Jina
United States
A sweet story about finding out what it means to be loved and to have happiness
Despite its low budget production, this drama shines with its core themes on what it means to be loved and to love another. It's a shame that the official YouTube channel didn't give it official English subtitles as there are some really heartfelt scenes and good performance from a couple actors, especially Camille Hua, and deserve a bit more love. It is not a high-strung drama with tons of plot twists and angst but more low-key and contemplative. It maintains its status as a romantic comedy in a faux historical setting while still pushing out some real life questions about the self and love. At the end of each episode, Li Xia has a voiceover of questions that connects back to the episode, which at first was off-putting but also becomes more interesting.
STORY: Li Xia is a kindhearted and sweet worker for a gaming company who has a crush on her boss Xiao Ning. She is the type of girl who likes to show her affections through food and care, so she's always taking care of the boss and the crew. When the company runs an initial test of their virtual otome game, Li Xia is chosen to do so, which excites Li Xia as she thinks that this is recognition and special attention from Xiao Ning--until she accidentally overhears him calling her an "ordinary girl" who is in the same expected audience range for their game. Essentially, he says that she is so ordinary, how could she be the girlfriend of a boss like him? He is insincere, essentially, toward her. Heartbroken and crushed, Li Xia still becomes the first test subject of the game and, in a moment of low self-esteem, chooses the hardest setting in the game and begins as an ugly maid. When she tries to get out, however, she soon finds out that bugs in the game have prevented her from getting out. As she tries to find the exit menu, she also meets an eunuch--who is actually the Emperor in disguise--and thus begins a sweet love story with him.
ACTING/CHARACTERS: for this kind of low-budget level drama, the acting is good enough. This is not a complicated drama that requires high level acting of complex emotions, so I just enjoyed what I was seeing. I especially came to love Camille Hua as I really appreciate her character's personality but also Camille herself. I really love how she has a different look from typical Chinese actresses. Whereas they have small faces, Camille has a full, round face and has a very adorable smile. She was the best actor on this production.
Sadly, I didn't feel the same kind of level with the main actor who played the Emperor Yang Mo. Maybe I just don't prefer his looks, but at times, he seemed stiff and wooden, thus lowering the level of chemistry he has with Camille and my investment in him. He does shine at different times, but I'd say it took me a while to get used to him. It might also have a small part to do with his character's personality, which is that he's supposed to be a bit of a suspicious and cold character--even toward his own brother--but he eventually warms up. His relationship with Li Xia is just so sweet. Although he is an Emperor, he is rarely overbearing toward her. At times, he'll do the mischievous thing of pulling the status card--"I'm the Emperor. What is the punishment for lying to me?"--but this is all in good fun. Their bonding over food, too, just makes my heart soar and is so satisfying to see. Because with Xiao Ning, she felt more like a maid making food for a master, but with Yang Mo, she is making food for someone who appreciates her, her food, and care--someone who reciprocates.
For the two generals, Fan Ru Xiang & Xie Qing Shu, I thought they were also good enough. I liked their modern and historical looks and enjoyed their dynamic. Fan Ru Xiang's friendship with Li Xia was also a positive thing about the show.
SOUNDTRACK: music is really important to me in a drama and although this drama had one or two good songs especially during the emotional scenes, about halfway through the drama, I started to notice this one specific instrumental melody that they used during contemplative moments. It bothered me that they seemed to play it 20 times in an episode, but had to just shrug it off. Low-budget dramas, you know?
OVERALL: Feeling disillusioned at first about love after Xiao Ning, Li Xia learns to love again and what it feels like to be loved. I recommend watching this if you're looking for something funny and sweet. The story is straightforward with a few twists and the ending is happy for our main characters. I don't think you'll get super emotionally invested in the story, but I think you'll still appreciate the sweetness of the characters and their relationships.
STORY: Li Xia is a kindhearted and sweet worker for a gaming company who has a crush on her boss Xiao Ning. She is the type of girl who likes to show her affections through food and care, so she's always taking care of the boss and the crew. When the company runs an initial test of their virtual otome game, Li Xia is chosen to do so, which excites Li Xia as she thinks that this is recognition and special attention from Xiao Ning--until she accidentally overhears him calling her an "ordinary girl" who is in the same expected audience range for their game. Essentially, he says that she is so ordinary, how could she be the girlfriend of a boss like him? He is insincere, essentially, toward her. Heartbroken and crushed, Li Xia still becomes the first test subject of the game and, in a moment of low self-esteem, chooses the hardest setting in the game and begins as an ugly maid. When she tries to get out, however, she soon finds out that bugs in the game have prevented her from getting out. As she tries to find the exit menu, she also meets an eunuch--who is actually the Emperor in disguise--and thus begins a sweet love story with him.
ACTING/CHARACTERS: for this kind of low-budget level drama, the acting is good enough. This is not a complicated drama that requires high level acting of complex emotions, so I just enjoyed what I was seeing. I especially came to love Camille Hua as I really appreciate her character's personality but also Camille herself. I really love how she has a different look from typical Chinese actresses. Whereas they have small faces, Camille has a full, round face and has a very adorable smile. She was the best actor on this production.
Sadly, I didn't feel the same kind of level with the main actor who played the Emperor Yang Mo. Maybe I just don't prefer his looks, but at times, he seemed stiff and wooden, thus lowering the level of chemistry he has with Camille and my investment in him. He does shine at different times, but I'd say it took me a while to get used to him. It might also have a small part to do with his character's personality, which is that he's supposed to be a bit of a suspicious and cold character--even toward his own brother--but he eventually warms up. His relationship with Li Xia is just so sweet. Although he is an Emperor, he is rarely overbearing toward her. At times, he'll do the mischievous thing of pulling the status card--"I'm the Emperor. What is the punishment for lying to me?"--but this is all in good fun. Their bonding over food, too, just makes my heart soar and is so satisfying to see. Because with Xiao Ning, she felt more like a maid making food for a master, but with Yang Mo, she is making food for someone who appreciates her, her food, and care--someone who reciprocates.
For the two generals, Fan Ru Xiang & Xie Qing Shu, I thought they were also good enough. I liked their modern and historical looks and enjoyed their dynamic. Fan Ru Xiang's friendship with Li Xia was also a positive thing about the show.
SOUNDTRACK: music is really important to me in a drama and although this drama had one or two good songs especially during the emotional scenes, about halfway through the drama, I started to notice this one specific instrumental melody that they used during contemplative moments. It bothered me that they seemed to play it 20 times in an episode, but had to just shrug it off. Low-budget dramas, you know?
OVERALL: Feeling disillusioned at first about love after Xiao Ning, Li Xia learns to love again and what it feels like to be loved. I recommend watching this if you're looking for something funny and sweet. The story is straightforward with a few twists and the ending is happy for our main characters. I don't think you'll get super emotionally invested in the story, but I think you'll still appreciate the sweetness of the characters and their relationships.
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