Under the Power: Spoiler-Free Mini Review
- Aug 5
- 2 min read
Title: | Under the Power (2019) |
Platform: | Youtube (free), iQIYI, Viki |
MDL Rating: | 6.2 |
Genre: | Period Idol Romance/ Wuxia/ Mystery |
Episode Count: | 55 |
Parental Guidance Rating: | PG-13: Minor Violence and Blood |
Staring: | Ren Jia Lun (One and Only) Tan Song Yun (Against the Current) Han Dong (The Blossoming Love) Ethan Yao (Unchained Love) Ye Qing (One and Only) |
RBTS Rating: | 2.75/5 Stars (Had Pirates of the Caribbean vibes but lost them and the plot.) |
Synopsis:
Lu Yi is a cold, ruthless and authoritative high-ranking officer of the Ming Dynasty's Jinyiwei (also known as the Brocaded Guards for their elaborately embroidered uniforms). The Jinyiwei are part of the Emperor's elite bodyguards that also serve as the secret police, and Lu Yi is one of the best at his job. He meets Yuan Jin Xia, a smart, feisty and tom-boyish female officer from the Police's 6th Division, and they clash over a case that the both of them were involved in. Their paths continue to cross unpleasantly over a series of minor cases until Lu Yi was commissioned by the Emperor to secretly investigate the disappearance of funds that have been set aside for river repairs in Yangzhou. Part of the small team accompanying him includes Yuan Jin Xia, and as the two of them work together to solve the case, they find themselves uncovering a conspiracy involving high court officials while their feelings for each other slowly change from dislike to respectful friendship to love. @MDL
Spoiler-Free Mini Review:
I really struggled to get through Under The Power. It's an investigative, romantic, comedic (say that 10 times in a row lol) drama that had fun Pirates of the Caribbean vibes at first, but then rocked the boat with too many genres, and a whole lotta angst. The drama explored themes of justice, sacrifice, and class, with dashes of mystery and action. The leads are an opposites attract couple with a sunny and charismatic Female Lead and a stoic, pouty faced Male Lead. I thought Tan Song Yun (FL Actress) did an excellent job for her character, but I still can't get behind Ren Jia Lun. He's just so tiny and intense all the time, that it means nothing.
Some arcs of the drama were really interesting, but it drraaaggggeedd, and the final destination was not worth wading through so many episodes. There are better of this genre out there, but it does hold some merit.
Story=3 (Passable), Acting=3 (the lack of soul in the ML's eyes gave me the chills, but the FL made effort), Production Quality=3 (Passable), Ending=2.5 (kinda disappointing), Enjoyability= 2.5 (more than half dragged, but I finished).
Trailer:
Director: Yin Tao (Empress Reborn, Unveil: Jadewind)
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