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Romeo & Juliet in ancient China with a side of political intrigue
A gripping tale about feuding families, power struggles, and an unlikely love story. Think Romeo & Juliet in ancient China with a side of political intrigue. Except instead of love at first sight and a secret romance, we have an arranged marriage and a slow transition from enemies to lovers.
One character comments that marriage is all about mind games, and that’s certainly how the leads’ dynamic starts out. There’s mistrust and manipulation, and both are constantly on guard against each other. Equally matched in intelligence, their battle of wits is compelling to watch.
Wei Shao is quick-tempered, vengeful, and determined to keep his hate burning for the Qiao family, who he blames for the deaths of his grandfather, father, and brother. But the look on his face when he sees his future bride, Xiao Qiao, for the first time at the end of episode 1 (a great bit of acting from Liu Yu Ning) makes it clear from the start that he’s not completely immune to her charms.
His attitude pretty quickly shifts from “I don’t like her, but nobody else can mistreat her either” to reluctantly admiring her courage, cleverness, and consideration. As a man of war who often struggles to express himself, he’s a little dense when it comes to women and romance, but he eventually comes around.
Xiao Qiao, also called Manman, is a petite woman with a soft little voice, but looks can be deceiving — more than just a pretty face, she also has a sharp mind and iron will and can be cunning or fierce when she needs to be. Her brilliant ideas save the day more than once, and the two of them make quite the power couple.
Song Zu Er shows a lot of range as the female lead (especially compared to some of her other leading roles in contemporary dramas like “Cupid’s Kitchen” and “Legally Romance”), alongside Liu Yu Ning as the male lead. I haven’t seen him in anything else, but would look for his work based on the strength of his performance here. Playing a character who keeps his feelings to himself, he says a lot with just a furrowed brow or flash of a smile.
Liu Duan Duan (a familiar face from “The Rebel Princess”) playing Wei Shao’s wastrel cousin is also a standout role. His outwardly frivolous personality hides deep emotions and pain, and he does an excellent job with a complex and conflicted character.
At 36 episodes, the series never drags, blending family and political drama, action (that’s surprisingly violent in places), and a slow-burn romance. The leads’ relationship is paced perfectly considering all they have to overcome to be together. Aside from great performances from the cast and a well-written story, “Prisoner of Beauty” also offers beautiful costumes, a lovely orchestral score, and an ending that’s both happy and bittersweet. It’s one of the best historical dramas I’ve seen — not quite a 10 for me, because I don’t think I’d rewatch it, but certainly a quality production and an absorbing story.
One character comments that marriage is all about mind games, and that’s certainly how the leads’ dynamic starts out. There’s mistrust and manipulation, and both are constantly on guard against each other. Equally matched in intelligence, their battle of wits is compelling to watch.
Wei Shao is quick-tempered, vengeful, and determined to keep his hate burning for the Qiao family, who he blames for the deaths of his grandfather, father, and brother. But the look on his face when he sees his future bride, Xiao Qiao, for the first time at the end of episode 1 (a great bit of acting from Liu Yu Ning) makes it clear from the start that he’s not completely immune to her charms.
His attitude pretty quickly shifts from “I don’t like her, but nobody else can mistreat her either” to reluctantly admiring her courage, cleverness, and consideration. As a man of war who often struggles to express himself, he’s a little dense when it comes to women and romance, but he eventually comes around.
Xiao Qiao, also called Manman, is a petite woman with a soft little voice, but looks can be deceiving — more than just a pretty face, she also has a sharp mind and iron will and can be cunning or fierce when she needs to be. Her brilliant ideas save the day more than once, and the two of them make quite the power couple.
Song Zu Er shows a lot of range as the female lead (especially compared to some of her other leading roles in contemporary dramas like “Cupid’s Kitchen” and “Legally Romance”), alongside Liu Yu Ning as the male lead. I haven’t seen him in anything else, but would look for his work based on the strength of his performance here. Playing a character who keeps his feelings to himself, he says a lot with just a furrowed brow or flash of a smile.
Liu Duan Duan (a familiar face from “The Rebel Princess”) playing Wei Shao’s wastrel cousin is also a standout role. His outwardly frivolous personality hides deep emotions and pain, and he does an excellent job with a complex and conflicted character.
At 36 episodes, the series never drags, blending family and political drama, action (that’s surprisingly violent in places), and a slow-burn romance. The leads’ relationship is paced perfectly considering all they have to overcome to be together. Aside from great performances from the cast and a well-written story, “Prisoner of Beauty” also offers beautiful costumes, a lovely orchestral score, and an ending that’s both happy and bittersweet. It’s one of the best historical dramas I’ve seen — not quite a 10 for me, because I don’t think I’d rewatch it, but certainly a quality production and an absorbing story.
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