Anyone have a recommendation for another drama where the FL crossdresses and comes across as androgynous, relatively convincing and dignified like here?
Episode 22: I like how intelligent and understated this drama is in its sadness. Everyone, from Pei Shenzhi to the Empress to the evil eunuch uncle understand the situation perfectly well.
Until episode 21 today, FL still has not admitted to the court that she is a woman. Yet she talks as if being Emperor is her future. How is she going to carry on her dynasty that way? Eventually she'll have to produce a heir.
So far, so amusing. I like that both actors aren't 100% perfect lookers. There is something natural and charming about them. I haven't watched the Korean original
Episode 20: I like that emperor lady made the scholar lady touch her breast to prove she is a woman. There was something emotionally moving about it. Hair proves nothing when men have long hair as well.
I love how this has the structure of a Samurai movie in many ways, with a duel for revenge in the end, but it is a woman avenging a man. And in many ways she is still a normal woman for her time and place, though certainly not in all. Never seen that before
We say the cast deserve a long drama which is true... but now that I think about it, if I were a C-actress I'd rather be in an amazing short drama like this than in a cringe boring longform one lol.
Also, props to the director. I've seen Li Geyang in another short one where he was not bad, but nothing shining like in this one. I think much of the success of this one is in the writer and director.
Episode 19: That was exciting! And terrifying! And satisfying. And melancholy. And darkly beautiful to see Pei Shenzhi slowly faint. Still five episodes to go. I gotta say, not that Nin Jinyi would ever do it, but I was internally tempted to sacrifice the aunt. I think I've seen the aunt's actress in too many evil roles. The aunt never grew on me.
You are watching ep 18 right?... just hang in there and buckle up and ready your fragile heart for episode 19…
Ouch X) But yeah I'm ready for a sad ending. I already had a bad feeling when she married that concubine. Now she's "married", no matter how weirdly constructed it is, and marriage always count in shows/movies. She's probably not marrying Pei Shenzhi
Edit: Off to a weird start. She totally lusts after her brother and he after her, with no signs that they don't think they're related.
Also, props to the director. I've seen Li Geyang in another short one where he was not bad, but nothing shining like in this one. I think much of the success of this one is in the writer and director.