Can't Praise This Drama Enough
This is quite possibly my most favourite low-budget period drama ever. For something that was produced in 2015, the plot remains fresh and through-provoking, even through all the clichéd tropes and recycled storylines common in palace intrigue dramas. All the summaries I've seen about how Zhang Peng (FL) transmigrates into a female's body make the plot sound cookie-cutter levels of boring, but as much as the drama doesn't take itself too seriously and leans into the comedy of a low-budget production, this is one plot point that was beautifully rendered. The way Zhang Peng truly became Zhang Peng Peng and fell in love with the Emperor was masterfully done, thanks to Zhang Tian Ai's brilliant acting elevating the quality of this production way beyond its low budget. The drama's OST is also gorgeous, and will completely immerse you into the world of these characters.For period drama purists, this show isn't for you, but if you are willing to overlook -or even enjoy- the cheesy costumes and overdone comedic lines, this is a drama that will make your heart ache in the best possible way.
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Absurd & Outrageous Comedic Scenes Paired with Ridiculous yet Cringe-Worthy Story line~!!
GAYNESS OVERLOAD!!I don't know. I just cannot. I'm still in a great daze right now trying to digest everything while attempting to write this review 1minute after I finish the drama.
2 words to precisely describe this drama is 'Ridiculously Insane'. Honestly, It has so much ups and downs and I have mixed feelings about it. At one point I feel so stressed, frustrated and irritated watching this drama then minutes after I'll find myself dying out of mere comedy and insanity.
This drama served so much unexpected laughter and out of context scenarios but somehow was able to both damage and strengthen my opinion over it as a whole. This is CRAZY I must say. It's on a tier of its own, unrivaled.
1st, let's talk about how they overly sexualized women at the first half of the drama. Even when it's done by the FL, those scenes still felt wrong yet it was saved by it's comedic touches.
2nd, the Modern-Ancient scenes of this drama is so cringy I almost puke watching them but then was saved by the witty, hilarious and strong approach of the FL.
3rd, the clothing! Ghad! It fslt so wrong yet I'm satisfied by it. This drama has the most indecent, revealing yet stylish costume of all Period dramas I've ever watched. Kudos for that.
4th, considering the fact that It's a low budget drama; It was able to deliver so well in various areas specially on the acting, Visuals, Cinematopraphy and lastly Costume. The only let down is its all over the place scenes, writing anf story itself.
Nonetheless, It was FINE!? IF you're looking for a drama with Outrageous and Ridiculous Scenes and Story then this is for you.
Story - 8, I would love to give it a higher mark but the ending could've been more interesting and light. It is an open ended story that's unsure of its sequel. Story itself felt so dramatic and heavy at a scene then will immediately shift to crazy and ridiculous comedic scenes. I felt retarded and insane following the mood of this production like 100% of the time.
Acting/Cast - 10, The Actors/Actresses of this drama is on a different level of excellent character portrayal. Each of their scenes were performed spectacularly and with so much concentration and passion. I can see the hardships they went through to deliver and to fulfill the expectation for their respective characters.
Music - 9, I almost failed to appreciate the songs because I was so distracted by the entire mess this production is serving but they redeemed themselves and was able to flex their Music out at the last 10 episodes of the drama.
Rewatch Value - 7, This drama is Perfect ONLY at first watch. Rewatching might actually irritate anyone since most of the time the sequences are so out of the topic and unrelateable. Absurd.
Overall - 8.5, Okay! I kinda gave an extra points cause I love and enjoy it as a whole. It may have its ups and downs but It was able to serve its purpose which is to entertain and to make its audiences laugh. Like I mentioned on my Bio. I'm a reasonable guy; As long as I enjoyed it, I will certainly give it proper acknowledgement and appreciation.
If you find my Reviews helpful please let me know.
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A delightful and entertaining drama that still holds up in 2021
This surprising hit web drama from 2015 still holds up in 2021. Despite being a very low budget production, it got everything right with the actors, drama, humor, and its surprisingly poignant themes. (No wonder it has a cult following and also inspired a Korean adaptation 2021 drama Mr. Queen and launched the careers of many of its actors.) If you like parodies of costume romantic comedy dramas and want hilarious entertainment, this is a great one.PLOT: The playboy Zhang Peng, while escaping from ex-girlfriends, jumps into a pool to save a different girl. However, he gets kicked in the head and sinks further into the pool...and ends up back in time in the female body of Zhang Peng Peng, the consort of the Crown Prince Qi Sheng. Grappling with this new reality, Zhang Peng Peng tries to stay alive among palace politics and assassinations while also indulging in his desire of women around him and resisting his slowburn interest in Qi Sheng.
Things to know/think about:
First: this is a VERY low budget drama compared to "low budget" dramas from recent years (2017-21). A typical low budget drama nowadays would be the 24-episode dramas like "The Romance of Tiger and Rose" or the first season of "The Eternal Love." However, the production makes it work for them and makes it part of the comedy. The clothes are fairly plain (or has a modern-like style) yet so bright, several neon-like colors as the clothes or decoration on the pavilions and rooms. Literally, the "war" outfit that the princes wear are so strange and hilarious with its carved out abs.
Second: the actors are fantastic, especially Crystal as Zhang Peng Peng. She's flawless and acts so great in this comedic role of a man in a woman's body who's lustful after other women while also upholding his/her own morals and virtues. I never got pulled out of the acting and was laughing along or crying along with her. Absolutely fantastic and believable.
Third: the themes of love and gender are decent! Zhang Peng Peng has to go through a journey of acceptance since there was no sign of him returning to his modern times. At the same time, he/she was also falling for Qi Sheng, so it brings up some interesting point about love and body acceptance. I don't want to spoil anything too much but it felt well done for a 2015 drama and 2015 China c*nsorship. I suspect that this drama, if it had attempted to air now in 2021, wouldn't pass c*nsorship and wouldn't air at all. There are even very sexual and sexy scenes that aired!
Overall:
This is a silly and entertaining romantic comedy drama that is at times profound. It's definitely not meant to be taken very seriously but everything just came together and worked really together. The actors, the couple's chemistry, the female main character's steadfast goal in staying alive and her growth as a character is tremendous.
You might like this if you like time-travel dramas, soul-switching dramas with a twist of a man's soul in a female body, a cold male lead, a comedic and smart female lead, concubines who are supporting characters and not conniving but more like friends, slapstick humor.
You might not like this if you expect a very serious plot or a very serious political plot with war and fights and action. All of that is in the background and the production doesn't have the budget for a full scale fight.
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It was supposed to be fun and comedic historic drama.I was really enjoying it but at episode 6 the scene where they play soccer and subsequent scenes neither logical nor fun or rational.
I just couldn't surpass that nagging how come a man is ok with getting hit for someone else fault in public in front of empress especially when he is 21st century male in female body. That somehow irritates me unconditionally.
It was supposed to be fun and comedic historic drama.
I was really enjoying it but at episode 6 the scene where they play soccer and subsequent scenes neither logical nor fun or rational.
I just couldn't surpass that nagging how come a man is ok with getting hit for someone else fault in public in front of empress especially when he is 21st century male in female body. That somehow irritates me unconditionally.
It was supposed to be fun and comedic historic drama.
I was really enjoying it but at episode 6 the scene where they play soccer and subsequent scenes neither logical nor fun or rational.
I just couldn't surpass that nagging how come a man is ok with getting hit for someone else fault in public in front of empress especially when he is 21st century male in female body. That somehow irritates me unconditionally.
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