New Life Begins (2022)

Good start but disappointed midway

Update: it started so well as i described below but after episode 12 or so it went haywire.
FL and ML hardly had any scenes together and if they did they acted like siblings. i understand there was a situation of another wife between them but ML clearly shows care and love to FL but all she does is ignore him. Like even when he is injured all we get to see is one question that if he is alright. i mean his servants and even kings servants show more care than FL
Even story wise they show women empowerment like its a piece of cake. And men are shown dumb or too soft. thats not how it works ! changing peoples mentality takes ages. here FL just stands and give speech and every one claps.
Disappointing progress from such a great premise and start

So far it’s been such a great watch. The way story unfolds you want root for ML sand FL from very first episode . I have seen so many dramas where even if the leads have good characterisation it’s not easy to root from the get go and sometime you cannot even till the end but in this drama it’s so easy. The way it’s narrates and leads interact with others you instinctively start getting invested and then it expands to almost all characters including their servants !!
Women bonding in this drama is never seen before so that’s such a huge plus point .
ML is smart and ambitious but not cold but very warm person and FL is very cute but also smart in her own way and can really be the life of the crowd .

Exciting to see how it unfolds in further episodes

Leggi di Più

Most interesting drama of the year!!!

Just want to tell you everything about this drama, the story, the cast, the ost, the cinematography are dam so goood
The story is light but it wont make you boring, i used to prefer a heavy story since light story tend to be boring, but this drama isnt boring, TRUST MEEE, the ups and downs are just PERFECT, not too light but not heavy at all

the musics thooo, some are relaxing, some are give emotions to the story, ++ ye xuanqing and Liu Yuning sang the osts for this drama

What i most like is the cinematography, it gives a kind of atmosphere which is hard for me to describe 👉👈

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Light and Sweet

Starting out watching this drama, I thought it was going to be a your typical lighthearted romcom with the usual palace intrigue, brothers sabotaging brothers, etc. What I was not expecting in the slightest was the level of character development that occurred in nearly every character, touching on mental health particularly postpartum depression, and a focus on women's rights. While unexpected, they added an element of interest that helped to keep me invested in the story.

Despite touching on some more serious topics, the story is overall fairly lighthearted. It is a romcom after all. There are certainly some darker moments, our main characters have their share of problems, some more serious than others, but the issue with romcoms is, you already know the outcome, so those problems seem fairly superficial when you know happily ever after is waiting at the end. That being said, it was still very enjoyable to watch, it just didn't feel like anything was truly at stake. In terms of pacing, while it did have a few episodes where it started to drag a bit, overall it maintained its momentum quite well. The general lack of sabotage and infighting between women in this drama was both surprising and welcoming. Instead, you had women cultivating friendships and banding together to start businesses and better themselves and other women. Similarly, while you often have brothers at each others throats in dramas like this, there was less of that here. All in all, it was quite refreshing.

The acting was superb all around, but Tian Xi Wei absolutely carried the drama. She was simply perfect as Li Wei. Bai Jing Ting was also phenomenal as Yin Zheng. They had such great chemistry together.

What I loved most about this drama was the characters and the fact that nearly every character, whether protagonist or antagonist, had some level of character development. I also appreciated that in the end, there really wasn't a villain per se. Yin Song and Yin Jun both filled that role temporarily, but in the end, neither was really evil. Yin Song was such an interesting, complex character, the "caged bird". He was a complete jerk, and he deserved everything he got, but at the same time, I also pitied him. I appreciated the change in him as he was exiled and respected his decision to live his own way. Yin Jun was greedy, but again, ultimately not evil. While I didn't like him or his wife, there was a part of me that thought their relationship was sweet, even if they were crappy people. I was glad that they also decided to turn over a new leaf though. Other characters I particularly enjoyed were Fangru, particularly seeing her relationship with Hao Jia develop from enemies to allies to friends, Hao Jia herself, seeing her come into her own and learn she didn't need a man, and Li Wei, of course, as she transformed from a country girl into a lady but never lost her sparkle. There really wasn't a character that I disliked in this drama, aside from the 10th prince who was incredibly annoying, and I truly enjoyed watching them all grow and change.

In terms of couples, Li Wei and Yin Zheng reign supreme, obviously. While their romance is definitely a slow burn, it is also very organic. And once they do figure out their feelings for each other, their love is just so sweet. SiSi and Yin Yan are my second favorite couple. Although they have significantly less screen time than most of the other couples and characters, they're just so cute together. I honestly would have liked to have seen more of them. Shanggu and Yin Qi are my least favorite. While on the one hand I do like them together, on the other hand, I don't necessarily love the abusive nature of their relationship. I also got a bit tired of their back and forth of will they, won't they get together.

While the focus on women's rights and mental health was both interesting and welcoming, it was also a bit jarring. Given the historical setting, fictional though it may be, the message itself is very much a contemporary one and there were times when it very much stood out as such. The intent was good, the execution needed some work. I also think the concept was rushed towards the end. Xin state went from not allowing women to do business to suddenly they're going to allow women to be officials? That was done far too abruptly and without enough context to make it believable. Again, the execution needed work.

The OST was overall quite good. The songs typically fit well the mood and scene. Costuming was gorgeous. I liked how each character had their own distinct style. The cinematography was also very well done.

Ultimately I found this drama to be quite enjoyable. It was sweet and it was lighthearted with just a sprinkling of seriousness to add some more interest. It's one that I would definitely recommend watching at least once and one that I will likely come back to in the future.

Leggi di Più

Beautiful story

Rewatch this after a month with the same feeling as first time watch. Beautiful story and not your typical drama with power of sisterhood and brotherhood, matured relationship and not your typical female lead and second female lead.

Maybe some cannot tolerate with this drama. Since the romance is minimal and not the main focus of this drama, but I still enjoyed it. New life begins really suit you, if you enjoy family type drama.

Really love the plot of story, the cinematography, ost, and most importanly love the character development in this drama. Specially for last episode, on how they seen their old self version.

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Light and fun feminist alternate reality

This drama exists in a fantasy version of history where everyone’s a feminist, the men are curiously timid and disinclined to exert their power, and women overcome patriarchal structures with laughable ease. You just have to accept that from the jump, and then you will have a great time with this show.

It’s light all the way through with a lot of humor, and even when it touches on serious issues (such as intimate partner violence) they get resolved quickly and happily. Despite the marketing of this as a romance, the focal point of the narrative is the female empowerment arc and the sisterhood that develops between the women. The romance arcs are secondary (the main romance gets fully put on ice for about 20 episodes straight), but when the show does get to it, it’s done well. The couples are very rootable and there are some happy and thriving single women, as well. The cast is fantastic all around.

Recommended if you can just go along for the ride and not take it too seriously.

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Kindness Always Wins

This was less romance than I expected but a very calm slice of life. Very easy to watch with lovely visuals and rich, relaxing music.

The overall theme of no matter male, female, high rank, or commoner kindness matters was nice. But a little overly hammered home with every story for every couple. Being respectful and having integrity is important but did make it feel like only females understand this and men need to be taught. I understand it was pseudo historical and trying to be a sign of the times but it was still a fictional setting so they didn't need to be quite so heavy handed.

People that complain the FL is childish, yes she is because she is practically a child and never had to have city life/rules. She definitely does learn, grow, and mature by the end. The growth of the women was mainly the focus of the story. It was nice to see how all the friendships unfolded.

P.S. I need someone to teach me how to cook everything in this show!

Leggi di Più

first i started watching the drama because of bai jing ting (ML) . i have watch him in destined and i love his character and his acting so i have to give this drama a try and i didn't regret it all.
i become fan of this drama for sure because it's amazing cast and a great story line.
this drama will give you everything in one go like romance , comedy, little politics , some good action scene , sisterhood ( WHICH WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE DRAMA) , business and many more things.
the cast has deliver their best performance ( FOR ME THE 3rd PRINCE AND HIS SOLAR GIRLS HAVE STOLE MY HEART)
every character have it's story to tell and it was really a great work . the drama is mostly based on the women empowerment (I GUESS) and it delivers different type of perspective of that .
ML and FL have a very beautiful journey in entire drama. they have good chemistry between them , the 4th prince and his wife was really mad for each other ( they should get together earlier) , and 7th prince and his wife was really a cute couple ( i want more of them ) .
i like the ML form the previous drama ( which was DESTINED that i saw before this ) and i like the FL too in this. she was not childish like other cdrama but here she was little playful and likeable by all.
the last minutes of the drama make me cry .....

IF YOU WANT TO WATCH A LIGHT-HEARTED DRAMA WITH NO 2 MALE LEAD OR ANNOYING 2 FL AND A BLIND OF COMEDY , ROMANCE , HISTORY THEN IT IS FOR YOU START WATCHING IT WITHOUT WASTING MORE TIME !!!!

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Came for the arranged marriage trope, stayed for the feminism

Initially I only started this show because I like Bai Jing Ting and the romantic pairing in this fall in love after getting arranged married. But as I watched this I realized that the focus of the show wasn't on romance but rather on showing the beauty of female friendships which I really loved.

This show can somewhat be considered a harem drama because it focuses on the wives of princes. Many of them are married to the same man. harem dramas are synonymous with toxic relationships & women harming each other all in a bid to assert their position as the legitimate, head wife. But this is where new life begins flips the script.

Women in the show recognise that the system pits them against one another when really their circumstances are because of their husbands. They form strong bonds with each other, support and uplift one another. Their characters exist independently outside of the marriage. They're real people with personalities, thoughts, opinions, flaws, ambitions and with their female friends they achieve their dreams, they achieve the freedom they crave and live their lives as they please.

In these Palace dramas its common to see the princes be ambitious but their wives are often relegated to tertiary characters with no life of their own. But Li Wei, along with the other women have their own ambitions independent of their husband' political ambitions but ambitions that regardless impact the politics of the country in a meaningful way.


I really enjoyed the show and the characters and they will be dearly missed.

Leggi di Più

Underrated

Its a beautiful n a fresh drama. Unlike lots of other c drama this one is unique coz of story line. No typical fights between the main wifes n concubines. Acting is amazing. But kudos to the screenplay.
Worth a watch. I couldn't stop once I started. Will rewatch it for sure.
The drama is underrated definitely deserves more.
Special mention on the comic timing of the 3 rd price n his team of women.
This drama talks of women empowerment in a very good way. Women folk here were shown as independent thinkers which was definitely fresh ro see for ancient period dramas.

Leggi di Più

Sincerity & Pureness of heart.

I plunged right into the drama without much thought and I’m glad that it turned out all right.

What I liked:
- The FL and the ML have good chemistry. I really liked that ML was sincere in his affections and love for the FL right from the start. He wasn’t a player.
- The female characters in this drama are likable. No one is a full on bitch (other than 4th mistress) which is so great. The female characters support one another and help one another.
- I like that this drama focuses on overthrowing dated stereotypes and ridiculous ‘norms’. Eg: women should not show their faces outside. Women should stay home and be dutiful wives and mothers. Women should this. Women shouldn’t this. I, personally, don’t think it’s a woman or a man thing. It’s a person thing. Avoid gender stereotypes and look at a person as a person (not just as female or a male). Don’t have erroneous preconceived notions of what men / women should be like. No such thing! I like that the show tries to overthrow these unreasonable and outdated ‘norms’.
- The drama also talks about post partum depression and about how to take care of an expectant mother. Women don’t have easy lives and it’ll be so much better if women had supportive partners/ men/ family members etc. People should support people. Lift one another up with love and courage and compassion.
- Yuan Ying turned out to be so cute. I loved how she was so capable and so by-the-book. She was so cute!
- I liked the relationship which formed between Yuan Ying and Li Wei. So cute! There was no fighting over the same husband. They became sisters.
- The butler Su Shen and the maids were so cute too. I especially love to see Su Shen fussing over Yin Zheng. He’s earnest and comedic.

What I didn’t like:
- Insecure and crazy and incompetent second master.
- Vicious fourth mistress.

Overall, I enjoyed this ‘feel good’ drama with a happy ending. This moved quickly and issues were resolved pretty fast. The first 20-25 episodes were very interesting but it sort of watered down afterwards. Still a good watch. I loved that Yin Zheng was powerful in terms of his martial arts and he loved his wife so much. Pls watch!

Leggi di Più

Good balance of humor and the serious things in life, full of focus on female friendship and family

I love the beginning and ending quarters for sure (the preciousness and wholesomeness and chaos and fun All on Overload and I'm here for it).

It's pretty quiet/laid-back/domestic/slice of life, not too intense, and I honestly would have been happier if Li Wei (FL) and Yin Zheng (ML) had more screen time together (yup, especially in that middle section, which felt a bit slower without them ^-^). But, as it is, this is a very female-friendships-centered plot, and not as much on the main couple's romance for most the show.

LOVE the delicacies and foods and aesthetics (so cozy and healing), very cute and sweet main ship, all the side ships are also either sweet or bickery spicy sweet. As far as romances go, it's a bit rare as it focuses on both parties in the relationship pretty much equally, which is lovely to witness.

As far as HEA happy endings go, this deserves a 10/10 for that.

Appreciate the story's main thematic (essentially) commentary on the whole harem/concubines situation - which also enabled me to feel and understand the inner court's women of historical times more. However, the plot felt a bit dragged on as it didn't offer quite as many twists or interesting things as I would have preferred in the middle section especially (who am I kidding though, I was likely suffering from pretty bad hangover from lack of Li Wei+Yin Zheng dose lol).

Also love the VERY diverse set of personalities and ships/couples, as well as their respective developments. I liked all of the (good :D) main AND supporting characters by the end!

Needless to say, all the acting's top notch. I've put more of Tian Xi Wei's and Bai Jing Ting's cdramas on my To Watch list because they're each such great main leads.

Good balance of humor and the serious things in life for sure. =) If you want a comfort watch full of (esp female, but also the brothers/princes/young lords) friendships and family, this is for you.

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