After watching "Eternal Love : Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms" , the first ever Chinese drama of my life that completely swept me off my feet, I recently saw other Yang Mi Dramas like "Palace" and recently stumbled upon yet another mesmerizing Yang Mi starring Chinese drama : Novoland - Pearl Eclipse, a tale that held me captivated from the very first episode.
Starring Yang Mi and William Chan, Novoland - Pearl Eclipse is set against the backdrop of an imperial dynasty, brimming with political intrigue and human emotion. The storyline is rich, complex, and utterly gripping, immersing the audience in the life of an emperor and his inner circle. From the start, I was hooked as the narrative unfolded with intense power struggles, unexpected betrayals, and heart-wrenching decisions. The delicate balance between ego, emotions, and intellect was so vividly portrayed that each moment felt incredibly real. The performances from the entire cast were superb, with Yang Mi truly standing out. She, as the character of Fang Haishi, flawlessly evolved from a cute, carefree girl to a fierce warrior, and ultimately, into a dignified and graceful Empress, as she led her nation with both wisdom and compassion — her growth was a testament to her immense talent channelled so beautifully by her Mentor - Fang Jianming - played so impeccably perfect by William Chan! An amazing chemistry between them!
Methinks, Yang Mi is an amazing Chinese actress who has amazing online chemistry with most of her co-actors, just like with Mark Chao in "Eternal Love" and one more drama "Palace" that I also watched recently!
What struck me most about this movie - Novoland : Pearl Eclipse - was the portrayal of life and misery within the walls of ancient monarchy where power struggles would estrange even the closest of aides and relatives. The life of a Prince or King, often romanticized in fairy tales and those that begin with “Once upon a time, there was a Prince/King” is not as idyllic or beautiful, as it may appear. In this drama, the complexities of race for power, the sacrifices made to maintain stability of an Emperor's authority, the strategic alliances forged through marriages, the ruthless slaying of any person showing single suspicion of disloyalty - were depicted in all their raw and sobering reality. The sheer scale of espionage, conducted without the conveniences of modern technology, was mind-boggling. Watching this, I realized how truly immersive and intricate this world was. By the end of the series, it felt as though I had been transported back in time, experiencing the political and personal struggles of that era firsthand. The world seemed so tangible that I couldn’t help but reflect on how history intertwines with the present, and the lessons we can learn from the past.
One of the scenes that piqued my curiosity was about gifting of a painting to Emperor's pregnant wife / consort Tilan by her brother Suolan. The painting was gifted for the To-Be-Mother so as to keep looking at it during her pregnancy for a belief that the new-born child would therefore bear similar beauty and characteristics - a belief that is so common in Indians too.
Since this tribe of Emperor's wife Tilan is shown to be a believer of Mermaid folks of the Deep seas, the baby in the painting has the tail of a fish instead of the legs. However, most intriguing part was the face and ornamentation that was in no way oriental origin! In fact the characteristics resembled that of Lord Krishna - a blue skin baby with beautiful big wide eyes , holding a flute to play, and with Peacock feathers in the crown , while wearing earrings called Kundals in Indian mythology - which are unlike any oriental features that have small slanted eyes instead!
How puzzling that the Director if this movie / Movie Team has chosen to show this painting in the movie! Even the tribe of Suolan was shown to wear Turbans like Indians. Wonder what correlation the Director wanted to show? Maybe it depicts the possible marriage alliances between imperial dynasties of ancient China with ancient Nepal or ancient India or ancient Bhutan or ancient Burma ?!!!
On another note, other things shown in this Drama led me to a profound realization: How incredibly fortunate we are to live in an era of scientific advancements, democracy, secularism, and relative peace. A common man today can travel hundreds of kilometers in a climate-controlled vehicle on smooth, well-maintained roads in just a few hours. In stark contrast, even an emperor of yore would endure the hardship of riding horseback for days on end, battling the scorching sun and harsh weather, to cover the same distance. Such examples of modern conveniences make us realize just how much we take for granted.
In contrast to the chaos and bloodshed of previous centuries, the modern world enjoys far fewer wars and casualties. Watching Novoland - Pearl Eclipse made me truly appreciate the peace and freedoms we often take for granted in today's times! It's an eye-opening reminder of the sacrifices that were once made to protect the boundaries of a nation, and how far we've come in journey of Time & History.
What also stood out to me was the educational value embedded within these Chinese dramas. They don’t just serve as entertainment—they impart valuable life lessons. Throughout the series, I found myself reflecting on themes such as discernment, discretion, setting healthy boundaries in relationships, and the importance of work ethics. Even everyday struggles were portrayed with such authenticity that they provided a deeper understanding of real-life challenges.
As a result, I’ve become an avid fan of Chinese dramas around Imperial lives (with English subtitles) and now eagerly seek out new ones to watch. Along this journey, I’ve even picked up a few Chinese words that have become part of my daily vocabulary. Words like “Shifu” (Master) and “Haula” (Alright) have piqued my interest, and I’m excited to continue learning the language. My exposure to Chinese culture didn’t stop at the screen—my curiosity has grown, and I now find myself delving into China’s rich history, especially its fascinating connections with India.
One such historical event that caught my attention was the incredible journey of the Chinese scholar Xuánzàng, who traveled from China to Nalanda in India during the 6th century AD. This exchange between two great civilizations opened my eyes to the deep historical ties between China and India, and it has sparked a fresh wave of enthusiasm to learn more about China’s past.
Watching Eternal Love ignited a passion in me for Chinese culture and history, and my exploration is far from over. From the grandeur of ancient dynasties to cultural exchanges that shaped history, the world of Chinese drama has introduced me to an entirely new realm—a realm that will undoubtedly continue to captivate me for years to come.
And so, the journey of discovery continues...
- Forever a Seeker of Truth
- Meraki Pegasus
Dr Racchana D Fadia
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