🎬 Subtitles and Bad Decisions Presents:
🫰 Because I have feelings, subtitles, and no self-control.
My Little Princess 亲爱的公主病
📅 China • 2016
Format: Standard Series
Episodes: 16
Duration: ~45 min
Aired: Aug 11, 2016 – Sep 30, 2016
Aired On: Thursday, Friday
Original Network: Sohu TV
📺 Available on:
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Viki (Free w/ Subs)
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Caravan 中文剧场 (Free)
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AsianCrush (Free w/ Subs)
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Prime Video (Purchase w/ Subs)
✨ Synopsis
When you’re determined to land your Prince Charming, what happens if you trip over the wrong guy first? Lin Xing Chen, an heiress pressured to marry “appropriately” because of her illegitimate status, sets her sights on the suave and wealthy Zheng Chu Yao at Four Leaf College.
But thanks to a spectacular chain of misunderstandings, she initially mistakes the brooding Jiang Nian Yu for Chu Yao and tries to get his attention. Once she realizes her mistake, fate decides to be petty—Xing Chen keeps running into Nian Yu in the most inconvenient (and occasionally compromising) ways.
To complicate things further, Nian Yu ends up being the only person who can teach her to tango, a skill she desperately needs if she wants any chance of impressing Chu Yao. Meanwhile, Chu Yao is far more taken with Yu Yang Yang, a poor student admitted to the school because her father once saved the principal’s life.
Now Xing Chen must rely on Nian Yu to get closer to Chu Yao… while accidentally getting closer to him instead. Will he help her win her Prince Charming, or is her real fairytale walking a different path entirely?
👥 Cast
💫 Mike Angelo — Jiang Nian Yu
“Cold CEO energy with a face that says ‘I’m emotionally unavailable but pretty about it.’”
🔥 Zhang Yu Xi — Lin Xing Chen
“Sunshine heroine with backbone, feelings, and zero interest in being boring.”
💎 Kenji Chen — Zheng Chu Yao
“Second-lead menace with charm, longing, and impeccable timing to cause problems.”
Support Cast
Grace Ko, William, Deyn Li, Genie Chen, Jennifer Hung, James Wen, Liu Chvn Wei, Yang Chieh Mei, Tuo Tsung Hua, Vicky Chen, Su Yi Jing
💬 Ratings
🎭 Story: 💖 — 5/10
“Royal chaos with bonus whiplash.”
💫 Acting/Cast: 🌟 — 4.5/10
“Carried the plot on their well-moisturized backs.”
🎧 Music: 🎵 — 4.5/10
“It exists.”
🔁 Rewatch Value: 💖 — 3/10
“I’ve learned my lesson.”
🏆 Overall: 💖 — 5/10
“Messy, noisy, and mostly vibes.”
📝 Review
(WARNING: Potential Spoilers — I'm Not Saving You from any Emotional Damage)The story is set in Mainland China… except it was very obviously filmed in Taipei, Taiwan. And listen, I wouldn’t have cared if the show didn’t keep insisting “Beijing! Beijing!” while the cast is strolling through Miramar Mall like it’s completely normal. Even Viki and MDL tag it as China—but Mainland vs. Taiwan is a whole thing—and my brain spent half the drama whispering, “Besties… you’re already in Taipei. Why are you booking flights to Taipei?”
So yes, we started off with geographical whiplash.
The plot itself felt like someone stretched a vertical mini-drama to full length. We’ve got the whole “princess and prince arranged marriage” setup, except the princess is in “love” with the prince, he’s busy swooning over a sweet poor girl™, and then the princess falls for a poor boy who’s supposed to help her get the prince. It’s a whole triangle… square… rhombus… I don’t know, geometry was happening.
The FL? Whew. Whiny, bratty, and genuinely challenging to watch for a good chunk of the show.
The ML? Surprisingly solid from start to finish.
The SML? Hated him at first, but he actually had the most character development—did a full redemption arc like he was trying to graduate from Character Growth University.
The SFL? Couldn’t stand her, not for a single episode. She kept riding that “but I’m poor and you’re rich!” victim horse long past the point anyone cared. Girl, the jig is up—step off the carousel.
Now, things I actually liked:
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The Bear Knight arc was a fun, quirky way to chip at someone’s emotional walls.
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The FL’s “mom” had fabulous hair—priorities.
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The unusual take on the mom/stepmom trope was refreshing.
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And the house from Just You popping up here? Loved that little “ah-ha, they really ARE in Taiwan” moment.
Overall, the characters could’ve used a bit more depth, the plot could’ve used a tune-up, and maybe—just maybe—don’t film in one country while insisting you’re in another unless you’re ready to fully commit to the bit. With a little sharpening, this could’ve hit harder.
💭 Final Mood
“Entertained, mildly confused, occasionally yelling at the screen — would still watch at 2 a.m. with snacks.”
🏷️#SubtitlesandBadDecisions #EmotionalDamageApproved #MyLittlePrincess #RoyalMessEnergy #PettyFate
