This is an amazing 2017 drama.
Note: I'm not a particularly picky person. So my ratings may be more generous than others'. I'll admit, I was probably a little harsh in rating the story. 😅☆☆☆☆☆ First, the storyline was pretty good. I said "pretty good", but it wasn't the best. Of course, this is a 2017 drama, so I think it's exceptionally good for a drama filmed 5 years ago. Ig you can say that standards back then were "lower" than today's because production has advanced over time, so there are a lot more dramas better than this one in the following years. The only thing I think that brought the story rating down for me is that it was I dare say- childish, almost. It's all about "magical powers" and love. But I really liked how they constructed the characters. Their personalities are kind of what kept me watching.
☆☆☆☆☆ Tbh, the cast and acting was the only reason why I decided to watch this drama in the first place. I love Xing Zhao Ling and Liang Jie A LOT. They make an amazing duo, and I fell in love right after seeing them once in "You Are My Destiny" from 2020, and coincidentally, they filmed many dramas together, and this was their first one I believe. The producers did really well in this aspect, and honestly, it can't get any better.
**(sidenote: Liang Jie was pretty impressive here, where she had to act as Qu Xiao Tan and Qu Tan Er, who had completely opposite personalities.)
☆☆☆☆☆ Music... music is so important. I really love music in general, and thought the music chosen in this drama was excellent. It was fitting, and I don't have much criticism to give on that part. 🤷♀️
☆☆☆☆☆ Overall, this drama is amazing. I would totally recommend it to anyone who hasn't watched it yet. Personally, I like modern dramas more than historical dramas, so I think I'd like the sequel to this drama better. Speaking of the sequel, I wouldn't rewatch this myself because I'd be watching The Eternal Love 2 instead. Anyways, if you haven't watched this yet, I would definitely recommend it!
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This review may contain spoilers
So I decided to watch this because the first drama I've seen with Xing Zhao Lin and Liang Jie was their remake of Fated to Love You and I can't deny the chemistry they have. Apparently, this is the drama that started it all. This is the drama that let everyone know that they have this amazing chemistry.STORY:
This drama had a strong premise though it is not new in the Chinese drama world that they love their time travelling shenanigans. Tan Er (Liang Jie) suddenly travels back in time one night when she was in danger and is trapped in the body of a timid, noble lady Xiao Tan who is then newly betrothed to the 8th prince Lian Cheng (Xing Zhao Lin). Unfortunately she is in love with his older brother. What's hilarious about this drama is the contrast between Tan Er and Xiao Tian. She really made me laugh when she was walking around as Tan Er especially while her maid Jing Xin was so clueless in everything that's happening. How Tan Er is taking revenge for Xiao Tian and how she puzzles Lian Cheng with the fact that sometimes she likes him but sometimes she's aloof. While I liked 3/4 of the drama, I didn't like the last arc of this drama. It made me confused and I think injecting that story into their story to prove that they've been fated for hundreds or thousands of years is not the smoothest transition in a drama.
ACTING/CAST:
The cast are over-all great and let's just say that Xing Zhao Lin and Liang Je's chemistry is a gift that keeps on giving.
MUSIC:
I loved the opening song it's in my playlist
REWATCH VALUE:
Yes. I've already seen this twice.
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I can barely explain how much I liked this drama.
I kept ignoring it for a looong time even it was one of the most popular series. I was so wrong ignoring it..
The first few episodes were a bit boring or maybe it's because I was still thinking that I don't wanna watch it.. I don't know. Even so.. I don't know how the episodes passed after that phase .. I suddenly finished the drama and I had no idea what to do with my life.
This thing made me go on a emotion rollercoaster and whenever I thought I know what's going to happen next or how some characters will end.. I was proved wrong!! And it doesn't usually happen! I was impressed by that. I definitely did not expect the later turn of events.
I need to mention this!!!!
The SOUNDTRACK is heavenly!!!!!!!!!!!!
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?????? - ??? (learn and love till old age - Jin Runji)
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[got the English title and singer from Wikipedia]
I am in love with this song. This song brings me to another dimension, makes me feel in love.. it opens my heart.. I don't even know. It's my favorite song ever since I heard it for the first time in the drama!!
CONs
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The only thing I didn't really enjoy was the female leads acting as Qu Tan'er. But maybe it's not the actresses fault, maybe that's how she was supposed to play her character. And it's all good because that character didn't appear that much on screen.
CONCLUSION: I looooooove this. I don't know when I started to love it while watching but it grew on me. A lot.
And 2nd season is now out and here I am.. afraid to start it because usually 2nd seasons aren't as good as the first.. and I'm afraid it might change my perception on the series.. T_T
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Plot: 8.5/10
If you watch this without reading the synopsis, you'd probably get confused at first. The plot isn't really new or unique but the way the story progressed was smooth.
Character: 10/10
Honestly the "evil" characters weren't even evil. Like there was no characters that would make you want to punch your screen and rip your hair out. The main pairing was so cute and their chemistry was spot on.
Development: 9/10
There was in fact also really good character development.
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There’s also plenty of romance with sparkling chemistry between the leads and great supporting cast. It’s nice to see some new and talented folks shine.
This is lower budget so some of the special effects are cheesy and the costumes are, well, different. (Several muppets died to provide the 14th prince’s wardrobe.) Still, that doesn’t takeaway from the overall impact of this fun series.
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This review may contain spoilers
This is a good romcom time travel historical fantasy drama paired with palace dynamics and political struggle, rivalry, deception, and romance, all in small dosages. The OST is lovely and refreshing. The lead couple showed good chemistry with a lot of sweet and also funny moments. The lead female character portrayed the doppelganger personality very well. Although the last four episodes clarify many unanswered questions throughout the drama, it seems as the leading couple lost momentum. Nevertheless, it's really entertaining! Was this review helpful to you?
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This review may contain spoilers
I watch this because i see Xing Zhao Lin as Mo Lian Cheng (MLC). I saw him in princess agent and think he is handsome so look for another drama by him and really glad find this drama ^_^The chemistry between the main leads is really good, really looking forward for another drama cast by them. There are a lot of sweet and funny moments between them.
Story flaw:
>First: kinda confuse with how the story start. What happen...? Why she look for bed, why can she come to the past. I think it's will be better if they start when she find the bed in the future or when Qu Tan Er (QTE) try to kill herself. But no.... They have to star it from Qu Xiao Tan (QXT) awake in the morning and asking Jing Xin (JX). But afterall is all good.
> Second: they change exchanging consciousness condition between QTE and QXT. When i watch it, at first I think QXT conclusion about how QTE and QXT changing consciousness by knock out is spot on, but later (i don't know why) they change it into changing consciousness by lying. Even though in the summary they did tell the changing happen because of lying, but when you watch few first episode i don't think so....
Cast: Really love the cast interact with each other from the start to the end.
Re-watch: Love to & already re-watch it for several times... ^_^
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Nothing more to add. The drama is not ambitious nor extraordinary but will still makes your heart flatter. I spent a nice time watching it even if the last episodes were a little "wtf" to me.
The romance is cute, sometimes a little cliche but it is forgiveable to me.
The characters were nice, well played. The main actor's beauty incredible.
I just wished the main actress' character was less cliche and more intelligent but at least she was not weak.
Waiting for the second season now.
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