Corneilius

FL basically plays the same character in the very good 'New Life Begins'

'Lady in the Butchers house' has a similar theme

Exactly, they got away from the chaos of the court and were leading an idyllic life surrounded by children with their own on the way.

How is that not a happy ending?

Tan SongYun was 30ish when it was shot. she does look a LOT younger than she is.

Dongquing is my favorite Maid in cdrama! the actress has only had one big roll since and that was as a maid.

You dont think the way she engineered the downfall of Madam Lin shocking?

it does have a lot of characters so it takes a while to build the back story. what you have to keep in mind during those first 20 episodes or so is that the sweet quiet youngest daughter is the most intelligent person in her house hold and when needed, is more ruthless them anyone.

She has got a masters in computer science from Harvard apparently but wants to give acting a go.

it has a big back story to tell and a massive cast of characters but it is worth the effort because it pays back in shades.

I think the problem with the early episodes is the owner of the wood carving buisiness, he is such a miserable sod but he is hardly in the drama after the first half dozen episodes, instead the focus falls on his apprentice and his pseudo relationship with Nana.

Note that night scenes are actually shot by candlelight for reality.

Watch her in 'A Dream of Splendour' for elegant!

I am watching the drama 'The Litchie Road' at the moment and it is stunning. I have watched a lot of Chinese dramas and this is up amongst the best I have seen. it available on YouTube with full production subs.

Thanks

Thanks, I didn't know that.

Tan Song Yun? What was the personal tradgedy? I watch most of her dramas, I dont like all of them, but I have never heard of this.

Yes, the parents meet at the Grannies house, but it finishes as her homestay Business opens and before they are actually married.

i read a book about it recently and it sounds nuts but caused massive loss of life. I didnt think that censors would allow cdramas to portray this period. I have noticed that cdramas also ignore foot binding, the recent drama 'Wild Ambition Bloom", had an elderly character who was almost crippled. it was never revealed why but it was obvious foot binding was the reason.

its known as The Taipang Rebellion and OP is right, the leader proclaimed himself as the younger brother of Jesus based on 6 books of the bible translated into chinese. It sounds a almost funny but it is estimated that between 20 and 30 million died. I am surprised that a cdrama has been allowed to address this era in Chinese history.

China has a pretty notorious work ethic known as 996, which means 9am to 9pm, 6 days per week. No wonder they are worn out!