American Perspectives: "Scarlet Heart" C-Drama Version Ep. 1-5 response

The reason why I recently watched "Scarlet Heart: 려"  was so I could be excited about watching the C-Drama version, which I had been informed, was excellent. I really didn't know what to expect.  I almost didn't watch it, as I was getting frustrated with the female lead in "Scarlet Heart: 려" during my most recent viewing last week.  (Seriously, why couldn't 해수 be like 기황후 and kick 연화's ass)?  I'm most certainly glad that I did end up watching the C-Drama version.  Luckily, both dramas have their own uniqueness.  They most certainly aren't carbon copies of each other.

Ruoxi is definitely much more of an assertive smart ass than 해수.  She acknowledges the historical customs, but still lays down her boundaries, and she's respected for it, and sometimes questioned, but because of her integrity, various characters are able to meet her half way.  She befriends the 10th Prince rather quickly, becoming best friends, actually; and catches the eye of both the 4th and 8th Prince.

Her older sister is a secondary wife to the 8th Prince, and there is definitely tension between her and the primary wife.  What makes this prince not nearly as much of a scumbag as 왕욱 is that he is very straightforward about his marital/extramarital situation.  Primary wife is not okay with it, Ruoxi's sister, Ruolan, on the other hand, couldn't care less.  The tension between the primary wife and Ruolan also extends to primary wife's sister, Mungyi, and Ruoxi.  What I like about the tension between Mungyi and Ruoxi is that neither one puts up with the other's crap.  They both defend themselves when the situation calls for it, and they can both be equally catty.  Whereas Ruolan allows the primary wife to walk all over her.

I like that the fourth prince does not have a hostile attitude toward Ruoxi.  Aloof? Perhaps.  Cold? Sort of.  I just find him to be a bit more serious and reserved.  So, I suppose that could come across as cold. He's very mystified by Ruoxi, and in Episode 7, he does cross a line, but he immediately sees that he may have gone a bit too far.  However, given the historical cultural context, I'm not too critical of it.  Social standing tends to trump a lot of things, and I think during the Qing Dynasty, many people in royal positions would take that for granted.

The clothing is gorgeous.  Some people may be put off by the men's hairstyles.  I wasn't, I thought they were cool. I jokingly say, "business in the front, party in the back!" (Ok, that's in reference to a mullet, but the same applies here).  Because the princes have the exact same hair, however, I got them mixed up in the first two episodes!