I had to wait till the show officially ended before raving about it. You can watch it on platforms like Netflix and Youku and purchase it for the finale. I had to wait for it on Netflix for all episodes to come out. Although I couldn’t resist and many people were making fan edits so I had seen some episodes and spoilers online and I was completely fine with that.
Lead Actors: Tian Xi Wei and Yan An
Where to watch: Netflix and Youku
Episodes: 30
Genre: Historical Drama
++++++++++ warning: some spoilers ++++++++++
It was a solid 10/10 for me. I was excited for the premier of this one because I became of big fan of Tian Xi Wei on Pursuit of Jade, I mentioned how I become a big fan of her that I watched Genius Girlfriend which also came out this year and had to go back and check out her older dramas, I have been slowly watching New Life Begins.
Plot of the story
There are two women who look alike, but are nothing alike. A-chu who is poor and life has kicked her down. Jun-dai who is spoiled and wicked. She is bethrown to Lu Zhuo who is a general on his death bed. Jun-dai doesn’t want to become a widow and her aunts plot to have a substitute bride aka A-chu. Lu Zhuo ends up pulling a miracle and waking up, realizing that Jun-dai wants to get her identity back. However, A-chu realizes that this is her chance to get out of the hard life she lives.
“As long as heaven gives me a single vine, I will cling to it and not let go.”
Throughout the beginning of the series it’s a power struggle. A-chu trying to keep this identity to protect herself and Jun-dai trying to get rid of her.
The story has a strong female centered cast. It’s one of my favorite parts of this series. Especially with the scheming of the aunts and the cousins.
CHARACTERS
A-Chu and Jun-dai – Tian Xi Wei did such a great job portraying both characters so differently. I love her acting because she truly immerses you into a character with the way she talks, her subtle body movements, and her eyes. One of the most memorable scenes for these two characters was when they were fighting in the water and Lu Zhuo rescued her. I honestly thought that it was Jun-dai who he had in his arms and I was like, what is she going to do? Turns out it was A-chu, but that is what made this series so compelling to me. People online said they lost the love of the show after Jun-dai died, but to me, I love that we explore the strength of A-chu and get to see her have more of a vulnerable side to her for the people that she loves and cares about. Jun-dai was pure evil and I loved that the writers did not water her down, she didn’t have redeeming qualities.
Lu Zhuo – This is actor Yan An’s first major production drama. So seeing how amazing he was. He deserves his flowers. He exuded a quiet strength that was refreshing. He is husband of the year for me. He was a strong character for A-chu without being overpowering. The romance to me was just as great as the story line. Two of my favorite lines and scene from him are
“If you really cared about your granddaughter, you would never confuse her with the fake Wei Rao. They are completely different. Their personalities are like night and day. I’ve never gotten her wrong. Not once.”[1]
He truly loved A-chu from the beginning. It was so nice seeing him fall in love with her, while being conflicted about his feelings because he didn’t want to fall in love with someone so evil.
In episode 23 he goes looking for A-chu (Wei Rao) and she realizes that no matter the power she holds people will always look down on her. How she will never fit in with the wealthy. He tells her, “You’re different. Then be different.” … “The Woman I see is the one standing here, right in front of me. Your past might have been painful. Then, let it be painful, so what? I should be thanking her. For her strength. For never giving up. For her ambition. For never once bowing her head. Step by step she made her way to me.”
He never tried to change her or control her. He unconditionally loved her. He was usually the one that would add gasoline after she set the place on fire (metaphorically and literally).
Grandmothers – Lady Shou’an and Duchess of Ying. I love the dynamic of the elders, how scheming all the aunties were, but especially the grandmothers. Lady Shou’an was by far my favorite. She leads with compassion. She became my favorite of all the grandmas and the way she is team Wei Roa and Lu Zhuo even after their divorce. Duchess of Ying was hilarious on episode 9 when at the ancestor rites they are fighting and she is commanding, “Beat them! Beat every last one of them!”
Bi-tao and A-man (aka Bi-tao 2.0 Pro Max) – I genuinely cried when Bi-tao was killed. I knew she had betrayed Wei-Rao, but they had built such a beautiful bond that it broke my heart when she betrayed her and even more so when she died. I loved seeing how Wei-roa became depressed because she lost someone who truly cared for me and she finally had a confidant. The nickname Bi-tao 2.0 pro max was created by fans online because A-man could fight and she had Wei-roa’s back and that was very evident on episode 23 where she says, “When I left the palace, Lady Li told me that my life is tied to you. I answer only to you now, not to anyone in the palace.” I was like, okay my girl is in good hands.
Hong-xian – Her sister became a strong character. Wei-Roa was always protective of her. The reason she sacrificed so much when they were younger was partly for her mother and brother, but you really see how she loves her sister. Towards the end, her sister was a key player in the ending when she made the sacrifice and married We-Roa’s brother and ended up getting pregnant with the future king. She becomes Princess Protector of the Realm cementing her power.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
FINAL THOUGHTS
The fandom felt really healthy. They were supportive of the female and male lead. Dai Gaozheng (who plays the villain – Han Liao), Tian Xi-Wei, and Yan-An had some cute-playful banter on Weibo and it was fun to see. I’m excited to see Ya-An hopefully in more lead roles in the future. He has strong potential to be a power house. Tian-Xi Wei just finished wrapping filming for a modern drama The Winner and it seems exciting another strong female-focused narrative. She was also confirmed for a new historical drama with Wei Long. Very exciting projects for her and lots to come. Can’t wait to continue supporting her.
Have you watched Where the Mask Ends? If so, What’s your favorite scene?
