Unchained Love (2022)

36 Episode Too Long......

I honestly watched because I wanted to see more of Dylan Wang's work. In this drama, I found that he did his best in a role that did not utilize his talent to the maximum. The plot and all it's nuances were weak and lack the pull and engagement I was expecting. Perhaps I had high expectations? Every episode to me was slow paced. I fast forwarded a lot to skip all the palace eunuchs internal palace politics, Lady Bu Yin Lou and her palace adventures, the Fu Wang who whines when he was weak and also the same when he started to have mis-guided bravery in his pending role as the future Emperor and so much more. Seems like I am the one whining now, sorry.

But, if one is a fan of Dylan, I guess one could put up with it, because I did. Never failing in his sultry demeanor. Otherwise, you might want to gently skip this one.

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This is one of those dramas that started off great and it goes downhill from there. If I split it in parts, there are some parts which I absolutely love but the parts that are done poorly are too glaring to ignore.

So the drama started off with a built up story about Xiao Duo's journey to revenge his twin brother. You become invested in the whole revenge plot only to be distracted by the evil (and crazily obsessed) emperor. There are so many moving parts that everything ends up losing its meaning because it was only good at the build up.

Let's talk about the story. I wish they stick with the revenge plot until the end because they have done such a good job building the foundations about it at the beginning. You have this mystery villain that is difficult to catch, empress in the palace who is power crazy and greedy ministers. That is like a perfect formula to a good, big, dramatic revenge story. Instead, they have wasted the potential of these characters with poorly developed story plot. The three villains are not really that bright after all. They seem to always be losing which makes you wonder how they survived that long. Xiao Duo's determination to revenge seems minuscule towards the end because he was so focused on Bu Yin Lou.

They did a good job building the emperor's character from this cowardly weakling who wants nothing to do with the court to a crazy, evil and obsessed emperor, still a coward though. If they had focused on that from the beginning instead of pushing us to be invested in Xiao Duo's revenge, it would have been a solid story.

The flow of the whole drama is so horrible, it's difficult to like the drama. This is how I feel throughout the drama:
1. The grand starting with introduction to Xiao Duo as this powerful eunuch in the palace and Bu Yin Lou as this smart lady who does a good job surviving in whatever difficult situation she is in. The emperor (useless 'huang ye' at that time) seemed to indicate some serious drama is coming. I was excited to see how the revenge plot develops and how Xiao Duo plots all his chess pieces in the palace.

2. I became fond of Xiao Duo's relationship with his subordinates and his cold attitude. The way both him and Yin Lou got closer together is very natural, too. The emperor's obsession with Yin Lou was starting to become annoying because the reason he "fell in love" with Yin Lou was quite forced and it's starting to take the spotlight away from the revenge. Love at first sight, sure but the obsession is farfetched in my opinion.

3. Then you have the romance scenes which is very choppily edited in my opinion. I understand the censorship but it is very badly edited. The revenge comes to an end with great disappointment. The three villains are really easy to defeat and because of the emperor's plot, this revenge has already lost its meaning.

4. Don't get me started on the ending. I have no idea why the scriptwriter would write an ending like that, but at that point, I'm just glad that the drama is finally ending. The drama became draggy with all those failed attempts at escaping, it's like an end to this never ending loop with that final episode. I was starting to become frustrated with this constant attempt to save Yin Lou out of the palace when to be honest, the emperor is not really that difficult to kill. With Xiao Duo's connections and network, it's not difficult to kidnap Yin Lou out of the palace and hide her in a place where the emperor can't reach. The ending without a proper closure is like a cherry on top.

Overall, I really think the story needs a lot of tightening. I like how all the main characters are portrayed, though. They seem to have some good chemistry, too. What a waste, the story is underwhelming.

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The freedom that comes with loving you

This drama has a very promising start. Initially I thought it was going to be light and fun, a romcom that would be more of a slice of life. I was wrong, and it was a very pleasant surprise .

The first few episodes I’ve seen are gripping and the story is setting itself up nicely to be a revenge story focusing on Dylan Wang’s character. I’m interested in seeing to how he became to head Eunuch and I really like his attitude. He clearly isn’t swayed and intimidated by anyone, even with all the gaslighting within the palace he knows that others all have their weaknesses. He’s a cold man, but he isn’t mean- he’s off putting and scary but I believe he is just heavily misunderstood and a victim of circumstance. If this drama delivers with his backstory he could become an even better character and round himself- he has a lot of room for character development. Lots of potential with both the main characters here.

Bu Yin is also a good character. There isn’t too much I can say with it just being the few episodes I’ve watched. So far she claims herself to be dumb and not anyone to be obsessed over, so I like her self awareness. She really isn’t too stupid- it’s just the nice banter she has with Xiao Duo. She is refreshingly honest with herself and her feelings to Xiao Duo. Their chemistry is able to thrive with the playful nature of her character compared to Xuo Duo. He isn't too stoic, and he softens up but in an adorable and non cliche way.

So far he is pretty much using her for his benefit, as it seems he climbed his way up to his position. Their story should unfold nicely; and hopefully it won’t be filled with tropes. Maybe it will be a hate to love, but Bu Yin is only intimidated by Xiao Duo. I can’t see him hating her as he doesn’t have a need to, he is resourceful and doesn’t waste time.

The complaint I have is that I don’t think Dylan Wang is dubbing over his voice. That’s not his fault thought, I wish he could’ve.

What makes this drama better than others to me is the tone. It is a lot darker as I said before. The first episode shows how gruesome and brutal this show is willing to go. That goes to the world building of the king firing and all his consorts being sent to death with him. Honestly I thought Bu Yin could die, even though I knew she wouldn’t, I almost could see her firing in that situation. It was really keeping me on the edge of my seat. With that being only the first episode I can see a lot of trauma happening later also; and I can see our characters learning from each one. I’m genuinely intrigued by this drama because of the potential it has.

I love the tone of the show, it’s not too dark but it isn’t afraid to be. The humor comes and goes but for the most part this drama is surpassingly funny without that humor overstaying its welcome. It makes you wonder with all the fluffy moments if it will get really intense soon, which is good compared to thinking this drama is too fluffy to go deep into the plot. The sets are beautiful and the lighting is so good. It doesn’t look cheap and I can see this as an actual setting without telling myself it’s a drama. Dylan Wang comes in and is very handsome, but he isn’t just a cold and handsome face here. He is very intimidating and has a lot to work with here and he is giving what the script offers and makes acts so well. The same goes to his costar and the other supporting cast. This show is just well done and hopefully it fastens any loose ends to become truly one of a kind.

Beneath the surface of this drama I find it VERY dark. The transition of the second lead, Fu Wang, threw me off. In a good way. He is given some sort of reverse character ark, to become a twisted and possessive person. I find it to be one of the most interesting parts of this drama. To see this man changed by the position he is in, but it was always him. It just makes sense.

So I love the relationship between the leads. Still it isn't all romantic, it's scary that they pretty much are faced with dying for each other.

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Fresh Story

I actually never write review on any C-Drama. This is my first review and for this drama too.
This drama really has value to watch. Dylan and Yukee acting well and other actors and actress as well. Every episode gets better and better the more I watched. Certain scenes had to be cut due to censorship.
Deep down the ML is very sad and lonely character. He does what he does to avange his brother death but he hates his action too. And FL the only one cares for him and sees the good that he has. What's more the FL is good match to ML.
This drama so fresh for me. You will get romance, political turmoil, battle, fresh comedy.
The character of FL also different than other FL in all CDrama that I have seen.

The cinematography is stunning although this drama consider with low budget. All the costumes are beautiful specially costume of Wang He Di. He looks stunning in those black costumes.
I hope this drama has a happy ending. ..and .....yes happy endingg

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It is a truth universally acknowledged...

... that a single man in possession of a good plan, must give it up for a woman. *

As many others, I was fooled by the trailer and entered this with more than a few expectations. The material they had was original, intriguing, dark and thought-provoking, so how they managed to turn it into this mushy botch is beyond me.

First letdown: the tone. Episode one introduces the killing of dozens of concubines, the cold poisoning of a consort, a handsome eunuch who has clearly been the object of repeated and unwanted attentions of an older and greedy woman, ministers corruption and a good for nothing prospective emperor. The heroine is saved from a tragic fate and from then on we suddenly get a comedy that is laughable instead of being funny. The leads have both gone through hell? I want to see it on screen, and feel it! I don’t want to laugh two minutes after a poor kid is killed, or shallowly gloss over the main lead’s sense of guilt.

Second: the characters. We have a young eunuch who’s spent the last 6 years “carefully” planning revenge on his dead brother. The quotation marks are a must, because nothing of this plan is shown to the viewer: we know it because it is written in the synopsis. How he gained so much power at court is left to our imagination. He's known to be cold and unforgiving, but again, we're told rather than shown. Xiao Duo is given no real background outside the drama summary.
A narrative device? You wish! It takes a solid and nuanced script to make the viewer understand a character outside the few lines he’s given. It would have been if the character had behaved consistently with the premises, but as soon as the heroine enters the scene, Xiao Duo turns into a schmaltzy sentimental lamb and by the middle of the show the cunning revenge planner is still nowhere to be seen. Instead, we have him reading Mills & Boons, daydreaming of kites and butterflies, getting jealous over a paper lamp and generally making doe eyes at the female lead for no better reason than her being the female lead. Worst of all, he is already smitten in love by episode… 4? The revenge plan? Pft, who cares when we can have romance?

Meanwhile, Bu Yinlou (pronounced Boo In Law) is a supposedly clever woman whose mission in life is, by her own admission, be free to do nothing but lay around and play cards. Wow, I’m impressed. She’s witty all right, so much so that she turns every conversation into an attempt at cracking a joke. Her quick thinking is emoted on screen by her eyes constantly roaming around the room, moving south north east and west without ever resting anywhere, so that we intelligent viewers are made to understand that she is indeed quick thinking. She basically is an improviser, who nevertheless relies a little too much and too often on Xiao Duo’s connection and power to make her improvisation a really admirable or endearing trait.

The only character who possesses some substance and a narrative arc is the emperor, whose transformation from an innocuous court pariah to an insane tyrant is as believable as it is disquieting. The fact that he sits on the throne thanks to Xiao Duo’s cunning plan (?) would be ironic, if this script knew the meaning of irony.

Third: the chemistry. Oh, I’m fully aware of the hatred I’m going to get. Not that I care. As I said, the drama very quickly became a rom-com. If it has to be so, than I want comedy – but I’ve already said I didn’t even smile – and I want romance: intense, passionate, dreamy romance. Instead, because he falls in love for no good reason and her attitude towards him fluctuates from teasing to… well…. quick thinking how to be free to do nothing, their chemistry was that of two friends, or two siblings strolling around eating or stripping trees in bloom. The idea of them making out was kind of embarrassing to me. Awkward, even. Probably I should thank the crazy editors or the incomprehensible censure for cutting many intimate scenes. Their dialogues are totally devoid of subtlety and for the most part as shallow as a mud pool.
Also, the characters’ age. She’s older and it shows. This is normally no problem at all for me, but the script takes an inane amount of devices to let us believe that she’s younger! She calls that prince who looks like a 16-year-old “senior” and he insists she’s his “junior”. If it looks like a noona romance, why not sell it as such? Xiao Duo is called “godfather” by his clearly older eunuch attendant. Now, why would the translators come up with such a term? Did Xiao Duo hold his attendant’s head while this last was, ehm, baptized? Insert shudder. Did they go to the mattresses in the past? Another shudder.

And finally, we come to the execution of this plot. Tons of cuts, flashbacks of scenes we never saw before, unfunny jokes, a music – the music! I think I’ve heard that gling gling gingle before in an episode of Super Mario Bros – that announced the nth shift of tone every single time I thought and hoped we could linger on a serious matter, a gazillion convenient scenes with people talking with their minds or falling into tumultuous water only to wake up side by side on the river bank dry cleaned and ironed, with – oh, see, a hut! A wooden boat that darts on the water at the speed of a power cruiser, Xiao Duo suddenly fighting like Rurouni Kenshin and flying around in wuxia style, Yinlou still rolling her eyes around or faking a bravado with no apparent reason. This show is to good drama writing what McDonalds is to fine dining.

I couldn’t. Really. And I tried, for the sake of Wang He Di – who, let’s be honest, is the reason why we were and are all on this page. But a smouldering hot guy can’t stop a train from derailing; in fact, he didn’t. I honestly think he wasn’t that convinced by this character either. And while I found his costumes and make-up to glamorize his appearance for the most parts, sometimes he looked a little too much like a Jean Paul Gaultier’s mannequin – see his voile night gown for a reference. Here is hope he chooses better projects in the future, dramas or films where he can shine for his talent rather than his looks.

I know reviews should be written after watching the entire thing, but there’s only so much my neurons could take. But then again, many of the 10s are also given looooong before the drama is over.


*My apology to Jane Austen for quoting her in such a context. No comparison was ever intended.

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This is a drama that has everything to be highly rated (great acting, choreography, cinematography, music) but somehow, it fell short as the story progresses. Putting the lack of romantic chemistry aside, the acting is really superb, especially from the main cast. There is great character development and, in the case of Emperor Murong Gao Gong/Fu Wang, excellently played by Peter Ho, where his development can be defined as a convolution. Although the acting is quite impressive for the majority of the cast, a story of forbidden love needs to be portrayed with more passion, not the lustful passion, just the reckless, despairing, and torment passion that comes from not been able to be together. Maybe it is because of the editing, the fact that the show was trying really hard to be comedic, or simply because that the leading couple, even though they have very good playful interactions and they show great prowess together, they fell short on their romantic interactions. The story has elements of comedy, romance, great action scenes, sinister plots, and great camaraderie among Xiao Duo’s friends in arms. Overall, the drama is a good production; however, it would be more appropriate to call it Floating on the Edge or Fu Tu Tower rather than Unchained Love.

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I loved everything about this drama. Dylan Wang and Chen Ju Qi , two of my favorite actor and actress. I will always give them support. I was shocked to see that Dylan Wang was playing an emasculated man serving palace menials, being a spy and harem watchdog Eunuch for the Emperor! OMG! He was good at playing the role of Xiao Duo! My favorite strong actress, CJQ who I love her in action dramas but her action was different in the character Bu Yin Lou. I have no problem with it. Eunuchs wear the same thing in all the dramas I have viewed. But DW looked good! A really good storyline I enjoyed it very much. A lot of suspense, and of course my favorite is the Martial Art action. I'm a fan of sword dancing which is so good. The visual were okay. I loved some of the wardrobe that CJQ wore. I wanted to put myself in this drama and slap the heck out of the emperor and a shoe being thrown at the fake sister of Bu Yin Lou. This drama wouldn't let go to sleep. lol It deserves a 10 when it brings my emotions in it. Thanks to everyone who had part in this drama and the staff.

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Just because it’s different, doesn’t mean it’s bad!

What a refreshing plot! I never knew I could enjoy an eunuch plot, WHD definitely carried this one and he’s the reason I even got started. I was riveted from start to end despite the mixed reviews. I highly encourage everyone to give this a shot - the story is new and quite scandalous considering the main leads are kindaaaa having an illicit affair. But that’s what made the show so interesting! Watching them sneak around is fun to watch.

I didn’t care much for the side characters but the show was mainly focused on our leads and the big fat greasy psycho. Even though our lovers couldn’t openly display their affection, their private interactions say everything. Honestly I would’ve enjoyed it more if I didn’t know about all the deleted scenes, but that still didn’t stop me from enjoying it (gotta be objective).

BYL is also the kind of witty, strong female lead I like to see and omg FINALLY we have a male lead who’s willing to give up his revenge and drop everything for the FL! I loved to see that so much and their dynamics as forbidden lovers. Their time together in the west is the best part of the show. The fighting scenes are also well executed and crisp.

36 eps went by pretty quickly without FF, I rate this as a good watch thanks to the storyline and WHD! But I must say the FL did a better-than-average job, I’ve seen trashier acting lol… So yes, give this a shot and go in with an open mind without minding the deleted scenes. Don’t forget to watch the extra ending scenes!

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Almost a masterpiece

But for the decimation by the censors, I would have given this drama a perfect score. The editing due to the new censorship guidelines bordered on massacre and made the story choppy. That being said, there were no unnecessary sidelines, no petty spats and tantrums. No brainless ninnies (if you don't count the FL's maid). And you could still get the gist of the story even with the obvious chops.

Wang He Di & Chen Yu Qi were great together. Even without the PDA and kissing scenes (which we, the viewers who watch for the romance want more of) their chemistry was evident, and the tenderness they managed to portray, endearing and believable. I was backing them all the way. It was refreshing to see a couple trust and believe in each other, still express doubt, anger, even jealousy, without the silly, immature pouting and mind-games. The supporting characters were awesome too. Even the evil characters were played to perfection. And here, I must single out possibly the best performance of the drama, by Peter Ho. As the fanatical emperor, he was totally hateful and deranged, terribly flawed and pitiable, without conscience or restraint - but still self-doubting and simple-minded at times. He was magnificent!

Some say the ending was rushed, but I think it was satisfying. I would have liked a little more closure for some of the characters, but it didn't ruin the story for me. I'm glad the bad guys got their comeuppance in the end - I'm happier that the lead couple lived happily ever after - but I still have lingering questions about some of the other characters I liked and got attached to. Oh well, guess you can't have everything!

This one is a definite re-watch.

Oh, and one more thing... Wang He Di's fight scenes. I'm not big on the technicality of action scenes, but boy! was he a thing of beauty to watch in some of those sequences. Truth be told, he's a thing of beauty no matter what he's doing, but... those fight scenes! Wow! This young man has a bright future ahead of him.

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Drama Terbaik Awal Tahun 2023

Drama ini sangat bagus baik dr segi akting, penataan latar, kostum, alur cerita, backsound, dan ost nya smua bener2 sangat bagus menyentuh perfect combination.
- Akting Dylan Wang sangat mendalami seperti biasanya (perasaan cintanya ke Bu Yinlou tergambarkan lewat tatapan dan mimik mukanya) dan untuk Yukee Chen (pemeran FL) aktingnya sudah sangat berkembang dan lebih baik dr drama yg ia mainkan sebelum2nya. Dan menurutku Yukee Chen merupakan aktris terbaik kedua setelah Shen Yue sbg lawan main Dylan Wang, krn seperti yg terlihat bahwa teknik dan metode akting dr Yukee Chen sendiri tidak berlebihan seperti lawan main Dylan Wang sebelumnya, sehingga membuat penonton ikut merasakan emosi dan makna dr inti crita drama ini.
- Penataan latar dan kostumnya menurutku sangat bagus, Dylan Wang keliatan keren + cool. Walau ada yg menurutku agak menganggu di penataan rambut Bu Yinlou yg agak terlalu digulung tinggi, tp secara keseluruhan udh mantap♡
- Alur ceritanya sangat menarik dan unik krn mengusung tema 'forbidden love' yg ditambah komedi dg genre historical. Komedinya jg gk main2 lucunya XD XD buatku pribadi yg udah bosen genre politik/romance yg biasa2 aja, drama ini jd pilihan fav ku setelah love like the galaxy dan untamed♡♡
- Backsound dan ost nya jg smuanya sangat addicted, saking bagusnya sampai gk tega buat berhenti dengerin♡

Secara keseluruhan, drama ini sangat direkomendasi bagi yg pengen liat genre drama dark historical romance yg diselingi komedi. Aku pribadi udah ngulang drama ini lebih dr 3x, krn emang sebagus itu dramanya♡♡♡

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Wasted Potential

Censorship butchered what would have been a remarkable show. Scenes felt disjointed, characters referred to scenes we hadn't been shown, and important plot points were glazed over, causing momentum to be lost. The final nail in the coffin was the rushed and underwhelming ending. The show had its flaws outside censorship, like the maid with zero brain cells (why write such a frustrating, useless character!) If this were a cheesy rom-com, I'd give it a bit more grace, as I'd be able to shut my brain off and watch without too much analysis. However, it covers darker, more mature material that deserves more intentional story-telling. All that being said, the cast did an amazing job portraying their characters and the overall story was unique. With all its faults, I would still recommend the watch, it was entertaining. I suppose that is most important in the end.

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