My Views on Ming Dynasty Drama (大明风华)

 After the release of Ming Dynasty Drama (大明风华), it has caused a lot of controversies. Some of my friends pointed out that there were many parts of the play that were not historically accurate or even completely subverted history.

I have a different opinion about this. The first few episodes have given me a good impression of the drama, especially in terms of the plot and characters, which are different from other Chinese costume dramas.

Although I had similar doubts when I first watched this drama. After all, it is true that the Ming Dynasty Drama (大明风华) is not a common genre. Some of my friends pointed out that there were many parts of the play that were not historically accurate or even completely subverted history.

It has its own dramatic logic. It is also "rare", which creates a freshness in the genre and a different direction from the stereotypical female-headed drama.

Photograph© Ming Dynasty Drama

The Zhu family in this drama has similarities to the common royal family. Keywords include a balance of power and accompanying the king like a tiger. At the same time, it is special in that it has a sense of life and a human touch.

For example, between the grandfather and grandson, Zhu Di and the imperial grandson, Zhu Zhanji, the usual exchanges are occasionally playful and angry, and occasionally cautious towards each other. Zhu Zhanji is lively and clever by nature and is the wise man of his father, Zhu Gaoqchi.

Zhu Gaochi, on the other hand, acted like a wimp in front of his father Zhu Di every day, as well as to his own second brother Zhu Gao Hsu, a model of great wisdom.

The story of the Zhu family is often portrayed in movies and television dramas, which is familiar to most viewers. But in the previous films and TV dramas, it seems that everyone in the family is ambitious, and even the flesh and blood will be killed without a guilty conscience. This kind of convention seems to be "positive" and "serious", but it also has an overly cheeky and one-sided interpretation.

The Zhu family members in this drama are all living treasures, but they are also all scheming and secretly scheming. The contrast between the superficial jokes and the undercurrents behind the scenes is striking.  The second son is a frequent actor, joining forces with his third brother in an attempt to force the court, and forcing his adopted orphan to kill Zhu Zhanji, a truly ruthless man.

Photograph© Ming Dynasty Captial

As a result, each character has a very different, vivid side to our stereotypes.

Although Zhu Di is apparently extremely strong to everyone, the emperor is also a person. In his heart with the "ancient reputation" of the shackles, often dreaming of his father Zhu Yuanzhang when the nightmare is back to blame himself.  He often dreams of his father Zhu Yuanzhang accusing him when he returns home. Because of this, he is more afraid that his children will be killed by his own flesh and blood and will follow his own path, so he has to watch out for them.

Every man in Zhu's family seems to live under their father's shadow, except Zhu Zhanji. He lives a less fearful life because of his father's "wishy-washy" behavior and is also the person with the best relationship with Zhu Di in the family.

Zhu Yawen showed the free and resourceful side of Zhu Zhanji's nature. He repeatedly helped his father and second uncle in front of Chu Di to help Chu Di solve problems and can help Chu Di to solve problems, and from time to time will also put down face spoiled. Constantly maneuvering between everyone in the family, he is the smartest one in the family apart from Chu Di.

In my opinion, Ming Dynasty Drama can be better defined as a mix of "historical legend" and "family drama". Many people talk about it being "unhistorical", but I don't think it's that important.

Photograph© Yong Le Emperor

It breaks the stereotype of ancient costumes and royal families. It combines historical facts to some extent, and by extension, human emotions that everyone can relate to.

All the "jokes" are also established in the logic of the theater, thus creating a sense of truth in the theater dimension.

This sense of truth is quite touching. I will continue to watch this drama with a positive attitude and hope that the rest of the story will develop more brilliantly.