On Epi 5. Loved it from the beginning , but now I’m finding Chen Jialan quite annoying. She’s too righteous…
The actress was miscast. I've heard they didn't even user her vocal performance and dubbed someone else over her, in Chinese mind you. But in the last quarter of the series she begins to shine because they finally show her as human and vulnerable.
This is one of the films where a filmmaker discovers a dish and wants to show her off within a cool street film. The story doesn't matter and typically doesn't exist. As this type of film -- pretty good.
Sometimes movie producers re-title a project to make it more appealing. This was originally eentitled HER STORY. I haven't seen this yet but I believe it's actually 3 stories, and so right there it should have been title HER STORIES.
But apparently this film didn't want to draw attention to the female focus, which is unfortunate if that is one strength of this piece. And so it got renamed HERO, frankly another bad idea -- considering the legendary use of that title elsewhere.
What this movie is trying to hide is the depressing subject matter: the Chinese Covid Lockdown. It's actually rather annoying to trick people into trying something they wouldn't otherwise watch.
To me a simple title seems rather obvious: WOMEN OF THE LOCKDOWN.
That 8.2 rating simply doesn't accurately reflect this series. There are too many characters and the pace is crazy uneven. There are like 4 episodes in the middle of this story where you swear the actors are all standing around waiting for new pages. It's not awful, but it's not 8.2. And it's really a waste of such talented actors and brilliant production otherwise. :(
Watching LUOYANG and Yong Mei's EMPRESS is gold every time she appears. It makes you want to find a film like this and devour it. Unfortunately there isn't an English translation anywhere and this is so sad.
Hmm. How to respond without revealing your spoiler. Let's pretend you said you didn't like the story because it featured IDENTICAL TWINS. Well, some stories with twins are great and some are stupid. Simply pointing out it has 'twins' says more about you than the piece.
RUYI'S ROYAL LOVE IN THE PALACE has 'twins', if you will, and is extraordinary.
UPDATE: Now that I've seen the complete series, and staying in my analogy, I'll say LUOYANG's choice of 'Twins' was kinda weak and out of nowhere.
I cried my eyes out while watching this movie. I already watched the other two installment movies but the 2nd…
Hi. You say you already watched some of the installments. This tells me this film is just a collection of short films. In other words: these films were never intended to be released together. Is that true?
I couldn't get into this drama ,, the cinematography is amazing but the plot is horrible and I tried holding it…
I almost ditched at the halfway point but I decided to press on. It picked up a little by Ep 26 and I started to look forward (a little) to the next episode. But I'm not saying 'come back' because this production has no clue what pacing is.
I found this film on YouTube if you've been looking, at Tag Theater. I have a question for anyone who has seen it --
-- there's a moment midway where the Mom returns to her apartment. Someone has painted in red something (apparently) awful on the door. When she walks inside, more red (blood?) falls on her. The apartment is flooded, a pipe has burst.
Believe me I understand. If me and my grey hairs can pass on some wisdom, that most younger types worldwide don't seem to understand.
Difficult dramas? That make you feel sad or vulnerable? Like a story about death? Since 1973ish I've heard people say, "I hated that. It was depressing!"
Here comes the wisdom: the truth is depressing. Whereas fantasy is fun and fabulous and... FAKE. Because it's a lie.
Now. I'm not telling you to avoid fantasy. I get it. It can be blast. But don't watch something simply because it's flashy and colorful and 'magical'.
Only watch high quality content, no matter the genre. High quality is like having a nice meal, where junk is... like eating cereal with candy in it.
This doesn't mean avoid fantasy and watch concubine dramas. (lol) It means if you don't like... oh... American Westerns... that says more about you than the better Westerns.
If you hate stories about women fighting for their man, I get it, but you'll then miss the really GOOD ones.
My ability to seek out quality instead of 'the familiar' is the only reason I'm watching Chinese dramas right now.
RUYI was my first Chinese drama and, yes, my wife and I watched it for months. We were so hooked we had to see it 3 times a week. (We don't believe in binging because it takes time to take in everything you saw each episode.)
The series wasn't just good. It was INCREDIBLE. Every female supporting actress was phenomenal. XZL was my favorite
I live near Hollywood. If I knew Barbara Broccoli (the air and controller of James Bond) I'd BEG her to give XZL a spinoff Chinese Spy series. XZL is THAT good. Even in Chinese. I wouldn't need her dubbed in English. Her voice is a sarcastic yet sultry GOLDMINE.
So let me be clear there. I'm suggesting the Bond franchise finds a Chinese Agent in China to spy on China. The movie would be an American/Chinese co production. OO8, which I hear is lucky
I've seen her other movies. Too often she's used for her pretty instead of potent. It would be like being a fan of Patrict Stewart but refusing to watch STAR TREK NEXT GENERATION.
XZL is Princess Jia. She may never get as great a role ever again.
So let me set up how to watch the series.
1. Watch it with a friend 2. Three times a week 3. Like many Chinese Romances don't expect many kisses. 4. This is a human endurance story. How much can RUYI put up with and how much can you the viewer endure with her. It's hardcore compassion time, a human trait more of us need.
There is a surprise romance story within a romance story that is so touching you can't own enough facial tissues.
I will confess the story runs a bit long near the end. Let me explain. This is a story about concubines plotting to please the Emperor. Each plot is terribly entertaining (and often shocking) but it's like the story had one extra plot at the end. It was a good plot, mind you, but even my wife and I were becoming exhausted. They probably should have erased one of the plots in the middle and shortened another to shave off at least 8 episodes.
I've since watched 4 other C-Dramas and nothing touches RUYI. Young viewers want fantasy and dragons and super powers. If that's you you'd likely hate RUYI. But if you can open your heart and soul to the human condition --
1 
But apparently this film didn't want to draw attention to the female focus, which is unfortunate if that is one strength of this piece. And so it got renamed HERO, frankly another bad idea -- considering the legendary use of that title elsewhere.
What this movie is trying to hide is the depressing subject matter: the Chinese Covid Lockdown. It's actually rather annoying to trick people into trying something they wouldn't otherwise watch.
To me a simple title seems rather obvious: WOMEN OF THE LOCKDOWN.
RUYI'S ROYAL LOVE IN THE PALACE has 'twins', if you will, and is extraordinary.
UPDATE: Now that I've seen the complete series, and staying in my analogy, I'll say LUOYANG's choice of 'Twins' was kinda weak and out of nowhere.
https://youtu.be/q4WQvFgoFkQ?t=2006
-- there's a moment midway where the Mom returns to her apartment. Someone has painted in red something (apparently) awful on the door. When she walks inside, more red (blood?) falls on her. The apartment is flooded, a pipe has burst.
What is going on?!?
Difficult dramas? That make you feel sad or vulnerable? Like a story about death? Since 1973ish I've heard people say, "I hated that. It was depressing!"
Here comes the wisdom: the truth is depressing. Whereas fantasy is fun and fabulous and... FAKE. Because it's a lie.
Now. I'm not telling you to avoid fantasy. I get it. It can be blast. But don't watch something simply because it's flashy and colorful and 'magical'.
Only watch high quality content, no matter the genre. High quality is like having a nice meal, where junk is... like eating cereal with candy in it.
This doesn't mean avoid fantasy and watch concubine dramas. (lol) It means if you don't like... oh... American Westerns... that says more about you than the better Westerns.
If you hate stories about women fighting for their man, I get it, but you'll then miss the really GOOD ones.
My ability to seek out quality instead of 'the familiar' is the only reason I'm watching Chinese dramas right now.
May your voyage be as bold, my friend.
RUYI was my first Chinese drama and, yes, my wife and I watched it for months. We were so hooked we had to see it 3 times a week. (We don't believe in binging because it takes time to take in everything you saw each episode.)
The series wasn't just good. It was INCREDIBLE. Every female supporting actress was phenomenal. XZL was my favorite
I live near Hollywood. If I knew Barbara Broccoli (the air and controller of James Bond) I'd BEG her to give XZL a spinoff Chinese Spy series. XZL is THAT good. Even in Chinese. I wouldn't need her dubbed in English. Her voice is a sarcastic yet sultry GOLDMINE.
So let me be clear there. I'm suggesting the Bond franchise finds a Chinese Agent in China to spy on China. The movie would be an American/Chinese co production. OO8, which I hear is lucky
I've seen her other movies. Too often she's used for her pretty instead of potent. It would be like being a fan of Patrict Stewart but refusing to watch STAR TREK NEXT GENERATION.
XZL is Princess Jia. She may never get as great a role ever again.
So let me set up how to watch the series.
1. Watch it with a friend
2. Three times a week
3. Like many Chinese Romances don't expect many kisses.
4. This is a human endurance story. How much can RUYI put up with and how much can you the viewer endure with her. It's hardcore compassion time, a human trait more of us need.
There is a surprise romance story within a romance story that is so touching you can't own enough facial tissues.
I will confess the story runs a bit long near the end. Let me explain. This is a story about concubines plotting to please the Emperor. Each plot is terribly entertaining (and often shocking) but it's like the story had one extra plot at the end. It was a good plot, mind you, but even my wife and I were becoming exhausted. They probably should have erased one of the plots in the middle and shortened another to shave off at least 8 episodes.
I've since watched 4 other C-Dramas and nothing touches RUYI. Young viewers want fantasy and dragons and super powers. If that's you you'd likely hate RUYI. But if you can open your heart and soul to the human condition --
--- RU-YI RU-YI WILL ROCK YOU