The Glory

I watch tons of historical dramas a few deserve a review.

Wanted to write one here because this drama stand out on esthetics (costumes & photography) and performance of the FL.

Plot is entertaining and keep you waiting for whats next.

Cons: 1.some characters are a little over the board and not believable, 2. Some episodes are too much "women empowerment " 3. Romance between FM and ML started super promising but lost power at the end of the show.

Overall I super enjoyed it and I would certainly recommend it if you are looking for a strong female lead looking for family love, revenge and strive in life. As a bonus it has a happy ending :)

The costumes in this drama are very well-designed, and Chen Duling's acting has improved significantly compared to her previous performances. The plot is fast-paced, though at times it feels a bit too rushed, somewhat resembling the style of today's short-form dramas. Almost every character in this drama is well-rounded rather than stereotypical. Some of the plot twists and creative details are also quite interesting. The bgm is well done and the song used in the mother-daughter scenes is especially touching. The male lead's acting is rather average. Overall, you can see the sincerity of the production team throughout the show. Although there are some shortcomings due to budget limitations, it's still a drama worth watching.

Overstuffed with screaming and scheming. Strong start from talented female lead but in my opinion by the halfway point it's bleak, depressing, meandering around in the plot, accidentally losing gravity and indulging in modern feminism that fails the historical setting. The coldness between the male and female lead beggars belief, even within the context of the plot the probability is they would share a higher degree of desperation for each other. This drama is painful to the eyes and ears.

There's never a dull moment in this barn burner of a drama. Just when you think you know where the story's going, the writers throw you a curve ball. The budding romance between the two leads takes a backseat to murder, suspense, and revenge-and doesn't really catch fire until Episode 16. Even then, it's a bit of a yawner.

Early on the male lead tells the FL that he admires her because she's "gentle, virtuous, and obedient." Luckily, he's lying because this babe is anything but...

The FL has had a horrific, traumatic past, and she's not easily duped. Despite her vulnerable facade, she's a force to be reckoned with. She's almost always one step ahead of everyone else. The people around her occasionally mention her beauty, but she's also praised for her "cleverness" and courage.

Although she's capable of friendship, honesty, and love, her past has taught her to have modest expectations for her life.

During the Lantern Festival, the ML asks her what she wants and this woman gives a a spot-on answer that ought to be engraved on the brain of every young person looking for love in these fraught times: "I want to find somewhere I can live peacefully...without being humiliated and tortured."

A lot of energy is spent on the relationship between the FL and her mother--who wasn't my favorite character. Mom is so full of hatred that I found her hard to empathize with. Except for Chen Du Ling (the FL), a truly accomplished actress, the rest of the cast didn't particularly stand out. The ever-evolving plot is what gives this drama its force and potency.

I, too, have no idea why this drama hasn't had higher ratings on IMDb. Eight and a half stars.