Bu bu jing xin

This shortish serial was probably the best plot in a TV series I've ever seen. So cleverly worked out, everything is top notch - the sets, costumes, the score, the characterizations. Really heart wrenching plot lines and the finale is something I don't think anyone who followed the series will ever forget.

They handled the time travel determinism quite well too - the lead actress works out the hard way no matter what she does to try to change the fates of those around her it only ends up creating the events that actually happened historically, usually disastrously!

The only thing I found was that it took a while before I was able to work out who was who. At first especially 8th, 13th and 14th princes looked quite similar - since they all have identical Qing dynasty hair styles (the shaved forehead and long ponytail) and look a little alike anyway. Thankfully some of the guys like the lead actor are very distinctive. It's a bit silly in places but I can overlook that for the overall plot.

If you're looking for something a bit different, a taste of a totally foreign culture - outlandish costumes, hairstyles, hats, ceremonies and a cracking plot with twists and huge surprises - and don't mind subtitles - this is great stuff.

Starling by Each Step aka Scarlet Heart was remade in 2016 as Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo with an entirely new cast and a scintillating and engrossing script that far surpasses this iteration. The Princes in SC-Ryeo were pure eye candy but in this version they all come across as old men with ugly hair styles and boring personalities. Bottom line, don't bother with this version, go straight for Scarlet Heart Ryeo.

(The series tells the story of a modern-era woman, Zhang Xiao, who time-travelled from the 21st century to the Qing Dynasty during Emperor Kangxi's reign, where she, as her previous incarnate Ma'er'tai Ruoxi, encountered the Emperor's sons, who were involved in a lengthy battle for the throne. During the course of the series, the female protagonist would meet and eventually fell in love with Fourth Prince Aisin Gioro Yinzhen, who would later on ascend the throne as Emperor Yongzheng. The plot of the series was largely reminiscent of the original novel's plot, though the series's ending differed from that of the novel, along with a few minor differences from both the series and novel.)

This is a Chinese drama that is quite well known, and as I haven't seen it before, I wanted to find out if it lives up to the hype. Unfortunately, it really does not, and in fact feels a lot more dated than it should be.

I was surprised to find that this drama came out around the same time as Empresses In The Palace, because that series is head and shoulders above this one in quality, acting, and story.

The premise of the show is that a lady from modern times gets transported back in time into the body of a high class lady from the Qing Dynasty after a car accident. From there, you follow her adventures as she navigates the palace intrigues and the various Princes vying for power.

On paper this sounds really interesting, but watching the show, the antics of the main character often comes off as extremely juvenile. Most of the comedic scenes fall completely flat, and there just isn't much to latch onto when it comes to characterization or plot. Acting isn't that great either. I wanted to quit by the fourth episode.

I would recommend skipping this one if you don't have any nostalgia associated with it. I suspect the high rating makes sense for the time that this drama came out, but there have been so many better Chinese gufeng dramas since then that it doesn't hold up well by comparison.

For Qing Dynasty palace harem intrigue/plotting, I recommend Empresses In The Palace, Ruyi's Royal Love, or Yanxi Palace (in that order) instead.

If you want really good plot and characters flexing their ability to outwit each other, Nirvana In Fire 1 + 2, and The Story of Minglan are much better dramas to spend your time on as well.

Season 1 is very well done and deserves 8 stars. Good performance, poor screenplay and too many gaps and bluffs in Season 2.

Ruo Xi should be a smart modern woman in the beginning is fun and interesting, turn into selfish boring person story ... Not recommend to anyone