O Começo de Uma Nova Vida (2022)

A Wuxia with a feminist twist

Let me just say, I absolutely adore this series so much! Definitely on one of my top C-drama faves.

Though this series may not be for everyone. It actually does not follow the traditional way, and if you're looking for heavy romance or dramas without politics, this might not be for you. The first few episodes may seem to be on the romance route, but it'll take the backseat of the drama.

Just to put this in, this might be a TRIGGER WARNING but there are abusive relationships in this series and a suicide attempt.

STILL! I'm hoping that new watchers could still give this a try and watch this whole series.

Things I like about this drama:
- I really love the sisterhood between all the women in this drama. At first there might be several women that are rude and actually there is one that I really dislike, but they do change throughout the series. There are no evil scheming women in this drama, and this was just really refreshing to see. I absolutely love their friendship with one another.
- There are no love triangles! You may think that there might be for the main leads, but there is not.
- The series really does tackle issues about gender equality, political corruptions, family problems and etc.; and seriously love how they bring women empowerment into this series and how they really push for changes in such a chauvinistic world.
- Main leads have good chemistry, I wish they extended the drama a bit because I really wanted more romance since it did take the backseat of the drama for a while. But every scene where their characters flirted or bantered throughout the whole drama, I seriously love it.
- It is a very light and feel good drama, there may be some parts that may seem heavy; but they are not.
- Everyone's acting! Please everyone really did a great job bringing each their characters to life and show how different each of their characters are. Seriously kudos to them!
- Comedy, for me I really loved the comedy in this series and it was actually the reason why I got hooked to the drama. The comedic timing and conversations would have me bursting into tears of laughing so hard. If you find the comedy in the first two episodes really hilarious, you'll definitely like the comedy further in the drama.
- All the arc in this series. Everything was really put together, each arc connecting to one another. To be honest, I've seen some reviews saying that the series is draggy, but that's really not the case. There is a lot of characters, and their stories do unfold in this drama and why they are connected to the main plot. You get to see each and every individual character (important characters), how they differ from one another and how several of them strive for changes in their world and/or have a huge character development.
- I love the brotherhood between the 3rd, 5th and 6th princes; these three looking out for one another unlike the others.
- I've mentioned it earlier, but both main leads and the other important characters have a character development. It's really nice seeing their growth and how they do mature.
- Please the food in this drama, they absolutely looked delicious. I actually crave to eat Chinese food because of this series.
- Music, seriously love every music and background music they used throughout the series. Even the tune they use on the comedy scenes was just so perfect, that it would just make me laugh.
- The ending, it was just so satisfying!

Cons:
- To be honest, I did not like several of the character's decisions because they were a bit rash.
- Second couple, to be honest I did not like how one of them was abusive. Their abusive relationship was for comedy, but to be honest I find it a bit too much. There were several instances they push and pull; and it got a bit tiring.
- I'll be honest several regions in this series, sounds almost the same. At first I thought that several characters came from the same region, but later found out that they don't. So please do pay attention to the first part of the first episode as they do talk about the regions. If not, you can also check the discussion thread here on MDL that shows all the regions if you do get confused.

Overall:
I seriously loved this drama to bits! It is really refreshing to see a drama like this and definitely will be re-watching this again, as I really did enjoy this series! Maybe I might see any details that I've missed.

Leia Mais

Per la regia di Zhao Qi Chen, che già aveva firmato My heroic husband, New life begins è una commedia che, per certi versi, non si prende troppo sul serio mentre, per altri, spara cannonate ad alzo zero. Sono 40 episodi da 45 minuti (al lordo di opening e ending), ma non si avverte troppa stanchezza perché le vicende sono interessanti e intricate e, in linea generale, non si trascinano troppo.

Si tratta di un adattamento della web novel "Qing Chuan Ri Chang" di Duo Mu Mu Duo, ambientato in un paese di fantasia, pseudo cinese antico, e non risparmia bordate al sistema patriarcale che vuole le donne sottomesse agli uomini in ogni più minuscolo dettaglio della loro vita.

In questa storia, ci sono otto staterelli dominati da un nono, al quale ogni tre anni vengono mandate in tributo, per mantenere la pace, delle fanciulle di buon lignaggio per farne mogli e concubine dei vari principi. Ma nel mucchio che prendiamo in considerazione ci sono alcune “mele marce” che rovineranno i calcoli degli sciovinisti e, aiutate da alcuni principi decisamente migliori di altri, cambieranno in breve tempo le carte in tavola nel paese retrogrado e maschilista. Sì, perché nella maggior parte degli altri paesi, le donne hanno un rapporto di parità, se non addirittura di predominio, rispetto agli uomini. Come accadrà tutto ciò è il succo del drama, che verte principalmente sui rapporti di stretta sorellanza che si sviluppano fra le varie mogli e concubine, distribuite fra i vari principi. Alcune avranno più fortuna di altre, ma la lezione che ricaveremo da questa serie è che, se le donne si alleano invece di farsi la guerra, possono ottenere risultati impensabili. Raramente si sono viste amicizie così solide a palazzo, ed è molto piacevole.

Ammetto di essere approdata a questo show per il protagonista Bai Jing Ting, già amato in Reset e in You are my hero, che interpreta qui il sesto principe, figlio non prediletto, apparentemente malaticcio e senza aspirazioni. Inutile dire che la sua ascesa avrà grande parte nell’economia della storia. Dicevo che ho deciso di guardare New life begins per lui, e non sono rimasta delusa dalla sua interpretazione: il suo viso molto mobile e espressivo è perfetto nei momenti romantici, commovente in quelli tristi, esaltante quando fa valere la sua autorità. Non ha una bellezza patinata e convenzionale e, per il gusto occidentale, è dotato di un paio di orecchie decisamente importanti ma che probabilmente non sono un problema in Cina, visto che sono in molti ad esibire orecchie a sventola e, con la dilagante mania della chirurgia plastica, ci vorrebbe pochissimo a correggerle.

Tian Xi Wei, protagonista femminile già vista in Be my cat, è anche lei interprete di spessore, e ci regala qui diverse scene veramente memorabili. E’ la concubina del sesto principe, vero motore dell’epocale cambiamento che avverrà nel retrogrado regno dove è stata inviata.

Attorno a questa coppia principale se ne aggirano diverse altre, coi loro problemi, le loro interpretazioni di cosa è o dovrebbe essere un rapporto di coppia, le loro relazioni coi potenti dei vari regni.
Le relazioni che si sviluppano fra le varie coppie sono abbondantemente sviscerate e, se certi personaggi sono all’inizio negativi o piuttosto antipatici, diversi intraprenderanno percorsi che li porteranno a crescite significative. Fra i personaggi secondari, è particolarmente azzeccata l’interpretazione di Chang Long, il quinto principe Yin Qi sposato contro la sua volontà con una feroce principessa proveniente dal regno dove comandano le donne. La loro è sostanzialmente la seconda coppia, e l’evoluzione del loro rapporto è molto godibile.

Ma in realtà occorrerebbe citare praticamente ogni attore, e sono una settantina: quasi tutti, fino alle comparse, hanno dato vita ai loro personaggi con vera maestria. Ho avuto qualche riserva sul secondo principe che, a tratti, mi è parso poco convincente, per poi però riscattarsi subito dopo con scene da brivido.

Costumi e ambientazioni sono veramente ben fatti e piacevoli alla vista. Si vede chiaramente che in questo comparto non si è proprio badato a spese! Anche la cinematografia è molto apprezzabile, i colori sono accesi e luminosi e i combattimenti, pur non eccessivamente numerosi, sono ben coreografati. Le musiche fanno tutto il loro dovere nel sottolineare i momenti più dolci o tragici. Ottimo lavoro.

Gli intrighi di palazzo per conservare il titolo di principe ereditario, o appropriarsene, sono abbastanza interessanti ma, in ossequio alla leggerezza di quella che resta pur sempre una commedia, non sono mai troppo feroci o tragici. I cattivi, al dunque, vengono sconfitti senza troppa difficoltà, anche perché, contrariamente all’idea che hanno di sé, non sono particolarmente furbi o intelligenti.

Quello che alla fine viene sconfitto, in una soluzione utopica della questione, è il vero nemico da combattere: il sistema pesantemente patriarcale che soffoca e uccide le donne. Sarebbe bello se fosse vero, ma purtroppo ci si deve accontentare del lieto fine di una commedia molto piacevole.

Leia Mais

Fun show

This is not a historical drama. This is a drama set in a historical period while applying modern concepts of female empowerment, which will never work in ancient China. Take this drama for what it is - entertainment, not an accurate representation of history.

The acting and chemistry between the characters was great. The relationship between Yin Zheng and Li Wei was endearing, wholesome, and very cute. They were the whole package - mutual respect, understanding, devotion, and love. Yin Zheng was unspoiled and dutiful. Li Wei was optimistic and loving. Even the side characters were fun.

The only minus is that the drama did not really have a coherent plot. I guess the central idea was the relationship between ML and FL, except most of the story centered around female characters and sisterhood. At the beginning, ML and FL met and started liking each other. Then the story switched to female characters, making the romance kind of a side story. And, towards the end, the story switched back to the relationship between ML and FL. Some characters wholly disappeared after they reached a certain milestone. Song Wu was completely written off after she got marred, even though she was a constant semi-annoying presence at the beginning. The same was with the second prince after he was exiled. It seemed the writers were not too focused on the conflict. Nevertheless, the drama had a pretty good pacing, character development, and wholesome relationships. This is one of those rare stories were women do not undermine and betray each other for men and power, but instead, help and uplift each other.

If you are looking for a feel-good story without a deep plot, this is it.

Leia Mais

Vui vẻ giữa tình bạn của những người phụ nữ.

Mình theo phim từ những ngày đầu và mãi khi phim kết thúc được một tuần, mình mới xem những tập cuối. Để có thể nhận xét về phim thì đó là mình nghĩ phim không cần đến 40 tập, khoảng 34 tập thôi là ổn rồi.
Không khí của phim ban đầu là vui vẻ, hài hước nhưng cũng có những màn tranh đấu vương vị giữa anh em nhà họ Doãn. Kể từ khi Nhị thiếu chủ rớt đài là mình thấy phim không còn thú vị đến thế nữa và kết cục phim là cả nhà hạnh phúc cũng theo như đúng dự đoán của mình.
Ưu điểm:
- Không khí phim nhẹ nhàng, vui tươi, hài hước.
- Mối quan hệ phái nữ trong phim vô cùng gắn kết, mình cảm tưởng nếu họ có thật ngoài đời thì họ sẽ là những người chị em tốt của nhau.
- Phim cũng nhiều mùi bê đê nữa :)))
- Bối cảnh của phim cũng khá thú vị. Ban đầu nghe giới thiệu về chín xuyên thì hơi phức tạp nhưng phim lại giới thiệu tất cả các xuyên vô cùng khéo léo, giúp người xem có thể mường tượng ra được rõ nét về hình ảnh Cửu Xuyên.

Nhược điểm:
- Chem giữa nam nữ chính... Mình thấy không hấp dẫn đến vậy, ban đầu thì khá thú vị nhưng từ lúc Nguyên Anh bỏ đi, mình thấy hơi chán chán... Không có nhiều sự phát triển của Lý Vi với Doãn Tranh cho lắm.
- Câu chuyện giữa nhà anh ngũ với nhà anh ba còn hài hơn :)))

Leia Mais

Light drama with a lot of girl power and sisterly love

It was a light drama. I say light as there was some conflict as there had to be to make a story, but there wasn't a ton of unnecessary angst or misunderstandings. If there was angry it was resolved pretty quick. I really liked all the character's even prince An even tho his character was a putz. The actors all did well and had good chemistry. The music was fine ,I suppose not anything memorable and nothing that made me need to look up the music to add to playlist.
I did stop watching at episode 35 and not because i wasnt enjoying it but because i was naughty and watched the last episode to see if it had a good ending. I would definitely watch again all the way thru but right now i have to many half watched shows and was getting confused. I think it will be one of those thats an easy watch when I need a calm down after to many intnese dramas.
Overall sweet, some hilarity and lots of sister from anothet mister love.

Leia Mais

Sisterhood and Brotherhood above all else

This show is very much a life drama about a family of young lords and the woman that go on to shape who they are as men. Every single female character is a whole human, with her own feelings, emotions, ambitions, thoughts, and plans. They aren't all the same nor do they want to be. They all help and uplift each other throughout the story. There are both male and female villains, some that get redemption and some that don't. There are gray characters that float between. Each personal feels like an actual person. The responses to conflict and misunderstandings feel real and earned. The love stories sprinkled in are strong and healthy depictions of what a balanced and mutually respectful relationship should look like. They also show you the bad side of toxic and one-sided relationships, and how just because you got yourself into a bad place doesn't mean you can't also get yourself out. Everyone deserves respect from their spouse.
Just the sisterhood alone with all of the young lords' wives and concubines is worth the watch. Very progressive in their storytelling in a fictionalized country. When 7th's wife feels nervous and unsure about herself because she is slower to do things, every single one of the women around her validates her and complements her on her care and attention. When the 2nd Crown Lord shows his true colors the women band together to help their friend Hao Jia. His wife even plays one of the largest roles in getting Hao Jia and herself out of a horrible situation. And with that storyline Yin Zheng(6th) gets closer to his own mother after realizing she was struggling with a similar situation as Hao Jia was.
But the best relationship is that of the 6th Lord's wife(Yuan Ying-Jin State's Princess) and side wife(Li Wei- FL). There are like true sisters. The Jin Princess immediately takes Li Wei under her wing and trains her to become the lady of a royal household and partner to Yin Zheng(6th lord). Yuan Ying becomes like a sister to both Yin Zheng and Li Wei, and they all share a bond that could never be broken. She becomes one of their fiercest allies.
The understanding and refusal of Yuan Ying to cause any misunderstandings between Li Wei and Yin Zheng is peak supporting female character energy.
We have a simple girl who has the protentional and drive to make great change.
A warrior princesses trying to find her happiness.
A woman who doesn't want to follow in her mother's footsteps. And though she miscalculates finds her feet again.
A princesses who is smarter than all the men and knows it.
A group of women who band together against their trying husband, and protect and care for each other as they fight for there individual wants and needs.
A kind and quiet girl, who just would rather be left alone, if that's okay, who finds her other half.

I could go on and on, because the characters are all great fully fleshed out. But just know that it's worth the watch. Even though it's 40episodes there are enough smaller story arcs that start and end every few episodes that keeps the momentum of the story going. You will laugh, cry. and kick your feet from this slow-burn romantic life drama.

PS: We don't see him much, but I have a soft spot for the 9th little lord as his is just like his sisters-in-law...and that punch in ep40....bravo.

Leia Mais

Feel good drama

Accidentally started watching this because I was a fan of baijinting, and end up liking the FL as well. I think this was my first drama of hers and i like her acting. Not sure if it was her voice or was dubbed, but the voice suits her character. She played innocent but steadfast character well and it’s not coming across as annoying as some actress came to be when trying to be ‘innocent’. The character building was also done well in my opinion. From the spoilt village girl who was brought up in a monogamous family, to a lady who understood well how the palace politics work, and able to adapt to it well to support her husband, without sacrificing her values.

Plot was very women empowerment centric, and love how the wives found support in each other. The ML though at first appears calculating owing to the fact that he was brought up as someone who was overlooked from child, matured to a capable leader under the pillar of his wife’s support. It was a feel good drama with a lot of conflicts, but not an earth shattering ones, just something they have to solve along the way. Lol. I love not having to think so much while watching dramas, sometimes too many a plot/crisis makes me feel like i’m doing homework instead of watching dramas for fun. Lol

Ost was not that hyped up, none that sticks to mind that is. But the costumes was quite nice and even though there were nine states to be kept track of, they were introduced well during the leads’ adventure. Villains are appropriate and served their purpose. Lol. I love how the second prince was brought down and sent to the border while the fourth prince received different fate just because he realised his fault earlier and atoned.

Might not rewatch this, but my first watch of this is fun and i was well entertained. Lol

Leia Mais

Love after marriage troupe

I was really entertained by the story of 9 regions and how people are different from each other. It's really an interesting plot, but I wish they could've elaborated more on the origins of each regions as to the diveristy of each individual. 


The fl is really fun to watch and the ml is the introverted, but wise kind of person. A girl is picked from each region to get married to the prince and this is where the story starts to unfold. All I can say is that each of them has a distinctive character and they found theirselves relying unto each other as they face difficulties with their husbands. There, they built an unmatchable bond with each other.


The thing is, I thought this was a female eccentric drama, but the script just focuses more on how everything can be resolved with their husbands and that is the problem here. It feels like they need permission from their husband, first before making a decission and it's as if a wife's decission is always wrong. Nonetheless, I hope this will change as it's just the start of the drama and there will be a sudden turn of tables. If you're into love after marriage plot, this is definitely for you.

Leia Mais

What a gem!

Update: The story focused too much on sisterhood and feminism. The spark and romance from the first few episodes are pretty much gone. They are acting like friends or a couple that’s been married for at least 15 years.

Also didn’t like how the FL is always so rash and getting the ML and everyone in trouble. It’s like she doesn’t think before she acts. Then she would have a a bag full of tears while she justifies her actions to the ML. A pity because it started out so strong.

——


After finishing Love Like the Galaxy and Love Between Fairy and Devil I struggled to find a show (cdrama, kdrama and even jdrama) that held my attention. I was literally dropping dramas left and right for a few months. I was bored out of my mind. Kept seeing New Life Begins everywhere so I decided to give it a try without any expectations.
I would just like you guys to know that I am officially HOOKED. The story is so fresh, characters are so engaging, clothing is stunning and the chemistry is ?. The leads are so cute together and I can’t stop smiling every time they are together.
It is hysterical!

Leia Mais

I cried so hard when I finished watching this drama

Honestly, I don't want this drama to only have 40 episodes. The storyline and acting of the cast are too good so I want this drama to be extended to 100 episodes (╥﹏╥)

I got carried away when I saw the relationship between Yin Zheng (6th Young Master) and Li Wei. Their love story is truly beautiful.

Really, I was amazed by Yin Zheng's persistence in trying to win Li Wei's heart. He didn't force her, he didn't act harshly, he actually loved Li Wei in a gentle way. He made Li Wei fall in love without the slightest coercion. Yin Zheng's feelings were very sincere, he helped Li Wei a lot to open the way when she encountered difficulties. He understands Li Wei's point of view, he's willing to learn from Li Wei. He's the epitome of a green flag husband. You won't find any patriarchal traits in Yin Zheng. He's a modern man who is intelligent, open-minded, and firm in his principles. Thank you to the writer and director for making Yin Zheng's character this good even though he's a man who lived in ancient times.

Meanwhile, Li Wei is a modern woman who upholds women's empowerment in the era she lived at that time. She loves Yin Zheng, but doesn't want to depend on Yin Zheng for her life. She was an independent woman, open-minded, forward-thinking beyond the times, and even gave encouragement to women who at that time were very constrained by patriarchal culture. That's why I admire Li Wei and Yin Zheng's relationship. They were a perfect couple, they both had the goal of reforming ancient culture that was detrimental to society, especially women whose position was considered weak at that time. Li Wei believes that women also have their own strengths, and Yin Zheng as an open-minded man, also agrees with what Li Wei believes.

High appreciation for Bai Jingting and Tian Xiwei. They're truly amazing actors, no wonder the casting team chose them to play Yin Zheng and Li Wei. For real, the chemistry between them is crazy. Sometimes I wonder.. are they really in love and not acting? haha :D

Talking about the storyline, I am happy because this drama takes an unusual storyline. There was no love rivalry or enmity among the palace ladies. They are all friends, support each other and give each other strength.

The character of the Great Master is also not made to be evil. He's a father who is also the leader of 9 regions. His burden is so heavy, having 11 children, so it's "understandable" why he's unfair to some of his children, BUT on the one hand he remains open to his children's thoughts. He didn't refuse when Yin Zheng came and gave him a lot of advice about state affairs even though previously he had not placed much hope in Yin Zheng because Yin Zheng was a sickly child.

The wives of the Great Master aren't evil either. The writer and director didn't create too many evil characters in this drama. Even if there is a problem faced by the main character, the problem tends to be resolved quickly without excessive dramatization.

I highly recommend 'New Life Begins' to you guys. I promise, you won't regret. The story is too beautiful, I even want to erase my memories of this drama and watch it from the beginning again so I can repeat the feeling when watching this drama ಥ‿ಥ

Leia Mais