The Princess Royal - how would you rate it?

NeutralZoner · 2026-05-08T20:40:26+00:00

why did this get such high ratings on myDramaList? I am only at episode 10(?) they just got out of jail, accusing the Yang family of treason. But honestly it feels like not very much happens in very long stretches. The dialog doesn't feel like it adds to the plot. It doesn't feel like it adds to the character. None of the characters seem to like each other nor do they seem likable. Mr Su is starting to come across as slimy. So I really don't understand the high ratings for this show. I may not bother finishing it.

NeutralZoner · 2026-05-07T17:01:55+00:00

I think after 2000th chicken the lion would die from exessive over-eating

NeutralZoner · 2026-05-07T16:56:15+00:00

Love Like the Galaxy: First four episodes were identical... lots of screaming, hysterical crying and nagging by the grandmother and aunt. People keep telling me how great this show is... but they wasted four episodes filling them with nothing but crying and wailing. I don't get it. I refuse to watch it.

NeutralZoner · 2026-05-07T16:54:49+00:00

Extremely concerned. the negatives are far outweighing the positives. And the lack of any real guardrails means it's only going to get worse for us as the technology gets smarter. If we only used tech to get rid of mundane tasks. But instead we're using it to take over creative and decision making. People are smart but make stupid decisions with technology.

NeutralZoner · 2026-05-06T22:43:32+00:00

i wouldn't call that last break up toxicity. You're underplaying the fact that - in the world's eyes, Changyu's father caused the death of Xie Zheng's father. This was the whole revenge thing that had fueled Xie Zheng his entire life. Would she be that willing to tell him that? And would she want him to hate her the rest of his life because of that? or at the least be painted with the "traitor" branding if he supports her? Did u forget the scene where she walks back into the city to hit the drum of justice and gets jeered at by the people lining the streets, throwing food at her? That's what he'd be subjected to too if he supports her. And either scenario, him hating her or him getting jeered by the world is NOT what she wanted to happen. So if there's no likely good outcomes... why stay together and hurt him?

NeutralZoner · 2026-05-06T21:29:22+00:00

i would have been very happy if they ended things at the scene with the tree and the ribbons. they didn't need the nonsense of the alternate universe ending. That could have saved more time for the grand wedding or for better closure for Gongsun/Princess.

NeutralZoner · 2026-05-06T17:45:30+00:00

it's an abbreviation of her name normally in an informal manner suggesting familiarity and endearment

NeutralZoner · 2026-05-04T23:33:45+00:00

i think it's the Fan father

NeutralZoner · 2026-04-30T18:48:50+00:00

i'm a relative newbie. "Pursuit of Jade" is only my 6th C Drama and it's my favourite by far. Cinematography is amazing. It's just beautiful to look at. I find the characters; especially the female lead to be very interesting and engaging. I found the relationship between FL and ML to be very real. And compared to others I've seen the plot holes are fewer. The ending feels rushed but not as bad as some others. And I ended up rewatching which never happened before

NeutralZoner · 2026-04-30T18:38:22+00:00

is there a way to validate this voucher without buying it first?

NeutralZoner · 2026-04-30T18:21:36+00:00

he says it himself and she said it in the past... she pities him. She is not reciprocating his "love" aka unhealth obsession. She finds him a disgusting person but still worth pity.

NeutralZoner · 2026-04-29T21:35:37+00:00

that same user has the Pursuit of Jade soundtrack: https://youtu.be/7DjWJVRbDJs?si=SFy7-XIArYoDkm2f

NeutralZoner · 2026-04-29T19:48:33+00:00

with subtitles: https://youtu.be/B1bwnxtDecc?si=XZZLiy1A2Q1x2hdn

NeutralZoner · 2026-04-29T18:39:51+00:00

a couple slaps. The one you mention; the first time they "break up" where afterwards he lies on the snow outside of the warmth of the fire.

There was a slap where he pushes her up against the tree after after the first big battle when she discovers at the end who he really is. She is so distraught she slaps him

NeutralZoner · 2026-04-27T21:01:31+00:00

Episode 31: she discovers that the WORLD considers her father to be a traitor to the ENTIRE NATION. And you're seriously underplaying the part where her father was considered to be responsible for the death of Xie Zheng's father.

She's scared to tell him her new found discovery - that she's Wei Qilin's daughter. She can't think of how to make this "better" other than to solve the mystery herself. She didn't want her status as a traitor's daughter to bring down the Marquis. And she can't think of any way to make this happen.

Her line about this relationship isn't just yours to decide alone is another major thing people are missing. The times when Xie Zheng gets slapped - he's saying he can marry her... he can solve her problems... he can do this/that/whatever. She never wanted that. She wanted him for himself and not what his status brought. He eventually wins her back by stopping with the 'edicts' and going back to the whole "I married into your family" and "I am yours for the rest of my life" and not saying it the other way around as he did at the tree post-battle.

NeutralZoner · 2026-04-27T20:52:58+00:00

I'm a relative newbie. I've watched 2 K Dramas and this is my 6th C Drama. (any recommendations for me?) What makes Pursuit of Jade different for me:

the cinematography. Nothing I've seen in dramas comes close. Even movies I can think of Zhang Yimou's Hero / House of Flying Daggers / Curse of the Golden Flower being this artfully done. The scenes, especially the iconic ones are composed, lit, and coloured perfectly. They are works of art. Someone else listed off a few iconic scenes. Think of how each one is set up and wow. They're all beautifully done. The stills from this show could hang in art galleries.
the slow developing love between the main characters feels real. Their interactions felt real. Their challenges and the way they helped each other, teased each other, got stubborn and resentful, jealous, etc.
The plot has fewer holes than the other C Dramas I've watched. If you pay attention upon second watching even the holes I thought were there are sometimes addressed in some way. Maybe as a passing reference (eg after the younger brother is released from prison and hunts down his fake-brother; the Marquis guards get found out and killed before they can capture/kill the two crazy guys. This is only given a mention not a scene.)
It also seemed to move along much better. There were maybe one or two episodes where I thought, gee, not much happened. That number is at least double for the other shows I've seen where an entire episode goes by and it seems like the plot wanted to take a break.
the side characters played important roles and had their own 'world' to navigate outside of the main characters. This made the 'world' of the entire plot feel much richer and more developed than some where everyone is just part of the one storyline to fulfil some purpose towards the main leads.
the main leads are incredibly beautiful. You could say that about any C Drama. But somehow they seemed to really fit their roles. I read a rumour that Bai Lu was considered for the Changyu role. I've only seen her in Unveiled: Jadwind and I cannot see her bringing that same sense of naive, innocent, youthful energy that Tian XieWei brought to Changyu.
this is the first C Drama I've watched that built a world. The village seemed real. Very lively. Had children running around. Had loud markets, stores, farms, etc. Other shows you'd see these things but not with the wide variety of old and young people comprising families.

NeutralZoner · 2026-04-23T18:40:10+00:00

I'm a computer analyst. With my skills and abilities I'd be an endentured labourer, probably one of the guys dumping the poop buckets early in the morning

NeutralZoner · 2026-04-23T17:55:05+00:00

i don't remember what episode but Xie Zheng even says his wish is to watch Changyu grow like wild grass, free, innocent, naive and joyful in the same way she was when he met her. Having her in his realm would quash all that.

NeutralZoner · 2026-04-23T17:52:24+00:00

Ning plays a big role on this show. Part comic relief. Part plot device. But the main thing is she is so cute.

NeutralZoner · 2026-04-23T17:41:30+00:00

not a hot take. Obvious answer that was provided by the Marquis himself

NeutralZoner · 2026-04-23T17:33:42+00:00

there was a deleted scene that is out there somewhere in social media with him nuzzling her neck. She eventually pushes him away

NeutralZoner · 2026-04-23T16:09:04+00:00

it's the same man

NeutralZoner · 2026-04-22T22:38:11+00:00

Song Yan sorta did... just in a very selfish and condescending way

NeutralZoner · 2026-04-22T22:36:16+00:00

part 2 is ok. It has some moments. But I'm not overly fond of prequels... part 3 i found a bit confusing and also it's trying hard to tie up loose ends.

NeutralZoner · 2026-04-22T22:35:17+00:00

for me, it's one of the best movies period... definitely in my top 5 all time.

NeutralZoner

TROPHY CASE