Likes:
1. CSW's perfect delivery of lines
2. Funny acts
3. OSTs (totally love Du Geun2x)
4. the potato
5. Dingdong kid
6. CSW's extremely HOOOOOOT body!
7. plot
8. ending message of CSW (my first time to watch a drama with an ending msg from one of the characters)
9. sneakers
10. their love for each other
Dislikes:
NONE!!!!!!!!!
SCORE: 10/10
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1The devil is in the details
The Devil Judge is conceptual, surreal, provocative and very much character-driven by one man, Ji Sung as Kang Yo Han, the eponymous main character of this drama.Based on only the second screenplay ever written thus far by Moon Yoo Seok, a former judge himself, who created the well-received Miss Hammurabi in 2018. This time he presents viewers with an imagined version of the judiciary operating within a dystopian setting. In particular, the concept of a “live court” where trials are streamed in real-time and the verdicts are decided by the general public via online voting. This premise revolves around the titular devil judge who presides over this unconventional justice system.
What I enjoyed about this drama
The technical execution is top notch. Direction, editing, cinematography, cinematic visuals and special effects are all very good. The absence of awkward scene transitions or inconsistent camerawork and sound mixing throughout makes for very pleasant viewing indeed, from an audiovisual standpoint.
The high production values reflected in the overall production quality, set designs, shooting locales and costuming are very impressive. From the grandeur of high society events and soirées, the opulent mansions, luxury cars to the uniquely futuristic setting of the supreme court, along with its distinctively cultish ceremonial attires.
The tale of one man’s vengeance by taking the road less travelled that reads like a contemporary and twisted version of the Count of Monte Cristo. The approach falls into the category of cutting-edge dramas that pushes the boundaries of conventional storytelling. Or at least it makes a decent attempt to do so. It is a fusion of psychological thriller, legal drama and mystery that are interwoven with themes of revenge, love and betrayal, as well as elements of politics and corruption. For the most part, the combination of the myriad aspects has been seamlessly integrated into the narrative which induces considerable thought-provoking debates, certainly among viewers, on matters pertaining to morality and justice.
Most of the main and supporting characters are intriguingly written and superbly rendered. No one is purely black or white, and almost everyone is shrouded in grey mist. Where allegiances lie and what motives prevail are constantly being second guessed. Over the course of the entire drama, viewers slowly peel layers upon layers of these multi-dimensional and sometimes larger than life personas.
This is very much the case with Kang Yo Han, the titular character and main protagonist... or is it antagonist? Perhaps somewhere in between, no one can really say for sure because this is one personality that’s open to diverse interpretations, depending on where your moral compass’ true north is set. In a recent interview, Moon Yoo Seok had intimated that having written a good and just main character in Miss Hammurabi, he was inclined to explore a character that is the total opposite and who operates within a contrasting environment, in this case a failed state and corrupted judiciary.
This in-depth character study into the so-called devil judge, is made even more compelling by the excellent portrayal. I’m well aware of Ji Sung’s talents and accolades in the industry, there’s no question what an experienced and fantastic actor he is. But still I was taken aback. His embodiment of the role is utterly immersive, inspiring and captivating, for he truly possesses the gravitas, screen presence and versatility to succeed in this powerful characterization.
Aside from KYH, Jung Sun Ah is a character that mystifies the most alongside a complex story arc of her own that is no less fascinating. She comes across as charming, disturbing, manipulative and opportunistic. In reality, she is a psychopathic and surrealistic dominatrix as well as a complete femme fatale. Played by the prolific Kim Min Jung who injects, in no small measure, a nuanced passive-aggressive vibe into the profile. Some may argue that the character is one-dimensional with ambiguous motivations, but it’s quite fitting that she and KYH share a kind of dysfunctional chemistry and power dynamics that make them the perfect adversarial / love-hate pairing from hell.
Among the supporting characters, Heo Jung Se, the President, catches the eye as the most OTT yet amusingly so at the same time. Baek Hyun Jin is essentially reprising his performance in Taxi Driver with the exact same portrayal. Ahn Nae Sang has been seen in many dramas of late and here he plays the Chief Justice, Min Jung Ho. It is a measure of his experience that he manages to infuse the character with sufficient misplaced idealism and self-righteousness that infuriates most, if not all, viewers. Deftly portrayed with understated conviction and believability indeed. Jang Young Nam as the stoic Minister of Justice, Cha Kyung Hee delivers a commendable depiction where she projects the aura of an iron lady to perfection. The wheelchair-bound Kang Elijah, portrayed by Jeon Chae Eun, is another that's deserving of praise. For someone so young, she showcases such range beyond her years, especially in the last two episodes.
There are a total of 4 OSTs in the soundtrack, of which two resonate with me the most. The poignant classical instrumental piece, Enemy of Truth, and Tempest, the alluringly intoxicating pop-rock fusion. If ever there was a song that fully encapsulates the characteristics of the devil judge himself, it would be this track along with its distinctive guitar riffs and accompanying MV. Additionally the BGM, comprising delicate piano pieces, further elevates introspective moments throughout. Credit must go to the music director, Jung Se Rin for the impressive original score.
허클베리핀 Huckleberry Finn – Tempest
정세린 Jung Se Rin - Enemy Of Truth (진실의 적)
Sondia – Nightmare (악몽)
Zeenan – What You Gonna Do
What I didn't enjoy as much
Issues with the plot development. Despite a really promising start along with numerous twists and turns as well as cliffhanger endings in almost every episode, somewhere towards the tail end of the second half, the story begins to feel repetitive and static. It was a case of one step forward and two steps backwards in a kind of time loop where certain characters repeatedly play out the same scenes time and again. I’m really referring to Kim Ga On and Yoon Soo Hyun here. Overdosed with a crisis of conscience, these two are either constantly disputing KYH or doubting themselves and even each other. The initial intrigue from their mind games and relationship dynamics eventually devolves into a rather superfluous recurring pattern. The presence of a considerably pivotal event in a later episode renders a particular character as nothing more than a mere plot device for the final arc.
If I’m being totally honest, the characters Kim Ga On and Yoon Soo Hyun do feel quite inconsistently written. The lack of profound evolution or at least palpable growth in either character who continuously exasperates with their appalling nonsensical decision making that contributes absolutely nothing tangible or substantial to the overall storyline, other than to recycle dramatic angst that detract from the more compelling direction of the drama. Park Jin Young, who plays Kim Ga On, isn’t the most convincing supreme court judge. He looks fresh out of college and somewhat lacking in life experience. Perhaps his role was intentionally written to be such, to instigate an emotional reaction from viewers and to set up the climactic end, which he does so competently. He does possess much potential, if only his character had been written with more depth.
Likewise Park Gyu Young, who elicits a similar response to her interpretation of police detective Yoon Soo Hyun. She spends most of the time pointing her service revolver at nearly everyone and jumping head on into situations that are beyond her control, oftentimes irrationally and without adhering to procedural protocols i.e. calling for back-up. I do think she’s a promising actress, having previously seen her in Sweet Home. Perhaps she would fare better with a more suitably written role in the future.
Although the nature of dystopia being depicted is supposedly totalitarian instead of post-apocalyptic, scenes of great injustice or suffering aren’t particularly apparent and not in abundance anyway. Apart from an isolated slum neighbourhood in the outskirts where small scale skirmishes break out and montages of public protests interspersed among certain episodes, the atmosphere very much looks like present-day Seoul. This gives rise to a feeling of disconnect between the purported setting and the featured visuals.
Final thoughts
All things considered, despite the misgivings that I have, The Devil Judge remains a compelling production worthy of viewing for its innovative concept, truly exceptional performances by its main leads and no holds barred storytelling. The final point worth mentioning is that the drama does eventually make good on most of the issues I have to redeem itself and ultimately end on a hugely satisfying note.
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A refreshing journey that won't fail to bring a smile to your face.
What a journey it has been! it initially started with 0 expectations but ended up being one of the most memorable rides. And it actually raised my standards much for fluffy rom-com now, as it has nothing which I truly despair or get annoyed by, but lots of sweet moments and cute fluff that will give you absolute pleasure.. and pain in the muscle of cheeks.If I talk about the plot or the theme of the drama. It's quite simple without any complexity. Bit or I'll say a lot unrealistic coz of the number of coincidences it has.. or should I call 'Fate' that brought our leads together.. not just together but living under the same roof hehe. Having a bit cliche story I actually liked its pace and the direction with perfect execution from character personality development to the story progression. Being 36 episode drama plus rom-com it had the most chances to become draggy or have unnecessary parts but actually, nothing happened like that, it never left its track consistent till the end. So the story is really cleverly written and stick to its main concept until the last moment.
Now let's talk about the soul of the show its characters. Wow, what can I say about them? I liked the characters more than the story itself. Having three-dimensional human-like characters (Which many writers forget almost all the time) who act like humans, can do mistakes, and not fit in the mold of 'Perfection.' Chu Li at first glance you might feel ah another naive, innocent FL are we getting here? I mean drama doesn't have a 'Strong Female Lead' tag not to forget she is such a cutie pie and adorable, but being badass, rude/arrogant, having power, or physically strong doesn't make strong female leads for me. Hardworking, passionate about their work, strong-willed, having their own goals, principles for life and actually working on them this defines a strong character in my opinion and Chu Li nailed it with being cute and having that bubbliness in her what a balance it was!
Zhou Chuan no I'll say, Mr. Fox, okay I love him.. not him his character lol. Mr. Fox was such a sweetheart and MOOD. I mean there wasn't any moment or scene of him that I didn't enjoy or had good laugh at. He just brightens every moment. He can be a jerk for everyone totally arrogant dude but when it comes to his loved ones he becomes a sweetheart lol...His awkwardness, not able to express what he feels in the starting was felt so natural. The writer did a great job in case of portraying his character as a 'Writer'.. like his stubbornness his passion for his work all things were dealt with in the right way realistically.
So when Mr. Fox and Monkey come together it's a perfect match.. they have quite different personalities but they compliment each other. Their bickering, fights, the development in the relationship with being each other's first love it's quite enjoyable to watch. The chemistry rocks, and how can I forget how much they trust each other and form such a strong bond together... Surely the best aspect of the drama.
Talking about second leads... I'm the type of person who actually doesn't care about second leads at all most of the time I'm not even interested, but honestly, I was invested in the plot of the second lead's story too! they had great chemistry having their own interesting plotline which actually doesn't try to overlap with the main concept of the story.. so yeah I enjoyed their screentime too!
How can I forget the sizzling chemistry between our Mr. Fox and Jiang Yu Cheng... I never craved for the screentime of ML and SML together but I actually did here.
In the acting, they did a really good job portraying all characters I don't think I can imagine this different cast.. and yeah another fact I was glad that dubbing was with the original voice of actors.
So I was engaged to the story from the start to end more than that I was much invested in our main leads who never disappointed me or let me down... for me, it was an amazing drama which I loved thoroughly... I don't rate any rom-com 9.5.. actually never lol, but it was worth it!
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1have you ever watched a drama that makes you so happy that you want to become a better person? 'a poem a day' felt like home to me. it made me feel like i really belong somewhere.
story:
the story was nothing that... impressive? at least at first sight. there is no much drama, pressure, it doesn't make you nervous about what will happen next. but it gives you a warm feeling, it makes you happy. it was interesting for me, although i have no interest in physiotherapy.
the romance between je wook and bo young was one of the most beautiful romantic stories i've ever seen in kdramas. i know, i've read in many comments, a lot of people find it boring, too 'formal', but no, it was just real. they were one normal couple. they loved each others, they supported each other, there were hugs and kisses, so i didn't really understand why some people thought that their relationship was unnatural. it just felt real.
another thing i have to mention is the patients stories. i cried my eyes out, they just felt too real.
i really liked the poems. they were so beautiful and they perfectly matched with the story.
but i was slightly disappointed in the end, i think some things should have happend but this doesn't change the fact that the story is good.
characters:
woo bo young - oh, our beautiful female lead. she was just a good person, she was trying to do her job right and to help the patients to recover. she truly cared about them. the thing i liked the most in her it's that she wasn't trying to hide her sensitivity. bo young was a strong female lead in one word.
ye je wook - i haven't seen a person who likes giving advices as much as him lol. he seemed cold in the beginning but after that you can see what a warm person he actually is. he treated everyone with respect and he was always telling what he thinks, he was honest with himself and with the others.
shin min ho - you either like him or you don't. personally, i like him. yes, sometimes he acted childishly, he had no sense of responsibility but at the end, he made the right decision no matter how hard it was for him. yes, he was sometimes selfish, but aren't we all like that? when we fall in love we want the person to have eyes only for us, we don't want to let him/her go. so how can we blame minho for that?
the side characters were really funny and pleasent to watch. their had their own hardships but they always found a way to endure it. i like seeing their character development, escpecially han joo yong's. i like how his friendship with dae band developed in a really good way.
acting:
the cast was completely new for me, the only actor who i knew was seo hyun chul.
i have no much to say, the acting was perfect. there wasn't anyone whose acting seemed unnatural, they all did a great job.
music:
beautiful ost, i love all of the songs. they suited the drama really well and they made it even better.
overall:
11/10 if you ask me. i like dramas that are close to reality and 'a poem a day' was a masterpiece for me. totally recommended!
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Striking.
This drama had been shelved for almost three years and I happened to follow it (along with ‘Echo Of Your Voice’ which is heading towards it's own three year anniversary this year) because of Song Yi Ren, whom I personally find to be an excellent actress.It dropped out of nowwhere and released it's first trailer and episodes. So, I was unaware about anything except the Baidu synopsis that has been here since 2021.
Striking is the only word I could describe Different Princess as because oh boy. This drama surprised me a LOT. It's the perfect blend of comedy, tragedy, romance, mystery, fluff, politics, scheming and poisons - all in one package that somehow managed to not mess up until the very end. It is one of most well paced/written dramas I've seen and I appreciate the scriptwriters and the crew behind this for their effort. I can see their sincerity towards the characters and the story, and despite being not promoted heavily and even unconventionally pushed out after years with no warning, Different Princess is truly memorable.
I'm digressing, so let's cut to the chase shall we? I shall also explain why I rated this a 9.5.
The opening scene is a dramatic one: a Crown Prince and his consort are both killed off by a ruthless villain, who then takes over the throne.
Flash forward following the opening title card, we learn that this tragedy was concocted by a Web novelist Hua Qing Ge in an attempt at being innovative and making her novel memorable… by killing off the main characters. Her idea backfires in a twisted way – the readers are left enraged instead of upset, and promptly trash her for writing a plothole ridden story with no character logic for sheer popularity. She adamantly refuses to change the ending even after being threatened.
What she does not expect is to be sucked into her fictional world as a self-titled canon-fodder character who is killed at the night of her wedding to the villain Ji Chu.
Thanks to her being the creator of the world, she manages to escape with the help of Ji Yun, the leading character and Crown Prince whom she had killed off in her novel. But, as she decides to dismantle Ji Chu’s plans and seek justice for Ji Yun, she starts to realize that she knew nothing about the characters and the world she had created, including the terrifying arch villain Ji Chu, who is hell bent on thwarting her plans.
Why I Think You Should Give this Drama a Chance.
*THE CHARACTERS*:
The drama has several important characters - the cast has both long time and new actors, but never once did I feel that anybody was miscast. Even the ML, despite of being a newcomer, fit his role well, and did not try to overdo it. Nobody seemed unconvincing and it looked closer to certain serious dramas, rather than an obscure 36 episode drama that decided to drop its trailer and episodes within the blink of an eye.
This is probably the first time I'm seeing a Chinese drama where all the main characters are smart. (Particularly the royal siblings - Ji Yun, Ji Feng, Ji Chu and Ji Wan’er. May it be EQ or IQ. There was tension that could be cut with a knife in scenes where the four of them were together, but there was an unshakeable bond within, whether they admitted it or not.)
Pretty sure that this is what makes the plot move quite quickly and had me on the edge of my seat, because Different Princess does not run out of plotlines to explore.
There are plenty of characters and plotlines. But, I'll start write off with Hua Qing Ge, our eponymous female lead/writer of the novel.
Being a long time reader of novels, I've heard a lot about techniques that writers adopt during the process of outlining a story. I'll give points to Hua Qing Ge for managing to squeeze in plot threads (that she openly admits, she had written to fill up the word count), but I can see that she had zero sincerity towards what she was writing.
It's evident that she has a rich imagination, but within the first two episodes, it's clear that her reviewers were not baseless in their criticisms.
It looked like she wrote the fan favorite male lead Ji Yun with the intend of getting him killed off – and for that to happen, she randomly threw in a villain with a backstory that is gleaned over.
(I know an author who told how hard she cried while killing off a character and realising that there was no other choice. Qing seemed quite happy with the ending, indicating that she had pre-planned it quite earlier, but lacked the patience to execute it well.)
Moreover, she never concentrated once on the process of the story or ‘why’ the villains existed, but rather the ending and perhaps the leading characters, Ji Yun and Xiao Yao.
She ‘is’ smart, but unfortunately for her, the villain is smarter. And she is straightforward, thanks to being thrown from the modern world to the ancient one, bringing hilarity at the least expected moments.
I loved how she tried to maintain her composure and accept her fate.
Ireine Song is perhaps the most apt actress for such a role. I know that most people will skip over this drama, but personally to me, she can pull off any character with ease.
She managed to turn even the most emotional scenes into comedy - - her modern background was never really tamped down, her inner monologues and sudden bursts of hilarity at the most unexpected times made Hua Qing Ge alive.
That gets us to Ji Chu - the villain of Hua Qing Ge’s original story. How she managed to tangle him in a love triangle in her original plot, I have no idea. Because within the first episode, the dude was plain terrifying.
He was an excellent schemer, making back up plans and taking risks, making Qing question his decisions and constantly on her toes. [Different Princess also has one of the most comedic first meetings ever. EP2 will remain my favorite because of this very reason.]
The way he outsmarts Qing in the first few episodes had me laughing.
One thing that is consistent throughout the drama is that Ji Chu ‘is’ not a fairy, although his actions are justifiable. He is ruthless in his quest for revenge, making radical decisions that plays with the life and death of people.
He was a very clear-headed character from the opening scene to the very final shot - the writers clearly knew what they were doing.
To support him, there exists Gong Ye Qi, a physician whose entire family was wiped out by the Liang Royals. Both of them made a dangerous duo and I liked their brotherhood snd sincerity.
Thus is Ding Ze Ren's first drama as a leading character, and although it's evident that actors for Ji Feng and Ji Yun have much more experience
with emotional scenes, he was perfect as the cold-faced and enigmatic Ji Chu, whom no one really knew well. Seeing him genuinely smile was a delight since he was almost always sardonic.
"A person can't be everyone's dream man."
That brings us to the intended male lead of the novel - Ji Yun, the Crown Prince. I can understand why he was the leading character in Qing's story. Or atleast in the rewritten version. He was one of the most genuinely nice character on screen, but his very loyalty to his blood is his Achilles Heel.
The drama does not lack female characters either. Ji Wan'er, described as the smartest character out of everyone by Qing, was surprisingly strong girl. Her scenes with Gong Ye Qi, particularly one at the end of EP28 was one of the most emotional ones I've seen to date.
Xiao Yao (the Crown Princess/Coroner aka the FL of Hua Qing Ge's novel), was the perfect counterpart for Ji Yun. She was calm and perhaps the wisest character. Some of her speeches and dialogues, particularly in EP36 were noteworthy.
Even the Empress and Consort Wei had their moments. You'll have to watch to know why. 😉
*THE PLOT*:
What Qing cooked up, I guess we'll never know. What we do know starts from Chapter 3 of her original novel - where the fictional Hua Qing Ge is killed by Ji Chu.
Qing did plot an excellent tale when it comes to mysteries. She had the key to answers, which gave her the upper hand, but the plot begins to veer off course, and Qing questions if somebody else was writing her story.
What initially begins as a defeat-villain-save-Crown-Prince plot soon starts to pop out hidden characters and plots, before finally terminating at the gates of the Imperial Palace.
The screen time and duration were carefully utilized so that multiple character threads progressed equally well without lingering on anyone in particular.
So, I suggest that you brace yourself for some major fight for power before you proceed.
The last few episodes in particular are plot focussed with no filler, so that might be jarring.
*RELATIONSHIPS*:
The romance was an added bonus and not the focus of the entire story. But, also very integral to it without taking away it's edge.
Ji Chu's budding romance with his ‘victim’ Hua Qing Ge was definitely the other highlight of the show that kept people watching.
Both of them were already a married to begin with, although one of them was trying to murder the other and the victim in question was openly sitting on a throne of thinly veiled lies all the while being directly under her assailant's nose. Ji Chu was not stupid to begin with and I liked how he trapped Qing with her own words. Although, he was dangerous while trying to force the truth out of her.
Their relationship was well paced and made sense.
From murder attempt, plain suspicion, bickering, master-servant, and being fish baited, to finally giving off an old married couple vibes, it's a wonder how they ended up where they are now but the journey there was one of the sweetest I've seen.
Now that I think about it, neither Hua Qing Ge nor Ji Chu ever openly said that they 'loved' each other to their face; rather they were a 'show' not tell couple.
I usually don't feel this way, but I did not want their story to wind up so fast. It was one of those rare 'to infinity and beyond' romances that was worthy of my time.
Gong Ye Qi and Wan'er's plotline was definitely the more dangerous one to me. They had a lot going on and inspite of their contrasting personalities and views, they were sincere to each other.
If Ji Chu + Qing and Wan'er + Gong Ye Qi were a deeply passionate mess, Ji Yun and Xiao Yao were the less lovey-dovey couple. There was an intense understanding and maturity between them. Xiao Yao in particular was exactly whom a character like Ji Yun needed.
The friendships and rapport between several characters, even transient ones did not feel superficial. Xiao Yan, the 24/7 guard of Ji Chu was a scene stealer in this aspect. Mo Yu and Qing's hilarious conversations lightened up even serious atmospheres. Also - the siblings. May it be between Ji Wan'er and Qing, Feng and Wan'er or even Ji Yun and Ji Chu, there was a tacit understanding of each other. T
*COSTUMES:
Ji Chu, the villain had some of the most beautiful costumes and outfit designs I've seen in CDramaland ever. He had both bright and dark coloured clothing and they were coupled with unique head accessories (the star/sun thingy was my favourite) and embroidery that were eye cat hing.
One thing I noted was that Qing and Chu had couple outfits, even though there were not many of them.
Qing had simpler, but elegant attire. Ji Yun’s wardrobe reminded of the Lan Clan from Mo Dao Zu Shi, unfortunately. He was always in blue. Wan’er and Ji Chu had plenty of color in theirs.
*MUSIC:
The opening and ending songs are haunting and foreboding. Particularly the lyrics. They make me feel that I've lost something.
The Soundtrack and BGMs altered, but never overshadowed the scenes.
**FROM THE WRITER'S DESK*:
I can tell that Different Princess will probably end up getting buried beneath the ridiculously excessive number of CDramas released per year. The Douban oage for the drama is almost dead and to top it all off, the very cookie-cutter plotline of a transmigrating writer never attracts jaded viewers.
I did not regret beginning this. Because Different Princess was indeed a different kind of delight. For a low budget, brushed-under-the-rug drama, it has done better than many of the hyped up budget blowers.
The ending is the best that the writers could've given, inspite of all the everything. I know viewers might not be satisfied, but believe me when I say that this is one of the better endings out there. But, the fact that viewers are dissatisfied itself speaks volumes about how much the writers excelled in making us root for the characters.
A 9.5/10 from me.
There are stories that receive a neatly packaged closure - sometimes hopeful, sometimes tragic. Then there are some stories that are just not meant to end. And Ji Chu and Hua Qing Ge's tale is definitely one of them.
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Artistic, Beautiful, Classy, Elegant, Humorous, Sweet Romance, Mysterious
A Dream of Splendor is an adaptation of a very beloved classic story written by a playwright in the Yuan Dyansty (c. 1271–1368). The original story, titled 赵盼儿风月救风尘, in short “Saving the Courtesan” (救风尘), tells the story of Yinzhang marrying a man who forced her into prostitution. Zhao Pan'er came to help her by seducing the man into signing the divorce paper. Yinzhang later married the upstanding scholar who Zhao Pan’er was in love with. The story was so inspiring that over the years, it has been adapted into movie, TV series, dramas, plays, Chinese operas (越剧), and even into a comic book (manhua). In A Dream of Splendor, romance and politics are added to give it a complete flavor for today’s audience.Though fictional names are used, this drama is said to have set in the Song Dynasty, around c. 1019, during Emperor Zhenzong’s reign. The Emperor was sickly and his Empress, Liu E assisted him in the ruling, handling various state matters. Having a less than pristine family background, court officials had divided opinions of the Emperor taking Liu E as the Empress. In this fictional story, the Empress was an entertainer in the past, and her image was captured in a painting as she was entertaining her host and guests. As a Secret Service for the Imperial Palace, Gu Qianfan (Chen Xiao) is ordered to retrieve the painting before it’s fallen into the hands of those who want to use it to expose the Empress of her past.
While searching for that painting, Gu Qianfan crosses path with Zhao Pan’er (Liu Yifei). After saving Gu Qianfan when he is almost killed, Zhao Pan’er comes to the capital city in search of her fiancé, Ouyang Xu (Xu Haiqiao), together with her best friends, Song Yinzhang (Lin Yun aka Jelly Lin) and Sun San Niang (Liu Yan aka Ada Liu). Each of them has had gone through the worst of their lives: Sun San Niang is jilted by her husband and denied by her son and she attempts suicide, while Song Yinzhang is abused by her gigolo husband. Zhao Pan’er has rescued both women while going through a breakup with a relationship for three years. The trio decides they need to maintain their dignity, depend on themselves and will not be subjected to the manipulation of any men. They first start a small and elegant tea house, and later run the most talked-about restaurant in town, employing the skills each possesses – Zhao Pan’er’s art of tea, Song Yizhang’s talent of the pipa instrument and Sun San Niang’s outstanding gourmet cooking.
Zhao Pan’er has a modern-day business acumen. She turns her adversaries into her allies. She is good in putting two and two together to figure things out. She is artistic, intelligent, and fast witted. In this drama, she ends with the best love of her life whom she deserves. Liu Yifei’s acting is natural and amazing. Her charisma exudes elegance, beauty, grace and calmness.
Gu Qianfan is a ruthless, intelligent head of the Imperial Guard, and he can fight very well. Chen Xiao’s portrayal is convincing and natural, and most of all, he has an undeniable amazing chemistry with Liu Yifei. Their dynamics are over the top, and their romance is sweet and real.
Other cast members are just as good and convincing. Here we have a comedic character, Chi Yanei (Dai Xu), to light up the mood and add colors to the story. There’s a lot of growth with the main characters, in particular with Song Yinzhang who grows from a naïve gullible girl to an intelligent decisive business owner.
My Verdict
As lovely as the romance in this drama, this story is about courageous women helping and saving each other from their most egregious times and conditions. It is heart wrenching and anguish to watch the reality of life for ancient women and such trend is still persisting in today’s world that women are still being treated harshly and unfairly, in particular in light of the recent abortion ban in the USA.
The 2001 version of the drama starred Le Jiatong as Zhao Pan’er and Fan Bingbing as Yinzhang. In this earlier version, there were no Gu Qianfan nor Sun San Niang. The two female characters were flamboyant and very strong since the beginning, especially Yinzhang. Their costumes were colorful and tawdry as they were dancers. The music and dances were some of the most beautiful scenes to watch and are commendable.
In A Dream of Splendor, the Ouyang Xu character is being vilified (vis a vis the scholar that was loved by both women in the earlier version), and the women’s characters are subdued and more dignify, giving them more class and elegance; Zhao Pan’er’s expertise in the art of tea and Song Yinzhang’s brilliance in playing the pipa instrument. Any viewers will be mesmerized by the beauty and elegance of these ladies when they execute their exquisite art forms. I like the way the characters talk, softly, and directly without beating around the bush nor losing grace, and without fear nor hypocrisy. The drama explores the main five senses of our bodies with some more in-depth than others: visual, sound, taste, touch, smell. Though the story and plot are not perfect with a lot of unplugged holes, the romance is warm and desirable, the aesthetic value is one of the best (Zhao Pan'er's art of tea, her dancing, visual of Yinzhang's pipa playing etc), and the instrumental music and OSTs are excellent.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable drama for all romance buffs and for viewers who appreciate the beautiful things in life. Don’t miss it. BRAVO!
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This review may contain spoilers
Love of a distant past
One and Only has the distinction of being the first production in 2021 that I’m rating a perfect 10 overall. Personally for me, it is the best C-drama historical of the year and quite possibly one of the best of all time, within the sub-genre of historical romance (non-comedy). To put it simply, and I don’t often use this term, this drama is a MASTERPIECE.The Story
Based on the celebrated novel, One Life, One Incarnation – Beautiful Bones" (一生一世美人骨) by multiple award-winning novelist and screenwriter Mo Bao Fei Bao (墨宝非宝), who also wrote the screenplay for this drama. As a brief summary, the story revolves around the love between Cui Shi Yi and Zhousheng Chen that spans a period of two lifetimes, namely during the ancient era of the fictional Beizhen Empire and contemporary China of the present day. One and Only follows the star-crossed lovers journey during the earlier lifetime, while a sequel that takes place in the modern time period, Forever and Ever, is slated for back-to-back release.
As I understand from readers of the source material, both parts of the story convey vastly contrasting outcomes, notably the earlier backstory ends in tragedy while the sequel, which forms the main component of the novel, has a much happier conclusion.
Although primarily a slow-burn sweeping epic love story, One and Only does explore the sociopolitics and values of a deeply-ingrained Confucian setting which I suspect is modelled on the Northern and Southern Dynasties era, if not earlier, that includes filial piety, obeisance to King and country. Besides the political maneuverings and warfare, relationship dynamics in the form of master and disciples, as well as “sibling camaraderie” is heavily featured.
Production Details
This iQiyi production is helmed by the critically acclaimed Guo Hu, who had previously directed well known productions including The Journey of Flower, Eternal Love (Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms), Lost Love in Times, and Love and Destiny. The original score and one of the OSTs is composed by the prolific and highly regarded Tan Xuan, who had served as music producer for numerous productions including Love and Redemption, Princess Agents, The Glory of Tang Dynasty and Eternal Love, among many others. For only a 24-episode serial, principal photography took entirely two months at Hengdian World Studios, the meticulous process of which is magnificently depicted in the end product itself.
Why do I consider this production a masterpiece that deserves a “10” rating?
The Technical Execution
I’m hugely impressed with the technical aspects of direction, art direction, cinematography, and choreography. The post-production editing and overdub, in terms of the voice dubbing process, the voice actors utilised and sound mixing, as well as the visual and special effects employed are exceptionally well rendered. The appropriate levels of colour grading along with countless immersive, overhead and tracking shots amidst the backdrop of grand pastoral views, while even parallax angles are applied to great effect especially during scenes of battles and massed congregations.
The seamless transitions between the various sequences, scenes and shifts in atmospherics are testament to the experience and capabilities of the director as well as the entire production crew. All these components seek to ensure that this production becomes a well crafted aesthetic and cinematic treat indeed.
The Production Values
One and Only is made of big money and it truly shows. Nothing at all looks cheap or out of place. From the wigs, costumes, accessories, set designs, props, horses, snow… the list just goes on. This is a top-tier production through and through. The big names in the production crew and the quality of the casting certainly reflect the overall production values.
In comparison with other C-historicals and despite the fact that Hengdian is a popular and convenient filming venue for many similar productions, it is extremely apparent that extra care and attention to the finer details have been taken for every production stage and its related aspects. I do believe that it could also be partially attributed to the fact that the drama format is shorter, at 24 episodes, thus affording the production more time to perfect the principal photography and post production processes, as opposed to 40 or 50-episode dramas with the same filming schedule, thus resulting in shorter duration for fine-tuning or filming additional takes of each shot. Having fewer episodes also contributes to compact plotlines and significantly reduces the amount of fillers, with the end result of a more engaging and compelling storytelling.
The Cast and Acting
I do think that the narrative for the first part of the novel is rather straightforward while the interweaving sub-plots relating to certain side characters are not overly convoluted. Because of this and also how strongly written the main characters are, I feel that One and Only is largely character-driven. For this type of drama to succeed, the leads would have to give one hell of a performance to breathe life into their characters. Fortunately, this is where the cast well and truly delivers.
I’ve been a fan of both Bai Lu and Ren Jia Lun ever since I first saw them in The Legends and Detective Dee respectively. Although some of their roles or choices in certain projects have led to questions in the past, I’ve never doubted their broad potential and talents. I honestly think their performances here are the best that I have ever seen from them and are worthy of wider recognition for their efforts.
Bai Lu imbues her character of Cui Shi Yi with such grace, elegance, nuance and emotional depth that absolutely defines the term masterclass in acting. She portrays a character who is mute and having to use sign language, albeit temporarily, that slowly but surely undergoes immense character growth to mature from being a shy and timid young girl to a confident, independent and resolute woman. There is a massive intensity in her convincing depiction of the sheer torment, anguish and sadness that genuinely touches viewers' hearts (or mine, at least). And that poignant scene in the final episode, where she is dressed in all red, truly is poetry in motion…
Ren Jia Lun plays the noble and warm-hearted Zhousheng Chen, royal Prince of Beizhen, General of the West State and Master of his eleven disciples. I’ve always believed that Ren Jia Lun is at his best when he is cast in profound roles because very few actors are able to genuinely portray stoic and solemn characters as well as he does. There is a powerfully understated quality to his performance in this drama that makes you believe he is completely immersed in the character. Intelligent, calm and heroic, all the traits of a capable leader are put on full display in his depiction right to the bitter end.
Bai Lu and Ren Jia Lun, as Cui Shi Yi and Zhousheng Chen, share some of the most convincing, irresistible, organic and downright heartbreaking chemistry and emotional connection that deeply touches the soul. No aspect of their relationship development feels rushed, irrational, undercooked or over-the-top. Their love is subtle, meaningful and simply perfect. They are meant for each other.
As far as the supporting cast is concerned, suffice to say everyone delivers a commendable effort in their respective portrayals. The veterans in Fu Jun and Liu Wei Wei, depicting Advisor Xie and Shi Yi’s mother respectively inject a measure of class and finesse to the production. No drama would be complete without the antagonist, Liu Zi Xing who is played by the relative newcomer, Wang Xing Yue. I’m quite surprised he is only 19 years old, but he does give a decent account of himself and succeeds in making me hate his guts. Among the many familiar faces in the production, look out for memorable appearances by Daisy Dai, Yao Yi Chen and the ever amusing Han Cheng Yu.
The Music
Alongside the fittingly sombre and introspective compositions of the original score, there are four OSTs in the soundtrack. Zhang Bichen has established herself as one of the premier soundtrack contributors in recent years and her rendition of the theme song, along with Ren Jia Lun’s character theme, are my personal favourites of the compilation.
张碧晨 Zhang Bichen - 如故 As It Is
任嘉伦 Ren Jialun - 如一 Like One
郑云龙 Zheng Yunlong - 定心 Tranquil
李紫婷 (Mimi Lee), 井胧 (Jing Long) - 无虞 (Unworried)
Final Thoughts
I do not usually favour sad stories, particularly those with tragic outcomes, and almost always avoid such dramas. However, I’m glad I did not because One and Only is indeed a very special production that has been made with such care, effort and passion that it would be remiss of me not to have given this a shot and appreciate the fine work of the entire production crew and the cast. And, I keep telling myself, at least there’s consolation in the form of the upcoming sequel’s more promising narrative and ultimate closure to look forward to.
“Beauty bones are rare in the world.
Those with bones do not have skin, and those with skins do not have bones.
Most people in the world have superficial eyes, only the skin, but no bone.
If in this society, there is someone who has the memory of two lives and loves you deeply. How happy.
Shi Yi was like this to Zhousheng Chen.
And he has forgotten her a long time ago”.
(excerpt from the novel’s introduction)
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The plot lines may hardly be original, but the complexity of the main characters gives the old stories a freshness and power they would otherwise lack. Song Il Guk does a fine job as the young prince destined to found an empire, but my favorite actors (and characters) were Hu Joon Ho as the grizzled veteran Haemosu and Jun Kwang Ryul as the tormented king Kumwa. Hu exudes presence every moment he’s onscreen, and Jun’s portrayal of the king’s increasingly conflicted and destructive loyalties is devastating. The show also uses its length to draw us so completely into its web of relationships that many of its most powerful scenes are not the giant battles but the quiet moments where a truth is revealed or a lie is told or a heart is broken.
Does everything work? No. The plot meanders in the final third, with wild goose chases down narrative lines that seem designed to kill time rather than actually deliver meaningful revelations. I could have lived without the saccharine pop ballad love songs on endless repeat and you could get rip-roaring drunk in no time if you took a shot whenever someone stages an ambush, falls off a cliff, discusses an evil plan around an ornate wooden table or survives getting shot by multiple arrows. However, if you’re looking for ridiculously immersive popular entertainment and don’t mind sleep deprivation, you’re in for a hell of a ride. Just be careful – this whole drama thing can get addictive . . . .
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please tell me this was a social experiment
you know those shows that you just never want to end? this was the complete opposite of that. I spent every single second watching this hoping, wishing, praying it would just end already. I put it on 2x speed and still felt myself growing older by the second, wasting away my precious minutes on this earth watching this trainwreck of a show.now you may ask, why did you finish it if you hated it this much? I have no answer for you. I myself am astonished by my own perseverance. I told myself I would see this show through to the bitter end and I can proudly say I DID IT! I withstood it all. the bad acting, horrible writing, boring cinematography, outrageous advertisement, obnoxious background music and I came out alive. I stand victorious against this show! It hasn’t broken me, but oh boy it certainly tried.
sometimes when I close my eyes I can still see it… the logo “Lodestar Productions” looming in front of me, mocking me. I wake up in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat after having found myself trapped in a nightmare where I, too, am sitting in that office. unable to escape the melodramatics of daonuea and nine. unable to even scream. someone hands me phone and asks me to book a flight using the AirAsia SuperApp™ I take it, my fingers numb, only able to wait for death to put an end to my suffering.
anyways this show was shit. and considering how many people it takes for the production of a drama I cannot believe that this was anything other than a social experiment. there is just no way that many people earnestly signed off on this idea thinking it was going to be a hit. I will not believe it. watch it if you’re looking for something to bore you death and haunt you in your nightmares.
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want to see the actors in something else
Overall: ep 7 and 8 were better but it was too little too late. There were 8 episodes about 15 minutes each, aired on Viki and GagaOOLala (depending on your country)Content Warnings: harassment
What I Liked
- funny moments
- how the director Ha Yeon Woo was prepared/put some thought into his plan
- the fan service of Ha Yeon Woo's body
- production value (including the scenic shots)
Room For Improvement
- for a jerk protagonist and a sweetheart to work in a romance, the jerk needs to have a REALLY good reason why they are a jerk and the jerk phase can't last very long. Unfortunately the explanation in episode 7 just wasn't good enough for me and the jerk phase lasted way too long.
- didn't feel chemistry between the protagonists
- the writer was a huge jerk to his manager and it made me mad (wish the writer was nice to others but then only angry at the director when he showed up)
- needed a little bit more of an indicator when they switched from present to past and then back to present again, some choppy moments
- very slow paced,
- dead fish lip presses
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This review may contain spoilers
" BELIEVING IS MAGIC "
This is my first time writing a review so i guess it won't be that great .It's impossible to rewatch as you will remember this drama forever . This is the best kdrama of 2022 so farr . I cried in the last episode . This dramatells us about what we need is to believe in ourselves . This drama is taking us 2022 children and adults into consideration . We all must have dreamt of something in our childhood . But do we really complete that dream when we grow up ? Just getting a degree or becoming like your parents is not a qualification or a must . We need to think and see what makes us comfortable and happy and makes us worth living a lifetime . This drama has excellently potrayed everything about our current situations but using magic and how we should move forward by remembering our happiest memories .
" He had no choice " " At some point , the world became a place where people like you ( ) can't live in . because if you don't meet the set standarads , you are treated like a failure . ......................... I think I understand you now . Since when did this world became a place where dreams have to meet a standarad ? What kind of qualifications are needed to become a necessary adult ? I just need to be me . " - Ah yi (ep 6)
I don't have much to write . So i hope you'll watch it . My review won't be that good . This drama amazed me a lott and I have been thinking about this drama since 24 hrs . I loveee thisss
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Sweet Home ended me
Sweet Home ending is insane. The special effects, plot, cast and production is well planned. The ending was way different from the webtoon and there is now more room for season 2. Every single monsters is so detailed and so insane. I loved how they didn't show many things which the webtoon had, now they show it in the season 2. Amazing acting from Song Kang, Lee Shi Young, Lee Do Hyun and everyone. Everything single scene was a slay. One of the best Korean drama of 2020. Must watch! They way I panicked in every episode is very scary.Was this review helpful to you?
both main characters were so smart, levelheaded, understanding, sweet, vulnerable, and yet they were so confident and they never put the other's needs before themselves.. love is great, but self love is important? love doesn't mean "devote your whole existence to the other party"?
I'm worried I'll never watch another "similar" romcom again ;) this is not "original", but it's literally the only acceptable way to deal with cliches... a character driven story...
I'll just describe the characters a little more.... ryan... he's confident, maybe even arrogant and cold, but I love that he shows duk mi his "vulnerable" side.. and he doesn't "push her around".. he asks, he doesn't demand.. he apologizes when he's wrong, and he's not "above making a mistake"... and you can tell that he still wonders "am I asking too much", but she doesn't say no because he isn't asking for something grand, and she's just so precious and I LOVE a confident female lead... strong doesn't equal to mean or a bully, and sweet doesn't equal to a pushover who cries while apologizing for nothing...
also, his goofy playful side... I LOVE that side~ unlike dominic, he only wants "duk mi" to see that side ;)
ps, my rewatch value is just a 1 or a 10, so for this, I'll definitely rewatch it one day. just not the last 2 eps ;)
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2This review may contain spoilers
Entertaining but also frustrating
The Princess Royal turned out to be one of those polarizing dramas where many viewers enjoyed the series thoroughly, while others condemned it as a terrible waste of time. This drama scored higher ratings on Douban than another show with an 8.9 rating on MDL and breached 10,000 on Youku’s popularity index. Yet, if you read the reviews and comments on MDL, you will see many with an opposite sentiment.In the beginning, there were folks who judged the FL character based on her actions in the novel, and despite the scenes not even happening in the drama, began hating on her. As the show progressed, some complained that the novel had better scenes and the drama should have included them. Furthermore, fans of Zhang Ling He lamented that his ML character got less screen time than the SML and was not a strong enough character. Others wanted a full-fledged romance story and felt that the show spent too much time on palace politics and the interactions between the FL and the SML.
Lucky for me, I was not influenced by such factors. Not having read the novel, I could start with a clean slate. Also, not being a major fan of any actor, I was not comparing the amount of screen time each character had. While I enjoyed the development of the leads' romance, I was most interested in seeing how the leads would triumph against the villains when given the opportunity to redo things. The show drew me in because of its interesting premise of giving multiple characters a second chance.
**Why Entertaining?**
Having not only one lead but multiple characters being reborn into an earlier period of their lives added a nice twist to the usual story of a second shot at life. Moreover, we got another twist where instead of the ML being the tsundere one with all the power and prestige, it was the FL, Li Rong, who started off with a colder and unapproachable personality. As the Princess Royal, she was the political heavyweight with the backing of her noble family's background. In contrast, Pei Wenxuan, the ML, came from a humble common family and was married to the FL as her Prince Consort.
I liked Li Rong because she was unlike the stereotypical strong female lead. She had plenty of flaws but also had her own strengths. With conflicting personality traits, she was initially misunderstood by many viewers because she was cold and harsh on the outside towards Pei Wenxuan and yet showed care and thoughtfulness for him through her actions. Those viewers who supported and defended her against criticism finally felt vindicated when Li Rong showed character growth as she learned to trust the ML and revealed a warmer side. Through this growth, Li Rong also became freer, dropped her defensive wall, and expressed her feelings towards Pei Wenxuan more openly.
What added to her appeal for me was her complicated backstory. In her first life, Li Rong was no Mary Sue; she was not your usual FL who was perfect and good, and her only fault was trusting and loving the wrong people. In Li Rong's case, she was so proud, and her pride led her to misunderstand Pei Wenxuan and cut him off. She ended up in a relationship with Su Rong Qing, the SML, for many years while her marriage to Pei Wenxuan was just a sham. This setup also led many viewers to condemn her, but for me, who cares? The story was about them getting another opportunity to change things and start afresh, so I was more interested in what happened in their present (second) lives.
Zhao Jinmai did a good job as Li Rong. She was supposed to be young, and she certainly looked the part with her baby face, but she was able to portray the emotions of someone who may look young but had already experienced over 40 years of life. A life that was not easy, being entangled in palace politics. That said, there were times when I thought she was not regal enough and did not give that feeling of gravitas that someone in her position should have.
As for Zhang Lihe, whether or not he got sufficient screentime, I don't think anyone can deny that he found his stride in this drama. This is his best ML role so far, and he completely embodied Pei Wenxuan as a sunny, besotted man who was also calculating. Pei Wenxuan was also prideful like Li Rong in his first life as her Prince Consort, and when given another chance, decided not to waste it by hiding his love for Li Rong like he did the first time. In the second life, he wore his heart on his sleeve, and having understood Li Rong so well, was patient and willing to bear a lot for her. To me, he was an endearing simp who had it bad for Li Rong but was not a wimp. He got things done in his own way and was a brilliant strategist with his political maneuvering. He could also outshine anyone, including Su Rong Qing, during his jealous fits. Minor spoiler alert: the scene where he played the erhu in the middle of Li Rong's and Su Rong Qing's performance was just the best.
I enjoyed the progression of their relationship in the second life. Mostly through Pei Wenxuan's efforts, the leads actually talked through their issues. It took them the whole of their first lifetime to second-guess, and ultimately scheme against each other, so the second time around, they made sure to communicate. There were times when I thought there would be misunderstandings again, but each time, one of them would try to move forward by sharing their feelings. This was really the best strategy for Pei Wenxuan to win Li Rong over this time round.
With the romance underplayed during the last quarter, the show put a heavier focus on palace and court politics, which I also found entertaining. The show emphasized how blood ties and affection would always take second place when it comes to power struggles among the royal and noble families. This drama did a pretty good job depicting how people will stop at nothing to retain power for their family names and were mostly propelled by self-interest. As frustrating as it was to watch, it was understandable given the history of the Chinese empires. At least for me, it gave more depth to many of the characters in this show. It also added more nuances to the relationship between the leads as they navigated conflicts between the royal and noble families and survived being in the center of political struggles and turmoil. Seeing them together left a good feeling, and I was satisfied with how they ended.
**Why Frustrating?**
Where the show failed for me and why I could not give it a higher rating was how Su Rong Qing was portrayed. This character got a lot of hate for being the clingy SML who could not move on and later as the main villain, got a lot of screen time. I believe the show wanted to elicit sympathy for him, given his backstory and complicated relationship with Li Rong in the first life. The show probably also wanted a more complex villain whose actions may have seemed rash and selfish at first but never wavered from his desire to protect and ensure the safety and happiness of the ones he loved, including Li Rong. Also, by adding him to the mix, perhaps the show wanted to create more than just a sweet, flat romance between the leads.
If a more veteran actor had played the character, I might have developed a soft spot for Su Rong Qing and felt bad for him. However, Chen Heyi's portrayal did nothing for me. At the beginning, I did not really notice him except as a plot device to drive the leads closer. Later, when he turned out to be the main villain, I was not surprised to see him featured more. After all, like many other shows, villains tend to have more screen time during the buildup to the climax to drive up the angst factor. However, never once did I feel sympathy for Su Rong Qing. It could be the writing, but unfortunately, Chen He Yi's acting was not enough to depict this lost soul. Even in the end, I could not feel the hopelessness and defeat that Su Rong Qing must have felt, trapped with no way out between his family, duty, love, and his own desires. Even the music and numerous flashbacks failed to stir any emotions within me.
The acting of others also missed the mark for me. The actress playing Consort Rou, for example, had the oddest expressions, almost like she had a constant twitch. For someone who was featured quite a bit, I found it somewhat distracting.
**Overall**
Despite the lackluster acting of some, I love that the characters were shades of gray. We had antagonists who felt justified in their actions, people on both sides helping each other, sometimes for justice but mostly for purely selfish interests. Then we have the protagonists who made bad decisions, said and did things they did not mean in the heat of the moment. The show scored points with me for its dynamic characters who struggled with their actions, who were not always clear if they were doing the right thing or what the right thing even was.
This was certainly not a "always feel good" show where the good ones win all the time but it certainly provided the satisfaction I wanted. I was half expecting some open ended dream sequence but the ending was a proper and complete one.
Aesthetically, the set designs and costumes were well done and indicated the high budget of the show. The costumes were lovely, especially for Pei Wenxuan, and his clean hairstyle highlighted how handsome he was. The styling for Li Rong and Shangguang Ya was also nicely done, especially their hairstyles and accessories.
I also found the OSTs fitting and memorable. For posterity, here is the playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLaG0k-PXfnd8aOjOOxIaKTGfGdB4VKtm (maintained by Peachy Blossom) or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/28GuPBlliOm48KGAl2fefJ?si=c8ba7e1257c24081
I recommend that you try this drama out and see for yourself. Thematically for me, The Princess Royal is a show that encapsulates life in many aspects and topics. It touches upon self-awareness and personal growth, love (romantic and familial), respect and loyalty (to self, family, country), politics, societal obligations and problems, the balance of power and inequality, friendship, and more.
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First and foremost because I have total trust in the production team and actors (Jiang Xin, Liu Tao, Yang Zi, Jin Dong, Zu Feng and so on ...) and well when I read what it would be about I was filled with too much happiness, I mean there's Jiang Xin and she'll be a main character I was really overjoyed because of that and this time she could finally shine and show what great outstanding actress she is which I never doubted <3 furthermore I've always wanted to watch a drama about strong friendship between women from different background and age, to see how their relationship will evolve throughout the drama, in the end I can tell you that it exceeded my expectations, it was more than just friendship, it was sisterhood and a friendship filled with so much love, respect, funny and cute moments. And I have to admit I'm not the biggest fan of Chinese Modern Dramas but now I can definitely say, this one is the best I've seen and among my fave dramas right now.
Of course what made this drama such a wonderful and unique journey is the friendship between all of them : Sheng Mei, An Di, Xiao Xiao, Ying Ying and Guan Guan, how they all get to know, accept, respect and love each other, it was simply beautiful and magical to see, everything feels so genuine, it's like they've known each other since a very long time and were able to confide in one another, joke and do lot of amusing activities together like true friends would do and yeah it did take a little bit of time for at least two of them to open up more and accept the others girls however in the end they were themselves when together, all 5 of them.
Friendship is definitely not what this drama is all about and I love this drama for many other reasons :
-The writing, I was so impressed and since the first second when I saw how the dialogues were so well thought- out, rich and intelligent, I love all those quotes Sheng Mei, An Di and some characters like Lao Tan ( Tan Zong Ming) said, very realistic, deep and sometimes pretty bitter.
-Different genres mixed so well in only one drama such as : friendship, drama, comedy (mostly scenes with Ying Ying and Xiao Xiao), romance, slice of life and also family. This is true that some situations were a bit too unreasonable but overall it was such a refreshing and realistic drama and as a big Slice of Life fan I couldn't resist and and love with all my heart all the characters and their stories, sometimes it felt also too real that I couldn't help but cry (from both sadness and happiness).
-Also love how the writer doesn't only focus on one or two characters but takes time to develop all of them and show their own stories, struggles and family problems. Just this is such a pity I still don't know much about Guan Guan and because of that I couldn't relate to her nor her story but it doesn't mean she's not likeable and that I didn't like her.
I really have too much love for this drama that will be hard to explain with words but anyway I'll try to convey my thoughts and affection for Ode to Joy without being too subjective. You know since the very first ep I already felt attached to Fan Sheng Mei, An Di and Ying Ying, I really love the way they were introduced to us, one is very mature and have such strong opinion about love and life situations, the second one is straightforward and can be very badass as well and the latter so cute and naive but also very foolish at times but I couldn't help but fall for her kindness, gentleness toward other girls. They do really have their own qualities and flaws and that's what make them humane and alive.
Of course I know If I start talking about all of them it will take me hours so I'll try to make it as short as possible and go straight to the point.
~If you don't want to know more about the character's personalities you can skip this part~
[Fan Sheng Mei : who's my absolute favorite of the show and the reason is because she's so mature, so elegant and classy, strong, independent who only relies on herself to live and survive in a big city like Shanghai, she's particularly pessimistic when it comes to love and relationship between human being but we can only go along with her as she's always stating the awiful truth.
An Di : Smart, quiet, elegant, mostly wears black and white clothes and for like 25 eps it always bugged me a little bit but that's her style :p, discreet about her life and once again for good reasons because it's hard for her opening up to others and trusting them.
Xiao Xiao, the real light of this drama, so eccentric, also sometimes very awkward with others and the words she uses to speak to people and which leads her to be misunderstood in my opinion, this can be both an asset and disadvantage. Anyway she's considerate, adorable and cool, and for that I like her a lot.
Ying Ying : cute, loving, caring, she also has an eccentric side but now in same way as Xiao Xiao, it's more in her behaviour and her cheerful personality.
Guan Guan : She's also a very understanding and compassionate person and always there for Fan Sheng Mei and Ying Ying, she's hardworking too and a bit too shy, has hard time expressing her feelings to others but once she's with her friends she can fully be herself.]
5 unique, interesting and colourful women :p
I'm really impressed to see that those 5 women who are so different can share so much and support each other during hard times, such endearing, caring and loving characters, for me it was impossible not to love and admire them though I have my personal favorites and I know all of you who watched this drama have your own favorite characters as well for personal reasons and that's what makes Ode to Joy so unforgettable. And yes my fave is definitely Sheng Mei and I love her .
I now need to say a few words about the OST which definitely became one of my all time favorites, I absolutely love all of the songs : I'll post my favorites below. But I won't say more cause I hope people who're gonna watch the drama will discover all of them by themselves and enjoy them the same way I did, and being surprised the way I was too otherwise it would not be fun for you.
My faves :
The ending song : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEmSGIaT4Rg&amp;list=PLlxGEDlRe5WNN-_2n7giCKga4V5YHa8-1 Love
Hui Gu Niang/Cinderella : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fGAWMfO7HQ , definitely my favorite and I love the lyrics, so beautiful and true.
Wo Yao Ni/I Want you : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL_QJkbrCKE&list=PL9ct9xr9-KGQtUXpZDeec-oi5WXSz9oNc&index=7 so punchy and addictive
Pei Ni Zuo Yu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9R4gKWn9W4&amp;amp;amp;list=RDsY6u6NbtTlE;index=2
It was overall a very great drama as I said above and I just can't wait for the next seasons to see my girls again *0*. Very very recommended as it will definitely bring you lot of smiles, laughter and food for thoughts as well. And I have to say it was really addictive, I still can't believe I completed this show :(.
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