My dear, let's live a happy life without regrets.
This is a story that is truly unique and unparalleled. A story that is close to realism, not bound in a traditional "we can do this with the power of our love and unlimited resources of solution because I got power." This is a true realization that everyone has limitations, especially the leads. Everyone has a person to protect; hence, you will not expect to throw it away just because you have feelings for someone.Everyone did a great job, especially Chen Du Ling as Han Yan. Even though everyone is criticizing Yun Xi, for me , he did a great job. Remember, guys, he has many problems to deal with. You expect him to be a Prince Charming without flaws? What a joke... He was a mortal that had a limited number of resources and a family to protect.
Overall, this was a truly magnificent drama, which deserves praise. They wrapped it up nicely, and I do not have any complaints.
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Just the way I like my dramas
This drama is exactly how I like my dramas, it leaves breadcrumbs for one to follow, instead of dumping the entire plot in the first 10 episodes, leaving us reeling and then using the next twenty hours for filler scenes and shenanigans that leave one stroking beards and wondering if they're still watching the same drama (hence why I'm watching more vertical dramas these days 😂)It's clear the budget was well distributed out in the drama, from shooting equipment, to costume, location and actors. Everyone understands their assignment.
This story is solid, but it's not the usual girlboss-feminist message, it's about the journey of these characters, each of them just trying to survive the best way they can.
Be it a happy or sad ending (we're at episode 20 rn), there'll be no final winner in this story.
This drama will definitely make it to my top three this year. It's a good show.
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Ruan. Xiwen is it!
I haven't had a character be this captivating in a long time!! She was my favorite character her story, her sadness, her tenacity all around very well told. Well done to the actress, she was utterly riveting, her voice, facial expression and angst so so good I cried many times with her.I liked the drama overall, But there was a difference when *ahem* a certain character left ... by the end they ran out of steam, the characters lost their zest and I lost interest fairly quickly and skipped (about 8-9 eps) right to end and didn't feel like I missed much. I could tell what was going to happen and sure enough it did. The Lead actor was too stiff for me and the chemistry was mediocre.
It's a decent watch, especially the early parts with Xiwen! watch it for her performance
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A Tale of Strong Leads and Unpredictable Twists
The story follows Zhuang Han Yan, who was sent to a fishing village as a baby after being blamed for the loss of her mother's legs and grandfather's death. Raised by abusive foster parents, she kills them in self-defense when her foster father attempts to assault her. Returning to the capital, she seeks refuge with her biological family but is interrogated by Fu Yun Xi, who sees through her lies but chooses not to act against her. It's revealed they were once betrothed at birth, but after she was sent away, her sister took her place and died mysteriously, leaving Fu Yun Xi a widower with a young daughter.Fu Yun Xi is cold and ruthless in his duties, but never abusive. His strategic mind always keeps him ahead of his enemies. As they navigate challenges together, their slowly blossoming romance adds another layer to the story. Fu Yun Xi admires Zhuang Han Yan’s resilience, intelligence, and composure, qualities that make her strong enough to stand beside him despite the dangers he faces. Unlike his first wife, who was too kind, Zhuang Han Yan is strategic and unshakable, earning Fu Yun Xi’s protection and support.
While the two lead actors occasionally struggle with delivering certain emotions or showcasing depth in their performances, the compelling story itself helps elevate their characters, saving them from being uninteresting.
The production quality is excellent, from the visuals and costumes to the set design.
However, the supporting characters are largely one-dimensional, falling into familiar costume drama clichés. The mother-in-law is manipulative and scheming, while the half-sister and half-brother are spoiled and mean-spirited. The servants follow similar patterns.
The exception is the parents, whose layers are gradually revealed over time, leading to some shocking twists (though I’ll refrain from mentioning any to avoid spoilers).
Overall, the drama's most compelling aspect is its story, driven by the two central characters' chemistry and the unfolding mysteries surrounding Zhuang Han Yan’s family and the court intrigues. Without giving too much away, I'll say that while the first arc (the first 10 episodes) is fairly straightforward, the second arc truly picks up and delivers some surprising twists that left me shocked.
If you enjoy historical dramas featuring strong leads, dramatic intrigue, and plenty of hardship, this one is definitely worth watching.
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You know how sometimes you want to love a c-drama so much…
Well that was me with this one.To be fair the first 8 episodes I was into it, the costumes were great and the story - interesting - although highly derivative, I mean it reminded me of Love like the galaxy from the get go; but I persisted because I liked the FL.
Even though there were red flags about the quality of the writing all over the place. And the ML’s face seemed to be stuck in a singularly blank expression, no matter what the scene.
Also why was every other guy in the drama better looking than the ML?🤔
After episode 8 the storyline just descends into incomprehensibility. But like an oncoming train wreck I can’t take my eyes off it and I am too invested in the chaos to not see this thing through to the end. I just need to see where it’s going to wind up, although I suspect I will be a lot dumber by that time 🥺
If this is the best that Chinese drama land has to offer for 2025 then gods save us all! 2024’s offerings were so bad I had high hopes for this year, only to have them dashed repeatly on the shores of terrible dramas,
The Glory is unbearably bad on too many levels. The only redeeming factors are the cinematography and the wardrobe, which is sad because the scriptwriting, the casting and the acting and the things that generally should carry a drama forward but in this case they caused it’s failure.
How on earth this drama is leading in all the main viewing polls is beyond me.
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THE GLORY in all its glory
The Glory is a captivating Chinese drama that skillfully weaves themes of revenge, suspense, and personal justice. Unlike many historical dramas, it does not dwell on romance but instead keeps its focus on unraveling secrets, maintaining a gripping storyline from start to finish. Like The Double, it never strays from its central revenge plot, ensuring an intense and immersive viewing experience.The drama is relentless in its execution, offering suspense and thrill without unnecessary distractions, making every revelation all the more impactful. One of the strongest aspects of The Glory is its portrayal of female solidarity. The drama highlights how women, despite occasional conflicts, ultimately stand together and support one another. Han Yan is a prime example of a noblewoman who seeks to protect rather than destroy, making her a compelling protagonist who challenges conventional revenge drama tropes. Her ability to navigate a ruthless world without sacrificing her principles is one of the drama’s most admirable aspects.
The relationship between Han Yan and her mother is one of the most emotionally charged aspects of the drama. The pain of separation, the struggle of loss, and the complex layers of love and misunderstanding make their bond deeply moving. Han Yan’s mother, though appearing to push her daughter away and even claiming to hate her, is herself a victim of injustice, forced into cruelty by her circumstances. Instead of resenting her, Han Yan chooses to stay, seeking understanding rather than rejection. This layered dynamic adds significant depth to the narrative, exploring the themes of maternal sacrifice, emotional wounds, and the desire to heal broken relationships.
The drama also delves into the concept of home—not merely as a physical place but as a feeling of warmth and love. Han Yan’s journey is not just about revenge but about finding a true home, one where she is accepted and cherished. This theme resonates throughout the series, emphasizing that home is wherever love and belonging exist, not necessarily tied to blood relations but to the bonds forged through shared struggles and unwavering support.
Chen Duling delivers a stellar performance, bringing layers and complexity to Han Yan. Her portrayal of a woman both mysterious and determined makes her one of the most intriguing female leads in recent historical dramas. Xin Yun Lai also shines as Fu Yun Xi, and their interactions provide some of the most engaging moments in the series. However, some performances, particularly that of Han Yan’s father, felt lacking at times, slightly weakening a few emotional moments.
Visually, the drama is breathtaking. The cinematography captures the grandeur of historical settings while maintaining an intimate atmosphere for character-driven scenes. The costumes and cultural details immerse viewers in the Ming Dynasty, with intricate hanfu designs, elaborate accessories, and ceremonial traditions that feel authentic and well-researched. The attention to historical accuracy enhances the immersive quality of the drama, making it both visually and thematically compelling. The OST is another highlight, perfectly complementing the intensity and emotional beats of the story.
If there’s one flaw, it’s the pacing. With only 30 episodes, the narrative sometimes feels rushed, as though it was initially designed for a 40-episode format. Despite this, the drama remains a strong and cohesive story, thanks to the dedication of its cast and well-executed writing.
It is a must-watch for those seeking a drama rich in intrigue, suspense, and emotional depth. It proves that a well-crafted revenge story can be just as compelling—if not more so—without relying on romance.
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Its a drama about female rage
I don’t know if anyone will be interested in some of my final thoughts on this drama, but I wanted to share them anyway. Overall, I really enjoyed it. If I had to name a major criticism, it would be that some plot resolutions felt a little too convenient. But despite that, the storytelling, character arcs, and especially the themes really stood out to me.What impressed me most was how layered the messaging was. It’s rare to see a drama explore so many intersecting ideas so thoughtfully, especially around womanhood, nobility, and survival within a rigid historical context. Through the women around Hanyan, we’re offered different lenses into what it means to be strong, to endure, and to find dignity in a world that gives you few choices. There’s a deep undercurrent of generational trauma and the struggle to let go of hatred, which was handled with care.
One thing I found especially unique and rarely portrayed in C-dramas was the raw rage we see from the female lead. It wasn’t the usual subdued, quietly enduring strength. Her fury, her grief, and her resistance felt like a core part of the narrative, not just a moment of drama. It gave the story a texture that felt different from more traditional palace or revenge dramas.
As expected from the genre and era, there’s quite a bit of scheming, but it’s not just for plot. It’s contextual, a necessary survival tool in a world where power is limited and often denied to women. If you’re watching just for the twists without paying attention to character development and motivation, you might miss the point and start seeing plot holes where there’s actually nuance.
The acting deserves praise, especially Du Ling in a role that felt very new for her. She delivered with conviction. Her mother and stepmother, portrayed by senior actresses, were equally phenomenal. They added gravitas and emotional depth to every scene they were in. The father’s performance, however, didn’t quite land for me. It lacked cohesion and emotional clarity, especially in moments where we were meant to see beyond his “mask.” That said, the writing of his character was quite compelling. A coward and a schemer, yes, but also a reflection of the system that shaped him. His arc came full circle, as did those of the other villains, each one paying the price for their choices and becoming, in some way, a product of the world they were trying to survive.
Also, an honorary mention for the set design and costumes. Absolutely beautiful and immersive.
Pacing-wise, the drama maintained solid momentum throughout. Maybe one slower, more reflective episode, but even that felt purposeful. If you’re looking for something traditional, familiar, and easy to digest, this might not be for you. But if you’re open to something deeper, something that examines womanhood, rage, trauma, and survival with sincerity, this drama might surprise you.
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The Glory – A Deep, Emotional Ride Beyond Romance
📝 Story Review 📝The Glory follows the life of Zhuang Han Yan, a woman abandoned by her family since birth and raised in hardship and abuse in a remote village. Despite her painful childhood, she grows up strong, smart, and brave, not bitter or selfish. She fights to return to her family in the city and protect them at all costs, even though they never truly show her love. Her dream is to finally experience the warmth of a real family.
On the other side, we have Fu Yun Xi, a widower with a young daughter, A Zhi. He knows his time is limited due to poison in his body. His only mission is to find a smart and courageous woman who can take care of his family (mother and daughter) after he’s gone.
Both Han Yan and Yun Xi value family deeply, but their views differ. For Han Yan, family is about blood related bound. But for Yun Xi, who was an adopted son, family is about love and care.
If you're into romantic dramas full of hugs, kisses, and hand-holding, this probably isn’t for you. This show focuses more on the fight to protect loved ones in the middle of family and political chaos.
The leads show love not through sweet words or physical affection, but through actions:
- Carefully planned strategies to keep their loved ones safe.
- Tireless efforts to bring happiness, or rescue their family from danger.
- Even sacrificing their own safety for the sake of the people they loved.
There are a few light romantic scenes, but that’s not the heart of the story. Instead, you’ll feel the love in everything they do and every decision they make to keep the people who they cared safe.
Some of scenes feels like too cliche. But overall if you love tense dramas full of surprises and twists, The Glory will totally hook you.
🤠 Acting Review 🤠
Chen Du Ling absolutely nailed it as Han Yan. She captures the intelligence, strength, determination, even her vulnerability flawlessly. She’s one of those actresses who can cry beautifully and naturally on screen. I’m a huge fan!
As for Xin Yun Lai, some say his acting is stiff, but I honestly think that’s just how the character was written. Yun Xi holds back his feelings to avoid falling in love, and avoid Han Yan fall for someone who's dying. That’s why many of their scenes together feel awkward. I won’t say he was amazing, but I don’t think his performance was bad at all. I am waiting for his next project!
🎶 OST Review 🎶
Totally fell in love with the soundtrack! The songs are now on my daily Spotify playlist. Can't stop listening to it
Thank you for The Glory team to give us such a Wonderful Series ❤️
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WASTED
Overall plot is good , Storyline is good , it's a revenge drama, the storyline is very interesting but acting is flat.Zhuang Hanyan is country girl for 17 years, abusive forster parents but after she returns to capital she knows everything, literated, accounts, horse riding, medical,even judicial department people seeks help with her even she can handle the case , ohhhhhh come on......I personally feel Chenduling is expressionsless rather than crying she don't have any facial expression i really wonder how she became actress even filmed vertically, mini drama actress are good and that guy also same i didn't find any expression in his face.
OMG, Zhuang ShiYang acting is top-tier suits evil with kind face,that little girl is so cute her way of speech acting is too good I loved her very much.. If u bored wanna watch some revenge drama this suits you but don't expect romance, chemistry ..!
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Sad it ended
The Glory has a very unique storyline. At first glance, it may seem like it lacks anything special, but if you dig deeper into the plot, I believe you'll truly connect with the characters. I liked the beginning, but at some point, it felt quite similar to The Double drama. The male lead's attitude was almost identical to the male lead from The Double. The overall vibe was quite similar, with the story mainly revolving around a woman.After watching a few episodes, I was eagerly waiting for their romantic story to start. However, it hadn't begun yet. At some point I was frustrated with the female lead's charcter attitude. She failed to understand the male lead's character and did whatever she wanted. She was solely focused on revenge. But as the story progressed, I became more deeply connected with the plot, and by the end, I didn't even care about their romance to start.
In the final episodes, they showed all the deceased characters together, and the male lead was standing among them. What was the meaning behind this? Was the director trying to make us assume something?
I liked all the characters, especially the female lead's step-sister, step-brother, step-mother, biological mother, and her lover. The male lead and his daughter also stood out.
Overall, I appreciate that the series ended with a happy ending.
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A Bold and Unconventional Story
This film stands out for breaking away from typical storytelling tropes. It offers something refreshingly different — the main characters are cunning, flawed, and far from the idealized heroes we often see in other productions.One of the most powerful moments is when the female lead beats the drum to cry for justice — the music swells, and the emotion in that scene truly hits hard.
A unique film that dares to portray its characters in a more human and morally complex light. Definitely worth a watch for those who enjoy stories that challenge conventional narratives.
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A Mother’s Gaze, A Daughter’s Fight
Another good revenge story. I was able to finish this without any problems. First of all let me just say the actress who played Hanyan’s mother was absolutely phenomenal. At first I hated her because of how cruel she was being to our girl, but then, I think it was at the end of the first episode that my opinion on her changed with just one look. She appeared to be a bit teary eyed amidst all that meanness and I immediately knew there was more to her. She gave us everything honey, from her mad laugh to her stubbornness, to her fearless confrontation of her husband and to the moment she finally warmed up to Hanyan. I felt every. single. emotion. I love the mother daughter dynamics in this drama especially the parallels between the relationship between Hanyan and her mom and the one between Hanyan and the little girl. Seriously Lingzhi is so adorable🥰🥰 I literally couldn’t handle all that cuteness. This little actress has some solid acting skills too. Also loved the themes of women seeking freedom in various ways. I thought it fit naturally into the story. And ofcourse I loved our female lead. Her and Fu Yunxi matched each other’s energy, they were a seriously good looking couple. However, and I hate to say this, i wanted the ML lead to be a little bit more expressive. I get that he was written to be this cold, stoic and unrelenting character but gosh I felt like there were moments where I needed a little emotion fromhim. Other than that, great show man. I would totally recommend it.Was this review helpful to you?
