kristinag24

Hands down the best Chinese historical drama I have watched so far this year. I wanted to wait until all episodes where out but I have been having attention issues with other dramas that I picked up. So, I decided to start watching this one on the thought that "It can't be all that great, right?" Well, I was so wrong, from the first episode I was addicted. The entire cast is fantastic and the storyline keeps me engaged. I love that the female lead while very pretty, does not talk in that baby talk super sweet tone. I hate that baby voice that most dramas try to make the female leads speak in. Nevertheless, I love everything about the female lead she is really showing up and showing out. The male lead, he is the perfect fit and casted very well for this role. Handsome, strong, but still has that soft spot for his love interest. Additionally, all the supporting characters make this drama come together for each episode. I hope the plot continues to keep its momentum because this drama has been very good and restores my faith in storytelling. I will need to watch it on repeat like I did The Double, Blossom, and Love Like the Galaxy.
I love dramas that capture my attention in the first episode and keep my attention. Feel free to give recommendations if you know of any.

Update: I have finished the drama and all I can say is finger snap...LOVED IT! I see all the hype on Facebook about "too much makeup". Additionally, new rules were made so that "generals" cannot be too handsome because it is not realistic. I can say "boy bye". This is based on a fictional character and don't fault the production team for just knowing their jobs when it comes to costume and makeup and how to deliver. The makeup, the acting, the costumes, even the fighting scenes, all were done with precision. The production crew read the book and paid attention.

In short, whichever director that decided that they needed to call in a favor to the higher ups in the industry and political connections because they were jealous of the success of this drama. Stop being petty and learn how to understand your actors. It was not that there was too much makeup, it was that the director and the production crew knew their jobs. Every single person who participated in this drama was amazing. The little kids were adorable( I wanted to reach into the tv and hug them) the extra's still good. The second and first leads, AMAZING. This drama lacked nothing. My only regret is that I did not wait until all episodes to watch it because every week, I counted down until I allowed myself to binge the weekly episodes.

Nooo! I am so sorry to hear this. He was such a talented actor. I love him in all his works. Rest well Ahjussi.

The app Wattpad

I am really into historical Chinese dramas where the female lead is strong and independent. This is one of them. The female lead is strong, her own person and takes on any challenge. Then you have the male lead who knows when he needs to put his own ego to the side and listen to the FL. They fall in love along the way and then they become a force to recon with. Along the way, they run into many scheming corrupt officials and even family members who want them dead and will stop at nothing but they always have a plan because they work together, which I truly enjoyed. Nevertheless, I binged watched this drama everything about it was really good from the acting, to the chemistry of the main leads, the storylines and the costumes, all was done very well.

Thank you! It was a really good read. Yes, it was translated and the translation was pretty good. There were a few hiccups (using he when they are clearly talking about a woman, and the other way around) here or there but it was enough that I could understand what was going on and enjoy it to the end. I really enjoyed how the love story was a slow burn development.

I just finished reading the novel. The C-drama is amazing, I have to say I've watched it on repeat but the book...man oh man, I was addicted from the beginning to the end. The storyline is quite different from the drama which made it all the more entertaining.

Maybe I will give it another try at a later date.

I didn't understand the time switch. It is not like that in the book. That is the problem with reading the book first and then watching the drama. The drama will likely be a disappointment because the writer makes changes to satisfy the storyline and make it more entertaining for the viewers.

In the book he was unstable. He didn't like anything that had to do with his Korean side and was ashamed of it. It only made it worse when he found out about his real dad. That, and he was born out of wedlock.
The book is really good and I would recommend it for a good read. I read it, and started watching the drama, but only got to episode 2 before I dropped it.

I loved this drama so much that I had to find an English translation for the book. Come to find out the book is even better and more interesting. In the book Xue Fung Fei really does die and is reincarnates as Jiang Li. As Jiang Li she has all of her former life's memories intact and slowly seeks revenge. It is especially interesting because in the drama, Ji Shuran goes crazy after the exorcism. But in the book, all the bad things that Ji Shuran did are exposed during the exorcism. This includes that fact that she had an affair and got pregnant but in order to cover it up, she framed Jiang Li, that she killed the first wife, and killed the concubines child and covered it up. Also, that she killed her former lover to make sure he stayed quiet about their affair. So far it has been a fun read.
Duke Su is present in the book but he described as mysterious and loves all things beautiful. I haven't finished the book yet but I am really enjoying it.
Back to the C-drama. Acting is great, I loved Wang Xing Yue's performance as Duke Su. It was the perfect casting. He was handsome, mysterious, broody, and overall just a joy to watch. He really knows how to give side-eye (episode 33). The rest of the characters were really good as well. You either loved or hated them. I can honestly say, I've watched this drama at least 6 times and I am still in love with it.

If you really want to know...and this is because I read the book. He commits suicide. He finds out that Han Su is his real father and have a very difficult time dealing with it. He felt like his blood was dirty. He had issues with being Korean and really tried hard to assimilate as a Japanese man. When his mom went looking for him, that was the straw that broke him and he committed suicide. He was ashamed of himself and his Korean blood.
While reading the book, I was really sad and disappointed because he had so much potential in life and would have been very successful.

This is really sad news. She was such a talent and will be missed.

This kdrama was perfect. It was just the right amount of episodes. Nothing got drawn out and I love how the bullies got what they deserved. I am used to watching Hwang Bo Ra as a comedian, so it was a nice change to see her play the bad guy.
I recommend this drama if you are looking for something that is short and simple.

I agree with you. Viewers if you want a happy ending, don't watch the entire episode.

Need help - I started reading the English translation for the book which is Marriage of the Di Daughter. The versions I have found online are not translated in full. Does anyone know where I can get the entire book translated in English on the internet or even a bookstore? I really want to read the book because it is different than the drama in some aspects.

Simply a phenomenal period C-drama. It starts off slow the viewer may feel the urge to drop it. I felt like dropping it after 20 minutes into the first episode but, the earlier episodes do a good job of leading into the turmoil and conflict that make the show really good and worth watching.
So a quick summary, and I am leaving out a lot of specific details to wet the palate to watch it if you haven't.
The FL (Xue Li) is drugged and set up for adultery by her husbands mother and sister.
He knows about it as well but does nothing. She locked in a shed and later on taken to a mountain where he attempts to kill her by hitting her with a shovel and burying her alive. Her husband also lets her know that she has no one to turn to because her dad and brother were also killed. She somehow digs her way and survives where she is found by a young lady (Juang Li) and maid who was banished by her stepmom for pushing her down stairs and killing her unborn child. The mountain nunneryat she is being held at is very strict and they beat anyone who doesn't follow the rules. Because she breaks a major rule, she ends up beaten to death and the Xue Li who was buried alive ends up switching identities with her so Xue Li is now Jiang Li.
Meanwhile in the capital Seng (the husband who killed his wife) hold a funeral procession for his dead wife. He is suppose to be this upright/honest scholar who is loyal to the empire, etc.etc. He looks legit sad as he is walking down the street with the empty casket but Duke Su, the mysterious and handsome righthand man hand of the emperor immediately knows that something is not right about him or the death of his wife.
Moving forward, Duke Su ends up at the mountain where Jiang Li/Xue Li currently stays with Jiang LI's maid Tong'er. The Duke recognizes who the now Jiang Li is and wonders why she is there. He then proceeds to charge her with helping to hide a criminal so he can take her back and use her as a pawn in the plan to weed out corrupt officials. She is happy to go with him as she promised Jiang Li that she would get revenge against her family for her being locked away for 10 years.
Back at the capital Xue Li is reunited with her family, where her step-mother immediately tries to make her look like a rude/brash person. She does multiple schemes and even tries to pit the family against her but Xue Li is onto her and each time she tries something, it backfires. Of course Xue Li has help from Duke Su because he is very much aware of who she is, even is she doesn't admit it.
Also, during Xui Li's return she is on a hunt to revenge her reputation being tarnished and death. She wants to know who is backing Shen the husband she gave her everything to. She eventually finds the backer is the severely sadistic Eldest Princess.

Xue Li continues to pose as Jiang Li so she get revenge on them both. But her cover is eventually blown. Throughout the drama we see her husband process his guilt towards the wife he loved but was forced to kill or he would lose his mother and sister. He wants to be a good person but he knows that Jiang Li is really Xue Li so he also wants her back so he can prove that he can protect her.
Especially after he sees that she and Duke Su have feelings for one another. His growing jealously results in him teaming up with the Elder Princess on a number of schemes. Duke Su and Xue Li always seem to catch and avoid being caught in their trap.
Eventually we get to the climax of the show where the corruption is at its peak and there is a fight to the death for the throne. There are losers and winners but it is intense to the end.

As mentioned above, this is a very good watch for action, mystery, a little comedy and strong story development.

How was it a sad ending? The duke survived war and had a daughter. They lived happily. As for the ex-husband, he rightfuly died as did his mistress. His family that he betrayed his wife with by attempting to kill her, well they got there karma. The bad guys got dead and the good guys outside of the sidekicks, stayed alive.
The only sad ending I see is the duke su lost his side kicks.

I went back to watching this after starting it and dropping it multiple times. I regret that I didn't watch it sooner. I guess the beginning was a little slow because it doesn't start off with a bang. The story builds up and the ML is put into several situations that make him aware of his being poor. To make it worse, he is betrayed and hurt and then there are the issues of his parents and the growing debt.
Now fast forward to the introduction of the golden spoon. I felt that the storyline was really good. We have this contrast of rich vs. poor and on both sides, there ae skeletons that have to be delt with. Being poor LSC has mounting debt but he also knows the love of his family and support of them as well. Being rich, he has money, power, connections and anything he may ask for with the exception of the love of his family. LSC chose money but mainly because he wanted to help his poor family and then return to them as the true LSC. On the other hand, HTY as LSC appreciates his family and choses to remain poor no matter the temptations.
The drama is very thought provoking and I found myself thinking what would I do if I was put in a situation where I could switch my parents? For myself, I wouldn't because I love my family unconditionally, but if I was desperate enough, would I do it?

Overall I felt the drama was really good, so good that I didn't skip any parts. I just got bored with the love triangle parts but what is a drama without a good second male lead love interest. The ending did feel a bit rushed as I was really not understanding the story behind the fake father killing his son, I don't understand how he had the son in the first place. I didn't think it was necessary to kill off the poor dad either. He would have loved to see him rise up from the ashes of being poor. Moon Ki's ending was most fitting and when I tell you he killed his role. He was the manliest man in the entire show. A green flag as a friend and future husband.
Finally, the one thing that truly confused me was Oh Yu Jin and why she would let her real dad be a part of her life. Plus her fake dad was very aware of the man being a convict but he let him take his grandchild out alone. That part truly confused me but I guess it was open ended to show that she got her karma by her child be sold off or held for ransom.
Nevertheless, the drama is not easy to watch if your a sensitive person. It is however, entertaining and if can tolerate a few slow moving parts and you have to pay attention because there are some times where it can get confusing on who is who.

I went back to watching this after starting it and dropping it multiple times. I regret that I didn't watch it sooner. I guess the beginning was a little slow because it doesn't start off with a bang. The story builds up and the ML is put into several situations that make him aware of his being poor. To make it worse, he is betrayed and hurt and then there are the issues of his parents and the growing debt.
Now fast forward to the introduction of the golden spoon. I felt that the storyline was really good. We have this contrast of rich vs. poor and on both sides, there ae skeletons that have to be delt with. Being poor LSC has mounting debt but he also knows the love of his family and support of them as well. Being rich, he has money, power, connections and anything he may ask for with the exception of the love of his family. LSC chose money but mainly because he wanted to help his poor family and then return to them as the true LSC. On the other hand, HTY as LSC appreciates his family and choses to remain poor no matter the temptations.
The drama is very thought provoking and I found myself thinking what would I do if I was put in a situation where I could switch my parents? For myself, I wouldn't because I love my family unconditionally, but if I was desperate enough, would I do it?

Overall I felt the drama was really good, so good that I didn't skip any parts. I just got bored with the love triangle parts but what is a drama without a good second male lead love interest. The ending did feel a bit rushed as I was really not understanding the story behind the fake father killing his son, I don't understand how he had the son in the first place. I didn't think it was necessary to kill off the poor dad either. He would have loved to see him rise up from the ashes of being poor. Moon Ki's ending was most fitting and when I tell you he killed his role. He was the manliest man in the entire show. A green flag as a friend and future husband.
Finally, the one thing that truly confused me was Oh Yu Jin and why she would let her real dad be a part of her life. Plus her fake dad was very aware of the man being a convict but he let him take his grandchild out alone. That part truly confused me but I guess it was open ended to show that she got her karma by her child be sold off or held for ransom.
Nevertheless, the drama is not easy to watch if your a sensitive person. It is however, entertaining and if can tolerate a few slow moving parts and you have to pay attention because there are some times where it can get confusing on who is who.

The emperor was just an awful person overall. He banished entire families just because he couldn't take criticism. He was greedy, ruthless and very selfish.