1000/10 otp chemistry, entertaining plot, and fun ride or die shenanigans
I haven't been so hyped about a cdrama in a long while, going so far as to watching it while it airs, which, I admit, does have its perks because I get to savor more details and nothing feels rushed. It's actually kinda fun, especially when sharing the experience here on tumblr :D
A lot has been said and written about this show, but it really did deliver in a lot of departments, resulting in a well-made and exceptionally acted series with sky-high entertaining value. The plot? Never got boring even for a single second. The premise? Unique for a transmigrator story, the Cdramaland has seen so many of. It's fresh with not one, but two transmigrators (three, if you count Xie Yong'er) and all that meta 2D characters vs. real people discourse that's been going on in the show.
All the characters had enough depth and development (apart from Prince Duan, probably, but his fall was kinda epic and can probably be considered as such). Xie Yong'er went from a flat-ish 2D transmigrator girl to a full-on meimei to Wanyin and fellow schemer to our little team of conspirators. Mr.Bei was consistently awesome - and a transgender character at that! I think it's the first time I've seen one in a cdrama, and done so effortlessly. A-Bai - cute and relevant to the plot, all the scholars - each with their own character and peculiar story.
All the side-characters were actually memorable and well-thought-through, I rooted for them! Xiahou Dan went from a lost-cause suffering puppet emperor who nearly forgot who he was to a revived scheming and plotting modern-ish man with agonizing history who can still fight back. Wanyin went from this lighthearted, gorgeous, and smart woman to a formidable and loving partner, fellow plotter, and a gracious Empress.
Of course, you can't build a story without able antagonists - the Creepiness Award goes to Prince Duan, it's been a while since I was so weirded out by an on-screen character, he got proper serial killer vibes. Murderous Step Mother of the Year Award goes to Empress Dowager - the woman was horrifying almost every time she got screen time, and I applaud the actress who portrayed her, she was truly-madly-deeply hateable, like GoT's Joffrey level of hateability :D
The OTP, Wanyin and Xiahou Dan, had 1000% chemistry, which can make a show even with a lesser plot be memorable and loveable, but this one was fun from beginning till end. We had everything - funny humorous scenes, sweet delicate romance, soft homey married couple vibes, sexy vibes, found family trope vibes, scheming and plotting couples vibes, ride or die vibes, partners in arms and partners in literally everything vibes.
Seriously, the entertainment value of this show is sky-high. The directing, the costumes, the styling, the acting, the pacing - everything is just so-so good. All the interpersonal relationships are great, and Xiahou Dan is one of the prettiest suffering men I've ever seen. I mean it's a cdrama staple, but he somehow brought it to perfection, not to mention the absolutely stellar acting by Cheng Lei, who showed an incredible range of emotions and micro-expressions. Wang Churan was a very good match and delivered a great performance as well, giving us an equally wide range of personas - from cutesy and love-stricken to smart, resilient, and hellbent on saving her boo no matter the cost.
It's been a wild ride))) The show definitely goes into my top list of best cdramas ever :D
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