This review may contain spoilers
A Political Survival Drama with Brilliant Villains and a Slow-Burning Romance
I would classify Princess’s Gambit under the subgenre of political survival. It contains political drama, moral dilemmas, and a survival narrative. Because romance takes a backseat to the survival plot, it's understandable that many viewers misunderstood the drama and ended up disappointed, leading them to focus unfairly on flaws in the production and criticize a particular actress. I hope future viewers don’t fall into that problem and misjudge the drama without realizing what it truly tells. I invite you to look beyond the steamy romance and embrace the broader narrative context it offers.
Not Vague Title, Informing Us What to Anticipate
First, this drama is very clear what it is about from its title. It is not vague and abstract words. We have a weak and helpless princess (played by Meng Ziyi) in the beginning. The natural questions that follow this premise are: In this situation, how will she defend herself and achieve her purpose? The title of the drama describes the story's theme well. So, we know what to expect and anticipate as time goes on, that this will involve a battle of wit, scheme, and gamble to beat the opponents/ enemies under dangerous circumstances. And it does! People may argue about the effectiveness of every choice a character made. But it is good to see how a story doesn't betray its own title.
It Defies Several Common Drama Tropes
Contrary to popular belief that this drama is packed with clichés (such as an arranged political marriage, a damsel-like princess in distress, a cold and ruthless male lead with a traumatic past, and a typical family drama with multiple wives), what we actually get is quite different:
The princess, Jiang Taohua (JTH), takes control of her destiny by breaking free from her arranged marriage and scheming her way into marrying the most powerful political figure instead. She’s a sharp, resourceful woman who manages to survive in a hostile household, facing not only the environment around her but also the danger posed by the very man she married. Interestingly, she takes on the role of a double agent. On one hand, she poses as a spy for her evil stepmother, the Empress of Beiyuan (though in truth, it's all an act). On the other hand, she’s secretly carrying out her own mission: to save her younger brother.
Meanwhile, the main male character, Shen Zaiye (SZY), the Qi's chancellor, is far more layered and complex than expected. He has a sad past, but is not haunted by any trauma. Instead, he grows as a character (from a scholarly man to a martial artist and to a politician; from a bookish idealist to a realist pragmatist). Interestingly, the story presents us with an unreliable narrative stemming from JTH's perception of himself. His household is basically a harem with a legal wife and several concubines, but all of them are political pawns of their respective noble families. So, SZY distances himself from them and never touches them. Even, he let them fight each other and observe from afar.
Well-done Couple Development
SZY's relationship with JTH evolves gradually in a positive direction despite the ups and downs. They start from (1) lethal enemies (who want to kill each other), to (2) comrades united by a shared idealism (and acknowledging each other's good side), to (3) lovers still clouded by lingering distrust, to (4) once again strangers after an angsty separation, to (5) a team helping each other for a shared cause, and to finally, (6) a genuine husband and wife devoted to each other. Some viewers cannot stand numbers (3) and (4) patiently because they want to see a lovey-dovey husband and wife immediately. But if you hold on, you will get all the reasons behind SZY's deep love for JTH: the openness toward the unwanted, the willingness to understand, the pity and empathy, and redemption. These reasons make SZY's ultimate sacrifice to help JTH so heartfelt.
For JTH, maybe, the one thing that frustrates many viewers about her is that she is so late to appreciate SZY's goodwill, accept his helping hand, and value his presence. Of course, it prolongs the plot, which is bad. However, it is not without a lesson, and Cdrama has a tradition to teach love this bitter way. This trope reminds me of the ending of TMOPB (2017) (and some other dramas), which is pretty similar! The man should sacrifice his life and go for the woman to understand his worth and treat him in a better way. So, I don't blame the director and the writer of this drama. Maybe it is a cultural thing!
Beautiful Symbolism
Liu Xueyi as SZY plays his role so well and manages to handle every change in SZY's character from the beginning to the end. SZY's pragmatic ruthlessness and humility are his way to serve the emperor patiently. Without screaming "I want revenge!" and stabbing behind the emperor's back, he seeks ways to bring back justice and fairness in a lawful manner. Interestingly, he spends his free time alone, carving a wall with the figures of houses. As viewers, we don’t understand its meaning until the very end, only to discover that it’s a physical embodiment of his deepest will. What a powerful and shocking reveal. We saw his bravery in giving a fiery argument and his last counsel to the emperor. After his purpose is fulfilled, he resigns from his post to live the life as he wishes, no longer a political pawn to control the government. He left his physical house and left the symbolic houses he had lived/ carved for ten years.
Superb Villains' Arcs
Princess’s Gambit stands out for having some of the most well-crafted villain arcs ever presented in a drama of its tier! Even, it beats The Double and Blossom. Let's compare and contrast. In The Double (2024), Princess Wan Ning is murdered in the end, Shen Yu Rong commits suicide, and the evil mother goes crazy. In Blossom (2024), the evil Empress is just demoted and exiled, the prince is imprisoned, and the evil uncle of FL dies "righteously" to protect his patron. Those are not fair ends.
In Princess's Gambit, we get a full spectrum of villain types who end up working together as their interests intersect. Their alliance feels inevitable. We know what they want, how they are thinking and feeling, and how they are scheming. Also, how all of them met their demise is so satisfying. Wugou is the victim of his stupidity. Huaijin is the victim of blind loyalty to a wrong master. The Meng family head is forced to kill himself in prison, just as he did to Huaijin. Wuyin is dead for the love he craves. Meng Zhenzhen got a pardon due to her last merit, and it resonates with her genuine care for fellow women in her family. And, Empress Lv died in a most tragic and agonizing way. These villains’ stories form a complete circle, delivering clear moral consequences. There’s a satisfaction in seeing them punished in the very ways they once wronged others. They reap what they sowed. Their character traits and choices become their downfall.
I am satisfied with this drama as it has villains with qualities comparable to ML in terms of intelligence, resourcefulness, and power. It makes the clashes interesting to watch. We don't easily know who will win this game.
Storytelling Techniques
Some viewers are disappointed because the director doesn’t take enough care in showing the process behind key choices and outcomes. Certain plot points feel abrupt, with little buildup or explanation, often delivered only through brief flashbacks. Fortunately, the flashbacks aren’t filler, but they still fall short in providing satisfying narrative depth. To some extent, this method adds suspense and shock value. However, for viewers who enjoy analyzing character motivations, tracking cause and effect, and emotionally engaging with the unfolding events, it feels lacking. The drama demands that viewers watch closely, connect scattered dots, and use their imagination to fill in the gaps. This weakens the sense of immersion and reduces the overall flow experience. Ultimately, the series falls short in its storytelling technique.
Despite the weakness above, there is also a strength: Emotion and passion. They inject a dose of sensuality into SZY-JTH interactions when they are still enemies and lovers with distrust; the push and pull between husband and wife. It is a good compensation when we don't have a proper romantic relationship between them in the early part of the story. This sparks chemistry. In later episodes, when they are strangers again, they are less physical. There are no steamy scenes or passionate kisses, yet every gesture brims with emotion. Even their silence and gazes speak volumes about what is hidden in their hearts.
Production
This drama has balanced day and night times. Fun and playful moments happened during the day. Suspenseful and grittiest moments happened at night. That is wise! The darkness, the shadows, and the light from the sun and candles also highlight the emotion on the characters' faces and add more things to the atmosphere. The costumes are beautiful. The music, despite being sometimes loud, matches the emotion of a scene. And for the places and settings, we don't see repeated Hengdian studio or any other places we usually see in Cdrama. It gives some novelty.
Unfortunately, The Hated Tropes
It is hard to believe that they still use POISON and AMNESIA as plot devices! So many Cdramas use them! About poison, it is usually used as a wicked and powerful instrument of control, to set a limitation, a line must not be crossed, or you will die. However, if we think about it more, there is always something "magical" about it which defies rationality: the poison is the most lethal, and has no cure. Or, if it does have one, it involves a rare ingredient that demands a big sacrifice or great struggle, and that ingredient is a fantastical element! We don't know who creates it or where it originates.
And then there’s the amnesia. It's a trope often used to reset everything to zero. In Princess’s Gambit, while the cause of the memory loss is understandable, the story didn’t actually need real amnesia. It could’ve been far more compelling if this commonly disliked trope were reimagined as a deliberate act of deception, turning it into a strategic move. That would’ve better showcased the princess’s cunning and reinforced her role as a calculating survivor.
In the end...
Despite its imperfections, Princess’s Gambit is a rewarding drama for those who crave something beyond formulaic romance or palace/ political drama. It offers a rich tapestry of political maneuvering, complex character growth, villains with depth, and layered moral dilemmas. Don’t let surface-level tropes or missing exposition mislead you. Watch with attention, connect the dots, and you’ll discover a story that dares to explore trust, power, and loyalty in bitter yet beautiful ways. If you're tired of dramas that play it safe, this one might just surprise you, if you give it the patience it deserves.
Not Vague Title, Informing Us What to Anticipate
First, this drama is very clear what it is about from its title. It is not vague and abstract words. We have a weak and helpless princess (played by Meng Ziyi) in the beginning. The natural questions that follow this premise are: In this situation, how will she defend herself and achieve her purpose? The title of the drama describes the story's theme well. So, we know what to expect and anticipate as time goes on, that this will involve a battle of wit, scheme, and gamble to beat the opponents/ enemies under dangerous circumstances. And it does! People may argue about the effectiveness of every choice a character made. But it is good to see how a story doesn't betray its own title.
It Defies Several Common Drama Tropes
Contrary to popular belief that this drama is packed with clichés (such as an arranged political marriage, a damsel-like princess in distress, a cold and ruthless male lead with a traumatic past, and a typical family drama with multiple wives), what we actually get is quite different:
The princess, Jiang Taohua (JTH), takes control of her destiny by breaking free from her arranged marriage and scheming her way into marrying the most powerful political figure instead. She’s a sharp, resourceful woman who manages to survive in a hostile household, facing not only the environment around her but also the danger posed by the very man she married. Interestingly, she takes on the role of a double agent. On one hand, she poses as a spy for her evil stepmother, the Empress of Beiyuan (though in truth, it's all an act). On the other hand, she’s secretly carrying out her own mission: to save her younger brother.
Meanwhile, the main male character, Shen Zaiye (SZY), the Qi's chancellor, is far more layered and complex than expected. He has a sad past, but is not haunted by any trauma. Instead, he grows as a character (from a scholarly man to a martial artist and to a politician; from a bookish idealist to a realist pragmatist). Interestingly, the story presents us with an unreliable narrative stemming from JTH's perception of himself. His household is basically a harem with a legal wife and several concubines, but all of them are political pawns of their respective noble families. So, SZY distances himself from them and never touches them. Even, he let them fight each other and observe from afar.
Well-done Couple Development
SZY's relationship with JTH evolves gradually in a positive direction despite the ups and downs. They start from (1) lethal enemies (who want to kill each other), to (2) comrades united by a shared idealism (and acknowledging each other's good side), to (3) lovers still clouded by lingering distrust, to (4) once again strangers after an angsty separation, to (5) a team helping each other for a shared cause, and to finally, (6) a genuine husband and wife devoted to each other. Some viewers cannot stand numbers (3) and (4) patiently because they want to see a lovey-dovey husband and wife immediately. But if you hold on, you will get all the reasons behind SZY's deep love for JTH: the openness toward the unwanted, the willingness to understand, the pity and empathy, and redemption. These reasons make SZY's ultimate sacrifice to help JTH so heartfelt.
For JTH, maybe, the one thing that frustrates many viewers about her is that she is so late to appreciate SZY's goodwill, accept his helping hand, and value his presence. Of course, it prolongs the plot, which is bad. However, it is not without a lesson, and Cdrama has a tradition to teach love this bitter way. This trope reminds me of the ending of TMOPB (2017) (and some other dramas), which is pretty similar! The man should sacrifice his life and go for the woman to understand his worth and treat him in a better way. So, I don't blame the director and the writer of this drama. Maybe it is a cultural thing!
Beautiful Symbolism
Liu Xueyi as SZY plays his role so well and manages to handle every change in SZY's character from the beginning to the end. SZY's pragmatic ruthlessness and humility are his way to serve the emperor patiently. Without screaming "I want revenge!" and stabbing behind the emperor's back, he seeks ways to bring back justice and fairness in a lawful manner. Interestingly, he spends his free time alone, carving a wall with the figures of houses. As viewers, we don’t understand its meaning until the very end, only to discover that it’s a physical embodiment of his deepest will. What a powerful and shocking reveal. We saw his bravery in giving a fiery argument and his last counsel to the emperor. After his purpose is fulfilled, he resigns from his post to live the life as he wishes, no longer a political pawn to control the government. He left his physical house and left the symbolic houses he had lived/ carved for ten years.
Superb Villains' Arcs
Princess’s Gambit stands out for having some of the most well-crafted villain arcs ever presented in a drama of its tier! Even, it beats The Double and Blossom. Let's compare and contrast. In The Double (2024), Princess Wan Ning is murdered in the end, Shen Yu Rong commits suicide, and the evil mother goes crazy. In Blossom (2024), the evil Empress is just demoted and exiled, the prince is imprisoned, and the evil uncle of FL dies "righteously" to protect his patron. Those are not fair ends.
In Princess's Gambit, we get a full spectrum of villain types who end up working together as their interests intersect. Their alliance feels inevitable. We know what they want, how they are thinking and feeling, and how they are scheming. Also, how all of them met their demise is so satisfying. Wugou is the victim of his stupidity. Huaijin is the victim of blind loyalty to a wrong master. The Meng family head is forced to kill himself in prison, just as he did to Huaijin. Wuyin is dead for the love he craves. Meng Zhenzhen got a pardon due to her last merit, and it resonates with her genuine care for fellow women in her family. And, Empress Lv died in a most tragic and agonizing way. These villains’ stories form a complete circle, delivering clear moral consequences. There’s a satisfaction in seeing them punished in the very ways they once wronged others. They reap what they sowed. Their character traits and choices become their downfall.
I am satisfied with this drama as it has villains with qualities comparable to ML in terms of intelligence, resourcefulness, and power. It makes the clashes interesting to watch. We don't easily know who will win this game.
Storytelling Techniques
Some viewers are disappointed because the director doesn’t take enough care in showing the process behind key choices and outcomes. Certain plot points feel abrupt, with little buildup or explanation, often delivered only through brief flashbacks. Fortunately, the flashbacks aren’t filler, but they still fall short in providing satisfying narrative depth. To some extent, this method adds suspense and shock value. However, for viewers who enjoy analyzing character motivations, tracking cause and effect, and emotionally engaging with the unfolding events, it feels lacking. The drama demands that viewers watch closely, connect scattered dots, and use their imagination to fill in the gaps. This weakens the sense of immersion and reduces the overall flow experience. Ultimately, the series falls short in its storytelling technique.
Despite the weakness above, there is also a strength: Emotion and passion. They inject a dose of sensuality into SZY-JTH interactions when they are still enemies and lovers with distrust; the push and pull between husband and wife. It is a good compensation when we don't have a proper romantic relationship between them in the early part of the story. This sparks chemistry. In later episodes, when they are strangers again, they are less physical. There are no steamy scenes or passionate kisses, yet every gesture brims with emotion. Even their silence and gazes speak volumes about what is hidden in their hearts.
Production
This drama has balanced day and night times. Fun and playful moments happened during the day. Suspenseful and grittiest moments happened at night. That is wise! The darkness, the shadows, and the light from the sun and candles also highlight the emotion on the characters' faces and add more things to the atmosphere. The costumes are beautiful. The music, despite being sometimes loud, matches the emotion of a scene. And for the places and settings, we don't see repeated Hengdian studio or any other places we usually see in Cdrama. It gives some novelty.
Unfortunately, The Hated Tropes
It is hard to believe that they still use POISON and AMNESIA as plot devices! So many Cdramas use them! About poison, it is usually used as a wicked and powerful instrument of control, to set a limitation, a line must not be crossed, or you will die. However, if we think about it more, there is always something "magical" about it which defies rationality: the poison is the most lethal, and has no cure. Or, if it does have one, it involves a rare ingredient that demands a big sacrifice or great struggle, and that ingredient is a fantastical element! We don't know who creates it or where it originates.
And then there’s the amnesia. It's a trope often used to reset everything to zero. In Princess’s Gambit, while the cause of the memory loss is understandable, the story didn’t actually need real amnesia. It could’ve been far more compelling if this commonly disliked trope were reimagined as a deliberate act of deception, turning it into a strategic move. That would’ve better showcased the princess’s cunning and reinforced her role as a calculating survivor.
In the end...
Despite its imperfections, Princess’s Gambit is a rewarding drama for those who crave something beyond formulaic romance or palace/ political drama. It offers a rich tapestry of political maneuvering, complex character growth, villains with depth, and layered moral dilemmas. Don’t let surface-level tropes or missing exposition mislead you. Watch with attention, connect the dots, and you’ll discover a story that dares to explore trust, power, and loyalty in bitter yet beautiful ways. If you're tired of dramas that play it safe, this one might just surprise you, if you give it the patience it deserves.
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