I baulked at the notion of watching a 45 episode C-drama. But having invested the time, I am glad I did. It was extremely well directed, well written and made me think deeply about how much has changed over time and how some things are still the same. Yes, it was hard to accept that somethings truly have remained the same. More on that in a while.
The summary and the reviews are clear enough so I will not go into the basic story and its premise. However I will say that the central themes are particularly interesting - complex family feuds, deep seated anger and resentment against the system and people in power, the helplessness of those without power, the dignity of those who truly loved their nation and their people, the inflexibility of a Confusion world and those who still found ways to work with what they have to win. While the context is very different, it is possible to draw parallels to the modern world.
We are all placed in situations where we have little control. Shiyi's story tells of ways to never lose hope, dignity or courage - to forge ahead despite all possible hurdles, with determination and work towards finding solutions. Her calm and smiling face faces countless challenges which she handles head on. The choices she and the Marquis have to make are impossible ones at times. At every turn inside the home and outside, there are forces trying to trip them over. The life of women in ancient times in all societies was truly demeaning and soul destroying and the Ming Empire was no exception. The life of concubines who were neither lowly enough to have their own freedom in an ordinary family nor high enough to be given respect, dignity and love was possibly one of the most tragic of any group I have seen. Their lot was truly soul destroying.
Even the mother in law from hell - the Dowager was in own right trying her best to do what she thought is important for the family and society. While she came across initially as a truly horrible person looking at her actions from the modern eye, listening to her reasoning and putting it in context, it did make sense however harmful and painful many of her attitudes and decisions felt. And credit to Shiyi for never missing that or hating... perhaps that is one of the greatest lessons of all from this drama - that Karma can be b****, that being kind and thoughtful to everyone pays off (and not being so also pays off in a horrible way even if you are not paying attention), that those whose behaviour may seem incomprehensible and reprehensible may still have a strong logic and reason for their actions and one can oppose them without hating them.