Chinese drama Bu Bu Jing Xin (Startling by Each Step) 2011 review:
Genre: omance, period drama
Episodes: 5
SYNOPSIS
After a terrible car accident, 25-year-old Zhang Xiao (Liu Shi Shi) travels from modern-day China back to the 18th century. She is incarnated as one of her previous lives - that of 16-year-old Maertai Rouxi, the daughter of a Manchu general, during the Qing Dynasty. When attempts to return to her life in the future fail, Rouxi tries to adjust to her new life in the court of Emperor Kangxi but soon becomes entangled in the crown princes' struggle to succeed the throne. With her modern-day knowledge, Rouxi toys with history in her romances with the 8th prince, Yin Si (Kevin Cheng), and 4th prince, Yin Zhen (Nicky Wu), while sharing the confidences of the 13th prince, Yin Xiang (Yuan Hong). Will Rouxi be able to return to her modern-day life or is she destined to live out her life in the past? Also known as "Bubu Jingxin" ("Scarlet Heart"), "Startling by Each Step" is a 2011 Chinese drama series directed by Wu Jin Yuan, Lin Yu Fen and Deng Wei En. It is based on a novel by Tong Hua.
Review:
This series is based on novel so there is a different feel to it. The beginning is intriguing and fun the middle is captivating and the end is so sad that I asked myself why I endured it. The sad parts start at some point and there is no turning back till the final, so it's quiet hard to finish the series especially after so much hardships and losses anyone would expect the girl to get her final reward - her love partner. she manages to go home and see him in modern days but she decides not to go after him. She went so much to be with him and then give up...where's the common sense?!
The princes were great each and everyone of them was unique with their own weaknesses and strengths so it was interesting to see them I liked the tenth prince for his kindness and gutlessness, the eight prince for his perseverance and patience, the forth prince for his calm and caring attitude, the thirteenth prince for his companionship and understanding - he was my fav friend, the fourteenth prince was loyal and short tempered.
The throne went to the right person. In other circumstances he would be greater ruler than he was in the series.
So it was sad to see how he punished his own brothers and was left alone. Especially that their father wanted them to be one strong family and stay together but they ruined all that focusing only on their own perspective without seeing the whole situation.
This puzzle wasn't given an answer - why fourth's own mother didn't love him...while his brother was favorite...
The emperor was a wise ruler but with his own family he did grave mistakes while knowing his own sons he couldn't choose the best successor. while he was lenient with prince's' mistakes like bribes and manipulations he still favored the crown prince that was lecherous and used bribes with officials...he didn't punish him properly, with ninth prince the same but the eight he punished severely. Where's the logic!?
Whe Ruoxi refused the proposal he gave her severe punishment she refused emperor's order she could easily lose her life so it's quiet controversial. While considering her loyal service prior to the edict he could be more lenient.
The series didn't explain why she went back in time, she had a major accident and probably would die after the electrical bump but she woke up in ancient times. I think the real Ruoxi and she went through accidents at the same time and the real Ruoxi died but it wasn't her time to die yet so she took her place, well it's my own speculation.
I really like all the wives as they loved and cared for their husbands. They had their negative points but they weren't bad at heart, for example the empress - fourth's wife - she knew about his love to Ruoxi and accepted it. Tenth's wife and others.
Good points - great cast, captivating story, real like situations, touching moments.
Negative points - too many episodes, sad ending.
