Truthfully I had very little expectations for this drama. I had already tried to watch it once before and I couldn't get past the first 2 minutes! But I saw it again in another list of dramas and though I should give it a second chance. That was hands down one of the best decisions I've ever made!
As soon as Zhang Peng falls into the body of Zhang Peng Peng hilarity ensues and it's ultimately what kept me coming back for more. From his various attempts to seduce the Crown Princes four wives to her maid Lu Li childish behavior. There were even fart and period jokes that instead of coming off as immature, were actually well timed and in sync with the flow of the show. It wasn't obvious to me that the drama was low budget until about the 4th or 5th episode when I read a comment underneath one of the videos. The set locations, costumes, and makeup bring a specific sort of aesthetic that makes it seem that much more believable. But as time goes on I did notice from their limited actors, reuse of costumes and limited set locations but none of it actually distracted me from the story. On top of the aesthetic, every single actor brought something to the table including Zhang Peng whom we only hear as an inner conscious/voice. The ones who stood out for me especially was the Crown Prince Qi Sheng, Zhang Peng Peng and for some reason, I really liked Lu Li especially!
While it may have been all fun and games in the beginning, as you delve deeper into the episodes things become more serious and there is a lot of character development going on. There isn't too much romance in the beginning as she is a man stuck in a woman's body but again as you progress things become more intimate.
STORY: [9] Not because the concept of a man from another time falling into a woman from the pasts body isn't possible but because you will find yourself frustrated as to why Zhang Peng is being an idiot about certain things. It will make you mad but it all ties together in the end I promise.
ACTING/CASTING: [10] Whoever did the casting for this drama deserves an award. Every single person put in overtime to make the characters believable. At sometimes the acting may seem over the top but when you account for the general campy and comical tone of the drama you start to realize that it's intentional.
MUSIC: [10] I'm not gonna lie, the OST for this drama changed my life. It may sound silly but it's one of the most heartwrenching and beautiful songs for a drama I've ever heard. It helps that the man who played Qi Sheng, Sheng Peter, actually forked over some of his own money for the song and even sang with Cui Zige! Their voices compliment each other perfectly and I've been listening to it non-stop. I don't know a word of Chinese but I know every damn word in that song!
REWATCH VALUE: [9.5] This drama is definitely one of my favorites and rewatching wouldn't take away its value instead it might just increase it! I can picture myself still watching this drama years down the road! If I wasn't watching 12 dramas right now I'd rewatch it all over again. Who knows, maybe when SnackFever delivers my treats, I'll break it out again!
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