Empresses in the Palace (2012)

Almost Same period (Forbidden City), very similar clothes but (Legend of Concubine Zhen Huan) seems to have more acurrate sets of clothes and everything.

Similar History!

Both feature smart, witty, and beautiful women living in the palace that is dominated by males. Zhen Huan is a Chinese historical and Jewel is Korean. There are lots of politic driven plots by the bad guys to make the heroines suffer and lose the favour of the royal family. The heroines will triumph over the traps and tricks set by their enemies through intelligence, skill, and help from friends. Romance wise Legend of Zhen Huan has way more since it is about King's wives and harem while Jewel in the Palace has a very subtle romantic tone. Last of all both are melodramas that drags on, each with over 50+ episodes.

Both are historical dramas set in the palace harem that include romance and political intrigue. Also both dramas are about a young girl entering the palace and becoming the favorite of the emperor, having to deal with the jealousy and intrigue of the other women as a consequence.

Both are harem dramas and they share many similarities in the kind of schemings and tatics characters use to survive and also to get what they want. Empress Of China is set in the Tang Dynasty and Empresses In The Palace is set in the Qing Dynasty.

Both series focus a smart female character who hides her intelligence to protect and enable her to maneuver in the restrictive and dangerous role women had in historical china.

Both of these Chinese palatial historicals have gorgeous costumes, backgrounds, and sound tracks. More importantly though, the female leads in both are clever and multifaceted, and most of the characters are well-acted. The Legend of Zhen Huan is the darker and grittier drama of the two, but Startling By Each Step is just as serious, in it's own (more romantic) way.

Both dramas deal with matters of royal and imperial harems. But the story in Cruel Palace isn't limited to the harem itself as in Legend Of Concubine Zhen Huan/Empresses In The Palace. Cruel Palace deals a lot more with politics. If you want a drama that deals with the harem but it is not entirely about that, maybe you should give a try to Cruel Palace.

Both dramas are very sad love stories set in the qing dynasty.
In both the female leads start as innocent girls and are forced to change due to the circumstances.
Both dramas revolve about palace intrigues of power, love, sacrifice and the life of the women.
Yongzheng Emperor also appears in both, in "Legend of Concubine Zhen Huan" as the ruler and in "Desperate Love" as a child.

Raise the Red Lantern is a movie about a young girl who become the mistress of a rich family, just like Zhen Huan At first she did not want to get married but she soon learns that she needs the master's love in order to live a "nice" life. The mistresses are all very different and they try to win over the master just like in Empress in the Palace.
This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. This literally gave me the chills after I finished the movie.

An exact copy of the story.

Both FLs remind the powerful men in the royal family of their previous love.

The FLs are constantly exposed to threats in the harem.

- Both have basically the same actors
- Legend of Zhen Huan focuses more on the emperor's harem while Legend of Mi Yue on politics
- Both highlight the hard life concubines had
- Legend of Mi Yue has a stronger storyline

While watching this Drama it often reminded me of Empress Ki. It's the same type of story about the palace and plotting and backstabbing in the harem and which effects it has on people living through it. Empress Ki compared with Legend of Zhen Huan is a bit lighter though

Similar plot, characters, story line, and era. But better looking actors!

Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace is the sequel to Zhen Huan. But both are harem dramas and they can be watched without having to watch the other.
Zhen Huan covers the harem of emperor Yongzheng and in Ruyi, Yongzheng's son, Qianlong, rises to the throne and the story focuses on Ruyi, a consort of his harem.

Okay! In account of the origin of the plot I would say that there's nothing comparable between two the two dramas. It's a different dynasty, different storyline but one thing strongly is attached to both dramas which is the female centered plot and the sisterhood between the leads. I you like ADOS I'm sure you would like Zhen Huan as both stories portrayed a Zhao Pan'er and Zhen Huan trying to find their ways and never admit defeat alongside protecting there closed ones with all it takes!
The two leads are really alike in strength whiteout wielding a sword and smartness in their business (Zhao Pan'er) and harem (Zhen Huan).