The Sword and the Brocade

I believe this is what is know as a Harem drama, and is the first I have watched. It centers on a low born woman being married into a prestigious family as the 'first wife' in a household which includes several concubines but she is fantastically skilled in embroidery which she wants to persue as a career but means she is the only women on the house who does not want to be there. Cast into this toxic atmosphere she finds herself threatened by scheming concubines determined to undermine her position, a position she does not want!

As she overcomes these obstacles her cold and distant husband comes to recognise her talents and just what a nice person she is and so starts the slow burning romance.

I have to mention the cinematography which at times is jaw dropping. A simple story of good against evil and good triumphing eventually told in an entertaining and engaging way which is carried by the two leads who give fantastic performances.

I loved this show. Not many shows are getting my attention lately. I just so happened upon this show and though of Cinderella of the Chinese and it isn't like European Cinderella where she sees him and immediately falls for him. Concubine daughter wants nothing to do with noble, ends up falling for him and having to struggle. Just wish I didn't have to read the subtitles in order to watch it...wasn't easy with having the subs flying across my screen and me having to stop, rewind and pause it so many times. But was better than the European/American stories anyday.

I love this drama! Again this in my favourites rewatch list. I found this to be a very deep drama with a very slow romantic storyline. There's no witty comedy in this drama but you will find the odd joke to break the ice.

This was my first drama watching Wallace Chung (Xu Ling Yi) and Seven Tan (Luo Shi Yi Niang) their acting in this drama was really good the chemistry really bounced off on another. I really hope I get to see them in another historical drama together.

This is a story about a young woman who is forced into being a concubine. We watch from start to finish on her trying to maintain role within the family.

This drama can come across being slow but it is one definitely to carry on watching. Every actor played their role really well superb acting. Each one played there part to keep this great story going..

Ionly had one issue with this drama I felt that the ending was rushed! I'd like to of found out what happened more within the family.

Like I said at the beginning this drama is in my top rewatch list so I definitely recommend it

PS If you love some drama soundtracks you will love this one...

The Sword and the Brocade is a compelling story about concubine-born Luo Shiyi who marries Xu Lingyi, Marquis Yongping to honor a dying sister's wish. Seven Tan and Wallace Chung are outstanding in their roles, the former as the smart, diligent and kind Shiyi, the latter as the cold, strict and upright Lingyi. The sweet, heart-fluttering slow-burn romance between Shiyi and Lingyi develops in a charged setting laden with scheming concubines and political rivals.

When the leads fall in love, their devotion to each other is so heartwarming you'd just want to keep watching how an intelligent and sensible couple who truly love, respect and trust each other overcomes one scheme after another, outmaneuvering enemies together.

My main gripes about Cdramas are their length and tendency to drag. But this is so good, with hardly any draggy parts, I just wanted it to keep going. The music is stirring, the cinematography is stunning and the story flows smoothly. The ending is one of the most satisfying endings in Cdramas I've watched.

This got a lot of flak for featuring the concubine system, which, for me, is tantamount to saying that all shows featuring war and crime are bad. In fact, far from supporting the concubine system, this drama shows how evil it is, causing much grief to everyone involved, from the husband to the wives, concubines and children. In the end, the male lead and his brother both abandon the practice. Thus, the flak this drama got was unfair and undeserved.

Just started this and was compelled to write an early review because of the bashing of concubines. These are fictional dramas and weather anyone likes it or not concubines were a common thing for 2000 years! Weather you agree with it or not or you want t think abandoning it was a reality it's a fictional drama! The fact people don't want to fathom the fact that there were concubines and think because a fictional drama written in 2021 was historically accurate because they abandoned the practice. Most men had 100's of concubines. Any ways I'm finding this to be decent but imo they down play the facts of concubines. I'll keep watching and update if needed..