Here's Why You Should Watch The Story Of Yanxi Palace now!

By christinelai on 06 Sep 2018

I only realised how just how out of touch I was (with current affairs?) when my mother and her friends were eagerly chatting about 'Story of Yanxi Palace' and I was like:

Huh? Whats that?

The look they threw me immediately, was a mixture of disbelief and even contemptuous. It was written all over their faces. How could you not know?

Photo from MIA

Just in case all of you out there are as 'Suah Ku' as me, here's the lowdown on the most highly anticipated show from China this Summer, which has already garnered a viewership of a whooping 15 billion and many obsessed fans.

Photo from Steemit

In case you are quick to dismiss me as 'just another Chinese period drama', there must be valid reasons behind the cult following of this 70 part series.

The storyline is both compelling and gripping, charting the rise of Wei Yingluo, a palace maid who enters the Forbidden City to uncover the truth of her sister’s death and ultimately attaining highest status in the palace, to becoming the Emperor's most loved concubine.

Photo from TVmao

This is of course not without it's fair share of drama, betrayal, intrigue, politics and backstabbing...because you need to have some excitement to keep people hooked for 70 episodes right?

via GIPHY

Why does this suddenly sound like a typical Girl's School/America's Next Top Model?

Photo from 57.Gif

Due to FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and wanting to appear as 'hip' as the rest of the world so I could say, " Hey have you watched 'Story of Yanxi Palace yet? No? Why you so slow" I hurriedly started to delve into the series before I became further 'left behind'.

Here's why you too, need to jump on the bandwagon and catch this show so bad.

The Fashion/Outfits in the show are just breathtakingly beautiful

Photo from China Daily

You might not be a huge fan of period costumes but these costumes are gorgeous enough for fashion inspiration.

These costumes are absolute works of art with delicate silk flowers embroidered painstakingly on every piece.

What's interesting is that no two concubines look the same or wear the same costumes because different concubines wear costumes of different colour codes. That explains why the whole series is littered with a delightful melange of fashion in multi colours, creating an exciting spectacle for the eyes!

Photo from Soompi

We've got peach, green, blue, purple, pink...just like Agar Agar!

2. It's so relatable

Photo from China Atilla

If getting betrayed and backstabbed by some evil 'friend' or colleague sounds relatable, then this show has plenty of that in the form of scheming concubines.

Photo from 57.Gif

With death setting the tone for the drama, this thrilling show focuses on the tensions between characters, on power struggles and revenge.

Sounds like something everyone can relate too.

Catfights and nastiness galore!

Like social climbing and politicking or your bitchy next door neighbour.

Photo from 57.Gif

3. The Lead Actress is our modern day inspiration

Photo from China Daily

The lead star Wei Yingluo/Consort Ling, played by Wu Jinyan is our modern day heroine. *Move over now, Hua Mulan* She is smart, witty and adaptable. She's no pushover and she's gung-ho (feisty) as hell. She uses all her wits and cunning to make it to the top and the most favoured position in the palace. #winninginlife

Photo from Beauty321

She's no hapless damsel-in-distress and know how to kick ass when she needs to. She's so empowering and such inspiration for all of us girls out there.

Photo from Sohu

And she's pretty too. Yeah. We love her.

4. The Cinematography is amazing

Photo from Soompi

Set in the Qing Dynasty, this show features gorgeous palace grounds and amazing scenery. The palace is washed in beautiful colours and each scene is painstakingly crafted to perfection, with every single scene shot impeccably. It makes us want to teleport back in time to the Qing Dynasty now.

Photo from Soompi

Some scenes look like they could come straight out of a 1000 Places To See Before You Die guide book!

In fact, the number of tourists to the Palace Museum in Beijing, where all the main characters in the show used to live in, has been increasingly rapidly!

Photo from Pixabay

5. You could become smarter

Photo from China Daily

If that sounds a bit much, at least this show is informative!

I mean, it's history after all right? Never hurt to know a little more about Chinese History so you can sound just a little more intellectual (or not) at gatherings!