Ok, my love of Chinese historical dramas has been rekindled by this drama. If you haven't watched it yet, you're TOTALLY missing out. The chemistry between Ariel Lin and Zhang Binbin is off the charts (although I think these two have amazing chemistry with every one of their leads) and the dialogue is refreshing and witty! Yeah, can you believe it?

After the severe disappointment that was Princess Agents (everyone will agree that Princess Agents could have been amazing save for the say... last 20 episodes), I wasn't sure if I was ready to dive back in. Then I saw the poster with Zhang Binbin and Ariel Lin (her comeback to historical dramas in like forever) and I knew I had to at least give it a shot. After binging through all 17 episodes (it's still airing) over the weekend, I'm hooked. Dare I say... it's better than Princess Agents, and any other recent Chinese dramas I have seen in a while. Here's why:

First, I am loving the writers. The dialogue is witty and genuine and refreshing. None of those old boring predictable dialogues. And I don't want to offend anyone but it's like they took notes on how to write amazing dialogue from the Kdramas. There are so many moments where you think, why doesn't s/he question this or say this and sure enough... the actors say what you were thinking. Meaning, the characters seem real and react to the scenes like a normal real person would. This is refreshing to see. The comic timing and delivery of the dialogue are also so key and they just nail it each time. Of course, this brings me to the second point.

The acting is fantastic. You can't have great dialogue that works if you don't have actors who can deliver them properly. Ariel Lin is a veteran so I am not surprised by her keen acting sense. Zhang Binbin though... wow. I loved him in his other dramas and he continues to really grow but he goes toe to toe with his acting senior (by nearly 10 years although you'd think Ariel Lin was only 21 watching this drama she looks so amazing) and can capture both the comic and sentimental moments perfectly. Just for the acting, this drama is worth watching.

Third, finally a smart and capable female lead! Don't get me wrong, we've had smart female leads in other dramas but I think Ariel Lin really means it! The character Hua Buqi is definitely a force! She is smart, resourceful, not prone to familiar female lead territory where they suddenly become weak and fragile for no reason. No, she's the real deal. The fact that the character doesn't know martial arts and has to use her wits to get out of certain (non-physical) situations is great to see. I also like that she doesn't take things for face value and questions situations, motives and people in a very rational way. As a viewer, this takes the whole "omg, this is so frustrating, if only they communicated and used their brains" thing out of the equation. In fact, not just the main leads but all of the characters use their brains and are not easily duped. Therefore, the only real mystery is the story and that is meant to be solved by the viewer as well as the characters.

Finally, the overall editing and pacing is great. The plot can be a bit convoluted but the director does a great job executing. Although there are a couple of side stories they all manage to tie in to the main underlying plot and this drives the story forward. You are not left wondering, well what the heck was that other story about. Every line, every action taken by the actors (not just the mains, all of them) add to the plot development and character arc. That makes you wonder how the story itself - and not just the loveline - will resolve itself. That's a great part of making a drama great.

So, I know this is a long review but the bottom line is YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS DRAMA. It's pretty awesome. I can't wait for the next episodes. I am officially hooked. Although, for now. I hope this drama doesn't pull a Princess Agents on me towards the last few episodes (total 51 I think - but 2 episodes air each Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) but so far, I'm loving it.