Princess Huai Yu

The story is mostly about the love story of Emperor Kang Xi of the Ching Dynasty and last princess of the Ming Dynasty, Huai Yu, and the political turmoil that eventually tears them apart. The Romeo/Juliet romance starts out kind of cute but as the show progresses, it becomes increasingly annoying.

I must admit though that the creators/producers of this series has assembled one of the best supporting cast there is. They are able to persuade me to stay glued on the tv set considering how utterly boring the plot (or whatever story is supposed to be) has become. Thank goodness for the two veteran actresses who play the queen mothers, just to listen them bantering and trying to outdo one another is more than worth it. Also, this actor acting as the king's loyal head eunuch, his antics are so much fun to watch. Then there is the emperor's sister, her metamorphosis from a spoilt and willful child to a mature woman, has made me want to watch more of her work. And all the actors who has minors parts (such as Huai Yu's adoptive family, etc.), they has contributed so much to this series. Let's not forget the emperor's evil consort, she's so good at it that i would want to personally wring her neck.

Yet with this powerful cast, it still isn't able to duplicate the overwhelming success of Huan Zhu Ge Ge. It appears to lack something, what? Both shows, Huan Zhu Ge Ge and Princess Huai Yu, are supposed to have happened during the Ching Dynasty. Both lead characters, Xiao Yan Zi and Huai Yu, are "troublemakers" and have mysterious pasts. Both princesses fall in love with members of the royal family (Wu Ah Ge and the Emperor Kang Xi. Both have enemies within the palace (the Queen and the Evil Consort). Both girls have loyal friends and allies. So, what then?

Well, I believe it boils down to one thing: originality. Qing Yao has magically created a whole new genre of ancient series that everybody is attempting to capitalize on. However hard they try, the people behind Princess Huai Yu just cannot copy the freshness, dynamism, humor, look and feel of Huan Zhu Ge Ge. For as one of the more known cliches goes, original is always the best.