This review may contain spoilers
Amazing but painful drama
I first tried watching this drama seven years ago when it was first released, but it was too painful for me to watch seeing how much the protagonist, Ruyi, toils. I didn't end up finishing it then.
Now I decided to give this show another try after having matured myself and I found it harrowing, but gripping, and I appreciated even the villains of the show and their motivations. This show is called Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace, but it should really be named Ruyi's Royal Disappointment in the Palace, because this show goes to tell you love will just end in disappointment. Out of the couples in this show, not many of them had lasting love.
The theme of this show is very similar to that of Empresses in the Palace/Legend of Zhen Huan, another palace harem classic. Women compete and vie for the Emperor's favor, our protagonist starting off believing in true love, and eventually becomes jaded. The emperor, who was once a lover, becomes an enemy due to his own character flaws. I read a little bit of history around the characters in this show, so I came in knowing what would happen in the end. However, I was curious to see how the show reaches there and the show reaches that point spectacularly.
This might be an unpopular opinion, but Ruyi's reaction to bad things happening is almost always a wide stare. People praise the actress's (Zhou Xun) grace and composure, but I found the wide stare reaction kind of bland. Also when she was playing the young Ruyi, it was pretty awkward. Wallace Huo did a great job as Qianlong Emperor, and his evolution (or devolution) throughout the show is very convincing. Ling Yunche's actor did a great job portraying his various states throughout the show. I loved all of the different personalities of Ruyi's allies. The villains were all convincing too, the casting was done very well.
As emotionally painful this story is, it is still an amazing show worth watching.
Now I decided to give this show another try after having matured myself and I found it harrowing, but gripping, and I appreciated even the villains of the show and their motivations. This show is called Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace, but it should really be named Ruyi's Royal Disappointment in the Palace, because this show goes to tell you love will just end in disappointment. Out of the couples in this show, not many of them had lasting love.
The theme of this show is very similar to that of Empresses in the Palace/Legend of Zhen Huan, another palace harem classic. Women compete and vie for the Emperor's favor, our protagonist starting off believing in true love, and eventually becomes jaded. The emperor, who was once a lover, becomes an enemy due to his own character flaws. I read a little bit of history around the characters in this show, so I came in knowing what would happen in the end. However, I was curious to see how the show reaches there and the show reaches that point spectacularly.
This might be an unpopular opinion, but Ruyi's reaction to bad things happening is almost always a wide stare. People praise the actress's (Zhou Xun) grace and composure, but I found the wide stare reaction kind of bland. Also when she was playing the young Ruyi, it was pretty awkward. Wallace Huo did a great job as Qianlong Emperor, and his evolution (or devolution) throughout the show is very convincing. Ling Yunche's actor did a great job portraying his various states throughout the show. I loved all of the different personalities of Ruyi's allies. The villains were all convincing too, the casting was done very well.
As emotionally painful this story is, it is still an amazing show worth watching.
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