Triad Princess

Triad Princess is a Taiwanese Netflix original series that premiered in December 2019. This gripping, captivating drama series belongs to the action, comedy, and romance genres, creating a perfect blend of turmoil, laughter, and passion, taking viewers on a fascinating journey through an underworld crime landscape.

At the heart of this thrilling series is the lead character, Angie Ni, who is the daughter of a notorious Taiwanese mob boss ruling the Triad underworld. She was raised in a life of privilege and abundance because of her father's dominance in the criminal world. However, Angie’s life is far from ordinary. Despite her love and respect for her father, she struggles with the danger and moral compromises that come along with her family's legacy. The story takes a turn when she decides to step out of her father's shadow, intending to carve her own identity and destiny.

To escape from her massively unconventional lifestyle, Angie takes up a job as an undercover bodyguard for a famous actress. Although her new line of work might appear exciting and glamorous, it carries with it heavy responsibilities and life-threatening risks. Throughout the series, viewers will find Angie in a constant struggle between her duty to her new employer, her loyalty to her family, and her personal dreams.

In her new role, Angie constantly battles against threats, often brought about by fame, intense media scrutiny, and occasional stalkers. As a bodyguard, she needs to ensure the safety of her employer while simultaneously grappling with her feelings for Xu Yi-hang, a popular idol who happens to be tied to the same actress. Hence, the story weaves together a tangled web of organized crime, celebrity, romance, and betrayal, while somehow maintaining a lighthearted and comedic atmosphere.

The romance between Angie and Yi-hang serves as a main subplot, accompanying the main storyline. It’s in sharp contrast to Angie’s austere reality and adds an amusing romantic friction to her life. Engaging in this forbidden relationship, Angie needs to navigate her emotions, commitments, and secrets.

Angie's character represents a powerful and independent woman, adding feminist themes to the narrative. She does not conform to traditional Taiwanese expectations for women. Instead, she takes on highly dangerous tasks teamed with the intelligence and strength to overcome obstacles. Despite her badass exterior, Angie remains a warm-hearted, sensitive character viewers can root for.

Apart from Angie's story, the series also showcases the complicated relationship she has with her father. As the head of the Triad, her father appears as a threatening figure. Their relationship is complex but deep, marked by feelings of frustration, mistrust, and yet unconditional love. This adds a layer of emotional depth, making viewers hooked to their distinctive father-daughter bond dynamics.

Triad Princess is an intense action series with an engaging plot that effortlessly incorporates humor and romance. It’s created by the acclaimed director Neal Wu, known for his visually compelling storytelling style with a penchant for character-heavy narratives. His direction ensures that the series remains lighthearted despite the action and violence inherent in the underworld.

The series is presented in Mandarin, with subtitled versions in various languages available, enabling it to reach a wide range of audiences. The production quality is top-notch, with the directors successfully creating a vivid display of both Angie's home in the underworld and the more glamorous world of her employer.

While focusing on Angie's personal growth in newfound independence, the series provides a fascinating perspective on the Taiwanese Triad culture. It beautifully intertwines random bouts of laughter with scenes of intense action sequences, all while building a narrative centered on self-belief, independence, and love.

In summary, Triad Princess is a captivating watch, full of entertainment and profound sentiments. Whether you’re an ardent fan of action, comedy, romance, or all three, this series is likely to leave you wanting more.