Introduction of the Princess (2011)

It usually doesn't take me very long to get tired of a drama but I've had better luck sticking with Chinese historicals than most other genres. I was a bit skeptical about starting this drama and the first time I did try it, I lost interest within the first 15 minutes. However, I powered through and at the end of this very long drama journey, I think it was worth sticking with it.

Story - 8.0/10
The story in this was actually quite good, very entertaining but at times a bit unrealistic and far-fetched. It did keep me hooked right to the end. Down to the last minutes of the drama, I was wondering how on earth the conflict would resolve itself. The weakest parts for me were the final episodes since I almost didn't bother with finishing it and the ending felt weak. However, the majority of the storyline was highly entertaining so I'd give it a higher rating.

Acting/Cast - 7.5/10
I've never seen any of these actors before so I thought they were all good. The actors accomplished the characters' motives well - the villains most notably. When they were evil, boy they were evil. Unfortunately, the characters themselves didn't work for me. I can't think of one character I liked in this drama, which is unusual for me. But still, the actors played their parts well and there are some whose works I'll definitely follow up on.

Music - 7.5/10
I'm an OST kind of girl but sadly I couldn't find one song from this that I liked that much. The music was appropriate most times, just nothing memorable for me.

Rewatch Value - 4.5/10
At the end of the day, this drama feels too long for me to rewatch it. Give me a year or two and maybe then, but not the whole thing. There was just so much in this that I feel exhausted thinking about it.

OVERALL - 8.0/10
Definitely a good drama. Not great or magnificent but one worth watching. Just don't try to marathon it - you'll get exhausted quickly (because I know I did - I had to take several breaks in between!)

Leia Mais

I am Ruby Lin's Fans so dont blame me if i say Ruby many good words..

many people wrote the reviews already i am just adding some facts about this series :
1. this is Ruby Lin's first series as a producer. She is an investor as well and asking many other party to join the production including HunanTV which already bought this series before it filming (also as one of the inverstors)

2. Ruby is the one who keep asking Wallace Huo to acts in this series, she said she need asking 3 times to him till he accept it (according to Wallace in his interview he said that he only had 1 month to finish this series since he using his holiday time to accept ruby invitation). Ruby is keep say Wallace Huo is the one who fit in this character (although many other actors already in her waitlist to replace Wallace, but she keep asking to Wallace Huo until he accept it).

3. Liu Kuan is the first actor confirmed as man lead months before filming starts, he knows ruby from the other series which cooperate together.

4. HunanTv is the one who need to be blame of the ending parts. It keep changing the time schedule to this series. N suddenly HunanTV announce that this series airing right after Bu Bu Jing Xin (due to high rating of BBJX Hunantv take the chance to make this series had a good rating too). but the editing team dont have time to edit right away, with the 3 eps each day mon-fri, no time to do a good cutting for the last episodes.. thats why if u watch seriously, u will feel the different plot from the beginning and the ending, at beginning it quite slow introducing one and one characters, at the end kinda rushing to finish). PLUS, HunanTV also change the total episode (it just rumour that HunanTV is the one cutting those ending episodes from 48 to 42 ep so the original one is 48 episodes >.<)

5. this series makes Ruby Lin as Best Producer in TV Drama Award in China in that year.

6. Ruby was hurt by Wallace Huo's furry cloths, her eyes were allergic to furry so during filming she was go to doctor for few days to check her eyes.

7. this series is made from a high recommend online novel. about one woman who loved by 3 Kings but she can't be the Queen forever.

I know this series isnt perfect but i do know my idol, she doing her best to this series. i dont satisfied too much to this series, but i can understand why.
Many of actors(actress) who come this series because of her. Like Wang LIn (who played as Ruby Mom in other series) said she thanks to Ruby who give her a chance to play her character so she can change her image and do have change to act with Kara Hui (both are well known actress)

Leia Mais

I still haven't figured out why this drama holds such a special place in my heart, but it really does. Even after rewatching it multiple times and seeing the flaws ever more clearly each time, I still love it.

I simply love the story and find it fascinating enough to be rewatched again and again. While the story is not without its plotholes (more so due to drama not explaining some of the characters' backstory when necessary therefore confusing at some parts) the actors in their respective roles are getting it done, and general chemistry of the cast gels everything together. Every relationship I can think of that actually mattered in this series had good development backed up by good chemistry ...whether it is as lovers or unrequited love, to twisted familial relations between mother-son, husband-wife, siblings etc. One of the strengths of the drama lie in the deep portrayal of the different dimensions of the characters, illustrating who they actually are and what they mean to one another in an unspoken/mutual way at the end of the day before all that royal status.

The acting in this one is really good with the best performances coming from the older royal generation (both the male leads' mothers) and the male leads themselves - Wallace and Yan Kuan as the respective kings of rival states. Both are impressionable and very well-casted for their characters, that I cannot imagine anyone else portraying these characters. Wallace as Liu Liancheng will make your heart as torn and perplexed as the character himself. To date this is still my favorite Wallace Huo performance and role even though the amount of time he gets is little compared to his other works. As for Yan Kuan I've decided he is not a man of our time, capturing the quintessential ancient male hero all too well in every possible way.


The drama is one big show of eye candy - be it the gorgeous palace sets and costumes of the different kingdoms and particularly the very attractive and talented male cast. If there is anything Ruby Lin is doing right in her first producer stint, it is her eye for casting .

Leia Mais

STORYLINE: 7.5/10 - CHARACTERS: 8/10
I would have given this drama a higher rating if it weren’t so long.
Poor Ma Fuya constantly manages to find herself in some sort of struggle. The lengths jealous characters try to keep Ma Fuya from gaining power or provide the twists and backstabbing that make this drama worth watching. Despite all, Ma Fuya I bet is comforted by the thought of knowing that she goes through life and even manages to convoy the love/ affection from three future rulers. Introduction of the Princess is a drama that follows the path Ma Fuya finds herself when she seeks to avenge her supposed fallen family. As I watched the last few episodes, I caught myself recalling the innocence and lively persona start this drama gave off. Twists, deaths, betrayal and frowned upon love made the finale that more saddening right until the end. The reintroduction of Ma Fuya’s *cough cough* because they return came with enough darkness to pump up the drama that was starting to drag. They provide the fiery edge of your sit feeling right until the end.

The usage of new characters or giving supporting characters more input of the flow of the drama provides ever addictive twist to the storyline which in turn makes you carry on watching more episodes due to the suspense of the path the drama is taking.

ACTING: 9/10
The main actors and actress Ma Fuya, her love interests, mother-in-law and competition portray their character’s emotions believably. I will be checking out Lin Ruby, Mao Zi Jun, Yang Tony and Huo Wallace’s other productions for they stood out the most for me.

MUSIC: 8/10
The songs used fit within the atmosphere of the drama both instrumentally and lyrically.


LIKED: the wine offering scene (episode 37) was the best from the drama. This is because we are able to see into most of the character’s hearts and motives for the throne and Ma Fuya. Each actors’ captivating actions are so relatable for their character that I could not stop smiling despite the evilness of the scene. AMAZING
DISLIKED: As much I was entertained for most of this drama, 44 episodes still felt longwinded especially after the guy I was rotting for died. SPOILER: Furthermore, the whole killing off literally EVERY character left me feeling as if I should not have wasted all that time.

CONCLUSION:
Well if you enjoy a rollercoaster of PARTNER SWAPPING and BETRAYAL, this drama shall truly keep you entertained. Additionally, you should watch this drama if you enjoy genres such as EXILE – POWER – LOVE – ROYALTY – DEATH – MARRIAGE – WAR – CONCUBINES – FAMILY – VENGENCE - GREAT ACTING – PLOT TWISTS – MEDDLING CHARACTERS – BACKSTABBING – FIRST LOVE – DESIRE – LONGING – UNACQUAINTED LOVE – HOPE – SACRIFICE – POISON – SWORDMANSHIP – REVENGE.

Leia Mais

This drama has brought back the hope I lost after watch lu zheng seriously why do you love that drama. Anyway this one had politics,scheming,love and most importantly a dark but sweat prince. It was well planned,the shemes fell right into place. The palace was like a battlefield. The empress was too scary that, spoiler alert the emperor brought another concubine just to deal with the empress and fight with her. This was one of the most disfunctional families in that the emperor is was ashamed to grab his sons woman. Things just kept on exploding. If you watch revenge. It was like having two Victorias in this drama. Lol I loved it and it was almost superb

Leia Mais

Good all the way up to the last 10 episodes

I was invested in the plot and characters...until around the last 10 episodes, which were a trainwreck. The beginning definitely felt dragged, while the ending was totally rushed and felt like a different writer wrote it. I liked the acting for the most part but it's obviously been dubbed over because the mouthing of the actors is not in sync with the voices. That irked me in the beginning but I got used to it. As usual I love the costumes of historical Chinese dramas. Music was unremarkable. Overall I liked the romance between the main leads, but there is a lot of love triangles and killing for the sake of love. An awful lot of scheming and betrayal going on, which you expect from a drama that takes place in the palace I guess, but at one point almost all the characters are unlikable or evil. If you like that then this is your cup of tea. Like the others have mentioned the ending felt rushed as if they were trying to tie all the loose knots so it wasn't very satisfying at the end. I wouldn't rewatch just cause it's so long, but overall the storyline was interesting if not over the top sometimes.

Leia Mais

For Ruby Lin & Wallace Huo

THE GLAMOROUS IMPERIAL CONCUBINE was a fairly entertaining and highly melodramatic show, though I can hardly call it quality. Much of it felt rushed, cliched and predictable. If you watch Chinese dramas then you will recognize many tried and true tropes and cliches. The writing in this series was fairly weak and brought nothing new to the table, so to speak. There wasn't much I didn't see coming. I did enjoy the main leads however, as I am fans of the wonderful actors Wallace Huo and Ruby Lin.

Many of the side characters were pretty over the top, outrageous and flamboyant. Some of the main female protags' family were overly melodramatic, cheesy and comedic. A few of which, die off in the first few episodes, though I won't say which. I feel they were added to lighten the mood, since there are constantly tragic things happening and characters crying.

There's still plenty of crazy emotional characters to go around afterwards though. The royal Eunuch of Chu, forgetting his name, was pretty silly and dramatic and might be offensive to western viewers who don't see the eunuch trope (eunuch, not gay) in dramas very often. As he is a castrated male, he is portrayed as being very feminine and flamboyant (squeely, whiny and peppy) and often used to comediac effect (which is still sad because historically royal eunuchs had VERY difficult lives and I wish a drama some day would truely focus on one of their stories for once, instead of a princess/prince/royalty etc. but I digress.) He was particularly flamboyant and silly, and yet he eventually grew on me and I liked his relationship with Princess Fuya.

TRIGGER WARNING: One of my complaints was concerning the male leads. Both of the male leads were deeply flawed and hard to root for, and many of the men (main leads and side characters) throughout the show force themselves onto women, without much consequence and are often painted in a pitiable light. There are topics such as rape, near rape, sexual violence, coercion, physical abuse, cheating etc. Even perpetrated by the leads. So that was disappointing.

Overall, this was a fun little show, good for casual passive viewing. I can't really recommend to serious drama fans, but it may be good to watch if you are a fan of Ruby Lin or Wallace Huo, as am I. There seriously wasn't enough Wallace Huo for me though. Kinda made the series drag on. This series was not anything overly great for me, but not the worst either. Aside from some of distasteful subject matter, this show had quite a few moments of entertainment.

Leia Mais

Trying a bit too hard to be "epic historical drama"?

First of all: This is long. It is dragged out quite a lot – I watched this on Netflix, and ended up watching a lot of the episodes on 1,25 speed. Couldn't do faster because of the subtitles, lol.

Second: It is a bit dated, but sometimes that doesn't matter that much with historical-style dramas. I try to overlook the dated factors in my ratings for older shows, but here there were elements that slightly bugged me to the extent that I will mention them:
- (Occasionally) Poorly done makeup, especially the wig-lines
- Overly dramatic music, a bit repetitive
- "Soap-operaish /telenovela" style

When it comes to the casting and acting, I think they did a decent job under the circumstances. It tended to be "overacting" for certain characters (especially the villainous ones), which I am no fan of.
The three main leads all did rather well – I found the performances to be a bit either too flat or too stereotypical at times, but unsure if that has to do with when this was produced or the script.

As for the story, it became extremely plot-heavy and too dragged out, especially the last like 10 episodes or so. I nearly abandoned this after watching somewhat over 30 episodes, but then it really would have felt like a waste of time.
There were some smaller things in the story that either didn't quite add up, or that I missed.

When about half-way in this drama, it reminded me a little bit of "Empress Ki", but that is a much better drama.
As for this drama ("Introduction of the Princess / The Glamorous Imperial Concubine"), I get the impression that they tried a bit too hard to make it into an epic, historical drama.

Leia Mais

Excuse me what.

How can I explain this.
The acting was honestly how do I say annoying. I can't tell if it's the writing of the fact I'm watching this literally 20 mins after finishing the rise of the Phoenixes(which is basically the same princess lose kingdom but that's where it split off yet somehow that fallen princess was abhorrently annoying). That I can't take certain things like the actors showing sorrow by repeating a character name. Honestly if you were to take a shot everytime the female lead say a name for the second time in a row and every time after you would be dead/or a liquor company is going out of business. Not to mention the dialogue never gets clever. There was maybe 1 moment where they had good banter.

Character:
Are absolutely 1 dimensional. I seal clapped on the scene where the female bodyguard didn't beat the big prince. The female lead is insufferable, I get she didn't grow up in the typical royal family where members were being murdered off but still was she not taught the history of the royal families and no I don't accept the she is a woman excuse when she was able to study and practice medicine. So the fact that even after she watched her parents murdered she still didn't know the first rule of treason trust no one after it's been committed. Not to mention she literally started out wanting to get revenge but then gave up and started palace fighting in a different country. Not to mention she doesn't even remember she has a brother whose whereabouts are unknown. She a horrible female lead who I relate better to a plank of wood. Male lead is not annoying he just not my cup of tea, I don't see how he fell for her. Honestly I understand how the prince of Han fell for her she was actually able to treat his seizures, not only that but he saw her impact on the people first hand, that was the better story, actually never mind he is to stupid to tell his mother that she is skilled in medicine and can treat his illness. But somehow we have the prince of Shu who just kinda seem like he is a literal puppet prince, his only motive for getting the crown back was because he originally had it. He only went to Chu because plot, he only develop feelings because plot. Hell she spent as much time with him as she did the oldest food in the palace.
I almost forgot the scene where she became irredeemable, the Phoenix hair pin situation, all she had to do was bat her eyes at the Prince to get it, but no she went about in the stupidest way possible and no that doesn't make her a strong independent woman, that makes her a stupid, naive, should be feeding the pigs by now woman. Honestly I can say the scene where the "Big prince" was in the tea house with the female lead was pretty bad since I can see why he did it (I not say it's right) because seduction is a tool and she would be in worst situation if you know this show didn't use that scene as just an ick factor to make you pity the female lead.

Which leads into my other issues the tone is horrible honestly it goes from a "comedic" scene to a "pity us" scene and I say that it's a pity us scene only because all it's supposed to is make you pity the characters, since you have no emotional connection because this show doesn't understand how to have real emotional beat. All the way to a scene I guess was important to the plot but isn't. Honestly I'm just shocked at how horrible the pacing is for 45 episodes and I know that on the low end but still it's like they skip over important plot points while dully spending way to much time on others we didn't need to watch the entire paintball fight.

Leia Mais

Get yourself a comfy seat as this will a loooong journey

Half a year ago I was watching "The sword and the brocade" as my second chinese costium drama. After the trauma from "Oh My Emperor!" I didn't expect to go into the chinese period piece once again, but here I am!" The Glamorous Imperial Concubine" is my next take and I was happy to watch it. Drama was definately more complicated than the previuos one 😅

It started out quite typical - royal family, happy princess that hates rules who finds a man that also hates it and wants to marry her badly. Then the tragedy happends ....
It makes princess to enter real-life and story becomes more serious and tense. She meets Meng Qiyou who needs someone to help him in his kingdom. That requires Ma Fuya to become seductive 💋 and fierce. The preparations and first days in the Shu kingdom are interesting and you think that it will stay like it till the end... Not really.... 😩Somewhere around episode 30 we have sudden drop. No fun, no drama, no excitement anymore. Its just death after tragedy after death... boooooo

Unfortunately "The Glamorous Concubine" is an example of overly streched drama with too many side characters. It's a pity because the story was interesting and they could have make an amazing drama out of it. Acting was really good, the raw plot had a lot of potential, they had outstanding outfits, superb locations but it all went to s*** with too many side characters and stories and too few logical connections. They had so much to make this drama epic but didn't use much of it. I'm looking forward to see Ruby Lin (Ma Fuya), Yan Yikuan (Meng Qiyou), Wallace Huo (Liu Lian Cheng) and Jennifer Hung (Ma Xiangyun) in other shows as I find them as good actors 👍

As a whole drama is not bad but I cannot rate otherwise as 5,5/10 as its far too complicated with billion background stories. It is even hard to say what I liked .... There was too much happening and I have one big chaos in my head.

Leia Mais