I only got into it after watching Scarlet Heart (also from 2011) and wanted to know more about that time period. On top of the huge tonal shift, it's not a pretty show based on current visual trends. Nicky Wu and Chen Jianbin who both play Emperor Yong Zheng, are the same age - but could not look more different... ? Plus at 76 episodes, I would not put this show in the Qing C-Drama starter pack for sure.
I don't seem to be making a very good case for the show, but this is the show that Chinese audiences label as Youku's (the sole platform for the show in China) pension, because it still rakes in views. The narrative is timeless and the visuals have aged well, thanks to the wide use of historically accurate costumes and naturalistic cinematography.
The show is a dense character study, heavy on the politicking. Not 100% but it showcases many aspects of recorded history, from attire and language, to etiquette and mannerisms. If that's anyone's thing, I recommend giving it a go!
Pardon the enthusiasm - I've been rewatching it and picking up so many more details now that I know the language better ?
Weird, camp, silly and very entertaining. I very much enjoyed every minute of it.
You captured it perfectly. Peeked at the first ep because it's a parody of a great classic, then couldn't put it down. Short dramas are where it's at these days y'all
I'm watching Legend of Shen Li at the same time, and this is so much better?? Visuals are good, and - fans are gonna come @ me for this but - main leads' acting isn't as wooden as those 2 big names. Most importantly the storytelling here is tighter and more coherent. Y'all, short dramas are where it's at these days.
The real mountain backdrop is so beautiful. The scene composition is so pretty but the hazy filter sometimes makes the background brighter than the foreground. (Not astigmatism friendly.) Nothing that happens in the first 4 eps makes me want to know what comes in the remaining 35, but for now I put the blame on the editing and not the writing. It's a 2x speed drama for me.
Just watched the first ep and I quite enjoyed it! If you watched and liked Be With You (2023), I think you'll enjoy this show too. More detailed thoughts under the Recommendations tab. The "???" is supposed to be "群像戏" fyi
Revisiting this bc I wanted a noncommittal light-hearted watch. I forgot how funny the start was. I love Song Wu so much; the actress' portrayal is comedic, original, and so lovable despite the character being the archetypal spoilt gege-loving brat. I'm sad I don't see more of this actress around
The costumes and music are really good and it is still enjoyable as a Ooku series but I agree the writing is very…
Yeah don't get me wrong I can still enjoy this the same way I would with trashy romcoms or reality TV, just wouldn't rate this highly is all. Can I get your recommendations for other Japanese historical dramas (Ooku or otherwise - although the older ones I can't seem to find yet)?
One of my first historical Japanese dramas. The costumes and sets are so pretty to look at, but the characters are kinda flat and boring. The plot seems to have been written by a middle schooler...
Watching this for Ding Yu Xi but I'm enjoying the main cast so far. The quartet + Chen Shi have distinctive personality/quirks and help keep the dialogues and interactions fast-paced and fresh.
A small detail but I can't help thinking the general's helmet looks too obviously like a (cheap) costume 😅
So I think it's fine that there is a female officer, but I always have a hard time taking any actor who looks…
The Tang dynasty setting is probably why there's a female officer (Wu Zetian and her influence etc, but still wouldn't take this to be super historically accurate), but they do tend to be due to a powerful family background which hasn't been explained so far (I'm at ep 6). I'm more miffed that all that female official's been doing is just throwing her authority around @ the quartet, without actually doing much herself....
This show had a lot of potential and a good cast that right by their roles, but the writing/plot development is a let-down. Lost motivation to finish the last 6 episodes. Can anyone give spoilers on how it ends and who ends up with whom please? I stopped after the new emperor got throned and married the PM's daughter.
I can't be the only one majorly distracted and disturbed by the skin-smoothing filter they have on right? I know all dramas use it nowadays but this one blurs their faces so much it almost looks like the resolution got tuned down... Only on ep 1 but between the odd visuals and every comment's disappointment with the show, guess I'm not even gonna add this to my dropped list lol
The visuals of this show (set, costumes, colors) are gorgeous and the cast is full of really great actors, but the mystery/thriller aspect for this is a bit lacklustre. Things happen too easily for the leads. Reminds me of so many American crime series where investigators talk to a few people, poke around a bit, give each other and the camera A Serious Look, and then the mystery is solved - but set in Tang Dynasty China. Definitely check this out if that's your thing bc while not the most riveting, this has been an enjoyable watch so far!
The Westernized husband would be a clever trick to absolve Yeo Hwa of her marriage. Also， between this show and One the Woman, Lee Ha Nee sure has a knack for playing aggrieved daughter-in-laws. Her comic acting is great
How can the characterisations be both so exaggerated but so flat at the same time? Ji Hyuk is unrealistically saintly, Min Hwan unbelievably beastly. Ji Won is so all over the place that I find it hard to root for her, and she hasn't really been doing anything noteworthy despite being the main protaganist. The fiance just popped out of nowhere (but wow, hello BoA, was not expecting to see you here) is also just comically cliche.
Of all the main characters, only Soo Min feels properly fleshed out - as a narcissist and a sociopath, unfortunately, but at least she's behaving in ways reasonable for such a personality, and is actually doing things that help push the story along.
I don't seem to be making a very good case for the show, but this is the show that Chinese audiences label as Youku's (the sole platform for the show in China) pension, because it still rakes in views. The narrative is timeless and the visuals have aged well, thanks to the wide use of historically accurate costumes and naturalistic cinematography.
The show is a dense character study, heavy on the politicking. Not 100% but it showcases many aspects of recorded history, from attire and language, to etiquette and mannerisms. If that's anyone's thing, I recommend giving it a go!
Pardon the enthusiasm - I've been rewatching it and picking up so many more details now that I know the language better ?
A small detail but I can't help thinking the general's helmet looks too obviously like a (cheap) costume 😅
Lost motivation to finish the last 6 episodes. Can anyone give spoilers on how it ends and who ends up with whom please? I stopped after the new emperor got throned and married the PM's daughter.
Of all the main characters, only Soo Min feels properly fleshed out - as a narcissist and a sociopath, unfortunately, but at least she's behaving in ways reasonable for such a personality, and is actually doing things that help push the story along.