(reposting my comment from the other page of director's cut) I'm glad I had unknowingly started with the director's cut version because apparently that version helped more with sympathizing with Li Chengyin due to the first couple of episodes. I personally never hated him because I understood his perspective; he was a prince out for justice and revenge. Along the way, he had become exactly like those he hated & become like his father (his father who, by the way, ended up losing people he loved/people who loved him because of the power struggle). The parallels and foreshadowing was there. In this fight in the imperial palace, Chengyin would have to be cold and that wasn't what Xiaofeng wanted or needed. She only wanted to be free and loved warmly...in the end, her death was heartbreaking but inevitable. There was no way she ever want to be back in the Eastern Palace where it was miserable. Even if Chengyin promised to protect her, she would never truly be safe from political schemes. Her life as a royal princess was never truly hers, sadly. She also understood that just as she had a duty to her own home, so did Chengyin and that would always be a huge force in their decisions. Their relationship was tragic and doomed from the start because of their circumstances. However, they did love each other very much. It was warped though due to the complicated spiderweb drama and political schemes. It could never be untangled for them to have a pure love. Ultimately, after all the pain he caused her, he suffered by having to live and remember their life. Since he has paid that for decades after, I personally think he's suffered enough at the end and only wish for them to find each other again in the next life and to live as normal people so that they could live a carefree love life.
I'm glad I had unknowingly started with the director's cut version because apparently this version helped more with sympathizing with Li Chengyin. I personally never hated him because I understood his perspective; he was a prince out for justice and revenge. Along the way, he had become exactly like those he hated & become like his father (his father who, by the way, ended up losing people he loved/people who loved him because of the power struggle). The parallels and foreshadowing was there. In this fight in the imperial palace, Chengyin would have to be cold and that wasn't what Xiaofeng wanted or needed. She only wanted to be free and loved warmly...in the end, her death was heartbreaking but inevitable. There was no way she ever want to be back in the Eastern Palace where it was miserable. Even if Chengyin could promised to protect her, she would never truly be safe from political schemings. Her life as a royal princess was never truly hers, sadly. She also understood that just as she had a duty to her own home, so did Chengyin and that would always be a huge force in their decisions. Xiaofeng loved him to the very end and so did he. Ultimately, it is his punishment (to remember their life together) after all the pain he caused her. Since he has paid that, I personally think he's suffered enough at the end and only wish for them to find each other again in the next life and to live as normal people so that they could live a carefree love life.
I wonder though why the episodes got cut down from 44 episodes to 36? I've read in several places that the show got cut down tremendously and that's why it's quite choppy at times. :( I wonder if there's an uncensored version somewhere???
This show is great as long as you set your expectations accordingly. Although romance is a part of it, this show actually focuses a lot on female (consort) friendships and supporting characters. The show breaks the 4th wall several times and is satirical at many times. The comedy and endearing characters carries this show more than the romance. So, if you're here to only care about the romance, you'll be let down tremendously. If you're here to laugh a lot at the shenanigans of the inner palace and from our main character Bu Meng (and how she gets involved in a lot of people's businesses), you'll have a good time.
I enjoyed this drama! It was a little silly in the first half--with her commentaries on the hot guys lmao--but WOW the second half (aka the "second season" of the show) really brought the heartbreak, angst, and tears. That really tied it all together. Overall, the entire show (s1 & s2) was well-paced, cute, comedic, and heartfelt.
Really enjoyed his performances in Lost Love in Times & Lost Love in Times SP. It showed his range from being a sweet guy to a strict and tough one. I look forward to his works!
I enjoyed this! It made me laugh a lot and I actually wished this premise was explored more. They have a good dynamic and it was interesting to see Prince Che's early life and how she entered his life. It's definitely a lot lighter than the original Lost Love in Times. There are also questions about some confusing plot threads, but overall, I enjoyed this.
Finished ep16 and I know that a lot of folks don't like Chu Chu right now, but I just feel so bad for her. She's not wrong when she says the mother treats Qian Qian better and favors Qian Qian. :( I wish Chu Chu didn't have to go this villainness route, but I understand her anger. :(
If you're having trouble watching the drama on the app, you can also watch it on the Youtube Channel if you're patient! They are slowly adding subs to the rest of the episodes. (Like 4 days ago, ep3&4 had no subs, but now they do.) I assume they'll add subs to two episodes every week. So we should get ep5&6 subbed by next week.
This show exceeded my expectations!! It was heartfelt, hilarious, satirical at times, and the romance was well done! I loved how the main leads' romantic relationship matured and overcame obstacles, ultimately revealing how, even though they were lost/insecure before, they truly love each other.
I didn't have any expectations when I started this show but I've quickly become attached to it because of how hilarious it is and the great chemistry between the leads. :D I'm so glad I started this show. (I'm on ep11 now.)
Also, I'm disappointed and sad that she and her sister Chen Chu Chu ARE drifting apart. :( I was really hoping Chu Chu wouldn't become a villain but it looks like that's where the drama is heading. :( She seems awesome and I really don't want her to be. :(((
I'm enjoying this drama very much and considering its genre, I know not to consider it too seriously, but...the whole 'let the bandit go 7 times' fiasco was, well...let's say that I would be pissed as a soldier to have to die for this nonsense. I know that the bandit turns around and allows qian qian to be the leader...but all the deaths??? will she face ANY consequences for her actions? I guess I want this drama to be a just a little bit more serious & have her be more thoughtful. She's done a lot of sketchy things and I just want her to reflect on it a little bit more. EDIT: lmao turns out that all their army is intact and I guess no one died. BUT I stand by my point of hoping that she becomes a little bit more serious.
Towards the end, Mr. Pei is really annoying...he's so obsessed with her and about getting her even though he knows that she doesn't love him...maybe they're setting him to be a bad guy, which is working because I don't like him very much right now (ep20 right now).
I recommend reading sulkytofu's review of it to help you decide! Personally, there are good sweet/romance scenes, but not too much. In the end, it's a political drama so there are times when it is more plot-driven rather than focused on the characters' relationships. Also, at the beginning of the drama, Xie Xiang and Shen Jun Shan have more sweet scenes together. It's more like the middle of the drama and end of the drama where Xie Xiang and Gu Yanzhen become closer.