Why you should watch The Legend of Zhen Huan 甄嬛传

Hello everyone, I've realised that The Legend of Zhen Huan is extremely well-liked by those who have watched it.

Since everyone can't get enough of The Legend of Zhen Huan, I thought I'd introduce something good to everyone else who hasn't watched it! :) If you are a busy person and can only catch one drama per year or something like that, make that one drama The Legend of Zhen Huan.

The Emperor with Zhen Huan (english.cri.cn)

The storyline was engaging.

Zhen Huan's character is loosely based on the mother of Emperor Qianlong (yep, if you remember 老佛爷 in Huan Zhu Ge Ge, it's that same woman in history). She enters the palace at 17, naive and idealistic, and longed for a man who loved her. Through her wit and resourcefulness, she destroys her first enemy Consort Hua (华妃), who plotted again and again to murder her. She fell in love with the Emperor, only to realise that the Emperor only loved her because she resembled the deceased Empress. Heartbroken and defeated, she leaves the palace to become a nun.

While at the nunnery she fell in love later with the Emperor's brother, the 17th prince. A misunderstanding led her to believe the 17th Prince has been murdered. Then pregnant with the 17th Prince's children, in order to protect them and avenge the 17th prince, she recaptures the Emperor's favour, adopts the 4th Prince (future Emperor Qianlong), and returns to the palace as Consort Xi (熹妃).

Once back in the palace, she finds out the 17th Prince is still alive (oops). She slowly erodes the power of her second enemy, the Empress, until the Empress is discarded. Later, the Emperor finds out about her affair with the 17th prince, and orders the latter's execution. Zhen Huan kills her final enemy, the Emperor, to avenge the 17th prince, and becomes the all-powerful but sad and disillusioned Empress Dowager.

Zhen Huan's evolution (gmw.cn)

(click to enlarge) Are you on Zhen Huan's hitlist?

You will never be bored for a moment despite the series' length. There was a story climax every 5 episodes or so, and even when it seems like nothing is going on, you can feel the suspense and unpredictability of the characters.

The character development was realistic.

There are characters you will outright detest, but many a time, you will find yourself empathising with them. Consort Hua and the Empress plotted against Zhen Huan because they truly loved the Emperor. Zhen Huan hated the Emperor so much because she was thoroughly let down after finding out the man she loved only treated her as a substitute for the dead Empress. Her friend, An Lingrong, had an inferiority complex, and turned against Zhen Huan because she felt like Zhen Huan looked down upon her.

An Lingrong during happier times

The way the environment moulds the mindset of each individual was also explored in great detail. What really impressed me was how the script showed every action has consequences, intended or not. Take for example, the dynamics of Zhen Huan and her friend An Lingrong. If only Zhen Huan had understood how her actions came across to her friend, perhaps she wouldn't have alienated Lingrong.

If anything, the most important takeaway of the series is how crucial people skills are in life. Paper qualifications (or lack thereof) may not make or break a man, but if you lack people skills, you will definitely not be successful.

The directing is meticulous and detailed.

I realise, every time I re-watch this, that there is a small detail in the shooting which I overlooked. And man am I impressed- the director went to such lengths to ensure continuity in every single movement!

Case in point: In the first episode when the ladies were awaiting the selection ceremony for imperial concubines, there was an unreasonable bully by the name of Xia Dongchun who gave An Lingrong a hard time. Xia Dongchun was selected, but Consort Hua (华妃，then the head of all concubines) caught wind that Xia Dongchun was giving her etiquette teacher (教习姑姑) a bad attitude.

Consort Hua: "Since Xia Dongchun thinks so highly of herself, tell the etiquette teacher not to put in so much effort educating her."

For those unfamiliar with the workings of the imperial palace, court etiquette is extremely important. Any mistake in the way you bow, the way you speak or greet can mean death. 

Now we fast forward to the scene where the newly appointed imperial concubines greet the Empress and senior concubines for the first time.

Click to enlarge

Pay close attention to the girl who has been circled in pink- that is Xia Dongchun. The other junior concubines, while having their heads almost upright, are looking towards the ground as they speak to the Empress. This is the correct way to greet anyone of a higher rank in the harem. However, Xia Dongchun looks directly at the Empress, which is a violation of court etiquette.

Look again at this scene where she speaks with Consort Hua.

Once again, she looks directly at Consort Hua when being called. Contrast this with Zhen Huan (in blue), whose eyes are looking to the ground. 

This was a result of Consort Hua telling Xia Dongchun's etiquette teacher not to put any effort into her. It was so subtle you wouldn't have noticed it if you didn't pay attention, but the details were on point!

I learned a lot about Chinese history!

I've always assumed all imperial Chinese concubines were either 妃 or if they were important enough, 贵妃. But in reality there is a complicated hierarchy in the inner harem. The titles of concubines differ from dynasty to dynasty but this is the ranking system for Qing dynasty (the period of this drama) concubines:

1 Empress 皇后

1 Imperial Noble Consort 皇贵妃

2 Noble Consorts 贵妃

4 Consorts 妃

6 Concubines 嫔

Unlimited Noble Ladies 贵人

Unlimited First Class Attendants 常在

Unlimited Second Class Attendants 答应

It isn't enough to be pretty. Your family background played an important role in determining your standing in the imperial household. Consort Hua has a General brother serving the Emperor in court, and was thus made the head of concubines. Zhen Huan's friend, An Lingrong, was of peasant birth, and was made a Second Class Attendant as she entered the palace.

Conclusion: Give this series a try, really. The script is intellectually-stimulating and the lines are really well-written. You will not regret a moment of these 76 episodes.

p/s: check out the prelude I had written to this entry, analysing the leadership styles employed by the major concubines in this series.