This review may contain spoilers
Women empowerment, Politics, Justice, Slowburn
Straight to my Fav list! (≧▽≦)
This drama truly reaches the peak of storytelling regarding women empowerment and equality. The female lead’s character is absolutely admirable. All of her achievements didn’t simply fall into her lap; they were realistically earned through sheer will and ambition. She is easily one of the best-written female characters I have ever seen in a C-drama. I loved witnessing Mudan’s journey—from building her business, facing countless challenges, and handling them with such grace and intelligence.
This show is essentially about women empowerment, sprinkled with elements of politics and justice. It is a gut-wrenching drama, and you will witness loss everywhere, particularly among the female characters. To be honest, I believe that is exactly the point. It portrays the harsh reality of what life was truly like for women in that era. If historical dramas always presented easy, happy endings, they would lose the truth of just how difficult and cruel that time could be.
(Spoilers ahead)
I appreciate how realistic it is. The story perfectly captures the complexity of the female mindset shaped by that society. Take Shengyi, for example—she genuinely believed she couldn’t survive without a husband because that was what her environment taught her. Her character is the complete opposite of Mudan, which only highlights the strength of the lead even more. Then there is Lian Zhou, who longed for freedom but felt trapped, yet still chose to poison Mudan—not because she wanted to, but because she felt she had to. I love how Mudan eventually points this out; it really drives home the core message of the show.
As for the male lead, he is admittedly overshadowed by the female lead, but we have to agree that he is one of the most open-minded male leads out there. He allows Mudan to be independent and stands by to offer help only when she needs it.
One thing I must point out is that the dynamic between Youzhen and Liu Chang is peak drama. Why aren’t there more stories like this? It was so toxic, and honestly, I didn’t want a happy ending because there was simply no way they could have one.
I loved how they were both in pain, trapped in this cycle where Youzhen is obsessed with Liu Chang, yet Liu Chang is only obsessed with his Mudan. Because of this, they ended up tormenting and hurting each other. It was so thrilling to watch. The lines they threw at each other were satisfyingly sharp—I literally dropped my jaw when she said, "You torment me, so I torment He Weifang."
When it comes to the romance, it is the definition of peak slowburn. However, they are also the most indecisive couple I have ever encountered—it almost made me faint! Like, bro, just confess already! (ー_ー゛) But despite that, it is a healthy romance where they support and help each other grow. I love that scene where Mudan protected the Jiang mansion. That was pure "aura farming." The authority she commanded in that moment? Peak. That being said, I actually ended up skipping their romantic scenes in Part 2 because I was so caught up in the main plot—their moments felt like a distraction to me, lol.
The casting is excellent. What I love most is that the drama doesn’t rely heavily on background music to manipulate your emotions; instead, it trusts entirely in the talent of its cast to carry the moment. This is my first time watching Yang Zi, and I am truly impressed. I’ve never seen an actress cry with so much expression without it looking awkward—it was so raw and real. This definitely won’t be my last drama of hers. The other female characters were also amazing, especially Shengyi and the County Princess. Their acting was so realistic that you can’t help but sympathize with them.
This show gave me every emotion I could ask for. Though, I won’t deny that I did find certain parts a bit dragging, specifically the later part of Part 1 and the early part of Part 2. And I think the pacing is too slow. Sometimes I do find myself feeling like the plot is stuck or not moving at all.
This drama truly reaches the peak of storytelling regarding women empowerment and equality. The female lead’s character is absolutely admirable. All of her achievements didn’t simply fall into her lap; they were realistically earned through sheer will and ambition. She is easily one of the best-written female characters I have ever seen in a C-drama. I loved witnessing Mudan’s journey—from building her business, facing countless challenges, and handling them with such grace and intelligence.
This show is essentially about women empowerment, sprinkled with elements of politics and justice. It is a gut-wrenching drama, and you will witness loss everywhere, particularly among the female characters. To be honest, I believe that is exactly the point. It portrays the harsh reality of what life was truly like for women in that era. If historical dramas always presented easy, happy endings, they would lose the truth of just how difficult and cruel that time could be.
(Spoilers ahead)
I appreciate how realistic it is. The story perfectly captures the complexity of the female mindset shaped by that society. Take Shengyi, for example—she genuinely believed she couldn’t survive without a husband because that was what her environment taught her. Her character is the complete opposite of Mudan, which only highlights the strength of the lead even more. Then there is Lian Zhou, who longed for freedom but felt trapped, yet still chose to poison Mudan—not because she wanted to, but because she felt she had to. I love how Mudan eventually points this out; it really drives home the core message of the show.
As for the male lead, he is admittedly overshadowed by the female lead, but we have to agree that he is one of the most open-minded male leads out there. He allows Mudan to be independent and stands by to offer help only when she needs it.
One thing I must point out is that the dynamic between Youzhen and Liu Chang is peak drama. Why aren’t there more stories like this? It was so toxic, and honestly, I didn’t want a happy ending because there was simply no way they could have one.
I loved how they were both in pain, trapped in this cycle where Youzhen is obsessed with Liu Chang, yet Liu Chang is only obsessed with his Mudan. Because of this, they ended up tormenting and hurting each other. It was so thrilling to watch. The lines they threw at each other were satisfyingly sharp—I literally dropped my jaw when she said, "You torment me, so I torment He Weifang."
When it comes to the romance, it is the definition of peak slowburn. However, they are also the most indecisive couple I have ever encountered—it almost made me faint! Like, bro, just confess already! (ー_ー゛) But despite that, it is a healthy romance where they support and help each other grow. I love that scene where Mudan protected the Jiang mansion. That was pure "aura farming." The authority she commanded in that moment? Peak. That being said, I actually ended up skipping their romantic scenes in Part 2 because I was so caught up in the main plot—their moments felt like a distraction to me, lol.
The casting is excellent. What I love most is that the drama doesn’t rely heavily on background music to manipulate your emotions; instead, it trusts entirely in the talent of its cast to carry the moment. This is my first time watching Yang Zi, and I am truly impressed. I’ve never seen an actress cry with so much expression without it looking awkward—it was so raw and real. This definitely won’t be my last drama of hers. The other female characters were also amazing, especially Shengyi and the County Princess. Their acting was so realistic that you can’t help but sympathize with them.
This show gave me every emotion I could ask for. Though, I won’t deny that I did find certain parts a bit dragging, specifically the later part of Part 1 and the early part of Part 2. And I think the pacing is too slow. Sometimes I do find myself feeling like the plot is stuck or not moving at all.
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