Just finished this up - was quick and easy to watch Positives - good chemistry with leads and lots of skin-ship (in the right places), her grandpa; Duke Shen and Duke Xu towards the end - the whole fishy story scene was hysterical, none of the good people die, the Shen brothers relationship; happy endings all the way around. Downside - mostly the FL character - and this is just mostly due to bad writing. While it’s called The Sassy Princess - not so much or at least not consistently. I was all for the sassy girl in the opening sequence with her step mom - she was confident and smart - but it quickly turns to just being petulant. I get the childhood trauma and that led to grandpa spoiling her - but she was 20ys old when we join this story - so it was too much. I also did enjoy her initial forwardness with the ML - it was refreshing to have the female be this way - but it quickly turns to harassment and stalking. I also dont like the whole push-pull trope for female characters - they try to play it off as being cute and flirty - but it’s just sending mixed signals and annoying. I also am getting a bit tired of the story-line when the leads confess undying love and trust to each other and then the very next day, almost always the female leads bails because someone whispers in their ear some sort of nonsense that chose to believe instead of doing what they just promised to the person they just said they loved and trusted the most - cant have it both ways people!
Another cdrama ruined by bad writing, some ridiculously annoying characters (looking at you BFF’s) and a horrible ending. Another FL who is just dumb (played off as being naive, and sweet- but, really just dumb - how many times are you gonna go straight to the evil ex and believe everything he says). Overall, she’s just not that smart. Really hated the stying of the FL with the ridiculous short/shorts and skirts with the clunky shoes - and why was she always in these princess outfits - always way overdressed for her profession and for someone who has no real income. Stop with the thigh boots on short people and childish headbands - not an attractive look for a grown woman Both best friends (his and hers) were beyond annoying and I hate the trop of always pairing them up. Girl BF was kind of abusive and a bit of a bully and male BF was so childish (and the horrible ‘Elvis’ hairdo was awful) I’m so get that Asian culture is obsessed with the porcelain white skin - but when it makes the actor/actress look sickly and like they haven’t been out in the sun their whole lives - its just not attractive AT ALL (looking at you FL and male’s best friend) - they both looked like vampires - it was distracting and not appealing in the slightest Note to writers/directors - if you are going to make us suffer through a story at least give us a good payout at the end - this ending was such a let down.
Just finished this up and would say that you should only watch this if you are really, really into military/medical dramas and you like JH - cause that would be about the only reason to watch this hot, hot mess of a drama. I’ll tart with the positives - ML - played this character perfectly and I appreciated have a ML whose physique fit the role as a-posed to all the super-skinny idol boys; while I found it weird at first - the cat ended up being quite fun; Tian Yong character - what a sweet lovely man Now to the bad - most of the female characters with the exception of her mom and Meng Zhen - they were all just cray-cray. I seriously thought throughout the whole drama that whoever wrote this must really hate women. Let’s start with the FL - she is a bratty, know-it-all, preachy princess and spends too much time throwing tantrums. And her mood swings would give you whiplash - I couldn’t keep up most of time. The best friend - dear lord - what were they thinking - could you have written a more pathetic, desperate character? The cousin kind of redeems herself in the end - but, man all the screaming was too much. His mom - the tropey mom who is obsessed with her son getting married in a VERY unhealthy manner And just when I didn’t think it couldn’t get any worse - what they did to the Tian Yong character in the end was just plain WRONG on every level - this character was just the sweetest, kindest soul - they did him so wrong!
Just finished it - what a little gem to stumble across - had me sweetest giggling in so many place. Great girl/woman power vibe, liked that no one dies, no annoying servants/aids - just the opposite - some of them stole the show (looking at you Secretary Su!), great side couple - I usually hate this as well - but they did a great job on this front. Leads were great - although their coming together takes a bit too long - mostly impaired by the arrival of Yuan Ying - this story arc takes FOREVER and you spend so much of just waiting for her to go. While I like the second couples romance (Shang Guan and Yin Qi) - I could have done without her carrying that damn sword - that was way too big - around everywhere - only because it became a schtick - especially since you only ever see her fight in one scene and that’s towards the end of the drama - so she just becomes the ‘tough girl’ who walked around with this huge sword all over the place. A very one-not character. I also could have done without all of her hitting of YQ - it was too much. Only negative for main couple was the amount of time it takes for them to come together and especially the FL’s lack of awareness towards the ML for far too long - otherwise, they are cute and ML has THE BEST facial expressions.
Just finished it - what a little gem to stumble across - had me sweetest giggling in so many place. Great girl/woman power vibe, liked that no one dies, no annoying servants/aids - just the opposite - some of them stole the show (looking at you Secretary Su!), great side couple - I usually hate this as well - but they did a great job on this front. Leads were great - although their coming together takes a bit too long - mostly impaired by the arrival of Yuan Ying - this story arc takes FOREVER and you spend so much of just waiting for her to go. While I like the second couples romance (Shang Guan and Yin Qi) - I could have done without her carrying that damn sword - that was way too big - around everywhere - only because it became a schtick - especially since you only ever see her fight in one scene and that’s towards the end of the drama - so she just becomes the ‘tough girl’ who walked around with this huge sword all over the place. A very one-not character. I also could have done without all of her hitting of YQ - it was too much. Only negative for main couple was the amount of time it takes for them to come together and especially the FL’s lack of awareness towards the ML for far too long - otherwise, they are cute and ML has THE BEST facial expressions.
Just finished and would just say - that if you like romance drama - give it a go - but don't expect much from it and it has super-draggy parts. I love both these lead actors - but the romance part of this just felt like two middle-schoolers instead of full-grown, professional adults. They were cute, but that was about it. Didnt feel like there was much character development for either of them - so it kind of stalls out pretty quickly cause it doesn't go anywhere. Loved his sister and their relationship - one of the best parts of the drama Down sides: (and some of this is totally superficial) The whisper/mumbly voice but he FL - I get they were trying to go for soft/cute/sweet - but it just came across as insecure - especially when she does it at work. Whoever thought the grandma shoes and white socks was a good idea - should be banned from styling dramas - I didnt mind the casual clothing - but the socks and those black, clunky shoes were the worst! The typical - do as I say, not as I do story - she gets mad at him for not sharing his medical scare(although she is the first person he tells once he comes to grip with it), but then fails to discuss her applying to an overseas program (he finds out from someone else) The whole opening story arc at training where she repeatedly breaks the rules - not once, not twice, but three times and then wont accept the consequences of doing that.
I tried - only got 3 episodes in and I just couldn’t. The very premise was kind of disturbing to me - that the FL basically lies about everything about herself - like EVERYTHING and somehow we are supposed to root for this character as she somehow redeems herself - just cant.
just started this cause of PS - but seriously - why do they insist on making FL this way - only on episode 5 and I have lost count of how many times she has tripped, fallen, broken something, etcc. And then there is just the bratty/defensive behavior - she is basically responsible for all the mishaps - but them immediately cops an attitude - its kind of annoying
Update: finished - only cause it was short and quick. But man, what bad writing. Main leads were kind of stiff and no real chemistry (the brother and fashion editor were waaaayyy better). And the whole amnesia, Rouxi, Bin Bai, birthmark story arc at the end was just RIDICULOUSLY dumb.
not bad for 60 episodes - but not great. Started off with a bang, great humor and one of the better gender-bender dramas. I mean, seriously, if you aren't laughing out-loud at some of the brothers scenes - lol!! But then around ep20 - it's like they just decided to go in a whole different direction and got super-serious, main leads were mostly absent for a while. Its like they decided, the first part didn't work - lets change direction and start all-over, so story comes to a complete halt while they have to go back and fill-in all this background before they go forward again. Picks back up around ep30. Main couple were really cute together, liked ML character development from impudent, spoiled rich kid to full partner that adores his wife. FL was pretty much the same throughout - but great portrayal of a female general. HATED the ending - the weird time-jump to them being grandparents - that we didnt get to see them being parents At ALL - especially ML - was just a complete let-down.
Just finished this and would agree that it wasnt’t great - but not bad - interesting enough premise to keep me going for 12 episodes. Some odd choices for me were the continued ominous music whenever Kang Min Ki is around (like he is up to something nefarious) - to then that not really be the case Odd styling choices for ML -the overly baggy suits, the stringy bangs that you just wanted to get out of his eyes the whole time and what is up with the heavy, pale foundation makeup and lipstick - it was so obvious and did not flatter him at all. (This heavy foundation that is super-pale seems to be a trend in recent karmas - King the Land was the same way and they need to stop doing it - they all look a little sickly) I will award the second couple (Cho Won and Do Yoon) - the MOST awkward kiss award (seriously - sooooo awkward) Ending, as commented enough here - poorly done in that it had sooooo many plot holes in it
Just finished this up and would say I did hate it, but didnt love it either - its was just ok - pretty standard rom-com for the most part. I like the two main lead actors - just didn't really like them together in this one. Her girlfriends and grandma were wonderful. Like how they did address plight of workers - especially the parts about bosses taking advantage and the stigma of divorce. His assistant guy was a bit much for and even found him a bit creepy at times. Could have done without the Thailand tourist promo trip (that whole episode was just a waste of time and I would have killed MR. No by the end of that trip) and the amusement park date (what is the obsession with going to amusement parks for dates? I just don't get it) - especially that they dressed dup as high-schoolers when they did it - very strange. And what is the deal with the big wedding at the end, just to stick the bride in a hideous dress - seriously, what was that bow on the front of that dress for?? That being said - you want a light and easy rom-com with lots of steamy kisses - go ahead and watch this one
interesting take on the usual palace intrigue/history story Amazing costume and setting Leads were both great Would have been better if they just left the love story part out of it - especially given the way the ended it
just finished this - and man, was that a slow, slow slog - mostly due to really bad, lazy and sloppy writing. I get this is a day soap-opera drama - but man, that just dragged out waaaayyy too long. Totally inconsistent and all-over the map. Lost count of how many stolen babies and DNA test, slaps, thrown drinks, repetitive dialogue and scenarios. And, seriously, does no one close or lock their doors - it was amazing how many people just walked into rooms, homes, offices without permission. And, clearly, no one understands the concept of the word no, go away or leave me alone I only enjoyed a handful of characters (mostly the prison ladies - they rocked it). Of the main character Jae Min is probably the least annoying. FL started to irk the bejesus out of me - in that she kept running off giving away the game to enemy every five seconds. Her character was really on enjoyable when she become Sharon - rest of the time - she was pretty boring (cried ALOT or looked sad through out most of it) SFL (the villain girl) schtick got pretty old pretty fast - she basically just runs around throwing tantrums, slapping everyone, blaming everyone for everything that is wrong with her life, stopping in and out of rooms - to do that for 150 episodes, just got tiring.
Watched this for Yang Yang and he is pretty much the only reason I stuck it out for 40 eps. Rest of it was pretty underwhelming - just bad writing and too much toxic mom time. Be prepared for some pretty heavy Stockholm syndrome action - both from the FL and her brother. Not generally something I want to watch 40 episodes of someone sorting out (and not very well on top of it) Didnt really get why the ML likes the FL to start with (we don't get a lot of backstory on that) - beyond she transfers to his school and he immediately likes her (not sure why, that horrible bob wig and sad puppy face - but, whatevs - he clearly likes saving people). She dumps him pretty horrifically (thanks mom!), disappears for 10 yrs, shows up and then acts like he owes her something - it was weird and not explained or done well at all. You then spend 38 episodes waiting for her to stand up to her mom/family, lots of rescue scenes, her indecisiveness/selfishness (which she admits), the usual (annoyingly so) reconciliation with the last 2 eps trying to tie it all up in a nice bow at the end So - if that floats your boat - give it a go Do need to add - the only other good parts of this drama were the two Instructor characters - like, seriously, the best bros. And while I usually hate the boy crews (usually just too childish and too up-in the-ML's business) - this team was good, they balanced it well
I made it to ep 29 and am going to have to take a break from this one for a bit before I finish - mostly out of boredom at this point. It is your typical xanxia/palace intrigue story - very predictable characters and storyline - everyone trying to seize power and scheming to get it. I am appreciating XZ's performance - I always find him enjoyable to watch. What is killing me the most is the FL - not liking the character or the actress (mostly a character problem). I just cant with the childish behavior that is still happening at this point. Am not feeling ANY chemistry between the two leads - she just feels like an impetuous teenager who cant seem to use her brain that much - never thinking about consequences - just reactionary actions with lack of impulse control -she just wants what she wants when she wants it and no sense of personal boundaries towards anyone. If this were gender role reversed - would anyone be ok with that kind of behavior from a male character to a female character (completely lost me when she basically holds him hostage at one point).
Just finished this up and have to say - one of the more frustrating dramas I have ever watched. You can thank the writers for that. Totally not on the actors - just bad script writing. Especially the FL - literally yelling at my screen through most of it. They start you off with showcasing her becoming the sword-bearer and then immediately handicap her. She spends most of the drama either injured, captured or somehow needing to be rescued. She was one of the most clueless FL’s out there and was really just this puppy running around without a working brain cell - the character just becomes a plot ploy for the ML character. I also couldn’t buy into the idea that she was some master swordsperson as she lost basically every fight she was in until the end. It is also hard to believe that a waif-of-a-girl with stick arms can even wield a sword - so you really have to suspend ALOT of belief on that front. And she jsut ends up being really bad at her job - every scheme she tries to pull off fails miserably (hence, the constant need to be rescued) This was the only character where I really felt it was bad casting as well - she just didn’t hold the main lead spot very well at all. Her sister is much more dynamic. Be prepared for LOTS of plot twists and scheme happening - almost too many to keep track of. While the uncle was cute - the crying in practically every scene got to be too much and overplayed.
Just finished this and will just say - not my cup of tea. Other seemed to really like it, which is cool, but, for the most part - it was just ok for me. What I did like - first and foremost was the brother - he stole the show - more of him please! Ml does a pretty good job of showing is pain from his family while trying to live his own life - kudos to CZY for good performance. Only complaint on the ML was that I wished someone had made his pants fit better - everything was way too big and the stuffing of the shirt inside the pants just made it worse. Do none of these dramas have seamstresses on set??? Once she became an adult - the story got better - just too much time spent in the middle/high school years - necessary for the story - just too much time spent there - could have done that story arc in half the time. What mostly bothered me was the portrayal of another young, naive, insecure, overthinking everything, nervous-nellie young woman - while she has her moments of self-confidence - it took ALOT to get her there. And while I get the story is about a young girl who gets a crush on her brothers friend - I do wish they had portrayed her with a bit more self-confidence -didn't need to be a ton, cause god knows at that age, there isn't a lot - bit this was the usual, afraid of my own shadow kind of thing. Almost every time she was asked about her feelings or to talk about what was going on - her first response/reaction was to always lie or say everything was fine. The martyr complex of - oh, I don't want to burden you, while at the same time I want to take on every burden you have - this just drives me crazy! I also find it hard to watch any ZLS dramas because of her baby voice (and, yes, I know this is her actual voice - but it is a speaking affect that she could change if she so chooses - cause I have heard her speak in a normal voice) I will never get the portrayal of the need to be in constant contact all day long - seriously, - that she wanted him to take pictures of his meals when he ate kind of thing is crazy to me. Hated the portrayal of the one chubby character constantly scarfing down food.
If you like long, epic, historical dramas with beautiful costumes, scenery and filming - this one is for you, But, be prepared, you will feel all 68 episodes. It started out strong, gets super-draggy through the middle and then ends on well. The best part of the drama is, hands-down, General Qi- talk about presence - he just eats it up in every scene he is in, even if he is just standing there - just exudes confidence, sexy, calm - but man, you know you wouldn’t want to be on his bad side. While they called this the Rebel Princess - and I know she was supposed to the focus - it fell short - wasn’t much rebelling on her part. A bit at the beginning and then again at the end - but most of the rest of it was just her running around in gorgeous costumes being aloof or sad and sticking her nose into everything. I kept waiting for this badass, rebellious woman to show back up after that first story arc - and it just didn’t happen. And while the actress is certainly stunning - it just did not work to to be having a 39+ yr old playing a 15 yrs old girl at he beginning - soooo did not work. And while I thought she as going to age a lot more - she is really not 21+ by the end - so that piece didn’t work for me. Also, really shocking at what a HORRIBLE judge of character she was and overly forgiving of everyone - this weird narrative of making her saintly - it was just annoying given the level of betrayal. And, seriously - why do they do this thing where every man she comes in contact with has to fall in love with her to the point of obsession - it was absurd. Way too many schemes and plots to keep track, especially at the beginning - I had a seriously hard time keeping it all straight. Leads had good chemistry - but they spend way too much time apart and when they are together - we dont get much (like only 2-3 kisses for the whole 68 episodes) and the biggest miss on this front is when they reunite after getting separated towards the end - we get NOTHING! The Prime Minister is one of the best villains - you love him and hate him all at the same time (mostly hate, cause he is a true POS at the end of the day). In the end - if you are up for it - its worth a watch for The General, the costumes and it is filmed beautifully - but it is super-draggy through the middle.
Pretty much just binged this on a rainy Sunday day - didn’t go into it with much expectation - actually thought I wouldn’t like it as I am not a fa of the the super-wealthy people being crappy genre - but this one surprised me - it was actually quite enjoyable - I think the only place that it failed was in the relationship with the two lead characters- they had great chemistry and they just didn’t really do anything with it.
Positives - good chemistry with leads and lots of skin-ship (in the right places), her grandpa; Duke Shen and Duke Xu towards the end - the whole fishy story scene was hysterical, none of the good people die, the Shen brothers relationship; happy endings all the way around.
Downside - mostly the FL character - and this is just mostly due to bad writing. While it’s called The Sassy Princess - not so much or at least not consistently. I was all for the sassy girl in the opening sequence with her step mom - she was confident and smart - but it quickly turns to just being petulant. I get the childhood trauma and that led to grandpa spoiling her - but she was 20ys old when we join this story - so it was too much. I also did enjoy her initial forwardness with the ML - it was refreshing to have the female be this way - but it quickly turns to harassment and stalking. I also dont like the whole push-pull trope for female characters - they try to play it off as being cute and flirty - but it’s just sending mixed signals and annoying.
I also am getting a bit tired of the story-line when the leads confess undying love and trust to each other and then the very next day, almost always the female leads bails because someone whispers in their ear some sort of nonsense that chose to believe instead of doing what they just promised to the person they just said they loved and trusted the most - cant have it both ways people!
Another FL who is just dumb (played off as being naive, and sweet- but, really just dumb - how many times are you gonna go straight to the evil ex and believe everything he says). Overall, she’s just not that smart.
Really hated the stying of the FL with the ridiculous short/shorts and skirts with the clunky shoes - and why was she always in these princess outfits - always way overdressed for her profession and for someone who has no real income.
Stop with the thigh boots on short people and childish headbands - not an attractive look for a grown woman
Both best friends (his and hers) were beyond annoying and I hate the trop of always pairing them up.
Girl BF was kind of abusive and a bit of a bully and male BF was so childish (and the horrible ‘Elvis’ hairdo was awful)
I’m so get that Asian culture is obsessed with the porcelain white skin - but when it makes the actor/actress look sickly and like they haven’t been out in the sun their whole lives - its just not attractive AT ALL (looking at you FL and male’s best friend) - they both looked like vampires - it was distracting and not appealing in the slightest
Note to writers/directors - if you are going to make us suffer through a story at least give us a good payout at the end - this ending was such a let down.
I’ll tart with the positives - ML - played this character perfectly and I appreciated have a ML whose physique fit the role as a-posed to all the super-skinny idol boys; while I found it weird at first - the cat ended up being quite fun; Tian Yong character - what a sweet lovely man
Now to the bad - most of the female characters with the exception of her mom and Meng Zhen - they were all just cray-cray. I seriously thought throughout the whole drama that whoever wrote this must really hate women.
Let’s start with the FL - she is a bratty, know-it-all, preachy princess and spends too much time throwing tantrums. And her mood swings would give you whiplash - I couldn’t keep up most of time.
The best friend - dear lord - what were they thinking - could you have written a more pathetic, desperate character?
The cousin kind of redeems herself in the end - but, man all the screaming was too much.
His mom - the tropey mom who is obsessed with her son getting married in a VERY unhealthy manner
And just when I didn’t think it couldn’t get any worse - what they did to the Tian Yong character in the end was just plain WRONG on every level - this character was just the sweetest, kindest soul - they did him so wrong!
Great girl/woman power vibe, liked that no one dies, no annoying servants/aids - just the opposite - some of them stole the show (looking at you Secretary Su!), great side couple - I usually hate this as well - but they did a great job on this front. Leads were great - although their coming together takes a bit too long - mostly impaired by the arrival of Yuan Ying - this story arc takes FOREVER and you spend so much of just waiting for her to go.
While I like the second couples romance (Shang Guan and Yin Qi) - I could have done without her carrying that damn sword - that was way too big - around everywhere - only because it became a schtick - especially since you only ever see her fight in one scene and that’s towards the end of the drama - so she just becomes the ‘tough girl’ who walked around with this huge sword all over the place. A very one-not character. I also could have done without all of her hitting of YQ - it was too much.
Only negative for main couple was the amount of time it takes for them to come together and especially the FL’s lack of awareness towards the ML for far too long - otherwise, they are cute and ML has THE BEST facial expressions.
Great girl/woman power vibe, liked that no one dies, no annoying servants/aids - just the opposite - some of them stole the show (looking at you Secretary Su!), great side couple - I usually hate this as well - but they did a great job on this front. Leads were great - although their coming together takes a bit too long - mostly impaired by the arrival of Yuan Ying - this story arc takes FOREVER and you spend so much of just waiting for her to go.
While I like the second couples romance (Shang Guan and Yin Qi) - I could have done without her carrying that damn sword - that was way too big - around everywhere - only because it became a schtick - especially since you only ever see her fight in one scene and that’s towards the end of the drama - so she just becomes the ‘tough girl’ who walked around with this huge sword all over the place. A very one-not character. I also could have done without all of her hitting of YQ - it was too much.
Only negative for main couple was the amount of time it takes for them to come together and especially the FL’s lack of awareness towards the ML for far too long - otherwise, they are cute and ML has THE BEST facial expressions.
I love both these lead actors - but the romance part of this just felt like two middle-schoolers instead of full-grown, professional adults. They were cute, but that was about it.
Didnt feel like there was much character development for either of them - so it kind of stalls out pretty quickly cause it doesn't go anywhere.
Loved his sister and their relationship - one of the best parts of the drama
Down sides: (and some of this is totally superficial)
The whisper/mumbly voice but he FL - I get they were trying to go for soft/cute/sweet - but it just came across as insecure - especially when she does it at work.
Whoever thought the grandma shoes and white socks was a good idea - should be banned from styling dramas - I didnt mind the casual clothing - but the socks and those black, clunky shoes were the worst!
The typical - do as I say, not as I do story - she gets mad at him for not sharing his medical scare(although she is the first person he tells once he comes to grip with it), but then fails to discuss her applying to an overseas program (he finds out from someone else)
The whole opening story arc at training where she repeatedly breaks the rules - not once, not twice, but three times and then wont accept the consequences of doing that.
And then there is just the bratty/defensive behavior - she is basically responsible for all the mishaps - but them immediately cops an attitude - its kind of annoying
Update: finished - only cause it was short and quick. But man, what bad writing. Main leads were kind of stiff and no real chemistry (the brother and fashion editor were waaaayyy better). And the whole amnesia, Rouxi, Bin Bai, birthmark story arc at the end was just RIDICULOUSLY dumb.
But then around ep20 - it's like they just decided to go in a whole different direction and got super-serious, main leads were mostly absent for a while. Its like they decided, the first part didn't work - lets change direction and start all-over, so story comes to a complete halt while they have to go back and fill-in all this background before they go forward again. Picks back up around ep30.
Main couple were really cute together, liked ML character development from impudent, spoiled rich kid to full partner that adores his wife. FL was pretty much the same throughout - but great portrayal of a female general.
HATED the ending - the weird time-jump to them being grandparents - that we didnt get to see them being parents At ALL - especially ML - was just a complete let-down.
Some odd choices for me were the continued ominous music whenever Kang Min Ki is around (like he is up to something nefarious) - to then that not really be the case
Odd styling choices for ML -the overly baggy suits, the stringy bangs that you just wanted to get out of his eyes the whole time and what is up with the heavy, pale foundation makeup and lipstick - it was so obvious and did not flatter him at all. (This heavy foundation that is super-pale seems to be a trend in recent karmas - King the Land was the same way and they need to stop doing it - they all look a little sickly)
I will award the second couple (Cho Won and Do Yoon) - the MOST awkward kiss award (seriously - sooooo awkward)
Ending, as commented enough here - poorly done in that it had sooooo many plot holes in it
I like the two main lead actors - just didn't really like them together in this one.
Her girlfriends and grandma were wonderful.
Like how they did address plight of workers - especially the parts about bosses taking advantage and the stigma of divorce.
His assistant guy was a bit much for and even found him a bit creepy at times.
Could have done without the Thailand tourist promo trip (that whole episode was just a waste of time and I would have killed MR. No by the end of that trip) and the amusement park date (what is the obsession with going to amusement parks for dates? I just don't get it) - especially that they dressed dup as high-schoolers when they did it - very strange.
And what is the deal with the big wedding at the end, just to stick the bride in a hideous dress - seriously, what was that bow on the front of that dress for??
That being said - you want a light and easy rom-com with lots of steamy kisses - go ahead and watch this one
Amazing costume and setting
Leads were both great
Would have been better if they just left the love story part out of it - especially given the way the ended it
Lost count of how many stolen babies and DNA test, slaps, thrown drinks, repetitive dialogue and scenarios. And, seriously, does no one close or lock their doors - it was amazing how many people just walked into rooms, homes, offices without permission. And, clearly, no one understands the concept of the word no, go away or leave me alone
I only enjoyed a handful of characters (mostly the prison ladies - they rocked it). Of the main character Jae Min is probably the least annoying.
FL started to irk the bejesus out of me - in that she kept running off giving away the game to enemy every five seconds. Her character was really on enjoyable when she become Sharon - rest of the time - she was pretty boring (cried ALOT or looked sad through out most of it)
SFL (the villain girl) schtick got pretty old pretty fast - she basically just runs around throwing tantrums, slapping everyone, blaming everyone for everything that is wrong with her life, stopping in and out of rooms - to do that for 150 episodes, just got tiring.
Didnt really get why the ML likes the FL to start with (we don't get a lot of backstory on that) - beyond she transfers to his school and he immediately likes her (not sure why, that horrible bob wig and sad puppy face - but, whatevs - he clearly likes saving people). She dumps him pretty horrifically (thanks mom!), disappears for 10 yrs, shows up and then acts like he owes her something - it was weird and not explained or done well at all.
You then spend 38 episodes waiting for her to stand up to her mom/family, lots of rescue scenes, her indecisiveness/selfishness (which she admits), the usual (annoyingly so) reconciliation with the last 2 eps trying to tie it all up in a nice bow at the end
So - if that floats your boat - give it a go
Do need to add - the only other good parts of this drama were the two Instructor characters - like, seriously, the best bros. And while I usually hate the boy crews (usually just too childish and too up-in the-ML's business) - this team was good, they balanced it well
I am appreciating XZ's performance - I always find him enjoyable to watch.
What is killing me the most is the FL - not liking the character or the actress (mostly a character problem). I just cant with the childish behavior that is still happening at this point. Am not feeling ANY chemistry between the two leads - she just feels like an impetuous teenager who cant seem to use her brain that much - never thinking about consequences - just reactionary actions with lack of impulse control -she just wants what she wants when she wants it and no sense of personal boundaries towards anyone. If this were gender role reversed - would anyone be ok with that kind of behavior from a male character to a female character (completely lost me when she basically holds him hostage at one point).
Especially the FL - literally yelling at my screen through most of it. They start you off with showcasing her becoming the sword-bearer and then immediately handicap her. She spends most of the drama either injured, captured or somehow needing to be rescued. She was one of the most clueless FL’s out there and was really just this puppy running around without a working brain cell - the character just becomes a plot ploy for the ML character. I also couldn’t buy into the idea that she was some master swordsperson as she lost basically every fight she was in until the end. It is also hard to believe that a waif-of-a-girl with stick arms can even wield a sword - so you really have to suspend ALOT of belief on that front. And she jsut ends up being really bad at her job - every scheme she tries to pull off fails miserably (hence, the constant need to be rescued)
This was the only character where I really felt it was bad casting as well - she just didn’t hold the main lead spot very well at all. Her sister is much more dynamic.
Be prepared for LOTS of plot twists and scheme happening - almost too many to keep track of.
While the uncle was cute - the crying in practically every scene got to be too much and overplayed.
What I did like - first and foremost was the brother - he stole the show - more of him please!
Ml does a pretty good job of showing is pain from his family while trying to live his own life - kudos to CZY for good performance. Only complaint on the ML was that I wished someone had made his pants fit better - everything was way too big and the stuffing of the shirt inside the pants just made it worse. Do none of these dramas have seamstresses on set???
Once she became an adult - the story got better - just too much time spent in the middle/high school years - necessary for the story - just too much time spent there - could have done that story arc in half the time.
What mostly bothered me was the portrayal of another young, naive, insecure, overthinking everything, nervous-nellie young woman - while she has her moments of self-confidence - it took ALOT to get her there. And while I get the story is about a young girl who gets a crush on her brothers friend - I do wish they had portrayed her with a bit more self-confidence -didn't need to be a ton, cause god knows at that age, there isn't a lot - bit this was the usual, afraid of my own shadow kind of thing. Almost every time she was asked about her feelings or to talk about what was going on - her first response/reaction was to always lie or say everything was fine. The martyr complex of - oh, I don't want to burden you, while at the same time I want to take on every burden you have - this just drives me crazy!
I also find it hard to watch any ZLS dramas because of her baby voice (and, yes, I know this is her actual voice - but it is a speaking affect that she could change if she so chooses - cause I have heard her speak in a normal voice)
I will never get the portrayal of the need to be in constant contact all day long - seriously, - that she wanted him to take pictures of his meals when he ate kind of thing is crazy to me.
Hated the portrayal of the one chubby character constantly scarfing down food.
The best part of the drama is, hands-down, General Qi- talk about presence - he just eats it up in every scene he is in, even if he is just standing there - just exudes confidence, sexy, calm - but man, you know you wouldn’t want to be on his bad side.
While they called this the Rebel Princess - and I know she was supposed to the focus - it fell short - wasn’t much rebelling on her part. A bit at the beginning and then again at the end - but most of the rest of it was just her running around in gorgeous costumes being aloof or sad and sticking her nose into everything. I kept waiting for this badass, rebellious woman to show back up after that first story arc - and it just didn’t happen. And while the actress is certainly stunning - it just did not work to to be having a 39+ yr old playing a 15 yrs old girl at he beginning - soooo did not work. And while I thought she as going to age a lot more - she is really not 21+ by the end - so that piece didn’t work for me. Also, really shocking at what a HORRIBLE judge of character she was and overly forgiving of everyone - this weird narrative of making her saintly - it was just annoying given the level of betrayal. And, seriously - why do they do this thing where every man she comes in contact with has to fall in love with her to the point of obsession - it was absurd.
Way too many schemes and plots to keep track, especially at the beginning - I had a seriously hard time keeping it all straight.
Leads had good chemistry - but they spend way too much time apart and when they are together - we dont get much (like only 2-3 kisses for the whole 68 episodes) and the biggest miss on this front is when they reunite after getting separated towards the end - we get NOTHING!
The Prime Minister is one of the best villains - you love him and hate him all at the same time (mostly hate, cause he is a true POS at the end of the day).
In the end - if you are up for it - its worth a watch for The General, the costumes and it is filmed beautifully - but it is super-draggy through the middle.