The Double - A Dance of Revenge and Love

If you’re in the mood for a historical drama that blends suspense, heartache, and a slow-burning romance, "The Double" is a captivating watch!

The Double is a Chinese historical drama about revenge that doesn’t shy away from the melodrama and high stakes typical of its genre. At the heart of it is Xue Fangfei, who finds herself betrayed by her husband and buried alive, only to be revived under a new identity—Jiang Li.

To seek justice, she returns to the capital with a fierce desire for revenge, steering a treacherous world of politics and betrayal and slowly kindling a romance with the mysterious Duke Su. Also known as Xiao Heng, he is a complex character whose motivations and feelings add layers of intrigue to the story.

About the plot, I loved it! I loved how the drama opens with a powerful premise: Xue Fangfei’s quest for "payback time" against those who wronged her and Jiang Li. The narrative is filled with intricate schemes and twists.

While some occurrences can be predicted, some are unexpected. It starts as a banger, but the excitement rises highly at the climax.

 

Main Leads Did a Great Job! 

Wu Jin Yan as Xue Fangfei is just amazing! She brilliantly embodies both the strength and vulnerability of the character. Her portrayal as a resilient woman whose resolve to seek justice (not only for her) never really wavers. Another thing I loved about this character is her ability to plan and make decisions herself! From her revival to the end, she is courageous enough to get into the puzzle game and play alone!

Wang Xingyue as Duke Su is really captivating! And this character really suits him, a seemingly aloof, powerful figure but gradually reveals depth. I loved his interactions with Fangfei, from their suspicious glances to genuine concern for each other (though I sometimes skipped their flirty dialogues).

You may find it a "slow-burn" romantic relationship. But their chemistry is so good, with each interaction crackling with tension!

 

Interesting Supporting Characters

As for the supporting cast, everyone did well. From Fangfei's (A'Li) loyal friends to the dastardly villains, they have a balanced presence in her story. But my special mention goes to Tong'er (played by Ai Mi). She is one of Fangfei's loyal companions and my favorite. Also, Duke Su's two aides, Wen Ji and Lu Ji, are really fun to watch!

And not to mention the evil Princess Wanning (played by Li Meng) and Fangfei's lifeless & cowardly husband, Shen Yu Rong (played by Liang Yong Qi). [Don't keep anything hard nearby while watching them; you might throw it on the screen!]

Particularly, Shen Yurong! His character's descent into moral depravity is shown with such intensity that it becomes one of the drama's highlights. These two characters literally raised my anger issue!

Another antagonist, Ji Shu Ran (Chen Qian En) was really good portraying evilness and as important as the others pitting against our FL. She will give you a sinister and hypocritical vibe simply by her gaze.

 

Things I didn't Like

It gets slow a little bit in the middle. Plus, there are too many fillers. Wish they could give us more of A’Li and Duke Su moments. Some scenes involving supporting characters I felt extraneous that you could skip. Lastly, the rushed ending! I hate this when a drama starts really well but feels rushed at the end.

 

Bottom Line

Overall, The Double is a must-watch for C-drama lovers! Except for a few, there are hardly any boring moments. Most importantly, it will keep you engaged for the next episodes! Story and acting-wise, it’s a 10/10 for me.