carried by hao du and leyan

The beginning of this drama started out so strong, but it really lost the plot after episode 17 and also fell into several tired and old tropes regarding its older female characters. Wu Lei was very convincing in his role, but unfortunately he lacked chemistry with Dilraba. Maybe your mileage will vary, but what really made the show worth watching to the end for me was Liu Yuning and Zhao Lusi's portrayals of Hao Du and Leyan, respectively. While they didn't actually contribute that much to the plot (which, again, went completely off the rails after such a strong start that promised so much potential), their emotional arc was amazing. I might never rewatch the drama in full again, but I will definitely rewatch the Haoyan scenes.

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chicken soup for the soul

Have you seen this story before? Yes. The secret identity? The missing person? The plot to overthrow the kingdom? It's all there. And yet where another drama might have faltered or been cliche, this drama not only rises above its peers but stands solely on its own. Honestly, the last time I felt so nourished and so emotionally attached to a story was probably when I watched 上错花轿嫁对郎 or 还珠格格. Yeah, it's that good.

Let's start with all the reasons why you should watch this drama. It's perfectly cast, for one. Wang Ziqi might not be your traditional eye-candy-boy, but trust me, he and his character Xiao Jinyu will haunt you long after the drama is over. I love "newcomer" actors who don't rely on their stardom to attract viewers (something that unfortunately happens all too often in cdrama land) but more than that, I love when a newcomer can act. And holy hell can Wang Ziqi act. Su Xiaotong is also perfect for her role as Chu Chu, and the chemistry between the FL and ML is perfect. Just perfect. So is the chemistry between the main couple and all of the other side characters. Nothing is overdone. Everything is organic and refreshing and just so wholesome.

Next is the script. This is how every script in cdrama land should be executed. The dialogue is fitting for the times, yet also accessible. The characters feel real, and none of the dilemmas are trite or overwrought. Best of all is the lack of angst for the sake of angst or miscommunication for the sake of fulfilling some fan popular trope. When something tropey or comical does occur, it's perfectly executed. The script writers have an excellent grasp of 度, and more than that, they clearly put a lot of care and thought into the script (perhaps to compensate for the lower production values, but more on that later).

Finally is the execution of the scenes and small detective/coroner details. Again, a lot of care went into these moments and I love how they not only fleshed out the world and time period but also furthered character interactions, intentions, and memorability.

I've seen some reviews talk about the lower production quality and honestly it wasn't a problem for me. The cinematography, color corrections, and costumes all appeared cohesive. My only "negative" note is that at times, there was a lack of stakes. The villains didn't really feel threatening. The overall plot wasn't really urgent. But I put negative in quotes because HAD the villains been more powerful and the plot more tense, the drama probably would have lost some of its emotional charm. As is, the viewing experience feels like drinking a warm bowl of chicken soup and I'd trade that feeling for nothing.

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