Chinese Empress

I did not know about the last part of your post, thank you for letting me know it.
And I agree with everything you said.

well so I suppose you are saying people like me loving China and learning Chinese, eagerly launching on this drama and even rewatching it, are stupid because they are not interested in overused german problem with jewish but they try to convey the study of WWII in Asia which is even more important than what germany did.
I'm glad China is quite gatekeeping this drama only for those interested and not stupidly weak to avoid the truth of history, because WE are almost finishing it.

I love every cdrama and I suffer when international audience do not watch this drama or any cdrama, i don't mind if MDL is more about kdrama. This drama is not idol drama, it's with proper actors and a serious one. This drama is to be aware of what happens in real life and not to dream, and cdrama audience is not set about dreaming but about reality. In China the rating is skyrocketing and it's already defined as one of the best drama of this century. I hope international audience would have the same definition for this drama.
I suffer when people act out of sinophobia only because it's China.
This drama makes you understand the reality of the world, because guess what, this exact thing is now happening in 2026 in our world in Gaza, almost. I still can't understand how someone can't run to watch it immediately. This is really the dark horse of the millennia, not even the century.
8.4 is still too low, it should be 9.6 minumun only because how proper the drama shows the topic. international audience is biased against China, 273 users only here is so ridiculous

He is one of my favorite actors

Loved that series

I though more about Southern Ming style, a bit influenced by Qing , or Han Hanfu in Qing era, but this does not match with male clothes. But I understand your point. I can recognise the style even though not so detailed and I got a bit confused

Can it be the last period of Ming too?

I love every cdrama because they are more realistic and not stupid dreamy fairytales, but yes, most of international audience does not explore cdramas. They ignore Republican era propaganda drama whic are beautiful dramas

international audience prefer idol dramas and younger actors. Almost no one knows that the three main leads here are very proper and famous actor in China.

You should try My Sunshine and You are my glory, they are not childish at all. I can understand about "childish" for LoveO2O ( which is) and even Boss & Me, but those two and this one I think they are on another level, only there is slowburn.

She's 22? she's just become an adult then, so it's quite normal to act in that way

Well I find mature when a man doesn't impose on the woman. He is balanced, he has not given up but at the same time he is ready to accept a rejection. Isn't this mature?

give it a try, but the original is far superior

it's a slowburn drama... she is healing from a quite indirect but clear rejection from someone egoistic and not able to express his feeling. The scenes you describe are the reaction to what she feels, I find it more realistic. He is 28 and he is pursuing her in a mature way, making it clear he is fond of her but not forcing her. She is younger than him and I think every girl at that age before 40 would reach that way. Princess syndrome is the one Rong has, envious and scheming. FL is only a rich girl not even so spoiled and she acts like a rich girl would, minding beautiful dresses and so on. She is confident in herself when it comes to ML because he is sincere and understand her. 2ML is a scumbag that makes her doubt in herself, not about her beauty but about her whole persona in herself.
She never dated him because he has always liked to be chased, now he gaslights her because he can't accept she is trying to move on from him.

I have to read the novel but I had this feelings, can't wait to see her rejecting him once and for all. He deserves the other dirtbag Rong more

Watch Chinese original drama, GMMTV will base this remake on it, which is 98% faithful to the novel.

Yes, I expect it, because trying to learn and understand is mandatory, not an option but mandatory. It's their fault, not Youku, if they sleep on whatever cdrama, since whoever loves cdrama know to watch this drama. People learning Chinese to watch cdramas because they love China are not stupid, and I won't justify laziness or ignorance, sorry. It's not racist, since China first promotes the understanding, but it's up to audience to know the drama not sleeping on cdramas. MDL is more for kdrama, so what? I try to promote cdramas. That's all.

8.7 Milestone on Douban.

"I will cross the wall to find you"
Intrigues, destined encounters, attraction, chemistry and complexity in a whole sequel story.
I LOVED again Liu Shi Shi and Wu Qi Long, my beloved destined pair, but i need to mention 2 things.
First of all, the double role for Liu Shi Shi. She was perfect nailing the two characters.
And Kang Sihan...
He has a different devopment, opposite to every other character in the series, but i really liked how scheming and mischievous he becomes, like real evil with costraint.
A perfect ending for an heartbreaking story full of rollercoasters.
REALLY LOVED IT
Don't miss it

" Fated to fall in love, but not destined be together"
My advice is to watch the REAL story, far superior to the Korean stolen version.
The plot is like an hurricane, you can really feel the story, the flow of emotions, the tragedy.
Historical accuracy is the thing that makes it a gem. Every Prince is unique in his own way and every character is well developed, both in good and evil. I LOVED the story between Yin Zhen ( 4th Prince) and Ruoxi, so strong and sincere.
I LOVED hoow every character is never black or white, not strongly separated in good and evil.
Watch this, the emotions will flow. Watch the Korean stolen cheap adapation only if you want to compare it with this great masterpiece. Watch it to see how a real human heart works.
Every actor is great, but i LOVED Wu Qi Long ( our beloved 4th Prince) and Liu Shi Shi ( our strong heroine Maertai Ruoxi) and their growth, and their love story.
And i add, if someone say he is "ugly", they should go check their eyes. Nicky Wu is one of the most handsome among the handsome Princes.
This story will steal your heart and soul.