People have different tastes. Some people like dramas with action-packed plot, heavy romance, sweet male leads who are out of storybooks, and females who are bubbly and innocent. Others might enjoy deep, emotional, character driven dramas that grabs at the heart and present characters like real people who make mistakes, are not perfect, and whose actions have consequences--a drama with imperfect people. If you are looking for a show that will make you think, reflect, and examine yourself and the characters deeply, then this show is for you.

I almost didn't watch this because of the criticism, but I am glad I ignored the negative reviews as I was immediately hooked, and my obsession did not die out as the episodes progressed, but instead my interest grew.

I can understand how this drama might not suit everyone, it is not an action-packed, romantic drama, it is not a fairy tale--this is a real story, with real authentic characters who act like humans with faults and virtues. They are likable at times and you hate them at times. Just like real people. I like how this show presents the characters as truly human, faults and all. I can't help but love this series for showing the human psych so well.

Maybe I just like shows that break my heart. Maybe because they evoke emotion and tears, which mean the actors did a wonderful job conveying their characters. Who knows, but this show is right up my alley and I think it's so well done, the costumes are beautiful, the sets, etc.

Whether you like this show will depend on your expectations.

I enjoyed watching this show so much and did not find it to have filler moments, every scene had a purpose. Every action had a consequence. Although there is a lot of talk about politics, you knows the ministers lives and follow those side characters from adolescence to adulthood and see how they grow and change. You meet so many characters, and you become interested in their lives. I cared about all the side characters the ministers, maids, eunuchs, villagers, city folk, etc. You feel an attachment to them, as you follow their lives.

SOUNDTRACK: If you liked the vibe of The Story of Ming Lan, then this is right up your alley. Some of the background tracks sounds identical to Ming Lan, they are subtle and you're not really listening for the music, but paying attention to the dialogue. It brings your attention to the characters, and does not have fanciful overpowering tracks. deep digging examinations of what drives people, good and bad. The emotional tracks that do play come at the right moment, and are artful and poetic.

REWATCHABILITY: I have already gone back to rewatch scenes.

ACTING: Everyone's performance is top tier. Zhao Zhen, the Empress, the child versions of all these characters, Hui Rou, Huaiji...Wang Kai does an amazing job portraying Zhao Zhen as he ages. His mannerisms change in the later episodes, his demeanor, and if I hadn't seen him in early episodes looking so young I'd think he was actually an older gentleman (lol!) Incredible job by all members of the cast.

I can safely say this is my new favorite cdrama, in addition to Story of Ming Lan and Story of Yanxi Palace. There are my spoiler-free thoughts. I just wanted to share and maybe urge people to give this drama a chance. I do not find it to be a waste of time, I like the setting, the politics, just watching the daily lives of these people.

**Spoilers after this point**

Throughout this show, I kept thinking that I could write a thorough character literary analysis for so many of these people. Below is my attempt to explain some of the actions of the emperor and empress, and share some additional feelings.

Regarding the Emperor Zhao Zhen, I can understand that maybe people were angry at him and hence rated the show lower because of the decisions he made. But this is based on a historical figure who made these decisions (example: deciding Huirou's marriage, ignoring the the empress, favoring Concubine Bihan.) The thing about how they portrayed the emperor though made me understand why he behaved the way he did; it linked back to his childhood traumas, his relationship with his "mother," showing us that the emperor is intimidated by strong women because they remind him of the Empress Dowager who overpowered him as emperor and mandated everything; he is shown to be weak-minded because of this, and easily manipulated/attracted to the women who resemble adolescence/are not as strong and who express their love toward him since he craves for that attention. That is why he and the empress have such discord, since she is an incredibly strong, (amazing), smart, capable, confident woman who does not need a man to protect her, but he himself is intimidated by that (like an idiot!) and there is that gap between them. She does not go to him to protect her, and he seems to only like women who need his power to "save" them. This is shown throughout by his relationship with He'er and Bihan, both girls who needed his help at some point or have outwardly shown their care for him. It makes him so unlikable as a character sometimes, but I never hated completely him since he is shown to be a generally kind, caring, benevolent emperor and father (in the majority of the drama, but after episode 55 we kinda see his lacking as a father...your heart aches for the empress, and you cuss out the emperor in your head. Their relationship is emotionally abusive, and I respect this show for not romanticizing such a toxic relationship (unlike some shows...cough cough Goodbye My Princess cough cough). The way this show portrays these people makes you analyze their thought processes and ache for them.

It has too many layers for me to capture in a summary, but here's just a tidbit of my thoughts.

Also, I can't end this review without talking about Huaiji and Huirou. These two truly broke my heart. Their love was so sincere and beautiful, and they are soulmates, but due to their circumstances nothing can come of it. There is this line said between with Huaiji and Huirou where she says she wants to be a lotus flower in her next life, to which Huaiji responds that he will be the wave beneath it so they can be together. My heart just ACHED for these two. I shed tears. Such a beautiful friendship and love story they shared.

Also, if interested here are two fan videos for Serenade of Peaceful Joy:

Huaiji/Huirou : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_w9N6oz88Q
Zhao Zhen/Danshu : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwEhpxtJFhE