Why only 6 episodes?? TT^TT

When I open netflix this morning after sessions of insomnia, I was shocked to find Yanxi Palace on my screen. I was so happy, I thought the original Yanxi Palace has been available on netflix as I rewatch that series quite often. Looking it closer, eh it has additional title; Princess Adventures.

So it's about Imperial Princess Zhaohua! We all know from the original drama, we didn't get to see Wei Yingluo and Emperor's two adorable daughters, so maybe this series was making up for it. I was elated and happy.

The story introduces Zhaohua as a strong-headed character. She's the most favored princess in the kingdom, loved by her aniang, ahma, and taihou. She has coming of age and ready to marry. She already has this fiance, a Mongolian qinwang who has betrothed to her for five years and stayed within the Palace to familiarize with her.

Since the original Yanxi Palace, I was full with the expectations of intrigue, politics, and heavy plot, therefore to start with some engagement story at the beginning was quite upsetting for me. Moreover, Zhaohua's character was very different than the cool-headed and calculating Yingluo. But since I'm curious and just wished to see more of Emperor and Yingluo's interactions, I continue.

The story was simple, with enough twists and strong plot for a short, side story of 6-episodes drama. It's actually quite brilliant and well-managed. The cinematography, costume, make-up, color tone (some people hate the color tone of this drama but I love the aesthetics of it and how it's affected the expression and mood tone of the plot) all are very good production, the same quality as the first.

The acting, especially Zhao Hua's was exceptionally good. Her expressions were amazing, convincing the person she had inside her.

I didn't notice there were only 6 episodes, I thought the rest just hasn't been uploaded, but then I realized they only introduce a handful characters throughout the story except the ones we've had from the original cast.

In the end, all characters didn't disappoint and deliver all the expectations I carried from the original Yanxi Palace. For those of you who haven't watch it, go watch the parent series! They provide you with a lot of satisfying b*tchslapping.

I didn't give them a high score on the music because they use the same one from the original series, so just re-production.

I desperately want more TT^TT I especially like the qinwang.

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Maybe it's me, but I really really like this drama, despite how awful it made me feel inside. It turns the twists in me, how much I love Saeko for being some kind of sociopath manipulator, she can grasp the weakness in other people's hearts, toying with them, control them as she likes.

Japanese drama contains layers to its story, especially when it's so concise; brief but comprehensive. Every details were placed on every tiny bits of the episodes without making anything repetitive. It has darker color to its shade and very blunt with the message, I would definitely categorize it as 'mature'.

Though, the ending disappoint me so much I want to smash my laptop :( Like every hard work and effort was useless as Shouta was 'starting over'.

---Major Spoiler please be careful--

He waste the care from the model girlfriend who had been nothing but supportive and wonderful, they could totally reach happiness together, but then he drowned again inside Saeko's storm. The model moved on, find someone better who shows more care, while Shouta was late, but accepting and supported her. When he realized his own wrongs and failure, he decided to go abroad and be an apprentice again to gain more 'experience'.

While the awful Saeko was back with her 'abusive' husband, reject Shouta's kind offers because (that's just how wretched she is) she didn't want to lose the stable life she wants. Her husband is wealthy, could buy her numerous of designer bags, antique tea cups, for her to show off anyway and she doesn't have to pay attention much because he's busy, unlike Shouta who is demanding care and comfort from relationship.

Saeko cannot afford that. She's the one with needs, she was never a giver.

In the end, I did understand Saeko because... Shouta isn't all great either. He is quite fickle and easily swayed. He's young and reckless.

The characters are vivid and more 3-dimensional to me than many mediocre, popular korean dramas (they often awfully repetitive, have a LOT of filler episodes, and full of cliche). It touched the realistic part of life and love.

6.9 ratings? Shitsuren Chocolatier deserves more!

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