Bu bu jing xin

This shortish serial was probably the best plot in a TV series I've ever seen. So cleverly worked out, everything is top notch - the sets, costumes, the score, the characterizations. Really heart wrenching plot lines and the finale is something I don't think anyone who followed the series will ever forget.

They handled the time travel determinism quite well too - the lead actress works out the hard way no matter what she does to try to change the fates of those around her it only ends up creating the events that actually happened historically, usually disastrously!

The only thing I found was that it took a while before I was able to work out who was who. At first especially 8th, 13th and 14th princes looked quite similar - since they all have identical Qing dynasty hair styles (the shaved forehead and long ponytail) and look a little alike anyway. Thankfully some of the guys like the lead actor are very distinctive. It's a bit silly in places but I can overlook that for the overall plot.

If you're looking for something a bit different, a taste of a totally foreign culture - outlandish costumes, hairstyles, hats, ceremonies and a cracking plot with twists and huge surprises - and don't mind subtitles - this is great stuff.

SCARLET HEART (Bu Bu Jing Xin / Startling by Each Step) (2011) was such a great show. Once I got sucked in, I could not stop. I really liked the concept of traveling back in time from modern day times to the historical Qing Dynasty era via an accident. Such a great plot and I'm now dying to read the novel which inspired it. There was some truly brilliant acting in this series. Everyone was so interesting and extremely well-casted. Unforgettable.

Actress Lui Shi Shi a.k.a. Cecilia Liu was really great as the spunky modern heroine Ma'ertai Ruo Xi (Zhang Xiao) and her wit, charm and personality really brings her character to life. Even when I disagreed with some of her choices, I couldn't help but love her and admire her strength and heart. She is just a character that one can relate with and feel for. Imperfect and sometimes reckless but lovable and well-meaning.

4th Prince (Yinzhen) fascinated me from the very beginning, because he's just that kinda guy, but I did not expect to LOVE LOVE him so much by the end. 4th Prince was so dynamic a character, cold and aloof yet somehow so very expressive; cunning and pragmatic, yet loyal and sincere. Such an intense character. Yes, 4th Prince slayed me. Nicky Wu is such an amazing actor. He rocks and was totally awesome in this role, completely captivating and compelling.

The onscreen chemistry between Ruo Xi and 4th Prince was electric and yet so very tragic. (So sweet to learn the two actors married in real life. The love was visibly real. <3 ) An unforgettable pair, and a truly haunting tragic love...

TEAM 4th PRINCE!!!!!!!!!!!

Among my other favorite characters were 13th Prince (Yinxiang), 14th Prince (Yinti), 10th Prince (Yin'e), Emperor Kangxi and Eunuch Li. Many of the female characters were outstanding as well, such as Ma'ertai Ruolan, Lüwu, Gogoro Minghui, Gororo Mingyu, Princess Suwan Guwalgiya-Minmin, Qiao Hui and even Yutan.

8th Prince (Yinsi) was well acted but I could not bring myself to really like his character, or accept his affair with Rou Xi. His "love" for Rou Xi felt creepy and superficial. 9th Prince (Yintang) was just plain unlikeable. Even still, I enjoyed how diverse and unique each prince and character was. Not a single character felt 2D. In my book, that is great writing and character development. And although the plot is a bit slow at the start it really picks up. Scarlet Heart is so addictive. <3

The whole series was very well done, beautiful sets, intriguing plot, gorgeous costumes, interesting historical portrayals, and amazing , heart-wrenching music. While there is comedy and heavy elements of romance, it is never as heavy as the drama, political intrigue and the ultimate tragedy. This show ripped out my my heart, and then fed it to me, multiple times. The ending, although haunting and moving was very painful. I sincerely loved it though... <3 ((BEWARE: NO HEA...))

The film is so slow and boring. I don't like the plot. I feel like it's going into a looping and never gets out of it until she's dead. It's all about the love story between a female, 4th prince and 8th prince like Gong TV Series. But I think Gong is better. At least, it doesn't circulate. Because it's boring, I stopped watching it. All in all, if you don't have anything to watch, then watch it. Otherwise there are a lot of movies and TV Shows out there. Leave this one and watch the other one. I won't recommend to watch this.

This is a Chinese drama that is quite well known, and as I haven't seen it before, I wanted to find out if it lives up to the hype. Unfortunately, it really does not, and in fact feels a lot more dated than it should be.

I was surprised to find that this drama came out around the same time as Empresses In The Palace, because that series is head and shoulders above this one in quality, acting, and story.

The premise of the show is that a lady from modern times gets transported back in time into the body of a high class lady from the Qing Dynasty after a car accident. From there, you follow her adventures as she navigates the palace intrigues and the various Princes vying for power.

On paper this sounds really interesting, but watching the show, the antics of the main character often comes off as extremely juvenile. Most of the comedic scenes fall completely flat, and there just isn't much to latch onto when it comes to characterization or plot. Acting isn't that great either. I wanted to quit by the fourth episode.

I would recommend skipping this one if you don't have any nostalgia associated with it. I suspect the high rating makes sense for the time that this drama came out, but there have been so many better Chinese gufeng dramas since then that it doesn't hold up well by comparison.

For Qing Dynasty palace harem intrigue/plotting, I recommend Empresses In The Palace, Ruyi's Royal Love, or Yanxi Palace (in that order) instead.

If you want really good plot and characters flexing their ability to outwit each other, Nirvana In Fire 1 + 2, and The Story of Minglan are much better dramas to spend your time on as well.

Season 1 is very well done and deserves 8 stars. Good performance, poor screenplay and too many gaps and bluffs in Season 2.