Lighter & Princess (2022)

Well written, Full on chemistry, Eye Candy ML, Heartache and Yes it's worth watching.

Let me start with the best part of why I loved it so much, It's the ML damn it. He is not only incredibly handsome but also portrayed with charisma that is hard to resist. Despite being initially depicted as a sociopath with arrogance due to his extraordinary genius, viewers will gradually understand the reasons behind his behavior and empathize with him. His complex emotions and intensity make him a character you can't help but root for. As a viewer, you will know why he is behaving, how he is behaving, and you will sympathize with him, not sure about everyone, but this I how I feel at least. He is the kind of person who may not give a warm vibe, not good to everyone but his feelings are so deep and intense.

Unlike many clichéd romances, the chemistry between the main leads in this drama is refreshingly realistic. There are no instant love connections or fated encounters from their childhoods. Instead, their journey towards falling in love is portrayed authentically, allowing viewers to enjoy the gradual development of their feelings. The female lead (FL) is portrayed as innocent yet level-headed, while the ML's genius and arrogance create a balanced dynamic that enhances the storytelling. Overall they complement each other so well. It may sound cliche but yeah I loved this.

Credit must be given to the writer for crafting well-rounded characters who remain consistent throughout the drama. There are no abrupt shifts in character traits or inexplicable actions. Every character's decisions and motivations are adequately explained, keeping the narrative grounded in realism. Even the portrayal of FL's parents maintains a realistic perspective, avoiding forced changes in their viewpoints.

What could be better? The second phase of the drama tends to drag, lacking the excitement and eventfulness of the initial phase. Viewers may have expected a more thrilling storyline during this part of the series, which is a minor disappointment. As a result, a slight deduction of 0.5 points is warranted. However, these issues do not overshadow the drama's overall appeal.

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L&P Forever

This was a wonderful recommendation from my friend. Nice love story with some familiar love triangle and signif other family acceptance issue. All were resolved, but the the way the issues were dealt kept me watching. Li Xun' programming confidence never wane throughout the series. The arrogance pushed his partner and friend Old Gao to seek friendship elsewhere. Zhu Yun' was the key that unlocked Li Xun' shell, showing him by example of how to lead a team. How to delegate work to group members with inferior skill sets. Wonderful acting by Jingyi Zhang and the rest of the casts. I would give this a perfect 9 and a rewatch if i ever have time :).
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Triumph of Love

11/12/2022
When I first put this series in my coming soon list, from the synopsis I knew it had the potential to be really good. So far, it is that and more. The ML is carrying this series at 7 episodes in, I suspect he will be the draw to the end. They could have paired him with any FL and if she were competent, it would've worked, he is that magnetic. The writers appear to have written the drama with him in mind or he has tailored his facial expressions and actions to perfectly pair with the script.

He is cast as the rare breed of visionary who sees what others simply can't. The college guy with the brain to see the limits of technology and the foresight to see beyond them. True visionaries are often reclusive because they either lack the will or the skill to develop socially. This ML comes across as someone who is brilliant but flawed. Oblivious to the normal thrust and parry of social niceties, he offends as many as he attracts. His talent is enviable and because of it some will want to own him, others will want to use him, but few will be indifferent to him.
This is a big role for him to play, we will see if he has the acting chops to deliver it, so far at least he is nailing the role.

The FL is pretty, and she is holding her own as his counterpart. I honestly I think she could have been more dynamic but she is the polar opposite of him and that is perhaps enough.
The other ML is a bit irritating but I understand the necessity of his part. Perhaps they will give him more definition as the series progresses.
Some reviewers expressed dismay over the turn the series made from the present to the past when they were young. Series often do this, begin at a later point and then go back to show us the beginning. It is not really the use of flashbacks but rather they gave us a brief glimpse into the future and then the story itself begins.
We will see where it goes from here, but it promises to be a fascinating story. For now, it is a ten.

@16: The FL's mother is determined to control her daughters future and I am pretty sure that doesn't include allowing a boyfriend like the ML, so that probably means the FL will be sent abroad for school. So some turbulence is to be expected with that development but the FL is showing a more daring and determined side to her personality and that is adding huge interest to the story.

@17: Wow. Not gonna lie, I was getting nervous but the writers did it again with a fabulous and highly satisfying episode. ML used his megawatt gaze (he has THAT look down) to perfection here. It was even more mesmerizing because he became the superhero to save the girl. And he did it with oversized confidence and a very masculine and bold performance. Is anyone else loving this guy? He is soooo good. I would love to see him in another series. Props also go to the FL, she is way more interesting than first expected. The second ML is still annoying, lol, I guess that means he is playing his role well. It is funny, I disliked him more in this episode than I did the really bad dude.

@26: Well folks, we made it past the calamity and the stage is set for a comeback. This series is breathtakingly good. It is surpassing every hope we had initially and while it did start out a bit slow, it has developed perfectly. In fact, it has surprised many of us with how well written and acted it has been. This 26th episode marks a change. It has been 3 years and our ML's are stuck where we left them, but the temperature is rising and the ice is thawing. They are working together again and seem ready to kick butt. We are ready for some payback!
So fingers crossed the Flying team will rattle the windows at the L&B headquarters. Oh and for those of you who enjoy skinship, celebrate...there are lots of kisses. And for those of you who are worried about the ending, it is gonna be alright too.

@32 The general consensus is that the series keeps on getting better and better and I have to agree. There has been no drag, it has been frustration free..and everything is coming together in time for the wrap up. Super in love with our ML's. Their romance is captivating...it will only take a spark for it to burn. They are setting this up for a grand finale. Can't wait. It has been a blast. C'mon take a chance on this one. You will be so glad you did. Enjoy.

@Final: Wonderful and satisfying ending. Truly adorable series. Some rough weather, so hang with it, and don't give up until you get there, but it is a triumph of love over hate. Love it. Big ten from me.

Happy Watching!

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SOB SOB SOB ITS OVER. OMFG. THE CHEMISTRY. THEIR MOMENTS. THE TEASING. I CANNOT. After he came back from prison and when it was all about the enemies i low key didn’t care but UGHHH THEM TOGRTHEJRNE…. ugh so happy they married but now i’m so sad i rly liked this. probably my favorite modern cdrama ever :(


i thoguht their chemistry was so good. li xun is so cute. AGHHHHHHHHHHHH like the pull away come back and i pretended i didn’t like u but rly always liked u. damn. so good… i rw their clips now and it’s so cute 🥲🥲🥲made me feel so single

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Almost perfect…

I really loved this drama, it shot right to the top of my cdrama list. Some things it did so well:
- The chemistry between the leads. It’s palpable.
- The plot is actually interesting, I’m not using the fast forward button at all.
- The FL is smart and principled and makes her own choices even though everyone around her is trying to tell her what to do.
- The ML is both flawed and deeply sympathetic - even when I think he’s making bad choices I completely get why.
- The villains are also believable and the show manages to pull off a betrayal that I both completely buy and also found kind of shocking.
- The music is good enough to have me using my detective skills to find these mando tracks.
- It somehow managed to use the noble idiocy trope in a way that did not infuriate me.
- The pacing is also excellent - this drama knows exactly when it’s time to move into the next phase of the story.
- The couple dynamic is a perfect blend of sincere affection, respectful partnership, and absolutely roasting each other.
- And most importantly: it gives us a slow burn enemies to lovers romance with the same couple *twice* and both times are excellent.

And one thing it really botched:
- The end of the main plot between the leads and their frenemy. You can’t build up a revenge plot for that long only to wimp out and give the villain a brain tumor and wholly unearned redemption at the end. It was hugely disappointing and the only major weak spot in the otherwise great writing.

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Top Rated Chinese Drama - Love #YuYi

Programing genius, The lighter #ChenFeiyu & his Princess #ZhangJingyi fighting for their peace after taking on the world as a battlefield. V young leads but quite mature act, gripping plot, Bingeworthy show with a high repeat value.

Nothing can top this story I believe. Very intricately written & brilliantly acted. #ChenFeiyu #ZhangJingyi aced their roles as well as supporting cast , Chen Fei Yu's getup changes were 🔥 🔥 🔥specially his buzz cut. Although I would love to see him growing back his hair towards the ending.

Do look for the deleted scenes on YT after you finish this show.

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Don't be put off, this show is must watch.

Lighter & Princess is unforgettable. The plot feels real, the characters have complexity and depth, and the actors make the show magical.

I don't usually like so-called Red Flag male leads, but Lighter & Princess actually challenges how making binaries like green / red flag characters is deeply problematic - because being human is complex, and systems only favour the rich and privileged.

It's also great to see a powerful woman being represented in more than a nuturing role - while it would seem she is simply supporting the male lead in a passive way, she actually is herself and her character is well defined to explore that.

The acting is also perfect. Both leads were phenomenal and managed to convey their characters well - even if it felt like the male lead was a bit expressionless at the beginning - turns out that's his character! I can't wait to see more of them in their other work.

The musical score is top-notch, and works well with the plot, bringing in alternative rock that powers the emotional complexity of the narrative.

To be honest, I am really struggling to find anything to follow this show. The whole plot and production brought a rollercoaster of deep emotions - tension I could feel in my gut, tears in despair and hope, redemption arcs which made my heart feel full, and the tender warmth of actual deep love.

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Lets be realistic here... they were flawed, but within reason

Ill start off by saying, I absolutely loved this drama. It had a great plot, great acting, an amazing OST and even better editing.

There are flaws, as does every show and character. But imo, the overall plot was amazing.

Li Xun, is so arrogant, rude, (hot) and irritating. But thats his character. After having suffered his entire childhood, he became a rebellious asshole. The problem most talk about in thier reviews is his character. While yes he is the typical rude ML, he believes he has every reason to be able to act this way. And I partly think its valid. As a kid who struggled while growing up, he fought for everything he had, while everyone around him didnt. He was different than the rest of the characters in many ways, but this was the most important. While he was smarter than them, the differences in the family status was the most important one.

Zhu Yun, was annoying, not confident, and absolutely a pushover. She let everyone determine her life but herself. Her mom absolutely pissed me off, especially at the end. While others say she blindly ended up following Li Xun, (and I do partly agree) she didnt follow him solely bc she ended up liking him, or felt bad for him or whatever else. I think she was so attached to him because he helped her in so many ways. While her mom tried to control her life, he helped her reclaim it, find her own goals, aspirations and actually LIVE it.

I wont say they arent flawed. But the whole point is that. They are both flawed, but they are making progress together to change and fight for themselves and others.

Jianhong, Miaomiao, (and even Yun) were victims of Xuns university bluntness aka bullying... but ngl I thought they needed it. They were all coddled in life and it showed. They didnt like critisicm, they didnt like feeling inferior, they didnt have an ounce of backbone... Xun is the friend that helps you be able to defend yourself, while supporting you through anything and everything. While most people are focusing solely on the things he did or said, I am focusing on the things it achieved.

Xuns entire problem with Yuns mom was the fact that he saw how entitled she was. And I get Yuns moms concerns... but she also took things too far. I mean, she CONTROLLED her daughters entire life, and Yuns dad let it happen. Xun freed Yun and I believe that wholeheartedly. He helped them all by preparing them for the real world...

But lets not forget Ren Di was the exact same as Li Xun... though she was nicer a lot earlier... they were two peas in a pod. They both were irritated with the BS of the kids that had everything and acted high and mighty because of it.

However, I will say, everything he did had a purpose. While it couldve been selfish/personal reasons, they achieved things for others too. When he was rude to Yun, when he was plotting his revenge, both times, he wasnt rude just to be rude. He was rude so that she could have a reason to hate him and not go after him. They both loved each other, and would do anything to protect each other, and support them in reaching their goals. Even though Xun was rude to Yun, she knew he acted that way for a reason... and both times, it was to protect her by not getting her involved. I mean, even he said it... "Im fine with ruining myself for revenge... but not her." In his eyes he had already lived a shitty life, so he could go back to that and be fine, but she hadnt... and he didnt want her to.

In the end, everyone got what they deserved, happy or not, every character got what they needed.

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I would like to start off by saying that just because I didn't give the drama a 10 does not mean it's not one of my favourites. I literally loved it so much but of course there are a few negatives I will mention.
The story starts very normally like any another campus-love story. I wasn't hooked into the drama until like episode 5. After that I ended up watching 12 episodes in one night! There was something about Li Xun that made me love the drama more and more. One thing I loved about the female lead was her complete devotion to the male lead. Zhu Yun does admit that Li Xun is stubborn and not the perfect human being but she says that she is willing to stay by his side no matter what. I know Li Xun left her for her own good but for the first time I felt that a female lead loved a male lead more instead of the other way round.
Even though Gao Jiang Hong was the main "bad guy", I still want to say that during their university times, the main leads actually didn't consider his feelings. I get Li Xun's personality was cold and distant but his way of dealing with things were wrong at sometimes. Also, Zhu Yun kind of used him to get even with Fang Zhi Jing. She made Li Xun join his project and basically take charge of Gao Jiang Hong's project. Of course, it goes without saying that whatever Gao Jiang Hong did wasn't justified at all since he purposely (and indirectly ) got Li Lan killed.
At first I didn't like that they made Gao Jiang Hong ill and got sympathy for him. However, after thinking about it, I realised either way, he would have repented and gave up. He wasn't completely evil so it is good they gave him a happy ending too.
The ending of the drama was so calming and normal (like real life).
I love that Zhu Yun was able to communicate with him so well regarding life together and having children. You could tell they grew up and had learnt so much from their mistakes.
Sometimes the reason we can never be satisfied of the ending is because we always want more of the drama, however with Lighter and Princess, I was fully satisfied.

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Eden Zhao is the star

This is a tough review as I have mixed opinions

Did I fall in love with the Main Leads - Arthur Chen & Zhang Jing Yi? No!
Did they give a solid performance? Yes

Eden Zhao to me is a star, I just loved him in this drama, I think he is what added the extra spice when it was needed. Lot of characters including the Mains did go stale through out patches in the 36 episode drama which is expected but Eden Zhao kept developing exceptionally well, why to me he is the MVP

I finished 36 episodes. Glad I watched it. I think this drama has plenty of talented supports actors & actresses good enough at the Main Lead level

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