calamariexpert

My first time seeing Gulinazha in a drama, and she's good. I haven't read the novel, but she's good as a cool, calm FL. Like other c-dramas, I'm weirded out by why the other supporting cast get more screen time or plot development than the main couple.

I'm only on episode 7 (Academy arc), but I like:
- Xu Kai and his stunt double's impressive spearwork
- having both the ML and FL be calm, reasonable, cool types
- fantasy elements like magic and teleportation
- beautiful costumes (for those roles with gorgeous outfits)

As for any complaints about acting/extra scenes, I'd blame the people who are in charge, like the director, producer, writer, money/managing people behind the drama, rather than the actors/actresses themselves.

(Just as an aside - the gender ratio seems like the norm for an action drama - about 5 young attractive females, one lovely mother/wife, one peasant grandma I saw in a crowd, several random young women in the city streets/dreams, and about several hundred male students/soldiers/masters/demons/villains. Sometimes I wonder if these drama worlds simply have a huge gender skewed ratio (simply 1 female born for every 10 males in their world), or the equivalent number of women are stuck at home somewhere...anyway, I'm just happy to watch a drama with the good points above)

I fast forward through some of the excessive screen time given to the supporting characters, since I'm really here for the ML and FL.

I'm only on episode 7 (Academy arc), but I like:
- Xu Kai and his stunt double's impressive spearwork
- having both the ML and FL be calm, reasonable, cool types
- fantasy elements like magic and teleportation
- beautiful costumes (for those roles with gorgeous outfits)

As for any complaints about acting/extra scenes, I'd blame the people who are in charge, like the director, producer, writer, money/managing people behind the drama, rather than the actors/actresses themselves.

(Just as an aside - the gender ratio seems like the norm for an action drama - about 5 young attractive females, one lovely mother/wife, one peasant grandma I saw in a crowd, several random young women in the city streets/dreams, and about several hundred male students/soldiers/masters/demons/villains. Sometimes I wonder if these drama worlds simply have a huge gender skewed ratio (simply 1 female born for every 10 males in their world), or the equivalent number of women are stuck at home somewhere...anyway, I'm just happy to watch a drama with the good points above)

I fast forward through some of the excessive screen time given to the supporting characters, since I'm really here for the ML and FL.

Episode 17: I love General Xu - he knows full well the Emperor is inside his daughter's body, but he's still calling her Furen (Madam, but in this drama, it also means Empress), as if he doesn't know. Also, this entire poison/freesia subplot isn't in the comic/manhua, but I guess it adds to the tension and gets the poor Emperor (in the Empress body) out of the Palace.

Meanwhile, his Empress (in the Emperor's body) is living a carefree, happy life on the northern plains. I love how the Empress' simple brain, valiant heart and straightforward friendship wins over the Princess Huna. If it were the real super smart, scheming Emperor, Princess Huna probably wouldn't trust him at all.

Empress talking to her General dad (who was criticizing her slovenly demeanour): "Dad, your daughter is a man now. I'm the Emperor. You have no right to judge me." Hahahahaha.

Episode 15: Concubine Pei is talking annoying nonsense in front of the Emperor (in the Empress' body) while preparing for the feast. I'd love to hear what the Emperor is thinking inside about how annoying/conniving/nosy/critical Concubine Pei is...

Out of nervousness? Or allergic to their lovey-dovey-ness? The comic/manhua is fun, if you want to read it.

The anime/cartoon on Netflix doesn't cover the complete story, dunno if there is another season out. The comic/manhua, however, is complete, and the ending is satisfying.

I was surprised. I wasn't a fan of the title song, but watching it with lyrics in episode 13, it made a lot more sense.

I've seen this in every c-drama. People tell secrets when the windows are open, when servants are in the background, and even in the middle of crowded streets. Update: And also at the open front gates, and in front of enemy soldiers.

I rely on Wilful Suspension of Disbelief. If I can pretend they swapped souls, I can pretend everyone else is deaf when they're talking secrets...Otherwise, it hurts my brain because it doesn't make sense.

Title song lyrics from episode 13 Viki subtitles:

"Although my destiny is made by Heaven
Fortunately this life change occurred to me
The meteor made our souls overlap
So the knots in our hearts can be untied.

Our romance started with an encounter in our youth
Thanks to the suffering we overcame with trust
I'm looking at the snowstorm in my hometown from afar
I want to enjoy the moon and clouds with you.

Although my destiny is made by Heaven
Fortunately this life change occurred to me
The meteor made our souls overlap
So the knots in our hearts can be untied.

In the moment, mystery is revealed
The world changes, petals shed
I won't leave you alone
Wind, thunder and rain roll up the dust

Gallant and formidable warriors shake the world
Solve her mystery by accident, he can tell truth without explanation
Grab her demeanor in mine
Hope to watch the sunset the rest of my life."

Cold scheming Emperor and honest valiant Empress body swap. Empress (in boy body) has to deal with court and war, and Emperor (in girl body) has to deal with periods, mean mother-in-law (aka his own mom whom he thought was nice), and two-faced harem ladies (whom he also thought were nice). Rude awakening. Best body swap ever.

Update: Episode 12: I can see the back of the Empress Dowager's hair at the start, the long hanging jewelry is actually attached from the bottom of her up-styled hair. So it's some sort of hair ornament, not a necklace.

Often, the female voice acting in c-dramas puzzles me. Like, do the casting director/director/other staff/domestic audience really not mind or even prefer these super whiny, high pitched, annoying voices?

I had to stop several other c-dramas because the FL had those kinds of voices. Fortunately, in this drama, the FL has a calm, cultivated voice, and only a few smaller roles like Concubine Pei have the annoying whiny voice.

I guess they have to communicate well in order to maintain their facade of being each other. Especially since the Emperor knows the Empress doesn't have the head for scheming against the harem or the court, and needs all his support/commands to survive.

Episode 9: Ooh, the first major divergence between the drama and the comic! Concubine Li commits suicide in the comic, but in the drama her death is faked and the Empress lets her leave the palace in secret. I like this.

The lead actor and actress must have really enjoyed playing these roles, because they get to play leading roles that are less common for their gender.

The lead actress (as the Emperor swapped into the Empress' body) gets to play the cold, intelligent, scheming, cranky, fierce CEO ML stereotype.

The lead actor (as the Empress swapped into the Emperor's' body) gets to play the young/childish, unpolished/straightforward, super loyal, emotional, shy around her crush, goofy, gluttonous, FL type.

Viki is subtitled up to Episode 16. Episodes 17 and 18 supposed to be released today, but not sure how long it takes for subtitles.

The Empress wants him to have a baby too.....!

The Empress/imperial concubines wear some sort of long hanging jewelry on top of their dresses. Is it a necklace or something that attaches from their hair? I've never seen this kind of jewelry before.