Corneilius

FL in POJ plays pretty much the same chrachter in 'NEW LIFE BEGINS' without the martial arts. its not as heavy on politics as POJ

The Lead couple are similar ages and actually married not long after the drama was shot. they had a child but divorced soon afterwards

Watch her in 'Meet Yourself', its one of the most highly rated modern dramas but has a very tough opening episode to reveal a healing drama.

I would suggest that this is probably the best modern cdrama. it isn't fast paced, its about taking time to find what is important in life and valuing it.

With a sword

There is no rebirth like Kumming palace. Minglan is like no other FL in cdrama, she has learned to survive by not being seen and wants nothing more than to make a good marriage and live a quiet life but people keep trying to involve her in their plots and schemes. She turns the tables on them effortlessly, and they have no idea who was responsible or how they did it.

well it is about to blow up big time, it looks like everything is falling apart......but it isn't!

some companies cut the final episodes into smaller sizes to prolong the anticipation. in its original form it is 73 brilliant episodes

Helen was her Friend who lived with her boyfriend in the scummy apartment with the shared bathrooms. she dumped him at the end for the elderly CEO.

FL basically plays the same character in the very good 'New Life Begins'

'Lady in the Butchers house' has a similar theme

Exactly, they got away from the chaos of the court and were leading an idyllic life surrounded by children with their own on the way.

How is that not a happy ending?

Tan SongYun was 30ish when it was shot. she does look a LOT younger than she is.

Dongquing is my favorite Maid in cdrama! the actress has only had one big roll since and that was as a maid.

You dont think the way she engineered the downfall of Madam Lin shocking?

it does have a lot of characters so it takes a while to build the back story. what you have to keep in mind during those first 20 episodes or so is that the sweet quiet youngest daughter is the most intelligent person in her house hold and when needed, is more ruthless them anyone.

She has got a masters in computer science from Harvard apparently but wants to give acting a go.

it has a big back story to tell and a massive cast of characters but it is worth the effort because it pays back in shades.

I think the problem with the early episodes is the owner of the wood carving buisiness, he is such a miserable sod but he is hardly in the drama after the first half dozen episodes, instead the focus falls on his apprentice and his pseudo relationship with Nana.

Note that night scenes are actually shot by candlelight for reality.