Drama Digest
A Chinese adaptation of the famous Korean drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal, In A Class of Her Own, follows the journey of Xue Wenxi, the daughter of a needy family. She often dresses up as a guy and transcripts books in order to support her family. Things go haywire when she meets Feng Chengjun, the Prime Minister’s son. He sends the ball rolling, and she ends up registered in the Yun Shang Academy. Using her brother Wenbin’s name and continuing to remain in the guise of a boy, Wenxi stays alert to make sure that her ruse does not fall apart. Soon, she becomes friends with Yu Lexuan, Lei Zexin, and Chengjun, and together they establish themselves as the Yun Shang Quartet. Watch this series to find out more about the hurdles the quartet cross and witness how Wenxi struggles with protecting her identity while living with three guys under one roof.
The Feel-Good Part
In A Class of Her Own has an incredible production value and uses eye-catching costumes, which immediately draw you to the beauty of the scenes. The show is aesthetically designed, with every character having their personal style that goes along with their nature and self-expression. It features a strong cast that delivers convincing performances, especially the actors portraying the secondary characters. There is palpable chemistry that exists among the Yun Shang Quartet, the development in their relationship is enjoyable to watch, and the sense of a familial bond persisting among them is adorable.
The Disappointing Factor
This series is, unfortunately, a downgrade from the original: Sungkyunkwan Scandal. The screenwriter’s water down most of the plot, particularly the parts that made the show enjoyable into a superficial romance that often feels forced in several places. There is minimal character development for the male lead, Chengjun. His arc, as compared to all the secondary characters, seems bland, and the series barely focuses on his trials and tribulations as much as it does on the others. There is an evident lack of chemistry between the lead duo. Although the creators desperately try to create a romantic angle between them, it feels like a series of innuendos instead of a well-developed love story.
In-Depth Analysis
In A Class of Her Own hyper-focused on romance, and loses sight of the themes it set out to showcase. One is bound to compare it to the original k-drama, especially since Sungkyunkwan Scandal is a classic with a fanbase of its own, and this comparison makes this series look worse than it actually is. The series tries to make political commentary but fails because it just makes some passing remarks about the political situations and the military. Moreover, for a show that is supposed to be a comedy, it just has a few running gags and poor attempts at jokes.
However, the friendship among the lead characters is one of the critical and enjoyable facets of the show. They are entertaining, have a fun dynamic that is not boring, and their bond is sweet enough to leave you grinning. The soundtrack is pretty great and adds to the positives of the show.
Star Power
Ju Jing Yi is the star of the show. Her presence adds fervor to every episode. Bi Wen-Jun also deserves a special mention for his stunning performance.
Overall Opinion
This show has positive and negative attributes. If you want to enjoy it, try not to compare it with the original.
