Vínculos do Futuro (2024)

Of 2nd chances and power corrupt!!.

That's the themes of this drama as most of us have regrets for with hindsight we wouldn't have done what we did or would do it diferrently. There's always the"what if..." question.3 main characters, ML,FL and 2ML of the drama were given this chance; to change their losing fate into a winner destiny.
3 were given 2nd chances to be winners in life,
2 strived & gain while 1 made no effort, still a loser.

Spoilers Alert!
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The drama opened with the ML, the PM who has the authority to even barred the empress from seeing her dying husband.The infuriated empress ordered one of her maid to inform /2ML to get ready. The PM entered and the emperor ordered him to kill his sister, the princess royal,the PM's wife who he suspected of being the head of the nobles. The PM went to talk  with his wife who was in falling health and living with her lover, 2ML.After their conversation ,she ordered him to be killed,while taking her medicine,.she collapsed and as she laid dying reflected how if things were different. She then woke 20 years back to the past.Same with the ML, they then allied together to find out who and why were tricked to be killed.

In order for readers to readily understand the characters, circumstances, and scenarios, the writer employed modern terms while describing the key characters. Additionally, during the drama, enjoyable and contemporary activities like portraying the damsel in distress, indirect kissing, and hard to get were explored! The ML and 2ML were referred to as "toy boys," men who gained prestige, riches, and influence by using their attractive appearances.FL is described as a pampered, pushy, forceful, and proud,woman with "princess syndromes," a strong sense of self-worth, and a position of rank, riches, and power. Given that even her name was Princess Pingyue, she was the embodiment of the Princess Taiping type—the powerful and politically astute daughter of Empress Wu ZeTian.


The theme of 2nd chance is linked to power corupts for it corrodes ibling love as the FL eventually discovered that it was her brother who ordered her to be killed out of fear that she would be the head of his enemies.Power corrupts the ethnics and moral responsibilities and obligations of marital bond,parental love, siblings love and government officials towards the people and country.The emperor viewed his wives and children as disposable pawns.A princess saw her brother as a puppet to control and not kill her, a mother could replace her dead son with a fake to become Queen Mother.A lover could stand by to watch his lover slowly poisoned so that his illegiminate nephew could be the crown prince; and friend killed a friend so that her illegiminate son could inherit the throne. Also a corruptor's visage can be benign, harmless, and unthreatening, similar to the 2ML, such that he bent and turned his lover into a adultress and a concubine into a murderess, killing the emperor. To curb corruption in the government the FL was appointed to head the Inspectorate Department which was an anti-corruption department. The nobles had siphoned money for themselves and will kill innocents who stand in their way.To weed out corruption was to choose a leader with integrity and incorruptibility, such as the 2FL, who will enforce the law inside her own clan should she discovered to be corrupt.

In the ending the writer also presented an intriguing, utterly improbable feminist dream for history buffs like me: what if Princess Taiping inherited thethrone like England's Elizabeth I ? !!

The flaws! !! The 2ML has too much screen time! !!!He even has a sorrowful, lost love song that is playing in the background that is just for him!! Its an overkill!! !! Just remark that he returned from the past and was sufficiently enough! The 2ML was to be a foil to the ML for he don't learn from past mistakes. He fallen for the princess during childhood and wanted to marry her. His 2nd chance came in the present time-line when she proposed to him during the Spring Banquent an offer he decline . His father cannot disagree as it was an imperial degree. He failed to see that as a consort he made himself strong enough to push through his older brother proposal to 2FL and subsequently no illegiminate prince hence his family will be saved.The frequent scenes between him and princess were totally uncessary, and showed the writer's flaw. She was supposed to be the arrogant ,proud and strong princess who wouldn't look twice again to a man who rebuffed her proposal and who conspired with others to kill her.



Aside from that, I enjoyed the drama ..My favorite artistes, Zhao Jinmai and Zhang Linghe are the major leads, and they did not disappoint in fact ZLH ' s portray as the epitome of a perfect princess consort was spot on.

Leia Mais

Every princess needs a “fairy Godmother”

I struggled to give a suitable nickname for Pei Wen Xuan, Li Rong’s Prince Consort in The Princess Royal.

By right, he is the Prince Charming, with all the memories of 1st lifetime to do the 2nd one right again. By left though, the story kind of fell through midway with Pei Wen Xuan’s role got outshined by Li Rong’s empowered moments and second male lead “villain origin’s built up”, Su Rong Qing. This feeling, is in spite of how I’ve already skipped and zoomed past most of the scenes to focused on the interactions between Pei Wen Xuan, Li Rong and their servants at the princess mansion, as well as Shanguan Ya and Su Rong Hua. However, even taking Su Rong Qing’s heightened feature in the story aside, I feel the overall plot kind of weak. Rather than Prince Charming, Pei Wen Xuan feels like Li Rong’s “Fairy Godmother” whose focus is to fulfil the Princess wishes. I am not against female empowerment story nor highlight on 2ML arc. The Princess Royal just doesn’t string the plots in an enjoyable pace.

What’s positive about The Princess Royal is the story premise and main leads interactions. It features a 38 year old married couple going back to their 18 year old selves, recognising each other remembering their first lives, and still trusting each other, more than they’d like to admit, to do life again, hopefully wiser this time.

Pei Wen Xuan’s and Li Rong’s teamwork, rapport and interaction is lighthearted and fun to watch. Zhang Ling He and Zhao Jin Mai are a cute pair of onscreen couple - youthful and pretty, …and maybe a tad slightly petty (in a good way of course).

In short, one can tune in to The Princess Royal if they are on a drama drought and want a light hearted do-over / second chances stories.
…However, I’d recommend Go Back Couple, a modern K-drama of 38 years old married couple who find themselves back in their 20’s if one wants a more solid couple do over story. And for female empowerment ones, my recent enjoyable watch is The Story of Hua Zhi / Blossoms in Adversity.

Leia Mais

Imperfect But Rewarding Time Travel + 2nd Chance Romance + Palace Drama

*** INCLUDES MAJOR PLOT SPOILER***


Not a perfect drama but quite satisfying if the viewer likes the time travel trope and enjoys a lot of plot with their romance. I've observed so much resentment and anger that the SML character even exists and is getting screentime and I fear that some people are missing out on enjoying the story because they're too preoccupied with making it about a love triangle instead of a story about family, personal freedom, how power traps and corrupts people, and the ability to change. The relationship between FL and her brother the crown prince is very well done, so much hurt and healing.

Having a 3rd time traveler with a different agenda, who can't let go of the past, is actually an interesting narrative device! If the viewer can just accept it as a badass time travel story with a good romance on the side and a struggle to win the battle of changing the timeline, with a big cast of characters who can make different choices this time... then it's a very solid drama.

The 2ML is not ever someone who FL was going to pick, the moment that ML decided he wanted a real marriage and understood his regrets. 2ML being a real love rival was only PWX's insecurities. FL was ONLY ever with SML because ML and her split up (over another woman). 2ML was always the guy she settled for, when she thought she couldn't have and trust PWX. Some annoying background music due to 2ML's pathetic pining shouldn't distract us so much from the obvious. He's a pitiful time traveler who ruins his second chance while our leads do not. That's all the drama ever intends him to be.

Leia Mais

Twisted tale of politics and love

This tale involves a paronoid emperor who ends up killing his son with the crown prince eventually killing his sister amidst palace political intrigue and tragedy.

The main story is about the politically savvy eldest princess, the Princess Royal Li Rong and her consort, Pei Wenxuan, who were stuck for 20 years in a loveless marriage. They both were killed and were ‘reborn’ to when she is 18 and he, 20. This gives them a 2nd chance to change their outcome in life and politics. But no matter how much they tried to right things, life seems inevitable to repeat itself. However, their relationship improves as past misunderstandings are resolved revealing their love for each other. It wasn’t until later that they discovered another person, the Princess Royal’s trusted childhood friend, Su Ron Qing, was also ‘reborn’. Su loves Li Rong but not enough to prioritize her over his family’s interest, Su also tried his best to change his and his family’s tragic destiny with his schemes running counter to that of Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan, thus undoing much of what the couple tried to achieve. Su is out for revenge for what happened to him in his previous life and scuttles many of Li Rong’s schemes by rationalizing he’s just protecting her. All this happening in a court where the powerful and corrupt nobles are colluding for selfish interests and an emperor who has a deep distrust of his own children and empress. A wrong step in the emperor’s eyes could mean death for his children. I find myself looking forward to every episode to see how LiRong and Pei Wenxuan would deal with the deadly situations dished out.

Because of all the palace political shenanigans, this drama needs good English subtitles to be enjoyed fully. Both male and female leads as well as the SML did a good job with their performances. The costumes and accessories are beautiful with great cinematography. This is a female centric drama and it is interesting to see how the Princess Royal dresses as an official in court. She is portrayed as a strong, intelligent and capable courtier, more suitable to rule than her brother, the crown prince.

Leia Mais

My thoughts after dwelling on comments and eventually watching...

My hesitancy to watch this drama started with a quick look at the comment section. Many people weren't happy with the plot, screen time, and characters. I commented on my uncertainty and received replies that were fighting each other. So, I logged off to watch in peace and came back to write a review after completing it.

MY ADVICE: If the synopsis interests you even a little bit, give the drama a try without dwelling on the comments. It seems like a hit-or-miss drama. Yes, it has flaws, but it is not as bad as some people may say.

First, I have some remarks about Rong and Wenxuan's relationship. Their misunderstandings were solved quickly, and I liked how their relationship changed for the better, compared to their past. What got me rolling my eyes most of the time was how Wenxuan could not stand up for himself when it came to Rong, and how Rong was not communicating her trust and love for Wenxuan. Yes, their arguments were solved quickly, but it felt so unnecessary to begin with at such late episodes.

However, my biggest concern reading the comments was Rongqing.
- Does Rongqing have a lot of screen time (compared to Wenxuan)? No, **IN GENERAL**, I wouldn't say so. Wenxuan has plenty of screen time, especially in the first half of the drama. The only part of Rongqing's screen time that confused me was the last couple episodes, especially his scene in the last episode.
- Did Rong love Rongqing? Hard question to answer, but I'd say maybe at some point in her past life, she did. HOWEVER, in their current life, she always worries for Wenxuan, cares for Wenxuan, and loves Wenxuan. What I can collect from watching her interactions with Rongqing, she definitely has lingering sentiments for him. Probably because he stayed by her side during the days leading up to her death in the past. But that is really it. She loves Wenxuan, and I never doubted her love for him. Did I get annoyed because of her soft spots for Rongqing? Yeah, it was annoying, but I guess it's understandable if you consider her past.

I personally thought the drama started out really strong—I was captivated up until maybe episode 30. I almost completely lost interest after episode 30, but kept watching for the main couple. They started bringing up the past (which I could care less about), and Rongqing's story (which I had no sympathy for), so I was just trying my best to watch until the end.

This drama has flaws, which is disappointing since the budget seems to be so high. There are things I wish they could have added, changed, or removed. Despite that, there were a lot of moments that I liked.. I can list some below:
- Wenxuan said, "If I admitted I liked you, it would feel like a form of surrender."
- Wenxuan confronts Rong when she assumes he still likes ZhenZhen, and Rong runs after him to clear up the misunderstanding even more
- Rong offended the whole Pei family because they hurt Wenxuan
- Rong writing countless letters to Wenxuan while everyone is telling her he's dead
- Wenxuan picking up Rong with the umbrella in this life (Rongqing did it in the previous life)
- Rong worries over Wenxuan in many instances

I'll stop here. Even if the drama isn't perfect, I'll still give it a 9.5/10. Stop hating on the drama; it scares potential watchers. The hate almost scared me away, but I'm glad I gave it a try. And you should too.. if you ended up reading this before watching :)

Leia Mais

Very in-depth Villain but superficial Male Lead.

Review contains spoilers! Youve been warned!

Storyline: Very well written! Su Rongqing is such an interesting character. He loves Li Rong just as much as Pei Wenxuan does, but he doesnt trust her as much as PWX trusts her. Unfortunately, their life circumstances make it hard for them to be together. He just doesnt trust her enough to know that she'd be able to prevent his family's death. I cant blame him though, poor guy is traumatized. Not to mention the power struggles, there's no way the king would let them be together. That aside, I love the mystery around finding out what happened in the past. I also really enjoyed the reveal of SRQ. We got to hear the story from his side that made us completely understand why he did what he did. His death was unavoidable though. I like that, even though PWX and SRQ were enemies, PWX didnt want SRQ to die either. UNFORTUNATELY SRQ has so much more depth than PWX. PWX was just a puppy at the commands of LR. He's cute! But he's boring. But I did love the couple banter! They really are like an old couple! Two old souls and yet they still act like children and still get butterflies around each other. One of the goals of the drama was to melt LR's stone heart. Which it achieves; she goes from cold and independent to a damsel in distress. You can be a strong independent woman but when with your husband, you soften and he takes care of you. I didnt like it tho.
Casting: the pick for SRQ was good! His face is so innocent and yet so full of sadness. He portrayed SRQ so well! I just wanted to give him a hug!
I also wasnt a fan of Zhang Ling He much. I've watched him in Maiden Holmes and Love Between Fairy and Devil but DAMMNN he was such a good actor in this drama! I got butterflies!!
I'm honestly impressed with Zhao JinMai. A young but really good actress!
Overall enjoyable drama with really good side couples too

Leia Mais

I think Everyone needs to watch this Masterpiece!!

Su rongqing! Su rongqing! how pitiful! I felt so bad for you...you could have become a better person but you chose to be bad in your two lives...how can they give you a second chance to life and you still chose to be bad...you deserve death! I wish you could choose another path...living a better life but without the princess.
li rong if I were you, I would also choose Pei wenxuan the second life...infact I would choose him all my lives...they are just the perfect couple..
I cried for Su rongqing and the King...I pitied both of them.
it was a wonderful story....I think people should watch it without listening to the bad comments...after finishing it, I didn't see anything wrong with the ending or the drama....as a matter of fact...I felt emotions for every single important character in the drama....I believe it was written beautifully....SRQ is the first villain I pity but still wanted him to die because of the path he chose...
I give it a 10/10...the fact that I started it for Zhang linghe and stayed for the story.... because he is the only character I am familiar with in the drama....
I will miss them all...I wish I could erase my memory and rewatch it...it became so serious and overwhelmed me with so much emotions.

good job to the novel writer, script writer, directors and most especially the actors and everyone involved in the production of the drama.

thank you for the wonderful story.

Leia Mais

Surprisingly the romance between the lead kept making me coming back for more

I thought this series will be boring, since the story mostly revolves around royal family political struggle. However as the storyline evolves, surpsingly I kept waiting and wanting for the ML and FL romantic scenes.

I love Zhang Li He acting here, I don't know why I could not connect to him in Journey to You. It did not move me at all, but here, his acting is perfect in this drama.I'll look forward to his future project.

One thing though that irk me so, is it me or I felt that he has fewer scenes overall, if we compare his scenes with the villain. I rarely seen him.

Too bad I can't say the same praise to the female lead. I think for a powerful person, she's very stoic and lacking how to say it? that bad ass feels. Eventhough I appreciate how the drama kept promoting women empowerment, but it's literally like every romactic chinese drama I watch nowadays is all about promoting women.

Although the ost is good, but the musical background during many pivotal moments in the drama has got me really annoyed at the musical director, because the music basically ruining the moments. Dude, wtf.

I'm binge watching this drama, 10 eps to go, anxious with the finale. Hope the finale like a plane about to land, will be able to land smooth sailing. Cross my fingers. Prayers.

Leia Mais

If I put coffee and cake next to each other, it doesn't necessarily turn out to be a coffee cake.

Anyone who has read the novel (including me) knows that it starts as a romantic story, but very quickly turns into a complicated political drama. This is a serious political drama that spans two lives, and the writer makes it "easier" with 2-3 bickering lovers.
Unfortunately, until the 30th episode, the film seems to follow the novel completely, thus retaining all its faults.
- if you like the leading couple and want romance, you can watch it with a small jump (I call it a cookie)
- if you're interested in politics, you'll get a decent strong story (that's what I call coffee)

If you want a romantic story with character development, growth, and some political complications, you will unfortunately be disappointed.
The political and love threads do not intertwine. The complicated, multi-lifetime political intrigue is too long for the cat-and-mouse romance to not be protracted, boring and repetitive.The love story is like a board game, you find yourself at the start field again and again.

My personal opinion: It might work better with a different cast. The biggest problem is with the dynamics of the story, not with the work of the actors.

Leia Mais

Don't read the novel before watching :)

This show was the general trope of rebirth with a second chance.
The nice part was that both leads returned, so the growth as a couple was worthy to watch.
Personally, i would have rated this show in two parts:
1-30 epis or so- 9.5
and 30+ epis - 8.0

Haven't read the novel, but many times many things were confusing and one actually needed people who read the novel to come and explain. Worst was LR's slight penchant for SRQ was different in novel and in the show. Personally, though i believe LR loved PWX, still her feelings for SRQ was confusing till the end of the show. and no please dont come and tell me to read the novel to justify LR's feelings. The show should have been a separate entity on itself, we cannot rely on the novel to makeup for the mistakes done here.

SRQ as a character was confusing. He loved LR and yet he did not do anything, he was completely blind in his revenge. from start till end, that was all he cared about. Prevent LC to become the emperor. he was uni-dimensional and didnt have any arc as such.

PWX was supposed to do great things and he did too, but we never got much scenes about how he did anything. He was just a lovesick puppy (cute one though, and i loved all his scenes too) for LR. his love for LR was unconditional in the rebirth track. He's definitely one of my favorite male characters.

About LR, what to say. She never introspected about anything unless and except when PWX actually was angry or hurt and rebuffed her acts. One felt that she loved him only because his love was pure and he was always there for her. But internally and subconsciously, her heart looked for SRQ. at least i felt this many times. Dont our parents always say "to stay with the one who loves us most than with the one we love". got same feeling here, she loved him yes, but because of many reasons.

Storywise- the political plots could have been better given and made more exciting.

Rewatch value- only watch till Concubine Rou is exposed. Afterwards, it's a bit messy.

Giving 9/10 only for the leads. Both did their best, so for their hardwork, i wont penalise them due to the liberties taken by PH which made one confuse LR's feelings for PWX.

Leia Mais