Have you watched "Empresses in the Palace"?
This Qing dynasty drama, which aired at the end of 2011, has consistently topped the replay charts on major video platforms. Initially, it was thought that "Empresses in the Palace" would spark a wave of palace intrigue dramas, but today it stands as the pinnacle of the genre. Scenes from the show, such as the granting of a red silk death, Consort Xi's return to the palace, and lines like "A bitch is just pretentious" and "I can't do it, Your Majesty," have become enduring memes and catchphrases on the internet. In 2025, the creators reunited 15 years later, still garnering significant online attention. The enthusiasm for the show remains strong not only in mainland China but also in places like Taiwan, where New Year replays attract considerable interest.
Why has this drama about the struggles of women in the palace surpassed so-called historical dramas about men governing the country? The reason may lie in the fact that, from a woman's perspective, the cruelty of power is laid bare.