This review may contain spoilers
A Great Love Story with a Slice of History
I was a team- Story of Yanxi Palace who refuses to watch Ruyi because it’s supposed to tell the same story upside down where the protagonists and antagonists are swapped. I used to believe that Yanxi told a more historically accurate version of these people. But I have now changed my mind after watching this 7+ years after it airs. This is a Masterpiece that makes so much more sense. To me, it makes Yanxi a little lightweight in terms of realism and depth although Yanxi is still very entertaining and charming.
1) Story
For people who complain about the plot and ending etc, I think they forgot that this is supposed to be a historical drama. So you can’t change history. It helps if one reads up a bit about Qianlong (his family section, double click on the characters) in Wiki before watching this drama. Everyone knows that Step Empress’ life didn’t end well but we never figure out a logical story of what happened until this comes along. The story told in Yanxi is too fictionalized. This drama helps to explain LOGICALLY how a person can seem so unloved yet she had children and was constantly with the Emperor until something happened. And what could happen to upset her so much that she cut off her hair knowing it is a taboo and would end everything for her…must be humanly too much to bear, as told in this drama. . This drama also explains why a person is infertile for so long and suddenly could get pregnant in succession after 15 years of marriage. I think the drama tries to explain all these to us in a well written way; although the reason for her to be buried away from Qianlong is a bit romantized (but I gladly accept it as it fits the narrative). However I dont believe Imperial Consort Ling’s ending is correct. Otherwise she wouldn’t be buried next to Qianlong unless her own son the next Emperor intervened and moved them together after Qianlong died. Regardless this is a very well narrated version of the history we know. From the fate of each character, the children they bore, their clan and background, etiquette, food, surroundings in the palace, all told with precision… exception being the costumes and jewellery …probably…they were more accurate in Yanxi.
Acting
I was resisting this drama for the last 7 years. One day I looked through the list of actors for this one and realised that a lot, I mean most are now established or very established stars. So I got interested since there aren’t that many dramas where you get to see a galaxy of stars together. People raved about Zhou Xun, yes she is good. People said Wallace Huo can’t act, that’s wrong. He acted so well that it makes us hate him at some point. But he is so subtle too, in terms of expression that you can see his lust, his confusion, his arrogance and his regret without too much dialogue. His body language is also wonderful. I especially like the subtle gesture of him holding the consort’s hand when he walks with them to their palaces He makes me pity the Emperor and wonder at the same time how is he supposed to sleep with so many women and make them feel loved too. How does he decide who to visit each evening. Normal human like us would want to spend our evening after hard at work relaxing with the person we like most but the Emperor’s evening job is to entertain one of the women in the harem. I pity the Emperor. So I think he deserves some praise here for bringing out the character so well. At some point I feel the Emperor is a breeding machine. He must be so exhausted. The other actors and actresses all act well too. Villains or otherwise, they pulled it off brilliantly. You could hate, love or pity them. Jing Chao who plays the royal guard is very underrated. I hope he gets more and better roles to show his talent.
Overall, to all Yanxi fans who refuse to watch this and thinks Yanxi is more historically correct, I suggest you watch this to appreciate both differently. Like me, I am blown away by the depth of this drama. I still love Yanxi especially the Emperor played by Nie Yuan. He is super charming. But I can’t help but love Wallace here. He must be the most handsome Qianlong of all time with Nie Yuan as a close second to me. Enjoy this for the overall impact. Don’t expect a lovey dovey ending but to me it’s a perfect ending.
1) Story
For people who complain about the plot and ending etc, I think they forgot that this is supposed to be a historical drama. So you can’t change history. It helps if one reads up a bit about Qianlong (his family section, double click on the characters) in Wiki before watching this drama. Everyone knows that Step Empress’ life didn’t end well but we never figure out a logical story of what happened until this comes along. The story told in Yanxi is too fictionalized. This drama helps to explain LOGICALLY how a person can seem so unloved yet she had children and was constantly with the Emperor until something happened. And what could happen to upset her so much that she cut off her hair knowing it is a taboo and would end everything for her…must be humanly too much to bear, as told in this drama. . This drama also explains why a person is infertile for so long and suddenly could get pregnant in succession after 15 years of marriage. I think the drama tries to explain all these to us in a well written way; although the reason for her to be buried away from Qianlong is a bit romantized (but I gladly accept it as it fits the narrative). However I dont believe Imperial Consort Ling’s ending is correct. Otherwise she wouldn’t be buried next to Qianlong unless her own son the next Emperor intervened and moved them together after Qianlong died. Regardless this is a very well narrated version of the history we know. From the fate of each character, the children they bore, their clan and background, etiquette, food, surroundings in the palace, all told with precision… exception being the costumes and jewellery …probably…they were more accurate in Yanxi.
Acting
I was resisting this drama for the last 7 years. One day I looked through the list of actors for this one and realised that a lot, I mean most are now established or very established stars. So I got interested since there aren’t that many dramas where you get to see a galaxy of stars together. People raved about Zhou Xun, yes she is good. People said Wallace Huo can’t act, that’s wrong. He acted so well that it makes us hate him at some point. But he is so subtle too, in terms of expression that you can see his lust, his confusion, his arrogance and his regret without too much dialogue. His body language is also wonderful. I especially like the subtle gesture of him holding the consort’s hand when he walks with them to their palaces He makes me pity the Emperor and wonder at the same time how is he supposed to sleep with so many women and make them feel loved too. How does he decide who to visit each evening. Normal human like us would want to spend our evening after hard at work relaxing with the person we like most but the Emperor’s evening job is to entertain one of the women in the harem. I pity the Emperor. So I think he deserves some praise here for bringing out the character so well. At some point I feel the Emperor is a breeding machine. He must be so exhausted. The other actors and actresses all act well too. Villains or otherwise, they pulled it off brilliantly. You could hate, love or pity them. Jing Chao who plays the royal guard is very underrated. I hope he gets more and better roles to show his talent.
Overall, to all Yanxi fans who refuse to watch this and thinks Yanxi is more historically correct, I suggest you watch this to appreciate both differently. Like me, I am blown away by the depth of this drama. I still love Yanxi especially the Emperor played by Nie Yuan. He is super charming. But I can’t help but love Wallace here. He must be the most handsome Qianlong of all time with Nie Yuan as a close second to me. Enjoy this for the overall impact. Don’t expect a lovey dovey ending but to me it’s a perfect ending.
Was this review helpful to you?
