sulkytofu

Li Xian was confirmed to be seen on the set filming as part of a cameo, but there hasn't been any word from Yang Zi yet! She must be really busy filming The Golden Hairpin.

To start off with some of the plot issues, I think that the whole "tragic past" situation being hinted between Li Zhe and Fang Ziyou is written in ways that undermine its seriousness. Whenever I see them in scenes together, I feel like I'm watching a bad time-skip BL series, and some of the actions (i.e. sending "mysterious symbolic gifts" like pencil crayons) is a little too petty for my taste. I do like the idea of both having to repair their relationship, however, and how it ties into the ML's broader conditions and his honest personality. I am ready, however, for my heart to break (again) at Liu Haikuan's acting, especially as it seems to be hinted that he will become a second male lead.

I do find that Xin Yunlai's acting feels a little stiff sometimes, and this may be because of the way in which his character is written. But I really like his chemistry with Liang Jie, and I think that both personalities are interesting together. I especially like the ways in which their inability/ability to tell white lies has social implications, such as when they do business and how they work in their careers.

In terms of expectations, this is definitely a cliche and fluffy rom-com, but I've been really liking it so far and I think the pacing of their romance is quite well done. I love how ML is not a jerk and in many ways is quite thoughtful and kind. And I love how Liang Jie portrays Xu Yiren as very adaptable and flexible, and how her strengths supplement and even assist the personality of the ML. I also know that many watchers may be influenced by Liang Jie's chemistry with Xing Zhaolin, and I can definitely say that both ML & FL have a mutually supportive chemistry that has been really fun and sweet to watch.

I have so many conflicting emotions when it comes to Su Chengyun, and I've been surprised by how this is a light fluffy romcom but there are also lots of introspective moments as well. Props to the drama writers however for building the premise of the story on the idea that both the FL 10 years before and 10 years after can exist at the same time in the same place. I think it gives the drama an element of mystery (and sometimes even a little bit of a "thriller"), and this definitely wasn't what I was expecting at all when I started watching this show.

I love the antics between Zhong Li, the Eunuch, and the ML too. I think Zhong Li is really great since he's one of the few subordinates who actively questions and sometimes even disagrees with the ML, and their brotherhood is so nice to see especially as I feel we are going to start entering more of the palace politics in the latter stretch of the drama.

This is honestly my crack drama, and I can't stop watching. I'm actually surprised because of how I absolutely LOVE the FL, and how active she is and how she constantly sticks to her goals and her loyalty to her family. I do find some of the comments interesting because personally I find that while Jinyan does get into trouble, some of the ML's actions (especially in the middle stretch of the drama) potentially put her into conflict with his harem and the royal family.

The main couple however is just so adorable, and I can't stop watching and giggling just looking at how cute they are together. I'm very shocked that this is Chen Jingke's first role, especially since he's done a very solid job as the ML and he looks much older than his actual age. Their chemistry is sparkling, and I love how both obviously love each other quite a lot, even if they haven't necessarily outright "confessed" to each other yet.

For those of you who are worried about the whole hiding identity/etc. aspect, I do admit that the secrets aren't revealed for quite a bit. But I like how this allows the main couple to grow to love each other first before they learn about each other's true selves, and so far I think the pacing of this drama is really great (nothing feels draggy and as a chronic skip watcher I have yet to skip any scenes). In any case, I absolutely have been enjoying this one, and it's definitely risen as one of my favourite current dramas that is airing right now.

Okay, honestly, this couple seriously warms my heart. I went into this with very low expectations especially given the comments, but seeing just how tortured Zhang Min is (and how powerless he is), in comparison to the happy and healing Luo Xi, I think they honestly make an adorable CP.

I'm still really early (only at Episode 5) but for now Tao Lun hasn't been that annoying, and instead I find his personality quite endearing. I do agree it's pretty obvious that his story so far will be set up for melodrama, and so I'm trying to brace myself at the moment!

This drama is strange to me in the sense of some of its cinematographic and visual direction. On paper and in the script, there are so many elements of a kooky and meta romcom, with comedic elements everywhere. I almost expected a sparkly pastel palette, similar to some of the other titles that take on the light historical romcom genre (i.e. Dr. Cutie, The Romance of TIger and Rose, Love is All, The Legend of Jinyan).

Yet the overall palette and tone of the drama is muted and restrained, and sometimes even suffocating, especially as you note how the ML is essentially a "puppet prince." It's a lot darker and the colouring feels a lot closer to Yanxi Palace. It's therefore interesting to see this combination together and sometimes makes me unsure of what genre I'm exactly watching (romcom? court politics? fluff?), but for now I'm still quite early on and will watch a bit longer to gather my thoughts on the show.

Yep! Just completed, thanks for the notice!

In a way, I think the lower ratings at first may be a good thing, to help people lower their expectations. It definitely has its flaws and isn't perfect, but I really think if you go into this one not expecting too much, you'll likely have a good time watching it. This drama really suits some of my current tastes - basically historical romcom that's light on plot and high on fluff - and so I've been having an enjoyable watch so far!

So I'm back after some time, and I'm shocked to say it, but I dropped this drama. I tried continuing to watch from Episode 13, and just couldn't continue any longer. I don't know if it's because of the expectations, and it's surprising since this drama had everything I liked (Zhao Lusi, kind and caring ML, a historical setting, overall "crackly humour," absolutely hilarious side cast, and a healthy CP). I still think this is a solid watch - It definitely shows how impressive the production quality of Chinese dramas are becoming, especially considering that Tencent even noted that this wasn't one of their more higher-budget productions.

But I think my main issue is that the plot never feels like there's serious tension. Sometimes I don't feel like there's anything pushing me to keep watching, and I'm not sure if it's because I'm not as interested in the CP anymore, as I feel like there's never any consequences (even though ironically this is a drama that's supposed to be focused on the romance.) I also feel like even though the main CP hasn't gotten together yet at this point (which is usually my favourite part in dramas i.e. when the ML "chases" after FL) I feel like the drama is already dragging.

I really think this is a matter of taste, because I absolutely loved some dramas that are also currently airing and have been quite heavily criticized and panned in favour of The Romance of Tiger and Rose (i.e. My Dear Destiny, The Legend of Jin Yan). It may also be my own expectations, perhaps going into this drama thinking that the script may have been tighter or expecting something that was going to really suit my tastes especially with all of the high praises. I think I'd therefore say that the comments and positive impressions are well-justified, but to also manage one's own expectations since this drama didn't work as well as it did for me compared to others!

It's available on Youtube, subbed up to Episode 24 under the Drama Tube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_93xl7VuEQ&list=PLtXjhJwc1uFPGdPT_zPc53pgG5EMdxuzY. The subs aren't great and there's a lot of audio syncing issues, and parts that are clipped. I think so far they've stopped subbing for a bit though, so episodes up to 37 aren't yet available.

The FL is also in My Dear Destiny, and she has SO MUCH chemistry with the ML in that drama. I'm so excited to see Hu Yixuan and Zheng Yecheng together, because they are so perfectly casted as a CP ~

He was my first top pick for Chu Wanning, and I'm so glad that he was casted for this one especially after his performance as Runyu in Ashes of Love. Considering how elegant he is (also his background being in ballet!) and just how much work and dedication he puts into his acting, I think he's going to do a great job in the interpretation of the character. I'm excited to see how this drama will really show off the range of his acting capabilities, and I hope he and Chen Feiyue have good chemistry!

I will admit that when I watched his Eternal Love MV, there were some scenes where he definitely came off as awkward, especially in a historical piece. That being said I am a huge fan of Kris and his incredible work ethic, and I'm going to place my trust in the cast. Perhaps this will be an opportunity for us to see a newer side of him and his acting capabilities, and the improvements that he's made over time.

I haven't been able to finish this drama yet since I'm really here to watch for the main CP and not the business aspect of the show. In many ways, I rather dislike how interconnected their careers are, that ML has so much control over the FL's success and capability. BUT I like how he doesn't try to take advantage of her, and thinks about her career too in their relationship.

I think the strengths of the drama were DEFINITELY the first stretch before the main CP officially started dating, and maybe a couple of episodes of fluff after that. I really loved how their relationship began, and the involvement of the "kids" in their relationship as well. Johnny and Reba have so much chemistry, and I loved seeing them together on screen! But the thing I hated was constantly seeing misunderstandings, and then getting whiplash from how things would be great one second and then break ups came on in the next. If anything, I think the story should have focused on the strengthening of their relationship and how they continue to grow together and achieve their dreams together, with more fluffy and romantic scenes. As I continued watching, my thoughts were mostly focused on "are they just going to break up again?" which made it hard for me to continue watching them together.

In addition, I personally found the design competition to be boring, and the rest of the business matters to be uninteresting. I think it would have been really cool to see something like Song Lin's company facing trouble, and then having Zhou Fang's works be used to raise their competitiveness in the market, or something that would show them working together. Not to mention that the side couple, Qin Qing & Yulin, started off as something that I thought was interesting and adorable, but started taking up a lot of airtime.

In general, I think main issues are that the pacing started off amazing but started tanking after the middle stretch, and this drama had too many episodes to contain its story. I still think Reba and Johnny have great chemistry, but I would probably drop after they start dating for the first time since it becomes rather boring and draggy to watch after.

I'm so excited for this, as Zhao Yiqin and Nicky Li have so much chemistry together both on-screen and off-screen! So glad that they were re-casted together in another project after My Youth, and can't wait to start on this series once the subs are released!

Subs coming on IQIYI international app on June 22nd. Considering all episodes are already out, I think they might just release all eps and save some of the eps for VIPs.

The recent comments and current rating of this drama are surprising, and I think part of it might be due to expectations. I personally had a hard time finishing some of the dramas I'm seeing comparisons to (i.e. The Romance of Tiger and Rose), and so far after having going into this one with low expectations I'm really liking it! So far, this drama is a pretty light historical romance, and while the plot may not be entirely fresh or different, there are some mysteries involved that are enough to keep the story interesting. Moreover, production quality is quite nice despite being more lower-budget, the main couple have LOTS of chemistry, and I like how both begin by bickering before eventually trusting each other. I actually find the whole "FL's sister ends up taking her place in marriage" to be really intriguing, along with some of the illness & murder backdrop in the palace revolving around the death of the ML's previous wife.

I'm also surprised by comments about the FL, because Kabby Hui is absolutely adorable in her role, but also because she does a lot to protect the ML even with her own limitations (whether that be strength or physical capabilities.) She helps him acquire safety, uses a sword against assassins even if she's not trained to do so, and thinks up of solutions to get to safety. The ML is also incredibly handsome with a strong moral compass, and both of them together are really cute so far even if he acts as if he doesn't care about the FL. Obviously, we're still early in the series so it's hard to say if the drama is draggy yet, and we're still being introduced to some of the underlying problems and tensions in the series. But after craving something light and fluffy and historical, I have a good impression of this one so far and am enjoying it as something to easily watch.

I recommend you watch Love Better than Immortality! It's much lower budget, but Li Hongyi and Zhao Lusi had amazing chemistry. It's a little different in that ML is the "villain," but it's another reincarnated into a historical world drama.

Truthfully, I dropped RTR because I got bored. This isn't to say it's a bad drama at all, it's just that I think I was in the headspace for something seriously fluffy and adorable, and I never felt like in RTR there was any tension in plot/need to keep watching. In many ways, I'm enjoying this drama a lot more even though we can agree that RTR had more attention (although ironically I heard RTR had less production budget compared to dramas like And The Winner is Love!)

In any case, I've found this to be my "crack" drama. Seriously so addicting and watching the CP together just makes me feel so squishy. I agree it's a matter of expectations, and if you go in with none I think you'll be really pleasantly surprised. Can't thank you enough for your comments which made me interested in watching this!