Corneilius

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!

There have been a lot of comments about that! Apprently Nana was supposed to be paired with the wood carver but the actor was to young to shoot kissing scenes so that's why that relationship fizzled out.

She Leaves but......they keep in touch and she reserches the market and when the Bookstore announces that they are going to open a branch in the town she surprises him by returning as the new buyer of the incomplete homestay. its still not plain sailing and they have to overcome obstacles.

My favorite character, the actress is very good in 'Whoops The King is in Love'

Minglan is powerless. her siblings have their mother's, either the main wife or his favourite concubine, to fight for them. Minglan only has the hidden protection of her grandmother who knows she has to toughen Minglan up so she can stand up for herself so keeps in the background. Even if Minglan knows what's coming there is nothing she can do about it except use her fierce intelligence when she has no other option.

Have you seen her in Empress in the Palace? She played a young teenage concubine (Even though she was in her mid 20s at the time) the emperor was in his 50s. sadly that was not unusual in history where women were in many cases treated worse than animals.

Tan SongYun was in her early 30s when she shot this but does look a lot younger than her age. its a very good drama and the costumes are stunning.