Be My Princess Review

I watched Be My Princess (影帝的公主) mainly because I was intrigued by the posters which have both modern and historical costumes. The charismatic male lead who also starred in The Autumn Ballad caught my attention as well. At first, I thought this is a time travel drama since the couple is seen in two different eras but I was obviously wrong on that score. You will have to read the synopsis to find out what the story is all about and I will have something to say about the plot in the Be My Princess review below. Suffice to say, the story isn’t what I expected after the first few episodes since I didn’t bother to read the synopsis before I began.

My rating: 7/10
Episodes: 30
Type: Romance
Aired: March 2022
Images Credit: iQIYI Facebook

The Cast Of Be My Princess

• Jeremy Tsui as Mu Ting Zhou / Mu Yun
• Zhou Jie Qiong as Ming Wei
• Wu Jia Yi as Ming Qiao
• Hu Yun Hao as Xiao Zhao / Xu Run
• Xu Kai Xin as Chen Zhang
• Li Ruo Ning as Xu Lin
• Li Shi Qi as Cheng Yao
• Ma Wei Jiang as Xu Xiu
• Wang Li as Ming Qiang
• Rong Rong as Jiang Yue

Main Characters

Mu Ting Zhou / Mu Yun

Ting Zhou is an award-winning actor with much experience under his belt. He enjoys a high status in the industry with many fans. However, Ting Zhou is an aloof guy who seems unapproachable and cold. He dislikes socializing and lacks experience in dating and relationships.

Ming Wei

Ming Wei is a young graduate who is working part-time as an interpreter and model. She also loves acting. Ming Wei is more than just a pretty face as has principles when it comes to building her career. She also has a sunny and friendly personality. Ming Wei lives with her younger sister and they have a set of loving parents.

Supporting Characters

Ming Qiao

Ming Qiao is Ming Wei’s younger sister. She is a yoga trainer. Both sisters share a close bond. Ming Qiao is young and energetic with a straightforward personality.

Xiao Zhao / Xu Run

Xiao Zhao is Ting Zhou’s agent and best friend from their school days. He is an amicable guy who is always looking out for Ting Zhou’s interest. He is sociable and is deemed to be a playboy. Xiao Zhao comes from a rich family.

Chen Zhang

Chen Zhang is an actor and Ming Wei’s co-star in a drama project. He is a nice and caring guy who is attracted to Ming Wei.

Xu Lin

Xu Lin is Xiao Zhao’s younger sister and Ting Zhou’s stylist. She has been in love with Ting Zhou for a long time as they grew up together. She is hot-tempered and willful. Xu Lin has just returned from abroad where she is studying fashion design.

Cheng Yao

Cheng Yao is Ming Wei’s ex-boyfriend. He is a rich guy with a family business that includes investments in TV productions. Cheng Yao is a jerk who is petty and revengeful.

Xu Xiu

Xu Xiu is Xiao Zhao and Xu Lin’s father. He is a rich businessman whose wife died years ago when his kids were still very young.

Ming Qiang & Jiang Yue

They are Ming Wei and Ming Qiao’s parents. Ming Qiang is a doting father and loving husband. He and Jiang Yue are a happily married couple.

Synopsis

Ting Zhou is an idol and experienced actor who is about to star in a new historical drama project. Ming Wei is an aspiring actress and catches his attention at first sight. He strongly feels that she is the perfect candidate for the role of princess in his new drama. Hence, Ming Wei gets the role and they begin a working relationship over the course of the project.

During filming, both of them become fully immersed in their characters. Ting Zhou plays Mu Yun who is the princess’ tutor and protector with a painful forbidden love separating them apart. Both of the leads also start to develop feelings for each other in real life. By the end of the project, Ting Zhou has fallen for Ming Wei and misses her when filming wraps up. However, he fails to express his feelings for her before he ends up in an accident.

When Ting Zhou awakens from his coma, he has lost his memories and can only remember that he is Mu Yun. He is adamant that Ming Wei is a princess and he needs to protect her. As a result, Ming Wei has to play along to help him recover from his amnesia.

Be My Princess Ending (Spoilers Alert!)

Be My Princess has a happy ending. Although it has 30 episodes, the main story actually concludes on Episode 28. The last bit of Episode 28 shows the wedding ceremony of Ting Zhou and Ming Wei. They have replicated it to mirror the wedding scene in their first drama project together, Grand Chief Cabinet Minister, complete with the procession and traditional costumes. The episode ends with the couple in their bridal chamber and bed behind closed curtains.

The last 2 episodes is merely a condensed version of Grand Chief Cabinet Minister which the couple was filming at the start of the drama. Except for a few extra clips, the rest is a repetition of the earlier scenes. In that story, Ming Wei and Ting Zhou were playing Princess Ming Hua and Grand Tutor Mu Yun respectively. The characters were shown to have died. Princess Ming Hua took a poison pill after her husband was accused of conspiring against the Emperor and their kids were not to be spared. Mu Yun died thereafter as he was heartbroken and pining for the princess.

This was the sad ending that was presented to the viewers in the earlier scenes. But in Episode 30, viewers are also given an alternate ending of the pair living together happily as common folks in the countryside. They sacrificed their position and status to be together. Don’t expect any explanation of how it happened. Basically, the last 2 episodes is just an extra to tie together all the clips in the Grand Chief Cabinet Minister.

How Long Did Ting Zhou’s Amnesia Last?

Ting Zhou’s amnesia lasts from Episode 6 to Episode 20. He couldn’t wake up from his sleep on the day he is supposed to register his marriage with Ming Wei. During this stretch of the drama, Ting Zhou is also suffering from a delusion that he is Mu Yun. Hence, he cannot remember who he is in reality. He believes he is Mu Yun and it is his mission and responsibility to protect Princess Ming Hua.

When Ting Zhou awakens in Episode 21, he remembers who he is and reverts to being his real self. But this time, he has no memory of falling in love with Ming Wei and the filming of Grand Chief Cabinet Minister. He cannot recall being Mu Yun at all. Ting Zhou could only remember Ming Wei as the interpreter he had met during a business lunch at the very beginning.

Subsequently, the couple has a second drama project together. A kiss scene in Episode 26 evokes a sense of familiarity in Ting Zhou and all his memories of being Mu Yun come rushing back. He lets Ming Wei know that he can remember everything during his confession in Episode 28.

When Did The Couple Get Together?

Ting Zhou has already fallen for Ming Wei very early on but doesn’t know how to express his feelings for her before his accident in Episode 6. As Mu Yun, he insists that Ming Wei moves in with him for security reasons in Episode 9. He proposes to her in Episode 12 to protect her and her reputation since they have become a subject of gossips. But Ming Wei turns him down as she doesn’t want a man to do so out of responsibility rather than love.

In Episode 15, Mu Yun gives Ming Wei a written marriage proposal but leaves the decision to her. He suggests that they elope in Episode 16. He even buys her a ring and proposes again. But Ming Wei ends their relationship in Episode 17 as she wouldn’t know how to face Ting Zhou once he regains his memories. She also feels that Mu Yun is in love with Princess Ming Hua rather than the real her.

During their separation, both parties are heartbroken and feeling miserable. They reconcile in Episode 19. She decides to throw caution to the wind and cherish every moment with Mu Yun after receiving a hand-carven couple figurine from him. Mu Yun asks Ming Wei to marry him again and this time, she agrees. But he falls into a coma on their marriage registration day in Episode 20.

Reverting To Ting Zhou

Ting Zhou awakens and reverts to being himself in Episode 21. He cannot remember being with Ming Wei while she sees Mu Yun and Ting Zhou as 2 different persons. She breaks off the relationship then.

However, Ting Zhou is drawn to Ming Wei as he gets to know her again. He advises her to take up another drama project with him in Episode 23. He recovers his memories as Mu Yun during a kissing scene with Ming Wei in Episode 26 and openly pursues her. She also begins to see shades of Mu Yun in Ting Zhou. When Ming Wei finds out that Ting Zhou actually loved her before his accident, she decides to give him a chance to confess in Episode 28. He does so and asks her to be his princess again. They have their wedding at the end of Episode 28.

Is There Any Love Triangle?

Chen Zhang is also in love with Ming Wei but he never stands a chance with her. He admits he has feelings for her in Episode 14 but also knows that her heart belongs to Mu Yun. They agree then to be good friends. Chen Zhang continues to help her along the way when she is in trouble and still hopes for a chance. But that hope is completely snuffed out in Episode 26 when she tells him that he will be her friend for life.

Xu Lin and Ting Zhou were childhood friends and she is the only girl whom he is close to until Ming Wei comes along. She loves him but he only regards her as a sister. She expresses her feelings for him in Episode 25 but is turned down. Xu Lin quarrels with her father over Ming Wei which resulted in him having a heart attack in Episode 26. She tries to let go of her hatred then and decides to leave for the UK to continue her studies in Episode 27. She apologizes to Ming Wei before leaving but is frank with her that she will need time to accept her as a sister.

Ming Wei’s Identity

Ming Wei is not Ming Qiang’s biological daughter. This is made known to the viewers in Episode 8. Ming Qiang and Jiang Yue have kept the secret hidden from their daughters all along. Xu Xiu is Ming Wei’s biological father and this is revealed in Episode 24. As Xiao Zhao is dating Ming Qiao, he arranges for their parents to meet. When Jiang Yue meets Xu Xiu, it is obvious that they have a grudge between them. It turns out that Xu Xiu and Jiang Yue were lovers at one point. But Xu Xiu’s mother was against their relationship and separated them. But Jiang Yue was already pregnant with his child by then. She ended up marrying Ming Qiang who knew about her pregnancy but loves her just the same.

Ming Wei finds out about her paternity in Episode 25 through an angry Xu Lin who couldn’t accept the fact that Ming Wei is also her father’s daughter. But Ming Wei only regards Ming Qiang is her father. She only acknowledges Xiao Zhao as her elder brother in Episode 28.

As for Xu Xiu, he apologizes to Jiang Yue before leaving for UK with Xu Lin. He doesn’t need Ming Wei to acknowledge him as her father but hopes their kids can have the freedom to love and be happy. He also leaves a dowry for Ming Wei through Xiao Zhao for her wedding.

Xiao Zhao & Ming Qiao

Ming Qiao has been dropping hints to let Xiao Zhao know of her feelings for him. But he lets her know that she is only a sister to him in Episode 15. Ming Qiao becomes more direct and confesses to Xiao Zhao in Episode 18. Although he rejects her, she feels that he is doing so precisely because he cherishes her since he is known as a playboy. They start dating in Episode 20 after Xiao Zhao becomes jealous when Ming Qiao goes socializing in bars.

He breaks up with her in Episode 25 by pretending that he prefers an unrestrained life than having a girlfriend like her. This is because he found out that his father and her mother were lovers in the past and Ming Wei is his half-sister. Her mother hates his father and doesn’t want the secret to be exposed. Hence, she asks Xiao Zhao to break up with Ming Qiao. When the secret is exposed by Xu Lin, Ming Qiao realizes why Xiao Zhao broke up with her but is angry with his unilateral decision. Xiao Zhao then decides to woo back Ming Qiao and they get back together in Episode 27.

Be My Princess Review – Drama Within A Drama

Be My Princess actually starts off strongly to me. The main characters are actors by profession in the story. They are acting in a historical drama together with a forbidden romance theme entitled Grand Chief Cabinet Minister. Hence, you will get many scenes of their project in the first 5 to 6 episodes which results in a drama within a drama format. It is well done as the shift from the project scenes to the actual story of the couple is smooth and coherent. You won’t get confused between the two.

Therefore, the first few episodes are pretty interesting and you can easily get hooked to the drama. While the story of Grand Chief Cabinet Minister is a highly condensed version of a typical Chinese historical drama, you will have a clear idea of what is happening and the deep love between the main characters. This mini story inside the actual drama is also well-executed. This makes the male lead’s obsession towards the princess in the later part understandable for the viewers.

The challenge comes when the male lead ends up with amnesia which is a cliche of Chinese dramas. You can get the same issue in Hello, The Sharpshooter, The Trick Of Life And Love and many others. However, I think it is presented in a refreshing manner in Be My Princess as the amnesia is accompanied by delusion. Nevertheless, I’m not sure if the majority would like it although it does have its own brand of humor.

An Amnesia Plot

Basically, Be My Princess is about Ting Zhou who met with an accident and ended up with amnesia. He is an actor and during his memory loss period, he thinks he is Mu Yun which is the character that he played in his last drama project with a historical setting. Think of it as putting an ancient palace official in the modern world and his mission is to protect his beloved princess. So, you will get some funny and strange moments with a loyal man insisting on protecting a beautiful actress who was his co-star in the drama project.

This is exactly why this cliche amnesia plot is a little different this time round. At the very least, there is a not so common element being introduced. You will enjoy the change… up to a certain extent. My main gripe is it becomes repetitive after a while. In other words, the amnesia period has been overstretched that boredom creeps in. The message have been conveyed to the viewers within a few episodes but it keeps getting repeated. About halfway through this stretch, I couldn’t wait for Ting Zhou to regain his memories.

Apart from that, I also think that the whole plot could be disappointing for some. After a good start, the shift to an amnesia situation does seem ludicrous. For the female lead to fall in love with Mu Yun borders on foolishness as she knows he is merely a fictional character. So, this part of the drama will feel exaggerated and unrealistic. If you don’t mind the shift and for the story to stretch reality in the name of romance, then Be My Princess will be entertaining for you. If not, you might find yourself skipping through the amnesia part entirely.

Acting And Chemistry

Jeremy Tsui certainly has that charismatic look and it is very natural to be drawn to him on-screen. In Be My Princess, he appears serious and more rigid as Mu Yun but more expressive as Ting Zhou. There is a difference between the 2 characters but it is not overdone as they are basically the same person. Personally, I prefer him in The Autumn Ballad with his own deep voice. In this drama, his voice has been dubbed which is a waste.

This is the second time that I have come across Zhou Jie Qiong. She also appeared in the Legend Of Fei but as a supporting cast. She didn’t leave a deep impression on me then. In this drama, she did put up a respectable performance as Ming Wei. It is not groundbreaking acting but she has enough skills to give us a lovable female protagonist.

In real life, Jeremy Tsui is about 13 years older than his co-star. In the drama, he is an experienced 30-year-old actor while she is a rookie who has just graduated. However, they still look good together as a pair to me and has the necessary chemistry to make it work for a romance drama. Maybe it is because the script requires him to pamper and indulge her since she is a princess and the sparks just come naturally from there.

But I guess not all will see it that way given the wide age gap between them. Hence, if you don’t fancy an older man and younger woman romance, the chemistry may seem lacking despite the steamy kisses. That is why some find dramas like Dating In The Kitchen to be romantic while others don’t. It really boils down to personal preferences although the age gap isn’t explored in Be My Princess.

Unnecessary Last 2 Episodes

Be My Princess is stated as 30 episodes long but I rather they make it clear that the actual story ends on Episode 28. The last 2 episodes isn’t really necessary because the bulk of it is curated from the scenes of Grand Chief Cabinet Minister at the beginning of the drama. So, you are essentially watching a repeat except for that last bit at the end of Episode 30 which is not explained either. It is like an alternate ending to the mini story but with no details. You will have to rely on your own imagination to make up a plausible explanation for that.

I guess the main point is you won’t miss anything if you skip the last 2 episodes as it doesn’t have a bearing on the main story’s conclusion. It feels a waste of time when they have made viewers anticipate something more other than repeated content. But if you do enjoy Grand Chief Cabinet Minister, then Episode 29 and 30 will be a bonus as you can then watch the mini story in its entirety.

My Verdict – Not Too Bad!

Be My Princess takes a different route with the amnesia plot that deviates from the usual. Hence, credit is due here as most Chinese drama fans should be tired of cliches by now. I guess if you like the story of an amnesiac who is thinks he is from an ancient era and needs to protect his princess in a modern world, then this would be great entertainment. If not, that part of the drama can seem to go on and on. Personally, the amnesia arc is indeed overdone and overstretched. I would prefer more time to be spent to develop the couple’s relationship in a normal way when they already have got a good start to their story when the drama begins.

I suppose it depends on what you want out of a romance drama. There is more exaggeration here rather than a story that depicts reality. It won’t have that grounded feeling that The Oath Of Love or Dine With Love could give you. But neither does it have a touch of fantasy or dream-like happening that is explored in Legally Romance despite the memory loss. Instead, the exaggeration here is tied to the delusional and amnesiac male lead’s behavior. It is relatable though given how the story unfolds. It is just the amount of time he spent in this state that is dragging out the story.

For this Be My Princess review, I would give it a score of 7/10. It is not too bad overall despite the boredom midway through. You can skip part of it if it gets too boring as you won’t lose the plot by doing so. The drama within a drama concept at the beginning is also well-executed. Thus, once you start, the first 5 episodes will easily draw you in.