Drama Digest
Su Qing Ying is the fifth princess of Dongyue. Rumour is that she is a silly princess. But a modern-day secret agent’s soul is magically transported into her, defying the rumour. She arrives in the kingdom of Ximing for her marriage contract with the prince. But an assassinator is on the loose. She places a deal with Jun Li Ye, who is under the action of the poison. If he protects her from the hand of the assassin, then she will detoxify him.
The Feel-Good Part
The story’s beginning might seem out of place, but as it progresses, it becomes engaging.
The Disappointing Factor
Even though the story bears potential but it lacks clear expression. The plot is too abrupt and fleeting. Each episode casts a plot twist but compared to the period of the drama, it happens too quickly to keep track of the situation. It reflects the poor construction of the storyline and leads to a void in writing. It is as if the story jumps from one plot point to another. Moreover, the direction lacks distinction. Characters feel bland and empty. The acting skill of the actors and actresses fail to represent the roles appropriately. Overall, the mini-series is devoid of essence.
In-Depth Analysis
As mentioned before, the story of the drama might bear potential if structured into a full-length drama. It is simple but poorly framed. Moreover, necessary factors such as direction, writing, acting, etc. shouldn’t be ignored. It carries the profundity of drama. The storyline follows ruptured linearity, which makes it hard to understand. Only the plot points are focused. Even though it’s a miniseries, a strong plot structure can pull the drama together. Instead, the elements seem to be falling, and most are left to the viewer’s assumption. Acting is one of the significant factors in any movie or drama series. It represents the situation and the condition of the characters without much dialogue. The characters in the drama lack the potential to show it. The faint line between character and actor dissolves when both merge into one. But here, the line is prominently visible. Such as, when Su Qing Ying got poisoned by drinking tea, the characters’ reactions, herself included, failed to convey the emergence of the situation. It also hints at the dearth of direction seen throughout the drama. Apart from some scenes, the editing needs polishing to make it more entertaining. Initially, the series is derived from a manhua ‘Prince’s overwhelming love’ by Ake Culture. There is a first season of the same name and this second season also leaves loose threads hinting towards a third season.
Star Power
Keeping aside several deficiencies, Su Qing Ying was well presented as the fifth princess by Zhao Wen Rou. Zhou Sheng also did well in portraying Jun Li Ye.
Overall Opinion
The mini-series offers an engaging story if the first few episodes are cast off. Zhao Wen Rou acts well and shows the ability for a better actress in future. The same goes for other casts. Opinions of this drama might differ for different viewers, but it is not an unsatisfactory watch.
