Wow, that got me. In one word - beauty.
Impressions? Feelings? Experiences? Strong, deep, unforgettable. I've been looking forward to this series for a long time, but I didn't expect it to interest me like this. I swallowed one part after another and could not tear myself away from it. Cast, great music, but above all a wonderful, incredibly strong story, under the pressure of which I could not stand up, no matter how hard I tried. The biggest rush of emotions I've ever experienced while watching a movie.Plot, effects, camera, music, actors, jokes, chemistry, serious moments, everything works perfectly. I would rank it among the top dramas I've seen so far.
Do I recommend watching the drama? Certainly yes. - it was simply amazing!
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THE BEST HISTORICAL DRAMA THIS YEAR!
Hands down “Story of Kunning Palace” is the best historical cdrama this year!!Story:
The story is different from the other cdramas around: this time we have an anti-hero, Jiang Xuening, going back time to fix her mistakes that led to her death. She’s a complex character that did many bad things in the past but gradually you’ll love her so much more.
Then we have Xie Wei, who is personally my fav character in the drama. He has such a complex personality and soul, he’s so cunning, so smart and he always knows what’s gonna be his next step. He has the power of the world in his head. But keep in mind that he’s not an hero. He’s truly dark.
There are many other characters that you’ll completely love or hate. But each one of them has their own story and their own path. No one is left behind in the story. Everything is connected perfectly like some pieces of a puzzle. I’m so satisfied with how the story develops and continues. No black holes, no questionable moments in terms of the narration, no WTF?! or boring moments.
It’s truly a consistent, full of twists and coherent story. I’m truly mesmerised by the writing. They did such an excellent job in describing each character and each storyline.
Acting/Cast:
The cast was perfect and Bai Lu is truly THE gem of this drama. Her acting is on point, she’s emotional, heartless and cunning. Zhang Linghe did such a good job in portraying such a complex and dark character like Xie Wei and I personally loved the fact that this was the first time he dubbed his own parts with his voice. Especially in the second half of the drama we can perceive their talents and also their chemistry which is top-notch. These two look perfect together and I totally need to see them again in another drama, maybe a modern one. All the other actors did a good job too!! Zhang Zhe is truly talented, same for the princess and Xue Shu, who’s such a terrific villain. I loved all of them, truly.
This is a MUST watch and, for the first time for a cdrama, I could rewatch it over and over again. It’s perfect, believe me.
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While the setup is nothing new, the drama manages what I feel is a rarity these days in Chinese drama land - sustaining my rapt attention for the full 38 episodes. The script wisely stays focused on the story and characters - balancing the political storylines with the slow burn romance that is allowed to develop organically, without anyone acting out of character just to create a sense of forced drama or romance. The supporting characters are given time to develop as well and actually add to the overall story. They support our male and female lead in their journey of finding their true selves and each other.
What prevents me from giving this a 10 is the often heavy-handedness of the direction - blinding lighting, distracting camerawork and odd framing of shots give an overall unpolished look. There is a tendency to make things a bit over the top, but these are small quibbles and a matter of taste ultimately. The cast overall do a solid job - I am most impressed with Wang Xing Yue. Despite his young age, he is able to hold his own in a very stoic role.
This is a great one to binge and re-watch. It's not meant to be an artsy, profound expose on life, death, fate vs self determination, etc. It's just great fun to watch.
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This review may contain spoilers
Is somebody gonna match my freak? -> Not 100% in this drama
STORY OF KUNNING PALACE has all the tropes that I should love, but somewhere along the way it got me scratching my head @ the execution. Usually I do a pros/cons list in my review, but I find that for every pro or con, I have a "BUT" attached. At the end of the day, I enjoyed this show BUT found a decent amount of faults that knocked down my rating from a solid 8/10. I think the (surprisingly) happy ending would be the only thing that pushes the rating up.Nonetheless, if these themes call to you then I think you will also enjoy this show:
- Interesting court intrigue that is easy to follow and not too complex
- Second chance at life to turn wrongs into rights
- Love triangle/square where the girl chooses the "bad boy" over the "boy next door" and "nice guy"
- Good mix of likeable and hateable characters in the midst of the palace drama
❀ The introduction promised so much
Immediately we are met with a rebellion scene and the FL having so many regrets about using people in her lifetime to become empress. She k*lls herself and goes back in time to when she was 18 years old, vowing to correct all the wrongs she did in her previous life to rights. It's more "second chance rebirth" than "revenge rebirth," and it's satisfying to see the FL use her past memory to buy silk and raise money, avoid the chance of war, and ultimately save the people around her. BUT -- this plot disappears after the ep 20ish mark. When it becomes more court politics-driven, the FL's intelligence and character takes a step back as we focus on the ML. Other than key moments that the FL had, she's literally just following the Good Guy Team around like a tail. I understand that most historical dramas emphasize the court politics towards the end, but at least other FL's are kept busy (running a business, fighting a war, playing dead to name a few roles). Instead I feel like the FL was just hanging around for a good time which was a waste of her originally proactive and smart character. Also she never gave me "ruthless empress" vibes even though her whole background narrative was using others to rise to the top.
❀ ROMANCE DIDN'T MATCH MY FREAKKKkk
Y'all I was fully expecting a yandere, morally gray ML that you can't help but love despite his character flaws. While the ML is possessive and has a dark aura due to his PTSD and past, he was actually pretty chill. I know people are divided on the toxic romance and his red flag tendencies but y'all have never read a Cnovel have you. ಥ_ಥ Like Xie Wei is cute compared to the crazies in Cnovels and manhwas out there LOL.
Again, I liked the romance set-up of the FL going through various men in her life (repaying debts from the past life) before ending with the man who had been there since the beginning: the ML Xie Wei. BUT -- the show decided to put equal attention to each men which at the end of the day made for superficial relationships amongst them all. And then they added those fanservice kisses post ep 30 to make up for that lol. Seriously! Even in LOVE LIKE THE GALAXY where there were several male love interests, the FL's first fiance lasted up a bit after ep 20ish and then the show spends the next 30+ episodes focusing on her romance with the actual ML. In STORY OF KUNNING PALACE, the 3rd ML (Yan Lin) is in the background (even though she rejects him early on) until ep 10ish, which is when the 2nd ML (Zhang Zhe) shows up. Then she's interested in him until ep 24, where she decides to push him away so that he can focus on himself and his future. While the ML is always there from the beginning, offering advice, support, and rescue, their actual romantic relationship doesn't progress until like ep 31. I just feel like the show was ALMOSTTT there in making an amazing slow-burn, angst-filled triangle. But I just never felt the romantic intent from the FL until much later on. I love a pining ML but I would have also appreciated some exploration of the FL's feelings for him before the actual romantic bit. The most we get is that she trusts him, fears him, and respects their student-teacher relationship. Superficially though, I did enjoy all the male leads hehe.
3rd ML: boy next door who's your bubbly, sportsy childhood friend (he's a general and his character was literally holding the show's action scenes on his back).
2nd ML: nice guy who stays true to the law and his values (he helped the FL a lot in the first timeline despite her being "evil" which made her have a lot of regrets towards him)
1st ML: broken bad boy with tragic past who would bend over backwards to make the FL happy. The drama tried to show him as being healed from his traumas at the end but we aren't really given an explanation except for the power of the FL's love. Again, that's fine superficially BUT I really didn't feel the moral grayness from him since the beginning. Even though he was raised among the rebels, he was GOOD to his core. And even though his schemes didn't follow the law 100%, it was for the GREATER GOOD. There was one point where he was willing to sacrifice Zhang Zhe but didn't because the FL was there. Like see??? He a good guy through and through. His methods may be unorthodox but the results were giving hero that saves the day. Red flag who?
I feel like people who see their pair as a toxic romance don't like his manhandling (grabbing her by the throat, nonconsensual kiss) and pressure on making the FL see him the way he sees her. I attribute it to lackluster writing. Like I said, we just don't have a lot of time to develop their relationship by the time the writers remembered they needed to address this romance bit. By ep 31 there are multipleee characters asking the FL how she thought of the ML. Ofc they had to rush the script!! Miss girl barely even figured out her feelings about the rebirth/saving everyone (at one point she literally wanted to run away and was flip-flopping between saving people and running away lol), much less her feelings about this ML that she thought pushed her to her death in the first life. So, I get her initial hesitation which to other watchers might look like an unwillingness to be in the relationship. I just feel like with extra time and exposition, she could have come to her own conclusion about her feelings instead of using external forces to push her there.
❀ Pretty satisfying court schemes
The show keeps them simple while keeping viewers' interests. Most of the time it's the baddies getting thwarted by the main characters with mid-high stakes. There's both court politics and harem politics, which keeps the momentum going. BUT -- I started to lose interest around the ep 20 mark when I realized that we were going to rinse and repeat the same scenes: baddies (Xue family) try something bad, the main leads (mostly ML) foil their plans, and then the baddies tone it down a little before doing it all over again. I thought we would get more nuance with Pingnan in the picture as well, but his schemes were tossed aside within a few episodes. For a father-like figure and savior to the ML, I certainly didn't feel like his character got the attention and writing it deserved. Also I can't keep count of how many times the dialogue emphasized "Xue vs Yan" family like we haven't been watching the show from the get-go. Despite my complaints though, I still enjoyed watching all the scheming and knowing that the ML would be there to save the day.
❀ In terms of production...
I liked the cinematography and how the music leaned towards the melodramatic/twisted side. The acting was great from all the main actors with special mentions to Bailu and Zhang Linghe's crying scenes. BUT -- I was not living for the opening theme and overdramatic editing. Instead of having just music in the opening theme, they add Jiang Xuening's voiceover and it's just so over-the-top, cheesy, and borderline cringe. Like girl... this ain't cute. Also this isn't a revenge drama but the opening setup tries to give that vibe which is just Too Much (TM). As for the editing - I didn't expect to see Bollywood effects in a Chinese drama lol. There's epic zoom in's, frames that are doing 360 spins, and even echoes to the character's line. I'm not gonna lie, every time Xie Wei had some dramatic, emphatic line that ended with an echo I just got pulled SO out of the watching experience. It just felt so fake and over-the-top.
✕ Misunderstanding level: 4/10
FL was scared of giving into her feelings for the ML because she thought he "forced" her death in the first life. Also every time he did something for her - especially towards the beginning - she was too dense to notice it. So much for cunning empress who got reborn!! Damn girl.
OVERALL
I just feel like I came in with high expectations and the promise of something that was never fully delivered. I would say it was 75% of the way there, which matches my rating. It *checked* all the right boxes, but I guess they weren't *fully* checked at the end of the day. Both FL and ML didn't match my freak. Still an enjoyable watch though that is among the better historical Cdramas out there!
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Immersive Narratives and Flawless Portrayals: 'Story of Kunning Palace' Delivers
What struck me most about the series was the undeniable chemistry between the main leads, creating a captivating dynamic that held my attention from start to finish.Zhang Ling He's portrayal of Xie Wei was nothing short of phenomenal. His ability to convey the complexity of his character, from childhood trauma to the intricacies of mental health issues, was done with a finesse that left a lasting impression. His eyes, in particular, became a powerful tool in expressing the depths of a man in love. Bai Lu, as the female lead, equally delivered a commendable performance, carrying herself with grace and skill throughout the series.
The storyline itself was a rollercoaster of emotions, with each episode presenting something new and intriguing. I found myself hooked, eagerly anticipating the next twist or revelation. It's rare to come across a show that keeps you engaged at every turn, and "Story of Kunning Palace" achieved just that.While the editing could have been polished in certain scenes, the compelling narrative and stellar performances by the cast overshadowed any minor shortcomings.
The power-packed storytelling and the actors' prowess managed to seamlessly compensate for any editing hiccups, ensuring a consistently enthralling viewing experience.In my opinion, "Story of Kunning Palace" stands out as one of the best dramas of 2023. The recommendation for this series as a must-watch is resounding. The thought of these talented actors gracing the screen together again is enticing, and I can't help but express a desire to see them in a modern drama, exploring a different setting and dynamic.
"Story of Kunning Palace" is a triumph in storytelling, character development, and on-screen chemistry. It has certainly set a high standard for dramas in 2023, leaving viewers like me eagerly anticipating future projects from the brilliant cast and crew.
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Been a while since I watched a smart female lead drama like this
This drama was why I renewed my iqiyi premium subscription. My kind of drama, a smart male lead, a smart female lead with a no-nonsense wit that knows how to scheme and give back to bullies. Been on a drama drought for awhile now but this drama gave me back the will to watch a drama. Good casts with good story and beautiful costumes. A very, very satisfied watch for me. If WY from story of yanxi place had a sister andi also considered ML from the story of Ming Lan as well, JN of SOKP would have been her sister although it's a different period and era but it's how I see it especially seeing how smart she is.Was this review helpful to you?
Beautiful and engaging masterpiece of drama
Absolutely the best drama I have seen in every aspect:- perfect pacing
- interesting and engaging plots
- excellent acting
- great chemistry between two main leads
- amazing delivery of the complex character (XW) by the actor
- all the actors/actresses did great job, they all suited their roles
- the ending is very satisfacory and makes the journey of 38 episodes that more precious and worth it
- the music is beautiful and suits the drama so well
- the actions scenes all look very well
This is the very first time the entire show stole my heart.
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This bustling world is a battlefield!! Suspence, angst, romance, scheme all in one….
This is one of the best Chinese historical drama I’ve ever seen!!! Just right amount of sumspense, perfect angst and like a cherry on top the slow burning deep romance, everything is perfect for me. Though I’m new at writing reviews but I am a veteran drama watcher. I’m watching k-drama and c-dramas for last 9 years. But basically got attracted to historical, political c-dramas just recently. And what a masterpiece it was!!!!! And if I start writing about the amazing casts I will be blabbering whole night! Bai Lu can initiate chemistry even with a block of ice and here she got my personal favorite Zhang Linghe…who is equally good looking and got a talent for acting!!! Surprisingly both the leads don’t come from entertainment background, but they proved that talent can be anywhere. Loved their morally grey character and yes, they may not be best as human beings but they are perfect for each other!! And the character XW, it was really tough to portray this kind of character…he is a double spy!!! And for some reason I really like smart leads in a drama rather than air-headed ones, specially the FLs. So this drama was so in tune with me and I enjoyed every moment. Not a single second I felt that should skip this part. So my advice will be even if anyone feels bored with first few episodes please try to continue. You won’t be disappointed….Was this review helpful to you?
Chosen as a Top Chinese Drama for 2023
Chosen as a Top Chinese Drama for 2023The drama is great. Justifiably ranks high among my favorite dramas of the year.
I suggest you be patient and focus on the plot since it moves slowly at first. It becomes more and more addicting the more you watch.
The action sequences in this play are enjoyable, despite the editing issues. The Shangqing Temple and the jail sequences in episode 20 are very breathtaking.
Zhang Linghe and Bai Lu have fantastic chemistry. Their flawless performances elevate this drama to a whole new level.
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This review may contain spoilers
A "Dream" Not for the Faint Hearted
As a novel fan anticipating this drama, and waiting out those extra months for SoKP to air, I was worried at various points that this adaptation won't meet viewers' expectations. And whilst I felt that it started a tad slow, the momentum picked up and soon turned into a wild rollercoaster ride.This isn't your typical palace love story. Therefore, you need to be ready for the heart-tugging tears, the constant bloodshed and the playing of your emotions as if you were a Chinese zither in Xie Wei's hands. Add in political palace intrigues and you have a story that keeps you wanting to watch on.
The storyline was always going to be solid. What took it to another level was the cast and their perfect articulation of their characters. Zhang Linghe's Xie Wei is a dark character that screams red flags, but you can't help rooting for him and Bai Lu's Jiang Xuening. They share so much in common and in essence, need each other to heal, to complete each other's lives.
A special mention needs to go to Wang Xinyue's Zhang Zhe. For the first half of the show, I wished that it would be a happy ending for him with JXN, all the whilst knowing it wouldn't be. I am hoping for a third collaboration between him and BL, where he finally gets the girl!
And most importantly, after so many c-drama's awful endings, SoKP gives us the perfect wrap-up. XW and his interactions with his children are one of the cutest scenes in C-drama history.
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absolute ROLLERCOASTER of emotions. love it
Such such a good show i'm actually so sad it's finished I wished I could've seen more of Ning Er and Xie Wei together. Absolutely AMAZING acting, I'm not even gonna lie originally I thought Zhang Linghe was justt a hottie and not all that skilled in acting but...boyyy am I SO wrong. Bro is TALENTED and he can seriously act. Zhang Linghe portrayed xie wei so amazing literally every emotion was conveyed so brilliantly through his eyes.....and lowkkk I love it when he has the crazy eyes 🤭. Bai lu never fails like u know girl will always come in clutch w her acting that's without a doubt. And the chemistry OMG, main leads chemistry is actually insane this shi needs to be studied. anywayy Side characters all did amazing too and the villains... well they sure are good at being villainy I'll say.ANYWAYSS, highly recommend a watch do NOT miss out on this top TOP notch drama soo good I promise u will love, however get some tissues ready bc this is a rollercoaster, but a brilliant and thrilling rollercoaster.
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