Story of Yanxi Palace (2018)

Synopsis

A 2018 Qing Dynasty palace drama starring Wu Jinyan, Nie Yuan, Qin Lan, and Charmaine Sheh. It follows Wei Yingluo, a palace maid who rises through the ranks to become the beloved Imperial Concubine Ling. A massive hit with over 15 billion views on iQiyi.

Overview

Story of Yanxi Palace (延禧攻略) is a 2018 Chinese Qing Dynasty palace drama co-directed by Hui Kaidong and Wen Deguang, starring Wu Jinyan, Nie Yuan, Qin Lan, and Charmaine Sheh (Sheh Sze-man) in leading roles. The series premiered exclusively on iQiyi in July 2018, running for 70 episodes.

Set during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, the story follows Wei Yingluo (Wu Jinyan), a palace maid who enters the Forbidden City to investigate her sister's death. Through intelligence and resilience, she navigates the treacherous world of palace intrigue, eventually winning the Qianlong Emperor's (Nie Yuan) favor and rising to become Imperial Concubine Ling. The series became a cultural phenomenon and one of the most talked-about dramas of 2018.

Plot

Wei Yingluo was originally an ordinary embroiderer who enters the palace as a maid to investigate the mysterious death of her sister, Wei Yingning. Within the Forbidden City — a place filled with power struggles and scheming — Yingluo relies on her exceptional wisdom and courage to survive one crisis after another.

At the palace, she faces conflicts with Erkang and Empress Nara (Charmaine Sheh), among other concubines. Meanwhile, the romantic thread between her and the Qianlong Emperor — evolving from mutual suspicion to genuine affection — is a central element of the drama.

Empress Fucha (Qin Lan), the Emperor's first wife, is the most gentle and kind character in the series. She serves as both teacher and friend to Yingluo, becoming her most important spiritual pillar in the palace. The Empress's tragic fate is one of the most emotionally devastating parts of the series.

Cast

Cultural Phenomenon

Story of Yanxi Palace became the hit drama of the year, surpassing 15 billion views on iQiyi. The series not only sparked a viewing craze in China but also gained popularity across Southeast Asia and North America, becoming a successful case of Chinese cultural export.

The drama's aesthetic is distinguished by its Morandi color palette (muted, desaturated tones), which set it apart from other costume dramas of the time. The production was meticulous in its research, incorporating numerous elements of intangible cultural heritage, including velvet flowers, K'o-ssu silk tapestry, and Peking embroidery.

Wu Jinyan leapt from an unknown newcomer to a leading star through her role as Wei Yingluo, while Xu Kai also gained a massive fan following for his portrayal of Fu Heng.

References

1. Douban - Story of Yanxi Palace (2018): movie.douban.com/subject/27063768
2. Baidu Baike - Story of Yanxi Palace: baike.baidu.com/item/延禧攻略
3. Wikipedia - Story of Yanxi Palace: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Story_of_Yanxi_Palace
4. iQiyi official data
5. Yu Zheng studio production records