New Life Begins (2022)

Sisterhood and Brotherhood above all else

This show is very much a life drama about a family of young lords and the woman that go on to shape who they are as men. Every single female character is a whole human, with her own feelings, emotions, ambitions, thoughts, and plans. They aren't all the same nor do they want to be. They all help and uplift each other throughout the story. There are both male and female villains, some that get redemption and some that don't. There are gray characters that float between. Each personal feels like an actual person. The responses to conflict and misunderstandings feel real and earned. The love stories sprinkled in are strong and healthy depictions of what a balanced and mutually respectful relationship should look like. They also show you the bad side of toxic and one-sided relationships, and how just because you got yourself into a bad place doesn't mean you can't also get yourself out. Everyone deserves respect from their spouse.
Just the sisterhood alone with all of the young lords' wives and concubines is worth the watch. Very progressive in their storytelling in a fictionalized country. When 7th's wife feels nervous and unsure about herself because she is slower to do things, every single one of the women around her validates her and complements her on her care and attention. When the 2nd Crown Lord shows his true colors the women band together to help their friend Hao Jia. His wife even plays one of the largest roles in getting Hao Jia and herself out of a horrible situation. And with that storyline Yin Zheng(6th) gets closer to his own mother after realizing she was struggling with a similar situation as Hao Jia was.
But the best relationship is that of the 6th Lord's wife(Yuan Ying-Jin State's Princess) and side wife(Li Wei- FL). There are like true sisters. The Jin Princess immediately takes Li Wei under her wing and trains her to become the lady of a royal household and partner to Yin Zheng(6th lord). Yuan Ying becomes like a sister to both Yin Zheng and Li Wei, and they all share a bond that could never be broken. She becomes one of their fiercest allies.
The understanding and refusal of Yuan Ying to cause any misunderstandings between Li Wei and Yin Zheng is peak supporting female character energy.
We have a simple girl who has the protentional and drive to make great change.
A warrior princesses trying to find her happiness.
A woman who doesn't want to follow in her mother's footsteps. And though she miscalculates finds her feet again.
A princesses who is smarter than all the men and knows it.
A group of women who band together against their trying husband, and protect and care for each other as they fight for there individual wants and needs.
A kind and quiet girl, who just would rather be left alone, if that's okay, who finds her other half.

I could go on and on, because the characters are all great fully fleshed out. But just know that it's worth the watch. Even though it's 40episodes there are enough smaller story arcs that start and end every few episodes that keeps the momentum of the story going. You will laugh, cry. and kick your feet from this slow-burn romantic life drama.

PS: We don't see him much, but I have a soft spot for the 9th little lord as his is just like his sisters-in-law...and that punch in ep40....bravo.

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Feel good drama

Accidentally started watching this because I was a fan of baijinting, and end up liking the FL as well. I think this was my first drama of hers and i like her acting. Not sure if it was her voice or was dubbed, but the voice suits her character. She played innocent but steadfast character well and it’s not coming across as annoying as some actress came to be when trying to be ‘innocent’. The character building was also done well in my opinion. From the spoilt village girl who was brought up in a monogamous family, to a lady who understood well how the palace politics work, and able to adapt to it well to support her husband, without sacrificing her values.

Plot was very women empowerment centric, and love how the wives found support in each other. The ML though at first appears calculating owing to the fact that he was brought up as someone who was overlooked from child, matured to a capable leader under the pillar of his wife’s support. It was a feel good drama with a lot of conflicts, but not an earth shattering ones, just something they have to solve along the way. Lol. I love not having to think so much while watching dramas, sometimes too many a plot/crisis makes me feel like i’m doing homework instead of watching dramas for fun. Lol

Ost was not that hyped up, none that sticks to mind that is. But the costumes was quite nice and even though there were nine states to be kept track of, they were introduced well during the leads’ adventure. Villains are appropriate and served their purpose. Lol. I love how the second prince was brought down and sent to the border while the fourth prince received different fate just because he realised his fault earlier and atoned.

Might not rewatch this, but my first watch of this is fun and i was well entertained. Lol

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Love after marriage troupe

I was really entertained by the story of 9 regions and how people are different from each other. It's really an interesting plot, but I wish they could've elaborated more on the origins of each regions as to the diveristy of each individual. 


The fl is really fun to watch and the ml is the introverted, but wise kind of person. A girl is picked from each region to get married to the prince and this is where the story starts to unfold. All I can say is that each of them has a distinctive character and they found theirselves relying unto each other as they face difficulties with their husbands. There, they built an unmatchable bond with each other.


The thing is, I thought this was a female eccentric drama, but the script just focuses more on how everything can be resolved with their husbands and that is the problem here. It feels like they need permission from their husband, first before making a decission and it's as if a wife's decission is always wrong. Nonetheless, I hope this will change as it's just the start of the drama and there will be a sudden turn of tables. If you're into love after marriage plot, this is definitely for you.

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What a gem!

Update: The story focused too much on sisterhood and feminism. The spark and romance from the first few episodes are pretty much gone. They are acting like friends or a couple that’s been married for at least 15 years.

Also didn’t like how the FL is always so rash and getting the ML and everyone in trouble. It’s like she doesn’t think before she acts. Then she would have a a bag full of tears while she justifies her actions to the ML. A pity because it started out so strong.

——


After finishing Love Like the Galaxy and Love Between Fairy and Devil I struggled to find a show (cdrama, kdrama and even jdrama) that held my attention. I was literally dropping dramas left and right for a few months. I was bored out of my mind. Kept seeing New Life Begins everywhere so I decided to give it a try without any expectations.
I would just like you guys to know that I am officially HOOKED. The story is so fresh, characters are so engaging, clothing is stunning and the chemistry is ?. The leads are so cute together and I can’t stop smiling every time they are together.
It is hysterical!

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I cried so hard when I finished watching this drama

Honestly, I don't want this drama to only have 40 episodes. The storyline and acting of the cast are too good so I want this drama to be extended to 100 episodes (╥﹏╥)

I got carried away when I saw the relationship between Yin Zheng (6th Young Master) and Li Wei. Their love story is truly beautiful.

Really, I was amazed by Yin Zheng's persistence in trying to win Li Wei's heart. He didn't force her, he didn't act harshly, he actually loved Li Wei in a gentle way. He made Li Wei fall in love without the slightest coercion. Yin Zheng's feelings were very sincere, he helped Li Wei a lot to open the way when she encountered difficulties. He understands Li Wei's point of view, he's willing to learn from Li Wei. He's the epitome of a green flag husband. You won't find any patriarchal traits in Yin Zheng. He's a modern man who is intelligent, open-minded, and firm in his principles. Thank you to the writer and director for making Yin Zheng's character this good even though he's a man who lived in ancient times.

Meanwhile, Li Wei is a modern woman who upholds women's empowerment in the era she lived at that time. She loves Yin Zheng, but doesn't want to depend on Yin Zheng for her life. She was an independent woman, open-minded, forward-thinking beyond the times, and even gave encouragement to women who at that time were very constrained by patriarchal culture. That's why I admire Li Wei and Yin Zheng's relationship. They were a perfect couple, they both had the goal of reforming ancient culture that was detrimental to society, especially women whose position was considered weak at that time. Li Wei believes that women also have their own strengths, and Yin Zheng as an open-minded man, also agrees with what Li Wei believes.

High appreciation for Bai Jingting and Tian Xiwei. They're truly amazing actors, no wonder the casting team chose them to play Yin Zheng and Li Wei. For real, the chemistry between them is crazy. Sometimes I wonder.. are they really in love and not acting? haha :D

Talking about the storyline, I am happy because this drama takes an unusual storyline. There was no love rivalry or enmity among the palace ladies. They are all friends, support each other and give each other strength.

The character of the Great Master is also not made to be evil. He's a father who is also the leader of 9 regions. His burden is so heavy, having 11 children, so it's "understandable" why he's unfair to some of his children, BUT on the one hand he remains open to his children's thoughts. He didn't refuse when Yin Zheng came and gave him a lot of advice about state affairs even though previously he had not placed much hope in Yin Zheng because Yin Zheng was a sickly child.

The wives of the Great Master aren't evil either. The writer and director didn't create too many evil characters in this drama. Even if there is a problem faced by the main character, the problem tends to be resolved quickly without excessive dramatization.

I highly recommend 'New Life Begins' to you guys. I promise, you won't regret. The story is too beautiful, I even want to erase my memories of this drama and watch it from the beginning again so I can repeat the feeling when watching this drama ಥ‿ಥ

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Masterpiece worth the watch .

I have watched alot of dramas from korean ,japan and china and this is the second time only i have decided to write a review on what i watched .
This drama was sooooooo good i cant find words for it .at this moment i just finished the final episode and my thoughts on it are all over the place ,through out the whole show i experience alot of emotions . Enough on that now to what i think makes this show good.

STORY: the story itself is nothing new per say but its how it is done in a different way. Most stories written in about this time frame even in a fictional place have a certain heaviness to it .this drama showed a wonderful world of sisterwood ,friendships, love of families and more .
Each story line had a Satisfying
Ending The story line of Hao Jia.was one of my favorites seeing how she was a bright young woman who wore such a pleasant mask that she didnt even Realise was there.

CAST/ACTING: the casting was perfect ? no character felt like a throw away character and i have to give it to the actors and actress for their wonderful performance. The actors did a wonderful job with small details showing how they feel and their growth .The character development for each character was just right.You could tell their motivations and why they did the things that they did.

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Serotonin boost

The story :
The storyline may seem quite simple at the beginning but as you progress through the episodes you realize that it's not as simple as you thought it was. I really liked the plot, there wasn't any dull moment when I watched it. It narrates a fun story set in the fictional kingdom of Xinchuan, which is the most powerful and which presides over 8 other provinces (which have all their specificities). Every 3 years as a tribute, each province send young ladies for a selection as wives or concubines of the Xinchuan princes. And after some events during the selection, the adorable foodie Li Wei from Jichuan becomes the concubine of the weak and unfavored 6th prince, Yin Zheng.

The cast :
I loved a lot of characters. I think that the main couple has a very good chemistry !! I hope we can see Bai Jing Ting and Tian Xi Wei together as main leads again in the future. Both of them have good comedic expression and they are fantastic at turning funny moments into heart stopping passionate ones !! Although there is a romance involved , this drama is a lot more about sisterhood and women's themes which is not a flaw at all. There is no rivalry and scheming between women, unlike other historical dramas which makes this one very different and enjoyeable.
Also, almost all couples in this drama are lovely because each romance is developed which makes the characters very endearing. Besides, I really loved on of the secondary couples, Shangguan and Yin Qi literally stole my heart. These characters are so different and that's why this couple is awesome : the fierce Shangguan, a princess from the powerful and matrilocal Danchuan with him, the goofy and smiley 5th prince. They humorously navigate true challenges and hardships together which leads them to understand and love each other.
The sisterhood moments were really good, all these women are supporting each other no matter what and have an awesome bond. They went through a lot of hardships and each one of them succeeded in what she wanted to do in the end of the drama.
Overall, each character in the drama was immensely elevated by all the cast’s excellent acting. The depth and richness of each character and their development were incredible. Moreover, all the character’s interactions and chemistry were also realistically and convincingly portrayed.

To sum up this is a gorgeous, lighthearted and highly enjoyable story about women's struggles and sisterhood with some romance thrown in. The humour is very well and I think it can really be a comfort drama to watch when you're in a bad mood because it will make you smile and laugh for sure. I highly recommend it and that's why I rate this feel good drama 10/10

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Starts off strong, good moral themes . . . but a chore to try and finish

As the younger generation tries to negotiate new ways of organizing government, society and marriage, we get to feel the satisfaction of our main characters doing the right thing and never losing their way. But, this premise has no conflict, or tension, or character development, and at 40 episodes it's just way too long.

One strong point was a very accurate depiction of domestic abuse.

The main characters are all likeable enough, but the acting is very on the surface, and chemistry is more like good buddies trying to do a group project. Music was adequate and there isn't really anything to rewatch.

I grade on other criteria as well:

Complex Themes (7.5)
Why are we wasting the talents and strengths of women and failing to recognize their obvious complementary strengths? Why indeed. I am all for this theme, though it was bit simplistic done. I did deeply appreciate illustrating the pitfalls of trying to leave an abusive relationship in a traditional, patriarchal society and why leaving isn't easy.

Complex Characters (3.0)
Just no. There were too many characters and they all had one distinctive personality trait.

Complex women and relationships (8.5)
While all the characters are simply drawn, there were lots and lots of women collaborating and being in friendship, and it was a joy to see that so front and center.

Cinematography/Production values (7.5)
Average for a historical show produced in the last couple years. Nothing really stands out.

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Love this series!!

I love this series. I'm so hooked... oh geez .. lol. All these fine actors and such deep characters w great storylines.. I really like everybody . I can't think of one actor I don't like, they're all so good. I really like the ML as he is so interesting, like not a super hero yet I just keep thinking what will he do next or what will happen around him. The FL is cute, funny, sweet and really a straight forward girl. I like the setting, all the ladies and their fun moments, etc. Very telling for us girls. ❤️. Anyway I will see this one through hoping for a good ending . I imagine the book for this story must be very good as well. Thank you.

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Sisterhood, family, love, loyalty and secular prejudice

I loved the drama! It was a masterpiece in every aspect. The show depicted family values, sisterhood, equality, loyalty, and the significance of education in building a better society. Although there were a few inconsistencies, the show was thoroughly enjoyable. However, I do wish that the lead couple had been more assertive. It would have added an extra layer of excitement to the storyline.

One of the things that I loved the most about the show was the positive portrayal of sisterhood. It was refreshing to see women with different personalities getting along with each other without any jealousy or rivalry. The show also emphasized the significance of food, kindness, and respect in bringing people together. Although the show seemed a bit naive at times, I found myself getting more and more addicted to it with each passing episode.

The love story was simply beautiful and developed at a steady pace, with both men putting in their best efforts to win over their beloved. The show was further enhanced by a few comical scenes, adding to its overall charm.

Every supporting character fit like a puzzle piece around the two main characters. I was particularly impressed with the male lead's unwavering love and support for the female lead, who in turn portrayed her role outstandingly. All in all, this drama has definitely left a lasting impression on me.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend this drama to anyone who enjoys a heartwarming story filled with positive values.

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Un bon début où j'ai pris beaucoup de plaisir à suivre les histoires de ces concubines débutant leur vie au palais. Leur amitié était adorable et on sourit beaucoup. Mais.

C'est avant tout un drama qui tourne autour des femmes, de leur malheur, de leur combat, de leur vie et si vous êtes plutôt réticent à ce genre, je ne vous le conseille pas. En effet, bien que leur amitié soit sympathique à voir, très vite cela tourne à la répétition. Ici l'homme ne sert que de raison : pour qu'elles puissent s'émanciper, pour leur revendications, pour leur bonheur, pour qu'elles aient une place bien à elle. L'intention est louable et je n'ai rien contre cela. Par contre, je trouve que cela est maladroit : L'homme y est ridiculisé (Yin Qi). L'homme y est soumis (Yin g Zen). L'homme y est caricaturé (Yin An). L'homme y est violent (Yin Song). L'homme y est sournois (Yin Jun). Les pères sont pétris dans leur opinion de la place de la femme et de leur rôle. Bref, nous avons dans ce drama un panel de protagonistes masculins tout sauf séduisant, irrésistible et attrayant.
La femme par contre.... Elle est représentée dans toute sa splendeur. Si on exclue la mère de Hao Jia, qui a une apparition de 2 minutes et qui aura ici le rôle de la mère ingrate, et de la femme du 4ème prince, mais qu'on ne voit que quelques secondes par-ci et par là, TOUTES les autres protagonistes féminins sont soit gentilles, douces, altruistes, intelligentes, fortes....bref, ne leur cherchez pas de défaut, il y en a peu. Elles sont toutes potes ou le deviennent, même les possibles rivales, et se serrent les coudes envers l'ennemi commun : l'homme. Alors, je le redis, je n'ai rien contre cela. J'adore les héroïnes fortes, intelligentes et qui ont une place aussi importante que l'homme. Je pense à ma préférée Niao Niao dans "Love Like The Galaxy" par exemple ou Man Wol dans "Hotel Del Luna". Mais dans ce drama, non seulement elles sont omniprésentes, mais elles n'ont aucun défaut ou prou, et tout tourne autour d'elles, rendant presque la présence de l'homme inutile si ce n'est que le scénario avait bien besoin de protagonistes pour les faire briller.

Bien que j'adore Tian Xi Wei, et c'est pour elle que je suis venue, je n'ai pu retenir maintes et maintes fois une grimace. Les couples avaient beaucoup de potentiel, mais au final tout y est fade car il n'y aucune alchimie et que les relations ne sont pas équilibrées.

Résultat, un bon début prometteur mais qui très vite tombe dans une apologie de la femme qui est très maladroitement exécutée rendant le tout indigeste et ridicule. Je ne sais pas comment j'ai pu rester à regarder cela pendant 40 épisodes....(Si ce n'est en avance rapide, surtout dans le dernier quart).

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