Not Your Typical Historical Drama, and That’s a Good Thing
I can understand why some viewers might struggle with this drama at first. I almost dropped it myself after the opening episode. Coming straight from The Prisoner of Beauty, I needed a moment to recalibrate and get used to the idea of transmigrating into a scripted fictional world where FL is playing a scripted character. (But I stayed because I really enjoyed "Extraordinary You" and the synopsis sorta reminds me of that)
I am glad I stayed with it, because what followed was an unexpectedly rewarding experience. The writing stood out as carefully constructed, with intrigue layered throughout and clever use of chaos and misunderstanding, particularly around the masked hero, Li Shi Liu. That storyline alone kept me invested, showing how well the narrative was planned from the very beginning.
It would not be fair to compare this drama directly with TPOB. Although the two may appear to belong to the same genre, they operate on very different aesthetics and tones. Where TPOB has a certain grandeur, this series succeeds through sharp storytelling, playful twists, and its distinctive thematic approach.
I would encourage viewers to approach it with an open mind, rather than holding on to rigid expectations of what a historical drama should look like. If you do, you will discover a work of striking creativity. For me, it was thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end. Oh and dont forget to watch extra scenes after the end credits on the last episode.
I am glad I stayed with it, because what followed was an unexpectedly rewarding experience. The writing stood out as carefully constructed, with intrigue layered throughout and clever use of chaos and misunderstanding, particularly around the masked hero, Li Shi Liu. That storyline alone kept me invested, showing how well the narrative was planned from the very beginning.
It would not be fair to compare this drama directly with TPOB. Although the two may appear to belong to the same genre, they operate on very different aesthetics and tones. Where TPOB has a certain grandeur, this series succeeds through sharp storytelling, playful twists, and its distinctive thematic approach.
I would encourage viewers to approach it with an open mind, rather than holding on to rigid expectations of what a historical drama should look like. If you do, you will discover a work of striking creativity. For me, it was thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end. Oh and dont forget to watch extra scenes after the end credits on the last episode.
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