Love ML. Love Story!
First time I’m moved to write feedback on a beautiful Chinese drama:
1. I find the storyline very realistic. FL was not infused with superpowers to exact her revenge. She naturally dreamed of revenge but her position did not allow her leeway to go after the bad guys. But when opportunity presents, she did get justice from each villain that is believable.
2. ML is total eye-candy. His facial nuances and expressions are pure joy to watch, and so funny. Growing up in such an important but loveless household, he would have learned to check his emotions under tight control so as not to show vulnerability. Now there was this FL that both exasperated and delighted him, his myriad of expressions may look constipated, but really just in line with his story character. On such a handsome face is really the best reason why I wish this series never ends.
3. People judge his actions in modern age, when he is deemed to be brutish to FL. But such was his lofty position that any small offense must be meted with punishment. Yet many times, he didn’t punish as his era dictated, which shows he was not as heartless. Also, understand that that period was master-slave dynamic, not employer-employee, so one must not expect same standards and find him wanting. It is awful to hear some say that girls love to be abused. They have rare and real connection, nothing to do with being abused. 2ML is always so courteous, so it may not give a deeper sense of connection to FL.
4. ML was expected to see through FL’’s disguise which would have been wrong. If 2ML did not first see FL in female attire, even he would never have guessed. In that era, there were only 2 distinct appearance: male and female (unlike modern generation). So when someone presents himself in a male attire, nobody is expected to see differently. And that was the beauty of this story. I don’t know why people are annoyed that it took ML forever to find out about the disguise. It is exactly that reason why it was a delight to watch him struggle against his growing attraction to someone forbidden, and their daily comical interaction. Had her identity been revealed sooner, then the story would have ended sooner. Where would the rest of the fun be? I wish there were more than 28 episodes. Storyline is beautiful.
5. Once FL is known to be female, the story took a serious note, which is also to be expected. The focus is no longer on fooling ML, but on vengeance. Which made me sad because I really loved the lightness of this story. But FL changes from lighthearted to serious, which is also in line with events and makes perfect sense. I find FL growing on me, serious becomes her more. She struck me as not as good in acting when the she was being frivolous. But when she turned serious, I find her acting is excellent too.
6. I think the mom’s punishment is appropriate. She wasn’t really evil, just a foolish woman that was easily manipulated by her evil servant. After all, she never really ordered for FL’s parents to be murdered, just exiled. She suffered when she thought her son was dying. She was truly remorseful. And I love that the son took the punishment for his mom, so as to also appease the hatred in FL’s heart, and also fulfilled his filial duty. She did get her punishment by exchanging a life in the lap of luxury to a life as a nun and praying for the dead as atonement. It will not do if the son jails his mom or allows anybody to kill his mom. Very fitting punishment in the end.
7. The unfolding of events is nicely paced. Truly beautiful story with beautiful acting! Definitely worth watching again whenever I’m in a mood for something light and sweet. Almost always.
8. One of the best and sweetest happy endings. I like that there’s good closure and finality, not rushed just because the villains are all gone. I especially love that there’s even a good laugh after their night. Don’t know why, whenever they’re in the market, I just wished they’d introduce themselves to the painter to correct the bad photos of the general. But nah no big deal.
9. Someone mentioned the book was originally king and eunuch. Sounds like an even better plot. I will definitely read the book next!
1. I find the storyline very realistic. FL was not infused with superpowers to exact her revenge. She naturally dreamed of revenge but her position did not allow her leeway to go after the bad guys. But when opportunity presents, she did get justice from each villain that is believable.
2. ML is total eye-candy. His facial nuances and expressions are pure joy to watch, and so funny. Growing up in such an important but loveless household, he would have learned to check his emotions under tight control so as not to show vulnerability. Now there was this FL that both exasperated and delighted him, his myriad of expressions may look constipated, but really just in line with his story character. On such a handsome face is really the best reason why I wish this series never ends.
3. People judge his actions in modern age, when he is deemed to be brutish to FL. But such was his lofty position that any small offense must be meted with punishment. Yet many times, he didn’t punish as his era dictated, which shows he was not as heartless. Also, understand that that period was master-slave dynamic, not employer-employee, so one must not expect same standards and find him wanting. It is awful to hear some say that girls love to be abused. They have rare and real connection, nothing to do with being abused. 2ML is always so courteous, so it may not give a deeper sense of connection to FL.
4. ML was expected to see through FL’’s disguise which would have been wrong. If 2ML did not first see FL in female attire, even he would never have guessed. In that era, there were only 2 distinct appearance: male and female (unlike modern generation). So when someone presents himself in a male attire, nobody is expected to see differently. And that was the beauty of this story. I don’t know why people are annoyed that it took ML forever to find out about the disguise. It is exactly that reason why it was a delight to watch him struggle against his growing attraction to someone forbidden, and their daily comical interaction. Had her identity been revealed sooner, then the story would have ended sooner. Where would the rest of the fun be? I wish there were more than 28 episodes. Storyline is beautiful.
5. Once FL is known to be female, the story took a serious note, which is also to be expected. The focus is no longer on fooling ML, but on vengeance. Which made me sad because I really loved the lightness of this story. But FL changes from lighthearted to serious, which is also in line with events and makes perfect sense. I find FL growing on me, serious becomes her more. She struck me as not as good in acting when the she was being frivolous. But when she turned serious, I find her acting is excellent too.
6. I think the mom’s punishment is appropriate. She wasn’t really evil, just a foolish woman that was easily manipulated by her evil servant. After all, she never really ordered for FL’s parents to be murdered, just exiled. She suffered when she thought her son was dying. She was truly remorseful. And I love that the son took the punishment for his mom, so as to also appease the hatred in FL’s heart, and also fulfilled his filial duty. She did get her punishment by exchanging a life in the lap of luxury to a life as a nun and praying for the dead as atonement. It will not do if the son jails his mom or allows anybody to kill his mom. Very fitting punishment in the end.
7. The unfolding of events is nicely paced. Truly beautiful story with beautiful acting! Definitely worth watching again whenever I’m in a mood for something light and sweet. Almost always.
8. One of the best and sweetest happy endings. I like that there’s good closure and finality, not rushed just because the villains are all gone. I especially love that there’s even a good laugh after their night. Don’t know why, whenever they’re in the market, I just wished they’d introduce themselves to the painter to correct the bad photos of the general. But nah no big deal.
9. Someone mentioned the book was originally king and eunuch. Sounds like an even better plot. I will definitely read the book next!
Was this review helpful to you?