Triad Princess (2019)

A Fun yet Emotional Romance with Decent Execution

This drama is fun while still managing to be emotional, with mostly great characters and an interesting premise too. While the plot is a little shaky in a few areas, and the pacing of certain aspects could be better, I was still entertained and I'm willing to forgive the occasional misstep.

First of all, I love the main character. An incredibly realistic portrayal of someone who is by nature uncouth but can still manage to be responsible and considerate. She's not perfect, but we can always root for her at the end of the day. Moreover she's capable, and actually contributes valuable skills to her friends and colleagues. Also she's not completely oblivious in social situations, and knows when she shouldn't speak out of turn. It's quite refreshing amongst a trope of other dramas featuring clumsy, socially inept, self-righteous, and occasionally unlikeable female leads. All her behavior is justified, either by her own personality and backstory or by the actions of others.

Something that's more difficult to notice in casual viewing but certainly makes all the difference is the impeccable balance between action, romance, and humor. Although the drama was short, I probably wouldn't have been able to watch the entire thing in one sitting if not for it's balance. It also helps that the premise of an overprotected yet capable female lead is always appealing to me.

On the topic of characters, most of the ones featured heavily in the show are solidly setup and portrayed. As is common with most dramas, you can bet that everyone has their own tragic backstory or secret to hide, and these pasts influence their behavior in the present. The dialogue each character gives isn't legendary, but is above average at conveying what each character is feeling in a realistic manner. We also have some decent character arcs, and some unexpected plot lines as well, which is always fun (there's something in particular that I so badly want to mention, but won't for the sake of spoilers).

My only criticism to give is the occasionally shaky plot. In the moment, our romantic interests have believable chemistry and portrayals for whichever phase of romance they are in, but when looking at the bigger picture certain aspects of their love can feel a bit rushed. Like we get hesitant flirting or full on devotion but nothing in between. Also, some of the bad guys seem to come and go whenever it's convenient for the plot, like they're waiting their turn to mess with the protagonists. This probably helps maintain the balance I was talking about earlier, but there's no explanations as to what they're waiting for. Also also, while the romance plot is decent in the first half (withholding those gaps I mentioned), at the end we fall a little bit into classic tropes that a just a bit annoying at this point. That's not to say all of the ending was bad, just that I enjoyed the majority before a lot more.

This is one of those things that's difficult to describe or sell in words, but I must insist that this show is just fun to watch in all aspects, from the romance to the action to the humor. I also got emotionally invested in the characters, which for me is a feat unto itself. Bottom line, I definitely recommend, not as a thought provoking masterpiece, but as a surprisingly addictive and entertaining pastime.

Lire davantage

I decided to watch this drama because it's short and I miss watching Chinese drama...but after finishing it..i’m miserable! (good way) Why does it have to end in a cliffhanger? I thought it's just a short film and..tbh... I WANT MORE.
This drama was actually pretty good and their interaction and romance were amazing. Their kissing scene was HOT AF. It feels like Angie is the dominant..ykow the mover..and I am killing for it. It's my first time watching a drama that a girl is the one who moves n be actually GOOD at kissing haha. Y'all has already know...pretty obvious..haha. I like ROM-com.
The extra cast was hilarious and funny. I love her companionship...the the people who work for Angie... And the ending for them..aha.
The two main casts were remarkable! Their chemistry and the first encounter was jovial. I really like their acting and I hope I can see them make SEASON 2, Hopefully with the same cast.
It may have been a CLIFFHANGER but..thats what makes us want to stay tune.
And the TWIST in the end was wow ?.
I love it.
I'll stay tuned for SEASON 2.
8:59pm 5/6/20

Lire davantage

La trama gira en torno a Angie, la hija de un mafioso Taiwanés que, luego de presenciar una y otra vez los fracasos amorosos de su hija, decide hacer que ella se case con el hijo del jefe de otro clan para unir ambas familias. Angie, queriendo escapar de su matrimonio arreglado, termina aceptando un trabajo como guardaespaldas de una actriz famosa, lo que la acerca al actor Xu Yi-Hang, con el que está muy obsesionada.

A ver, es una serie súper cortita con una trama muy sencilla, por lo que no podemos esperar un desarrollo muy profundo de nada, pero cumple con lo que promete y eso siempre se agradece. Los personajes están bien y son divertidos de ver (sobre todo los guardaespaldas/niñeros de Angie), la protagonista tiene una personalidad bastante fuerte que la hace destacar y el prota masculino es adorable (y tiene una bella sonrisa).

"La princesa de la tríada" es perfecta para pasar una tarde de risas, ya que maneja un humor bastante tonto y sencillo, pero muy efectivo. De hecho, creo que lo que la hace destacar es que llevaron una historia base de mafia, acción y drama a un plano de comedia ligera y fácil de ver, porque si nos centráramos en el romance, sería más de lo mismo.

Ah, y hablando del romance, se da muuuy rápido y puede que eso sea de las cosas que menos me gustaron, sobre todo por un conflicto que meten cerca del final (como siempre). Eso sí, esto que digo no lo hace menos disfrutable, los actores tienen bastante química y eso se nota.

En fin, una serie sencilla y divertida que los va a hacer pasar un buen rato y los va a dejar con ganas de más. Visualmente es muy bonita, los chistes son graciosos (y las parodias que meten están buenísimas), la protagonista es la representación exagerada de una fangirl y los actores trabajan muy, muy bien. Si no esperan más que eso, la van a disfrutar.

IG de reseñas cortas: @altoplottwist

Lire davantage

Para quem não tem tempo

Por ser um mini-dorama, achei ele maravilhoso. Sério mesmo! Eu me encantei demais com tudo nele e, realmente, ele é bem distante da realidade no quesito dos relacionamentos. Se desenvolve muito rápido, por ser pouco tempo então certas coisas passam muito batido principalmente no último episódio. Olha, acho que o que peca é mais essa rapidez do dorama mesmo, pois eu gostei de tudo. Não teve nenhuma música que tenha me instigado a procurar e nem nada, então também não acho que seja um musical booooom.

Encontrei muitos defeitos, mas, sendo bem sincera, acho que esse foi o dorama certo justamente por ser algo fofinho, com um enredo rápido, momentos idealizados por qualquer um e, é claro, umas risadas de vez em quando. Se você procura um dorama para se apaixonar perdidamente, não é esse o dorama que você vai gostar. Não tente assisti-lo pensando que vai ser o melhor da sua vida, mas, para mim, preencheu todas as minhas necessidades e tirou um pouco do meu estresse cotidiano.

Se você só quer algo para passar um tempo e que seja fofinho, curto, com alguns momentos de ação..., vai nessa.

Lire davantage

The only redeeming part of this drama is the male lead, everything else is so forced. Firstly, it has all the tropes that would make you think ‘yes I’m going to get me some cliched drama’ and cliched it is but SO badly written. The FL is basically a bunch of traits together and there’s just extremes — zero complexity. However, you can continue watching but it ends on a cliffhanger and you start wishing you hadn’t invested at all! For a show with every episode that’s about 40 mins each, they could have paced it well but it just doesn’t feel right. Even the romance, though cute is too sudden. Watch it only if you like any of the actors in this. I did like the supporting character’s arc with ML and FL though, other than that there isn’t much except for Jasper’s gentle look and smiles.

Lire davantage

I completed this without even realizing I had gotten to the end of the 6 episodes of season 1. I really enjoyed the cute story between the MCs - they were playful, entertaining, and passionate which made the whole story breeze by. The story is pretty predictable and fast paced. It definitely has some plot conveniences that help the drama move unrealistically fast, but the humor and the light-tone really make the difference to me. The side characters are just as entertaining as the main characters - I love their stories just as much as the MCs. The end of season 1 has me really wondering what's going to happen though, especially with the dynamics between gangs vs. "ordinary" people (a pretty unique concept to me).

WARNING TO ALL WHO HAVE NOT STARTED WATCHING::: TRIAD PRINCESS IS A CLIFF-HANGER ENDING (season 1 is only 6 episodes), with no guarantee to season 2 as of now. I started this drama without realizing this, but I'm glad I saw it because I enjoyed it enough to continue watching it if and when more episodes come out.

Also, I've discovered a new crush for Jasper Liu. Just going to leave that there. ;D

Would I recommend? Yes, I already have! It doesn't take itself too seriously and it's fun, short, and quick. Perfect for a weekend binge. :)

Lire davantage

Premise was there to be really good

Premise was there for this to be a really good and original series...but too bad it felt like a lot was left out, not letting this live up to it's potential.

Story: A triad daughter, Angie, who's badass and down to earth is fangirling over a movie star. When her arranged marriage is brought up, she runs away from home, and takes a job as an undercover bodyguard for a female star at same company as her idol. Those two actors are in a fake relationship, so Angie crosses paths with and gets close to her idol, the actress is harbouring a secret, and what will happen when the fiancé for the arranged marriage arrives to fulfill the arrangement?

So...I felt like I didn't really have time to get to know the characters properly. Especially Xu Yihang (ML). Jasper Liu plays his character well, but the character itself seems a bit underdeveloped.
FL's fiancé Kim Eddie ("Fatty") seems like an interesting character, but we don't get much time with him. The actor did well though.
Euginie Liu as the FL portrays her character well.

I felt kind of sorry this wasn't longer, and that it wasn't renewed for season 2.
There was a good mix of romance and action, a bit of suspense, and it was done with a certain charm and elements of amusement/non-seriousness to lighten the mood.

Lire davantage