The curse of the royal harem is an intriguing and dark part of history that has captivated the imaginations of many. In ancient times, royal harems were a common feature of many societies, where the king or ruler would keep a large number of concubines or wives. These harems were often seen as a symbol of power and wealth, but they also had a dark side. The curse of the royal harem stems from the belief that having a large number of women under one roof would inevitably lead to conflict and chaos. It was widely believed that the women in the harem would become jealous and vengeful towards one another, thus causing harm and misfortune to the ruler and his kingdom. This belief was particularly prevalent in ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, and the Ottoman Empire.
Yee Lan has found a way out of every trap set for her, but can she deal with being framed for murder?
After waiting two years for Prince Min Yee s safe return, the Empress Dowager and soon to be coronated Empress,Yun Yuen, have given up hope finding him and decide to sacrifice his wife Yee Lan. She did so because Yun Yun s father told her that in order to locate the whereabouts of her son or located his corpse , she has to sacrifice the person most dear to him i.
This belief was particularly prevalent in ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, and the Ottoman Empire. The curse of the royal harem was fueled by several factors. First, the women in the harem were in constant competition for the ruler's attention and favor.
Review: Curse of the Royal Harem (By Hayes)
Synopsis: Curse of the Royal Harem is set in the Qing Dynasty under the rule of the Do Kwong Emperor (Sunny Chan). Yee Lan (Jessica Hsuan), the Consort of Emperor Do Kwong’s elder brother, who was missing in battle, is grieving over the loss of her husband. The Empress Dowager (Gigi Wong) instructs that Yee Lan be buried alive in the Emperor’s tomb. However, the current Do Kwong Emperor saves her because he had feelings for her from a long time ago. The Emperor makes her one of his Consorts and the Empress (Myolie Wu), becomes jealous and plots Yee Lan’s demise. Along the way, Yee Lan uncovers a treacherous plot that could potentially endanger the Emperor! Will she be able to stop it in time?
First Impression: YES! I love these types of dramas! The theme song is really good too!
I was extremely excited for this drama because ancient ones like these interest me a lot. To be honest, I didn’t even see one trailer for this drama and just decided I was going to watch it, regardless of the cast and plot. It was a disappointment in the first 10 episodes, but it picked up afterwards. The overall drama was slightly draggy though. Let’s go over the main points:
Plot: Running Out of Ideas?
I watched another Qing Dynasty drama, The Life and Times of A Sentinel, in the summer and I couldn’t help but think that Curse of the Royal Harem was copying off some ideas from the first drama. First of all, in Curse of the Royal Harem, Joel Chan, the Prince Sui, is revealed to have a past secret relationship with Myolie, the Empress. Similarly, in The Life and Times of a Sentinel, Kenneth Ma (who was also the Emperor’s brother) had a secret relationship with Elaine Yiu (the Imperial Noble Consort.) And the thing is, both females of the story want to forget the past and continue being the present Emperor’s wives whereas the men can never forget about his true love.
Another thing is, why is the Grand Empress Dowager/ Empress Dowager always the main villain? I’m tired of seeing an elderly woman plotting everyone’s demise. I know it’s true that they are treacherous and “evil” but maybe someone else? Maybe an eunuch or a palace maid?
Enough of that though. So let’s skip over the first half of the drama now since nothing much happens anyway. As we get near episode 20, things pick up and there are dramatic changes to the characters. The action is significantly increases in pace and the drama is preparing itself for the climax (after pregnancies, giving birth, death, sacrifice, unveiled plots, secret relationships, etc.).
After the climax, you would think that the drama would end there. But no, it keeps going. Then you realize that the climax you thought WAS the climax was in fact NOT the climax. And then you wonder, “Is there really a true climax in this drama?” There were a lot of unnecessary scenes.
Characters and Acting: The acting was mediocre. I was watching this drama with my mom and I agreed with her about some things:
a) Myolie’s acting was not very outstanding (at least in the beginning). She doesn’t fit the role of an Empress. But it looks like she tried really hard to deliver this performance.
b) Jessica didn’t really deliver a mind-blowing act. But rather it was the same, plain and nothing really new. The last few episodes allowed us to see an evil, wicked side to her and that was what stood out for her.
c) Sunny Chan was a terrible Emperor. His acting convinced us.
d) Joel Chan did a wonderful job. He should have deserved more recognition. Actually, he should deserve more recognition on all the dramas he acts in.
e) Gigi Wong did have the looks of a convincing Empress Dowager.
f) Nancy Wu is always a villain. A well-portrayed villain though. Why can’t she get some protagonist roles and how in the world does her character in this drama survive so long?
Basically those six points sum up the main cast and their acting.
Everything Else: Compared to some other dramas where the plot is rushed, this drama, although draggy, gave a more “artistic” feel. It felt like a slow roller coaster, with ups and downs and some really dull moments.
Another point is that I thought that Jessica had way too much make-up on. Also, the music was repeated WAY too often and some parts of the drama gave me a “deja-vu” feeling, like I’ve watched it in another drama before. OH, I have another example of that. I remember in the Beyond the Realm of Conscience,” when Tavia got slapped in the face by another Consort and her response was that she would one day “return that slap.” And just so happens, in Curse of the Royal Harem, when Myolie slaps Jessica in the face, she said, “One day, I will return that slap.”
Coincidence? (OKAY. MAYBE I’M OVER ANALYZING.)
Overall: I hope I’m not biased but I enjoyed the drama 🙂 Although acting and plot wasn’t the best, I liked how the characters developed: how someone so bad could suddenly become so good and vice-versa. I thought the costumes weren’t bad either.
This review was written by Hayes, a Contributing Writer at JayneStars.com.
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This competition often led to jealousy, manipulation, and even violence among the women, as they sought to secure a higher status or to remove rivals from the harem. Second, the presence of a large number of women in a confined space created a breeding ground for intrigue, gossip, and conspiracy. The women would often form alliances and factions, with each group vying for power and influence. This internal power struggle could have serious consequences for the entire kingdom, as it could lead to the downfall of the ruler or the destabilization of the government. Third, the curse of the royal harem was also perpetuated by the belief that the ruler's excesses and indulgences in the harem would lead to his downfall. It was believed that the ruler's focus on pleasure and personal desires would distract him from his duties and responsibilities, thus weakening his ability to govern effectively. Over time, the curse of the royal harem became ingrained in cultural beliefs and folklore. It became a cautionary tale, warning rulers of the dangers of excessive indulgence and the potential consequences of neglecting their responsibilities. The curse served as a reminder that power and wealth alone were not enough to ensure a successful reign, and that the ruler must prioritize the well-being and stability of his kingdom. In conclusion, the curse of the royal harem is a fascinating aspect of history that highlights the complexities and dangers of power and excess. It serves as a cautionary tale and a reminder that even the most powerful rulers are not immune to the consequences of their actions. Whether based in reality or mythology, the curse of the royal harem continues to captivate our imagination and remind us of the precarious nature of power..
Reviews for "A Legacy of Sorrow: The Curse of the Royal Harem"
1. Sarah - 1 star
I found "Curse of Royal Harem" to be a complete disappointment. The storyline was predictable and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real development. The acting was mediocre at best, with most of the actors seeming to just go through the motions. The whole series felt like a cheap soap opera rather than the epic historical drama it was marketed as. Overall, I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this show.
2. Michael - 2 stars
"Curse of Royal Harem" had potential but ultimately fell short. The plot was intriguing initially, but as the series progressed, it became convoluted and confusing. It felt like the writers were just making things up as they went along, resulting in a messy and disjointed narrative. The pacing was also slow, with many unnecessary filler episodes that added nothing to the overall story. I was hoping for a gripping historical drama, but unfortunately, I was left feeling unsatisfied.
3. Jessica - 2 stars
I was excited to watch "Curse of Royal Harem" due to its historical setting, but I was quickly disappointed. The costumes and set design were impressive, but that's where the positives end for me. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, making it hard to connect with the characters. Additionally, the portrayal of women was problematic, perpetuating harmful stereotypes. The show lacked depth and failed to explore the complexities of the royal harem. Overall, I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this shallow and poorly executed series.