This review may contain spoilers
Not for everyone.
I’ve got to be honest—I’m not really connecting with this drama, so I think it’s best for me to call it quits at episode 20. It just isn’t my cup of tea. While the ideas were promising, the execution left a bit to be desired. I mean, it really struggled to respect both genders in the way it aspired to. Sure, the rules of Xin State were outdated, and the other state had its own set of norms, but the way Li Wei and her friends went about trying to reform Xin State felt a bit hypocritical and disrespectful to me. There were several instances where Li Wei stepped over the line and got involved in other people’s issues without truly considering the consequences for everyone involved, and they tried to frame it as a feminist agenda. And then there’s Zheng, who seemed to just go along with Li Wei’s wild ideas without much hesitation. As a woman, I found it tough to get on board with all that because of how it was presented. I really think they could have approached the subject in a more thoughtful manner.
It’s such a pity because there were some lovely moments of sisterhood, and it was refreshing to see a group of women supporting each other rather than competing. But the way it was all put together really missed the mark for me. Please don’t come for me; I totally understand why others enjoyed it! I just feel it wasn’t for me, and maybe my thoughts might help someone else decide whether to watch it or not.
Now, don’t get me wrong—the drama featured stunning scenery and fantastic acting, with a lot of seasoned performers. However, for the historical period they were trying to portray, it felt a bit like they were cramming modern ideas down my throat, and not in the best way. Li Wei often came off as chaotic, pushy, or just plain insensitive. It seemed like her feelings and ideas took precedence over anyone else’s, which was a bit much. I can’t say for sure that she won’t improve later, but I didn’t feel motivated to stick around and find out. After giving it 20 episodes to win me over, I was left feeling let down. If someone wonders why I rated it an 8.5 even though I didn’t enjoy it, it’s because I appreciated the acting, the visuals, and some aspects of the plot. My biggest disappointment really lies in the execution and the uneasy feeling that I’m somehow being judged for not agreeing with Li Wei’s methods or Zheng’s willingness to indulge her.
It’s such a pity because there were some lovely moments of sisterhood, and it was refreshing to see a group of women supporting each other rather than competing. But the way it was all put together really missed the mark for me. Please don’t come for me; I totally understand why others enjoyed it! I just feel it wasn’t for me, and maybe my thoughts might help someone else decide whether to watch it or not.
Now, don’t get me wrong—the drama featured stunning scenery and fantastic acting, with a lot of seasoned performers. However, for the historical period they were trying to portray, it felt a bit like they were cramming modern ideas down my throat, and not in the best way. Li Wei often came off as chaotic, pushy, or just plain insensitive. It seemed like her feelings and ideas took precedence over anyone else’s, which was a bit much. I can’t say for sure that she won’t improve later, but I didn’t feel motivated to stick around and find out. After giving it 20 episodes to win me over, I was left feeling let down. If someone wonders why I rated it an 8.5 even though I didn’t enjoy it, it’s because I appreciated the acting, the visuals, and some aspects of the plot. My biggest disappointment really lies in the execution and the uneasy feeling that I’m somehow being judged for not agreeing with Li Wei’s methods or Zheng’s willingness to indulge her.
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