Don't bother with those with nothing constructive to add to the discussion! Your article is fine, plus who doesnt love to read up on female badasses? :P
@Alila Nguyen made a good point though. Bai Qian is a badass when she had everything - power, prestige and status. Not so much though, when she had nothing.
Wei Yingluo from Yanxi is imo another good example of female empowerment. Came from nothing and yes she was clever, bold, and even manipulative. But always remained extremely loyal and fair.
What happened in the ending? Did Hao Lan die? I don't know if I want to continue watching this drama based on…
Drama never covered the fates of the characters besides a sloppy 'epilogue' screen of texts. Basically Hao Lan lives in solitude estranged from her tyrant of a son who goes on to become the first Emperor of China by uniting the 6 states. Last we see of Lu Buwei is he leaves Shenyang but in the epilogue he committed suicide years later with poison. Very abrupt cause they cut out one whole ep to wrap it up under 62 eps for god knows why
Not a prequel to the story but yes it's about Ying Zheng's mother this time! Ying Zheng and Lady Li also appear…
Watched every episode without skipping a minute. Plot and characters are all like a slow, interwoven unravel done tastefully.
Content is heavy, characters are grey area types but there's a lot of depth to each and storyline.
Highly highly recommend. Production, directing and acting/cast are all very quality. I appreciate the subtleties in every aspect. Writing overall good, story keeps one entertained throughout and I like how aspects are tied together rather than dichotomized or take momentum away from each other.
The drama isn't exactly popular cause Li Hao Lan is based on a controversial historical figure but look past that and one very decent production is what it is. Imo one of the best I've seen in awhile. Don't compare to Yanxi because majority of the cast is also in this
PS. I hated The King's Woman and that drama is on my Cdrama blacklist haha.
WAIT A MINUTE IS THIS THE PREQUEL TO THE KING'S WOMAN???
Not a prequel to the story but yes it's about Ying Zheng's mother this time! Ying Zheng and Lady Li also appear in the drama as well. Gongsun Li from TKW is fictional but Li Ge is not.
Honestly one of the best Chinese dramas I've ever seen - acting, directing, production, cinematography - all quality. Too bad Chinese viewers have a hard time giving it a chance cause of Zhao Ji.
Edit: Eating my words 62 eps later. That ending utterly ruined an otherwise good drama UGH hate it when they do this
ah I might be stupid but what exactly is what makes haolan an controversial character to you?
Zhao Ji is historically controversial for having other lovers besides her husband King Yiren after his death, which is a big no no back in the day.
She had a lover Lao Ai and two sons with him, while also linked to Lu Buwei, her ex- husband before he gifted her to Prince Yiren.
Lots of doubts and rumors about Qin Shi Huang that he is the son of Lu Buwei, instead of Yiren. But those rumors are now seen as attempts by political opponents to slander Lu Buwei and bring down Qin Shi Huang at the time.
Lu Buwei was a merchant turned influential politician, and attracted many haters because of his success despite odds of his background. Merchants were considered lowest of social classes at the time.
As for Zhao Ji , she was a beautiful dancer in LBW's household before she became his concubine. But rumors say she continued to have an affair with Lu Buwei during Yiren's time too, not just after he passed.
LBW is like the annoying and controlling ex bf who can’t leave you alone after a breakup, how embarrassingly…
Haha I'd like to think deep down Hao Lan is drawn to his unwavering confidence and gets huge gratification from this payback for emotional torture he used to put her thru :P
Besides the fact Zhao Ji (Hao Lan) is a controversial character, I cant help but feel this drama took a hit from being compared to Yanxi A LOT cause of the familiar cast. Dont get me wrong the drama is messy af with the numerous subplots within plots and all the interwoven side characters. But its still one decent drama in terms of production quality or overall synopsis.
I've been waiting for this drama since forever until my drama hiatus. Excited to start this after hearing all the great things about it, especially the acting. No surprise there, those two are phenomenal actors in their own right
The Fucha siblings are simply too pure for the world of ancient palace politics. And I agree with those who consider Yingluo and the Empress' unconditional love for each other as the best thing about the drama besides the character of Yingluo herself
Hearing good things so will see if it gets better. ..
:P
@Alila Nguyen made a good point though. Bai Qian is a badass when she had everything - power, prestige and status. Not so much though, when she had nothing.
Wei Yingluo from Yanxi is imo another good example of female empowerment. Came from nothing and yes she was clever, bold, and even manipulative. But always remained extremely loyal and fair.
Content is heavy, characters are grey area types but there's a lot of depth to each and storyline.
Highly highly recommend. Production, directing and acting/cast are all very quality. I appreciate the subtleties in every aspect. Writing overall good, story keeps one entertained throughout and I like how aspects are tied together rather than dichotomized or take momentum away from each other.
The drama isn't exactly popular cause Li Hao Lan is based on a controversial historical figure but look past that and one very decent production is what it is. Imo one of the best I've seen in awhile. Don't compare to Yanxi because majority of the cast is also in this
PS. I hated The King's Woman and that drama is on my Cdrama blacklist haha.
Edit: Eating my words 62 eps later. That ending utterly ruined an otherwise good drama UGH hate it when they do this
She had a lover Lao Ai and two sons with him, while also linked to Lu Buwei, her ex- husband before he gifted her to Prince Yiren.
Lots of doubts and rumors about Qin Shi Huang that he is the son of Lu Buwei, instead of Yiren. But those rumors are now seen as attempts by political opponents to slander Lu Buwei and bring down Qin Shi Huang at the time.
Lu Buwei was a merchant turned influential politician, and attracted many haters because of his success despite odds of his background. Merchants were considered lowest of social classes at the time.
As for Zhao Ji , she was a beautiful dancer in LBW's household before she became his concubine. But rumors say she continued to have an affair with Lu Buwei during Yiren's time too, not just after he passed.
Dont get me wrong the drama is messy af with the numerous subplots within plots and all the interwoven side characters. But its still one decent drama in terms of production quality or overall synopsis.