User reviews

Jinyan Wu plays Xue Fang Fei who is betrayed by her husband and loses everything and is believed murdered. She is in fact alive and through luck meets many people who are kind and allow her to assume the identity of an important figure and she then not only seeks justice for the people but also plots revenge against her and her friends enemies. On this journey she meets Duke Su a close ally of the Emperor played by Xingyue Wang who initially uses her as a pawn in his intrigue but eventually grows to have feelings for her. It starts slowly as there are many characters to be introduced but soon picks up and is well written and I quickly moved on to the next episode to find out what happens. Overall a very enjoyable palace plot drama with excellent acting from the entire cast, particularly the lead actress.

"The Double" (2024), currently streaming on Netflix, is a Chinese historical drama about a path of double revenge. Xue Fang Fei, the daughter of a county magistrate, takes on the identity of her savior, Jiang Li, who suffered a painful death. Both lost everything to politics, one was buried alive by her husband and the other was abandoned. Shortly after Li's death, Fang Fei's mission becomes personal - aimed at double revenge for herself and Li. But over the course of 40-episodes, the series evolves into a much more selfless battle as Fang Fei slowly, and unwittingly, uncovers greater injustices through the silencing of communities, some by economic means and some through war. She then becomes the vehicle by which to challenge the political system, which she can now do because she's assumed the identity of a high-ranking official's daughter, and provide for them a better life. Besides being complex, the show is also brilliant in its storytelling and visually stunning, from its cinematography, to set design, to vibrant costumes and accessories. One of the coolest - and most unique aspects - of the series is its homage to ancient Chinese opera, integrated throughout the series as Fang Fei and her polished foil (and soon-to-be love interest) Duke Su Xiao Heng, reverse roles from participants to spectators.

I am not sure when I would be able to get over it !

Amazing representation of culture,emotions,love, struggles!

I can't stop my tears after watching the end!

It totally deserves a 10!

A great masterpiece over the struggles of women when surrounded by evils and how one man can totally change her situation by supporting her! How that one man can make her feel protected,loved and can also heal her from past traumas! Also,not to forget the pain of soldiers ,our protectors and their loved ones!

The actors have done their work so sincerely that I am now flowing with the river of emotions! Loved it..and again I won't be able to get over it... It' s perfect!

I decided to finish the series before giving my review. Firstly the plot (which is based on the novel with a number of changes) is very captivating. It's fast-paced, hauntingly sad at times, has some humorous moments and what I loved most is that the female lead is strong, intelligent and resilient - not your damsel in distress who needs rescuing constantly. All the characters in the series are interesting too and you may even sympathize with the villains when it is revealed what they have been through in their lives. I think there's a big gap in age between the female lead and male lead - something like the FL is more than 10 years older than the ML. Whilst the female lead looks youthful but the gap shows when they are together in romantic scenes. However, the interesting plot, cinematography and pace of the series will keep you glued to the series. I didn't like the last episode too much as it felt a bit rushed. The songs and music in this series are really good. There are many scenes in this series I will no doubt want to re-watch as they are beautifully choreographed. A recommended watch!

Although this is 40 episodes. I binge watched this until the end. The costumes. The story. The development of the characters. The chemistry between the actors. The script. The scenery. Also very nice capturing of the landschap. Thats why I love these kind of Asian drama's. They have such attention for details. Hollywood needs to learn from this.

The FL did an amazing job. I loved her whole journey. And she did do as she promised. Very smart. I love a strong FM.

They have pretty dramatic scenes but often switched with some lighthearted scenes. Like with her dramatically nephew of her banter with the Duke Su. So funny. I wished for more funny scenes. But I guess this drama is to serious and the themes are to serious for a lot of banter.

The character of the husband Shen keeps you guessing. His character was the hardest to understand. Just the depth of his personality. Just the why? I still don't understand. Is he good? Has he become bad? Does he really love her? But very entertaining.

Duke Su had also great character development. From cold to hot for Jiang Li. Love their story. I hate that they send him off " to fight" He is way to cunning and important to go fighting.

The end could have been better. But after 40 episodes I can only hope that Duke Su 'like always' keeps his promises.

I can't accept any other truth.

RIGHT FROM THE FIRST EPISODE, I WAS COMPLETELY ENGROSSED. I COULD NOT STOP WATCHING IT. AS EACH CHARACTER BEGAN TO GET RICHER AND DISTINGUISHED, I WAS FULLER DRAWN INTO THIS DRAMA. ALL THE CAST, CHARACTERS WERE AMAZINGLY TALENTED AND GIFTED. ALL THE COSTUMES AND SETS WERE INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL. I FELT AS IF I WERE PART OF THIS WONDERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL DRAMA. I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE MAIN CHARACTERS. I ALSO GREW VERY ANGRY WITH THE MEAN, SPITEFUL AND EVIL CHARACTERS AS WELL. THIS DRAMA AT SOME POINT DIDN'T PLAY THROUGH, SO I WAITED IN ANTICIPATION FOR THE NEXT EPISODES. I WILL DEFINITELY WATCH AGAIN.

"The Double" is a masterful production that stands out in the realm of contemporary Chinese drama. The series is a testament to the genius of its creators, weaving an intricate and compelling plot that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Each character is crafted with remarkable intelligence, adding layers of depth and intrigue to the narrative. The show is nothing short of mesmerizing, offering an immersive experience that captivates from start to finish.

One of the most innovative aspects of "The Double" is its daring use of ancient Chinese opera to narrate parts of the story. This bold choice not only pays homage to traditional art forms but also enriches the storytelling with a unique cultural texture. The opera scenes are seamlessly integrated, enhancing the overall aesthetic and emotional impact of the series.

The soundtrack is another highlight, featuring classical music that elevates the emotional tone of various scenes. While the exact pieces are not specified, the music's ability to convey intense, joyful, or regretful emotions is undeniable. The classical compositions provide a timeless quality to the series, making the viewing experience even more profound.

Overall, "The Double" is a brilliantly crafted show that leaves a lasting impression. Its innovative storytelling, intelligent characters, and exquisite use of music and traditional opera make it a standout production in the world of Chinese drama. This series is a must-watch for anyone seeking a rich, emotionally resonant, and culturally immersive experience.

Overall this period piece well reflected my understanding of that time period. Some fantasy elements which took away from the story (like people flying). Otherwise a story akin to Count of Monte Cristo done at a much larger scale and with far more depth.

Pros: beautiful sets and direction, attractive caste, superb acting, witty dialogue, good character development, and the story line moves along at a rapid pace.

Cons: not all plausible (as with most revenge plots at that scale) and some places extended to include side characters which detracts from the main story.

Highly recommend for those that like this genre and want to follow a complex revenge plot.

I really enjoy this genre of entertainment, so wholesome and tells a story. The story lines were top notch, the writers did an amazing job with the dialogue!!! You have to watch it... no spoiler alerts here.😂🤣. Will there be a season two? Will there be a season three? I am honestly really impressed with this storyline, I am really trying not to give anything away, so I'm really being careful with my words. How the writers show both sides and how each seem to know what the other side is thinking is an excellent plot and writing technique. Hopefully, there will be more to this amazing story, please!

I have to say what a drama it is ! The actors and even eveyone involved in this have done a beatutiful job special mention to the set designer and other support staff who have doen a fantastic job ! The dialogue delivery is very powerful yet very nicely done ! Both the actors have done their part very good and the chemistry is beautiful and the most importantly they understood each other very well ! I have never seen such a impactful drama for so long but this kept me hooked and i truly enjoyed it ! It. It was bit boring in betwen but it was fine i liked it as well ! Kudos to the diector , writer and each person who gave such a phenomenal perfomance !

Interesting storyline, and a wholesome team of pretty actors and actresses make for a memorable weekend of binge-watching.

Not too fond of Yingluo's character here. It's too much of a smooth-sailing and extreme good luck.

Duke Su looks too young and pretty for the role, although he plays the role well, even turning me gay in the process (lol).

I love his sidekick, the funny one, don't remember his name. He should be in more roles.

Other notable characters are Yingluo's male cousins and half-sisters. Not to mention the mesmerizingly beautiful evil stepmother. The grandmother however, is a tired typecast now, and should stay away from this role.

The reason why this show didn't get a higher review is simply because of the plot. There's nothing deep about it. The script feels too cookie-cutter, too manufactured. The scheming too obvious, lacking creative thoughts. The unnecessary deaths at the end on the battlefield single-handedly took one star off this review.

They did a great job of packing a lot of story into each episode that made me feel like I was watching a movie rather than a TV series. Plot Twists galore that keep you on the edge of your seat.

Duke Su is a very Handsome man, and Wise beyond his years and Loyal to his Prince and the woman he falls in love with. I would certainly feel safe with him around.

Xue Fang Fei/Jiang Li is a very intelligent and beautiful young woman who was wronged and sets out to right a wrong. All while out-smarting men much older than herself.

With the way it ended, they left it open for more storytelling as I am certain there is more that can be explored with the characters. But have some tissues nearby for the last two episodes. My biggest wish now is that they do a second season of this show as it is just that good!

This drama has so many great elements; the music, the photography, the narrative. Great plot, but perhaps 40 chapters was not enough for developing a better finale. The series is incredible rewarding, but at the cost of many absurds and capricious plot twists. Many times, the wit behind amazing dialogues and great acting gets awfully neglected by grotesque representations, with a clear line between good and evil. Despite the efforts to lead the audience to a more grayer ground, where things can get unpredictable; the premise remains unfulfilled and disappointing. This show had so much to offer to their audience, with great opportunities to challenge the characters. Some scenes were highly emotional and moving, still the main content stays shortsighted in my opinion. In all cases, I had a great time with a slow pace romance, lots of suspense and strategy. I am loving these dramas that focus more on storyline development and strong female characters. Now, as an occidental, I do enjoy all the genuine culture references that I can get, admiring all subtleties of social order present in every interaction.

Oh my god !!!!!!!!!!!!

I am in love with this show. This show is perfect balance of everything which makes a series blockbuster.

Its not a typical chinese drama. Feminism is highlighted which i loved the most. I love all the characters in this series but the ML Wang Xing Yue really caught my attention. I love the martial arts effect of his fighting scene. Female protagonist is also doing a great job and has a very exquisite rational character. I like her.

Never skipped a scene, everything about the drama from the cast, cinematography, acting and story is so beautiful. Beautifully executed and casted.

THE DOUBLE (2024) is an excellent revenge drama filled with memorable characters, fascinating storytelling, and beautiful costumes and visuals. This series was truly an amazing show and will stand out among the many wonderful Cdramas.

"A county magistrate's daughter loses everything but regains her life by masquerading as a minister's daughter, overcoming injustice with help from Duke Su Xiao Heng, rescuing her imprisoned father, and upholding justice."

This series really shines, especially with Wu Jin Yan as our lead heroine (as Jiang Li / Xue Fang Fei / Xue Li). She is such a great actress. I've loved her in just about everything I've seen her in since far (Story of Yanxi Palace, Legend og Hao Lan, Royal Feast). She really brings some extra intensity to her dramas.

Overall, this was a really great series with so much to offer the drama world. Highly recommended for fans of Chinese dramas. A great show, with excellent plot and compelling story. Highly recommended!

Please give it a watch. And please don't forget to watch the extra 5min episode. It's a happy ending not open ending.

This show was (for me) engaging mainly because of ML tbh. During initial episodes you'll have to wait for his scenes. He slayed everytime he came on screen. He played his character so well. In this drama FL is not childish (thank god) unlike majority of Chinese dramas. She is so intelligent and extremelyyy eloquent. I mean one can learn how to win with words. Main leads' chemistry is just soooo sweet. Slow burn kind of romance. Their eyes and words do more romance😂.

Sadly there are deaths of innocent ones too. But each evil character get their deserved ending according to their evil deeds.

Script is good , the actors are greatttt. All of them , every one of them justified their roles👏.

One point deducted for those two precious men. I mean they didn't deserve that ending. But that scene is engraved in my mind. Searched for them , they have mostly acted as supporting roles. Wish them to do more great roles and hope they get roles of main lead in a super duper show.

Okay the least important thing (still) , almost all of female characters are sooo pretty especially the supporting ones.

Viewers must be willing to put aside any expectations that every element of a c-drama is plausible. If a person can do that, then this period drama is worthy of your attention. The chemistry between the ML and FL is mesmerizing at times and always fascinating. There are no intrusive second or third couples taking away from the main story arc. That happens to be one of my biggest peeves with c-dramas: spending time introducing new couples to the story rather than developing the main couple's relationship.

The quality of The Double has made it one of my favorite Chinese period dramas, along with The Story of Yanxi Palace. It is no coincidence that the same actress stars in both dramas: Wu Jinyan. She helps make both dramas soar. In The Double, she and her male costar, Wang Xingyue, convincingly portray a woman and a man who develop a strong connection based on mutual respect.

I like happy endings and not ambiguous ones, so this is the one aspect of The Double that I will 'knock.'. I will say no more, other than to encourage to give this drama a try.