YCC
Pride & Prejudice against women and people from 'foreign land'
I watched this drama in mid 2022... the synopsis didn't sound so exciting... but I'm truly glad that I gave it a try... after feeling disappointed with some of the newer drama
This is a story about women... and their fight for equal footing in society.... You will meet Banshu, a very smart & cheerful girl grown up in the prairie and thus have very different upbringing as compared with the 'polished' Han ladies. In the beginning you will hate Lanzhi, the finest lady in Han, who on appearance always follow societal etiquette. But later on you will learn about how she always have to follow the rules set by her parents and suffered. And then you will respect the Empress Dowager, young, pretty, wise and ... lonely.... Luckily she has Lady Ming who is also very wise, and in her quiet way, always support the Empress Dowager and remind her when necessary. There is also Banshu's aunt (acted by Tien Niu) who is very wise and well respected., though you don't see much of her.
I think the males in this drama are only supporting characters... to the point of comedic, especially General Deng. I lose count how many times he proposed to Banshu, one was even done in the jail! For me, the most eye-catching male was Suri, the head of bandit who first propose to Banshu in episode 1!
The costumes are beautiful! I especially like the layered embroidered kimono-style hanfu with beautiful sashes. The triple embroidery on the hem are very nice. Initially I didn't pay much attention to the set, but my little nephew pointed to me that the Empress Dowager throne look like a dragon face. And I notice some of the supposedly gilded sculpture has sparkling blue gemstones for their eyes. I also love the dance between the Empress Dowager and her lover, it was like the crane courting dance, very elegant.
This drama featured a superb cast... most of them are famous actors/actresses now... but are still very young when they filmed this drama.... The round-face young emperor is so cute! He was likely only around 11 or 12 when they filmed this drama.
I love the ending... All's Well that ends well!
This is a story about women... and their fight for equal footing in society.... You will meet Banshu, a very smart & cheerful girl grown up in the prairie and thus have very different upbringing as compared with the 'polished' Han ladies. In the beginning you will hate Lanzhi, the finest lady in Han, who on appearance always follow societal etiquette. But later on you will learn about how she always have to follow the rules set by her parents and suffered. And then you will respect the Empress Dowager, young, pretty, wise and ... lonely.... Luckily she has Lady Ming who is also very wise, and in her quiet way, always support the Empress Dowager and remind her when necessary. There is also Banshu's aunt (acted by Tien Niu) who is very wise and well respected., though you don't see much of her.
I think the males in this drama are only supporting characters... to the point of comedic, especially General Deng. I lose count how many times he proposed to Banshu, one was even done in the jail! For me, the most eye-catching male was Suri, the head of bandit who first propose to Banshu in episode 1!
The costumes are beautiful! I especially like the layered embroidered kimono-style hanfu with beautiful sashes. The triple embroidery on the hem are very nice. Initially I didn't pay much attention to the set, but my little nephew pointed to me that the Empress Dowager throne look like a dragon face. And I notice some of the supposedly gilded sculpture has sparkling blue gemstones for their eyes. I also love the dance between the Empress Dowager and her lover, it was like the crane courting dance, very elegant.
This drama featured a superb cast... most of them are famous actors/actresses now... but are still very young when they filmed this drama.... The round-face young emperor is so cute! He was likely only around 11 or 12 when they filmed this drama.
I love the ending... All's Well that ends well!
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