Empresses in the Palace

Synopsis

The series is adapted from a novel of the same name by Liu Lianzi, and the story centers on the schemes between Emperor Yongzheng’s concubines in the imperial palace during the Qing Dynasty. The pure and innocent 17-year-old Zhen Huan is chosen for the emperor’s harem, and after entering the palace, she finds herself caught in the fierce infighting between the empress and the concubines, realizing that the palace is a cruel and harsh place. Zhen has to learn to survive on her own, sometimes by unorthodox methods. With her wits and talents, Zhen fights her way through and wins the emperor’s affection, ultimately becoming the most influential concubine in the imperial palace; and ascending to unparalleled glory and wealth. However, she also becomes a woman with few real friends at her side, even after she is rid of all her enemies.

Along the way, she experiences a miscarriage due to mistreatment by Hua Fei, who is the second most powerful in the harem and who is only below the Empress in rank. However, even though Hua Fei's mistreatment contributed to the miscarriage, the primary reason for the abortion was because of an ointment to heal wounds that she used regularly. The ointment had ingredients that could induce an abortion and was given her by a "friendly" sisterly concubine she thought was her friend and who Zhen Huan had once saved. Eventually, Hua Fei is imprisoned in the "cold" palace for her many misdeeds. In the end, Hua Fei is given a death sentence and told to commit suicide. Although Hua Fei refuses to at first, Zhen Huan makes a visit and tells her that the emperor has not actually loved her for a long time and why so. She also tells her the reason for her infertility. In the end, Hua Fei commits suicide but refuses to do so in a way that was decreed.

Due to a plot by the empress, Zhen Huan becomes disillusioned with the emperor and is transferred over to a nunnery where she becomes a nun. There she falls in love with the emperor's brother. However, she eventually comes back to the Forbidden Palace when she mistakenly believes that the emperor's brother is dead. In the palace, she gives birth to twins. However, even though she passes them off as the emperor's, the father is the emperor's brother. Zhen Huan then continues to fight with her enemies in the power fight and the struggle for the emperor's affection.

Cast

Music

The opening theme of Empresses in the Palace is "A New Day Begins" sung by Yao Beina, also known as Bella Yao. The ending theme music is "Farewell" and is sung by Zhang Yinxi. Music composer and writer is Benjamin Wallfisch. Music producer is 'Ke Erqinfu. Voice producer is Liu Yutong.The series Music Department included Huan Liu and You Hongfei.

Broadcast

The drama was first aired in China in 2011 and broadcast on South Korea's CHINGTV.

The drama was split into three parts for its Japanese broadcast, was aired under the title Women Vying for Power in the Palace <宮廷の諍い女>. The name change was due to the hanzi and kanji characters for “zhen huan” (甄嬛), which are not frequently used in the Japanese language and are therefore unrecognizable to most Japanese viewers. However, some netizens complained that the new title was “too bare” and lacked the implicit appeal of the original.

In April 2015, the series was added to US region of Netflix. It was edited down to six episodes, each with a ninety-minute duration. The original audio was kept intact with the addition of closed captions in English.

In Thailand, the series was aired in 2016 and broadcast on Channel 7.

Reception

The drama has been praised for being one of the best historical dramas broadcast in Chinese mainland in recent years.

In Japan, after just one week, Legend of Zhen Huan amassed more than 39 million Japanese viewers. A Fuji TV employee revealed that after the first episode aired, the number of hits for their Legend of Zhen Huan website multiplied five-fold, and that they also received many phone calls inquiring about the drama. Since the series airs at 5 p.m. on weekday evenings, it is particularly popular among housewives and students. Taka Tsukazaki, the CEO of Asia Republic Entertainment, perhaps said it best when he called Legend of Zhen Huan “an immortal masterpiece that will still give rise to discussion even after five or ten years.”

Through the thrilling story, audiences can also learn much about ancient Chinese poetry, fashions, court etiquette, and herbal medicine. The show also features intensely sophisticated dialogue that has sparked trending quotes among its followers on the internet.

Social influences

The Style of ZhenHuan

After Empresses in the Palace had became popular, audiences began to imitate the way people spoke and behaved during the Qing Dynasty, just for fun. A lot of individuals discuss problems or issues by using the language of this drama in some forums. This drama promoted interest in classic Chinese philosophy.

Controversial Values

The drama elicits a controversial debate that divided two sides. The newspaper of People’s Daily points out that it appears good characters cannot win against evil characters unless they stoop to their level of cunning. Furthermore, when evaluating the production of historical themes, the most significant critique standard should focus on the values standard instead of authenticity standard. Social media enable to shape people’s mind in visible and invisible ways,and incorrect values would lead the audience to the survival of the incorrect ideas into real life. Conversely, the article of Seeking Truth holds an opposite viewpoint that they assert this drama reveals the decadent essence of ancient Chinese feudal society and traditional and outdated lifestyle obstructs the development of society. It also praises and appreciates the brave women constantly pursue their happiness and fight against with the forces of evil.