I watched this drama with my 84 year old grandmother, and she LOVED it. So, thank you, IN BLOSSOM, for getting my grandma hooked on C-Dramas. I am forever in your debt!
This drama is sadly underrated. It was not super popular, or so I'm told, in China. I cannot claim to know why, but maybe that is because of the other shows airing at the time... or perhaps, the audience was looking for something more fast paced? Whatever the reason, it deserved more love.
General Plot:
On the eve of her wedding to her childhood friend, Yang Caiwei is abducted by Shangguan Zhi-- a cruel woman who craves her betrothed, Pan Yue. After being forced to swap bodies, Caiwei escapes only to discover Shangguan Zhi has been murdered. Killed, it would seem, in her stead. Armed with nothing but a stranger's face and her skills as a coroner, Caiwei embarks on a journey to unearth a conspiracy that goes back twenty years... to the murder of her parents. Pan Yue is also on the case, but could he be her killer?
Liu Xue Yi, who plays Pan Yue (male lead), took what might have been a simple character and turned him into a brilliant one. I must admit to being more attached to him than the female lead I was supposed to be rooting for! His expressions, nuances, and subtle gestures portrayed a very private individual's inner turmoil expertly. His emotions--even when the character was hiding them from other characters--were evident to the audience. His heartbreak and grief was palpable. He was confused over the change is "Shangguan Zhi" and loathed himself having feelings for her. Was that not a betrayal to the woman he loved?
Some people say Pan Yue should have caught on sooner, but in the character's defense, there is no magic in this world. Any supernatural instances are disproven with science and practicality. If someone I knew showed up and started acting like someone else, would I assume a body-swap? Not likely. Not ever, to be honest.
The female lead was alright. She wasn't my favorite, but she grew on me. I enjoyed the story enough to ignore a little inconsistency in the character when the actresses switched. Ju Jing Ye reminds me of a 'type actress'. She often plays herself--which is fine because she seems to be genuinely nice person. Her character was very resourceful and clever, and she had the perfect eyes for the part. Red rimmed and pleading... but that might have also been allergies. There were times I really wanted to get her eye drops.
Overall, I truly enjoyed the story. Why not a higher score? Primarily, it was the disappointing ending for some of the secondary characters. One in particular was very heart wrenching, and while his 'fate' was tied into the plot, it could have been done differently. What can I say? I am a sucker for happily ever after.
If you are a fan of Liu Xue Yi, this is a much watch.
This drama is sadly underrated. It was not super popular, or so I'm told, in China. I cannot claim to know why, but maybe that is because of the other shows airing at the time... or perhaps, the audience was looking for something more fast paced? Whatever the reason, it deserved more love.
General Plot:
On the eve of her wedding to her childhood friend, Yang Caiwei is abducted by Shangguan Zhi-- a cruel woman who craves her betrothed, Pan Yue. After being forced to swap bodies, Caiwei escapes only to discover Shangguan Zhi has been murdered. Killed, it would seem, in her stead. Armed with nothing but a stranger's face and her skills as a coroner, Caiwei embarks on a journey to unearth a conspiracy that goes back twenty years... to the murder of her parents. Pan Yue is also on the case, but could he be her killer?
Liu Xue Yi, who plays Pan Yue (male lead), took what might have been a simple character and turned him into a brilliant one. I must admit to being more attached to him than the female lead I was supposed to be rooting for! His expressions, nuances, and subtle gestures portrayed a very private individual's inner turmoil expertly. His emotions--even when the character was hiding them from other characters--were evident to the audience. His heartbreak and grief was palpable. He was confused over the change is "Shangguan Zhi" and loathed himself having feelings for her. Was that not a betrayal to the woman he loved?
Some people say Pan Yue should have caught on sooner, but in the character's defense, there is no magic in this world. Any supernatural instances are disproven with science and practicality. If someone I knew showed up and started acting like someone else, would I assume a body-swap? Not likely. Not ever, to be honest.
The female lead was alright. She wasn't my favorite, but she grew on me. I enjoyed the story enough to ignore a little inconsistency in the character when the actresses switched. Ju Jing Ye reminds me of a 'type actress'. She often plays herself--which is fine because she seems to be genuinely nice person. Her character was very resourceful and clever, and she had the perfect eyes for the part. Red rimmed and pleading... but that might have also been allergies. There were times I really wanted to get her eye drops.
Overall, I truly enjoyed the story. Why not a higher score? Primarily, it was the disappointing ending for some of the secondary characters. One in particular was very heart wrenching, and while his 'fate' was tied into the plot, it could have been done differently. What can I say? I am a sucker for happily ever after.
If you are a fan of Liu Xue Yi, this is a much watch.
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