The Legend of Jewelry

Hands down, this has become the best historical drama of the year for me. If you appreciate award-winning acting, breathtaking scenes, and intriguing storylines and backstories, then you will appreciate and like what this drama has to offer.

First, the opening score is spectacular. Even more beautiful is the opening of the drama which shows the lead character, Duan Wu played by Zhao Lusi, diving for pearls. The choreography and cinematography of the scene should win awards alone. From there, the viewer is pulled into the struggles of Duan Wu's life. After tragedy befalls her, she meets Yan Zi Jing, played by Liu Yuning, a complicated businessman who has his own agenda and tragic backstory.

One of my pet peeves in watching dramas is to be pulled out of the story building. Since episode 1, I've been pulled in so deep, I feel I'm on a ship in middle of the ocean, caring for real people and their purpose and life's journey. The occasional creaking board sounds are brilliant because I feel I'm not just watching characters on a set. The acting is so natural. There is no overacting or under acting. I feel the moment, happy and sad, with them.

I highly reccomend.

Not since "Word of Honor" have I been so wowed by a historical C-drama. Beautiful sets, an exotic yet universal story of survival and best of all, some of the most spot-on casting I've ever seen. As many reviewers have described, all of the leads are excellent, from the lithe pearl diving slave DuanWu to the dandy of a schemer "Master" Yan Zijing. Plus the supporting characters, like DuWaan's "little brother" Shrimp and Yan's mysterious brooding first mate, are all perfect too. It helps that the subtitles for this series are never clumsy and like Word of Honor was, quite poetic sometimes. But Confucian moments aside, this is also a cool ACTION film. (That's clear as day by the time they hit "Despairing Cove".) So along with all the devious back-stabbing, cunning plots and Yan's seductive half-smiles, there's plenty of furious chase scenes and take-no-prisoners fight-to-the-deaths. At this point, I'm at Ep. 10 with 30 more to go. But no matter how it turns out in the end, I can already tell this Pearl Girl story is going to a magnificent ride. I'm taking one star off for making the otherwise clever DuanWu so clueless about wielding her sex appeal for some extra leverage against that Yan dude. Looking like an angel is nice, but mostly it gets boring after a while. Disclaimer: At this point I'm waiting for weekly episodes to drop and will edit my review if things go south.

The whole show hasn't aired yet but I've seen 10 episodes so far. It's been good but kind of cheesy I mean they make the main character some kind of supernatural person. So she's good at literally everything she tries? She never fails? She can outsmart anyone and win any competition? I don't like shows where they make people super unbelievable and I also hate love triangles. Like pick or choose a dude for her don't tease that there could be two options for her (one is a dude who let her get whipped might I add) Iike what? They have her going through all of this abuse for a single relic that she technically can just describe to her long lost father. Plot just doesn't make sense. It's also a bit confusing to follow because EVERYONE is scheming something at all times. But I'm going to keep watching because I'm invested now.

If this drama is gorgeously made and the plot lines will keep you engaged. The emotional roller coaster with great pacing of the storyline guaranteed. The story begins at the lowest of ranks of social status but thru obstacles and tribulations, the leads characters undergoing growth that affected their destinies. A lot of empowering quotes that I can use in modern life. Despite the focus is there for the leads, other supporting characters also will be having their stories to tell and this will add another layer of complexity in this drama. Furthermore, the acting of the each actors and actresses are on point as well!

Through its storytelling, The Story Of Pearl Girl painted a picture of survival through sheer will power and determination. Zhao Lusi is the embodiment of Duan Wu and later Su Muzhe, her acting is Oscar worthy and will take viewers along with her through her own struggles, pain, tribulation and triumph. You will laugh, cry and cheer for the women in this story, women empowerment is the strongest theme in this drama. This is not a drama focusing on romance and yet its love story is sweet, tender, and bittersweet. The ending didn't make me feel sad as it did to some viewers, because I believe the main couple were together until the end of Yan Zijing's life. Su Muzhe was able to achieve what she had always wanted, being a successful businesswoman, having freedom, to travel around and see the world. The ending wrapped things nicely, justice was served as it should. Liu Yuning aced his character as Yan Zijing, and I think this is his best acting to date. The supporting cast also did amazing as each of them was a perfect fit for his/her character. The cinematography is amazing from the beginning to the end, the music score and OSTs are hauntingly beautiful. If you're looking for a complex drama with character growth and depths, great storyline and acting, The Story Of Pearl Girl is a must-watch series,