Intricately detailed production visuals added with outstanding acting from all
Intricately detailed production visuals added with extremely solid acting all around, this is a historical drama I would rewatch. Pacing was good (a bit on the slower end) and kept my interest - some of the writing in certain plot points could have been stronger for sure, so may not want to binge watch some of the eps at once (def. can binge the last quarter of the drama however) - but the characters are very consistent throughout and the overall story is built up well to the very end. I'm completely satisfied with the OTP and the secondaries cps. Overall a very lovely visual atmosphere and telling.
Some good thematic exploration about spoiling can lead to their doom (and also other victims along the way), pursuing justice despite the personal cost/sacrifice, and giving into destiny/fate vs. fighting against it. For a "rebirth" premise, this did not feel cliched. None of the subplots/supporting characters felt like filler. The villains' are written and portrayed very well. I really enjoyed seeing the flashbacks to the FL's previous lifetime (and otp loll) and also the various additional details revealed throughout. A satisfying happy ending if a bit abrupt in the finale ep.
Zhang Wanyi is amazing as always (his microexpressions are the best), and Jing Tian's FL character here is a good balance of sweet and competent and vulnerable (my first drama I've finished from her!). They're fun to watch together. Loved all the supporting characters~
**Bonus points to the director/photographer for all the scenic shots and some zoom in time for the production details**
Some notes/comparisons to other cdramas (because I could not resist):
The Double: "rebirth" premise, but SI JIN is better in that I felt like the main otp is given the justified screentime they deserve
Legend of the Female General: again, "rebirth" premise, but SI JIN has more brains in the writing/plot esp. in regards to the politics and the villains
ZWY's other drama Are You the One: similar in the reluctance/push-and-pull beginning of the otps in both dramas - esp. from the FLs in both dramas. Stronger performance from Jing Tian as the main FL in SI JIN (suspect probably better writing for the FL character) compared to WCR in AYTO. Which I'm happy to find as I mostly enjoyed her performance in Wonderland of Love opposite Xu Kai but I think the writing did not give credit to her character and made me dislike watching her character in the drama. I'm convinced the ZWY can have chemistry with a stick of wood while watching AYTO, yet Wang Churan seems better in what I've seen of her in How Dare You?! opposite Cheng Lei.
Some good thematic exploration about spoiling can lead to their doom (and also other victims along the way), pursuing justice despite the personal cost/sacrifice, and giving into destiny/fate vs. fighting against it. For a "rebirth" premise, this did not feel cliched. None of the subplots/supporting characters felt like filler. The villains' are written and portrayed very well. I really enjoyed seeing the flashbacks to the FL's previous lifetime (and otp loll) and also the various additional details revealed throughout. A satisfying happy ending if a bit abrupt in the finale ep.
Zhang Wanyi is amazing as always (his microexpressions are the best), and Jing Tian's FL character here is a good balance of sweet and competent and vulnerable (my first drama I've finished from her!). They're fun to watch together. Loved all the supporting characters~
**Bonus points to the director/photographer for all the scenic shots and some zoom in time for the production details**
Some notes/comparisons to other cdramas (because I could not resist):
The Double: "rebirth" premise, but SI JIN is better in that I felt like the main otp is given the justified screentime they deserve
Legend of the Female General: again, "rebirth" premise, but SI JIN has more brains in the writing/plot esp. in regards to the politics and the villains
ZWY's other drama Are You the One: similar in the reluctance/push-and-pull beginning of the otps in both dramas - esp. from the FLs in both dramas. Stronger performance from Jing Tian as the main FL in SI JIN (suspect probably better writing for the FL character) compared to WCR in AYTO. Which I'm happy to find as I mostly enjoyed her performance in Wonderland of Love opposite Xu Kai but I think the writing did not give credit to her character and made me dislike watching her character in the drama. I'm convinced the ZWY can have chemistry with a stick of wood while watching AYTO, yet Wang Churan seems better in what I've seen of her in How Dare You?! opposite Cheng Lei.
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