Secret of Three Kingdoms (2018)

Also features Sima Yi and tells the story of Three Kingdoms from his perspective.
The story of Sima Yi, a great politician and strategist who lived during the Three Kingdoms era. By his side, Sima Yi has his politically-astute distaff members of his household, and pitted against them are the formidable Cao Cao and his heirs. After defending the Kingdom of Wei from Kongming (Zhuge Liege’s) formidable talents, who will end up with the ultimate power?

- Royalty MLs (in SoTK he's the emperor while in TIC he's a prince)
- Both MLs have a close bond with their protective older brother (in SoTK they're not blood related)
- Quirky and unconventional MLs that stick out
- Smart MCs
- Interesting, intimidating and well fleshed-out villains
- Prominent romantic side plot
- Strong FLs & SFLs
- SFL are warriors
- SMLs are clever and somewhat goofy
- Political intrigue (TIC is more investigation focused)
- Attention to details when it comes to plot and setting

The Imperial Coroner is quite a bit lighter, lower budget, less political and more comedic but i couldn't help but think of it while watching Secret of Three Kingdoms.

* Ma Tian Yu is the male lead of two dramas. He portrays the role of King in both dramas but with different personalities.
* The stories in in both dramas involve great brotherhood.

* Both are historical dramas combined with romance
* There’s strong brotherhood between the King and a supporter
* In both dramas, the Kings are struggle with his power

Both dramas have high moral stories and values. The main leads of both drama are kind-hearted people. These two dramas are perfect for those who values the kindness.

Basically same universe except it focuses on the usually hidden and often forgotten puppet "monarchs" controlled by the domineering Prime Minister Cao Cao. A great spin off on how the Wei Kingdom was established.

I finished this series while waiting for episode 13 to drop.

It's Sunday night, I just finished ep 54. It was a good drama. It was very slow, but a relatively happy ending. At times, main lead was a little frustrating but at the same time admirable.

If you want something serious, minor romance (although many actions done for love), court politics and battle strategies with strong female leads then this might be for you.

Leave you to check it out for yourself.

Written by Ma Bo Young (novel) and focused on political plots, power struggle and intelligent characters.

--The clothing and hairstyles are the same.
--Similar social background and rules.
-- Good tension between the FL and ML
-- Just recommend the first half of this drama (EP1-about EP22 ) because they follow the novel
-- Novel adapted drama (author Ma Boyong with other works like ' Luo Yang')

Secrets of Three Kingdoms (as the story of the sibling substitution) is actually an alternate history version of the famous classic plot of the Romance of Three Kingdoms . They have many same characters but Secrets consider how history would be different.

Many reasons revolve around the protagonist:
- protagonist of low(er) status takes on the role of the emperor
- falls in love with empress
- initially happy-go-lucky
- idealistic, wants uphold justice/equality for the people
- naive in his actions to achieve ideals, suffers because of it
- struggles with harsh reality of palace politics and human nature
- struggles with reality that he can't create a happy ending for everyone

The rest is pretty standard for almost any historical drama:
- fight for throne
- power struggle between different groups of nobles
- revenge
- assassination
- deception
- etc

The political aspect resembles.
The trustworthy queen willing anything for her emperor.
Same vibe of palace intrigues and plots.

- Royal ML (in SoTK he's the emperor while in TLoHL he's a prince turned emperor)
- Strong FLs that are a force to be reckoned with
- ML's most trusted allies are his wife (FL) and his close friend (SML)
- Both SML's are cunning, manipulative and charismatic. Always one step ahead
- Lots of politics and war
- Palace setting
- Both MLs are calm and soft spoken
- Main trio are honestly very similar (but in TLoHL they're in a love triangle)
- Battle of wits
- MCs are always at a disadvantage but come out on top in the last minute.
- So much death T-T
- Reclaiming power
- Beautiful dramas with lovely sets and cinematography

Both are historical dynasty dramas that focus on politics. And I feel TROP might have been much better at the hands of director Patrick Yau. SOTK is a stunning, gorgeous drama shot like a movie (especially at the first episode). It also has better, more realistic dialogues and plot suiting the dynasty times.... The actress to pay attention in SOTK is Regina Wan! She put up such a fine performance *thumbs up*