Reviews

Wei Yingluo is a class traitor. Change my mind.

Ok so there are already like 80 reviews for Story of Yanxi Palace so I'm going to concentrate on the power politics of the show. And my god, is it juicy.

First, the class politics of Yanxi Palace was what snagged my interest in the first place (I'll get to the gender politics too, don't worry). Wei Yingluo hits the bottom of the Palace rung very quickly in the story. In most palace dramas, servants are either loyal, obedient and therefore good. Or they're ambitious and put their own survival before their master's and therefore bad. In this case, we follow Wei Yingluo as she rises the ranks but she is neither demonised nor condemned by the storyline in the process.

At one point, she is literally cleaning out chamber pots and dealing with faeces everyday. Yanxi Palace is not afraid to show the ugly and brutal lower end of Palace activities, when most other Palace dramas would only ever let it happen off-screen. But it's here, at her lowest, that Wei Yingluo befriends an equally disgraced eunuch, Yuan Chunwang. Eventually, the two decide to stick by one another and promise to never betray each other.

The first half of the series sees Yingluo forge powerful protectors, even as she lands herself in trouble, and portrays her positively as a maid on a mission for revenge. In most other palace dramas, a servant who defies authority in the way she does would only get a few lines of dialogue before they're taken off to be brutally punished or killed, normally off-screen.

However, Wei Yingluo is individualistic in her ambition. And despite promises made to her confidante, Yuan Chunwang, she makes a bid for power when she finds a strategic opportunity to do so. From this point on, the class politics of Yanxi Palace folds in on itself. Yingluo ends up conforming to the same class system that had sent her to scrub faeces off barrels. She fills in the shoes of a master and plays the part.

Meanwhile, Chunwang supports a failed overthrow of the emperor and loses. He pays the ultimate price and Wei Yingluo never does provide a convincing answer when he declares that she betrayed him first. Of course, Emperor Qianlong's power is never called into question. I think you're just meant to assume he's a good emperor.

And this is where the class politics and gender politics overlap. I like harem dramas because it's all about the power pull-and-push among women who struggle in the most difficult circumstances. Because, at the end of the day, none of them hold absolute power. In the palace, that belongs to the emperor. Before marrying, that absolute power would've presumably resided with their fathers and/or leader of their clans.

So the ending of Yanxi Palace was, for me, infuriating. Yingluo now declares – after admitting many times in the past to be really only in it for the hustle – to love the emperor. Not only is this very hard to believe canonically given the lack of chemistry between the two characters, but also undermines a lot of what Yanxi Palace had going for it.

As I said before, Emperor Qianlong's power isn't really ever critiqued (even with the coup). All the evil consorts, concubines and servants have been duly punished for their deeds, and yet the emperor, despite his sins, goes unscathed. It almost feels like Yingluo has lost because she admits to falling in love with the emperor. All that work she put in to defy the odds over dozens of episodes seems to unravel.

If anything, the only score any of the women get against Qianlong is when the Fuca Rongyin refuses to play the role of Empress by taking her own life. None of Yingluo's backhanded quips compare to this 'f–– you' moment from Fuca who, even if momentarily, pulls the rug from out under Qianlong's feet.

I will finish this off with just a quick point of reference to Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace given it covers the same characters and time period. While Ruyi's Royal Love did poorly on its class positioning (my review on the series goes into that more), what it does do better than Yanxi was appropriately vilify the emperor. It is interesting to see how much Yanxi Palace's depiction of Fuca Rongyin and Ruyi's Royal Love's depiction of Ruyi had in common. Both dramas are tragedies if you read them a certain way.

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I came across this movie because I was bored. I was not in the mood for something boring.
As soon as this movie began, it had my attention.
It's a pretty basic plot that if it were any other movie it'd probably be boring. But this movie had me laughing and going OMG! because of all the antics and trouble that Sophie would get into.
It was so entertaining! I was only 20 min into the movie when I texted my cousin to tell her to watch it.
And then out of nowhere, there's a twist on the basic plot.
It was refreshing.
The characters were amazing. I wish we could've seen more of her friends or even some other supporting characters because they were such rich characters with a lot of potential.
But this is Sophie's Revenge and therefore it revolves around her revenge.
All in all it was a cute, fun, entertaining movie. I'm so glad I stumbled across it. If I could find it, I would totally purchase it.

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When Your world populated by full of powerfull people, to the point your world makes you feel small, your dream seems so BIG and you seems unable to achieve with of what you have, you face real struggle and the weight seems getting heavier each step you take. The obstacle getting bigger and your small body and mind is no longer can handle it. Without knowing, you are looking the light in a dark of a cave , You seeks Opportunity and hope when you face full of pessimism people that almost take you down. Every people need escapism, These student find their escapism in dancesportsgirls, a club which almost getting eliminated in their school Girls commercial due to less people interested in, and getting overlooked by others. In the end, this club is the one who give them the happiness they crave even if it's just for a brief moment, and the little glory that give their hope up. For every reality you face : Money, powerfull and selfish people, pessimism, bad environment. There is Escapism, and someone/something you can rely on as your grip. Shie EUn has it in Dances sport girls club, Great Teacher, Seung Chan. In this worlds is hard to find it. But when you find it, , try and achieve your dream, so might be someday, you will be the one people could rely on, and become their hope among endless array of pessimism.

This drama have great message. Each episode, you will be an awe of each the storyline and the realism the writers put in each character. This is one of many aspect that makes a drama special. There is a lot of writers who seems excel to create a believable and cohesive story, but they lack soul and heart that make a good story become great. This drama has both from the first scene until the last one credit rolling. without giving us useless gimmick, more focus to the overall narrative . . The only aspect I think is lacking is I wish KBS give the writers more episode to give this drama more justice, so some conflicts would be unfold more subtle and believable. But overall, another great project from the writers among her other drama KBS Drama Special. I hope My Favourite writers will get another awsome project from KBS or any TV station despite the low rating this drama got. She is awesome.

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TW;:ABUSE/ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING

First of all this drama disgusts me.The man tricked her into thinking she had to get a transplant and basically manipulated her to be with him. And then made it seem like it was ok like it was just the thing to do. and then towards the end of the drama one of the characters kidnapped her even though she was a pregnant women and constantly threatened her he would grab her by the neck and others and threatened to shoot her with her baby honestly I felt disgusted the whole time and I felt that the people who made this drama took it way too far and honestly wouldn't recommend this to anyone. and then its showing that all men have to do is make someone think that they are sick and force them to marry them and have a baby.He treated her like she was an object and only wanted her for his own benefit and then covered it up by saying that he "LOVED HER" absolutely horrible don't watch this if you are sensitive abuse,manipulation etc

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Once again, instead of sleeping, i can't delay writing a review...
Let me start from the end - it's an absolutely must watch drama. At first I hesitated whether I should watch it or not, because it was a little bit long, but I'm glad that I started watching it and even wished it didn't end so soon.
The story, the music (though there were not that many songs), the acting - everything was just perfect... Shi Yoon and Joo Won did a great job, and how admirable was the child Tak Gu (by the way, I think the child Tak Gu looks like Joo Won and the child Ma Jun looks like Shi Yoon, so they could have switched the actors).
The story captures you, and there is not a single unnecessary scene, everything goes so fluently.
So don't delay it any longer, and start watching... :)

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One of the recurring themes in this drama is how children are different from their parents and how they shouldn't aspire to be exact versions of their parents but should instead carve their own paths. In a way, this could also be applied to the drama itself. Nirvana in Fire is considered by many to be one of the best dramas and with that comes high expectations but also in my opinion, unfair expectations to be another version of its predecessor. What I mean by this is that I've seen people wanting another drama to be led by a highly intelligent character as he methodically matches wits with similarly intelligent characters in the quest to clear his family's name. However, I am for one glad that the writer decided to switch lanes and attempt something entirely different while also touching on themes from the first Nirvana in Fire such as justice, brotherhood and family.

One of the interesting themes this drama examines is the collision between tradition and modernity. It is clear that the times are indeed changing throughout the kingdom and country. Many of the characters that will soon wield a great deal of power are young in age. In response to this, a lot of the adult characters seem reluctant to relinquish their power and do no trust that the youth are equipped to lead. Some of the adult characters even have no issue in manipulating the younger characters for their own personal petty reasons.

On the other hand, you had characters like Pingjing and Feizhan who were free to and encouraged to explore life outside the palace to acquire new knowledge/perspective. Similarly, there's an acknowledgement that women in particular lived harsh lives within the palace. Often, they had their lives set out for them with no say in the manner. Girls as young as 12 were sold and expected to be servants. It is expected that women put their fathers/husbands first and live to serve them. However, there are characters like Qian Xue who is a formidable fighter in her own right and has a husband who accepts that she may be an outlier but loves her all the same. There's also Lin Xi, who has her own aspirations and hopes to make a positive contribution to the world even if it's not ready to accept them from a woman.

Even though I empathized with Mei Changsu, I also liked following the journey of a more "human" character like Pingjing. In the beginning of the drama, we meet Pingjing as he is living his life carefree at Langya Mountain. A world away from what awaits him if he has to follow in his father/brother's footsteps and assumes his role in the Chang Lin Army which is more strict and rigid. It takes him a long time to adjust and he is constantly reprimanded by his father and brother but it's necessary because what he is fighting for is bigger than him. Above all us, I appreciated the fact that Pingjing just wanted the option of being able to choose to live his life the way he wanted to. Much like how the two main characters are strong in their own right but also having overlapping qualities, the two dramas should be appreciated on their own merits. If you go with wherever the wind takes you, especially if it takes you to Chang Lin (sorry), you'll be rewarded with what I consider to be one of the best dramas.

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reliving your first puppy love the period of wooing and flirting

To explain this series short and simple, it feels like reliving your first puppy love the period of wooing and flirting before officially getting together. That is exactly what I Told Sunset About You captures, with the added layer of coming out and discovering your sexuality.

The series moves at a very slow pace, which can be a challenge. I ended up watching it on 2x speed just to get through it. While I understand that the lingering glances, quiet conversations, and subtle touches are meant to carry emotional weight, it sometimes felt too drawn out, almost like watching everything unfold in slow motion.

That said, the story does improve in I Promised You the Moon, where the pacing feels more engaging and the emotional development becomes more compelling.

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Too short with underdeveloped plots and loose ends

Completed - 8/30/2022
First half - 8.0
Second half - 7.0

Makjangs or makjang-like dramas are usually not my kind of genre. I’ve only watched “Sky Castle” so far and I’ve enjoyed it. So I am not sure how makjang-like “Remarriage and Desires” is. I would say that it was very interesting to see what the rich will do to gain power and money through marriages and remarriages. The good and bad thing about this drama is that it’s only 8 episodes long. You don’t need to worry about a draggy plot in the middle, yet you should worry about under-developed plots and loose ends.

I quite enjoy the first half of the drama and would rate it a solid 8.0, but a 7.0 in the second half, especially the ending. There are way too many loose ends that weren’t tied, and everything just magically resolved because the main plotline is completed. I was excited to see Kim Hee Sun again after “Tomorrow” where she was such a cool badass female lead. Unfortunately, I am disappointed in her role and acting.

Since this is a short drama, I’ll forgo my usual long review/ranting and go with quick bullet points of what I like and dislike.

What I Like:
1. High production value - glitzy, sexy, beautiful sets and costumes. Jin Yoo Hee has the most beautiful outfits in this drama. I love the scenes at the masquerade and wanted to see more.
2. Interesting setting with Rex, the high-end matchmaking company for the rich and powerful. It’s interesting to see how they match people up.
3. Jung Eugene (as Jin Yoo Hee) - she is sexy as hell and makes me hate her so much, thus, translates to excellent acting on her part. She is the STAR ⭐️ of the show.
4. I like the theme song - matches the feel and tone of the drama.


What I Don’t Like:
1. Boring and Bland female lead - I was waiting for her to do something more exciting to seek revenge. The whole revenge storyline is not revengeful enough.
2. Aside from being a little younger than the other rich guys, I don’t see the appeal for Lee Hyung Ju.
3. Not enough time to develop a believable romance; no chemistry at all especially from our boring female lead.
4. Many events and conversations were told instead of shown.
5. Ending - too many loose ends and everything just magically resolves. What about the company troubles? Legal troubles? Business partner trying to take over? All goes ‘poof’ just because the main revenge plot is over.

Other Random Observations:
1. Choi Yoon Sun (CEO of Rex) moves and talks so slowly. She gives me an evil and cunning queen vibe.
2. Two male leads have cakey and unflattering make-up. Personally, they are not my kind of handsome.
3. I got cheated by the poster. FL does not give off that vibe at all in the drama.
4. What is up with the ugly wedding dress?

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This is a beautiful drama that ridiculously captured my attention.
Considering it's a clear low budget drama
It is a great web series.
Please don't go into this drama expecting clear crisp A Grade drama standards.
Be warned it is low budget so some parts aren't so great but many are amazingly hilarious.

Actors and Actresses did an amazing job I thoroughly believed their characters and some moments are just so Chinese humour it made me laugh and felt nostalgic as some of the directing style are no longer conveyed in A grade new generation dramas

Some will notice the first season didn't end properly but continuing through the whole three seasons

You will get a cute ending and for some a questioning moment. Remember this is a light hearted drama.

Favourite moments is how Possessive of a lover SuYu is over his "prince" Qingge

QingYun is a typical supporting character.

Music actually goes well with drama.

Costumes/make could be better for a more polished drama but was actually quite great and amazing for a low budget drama.

Love the ng bts at the end of every episode.

Overall I would watch drama again but not immediately.

8/10

Need more dramas like this!

P.S love the episode when Qingge says to SuYu shyly "it hurts"

Hahaha let the imaginations run wild

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This movie is based on true events, and I am not really into sports movie, but this one really is an awesome story!

It is mixed with hilarious scene, a little romance, friendship, overcoming fear and most of all, uniting because of one purpose. It gives lessons in life and sportsmanship.

In every scene going to the end part, it was so intensed that I am always on my toes! it's like watching a favorite basketball or football game where the two teams competing each other was just one point difference!

I learned a few things in this movie about the situation and laws between North and South Korea and I really appreciate it.


I like the pacing, the music, the actors were really good at their characters, there's no dull moments. I cried at the last scene especially when they are showing the "true" pictures of those "real" athletes.
I highly recommend this movie even to those no sports movie fan like me.

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