Last updated on at 01:43 pm
Lighter and Princess is a 2022 Chinese drama. It is based on a novel.
It’s one of the very few (about six) modern dramas I managed to watch in its entirety last year. And that is saying a lot as I’m very picky when it comes to choosing dramas to watch and would usually drop them midway in the series for one reason or another.
So, yes, Lighter and Princess is good, and this post will delve into its merits and demerits. Because, much as it pains me to say this, it does have its own set of demerits as it is far from perfect. But still, again, it was good.
So if you’re looking for the next modern drama or show to watch, then it might be worth your while to check this review before plunging in.
Also, I’d like to say that I will try to avoid giving out spoilers here, so I will not mention specifics as much as possible.
So here it goes…
Lighter and Princess Synopsis / About
Lighter and Princess recounts the story of young lovers, Zhu Yun and Li Xun, from when they first met as freshmen students in college to their professional lives later. It showed their beginnings, growth, romance, struggles, heartaches, and everything in between during this period in their lives.
Zhu Yun is a bright, good girl from a well-off family. She enrolled as a computer programming student at the prodding of her dominant mother.
Li Xun is a talented, handsome boy who’s also taking up computer programming. He’s already a brilliant computer programmer with very much advanced computer programming skills that he’s already accepting jobs or projects even when he’s still a freshman student. Also, he was the top scorer in their college entrance exams. He was arrogant, cocky, and aloof. He comes from a financially struggling family.
Yun and Xun became classmates, but Yun disliked Xun because of his arrogant ways and would always bicker with him. Because she had to join a program he was running, they often had to be together. The close proximity made Xun notice Yun. Soon enough, Yun started reciprocating Xun’s feelings and they eventually became a couple.
Their relationship went on for the rest of their college years (three to four years), but a family tragedy in Xun’s family and the objection of Yun’s mom to their relationship caused them to break up. Their break up was devastating for both of them, especially to Yun, who loved Xun so much. The latter had a hard time, too, because aside from going through the separation, he suffered another (personal) tragedy of his own (not giving specifics to avoid spoilers).
Fast forward to three years later and they meet again. Each of them is now leading a life that is different and so apart from the other. Also, Xun is antagonistic to Yun, which doesn’t in any way help Yun’s cause of trying to win and get him back.
Lighter and Princess Cast
Actor Chen Fei Yu plays the cocky Li Xun, while actress Zhang Jing Yi is the pretty, sweet, and kindhearted Zhu Yun.
There are many secondary characters and supporting casts as well.
Lighter and Princess Filming and Air Date
Lighter and Princess was shot in 2021. It was released in November 2022.
Number of Episodes
Lighter and Princess has 36 episodes, with one special feature.
What I Liked About Lighter and Princess
Before going into details, I would like to say first off that Lighter and Princess is a great drama. It was well made. It is one of the best Chinese dramas I’ve seen that it managed to land on my favorites list and made me miss it after it ended.
For specifics…
Plot
The plot is good. Though the execution of some events feels contrived and I felt that they could have been carried out better, still the narrative made sense.
The theme of the drama isn’t anything new as two people from different social classes falling in love is a tale as old as time, but this drama was uniquely plotted to make such an old theme refreshingly interesting and stand on its own.
Characters
The characterization is okay as well. The main characters were fleshed out enough to show dimension and complexity. They acted true to their character throughout.
I’d like to especially mention Zhu Yun, whom I adored throughout the drama. I loved how she was sweet, kind, and gentle on the outside, but strong and strong-willed on the inside. She was also loyal and selfless, even if a bit to a fault.
Most of the side characters didn’t have many dimensions, which is par for the course in these kinds of dramas.
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Pacing
The pacing was good. No part of the narrative dragged.
Cinematography
The cinematography was excellent. The camera work was very good in capturing the right mood of a scene and highlighting the emotions that should go with it. A good number of the shots were aesthetically pleasing as well.
Music
The music in this drama is one of the best. Truly. Most of the songs were great—interesting, catchy, and memorable. They help set the right tone for a scene and add more emotion to it.
I love most of their songs that I always put them on repeat in my playlist.
Acting
The acting of everyone was excellent, too. I like how Chen Fei Yu and Zhang Jing Yi portrayed their characters as they were believable.
Again, I particularly loved Zhang Jing Yi as Zhu Yun. She’s not only pretty, cute, and charismatic, but she gave justice to her role well. Her acting made me love Zhu Yun as a character. I can’t imagine another actress as Zhu Yun.
Romance
The romance was nice. There were many swoon-worthy moments (lots of gazing into each other’s eyes in this drama, heh).
I love how Zhu Yun and Li Xun were so comfortable and close to each other. They were playful with each other and they had this thing where Li Xun would tickle Zhu Yun, which they managed to still do even when they were already older.
Li Xun, though, is not the most romantic male lead in drama-land or the obsessed, will-do-anything-for-his-female-lead type. In fact, in the show, Zhu Yun is more attached and caring to him than he is to her. Well, he had his moments (like when he exposed a villain during a show because of “love”–a really heart-melting scene), but it was Zhu Yun who mostly gave. So if you’re looking for a super-in-love male lead like Kim Joo Won from Secret Garden or Kim Tan from The Heirs, then you’ll likely be disappointed because Li Xun is not it.
Nevertheless, Lighter and Princess is romantic enough to make you swoon.
Lighter and Princess Ending
The ending of Lighter and Princess was happy and well done. It was sweet and satisfying. Romance lovers would have nothing to worry about in this regard.
What I Didn’t Like
So now as to what I didn’t like…
I didn’t like how some events in the drama seemed contrived or not well thought out. For instance, the execution of Li Xun’s fall from grace fell flat, so simple and one-dimensional.
Second, I didn’t like the resolution of Li Xun and Zhu Yun’s conflict. I felt that Li Xun should have made more amends to Zhu Yun for his past transgressions. Zhu Yun, in my opinion, deserved more explanation, more groveling, more… just more, really. Of course, it was a happy ending and as they say “all’s well that ends well”, but still…
Other than these two, I don’t have any other complaints.
Is Lighter and Princess Worth Watching?
In closing, if you’re looking for an excellent show about two people falling in love, growing up amidst that love, hardships, and struggles, and coming out on the other side better and stronger than when they first started, then this drama is for you.
So I would say, yes, it IS worth watching.
Wrap Up
I hope you find this review of Lighter and Princess helpful. Please save or share it if you do. Happy watching!
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Very detailed review! This sounds like a really good show, I’m also very picky about my dramas, I’ll have to check this one out.
Thank you! Please do, it is great 🙂
Awww! This sounds like such a cute movie! I love hearing about romance movies I’ve never heard of. I seem to watch more of those then anything else. Thanks so love for sharing! I’ll check it out!
You’re right, it’s cute. I gravitate to romance movies, too. Hope you like it.
This is interesting and haven’t seen this before. But seem it would be worth it. I will recommend my partner to watch this. Thank you!
Thank you! It’s a wonderful drama.
Another great suggestion from this blog. Thank you!
Thank you and you’re welcome!