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This review may contain spoilers
Unmissable: when living is the best revenge against your enemies.
The Double, a historical drama from 2024, explores themes such as revenge, justice, corruption, and loyalty. The story follows Xue Fang Fei, who is betrayed and buried alive by her own husband, Shen Yu Rong, after being falsely accused of adultery. Against all odds, she survives and assumes the identity of Jiang Li, the Prime Minister’s daughter, who had died after being tortured in the Zhennu Hall. Determined to seek revenge not only on those who destroyed her life but also on those who harmed Jiang Li, Fang Fei returns to the capital. There, she finds herself immersed in a complex power struggle where political rivalries and family affairs intertwine in an intriguing way. With the support of Duke Su and loyal friends she meets along the way, she overcomes numerous obstacles and draws closer to her long-awaited revenge.
One of my favorite quotes from the drama appears in the very first episode: “As long as you're alive, there's always a second chance.” This idea drives the entire journey of the protagonist. The performances of the cast were one of the series’ greatest strengths. Wu Jin Yan, as Xue Fang Fei, was especially remarkable in portraying the transformation from a vulnerable woman to a determined figure driven by strength and a sense of justice. Wang Xing Yue, as Duke Su, played a character of integrity, strategy, and calmness, whose emotional depth is revealed through restrained glances and elegant posture. Joe Chen shone as Ji Shu Ran, a cold and manipulative woman who, under a virtuous facade, deceives and destroys with subtlety. Liang Yong Qi portrayed Shen Yu Rong with a calmness that contrasted with his cruel actions, and his character’s development was coherent and disturbing. Li Meng gave an intense performance as Princess Wan Ning, masterfully portraying the instability and obsession of a villain on the verge of collapse.
The plot is well-structured and coherent, with multiple story arcs converging around the central themes of revenge and justice. The chess game metaphor presented in the drama’s opening is particularly effective in illustrating the dynamics of power and strategy that permeate the entire narrative. Fang Fei is not only confronting her personal enemies but also stepping into a broader political board where silent alliances and betrayals shape the fate of society.
The identity switch between Jiang Li and Fang Fei is one of the pillars of the plot. This narrative decision is crucial in allowing the protagonist to return to the capital and infiltrate the elite. Although the age difference between the actresses might have posed a challenge, especially in convincing the audience of the identity switch, I believe the casting choice suited the drama’s intent. Jiang Li represents youth and fragility, while Fang Fei embodies maturity and strength. By assuming this new identity, Fang Fei is entirely transformed, adopting a new demeanor and revealing how much her suffering has shaped her character. Thus, the story builds a calculated revenge, grounded in precise alliances and strategies.
The romance unfolds in a slow-burn style, with patience and delicacy, developing gradually through glances, gestures, and subtle flirting, without ever overshadowing the main plot. A fast-paced romance wouldn’t have made sense, given that Fang Fei, deeply scarred by betrayal, wouldn't be emotionally ready to give her heart away so soon, and Duke Su, being a strategic and reserved man, wouldn’t easily allow himself to be carried away by emotion. Their relationship blossoms gradually through adversity, grounded in mutual respect, trust, and support. While I would have liked to see more moments between them, the romance was coherent and emotionally satisfying. The chemistry between the couple is evident, and the tension is present from the very first episodes. Despite the actors’ age difference, their characters naturally fit together, as they share intelligence, strategic thinking, and a strong commitment to justice.
Friendships are another highlight of the series, serving as emotional relief in such a heavy narrative. Unlike other dramas where supporting characters are excessively cruel, The Double features genuinely good characters who offer true support to the protagonists. The friendship between Duke Su and the Emperor, as well as the bonds between Fang Fei and Tong, Jiang Jing Rui, Liu Xu, Ye Shi Jie, and the Ye family, bring lightness to the story, showing that there is still room for loyalty and compassion even in dark times.
The development of the antagonists is also noteworthy. The drama prompts deep reflection on how far a person is willing to go in pursuit of status and power. Characters like Ji Shu Ran, Wan Ning, Shen Yu Rong, and King Cheng each resort to despicable actions to achieve their goals. Their development is impressive, revealing that all of them have complicated pasts. While their backgrounds help explain their descent into cruelty, they do not justify their evil actions. Some of them tried to blame others, claiming they were forced to act as they did, but did they truly have no other choice? The truth is, manipulated or not, each one had the power to choose and could have taken a different path.
The visual aspects of the series also deserve praise. The costumes are sophisticated and visually striking, especially the red garments worn by Fang Fei and Xiao Heng, which were stunning and symbolized not only beauty but also power, courage, and passion. The soft makeup, particularly the pearl embellishments on the face, gently complemented the characters’ aesthetics. The settings were immersive: the Imperial Court conveyed grandeur, while the homes and gardens of high-ranking officials reflected their status. In contrast, the simpler dwellings realistically portrayed the social disparities of the time. One standout setting was the Zhennu Hall, with its dark and cold aesthetics that evoked a sense of oppression and suffering. The outdoor scenes showcasing nature were also breathtaking, enhancing the drama’s beauty.
The OST is another charming element, one of the most beautiful I’ve heard recently. Usually, I don’t enjoy every track in a drama’s soundtrack, but in The Double, I liked them all. With 9 tracks, the soundtrack flawlessly complements the series’ atmosphere, featuring gentle, introspective, and melancholic compositions that perfectly capture the emotional tone. Typically, I watch a drama’s opening and ending only once, but with The Double, I rarely skipped them because I loved listening to them.
Despite so many strengths, there are aspects I would adjust. One of them is the punishment of Ji Shu Ran. She was an extremely cruel character, responsible for the death of Jiang Li’s mother, falsely accusing Jiang Li of her son's death, making her suffer in the Zhennu Hall, murdering a concubine’s daughter, and repeatedly trying to defame Xue Fang Fei (in disguise as Jiang Li) after her return. Considering all the pain she caused, her punishment (madness) seemed insufficient. The gravity of her crimes deserved a harsher consequence. Additionally, I felt the deaths of characters like Tong and Duke Su’s companions, while impactful, were unnecessary and didn’t significantly contribute to the plot’s development. I would have preferred for these characters to have had more positive outcomes, without further sacrifices. As for the cinematography, it was excellent, with good camera movement, color palette, and lighting. However, in my view, the number of close-ups was occasionally excessive. While not a major issue, a more moderate use would have worked better.
The ending of the series also left me with mixed feelings. After the victory against King Cheng, the wedding between Duke Su and Fang Fei, supposed to be a joyful moment, is interrupted by a questionable mission, where Duke Su leaves to calm unrest in nearby regions after the King Cheng death. It felt forced, as if added just to create more dramatic tension, ultimately leading to the death of two of Duke Su’s companions. The final scene, if not for the special episode, could easily be interpreted as Duke Su’s death, since it closely mirrors a similar dream Fang Fei had in the first episode. As for the special episode, although I found it sweet, it doesn’t connect well with the ending of episode 40. I would have preferred it to begin with Duke Su returning and reuniting with Fang Fei, followed by scenes of their married life, which would have brought more cohesion to the narrative.
Overall, The Double is an engaging, well-produced drama with outstanding performances. Despite a few details that could have been improved, the work delivers a solid, emotionally resonant, and strategically constructed narrative. My final rating is 9.5/10.
One of my favorite quotes from the drama appears in the very first episode: “As long as you're alive, there's always a second chance.” This idea drives the entire journey of the protagonist. The performances of the cast were one of the series’ greatest strengths. Wu Jin Yan, as Xue Fang Fei, was especially remarkable in portraying the transformation from a vulnerable woman to a determined figure driven by strength and a sense of justice. Wang Xing Yue, as Duke Su, played a character of integrity, strategy, and calmness, whose emotional depth is revealed through restrained glances and elegant posture. Joe Chen shone as Ji Shu Ran, a cold and manipulative woman who, under a virtuous facade, deceives and destroys with subtlety. Liang Yong Qi portrayed Shen Yu Rong with a calmness that contrasted with his cruel actions, and his character’s development was coherent and disturbing. Li Meng gave an intense performance as Princess Wan Ning, masterfully portraying the instability and obsession of a villain on the verge of collapse.
The plot is well-structured and coherent, with multiple story arcs converging around the central themes of revenge and justice. The chess game metaphor presented in the drama’s opening is particularly effective in illustrating the dynamics of power and strategy that permeate the entire narrative. Fang Fei is not only confronting her personal enemies but also stepping into a broader political board where silent alliances and betrayals shape the fate of society.
The identity switch between Jiang Li and Fang Fei is one of the pillars of the plot. This narrative decision is crucial in allowing the protagonist to return to the capital and infiltrate the elite. Although the age difference between the actresses might have posed a challenge, especially in convincing the audience of the identity switch, I believe the casting choice suited the drama’s intent. Jiang Li represents youth and fragility, while Fang Fei embodies maturity and strength. By assuming this new identity, Fang Fei is entirely transformed, adopting a new demeanor and revealing how much her suffering has shaped her character. Thus, the story builds a calculated revenge, grounded in precise alliances and strategies.
The romance unfolds in a slow-burn style, with patience and delicacy, developing gradually through glances, gestures, and subtle flirting, without ever overshadowing the main plot. A fast-paced romance wouldn’t have made sense, given that Fang Fei, deeply scarred by betrayal, wouldn't be emotionally ready to give her heart away so soon, and Duke Su, being a strategic and reserved man, wouldn’t easily allow himself to be carried away by emotion. Their relationship blossoms gradually through adversity, grounded in mutual respect, trust, and support. While I would have liked to see more moments between them, the romance was coherent and emotionally satisfying. The chemistry between the couple is evident, and the tension is present from the very first episodes. Despite the actors’ age difference, their characters naturally fit together, as they share intelligence, strategic thinking, and a strong commitment to justice.
Friendships are another highlight of the series, serving as emotional relief in such a heavy narrative. Unlike other dramas where supporting characters are excessively cruel, The Double features genuinely good characters who offer true support to the protagonists. The friendship between Duke Su and the Emperor, as well as the bonds between Fang Fei and Tong, Jiang Jing Rui, Liu Xu, Ye Shi Jie, and the Ye family, bring lightness to the story, showing that there is still room for loyalty and compassion even in dark times.
The development of the antagonists is also noteworthy. The drama prompts deep reflection on how far a person is willing to go in pursuit of status and power. Characters like Ji Shu Ran, Wan Ning, Shen Yu Rong, and King Cheng each resort to despicable actions to achieve their goals. Their development is impressive, revealing that all of them have complicated pasts. While their backgrounds help explain their descent into cruelty, they do not justify their evil actions. Some of them tried to blame others, claiming they were forced to act as they did, but did they truly have no other choice? The truth is, manipulated or not, each one had the power to choose and could have taken a different path.
The visual aspects of the series also deserve praise. The costumes are sophisticated and visually striking, especially the red garments worn by Fang Fei and Xiao Heng, which were stunning and symbolized not only beauty but also power, courage, and passion. The soft makeup, particularly the pearl embellishments on the face, gently complemented the characters’ aesthetics. The settings were immersive: the Imperial Court conveyed grandeur, while the homes and gardens of high-ranking officials reflected their status. In contrast, the simpler dwellings realistically portrayed the social disparities of the time. One standout setting was the Zhennu Hall, with its dark and cold aesthetics that evoked a sense of oppression and suffering. The outdoor scenes showcasing nature were also breathtaking, enhancing the drama’s beauty.
The OST is another charming element, one of the most beautiful I’ve heard recently. Usually, I don’t enjoy every track in a drama’s soundtrack, but in The Double, I liked them all. With 9 tracks, the soundtrack flawlessly complements the series’ atmosphere, featuring gentle, introspective, and melancholic compositions that perfectly capture the emotional tone. Typically, I watch a drama’s opening and ending only once, but with The Double, I rarely skipped them because I loved listening to them.
Despite so many strengths, there are aspects I would adjust. One of them is the punishment of Ji Shu Ran. She was an extremely cruel character, responsible for the death of Jiang Li’s mother, falsely accusing Jiang Li of her son's death, making her suffer in the Zhennu Hall, murdering a concubine’s daughter, and repeatedly trying to defame Xue Fang Fei (in disguise as Jiang Li) after her return. Considering all the pain she caused, her punishment (madness) seemed insufficient. The gravity of her crimes deserved a harsher consequence. Additionally, I felt the deaths of characters like Tong and Duke Su’s companions, while impactful, were unnecessary and didn’t significantly contribute to the plot’s development. I would have preferred for these characters to have had more positive outcomes, without further sacrifices. As for the cinematography, it was excellent, with good camera movement, color palette, and lighting. However, in my view, the number of close-ups was occasionally excessive. While not a major issue, a more moderate use would have worked better.
The ending of the series also left me with mixed feelings. After the victory against King Cheng, the wedding between Duke Su and Fang Fei, supposed to be a joyful moment, is interrupted by a questionable mission, where Duke Su leaves to calm unrest in nearby regions after the King Cheng death. It felt forced, as if added just to create more dramatic tension, ultimately leading to the death of two of Duke Su’s companions. The final scene, if not for the special episode, could easily be interpreted as Duke Su’s death, since it closely mirrors a similar dream Fang Fei had in the first episode. As for the special episode, although I found it sweet, it doesn’t connect well with the ending of episode 40. I would have preferred it to begin with Duke Su returning and reuniting with Fang Fei, followed by scenes of their married life, which would have brought more cohesion to the narrative.
Overall, The Double is an engaging, well-produced drama with outstanding performances. Despite a few details that could have been improved, the work delivers a solid, emotionally resonant, and strategically constructed narrative. My final rating is 9.5/10.
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