprised by how unserious and playful it felt at first, but over time, I genuinely fell for the characters and became invested in their journeys. It started off strong, and it ended just as powerfully.

Highlights:
- The actors did a great job portraying their roles! Li Yi Tong was perfect as SXY/SYM—her cuteness never felt forced, and her comedic timing was spot-on. I hadn’t seen her in a while, so it’s exciting to know she has more dramas lined up. Liu Yu Ning’s acting has noticeably improved—he did an excellent job portraying NH and expressing a range of complex emotions. At first, his character felt similar to roles he’s played before (he often plays the tragic hero/tsundere type, which he does well), but NH gave him a chance to show more depth and range.
- The supporting leads were also amazing, each standing out in their own right. I especially loved NH’s brothers and comrades—because let’s be honest, what’s a Liu Yu Ning drama without some solid bromance? I appreciated the secondary female lead, SYT, especially because she wasn’t just a plot device to push the main couple's love story forward. She could be obnoxious at times, but I admired how she stuck to her beliefs, even if they were unconventional for that era. Her idea of men carrying and giving birth had me laughing out loud. Seeing Wang Yan again after so many years (from Huan Zhu Ge Ge!) was a nostalgic bonus.
- The humor and satire had me on the floor—I’m sure the cast and crew had fun parodying common drama tropes and throwing in references to the entertainment industry.
- Action scenes were well done. Liu Yu Ning continues to prove himself in fight scenes, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn this was directed by the same person behind Mysterious Lotus Casebook (one of my favorites for martial arts choreography).
- Despite having many cliché moments (intentionally so), the pacing was solid, and I appreciated how the plot could shift between comedy and seriousness without feeling jarring.
- The fact that it wasn’t adapted from a novel made it feel liberating—there was no source material to constantly compare it to, which made it a truly enjoyable and unpredictable watch.
- The ending (and that post-credits scene!) threw me for a loop in the best, most Inception-like way. It completely lived up to the title, and I loved seeing all the theories people came up with. The writer clearly left clues throughout the story, allowing for multiple interpretations.
- The aesthetics and OST were the cherry on top.

Not So Great:
- I know SYM received a lot of flack for how she treated NH for a chunk of the story. Personally, I could understand both leads’ perspectives. SYM’s actions didn’t seem unreasonable—she feared for her safety and well-being based on what she knew about the original NH and how her life was supposed to play out. That said, this arc could’ve been tightened—it dragged a bit longer than necessary.
- The Emperor’s treatment of NH felt inconsistent and underdeveloped. Even if he was projecting his wariness of Gao Chang Yin onto NH, his deep hatred—especially since it started even before the Empress died—didn’t make much sense. I kept waiting for a meaningful apology or reconciliation, or at least a clear explanation. Instead, we got a sudden and unconvincing 180 into “caring father” mode.

Final Thought:
So… is life but a dream?
There’s only one way to find out.