I found this drama so refreshing, as it puts the female lead front and center, which is a pleasant surprise in a genre often dominated by MLs. I expected a typical romance where the ML takes constant charge, but "The Double" defied those expectations.

The FL's revenge plot is the driving force of the story, and she's not just a useless damsel in distress waiting for the ML to save her. Instead, she's very clever and takes matters into her own hands, with the ML only offering support when needed. I was surprised how little he shows up in this drama. Maybe a few minutes per episode, always elegantly waving that red and golden fan of his!

I like the chemistry between the leads (despite the criticism about the actors’ age gap). Their relationship develops slowly but is filled with heart-fluttering gestures that show how their feelings for each other progress. The ML reminds me a great deal of Ling Buyi (from LLTG) and Xie Wei (from Kunning Palace), though he is more refined and calculated, and less impulsive. Wang Ying Yue exudes a mature vibe, despite his young age, and he has great acting chops.

The cast is fantastic, but a surprising standout was Liang Yong Qi, who plays Shen Yurong. LYQ's expressive performance, especially his eye acting, is really impressive here! He added so much depth and layers to his character. In particular, he did a great job balancing darkness with lighter moments, and especially his character's scary aspects were portrayed with a chilling intensity. I hope to see more of him in future productions, perhaps in a leading role.

Finally, the story is very entertaining and suspenseful. While it has some plot holes and contrived or over the top moments, they didn't detract from my viewing experience. IMO, "The Double" stands out as one of the best dramas of 2024, especially after a lackluster first half of the year in terms of c-drama releases.