I think i dont need to say "Stop comparing" because of the other reviews. I'm surprised at myself for being able to reset myself immediately after finishing the original trilogy. Watching this show as an entirely new show is definitely the way to go.

My mom stopped me from watching this back in 2011 because she used the OG as a benchmark. But after 10 years, finally being able to find time to watch, I regret not watching this back when it was airing.

This whole package felt more complete, the transition from one part to another is very seamless. The previous trilogy felt like a botched mess when watching one part to another. Its like if Chiung Yao was given enough time and budget, she could have written this back in '98, and we might probably only see Vicki Zhao being the one and only Xiaoyanzi.

Story/Casting/Character portrayal:
The story is great, nothing less expected from Chiung Yao. I can still feel the emotional weight, and i cried at many different times, probably even more than the OG. The comedy is also still lighthearted as always. With 98 eps, I like how they expanded many arcs like Saiya, Hanxiang and Ziwei's entry to the palace, changed from Zhihua to Xinrong and removed some unnecessary arcs (mostly from part 3 of the OG). I also like the title of each part, very philosophical, especially the 3rd part. (Even tho I'm Chinese, translating those part titles can be sort of a challenge for me) I like the approach of Xiaoyanzi choosing to leave while Ziwei choosing to go back to the palace, it definitely made the scene harder to watch without pulling a couple of tissues. It also made Empress Dowager Chong Qing's repentance and acceptance to Ziwei and Xiaoyanzi even more impactful. This remake also fully and truly represents what is the "New Life in Dali" meant that Xiao Jian have been saying since the OG.

I have to say, Li Sheng is probably my new no.1 for Xiaoyanzi, Vicki close 2nd and Huang Yi 3rd. Her way of portraying Xiaoyanzi is fresh, bright and refreshing. Its like as if she created her very own version of Xiaoyanzi, she totally owns it now. Despite having the illiterate nature as a baseline, her character has more depth and more character development than previous versions combined. She also has the most tragic events happening to her as well in terms of romance. When she said "我投降了“ (I surrender) after Concubine Yu hung herself, I broke, I never expect Xiaoyanzi to say such a line with her optimistic and bright personality. It is ACTUALLY fun and also emotional to watch her mature and grow, from the slums to her new life in Dali. Her voice is actually great too. I kinda felt that Vicki's voice is a bit too sharp and rough after listening to Li Sheng. Huang Yi's dubbed ver was okay but never stuck to me. Originally, I was pretty turned off by Li Sheng, but because she moulded Xiaoyanzi so well, like the way she can convince people with her personality, I gradually opened up to her and I liked her more and more. Her version of "有一个姑娘" is also really nice to listen to on loop too. Chiung Yao picked the right girl again.

Ziwei was unpopular reading the feedback from Cnets, but I think its the writing that ruined her character, more on that later on. She also tried to make this Ziwei her own, but the writing keeps ruining her and she became the least developed character in the whole show. I would say she did a decent job on salvaging. She does lack the aura and poise that Ruby Lin possessed, but she makes up for it with her voice and acting. And damn she's pretty tall.

Yongqi was okay? Never really liked his character back in the OG, never really liked it here. But the writing makes up for it, he became the character who had to sacrifice the most for the love of his life. I still think he lacks character development but I guess Benjamin being his buddy was a way to provide some depth to his character. (More on Benji later) At first I feel that his chemistry with Xiaoyanzi isnt there, but they developed over time and they looked like a decent pairing now.

I did find Erkang unlikable at first, even thought that Lu Hong and Jia Hang should have swapped roles instead. But after Ertai left Qing for Mongolia, Erkang then finally started to show his charisma. I dont know its because Ertai's aura is no longer around to suppress him or just Erkang been pulling his punches. But anyway, I think he paired up with Hai Lu extremely well right off the bat, even better than Zhou Jie with Ruby back then.

One change I really really appreciate is the earlier integration and expanded roles of Qing'er and Xiao Jian. I always felt that Qing'er's arrangement felt like an afterthought during the OG and the romance of the both of them in the OG was too short and messy. It made their romance more bittersweet and more distant, while maintaining amazing chemistry at the same time. Apparently adding a Qing'er is enough to make the escape arc even more exciting and entertaining.

And also with Qing'er and Benji), they created a "十全十美家族“ (Perfect 10 Family), which I think was very critical to improve the bond between the characters, and also making the part where Qianlong Emperor convincing them to come back to Beijing even more heartwrenching.

Saiya here is definitely better, Ertai was hard to get used to because of his more serious tone compared to the OG. Hanxiang is also pretty legit and Mai Er Dan is also great. Xinrong was infuriating tho, she actually made me think Zhihua is more likable now. Ruby Lin cameo a nice touch. Qin Lan as well!

Okay, I did say no comparisons, but I am going to use some OG material to point out some flaws so bear with me on this one, no story is a perfect one.

I appreciate the depth that this story has gone, but with that comes with the consequences of having even more loose ends. What happened to the Empress Consort after being spared from the guillotine? Has she tried to make amends with Ziwei? What about Xinrong and Consort Yu after Yongqi's departure to Dali? (I have to say, Yongqi's face when he got the news that Xinrong gave birth to a prince is like as if he hit the jackpot, funny af) Benji???

I would really appreciate a 10 year later kinda ending (like Part 3 of the OG) as this ending with our main 2 characters kissing is a great scene, but I really cannot forget the scene of Benji leaving the duo at the back of my head, it gave me mixed feelings. Should I feel happy or sad???

Benji's character really felt extremely anti-climatic, and painful to watch (because I have been that guy before so its even more painful for me). I really wish Chiung Yao didnt add this character for fun. I also felt that the discrimination plot was a little bit unnecessary. (even though it would probably be true then during those times) Chiung Yao is probably leaning towards historical accuracy with this remake. He needs love, i would love for him to find his own happiness somewhere.

The torture scenes of Ziwei were a massive upsize from the OG, but i feel that sometimes they are trying a bit too hard to make Ziwei more pitiful. (and also surprised that she even survived LOL) I also dont like how Ziwei, despite being a part of the main cast, felt more of a sidekick/side character. E.g. When XYZ and ZW were on their way to the guillotine, Beijing residents only talks and reminisce about XYZ and not ZW??? While the OG having people praising both Princesses...? WHY??? And also her cue to being promoted to Princess Mingzhu is also TOO DAMN LATE. WHY DO IT AT THE END??? Its weird when the actual biological daughter has to sit behind an mistakenly adoptive one in terms of position FOR THE ENTIRETY OF THE SHOW. This is why I said the writing ruined Ziwei massively and Hai Lu was slandered for that.

Music:
The mixture of the new and old was great. Took awhile to get used and get into the OP, but the EDs were great. Insert songs were the same but with new voices bring a new twist. The Power Station and Lee E-jun songs from the OG were CUED SUPER WELL AND I CRIED EVERYTIME THEY PLAY AHHHH.

Rewatch value:
There is rewatch value, but as a busy man, watching 98 eps again can be a chore... I would totally rewatch this together with the OG trilogy if I have 3 months of free time.

Recommend?
YES, and I think this has been said enough, PLEASE DONT COMPARE WITH THE OG (even though I broke this rule many times in this review, but hey I need references to prove my point). This is a remake, treat this show as a new story instead of a retelling, you will probably enjoy it a lot more than you expect.

i absolutely love this show, but the OG also have a special place in my heart, being a part of my childhood so I wont say which version is better for me.

I feel depressed from finishing this show, but at least i dun have to watch till 4am every night LOL

Now to find a way to convince my mom to watch it.