New Life Begins

"New Life Begins" it's a drama about an arranged marriage.
Li Wei is a bright girl that doesn't want to get married, so she tries everything to lose the selection and return to her home, but she ends up being chosen as a concubine to Yin Zheng.

The romance between Li Wei and Yin Zheng is freaking cute, the two go together so well. I love arranged marriage dramas!
Li Wei is so funny, what was the whole process of her thinking that Yin Zheng was dying and even ending up wearing that funeral outfit for him?! HAHAHA'
It seemed like everything was going well, but then there was that cold water with Yin Zheng having to marry Yuan Ying, but in the end it was a positive thing, because Yuan Ying helped both of them and was a great person.

It's a cute, fun, light and easy to watch drama, you won't even notice the time passing. All the characters captivate your attention, not just the main ones and this is one of the great positive points, as there is a concern with showing everyone's stories and it was endless fun to follow this.

We saw Sung Wu grow up, become a woman in love and get married. Hao Jia had her baby and almost lost her life, but managed to escape an abusive marriage. Just like An's concubines, who could no longer bear the torture of being with him, who is too dumb for anyone to handle, and opened a restaurant together with Li Wei and Jing, showing that a woman can do anything and doesn't need to depend on no man to survive. It's okay that in the end they decided to give him a second chance, but they completely changed the dynamics of the relationship.
Yin Qi and Jing have completely different personalities and were forced to get married, but as they lived together they fell in love and stole my heart, I loved seeing these two together <3

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A sweet journey of FL from Concubine to Wife

I am quite impressed with the story as there were a couple of things I didn't expect which happened and vice versa.

The story is not about revenge and does not have story of minglan kinda angst. We have the ML and FL bonding after marriage slowly, the ML was respectful and didn't consumate the marriage at any point in time (after 2+yr). He had to marry the princess of JIN state by imperial pressure. I was really happy to see a character like the princess who was selfless she genuinely cared about the FL and helped her become mature and educated her in running household and business.

The supporting characters like hao jie (FL bf) was really good. I was expecting the betrayal arc to be present but surprisingly it was better instead of backstabbing and jealousy they discussed the issues with each other and provided the necessary support.

As every drama requires a villain in this one it was the Crown prince, who was truly despicable and his tail the fourth prince who did some bad shit but mended and came around in the end. So we can say the bad were punished unlike in other dramas they are just forgiven as if nothing happened.

What more can I say? I feel I have said enough to convince you all to give this one a shot.

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sisterhood

Guys, this series is full of sugar and honey
That means we are at risk of diabetes
Don't miss it, it's a very funny comedy
Surprisingly, the characterization of the characters has been done very well
And every episode that passes, we see the progress of the characters
The main roles that do not need to be defined
Even though they are not real, they seem to be real and come out of the heart of the life of old times, but with the seasoning of advice and morals
A good thing about this series is that you don't get stressed
That is, after three or four beautiful episodes, you will realize that the relationship between the couples of the series is healthy and we don't have any misunderstandings
They don't keep silent and speak their hearts out and solve their problems together!! In the true sense of Hillinge. 😇
The series has a consistent storyline and each story is clarified
But the best and most beautiful feature of the series is the sisterly relationship between the wives of the princes, we don't have naughty girls at all
They all have their own story, it is very enjoyable to see their sisterhood. 😍

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One of the best period dramas

I don't watch C dramas that often but I decided to try this drama after watching a clip on YouTube and I'm so glad I took a chance because it brought so much comfort to me over the last few days.

It was super easy to get into because it starts right off the day the main female lead reaches the palace and ends up meeting the male lead, in a hilarious way. There's one thing you don't need to worry about at all in this drama and that is the ROMANCE, because it was 10/10. It's more of a slow burn, esp. from the female lead side but it's so worth it to watch them grow more closer in their relationship as the show goes on. It felt like a real genuine relationship and sometimes you even feel like you're intruding on them because they just can't stop being cute.

The show really starts to pick up halfway through the drama, but that doesn't mean the first 20 episodes aren't enjoyable. They are comparatively more lighter than the second half and stays focused on world and character building. I was expecting the second half to take the same light route but was pleasantly surprised when the drama even went heavier at times. The episode which explored the post partum depression of Hao Jia was easily the best episode of the show. It was super well done.

The characters are so well written, you even find yourself sympathising with the villains. The female characters esp. are written with so much care and love. Just the fact that there was no jealousy and negativity among them and all they wanted to do was just hangout with each other and gossip like normal girls do. I do wish there was more royal political drama in the show and less on plots like the Nine state delicacies Restaurant plot. But despite that, it's a really solid drama that you can easily binge.

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Woman empowerment and girls supporting girls

I thought I was going to get a feel-good, wholesome family drama. What I actually got was woman empowerment, buckets of tears and heart-ache, interstate and familial politics, and one of the cutest couples ever. Istg this drama made me cry in the most unexpected of time, and the absolute emotional wreck I was in when Hao Jia tried to kill herself. I'm just so glad my girl got to leave that toxic environment and was able to live her own life. Li Wei's character development had to be the best things ever, you wouldn't even recognise her as the girl from the start of the show. Yin Zheng being the biggest green flag ever, and him and the 5th and 3rd prince are my favourite trio of brothers. I needed them three on screen more cuz I just loved their shenanigans. 5th prince and his wife were my second favourite couple, and I was legit rooting for them since the start of the show. I'm a sucker for that kind of dynamic. Especially when the 5th prince kept "protecting" his wife despite knowing he'd fail, and his wife just being so adored by it. I just wish we got to see more of the 7th prince and his wife. Those two need the justice they deserve cuz their shenanigans/ daily lives would have been so interesting to watch.

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An Easy Drama to Watch with girl-power vibes

New Life Begins wasn’t what I expected it to be. It was a very easy drama to watch. Very light on angst and heavy on girl-power vibes.

The things I liked:

Light on angst – there wasn’t any misunderstandings between the main leads nor was there any secrets or hidden agendas. I really liked the friendship vibe they had. From the very moment the leads met, they had a very nice relationship (very innocent and very C drama style).

All the side stories – the cast is very big, I think there are 4-5 side couples? Each one is different and each one has has their advantages and disadvantages.

I prefer the more comical couples that were there to help me laugh out loud and add some comical relief for the moments the drama can be a little intense.

I didn’t care for the abusive couple, but they were there for balance and I appreciated the storyline even though I did start the fast forward their scenes towards the end, it just got a little repetitive.

Girl power storylines – There are several storylines about sisterhood and women lifting each other up. I can see why the drama got high ratings. How nice is to be friends with the person who married your husband. I mean, that storyline was the most refreshing. I liked how the women came together during their struggles instead of tearing each other apart.

The things I didn’t like:

I really didn’t like the costumes. - I found the outfits very dated and a little too colorful in my opinion. After watching Love like Galaxy, I really like the muted colors. To me, it just looks better on camera.

As much as I loved the casting, especially Bai Jing Ting from Reset and You are my Hero. I didn’t feel the chemistry between the two leads. - They were both very pretty to look at and I liked the way they delivered their lines, but I never felt like they were over-the-moon in love each other. To me, their emotions felt all very surface level and at best they acted really well as best friends.

40 episodes is really long – As much as I appreciate the low angst, at times the drama became a little slow and boring. I just felt like there wasn’t enough story arcs and they really dragged out some of the arcs. I think the drama could have been cut down to 30 episodes.

Overall, it’s a very mellow, happy romantic historical piece drama. It’s worth watching just because of the female empowerment.

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Cozy, With Sisterhood Galore

This was lovely. A cozy, warm hug with many endearing characters (particularly the female characters, as this is a slice of life, female empowerment story). Some of the issues and characters are dealt with in a more nuanced manner than others, but the main couple is delightful and watching their growth into love is heartwarming and sweet.

It's definitely a bit on the nose with some stuff, and leans a bit on the side of caricaturing many of the male characters, which is an unfortunate pitfall of many female empowerment stories, but it's trying to make a point through exaggeration, so it didn't bother me too much since this is clearly a fictional world and overemphasizing tropes and cliches for the sake of drawing out a contrast and provoking thought.

I thought the middle was a bit slower than the beginning and end, despite all of it being a solid watch, with an absolutely gorgeous score (beautiful BGMs!). If you get to Episode 12 and want to end it because you're worried about where things are headed, rest assured: everything is resolved satisfyingly for our leads sans a love triangle.

Enjoy the gentle pace and this warm story of friendship, love and the importance of extending human dignity to everyone.

(And make sure to watch the Intro all the way through at least once; it captures the mood of this charming series).

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If you need a mental pick-me-up watch this drama!

I started this drama with 0 expectations on recommendation. I was hooked from episode 1. The first 5 episodes of this drama were so funny they had me laughing out loud so much that I had to keep rewinding because I would miss the next scenes. When Li Wei first met Yin Zheng and thought he was dying soon and prepping all the gifts for him was just comedic gold. Also, this couple pairing is perfect. LW is very independent, sweet and a total foodie. YZ is a genius striving to gain recognition and power in the palace but he is also humble about it, determined to make something of himself based on his own hardwork and honesty. What these two have in common is that kindness is second nature to them and they will always put helping others, especially each other, before helping themselves. They slowly start to depend on each other and become inseparable by the end. Watching these two strong characters fall in love was like watching a piece of artwork come together. YZ definitely fell first but when LW falls she actually explains why to her best friend. She loves doing the simple things with him like eating, reading, daily life etc...it was soooo sweet. They also give you enough romantic treats, such as a kiss by ep8, to make the slow burn worth paying attention to.

Acting:....This is my first time watching Tian Xiwei and I found her acting surprisingly good. She plays cute & silly but not too whiney. And her emotional scenes were heart wrenching when she cried. She's also undeniably and strikingly pretty so I found it ridiculous when they called her plain in the beginning... I don't think Bai Jingting's full talent was on display here but he made the character of YZ come to life and made him more loveable than any other actor could. He also has a nice voice and isn't bad to look at so that helps. Honestly, I find it more impressive sometimes when the two leads don't seem to like each other off camera, but are still able to create strong and convincing chemistry on screen. When watching the BTS you can tell they are comfortable and friendly with each other but they keep their interactions professional. There doesn't seem to be any BTS attraction or extra playfulness going on between them like you can observe with a lot of other BTS from other dramas.

Side characters:....This show is considered in the "feel-good, lighthearted, disney-ish" categories. There are no real love rivals for either the FL or ML, which is refreshing. Also there are many, many supporting characters of which none are really more important than the others but all still pretty loveable. All of LW's girls are awesome, especially Shan Guan Jing, Dong Hai Tang and Yuan Ying. Yes, Yuan Ying does come in as a potential issue for the main CP but they squash that immediately. As for the men the 3rd & 5th lord are both ridiculous people but sooo hilarious. In the end their sincerity and care towards their brother and their wives does make you love them. But my absolute favorite has to be Su Shen. He's not just YZ's butler but he's also like his parent and his number#1 fan. But this man is the definition of funny without trying to be. In some scenes he doesn't even need to be talking and I found myself laughing at his expressions and antics.

Main plot:...YZ's fight to climb the political ladder and LW's fight for women's rights are the main focuses of this story. Their goals often intertwine and bring them closer in the end. Both of these plots were both interesting enough but I could really care less about the women opening a restaurant together or YZ creating new currency. That got a bit draggy. But other than that I still do support the themes and there was justice for everyone in the end. The main villain is the 2nd lord and YZ's older brother. He is sexist, greedy and has no conscience. He's also really dumb and gets outsmarted by YZ, his own wife and his concubine constantly. He gets what he deserves in the end, which you could easily predict given his stupidity and predictability. As far as villains go, he's not the greatest or most memorable but it works for a light-hearted drama like this.

Overall, this drama is worth rewatching because it just makes you happy inside, which is more credit to the actors/actresses than the story but who cares. Also the visuals are stunning from the costumes, setting and the food looks delicious. SPOILER>>>there is a VERY happy ending and that made me VERY happy.

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Cozy, charming… and a little too busy for its own romance

I’m late to the party — but I finally got around to watching New Life Begins, a drama that had been sitting patiently on my “plan to watch” list since 2022. And you know what? I’m glad I did. If you’re craving a historical drama that lifts your spirits instead of dragging you through the mud, New Life Begins seems at first like a perfect fit — charming, lighthearted, and warm in all the right places. And to be fair, it does deliver plenty of those cozy, positive vibes. But it also stumbles in ways that keep it from being as satisfying as it could have been, especially if you’re here for romance first.

The opening stretch is delightful. There’s a simplicity and slice-of-life rhythm to the drama that makes it comforting — shared meals, seasonal shifts, moments of humor and everyday living. Add to that a refreshing emphasis on female solidarity: women supporting each other instead of tearing each other down for male attention. That aspect felt fresh, hopeful, and genuinely uplifting. Watching friendships blossom and sisterhood take center stage was one of the drama’s brightest strengths.

But here’s the catch: the central romance — supposedly the beating heart of the story — slowly gets pushed aside. What begins as a sweet, steady, and authentic relationship between Li Wei and Yin Zheng ends up feeling almost accessory, drowned out by side plots and the “girls power” agenda. At times, it felt less like a rom-com and more like a thematically scripted statement piece, where the love story was politely told to wait in the corner. For a drama billed as romance, that sidelining left me disappointed.

The lack of nuance in most of the male characters makes this imbalance even more obvious. Outside of Yin Zheng, who is empathetic, emotionnally intelligent, and beautifully played by Bai Jingting, the male cast is painted with embarrassingly broad strokes — hapless, useless, comical, or simply obstacles. On paper, this was probably meant to heighten the women’s empowerment, but in practice it undercut the message. True empowerment shines more when it coexists with nuance and balance, not when the “other side” is reduced to caricature. Instead of elevating the story, the flat portrayals of men cheapened it, making the intended message feel thinner and less impactful.

That imbalance trickled into the romantic subplots too. While Li Wei and Yin Zheng’s relationship initially felt grounded and believable, several other pairings lacked credibility or emotional weight — leaning on clichés more than real character development. Some of them left me scratching my head, wondering how these people were supposed to make sense together.
And then there’s the pacing. With forty episodes, the drama inevitably bloats. Secondary arcs stretch far too long, court politics and sibling quarrels repeat themselves, and attention drifts. Combine that with the sidelined main romance, and you’re left with a drama that sometimes forgets its own strengths.

That said, I don’t want to undersell what New Life Begins does well. When it leans into warmth, everyday joys, and small but meaningful growth, it shines. Li Wei’s journey is relatable — spirited, flawed, and human — and her bond with Yin Zheng, when the drama remembers to show it, is genuinely sweet and steady. There’s a lot to love if you’re patient, and if you appreciate female friendships as much as romantic ones.

For me, this lands somewhere between 7.5 and 8.5 out of 10, depending on how much tolerance you have for caricatured male roles or the slower pacing. Personally, I lean toward the higher end, because the warmth and positivity stayed with me long after the credits rolled. The charm, the sisterhood, and the cozy atmosphere are real strengths, but the sidelined romance and lack of male character nuance weigh it down more than they should. Would I recommend it? Yes — but with caveats. If you’re looking for a feel-good ancient slice-of-life with a strong dose of female solidarity, you’ll probably enjoy it. If you’re in it primarily for romance, be prepared: the heart you came for might feel like it’s beating quietly in the background while the drama pushes a louder agenda to the front.

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Comedy and satire around a feudal chauvinistic society

In this drama, you would meet eight princes of different characters. This drama was apparently based on a novel with a theme of time travel back to the Qing dynasty. If you had followed Chinese dramas closely, you might know that one of the most famous events in the Qing dynasty was the fight for the throne of the eight princes during the reign of Emperor KangXi.

This drama was however based on a fictitious kingdom call XinChuan with four other feudal states and the eventual winner was not the fourth prince. The story started with a selection of brides brought in from these states. The bridal candidates came from different backgrounds and with different objectives. These states had different attitudes towards the status of women in society - from the most backwardly chauvinistic like that of the Qing Dynasty to the most liberal where a female monarch reigns and women could be warriors.

Hao Jia, daughter of a concubine of a noble family, wanted to become the concubine of the Crown Prince as he was going to be the next king. She wanted prestige and power, and scheme to avoid the fate of becoming selected for the fifth prince, Yin Qi known to be a useless bum.

Li Wei on the other hand worked very hard not to be selected so she could returned home. She came from a humble family and tried to sell herself short. She introduced herself as a connoisseur of foods. She was not favoured of course and it looked like her feudal state was going to be short of someone in matrimonial alliance to XinChuan.

Unfortunately for Li Wei, one of the princes stepped up and volunteered to marry her. This prince was talented but unfavoured and lay low most of the time. He decided it was time to emerge from obscurity. She became the pawn for him get the attention of the King.

Each of the different marriages would have different dynamics. Each of the different brides struggled to adapt to their new environment and met different fate. Also, inevitably, fight for the throne ensued.

Comedies come with clowns. This drama presented two: the third prince who had an elevated opinion of himself and thought that the world revolved around him, and a chauvinistic clueless fifth prince who married a female warrior. Then there was the Crown Prince who harboured an inferior complex and took it out on people around him to show who was in-charge.

Overall, I think this is a very entertaining drama.

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Enough of everything, enjoyed it❤️

A good historical romance series ❤️

Everything was great, only reason for 8.5 rating is that the cheesy moments were so much that it was cringe at times. I understand that the main take away, which I feel the writer wanted to bring across, is of a New beginning, i.e. changes that are made for a better life.

All actors did a great job of portraying their respective characters and enjoyed the different personalities of the princes (the good ones). The angst and court policies were needed especially with the cheesy parts, but would have been better if there were a titbit more.

Enjoyed the OST.

Won't necessarily rewatch but perhaps my absolute favorite moments of Prince Yin Qi and princess Shan Guang Jing, really enjoyed the interactions between them and it would have been absolutely boring if it was not included along with Prince An's stupidness.

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