I found this drama when I was searching for more shows that Huang Ri Ying had acted in. I had just watched her in Ancient Detective (another underrated show), and though she plays a supporting character in there, I was absolutely drawn by her acting. She is extremely natural on screen. It's rare that I would remember an actress' name (especially a supporting character) after a show, and go look her up!

To Get Her does not disappoint. I had previously tried watching another drama with a similar premise (modern to ancient times, tongue-in-cheek jokes) but I found the lead actress' acting very indelicate in that show -- way too over-the-top and annoying. Huang Ri Ying has that ability to balance and restrain her acting so that she looks like she inhabits the character -- she IS Lin Zhengzheng, gone into a video game to try to save her boyfriend. When she takes the place of the Third Princess, again she manages to balance the modern-mind-traditional-setting without sending the message that the modern is better than the traditional. This is also kudos to the scriptwriter.

At 30 episodes of 30 minutes each, the drama progresses at a quick, tight pace, not too draggy and also not too rushed. There was one arc that I felt was unnecessary, but since it only took up two to three episodes, it was a small deal. Overall, I absolutely loved the progression of the Third Prince falling in love with the Third Princess, and the characters that they picked up along the way.

This drama does not take itself too seriously, even the villains. Yet the stakes are still real and high (the FL only has 3 lives, and she loses one life in the first five minutes of the game), the themes of love and sacrifice actually stand out all the more when juxtaposed against the lighthearted scenes.

The chemistry between the two leads was also fantastic. Tang Xiaotian plays his character with restraint, yet you can see the love and protectiveness that he has towards the FL, even when he has reason to doubt her. Another thing I really like -- misunderstandings are not drawn out unnecessarily, but resolved. Even if he has no answer, he knows that he trusts her. There is also a certain beauty in the depiction of a couple that were already together before ending up in this game situation. They know each other so well, even though the ML has lost his memories after entering the game, he somehow still understands the FL even when she's not speaking.

I actually loved the filmography as well. The scenes are beautifully composed, and I was surprised to find out that it was a web drama -- they did so much with their budget, I thought it was a regular made-for-broadcast drama.

It seems that not many people have watched it, which is a pity. I do wish it could have a little more push in China and abroad.

It's rare that I can find a drama that clicks with me enough for me to sit through the whole thing. I think it's balance of the actors, their chemistry, the script, the story, the directing, and not all of these factors align all the time. Still, it's a matter of personal taste: If you find that isn't not your cup of tea, move on, but give it enough of a try!

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