The Double (2024)

I've seen several clips of this show which drawn my attention to start watching it. It was a little worth it, the story and the acting skills is what impressed me the most. The story starts off pretty basic and has the simple plot of using another identity to get revenge. But little does the audience know that the plot is headed near the middle of the drama.

I started watching this show believing that it was going to be all about revenge and betrayal. However it sort of leads into a new story with a rebellion which I was totally unprepared for.

Again the acting in the show was done very well. Wang Xingyue did a great job playing his role, while Wu Jinyan gave off Wei Yingluo vibes again. Even Wanning was a character that I hated and loved at the same time.

My biggest issue with the show was either the original novel or the script. In one scene where Waning was questioning Jiang Li's identity, Jiang Li never denied that she wasn't Xue Fangfei. This scene made me really upset, because if you have a hidden identity and you don't want others to figure it out, you should deny it. Instead of saying why she isn't Xue Fangfei, she lists reasons why the real Jiang Li wasn't killed by her. Just based off these reasons, it would've already made me question her identity if I was a court official. Another thing I would like to point out is that Jiang Li gets too emotional when it comes to her family. I understand that her family is suffering but it also makes this entire scheme of hers easilyy seen through.

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A well developed revenge drama

The story is a well executed plot. I loved every character from the leads to the villains villains, everyone did their best.

I recently got to know that the actor who played Ji Shu Ran is actually the FL of Taiwanese drama Fated to Love You. I didn't recognized her at all.

Jiang Li is a strong, scheming, calculative, smart woman. Who will do anything for her revenge? The way she planned to escape from the temple. Also, the way to turn every situation into her favor just with her words.

Xiao Heng is our typical handsome young official whom everyone is afraid of. He is smart, cruel, calculative, scheming. Love how he handles Jiang Li's every problem. Once a pawn to him, now her lover.

Wen Ji & Lu Ji are my favorite characters. Wen Ji loves to torture criminals. He loves to flip black in every situation. j when Poor Wen Ji is getting canes as punishment. He always says the right thing at a wrong time or wrong thing many times ???Jiang Li called him brainless was so hilarious. Actually, Wen Ji & Lu Ji remind me of Love Like The Galaxy Liang Qiu Fei & Liang Qiu Qi. There also Liang Qiu Qi used to be clever & Liang Qiu Fei always got punishment for talking too much without thinking. I'll never forget the writer killing them at the end. Their death was unnecessary. Tong Er death was also unnecessary.

Hated princess Wan Ning & Jiang Ruo Yao & Ji Shu Ran.

Loved Xiao Heng & Jiang Li rain fun. Jiang Li's drunken behavior was sooo cute.

Laughed how Wen Ji & Lu Ji backing away after hearing Jiang Li calling Xiao Heng by his name.

Loved the way Xiao Heng & Jiang Li flirted with each other. Also, the way they interact is also unique.

Loved how Xiao Heng removed Shen Yu Rong's clothes from Jiang Li with style then, picking it up with his fan.

Xiao Heng looked so cute when he was explaining why he was worried about the princess of Jiang Li.

The way ML said “Really” to Jiang Li for coming to his house every day to check the princess.

Laughed at Xiao Heng & Jiang Li's expressions after hearing Jiang Li's brother call him brother-in-law.

Loved Xiao Heng & Emperor friendship. In maximum dramas friendship gets ruined because of trust issues or power struggle.

Xiao Heng after checking Jiang Li's pulse, questioned "whose is it".

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A drama with incredible revenge plot and complex characters.

When I read the synopsis of this drama, it didn't seem to appealing to me but watching the first episode definitely caught my attention. It was dark, it was intense, and whoa.. what an opening to a drama! Definitely did not regret continuing to watch every single episodes as it aired!

To me, what really sets this drama apart from others is the three dimensional characters, including the antagonists. Each and every important character in this drama has a background story. In the beginning, you really need to keep an open mind, and be empathetic instead of being so biased and narrow-minded. Many viewers may just be here for the slow-burn romance, but I like watching dramas with characters that are complex. And honestly, I talked about the villains more than the protagonists with my friends because it was just so fun to break down and learn about their psyche and why they're acting the way they are. I was rooting for the protagonists don't get me wrong. But the villains were just so intriguing! Of course, I hated some of them but in the end, we understand why they were like that.

I think the most appalling thing that I read in the comments is what the Princess had to go through vs Xue Fang Fei. It's almost very stupid for people to compare and think one is worse than the other. And one deserves more love than the other.
Both of them went through traumatic experiences, and they are validated! The way they act upon really differs, and you can't deny there are people who would become evil because of their environment and the way they were raised. All the villains in this drama turned out the way they are because of their past experience, the environment, and whoever influenced them.
There's even some steady character growth for an antagonist and I loved this drama for it.

Xue Fang Fei is an incredibly intelligent woman in this drama, yes she stole the identity of a dead girl (Jiang Li) but she has empathy. She's doing it for both of them. She honors the identity she has stolen, unlike other dramas where the protagonist just steals the indentity and not even think about it. Xue Fang Fei not only gave justice to Jiang Li but also revenge. Of course, that wasn't the only revenge she has done. In the process of fighting for justice of her own, she has found someone who knew her identity all along. Someone who respects her and truly cares for her.

This someone is Xiao Heng. Xiao Heng is a mysterious guy who is always there to save Fang Fei's life. But he's also quite observant, calculative, and of course powerful. We don't really know his real plan until the end, and honestly if people want to compare him with Fang Fei's ex and why he did the deed in the begining. It's best to understand who has nearly everything and connections, and who doesn't especially in historical China.


The acting overall in this drama was incredible; ablet sometimes I wonder why there wasn't any tears in some actors while they're crying. I have seen a few of Wu Jinyan dramas and I feel like she is the same? Just great acting; nothing to mind blowing for me though. A sfor the main actor, Wang Xing Yue, I've only seen one of his dramas but it wasn't enought o dicpher if he's has improved or not. In this drama, he's most acting with his eyes, micro expressions which I quite like as well.
Notable mention is CHEN QIAO EN! OH MY GOD! I've been watching her act since I was little, she's one of my favorite actresses EVER. Just when I tbought she couldn't get any better, she proved me wrong! HER MICROEXPRESSIONS AS A VILLAIN!! HELLO? Those psychopathetic smiles and I was getting goosebumps cause of her. BRAVO!

Needless to say, it was an an amazing drama. I would definitely recommend if you enjoy watching schemes, revenge plots, second chance of life, and slow-burn romance.

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Revenge is a well-shaken martini

The fl's character really stood out to me. She’s strong, but not in a way that feels overly perfect or predictable, which i find refreshing. Wu Jinyan did a phenomenal job, her emotional depth was genuinely moving, and i couldn’t help but admire her. Now, Wang Xing Yue’s as a ml? Wow. From the beginning, his character felt intimidating, and i assumed his intensity might lessen as the show progressed, but it didn’t. Whether it’s the writing or his performance, his presence remained powerful throughout, and i loved it. Their dynamic was electric—less about romance and more about brains and action, constantly supporting each other. As for the plot, it’s one of the few political dramas i didn’t want to skip. The story is crafted with clear cause-and-effect arcs.

That said, after episode 25, the story did start to veer off in different directions a bit too quickly, but it didn’t feel rushed, so i stayed invested. By the time i hit the 30+ episode mark, i was completely hooked. The tension kept building, and i found myself genuinely anxious about what was coming next. Usually, fl always finds a way to win, but this time, i wasn’t so sure, which added a great element of suspense.

And as for the ending, it felt rushed, as is often the case with shows like this. Introducing key antagonists right at the end didn’t sit well with me. I would’ve preferred more buildup, and the deaths of Duke Su’s guards felt really sudden. The final battle scenes also seemed unnecessary, and the pacing of the last 20 minutes was overwhelming. So much happened in such a short time, it was hard to process. Still, the ambiguous ending left me oddly satisfied, even if the pacing was a bit off.

ofc, there was one issue besides the ending. Shen Yurong’s character felt a bit off. His interactions were so awkward and stoic that it made him feel distant and hard to connect with. While his mysterious nature is important to the role, giving him more dialogue or inner thoughts could’ve added some depth. He ended up feeling more passive than i’d like for an antagonist.

All in all, despite its flaws, this show was an absolute ride and worth watching. 9/10

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Excellent but some confusing parts

Overall the acting and story line was very well done. The story concerns a wife who was supposedly murdered by her husband, and buried alive, but lived and was found by a noble woman, who was sent to a religious institute, and her maid. The noble had been beaten and was treated badly and succumbed to her injuries. The wife assumed her other woman's identity and along with the maid vowed to avenge herself as well as the woman who's identity she assumed.
It was confusing in that the two didn't look anything alike, but since the noble was sent away when she was 10, they dismissed it as she changed while away. When the husband and family met the returned 'noble', they all almost fainted as she was a twin of the wife he supposedly murdered.
Of course, the wife/noble avenged everything, but now the confusion. The noble and her sister were both in love with the same guy, even tho one was 10 when sent away the other was when her sister was sent away. We're suppose to believe that everyone was still having the same feelings? The fake was saved by an investigator, Duke, and he was the Emperor's right hand man, even thou the two met 8 years ago,, when bother were about 8 or 9 years old. Every one are adults but the time lines don't match.
Lastly, at the end, the Emperor sends Duke to the north flank to save that border, but it looks as if he failed, but the closing credits we see a horseman (legs only no face) riding towards his wife (the fake one), but not sure if he was still alive or it was his wife's dream/vision?

If you can get by the timeline of the different characters, it's well worth watching as there are some awesome plot twits that you don't see coming.

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Worthy of a rewatch.

This film has all of the elements of a good movie. The opening was suspenseful, and had high energy, with a little bit of a thriller. The main leads and some of the supporting cast portrayed their characters very well. The story has a nice flow without overshowing the backstories. The ending was unexpected but it put your heart to rest. I plan to rewatch this drama in the near future to pick up on what I missed the first time.
I think there is some resemblance in the features and mannerisms of Wang Xing Yue and Zhao YingBo. Both of them portray their characters well. I'm looking forward to seeing what they do in their future roles.

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Cunning vs Crazy and Cruel

I am adding my thoughts to compare to other recent dramas.

With high melodramatics and several overtly theatrical visually cinematic moments, despite plot weaknesses, this drama works. Her cleverness, his cunning-- are a match of witty and eye-candy moment that are 'steamy' due to acting and visuals--for a censored C-Drama. This drama made me think of The Ingenious One with Chen Xiao but I thought it failed because he was too self aware of his intellect (which despite being a genius would fail time and again), whereas here, you get wrapped up in the attacks and counters from the lead pair against crazy evil injustice. This was more enjoyable despite the tragedy and cruel events that occur than Lost You Forever 2 which left one drained over the selfish melancholy.

That said, the apparently deep affection between the Emperor and the prior generation Consort was not explained (perhaps because in history there really was an Emperor who love a woman old enough to be his mother--but in that case she had raised him!--featured in Sleuth of Tang Dynasty, and an episode in Hi Producer with Joseph Zheng), which might have been more believable/palatable had we understood their backstory since the backstory for Emperor and ML, and all others were adequate (not necessarily justifiable) to explain their motives and actions.

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loved the leads loved the plot

I was shocked by how hooked I was while watching this drama. Binge watching it will be the best option cause the plot is not difficult to follow so it wont be very confusing. It was a generally very well written drama.

plot: it was a revenge plot but not like a blind revenge. The female lead's plans involved more than just taking revenge on the people who harmed her but she also focused on clearing the names of people who were wrongly accused using the power of her current title. The female lead was extremely smart and independent she was definitely not a damsel in distress but really thought through all her plans before executing them. This was exactly why many times the male lead would just sit from far and watch her do her thing knowing she can resolve it herself.

characters: i did hope for more romance cause sadly there was barely any BUT the couple still liked each other for very long so everytime they met and had a conversation their chemistry was insane so you dont feel like you are missing out. Don't stop yourself from watching the show knowing the romance is a slow burn because the plot is really worth ur time. The ML was so good he was equally as smart and of power so even their chemistry in resolving the issues was so satisfying to watch. That one scene in the rain ahhhhhh (watch it to find out).

the villains on the other hand were so annoying means they really acted well. Princess wanning's character really made sense for the way she was treated and the actress did such a great job. SYR on the other hand was a coward till the end.

Now there is one thing which I am very disappointed with....the ending. Dont get me wrong, it is a happy ending but just not in the satisfying way. They rushed alot of things in the last 2 episodes and there were a few really redundant scenes.

Other than that I felt like this drama was really good and I would recommend it!

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exhausting after episode 24

No doubt the main couple is very well chosen, and are very good and nice actors. And the series was quite enjoyable until the beginning of episode 24. After that it becomes really heavy, as if the writter had pulled all the string of its imagination downwards to prolong the show to some 40 episodes. The series then plunges into the madness of some of the most wicked characters, masochist or serial killer, so vicious it becomes simply sordid to depict as well as to watch them, a kind of unhealthy voyeurism into the disturbed physche of some dangerous psychopath, definitely not my cup of Chinese tea/series. I am quite sad that because of the leading pretty faces, most viewers did not discern some things were going too far, but it is their problem after all.
Having jumped prematurely to the end of the series to check it would not be an irreparable disapointment, I found out the torture did not stop there, and I decided to resume the flow only up to the last happy images of the last episode for the main couple. For after that we are left on this kind of very 'refined' double interpretation enigma, typicall of those 'lofty' series which refuses to give a frank happy ending because it is so called artistically cheap, even if the viewer/client loves it but will anyway be left frustrated.

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