The best drama ever!! I couldn’t stop thinking about it for days!!
This has to be one of the best shows of all time, if not the best!! I LOVE the lead pair soooooo much!! They’re officially my fav couple of all time, topping Huang Rong and Guo Jing, Legend of the Condor Heroes (2003), Zhang Wuji & Zhao Min, Heavenly Sword and Dragon Saber (2003), Qiao Feng and A’Zhu, Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (2003), and Ren Ying Ying & Linghu Chong, The Smiling Proud Wanderer (2001). I can’t believe I put it off for so long, thinking it would be a typical court drama, but boy, was I so wrong. Everything is perfect in terms of acting, story, characters, production, screenplay, cinematography, camera work, OST, and casting. There are no ideal dramas, but this show is the closest to perfection among the dramas I’ve seen. I will be rewatching it multiple times in the future.
Update 9/23/2025:
I have rewatched the show twice since I posted the initial review, lol. It gets better with each rewatch and helps you better understand the plot's intricacies, characters, and motivations. It might be one of the few shows where I equally like all the protagonists and antagonists. Not to mention, we have different types of incredible, nuanced, badass, and impactful female characters, and the show gave them full justice. The show made me head over heels for Princess Nihuang's character and Liu Tao, but that’s for another time.
Update 9/23/2025:
I have rewatched the show twice since I posted the initial review, lol. It gets better with each rewatch and helps you better understand the plot's intricacies, characters, and motivations. It might be one of the few shows where I equally like all the protagonists and antagonists. Not to mention, we have different types of incredible, nuanced, badass, and impactful female characters, and the show gave them full justice. The show made me head over heels for Princess Nihuang's character and Liu Tao, but that’s for another time.
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