Fateful Love (2021)

This 2021 Chinese drama "Fateful Love"has become one of my favorites. I just couldn't fall asleep because there was never a dull moment in any episode.  I even binged the entire series in just two days. The story itself is intense, packed with martial arts action that kept me hooked. It’s always exciting and enjoyable to watch a strong-willed woman with impeccable martial arts skills who can defeat dozens of men in a single fight. 

But if you look closer, you’ll realize it’s essentially a Cinderella story: a maiden bullied by her stepmother and stepsister who is unexpectedly chosen by the prince - though in this case, he is initially curious why poison doesn’t affect her and how she became so skilled in martial arts.

Once again, it offers a glimpse into ancient China and its spectacular civilization from thousands of years ago; showing how politics, despite its shifting appearances, remains rooted in greed for power. It never truly evolves; it merely changes its colors. Never mind all the illogical things that happen in the story; after all, this is fantasy, therefore it's just fitting to say that I love this drama, except for its vague ending.

I understand that the whole plot was meant to be just a nightmare, but forcing an illogical twist just to make it a happy one felt unsatisfying.  Although watching 40 episodes already feels unbearable, the story still leaves you wanting more because justice has not been truly served, and there are still gaps that need to be filled with answers.