Palace dramas don’t get better than this. The leads have a beautiful us-against-the-world relationship, the antagonists are complex and conniving, and the political scheming and power struggles will keep you guessing.
The series must have had a big budget, and looks the part with beautiful costumes, stunning sets/locations, and a huge cast. The production values might be the best I’ve seen in a Chinese drama to date.
The number of characters can make it confusing to keep track of their connections and allegiances at times, but it’s an epic story that stays engaging across 68 episodes thanks to a well-paced script and compelling performances from the cast. The length of the series leaves plenty of room for character development, and many of the arcs are fascinating. Most of the characters inhabit a gray area in terms of their motivations and morals, and the lengths people are willing to go to in pursuit of power and the effects of jealousy and greed are recurring themes.
Viewers should know that this is a serious drama with an intricate plot that rewards full attention. There’s little in the way of comic relief or lighthearted elements, but the characters are so complex and the world they inhabit so immersive that the story doesn’t feel unbalanced. Plus, the full-circle ending is a happy one for the leads.
The series must have had a big budget, and looks the part with beautiful costumes, stunning sets/locations, and a huge cast. The production values might be the best I’ve seen in a Chinese drama to date.
The number of characters can make it confusing to keep track of their connections and allegiances at times, but it’s an epic story that stays engaging across 68 episodes thanks to a well-paced script and compelling performances from the cast. The length of the series leaves plenty of room for character development, and many of the arcs are fascinating. Most of the characters inhabit a gray area in terms of their motivations and morals, and the lengths people are willing to go to in pursuit of power and the effects of jealousy and greed are recurring themes.
Viewers should know that this is a serious drama with an intricate plot that rewards full attention. There’s little in the way of comic relief or lighthearted elements, but the characters are so complex and the world they inhabit so immersive that the story doesn’t feel unbalanced. Plus, the full-circle ending is a happy one for the leads.
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