This review may contain spoilers
A Grey Area Indeed
Let me start off by saying that I watched this drama EONS ago and never got around to typing up a review. Reviewing a completely different drama just a little while ago compelled me to fully get around to writing up a review for this drama after God knows how long. This drama, for all intents and purposes, sits in a grey area for me. To give context, I thoroughly enjoyed this drama BUT this drama was not objectively great. It had many, many flaws, which results in me having an incredibly complicated relationship with this drama.
There isn't much that can be considered unique about this drama, especially in the years after it aired. There are MANY dramas floating around the C Drama Verse that shares this exact plot, give or take a few minor details. However, the main draw of this drama is the ACTING. The acting was the best thing about this drama. The premise/concept is enticing and it can certainly draw you in but it won't keep you riveted because it falls apart very quickly on in the drama. Like with most C Dramas, the execution fell flat. It starts off strong and then it devolves into this strange, convoluted thing that leaves you scratching your head in confusion. What just happened? How did we get here? Did I miss something? These are all valid questions you may find yourself asking yourself as you continue on your journey of watching this drama, but you WILL be entertained despite all that. The actors do their best with what they're given. I'd even boldly claim that they actually elevated this drama in the best way.
Now, I previously mentioned in my review of SOKP (Story of Kunning Palace) how some people disliked this drama because they couldn't buy Ye Xiwu/Li Susu's affection and love for Tantai Jin. Honestly, that's a fair assessment. There was something about the direction that would leave you questioning whether she actually loved him or not. You knew he loved her. You FELT it! With her, you couldn't rightfully tell. While I am a Bai Lu enthusiast under the best circumstances, I honestly don't know whether to blame her or the directing for this. This lead couple is a couple that you WANT to root for, but the story makes it difficult to do so because it misses every emotional beat to show you that the love is reciprocated and requited. It's almost as if Tantai Jin was in an one-sided love affair with Li Susu who was simply going through the motions. Speaking of which, the reason why I mentioned being confused on who to blame for the lack of love from Li Susu's side is because I felt the same way about Bai Lu's character in SOKP too. In my opinion, there seems to be a pattern there but I digress.
Also, I never fully finished this drama. I was advised to stop watching after a certain episode number and I listened. I already knew there was going to be some disappointment for me so I never finished this drama officially. I know what happens and I know how it happens, but I never tortured myself by watching it for myself. I wasn't that curious. But again, this drama had all the makings for the dark romance/enemies to lovers trope of so many fans' dreams and it just did NOT deliver on that. I'm rarely a fan of either of those tropes but I could be IF DONE RIGHT. Unfortunately, this was NOT done right.
As I mentioned earlier, this drama sits in a grey area for me. On one hand, I really liked it and I enjoyed it. On the other hand, distance from this drama made me realize that I, as a fan, was robbed of a better story. As I watched more dramas after this one, it really drove the point home for me just what I was missing. When you know better, you do better, yeah? But again, the acting from everyone involved was impeccable. It will make you laugh. It will make you cringe. It will make you cry. Would I rewatch it? Yes. Would I recommend it? Unfortunately, no. Watching this drama is like craving a certain food for weeks and then when you finally get it, it's not as good as you hoped it would be.
There isn't much that can be considered unique about this drama, especially in the years after it aired. There are MANY dramas floating around the C Drama Verse that shares this exact plot, give or take a few minor details. However, the main draw of this drama is the ACTING. The acting was the best thing about this drama. The premise/concept is enticing and it can certainly draw you in but it won't keep you riveted because it falls apart very quickly on in the drama. Like with most C Dramas, the execution fell flat. It starts off strong and then it devolves into this strange, convoluted thing that leaves you scratching your head in confusion. What just happened? How did we get here? Did I miss something? These are all valid questions you may find yourself asking yourself as you continue on your journey of watching this drama, but you WILL be entertained despite all that. The actors do their best with what they're given. I'd even boldly claim that they actually elevated this drama in the best way.
Now, I previously mentioned in my review of SOKP (Story of Kunning Palace) how some people disliked this drama because they couldn't buy Ye Xiwu/Li Susu's affection and love for Tantai Jin. Honestly, that's a fair assessment. There was something about the direction that would leave you questioning whether she actually loved him or not. You knew he loved her. You FELT it! With her, you couldn't rightfully tell. While I am a Bai Lu enthusiast under the best circumstances, I honestly don't know whether to blame her or the directing for this. This lead couple is a couple that you WANT to root for, but the story makes it difficult to do so because it misses every emotional beat to show you that the love is reciprocated and requited. It's almost as if Tantai Jin was in an one-sided love affair with Li Susu who was simply going through the motions. Speaking of which, the reason why I mentioned being confused on who to blame for the lack of love from Li Susu's side is because I felt the same way about Bai Lu's character in SOKP too. In my opinion, there seems to be a pattern there but I digress.
Also, I never fully finished this drama. I was advised to stop watching after a certain episode number and I listened. I already knew there was going to be some disappointment for me so I never finished this drama officially. I know what happens and I know how it happens, but I never tortured myself by watching it for myself. I wasn't that curious. But again, this drama had all the makings for the dark romance/enemies to lovers trope of so many fans' dreams and it just did NOT deliver on that. I'm rarely a fan of either of those tropes but I could be IF DONE RIGHT. Unfortunately, this was NOT done right.
As I mentioned earlier, this drama sits in a grey area for me. On one hand, I really liked it and I enjoyed it. On the other hand, distance from this drama made me realize that I, as a fan, was robbed of a better story. As I watched more dramas after this one, it really drove the point home for me just what I was missing. When you know better, you do better, yeah? But again, the acting from everyone involved was impeccable. It will make you laugh. It will make you cringe. It will make you cry. Would I rewatch it? Yes. Would I recommend it? Unfortunately, no. Watching this drama is like craving a certain food for weeks and then when you finally get it, it's not as good as you hoped it would be.
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