Scarlet Heart 步步惊心 means many things for Cecilia Liu Shi Shi and Nicky Wu. It cemented her status as a top star, rejuvenated his acting career (he was 40 then) and culminated in the couple’s lovely beach wedding in Bali, so it seems only fitting to talk about the show that brought them together.
Based on a novel called Bu Bu Jing Xin aka Startling By Each Step written by Tong Hua 桐华, this 35-episode drama adaptation tells the tale of an average white-collar worker who wakes in the body of Maertai Ruoxi, a young Manchu maiden during the reign of Kangxi. There are too many dramas in the time travel romance genre, yet this one easily sets itself apart because it manages to tell a compelling story extremely well.
The show revolves around the Nine Lords War 九子奪嫡, a time in history fraught with tension and perils because of a fight for the throne, yet beyond the politics is a passionate romance that touches the heart.
It stars a huge ensemble cast led by Cecilia Liu (Imperial Doctress), Nicky Wu (Legend of Zu), Kevin Cheng (City of Devastating Love), Yuan Hong (Princess Jieyou) and Lin Gengxin (God of War Zhao Yun), Han Dong and Ye Zuxin. Its also boasts a talented crew led by Directors Wu Jin Yuan, Lam Yuk Fan (Eternal Love) and Deng Wei En.
It was a formula that paid off, even warranting a Korean drama remake starring IU and Lee Joonki. There is also a sequel and a movie by the same name but honestly, the latter two should have never been made.
For an in-depth review of each episode, check out mydramatea.
Source: Baidu
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yasmine
I'm fairly new to Chinese dramas and this was the best tv show I've ever watched. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire show. I laughed and cried and was depressed when it ended. Not sure if I'll ever find something that I enjoy as much as this.
Anne J
Hi Yasmine, thanks for commenting. Thoroughly enjoyed Scarlet Heart as well because of it looking forward to the k-drama remake.
magarela
It was my first chinese drama ❤