It's a marathon not a race. Take your time and enjoy the journey
I'm so glad I was able to binge this show. 70 smt episodes sound daunting, but honestly by the end, I was a little sad it had to end. The show is so empowering for me as a woman. In a time where women have so little control over their lives and everything is dependent on their marriage prospects, family prestige and who they were born to . In a time like this, these shining examples of the smart, strong women who use their brain and strength so take care of their family and become the force behind the stability of their clan thanks to their ability to properly manage their household. Ming Lan is of course the best one, but I'll get to her later. I just love the entire journey of how some women made the decision to use schemes and immoral means to get what they want and suffer the bitter end and others use their own strength and brain to make a difference in their own life. Ming Lan is easily the best FL there ever was. It's not too often do we see a drama that completely focus on the journey of the FL, but that's what this is. It is so so refreshing to see. You might find her too quiet at the start, but you would be dead wrong. Years of suffering taught her to keep her mouth shut when she needs to and use her own way to get her justice. She also has grandma who taught her how to be a smart woman. Her love story is also very real and interesting. She got a great husband in the end, but the journey of their love is so realistic but full of affection and romance as well. Ming Lan is a great character. Always needed to be strong also became her weakness, as she's unsure on how to truly depend on the man when loves. She's so independent and has suffered so much after her first puppy love and life as a concubine's daughter. That's why she has a hard time truly learn to rely on her husband. That was the main hiccup after they got together, and it was so beautiful to see how her husband take down her wall gradually and she learn to be vulnerable with him. His reaction to it is also amazing. They're an amazing pair (on and off screen!). I love most about Minglan is she knows when to keep things to her self but make no mistake, she will not forget the injustice she faced. She's just smart and knows when to wait for her opening. She rarely truly lose her composure but she will make the guilty pay justly for their sin. She seems cold but she is actually a very loving person. Once she love someone, she will make it her business to be there for them and help them get some justice one way or another. It's refreshing to watch such a sensible and no nonsense female lead while still making sure we all see that she is a warm person. The show is a journey into the life of this tenacious, strong and woman and a look into the lives and politics of these prestigious families. Take your time to watch the conversations and after a few episodes, you'll start feeling like you're getting the tea of these families' secrets and rooting for our protagonist as she rises and find her happiness. It's very satisfying when the vile people get their retribution too.Was this review helpful to you?
Based off of the higher than average number of episodes, I couldn't find many areas to fast-forward on because I didn't want to miss those key conversations and key events. It was refreshing to have a strong female strategist in a role that didn't revolve around historical royalty, war, or blind revenge. It should be noted that I equally fell for our male lead here as well and if he wasn't a fictitious character, I may have very well developed a crush. Following the two of them through their different lives of torturous endurance, the political moves they make separately (and together) for survival and to break free from those who've attempted to crush them was very satisfying.
The historical portrayal of the power play between multiple wives and concubines was also enticing. You will come across intense emotional manipulation and butterfly effects in choices made. You will feel for the ones you want to smack in the face and you'll want to smack the faces of the ones you originally rooted for, only to feel empathy for them again. You will gradually understand why some chose to live the way they do, what others held onto out of desperation, and what sacrifices were made in order to get there (or fail to get there).
Now let me emphasize that I usually try to avoid romance-heavy anything, and this happens to be one of those special ones (our lead couple) where I actually looked forward seeing them on-screen together. You have two equally strong individuals who are equally capable of supporting of one another- can't get better than that.
As much as the series took me on a lovely unexpected ride, nothing is perfect if you really want to nitpick. The actions scenes could have maybe been done better and minor parts of the character developments could have maybe been progressed more smoothly. But eh, it doesn't dampen the memorable effects it had on me.
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My Favourite Cdrama All The Time
This show had everything for me. …. A stellar cast, an intuitive director, thought-driven writers, and the crew behind the scenes deserve a raise! ….. a master example of how to write a great screen play and to create an amazing high adrenaline narrative. Do not judge a book by its cover, as strength and truth comes in a variety of forms, as does so does love. Zhaoliying character potrays it has that make you want more type of feel!!! Like honestly she was so strong throught her life and mange to pull through those plots. I love Grandma too heartwarming to see them protect each other earnestly…. GuTinye’s relationship with Minglan from the beginning when they are kids to the end of the show is just so cute when they are together!! The Story of MingLan is just amazing Highly Recommended Watch It Now.Was this review helpful to you?
A story adorned in rich culture and reflects real life beautifully
This drama is set in the Song Dynasty. It tells the story of Shen Minglan born in a family of officials. Though they're officials that work in the royal court, they're not exactly upper noble class. The Shen daughters are three sisters. Minglan is the youngest one born of a unfavored mistress that died during childbirth.This story is very beautiful. Unlike most stories that depend on excessive drama and action to make them worth watching. The Story of Minglan takes pride in detecting the highs and lows of daily life. The conflicts in the first part of the drama are mainly based on the Shen family's struggle to solidify a footing in the capital, and finding suitable husbands for the three daughters. This part is akin of a good slice of life story. Every detail is brilliantly portrayed to paint a picture of those times. It makes you feel as if you're living in those times.
The later part of the story has a heavier plot, as Shen Minglan has married a noble general. So the plot drabbles more into royal politics and conflicts. This part of the story is quite adventurous and fun to watch. The love stories in this drama are nothing crazy but manage to portray real life relationships in a very raw way. Shen Minglan has two suitors before marrying the general. One portrays puppy love where the other is just convention.
The main leads Zhao Liyin and Fang Shaofeng were married irl at the time of this drama's filming hence the chemistry is quite good. The characters are flawed making them more relatable. The side characters are all very lovable. The drama has extremely beautiful ost and cinematography. It feels like a poem about the Song Dynasty in itself.
But the most special thing about this drama for me personally, is the rewatchability. Very seldom I find a drama where every now and then I feel like rewatching it. Even if I like a drama very much, I usually don't find myself wanting to revisit it, or even if I do I almost never watch the entire thing from start to finish. But with this drama I've already watched it twice. The second time I watched it while simultaneously reading the novel (there's barely any change in the plot). And I was thinking about watching it for the third time and hence decided to write this review.
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It took me 4 tries to finish the Story of Minglan
For the life of me, I found the first 20 episodes or so to be boring and unoriginal. But the drama started to be enjoyable midway and seriously, I was glued to my screen then. I dropped this drama like three times before reaching the ending, but I can say that the Story Ming Lan is arguably one of the best Chinese Dramas I've watched. First of all, the soundtrack and filmography are just *chef kiss* and the editing is seamless. The leading actors are top-tier, and the other cast members are just as good. The sluggish start may be a deterrence, but I'm glad I pushed through it.Was this review helpful to you?
Gets more interesting around ep 16
I have rewatched episodes from 16 to end multiple times after finishing the drama the 1st time. The first 16 episodes were too slow and the villains (evil concubine and daughter) were too annoying for me. So this is one of the few dramas where I skipped to future episodes after watching first 1-2 episodes, and then came back to watch the earlier episodes I skipped (to understand the plot better).My favorite parts were the polo matches, FL's relationship with her grandmother, FL's relationship with her friend (wife of ML's general friend in latter episodes), scenes where FL solved problems for empress, and when FL/ML started living at their own place/FL running her own household.
Others were confused that FL appeared not to notice/understand ML's feeling for her right away. IMO, she knows how ML feels for her, but also knows that feelings can be fleeting and may not be enough for a relationship to last. She was guarding her heart so she would not be devastated if the worst happened.
I loved the interactions between the FL and ML. Sad to see that it didn't last for them in real life.
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I Mean It's Such Amazing Drama.! Story Is the One of Greatest I ever Watch In Dramas In Asia.! I glad They Pair Willim feng/Zanilia Zhao Cause They Really Fits This Character at least for me.! Their Chemistry Is Out Of This World.! Ofcauae It is Since they r married in real life.! also for Those Who Says It's Slow drama or boring.! They R worng cause Few eps later from Ep 5 its gets keep getting better and better! U will Love it.! as I did.! Don't Hesitate Just Watch The Masterpiece.! and U will Never Regret.!
I LOVED THIS BEAUTIFUL/SWEET MASTERPIECE.! ??
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Definitely a must see Drama!!!!!
I finished The Story of Ming Lan last night and my heart feels so full from watching such an amazing drama. I want and need more stories like this. Ming Lan while not perfect by any means was pretty badass and held her own as she grew to become the strong female protagonist of my dreams! Her maturity, loyalty, strong held convictions and cunningness were so refreshing to see in a character. This was my first time seeing Zhao Liying in anything, at first I wasn't impressed at all but like most things you gotta give it time. As time went on, episode 20 at least, I was sold as her being my FL. Midway through and near the end of the drama is where Zhao Liying really stepped into her character and made her shine oh so brightly. Her sweet, innocent smile yet wondering plotting eyes really made Ming Lan come to life.But our ML, Gu Tingye, has now become my favorite ML of any Cdrama I've watched thus far was ::chef kiss:: Can we talk about how cute he was?!!!! Feng Shaofeng has the sweetest smile, sexiest voice and laugh, and I swear he was flirting so hard while in character like O M G yeeesss.
The supporting cast was stellar with some of the best supporting cast acting I've seen. Loved Changbai and petty Roulan ?? but geeez hated Molan, her mama and their evil ass Nanny the most ??. Grandma Sheng is the MVP of this drama by a mile! Living through that time afforded her the knowledge, skills and know how, to navigate the crazy ish Ming Lan had to go through. Her ability to listen, be empathetic, and understand Ming Lan was remarkable. Little had to be said and she knew what her granddaughter was thinking and feeling. I just wanted to hug her, she's too precious for words.
The bromance between Tingye and Changbai was probably the best friendship I've seen in a long while.! Their loyalty, love and respect they had for each other awe inspiring. But the silliness and trust each shared really catapult ed these two characters. If Youran wasn't so petty and weak he could've experienced it too... lol The sismance between Ming Lan and any of the girls she befriend and her cousins on grandma Sheng's side of the family was so cute and genuine. These two really built their tribe, their friends and true family had their backs when they needed it the most.
Just like the dad in *The Sword and The Brocade*, Papa Sheng was weak and easily manipulated. Ooff he made me so damn mad! I get that his main concern is the entire family but geez, try to have your daughters back just a little!
TSOML's story unfolded so well the mind games was freaking incredible! When you thought it was a simple deed, it was a whole other reason as to why that was said or done and the next steps were far from obvious... The cinematography and lighting really set this drama apart. The nuance in background sounds especially when Big Madam Gu was on the screen really elevated this drama. Just wow, Solid 10/10!
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I have probably watched it a couple of times with my friends (to get them into it) and they have totall loved it.
I’m a fan of historical dramas and this one was it for me. It had thins I hadn’t realized I was looking for: slow relationship and chemistry of main pairing.
I totally recommend this story because it’s full of DRAMA, it’s a realistic development of relationship, chemistry of main pairing, detail in plot and costumes, strong female lead and POLITICS.
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Sheng Minglan a concubine born daughter used her own wits to survive and gets revenge on the evil who tries to either frame her or her loved ones. She’s a very loyal and devoted character and Zanilia perfected Minglan. William feng perfected the unruly, stubborn, playboy, but deep down caring, loyal, and smart.
Gu Tingye and Sheng Minglan literally is a match made perfect character we get to see their growth to their devoted self for each other.
Minglan was first cowardly due to circumstances in her family since she’s a concubine born daughter but we get to see her growth from small little schemes to bigger plans like getting revenge.
Gu Tingye a playboy that is pretty unruly due to the bad influences and his father not trusting him but later as get met Minglan he became and overall better person. Although he was a good person to begin with he never really showed or even cared to refute the lies/schemes that were made about him. Although it is not the fastest show but one of the most intricate plots I’ve ever watched!
As said before all characters in here perefected their roles the one that we were shown on how evil, smart, loyal, devoted, caring, loving these characters can be. Some will be hated while there are others that we viewers will be cheering on throughout the story.
Music isn’t that good nor memorable but it’s okay.
Overall I would 100% recommend this show minglan to anybody and everybody. It’s a solid 10/10 one of the best show I’ve watched this year 2019.
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Suspenseful but slow-moving
Hmm... what should I say about this drama? This is largely an internal family rivalry story with politics at the court as backdrop. Generally very good but did not create not much of an impression. The story is full of suspense but a slow-moving start made me impatient and I went on to watch the last episode before I decide to continue. By then, it had spoiled the suspense. But for the viewers who have not done this, I am sure the suspense would have been quite worth the while.Overall the story is good but there were too many convenient moments when the hero appeared suddenly and saved the heroine. I thought some of the saving the damsel in distress could have been done by the rival lover giving it a bit more bite and contention.
With my experience, only a few dramas managed to hit 70 episodes without draggy moments. 50 episodes are usually the best to cover sufficient depth. This drama is full of draggy slow moments.
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I understand the appeal but it just wasn't for me
There was such a dissonance between the story and the actors. Did the director and casting unit not read their own script before congregating 40-year-old actors to play the role of boys on the cusp of manhood? I could forgive most things but this one issue completely drew me out of the story. To compound that, wardrobe choices in the first half had the men in ill-fitting clothing and atrocious hair pieces. Again, that diluted the authenticity of the story.The best part about this was watching the family dynamic, especially Minglan's relationship with her grandmother. So precious. Likewise, Ming's sizzling relationship with Gu Tingye in the second half. So hot. Yet, even these couldn't offset the evil that permeated the entire story. It was too much and it dragged on for far too long. Yes I know, the villain is very villainy but did we need to see her repeat the same playacting over the course of 40 or more episodes?
Did we need all that back and forth at the Gu mansions? Did we need to see the minutiae of their daily lives, especially the ubiquitous eating? Did the characters in the Sheng family have to speak obliquely when they all could have benefitted from some showdowns and home truths? Minglan's father was such a waste of space and to think three women were actually fighting over him. Why would Tingye risk the lives of Minglan and his children just to save the Emperor? Have the heavens fallen?
Seventy-three episodes is a lot no matter how lovely or compelling the story and sadly this drama was unconvincing.
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