A Promising Start That Loses Pace and Ends Abruptly
In the initial episodes, I felt it was a really good drama. However, after around 18–20 episodes, it seemed like the writer was trying too hard to create a shocking storyline, which instead felt irrelevant and unnecessarily dragged out.At times, it was quite disappointing to see the female lead fainting repeatedly. If she had already trained in a death camp, how could she be so fragile?
The middle episodes were confusing because the writer suddenly turned close friends into bitter enemies. It was also unclear how a 10-year friendship could be ruined due to a childhood incident, especially when the main lead (ML) had no fault in it—the entire decision was made by his friend’s father. Yet, the friend blamed ML and his father without even trying to confirm the truth or talk to his own father before planning revenge.
As the drama progressed, it started to feel a bit draggy, and my interest shifted from the main leads (ML and FL) to the supporting characters—the two princes and one princess. I actually enjoyed their storyline more than that of the main leads. Unfortunately, their story was wrapped up too quickly, as if the writer rushed through it. With more focus, their arc could have been developed beautifully.
Overall, it’s a good drama for a one-time watch.
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A Pawsitively Amazing Fluffy Family
It has a simple and predictable storyline with some yummy food combinations. I’ve mostly seen time-travel dramas with just one person, so it’s refreshing to see an entire family travel back to ancient times. The initial episodes are full of good comedy, especially in how the family shows great respect to their ancestors, while the ancestors find them confusing and think the whole family is a bit idiotic — which makes it even more hilarious. Overall, it’s a light-hearted, simple drama that’s perfect for refreshing your mind and worth a one-time watch.Was this review helpful to you?
A Realistic Look at History, Business, and Human Life
This is a purely business and political drama. If you’re looking for fluffy romance, light entertainment, or wuxia-style fantasy where characters fly between mountains, this drama is probably not for you.However, if you enjoy realistic historical storytelling and are curious about how people actually lived in the past, this drama is worth watching.
What I loved most is the realism. I’ve always been curious about how ordinary people lived during that time—how marriages worked, whether common people had concubines like the upper nobility, and how daily life really looked. This drama portrays those aspects in a grounded and believable way.
The exile arc of the main lead is especially memorable. The scenery and locations during that period are beautifully shown and add depth to the story.
Another strong point is the depiction of business interactions with other countries. The drama shows how trade was conducted, how different cultures interacted, and how people adapted foreign influences while still preserving their own traditions.
I also appreciated that the main leads are mature and realistic, not overly sweet or childish. There’s no excessive makeup or doll-like appearance. When characters work hard or go through difficult situations, they actually look tired—messy hair, worn expressions, and natural faces. This makes the drama feel far more authentic compared to others where characters remain flawless no matter what.
The supporting cast is equally strong, and every character feels well-written and well-acted.
Yes, the pacing can feel slow at times because it focuses heavily on politics and business. But once you get invested and understand the storyline, it becomes very engaging.
Overall, this is a solid, realistic historical drama with strong performances, meaningful storytelling, and a refreshing lack of artificial glamour. If you enjoy serious, grounded dramas, you’ll likely appreciate this one.
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Brilliant breakthrough plan
I can’t believe I’ve finally finished this series! I had tried so many times to start it, but after 5–6 episodes I would always drop it. I kept feeling like this drama was just hype and nothing special. (But I was TOTALLY wrong!)After going back and forth so many times on whether to watch it or not, I finally decided to give it a real try — and I can’t believe I became such a fan of this brilliant series.
Mei Changsu: A brilliant character who fights battles without a sword, because his mind is a thousand times more powerful than any weapon.
If you are looking for a good story and great casting, this drama is definitely for you. But if you are looking mainly for beautiful scenery, extravagant costumes, or glamorous faces, then this might not be the one.
What I loved most is that the drama doesn’t rely on overdone makeup, heavy jewelry, or painted faces. Instead, it feels real and original — like we are seeing genuine people who truly belong in the story.
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You can watch for eye candy MLs
It’s a good drama for a one-time watch, but honestly, it wasn’t worth stretching to 32 episodes. The story could have been wrapped up in around 20–22 episodes. Some scenes and side character storylines felt unnecessary and not worth watching. At times, it seemed draggy, so I often used fast-forward and skipped scenes that were too predictable.What did I like the most?
Definitely Bai Lu’s acting. She portrayed the pain of an abandoned FL and her desperation to save her child so well that I could truly feel it. Those emotional scenes were the highlight for me.
Overall, it was just a decent drama — good for one watch, but nothing extraordinary.
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A Drama That Leaves You Wanting More
I’ve finished watching both parts, and I just couldn’t stop myself from sharing my thoughts about this beautiful drama.As someone who strongly believes in women’s empowerment, I truly love dramas that focus on women or have strong women-centric stories—and this one absolutely did not disappoint.
It’s an amazing drama with stunning sets and eye-catching visuals, especially the beautiful flower symbolism throughout. I love how the female lead (FL), despite having no one to support her at the beginning, finds the strength to motivate herself and rise on her own. One of my favorite moments is when she cries alone in a corner, unseen by anyone—but when she faces the world, she stands tall and powerful, showing that nothing can break her.
I admire how she starts from zero, climbs to the top, falls again, yet never loses hope or gives up. Her resilience is truly inspiring. I also appreciate how she understands her ex-husband’s new wife’s concerns, despite being hurt by her many times. Her kindness, empathy, and strength shine through as she supports and motivates her friends as well.
Overall, it’s a truly beautiful drama that focuses on women’s struggles and the strength it takes to overcome them. It’s inspiring, empowering, and deeply moving—and I would definitely love to watch it again.
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