This review may contain spoilers
Hidden gem! Didn't expect to be so invested into it
TL:DR -- This one is an all round wholesome entertainer (notwithstanding the gratuitous attempted r*p* scene in the end). Just go watch it.
Run-of-the-mill transmigration cdrama where protagonist benefits from knowledge from the future while living in the past. It is the execution that elevates this B-grade serial into the AA+ category. All the actors nailed their roles to perfection. Hats off to the director for getting these A-team performances out of every one of them- the hero's father, the eunuch, the sympathetic minister Zhang, the princess, the femme fatale, the king, bitchy ex and her mother, FL's bodyguard (LOL) - just about everyone!!
Like so many comments left on this cdrama, I too have joined the Yan Lin Luo fan club. Whatttay femme fatale.
Fan Meng portrayed her role beautifully. You find yourself rooting for her in spite of everything. If there was an epilogue I'm sure it would have shown her managing to ingratiate herself and the insufferable ex Xue Yan as the lead's concubines (with the princess' approval no less LOL). Hands down, she had the best costumes of the entire show as well. The white floral kimono/top she wore somewhere in the 2/3 of the show was an absolute beauty. Fan Meng must have really had fun playing this role with mischief, sultry, scheming, charm, mock innocence all wrapped in at once. Director must have absolutely given her liberty to play it free form and she didn't disappoint. She's an actress with a promising future. Look forward to her other excellent roles.
The ML had the perfect emotions of "ho hum, so uninterested in these old world shenanigans" throughout - almost like a 4th wall breaking moment all the time. It's like a constant wink to the audience.
The script didn't provide enough romantic interactions for ML & FL, whereas Lin Luo turned every interaction into a seduction moment, right down to the very last scene LOL. Still there was enough cuteness overall b/w the leads and their interactions to save the romance.
The King's part was not cartoony but a very mature character study. Him and the ML's father's bromance was top notch :D
The ex-wife and her family provided great comic relief with their constant over the top disdain for ML.
ML: exists
Su family: "let's diss track him in as many ways as possible" LOL
All the side characters were excellent in their leads. Even the Royal palace/court parts were done well. The dialogues flowed naturally and wasn't stilted or out of place.
All out happy ending. Like I said, whether ML or FL were willing or not, Lin Luo and Xue Yan are becoming part of his "wife club" is how it was hinted LOL. Again, kudos to writers and director for putting such a bold theme out there in this day and age. Well into the 90s and 2000s regional language Indian cinema also treated bigamy/polygamy casually and boldly. Didn't expect to see something similar in 2025 conveyed in a wholesome way in an entertaining drama. -- "Darling come home soon. I've cooked many dishes for you" XD
Anyway, watch it. Ended up being a great drama that leaves you with a warm feeling.
Run-of-the-mill transmigration cdrama where protagonist benefits from knowledge from the future while living in the past. It is the execution that elevates this B-grade serial into the AA+ category. All the actors nailed their roles to perfection. Hats off to the director for getting these A-team performances out of every one of them- the hero's father, the eunuch, the sympathetic minister Zhang, the princess, the femme fatale, the king, bitchy ex and her mother, FL's bodyguard (LOL) - just about everyone!!
Like so many comments left on this cdrama, I too have joined the Yan Lin Luo fan club. Whatttay femme fatale.
Fan Meng portrayed her role beautifully. You find yourself rooting for her in spite of everything. If there was an epilogue I'm sure it would have shown her managing to ingratiate herself and the insufferable ex Xue Yan as the lead's concubines (with the princess' approval no less LOL). Hands down, she had the best costumes of the entire show as well. The white floral kimono/top she wore somewhere in the 2/3 of the show was an absolute beauty. Fan Meng must have really had fun playing this role with mischief, sultry, scheming, charm, mock innocence all wrapped in at once. Director must have absolutely given her liberty to play it free form and she didn't disappoint. She's an actress with a promising future. Look forward to her other excellent roles.
The ML had the perfect emotions of "ho hum, so uninterested in these old world shenanigans" throughout - almost like a 4th wall breaking moment all the time. It's like a constant wink to the audience.
The script didn't provide enough romantic interactions for ML & FL, whereas Lin Luo turned every interaction into a seduction moment, right down to the very last scene LOL. Still there was enough cuteness overall b/w the leads and their interactions to save the romance.
The King's part was not cartoony but a very mature character study. Him and the ML's father's bromance was top notch :D
The ex-wife and her family provided great comic relief with their constant over the top disdain for ML.
ML: exists
Su family: "let's diss track him in as many ways as possible" LOL
All the side characters were excellent in their leads. Even the Royal palace/court parts were done well. The dialogues flowed naturally and wasn't stilted or out of place.
All out happy ending. Like I said, whether ML or FL were willing or not, Lin Luo and Xue Yan are becoming part of his "wife club" is how it was hinted LOL. Again, kudos to writers and director for putting such a bold theme out there in this day and age. Well into the 90s and 2000s regional language Indian cinema also treated bigamy/polygamy casually and boldly. Didn't expect to see something similar in 2025 conveyed in a wholesome way in an entertaining drama. -- "Darling come home soon. I've cooked many dishes for you" XD
Anyway, watch it. Ended up being a great drama that leaves you with a warm feeling.
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