Story of Kunning Palace

2ND CHANCE AND REDEMPTION

A head strong Jiang Xue Ning (Bai Lu) who would do anything to become an Empress, who manipulated many people to do her bidding to stay in power and control, who died by killing herself of regret in exchange her life for someone else's life. The story of second chance and redemption of Jiang Xuening; to avoid herself get into the palace like her past life as the ambitious Empress. But she couldn't entirely escape from fate that's written to her, shifting her fates and people in the path of redemption. However some things were still end the same like invincible hand stirred to what fate have been. Ning'Er still end up joining the palace as a Princess's study companion and Xie Wei's (Zhang Ling He) student. As a new person, she still handled things with devious strategies to avoid certain fates that got her in trouble in previous life, with different approached she still manipulate people according to her wishes. The old feeling still hunted her to which decision made and wisdom came from. Relationship Xie Wei & Xue Ning were teacher and student, outside the circle they're conspirator.

Xie Wei/Xue Ding Fei (Zhang Ling He)
As the most scary person in Jiang Xue Ning's life - she most afraid and bitter toward him. Crown Prince's teacher and advisor to the Emperor, Xie Wei had every reason to be wary of. He hold most secrets as he's the sole survivor of 20 years old frightening 300 young lost souls originated, a 7 years young Viscount Xue Ding Fei was used to replace for (same age) Crown Prince's life to demanding rebel leader Prince Ping'An. Who knew he survived the massacre and became Prince Ping'An bullet to destroy Qian/Shen royal family, his hatred to his biological father Xue was no bound. His affection for Yan family where his mother was the beloved sister of Duke Yan (Yan Lin's father). This time around, he suffered from PTSD from early age trauma. His main goal was to destroy Xue which aligned with Xue Ning's mission and maneuver palace's politics to achieve goals. So much going on his calculating mind to achieve successful outcomes, he'd happily married Xue Ning and had twin children.

Yan Lin (Zhou Jun Wei)
In this new life Jiang Xuening redeemed her mistake by secretly plans to stop Yan Lin's bloody upcoming-age Crown Ceremony from happening, result of power struggle between 2 influential family Xue & Yan. With Jiang Xuening and Xie Wei's plan, the Yan family's lives were saved although they went exile for wrongful accusation. At point of time when Yan Lin lost his whole family during his coming-to age celebration from Xue and the day knowing Xue Ning rejecting his love. Her betrayal made Yan Lin obsess and furious. When he started to gain power to rebel, Yan Lin determined to make her his woman, but she killed herself to exchange life for a life. Xue Ning was forewarned Yan Lin that her feeling was friendship, none romantic, Yan Lin had to first hand knowing her true feeling to avoid obsession nor hatred as he's falling more deeper in love with her like in their previous life. He'd be a grand general and respected by whole country, Yan family all came back home.

Zhang Zhe ( Wang Xing Yue)
Jiang XueNing most precious person was Zhang Zhe. In previous life she was using him to cover up her many guilt of wrong doing, for the sake of love Zhang Zhe betrayed his conscience to make wrong judgement. He felt unworthy and guilt of the dead of his mother he wrote a letter to Justice Dept to sentence him to death. Xue Ning begged him to forgive himself and blame her instead. Few days before his death sentence, Xue Ning went to Xie Wei for his mercy and kill herself in exchange for his life. Second change, Zhang Zhe being an upright man was indeed love her, they had a chance to have their happy ending together, but his mother eventually died from the same cause and affect him the same guilt so Xue Ning decided to let go remembering how bad Zhang Zhe end up on their previous life. All in all Zhang Zhe assisted Xie Wei, Yan Lin, Xue Ning to reveal the truth of evil-doers Xue family.

Princess Le Yang/Shen Zhi Yi (Liu Xie Ning)
Jiang Xue Ning was her bestfriend, they're study mates. Jiang Xue Ning was successfully change their relationship dynamic into friendship rather as adversary in their previous life, but for sure Xue Ning knew that Princess Le Yang would be sent off to get married with enemy's prince and tragically died. In this life, Xue Ning would rush to save her from fatal outcome. Although she still had a bad marriage, faced abuse and imprisonment, she's finally free to come back home.

You Fang Yin (Melody Tang)
In previous life, she's the faithful attendant/maid to her Empress life, Fang Yin's been through too much during her reign so she felt guilty put her through. So, Jiang Xue Ning saved her from jealous bitter step sister and hateful You family. Xue Ning trusted her with business and independent. She married to a very nice man, handled businesses good, sadly died for loyalty.

Although the drama is heavy in political conflicts and intrigues, twisting fate for different outcomes might also be a little romance at the end. Great script, the intrigue wasn't boring, amazing costumes (everyone looks amazing), great coordination between flash back and new stories, good angle cameramen and directive. Zhang Ling He is great in here, shining in his acting (not convincing enough he's afraid of cat though), he'll have a long acting career. Bai Lu is so so as her usual self, as 27 yo she can't act like 19yo, we've seen her same acting in her other dramas. Zhou Jun Wei is pretty sleek as Yan Lin while Wang Xing Yue has character that's not special, I think he'd be more interesting as (previous life) Zhang Zhe when he broke many etiquette and laws - he'd lots of inner battles and emotion fight in within . Very good drama.

Read More

Good but overhyped

You have a great cast and an intriguing plot, and yet it was harder and harder to get through each episode the longer it went on.

The whole going back in time and redoing things plot device was good at first but its usefulness runs out early on. I honestly forgot about it half way through because it doesnt matter much to the story anymore. Not that it mattered any way since the entire story is a novel the author wants to re-write to have a less tragic outcome for her leads.

Palace intrigue is the focus here. The FL is eager to take herself out of the messy equation but shes drawn in anyway, so she changes her part in it.

The romamce is extreme slow burn. So slow that its hard to believe when it finally happens in the last handful of episodes. The ML clearly likes the FL for quite some time but it feels like the FL is simply giving in and settling because she cant get away from their fate and be with the one she really wantes. By her actions its clear she cares about ML but romantically she's cold and resigned. It was very underwhelming. There are 2 impassioned forced kisses by the ML and 1 consensual bed scene all toward the end.
I suppose it would be more believable that she fell in love with him if there was more screen time between them but there really isnt room for it with the many, many moving parts of all the plots. The story was just too complex with all the schemeing and backstabbing to thread in a satisfying love line.

The end is cute enough to satisfy most romance fans who hold out for all the episodes. At least there is that.

Read More

Reverse Fate | To discover the unnotice feelings of the Insecure (ML) for the Conflicted (FL)

"Not to mention Qin, the world, revenge, nothing in this world can compate to her" - Xie Wei

After looking back and analyzing the whole story, I believe this drama's main theme is "Finding and fulfilling the unnoticed and overlooked love" more than "Reversing life and fate" that most people perceived it is due to how the story was being told.

More so, finishing this drama made me realized that Jiang Xue Ning's journey to relive her life was not only to correct her past mistakes but mainly to discover the feelings of the man truly meant for her. Because her selfish desire and ambition in the past led her astray and made her the evil she has become and the only way to possibly reverse it is being with the man destined for her. Someone that can control and pacify her, in order to keep her from going the same path again.

Additionally, I enjoy the idea of the Main leads trying to rediscover and understand each other's real personality— Xie Wei finding out that JXN remained the same unyielding and compassionate person he unconciously fell in love with and Jiang Xue Ning comprehending XWs true intention and knowing the real reason why he's done the rebellion and all of the events that happened in the past.

In terms of how their love and affection was presented...I would say, I love and hate it at the same time. XWs assertiveness in expressing his love showed both dominance and savagery to me, which I find surprising and shocking even up until now. Those times he grabbed JXN by the neck will never ever sit properly to me. I feel like he's too fierce at times that it seemed like he's forcing himself to her (which is half meant) even when I know that JXN came to like him the more she understand and stay by his side. Nonetheless, that characteristic of his is one of the things I despise the most with other dramas and it feels like the writer is trying to get a way with it using his traumas and sickness which doesn't sit well to me at all no matter how they put it. And love it in the sense that XW is always ready to sacrifice himself for JXN. Like, man! He's too passionate and devoted to her that he's willing to be stabbed and killed by her... What an intense and tough love. I guess I am just glad as well that JXN reciprocated his love at the end because I am so sure he might self-destruct in no time.

Note: This made me recall of the time when JXN remembered XW giving her a knife assuming that it is to kill herself only for her to realize that it might actually given to her for protection and that she may have misunderstood him all those times. Another thing is her dream at the last episode when it is showed that XW trying to kill somebody which I think is, himself...because he's regretful and cannot accept the fact that his loved one killed herself right infront of him with another man in mind.

Love rivalry and Jealousy - I find enjoyment and satisfaction whenever Xie Wei is jealous of Zhang Zhe because he always go all out in throwing attitude all over the place showing his dissatisfaction and unamusement. While being extremely tolerant, understanding and been trying his best not to show jealousy when it comes to Yan Lin. What a double standard! Hahaha! One of my favorite Jealous scenes is on Ep. 33 when he cooked all those aweful tasting yet visually pleasing dishes because he's jealous of Yan Lin eating out with JXN. It's funny but why is he taking it out on the female lead? Seriously that man.

I also just wanna mention how I feel mad that it took them 10 episodes before the 2nd ML/Zhang Zhe finally appeared. I believe we could've gotten more delightful ZZ & JXN moments if he was introduced sooner. But then I kinda understand the reason and intention behind it as well. Because man could jave stolen the show if he's given more screen time than he has. 2nd ML syndrome is strong in this drama!

In addition to the 2nd ML... I do feel bad that he was set up to be emotionally distress when her Mother died because if that didn't occured he could've been the perfect fit for the FL. However, I am also glad that FL got to end up with the ML because I feel like he 'need' her to his life or else he's gonna be lost and caged again in his own traumatic experiences.

Lastly, the Kissing scenes were passionate, intense and sensual. I love how Zhang Ling He seemed to be enjoying every second of their savory kiss to the point where it looks like he's devouring Bai Lu's lips. *Grins*

"There's only victory or defeat in this world. There's no right or wrong." - Xue Shu

Story - 10, I honestly want to rate it lower due to the "Red Flags" I noticed but then, this is a drama after all and I will accept the fact that it's the writers imagination working to make his/her story more flavorful and interesting. The story is nicely written and I wouldn't mind it being a little longer, 38 episodes are inadequate. P.S. I'm glad that they didn't kill Princess Le Yang but I never expect them to kill You Fan Yin!!

Acting/Cast - 9.5, I love the cast and I truly enjoy each one of them. The only thing I have problems with is with Zhang Ling He's facial expressions...I find some of his expressions to be awkward and specially when he trying to act some big emotional (angry, traumatizing and agonizing) scenes. And thank heaves Hu Yun Hao/Emperor Shen Lang's acting improved as time went by because his acting at first wasn't giving/convincing.

Music - 10, I can vouch that all the music used here were good and they were all used accordingly to match the scenes. I also just want to commend the Music Dept/Team for using such 'realistic' sounds whenever they're playing the Qin. I really appreciate them for doing that.

Rewatch Value - 10, I'm not even thinking twice about this drama. Every episode is satisfying and I never really got bored while watching it. Highly recommend!

Overall - 10, I initially wanted to give it a 9.5 because of all the ratings people are giving it. However, I am really the type of person who give dramas I enjoyed and like their deserving mark no matter what other people says. So Here I am giving it a perfect score. Hahaha! Gonna stand on my own judgement and customs.

IF you find my review helpful please let me know.

Read More

The best drama of 2023 for me!

I loved this one! The story drew me in from the get go. And I watched it as it was airing…waiting for each episode to drop. Both the leads were phenomenal, the supporting cast was stellar and the story was gripping. The chemistry between the leads was fire. Zhang Linghe was absolutely swoon worthy with his burning gaze and his barely suppressed jealousy! Just wow. Only gripe I had was with the weird lighting and the odd placement of spotlights which was annoying! Highly recommended if you like a mature and passionate romance between two broken people with trauma!

Read More

A Slow Fall From Grace

Rated= 8 ~ 36.5/50 ~ 7.3
Scene // Mermaid getting lost in the Enchanted Forest. Has no clue how to use Merlin's Staff LOL

I thought this show was going to be my first Unicorn rating. But of course, in those last 10 episodes, everything started to fall like the Xue family. For the most part, the entirety of the show is a back and forth between the FL's love interests and the slow death of the Xue family. I mean, they get a few swings in but really not as much as I thought they would, not as much as they should have considering how much of a presence they had.

Plot - The first 10 episodes had a great setting. The Fl grew up in poverty and dreamed of being the empress. She uses all wiles and tricks to get what she wants only for it all to backfire and end with her death. In a world without magic, this is explained by showcasing the title. It's a young author's story who is frustrated with the demands from her publisher and continues her novel as a rewrite. This is how the FL wakes up as her 18 year old self and is given a chance to 'rewrite' her story.
She carries a lot of guilt and sadness for her past behaviour and this haunts her for the most part of the show, trying to give back the positions she stole and right who she wronged. This narrative carries on for the most but slowly starts to change over to our ML as we discover who he really is and what is true motives are.
The hidden plot is basically the Empress Dowager and her brother have been conspiring to get the Xue family onto the throne and bring in a new era. I can't help but feel a little disappointed that with this iron clad presence, they did not have the weight that I thought they would have. I mean they tried but for the most part, Duke Xue was pretty useless and the kids were stupid.
They were stopped at every attempt they made. I guess that makes for easy watching but it got kind of funny after a while, as the whole show had nothing to do with the FL redeeming herself at all, and was just a slow dismantling of the Xue family's supposed power which we didn't really get to see a lot of.

As the the relationship between the FL and her 3 suitors, one was the childhood friend trope, one was what you expect from a romance story and the other was just a messed up person grappling for something sincere, so of course we get the third one.
It didn't really feel anything for the first suitor but loved that he became a handsome young general in the end and I like to think that he ended up with the Princess. I think they would have made a cute pair.
The 2nd one, as much as a prince charming that he was, he didn't suit the FL's personality. He was never seen to be anything other than the proto type of justice and noble character. Having said that, I did like him and didn't think the FL deserved him. Would have been nice to let him move on and show him doing so rather than just being that friend that's pining after another man's wife.

And the 3rd one, our ML, was doing well up until the cave scene. Desperation in your mental illness is one thing but I felt like from then on, this intense, all or nothing character just wasn't done very well. It didn't feel romantic to me. It just felt like a desperate man with severe PTSD begging the FL to stay in his life, no matter how romantic they tried to make it. At times, it even felt abusive but then I don't like being controlled either so I have a hard time imaging a woman like the FL would fall in love with the ML. It would have made more sense to have given stronger hints and scenes of her feelings developing earlier with the ML, or developing sexual tension to help round out the dark and sexy vibe they were going for, but instead they focused on building up the love with suitor no.2 just so she could randomly break up with him because she suddenly thought his mother's death was her fault, again.

Overall, I just don't feel like the relationship between the ML and the FL was well developed enough. Yes, too broken people with traumatic backgrounds falling in love but this just felt like being relentlessly pursued and then suddenly being in love. It was a bit of a failure and as much as I can give credit for getting away with as much of a sex scene as they could, it gave a similar vibe as to when Mr. Gray was popular. Dark and intense love is not abusive, emotional manipulative and controlling. I don't find that sexy at all. The icing on the cake is grabbing her by the throat twice, to force a kiss. Yeah. No. We were crossing into r*pe fantasies at time and that shouldn't be anyone's thing. Yes, I am kink shaming.
It should not be up to the FL to 'save' the ML and be his medicine. When two broken characters come together, you really have to show the understanding and feelings growing between them and I don't feel satisfied with what I saw.
The ML bullying his son at the end just seemed mean spirited with a does of gaslighting.

Acting- Not bad for the most part. Really didn't like how the ML would try to make his voice deeper when he arguing with the FL as if that made him sexier. It sounded a bit silly to me because I could hear how forced it was.

Music- I really loved the soundtrack to this. 'Won't see you in 3 thousand lives' is already on my playlist.

Rewatch - Overall, it was a good watch and I was invested for most of the ride. I guess I could watch it again if the mood takes me.

Read More

AAAAAGHHHH!!! IT'S A MUST WATCH DRAMA

This drama is an exceptional piece of work, highlighted by its outstanding cast. Each actor brings their character to life with remarkable depth and authenticity, making the story all the more compelling. The performances are so nuanced and emotionally charged that they elevate the drama to new heights, drawing viewers in and keeping them engaged from start to finish. The synergy between the actors enhances the narrative, making it a memorable and impactful experience. This drama excels on multiple fronts.
The storyline is gripping and well-crafted, keeping viewers hooked with its twists and emotional depth. The actors deliver solid performances, bringing their characters to life convincingly. The music complements the narrative perfectly, enhancing the overall atmosphere and adding emotional resonance. Together, these elements create a compelling and immersive experience.

PS: I love Bai lu and her phenomenal acting, I've come to love ML tooo, he's so good with acting as a villain asdfghjkl.....

Read More

I want to fan-girl this dramaaaaa

HOW SHOULD I START!!!

firstly I want to talk about the story!!, the story is well written even if there are some changes, the writers didn’t spoil it !!, the character development of some characters is insane!! like I could relate to their growth of personality, and I didn’t know I will be so intrigued with political conflict? they make it interesting really !!, the story overall is amazing and even if there is some matters didn’t match or explained the plot will make you finish this masterpiece in few days!

Now let’s talk about the CHARACTERS:

Ning’er: to be honest she’s fall first or at least had crush on Xie Wei from their first life 😂, like girl you want to be chocked like hell girl!! “ choke me like you hate me but you love me”, she admired Zhang Zhe , but didn’t really loved him that much bcz she always chooses herself and her comfort, even after she back in time, she still chose her comfort over what her heart or others thinks. Anyway this is not a bad thing really, bcz her second life she balanced this desire and become wiser of what her needs and others needs!!, and what make Xie Wei different is bcz he let her cross her comfort zone and cross her principles sometimes and it is not necessary a bad thing tho, he is the only one who helped her to overcome her past life and live normally.

Xie Wei: to be honest the story is around him not the FL 😂, we only see his story from Ning’er perspective, anyway his personality is confusing as hell ? like he is a villain but not really an ordinary villain? he has a good reasons and good method? like he is a hero using villains tools and that why everyone who knows him well adores and protects him and specially respects him, he didn’y ask help of anyone he is simply attracted the people around him and if they helped him he will return the favor multiple times and if they hurt him of will they best results is dying really 😂, yeah he is using the people around him but also taking care of them 😂, he is a hero using villains tools as I said.

Yan line : best boy I will take him 🥹, for me he is better and greenest flag than Zhang Zhe !! like come on guys … he will die and fight for her and he respects that she’s not in love with him and didn’t bother… and his relationship with his father and his respect to the ML is so admirable really !! he is the Best man on the series!!

Zhang Zhe: our boring grean flag guy .. I love you man but what are you doing becoming depressed after lying ? and do a whole drama about it then accept it 😂??? and yeah u r rightous and all but u know that people have different personalities and you should act according to their personality man … like literally the first encounter with you was beautiful and u did a well scheme to capture the maid … why will you be stupid sometimes 😂yeah he changed and learned that honestly is not always the best choice.. I love you man really , but I don’t know why u irritated me sometimes…

those are the main characters, the other characters were also charming, but I’m getting tired from typing !!

my comfort character is : lu Xian ( the businessman) the best friend of Xie Wei !! he is truly the definition of friendship!!

and 👋🏻 bye bye

Read More

Super slow burn romance...

Romance: 20%
Royal Intrigue/Political Intrigue: 70%
Slice of Life: 10%

This is my 3rd Zhang Linghe drama and I am always amazed of his acting. He gave amazing justice to Xie Wei/Xie Juan's complicated character. This is my 1st Bai Lu drama. Not her fan but I like her acting skills.

Story wise, it was interesting. Xie Wei's character is the most complex character I have encountered in a cdrama. A kid discarded for power, who survived through his intelligence and strategic mind. That was interesting.

Jiang Xuening has a lot of regrets in her past life. She does not need a righteous guy like Zhang Zhe. She really needs a crazy guy like Xie Wei. Their romance is slow burn and frustrating but explosive and worth it, and it's a happy ending which is better than other cdramas with open-ended ending, cliff hanger ending, or sad ending. Not a fan of those endings.

I love her friendship with Yan Lin. Although Yan Lin has feelings for her. Also her friendship with the princess. I love the reconciliation and silent support with her sister Jiang Xuehui.

Highly recommended.

Read More

Fixing the mistakes you made in the past

Best drama ever!!!
At first I was lost how will Ning'er and Xie Wei fall in love with each other since in the FL past life they were most likely enemies and still in her second chance life she was too scared of Xie Wei, I was getting curious to watch it and it was worth watching.

For me it seemed a bit obvious that Xie Wei had already fallen for Ning'er because he was so curious about Ning'er and Yan Li and also Zhang Zhe relationship with her and he was also caring, protecting and following her orders and treating her differently from others when he was her teacher. Even though Zhang Zhe seemed to be the perfect guy for Ning'er but Xie Wei's love for her was too strong to be defeated.

Best couple I wish to see them in another drama still being FL and ML loving each other.
This drama made me forget that they were acting because their love connection on-screen was too great to believe they are real lovers in reality, it also made me wish I had a boyfriend like Xie Wei even though he seemed scary because his jealousy was making me laugh 🤣🤣

Read More