Dramaxstyle: [Drama Reviews] 寂寞空庭春欲晚 Chronicles of Life

Synopsis:
A simple duet of musical pipes would instigate a complicated love story. During Emperor Kang Xi's 18th year of reign, he was escorted by imperial guard Nalan Rong Ruo during an outing. While Kang Xi played the song "Moon Rising" on his reed pipe, someone was accompanying him on her pan pipe from a distant location. Rong Ruo realized that it was his cousin, Wei Lin Lang, and was overcome with emotion. Kang Xi then ordered Prince Fu Quan to find the palace maid playing the pan pipe so that she could be betrothed to Rong Ruo. However, upon finding Lin Lang, Fu Quan realized that Kang Xi also had feelings for her, thus he secretly decided to pull a switch by selecting someone else to be betrothed to Rong Ruo and ordered Lin Lang to serve Kang Xi instead. It was only after Kang Xi fell deeply in love with Lin Lang that he learned she was actually the cousin Rong Ruo was in love with all along...
credits to Dramawiki

CAST:
Zheng Shuang as Wei Lin Lang / Liang Er
Hawick Lau as Kang Xi / Ye San
Vin Zhang as Na Lan Rong Ruo
Edward Zhang as Chang Qing / Ah Si Hai
Michelle Yim as Xiao Zhuang
Mika Wang as Consort Hui

Hawick Lau as Kang Xi

Hawick's Kang Xi was pretty useless and weak compared to the legendary Qing emperor. All he did all day was to think of how to make Lin Lang remember him and rescuing her for the nth time since our dear female lead is near deathbed every other episode. With that said, I still like how Kang Xi knew Lin Lang love Rong Ruo yet tries to let his love for her down and gave them his blessings.

Zheng Shuang as Wei Lin Lang / Liang Er

Ohh, Zheng Shuang I love you so much but why do you have to disappoint me with your emotionless acting and poor delivering of lines? Her scenes where I find okay was her emotional moments especially when she cries, that was when I considered fine acting from her.

Though, overall she did improve in her acting as compared to the horrendous Cage of Love.

Vin Zhang as Na Lan Rong Ruo

Yes, the guy who had lots of commotion on his lipstick color. It's my first time seeing him here and his acting was not bad for a newbie except that he had on the same expression be it happy or sad.

Mika Wang as Consort Hui

Some might remember her as Xiu Qing from Jackie Chan's historical film, Dragon Blade. Now back to her portrayal of Consort Hui, yes her acting was not too bad but it's her face I can't bear to watch. Her cheek is so full and her nose was equally fake not to mention how sharp her jaw was.

Edward Zhang as Chang Qing / Ah Si Hai

Ahh Eunuch Chang Qing! Totally agreed on what the netizens said about him stealing all the limelight from Hawick! Looking forward to his later projects!

CHEMISTRY

The chemistry between Hawick and Zheng Shuang was a lot better than the awkward Cage of Love which I had a hard time finishing. This time round, intimate scenes were done sweetly and desirable.

Chang Qing and Yun Zhu's love story also had me go awwww simply because the cold Chang Qing became soft hearted at Yun Zhu's innocence and saved her several times. The sadness shown on his face when Yun Zhu died was simple incredible.

Thoughts:

The drama started off extremely well and promising, the first ten episodes actually left me anticipating for more. However it just became draggy and meaningless towards the end. I just hated how 'fickle' the female lead is towards the emperor, like how they can be sweet at this moment and immediately hating him at the next second for killing her parents, since she recalled her memories. With that said, this is still a quality drama which had potential to be good. I recommend this to Hawick fans, though you might end up liking Edward Zhang instead!

Pics and Trailer down below!