The Poetry and Story Behind The Chinese Drama Title of Minglan

[@lateefahsanni3884]

The one thing I love about Chinese is that they respect their cultures so much, probably than any other country does,.. They never fail to bring the history, almost slose to how it was done in the past, to live through their entertainment... I love how story of minglan was produced and directed very keenly and closely towards bringing out the beauty in the natural setting of the past... Story of minglan is a very intriguing drama that is very different from other legend titled drama.... I love how it's not about the court but about the family rules and hierarchy this time.. So much to learn ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@NarnianLady]

There are other cultures with similar mindset, like the Koreans for example :) Also with deep family values and virtues of loyalty, trust, redemption and friendship. That is one reason I appreciate these Asian dramas so much - some of them :)

[@NarnianLady]

@Pure Mrax Yes, although it also had strong ties to Buddhism, and later, Christianity.

[@elcidgaming]

No actually they destroyed all their cultural heritages. China is one of the most lacking in "culture". its very hard to find temples. The people dont even value other people. the most valuable thing in china is money and the party. Maybe you were refering to Taiwan where most of what remains of chinese culture is preserved

[@elcidgaming]

@朱红伟 That is very cool! Yes mate I think China wants all the cultural.heritage but the problem.is Mao destroyed most traces of it years ago. I mean any country teaches literature nothing especial about that.I also noticed that Taiwanese know how to write traditional Chinese vs simplified

[@elcidgaming]

@朱红伟 Like what they say,,one exerts on what they lack The taiwanese have everything already. "changed for the better" well have to agree to disagree. A government that doesnt care about human rights and respect international teritory and commits genocide in its own and other peoples should not exist. This is so typical of you as well to discriminate against Taiwanese as expected but then again,,who can blame them,, culturewise they have everything already. Maybe people tend to ignore what they have

[@veryqun]

love it when you make Chinese poetry/phrase explanation videos. Even though I can speak Chinese fluently, I don't understand the nuances behind poems by myself! Thank you

[@donnawang1673]

yes! me too

[@misssunny6489]

Loved this video! I was rewatching a few episodes of Minglan and FINALLY noticed that the theme song used the poem within the lyrics and that the ending clip has the actual poem written there too. I would have never noticed without your video - so a big thank you! I love finally getting cultural references I would have normally missed 😊

[@lodascholar8175]

Love the end theme "don't you know, don't you know"

[@mongtan2309]

Yes, this ending reminds me of the Emily Dickinson style: clear and playful with words!? 👍😲👍

[@CaroleMcDonnell]

Wow! Thank you so much. This was so good and helpful. Whenever i saw the phrase "don't you know there are always flourishing leaves and fallen flowers" i thought it gave me hope that although the leaves (concubine's children or dissolute unimportant people) are not as highly prized as the flowers (main wife's children or the rich and powerful) that the leaves would somehow flourish. But there is so much more. Thanks so much for this.

[@mongtan59]

Wow, I didn't think of that: that's probably why the book and the film had been so entitled -- poetic as well as feudalistic realistic!? :)

[@artemistheory]

I've watched from beginning to end. Thank you for explaining, I'm already in love with the main song and this drama, this just made the world even bigger for me.

[@seeexy]

so does it mean good (for u) or bad? the "made the world even bigger for me" ref.

[@cmc35]

Thanks for the great info! It was very helpful for the music video I made about the show. My translation of the poem: Rough winds swept last night, light rain fell. Sleep hasn't cleared strong wine from my head. How did that Begonia tree fare? Same as before, the servant said. She does not see The plump green and starved red.

[@tianwenma8598]

beautiful

[@TheIrishAnge]

CMC gorgeous translation, the original poet would be proud!

[@kiraidesunosekai]

Let me sum few things after watching your video~ 1. I know that Chinese culture are so "rich", but now I realize it was far beyond that! Awesome culture indeed! I was kinda frowned at first but then I could fully understand it. Thank you for explains it so well.

[@sandralow4246]

Love this! I was trying to figure out what the title means and here you are, with the best explanation. Thank you. I learn so much from you!

[@geoklianfeser-chua6808]

wow! absolutely amazing how you explained the poem and title! I am now more interested to follow the drama! Thank you! I wud like to mention how pretty your chinese costume is! Suits you well!

[@h.a7688]

I am watching this drama and it is so great so far..it is getting better which surprising for most of drama

[@kathyking9176]

I know this is an older video for you but I just want to thank you for being so informative. And just to let you know that you almost made me choke to death on my liquid refreshment when that picture of the red squirrel jumped up. You are brilliant. I really can't retain all that info but enjoy and appreciate it. Thanks for gracing everyone with your wit and wisdom.

[@matchacup]

oh my... thank you so much for a very detail explanation. Recently i've been obsessed with the drama Minglan and her character. and i've been searching a lot trying to understand the story behind the title too. I really enjoy learning more from you.

[@Eideil1677]

hello! I only now came across your channel and I am very interested in the cultural information you give in your videos! This one I enjoyed immensely! I started studying mandarin chinese last year and I love it so much, from the difference in sounds and grammatical style to how profound literature this old and beautiful can be! I am very grateful for the poem lesson, I am sensing it will be a favorite as I find the metaphors in it amazing! How she could mean that after a thunderous situation (or the stormy night ,literally) the tree or one's life cannot be the same.. It resonates with me a lot!thank you for your video!

[@karolalpha]

Thank you so much for explaining so well the title and the poem. It was really interesting! I love the "zhi fou zhi fou" part! BTW you're so elegant, and the pin in your hair is lovely!

[@sheilahc]

Thank you! Love these types of educational videos!

[@xiolinorchdork]

Thank you for this video! It was so informative. I love how Chinese dramas sneak references to 2000 years of Chinese literature / history... Really makes me wish I had learned all this stuff as a kid too.

[@michelespencer4713]

AvenueX I love hearing your drama insights, seeing your historical period costumes, and learning about Chinese history and culture. It is very interesting and fascinating. Thank You 😃✌🏼👏

[@EXOWAO]

This was so interesting 😮👏🏻👏🏻 I’ve been learning chinese (more like self teaching because I don’t have time to go to a chinese learning school) for two years and this year I started to take it seriously as this is one of my life goals, but seeing things like this scares me, the language feels like this HUGE wall in front of me that I will never be able to climb 😫 But I will keep trying, even if takes me ten years or a lifetime.

[@jinggm9044]

EXO WAO Please don’t get scared of learning the ancient Chinese poetry. Even Chinese themselves find it difficult to learn and understand because the meaning and pronunciation of each character can be different to how it was used nowadays, also the grammar is completely different. Maybe it is similar to reading Old English for you I guess.

[@jinggm9044]

EXO WAO basically understanding ancient Chinese poetry is really more advanced level of Chinese literature study, so don’t let that discourage you.

[@cmc35]

You should look at my uploaded songs. They are Chinese but have English translation, very helpful for learning.

[@julesverneinoz]

Keep at it and keep using it :) I learnt Japanese for 7 years, self-taught 3 years in high school and 4 years in uni (community college class). I can read newspapers and converse like a local but literature is a special knowledge field for those learning any language as a second language. Most people don't even have a good grasp of the literature of their first languages.

[@chiuansheng]

Don't be afraid, even if many modern Chinese people do not have a professional explanation, they will not understand how to interpret ancient poems. Even in ancient times, if you did not receive higher education, you would not know how to interpret poetry. Just like if you haven't studied advanced physics, you won't know what the physicist is talking about.

[@Mei00004]

Thank you for your hard work. I am loving the Chinese drama, The Story of Minglan, right now and just got to know it better. Thank you so much 💖👍🏼💖

[@spmv2306]

Thank you so much for this explanation. I read the Webnovel and wanted to understand the original title but couldn’t. I’m now able to appreciate the poem as well as the poet. So thank you 😊

[@oowatwat]

Wow that was SO informative. Love your educational videos!

[@patriciamcgovern7833]

Thanks for helping your audience to understand the drama on a deeper level...better than a college course.

[@jacksonhua6614]

It's my first time hearing the English explanation of this poem. We recited these poems in our high school. Song ci is so beautiful and attractive. Li qingzhao is one of the most talented female poets in china

[@ladykareenjeroy1562]

The story of minglan is so beautiful you can learn about their traditions and culture and zhao liying is the best actress for me coz you can see the emotions of her face being hurt and being happy and it drives you to be excited every episode..the best drama for me..

[@tzetze004]

Enjoyed your video. So clearly explaining the beauty of how the it all ties in with the plot. I look forward to any more Minglan discussion video you might do in the future.

[@yyzhg6894]

解释太好了，感谢up主传播中国文化，也让我这个在国外生活的人稍微想起了一点小时候学宋词感受到的含蓄蕴藉之美

[@kimt8795]

I am watching the Minglan drama right now and it's a beautiful story. Thank you for making this video.

[@lilyTlily]

This is a great video! Very informative. Definitely worth a rewatch ! I hope you make more of such videos.

[@peachblossoms3941]

Wow I loved your video. When I read the novel, I never knew the historical significance of the title. But thank you so much. Looking forward to more videos like this.

[@rayhunt7179]

This was a great video. You’re such a good teacher.

[@natpetpaisit3658]

Thank you for the vdo! The title is like a mystery to me for a long time ha ha ha. Some people has already tried to explain but it just doesn't make sense until now that I watched your explanation.

[@stericlqz1432]

Thank you, madam. Thank you for introducing ancient Chinese culture to the world. Although people from different cultures may not understand the literary mood of Chinese, I still need to express my deep respect to you.

[@shellyy]

Loved the breakdown of chinese poems. Would really love to listen and learn more poems explained by you. You’re brilliant! Actually makes me hopeful that I could learn poems off by heart

[@INTJchengmo]

I love you style and how you coordinated your hair with your hanfu attire. The overall look is simple, yet fresh and elegant.

[@ginscotchrum]

I appreciate this easy to understand and thorough explanation with historical and cultural background. It is an enriched lesson. As for the poem, my interpretation, if I may offer humbly, in the context of domestic life, that Madam Li might just be frustrated because she could be doubting that the maid was checking and telling her diligently that the crabapple plant was still like before. Could she be telling her in the second last line (Don't you know? Don't you know?), with a bit of frustration at the maid's half-hearted attitude that given the storm from the night before, it should be that there are more green leaves than red flowers had the maid actually looked carefully, paying attention instead of paying her mistress lip service? I find this poem very interesting and its context rich and and full of information of Song domestic lifestyle, roles of mistress/servant and of women, the personality and scholarship of the poet herself.

[@mzhang0225]

Omg thanks for sharing it in English! I'm in love with the show, but always puzzled about the meaning of the show and song

[@peggy_tan]

詞ci, can also be understood as "lyrics", as each title also comes with its melody for singing.

[@jinggm9044]

Peggy Tan I feel CI is more like melody form and filled up with different lyrics

[@peggy_tan]

@@jinggm9044 that is 詞牌(ci pai), the title name of each Ci. Ci itself is the lyrics part.

[@hanchen3932]

没错

[@raozixin7782]

说的太好了，今天的衣服也好美。每次看都觉得自己的英语要再好好提高了。

[@disitinali2095]

同感同感！感觉自己口语实在不够流利

[@Saoirse-eb2rn]

Many thanks.Now I understood the deep meaning behind That beautiful poem.Everthing is constantly changing nd becoming something other to what it was before.subscribed to your channel.😍

[@TheCikguSejarah]

oh my god, this is so great. i've been trying to find the meaning of the poem for ages now.

[@jellybean6588]

Your voice speaking Chinese is just so soothing and beautiful ! 😍😍

[@Ziyneb白熙]

This is the most beautiful thing I've seen, heard, learnt this week!

[@ojiehojilla8062]

I really love the story of Ming lan...watched it so many times. Thank U. Bonus point was that it was Zhao L..doper love

[@margarethu298]

This video was so helpful and informative! Great explanation of the poem and it’s history! I would love more of these!

[@buckrogers5331]

Very well explained. Thank you! Haven't visited your channel in a while. You are still looking good!

[@BeverlyChanggoogle]

I was wondering regarding the meaning - so thanks for explaining so thoroughly!

[@laramurieltzvir80]

I love this kind of videos. Please, keep doing them!

[@aniron76]

I can keep hearing all your explanation the whole Day! And what a mood with that frame at the back

[@pohkimteh5041]

Thank you for this beautiful explanation . I love the drama

[@jamshen5591]

感谢up的讲解，其实这首词我理解有另外一层意思，要结合当时宋朝的背景，当时南宋朝廷被迫南迁，多少人家在这次避难南迁中妻离子散，流离失所，李清照当时与他的丈夫也是因为南迁而被迫分开，最后甚至再没能团圆，所以她才天天借酒消愁。而当时的婚姻女着绿色嫁衣出嫁，男着红色婚服迎娶。结合这个背景，这首如梦令，所表达的东西更加的深刻而且内涵。昨夜雨疏风骤，其实是暗指大大小小兵祸连连，卷帘人，其实是安置那些朝廷权贵，当时的权贵已经腐败不堪，外面国土兵祸连连，百姓流离失所，他们任然在汴京歌舞升平，仿若太平盛世，所以问他们外面是什么情况，他们或自欺欺人，或根本不知，只好道“海棠依旧”，其实只有老百姓才能懂得这乱世之苦，妻离子散，家已不家。

[@yongqiyue605]

脱离历史理解诗词都是耍流氓。这首词成于宋哲宗元符三年，离衣冠南渡还有20多年，你指望一个十五六岁的怀春少女写出多深刻的词

[@elohime]

“什麼是過度解讀？”

[@dorischoo]

Interesting and informative. Learn some thing new, the characters, definitions as well as pronunciation of those words. Thanks for sharing.

[@tonitaylor5485]

Thank you enjoyed the video and your instructional style on title information.

[@krestik_2734]

Thank you a lot! i was so curious what the title actually means. It is so much backstory and meaning to it

[@ingwoo861]

This is so beautiful! Could you do more videos about poetry please ☺️

[@willieledbetter5494]

Thank you. Your submission is an interesting, engaging and insightful look into Chinese literature, culture, language and drama. I wish to submit a proposition. About the breakdown, translation and interpretation of the Poem Title at 10:14 - 10:40. Is it impossible, that the language used is a reflection of the study of people's character by discerning and ascertaining a disposition with tact? 'Shì wèn' suggests that one should test, or is testing by a skilfully framed enquiry, 'juăn lián rén' in order to unravel, uncover, unroll the facade of human poise, premise or disposition, and ascertain a Truth, on a delicate matter of import. Watching the drama, it is unquestionably about the depths of court and high society intrigues, a world framed by, with and for subterfuge. And as reflected in the drama, reveals the importance of the placement of agents of discord, dissent, and the ruse, by vested interests and controlling parties. A world where information is paramount, loyalties are concealed, and the game is played from within and without. Is the Poem Title an insight, into the subject, who inhabits a 'Goldfish Bowl' of intrigues, who enquires about the conditions of the world outside looking in, and its impact on the world the subject inhabits, while inside looking out? Could it be possible, that the subject is testing the authenticity, sincerity and truth of a present person's (Maid perhaps) character and motives..? And is thus sharing this with an audience through the medium of Poetry, as a vehicle of freedom, escapism, and the search for Truth? Could it be less about the answer, and all the more about the skill of the enquiry..?

[@katl6953]

This was interesting especially how it fits in with the theme of the drama and the poet herself. 😊

[@aliimperial9285]

amazing story. Very warmth. I keep watching for the nth times

[@studiohq]

I would love to listen to you reading her poems X, your voice is perfect for them ...

[@Dona91tella]

Thank u! Was waiting for this to understand the title!! Ask my husband but seem like he don't know nothing about poems xD

[@CathyC]

I really enjoyed the poetry explanation. Thank you

[@TheIrishAnge]

Excellent, informative video. Many thanks for your hard work and sharing 👍🏻

[@chrisliu5403]

感谢up主，真的说的太好了，没想到自己在油管学宋词lol

[@itsyva7023]

听你用英文讲完 我居然可以靠映像把这几句背出来 真的好好啊~~~~ 谢谢~

[@yvonneburns2786]

Given the allegory of women being the blooms i would rather be the leaves as an everlasting evergreen.

[@kikiang3l]

omg i love that outfit you look so good!

[@davidyuan9790]

宋朝 李清照 《如梦令》 昨夜雨疏风骤，浓睡不消残酒。 试问卷帘人，却道海棠依旧。 知否，知否？应是绿肥红瘦。

[@elohime]

@Fairly Cotard 這前後的物是人非眞令人唏噓啊

[@lilith-in-the-dark]

This is so helpful. Thank you so much. I’m not a chinese. I’ve seen this poem first time from Qing Yu Nian drama. And luckily while I watched The Story of Minglan, Subtitler also translated even song lyrics in this drama. Then I recalled this is the same poem. So can I ask you a question? This drama ost., a whole song’s lyrics are from this famous poem written by Li Qingzhao or just the hook. Thank you

[@Liesl437]

Im inlove with this story.....

[@Roubing-c8e]

She is 婉约派(wan yue pai), but one of her poems which we learned in our testbook is definitely 豪放. 生当作人杰，死亦为鬼雄。至今思项羽，不肯过江东。i think many students have questions when they read the introduction of her being 婉约派, then read a poem like that.

[@humanitiessrock]

好喜欢老师的讲解！身为华裔因为母语能力不是很好但却喜欢古代历史文化；偶然发现您的频道，真的好棒 ^_^

[@yaozhang8732]

出国学习之后，一直在想着如何能让周边的人更加了解我们那悠久的文化，真的很佩服您，加油*\(^_^)/*。

[@marigam]

Wow! Thank you! You explained well!

[@RareJessie]

哇…我看到了什么？！学术派剧迷好棒棒👍🏻…觉得比我中学老师讲得好多了！

[@lilnking4928]

而且是用英文哦⋯⋯

[@jinggm9044]

lilnking4928 是啊，我觉得她讲解的好清楚

[@elijahhu888]

我不管“知否”，我已经知道了你是镇魂女孩……

[@AdelaidaAlayzaSueiro]

Exquisite explanation, thank you!

[@rosiematuguinas9074]

I KEEP WATCHING MING LAN ITS A NICE CHINESE HISTORICAL DRAMA ALSO ZHAO LI YING SHE'S A GOOD ACTRESS & HER LEADING MAN & THEY BOTH SUIT EACH OTHER .THEIR CHEMISTRY IS GOOD.& HER LEADING MAN TURN INTO A REAL HUSBAND & THEY BOTH GOOD TOGETHER ❤ 👏 💯👍 MING LAN !!! ZHAO LI YING 💯👍👏

[@thaituanvu1912]

this is the very first time i see your video but i have to say that all your video is for me

[@cassball7]

Thank you for the background!

[@anushavilla]

My eyes keep going to see the guardian photo frame even when my ears are listening 😍😍 so in love with guardian and my Wei Wei..🥰💖💖

[@MrsJulietrose]

Wow...Ididn't understand anything about the song ....still loved it.😂... Now with your detail... Oh! I love it more... Thank you 👍

[@am_I_or_am_I_not]

So that’s why Fan Xian in Qing Yu Nian recites this poem for Haitang DuoDuo, good video

[@patrickma1994]

还在想着什么时候会更新！超爱你的Video！！！讲得超好。

[@e7evenJAZ23]

OMG This is exactly what I was waiting for!!! I'm so excited that I'm leaving this comment before watching. Although I don't watch this drama, I really want to know what the title means and why the author uses this as the title.

[@patrickma1994]

There are a tons of cultural references and many ancient Chinese traditions/ moral norms, so it might be a little hard to understand the plot entirely.

[@BlessAllKC]

If you read this poem in Cantonese ( the ancient Han language with 9 tones ), the last word in each line ( except the 3rd line, composed according to format ) rhymes with each other. All of the pre Tang era, Tang & Song ( Dynasties) poems can be orally recited with perfectly matched rhymes in Cantonese at the end of each line. That is why the Hans in southern GuangDung province want to preserve Cantonese as a core Chinese cultural heritage treasure.

[@newname3718]

In Malaysia there is significant number of us are descendants of Guangzhou people and yueyu is passed down from generation to the next generation in family. It is super interesting to see how much history a language can hold, have you ever wonder why in foreign countries have 唐人街 not 华人街 nor 汉人街 and how even descendants of Guangdong people living outside of China subconsciously address 华人（han Chinese) as 唐人 (at least in Malaysia we do, I almost never heard other Malaysian Chinese of a different dialect branch say the same way)。 I'm willing to believe back then during dynasty tang the language spoken doesn't differ much from the Cantonese we are still using til this day.

[@aiweiliu3410]

锄禾日当午，汗滴禾下土。谁知盘中餐，粒粒皆辛苦。How does it rhyme in Cantonese？

[@Laolin521]

Jesus christ, another misinformed cantonese elitist here. Cantonese just like mandarin, can not perfectly rhyme with all the Tang or Song poems. It's great that you want to preserve chinese cultural heritage, but please do not spread misinformation.

[@elohime]

聲母和遇攝是粵吹永遠的痛

[@twanaR57]

Thank you. Very knowledgeable. Background music is also pleasant.

[@mews2231]

哈哈哈哈哈背景瞩目。。。。。👍

[@moonbeaming]

Yay! I finally have time to sit and relax. Immediately clicked your video. So perfect. 💜💙❤

[@holothewisewolf2579]

You should put a website where you buy your han fu

[@luckymenon19]

What is the background music played in this video (as she explains the poetry)?

[@avengerdarkness8402]

挺好的让不会中文的朋友们了解我们的文化！点赞！

[@cremevanille5045]

how beautiful are your dress. you are very beautiful .😍😘

[@safiya2u]

Thank you so much, I really like it.

[@shuhaothomasyu2290]

woa she sounds so posh even when speaking chinese

[@hya_cinth85]

I love the story of minglan ..

[@TS-pu1vq]

The guardian couple by the table

[@purohitsharad4601]

The story line borders on the outline of pride and prejudice.

[@phoebe1297]

OMG the photo at the back..... it's from The Guardian!!!!!

[@geringuyen7989]

You look great in your Hanfu.

[@mbahkusono9305]

this poem is they make song called dont know or zhi fou interesting