Okay now to answer your questions and theories, firstly it should be understood that XY isn’t a perfct character,…
It always makes me wonder why they choose to butcher a story so badly. Someone obviously liked the story enough to want to make it - but then they go and change its fundamentals - WHY!?!?! I hear this way too often (especially around female characters). As someone whose only experience is going to be the show (i hate reading novels online) - its just makes me mad. And i shouldnt have to go read the novel in order to get the story.
So, I didnt watch this when it first came out - I waited until season 2 was finished and then watched it all at once. Didn't read any reviews or comments until I was done. I have lots of thoughts about this drama and have to say - one of the most frustratingly, annoying drama's I have watched recently. Mostly because of the FL character.. I think the two best characters that had the most depth of character and complex were XL and CX by far and the actors who played them did a fantastic job. While lots of folks had issues with Jing - I got him - he had been betrayed and literally tortured for years by his family which is what caused him to having a hard time standing up to them. I HATED the FL (not the actress, the character) - it felt like one, long, drawn-out pity-party. If I had to hear one more time about her mom 'abandoning' her (the woman went off to war and died ffs - its not like ti was entirely intentional), she gets caught by the nine-tailed fox because she ran away from Jade Mountain because her dad was too busy and CX had been sent off to be hostage prince and dint come and she didnt want to wait anymore - not anyone's fault but her own. Had she stayed on Jade Mountain, when the change occurs, Queen Mother could have fixed up and she would have been fine. What I mostly had issue with this whole abandonment narrative is that she used it as excuse for her bad behavior. She forgives CX in 2 seconds and her dad after five minutes - both of who actually did, intentionally abandon her and yet, Jing gets drugged and manipulated and is forced to marry this other woman and she won't forgive him for decades. So the whole narrative was just inconsistent. It also didnt work for me because she had the experience of having a family - Skinny, Old Mu and Freckles who loved her, took care of her and never let her down or left her - so, to then make this character behave as if she never had this or know what it was like - didnt fit her abandonment/trust narrative. In the end, I got why she needed up with Jing - he was quiet, stable and safe for her. While the passion was clearly with XL - he was the only man of the four that she actually sought out/looked for - but, he was not safe for her - that kind of passion was too scary for her. But she clearly longed for it. CX was always just seen as a brother to her, she never views him as anything other than that. Much to his chagrin. And FL was something she was going to settle on because she thought she couldn't go any other route and it was to help her brother - but absolutely no love there at all.
So, I didnt watch this when it first came out - I waited until season 2 was finished and then watched it all at once. Didn't read any reviews or comments until I was done. I have lots of thoughts about this drama and have to say - one of the most frustratingly, annoying drama's I have watched recently. Mostly because of the FL character.. I think the two best characters that had the most depth of character and complex were XL and CX by far and the actors who played them did a fantastic job. While lots of folks had issues with Jing - I got him - he had been betrayed and literally tortured for years by his family which is what caused him to having a hard time standing up to them. I HATED the FL (not the actress, the character) - it felt like one, long, drawn-out pity-party. If I had to hear one more time about her mom 'abandoning' her (the woman went off to war and died ffs - its not like ti was entirely intentional), she gets caught by the nine-tailed fox because she ran away from Jade Mountain because her dad was too busy and CX had been sent off to be hostage prince and dint come and she didnt want to wait anymore - not anyone's fault but her own. Had she stayed on Jade Mountain, when the change occurs, Queen Mother could have fixed up and she would have been fine. What I mostly had issue with this whole abandonment narrative is that she used it as excuse for her bad behavior. She forgives CX in 2 seconds and her dad after five minutes - both of who actually did, intentionally abandon her and yet, Jing gets drugged and manipulated and is forced to marry this other woman and she won't forgive him for decades. So the whole narrative was just inconsistent. It also didnt work for me because she had the experience of having a family - Skinny, Old Mu and Freckles who loved her, took care of her and never let her down or left her - so, to then make this character behave as if she never had this or know what it was like - didnt fit her abandonment/trust narrative. In the end, I got why she needed up with Jing - he was quiet, stable and safe for her. While the passion was clearly with XL - he was the only man of the four that she actually sought out/looked for - but, he was not safe for her - that kind of passion was too scary for her. But she clearly longed for it. CX was always just seen as a brother to her, she never views him as anything other than that. Much to his chagrin. And FL was something she was going to settle on because she thought she couldn't go any other route and it was to help her brother - but absolutely no love there at all.
Starts of fun and an interesting idea - but just becomes a hot mess rather quickly. The shining star is Lee Jung Eun - her comedic timing (especially with her coworker) - was fantastic. The younger version (Miss Night) - I didnt quite get what all her angst was about - all this low self-esteem and angst just because she couldn't find a job?? There was no real childhood trauma, she had a stable growing up and supportive parents - so her low self-esteem and angst didn't track. I couldn't even get behind the feeling down because she couldn't find a job because it's pretty evident as to why - she is kind of a hot mess and kind of dumb a lot of the time. She spends a majority of this drama either crying, drunk or pouting and just feeling sorry for herself - it was not very appealing and I could quite get what the ML liked about her. The older version (Miss Day) - started out fun and spunky and then just becomes weird as she continues to try and hide who she is. TOTALLY made NO sense why she doesn't tell her family and ML - especially after she tells her bestie, Kwon and the guy who kidnapped her - each of whom totally accepted what was going on tried to help why. Why she would think then that the people who loved her the most wouldn't - just made no sense. They also drag out the ML finding out/figuring it out waaaayyy too long - only for her to kick him to the curb. This would have been more interesting if he knew way sooner and they worked together to figure out why this was happening and solved the mystery. Little to no real romance in this and when there was, didn't work that well - mostly because they spend no real time together in order to build a relationship. It felt very forced for the script.
Starts of fun and an interesting idea - but just becomes a hot mess rather quickly. The shining star is Lee Jung Eun - her comedic timing (especially with her coworker) - was fantastic. The younger version (Miss Night) - I didnt quite get what all her angst was about - all this low self-esteem and angst just because she couldn't find a job?? There was no real childhood trauma, she had a stable growing up and supportive parents - so her low self-esteem and angst didn't track. I couldn't even get behind the feeling down because she couldn't find a job because it's pretty evident as to why - she is kind of a hot mess and kind of dumb a lot of the time. She spends a majority of this drama either crying, drunk or pouting and just feeling sorry for herself - it was not very appealing and I could quite get what the ML liked about her. The older version (Miss Day) - started out fun and spunky and then just becomes weird as she continues to try and hide who she is. TOTALLY made NO sense why she doesn't tell her family and ML - especially after she tells her bestie, Kwon and the guy who kidnapped her - each of whom totally accepted what was going on tried to help why. Why she would think then that the people who loved her the most wouldn't - just made no sense. They also drag out the ML finding out/figuring it out waaaayyy too long - only for her to kick him to the curb. This would have been more interesting if he knew way sooner and they worked together to figure out why this was happening and solved the mystery. Little to no real romance in this and when there was, didn't work that well - mostly because they spend no real time together in order to build a relationship. It felt very forced for the script.
Overall, this pretty good - it's short and quick and mostly enjoyable. Ned to see Rain in more action and more romance dramas for sure! Good chemistry between leads - they got the sizzle, just dont get see too much of it. Edited very strangely, so feels bit choppy in places. Very unsatisfying ending for main couple. but happy all the villains got their comeuppance. Didnt like ending for her husband - so not necessary. TOTALLY didnt realize this was the same guy from Oh My Venus - he looks great with the long hair! Hope to see more of him as it look like he has not been in much since OMV. Character of FL was a bit strange as she doesn't do much - is just kind of there (pulls one good punch with the press conference, but not much after that - so this was disappointing - she could have been much more active in the story besides just being the damsel in distress)
I am usually one to bear through a drama once I start - but this is just bad. Boring snooze-fest. None of the characters (including leads) are very interesting. Annoying FL who lets everyone walk all over her (so far) because she is "nice", just pouts all the time - I just cant.. ML who is stiff and boring. Already calling the BS with the aunt (and that was even before I read the comments). So, super-predicatable - we have seen this drama 100's of times and done waaaay better - dont waste your time and go find something else to watch
Just finished this and let's just say my head hurts with what a hot mess this script is. There is nothing more I hate than when writers/directors think we are just stupid. I had so much second hand embarrassment for the actors (especially the first half) that their time and talents were put through this. SOOOO many plot holes and stupid plot tricks - mostly to get FL always in the middle of things) - with most of the time, just made no sense. Another female lead character that gets introduced to us as a doctor and a has martial arts skills and then rapidly devolves into a damsel-in-distress character - mostly because they just had her doing stupid shit cause she thought she could be 'helpful' or thought she was being clever and could solve stuff, just plain nosey in really dumb spots and wouldn't listen to anyone - which then ALWAYS caused her to have to be rescued. It just became too annoying after a awhile Also the weird (to me) thing they do with grown women- super childish behavior (she was a doctor and a business woman ffs - stop making her act like a 12 yr old., and yet...), super cheerful and upbeat -which never works for me given her childhood trauma - she doesn't need to be negative or super-dark, but would definitely have more edge to her and not be overly optimistic about EVERYTHING. No real chemistry between main leads - I mean they were kind of cute - but mostly a miss on this front. 2nd and third couples were way more interesting. Fight scenes were petty good But, overall, even with LYX mostly holding this up - I would not recommend this one to folks.
Wrapped this up yesterday and have to say - one of the more frustrating dramas out there and this COMPLETELY on the scriptwriter and director - just a complete and utter fail. Starts off ok - interesting concept and the quickly delves into a hot, hot mess. TOO much time spent on SML, rushed ending (even the extra episode couldn't save it as that was just one of the strangest episode that just made no sense). I could go on - but feel like some many of the reviews above have already captured what went horribly wrong with this drama. I would say you ONLY enjoy this if you want some ZLH time - otherwise, go watch something else and save yourself the frustration
Came back to rewatch this for the first time after originally seeing it years ago. I remember enjoying it the first time - not so much the second time. Would also love to be a able to see previous comments to see my reaction the first time I watched this. The parts that still held up was the really good, healthy relationship the two main characters have once together, but that takes FOREVER! They really are sweet, supportive, communicate well and show great affection with each other - like normal adults. Sadly this does not come until ep 20. What I couldn't stand was the horrible baby-voice speaking affect of the FL (very common in cdrama land and still annoying as can be) - its even more annoying when you know this is purely an affect as Dilreba does not talk like this in real life - so the intentional effort to have her speak like a child is just annoying. And I so wish they would get over the skin whitening look - this paired with the orange lipstick and eyeshadow were just not that flattering to her. I also had a hard time taking seriously a 30yr old woman who acted like teenager for a lot of this - I mean come on! she is 30yrs old, a professional woman at the top her industry and she behaved like she was 15yrs (mostly in the first half - slightly better after they got together, but not that much). Also wish they had given this character more growth - she is basically a pampered super-star, comes from an affluent family and doesn't experience ANY adversity along the way - so she is kind of a static character in that aspect (and. you cant count getting criticized on a set or that the boy she confessed to didnt like her - thats not real adversity) So could not have cared less about the whole e-sport/gaming stuff - not very fun to watch other people play a video game and this went on for waaaayyyy too long. The aerospace stuff was kind of cool to a point - but the overly propagandized part of it was a turnoff for me.
Just finished this up and it is one of the better dramas out there. Totally worth a watch. Its greatest strength is the cinemetogragphy - just beautifully filmed. There were a few things that were a bit overdone or repetitive (for instance, the overuse of the close up, looking straight into the camera shot - super-impactful, but just overused. Director also clearly liked the wind fan - lots of beautiful shots with the clothing billowing in the wind). I also felt like so much of this was just set ups for the beautiful shot and the story was less important. Thought all the actors/actresses did a really good job in their roles - it was one of those good ones where every character mattered and there really wasn't one I didn't like. That all being said -here were my few critics of where the story/characters that didnt quite work for me: FL character - the swapping of identities - it didnt work for me because the two characters aren't even close in age to begin with. Feng Fei is older and has been married for a bit, whereas Jiang Li is no more than 18yrs. Then add in the actress playing this character is 33yrs old in real life - how anyone would think she 18 is beyond me - so it never worked for me from the get go on that point. While I loved Duke Su and a big fan of the actor - it was so obvious he is young and still earning his chops. I just kept thinking how much more depth that character would have been with someone slightly older and more meat to him. And while we all enjoy the bare chested scenes - this is where it became the most obvious that he is scrawny 22 yrs old (well, except for those arms - my god!) Loved most of his red outfits - but the rest he looked like he was drowning a bit. I do look forward to watching him the future as he matures Do have to say - their chemistry was off-the-charts! DID NOT like what happens to the sidekicks - so not necessary - not sure if this is the same in the book. These were two well-developed and beloved characters and it just didn't seem necessary at all.
I so wish I could figure out how to find comments made earlier so I could see if I had the same thoughts as when I first watched this :) Overall, I would say this is one of the better cdramas out there - not perfect, mostly because it kind of goes off the rails in the last 10 episodes and then a super-rushed ending - but the majority of this is a really well-done stories and really great cast. Seriously - one of THE BEST emperors out there, loved the relationship between the Empress and Consort Yue - NO DRAMA, it was great! I have to say the only character that I could have totally done without, was her grandmother or they could have least toned her down - I basically wanted to throat-punch her every time she was on-screen. Every else was wonderful.
Interesting concept - but a little too hard to track - so you really have to pay close attention. ML was outstanding - a man going through some serious depression - this is what this looks like, so yes, he would have been an absent dad. I I like how they dont make it a straight journey back and he is able to pull himself together when he falters -very well done I-Na is adorable and this whole story arc is really well done LOVED Donghee - bitchiness and all - great story arc for her as well Another asian drama with horrible moms - both his mom and hers - just not likable people at all His mom annoyed me with her 'dreams' that after a lifetime she still didnt know how to interpret and got it wrong EVERYTIME and then didnt learn a damn thing.She was also so selfish and greedy - just yuk! Didnt like her mom being redeemed in the end - she had just done too many horrible things Main romance - just did not work for me AT ALL. Mostly because I couldn't find enough sympathy for the FL until late in the drama and by then it was too late - especially after she was ok with I-Na being stalked and terrorized - I was pretty much out then. I felt no chemistry between them and its just comes together too late. I mean you kind of get there in the end - but I was just like, nope, wish he had moved on from her and that somehow this great love story is based on him saving her from a fire when she was a teenager?? it was all just too much to sort out to make it work well. And, whoever did the FL's makeup - the really bad lipstick that was soooo distracting - trying to giver her fuller lips and it just looked like she had eaten too much spicy food and her lips were swollen. And when its that noticeable and distracting you have done abad job - just sayin'
rewatched this while waiting on a few other dramas to wrap and man did it NOT hold up for me. I mean - it's a pretty standard rom-com with all the same silly tropes and the is totally fine (kinda what you expect from this kind of drama). But I remember somewhat enjoying this the first go around - but I did not enjoy it so much this time. Your typical tsundre male chaoebol CEO who falls for the chaotic "commoner" story - ok, whatever. The typical having the besties on each side fall for each other - so overdone. Just sooooo tired of female leads (the characters, not the actors) - who are portrayed as not having a whole lot of self-worth, she was ready to jump out her skin for most of the drama - like, serious girl, learn to calm down! The societal standard that the wealthy guy is more important. It all just irks me. I want to see a strong female lead who can isn't afraid of everything, including her parents. Grandpa starts of kind of cute - but the schtick when on too long that it became kind of weird and creepy how obsessed he was with is grandson getting married - like, dude, give it up already! It just got annoying. Second couple was ok - better than most, but the SFL was just a bit much in her dramatics sometimes - mad every five-seconds from misunderstandings (mostly hers) - that the SML kept having to apologize for - just didnt care for it after a while.
This series will truly go down as one of the all-time cdrama masterpieces. Just phenomenal writing and amazing cast. And it will always be a pure miracle that after 4 years (lord - cant believe it was that long) they managed to get almost the entire cast back and the seamlessness between season 1 and season 2 was almost flawless. I think a large part of this is due to Zhang Ruo Yun - he just did not skip a beat - kudos to him for such a brilliant job. Amazing cast of character all the way around with the highlights being all the papa bears to FX (Emperor, CPP, the PM, his Dad, his mentor), Uncle Wu, Wang Qi and the Saintess - just the best! Season 2 gets little more draggy than Season 1 - but not bad and the story holds up. I got a little bored with the Second prince rivalry thing as it started to not make a whole lot sense after a while - but its a good thread throughout - it just started to be a bit single note for too long, but its ok and just when you thought they might actually redeem him - he then goes the complete opposite (will have to wait until season 3 to see where he ultimately ends up) Ming family stuff at the end had some disturbing scenes - which made me curious as to where they are going to go for season 3. Loved the the Emperor in Season 1 - how languid and smooth he was there - didn't quite hold up on Season 2 - but he was still cool and kept you guessing - one of the better Emperors in all of cdrama land. The one character I really did struggle with, though both seasons. is the Wan'er character. She really was the only character that felt like a pure plot device for me. I got why he liked her and it makes sense for his character - but she was just so uninteresting in the end, kind of blah - and if you removed her from the story, it wouldn't have changed it that much. I just kept hoping they were going to do something more there and they didnt - so she also just become disappointing. And then there was the whole deal with her brother that just became this ridiculously contrived reason to have her get mad at the FX (luckily it doesn't last) but it was still stupid at this point in the story. It is interesting that list this character as a min character when she barely around - it really is more of a supporting character. But even with that being said - it didnt take away from the story - didnt add much to it, but didnt distract at all. Cant wait now for season 3 - lets hope it not too far into 2025!
As if k-pop idols don't have 30+ yr old fangirls. Most of the k-pop groups who are in the industry for 10+yrs…
i am in my 50’s and love K-pop groups - but i dont plaster my walls with posters (something i only did as a teenager) and I dont spend money I dont have on idol merch (lets remember she is unemployed at this time) - just sayin’ - it doesnt work for me as a character
I hear this way too often (especially around female characters). As someone whose only experience is going to be the show (i hate reading novels online) - its just makes me mad. And i shouldnt have to go read the novel in order to get the story.
I have lots of thoughts about this drama and have to say - one of the most frustratingly, annoying drama's I have watched recently. Mostly because of the FL character..
I think the two best characters that had the most depth of character and complex were XL and CX by far and the actors who played them did a fantastic job.
While lots of folks had issues with Jing - I got him - he had been betrayed and literally tortured for years by his family which is what caused him to having a hard time standing up to them.
I HATED the FL (not the actress, the character) - it felt like one, long, drawn-out pity-party. If I had to hear one more time about her mom 'abandoning' her (the woman went off to war and died ffs - its not like ti was entirely intentional), she gets caught by the nine-tailed fox because she ran away from Jade Mountain because her dad was too busy and CX had been sent off to be hostage prince and dint come and she didnt want to wait anymore - not anyone's fault but her own. Had she stayed on Jade Mountain, when the change occurs, Queen Mother could have fixed up and she would have been fine.
What I mostly had issue with this whole abandonment narrative is that she used it as excuse for her bad behavior. She forgives CX in 2 seconds and her dad after five minutes - both of who actually did, intentionally abandon her and yet, Jing gets drugged and manipulated and is forced to marry this other woman and she won't forgive him for decades. So the whole narrative was just inconsistent.
It also didnt work for me because she had the experience of having a family - Skinny, Old Mu and Freckles who loved her, took care of her and never let her down or left her - so, to then make this character behave as if she never had this or know what it was like - didnt fit her abandonment/trust narrative.
In the end, I got why she needed up with Jing - he was quiet, stable and safe for her.
While the passion was clearly with XL - he was the only man of the four that she actually sought out/looked for - but, he was not safe for her - that kind of passion was too scary for her. But she clearly longed for it.
CX was always just seen as a brother to her, she never views him as anything other than that. Much to his chagrin.
And FL was something she was going to settle on because she thought she couldn't go any other route and it was to help her brother - but absolutely no love there at all.
I have lots of thoughts about this drama and have to say - one of the most frustratingly, annoying drama's I have watched recently. Mostly because of the FL character..
I think the two best characters that had the most depth of character and complex were XL and CX by far and the actors who played them did a fantastic job.
While lots of folks had issues with Jing - I got him - he had been betrayed and literally tortured for years by his family which is what caused him to having a hard time standing up to them.
I HATED the FL (not the actress, the character) - it felt like one, long, drawn-out pity-party. If I had to hear one more time about her mom 'abandoning' her (the woman went off to war and died ffs - its not like ti was entirely intentional), she gets caught by the nine-tailed fox because she ran away from Jade Mountain because her dad was too busy and CX had been sent off to be hostage prince and dint come and she didnt want to wait anymore - not anyone's fault but her own. Had she stayed on Jade Mountain, when the change occurs, Queen Mother could have fixed up and she would have been fine.
What I mostly had issue with this whole abandonment narrative is that she used it as excuse for her bad behavior. She forgives CX in 2 seconds and her dad after five minutes - both of who actually did, intentionally abandon her and yet, Jing gets drugged and manipulated and is forced to marry this other woman and she won't forgive him for decades. So the whole narrative was just inconsistent.
It also didnt work for me because she had the experience of having a family - Skinny, Old Mu and Freckles who loved her, took care of her and never let her down or left her - so, to then make this character behave as if she never had this or know what it was like - didnt fit her abandonment/trust narrative.
In the end, I got why she needed up with Jing - he was quiet, stable and safe for her.
While the passion was clearly with XL - he was the only man of the four that she actually sought out/looked for - but, he was not safe for her - that kind of passion was too scary for her. But she clearly longed for it.
CX was always just seen as a brother to her, she never views him as anything other than that. Much to his chagrin.
And FL was something she was going to settle on because she thought she couldn't go any other route and it was to help her brother - but absolutely no love there at all.
The shining star is Lee Jung Eun - her comedic timing (especially with her coworker) - was fantastic.
The younger version (Miss Night) - I didnt quite get what all her angst was about - all this low self-esteem and angst just because she couldn't find a job?? There was no real childhood trauma, she had a stable growing up and supportive parents - so her low self-esteem and angst didn't track. I couldn't even get behind the feeling down because she couldn't find a job because it's pretty evident as to why - she is kind of a hot mess and kind of dumb a lot of the time. She spends a majority of this drama either crying, drunk or pouting and just feeling sorry for herself - it was not very appealing and I could quite get what the ML liked about her.
The older version (Miss Day) - started out fun and spunky and then just becomes weird as she continues to try and hide who she is.
TOTALLY made NO sense why she doesn't tell her family and ML - especially after she tells her bestie, Kwon and the guy who kidnapped her - each of whom totally accepted what was going on tried to help why. Why she would think then that the people who loved her the most wouldn't - just made no sense.
They also drag out the ML finding out/figuring it out waaaayyy too long - only for her to kick him to the curb. This would have been more interesting if he knew way sooner and they worked together to figure out why this was happening and solved the mystery.
Little to no real romance in this and when there was, didn't work that well - mostly because they spend no real time together in order to build a relationship. It felt very forced for the script.
The shining star is Lee Jung Eun - her comedic timing (especially with her coworker) - was fantastic.
The younger version (Miss Night) - I didnt quite get what all her angst was about - all this low self-esteem and angst just because she couldn't find a job?? There was no real childhood trauma, she had a stable growing up and supportive parents - so her low self-esteem and angst didn't track. I couldn't even get behind the feeling down because she couldn't find a job because it's pretty evident as to why - she is kind of a hot mess and kind of dumb a lot of the time. She spends a majority of this drama either crying, drunk or pouting and just feeling sorry for herself - it was not very appealing and I could quite get what the ML liked about her.
The older version (Miss Day) - started out fun and spunky and then just becomes weird as she continues to try and hide who she is.
TOTALLY made NO sense why she doesn't tell her family and ML - especially after she tells her bestie, Kwon and the guy who kidnapped her - each of whom totally accepted what was going on tried to help why. Why she would think then that the people who loved her the most wouldn't - just made no sense.
They also drag out the ML finding out/figuring it out waaaayyy too long - only for her to kick him to the curb. This would have been more interesting if he knew way sooner and they worked together to figure out why this was happening and solved the mystery.
Little to no real romance in this and when there was, didn't work that well - mostly because they spend no real time together in order to build a relationship. It felt very forced for the script.
Edited very strangely, so feels bit choppy in places. Very unsatisfying ending for main couple. but happy all the villains got their comeuppance. Didnt like ending for her husband - so not necessary. TOTALLY didnt realize this was the same guy from Oh My Venus - he looks great with the long hair! Hope to see more of him as it look like he has not been in much since OMV. Character of FL was a bit strange as she doesn't do much - is just kind of there (pulls one good punch with the press conference, but not much after that - so this was disappointing - she could have been much more active in the story besides just being the damsel in distress)
I had so much second hand embarrassment for the actors (especially the first half) that their time and talents were put through this.
SOOOO many plot holes and stupid plot tricks - mostly to get FL always in the middle of things) - with most of the time, just made no sense.
Another female lead character that gets introduced to us as a doctor and a has martial arts skills and then rapidly devolves into a damsel-in-distress character - mostly because they just had her doing stupid shit cause she thought she could be 'helpful' or thought she was being clever and could solve stuff, just plain nosey in really dumb spots and wouldn't listen to anyone - which then ALWAYS caused her to have to be rescued. It just became too annoying after a awhile Also the weird (to me) thing they do with grown women- super childish behavior (she was a doctor and a business woman ffs - stop making her act like a 12 yr old., and yet...), super cheerful and upbeat -which never works for me given her childhood trauma - she doesn't need to be negative or super-dark, but would definitely have more edge to her and not be overly optimistic about EVERYTHING.
No real chemistry between main leads - I mean they were kind of cute - but mostly a miss on this front. 2nd and third couples were way more interesting.
Fight scenes were petty good
But, overall, even with LYX mostly holding this up - I would not recommend this one to folks.
I would say you ONLY enjoy this if you want some ZLH time - otherwise, go watch something else and save yourself the frustration
The parts that still held up was the really good, healthy relationship the two main characters have once together, but that takes FOREVER! They really are sweet, supportive, communicate well and show great affection with each other - like normal adults. Sadly this does not come until ep 20.
What I couldn't stand was the horrible baby-voice speaking affect of the FL (very common in cdrama land and still annoying as can be) - its even more annoying when you know this is purely an affect as Dilreba does not talk like this in real life - so the intentional effort to have her speak like a child is just annoying.
And I so wish they would get over the skin whitening look - this paired with the orange lipstick and eyeshadow were just not that flattering to her.
I also had a hard time taking seriously a 30yr old woman who acted like teenager for a lot of this - I mean come on! she is 30yrs old, a professional woman at the top her industry and she behaved like she was 15yrs (mostly in the first half - slightly better after they got together, but not that much).
Also wish they had given this character more growth - she is basically a pampered super-star, comes from an affluent family and doesn't experience ANY adversity along the way - so she is kind of a static character in that aspect (and. you cant count getting criticized on a set or that the boy she confessed to didnt like her - thats not real adversity)
So could not have cared less about the whole e-sport/gaming stuff - not very fun to watch other people play a video game and this went on for waaaayyyy too long.
The aerospace stuff was kind of cool to a point - but the overly propagandized part of it was a turnoff for me.
Its greatest strength is the cinemetogragphy - just beautifully filmed. There were a few things that were a bit overdone or repetitive (for instance, the overuse of the close up, looking straight into the camera shot - super-impactful, but just overused. Director also clearly liked the wind fan - lots of beautiful shots with the clothing billowing in the wind). I also felt like so much of this was just set ups for the beautiful shot and the story was less important.
Thought all the actors/actresses did a really good job in their roles - it was one of those good ones where every character mattered and there really wasn't one I didn't like.
That all being said -here were my few critics of where the story/characters that didnt quite work for me:
FL character - the swapping of identities - it didnt work for me because the two characters aren't even close in age to begin with. Feng Fei is older and has been married for a bit, whereas Jiang Li is no more than 18yrs. Then add in the actress playing this character is 33yrs old in real life - how anyone would think she 18 is beyond me - so it never worked for me from the get go on that point.
While I loved Duke Su and a big fan of the actor - it was so obvious he is young and still earning his chops. I just kept thinking how much more depth that character would have been with someone slightly older and more meat to him. And while we all enjoy the bare chested scenes - this is where it became the most obvious that he is scrawny 22 yrs old (well, except for those arms - my god!) Loved most of his red outfits - but the rest he looked like he was drowning a bit. I do look forward to watching him the future as he matures
Do have to say - their chemistry was off-the-charts!
DID NOT like what happens to the sidekicks - so not necessary - not sure if this is the same in the book. These were two well-developed and beloved characters and it just didn't seem necessary at all.
Overall, I would say this is one of the better cdramas out there - not perfect, mostly because it kind of goes off the rails in the last 10 episodes and then a super-rushed ending - but the majority of this is a really well-done stories and really great cast.
Seriously - one of THE BEST emperors out there, loved the relationship between the Empress and Consort Yue - NO DRAMA, it was great!
I have to say the only character that I could have totally done without, was her grandmother or they could have least toned her down - I basically wanted to throat-punch her every time she was on-screen. Every else was wonderful.
ML was outstanding - a man going through some serious depression - this is what this looks like, so yes, he would have been an absent dad. I I like how they dont make it a straight journey back and he is able to pull himself together when he falters -very well done
I-Na is adorable and this whole story arc is really well done
LOVED Donghee - bitchiness and all - great story arc for her as well
Another asian drama with horrible moms - both his mom and hers - just not likable people at all
His mom annoyed me with her 'dreams' that after a lifetime she still didnt know how to interpret and got it wrong EVERYTIME and then didnt learn a damn thing.She was also so selfish and greedy - just yuk!
Didnt like her mom being redeemed in the end - she had just done too many horrible things
Main romance - just did not work for me AT ALL. Mostly because I couldn't find enough sympathy for the FL until late in the drama and by then it was too late - especially after she was ok with I-Na being stalked and terrorized - I was pretty much out then. I felt no chemistry between them and its just comes together too late. I mean you kind of get there in the end - but I was just like, nope, wish he had moved on from her and that somehow this great love story is based on him saving her from a fire when she was a teenager?? it was all just too much to sort out to make it work well.
And, whoever did the FL's makeup - the really bad lipstick that was soooo distracting - trying to giver her fuller lips and it just looked like she had eaten too much spicy food and her lips were swollen. And when its that noticeable and distracting you have done abad job - just sayin'
Your typical tsundre male chaoebol CEO who falls for the chaotic "commoner" story - ok, whatever. The typical having the besties on each side fall for each other - so overdone.
Just sooooo tired of female leads (the characters, not the actors) - who are portrayed as not having a whole lot of self-worth, she was ready to jump out her skin for most of the drama - like, serious girl, learn to calm down! The societal standard that the wealthy guy is more important. It all just irks me. I want to see a strong female lead who can isn't afraid of everything, including her parents.
Grandpa starts of kind of cute - but the schtick when on too long that it became kind of weird and creepy how obsessed he was with is grandson getting married - like, dude, give it up already! It just got annoying.
Second couple was ok - better than most, but the SFL was just a bit much in her dramatics sometimes - mad every five-seconds from misunderstandings (mostly hers) - that the SML kept having to apologize for - just didnt care for it after a while.
Amazing cast of character all the way around with the highlights being all the papa bears to FX (Emperor, CPP, the PM, his Dad, his mentor), Uncle Wu, Wang Qi and the Saintess - just the best!
Season 2 gets little more draggy than Season 1 - but not bad and the story holds up.
I got a little bored with the Second prince rivalry thing as it started to not make a whole lot sense after a while - but its a good thread throughout - it just started to be a bit single note for too long, but its ok and just when you thought they might actually redeem him - he then goes the complete opposite (will have to wait until season 3 to see where he ultimately ends up)
Ming family stuff at the end had some disturbing scenes - which made me curious as to where they are going to go for season 3.
Loved the the Emperor in Season 1 - how languid and smooth he was there - didn't quite hold up on Season 2 - but he was still cool and kept you guessing - one of the better Emperors in all of cdrama land.
The one character I really did struggle with, though both seasons. is the Wan'er character. She really was the only character that felt like a pure plot device for me. I got why he liked her and it makes sense for his character - but she was just so uninteresting in the end, kind of blah - and if you removed her from the story, it wouldn't have changed it that much. I just kept hoping they were going to do something more there and they didnt - so she also just become disappointing. And then there was the whole deal with her brother that just became this ridiculously contrived reason to have her get mad at the FX (luckily it doesn't last) but it was still stupid at this point in the story. It is interesting that list this character as a min character when she barely around - it really is more of a supporting character. But even with that being said - it didnt take away from the story - didnt add much to it, but didnt distract at all.
Cant wait now for season 3 - lets hope it not too far into 2025!