The Legendary Life of Queen Lau

I really wanted to love it and I had high expectations but I don't think the high ratings are justified.

Its a lighthearted show but quite predictable, simple plots and the characters are flat and basic.

I was expecting a more complex script but the writing is just not there.

I feel like this story if it was made like a normal drama instead a comedy would have had a lot of potential, but I feel like they used every cliché plot in the book to make a likeable relatable storyline work, and it just didn't do it for me, I couldn't feel any spark or chemistry between the leads.

Editing is a bit messy as well with hole scenes completely wiped out from episodes, an only the aftermath is discussed in later scenes.

Overall I if you want to pass your time without something simple and lighthearted with a weak plot, this is for you.

...Where do the ANIMALS come from for filming in CHINA???

Has anyone noticed how HORSES appear in debilitating conditions, MALNUTRIED and sick?!? Among others, they appear with secretions in their eyes (which means low immunity!), they are thin where you can see all the BONES of the costal arches, lumbar region... there is no muscle mass in the animals!

And sometimes, when pets appear (in many dramas), they are always very stressed....you can see their breathing is ALWAYS panting!

Are they animals intended for SLAUGHTERHOUSES and the productions of the series temporarily acquire them for filming?

This made me laugh right out loud, almost to the point of crying. The lead may be called plain, but she's beautiful inside out, and the young emperor learns what it's like to see someone for who they are and not for what they look like.

The funny bits are truly funny.

I was mesmerized by the performance of the female lead. She made me laugh and wish I knew her character personally!

Watching the young emperor fall in love with her was more than worth its weight in gold. When he finally got it, I liked him better, but it made me laugh because he was like so many other men. Highly recommended.

Going through Li Hong Yi's playlist I stumbled upon The Legendary Life of Queen Lau. What a find! This is so much more than a story about a country bumpkin girl meeting a preppy flower boy.

Summary

Liu Jin Feng (Jackie Li) is living a simple country life with her mother until she's summoned by her father, the Grand Chancellor Liu Xie (Wang Dong) who lives at the imperial court as guardian of the late emperor's son, Duan Yun Zhang (Li Hong Yi) He forces a marriage between his daughter and the young heir apparent, and Yun Zang plays along under the motto Keep Your Friends Close, Keep Your Enemies Closer.

As he meets his bride on the wedding day Yun Zhang is surprised by her appearance. Liu Jin Feng turns out to be a small but sturdy country girl, courageous, spontaneous, easily fooled by the courtiers. It beats him why Liu Xie chose this unrefined girl, Liu's lovechild, in stead of Liu's official daughter who's famed for her finesse. The Grand Chancellor claims it was the dying wish of Yun Zang's royal father. So Yun Zhang decides to share his sleep quarters with his wife meanwhile observing her and testing her loyalty towards him and her father.

Jin Feng is oblivious to all of this, and completely swept off her feet by her husband's looks. She's putting all her energy and focus in meeting his standards, and she's stubbornly blind to his passive aggressiveness. Wreaking havoc with all her good intentions she angers Yun Zang in such a way that he spills the ugly truth. Heart broken Jin Feng leaves him alone and demands a legal separation. Now that she's gone Yun Zang begins to miss her. Can he re-evaluate his priorities, and will he finally win the power struggle for the throne without losing his wife in the process?

Acting/cast

The strongest point of this production is the cast. The role of Yun Zhang fits Li Hong Yi like a glove; I like his Soft Ice look in contrast to the Powder-Your-Face-With-Sunshine, Jackie Li. I hope she sets a trend with stars like Wang Peng. They are the shining examples of authentic looks that may become mainstream. A breath of spring in the land of mass plastic surgery where faces scare the hell out of me, or become indiscernible at best. Take Li Hong Yi's face f.e. Compared to Wang Yibo's. That brings me to the subject of The Untamed and two actors who play in this series as well. Guo Cheng (Lan Lingyi) is the crown prince's brother who's interested in the other Liu sister, and Qi Pei Xin (Jin Ling) is guest starring as the imperial physician. Kudos for Wang Dong as Grand Chancellor Liu Xie who maintains a believable balance between the dark and good sides of his character.

The Bad

Although the cast performs well, I see some flaws in the production. F.e. There are too many storylines, repetitions, slowing the flow of the story and leaving loop holes in the plot; there's a misbalance between romance, slapstick, and sentimental scenes; serious dialogues are abruptly followed by odd social media sounds that are somehow deemed appropriate for romcoms. Also the emphasis is on looks and appearances, in stead of character traits and inner growth.

The Good

Still, the emphasis on authenticity vs duplicity is a very good one, especially in the character writing of the leading couple. It gives this light romcom a deeper layer and some food for thought. Yun Zhang and Jin Feng get some real life lessons along their way.

Overall

So, if you like romcom combined with a coming of age story, this is for you. Enjoy the legendary life of the cinderella queen and her prince, searching for a heart of gold.

This drama is highly recommended for those who are looking for a light and sweet drama. The story is very simple, about an arranged marriage between a young handsome emperor and the average looking but pure hearted daughter of seemly a scheming grand Chancellor. The two was in odds with each other at first but eventually they fell in love.

Despite of the low budget, this series is very entertaining because of the lightness. I'm very enjoying it.