“Ni Chang” is my 4th drama in a row with a weaving and/or embroidery theme. For the main leads, I only know Bi Wen Jun from “In A Class of Her Own”, and I have never watched any of Li Jia Qi (aka Nicky Li)’s work. The first episode with an amnesiac Luo Wang (Prince of Luo), a cute energetic little girl with an amazing business acumen, and a big sister disguises as a big brother shouldering the burden of a family business and household, have pulled me into the story and I have come to enjoy it very much.

What seemingly a light fluffy romance drama turns into a dark, murderous watch with multiple villains that are corrupt and continue to break the law with impunity. The plot propels the story, giving viewers a fast growing up Ni Chang (performed by Li Jia Qi) after she loses everything and becomes a fugitive, and a free-spirited leisurely prince (king), Quyang Ziyu (performed by Bi Wen Jun) who develops into an important official that brings fairness into the palace supply system.

I love the determined, indefatigable and quick-witted Ni Chang. Despite her devastating loss, she remains kind and unselfish that wins her many friends. Many kind hearted female characters portrayed in dramas tend to be gullible, but not Ni Chang. She is smart and not easily cheated. Li Jia Qi may not have the face of a beauty pageant queen, but she grows on viewers. Her character becomes stronger and stronger throughout the story - she is cute and playful as the juvenile Xie Xiao Ni, and later develops into a stoic Ni Chang who is not afraid to face her greatest challenges. Her acting is convincing and she has great chemistry with Bi Wen Jun.

As Ouyang Ziyu, Bi Wen Jun brings his free spirit charisma from “In A Class of Her Own” to this drama. Tall and good looking, Ouyang Ziyu’s love for Ni Chang is unselfish and inclusive, contrasting to Su Wen Yu (acted by Will Song)’s imposable and selfish love which Ni Chang detests. A good businessman himself, Ouyang Ziyu is prepared to give up everything, including his princely title, to be with Ni Chang. He helps her grow, placing her needs in front of everything else. Bi Wen Jun gives viewers a very relaxed feeling, unrestrictive and yet confident in everything he does; he is very believable.

Come the villains. Yan Wen Xiu (acted by Sun Jia Lu), Yuan Dao Cheng (acted by Li Yu Xuan) and that official Gao guy with a giant mole, are vile, blatant, hideous and despicable. The actors’ performances are so good that these characters really turn the viewers’ stomachs and we all wish them dead with no regrets. Every step Ni Chang takes, Yan Wen Xiu is there to harm her, but each time Ni Chang comes up winning, though not without the sacrifice of others who have come to her protection.

My Verdict

This is an easy to watch and to follow drama with clear logic and flow, and yet packed with heinous antagonists with hideous motives in the open. Everything is pretty straight forward in black and white. The ending concludes very well with all ends tied – the good is rewarded and the bad punished. In fact, the climax ends in episode 39, and episode 40 devotes to new life for all our protagonist characters, with a hiatus of two years for our main leads in order to completing their personal missions – Ni Chang to rebuild her family business and Ouyang Ziyu to revamp the government system making it transparent and fair.

This is a drama transient with grace and kindness, and that enables our characters to find their common grounds. A sweet drama for all in the family. Don’t miss it!