Playing Ep 01

What people are saying

• slowwalrus

  Overall 8.5

  Story 9.5,  Acting 9,  Music 9,  Rewatch Value 9

  Are you a fan of a certain heart-wrenching, time-traveling saga set in a historical Asian backdrop and hungry for more? Well, if you're expecting a carbon copy that tugs at every emotional string, you might want to adjust your spectacles. There's a new show on the block, cut from similar cloth but dyed with a lighter shade.
  
  Much like its more serious sibling, it tosses a modern heroine back into the elaborate political love chessboard of the Qing dynasty. Here, she pings like a pinball between...

  the ambitions and affections of royal brothers, again. The premise might feel like rethreading old silk, but the texture this time is noticeably more frolicsome and lighthearted.
  
  The writing and performances in this other, more mournful series are described with words like "stellar" and "brilliant", leaving a tale that resonates long after the screen ebbs to black. Those looking for a similar level of gravitas may find this newer offering floating like a lotus without enough mud for grounding.
  
  However, for those who have overdosed on heartache and historical heavies, this jovial iteration offers a welcome respite. It's a breeze to binge-watch when the outside world demands a pause, thanks to its familiar yet comfortably digestible narrative. Prepare for a viewing that's engaging enough for the laughter to come easy and the story to whisk you merrily along the corridors of power and passion, but with a lighter step.
  
  Casting and performance-wise, none of the characters strike a discordant note. Comparisons will be made—inevitable given the shared thematic lineage—but the overplay is a stylized brushstroke here, not a smudge. If you squint, you might even find a charm in the exaggerations.
  
  Rewatchability? It's there. Like a good comic book, the first read-through is fun, and flipping through the pages again for a highlight reel won't feel like a chore.
  
  In sum, this program is akin to a weekend spent with an enjoyable read—entertaining indeed but perhaps lacking the depth to etch itself permanently in the annals of televisual greatness. If only it weren't living in the shadow of its illustrious kin, perhaps more would give it the kudos it can, at times, richly deserve.

• SmoothJeong39

  Overall 7

  Story 8,  Acting 7,  Music 7,  Rewatch Value 6

  Initially, my expectations skewed towards envisioning this series as a cultural counterpart to a beloved dramatic manga adaptation. However, as the narrative unfolded, echoes of a classic Japanese anime blended with Shakespearean undertones became apparent. Indeed, this series is a sumptuous journey through historical settings, laced with palace intrigue, entangled affections, and clever deceptions.
  
  The premise, as others might have gleaned from its synopsis, posits a contemporary heroine whisked back through the sands of time. Her arrival in a bygone era, armed with modern sensibilities and...

  foresight, indeed draws parallels with the adventures of a certain time-traveling half-demon. The portrayal of our protagonist is particularly compelling; she's portrayed as resolute and innovative. Admirable, too, is the relationship between the lead lovers—rarely does a storyline gift us with a partnership steeped in such mutual honesty and trust, which I found refreshing.
  
  Yet, this historical foray doesn't shy away from hefty doses of exaggeration—in its performances (ranging from mediocre to skillful, depending on the character), in its manufacture of humor, and in the elaborate coiffures that seem to defy gravity. And, yes, it navigates through familiar tropes: duplicitous courtiers, sly palace attendants, and ambitious consorts with eyes firmly fixed on the prize of lineage ascension.
  
  There's a naiveté to the female lead that sometime grates, her unwavering faith in the good intentions of others repeatedly placing her in perilous predicaments. How often can one be duped by the same subterfuges, one might ask?
  
  Despite the length of the series, it manages to maintain a brisk pace—only occasionally did I find myself impelled to skip through the slower episodes. The combat scenes, though lacking in verisimilitude, offer some visual entertainment, and the culmination of the storyline is satisfying, effortlessly sparking curiosity about what might lie beyond.
  
  For those romance enthusiasts out there, this series is plentiful in passion with a scant sprinkling of laughs. It doesn't delve into dark themes, making it a lighter historic watch. If you have the time, it's worth immersing yourself in this period piece.
  
  Let's not overlook the technical aspects though—lip-syncing to the musical numbers was distractingly misaligned, and the martial clashes sometimes strayed into the realm of the comically unconvincing. However, these are small blemishes on an otherwise engaging tapestry of bygone complexity.

• freshscarlett

  Overall 9

  Story 8,  Acting 9,  Music 10,  Rewatch Value 6

  The series under scrutiny is an exemplary work of televisual art, one that unfurls its narrative layers with poise and elegance. The performances delivered by the cast were nothing short of spectacular, providing a nuanced depth to the tapestry of the storyline. Accompanying the resonant dramaturgy was a score of heart-stirring melodies, enhancing the emotional landscape of the series.
  
  Initially, the plot may present itself as a labyrinthine web of complexities, seemingly impenetrable and daunting. Yet, as the narrative progresses, the fog of confusion gradually lifts,...

  revealing the ingenious design of the story's intricate workings. Such a revelation is a testament to the thoughtful construction of the plot, aimed at rewarding the patient and attentive viewer.
  
  This isn't just another banal foray into romantic fiction. Instead, it's a richly woven narrative embroidering the visceral realities of love – a tapestry that portrays the struggle and ecstasy, the heartache, and the exuberance intrinsic to the human experience.
  
  If you're someone who dedicates time to savor and contemplate a series, who prefers a narrative replete with substantial sentiments and gravitas, then this is a series I'd heartily endorse. It transcends the conventional, offering a love story that's as formidable in its challenges as it is victorious in its joys.

• sweetrobocop

  Overall 9

  Story 9,  Acting 10,  Music 8,  Rewatch Value 3

  Amidst the global fervor for Korean serials, there's an enchanting Chinese series that effortlessly commands the spotlight—it's simply too captivating to be shelved away. The venture into its many episodes is no trifling affair, yet patience unfurls into addiction as every installment ends on a note so tantalizing, the progression through them transforms into an effortless whirlwind.
  
  Nestled within this visual feast lies an exquisite tale of temporal displacement—a young woman from contemporary times finds herself whisked away to the opulent heart of the Qing dynasty....

  As we accompany her through this tapestry of time, a world of imperial majesty unfurls, replete with a monarch of considerable renown and his competitive brood of princes.
  
  What unfolds is a saga embroidered with the intricate threads of affection, rivalry, vengeance, and political chess. Within the imperial court, the princes vie for ascendancy and the coveted title of Crown Prince, with our modern-day heroine entangled amidst their power-laden intricacies.
  
  Character depiction in this series is nothing short of meticulous—princes are rendered in broad strokes of individual aspiration, fear, virtue, and flaw. With ample narrative space across the episodes, we watch characters evolve, challenging our initial allegiances and coaxing us into embracing the grey shades of their natures.
  
  Transcending the material is the stellar cast. The leading lady’s portrayal is a nuanced blend of resilience and vulnerability, personifying the series' protagonist with charismatic aplomb. Her male counterparts, two of the emperor's sons, deliver performances that oscillate between the fiercely ambitious to touchingly humane, encapsulating a spectrum of human emotion with commendable depth.
  
  The supporting ensemble, from those in the highest echelons of power to the bustling labyrinth of court life, further enrich the drama’s multifaceted narrative. This dramatic enterprise is vast, not merely in its character list, but also in the lavishness of production—opulent locations, meticulous set designs, and costumes that dazzle with intricate authenticity.
  
  Despite these accolades, at times the script verges toward the protracted, and the conspiracies may teeter on becoming convoluted. An episode involving a doppelgänger drifts towards redundancy, perhaps a narrative choice that could have been pruned.
  
  Yet, the series portrays its vignettes and secondary tales with a finesse that intertwines gracefully with the central plot, crafting a richer and more enthralling chronicle. For those venturing into the realm of Chinese historical drama for the initial time, the cultural pivot from its Korean counterpart might demand acclimatization. Particularly noteworthy is the portrayal of female characters—far from the oft-depicted naivety, they emerge as characters of compelling authenticity.
  
  As a first-time viewer, one may also find oneself appreciating the exquisite details of traditional Chinese attire aesthetically outshining its Korean counterpart, though one might speculate on the weighty practicalities of their elaborate headgear.
  
  For enthusiasts of historical narratives, this series emerges not merely as a recommendation but as an essential experience. Not to be overlooked, this chronicle forges its place as a pinnacle of historical storytelling.

• bitterjodie

  Overall 10

  Story 10,  Acting 10,  Music 10,  Rewatch Value 10

  In this enchanting drama series, viewers are swept away into an epic romance that intertwines the time-traveling escapades reminiscent of a renowned historical drama with the intense interpersonal dynamics akin to a well-loved youth romance. Our protagonist, a modern-day heroine, finds herself inexplicably transported back in time to the heyday of the opulent Qing Dynasty. There, she becomes deeply entwined with several royal brothers, fostering a situation not unlike that of a certain popular quartet from a famous East Asian drama series.
  
  True to form, the...

  narrative weaves through the labyrinth of palace politics and the personal growth of our characters, all while maintaining a lighthearted and sometimes whimsical tone that I, for one, find quite delightful. Admittedly, there is an odd detour in the tale, somewhere in the middle episodes, where the script has the leading lady tending to a grave—a subplot which personally doesn't resonate with me, and I tend to skip on subsequent rewatches.
  
  Indeed, this series has completely captured my attention, to the point of having rewatched it multiple times. It's one of those shows that, after the final credits roll, leaves you with a pervasive sense of loss, as if bidding farewell to dear friends.
  
  The auditory journey this series takes you on is just as compelling as the visual, starting with an opening anthem that is nothing short of soul-stirring. Its melody lingers long after the episode ends, and the rest of the soundtrack follows suit, enhancing the emotive landscape of the show.
  
  Performance-wise, the ensemble cast shines, with a special nod to a particular Chinese actress whose portrayal is nothing short of captivating. Fans will agree that her performances in other high fantasy series only cement her standing as a formidable talent in the industry. Her nuanced depiction of the protagonist is a true highlight, further enriching the already opulent tapestry of this must-watch series.