One and Only

These are Chinese historical dramas which also made sequels set in modern days. Both contains two parts.

Both are melancholy historical dramas with a master ML/disciple FL who are not allowed to be together and power struggles within the palace. Both dramas have a sad ending that is "fixed" in some way by a sequel (BCTSAL has a movie and OAO has a sequel series).

Both are tragic historical dramas in which the main couple can't be together and are constantly entangled with the schemes and politics of the palace. Both have an obsessed SML who wants both the throne and the FL. In the end, the ML dies and the FL commits suicide or wills herself to die of her illness in order to join him.

Both are historical dramas with the leads trapped between forbidden love and the schemes/politics of the court. Both have a palace setting, a creepy dowager empress who preys on much younger men, and an obsessed SML who wants both the throne and the FL. UL ends happily, OAO ends tragically.

Both dramas have a younger woman and a more older male mentor. In both, the romance is forbidden, ill-fated and is full of yearning.

The Rise of Phoenixes however is beautifully produced, has wonderfully complex and interesting politics. It's also romance at a distance but has lots more quality interactions between the male and female leads.