The drama that sets the bar - Power. Passion. Perfection
If you are contemplating about watching this drama? JUST DO IT NOW!
I read the novel before so I just randomly picked up this drama. At that time, it was still airing and I never dive into ongoing dramas since I am too impatient to wait, but the moment I watched the first episode, I knew I am in for this drama deep!
Script wise, they changed a lot in the novel which was tastefully done because the major plots of the novel was woven beautifully in the drama. I appreciated the characters more in the drama, specially Wei Shao since he was straight up red flag in the novel. Here, he was a whole green forest - especially towards the end. I appreciate how the enemies to lovers trope was created here. It took a while for them to really fall for one another - which again is believable considering that they were REALLY enemies. The tension started out so good and maintained until the drama finished. It is also commendable that misunderstandings in this drama was not stretched out because they communicated with one another. Another win for all of us who is sooo done with dramas that would take forever to resolve conflict which could have been mended with a simple conversation. No dull moments for this one, too. I was hooked in all the 36 episodes. Even the side characters were well thought of and not thrown in the drama just purely for comedic relief because even they had compelling stories, too. The drama also had an ounce of comedy.
Acting wise, as for the leads - 100/10! The moment they eyes met in that *iconic scene* of first time seeing one another, I was drawn into their characters right away. The actors, Liu Yuning and Song Zuer were AMAZING! I do not think its too much of a stretch to say that they are one of the BEST leads to have acted together. Yes! They carried the acting department EQUALLY! They personified the characters, Wei Shao and Manman, so well that I FELT EVERY EMOTION that the characters were feeling and felt like I have journeyed with them with what they were going through - whether it be happiness, anger, jealousy, tension, etc. The way they could invoke emotions and feelings from their eyes alone is a testament of their acting skills. Their chemistry together is also one for the books. I think thats the reason why their intimate scenes together is THEE BEST I have seen in ALL OF CDRAMA LAND - not joking! EXPLOSIVE!
As for the characters, as what I have mentioned, they tweaked the novel to serve the viewers the drama - and it served well! I just want to point out that Manman was exceptionally written in this drama. I also love that they preserved the contrast in the novel of an emotionally stormy husband paired with his calm, soothing, intelligent wife because it formed part of the couple's journey in growing together, in accepting each other's flaws which eventually led to love and forgiveness. Manman was smart and strong - not physically. I love that they showed the viewers that women can manifest strength not on the basis of physical combat or martial arts but in exuding feminine grace. She was of a typical ancient wife (emphasis on ancient) - she prepared meals for her husband, sewn him clothes and shoes, took care of her husband and his family, the mansion, and on top of that she loved "girlie" things and liked to look pretty - which I again appreciate because other dramas tend to look down on these aspects. But in this, I appreciate how they made me realize that these were all strengths of an ancient women. All those seemingly domestic tasks were as needed relative to Wei Shao fighting in a war or going about his tasks as the Lord of Wei. But most of all, she has always been composed and smart. Hence, she could devise a plan and strategize at par with the males (again in context of the ancient setting) which eventually helped in attaining glory for them. As for the male lead, Wei Shao, I appreciate how the drama made him feel truly human—you can genuinely understand the pain and sacrifices that shaped him. His initial anger feels completely justified. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear why he struggled with anger toward the Qiaos for a full 14 years. His doubts were also entirely understandable and never misplaced.
Its also been a long time since I religiously watched an ongoing drama and became obsessed with it. I can confidently say this will set the standard for future dramas with this trope—and it will not be easy to match. As a sucker of romantic period/costume/historical fiction dramas, this one has all the elements that make you drawn to it. I thoroughly enjoyed it that I can say that this will stay on my top lists of best CDramas of all time - at this point, I think even the BEST.
Just like the name implies, I was so hooked on this drama, I might as well be another Prisoner of Beauty. ❤️💯
I read the novel before so I just randomly picked up this drama. At that time, it was still airing and I never dive into ongoing dramas since I am too impatient to wait, but the moment I watched the first episode, I knew I am in for this drama deep!
Script wise, they changed a lot in the novel which was tastefully done because the major plots of the novel was woven beautifully in the drama. I appreciated the characters more in the drama, specially Wei Shao since he was straight up red flag in the novel. Here, he was a whole green forest - especially towards the end. I appreciate how the enemies to lovers trope was created here. It took a while for them to really fall for one another - which again is believable considering that they were REALLY enemies. The tension started out so good and maintained until the drama finished. It is also commendable that misunderstandings in this drama was not stretched out because they communicated with one another. Another win for all of us who is sooo done with dramas that would take forever to resolve conflict which could have been mended with a simple conversation. No dull moments for this one, too. I was hooked in all the 36 episodes. Even the side characters were well thought of and not thrown in the drama just purely for comedic relief because even they had compelling stories, too. The drama also had an ounce of comedy.
Acting wise, as for the leads - 100/10! The moment they eyes met in that *iconic scene* of first time seeing one another, I was drawn into their characters right away. The actors, Liu Yuning and Song Zuer were AMAZING! I do not think its too much of a stretch to say that they are one of the BEST leads to have acted together. Yes! They carried the acting department EQUALLY! They personified the characters, Wei Shao and Manman, so well that I FELT EVERY EMOTION that the characters were feeling and felt like I have journeyed with them with what they were going through - whether it be happiness, anger, jealousy, tension, etc. The way they could invoke emotions and feelings from their eyes alone is a testament of their acting skills. Their chemistry together is also one for the books. I think thats the reason why their intimate scenes together is THEE BEST I have seen in ALL OF CDRAMA LAND - not joking! EXPLOSIVE!
As for the characters, as what I have mentioned, they tweaked the novel to serve the viewers the drama - and it served well! I just want to point out that Manman was exceptionally written in this drama. I also love that they preserved the contrast in the novel of an emotionally stormy husband paired with his calm, soothing, intelligent wife because it formed part of the couple's journey in growing together, in accepting each other's flaws which eventually led to love and forgiveness. Manman was smart and strong - not physically. I love that they showed the viewers that women can manifest strength not on the basis of physical combat or martial arts but in exuding feminine grace. She was of a typical ancient wife (emphasis on ancient) - she prepared meals for her husband, sewn him clothes and shoes, took care of her husband and his family, the mansion, and on top of that she loved "girlie" things and liked to look pretty - which I again appreciate because other dramas tend to look down on these aspects. But in this, I appreciate how they made me realize that these were all strengths of an ancient women. All those seemingly domestic tasks were as needed relative to Wei Shao fighting in a war or going about his tasks as the Lord of Wei. But most of all, she has always been composed and smart. Hence, she could devise a plan and strategize at par with the males (again in context of the ancient setting) which eventually helped in attaining glory for them. As for the male lead, Wei Shao, I appreciate how the drama made him feel truly human—you can genuinely understand the pain and sacrifices that shaped him. His initial anger feels completely justified. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear why he struggled with anger toward the Qiaos for a full 14 years. His doubts were also entirely understandable and never misplaced.
Its also been a long time since I religiously watched an ongoing drama and became obsessed with it. I can confidently say this will set the standard for future dramas with this trope—and it will not be easy to match. As a sucker of romantic period/costume/historical fiction dramas, this one has all the elements that make you drawn to it. I thoroughly enjoyed it that I can say that this will stay on my top lists of best CDramas of all time - at this point, I think even the BEST.
Just like the name implies, I was so hooked on this drama, I might as well be another Prisoner of Beauty. ❤️💯
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