Whenever I dive into a drama, I always find myself wondering what I should talk about first. The best I saw... or the worst? That’s the question. In the end, I settle on an unconventional mix. Forgive my lack of technique—I’m not much of a writer—but I put a lot of thought into what I read.

A fellow MDL reviewer deeply moved me with their evaluation. Their opening line was: "A Shakespearean Genius of a Drama".

There’s no need to share spoilers here, but I’ll leave this as a tip: read their review and let yourself be captivated, just as I was.

I must confess, I couldn’t agree more with their words, including the brilliant Shakespeare quotes they included.

This drama came to life with a flawless cast, a well-adapted screenplay based on a web novel, breathtaking cinematography, solid direction, and electrifying chemistry between the characters. It’s hard not to highlight the latter because, for me, that’s where the heart of the drama lay.

I’m no expert, nor do I claim to understand the art of scriptwriting, but I was a bit surprised to discover that, in the original web novel, the heroine Xue Fang Fei truly dies and is reincarnated as the magistrate’s daughter, Jiang Li, while retaining memories of her past life to fuel her pursuit of revenge.

I don’t know if the decision to keep Jiang Li in Xue Fang Fei’s original body was meant to simplify the story, avoid religious controversy, or was just a creative choice. I only learned about this after finishing the drama. Even so, my opinion of the show remained unchanged. The drama, in its entirety, was a near-perfect delight.

I rooted for the intelligent and resilient heroine, just as I did for her captivating and cunning hero.

Wang Xing Yue, as Duke Su, despite having less screen time than I’d hoped for, was absolutely brilliant in every scene he graced. A man of few words, with a restrained smile, impeccable costumes, and an intense gaze that spoke volumes. He had moments of sheer brilliance in his performance. Every detail was so well-crafted, and his open-field battle scenes were simply mesmerizing.

It’s no wonder he was honored as one of the Young Rising Actors of the Year at the 2024 Weibo Awards.

For those who doubted his chemistry with veteran actress Wu Jin Yan (34 years old), let me just say: his 22 years of pure talent did all the talking.

Together, they were enchanting. Their playful flirtation brought a certain charm to the story where a more explicit romance might have been expected. While some viewers may have been frustrated by this subtlety, I felt it perfectly aligned with the drama’s tone. We knew from the start that this was the kind of romance we’d be getting.

The cultural barriers around age-gap relationships in Asian media still run deep, but Wu Jin Yan, with her elegant and timeless presence, was phenomenal throughout.

I adored her portrayal of Xue Fang Fei and Jiang Li. Her flowing red dress, paired with her graceful and commanding presence, elevated every scene. She brought elegance, wisdom, and emotional strength to her role. Her character’s tragic backstory, noble heart, and sweet smile made her unforgettable. I can’t imagine anyone else bringing this character to life.

I also found myself intrigued by the wicked princess and her cold-hearted “dog.” Despite their fractured souls, they were united by the same poison: the complete absence or loss of love. While they believed they controlled everything and everyone, in truth, they were empty... clinging to illusions. As one reviewer aptly noted, Princess Wan Ning/Li Meng was ultimately just a pawn in the hands of men.

Pain, suffering, and humiliation should never justify cruelty, but at times, my heart couldn’t help but ache for her.

The true villain of the story, Shen Yu Rong, remains a character I can barely define. Was he inherently evil, or did he become corrupted over time? The drama left this unclear. Perhaps the novel delves deeper into his twisted nature, offering a better understanding of his dark origins. Still, I doubt any explanation could justify his actions. Liang Yong Qi’s portrayal of this character, however, was exceptional. It was also a treat to see him guest-star in the second season of Under the Skin.

If I had one critique of the drama, it would be the way it indulged in China’s tradition of crafting overly realistic tragic moments, often at the expense of beloved characters.

The drama could have ended with the triumph of the palace struggle. There was no need to add more pain to the heroes’ journey.

In my opinion, these gratuitous losses didn’t add anything to the final act of a production as remarkable as The Double.

Still, it was a fantastic drama and an absolute joy to watch. I wholeheartedly recommend it to fans of the genre. It truly deserves its place among the best C-dramas of 2024.