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This review may contain spoilers
In the end, it was me who became the prisoner.
FAVE QUOTE: “Even if peace lasts only for a moment, a sincere heart can make its echo endure for generations.” – Ep. 20.
To be honest, I wasn’t planning on watching any new releases at the moment, since I wanted to focus on the dramas that had already been on my planning list for a while. Besides, I had never watched any drama starring the leads of this production, nor did I know the plot or the novel. I only knew Liu Yu Ning from his music, but I knew nothing about Song Zu Er, so I truly didn’t know what to expect. However, for some reason, I ended up starting the drama and, without any expectations, I fell in love with it.
The plot tells the story of an old conflict between the Wei and Qiao clans. two families that, in the past, shared a strong alliance. However, this bond was broken when the Qiao clan failed to fulfill a crucial promise: to send soldiers to support the Wei clan in battle. This mistake resulted in the deaths of important members of the Wei family, sparking the rivalry between the two clans. Fourteen years later, hatred and the desire for revenge remained deeply rooted in the hearts and minds of the Wei clan, especially in Wei Shao, who swore to avenge his death relatives by bringing disgrace to the Qiao family. However, fate had other plans, and through an arranged marriage, Wei Shao finds himself tied to Xiao Qiao, a beautiful, intelligent, and strategic woman from the enemy family. As the two live together, the mistrust that once kept them apart begins to give way to love and forgiveness.
The premise of the plot is particularly simple, with few twists, and events that are easy to follow, as it revolves around the love journey of two characters who, at first glance, are enemies with different goals, acting and scheming with caution. Both have their own motivations, but throughout the episodes, they begin to uncover the complexities of their feelings. All of this is set against a backdrop of striving for the well-being of the population, reflected in the mission to build water channels between the States. So, it’s not a heavy story, filled with endless political intrigues or complex, dark plots with multiple subplots and villains. There are no prolonged misunderstandings or overly exhausting tensions. In fact, it’s a much lighter, more humorous, and romantic drama than expected, especially when compared to other dramas with similar themes. With cute moments, it's a story that warms the heart, holding its own beauty: simple, yet enchanting.
The development of the protagonists is interesting due to the contrast between their personalities. Wei Shao is a man shaped by war and adversity, with a cold demeanor that hides a warm heart. Despite a childhood marked by trauma and little affection, he deeply values family. Outwardly, he appears strong, but inside, he carries purity and kindness. On the other hand, Manman grew up in a loving, supportive family environment. Although her image conveys fragility, she is, in truth, a fortress. Her strength doesn’t come from physical weapons or brute force, but from the eloquence of her words and actions. I was positively surprised to discover how warm and genuine Wei Shao was with his feelings despite the hatred he had carried for 14 years, and also to see how wise and understanding Manman was, with a keen sense of perception regarding others.
The highlight of the drama, in my opinion, is exactly the way the romance was built and the chemistry between Wei Shao and Manman. Their relationship was carefully developed over the episodes, and the way their feelings grew gradually and naturally was beautiful, making their connection come alive on screen. Due to their contrasting personalities, each dealt with their emotions differently, facing the complexities of family dilemas. Wei Shao was enchanted by Manman at first sight, but burdened by emotional trauma, filial piety, distrust, and a desire for revenge, he tried to suppress his feelings for a long time. His inner struggle between the pain of the past and the possibility of finding happiness with Manman is particularly compelling, because whether he liked it or not, he was already “bound” to her.
Manman, on the other hand, determined to protect her clan from possible destruction, treats Wei Shao with care and attention, initially out of marital duty. However, as their relationship develops, her feelings for him begin to blossom. She starts off strategic and cautious, but ends up being moved by Wei Shao’s vulnerability and the way he gradually trusts her, turning their relationship into something increasingly deep. The light-heartedness of the more comedic scenes, the moments of tension, and the emotional dialogues made their chemistry magnetic, intense, and tangible.
The casting, for me, was very pleasant, with charismatic characters that brought an interesting dynamic and a good dose of humor and lightness, like the Wei generals, Counselor Gongsun, and the scholar Gao Hen, alongside more intriguing figures like Wei Yan, that while his initial behavior seemed questionable, we gradually come to understand his motivations and vulnerabilities, which added unexpected emotional depth. This development made me realize he was actually a good person, and I came to understand and even sympathize with him as the story progressed.
On the other hand, the villains of the story, Su E Huang and Liu Yan, played roles in the unfolding of political events, with well-defined goals, especially Su E Huang, whose main motivation was to destabilize the relationship between Wei Shao and Manman as a way to weaken the alliance between the Wei and Qiao clans. However, I didn’t find them psychologically complex or strategically brilliant antagonists, as their attempts often failed due to their blind pursuit of power. Perhaps many viewers expected opponents with military power on par with Wei Shao and tactical intelligence equal to Manman, which would have certainly intensified the political aspect of the narrative, and that would have been great, too. Still, I appreciated the approach taken. I believe the choice to portray antagonists this way made complete sense within the style and rhythm proposed by the screenwriter, contributing to a story more focused on interpersonal relationships and emotions, with few political intrigue elements.
As for the pacing, it suited my style. I’d describe it as moderate, balancing the development of the main couple’s romance with a few moments of tension. The drama begins with strong events, has a calmer middle centered on the relationship and family life, and a more frantic ending. Some might have found the middle part slow or expected a faster pace, with more action scenes or intense twists. However, for me, the overall pacing worked well. The more measured flow allowed me to connect with the characters without feeling overwhelmed by constant conflict.
I can’t go without highlighting the performance of the entire cast, which was truly remarkable. Liu Yu Ning and Song Zu Er, as the leads, delivered amazing performances, capturing the essence of their characters with sensitivity and authenticity. Besides them, the supporting actors were also crucial to the production’s success, as each brought their characters to life convincingly.
The visual and sound aspects of the drama were also excellent. The soft makeup, beautiful accessories, and detailed costumes enriched the narrative’s beauty, especially the protagonists. Wei Shao’s dark-toned outfits reinforced his authority and power. Meanwhile, Manman wore light-colored garments—white, blue, and pink—which emphasized her delicacy and subtly reflected her personality. I really liked the opening song (Lone Hero) and the ending song (Blazing Moon). The setting was immersive, and the CGI was well-balanced. The cinematography was spot-on regarding color palette, lighting, and camera movement.
Despite everything mentioned, there are a few aspects I would change:
(1) The way Bi Zhi’s character was developed gave me mixed feelings. Even though he was a good person, his arc seemed to lack initiative. His actions were always driven by others, as if he had no autonomy. It would've been more interesting if he had more personality.
(2) The events leading to the death of Wei Dian, in my view, had little impact on the overall plot and could have been handled more meaningfully. It lacked direct relevance to the story’s progression.
(3) The dramatic tension in the final episodes was frantic, but I felt it could have been better executed and paced. The delivery of the events deserved a more orchestrated and scripted buildup, with more detailed and impactful conflict scenes. I would’ve loved to see more battle scenes showcasing Wei Shao’s combat skills, as well as his generals and Wei Yan. I believe the episode cuts may have compromised the editing and development of these scenes.
(4) Regarding Wei Liang’s death, I don’t think it was necessary. It would have been more satisfying to see him fighting bravely and surviving, albeit injured. His death, like Da Qiao's, felt more like a tool to create dramatic tension. I wish both had had more positive outcomes. Also, I missed having more focus on the main couple at the end. After everything they went through, especially because of the war, they deserved more screen time for a more emotionally complete conclusion.
(5) The deaths of Su E Huang and Liu Yan were portrayed in a mild way considering all the chaos and suffering they caused throughout the story. It would’ve been much more satisfying if they had faced harsher and more proportional consequences for their actions.
Overall, "The Prisoner of Beauty" is a refreshing drama that gave me moments of emotion, laughter, tears, and celebration. The story sensitively builds a romance between two people from rival clans, with performances were well delivered, contributing to a truly captivating narrative.
To be honest, I wasn’t planning on watching any new releases at the moment, since I wanted to focus on the dramas that had already been on my planning list for a while. Besides, I had never watched any drama starring the leads of this production, nor did I know the plot or the novel. I only knew Liu Yu Ning from his music, but I knew nothing about Song Zu Er, so I truly didn’t know what to expect. However, for some reason, I ended up starting the drama and, without any expectations, I fell in love with it.
The plot tells the story of an old conflict between the Wei and Qiao clans. two families that, in the past, shared a strong alliance. However, this bond was broken when the Qiao clan failed to fulfill a crucial promise: to send soldiers to support the Wei clan in battle. This mistake resulted in the deaths of important members of the Wei family, sparking the rivalry between the two clans. Fourteen years later, hatred and the desire for revenge remained deeply rooted in the hearts and minds of the Wei clan, especially in Wei Shao, who swore to avenge his death relatives by bringing disgrace to the Qiao family. However, fate had other plans, and through an arranged marriage, Wei Shao finds himself tied to Xiao Qiao, a beautiful, intelligent, and strategic woman from the enemy family. As the two live together, the mistrust that once kept them apart begins to give way to love and forgiveness.
The premise of the plot is particularly simple, with few twists, and events that are easy to follow, as it revolves around the love journey of two characters who, at first glance, are enemies with different goals, acting and scheming with caution. Both have their own motivations, but throughout the episodes, they begin to uncover the complexities of their feelings. All of this is set against a backdrop of striving for the well-being of the population, reflected in the mission to build water channels between the States. So, it’s not a heavy story, filled with endless political intrigues or complex, dark plots with multiple subplots and villains. There are no prolonged misunderstandings or overly exhausting tensions. In fact, it’s a much lighter, more humorous, and romantic drama than expected, especially when compared to other dramas with similar themes. With cute moments, it's a story that warms the heart, holding its own beauty: simple, yet enchanting.
The development of the protagonists is interesting due to the contrast between their personalities. Wei Shao is a man shaped by war and adversity, with a cold demeanor that hides a warm heart. Despite a childhood marked by trauma and little affection, he deeply values family. Outwardly, he appears strong, but inside, he carries purity and kindness. On the other hand, Manman grew up in a loving, supportive family environment. Although her image conveys fragility, she is, in truth, a fortress. Her strength doesn’t come from physical weapons or brute force, but from the eloquence of her words and actions. I was positively surprised to discover how warm and genuine Wei Shao was with his feelings despite the hatred he had carried for 14 years, and also to see how wise and understanding Manman was, with a keen sense of perception regarding others.
The highlight of the drama, in my opinion, is exactly the way the romance was built and the chemistry between Wei Shao and Manman. Their relationship was carefully developed over the episodes, and the way their feelings grew gradually and naturally was beautiful, making their connection come alive on screen. Due to their contrasting personalities, each dealt with their emotions differently, facing the complexities of family dilemas. Wei Shao was enchanted by Manman at first sight, but burdened by emotional trauma, filial piety, distrust, and a desire for revenge, he tried to suppress his feelings for a long time. His inner struggle between the pain of the past and the possibility of finding happiness with Manman is particularly compelling, because whether he liked it or not, he was already “bound” to her.
Manman, on the other hand, determined to protect her clan from possible destruction, treats Wei Shao with care and attention, initially out of marital duty. However, as their relationship develops, her feelings for him begin to blossom. She starts off strategic and cautious, but ends up being moved by Wei Shao’s vulnerability and the way he gradually trusts her, turning their relationship into something increasingly deep. The light-heartedness of the more comedic scenes, the moments of tension, and the emotional dialogues made their chemistry magnetic, intense, and tangible.
The casting, for me, was very pleasant, with charismatic characters that brought an interesting dynamic and a good dose of humor and lightness, like the Wei generals, Counselor Gongsun, and the scholar Gao Hen, alongside more intriguing figures like Wei Yan, that while his initial behavior seemed questionable, we gradually come to understand his motivations and vulnerabilities, which added unexpected emotional depth. This development made me realize he was actually a good person, and I came to understand and even sympathize with him as the story progressed.
On the other hand, the villains of the story, Su E Huang and Liu Yan, played roles in the unfolding of political events, with well-defined goals, especially Su E Huang, whose main motivation was to destabilize the relationship between Wei Shao and Manman as a way to weaken the alliance between the Wei and Qiao clans. However, I didn’t find them psychologically complex or strategically brilliant antagonists, as their attempts often failed due to their blind pursuit of power. Perhaps many viewers expected opponents with military power on par with Wei Shao and tactical intelligence equal to Manman, which would have certainly intensified the political aspect of the narrative, and that would have been great, too. Still, I appreciated the approach taken. I believe the choice to portray antagonists this way made complete sense within the style and rhythm proposed by the screenwriter, contributing to a story more focused on interpersonal relationships and emotions, with few political intrigue elements.
As for the pacing, it suited my style. I’d describe it as moderate, balancing the development of the main couple’s romance with a few moments of tension. The drama begins with strong events, has a calmer middle centered on the relationship and family life, and a more frantic ending. Some might have found the middle part slow or expected a faster pace, with more action scenes or intense twists. However, for me, the overall pacing worked well. The more measured flow allowed me to connect with the characters without feeling overwhelmed by constant conflict.
I can’t go without highlighting the performance of the entire cast, which was truly remarkable. Liu Yu Ning and Song Zu Er, as the leads, delivered amazing performances, capturing the essence of their characters with sensitivity and authenticity. Besides them, the supporting actors were also crucial to the production’s success, as each brought their characters to life convincingly.
The visual and sound aspects of the drama were also excellent. The soft makeup, beautiful accessories, and detailed costumes enriched the narrative’s beauty, especially the protagonists. Wei Shao’s dark-toned outfits reinforced his authority and power. Meanwhile, Manman wore light-colored garments—white, blue, and pink—which emphasized her delicacy and subtly reflected her personality. I really liked the opening song (Lone Hero) and the ending song (Blazing Moon). The setting was immersive, and the CGI was well-balanced. The cinematography was spot-on regarding color palette, lighting, and camera movement.
Despite everything mentioned, there are a few aspects I would change:
(1) The way Bi Zhi’s character was developed gave me mixed feelings. Even though he was a good person, his arc seemed to lack initiative. His actions were always driven by others, as if he had no autonomy. It would've been more interesting if he had more personality.
(2) The events leading to the death of Wei Dian, in my view, had little impact on the overall plot and could have been handled more meaningfully. It lacked direct relevance to the story’s progression.
(3) The dramatic tension in the final episodes was frantic, but I felt it could have been better executed and paced. The delivery of the events deserved a more orchestrated and scripted buildup, with more detailed and impactful conflict scenes. I would’ve loved to see more battle scenes showcasing Wei Shao’s combat skills, as well as his generals and Wei Yan. I believe the episode cuts may have compromised the editing and development of these scenes.
(4) Regarding Wei Liang’s death, I don’t think it was necessary. It would have been more satisfying to see him fighting bravely and surviving, albeit injured. His death, like Da Qiao's, felt more like a tool to create dramatic tension. I wish both had had more positive outcomes. Also, I missed having more focus on the main couple at the end. After everything they went through, especially because of the war, they deserved more screen time for a more emotionally complete conclusion.
(5) The deaths of Su E Huang and Liu Yan were portrayed in a mild way considering all the chaos and suffering they caused throughout the story. It would’ve been much more satisfying if they had faced harsher and more proportional consequences for their actions.
Overall, "The Prisoner of Beauty" is a refreshing drama that gave me moments of emotion, laughter, tears, and celebration. The story sensitively builds a romance between two people from rival clans, with performances were well delivered, contributing to a truly captivating narrative.
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