Di Jia Qian Jin (2024)

First Ever Review For a Drama well deserved

This drama came out of the blue for me. I was on a drama drought and randomly clicked on this not really expecting anything.
However, after the first episode, I was hooked. Despite initial annoyance with the constant close-ups and weird directing, I gradually adapted, and it became a unique signature of the show. Now, let's delve into the details.

Characters: 10/10
- Xue Fang Fei/Jiang Li (FL) - This is a female-centric revenge drama centered around Xue Fang Fei. I had seen the FL in "Yanxi Palace" and thought she did a wonderful job there, but her acting has improved significantly in this drama. Her crying scenes are especially moving. Xue Fang Fei, known as a "Chai Nui," is clever and talented in literature, arts, and crafts. She proves her title throughout the show. Despite her intelligence, she has flaws, notably being overly emotional, especially when dealing with her trauma. Considering her experiences—betrayal by her lover, false accusations, family deaths, and near-death—it’s understandable that she would be emotional. Ignoring this would strip her of her humanity and turn her into a Mary Sue, which thankfully, the show avoids. I appreciate that she knows she's not perfect and is open to feedback. For example, when the ML tells her she’s been too emotional lately, she agrees and tries to improve, yet she stands her ground and fights for what matters.

- Duke Su/Xiao heng (ML) - Wang Xing Yue’s portrayal of Duke Su is a pleasant surprise. Duke Su is charismatic, charming, stylish, mysterious, and has a way with words. Despite having less screen time than the FL, every scene with him is impactful. He initially seems cold and nonchalant, but soon reveals a gentle and considerate side. Unlike many dramas where the ML is only kind to the FL, Duke Su shows kindness to everyone he cares about, including his sidekicks and the emperor. This adds depth to his character and makes him refreshing. He is, without a doubt, the green-ist walking red flag there is.

Antagonists: The show features some of the most intriguing antagonists, each with depth and well-written backstories. They are not evil for the sake of being evil. Here are the main three:
- Princess WangNing: She probably has the saddest backstory of all the villains. She was sent as a hostage, and the trauma from that experience turned her into the unstable princess we see in the show. Despite her cruel actions and seeing others' lives as beneath her, deep down, she just wants to be loved wholeheartedly and live a normal life. However, she knows she'll never have that, so she sabotages other people's lives to cope with her own pain. Li Meng played this role brilliantly, making her a villain that you can't help but appreciate, despite hating her actions.

- Stepmother Ji ShuRan: Imagine the typical evil stepmother character, but played by a veteran actress who brings this trope to life. Joe Chen did an outstanding job in this role, making you despise Ji ShuRan for all the evil things she does. Although she was a victim herself, she chose a destructive path, causing immense pain to the real Jiang Li and ruining the happiness of the Jiang family.

- Ex-Husband Shen Yu Rong: Wow. I've never seen a more complicated antagonist. Throughout the show, there were moments I was unsure if he was a villain or just a cowardly man acting as the princess' puppet. His character is complex, ridden with guilt, and a brilliant mind wasted on cowardice. He constantly deflects responsibility, blaming his choices on his rough upbringing, and refuses to acknowledge his wrongdoings. Once a righteous man, he has now turned evil.
We also have interesting and fun support characters in the show, but too many to get into details.

Chemistry: 1000/10
The chemistry between the leads, WJY and WXY, is phenomenal. Despite minimal physical contact, their interactions are electric. The push and pull, eye contact, wordplay, and mutual understanding create an intense and palpable connection. They exhibit one of the healthiest relationships I’ve seen in a couple. There are no misunderstandings; both the ML and FL are intelligent and communicate effectively, showing a tactical understanding of each other. They are strong characters who complement each other without overshadowing one another. Discussions about the actors' real-life age gap are irrelevant, as they convincingly portray their characters' love.

OST: 10/10
The soundtrack is superb, fitting the drama's theme perfectly. I'm waiting for the full sound track to get released in spotify.

Cinematography/ Directing: 8/10
The beautiful sets and backgrounds sometimes suffer from awkward camera angles. Abrupt cut scenes and black fade-outs can be jarring. The director's fondness for close-ups took time to get used to, but it eventually became a distinctive feature. The artistic approach to intimate scenes, though unconventional, worked well due to the leads' chemistry.

Overall enjoyment: 1000/10
This show definitely quenched my drama drought, but now I am left wanting more. The development between our leads was the highlight for me. The revenge storyline was also satisfying, especially seeing the villains get their deserved retribution. Despite its flaws, the fast pace, well-written dialogues, incredible chemistry, intriguing villains, enjoyable side characters, and engaging plot make this a definite rewatch in my book.

Ending: ITS A HAPPY ENDING.
I know people are debating the ending of this show, but even before the extra episode content, the FL mentioned in an interview that it’s a happy ending. Since the story is from her perspective, it’s clear that the ending aligns with her view. Additionally, the drama is based on a novel that ended with the FL reuniting with the ML and having a daughter, making the extra content canon even if it was a last-minute decision to film. Even if we ignore the extra - The drama follows the FL's point of view, showing that she achieved her's and JL's revenge. Her family is alive and well. Her father recovered, her brother is with JiuYue, and her best friends are happy. She not only restored her original family but also gained a new one. She found the true love of her life and married him. So, even if XH had died (which he didn't), the main plot revolves around revenge and retribution. XH also got his revenge and reconciled with his grandfather. Apart from his two sidekicks dying in the last scene, this ending is undeniably a happy one from the story’s perspective.

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Best Drama

This drama focus on human life. It is give sense of hope and never give up. As long as you keep living there always be hope.

Acting is pretty good. Story keep remind viewer to take care friendship and don't be friend with wrong person otherwise it would be down fall.

-Jiang li make friend with ji mother and ruin her life.
-Shen make friend with princess and ruin his mind,dignity.
-Xue make friend with shen family and she lose everything because mother in law and sister in law try to kill her.

So choose friend nicely like jiangli with tong and jiangli with duke su.

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Being obsessed by this drama is the only correct answer

This is one of the dramas until now that I found myself most anxiously awaiting the episodes on a weekly basis. The story captivates you from the beginning and the characters are super interesting, in addition to an excellent performance by the main actors. The female lead of this drama is incredible and it’s very easy to sympathize, root and adore her during the drama. We crave for her revenge and gosh it’s amazing seeing the characters paying for their wrongdoings. The male lead is also not far behind and both characters exude strength, intelligence and respect, both with each other but also with the people around them. Fang Fei and Duke su were an iconic couple for me. Also Duke Su OMG this character made me go insane a lot of times like…he just has this sensuality that is crazy. On the other hand, the antagonists are selfish, annoying and unable to see others being happy. But the story does try to show us that besides all of that, these characters also had/have feelings and were destroyed by someone or something.

The main couple has incredible chemistry and we could see the romantic and sexual tension between both characters. I felt that their relationship was very mature and neither of them dragged the other, on the contrary. Duke Su was an ideal male lead for someone like Fang Fei and I didn't feel like he judged her even when he suspected her identity. And when he finds out more about her, he embraces her story and her way of dealing with things. One of my favorite phrases of his was "In the past life and the present life, live to the fullest. Never compromise yourself to become someone else just to please others, including me”, this made me 100% sure that the character was incredible and deserving of her love.

I need to point out that despite the relationship between Wanning and Yurong being really toxic, I found their scenes super engaging and the actors gave a great performance, especially in the final episodes.

For me, this drama had a good story, incredible characters and excellent chemistry between them. The story progress quite well too and I didn’t feel like it was draggy. Besides, the direction also caught my attention in a positive way, although some people may find the close-ups scenes a bit cringe (I thought it was a bit cringeworthy at times too, but in general I thought it made the drama and the characters more immersive). But in so many positive points, if I had to pick out some flaws it would be that I found the last episodes were a bit rushed, everything practically happens in episode 40. Also, some deaths in episode 40 was kind unnecessary to me. Finally, I do wish we had more scenes of the main couple because I felt that when both of them were finally in love we had too little scenes of them together.

So yeah in general I really recommend this drama. It was my obsession and for sure it’s going to be in my list of one of the best dramas of the year!

PS: I’m totally in love with Xing Yue like GOSH why he is so attractive? I don’t know if I will find another character that attractive this year lol

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Good, but easily could have been better.

Oh boy, there's a lot to unpack here, so bear with me.

I'll preface this review by mentioning that I don't typically watch wuxias and don't normally reach for them. I have always wanted to love them because of the commotion they usually cause on the feeds lol. Anyhow, this is the first time that I felt "called" to watch this show and surprisingly stuck around because it was thoroughly enjoyable. At first.

If I were to rate the first half of the series, I would give it an 8.5 at least. The intro is fast-paced, we meet Fang Fei who's framed for seemingly having an affair, thinking she'll find solace from her husband, she's instead taken to be buried alive. Somehow, she survives and meets Jiang Li on the mountain as she's about to drown herself. Jiang Li on the one hand is certainly not in a better position than Fang Fei as she was sent to live in a convent from a young age having been accused of causing her pregnant stepmother to lose the child she was carrying. She suffers at the hands of the mistresses who for one reason or another seem to have it out for her. Still, she stops Fang Fei from *unaliving* herself and begins taking care of her although it ends up costing her her life.

This is when we enter the juicy part where Fang Fei takes on Jiang Li's identity. Up until that point, the writing is quite intricate. There's a motive behind every single one of the FL's actions, she's about one trillion steps ahead of everyone and through her wits, she is able to get the exact outcome she wishes for. With revenge now fueling her will to live, she rebirths into this strong, clever, and capable Jiang Li. She's not afraid to take on a challenge and is set on seeing her revenge through until the very end (even if she needs to sacrifice herself). Seeing such a driven character was so refreshing.

Now, when we meet the members of the Jiang family, the energy becomes increasingly interesting. I loved the diplomatic dynamic between Ji Shuran and JL/FF. The tension was palpable, the stakes were high, and the plot was plotting. The introduction to JL’s family members through Tong (JL’s maid) was a clever touch since we got to learn about who they were at the same time as FF.

Early on, it became very obvious to me that the *real* Jiang Li could never survive the cut-throat atmosphere that is the Jiang family's house. This is because it takes someone with experience, who is shrewd and quick on their toes to deal with the thoughtfully crafted crap that JS comes up with.

I know some people didn’t like the side plots much but I enjoyed them mainly because I love FF and everything that does. She stands for everything I love in female leads. She’s dependable, smart, trustworthy and most importantly she is kind but not soft. She always has her priorities in check and doesn’t need no man… Which is what ends up making her relationship with Xiao Heng/Duke Su so authentic. It is because she chooses to be with him, not because she needs his help or because she’s lonely, but because she loves him. It’s cute. However, XH’s character is all talk and no game (not necessarily as it relates to his relationship with FF but rather as an individual).

The intro to XH’s character makes it seem as though he is this mysterious man who’s always talking about situations as though they were chess matches. It’s cool at first. He’s always composed, level-headed, and seems to always have the upper hand however after a while it becomes difficult to hide the fact that his character lacks depth. The effort that was dedicated to writing the elaborate character of FF was clearly not the same for XH. Heck! His subordinates have more personality than he does. In crucial times, he’s absent which is understandable when they’re showcasing that FF is capable of handling herself. However, when she survives to tell the tale, this man is not all over her, he doesn’t even acknowledge the trauma or the hurt that she’s been through. He’s just out here talking about some “You’re my pawn.” After hearing that phrase a hundred times, it becomes obnoxious. My annoyance reached its peak when Tong died. Mans offered no comfort. He didn’t even talk about it!

Where The Double messed up was in the details. Because the reality is this: you cannot have a thoughtfully crafted character who interacts with characters in a world that is not as carefully crafted. Why? Because it is inconsistent. And there’s nothing worse than inconsistencies in a drama where you have a character as remarkable as FF.

Still, the slow burn between XH and FF was wonderfully done in the first half. Their interactions were few yet very significant because every one of them seemed to further their relationship. When it came down to their chemistry, sparks were FLYING. I mean just take the rain scene in ep. 17 for example. This is the best romantic scene of the year for me, hands down. In the second half, however, those rooting for XH and FF are treated like beggars. Here’s the thing, making a successful slowburn is tricky but a general rule of thumb is that intimacy needs to grow within every scene. The moment there becomes stagnation, the momentum in chemistry is lost and your die-hard shippers end up losing a certain level of interest because they’re not being fed properly. This is exactly what happened for The Double. The remedy to this would have been to have an impactful confession or a steamy kiss because you have to show your audience that their waiting has its perks. We ended up having neither. The confession fell flat to me and their wedding kiss was forgettable. Especially since the camera was all over the place with a veil covering most angles LOL.

OK, now for the second/later half, we hone into the plot a bit deeper where FF is now focused on bringing down the “real” villains in her story, Princess Wanning and Shen Yu Rong as well as the plot around the rebel guy (don’t remember his name) that has more to do with XH and his father’s death. Listen, the issue here entirely has to do with the execution and pacing. The Ji Shuran plot ends in ep 29. So all loose ends must be tied in 11 eps at this point and must cover the relationship between XH and FF + their marriage, the rebellion, Princess Wanning, SYR, as well as the final retribution.

Although they succeeded in fitting most things into the remaining eps, some things obviously felt rushed and the sequence felt off. Putting that final battle where XH has to go to fight off the Dai country peeps in the very last ep is delinquent work. Why the sudden need for this battle?? Had they put it near the middle, they would have had more time to develop this very sudden need for battle. Mind you, we also never see that dumb emperor at work. This was the perfect opportunity to bring him into the picture to settle political matters as he ought to but nope. Battle time it is! Also, bringing this storyline earlier on would have made some things so much more impactful because we would see the aftermath. The death of XH’s subordinates for example. That would have hit so much harder if we had seen him come back from battle having to deal with his losses. This would have opened the door to creating more depth to his character and to see how FF comforts him.

Overall, The Double was a very enjoyable watch. The FL is strong, the ML is dreamy, the supporting cast is great, the villains are decent and the plot is interesting and pretty fast-paced for the most part.

The last things I’ll address:

- Why is XH heading into a serious rebellion with no armour? Especially one that he foresaw?
- Why did XH not have other military corps when he gave the fish to Princess Wanning? Why was he unable to foresee that reinforcement could come late?
- The whole fish object to control the military is juvenile and dumb
- The revenge was unsatisfying
- The reveal of FF’s real identity was unsatisfying
- The extra “ep” was bad
- Needed more of the villains because they were great within themselves. They just didn’t have the chance to shine because of the writing.

Ok, now quick shoutout:
- The star of the show Jiang Jing Rui. Love him through and through and I wished we would have seen an ep when FF showed up for him.
- Ye Shi Jie, certified loverboooyy! Don’t usually love love triangles but would have wanted to see more of him. Overall, I feel like his facial expressions were much better than XH’s. The look of longing and affection for FF was so clear (JJR even pointed this out).
- Wen Ji + Lu Ji
- The cinematography, the costumes (NOT the cakey makeup, however)
- Acting chops: Li Meng, Wu Jin Yan, Liang Yong Qi and Wang Xin Yue. In that order.

Last shoutout to the watchers because y’all made this so much fun!! Especially when there was the infamous candle scene lol!

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Hands Down: the best Chinese drama ever??

The main female lead is not just well-written; she's a force to be reckoned with. The chemistry between the male and female leads is electric, often speaking volumes with just a glance. The characters are consistent in their motives, and the story is well-paced. The supporting cast, from the ex-husband to the stepmother, is perfectly chosen, adding layers of depth to the storyline. It's rare to find a show where you're genuinely invested in the characters' next moves, but this one nails it. The fate of Jiang Li's and Xue Fangefei’s fathers and the journey of her stepsister, Jiang Ruo, are compelling as well. The entire soundtrack, including the waltz-like piano instrumental, is a cherry on top.

One of the character's deaths was also pretty emotional; I can't remember the last time I felt so many emotions in a drama.

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Duke Su~CHARISMA

This is one of those dramas you just know you will rewatch. It is that good!
Wang Xing Yue....need I say more? I cannot get enough of him as Duke Su. He is everything. I have been in a slump looking for something new to watch and here comes The Double.

The Double has many aspects I love in a drama: smart and strong female lead, strong and intelligent male lead, amazing chemistry, humor, compelling plot and story, visuals....and visuals.
Wang Xing Yue exhibits charisma in his role as Duke Su. There is just not enough of him. Every time he appears I smile. Every nuance of his behavior makes me smile: the way he sits, smiles, moves, talks, his expressions....

And yes there is more to it than Duke Su...I think...But seriously...yes... there is more. It is fascinating to watch the plot unfold and frustrating to wait for new episodes. I find myself riveted to the screen and waiting for midnight for the new releases. I can only describe my feelings right now watching The Double. I will be back when all episodes are out to give my final review. This is without a doubt a 10+!

EDITED TO ADD AT THE END:


Let me start part 2 of my review by saying, I am in love with Duke Su. I know I said this before. I know he is fictional. But I cannot help myself. WXY's charisma shines through every pore of Duke Su. The drama itself was an incredible journey and there was never a single moment when I wanted to fast forward. But Duke Su made it extra special. For me anyway.


The plot twists...you are in for some surprises. I am leaving out the details so as not to add spoilers. The plot execution moves logically from one episode to the next. This is a revenge plot done right!


This is a story of two people who aimed to seek revenge and justice. The relationship started with both using each other to accomplish their goals but turned into mutual trust and love. The plot unfolds in a way that will keep you watching especially with a smart FL lead and a strong and strategic ML.

The couple's chemistry has me missing them. The flirtations between these two were delightful to watch and will have you smiling and laughing joyfully. The leads’ chemistry is a huge positive for The Double. There is an age gap between Wu Jin Yan and Wang Xing Yue which I didn't notice due to WXY's charisma and because they worked well together acting out the flirting game. Don't expect too much skinship. Any kisses in The Double are in danger of the dreaded candlelight or screen, but the couple's chemistry makes it so satisfying, that you will not mind. Their interactions will more than makeup for the lack of kisses and skinship.

And of course, WXY's performance had much to do with my joy and the reason I am so in love with him. Sigh.... Wang Xing Yue is a young actor but his charisma and handsome face made him perfect for the powerful and confident Duke Su. and is charismatic. Watch him in Amidst A Snowstorm of Love and you will see this same charisma. His acting feels natural and you will swoon just watching his facial expressions!

Every character here was amazing. Regardless of any event that might seem illogical or impossible in this drama, the incredible performances from the cast will make it a favorite. I would be surprised if The Double does not win some awards.

At the end of this incredible journey, I feel lost without Duke Su! I will rewatch soon 💗💗💗

Be sure to watch the extra episode after episode 40.

SPOILER:

To me , it was a happy ending if not satisfying in the sense I feel there should have been more. But the extra episode will take care of that. The Double is worth the watch regardless of some drawbacks.

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A STAND OUT DRAMA IN 2024

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.

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An intelligent, coherent and impeccable plot. It is a production made with a refined sense of Art.

Blood and tears alternate with extreme strength and beauty, cruelty and Poetry interact with vigor and grace. Human turpitude, vile ambitions, virtues, courage, lightness and fragility move in an absolutely precise game of chess. From an aesthetic perspective, the use of theatrical concepts is simply genial, including Greek theater elements in its conception. This theatricality causes a great visual and sensorial impact, enormously expanding emotional strength and plastic beauty. The characters are very well structured. The intricate relationship between the characters, despite being complex and rich in details, is easy to assimilate. Music is powerful and has important role, endowed with melodies and lyrics of great beauty and strength, it is an essential ally that enhances feelings, sensations, perceptions, emotions. The beauty of the images also impacts. Numerous scenes stand out as paintings that resemble masterpieces of Chinese painting. Everything done with extreme subtlety, from the point of view of ancient Chinese culture, its discreet, gentle and delicate art, its relationship with the mystique of death, its profound ability to observe the most imperceptible detail. How much beauty is the tea rite, a philosophical and poetic act. The actors’ synergy is enchanting. The performance of the actress Wu Jin Yan (A'Li), is simply masterful. It demands versatility in all the nuances of the immense human universe of pain, helplessness, loneliness, humiliation, indignation, love, joy, generosity, overcoming, hope. She's independent character, elevates women and removes them from the unfair and imposed passive and defenseless role. Also masterful is the performance of Wang Xing Yue (Duke Su). Through exclusively subtle nuances in facial expression, gaze, body gestures (as manly as he is kind) and voice intonation, he vigorously brings out a universe of feelings that dialogue with the viewer and leads them into this universe. The couple has an overwhelming chemistry, with a relationship that progresses with intensity, making the blood flow boil and the heart beat strong. This excepcional plot has the power to engage the viewer within its world. The plot flows with agility and reconciles hope with justice. I'm grateful for the aesthetic and emotional enjoyment of this series. I reluctantly leave the screen richer than when I entered this universe of ''The double". I'll miss it...

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"Evil Always has its Retribution"!! A Drama about Justice. Happy Ending!!

This is already the third time I'm rewriting my review on this drama, I wrote one when I reached episode 20, but just wasn't satisfy with it, then I wrote another when I completed episode 40, but upon watching the extra episode of "The Double", I decided to rewrite it one last time.

"The Double" is a wonderfully written and executed drama. Its captivating plot shouldn't go unmentioned. Plus, "The Double" is a drama that proves, "evil will always have its retribution".

Xue Fang Fei was framed and killed by her husband "Shen Yu Rong, on the eldest princess order. Xue Fang Fei suffered such great injustice. Duke Su's (Xiao Heng) father was set up by eldest princess "Wanning" brother "king Cheng", thus, leading to his wrongful death. While they're doing all these despicable acts, they must have forgotten about retribution.

They've forgotten, but their victims still remembers. As heaven would have it, Xue Fang Fei was given a second chance with a new identity "Jiang Li". Thus, she embarked on the journey of justice with Xiao Heng. Those two, eventually maneuvered their way through many dangers and life threatening situations, and was finally able to seek justice.

What I loved the most about this drama is that, every evil doers and villain of this drama got their rightful punishments and retribution. Wanning was killed by the one man she loved "Shen Yu Rong" , it's indeed karma. Shen Yu Rong commited suicide when he lost terribly. With those two dead and maimed as traitors, Xue Fang Fei, now Jiang Li finally got her long awaited justice. King Cheng who betrayed his master, Xiao Heng's father finally got his retribution by dying at the hands of the son of the one he betrayed.
Ji Shu Ran who framed the real Jiang Li for matricide, killed her mother, also got her own retribution.

What I loved even more about "The Double" is the happy ending. Although many died, and many blood were spilled in the quest of justice, its pleasing to see Xiao Heng and Xue Fang Fei, now Jiang Li have a happy ending.
The screenwriters of this drama did an excellent job in penning this drama premise and ending so well. The directors also did a good job in directing the drama excellently.
'The Double" is undoubtedly, one of the best drama of all time, and one of my favorite drama.

Also, Xiao Heng and Xue Fang Fei/Jiang Li's chemistry was exploding. They sticked with each other through thick and thin without letting each other down.

Overall, "The Double" is a drama that's worth every hour, every minutes, and every seconds. It's a must watch for fans of historical drama. The cinematography, visuals, character development, and most importantly, the acting are top notch.
Its a drama I'd call a "Masterpiece".

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How could the white pear blossoms be so hauntingly beautiful?

The Double is a lamentable tale of love, betrayal and revenge that’s wrapped in countless layers of intrigues. Each character carries an unspeakable fate of their own making.

PLOT & CAST:

Xue Fang Fei lives a humble yet blissful marriage life until she’s framed and buried alive by her own husband. She somehow survives and assumes the identity of Jiang Li who died of an equally wretched fate. What ensues is an intricate revenge plot as Xue Fang Fei seeks justice for both her and Jiang Li. I fell in love with Wu Jin Yan’s exquisite portrayal of the femme fatale FL. Given her experience with palace political dramas like Story of Yanxi Palace, she’s able to deliver the intensity of Xue Fang Fei’s resentment, grief and desperation as well as expressing her grace and elegance. While not having read the novel, I know Xue Fang Fei is supposed to die and reincarnate into Jiang Li’s body. However, the drama has decided to go with an identity swap instead, possibly due to censorship. I quite like it this way since it makes the machinations more interesting and thrilling to watch. Yang Chao Yue is also a perfect fit for the old Jiang Li. Her innocent and lonely image under the pear blossoms leaves a haunting yet unforgettable impression in my mind.

On the other hand, Duke Su is more of a spectator to the tragic play. He likes to watch and manipulate his chess “pawns” from the background. However, as time passes, he can’t help but get involved in Xue Fang Fei’s quest for vengeance. Wang Xing Yue definitely has the charisma and finesse to play this ML. It’s a refreshing take from his goody-two-shoes roles in Story of Kunning Palace and Admist a Snowstorm of Love. Admittedly, it took me a few episodes to warm up with his character, especially the costume styling and eyeliner. I was genuinely surprised to see how young Wang Xing Yue is as well, given his mature and refined characterisation. I love the tension between Duke Su and Xue Fang Fei. Their scheming and banter have a certain rhythm to them, like a roundabout poem or tango. It’s enjoyable to see how the FL often outwits the ML.

The antagonists are portrayed very well too. I like how they have a certain level of complexity and duality to them. Princess Wan Ning, Ji Shu Ran and Jiang Ruo Yao (Jiang Li’s stepmother and step-sister) were, to a certain extent, the unfortunate products of the arranged marriages and restricted lifestyle faced by women in Ancient China. However, unlike Xue Fang Fei, they decided to materialise their own misery into a cascade of sufferings for others. Xue Fang Fei’s ex-husband, Shen Yurong, is also indulged a twisted love. He’s adamant on being righteous. But when split between his family and wife, he prioritises being filial over romance and justice. The villains are deplorable and loathsome yet somehow also pitiable.

PRODUCTION:

The cinematography is simply gorgeous. The experimentation of colour schemes, light and shadow really highlights the romantic versus tragic moments throughout the drama. The beautiful background gardens give a certain sense of serenity yet loneliness to the characters, especially when Xue Fang Fei is in the Jiang family.

The use of the white pear blossoms as a changing metaphor is genius. This is well complemented by the poignant soundtracks.

At the beginning, when Xue Fang Fei dances with Shen Yu Rong under the full blossoms, they express blissful and dream-like romance. The next time is when Xue Fang Fei being buried alive under the fallen blossoms, they signify the devastating end to the beautiful yet short-lived romance, truly fitting to the fleeting beauty of spring.

When Fragrance Falls, Pear Blossoms Turn White (芳菲落尽梨花白) by Mi Liang
“Pear blossoms shattered all over the ground…
Every word you’ve said is floating in the air, unable to withstand a single blow…
Even the moonlight can’t bear to be mischievous.
Watching me hopeless and miserable.
Who’s the one who’s giving up and making the story all sad?
When the flowers have fallen to become ripples, one blow dyes the entire world.”

Perhaps the most memorable is the young Jiang Li’s last scene under the falling white blossoms, symbolising the loss of innocence but also the freedom to travel in the wind beyond the Zhennv Hall where she’s been confined for most of her life. The blossoms are elegant and breathtakingly beautiful but also carry with them a sense of haunting loneliness.

Withered (凋零) by Huang Shifu
“Withered flowers are pure white and flawless.
Where does it want to go paint yearning.
Bid farewell to branches and cut off worries…
I want the sunset to help pass me a message.
If I meet a flower, then I tell the flower.
I’m willing to go home with it.”

When Xue Fang Fei beats the Dengwen Drum under the blossom-like snow, they represent the harsh injustice suffered by the people and the cold yet determined resolve of the FL.

Snow Watching (观雪) by Cyndi Wang
“The falling snow is bitter cold…
The snow falls eternally
Who can escape the humiliation of time.
My anger is hidden beneath the fallen blooms.
How can I stand against so many obstacles…
I accept all the gifts from sorrow.
I can’t let down my regrets.
I won’t admit defeat.
I slowly chew on the bitterness of life.
The fragrance remains the same after the bleak winter.
Awaiting spring to colour the way back home.”

FAVOURITE QUOTES:

“Just be happy no matter if it’s your [Xue Fang Fei’s] current life or the past. Never compromise to become another person for someone else’s sake. Including me.” Duke Su

“You [Duke Su] told me we would face the same end. On one hand, I know you are responsible for your kingdom and on the other hand, you care about my safety. Right now, I’m willing to enter this set-up of yours. I’m not a liability. I want to help you.” Xue Fang Fei

“You always like pushing all the blame to other people. Shen Yurong, You are used to being the perfect scholar. Everything you did was forced. You did nothing wrong. You are pititful. Even you believe that… Since you could mention your love, why couldn’t you express your guilt?” Xue Fang Fei

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