Goodbye My Princess: Director's Cut (2019)

Unforgettable Heart-Wrenching

For viewers who may be confused by the two versions of this drama, and wonder which one to choose:

The Director's cut is a better version of the drama. It has a great introduction that is not found in the other version that was aired. This version provides a proper build-up of what happens to Li Cheng Yin (Chen Xingxu) before he meets Xiao Feng (Peng Xiao Ran). And this introduction is absolutely important because it would give the viewers a very different perspective of the Li Cheng Yin character. I started with the other version while it was airing. Without the proper introduction, I came to detest Li Cheng Yin for his action. However, when this newer version became available, I came to understand the character better and began to empathize with Li Cheng Yin. The two dramas are basically the same, except for the beginning scenes (episodes 1 & 2) and some last scenes which are not included in the aired version.

This is one of the saddest stories I've ever watched. It haunted me for months. Had it not been the airing of another wonderful drama, The Untamed, I think I would still be stuck in the rabbit hole.

This drama was originally slated to be played by two very seasoned actors, Chen Kun and Fan Bing Bing. Due to a clash in schedule, two relatively unknown actors were chosen. I am so glad they made the switch and they have chosen well.

Chen Xingxu (plays the Li Cheng Yin character) didn't appeal to me at first look. As the story progressed, he started to grow on me, until at the end, he stole my heart. He is just amazing. Li Cheng Yin is a very complex character to portray. He is sunny and fun, at the same time dark and calculative. Chen Xingxu aced in every scene he played. At the climax, it was the most moving scene by him, screaming and crying for his lost love. I couldn't help but cried with him. It was really heart-breaking.

Xiao Feng is a happy-go-lucky naive girl. The experiences she encounters are so painful that she wishes to have her memories wiped out and start over. Without her memory, she begins to fall in love all over again with the same man that has hurt her. Her experiences from the beginning till the end are excruciatingly painful, and the viewers cry for her. Peng Xiao Ran is so natural, playing her role beautifully and convincingly.

After the last episode, I was speechless, empty inside. I walked and ate like a zombie, unable to erase the story from my mind. I had no closure. I guess many viewers felt the same. Soon there after, the production team released a few very short episodes of the same couple in modern life. The short clips did help a lot in the healing and closure.

This amazing drama also produces countless OSTs, all very moving and memorable. Until today, more than 12 months later, I still play the OSTs frequently, reminiscing the scenes and the experiences I went through.

Although this is a tragedy, it is a beautifully produced drama. It should not be rated poorly just because it's a tragedy.

This is one of the MUST-WATCH dramas on anybody's list.

TWO THUMBS UP!

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just want to point out the differences

I'm going to keep this short and sweet. I wrote an in-depth review on GOODBYE MY PRINCESS previously, so here I just want to point out the differences in this "Director's Cut" edition and the originally aired edition of the drama. The main thing you are probably wondering is if there are "3 extra episodes" and the answer is NO NOT REALLY. Sorry to disappoint.
The reason there are "3 episodes" MORE in the Director's Cut and the original drama is that the first two episodes and the final 2-3 episodes have more scenes added in. Most especially in EP #1 & EP #2? Meaning, so many "cut scenes" were added back in, that is added up to approx 120-130 minutes of cut footage which extended the show by 3 episodes.
The MAJORITY of the show has absolutely zero changes. If there were any "extras" in the middle episodes they were so subtle, I didn't notice them. I wish we had more scenes with our leads extended in the middle of the show and after the Oblivion Falls shenanigans, but no such luck.
All that to say, I really did like the additions that were added in the beginning and in the end. They would have been MUCH appreciated if they had originally aired.

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