Empresses In The Palace (2011)

GENRE: Period Drama

SYNOPSIS: The story of Zhen Huan, one of several young girls chosen to join the Chinese Emperor’s harem, moves up the ranks as one of the Emperor’s chosen. Surviving through many murderous scandals and betrayals from the other members of the harem she prevails as the Emperor’s favorite, moving through the ranks to become Empress Dowager. During her life at the imperial palace, she transforms from a kind-hearted, clever girl into a power hungry, manipulative woman.

STARRING: Sun Li (Zhen Huan), Ada Choi (Ulanara Yi Xiu), Jiang Xin (Nian Shi Lan), Lan Xi (Shen Mei Zhuang), Tao Xin Ran (An Ling Rong), Ying Er (Xia Dong Chun), Chen Si Si (Cao Gui Ren), Tan Song Yun (Chun Gui Ren), Zhao Qin (Fuca Gui Ren), Tang Yi Xin (Qi Gui Ren), Wan Mei Xi (Xin Chang Zai), Zhang Ya (Qi Fei), Li Xuan Juan (Duan Fei), Li Jia Xuan (Li Pin), Yang Zi Yan (Jing Fei), Re Yi Zha (Ye Lan Yi), Cui Man Li (Xu Ying Er), Mao Xiao Tong (Ying Da Ying), He Ya Nan (Kang Chang Zai), Liu Xue Hua (Empress Dowager), Liu Yan (Shu Tai Fei), Chen Jian Bin (Emperor), Li Dong Xue (Guo Jun Wang), Wu Li Peng (Hong Shi), Wang Wen Jie (Hong Li), Ji Zi Han (Princess Wen Yi), Lan Ying Ying (Huan Bi), Zhan Jing Yi (Liu Zhu), Li Tian Zhu (Su Pei Sheng), Liu Yi Tong (Song Zhi), Zhou Zi Han (Cai Yue), Sun Qian (Cui Jin Xi), Yang Kai Chun (Jian Qiu), Xu Lu (Yu Lao), Luo Kang (Xiao Yun Zi), Liu Yang (Jiang Fu Hai), Zhang Xiao Long (Wen Shi Chu), Yang Qi (Meng Jing Xian), Shen Bao Ping (Zhen Yuan Dao), Li Dan (Yun Xing Meng), Sun Ning (Nian Geng Yao)

EPISODES: 6

VIEWING SOURCE: Netflix; July 2016

Tamra, The Island (2009)

GENRE: Period

SYNOPSIS: During the Joseon Dynasty (17th century) an Englishman, William, buys his passage on board a ship bound for Nagasaki, Japan and finds himself a castaway on Tamra (Jeju) Island in South Korea after being washed overboard during a bad storm. He’s rescued from the sea by Jang Beo Jin, who’s family has been chosen to house an exiled nobleman for sexual harrassment crimes against women. Because of William’s difference in appearance, namely his golden blonde hair, Beo Jin must keep him hidden in her special hiding place or else risking William being killed because he is an outsider.

STARRING: Seo Woo (Jang Beo Jin), Im Joo Hwan (Park Kyu), Pierre Deporte (William Spencer), Lee Sun Ho (Yan Kawamura), Lee Seung Min (Seo Min), Byun Woo Min (Jang Won Bin), Yang Hee Kyung (Eom Ssa Boo In), Kim Yoo Jung (Jang Beo Seol), Kim Mi Kyung (Choi Jang Nyeo), Lee Ho Jae (Park Chul), Bang Eun Hee (Go Ba Soon), Jung Joo Ri (Han Boon), Jo Seung Yun (Kim Yi Bang), Lee Hae Woo (Hyang Dul Yi), Seo Bum Shik (Jeon Chi Yong), Kim Ho Won (Hyang Dol Lee), Yoo Tae Woong (Han Philip), Park Hee Jin (Jong Dal), Jo Moon Ui (Jong Dal’s Father), Lee Jung Sup (Kim Hoon Jang), Jang Kyung Ah (Hong Shi Yeon), Lee Han Wie, Lee Byung Joon, Han Sung Joo, Kim Yoon Seo, Lee Ho Sung, Goo Bon Im (Jong Dal’s Mother)

EPISODES: 21

VIEWING SOURCE: March 2016; Netflix

Perfect Couple (2014)

GENRE: Period Drama, Romance, Comedy

SYNOPSIS: Jin Yuan Bao, the prince and heir to the Jin family, is being forced to marry a girl he doesn’t even know. Xiao Xuan of the Jiang family has been chosen as his bride to form an alliance between the two families. Neither one is aprroving of the choice and both wish to marry elsewhere, so on the eve of the wedding Jiang Xiao Xuan sneaks out of the Jin palace and runs away to find her lover. Upon her departure Yu Qi Ling, a cunning and very witty woman, sneaks into the palace and convinces Xiao Xuan’s maid to help disguise her as Xiao Xuan to take her place. Qi Ling falsely marries Yuan Bao not for love, but for her own hidden agenda.

STARRING: Tiffany Tang (Yu Qi Ling), Wallace Huo (Jin Yuan Bao), Gong Mi Shi (Jiang Xiao Xuan), Huang Ming (Gu Changfeng), Wayne Wang (Liu Wen Zhao), Vivian Wu (Madam Jin), Wang Jing Luan (Liu Qian Qian)

EPISODES: 45

VIEWING SOURCE: DramaFever on Roku; October-November 2015