War and Beauty
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
War and Beauty (金枝慾孽) was a 30-episode TV series broadcasted in Hong Kong in 2004 by TVB Jade starring Charmaine Sheh, Gigi Lai, Maggie Cheung Ho Yee, Sheren Tang, Rebecca Chan, Bowie Lam, and Moses Chan.
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[edit] Meaning of Title
The meaning behind the title is rather interesting. Phonetically, at least in Cantonese, the title sounds exactly like the Chinese phrase "金枝玉葉" (literally translates to "[A tree with] golden branches and jade leaves"). This is a classical Chinese proverb used to describe aristocratic but unmarried women in feudal Chinese society. The proverb is also used to describe a lady from a privileged or aristocratic background.
The title itself is effectively a pun on the original phrase, with the third and fourth ideogramme being replaced by two other characters which described the main themes of the entire series. The characters "玉" (jade) and "葉" (leaf) were replaced by the phoentically similar "慾" (lust / desire) and "孽" (evilness, nemesis). Thus, the title itself describes the entire plot, which roughly translates to "women from prestigious backgrounds with lusts / desire for power and evilness".
Owing to the prolific use of the character "慾" (lust) in pornographic films and productions, some people believed in the beginning that the show is pornographic in nature. While the show does deal with the workings of Forbidden City's inner harem (which, in turn, invariably deals with sex), the show does not have any elements of pornography.
[edit] Cast
- Sheren Tang- Lau Ku Luk Yu-Yuet (钮钴禄如玥, Rǔ Yuè), an initially favored concubine who eventually fell out of favor with the Emperor after losing a power struggle with the Empress.
- Gigi Lai Chi- Hau Kai Yuk-Ying (侯佳玉瑩, Yù Yǐng), a Manchurian who was treated quite badly by her father before entering the palace.
- Bowie Lam Bo Yee- Suen Bak Yeung (孫白颺, Sūn Bái Yǎng), a palace doctor who caters to the need of all concubines. Was romantically involved with Yuk-Ying, who bore his child and posed it as the Emperor's child.
- Moses Chan Ho- Hung-Mo (孔武, Kóng Wǔ), a soldier who gained the favor of the Emperor after saving his life. Was responsible for the safety of Yi-Shun and Yuk-Ying on their way to Beijing. His fraternal brother, Chan Song, was expelled from the palace after he was found stealing, and joined rebel forces at the end of the series.
- Charmaine Sheh Si Man- Dung Kai Yi-Shun (董佳爾淳, Ěr Chún), a Han posing as a Manchurian in order to get into the palace and save her adoptive father from death.
- Maggie Cheung Ho Yee- On-Sin (蘇完尼瓜爾佳安茜, Ān Qiàn), a palace maid who, after knowing that her grandmother was killed by the Empress, actively gained the Emperor's favor to take revenge.
- Rebecca Chan- the Empress of the Qing Dynasty, she was initially out of favor, but regained it after winning a power struggle with Yu-Yuet.
[edit] Synopsis
This show was set in the Forbidden City, in Qing Dynasty China in the late years of Emperor Jiaqing's rule. It focused on the power struggle between various Royal concubines trying to secure the Emperor's favor, with corruption, intrigue and outright deceit being the weapons of choice. These women were willing to manipulate, betray and even kill just about anyone in order to get what they wanted.
Throughout the later parts of the series, the inevitable results of this corruption become increasingly apparent. The main characters start to lose everything they care for, while being forced to conclude that they have only themselves to blame. In the meantime, corruption takes its toll on the outside world as well: the entire empire is destabilizing.
But none of that is a deterrent to the scheming women. On the contrary: even when the rebels make their way into the Forbidden City, the manipulators' first thoughts are as to how this situation may be used to their advantage. In the end, corruption itself is the only clear winner and many of those involved die or are forced to flee the City forever.
[edit] Ending of Main Characters
At the end of the series, many things come to a head. As the corruption of Qing Politics became all the more prevalent, the people of the country organize an armed rebellion. The rebellion was led by Hung-Mo's long time friend himself, who have felt wronged during his time in the palace. The fact that these rebels were going to invade the palace opened up some interesting opportunities, especially for the Empress who tried to kill off opposition while blaming the rebels.
Dr Suen made an attempt to use the situation to escape with Yuk-Ying. However the Empress was already aware of their affair, and while the two were in Yuk-Ying's residence the Empress' guards boarded up the entrances and set it on fire, causing both to be burned alive.
On-Sin, whose plan to exact revenge on the Empress for her grandmother's death was aborted, hatched plans to leave the palace with Hung-Mo and Yi-Shun (who had lost all will to live in the Palace after her adoptive father died).
Yu-Yuet had also been invited to leave by the trio, but she refused to because she entered the palace at the age of 16, and was unaccustomed to civilian life. Having survived an attack by several guards dressed up as rebels and having realized the true fate of Dr Suen and Yuk-Ying, she went on to confront the Empress directly. She appeared to be in a superior political position, and one of her most famous lines are "From the beginning it was I who could compete with you. It was that way in the past, the present, and it would continue in the future!"
All was not over for the ones who left. As the trio tries to leave the palace, On-Sin was shot by a stray arrow which she would die of soon afterwards. Both sadly and romantically fitting, she died on Hung-Mo's shoulder while escaping in a horse cart. In the end, only Hung-Mo and Yi-Shun successfully left the palace and, as hinted by the film, started a new life.
Some analysists believe that the rebellion represents a fall of order. In an ordered society, backstabbing and deceit are considered 'normal', but when the order fails human violence and compassion finally takes a definite shape; as opposed to the vague ambition and purpose the women has displayed throughout the show.
[edit] Popularity and Criticism
This drama was very popular, almost unexpectedly so. Amongst Hong Kong's office workers, the feuding and shifting alliances of the Imperial women, with greater issues being sacrificed for personal piques and gains was taken as a metaphor for the office politics familiar to many. Other support for the show came from the devoted fans of three of the female leads Charmaine Sheh, Gigi Lai and Maggie Cheung Ho Yee. But the person who gained the most attention was Sheren Tang, for her role as "如玥" (Yu Yuet), to most people as "如妃" (Concubine Yu). Her powerful portrayal of the character made Sheren one of the most popular actresses that year. In public, viewers tend to call Sheren by her character's name as well as doing the traditional bow to royalty. The exploits of their characters were followed in minute detail in online forums, with each betrayal or stab in the back leading to flaming, denunciations, accusations and denials amongst the rival factions.
The show was not without its critics. Many sociologists, psychologists, and academics have criticized the show as promoting hatred and backstabbing as a "natural" matter in society, and fears that the drama will twist the youth's perception of social relationships in general. However, many ordinary citizens simply believe the show was a reflection of the real world.
[edit] Awards
Three of the actresses playing the concubines, Charmaine Sheh, Gigi Lai, Sheren Tang, were nominated for TVB Anniversary Awards' My Favourite Actress in a Leading Role, with Gigi Lai winning. Amongst some this led to hotly debated controversy, due to the fact that it seemed that Sheren had clearly outperformed Gigi in terms of acting, and many argued that Sheren deserved the award (Sheren won My Favourite Powerhouse Actress). It was said that Gigi simply won the award because TVB wanted to extend her contract with the TV station, and presented her with the award as a sign of good will. The counter argument was that the award was for the most popular actress and not the best one. Nevertheless, there was close contention for the award (the hottest in recent years), thus the idea of the award being used politically is debatable. Life seemed to imitate art in the way the actresses battled for the award in a manner akin to the way their characters had battled for the emperor's praise in the show.
My Favourite Actor in a Leading Role award went to Bowie Lam for his role as a Chinese medical doctor/official in the show.
In January 2006, Charmaine Sheh won Favourite Leading Actress in Malaysia' satellite TV; Astro Wah Lai Toi Drama Awards 2005 for her role as Yi-Shun. War and Beauty has also won other seven awards for Four Favorite Female Characters (Yi-Shun, Yuk Ying, On Sin and Concubine Yu), Most Unforgettable Moments (Princess death), Lethal Beauty (Yuk Ying) and Best Drama Series.
[edit] Home Video
War and Beauty was released on DVD and VCD a few months after its finale, and was a bestseller. It also became the first TVB drama to receive a DVD release, albeit a limited one. The DVD box was made of shiny gold cloth, with the drama's title woven on it with gold thread.
