Lighter and Princess

Youku's Lighter and Princess flips the script on the standard campus romance by introducing Li Xun, a student who looks like a spoiled rich kid but operates as a coding prodigy. Arthur Chen brings this duality to life alongside Zhang Jingyi as Zhu Yun, a college freshman whose orderly world gets disrupted when she crosses paths with him. The series aired from November to December 2022, delivering two seasons of drama that blend academic rivalry with high-stakes revenge plots. Directed by Chun Chieh Liu and written by Pu Shu and Liu Yu Chang, the show balances witty banter with genuine emotional stakes. It explores themes of betrayal and first love while keeping the focus on technical challenges in programming competitions. Critics and audiences responded well to the chemistry between the leads and the clever writing, earning an 8 out of 10 rating from viewers. The cast, including Zhao Zhiwei and Jenny Zeng, adds depth to a story that feels fresh despite its familiar genre roots.[edit]