Adapted from the novel “Wrong Carriage, Right Groom”(上錯花轎嫁對郎) by Xi Juan(席絹) this drama is quiet an entertainer. The drama was well-structured with switching between the two couples and how they get to like each other eventually. In real-life, it is more like Right Carriage, Wrong Groom (LOL!).
The interesting elements of the drama were the two male leads who became a great match for their counterparts against whom a spritely exchange happen. But the surprise element would be the female leads where not just accessories for the male lead; but they played important roles in the drama.
I loved the roles played by the two matchmakers who had to contend with the situation of the switch between two carriages. It is hilarious when they pan out a solution of acceptance for both the brides. Both the lead ladies fall thankfully in love with their switched grooms after much struggle.
But how they reach their happily ever after could be seen by watching the drama at VIKI. There is an interesting part to the stereo typecast that was handled well. Add to this element would be the various subplots handled with finesse.
I still don’t know how to critic the foreign actors on their performance. If they got me laughing or crying that is a good enough job done. So, in this drama there are some fun and sad moments which I enjoyed. At least the female leads were not clueless people.
I am yet to see a feministic lead-based drama. I think there were a few in the collection of Viki’s repertoires of Asian based dramas. When they don’t include us as Asian, I feel a little sad. But Indian drama especially Theatre based ones are wonderful to watch. We could ship that, but it won’t fit with the Viki’s viewership format.
Our theatre drama are serious social studies much like the Japanese dramas. Since I am familiar with Indian actors, so it is easier to critic them. One problem though, I expect more from my country’s actors than outsiders. Though movies of late are more open and expanding an actor’s spectrum of acting skills, of course, they are sadly far and short.
I personally feel that every actor should have a stage exposure to really understand the nuances of acting in a particular role. An all-rounder is not what I am seeking, but someone who is able to work as a team member in the team of characters in the script, that would be the best actor person for me.
In this series, I liked the villain’s underhand man who goofs up every time, but he had a nice sense of comic time. He appeared fierce exterior but more comical because of his reactions for the most time.
I like this concept of villain not being a villain, but somewhere the humanness still exists. Korean drama brings that out beautifully, sorry! I am partial to Korean Dramas.
Though I get eye rolls when I ran off my tongue talking about dramas. They get tired even before I start. It is complete Karma that you have interest mismatched family. 😉 you’re born into one and don’t choose one (sigh!).
Anyway, I can’t stand their math debate and measurement, time, velocity, God save me!!! Give me arts any day please, I am happy to stay put for a discussion.
So, in keeping with my art fundas and quirks… I move on to speak about how the actors did in the series. Please forgive me, I cannot pronounce your names but someday I will, still too early for it, as I am still learning!
The dynasty is a little too much information for me, which mean I don’t know my own dynasty other than the family gothram which has the highest number of rishis, here I assume. Or even the years of the king’s rule beats me. Sometimes, I can be totally clueless.
So, Tang Dynasty time, which means clothing, practices, and ideologies were synched. I am famous to have slept in the History class. I even remember when my teacher reached my desk and tapped my desk with the ruler, I was snoring to glory. (lol)
So, when I found that actor Tian Xi Wei role, struggles to read, I thought wow she, the character in the drama, is just like me. :-). Anyways, the incidents tend to parallel with the various important plot events that it forges ahead towards the conclusion well-intended.
There I was connecting dots and figuring how the plot would unfold. The writer had not given a lot of care on the General Yuan and his switched wife parts. The end seemed a little rushed and not stringent conclusion.
Maybe the wishy-washy way of handling the edict and depending on the previous affair of Her Majesty felt little strained and forced. Maybe, the way it ends could have been made more different. Because the Yuan’s and Du Bing Yan relationship was good given all stereo type conditions.
What if the King and the Queen had given their consent for their marriage and not get into a forced marriage. This card is already played. Yet, I don’t see any more premises to make it different, but I know in my heart, that there is a way through the ending without involving the royal family.
In writing, I would say only that part was not done well. I may be wrong for all that you know. It is like the time when I am working on a story or short piece when I know that something is wrong, but I can’t exactly put my finger on it.
The unrest after seeing and feeling slight disappointment. if it is my work, it would leave me depressed for days. Anyway, I feel that when one works on a piece a need to connect dots becomes essential. I don’t blame the writers but the edict from an unseen King seemed a little, oops! I don’t know how to put it.
I think that there is something wrong with the General Yuan and Du Bing Yan’s parts which didn’t add up. Maybe I should see it again to really understand as a standalone story where I found it missing the mark for me.
Source of Drama Details: MYDramaList.com | Secondary Source: VIKI, Baike
Itinerant Storyteller 