This review may contain spoilers
The times and values are conservative but the Story is liberal
I started watching this for YangZi. Then I was hooked by the intricacies of the ancient ink making industry.
Its an easy going drama of a family business with its own politics and business rivals competing for supremacy. The malevolence seems more dramatic than sinister. The Eight Branch of the century old Li Ink family is expelled after an incident that will only be fully revealed in the last 2 episodes. The initial intense competition for top ink maker was between the Li and Luo families to be the Imperial Tribute Ink. Within the first 5 episodes, this dynamic changed with the rapid decline of the Li Family due to a series of misfortunes and the near demise of the Luo Family when they fell from favour in the Capital.
Into this vacuum enters the Tian Family, who were stragglers within the Huizhou Ink community. Through a series of cunning schemes and devious plots, they rose to be top dog, and top villains, headed by Tian BenChang.
On the outside the previously favored granddaughter of the disgraced Eight Branch, Li Zhen, decides to pursue her passion and heritage. She becomes the apprentice of her Grandfather, the fallen Ink master of Li Ink who had to swear never to make another ink piece again in penance.
Essentially this is the story of Li Zhen (Yang Zi) and the rejuvenation of Li Ink against all odds. It is also a chronicle of family values, the Huizhou ink industry and relationships. Beyond the impossible romance between two lovebirds, there are many other more noteworthy relationships; mothers and daughters, grandparents and grandchildren, siblings, childhood friends, business partners etc.
Yang Zi did not disappoint neither was this drama her high point. She was best at her relationships with her Grandparents and most poignant at their demise. She was often inspiring when faced with challenges. I enjoyed her interactions with her mother most.
The MLs, both friends and foes, are at best, insipid. Luo WQ (EH) was more operatic than dramatic.
The settings, especially the shots around Huizhou, are magnificent. I also learned about isinglass.
Its an easy going drama of a family business with its own politics and business rivals competing for supremacy. The malevolence seems more dramatic than sinister. The Eight Branch of the century old Li Ink family is expelled after an incident that will only be fully revealed in the last 2 episodes. The initial intense competition for top ink maker was between the Li and Luo families to be the Imperial Tribute Ink. Within the first 5 episodes, this dynamic changed with the rapid decline of the Li Family due to a series of misfortunes and the near demise of the Luo Family when they fell from favour in the Capital.
Into this vacuum enters the Tian Family, who were stragglers within the Huizhou Ink community. Through a series of cunning schemes and devious plots, they rose to be top dog, and top villains, headed by Tian BenChang.
On the outside the previously favored granddaughter of the disgraced Eight Branch, Li Zhen, decides to pursue her passion and heritage. She becomes the apprentice of her Grandfather, the fallen Ink master of Li Ink who had to swear never to make another ink piece again in penance.
Essentially this is the story of Li Zhen (Yang Zi) and the rejuvenation of Li Ink against all odds. It is also a chronicle of family values, the Huizhou ink industry and relationships. Beyond the impossible romance between two lovebirds, there are many other more noteworthy relationships; mothers and daughters, grandparents and grandchildren, siblings, childhood friends, business partners etc.
Yang Zi did not disappoint neither was this drama her high point. She was best at her relationships with her Grandparents and most poignant at their demise. She was often inspiring when faced with challenges. I enjoyed her interactions with her mother most.
The MLs, both friends and foes, are at best, insipid. Luo WQ (EH) was more operatic than dramatic.
The settings, especially the shots around Huizhou, are magnificent. I also learned about isinglass.
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