The intense summer drama showdown has begun. Youku has set the stage good start with “The Double,” and now they're back with a surprise hit – “The Princess Royal.” Upon its release, this drama swiftly climbed to the top of Youku's hottest premieres of 2024. Within the first three episodes, “The Princess Royal” manages to tell a story with the pace and charm that would take other dramas a dozen episodes to cover. The plot advances at lightning speed, from the protagonists' deaths to their reunion in a new life, leaving no room for unnecessary filler.
For those recovering from the addictive “The Double,” “The Princess Royal” is the perfect follow-up. This drama blends intense romance and sweet moments seamlessly. With Youku consistently delivering high-quality dramas, audience expectations have risen. While innovating in the historical romance genre is challenging, “The Princess Royal” manages to surprise. It combines a strong male and female lead dynamic with multi-layered relationships, where the leads are adversaries, allies, and lovers all at once. This creates a sweet yet complex narrative that keeps viewers hooked.
In recent years, sweet dramas have faced criticism for being formulaic and artificial. However, “The Princess Royal” offers fresh and grounded romance. The protagonists' interactions are more about witty banter than physical affection, adding layers of sweetness. Genuine care is shown through actions rather than words. Just as the characters promise to part ways one moment and secretly protect each other the next, the drama offers a refreshing take on romance. While “The Double” was a stress-reliever, “The Princess Royal” is a delightful, sweet escape. It maintains the excitement of female-centric dramas while adding depth to romantic storytelling. Youku has truly excelled this year, from “Regeneration” to the “Ancient Romance Trio” and now “The Princess Royal,” solidifying its dominance in various drama genres.
Innovating in Sweet Dramas
As historical romance dramas flourish, conventional storytelling is no longer enough for the audience. The growing trend for forbidden romance reflects a craving for fresh love stories. After binge-watching three episodes of “The Princess Royal,” it's clear that this refreshing romantic comedy will find its audience. It innovates within its genre, incorporating new elements while understanding and delivering what viewers crave.
“The Princess Royal” masterfully integrates national and familial themes into its lighthearted narrative. Unlike typical historical dramas where such themes are mere backdrops, here they drive the plot. The female lead, Li Rong, played by Zhao Jinmai, is not just a princess but a strategist navigating political power plays. The male lead, Pei Wenxuan, portrayed by Zhang Linghe, rises from humble beginnings to become a powerful chancellor. Their professional roles significantly impact their relationship, filled with misunderstandings tied to their identities.
Producer Yuan Yumei explains that the drama revolves around “choices” and “trust.” When given a second chance at life, what choices will you make? Will you hurt your loved ones again? “The Princess Royal” explores love and trust alongside the thrill of adventure, elevating the typical sweet drama. The story's premise of a love-hate relationship is engaging and meets the audience's desire for unconventional romance. Following the success of series like “In Blossom” and “The Double,” Youku has pioneered a new subgenre of “love-hate” sweet dramas. This dynamic, where deep-seated hatred evolves into lasting bonds, offers rich emotional and imaginative space for the audience.
Notably, despite featuring mutual killing between the leads, “The Princess Royal” avoids melodramatic anguish. Past grudges serve as a playful prelude to their current romance, filled with reluctant affection and hidden care. This creates a unique chemistry where verbal sparring reveals underlying love. The drama's portrayal of relationships is relatable, depicting the complexities of love and life. Besides romance, the show features strong depictions of friendship, brotherhood, and national loyalty. The rich ensemble cast, including characters like the reserved Su Rongqing and the bold Su Ronghua, adds depth to the story.
A New Model for Sweet Dramas
The summer slot has always been fiercely contested in the historical romance genre. In the summer of 2022, audiences witnessed a triumvirate of hits: “Immortal Samsara,” “Love Like the Galaxy,” and “Love Between Fairy and Devil.” The summer of 2023 saw intense competition among “Till the End of the Moon,” “Destined,” and “Lost You Forever.” This year, after “The Double” reignited the passion for long dramas, the market competition reached a fever pitch. Just when it seemed Youku might hit a bottleneck despite their string of successes, they surprised everyone with “The Princess Royal.”
Among this summer's historical romance dramas, “The Princess Royal” stands out with its unique positioning. Unlike other love stories, it lacks the tragic love of fantasy dramas and the saccharine sweetness of magical tales. Though it appears to be a lighthearted comedy, it carries weight; it seems like a sweet drama, yet it offers a refreshing “love-hate” dynamic. It satisfies genre expectations while bringing a fresh twist. Despite its fast narrative pace, akin to a short drama, “The Princess Royal” delivers a cinematic feel. A chess game across different time periods, with varying makeup, settings, boards, and pieces, deftly outlines the protagonists' relationships, creating suspense and keeping viewers engaged.
In other historical romances, it takes several episodes to reveal a rebirth twist, but “The Princess Royal” accomplishes this with a single chess scene, showcasing the leads' mutual understanding and affection. This masterful execution highlights the advantages of longer dramas, providing rich visual information that appeals to a wide audience. Fans of quick thrills enjoy the succinct satisfaction, while detail-oriented viewers can uncover hidden clues.
The casting of “The Princess Royal” breaks away from the typical pairing trends, offering a fresh combination. Despite the significant age span between the leads, most of the story unfolds when they are 18 and 20 years old. Producer Yuan Yumei chose actors Zhao Jinmai and Zhang Linghe for their fitting youthful appearances and mature souls. This unusual pairing generates a captivating chemistry on screen, aligning with their character traits.
Rising Dark Horses Drama
A healthy content market thrives on the emergence of dark horses, injecting fresh blood and keeping the industry vibrant. Amidst a landscape dominated by predictable hits, Youku has consistently identified potential gems. Data shows that in the first half of 2024, Youku secured six of the top ten spots for online drama viewership.
From “Rebirth” to “The Double,” Youku's ability to create hits across various genres underscores their strategic vision. This year, Youku has been compared to the iconic, resourceful Niu Hulu clan, demonstrating their prowess in drama production. Their lineup, from the earlier hit “In Blossom” to the recent success “The Double,” has brought considerable surprise to the market, earning the nickname “2024's Ancient Drama Trio.” According to the “2024 H1 Drama Market Insight Report”, these three dramas dominated the viewership charts.
“The Double” not only boosted Youku's overall viewership but also drove significant commercial success. It topped the charts on multiple international platforms and will soon debut on Disney+. To maintain their edge in historical romance, Youku quickly followed up with the light-hearted “The Princess Royal,” catering to fans of refreshing sweet dramas.
In the suspense genre, Youku broke industry stagnation with the short drama “Rebirth,” achieving the best performance in its category this year. “Regeneration,” sparked widespread online discussion, creating viral moments and revitalizing the career of lead actor Jing Boran.
Youku's innovative approach extends to their traditional stronghold of Hong Kong dramas. In March, Alibaba Entertainment announced a 5 billion HKD “Hong Kong Arts Revitalization Plan,” unveiling 12 new Hong Kong dramas, widening the gap with competitors. Youku's knack for spotting potential, crafting unique stories, and strategic scheduling has set a new standard in content innovation. Their upcoming slate promises a diverse mix of genres and fresh pairings, heightening anticipation.
Projects like “Zang Hai Zhuan” directed by Zheng Xiaolong and starring Xiao Zhan, the Song Dynasty drama “Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival” using virtual filming technology, all demonstrate Youku's commitment to innovation. In an ever-evolving industry, Youku's dark horse dramas are stirring the market, bringing vitality and excitement. The audience eagerly awaits more surprises from Youku's creative arsenal.
