Enduring empresses

If we were to highlight TV dramas that have left a lasting impact on young Chinese audiences, Empresses in the Palace (2011) would undoubtedly be on the list.

This was evident on Jan 11, when a livestream event dedicated to the drama on the Chinese video platform Youku quickly garnered over 6 million views.

The drama tells the story of Zhen Huan, a young woman who enters the Forbidden City as an imperial concubine to Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Throughout the series, she transforms from an innocent, sheltered girl into a shrewd and determined empress dowager, navigating the dangerous intrigues of the palace.

Fourteen years after its release, the drama continues to resonate with viewers in China. Many fans have created their own interpretations and remixes of iconic scenes, reflecting their own experiences in real life.

This has sparked a wave of memes, popular phrases, and fresh takes on the characters, now collectively referred to as "Zhen Xue" (the study of Empresses in the Palace) among Chinese internet users.

During the livestreamed event, the director and main cast of the show reunited for the first time in over a decade. Through performances and interviews, they shared behind-the-scenes stories, rekindling the connection between the characters and their devoted fans.

"It's not enough to simply create something beautiful, because 'beauty' and 'attractiveness' change with time," said director Zheng Xiaolong at the ceremony. "What endures is the complexity of human nature, which will always captivate audiences."