The Heiress (2020): A Cross-Dressing Romance with a Polarizing Ending

The Heiress (女世子), a 2020 Chinese historical drama, is a compact 24-episode romp that blends romance, comedy, and political intrigue in the fictional Chen State. Directed by Patrick Yau and starring Una You as Han Yuanniang/Han Shiyi and Jiang Chao as the 5th Prince Chen Tingyi, the series follows a young woman who disguises herself as her deceased twin brother to protect her family’s military power. With its lighthearted start and a cast that shines in comedic moments, The Heiress hooks viewers early but stumbles with a controversial ending. This blog post explores the drama’s strengths, flaws, and why it’s still worth a watch for fans of cross-dressing historicals.

Synopsis and Setting

Set in the turbulent Chen State, The Heiress centers on Han Yuanniang, the eldest daughter of the Han family, which controls the northern border’s army. After her twin brother Han Shiyi dies, Yuanniang assumes his identity as a flamboyant, seemingly dim-witted playboy to prevent the emperor from seizing their military power. Ordered to the capital, she attends an academy for nobles, where she becomes entangled with the stoic 5th Prince Chen Tingyi and the charming Wang Zhongyu (Wang Anyu), son of the scheming Prime Minister Wang. As her secret romance with Tingyi blossoms and political plots unfold, Yuanniang’s clever facade is tested, leading to a web of love, betrayal, and hidden truths.

Standout Characters and Performances

The drama’s appeal lies in its vibrant characters, brought to life by a talented cast.

Han Yuanniang/Han Shiyi: The Clever Disguise

Una You delivers a stellar performance as Han Yuanniang, balancing masculine swagger with feminine vulnerability. Her portrayal of Shiyi as a cocky, mischievous “playboy” is both hilarious and convincing, with mannerisms that sell the cross-dressing ruse—unlike some dramas where the disguise feels implausible. Yuanniang’s strategic mind shines as she navigates court politics, though some viewers noted her character becomes inconsistently careless toward the end. Una You’s ability to switch between comedic antics and emotional depth makes her the drama’s anchor.

Chen Tingyi: The Stoic Prince

Jiang Chao’s Chen Tingyi, the 5th Prince, is a reserved military leader vying for the crown prince position. His stoic demeanor contrasts with Shiyi’s flamboyance, creating amusing and tender moments as their romance develops. While Jiang’s performance is solid, some felt his period costume and reserved role didn’t fully showcase his usual lively charm, seen in dramas like The Fox’s Summer. Their chemistry, though sweet, is sometimes overshadowed by the plot’s rushed pacing.

Wang Zhongyu and Supporting Cast

Wang Anyu’s Wang Zhongyu, the second male lead, steals scenes with his earnest affection for Shiyi and his play The Heiress, which foreshadows the drama’s tragic end. Supporting characters like Chu Xiangyue (Wu Yang) and Wang Xiyuan (Melody Tang) add humor and tension, though the Wang family’s political schemes lack depth. The ensemble’s dynamics, especially in the academy setting, drive the drama’s early comedic charm.

Themes and Narrative Highlights

The Heiress blends historical romance with cross-dressing hijinks, exploring themes of identity, loyalty, and sacrifice. The first half sparkles with lighthearted comedy, as Shiyi’s antics—like staging a “chicken fight” or pranking teachers—clash with Tingyi’s seriousness. The academy setting grounds the political stakes in relatable rivalries, making the 24-episode runtime feel brisk compared to longer palace dramas.

However, the narrative falters in the final episodes. The shift to melodrama, involving amnesia, betrayals, and rushed resolutions, feels jarring. The open-ended finale, where Shiyi and Tingyi narrowly miss reuniting, frustrated many viewers for its lack of closure, with some calling it “objectively bad” due to lazy writing. The foreshadowing in Wang Zhongyu’s play (episode 15) hints at this outcome, but the abrupt breakup and minimal buildup left fans wanting more. Despite this, the drama’s concise storytelling avoids the drag of longer sagas like The Blooms at Ruyi Pavilion.

Production and Reception

Filmed for Tencent Video, The Heiress boasts vibrant costumes and modest but effective sets, capturing the Chen State’s grandeur. The soundtrack complements the drama’s tone, though it’s not particularly memorable. Aired from August 13 to August 27, 2020, on Thursdays and Fridays, the series is available with English subtitles on WeTV, Viki, and Amazon Prime.

With a 7.4/10 rating on MyDramaList and 7.5/10 on IMDb, The Heiress garnered mixed reviews. Fans praised Una You’s cross-dressing performance, the comedic first half, and the tight pacing, but the ending drew significant criticism for its ambiguity and rushed execution. Some appreciated the bittersweet tone as fitting the title’s focus on duty over love, while others hoped for a season 2 to resolve the cliffhanger—a prospect deemed unlikely by the director’s intent for an open ending.

Why Watch The Heiress?

The Heiress is a fun, accessible entry for fans of cross-dressing dramas like Love in Between or Dr. Cutie. Its short length, engaging lead performance, and early humor make it a binge-worthy escape, despite the divisive ending. If you enjoy strong female leads and don’t mind open-ended conclusions, this drama offers enough charm to outweigh its flaws. For those sensitive to tragic or ambiguous endings, consider stopping before the final episodes, as warned by some reviewers.

Have you watched The Heiress? Did Una You’s performance win you over, or did the ending leave you frustrated? Share your thoughts below!