00. Quick Thoughts
I have a soft spot for Wallace Huo ever since I saw him in an earlier drama, Perfect Couple. Haven’t finished it yet and I’m currently in the middle of watching Love Me, If You Dare (had to pause it for Empress of China). Of all his works, this is the first that I’ll give my opinion on. This is my quick review on The Imperial Doctress.
I believe he’s popular, yes? I couldn’t stop myself oogling and swooning whenever I see him smile on screen – this dude definitely has no bad angle. With my obvious crush on him, I ended up doing a marathon of his works and of the 3 I have watched so far – this is the one I am most disappointed in. Dang!
02. Meet the Characters
Wallace Huo – Emperor Zhu Qi Zhen
Emperor Yingzong is the ruler of the Ming Dynasty and one of Yunxian’s love interests. Though captivated by Yunxian’s intelligence and courage, he is bound by duty and the pressures of imperial life. His role is a complex one, as he must navigate loyalty to his kingdom and his growing feelings for Yunxian.
Liu Shi Shi – Tan Yun Xian
Yunxian is the central character, a fiercely intelligent and compassionate young woman with a passion for medicine. Her journey is one of resilience, as she fights against social restrictions to become an esteemed physician.
Huang Xuan – Zhu Qi Yu
Zhu Qiyu is Yingzong’s brother and another of Yunxian’s admirers. As the eventual Jingtai Emperor, he provides a stark contrast to his brother, revealing a more intense, ambitious side that is willing to challenge conventions for power.
Wallace as Emperor Qi Zhen was a letdown at first. He was insecure and downright immature and most of the time cringe-y to watch with his temper tantrums that eventually became unappealing. The friction between him and his mother was amusing but it didn’t become interesting. I was actually curious why he had no balls to go head to head with the old lady.
After he got captured by the Oirat, I saw him in a different light. I saw the side that deserves the title bestowed upon him. Its evident that he has the hots for Yuxian but respects her on what she wants – specifically her pursuing medicine. Gotta give that man brownie points. Despite the obvious chemistry, he didn’t pursue Yuxian outright and pushed his feelings like some bastard king Qi Yu.
Speaking on Yuxian, I was on the fence on how to feel about her character. She definitely have strong points but on the case of love – I am totally dumbfounded. She had knowledge and skills, spunk, and a warm heart but stupid when it came to love. I admire her undying loyalty and devotion to Qi Yu but damn, that dude didn’t deserve Yuxian. More on that later.
Most of the exciting part happened when she got captured by the Oirat together with Qi Zhen. I saw what I was hoping for – a skilled healer in action – although I wanted a Jang Geum (Jewel in the Palace) style of skill highlight.
I remember the episode when she was attempting the medical exam and thought that the writers should have played more on that rather than exhausting the plot lines on the marriage-that-everyone-is-against. Wasted chance I tell you. I love her constant passion for learning – wherever she was and whoever she was with, if there was a chance to learn something she just went for it. When it came to medicine, she knew what she wanted and damn everybody else.
On the other side of the romance web we have Prince Qi Yu, aka the dude-who-is-rotten-to-the-core.
Well not entirely but I never liked the character no matter how I convince myself. Arggggggggggghhhhh. First of all, I didn’t feel any chemistry between him and Yuxian, even earlier on the series. Despite wanting a Qi Zhen+Yuxian pairing, I was open minded enough to Prince Chen and the prospect of their love. I sincerely gave him numerous chances to prove that he was a good rival but the character was downright aggravating and I couldn’t sympathize with his woe-is-me attitude.
Was specially turned off when he wanted Yuxian to give up her medical practice just to appease his mom – repressing ones passion for the sake of love. Nah uh dude, bad move.
Things even got worse when he came into power – he was selfish, uber insecure, nasty and downright despicable. Couldn’t believe how Yuxian had the heart and stomach to stay with this dude – one specific scene totally made me want to throw things. TBH, this dude doesn’t have any redeeming factor and I was questioning why he was written like that.
03. Plot Points & Popcorn Moments
The heart of the series is Yun Xian’s journey to being a physician. Yun Xian secretly learns the art of healing and through her determination defies convention putting herself at constant risk in order to fulfill her calling.
Beyond her medical ambitions, The Imperial Doctress dives into the fierce power struggles within the Ming court. Tensions between the two brothers complicate Yunxian’s situation, adding layers of conflict and intensity to her story.
But if you really think about it, the plot ultimately leans heavily on Yun Xian’s romantic entanglements – especially her complex relationships with the two brothers. And then story takes it a bit further when the choice is between her passion of medicine or her emotion for each man. This romantic focus leads Yun Xian to a crossroads where her passion for medicine collides with her emotions, forcing her to choose between her ambition and her love for each man. This pushers her to her limit as she’s torn between her dreams and the people pulling her in different directions.
05. Did This Drama Wok My Fancy?
The main reason I was looking forward to watching The Imperial Doctress was the medical aspect. The possible deep dive into becoming a female doctor when it was practically unheard of. I was hoping the show would focus on Yun Xian’s journey and her struggles during those times. I was hoping for conspiracy and drama. All that underdeveloped potential – wasted.
Sure, there is “some” medicine but it got overshadowed by a tiring and never-ending melodrama and love triangle. The plot revolved around the “I-love-you-more-than-him” treadmill. The romance overshadowed the medical storyline I was excited about. Bummer for anyone who’s looking for more of the latter.
Also court drama. The political subplot was there, but barely made an impact. It’s weak to the point it felt like filler/afterthought. With such a rich topic and enough material to explore, you’d think they’ll dive into it and make the most of the story. The screenwriter dropped the ball on that one and failed to take full advantage of an intriguing political backdrop.
It felt like lazy writing – the range of these actors wasted on a half-baked story. It’s like they thought “ohhh Wallace Huo + Cecilia Liu = Throw in some romance! Just romance. They’ll love it.” Relied too much on the chemistry than writing a compelling or solid story.
06. Weekend Binge or Weeknight Dud?
Although the ending was open ended, it was somewhat satisfying. That lingering shot of Yun Xian’s bangle was the perfect touch for any fans shipping them.
Overall, the drama is just okay. The actors are great but the show didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I finished the series but I don’t think it’s worth a rewatch – even with Wallace Huo. It just doesn’t have that extra pull.
Who would enjoy this drama?
This drama would appeal to anyone looking for a historical story with a strong, ambitious female lead and a layered romance. If you enjoy a fierce love triangle and complex relationships set against a rich historical backdrop, you’ll be hooked. Ohhh and if you’re a fan of both leads.
What do you think about The Imperial Doctress? Share it in the comments, and let’s talk about what makes this show special. Lights out, drama lovers!
Leave a Reply